[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Roost
item: Charizardite X
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Mega Charizard X to zero in on its wallbreaking potential, trading the Speed boost from Dragon Dance to make it even more of a menace to defensive teams. Some examples of its wallbreaking power after a Swords Dance are OHKOing Seismitoad, Chansey after Stealth Rock, and defensive Landorus-T after Intimidate and Stealth Rock. Additionally, it 2HKOes Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and physically defensive Toxapex. The outrageous power of Tough Claws-boosted Flare Blitz is a huge part of this set, as, despite the recoil perhaps being antithetical to a bulky set, other potential options like Fire Punch are too much of a drop in power. Dragon Claw lets Mega Charizard slice through Mega Latias and Kommo-o and, most importantly, hit many Fire-resistant Pokemon like Rotom-W, Toxapex, and Slowbro neutrally. It's also useful to minimize the amount of recoil damage Charizard has to take, as it can be used instead of Flare Blitz in cases where both are effective. Roost lets Charizard heal the recoil damage from Flare Blitz and entry hazards and set up on the likes of Rotom-W and Assault Vest Magearna. Earthquake could also be used over Dragon Claw to hit Heatran and Toxapex, as well as beat Tapu Fini without Flare Blitz recoil damage, though it hurts Charizard's matchup against opposing Dragon- and Water-types like Mega Latias, Rotom-W, and Slowbro.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread is preferred to give Charizard the maximum firepower and to Speed-tie with Mega Medicham, opposing Mega Charizard formes and Volcarona. Alternatively, a spread of 248 HP / 8 Atk / 68 Def / 12 SpD / 172 Spe with an Adamant nature can be used to improve Charizard's bulk; the Defense investment allows it to survive High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham and Earthquake from Choice Scarf Landorus-T; the Special Defense investment allows it to survive Supersonic Skystrike from offensive Tornadus-T; and the Speed investment allows it to outspeed Timid Heatran. However, this spread reduces Charizard's power and Speed, weakening its matchup against Gliscor and preventing it from revenge killing Hoopa-U, Tapu Lele, and Kyurem-B. This means the spread should only be used alongside other teammates capable of revenge killing them.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Charizard X does have great bulk, but it's better to save it for trading hits with the likes of Tapu Fini and Slowbro and bring it in safely against passive defensive Pokemon like Jirachi and Clefable or via pivot moves or revenge kills. It's similarly important to keep entry hazards clear from the field, as they severely hinder Charizard's ability to set up, especially since it isn't boosting its Speed, meaning a wider amount of Pokemon can potentially revenge kill it. Charizard can use the Ground-immunity its non-Mega forme possesses to set up safely against defensive Landorus-T and Gliscor, so it's better to wait until the power, typing, or extra bulk of its Mega forme is needed to Mega Evolve. Mega Charizard X's good bulk allows it to switch into certain offensive threats like Volcarona, Choice Scarf Kartana, and Choice Band Victini while Stealth Rock isn't up, especially if it's running the secondary defensive EV spread. A good setup opportunity is often good enough to earn a KO against defensive teams, so watch for typical setup fodder like Mega Sableye, defensive Magearna, and Choice-locked Kartana.
Team Options
========
Swords Dance Charizard is commonly used on balance teams that appreciate its great matchup against opposing balance teams. Entry hazard removal is a top priority, with Defoggers like Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Kartana clearing the field and allowing Charizard to make the most of its bulk for setting up. Cleric support from the likes of Chansey, Clefable, and Magearna is also something to consider; it takes a lot of the guesswork away from Charizard's matchups against the likes of Ferrothorn and Rotom-W, which could potentially carry Thunder Wave, and allow Charizard to safely KO Serperior, with the paralysis from Glare being removed later. It also helps against Pokemon like Seismitoad and Gliscor that may use Toxic to hinder a non-Mega Charizard's setup, as well as Pokemon Mega Charizard X can't outright OHKO like Slowbro and Toxapex. A Wish user like Chansey or Jirachi can ease Charizard's time getting onto the field, nullifying an attack as it switches in and helping out when hazards are up. When using the aforementioned defensive EV spread, pair Charizard with a solid revenge killer, like Weavile, Kartana, or Ditto, as due to the lower speed, it can't revenge kill threats like Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B. A solid Heatran answer like Seismitoad or Gliscor makes for a good teammate, as without Earthquake, Heatran can wall and threaten Charizard. Toxic Spikes from Toxapex can hinder Tapu Fini and Slowbro and put opposing revenge killers like Garchomp and Ditto on a timer. Fast offensive Pokemon like Weavile and Tapu Koko appreciate Mega Charizard X's wallbreaking ability that leaves a ruined opposing team for them to clean up.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cm-reuniclus.620979/
Grammar checked by:
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Roost
item: Charizardite X
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Mega Charizard X to zero in on its wallbreaking potential, trading the Speed boost from Dragon Dance to make it even more of a menace to defensive teams. Some examples of its wallbreaking power after a Swords Dance are OHKOing Seismitoad, Chansey after Stealth Rock, and defensive Landorus-T after Intimidate and Stealth Rock. Additionally, it 2HKOes Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and physically defensive Toxapex. The outrageous power of Tough Claws-boosted Flare Blitz is a huge part of this set, as, despite the recoil perhaps being antithetical to a bulky set, other potential options like Fire Punch are too much of a drop in power. Dragon Claw lets Mega Charizard slice through Mega Latias and Kommo-o and, most importantly, hit many Fire-resistant Pokemon like Rotom-W, Toxapex, and Slowbro neutrally. It's also useful to minimize the amount of recoil damage Charizard has to take, as it can be used instead of Flare Blitz in cases where both are effective. Roost lets Charizard heal the recoil damage from Flare Blitz and entry hazards and set up on the likes of Rotom-W and Assault Vest Magearna. Earthquake could also be used over Dragon Claw to hit Heatran and Toxapex, as well as beat Tapu Fini without Flare Blitz recoil damage, though it hurts Charizard's matchup against opposing Dragon- and Water-types like Mega Latias, Rotom-W, and Slowbro.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread is preferred to give Charizard the maximum firepower and to Speed-tie with Mega Medicham, opposing Mega Charizard formes and Volcarona. Alternatively, a spread of 248 HP / 8 Atk / 68 Def / 12 SpD / 172 Spe with an Adamant nature can be used to improve Charizard's bulk; the Defense investment allows it to survive High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham and Earthquake from Choice Scarf Landorus-T; the Special Defense investment allows it to survive Supersonic Skystrike from offensive Tornadus-T; and the Speed investment allows it to outspeed Timid Heatran. However, this spread reduces Charizard's power and Speed, weakening its matchup against Gliscor and preventing it from revenge killing Hoopa-U, Tapu Lele, and Kyurem-B. This means the spread should only be used alongside other teammates capable of revenge killing them.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Charizard X does have great bulk, but it's better to save it for trading hits with the likes of Tapu Fini and Slowbro and bring it in safely against passive defensive Pokemon like Jirachi and Clefable or via pivot moves or revenge kills. It's similarly important to keep entry hazards clear from the field, as they severely hinder Charizard's ability to set up, especially since it isn't boosting its Speed, meaning a wider amount of Pokemon can potentially revenge kill it. Charizard can use the Ground-immunity its non-Mega forme possesses to set up safely against defensive Landorus-T and Gliscor, so it's better to wait until the power, typing, or extra bulk of its Mega forme is needed to Mega Evolve. Mega Charizard X's good bulk allows it to switch into certain offensive threats like Volcarona, Choice Scarf Kartana, and Choice Band Victini while Stealth Rock isn't up, especially if it's running the secondary defensive EV spread. A good setup opportunity is often good enough to earn a KO against defensive teams, so watch for typical setup fodder like Mega Sableye, defensive Magearna, and Choice-locked Kartana.
Team Options
========
Swords Dance Charizard is commonly used on balance teams that appreciate its great matchup against opposing balance teams. Entry hazard removal is a top priority, with Defoggers like Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Kartana clearing the field and allowing Charizard to make the most of its bulk for setting up. Cleric support from the likes of Chansey, Clefable, and Magearna is also something to consider; it takes a lot of the guesswork away from Charizard's matchups against the likes of Ferrothorn and Rotom-W, which could potentially carry Thunder Wave, and allow Charizard to safely KO Serperior, with the paralysis from Glare being removed later. It also helps against Pokemon like Seismitoad and Gliscor that may use Toxic to hinder a non-Mega Charizard's setup, as well as Pokemon Mega Charizard X can't outright OHKO like Slowbro and Toxapex. A Wish user like Chansey or Jirachi can ease Charizard's time getting onto the field, nullifying an attack as it switches in and helping out when hazards are up. When using the aforementioned defensive EV spread, pair Charizard with a solid revenge killer, like Weavile, Kartana, or Ditto, as due to the lower speed, it can't revenge kill threats like Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B. A solid Heatran answer like Seismitoad or Gliscor makes for a good teammate, as without Earthquake, Heatran can wall and threaten Charizard. Toxic Spikes from Toxapex can hinder Tapu Fini and Slowbro and put opposing revenge killers like Garchomp and Ditto on a timer. Fast offensive Pokemon like Weavile and Tapu Koko appreciate Mega Charizard X's wallbreaking ability that leaves a ruined opposing team for them to clean up.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cm-reuniclus.620979/
Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
