Charizard (SSB4)

Charizard in Super Smash Bros. 4
Universe	Pokémon
Other playable appearance	in Brawl
Availability	Starter
Final Smash	Mega Charizard X
Tier	E (45)

“	Charizard Fires It Up!	”
—Introduction Tagline

Charizard (リザードン, Lizardon) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4. Its return to the series was announced during a Super Smash Bros. Direct on April 8th, 2014, during which its fellow Pokémon representative Greninja was also revealed. Shin'ichirō Miki reprises his role as Charizard's voice actor, although he re-recorded Charizard's voice clips to match how it sounds in the Pokémon anime.

Charizard is currently ranked 45th out of 58 on the tier list, placing it in the E tier, and making it the third highest ranked super heavyweight. This is a slight improvement from Pokémon Trainer's placement in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where he was ranked 29th out of 38. Due to becoming a standalone character, Charizard's playstyle is much more consistent, and its moveset is no longer burdened by stamina. Charizard also boasts overall fast mobility for a super heavyweight: its walking and dashing speeds are among the fastest in the game, while a number of its moves boast the useful combination of respectable utility and minimal start-up lag.

Fitting for a super heavyweight, Charizard boasts an array of strong KOing options and impressive endurance, which are respectively supplemented by rage and its varied recovery. It also boasts a potent grab game that allows for combos, KO set-ups, and even KOing outright. Charizard's up throw is particularly notable, as it is the second strongest throw of any kind in the game.

However, Charizard has some exploitable weaknesses. Despite having a number of regular moves with minimal start-up lag, its overall frame data is nevertheless below average compared to most of the cast. Charizard also suffers from a vulnerability to juggling, a common problem among heavyweights and super heavyweights; although its options to escape from a disadvantaged state exist, they can also be easy to exploit.

In the early metagame, Charizard endured very poor tournament representation and results, to the point of widely being considered the single worst character in the game. However, thanks to consistently receiving very useful buffs via game updates over the SSB4's lifespan, Charizard's tournament presence, particularly in regional tournaments outside of North America, has considerably improved at a very gradual pace. As a result, it has managed to rise from initially being at the middle of the bottom-tier to currently being in the upper portion of the low-tier, which reflects the general consensus of its tier status even prior to its tier reassessment.

Attributes

Unlike the other playable Pokémon, who are either lightweights (Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and Mewtwo) or middleweights (Lucario and Greninja), Charizard is a super heavyweight. Fittingly, its overall damage output and endurance are both very high, although it deviates from its weight class' archetype in a few ways. The most noticeable differences are its grounded mobility: Charizard's dashing speed is the ninth fastest in the game, whereas its walking speed is tied with Mewtwo's for the fifteenth fastest in the game. Its aerial mobility is also distinct a super heavyweight: like Pit and Dark Pit, Charizard has the combination of below average falling speed and multiple double jumps. The former makes it somewhat floaty in spite of its weight and thus enables it to avoid certain set-ups, whereas the latter assists its recovery. However, Charizard's mobility also has very apparent flaws. Its traction is tied with Mewtwo's as the second lowest in the game, whereas its below average air speed hinders its otherwise varied recovery. Charizard's falling speed also does more harm than good: in addition to making it more susceptible to juggles, it also results in it being more susceptible to being KO'd vertically because of its above average gravity.

Charizard's greatest strength is its KO potential, as its plethora of KOing options enable it to easily and/or reliably KO opponents either on the ground or in the air. Charizard's sweetspotted forward smash, Flare Blitz, and sweetspotted back aerial are its strongest attacks: while near the edge of Final Destination, each of them KO middleweights below 85% and 75% in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, respectively. Although sweetspotted forward tilt, down smash, up aerial, sweetspotted down aerial, and Rock Smash are weaker in comparison, they KO easily regardless while near the edge (down smash, forward tilt and Rock Smash), the upper blast line (up aerial), and off-stage (down aerial). Alternatively, Charizard possesses a few faster, albeit somewhat weaker KOing options in the forms of up tilt, up smash, sweetspotted forward aerial, up throw, and Fly. Out of these weaker options, up smash and up throw are the most effective. Up smash hits on frame 6, deals respectable damage, and KOs reliably regardless of whether it hits grounded or aerial opponents. Conversely, up throw is the second strongest throw of any kind in the game (surpassed only by Ness' back throw), which enables it to KO reliably even without the aid of a platform.

Another of Charizard's strengths is the utility of its moveset, with its neutral attack being a prime example of this. In addition to being among the most damaging of its kind in the game, Charizard's neutral attack can be jab canceled to set up into up smash or down tilt, while its deceptively long range also makes it useful for spacing and as a punish out of shield. Down tilt, neutral aerial, and forward aerial have respectable ranges and decently low lag, and are thus useful for spacing like neutral attack. When cleanly autocanceled, neutral air has minimal ending lag; this and the ending positioning of its hitboxes make it generally safe on block and whiff. Down tilt, sweetspotted down smash, and sweetspotted forward aerial are semi-spikes, which makes them reliable for setting up edgeguards, whereas up tilt and up smash are reliable anti-air attacks. In addition to up throw's KO potential, the remainder of Charizard's grab game possesses significant utility: its forward and back throws have decent damage outputs and are reliable for setting up edgeguards, whereas its down throw is a reliable combo starter from low to medium percentages. Despite its low traction, Charizard also has strong utility in its out of shield options; the high range of jab lets it punish many things out of shield, while Fly can be performed out of shield to punish misspaced attacks and cross-ups hard.

The respectable level of utility within Charizard's moveset also extends to its special moves. Flamethrower is a short-ranged projectile that can safely rack up damage, intercept approaches and some other projectiles, or gimp recoveries. Rock Smash grants super armor beginning on frame 5, making it a powerful but unsafe reversal or landing option. Lastly, Flare Blitz and Fly are both highly protective recovery options and supremely risky but rewarding KO options: the former covers a great amount of horizontal distance and grants armor that can withstand a maximum of 15%, whereas the latter quickly covers a decent amount of vertical distance and grants super armor, and they both kill well without rage and very early with high rage.

However, Charizard has significant flaws. Although a number of its normal moves have low start-up lag, its overall frame data is below average compared to most of the cast. This is especially evident in its aerials, as its fastest aerial comes out on frame 8. Several of its most useful and/or potent attacks have significant lag: Flamethrower and neutral aerial have considerable start-up lag, while back air and forward air have significant ending lag that can be punished when whiffed. In addition, some of Charizard's most useful and/or potent attacks have specific flaws aside from lag. Flare Blitz's recoil damage makes it best used strictly as a punishment option. Forward smash, forward aerial, back aerial, down aerial, and Rock Smash require their sweetspots to KO reliably, whereas up throw's KO potential can be hindered via directional influence. Charizard also suffers from poor landing options like its fellow superheavies. Its low air speed and air acceleration weaken drifting, and its slow and laggy aerials and specials give few landing options other than neutral aerial. Lastly, Charizard's neutral game is limited because of its lack of safety on shield; while it has a decent defensive neutral game, its neutral suffers against opponents that can pressure it safely or force it to approach unsafely regularly.

A few of Charizard's custom moves alleviate some of its weaknesses. Dragon Rush is effectively its best custom move: although it deals slightly less damage and has very minimal KO potential, it hits multiple times, cannot be blocked by opponents when recovering, has less lag, and lacks recoil damage. Fly High covers slightly more distance, but at the cost of dealing any damage. Conversely, Rising Cyclone covers noticeably less distance, but is significantly stronger, to the point that it can KO most characters around as low as 56% while near the upper blast line. Lastly, Rock Hurl has more range and speed alongside super armor that is active upon start-up, but at the cost of dealing less damage.

Overall, Charizard is essentially an "all-rounder" version of a super heavyweight, yet it is also comparable to Bowser in both moveset and playstyle: it has similar air physics, has a number of moves with similar uses, and uses on its potent grab game for combos and KOs. Unlike Bowser, however, Charizard exchanges grab utility and power, balanced aerial mobility, and raw power for faster grounded mobility, more rounded defensive and offensive options, and a better recovery. These traits result in Charizard's playstyle require patience like Bowser's, but deviate from his by requiring an appropriate balance of offense and defense instead of being largely defensive. Reads and baits can also be pivotal for Charizard's best punishment options, such as its smash attacks and back aerial, although its other assets enable it to not be as dependent on mindgames as Bowser is.

From a competitive standpoint, Charizard is currently placed in the upper portion of the low-tier. While it had been previously regarded as a bottom-tier character, and even the single worst character in the game prior to version 1.0.6, the substantial buffs it consistently received from game updates lead it to be widely regarded as a potential low-tier or mid-tier character even before its improvement in results and official tier reassessment. Despite being well-rounded for a super heavyweight, many players cite Charizard as one of the more complex heavyweights to utilize, and this was reflected by its generally below average tournament representation in North America prior to 2017. Nevertheless, Charizard has managed to achieve sparse, but notable results in tournaments outside of North America, to the point that it has even won some regional tournaments. In addition, its tournament success in North America began to show improvement in 2017, which was especially evident by Bloodcross and Sharpy placing 17th and 33rd, respectively, at CEO Dreamland.

Changes from Brawl

Charizard has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition from Brawl to SSB4. Direct comparisons to its appearance in Brawl are somewhat abstract because of the fact that it could not be played as an individual character; however, it is generally agreed that Charizard itself has been buffed. Charizard's playstyle is drastically different from that of Pokémon Trainer as a whole: in general, the loss of its teammates makes its playstyle much more consistent than Pokémon Trainer's, but less capable of adapting to matchups.

Charizard has received some notable buffs. The removal of stamina grants its moveset consistent power, which is further supplemented by the rage mechanic enabling its wide array of KOing options to become even more potent. In regard to individual buffs, Charizard's grounded mobility has greatly improved: its already fast dashing speed has become the ninth fastest in SSB4, while its walking speed has gone from being the slowest in Brawl to being tied with Mewtwo's as the fifteenth fastest in SSB4. Charizard's grab game has also improved: up throw is now a reliable KOing option and the second strongest throw of any kind in the game, whereas down throw has been re-purposed from a KOing option into a reliable combo starter at low to medium percents. Lastly, Rock Smash and its new side special, Flare Blitz, grant super armor and thus improve its defensive presence, while Flare Blitz also boasts KO and recovery potential.

However, Charizard has also received nerfs. The removal of gliding has greatly weakened its recovery, while Flare Blitz is not as flexible for horizontal recovery like gliding was. Flare Blitz is also burdened with recoil damage, regardless of whether or not it hits a target. In regard to individual nerfs, Charizard's heavier weight, faster falling speed, and slower air speed collectively make it more vulnerable to combos. While some of its moves deal more knockback and are thus able to KO earlier, this, in turn, makes them more difficult to use for combos past medium percentages. Lastly, Charizard's overall grab range has been shortened, though it is still above average compared to most of the cast's overall grab ranges.

Aesthetics

• Charizard's design has changed. It has smaller teeth, a slightly less pronounced snout, and the metacarpal joints on its wings are slightly longer and slightly thinner. Additionally, Charizard's teeth are white instead of beige, its claws are cosmic latte instead of beige, and the interior of its patagium is midnight green instead of Persian green. Lastly, the aesthetic used in SSB4 has resulted in it having a sleeker design, and the orange portion of its skin being more vibrant. Altogether, these changes make Charizard appear virtually identical to its appearance in Pokédex 3D Pro.
• Charizard is slightly more expressive. Its irises now shrink during its sidestep and when it is hit or launched.
• Charizard has new voice clips. Its grunts and roars now match how they sound in the Pokémon anime.
• Due to being separate from Pokémon Trainer, Charizard has a new victory pose that replaces the one that involves Pokémon Trainer petting it. Its new victory pose consists of Charizard using its new side special, Flare Blitz, to descend from the air and crash into ground before striking a pose.

Attributes

• Charizard is heavier (110 → 116). This improves its endurance, but makes it more susceptible to combos.
• Charizard walks faster (0.7 → 1.2).
• Charizard dashes faster (1.8 → 2.0).
• Charizard's air speed is slower (0.987 → 0.92).
• Charizard falls faster (1.35 → 1.4).
• Charizard's traction is lower (0.055 → 0.04).
• Rolls have decreased ending lag (IASA 35 (forward)/IASA 36 (backward) → 33).
• Sidestep has increased ending lag (IASA 25 → 28).
• Air dodge has decreased ending lag (IASA 39 → 34).
• Rolls and sidestep have decreased intangibility frames (frames 4-19 → 4-18 (rolls), frames 2-20 → 3-18 (sidestep)).
• Jumpsquat is slower (6 frames → 7).
• Item throw is stronger (1.198 → 1.208).
• Dash's animation has slightly changed. Charizard now flaps its wings while dashing.
• Charizard is no longer connected to Pokémon Trainer via Pokémon Change or character selection screen input. As a result, it is no longer affected by stamina or type effectiveness, but it is less capable of adapting to matchups.
• The removal of gliding significantly hinders Charizard's recovery.

Ground attacks

• Neutral attack's last hit deals 1% less damage (6% → 5%), although its knockback was compensated (40 (base)/110 (growth) → 60/130).
• Neutral attack transitions significantly faster.
• Sourspotted forward tilt deals 3% less damage (10% → 7%).
• Sweetspotted forward tilt has increased base knockback (35 → 40), slightly improving its KO and spacing potential.
• Forward tilt has decreased start-up lag (frame 12 → 11), a longer duration (frames 12-13 → 11-13), and one of its sourspots is now a sweetspot.
• Forward tilt has increased ending lag (frame 41 → 43).
• Up tilt has increased ending lag (frame 33 → 34) and a shorter duration (frames 9-15 → 9-13).
• Up tilt's animation has slightly changed. Charizard now very slightly fans out its wings while thrusting them upward. This new animation slightly increases its horizontal range.
• Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox instead of a sweetspot and a sourspot, down tilt now deals consistent damage (12% (head)/8% (neck) → 10%).
• Down tilt has altered knockback (40 (base)/100 (growth) → 60/60), removing its KO potential. It also has increased start-up (frame 8 → 9) and ending lag (frame 27 → 31).
• Down tilt has received a windbox that pushes opponents inward, removing its ability to miss at point-blank range.
• Down tilt's animation has slightly changed. Charizard now performs a headbutt, instead of a bite.
• Dash attack has decreased ending lag (frame 44 → 40).
• Due to its initial hitbox being removed, forward smash deals less damage (22% → 17% (clean/late body)/14% (late head)), although its knockback was somewhat compensated (40 (base)/98 (growth) → 60/94). It also has increased ending lag (frame 68 → 70).
• Forward smash has increased horizontal range.
• Up smash has increased ending lag (frame 48 → 49) and no longer has transcendent priority.
• Down smash has increased knockback growth (75 → 79/85), improving its KO potential.
• Due to its angle being altered (80° → 33°/46°), sweetspotted down smash is now a semi-spike.
• Down smash has increased ending lag (frame 60 → 61).
• Down smash's animation has slightly changed. Charizard now stomps the ground with one foot, instead of both feet.

Aerial attacks

• Neutral, up and down aerials have decreased landing lag (22 frames → 20 (neutral, up), 35 frames → 33 (down)).
• Neutral aerial has smaller hitboxes (4u/4u/4u/4u → 3.5u/3u/1.5u/3.5u). It also has increased start-up (frame 8 → 9), increased ending lag (frame 59 → 60), and a shorter duration (frames 8-28 → 9-25).
• Charizard has a new forward aerial, a downward slash with its claws. Compared to the previous forward aerial, it deals more damage (2%-4% → 12% (early/clean arm)/13% (clean tip)) and has more knockback, making it significantly better at KOing. It also has less start-up (frame 9 → 8) and landing lag (32 frames → 22).
• Back aerial deals more damage (9% (flame)/7% (tail)/5% (wing) → 16%/14%/11%), significantly improving its KO potential. Its sweetspot is also larger (4.5u → 5u) and its other hitboxes have been re-positioned farther outward, improving its range.
• Back aerial has increased ending (frame 41 → 46) and landing lag (22 frames → 24). It also lost its ability to auto-cancel from a short hop.
• Up aerial deals more damage (10% (clean)/7% (late) → 13%) and has increased base knockback (20 → 30), improving its KO potential. It also now grants 4 frames of partial intangibility beginning on frame 11.
• Up aerial has increased start-up (frame 6 → 12) and ending lag (frame 45 → 46).
• Up aerial's animation has slightly changed. Charizard now performs a headbutt, instead of a bite.
• Down aerial has received a late hitbox that deals 8% and launches at 55°/361°. This lengthens its duration (frames 18-20 → 18-26), but makes it more susceptible to punishment at low to medium percentages.
• Down aerial has increased ending lag (frame 51 → 52).
• Down aerial's animation has slightly changed. Charizard now performs a stomp with one foot, instead of a double foot stomp.

Throws/other attacks

• All grabs have decreased ranges.
• Dash and pivot grabs have increased start-up lag (frame 8 → 10 (dash), frame 10 → 11 (pivot)).
• Charizard has a new up throw, a dive-bombing slam, similar to Kirby and Meta Knight's up throws. Compared to the previous up throw, it has altered knockback (70 (base)/140 (growth) → 50/220), making it significantly better at KOing.
• Down throw has altered knockback (40 (base)/300 (growth) → 70/130) and decreased ending lag (frame 80 → 70), significantly improving its combo potential at low to to medium percentages. Although this removes its KO potential, this is completely mitigated by up throw's improved KO potential.

Special moves

• Flamethrower has increased ending lag (frame 67 → 71).
• The weakening of SDI makes Flamethrower, Fly, and Rock Smash significantly more difficult to escape from.
• Charizard has a new side special, Flare Blitz. It is a fiery, corkscrew tackle that deals impressive damage, propels Charizard horizontally, and grants 30 frames of heavy armor that can withstand a maximum of 15%.
• Flare Blitz deals recoil damage regardless of whether or not Charizard hits an opponent. It also has extreme amounts of start-up and ending lag.
• Fly covers more vertical distance, improving its recovery potential. Its first and loop hits also connect together better, and its last hit has increased knockback, improving its KO potential.
• Due to the addition of Flare Blitz, Rock Smash is now Charizard's down special, instead of its side special.
• Rock Smash deals less damage (18% (boulder)/5% (fragments) → 14%/3%) and has decreased knockback, hindering its KO potential. It also has increased ending lag (frame 61 → 72).
• Rock Smash now grants 22 frames of super armor beginning on frame 5.
• Charizard has a new Final Smash, Mega Charizard X. Charizard undergoes Mega Evolution to become Mega Charizard X. Like Triple Finish, Mega Charizard X can use Fire Blast. Unlike Triple Finish, Mega Charizard X is a transformation-based Final Smash that can fly freely across the stage and use Fire Blast as a projectile, similarly to Super Dragon. Mega Charizard X has both super armor and flinch resistance throughout its duration, and it can use Dragon Rush regardless of whether or not custom moves are enabled. However, its duration will shorten upon receiving damage.

Update history

Initially considered one of the worst characters in the game and arguably the worst among the cast, Charizard has been buffed significantly via game updates. Update 1.0.8 granted Charizard arguably its most beneficial buffs: it made neutral attack connect more reliably, increased back aerial's range, and re-purposed up and down throws into a viable KOing option and Charizard's best combo starter, respectively. Although the buffs granted by update 1.1.0 were not as prominent in comparison, they nevertheless improved the utility of Charizard's moveset.

The changes to shield mechanics brought about by updates 1.1.0 and 1.1.1 are a mixed bag for Charizard: they make its high hitlag attacks safer and more threatening against shields, yet worsen its out of shield potential. Lastly, update 1.1.5 followed a similar route to 1.0.8 by granting very beneficial buffs for Charizard: it increased its air speed, increased the damage outputs and decreased the landing lag of its aerials, and gave Flare Blitz an additional hitbox that can allow it to punish a wider variety of maneuvers.

1.0.4

• Four frames of intangibility have been added to Charizard's head for its shielding animation. This leaves Charizard less susceptible to shield stabbing, as its head is not covered by the shield during these first frames even at full health, and could therefore be hit prior to the change.
• Dragon Rush deals less damage: 15% → 11%.
• Some properties of what appear to be the headbutt in Rock Hurl and Flamethrower have been adjusted.

1.0.6

• Down tilt's start-up: frame 11 → 9 and ending lag decreased: frame 33 → 31.
• Forward aerial's sweetspot and sourspot's positions switched.
• Up throw deals 3% more damage: 8% → 11%, restoring its damage output from Brawl.
• Flare Blitz deals 1% more recoil damage: 4% (no contact)/9% (contact) → 5%/10%.

1.0.8

• Neutral attack's first hit's weight-based knockback increased: 15/10 → 26/22 and it transitions faster into its second hit.
• Neutral aerial's hitboxes' sizes decreased: 4u/4u/4u/4u → 3.5u/3u/1.5u/3.5u, its start-up lag increased: frame 8 → 9, and its duration decreased: frames 8-28 → 9-25.
• Forward aerial's hitboxes' sizes increased: 4.3u (sweetspot)/4.5u (sourspot) → 4.6u/4.8u and its duration increased: frames 8-10 → 8-11.
• Back aerial's sweetspot's size increased: 4u → 4.5u and its other hitboxes re-positioned outward, improving its range.
• Up throw's knockback growth increased: 160 → 220 and its angle altered: 60° → 70°, significantly improving its KO potential.
• Down throw's knockback altered: 40 (base)/300 (growth) → 70/130 and ending lag decreased: frame 80 → 72, significantly improving its combo potential at low to medium percentages. Although this removes its KO potential, this is completely mitigated by up throw's improved KO potential.

1.1.0

• Sweetspotted forward tilt deals 1% more damage: 10% → 11%.
• One of forward tilt's three sourspots has become a sweetspot.
• Down tilt has received a windbox that pushes opponents inward, removing its ability to miss at point-blank range.
• Back aerial's landing lag decreased: 36 frames → 33.
• Down throw's ending lag decreased: frame 72 → 70.

1.1.1

• Sinking Skull deals more damage: 10% (grounded)/9% (aerial) → 12%/10% and its ending lag decreased.

1.1.3

• Dash attack has less ending lag (FAF 45 → 40).
• Dash attack launches opponents at a lower angle: 70°/80° (near/far) → 50° (near clean)/60° (near late/far clean)/75° (far late)).
• Up smash has received several minor tweaks.
• Down smashhas higher knockback scaling (76 (far)/82 (near) → 79/85), improving its KO potential.

1.1.4

• First hit of up smash's hitbox placements modified significantly and have angle modifications and/or increased knockback.
• Second hit of up smash deals more knockback.
• Trip invincibility and all trip followups except floor attack have one less frame of invincibility.

1.1.5

• Air speed: 0.87 → 0.92
• Weight: 115 → 116
• Neutral (22 → 20), forward (31 → 22), back (33 → 24), up (22 → 20), and down air (35 → 33) all have less landing lag.
• Neutral aerial deals 2% more damage: 10%/7%/7%/7% → 12%/9%/9%/9% but with knockback compensated (90 → 78).
• Forward aerial deals 1% more damage: 11%/12% → 12%/13%.
• Back aerial deals 1% more damage: 15%/13%/10%/10% → 16%/14%/11%/11% and has a larger sweetspot (4.5u → 5u).
• Flare Blitz explosion knockback growth: 78 → 84
• Flare Blitz has an additional hitbox that extends its reach to behind Charizard.
• Max Walk speed with heavy items increased: 1.198 → 1.208

Moveset

		Name	Damage	Description
Neutral attack			3%	Two alternating slashes with its claws, followed by swinging one of its wings upward. Thanks to its impressive damage output, minimal start-up lag, and deceptively long range, it is reliable for damage racking and spacing. Its first and second hits can be jab canceled into down tilt, a grab, or Fly, though the opponent can usually jump before the followup connects. The third hit can launch opponents at various angles: the wing's inner portion launching them vertically, whereas its tip launches them horizontally. Due to these strengths, it is considered one of the most effective neutral attacks in the game.
			4%
			5%
Forward tilt			11% (flame), 7% (tail)	Swings its tail forward. It can be angled, has long range, and its sweetspot is at the flaming tip of Charizard's tail. It is one of the strongest forward tilts in the game, as its sweetspot KOs middleweights at 122% while near the edge of Final Destination in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and at 111% in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. However, it has high startup and ending lag, making it only useful as a KO move with surprising range and power. Angled down, it can be an effective edgeguarding tool.
Up tilt			8%	Hunches forward in order to thrust its wings upward. It hits on frame 9 and has very high knockback growth for a tilt attack. These traits make it a fairly fast, yet capable KOing option, as it KOs middleweights at 135% from anywhere on Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 126% in the Wii U version. However, it is Charizard's least damaging tilt attack, and has fairly minimal horizontal range.
Down tilt			10%	A lunging headbutt. It is decently fast, has high range, and has decently low ending lag, which makes it a good grounded spacing option. It is also a semi-spike, which makes it useful for setting up edge-guards. However, it extends Charizard's head hurtbox before it hits, making Charizard vulnerable during its startup lag. Despite having a decent damage output, it is unsuited for KOing due to its low knockback growth.
Dash attack			11% (clean), 8% (late)	A front kick. It is an effective zonebreaker due to its range and Charizard's high running speed.
Forward smash			17% (clean, late body), 14% (late head)	Rears back its head and then performs a lunging headbutt. It is very strong, as its sweetspots KO middleweights at 70% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 61% in the Wii U version. It also renders Charizard invincible throughout its duration. Due to it hitting on frame 22 and having 45 frames of ending lag, however, it is very punishable.
Up smash			5% (hit 1), 11% (hit 2)	Rears back in order to swing its wings upward twice in an overhead fanning motion. It is Charizard's fastest smash attack, hitting on frame 6 and suffering 27 frames of ending lag. Despite its animation, its first hit can jab reset opponents behind Charizard. It is a useful anti-air attack due to its high speed and range and the ability to perform it out of dash. It also KOs decently well, as it KOs middleweights at 118% from anywhere on Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 114% in the Wii U version.
Down smash			16%	Stomps the ground to cause a small earthquake. It hits in front of and behind Charizard, and its hitboxes are very large, which make it possible to hit opponents hanging on the edge and even slightly above ground. Its sweetspot is also a powerful semi-spike, which makes it very useful for edge-guarding, whereas its sourspot launches at a slightly higher angle. In the 3DS version, its sweetspot and sourspot KO middleweights at 101% and 106%, respectively, while near the edge of Final Destination. In the Wii U version, they KO at 91% and 97%, respectively. Due to it hitting on frame 14 and having 44 frames of ending lag, however, it is very punishable.
Neutral aerial			12% (flame), 9% (tail)	Somersaults forward to strike with its tail. Like forward tilt, its sweetspot is at the flaming tip of Charizard's tail. It can auto-cancel with a short hop, and its hitboxes end in front of and under Charizard just before it auto-cancels. All of these traits make it a relatively safe landing option and combo starter when auto-canceled, with follow-ups including neutral attack, dash attack, and forward aerial. However, its very low base knockback and average knockback growth make it unsuited for KOing, even when sweetspotted.
Forward aerial			12% (early, clean arm), 13% (clean tip)	A downward slash with its claws. It hits on frame 8, which is the lowest amount of start-up lag out Charizard's aerials. It also auto-cancels with a short hop, and its sweetspot is a semi-spike. Along with its respectable damage output and high knockback growth, these traits make it very reliable as a follow-up from down throw or as a KO option. Its sweetspot KOs middleweights at 108% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 97% in the Wii U version. However, it has moderate ending and landing lag, not quite being safe on shield against most characters unless done out of a retreating shorthop.
Back aerial			11% (body), 14% (tail), 16% (flame)	Swings its tail backward. Like forward tilt, its sweetspot is at the flaming tip of Charizard's tail. When sweetspotted, it is Charizard's most damaging aerial, and the second strongest back aerial in the game. Its sweetspot KO middleweights at 84% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 74% in the Wii U version. Although its tail hitbox is noticeably weaker, it is still strong enough to KO middleweights at 98% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 87% in the Wii U version. Its high damage output and long range also make it safe on shield when spaced properly. Due to it hitting on frame 14, however, it is difficult to land.
Up aerial			13%	An upward headbutt. Its respectable damage output and very high knockback growth allow it to KO middleweights at 86% while near the upper blast line of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 80% in the Wii U version. It also renders Charizard's head intangible throughout its duration, and is tied with its neutral aerial for having the lowest amount of landing lag out of its aerials. However, it has minimal horizontal range.
Down aerial			14% (clean), 8% (late)	A stomp. Its sweetspot is a very powerful meteor smash. In comparison, its sourspot launches opponents either diagonally or at the Sakurai angle. Due to it hitting on frame 18 and having 33 frames of landing lag, however, it is very punishable.
Grab			—	Clinches the opponent. Despite having been decreased since Brawl, Charizard's overall grab range is still above average.
Pummel			2%	A bite. A fairly fast pummel.
Forward throw			10%	Sways its head with the opponent in tow and then flings them forward. It deals respectable damage and can be used to set up an edge-guard. However, its low knockback growth make it much less reliable for KOing than up throw. It KOs at 175% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 169% in the Wii U version.
Back throw			10%	Flings the opponent backward. It deals respectable damage, and its very low ending lag allows Charizard to follow it up with a dash attack or forward air at low percents. Like forward throw, its knockback growth is low, which make it much less reliable for KOing than up throw. It KOs at 175% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 169% in the Wii U version.
Up throw			8% (hit 1), 3% (throw)	Soars to the upper blast line with the opponent in tow, then dive-bombs them onto the stage at a blinding speed, similarly to Kirby and Meta Knight's up throws. As of update 1.0.8, its knockback is significantly higher, making it the strongest up throw in the game. It is also the second strongest throw of any kind in the game, being surpassed only by Ness' back throw. Although directional influence is more effective in hindering its KO potential compared to Mewtwo's up throw, which is the second strongest up throw in the game, Charizard's up throw when accounting for DI still KOs middleweights at 161% from anywhere on Final Destination in the 3DS version and at 152% in the Wii U version. It is more effective on stages with platforms, such as being able to KO middleweights at 129% upon landing on Dream Land's top platform in the 3DS version and at 122% in the Wii U version.
Down throw			1% (hits 1-5), 1% (throw)	Pins the opponent to the ground and then expels embers from its mouth onto them. Prior to update 1.0.8, its knockback growth was the highest in the game, to the point that it could KO middleweights at 125%. As of update 1.0.8, its base knockback and knockback growth were both altered, which re-purposed it into a reliable combo starter. Notable follow-ups include up smash at 0%, and neutral, forward, and up aerials from low to medium percentages. On fastfallers, it sets up for a forward air KO around 75% at the ledge.
Floor attack (front)			7%	Swings its tail backward, then headbutts forward.
Floor attack (back)			7%	Gets up and performs a semi-circular slash with its claws.
Floor attack (trip)			5%	Gets up and performs a slash with its claws.
Edge attack			8%	Performs a headbutt while climbing up.
Neutral special	Default	Flamethrower	2% (clean), 1% (late)	Expels a stream of flames from its mouth. It gradually weakens if used, similarly to Fire Breath. Unlike Fire Breath, all of Flamethrower's hitboxes will make the opponent flinch. It can be used safely in the neutral game to rack up damage and slow the game down, though if used too long its range grows short and the opponent can punish it.
	Custom 1	Fire Fang	2% (embers), 8% (explosion)	Expels a very short-ranged stream of embers from its mouth, which trap the opponent. Releasing the special attack button results in a small, explosive bite that is strong enough to KO middleweights at 124% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version. However, it has significantly shorter range.
	Custom 2	Fireball Cannon	3% (clean), 2% (late)	Expels fireballs from its mouth that deal slightly more damage and travel much farther, similarly to Fireball. However, it has more start-up lag and Charizard must expel at least three fireballs before it concludes.
Side special	Default	Flare Blitz	4% (collision), 15% (explosion)	A fiery, corkscrew tackle. It is very powerful, as it KOs middleweights at 81% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 69% in the Wii U version. In addition to its offensive potential, it covers an impressive amount of horizontal distance and grants heavy armor that can withstand a maximum of 15%, which make it a capable and safe recovery option. However, it is very risky to use: it deals 5% recoil damage both at its beginning and on contact, is very unsafe on shield because of its extreme ending lag, and it forces Charizard into a tumble that cannot be teched on the ground, leaving him open to be jab locked if the opponent shields it. When used unwisely, its impressive horizontal distance can also result in a self-destruct if used near an edge.
	Custom 1	Blast Burn	4% (collision), 5% (explosion hits 1-3), 9% (explosion hit 4)	A fiery, corkscrew tackle that concludes with a powerful explosion. It deals significantly more damage, has higher knockback and launches opponents vertically, which enables it to KO middleweights at 75% from anywhere on Final Destination in the 3DS version. Like Flare Blitz, it grants heavy armor that can withstand a maximum of 15%. However, it travels slower, covers significantly less distance, and deals more recoil damage (6% at its beginning and 10% on contact).
	Custom 2	Dragon Rush	1.2% (hits 1-6), 4% (hit 7)	A corkscrew tackle. It has less start-up lag, does not deal recoil damage, and its loop hits drag opponents along during the tackle, all of which make it safer than Flare Blitz and Blast Burn. However, its damage output and knockback are lower than Flare Blitz and Blast Burn's, which result in it having minimal KO potential in comparison. It also covers very slightly less distance than Flare Blitz. Due to its strengths outweighing its weaknesses, however, it is effectively Charizard's most effective custom move.
Up special	Default	Fly	5% (hit 1), 2% (hits 2-5), 4% (hit 6)	Flies upward while corkscrewing. It can act as a reversal due to its early super armor, and it can be performed out of shield effectively. It also deals very high knockback, allows it to KO middleweights at 125% from the ground of Final Destination in the 3DS version and at 110% in the Wii U version. It can be angled, covers a decent vertical distance, and grants super armor on frames 4-15. However, it is vulnerable to attacks after the super armor ends, and its linking hits can sometimes be DI'd out of if Charizard is affected by rage.
	Custom 1	Rising Cyclone	4% (hit 1), 2% (loop), 6% (last)	Vacuums opponents and launches them. Its last hit is also noticeably stronger, as it KOs middleweights at 86% from anywhere on Final Destination in the 3DS version. Like Fly, it grants super armor at its beginning. However, it has more start-up lag and covers significantly less distance.
	Custom 2	Fly High	—	Covers more vertical distance and, like Fly, it grants super armor at its beginning. However, it deals no damage.
Down special	Default	Rock Smash	14% (boulder hit 1), 6% (boulder hit 2), 3% (fragments)	Pulls out a boulder and headbutts it, breaking it into fragments. It can deal an impressive amount of damage when the boulder and fragments collectively hit the opponent, while the boulder itself is strong enough to KO reliably. The boulder KOs middleweights at 139% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 129% in the Wii U version. It also grants super armor on frames 5-22, which makes it a fairly safe landing option.
	Custom 1	Sinking Skull	10% (grounded), 12%/9% (aerial)	A downward headbutt. It buries grounded opponents and meteor smashes aerial ones. However, it deals less damage and has less range because of it lacking a boulder.
	Custom 2	Rock Hurl	8% (boulder hit 1), 4% (boulder hit 2), 2% (fragments)	Grants super armor beginning on frame 1 and has more vertical range, thanks to the boulder's fragments flying farther. However, it deals less damage.
Final Smash		Mega Charizard X	2% (Dragon Rush hits 1-7), 10% (Dragon Rush hit 8), 5% (Fire Blast hit 1), 1% (Fire Blast hits 2-7), 5% (Fire Blast hit 8)	Mega Evolves into Mega Charizard X. As Mega Charizard X, it can fly freely around the stage, similarly to Super Dragon. Unlike Super Dragon, Mega Charizard X has super armor and flinch resistance instead of invincibility, and receiving damage will shorten its duration. Pressing the attack and special attack buttons causes Mega Charizard X to use Dragon Rush and Fire Blast, respectively. Mega Charizard X's Dragon Rush functions identically to the Dragon Rush custom move, albeit with actual KO potential thanks to its higher damage output and knockback, as well as longer range. Unlike the Dragon Rush custom move, it can propel Mega Charizard X in any given direction. In comparison, Fire Blast is a fiery projectile that covers slightly more than the entirety of Final Destination and hits multiple times, with its last hit possessing KO potential. Dragon Rush and Fire Blast's last hits KO middleweights at 108% and 123%, respectively, while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version.

On-screen appearance

• Emerges from a Poké Ball, then stomps once.

Taunts

• Up taunt: Stomps once and then rears back to roar upward while flapping its wings.
• Side taunt: Faces the camera while stomping once and growling while spreading its wings out.
• Down taunt: Violently stomps twice while facing the camera.

Up taunt	Side taunt	Down taunt

Idle poses

• Leans back and then stomps once.
• Turns its head to the side and quickly spits an ember onto the ground.

Crowd cheer

	English	Japanese
Cheer
Description	Char-izard!	Liz-ar-don!
Pitch	Group chant	Group chant

Victory poses

An orchestral excerpt of the title theme from Pokémon Red, Blue and Green Versions, which has since become the main theme of the Pokémon series.

• Roars and then strikes a pose.
• Stomps forward before rearing its head back to roar upward while expelling flames from its mouth, and then strikes a pose.
• Uses Flare Blitz to descend from the sky, crashing into the ground before striking a pose.

In competitive play

Official Custom Moveset Project

Character	Custom sets available
Charizard	1311	1313	1331	1333	1113
	1211	1213	3311	2311	1321

Notable players

Active

•  Angis - Has a win over ANTi.
•  Bloodcross - Placed 17th at CEO Dreamland. He has wins over smasher1001, ADHD, Orion, and Ntarps.
•  Blue - Placed 9th at Collision XIV. Ranked 9th on the New Jersey Power Rankings. He has wins over ADHD, Vash, and Blazing Pasta.
•  Chuck Nasty - Placed 65th at EVO 2016, 33rd at UGC Smash Open, 9th at King of the Springs 2, and 13th at Low Tier City 5. Ranked 1st on the Oklahoma Power Rankings. He has wins over Konga, MJG, AeroLink, Mr. Doom.
•  Draquaza - Placed 25th at DVDA 8 and 9, and 33rd at LVL UP EXPO 2016. Ranked 9th on the Las Vegas Power Rankings.
•  Fire - The best Charizard player in Europe. He has wins over Glutonny, Neath, Mana, Robo~Luigi, Sim-Max, Homika, Griffith, and MarthForever.
•  Serge - Placed 5th at Smash Factor 5 and 7th at Smash Factor 6. He has wins over MKLeo, Javi, NAKAT, ANTi, Hyuga, and Wonf.
•  Sharpy - Placed 7th at Fighting Fest 2016, 33rd at CEO Dreamland, and 49th at CEO 2017. Ranked 1st on the Dominican Republic Power Rankings.
•  SilentDoom - The best Charizard player in the United Kingdom, and one of the best Charizard players in Europe. Placed 25th at B.E.A.S.T 7. He has wins over TraX, Izaw, and Pika4Life. He also contributes to Charizard's metagame.
•  Steeler - Contributes to Charizard's metagame.
•  Tosshi - Placed 13th at Single Game Championships: Umebura X Single-Chu and 25th at Umebura Japan Major. He has wins over Ranai, Nietono, Ri-ma, Ron, and Kie.

Inactive

•  Chaoszard - Placed 25th at GUMS 6, 9 and 12, 13th at GUMS 7, and 33rd at GUMS X. He has wins over IceArrow, Hero, Maverick, and CMK.
•  Trela

Tier placement and history

Upon the initial release of SSB4, Charizard was poorly perceived by the majority of players due to its very sluggish moveset, predictable and exploitable recovery, very slow air speed, and susceptibility to combos. Its negative perception led some players to view it as being heavily nerfed since Brawl even when not including Squirtle and Ivysaur, and many considered it to be the single worst character in the game up until update 1.0.6, with its representation throughout most of SSB4's lifespan being notoriously poor in spite of its consistent popularity within its home series. However, Charizard began to receive a consistent amount of substantial buffs in game updates beginning with update 1.0.8, which noticeably improved its KO potential, combo game, frame data, and mobility. While some players argued that Charizard had become somewhat viable, it was still widely attested that these buffs were not sufficient enough to significantly improve its representation and results. As a result, Charizard was ranked 49th on the first tier list, perpetuating its perception as a bottom-tier character.

Despite its bottom-tier placement, Charizard's viability became heavily contested ever since update 1.1.5, thanks to its sporadic results and overall strengths as a character. Numerous professionals, including ZeRo and ESAM, believed Charizard to be somewhat viable and labeled it as a potential low-tier or even mid-tier character. While this perception persisted into the second tier list, where it was ranked 51st and thus placed at the top of the bottom-tier, many players kept arguing in favor of Charizard's viability. MkLeo, in particular, has even claimed that Charizard can fare well against top-tier characters, such as Cloud. Arguments in favor of Charizard's viability were further strengthened by its tournament results slowly, but noticeably improving, with dedicated players such as Chuck Nasty, Sharpy, and Serge even winning regional tournaments while exclusively using it.

Thanks to its newfound success, Charizard is ranked 45th on the third and current tier list, which reassesses it as a low-tier character. This tier rise is also notable for signalling the end of Charizard's status as a bottom 10 character, similarly to Samus and Palutena. International players such as Tosshi, Fire, and SilentDoom have also achieved significant wins and results while using Charizard, such as the latter placing 25th at B.E.A.S.T 7 while using both Charizard and Cloud. While Charizard's results in North America have been more sparse than other regions, they eventually improved in the same manner; numerous players have achieved notable placements at national tournaments while exclusively using Charizard, such as Bloodcross and Sharpy placing 17th and 33rd, respectively, at CEO Dreamland, and Chuck Nasty placing 13th at Low Tier City 5.

Trophies

Charizard

The iconic Fire/Flying-type Pokémon. Charizard's scorching breath can melt anything in its path. It soars through the air, seeking only worthy foes to test itself against. In Smash Bros., Charizard unleashes the destructive Flare Blitz special move— a move so strong, it even injures the user!

Charizard, a Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon, can burn through anything with the flames it breathes. It is constantly on the lookout for powerful opponents. And where better to find them than in this game? Its huge build and special moves mean it can inflict massive damage, and its Flare Blitz is so powerful, it even hurts Charizard itself!

: Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue (09/1998)

: Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (10/2013)

Charizard (Alt.)

Charizard's Flamethrower attack can be sustained by holding the button. The flames will gradually die, but a short break will recharge them. Charizard's down special Rock Smash crushes a rock and hits foes with the pieces. Charizard won't flinch while crushing, but others can break the rock...

When using Charizard's Flamethrower move, hold the button to keep breathing fire. The flames gradually die down, but you just need to rest for a bit before doing it again. If you get hit while you're using the down special Rock Smash, you won't flinch, but someone else can break the rock instead, making your attack fail.

: Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue (09/1998)

: Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (10/2013)

Mega Evolution (Charizard)

In this powerful Final Smash, Charizard Mega Evolves into Mega Charizard X and takes to the air. In this form, it can charge violently in any direction or shoot horizontal blasts of fire that launch foes. Mega Charizard X isn't invulnerable, though-in fact, taking damage will actually reduce the time you can stay transformed.

For this powerful Final Smash, Charizard Mega Evolves into Mega Charizard X and takes to the air. In this form, it can charge violently in any direction and shoot horizontal blasts of fire that launch foes. Mega Charizard X isn't invulnerable, though - taking attacks will reduce the length of time it stays transformed.

• 

  Classic (3DS)

• CharizardAllStarTrophy3DS.png

  Alt. (3DS)

• 

  Classic (Wii U)

• 

  Alt. (Wii U)

• 

  Mega Charizard X

In Event Matches

Solo Events

• All-Star Battle: Brawl: Charizard is one of the opponents fought in this event. All of the opponents debuted in Brawl.
• Fire-Type Frenzy: Charizard must defeat Greninja, Lucario, and Pikachu. Fire Bars, Fire Flowers, and Superspicy Curry are the only items that appear.
• Pokémon Battle: As Greninja, the player must defeat a team of Charizard, Pikachu, and Lucario.
• The Falchion's Seal: As Robin, the player must defeat a giant Charizard using his Final Smash, Pair Up. Defeating it in any other way causes it to respawn.

Co-Op Events

• Poisonous Planet: Olimar and Samus must defeat two giant Charizard in a Stamina Battle before their own health is depleted via flowering.
• Pokémon Multi Battle!: Charizard and Pikachu must defeat a team of Lucario and Greninja, and then a team of Charizard and Pikachu each appearing after one opponent is defeated.
• Robots vs. Dragons: Mega Man and R.O.B. must defeat a team of a giant Charizard, a giant Yoshi, and Ridley in a Stamina Battle.
• The Ultimate Battle: Two players select characters and must defeat the entire roster.

Reveal trailer

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Alternate costumes

Gallery

• 

  Charizard's splash art.

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  Charizard's amiibo.

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  Charizard alongside Pikachu and various Pokémon during Charizard's trailer.

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  Using its new forward aerial on Mario.

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  Using Flare Blitz, its new side special, alongside Diddy Kong.

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  Landing after using its back aerial.

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  Using its forward tilt against Mario's F.L.U.D.D.

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  Footstool jumping on Yoshi.

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  Rolling away from Little Mac's Jolt Haymaker.

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  Sidestepping Greninja's Water Shuriken.

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  Using its down taunt.

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  Charizard and Lucario sleeping after coming into contact with Bellossom's Sweet Scent.

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  Teetering while Kirby is in the foreground after copying it.

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  Crouching on Prism Tower in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

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  Alongside Pikachu.

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  Using Mega Charizard X, its new Final Smash.

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  Taunting alongside Lucario, Greninja and Pikachu.

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  Using Flare Blitz on Diddy Kong and Wii Fit Trainer and displaying its recoil effect.

Trivia

• Unlike in Brawl, Charizard draws inspiration from Ash's Charizard, Red's Charizard, and Alain's Charizard:
  • The animations of its neutral attack's first two hits are similar to Red's when repeatedly using Slash against Mewtwo.
  • The animations of its neutral and forward aerials are identical to Ash and Alain's when they use Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw, respectively.
  • The animation of its up throw is similar to Ash and Red's when they use Seismic Toss.
  • It can use Fire Blast (albeit only via Mega Evolution) and Blast Burn like Red and Alain's, respectively.
  • It can Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X like Red and Alain's.
  • It has an idle pose that sees it turn its head and spit out an ember like Ash's did during its disobedient phase.
  • It is voiced by Shin'ichirō Miki, who voices Ash and Red's.
• Due to having access to both X Attack and Fake Nails in the attack category, Charizard is the only character capable of using two types of specialized/non-badge equipment within the same category.
  • This also makes it the only Pokémon that can equip something other than badges and Pokémon equipment.
• Charizard knows eight official Pokémon moves in SSB4, all of which it can learn legally in the Pokémon core series. In addition to Flamethrower, Flare Blitz, Fly and Rock Smash, it can use Fire Fang and Blast Burn as custom moves, Fire Blast as part of its Final Smash, and Dragon Rush either as a custom move or as part of its Final Smash.
  • As Squirtle did not return from Brawl, Charizard is also the only playable Pokémon in SSB4 to know moves that were HMs prior to generation VII (Fly and Rock Smash).
• In the PAL version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, one of the tips about Rock Smash refers to Charizard using masculine pronouns: "Right before smashing a rock, Charizard gets super armor, meaning he won't even flinch if he's attacked!"
• Charizard is the only Pokémon without a chargeable special move, and the only one that lacks an aerial attack that hits more than once.
• Charizard is the only character to have one of its special move inputs changed between games outside of SSB.