Charizard

Charizard (Japanese: リザードン Lizardon) is a dual-type Fire/Flying Pokemon introduced in Generation I. It evolves from Charmeleon starting at level 36 and is the final form of Charmander, one of the three original starter Pokemon. Charizard is one of the most popular and iconic Pokemon in the franchise, frequently featuring in promotional materials and competitive play.

Basic Information

AttributeValue
National Pokedex #006
TypeFire/Flying
SpeciesFlame Pokemon
Height1.7 m (5'07")
Weight90.5 kg (199.5 lbs)
AbilitiesBlaze, Solar Power (Hidden)
Egg GroupsMonster, Dragon
Gender Ratio87.5% Male, 12.5% Female
Catch Rate45 (11.9% with Poke Ball)
Base Friendship50
Base Experience267

Taxonomy

Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia (fictional)
  • Phylum: Pokemonata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Draconia
  • Family: Charizardidae
  • Genus: Charizard
  • Species: C. ignis

Name Origin

LanguageNameOrigin
Japaneseリザードン (Lizardon)Lizard + -don (dragon suffix)
EnglishCharizardChar (burn) + lizard
GermanGlurakGlut (embers) + Drache (dragon)
FrenchDracaufeuDragon + feu (fire)
Korean리자몽 (Rijamong)Lizard + monster
Chinese噴火龍 (Pēnhuǒlóng)Fire-breathing dragon

Biology

Physical Description

Charizard is a large, draconic Pokemon with predominantly orange skin. It has a cream-colored underside from its chest to the tip of its tail, and its blue inner wings match its eyes. Two horn-like protrusions extend from the back of its rectangular head, and it has a long neck and relatively small arms with three sharp claws. Its feet have three claws and a fourth claw on the heel. The flame at the tip of its tail is an indicator of its life force and emotional state.

Key Physical Features

FeatureDescription
WingsLarge, blue inner membrane; capable of flight
Tail FlameBurns hotter with experience and emotion
ClawsSharp, used for combat
HeightOne of the taller final starter evolutions
WeightRelatively light for its size (flight adaptation)

Behavior

  • Habitat: Mountains, valleys, caves (prefers high altitudes)
  • Diet: Carnivorous; hunts prey using fire attacks
  • Temperament: Proud, competitive, seeks strong opponents
  • Flight: Can fly at altitudes exceeding 4,600 feet

Behavioral Traits

TraitDescription
Battle-seekingActively seeks powerful opponents
PrideWill not attack weaker foes
LoyaltyExtremely loyal to respected trainers
Fire ControlAnger increases flame temperature

Tail Flame

The flame on Charizard's tail is directly connected to its life force:

Flame StateMeaning
Bright, largeHealthy, powerful
Blue tintExtremely hot (rage/power)
Small, weakIll or near death
ExtinguishedDeath

Fire Breath

AspectDetails
TemperatureCan melt boulders; exceeds 3,000°F
RangeLong-distance flame projection
ColorTypically orange-red; blue when extremely hot
ControlPrecise control demonstrated

Base Stats

StatBase ValueMin (Lv. 100)Max (Lv. 100)
HP78266360
Attack84155293
Defense78144280
Sp. Attack109200348
Sp. Defense85157295
Speed100184328
Total534--

Evolution

Evolution Line

Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard
   Lv. 16       Lv. 36
StagePokemonLevelMethod
BasicCharmander—Starter/Wild/Breeding
Stage 1Charmeleon16Level up
Stage 2Charizard36Level up

Evolution Details

EvolutionTriggerNotes
Charmander → CharmeleonLevel 16Growth in power
Charmeleon → CharizardLevel 36Gains Flying type and wings

Abilities

Standard Ability

Blaze

AspectDetails
EffectPowers up Fire-type moves by 50% when HP is below 1/3
ActivationHP ≤ 33% maximum
Strategic UseLast-resort power boost

Hidden Ability

Solar Power

AspectDetails
EffectBoosts Sp. Attack by 50% in harsh sunlight
CostLoses 1/8 max HP each turn in sun
SynergyDrought users, Sunny Day teams
Strategic UseHigh-risk, high-reward offensive sets

Mega Evolutions

Charizard is unique in having two Mega Evolution forms:

Mega Charizard X

AttributeValue
TypeFire/Dragon
AbilityTough Claws
Height1.7 m (5'07")
Weight110.5 kg (243.6 lbs)

Stats Change

StatBaseMega X
HP7878
Attack84130
Defense78111
Sp. Attack109130
Sp. Defense8585
Speed100100
Total534634

Mega Charizard Y

AttributeValue
TypeFire/Flying
AbilityDrought
Height1.7 m (5'07")
Weight100.5 kg (221.6 lbs)

Stats Change

StatBaseMega Y
HP7878
Attack84104
Defense7878
Sp. Attack109159
Sp. Defense85115
Speed100100
Total534634

Mega Evolution Comparison

FeatureMega XMega Y
TypeFire/DragonFire/Flying
ColorBlack/BlueOrange (enhanced)
Attack StylePhysicalSpecial
WeatherNoneDrought
Best MovesDragon Claw, Flare BlitzFire Blast, Solar Beam

Gigantamax Form

Gigantamax Charizard

AttributeDetails
Height28.0+ m
G-Max MoveG-Max Wildfire
G-Max EffectDamages non-Fire types for 4 turns
AppearanceFlame wings, white-hot flames

Moves

Level-Up Moves (Generation IX)

LevelMoveTypeCategoryPowerAccuracy
1ScratchNormalPhysical40100%
1GrowlNormalStatus—100%
1EmberFireSpecial40100%
1Dragon BreathDragonSpecial60100%
1Heat WaveFireSpecial9590%
1Air SlashFlyingSpecial7595%
12SmokescreenNormalStatus—100%
19Dragon RageDragonSpecial—100%
24Scary FaceNormalStatus—100%
30Fire FangFirePhysical6595%
37Flame BurstFireSpecial70100%
46SlashNormalPhysical70100%
54FlamethrowerFireSpecial90100%
62Fire SpinFireSpecial3585%
71InfernoFireSpecial10050%
80Flare BlitzFirePhysical120100%

Signature Move Access

MoveTypePowerNotes
Blast BurnFire150Ultimate Fire move (tutor)

Key TM/HM Moves

MoveTypePowerStrategic Use
FlamethrowerFire90Reliable STAB
Fire BlastFire110High power STAB
Dragon PulseDragon85Coverage (Mega X)
Solar BeamGrass120Sun team coverage
EarthquakeGround100Wide coverage
Focus BlastFighting120Coverage
RoostFlying—Recovery

Competitive Battling

Role in Competitive Play

Charizard has seen extensive competitive use throughout Pokemon history:

Standard Charizard

TierUsage
OU (Generation I)Top tier Fire type
UU-NU (Gen II-V)Outclassed but viable
OU (Gen VI+)Mega Evolutions made it dominant

Mega Charizard X Strategy

Set TypeMovesItem
Dragon Dance SweeperDragon Dance, Flare Blitz, Dragon Claw, Roost/EarthquakeCharizardite X
Swords DanceSwords Dance, Flare Blitz, Dragon Claw, RoostCharizardite X

Strengths:

  • Dragon typing removes Stealth Rock weakness (2x instead of 4x)
  • Tough Claws boosts contact moves
  • Strong physical Attack stat
  • Dragon Dance for speed boost

Mega Charizard Y Strategy

Set TypeMovesItem
Sun SweeperFire Blast, Solar Beam, Focus Blast, RoostCharizardite Y
Special AttackerFlamethrower, Air Slash, Dragon Pulse, RoostCharizardite Y

Strengths:

  • Drought provides automatic sun
  • Massive Special Attack
  • Solar Beam becomes instant
  • Fire moves boosted further

Weaknesses

WeaknessDetails
Stealth Rock50% HP damage (regular form)
Rock-type moves4x weakness (regular/Mega Y)
Water-type moves2x weakness
Electric-type moves2x weakness

VGC Presence

Charizard has been a staple in official Video Game Championships:

SeasonFormNotable Results
VGC 2014Mega YCommon sun team lead
VGC 2015BothHigh usage
VGC 2016BothViable choice
VGC 2020GigantamaxG-Max Wildfire usage

In Popular Culture

Iconic Status

Charizard consistently ranks among the most popular Pokemon:

  • Pokemon of the Year 2020: Top 10 globally
  • Fan Surveys: Consistently in top 5
  • Merchandise Sales: Among highest sellers
  • Trading Cards: Most valuable cards often Charizard

Trading Card Game

Charizard cards are the most valuable in the Pokemon TCG:

CardSetValue (PSA 10)
1st Edition Base Set ShadowlessBase Set (1999)$400,000+
Base Set UnlimitedBase Set$5,000+
Shining CharizardNeo Destiny$15,000+
Crystal CharizardSkyridge$25,000+
Charizard VMAXChampions Path$500+

Anime Appearances

Ash's Charizard

AspectDetails
Caught AsCharmander (Episode 11)
EvolvedCharmeleon (Ep. 43), Charizard (Ep. 46)
DisobedienceRefused to obey Ash for extended period
TrainingLeft for Charicific Valley
ReturnsMultiple times for major battles
Notable Battlesvs. Blaine's Magmar, vs. Articuno

Video Game Appearances

GameRole
Super Smash Bros. seriesPlayable fighter
Pokemon StadiumRental Pokemon
Pokemon GORaid boss, mega raids
Pokemon UnitePlayable Pokemon

Leon's Charizard

In Pokemon Sword and Shield:

AspectDetails
TrainerChampion Leon
FormGigantamax capable
RoleLeon's ace Pokemon
BattlesFinal boss of main story

Breeding

Egg Information

AspectValue
Egg GroupsMonster, Dragon
Egg Cycles20 (5,140 steps)
Gender Ratio87.5% Male, 12.5% Female

Notable Egg Moves

MoveTypeParent Pokemon
Dragon DanceDragonDragonite, Salamence
OutrageDragonDragonite, Garchomp
Ancient PowerRockAerodactyl
CounterFightingVarious
Belly DrumNormalSnorlax

Trivia

  • Charizard is not actually a Dragon-type despite its appearance (until Mega Charizard X)
  • Charizard was originally going to be named "Char" in English
  • Charizard is Leon's signature Pokemon in Sword and Shield
  • Charizard appears on the box art of Pokemon Red (JP/US), FireRed, and more
  • Charizard is one of only two Pokemon with two Mega Evolutions (Mewtwo is the other)
  • The 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard is considered the "Holy Grail" of Pokemon cards
  • Charizard cannot learn Fly in Generation I despite being Flying-type

Type Effectiveness

Defensive

TypeEffectiveness
Ground0x (Immune)
Fire0.25x
Bug0.25x
Steel0.5x
Grass0.25x
Fighting0.5x
Fairy0.5x
Rock4x
Water2x
Electric2x

Offensive (STAB)

Move TypeSuper Effective Against
FireGrass, Bug, Ice, Steel
FlyingGrass, Fighting, Bug

Related Pokemon

PokemonRelationship
CharmanderPre-evolution
CharmeleonPre-evolution
DragoniteSimilar design, often compared
TyphlosionFellow Fire starter final form
BlazikenFellow Fire starter final form

See Also

References

  1. ^Pokemon Red and Green — Game Freak / Nintendo (1996)
  2. ^Official Charizard Page — The Pokemon Company (2024)
  3. ^Charizard (Pokemon) — Bulbapedia (2024)
  4. ^Charizard Pokedex Entry — Serebii.net (2024)
  5. ^Charizard Competitive Analysis — Smogon University (2024)
  6. ^Pokemon Anime Series — Nintendo / TV Tokyo (1997-2023)