For fighter info, seeCharizard (SSBB),Charizard (SSB4), andCharizard (SSBU).

Charizard
Official artwork of Charizard fromPokémon FireRed andLeafGreen Versions.
Universe	Pokémon
Debut	Pokémon Red andGreen Versions (1996)
Smash Bros. appearances	SSB Melee Brawl SSB4 Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Pokémon Legends: Z-A (2025)
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy
Species	Charizard
Gender	Varies
Place of origin	Kanto
Designed by	Atsuko Nishida
Voice actor	Shin'ichirō Miki
Article on Bulbapedia	Charizard (Pokémon)

Charizard (リザードン,Lizardon) is a Flame Pokémon from thePokémon series. It debuted in the series'first generation asKanto's final stageFire-typestarter Pokémon.

It is present as a playable character inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl (viaPokémon Trainer),Super Smash Bros. 4, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate (again viaPokémon Trainer). Prior to becoming playable, Charizard appeared as aPoké Ball Pokémon in both the originalSuper Smash Bros. andMelee.

Origin[edit]

Official artwork of Charizard fromPokémon Red andGreen Versions.

Charizard is a dual Fire/Flying-type saurian Pokémon based on dragons,^[1] and is categorized within the Pokédex at #006 as the "Flame Pokémon". It is the final evolutionary form ofCharmander, after having evolved fromCharmeleon at level 36 onward. Despite its design basis, Charizard is not a Dragon-type in its base form. However, it becomes a Fire/Dragon-type uponMega Evolving intoMega Charizard X; additionally,Super Smash Bros. 4 andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate refer to it and treat it as a dragon on several occasions in spite of its standard typing.

As Charmander, it is one of theKanto region's threestarter Pokémon. However, unlike inPokémon Red,Green, andBlue, Charmander is obtainable alongside its fellow Kanto startersBulbasaur andSquirtle under special conditions inPokémon Yellow Version, and relatively early on inPokémon X andY. InPokémon Sun,Moon,Ultra Sun andUltra Moon, Charizard appears as aRide Pokémon that helps the player travel between locations, replacing theFlyHidden Machine from previous generations (although it is unobtainable without transferring or trading inSun andMoon).

As Pokédex entries describe, Charizard breathes out fire that reaches incredible temperatures, hot enough to melt boulders and quickly melt glaciers weighing 10,000 tons, and it is said the temperature increases as it experiences harsh battles. When expelling a blast of super hot fire, its tail flame burns more intensely, and if it becomes furious, its tail flame flares up in a whitish-blue color.

Charizard is known to cause forest fires unintentionally. However, a wild Charizard will never turn its fiery breath on any opponent weaker than itself. It flies about in search of powerful opponents, with its wings carrying it close to an altitude of 4,600 feet.

Thanks to being the mascot ofPokémon Red Version and a member of its species having a major role in thePokémon anime as one ofAsh Ketchum's most powerful Pokémon, Charizard is one of the most popular Pokémon in the series. This was reflected inGeneration VI, where Charizard gained access to new transformations calledMega Evolutions. Unlike most Pokémon who can also Mega Evolve, it has two Mega Evolved forms (a trait shared withMewtwo,Raichu,Absol,Lucario, andGarchomp): it becomes Mega Charizard X while holding a Charizardite X, whereas holding a Charizardite Y results in it becoming Mega Charizard Y. InGeneration VIII, Charizard (alongside all other Pokémon) no longer has access to Mega Evolutions, but it gains a new form, that beingGigantamax Charizard. During the transformation, it also gains access to the moveG-Max Wildfire.

Charizard sports average statistics all around, with relatively high Speed and Special Attack. Its standard ability isBlaze, available to every Fire type starter Pokémon, which increases the power of Fire type attacks when the Pokémon has low HP, while its HiddenAbility isSolar Power, which increases Special Attack under harsh sunlight at the cost of a few HP. Mega Evolution aguments its stats and changes its abilities; Mega Charizard X sports an high Attack statistic and the abilityTough Claws, which increases the power of moves that make contact, while Mega Charizard Y has an impressive Special Attack and the abilityDrought, which summons harsh sunlight. These changes significantly improve Charizard's performance in battle.

Many Charizard have appeared in thePokémon anime, but the most prominently featured one has beenAsh's Charizard. This Charizard is well-known for its character arc: having been abandoned byits original trainer as a Charmander, it was adopted byAsh Ketchum. While Charmander started out as a loyal and shy companion, as it evolved into Charmeleon and eventually Charizard, it developed a rebellious and disobedient streak, and only truly bonded with Ash and regained its loyalty whenAsh saved its life when it was left out in the cold. Following this, Ash's Charizard would continue being a sporadic but loyal and powerful member of his team.

In other media, Charizard is frequently a signature Pokémon for the various incarnations ofRed, as the mascot ofPokémon Red and one of the fully-evolved starter Pokémon of Kanto. In the mainline game series, Red consistently uses Charizard on his teams as an NPC, andPokémon Origins depicts Charizard as Red's signature Pokémon. This is reflected in theSuper Smash Bros. series, where the male playablePokémon Trainer, himself an incarnation of Red, uses Charizard as his party's only fully-evolved Pokémon. His female counterpart,Leaf, has not used Charizard or any member of its evolutionary line in prior media (as an NPC), making her appearance as the female Pokémon Trainer inUltimate the first instance of such.

InSuper Smash Bros.[edit]

As a Poké Ball Pokémon[edit]

Sprite.

Charizard makes its first appearance in theSuper Smash Bros. series as one of the thirteenPoké BallPokémon that appear in theoriginal game. When summoned, it usesFlamethrower while rotating its head to the left and right, breathing fire upon any nearby opponents of the player who summoned it. The flames hit consecutively, inflicting 4% per hit, while touching Charizard itself inflicts 18%. The flames can be reflected byFox'sReflector, and absorbed byNess'PSI Magnet.

Charizard has a spawn chance of1/12.

Charizard's voice clip used in the Japanese and English versions is from thePokémon episodeAttack of the Prehistoric Pokémon.

InSuper Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

Charizard makes a very brief cameo appearance inSuper Smash Bros. Melee's introduction sequence.

As a Poké Ball Pokémon[edit]

Charizard's appearance as a Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros Melee.

Charizard reprises its role inMelee as a Poké Ball, complete withFlamethrower as its attack. Unlike inSSB, Charizard now uses its 3D model fromPokémon Stadium. Additionally, making contact with Charizard's body now deals 20% and emits aflame effect.

Charizard has a spawn chance of25/583.

Charizard's voice clip in the Japanese version comes from a different part ofAttack of the Prehistoric Pokémon while the one in the English version comes from the episodeNavel Maneuvers.

Trophy[edit]

Charizard also appears as a trophy in this game, unlocked as one of the trophies that can be collected randomly throughout the various Single-player Regular Matches.

Charizard's trophy inMelee

Charizard

It's hard to believe, but this massive Flame Pokémon evolves from the tiny Charmander. Not only can it fly at heights of over 4,500 feet, but its flaming breath is hot enough to reduce almost anything to ashes in seconds. The flames at the end of a Charizard's tail are said to be a fairly accurate barometer of its power.

Pokémon Red & Blue (9/98)

InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

As a playable character[edit]

Charizard as it appears inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl marks the third appearance of Charizard in the series, and its first as a playable character. It is one ofPokémon Trainer's three Pokémon, alongsideSquirtle andIvysaur. Charizard retainsFlamethrower, which is used as itsneutral special move and functions almost identically toBowser'sFire Breath.

Trophy[edit]

Charizard's trophy inBrawl

Charizard

A Flame Pokémon. Its fiery breath is hot enough to burn up rocks, and its wings let it fly up to 4,600 feet into the air. It's a proud Pokémon that will never use its flame breath on an opponent weaker than itself. The flame on its tail is a barometer of how much vitality it has remaining. Its signature move,Flamethrower, is a reliable technique.

:Pokémon Red/Blue

:Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen

Sticker[edit]

Name	Game	Effect	Fighter(s)
Charizard	Pokémon series	Attack +10	Pikachu Pokémon Trainer Lucario Jigglypuff

Charizard (Pokémon series)

InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]

As a playable character[edit]

Charizard, as it appears inSuper Smash Bros. 4.

Charizard returns inSuper Smash Bros. 4 as a playable character. However, inSSB4, Charizard is a standalone character, unlike inBrawl, where it was one of Pokémon Trainer's Pokémon. To reflect this,Pokémon Change has been replaced by a new side special move,Flare Blitz, whileRock Smash has been reassigned to being its down special move. Charizard also has a newFinal Smash, which consists of it undergoing Mega Evolution to becomeMega Charizard X.

The most beneficial change Charizard received in the transition fromBrawl toSSB4 was the removal ofstamina, which came about as a result of no longer being tied to Pokémon Trainer. Rock Smash now grants Charizardsuper armor, increasing its utility. Becoming a standalone character also granted it a new special move inFlare Blitz. In addition to being a very powerful KOing option, it can function as a quick and fairly safe horizontal recovery option. Despite being a super heavyweight, Charizard has above-averagewalking speed and one of the fastestdashing speeds in the game, which helps with its approach.

However, Charizard has significant issues.SSB4 removedgliding, which considerably worsened Charizard's recovery in the process. Flare Blitz's utility is offset by its recoil damage, as it deals 5% just from being initiated and another 5% upon hitting something, even if it is an opponent's shield. It also results in high ending lag, making it verypunishable when used unwisely. When used or aimed off-stage, it has a very high chance ofself-destructing itself, due to it traveling a great distance and putting Charizard into temporary free fall, reducing its chances of recovering back to the stage - assuming Charizard is not propelled directly into theblast line.

While originally regarded as one of the worst characters inSSB4, Charizard received some helpful buffs in game updates. Update1.0.8 improved its up and down throws by significantly improving the former's KO potential and re-purposing the latter from a KOing option into a very useful combo starter. Most noticeably, update1.1.5 improved its aerial presence by increasing its air speed and decreasing its aerials' ending lag, as well as strengthening its already powerful back aerial and Flare Blitz.

Overall, Charizard is noticeably better compared to how it was during the early days ofSSB4. This has resulted in it achieving much greater success at regional tournaments, and slightly improved results in national regional tournaments. As such, opinions on Charizard's viability have notably improved over the game's lifespan. This, in turn, has been reflected in Charizard rising from the bottom-tier to its current ranking of 43rd out of 55 on thetier list, which places it in E tier and assesses it as a mid-tier character.

Trophies[edit]

Charizard's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Charizard's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U

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!

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!

:Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue (09/1998)

:Pokémon X & Pokémon Y (10/2013)

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/Blue (10/1999)

:Pokémon X/Y (10/2013)

Charizard (Alt.)'s trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Charizard (Alt.)'s trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U

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...

:Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue (09/1998)

:Pokémon X & Pokémon Y (10/2013)

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/Blue (10/1999)

:Pokémon X/Y (10/2013)

InSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

As a playable character[edit]

Charizard, as it appears inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Charizard returns as a playable character inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, but unlike inSuper Smash Bros. 4, it returns as part ofPokémon Trainer alongsideSquirtle andIvysaur. Due to this,Rock Smash has been replaced byPokémon Change. Like Squirtle and Ivysaur, it is no longer subject tostamina, and thus remains effective throughout a fight. UnlikeBrawl, where Pokémon Trainer is a starter character, andSmash 4, where Charizard is, Pokémon Trainer is now an unlockable character.

In terms of execution, Charizard functions differently from in Smash 4 because of the overall changes to its moveset and different engine, but it generally serves the same purpose as a lightning bruiser. It is fundamentally better but is counterbalanced by gaping holes in its kit such as forward aerial not autocanceling from a short hop. As such, while Charizard is worse relative to the cast compared to its solo appearance inSSB4, as a member of Pokémon Trainer's team, it is more useful because it allows the Trainer to adapt to situations where its longevity and KO power are needed, while also being able to replace itself with Squirtle or Ivysaur in cases where its weaknesses can be exploited.

Spirits[edit]

Fighter spirit[edit]

Primary spirit[edit]

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Slots	Base	Max	Base	Max	Base	Max	Ability	Series
422		Mega Charizard X		★★★	1	3265	9846	1633	4923	1336	4028	Fire Attack ↑	Pokémon Series

Names in other languages[edit]

Language	Name
Japanese	リザードン,Lizardon
French	Dracaufeu
German	Glurak
Spanish	Charizard
Italian	Charizard
Chinese (Simplified)	喷火龙,Lizardon
Chinese (Traditional)	噴火龍,Lizardon
Korean	리자몽,Rizamon
Dutch	Charizard
Russian	Чаризард
Portuguese	Charizard

Trivia[edit]

• Charizard andPikachu are the only playablePokémon that aregame mascots.
• LikeMewtwo andLucario, Charizard is, as ofSuper Smash Bros. 4, similar to particular members of its species depicted in the anime. In Charizard's case, likeAsh's Charizard, andRed's Charizard:
  • Its up throw's animation is similar to Ash and Red's when they useSeismic Toss.
  • It knowsFlare Blitz like Red's does inPokémon HeartGold andSoulSilver versions.
  • It can useBlast Burn like Red (albeit only inPokémon HeartGold andSoulSilver versions).
  • 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's and Red's.
• Charizard is the first playable character in the series to have made their debut as a significant non-playable in-game character in the games prior to their playable debut. Initially, it was a Pokémon summoned from Poké Balls inSSB andMelee, before becoming playable inBrawl.
  • Currently, Charizard is also the only Pokémon to have become a playable character in a later game after being a Poké Ball Pokémon in prior games.
  • While several othernewcomers have appeared inSuper Smash Bros. Melee,Super Smash Bros. Brawl andSSB4 as trophies, Charizard is the first one to have played an actual in-game role in the previous games.
  • Charizard is also the only character who was a summonable character in more than one installment before becoming playable.
• Charizard is one of two playable characters to appear in every game of the series who was not playable in every iteration. The other isKing Dedede.
  • However, if one counts both versions ofSSB4 as the same game,Ridley also shares this distinction.
• Charizard is one of three characters to have cameoed in the opening ofMelee, as a model, prior to becoming a playable character, the others beingWolf andRidley.
  • However, Charizard is the only of the three who plays a major non-playable role inMelee.
• Charizard and Mewtwo are the only playable Pokémon with different names in different languages that keeps the same voice clips in all regional versions of theSuper Smash Bros. series.
• Due to having access toFlamethrower,Flare Blitz andFly, Charizard is the only playable dual-type Pokémon to use moves of both of its types.
• Charizard is the only character to have been an independent character in one game (inSmash 4) and then part of a shared character in the next (inUltimate). It is also the only character to have been in more than two games that uses a different set of special moves in each one.
• Since its debut, Charizard is the onlyBrawl veteran to use new voice clips across everySuper Smash Bros. installment while retaining its voice actor (in this case, Shin'ichirō Miki).

References[edit]

v • d • e Pokémon universe
Fighters	Pikachu (SSB ·SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Jigglypuff (SSB ·SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Pichu (SSBM ·SSBU) ·Mewtwo (SSBM ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Pokémon Trainer (SSBB ·SSBU) ·Squirtle (SSBB ·SSBU) ·Ivysaur (SSBB ·SSBU) ·Charizard (SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Lucario (SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Greninja (SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Incineroar (SSBU)
Boss	Rayquaza
Stages	Saffron City ·Pokémon Stadium ·Poké Floats ·Pokémon Stadium 2 ·Spear Pillar ·Unova Pokémon League ·Prism Tower ·Kalos Pokémon League
Items	Poké Ball ·Master Ball
Poké Ball Pokémon	Abomasnow ·Abra ·Arceus ·Articuno ·Beedrill ·Bellossom ·Bewear ·Blastoise ·Bonsly ·Celebi ·Chansey ·Charizard ·Chespin ·Chikorita ·Clefairy ·Cyndaquil ·Darkrai ·Dedenne ·Deoxys ·Ditto ·Eevee ·Electrode ·Entei ·Exeggutor ·Fennekin ·Fletchling ·Gardevoir ·Genesect ·Giratina ·Gogoat ·Goldeen ·Groudon ·Gulpin ·Hitmonlee ·Ho-Oh ·Inkay ·Jirachi ·Keldeo ·Koffing ·Kyogre ·Kyurem ·Latias & Latios ·Lugia ·Lunala ·Manaphy ·Marill ·Marshadow ·Meloetta ·Meowth ·Metagross ·Mew ·Mimikyu ·Moltres ·Munchlax ·Onix ·Oshawott ·Palkia ·Piplup ·Porygon2 ·Pyukumuku ·Raichu ·Raikou ·Scizor ·Snivy ·Snorlax ·Solgaleo ·Spewpa ·Starmie ·Staryu ·Suicune ·Swirlix ·Tapu Koko ·Togedemaru ·Togepi ·Torchic ·Unown ·Venusaur ·Victini ·Vulpix ·Weavile ·Weezing ·Wobbuffet ·Xerneas ·Zapdos ·Zoroark
Enemies	Chandelure ·Cryogonal ·Gastly ·Koffing ·Petilil
Other	Charmander ·Cresselia ·Dialga ·Porygon ·Registeel ·Reshiram ·Team Rocket ·Zekrom ·List of Pokémon
Trophies,Stickers andSpirits	Trophies (SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4) ·Stickers ·Spirits
Music	Brawl ·SSB4 ·Ultimate

• Characters
• Pokémon
• Pokémon (SSB)
• Pokémon (SSBM)
• Pokémon universe
• Charizard
• Trophies (SSBM)
• Trophies (SSBB)
• Trophies (SSB4-3DS)
• Trophies (SSB4-Wii U)
• Stickers
• Spirits