Mega Charizard X Vs. Y: Which Pokémon Is Better & Why (2024)

Charizard is one of the very few titular creatures of Pokémon to have more than one Mega Evolution, which naturally leads to debate over which is better: Mega Charizard X, or Mega Charizard Y. Of course, both empowered forms of one of the most popular Pokémon have their advantages and drawbacks, but only one can be used in any given battle. Moreover, different games in the franchise bring their own takes on Mega Evolution, bringing new factors to consider.

Since its introduction in Pokémon X and Y, plenty of Pokémon games have included Mega Evolution, although it has been absent from the core series for several generations now. Nevertheless, in nearly every game to include some version of the mechanic, whether a core series title or otherwise, the Mega Charizard forms have been included, undoubtedly as a result of the Flame Pokémon’s enduring popularity. However, in Pokémon UNITE, the only Mega Pokémon to appear so far have been Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y, the franchise’s other pair of Mega Forms.

Mega Charizard X Dominates The Core Pokémon Games

Better Moves For Its Stats

Mega Charizards X and Y are available in all the Generation 6 and 7 games, and as per Bulbapediathey share the same stat changes across these titles. Mega Charizard X specializes in boosts to its Attack and Defense stats, whereas Mega Charizard Y enjoys a comparative boost to its Sp. Atk and Sp. Def. In either case, the Mega Evolution’s base stats for HP and Speed remain the same as a normal Charizard’s, 78 and 100 respectively, and enjoy lesser increases to one of their other stats in comparison to their counterpart’s specialty.

Mega Charizard X’s base Attack and Defense stats are 130 and 111, a notable increase from Charizard’s usual base stats of 84 and 78. Its Sp. Atk base stat, meanwhile, increases to 130 from 109, while its Sp. Def remains the same at 85. On the other hand, Mega Charizard Y’s Sp. Atk and Sp. Def stats become 159 and 115, and its defense remains constant at 78. It is also worth noting that Mega Charizard X becomes part Dragon-type instead of part Flying-type, finally giving it the typing that so clearly fits the draconic Pokémon.

The change in Mega Charizard X’s typing means that it does not have its counterpart’s four-times weakness to Rock-type, although it also loses several Resistances and its Ground-type immunity. Nevertheless, Mega Charizard X arguably has an edge over Mega Charizard Y in that Charizard can learn more Physical moves than Special, giving its Base stats more time to shine even without taking into account the boost provided by Tough Claws (which itself isn’t hampered by the ultimately temporary nature of Drought’s effects). However, either Mega Evolution could easily appeal to somebody based on their personal battle strategy and preferences.

The Pokémon: Let’s Go Games Lessen Mega Charizard X’s Power

Mega Charizard Y Arguably Has The Edge

It should be noted that there is a caveat to Mega Charizard X’s apparent dominance in the core titles, which is due to the somewhat simplified nature of the Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! games. One notable change made for the games is the removal of Abilities, which naturally denies both Mega Charizards the additional boost to their abilities that they have in other games. In some ways, this makes both Pokémon weaker, although the fact that the change affects every Pokémon in the game arguably levels the playing field in any case.

Because of this, with Mega Charizard Y having access to several high-power moves like Flamethrower to make the most of its high Sp. Atk, it is much more equal in terms of combat potential to its counterpart, if not slightly better. Mega Charizard X’s differing typing still has a notable impact on its weaknesses and resistances, giving it a different niche to both base Charizard and the other Mega Evolution. But even so, the loss of Tough Claws arguably affects it more than Mega Charizard Y’s loss of Drought, considering the less universally-applicable nature of the latter’s ability.

Mega Charizard Y Has A Strong Advantage In Pokémon GO

Mega Charizard Y Has Higher Potential Combat Power

In contrast to most of the main series, the statistics for Mega Charizards X and Y are very different in Pokémon GO. They both share the same list of attacks and their Base HP (186), while Mega Charizard X has 213 Base Defense in comparison to Mega Charizard Y’s 212. On the other hand, Mega Charizard Y has a far higher Base Attack, 319 instead of 273. Because of this, Mega Charizard Y is arguably the better combatant in the mobile game, the single point of Defense difference being relatively negligible next to the 46 points of difference in Attack.

In terms of CP, Mega Charizard Y can reach a maximum of 5,037 CP, while Mega Charizard X’s maximum is 4,354 CP. The former is therefore among the very best Fire-types in the game, being second only to Mega Blaziken according to Pokémon GO Hub. On the other hand, it is readily beaten by many Flying-types in the game. Nevertheless, Mega Charizard X is still clearly the weaker of the two variants in GO. Therefore, using a Mega Charizard Y is undoubtedly the best choice in Pokémon GO.

It is also worth noting that Mega Charizard X also appears in Pokémon Masters. Sygna Suit Red can Mega Evolve his Charizard into the X variant, although there is no corresponding Mega Charizard Y currently present in the game. Some of the other known Mega Evolution Pokémon do appear as well, however. As such, it is impossible to judge the two in the context of this game, although naturally, this may change in the future as new Sync Pairs are added over time.

Mega Charizard X Is More Broadly Useful Across The Franchise

Stronger In More Games & A Better Design

Ultimately, the debate of whether Mega Charizard X or Y is better relies heavily on both personal preference and the specific Pokémon title in question. In the core series, with perhaps an exception for the Let’s Go games, the raw power of Mega Charizard X cannot be denied. Its altered weaknesses and resistances means that it is far less susceptible to Rock-type moves, allowing it to better withstand moves like Stealth Rock (a staple in competitive Pokémon). Meanwhile, in Pokémon GO, the tables are reversed entirely, with Mega Charizard Y clearly being the better of the two options.

It may also be worth noting that among the various designs for Mega Evolutions, Mega Charizard X is among the most impressive, while Mega Charizard Y is arguably one of the weakest. Although this has no actual influence on gameplay, it cannot be denied that visual appeal has a part to play in any Pokémon’s overall popularity. As such, Mega Charizard X has an additional advantage to being chosen in any game, allowing its trainer to enjoy bringing the fearsome image that it creates to bear.

Mega Evolving allows Charizard to effectively specialize in one of two different battle styles, with Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y each having their own strengths and weaknesses. Of course, the specific effectiveness of any battle strategy can vary greatly depending on the opposing Pokémon, giving both Mega Evolutions a role to play throughout the core games. But on the whole, throughout the Pokémon franchise, it seems that there are fewer circ*mstances where Mega Charizard Y is the best choice of Mega Evolution, leaving Mega Charizard X to be the more appealing overall.

Sources: Bulbapedia, Pokémon GO Hub