Charizard Guide: Builds and Best Items | Pokemon UNITE｜Game8 (2024)

The best guide on how to play Charizard in Pokemon UNITE for Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Check here for the best builds, Held and Battle items, movesets, as well as the latest nerfs, buffs, counters, matchups, and more!

Charizard Latest Nerfs and Buffs (7/16)

Version 1.15.1.2 Patch Notes

Charizard Changes (July 16)
Fire Punch	• Damage increased by 10%.
Fire Punch +	• Cooldown reduction per basic attack changed from 0.3s to 0.4s.
Flare Blitz	• Damage increased by 10% • Shield increased by 10%
Seismic Slam	• Can now grab Pokémon that are in hindrance resistance or unstoppable status

Charizard Basic Info

Charizard
	Tier Rating: Role: All-Rounder Attack Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Difficulty: NoviceCost: 6000/ 345
"When it’s still a Charmander, it’s not the most reliable, but when it evolves into Charizard, it can use its powerful moves to attack and deal damage over a wide area."

Pokemon Unite Tier List

Charizard Best Lanes

Top	Jungle	Bottom

Tips & Strategies for Every Lane

Strengths and Weaknesses

Best Builds for Charizard

Seismic Slam Build

Seismic Slam Build
Moveset			Held Items
Fire Punch Flare Blitz			Muscle Band Scope Lens Energy Amplifier
Battle Item
Full Heal
Item Effects (at Level 30)			Recommended Lane
Attack: +15 Critical-Hit Rate: +6% Critical-Hit Damage: +12% Attack Speed: +7.50% Cooldown: -4.50% Unite Move Charge Rate: +6%			Jungle
Emblem Color Combination			Target Emblem Stats
Brown x6 White x6			Positive Stats: • Attack • Critical-Hit Rate Free Negative Stats: • Sp. Atk • Movement Speed
Note:The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems.

Seismic Slam Build Explanation

This is an all-in damage build that is centered around taking out a single target quickly using Flare Blitz, Fire Punch, and Seismic Slam. Charizard will be using the Infernal Slam Combo as its core method of defeating targets.

• Muscle Band improves Charizard's attacks through increased damage and attack speed.
• Scope Lens makes Charizard's attacks deadlier through increased critical-hit rate and damage.
• Energy Amplifier further boosts Charizard's damage when it uses Seismic Slam, especially its attacks. It also reduces the Pokemon's cooldowns.
• Full Heal allows Charizard to counter crowd control, especially while its Unite Move is not yet available or is on cooldown.
• X Speed can also be used for more mobility.
• The build's Boost Emblem loadout should consist of 6 Brown Emblems for maximum damage and 6 White Emblems for additional HP. This can be achieved by equipping at least two (2) Emblems that are both Brown and White.
• Equip Emblems that improve Attack or Critical-Hit Rate to allow Charizard to clear the Jungle as fast as possible.
• Sp. Atk, Defense, and Sp. Def can be freely traded for the other stats.

Seismic Slam Build Damage Test

Since the build is revolves around Seismic Slam, equipping items that will maximize Charizard's attack damage for the duration of the move is the ideal item combination. Energy Amplifier is a core item for the build, leaving only two items for consideration.

Out of all the item combinations, Muscle Band and Scope Lens will be the best for the build. The item combination did decently in the Standard Attack damage tests but doesn't require Charizard to stack any items to gain the full benefit.

Although Razor Claw and Attack Weight generated the same result as the recommended build, having the attack speed from Muscle Band gives Charizard an advantage in the long run.

Ranged DPS Build

Ranged DPS Build Explanation

This build focuses on keeping a safe distance from enemies while poking them with Flamethrower and Fire Blast.

• Muscle Band improves Charizard's attacks through increased damage and attack speed.
• Scope Lens helps Charizard to dish out more damage using its attacks by increasing its critical-hit rate and damage.
• Attack Weight provides Charizard a large damage boost, particularly for its moves.
• However, Razor Claw can be a replacement for Scope Lens, giving a bit more flat damage boost and a slow mechanic.
• Full Heal allows Charizard to counter crowd control, especially while its Unite Move is not yet available or is on cooldown.
• X Speed can also be used for more mobility.
• The build's Boost Emblem loadout should consist of 6 Brown Emblems for maximum damage and 6 White Emblems for additional HP. This can be achieved by equipping at least two (2) Emblems that are both Brown and White.
• Equip Emblems that improve Attack or Critical-Hit Rate to allow Charizard to clear the Jungle as fast as possible.
• Sp. Atk, Defense, and Sp. Def can be freely traded for the other stats.

Ranged DPS Build Damage Test

Since the build is centered on keeping a safe distance from enemies while using them with Fire Blast and Flamethrower, equipping items that will improve Charizard's move and attack damage is the ideal item combination.

As the results show, Muscle Band, Scope Lens, and a fully-stacked Attack Weight will yield the best outcome within the build's limitations. Although the item combination did not have the highest move damage, it did produce the best result for Standard Attack and critical-hit damage.

As for alternatives, replacing Scope Lens with Razor Claw would be the best option. The item combination scored the highest in terms of Fire Blast and Flamethrower damage while maintaining the second best result for Standard Attack and critical-hit damage. However, critical-hits will occur less often with the build.

Charizard Best Items & Moveset

Best Held Items

Item	Explanation
Attack Weight	Attack Weight gives Charizard a large damage boost to its attacks and moves.
Energy Amplifier	Energy Amplifier synergizes well with Charizard's UNITE move, with the cooldown reduction giving a crucial advantage.
Focus Band	Focus Band grants you that extra survivability while low on HP. It's a great turn around item in 1v1s.
Scope Lens	Scope Lens complements Blaze, Charizard's passive. Further increasing its Critical-Hit rate output.
Muscle Band	Muscle Band is a generally good item to have when building damage dealers.
Curse Bangle	Curse Bangle gives Charizard a decent amount of Attack stat, and it works well with the Pokemon's attacks.

List of Held Items

Best Battle Items

Item	Explanation
Full Heal	Full Heal acts as a safety item that removes all debuffs inflicted on Charizard. This will be helpful for removing any slow effects or negate any enemy crowd control
X Speed	X Speed gives extra movement speed for getting into position or chasing opponents. This item synergizes well with Charizard's moving Standard Attack.

List of Battle Items

Best Moveset

Move	Explanation
Flare Blitz	Flare Blitz allows Charizard to isolate targets and get in range for its attacks. It also grants the Pokemon a shield for some survivability.
Fire Punch	Fire Punch is a great follow up move to Flare Blitz due to its knockback effect.

This moveset plays better in the meta since it gives Charizard two disabling moves that also deals decent damage. Flare Blitz allows Charizard to easily get to range for its attacks and grants it a shield to tank some damage as it dives targets. It also knocks up the target. Fire Punch gives Charizard another disabling move that naturally works better with Flare Blitz.

Generally, Flamethrower and Fire Blast gives Charizard some range to work with during fights and work better with each other. On the other hand, Flare Blitz and Fire Punch turns the Pokemon into more of a bruiser type Pokemon due to how the moves functions and have better synergy. However, mixing things up is always an option.

Which Moveset Do You Think is Best for Charizard?

Let us know why in the comments!

Previous Poll Results

How to Play Charizard

Play Safe Until Level 9

Although Charizard already gets both of its primary moves at level 7, it's really only at level 9 that the Pokemon reaches its power spike due to its Unite move. Given this, it's best to play as safe as possible in the early game, focusing more on farming wild Pokemon and leveling up.

Maximize the Use of Fire Spin and Flame Burst

Fire Spin and Flame Burst are ranged moves that also deal damage overtime. Use them to poke opponents, secure wild Pokemon, and defend goal zones in the early game.

Utilize Its Unique Attack Mechanics

Unlike other Pokemon, Charizard's attacks consist of multiple hits instead of just one. Each hit is treated separately and can trigger attack modifiers like critical-hits, lifesteal, and bonus damage. This should hint on what items Charizard should be given.

Move While Attacking

On top of its unique attacks, Charizard can also move while attacking, giving it some kind of mechanical advantage over others. Utilizing this mechanic is also central to playing Charizard effectively.

Poke Opponents with Flamethrower and Fire Blast

Flamethrower and Fire Blast are highly-improved versions of Flame Burst and Fire Spin, respectively. They're best used to deplete opponents' HP from range without or before engaging in a fight.

Utilize Flamethrower's Movement Speed Buff and Mechanic

When Charizard hits a target with Flamethrower, its movement speed increases for a duration. Moreover, the move can be used while moving, just like the Pokemon's attacks. Take advantage of the move's movement speed buff and activation mechanic to win fights or escape.

Flamethrower: Charizard Move Effect and Cooldown

Zone Out Opponents with Fire Blast

Once Fire Blast's projectile hits a target or reaches its max distance, it explodes and creates a burning area. This area deals damage overtime and slows opponents who step inside it. Use Fire Blast to zone out opponents from certain areas and discourage them from approaching.

Fire Blast: Charizard Move Effect and Cooldown

Quickly Get to Melee Range Using Fire Punch and Flare Blitz

Although Charizard breathes fire when it attacks, it is still considered as a melee Pokemon due to its short range. Just like all melee Pokemon, one of Charizard's primary struggle is getting close to targets to attack them. Fortunately, Charizard has Fire Punch and Flare Blitz, which serves this exact purpose.

Related Pages
Fire Punch	Flare Blitz

Disable Targets

Apart from being a damage move, Fire Punch and Flare Blitz are also great tools for disabling targets. Fire Punch shoves targets backwards while Flare Blitz throws them up.

Utilize Flare Blitz's Shield

In particular, Flare Blitz also grants Charizard a shield once it hits the target, increasing the Pokemon's durability and survivability. Take advantage of this shield to prolong Charizard's life during fights.

Initiate Fights With Seismic Slam

Seismic Slam deals a ton of damage to a single target. It's best used to initiate fights as it forces the target to play defensively due to the damage it took from the slam.

Seismic Slam: Charizard Move Effect and Cooldown

Utilize the Free Movement Mechanic

After slamming the target to the ground, Charizard flies up in the air for a duration. While flying, the Pokemon can freely hover over obstacles around the map, giving it unobstructed movement. Take advantage of this mechanic by circling around targets while attacking or by flying over obstacles when escaping.

Utilize the Increased Attack Damage and HP Recovery

On top of being able to fly around, Charizard's attacks deal increased damage and also heals the Pokemon. Make sure to also capitalize on these effects while flying.

Progression and Leveling Guide

Top or Bottom Lane Guide

Level 1 to 5

• Secure as many Wild Pokemon as you can and get EXP to reach level 5.
• Once at level 5, learn either Fire Punch or Flamethrower.
• Continue to farm wild Pokemon and level up, defend the lane, score points, and knock out opponents.

Level 6 to 9

• Once at level 7, learn Flare Blitz if you selected Fire Punch, or Fire Blast if you selected Flamethrower, and start to get aggressive.
• Continue to farm wild Pokemon, defend the lane, score points, and knock out opponents to level up.
• Help your allies secure Regieleki and/or Regice, Registeel, or Regirock.
• Once at level 9, learn Seismic Slam to get all moves.

Level 10+

• Continue to farm and level up.
• Stick with allies to defend or push lanes, secure objectives, and win teamfights.
• Reach at least level 13 on or before Rayquaza spawns for a full-upgraded moveset.
• Help your allies win a team fight and secure Rayquaza.
• After securing Rayquaza, just score points to gain the score lead, then immediately return to base and just defend the remaining goal zones until the match ends.

Jungle Guide

Level 1 to 5

• Clear the first wave of jungle camps and level up to level 5 with the help of Flame Burst and Fire Spin.
• Once at level 5, learn either Fire Punch or Flamethrower.
• Help the top or bottom lane by securing the Altaria and Swablu camps, knocking out opponents, and scoring points.

Level 6 to 9

• Clear the second wave of jungle camps to reach level 7 and get Flare Blitz if you selected Fire Punch, or Fire Blast if you selected Flamethrower.
• At the 8:00 minute mark, go to the center of the map and secure the Altaria and Swablu camps.
• At the 7:20 minute mark, go to the bottom lane and help secure the Altaria and Swablu camps, knock out opponents, and score points.
• Once at level 9, learn Seismic Slam.
• At the 7:00 minute mark, help allies secure Regice, Registeel, or Regirock.
• Afterwards, try to secure Regieleki on the top lane if it's still there.

Level 10+

• Stick with allies to defend or push lanes, secure objectives, and win teamfights.
• Reach at least level 13 on or before Rayquaza spawns for a fully-upgraded moveset.
• Help your allies win a team fight and secure Rayquaza.
• After securing Rayquaza, just score points to gain the score lead, then immediately return to base and just defend the remaining goal zones until the match ends.

Charizard Combos

Seismic Slam Combos

These combos are ways to setup Seismic Slam. They're effective against isolated targets.

Infernal Slam Combo

Scorching Slam Combo

Matchups & Counters for Charizard

Charizard Matchups

Matchup Notes
Hard Counter	Even Matchup	Easy Matchup
1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Charizard. 2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered 3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation.

Hard Counter Better Damage

Pokemon that can quickly take out Charizard or have a way dodge Seismic Slam can take advantage of the Pokemon's low durability during fights, especially when it doesn't have Seismic Slam.

Best Counters

Pokemon	Explanation
Zacian	Rating: ★★★★★ • Has superior damage with its attacks and moves. • Can survive Charizard's attacks thanks to the heals from its attacks.
Absol	Rating: ★★★★★ • Has superior critical hit chance and damage. • Has high mobility that can steer clear of Charizard's moves • Can exploit Charizard's weak early game.
Greninja	Rating: ★★★★ • Can dodge Seismic Slam using Smokescreen or Double Team. • Can easily counter with better attack damage and moves.

Even Matchups for Charizard

Due to Charizard's slow early game, it's best to reach level 9 first and learn Seismic Slam before going up against these Pokemon. Once Charizard learns Seismic Slam, it can now get the upper hand.

Use Seismic Slam

Circle Around Them While Attacking

Dodge Their Burst Damage

Take Them Out First

Group Up with Allies

Easy Targets for Charizard

Charizard's damage will be enough to pressure these Pokemon, especially at full evolution. Make sure to target low HP opponents first to cut them off in the team clash. They are also ideal Seismic Slam targets.

Use Seismic Slam

Best Teammates for Charizard

Pokemon	Explanation
Alolan Ninetales Pikachu	Aggressive Stallers
	These Pokemon have powerful burst attacks that are capable of disrupting enemies. When partnered up with these Pokemon, Charizard can easily take down enemies and push lanes.
Blissey Mr. Mime	Sustain and Buffs
	These Pokemon have means of stunning and shutting down targets with their moves. They also provide healing opportunities for Charizard so it can stand its ground and fight longer during clashes.
Crustle Snorlax	Tanky Disablers
	These Pokemon can lead the charge, soak up damage, and help Charizard setup its attacks thanks to their disabling moves. This way, Charizard can dominate lanes and take enemy camps to stall the enemy's level progression.
Absol Zoroark	High Burst Damagers
	These Pokemon help contribute damage through pinning down enemies with combos and burst attacks. While it's still recommended to go with either a Defender or Supporter ally, Speedsters are a huge help when trying to dominate lanes as early as possible.
Machamp Tsareena	Hard-hitting Initiators
	These Pokemon are very dependable allies as they have means to buff or sustain themselves. Whether it's securing objectives or pushing lanes, Machamp and Tsareena are built to initiate clashes, stun enemies, and create openings for their teammates.

Looking for teammates to synergize with you? Head over to our Friend Request Board to find other trainers to join you in your grind or just to hang out with!

Friend Request Board

Charizard Moves

Move Slot 1 (R)

Flame Burst (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 6s Starting Damage: 399 Initial damage: 239, Burn damage: 32 x 5 Final Damage: 441 Initial damage: 266, Burn damage: 35 x 5
Attacks with a bursting flame. When this move hits, it leaves opposing Pokemon burned and increases the user's movement speed for a short time.
Fire Punch (Lv. 5)Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 5s Starting Damage: 992 Initial damage: 797, Burn damage: 39 x 5 Final Damage: 2014 Initial damage: 1554, Burn damage: 92 x 5
Has the user punch with a fiery fist, dealing damage and shoving opposing Pokemon when it hits. Also leaves the opposing Pokemon it shoves burned.Upgrade: Reduces this move's cooldown every time a basic attack hits.
Flamethrower (Lv. 5)Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 5.5s Starting Damage: 626 Initial damage: 431, Burn damage: 39 x 5 Final Damage: 1563 Initial damage: 988, Burn damage: 115 x 5
Attacks with an intense blast of fire. When this move hits, it leaves opposing Pokemon burned and increases the user's movement speed for a short time.Upgrade: Increases this move's damage and the damage caused by burning.

Move Slot 2 (ZR)

Fire Spin (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 10s Starting Damage: 931 Initial damage: 311, Burn damage: 62 x 10 Final Damage: 1143 Initial damage: 383, Burn damage: 76 x 10
Encircles opposing Pokemon in the area of effect in a vortex of fire. After this move hits, it deals damage over time and decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time.
Flare Blitz (Lv. 7)Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 10s Starting Damage: 776 Final Damage: 1250
Has the user charge forward cloaked in fire, throwing opposing Pokemon. Also grants the user a shield.Upgrade: Also decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time when they are thrown by this move.
Fire Blast (Lv. 7)Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 6.5s Starting Damage: 2017 Initial damage: 577, Burn damage: 144 x 10 Final Damage: 3543 Initial damage: 1023, Burn damage: 252 x 10
Blasts intense, all-consuming fire, dealing damage over time to opposing Pokemon while the flames continue to burn on the ground and decreasing the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time.Upgrade: Increases damage dealt by this move.

Unite Moves (ZL)

Seismic Slam (Lv. 9)	Move Type: Sure Hit Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 110s Starting Damage: 9293 Final Damage: 9909
Has the user grab a Pokemon from the opposing team and slam it onto the ground from the air. For a short time afterward, the user can move freely over obstacles. While this Unite Move is being used, the user's basic attacks deal increased damage and leave opposing Pokemon burned. In addition, when the user deals damage to an opposing Pokemon, the user recovers HP.

Standard Attack

Standard Attack	Deals continual damage. Deals increased damage to opposing Pokemon that are burned and increases in range every time the user evolves.

Ability (Passive)

Blaze	All Evolution StagesWhen its HP is below half, its Critical Hit rate increases.

Charizard Stats & Evolutions

Charizard Evolutions

1st Evolution	2nd Evolution	Final Evolution
Charmander (Lv. 1)	Charmeleon (Lv. 5)	Charizard (Lv. 7)

Charizard Stats

Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.

Charizard In-Game Stats Listing

Offense	Endurance	Mobility	Scoring	Support

Charizard Skins (Holowear)

Holowear
Purple Unite Style Zirco Trading: 350 / 18	Orange Unite Style Zirco Trading: 350 / 18
Captain Style Zirco Trading: 1200	Bonfire Style Zirco Trading: 350 / 18
Adept Style Event: Season 3 Battle Pass	Armor Style Zirco Trading: 1200
Ninja Style Event: Season 7 Battle Pass	Knight Style Zirco Trading: 2199
Red Unite Style Zirco Trading: 350	Explorer Style Event: UNITE Club Membership

All Pokemon Skins (Holowear)

Charizard Character Spotlight

Charizard Achievements

Burn Achievement

Burn
Pokemon	Move
Charizard	Blaze
Mission:In a single battle, hit Pokemon from the opposing team with a basic attack after leaving them burned with Flamethrower 20 or more times (5/10/20 battles total)
Medals & Points	Rewards
Beginner 5	Aeos Ticket x100
Expert 5	Aeos Coin x300
Master 10	Holowear Ticket x3

List of All-Rounder Pokemon Achievements

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Pokemon

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

Best Build for Each Pokemon

Pokemon Roster
Absol	Aegislash	Alolan Ninetales	Azumarill
Blastoise	Blaziken	Blissey	Buzzwole
Ceruledge	Chandelure	Charizard	Cinderace
Clefable	Comfey	Cramorant	Crustle
Decidueye	Delphox	Dodrio	Dragapult
Dragonite	Duraludon	Eldegoss	Espeon
Falinks	Garchomp	Gardevoir	Gengar
Glaceon	Goodra	Greedent	Greninja
Gyarados	Hoopa	Inteleon	Lapras
Leafeon	Lucario	Machamp	Mamoswine
Meowscarada	Metagross	Mew	Mimikyu
Mr. Mime	Pikachu	Sableye	Scizor
Slowbro	Snorlax	Sylveon	Talonflame
Tsareena	Tyranitar	Umbreon	Trevenant
Urshifu	Wigglytuff	Venusaur	Zeraora
Zoroark	-

EX Pokemon List

EX Pokemon Roster
Mega Mewtwo X	Mega Mewtwo Y	Zacian	Miraidon
Ho-Oh	-

EX Pokemon Meaning: List and Mechanics

Upcoming Pokemon

Upcoming and New Pokemon

Top 5 Master Rank Picks & Win Rate

All data is based on Season 19 Master Rank Top 100.
Last Updated: June 4, 2024

Pokemon	Tier	Most Played %	Average Win %
Zoroark		15%	74.33%
Blaziken		8.3%	66.80%
Mew		8.3%	74.60%
Trevenant		8.3%	76.40%
Falinks		6.7%	78.75%

Top Picked Pokemon Per Role

Attacker	All- Rounder	Supporter	Defender	Speedster
Mew	Blaziken	Hoopa	Trevenant	Zoroark

Master Rank: Top Ranked Win Rates

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attackers		All-Rounders		Defenders
Speedsters			Supporters

Pokemon by Characteristics

Attack Type
Melee Pokemon	Ranged Pokemon
Physical Pokemon	Special Pokemon
Stat Rankings
HP Ranking	Defense Ranking
Sp. Def. Ranking	Basic Attack Ranking