Thunder Punch or Focus Blast for Charizard?

Question

I'm not sure which to use, so I need help. Thunder Punch obviously for Water and Flying types (although I also have Raichu) and Focus Blast for Ice (good to help Charizard X), Rock (Tyranitar, Rhyperior), Normal (Snorlax), and Dark. Any other advice is helpful, and thanks in advance. :) Any other good move suggestions are fine as well.

Edit: My charizard is Rash and has A Charizardite-X
Charizard's moveset is Flamethrower

                                                            Fly
                                                            Dragon Pulse
                                                            and I want to replace Flare Blitz

Comments

Do you  have more info on the charizard eg what type of nature, held item/mega etc? It's not that the question cannot be answered without the info,  it's that the answer without this info would be too long and rambling (at least my answer would be, others could probably be more succinct...)

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I assume you're using Mega X and want a set with good overall coverage. If you're running a physical set or using Dragon Dance, Brick Break might be a better choice than Focus Blast. Due to the Tough Claws ability, contact moves receive an extra boost.

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TL;DR: consider Brick break for Charizard X.

Good point on Tough Claws (though Thunder Punch does also benefit from Tough Claws.) On Adamant Charizard X with 252 Attack, Brick Break against Mega Tyranitar with 252 def and Adamant nature does 264.7 - 313% whilst Focus Blast is 210.6 - 249.2%. Ok so both OHKO, so let's pick another test candidate.

Against Mega Gyarados, who is weak to both Fighting and Electric, Thunder Punch and Brick Break hit identical damage (65.8 - 77.9%), whilst Focus Blast is 47.1 - 55.5%... again, high chance of a 2HKO, but not a guarantee. And if Charizard X has Dragon Dance, then Brick Break becomes even more of a good choice.

Even Power-Up Punch might be useful against Tyranitar, but perhaps a bit too esoteric as it's low power (40) might not deliver the killer blow to other Pokemon... eg no guarantee to 2HKO Mega Gyarados.

Answer 1

As you have a Charizard X your movepool should be physical only, because of Dragon Dance and Tough Claws, so Focus Blast is out of the question. If you want a Fighting Type move, here are two candidates.

• Brick Break
• Power-Up Punch

Power-Up Punch is a weak move (40BP) however increases your Attack by one stage after using, and can boost your Attack to astronomical levels. Brick Break can destroy the opponents Light Screen or Reflect, and has more power, but offers no boost other than that.

Here are some damage calculators which show the devastation Charizard can cause

+1 252+ Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Power-Up Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Tyranitar: 264-312 (77.4 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 252+ Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Power-Up Punch vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Mega Tyranitar: 224-264 (55.4 - 65.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

>252+ Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Brick Break vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Mega Tyranitar: 280-332 (69.3 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

>252+ Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Brick Break vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Tyranitar: 332-392 (97.3 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

So, against Mega Tyranitar, a +1 Power-Up Punch will always 2HKO, and a neutral Brick Break will always 2HKO or even get a 1HKO. So, in summary, use Power-Up Punch if you want a move that can boost your attack so another move can sweep (Flare Blitz etc) and use Brick Break for an easy to use move that has a neat bonus, without boosts.

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Edit: That set isn't very efficient for competitive. Fly is a horrible move that receives no STAB and takes two turns to execute, meaning someone can set up and kill Charizard. It also is a physical move and your Charizard is clearly special based, and even that is a problem. Charizard X is WAY more efficient as a physical attacker, and using one with those moves ain't going to get you far. Try this set.

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze > Tough Claws
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Att / 252 Spe / 252 HP
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Flare Blitz
- Brick Break / Power-Up Punch (read previous area)

Pretty simple stuff, set up with DD and sweep the opposing team.

Comments

Sorry, my Charizard is Rash and has a SpAttack of 294 when not Mega Evolved, and a 196 Attack when not mega evolved. Sorry, I really wanted to make him a Special attacker, but I'll still consider.

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Mega Charizard X shouldn't be used for special attacking, Tough Claws is too good to miss out on. A good Mega Charizard Y set is

Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze >>>>>>> Drought
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 Spe / 252 SpA / 4 HP
- Heat Wave
- Overheat / Flamethrower / Hidden Power Ground
- Solar Beam
- Protect

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It's built for physical damage, but if you really want a special Mega Charizard X, it's still workable. Not sure about EVs, Rash nature takes a chunk out of Charizard's already average special defense.

An obvious solution would be Fire Blast, Dragon Pulse, Air Slash and Roost. Only offensive weaknesses are Carbink, Diancie and Mega Altaria.
 
You could go for the classic special Charizard set (Sunny Day, Flamethrower, Solar Beam) since Grass will cover Rock and Ground weaknesses, adding in Dragon Pulse or Air Slash.

You could take a different approach and run a mixed set; teach it Hone Claws, Inferno, Focus Blast and Dragon Claw. Hone Claws is turn-consuming so you need a strategy to avoid being slaughtered. Shadow Claw is also an option if you're more interested in coverage.

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But anything Mega Charizard X can do Mega Charizard Y can do better. Y causes Drought when he enters the field, essentially boosting all Fire type moves for free. His stats are also way better in Special Attacking.

252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus in Sun: 325-384 (101.8 - 120.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Mega Charizard X Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus: 187-222 (58.6 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Kangaskhan in Sun: 271-321 (77.2 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HK

252 SpA Mega Charizard X Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Kangaskhan: 156-184 (44.4 - 52.4%) -- 19.1% chance to 2HKO

Yeah X doesn't have anything on Y as a Special Attacker

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Why Heat Wave over Flamethrower?