Charizard

Charizard is in Reg M-A almost entirely as a Mega Evolution carrier. The decision happens at team-build time: Charizardite Y commits the team to a sunHarsh Sunlight (Sun)weatherWeather that boosts Fire moves ×1.5 and weakens Water moves ×0.5. Activates Chlorophyll, Solar Power, and other Sun-tied abilities.Click to read more → archetype with Mega Charizard YMega Charizard YmegaSummons harsh sunlight the moment it Mega Evolves, boosting Fire moves for the whole team.Click to read more → as the special wallbreaker; Charizardite X commits to a Fire/Dragon physical sweeper with Mega Charizard XMega Charizard XmegaTough Claws boosts every physical contact move by 1.3× — Dragon Claw and Flare Blitz become devastating from base 130 Attack on a Fire/Dragon type.Click to read more → as the win condition. The base Charizard form rarely sees the field — it Mega Evolves on turn 1.

Why the Mega choice matters

The two Megas are functionally different Pokémon despite sharing a base form:

1. Mega Charizard Y — DroughtDroughtabilityAn ability that instantly sets permanent sun when the Pokémon enters the field.Click to read more → + Solar Power + 159 Special Attack. Sun is automatic on switch-in; Solar Power doubles Sp.A while sun is up. Heat Wave under those conditions is the most explosive damage in the format. Pairs with TorkoalTorkoalpokemonReg M-A's reliable Drought setter. Sun on switch-in, full-HP Eruption from a 70/140 tank, and a Trick Room option on the same slot.Click to read more → for redundant sun and VolcaronaVolcaronapokemonThe format's most explosive special setup sweeper. One Quiver Dance turns its 135 Special Attack into a wallbreaker that outspeeds the field.Click to read more → for sun-boosted Quiver Dance.
2. Mega Charizard X — Tough Claws + Fire/Dragon typing + 130 Attack. Trades sun synergy for raw physical pressure; Flare Blitz, Dragon Claw, and Earthquake become spammable through Tough Claws. Fits aggressive lead pairs that want a Mega finisher rather than a weather anchor.

Choose based on whether the team plan is “sun chip and special breaking” or “physical pressure on a Fire/Dragon STAB chassis.” The two builds don’t substitute for each other.

Common sets

• Pre-Mega Y carrier (most common) — Heat Wave, Solar Beam, Air Slash, ProtectProtectmoveA move that makes the user immune to all moves for one turn. Fails if used consecutively.Click to read more →. Charizardite Y. Modest nature with full HP and Special Attack investment. The base form rarely uses these moves; the loadout matters because Mega Y inherits it.
• Pre-Mega X carrier — Flare Blitz, Dragon Claw, Earthquake, Protect. Charizardite X. Adamant or Jolly nature. Same logic — the moveset is built for the Mega form.

Common partners

• Torkoal — backup sun setter for Mega Y teams. Sun lasts 5 turns from one Drought activation; Torkoal extends the window with redundant Heat Rock setup.
• Volcarona — sun abuser. Quiver Dance under Mega Y’s sun pushes Volcarona’s Heat Wave and Fiery Dance into OHKO territory against most non-resists.
• WhimsicottWhimsicottpokemonPrankster utility lead. Priority Tailwind, Encore, and Sunny Day let it dictate tempo against teams that thought they had it.Click to read more → — PranksterPranksterabilityAn ability that gives all Status moves +1 priority — they go before almost everything, even if the Pokémon is slow.Click to read more → Sunny Day backup if rain or another weather setter flips the matchup. Important since both Mega Y archetypes depend on sun staying up.

What beats it

Rock-type moves are 4× super effective on the base Fire/Flying form, and Mega Y inherits the same typing. Tyranitar Stone Edge or Mega AerodactylMega AerodactylmegaTough Claws boosts contact moves by 1.3× on top of Aerodactyl's already blistering 150 base Speed — the fastest Mega in the format.Click to read more → Stone Edge OHKO at full HP. Mega X’s Fire/Dragon typing is only 2× weak to Rock but picks up a 2× weakness to Dragon and Fairy. Water-type moves hit both Megas hard; PelipperPelipperpokemonThe format's only practical Drizzle setter. Sets rain on switch-in, then enables Hurricane spam and 1.5× boosted Water moves across the team.Click to read more → Hydro Pump under rain is a hard counter for either variant.