It happened in 2013. The Pokémon world collectively lost its mind when Nintendo announced that the orange dragon from Kanto wasn't just getting one new form, but two. Charizard Y and Charizard X changed everything. Seriously. Before Mega Evolution, Charizard was kind of a joke in the competitive scene. It had a quadruple weakness to Stealth Rock that made it almost unplayable in high-level Smogon tiers. Then the Kalos region arrived, and suddenly, you had to guess which version you were facing before your first move. It was stressful. It was brilliant.
Let's be real for a second. Most people just pick the one that looks cooler. You have the classic, sleek dragon look of Y versus the edgy, blue-flamed, black-scaled vibe of X. But if you're trying to win a tournament or just beat your friends, "vibes" won't save you from a Choice Scarf Garchomp.
The Raw Power of Charizard Y
Charizard Y is basically the "Super Saiyan" version of the original design. It stays Fire/Flying, which sounds boring until you realize what its ability, Drought, actually does. The moment this thing hits the field, the sun comes out. That 50% boost to Fire-type moves is terrifying. Combine that with a base Special Attack stat of 159—which, for context, is higher than legendary Pokémon like Mewtwo or Rayquaza—and you have a tactical nuke.
I've seen a Sun-boosted Heat Wave from a Charizard Y delete entire teams in VGC doubles. It’s not just about the fire, though. Because it sets its own weather, it can fire off a Solar Beam in a single turn. That makes it a nightmare for Water, Ground, and Rock types that think they’re safe switching in. It’s a glass cannon, sure, but the cannon is the size of a skyscraper.
The biggest drawback? That 4x weakness to Rock. Honestly, if you don't have a teammate to clear hazards like Stealth Rock, Charizard Y is going to lose half its health just by entering the match. It's frustrating. You spend all that time setting up, and then pop—one Stone Edge and it's over.
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Why Charizard X Changed the Typing Game
Then we have Mega Charizard X. This is the one fans begged for since the 90s. It finally becomes a partial Dragon-type. Blue fire. Spikes. Physical aggression. It’s a completely different beast because it stops being a special attacker and becomes a physical sweeper.
Its ability, Tough Claws, boosts contact moves by 30%. That makes Flare Blitz and Outrage hit like a freight train. But the real secret sauce of Charizard X isn't just the damage; it’s the typing. By losing the Flying type and gaining Dragon, it suddenly resists Electricity and Water. It only takes 25% damage from Stealth Rock instead of 50%. That’s a huge deal for longevity.
The Mind Games of Team Preview
Back in the X and Y era, and later in Sun and Moon, the best part of using these two was the "Team Preview" screen. Your opponent sees a Charizard. They don't know which one it is. They might switch in a specially defensive wall like Blissey, expecting Charizard Y, only for you to Mega Evolve into X and hit a Dragon Dance. Suddenly, you've got +1 Attack and +1 Speed, and that Blissey is getting flattened.
It’s about the psychological edge.
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- Charizard Y is the immediate threat. It demands an answer the second it appears.
- Charizard X is the setup threat. If you give it one turn to breathe, it sweeps the whole team.
Breaking Down the Stats and Movesets
If we look at the numbers, both have a base stat total of 634. But the distribution is where the flavor lives. Charizard Y puts everything into Special Attack and Special Defense. It's meant to stay in the back, come in when the sun is needed, and melt things. You almost always see it running Fire Blast (or Flamethrower if you value accuracy), Solar Beam, and Focus Blast. Roost is a common fourth move because, let's face it, you're going to take damage.
Charizard X is more balanced but leans heavily into Attack. Its base 130 Attack might seem lower than Y's Special Attack, but Tough Claws closes that gap quickly. A standard set usually involves Dragon Dance, Flare Blitz, and Dragon Claw (or Outrage if you're feeling risky). Earthquake is often the fourth move to handle Heatran, who otherwise walls both versions of Charizard pretty effectively.
There is a weird "Bulky X" build that some players like. Because its typing is so much better defensively, you can actually run it with Will-O-Wisp and Roost. You become a physical tank that burns the opponent and then heals off the damage. It's annoying to play against. Kinda brilliant, actually.
Real World Competitive History
In the 2014 World Championships, Charizard Y was a staple. It paired perfectly with Pokémon that benefited from the sun, like Venusaur with the Chlorophyll ability. This "Sun Core" dominated many regional events. Charizard X saw more play in "Singles" formats like Smogon’s OU (OverUsed) tier because the ability to set up with Dragon Dance is much more valuable when you have six Pokémon to cycle through instead of four.
According to data from Pikalytics during the peak Mega era, Charizard Y consistently stayed in the top 15 most-used Pokémon in VGC. People respected the sun. They feared the heat.
Which One is Actually Better?
Honestly? It depends on your team's needs, but for pure, raw impact, Charizard Y usually takes the slight lead in doubles (VGC), while Charizard X is the king of singles.
If your team struggles with bulky Water-types like Suicune or Azumarill, Charizard Y is your best friend. That Solar Beam is a life-saver. If your team is weak to fast Electric-types like Tapu Koko or Jolteon, the Dragon typing of Charizard X gives you a crucial resistance that the base form lacks.
Common Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong is thinking Charizard X is "stronger" because it's a Dragon. Not necessarily. A Sun-boosted Fire Blast from Y actually deals more raw damage to a neutral target than a Tough Claws Flare Blitz from X.
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Another mistake? Forgetting about the weather. If an opponent switches in a Tyranitar or a Pelipper, they override Charizard Y's Drought. Without the sun, Charizard Y loses its damage boost and its ability to use Solar Beam instantly. You’re left standing there for a "charge turn" while a Rock Slide comes flying at your face. It's embarrassing when that happens. Trust me.
Strategies for 2026 and Beyond
Even though Mega Evolution isn't in the newest Switch games like Scarlet and Violet, these two forms remain the gold standard for how to "fix" a classic Pokémon. They represent a peak in design where a single creature could fill two diametrically opposed roles.
If you're playing on simulators like Pokémon Showdown or replaying the 3DS classics, here is the move:
- Check your hazard control. If you don't have a Rapid Spin or Defog user, don't run Y. You'll just watch it die to entry hazards.
- Look at your speed tiers. Charizard X needs that Dragon Dance to outspeed the fastest threats. If the opponent has a lot of "Choice Scarf" users, X might struggle to find a window to set up.
- Consider the "bait and switch." Use a team that looks like it wants sun (maybe with a Leafeon or a Fire-type teammate), making the opponent think you have Charizard Y. Then, bring out X and watch them scramble to change their strategy.
The rivalry between Charizard Y and Charizard X isn't just about stats. It's about how you want to play the game. Do you want to be a scorching sun god that deletes things in one hit? Or do you want to be a black-clad dragon that grows stronger with every turn? Both are valid. Both are legendary.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Evaluate your format: If you are playing 6v6 Singles, prioritize Charizard X for its setup potential and hazard resistance.
- Audit your team's weather synergy: If you choose Charizard Y, ensure at least one other teammate benefits from the Sun (like a "Chlorophyll" ability user) to maximize the Drought turn limit.
- Practice the "Mega timing": Remember that you don't have to Mega Evolve on turn one. Sometimes staying in base form to bait a specific move is the smarter play before revealing your true form.