How Many Players Are Needed for Mega Charizard Raids?
The burning question on every Pokémon GO trainer’s mind when a Mega Charizard raid pops up is: How many players are needed to take it down? The answer, as with many things in Pokémon GO, is nuanced and depends on several factors. Simply put, it’s possible to beat Mega Charizard X with as few as two highly-optimized trainers or up to four with less prepared players. Mega Charizard Y, on the other hand, is generally considered easier and can be defeated with two to four trainers as well. But let’s dive deeper into the specifics to ensure you’re ready for your next fiery encounter.
Understanding Mega Charizard X and Y Raid Difficulty
Before determining player counts, it’s crucial to understand that Mega Charizard has two different forms: Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y. These two forms have different typing and therefore different weaknesses, which significantly affects the strategy for a raid.
Mega Charizard X
- Typing: Fire/Dragon
- Weaknesses: Ground, Rock, and Dragon
- Challenge: Considered the more difficult of the two Mega Charizard forms.
Mega Charizard Y
- Typing: Fire/Flying
- Weaknesses: Rock, Electric, and Water
- Challenge: Generally seen as an easier raid compared to Mega Charizard X.
The required player count is affected by how well prepared a team is to capitalize on these different weaknesses. For example, a team full of Rock-type Pokémon is ideal for both forms, but a team of Water and Electric type Pokemon will perform significantly better against Mega Charizard Y.
Player Count Scenarios for Mega Charizard X
2 Players: The Elite Strategy
It’s entirely possible for two skilled players to defeat Mega Charizard X, but it requires a lot of preparation. Here’s what that looks like:
- Optimal Weather: Weather that boosts your counters (e.g., Sunny for Rock-types).
- Max Friendship: Battle with a “Best Friends” bonus for increased damage.
- Perfect Counters: Level 40 (or higher) Pokémon with ideal movesets, ideally shadow or mega forms. For example, Rayquaza, Palkia, or Zekrom are top-tier choices.
- High Skill: Players need to be able to dodge charged attacks and maximize damage output.
3-4 Players: The Reliable Approach
If you don’t have perfect conditions, it’s best to go in with a group of 3 or 4. This approach provides more room for error:
- Good Weather: Beneficial weather still helps, but it’s not a strict requirement.
- Friendship Bonus: Friendship levels can still play a big role.
- Solid Counters: Using level 30+ Pokémon with the right type matchups. Some great options could be strong Rock types such as Mega Aerodactyl and Terrakion.
- Moderate Skill: A decent understanding of dodging and typing will be beneficial.
4+ Players: The Casual Raid
For those with level 20 counters or if players are not friends in-game, 4 trainers is still an appropriate amount, with some leniency depending on the trainer levels and pokemon levels.
- Level 20 Counters: It’s possible to defeat Mega Charizard X with 4 unfriended players using Pokémon around level 20, assuming they have correct movesets.
- Lower Preparation: Easier for more casual trainers to participate without needing perfect teams or high friendship levels.
Player Count Scenarios for Mega Charizard Y
2 Players: The Skilled Duo
As a general rule, Mega Charizard Y tends to be easier and can be achieved with two players with strong counters.
- High Friendship: A friendship bonus with a “Great” or “Best” friend.
- Optimal Counters: Powerful and optimized counters, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Aerodactyl, and Terrakion.
- Maxed Pokemon: Pokemon with a high level and strong IVs.
- Good Weather: Sunny weather will significantly help with the raid, by boosting the rock-type attacks.
3-4 Players: Standard Group Size
If the group of players do not have strong or maxed counters, 3-4 is a more reliable method for taking down Mega Charizard Y.
- Solid Counters: Using high-level Pokémon with good movesets of Rock, Electric, or Water typing.
- Some Dodging: Dodging will still be necessary to make sure you are outputting max damage.
4+ Players: The Comfortable Raid
It’s very doable with any casual raid group with more than 4 players.
- Lower Level Trainers: More comfortable for players with lower levels and less ideal counters.
Key Takeaways
- Mega Charizard X is generally harder and requires stronger teams or a higher number of players compared to Mega Charizard Y.
- Friendship levels and weather boosts make a big difference. Take advantage of these to make raids easier.
- Perfect counters are essential for smaller groups.
- Communication with your raid group is vital for planning and ensuring everyone has the correct counters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mega Charizard Raids
1. Can you solo a Mega Charizard raid?
No, it’s virtually impossible to solo a Mega Charizard Raid under normal circumstances. While the article mentions that Mega Raids were recently dropped to four-star difficulty, the video showcased a Mega Charizard Y battle with a weather boost of Rock attacks. For most people, it will require a group of players. You can, however, solo a 4 star raid, but not all are feasible.
2. What is the best type to use against Mega Charizard X?
Rock-type attacks are highly effective against Mega Charizard X due to its Fire/Dragon typing. Ground and Dragon types are also effective, but Rock is often the most readily available option.
3. What is the best type to use against Mega Charizard Y?
Rock-type attacks are the best type to use against Mega Charizard Y since it is the only weakness to both its Fire and Flying types, while Electric and Water types are also strong options.
4. Which Mega Charizard form is stronger?
Mega Charizard Y has a slightly higher max CP, and attack than Mega Charizard X and therefore is often considered the stronger of the two forms.
5. What are the best Pokémon counters for Mega Charizard X?
Top-tier counters include Rayquaza, Palkia, and Zekrom, with Shadow forms being even more effective. Mega Aerodactyl and Terrakion are also extremely potent options.
6. What are the best Pokémon counters for Mega Charizard Y?
Recommended counters are Mega Aerodactyl, Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Aerodactyl, and Terrakion.
7. What CP will Mega Charizard X have when caught?
When caught, Mega Charizard X will be between 2111 and 2200 CP without a weather boost.
8. How much Mega Energy do I need to Mega Evolve Charizard?
Evolving a Shiny Charizard into a Shiny Mega Charizard X or Y requires 200 Mega Energy.
9. How do I get Mega Energy for Charizard?
Mega Energy is primarily obtained by participating in Mega Raids, completing specific Research tasks, and doing daily activities with a buddy Pokemon of the Charmander evolutionary line.
10. How long does Mega Charizard stay Mega Evolved?
Mega-Evolved Pokémon stay in their Mega-Evolved form for 8 hours, after which they revert to their regular form.
11. Is Charizard a Dragon type?
Charizard is not a Dragon type in its base form but is in the Dragon Egg Group and learns Dragon-type moves. Mega Charizard X is a Fire/Dragon type, giving it that typing.
12. Why does Charizard have two Mega Evolutions?
Charizard having two Mega Evolutions is a way that Game Freak allowed Charizard to become a Dragon-type. It also makes Charizard more diverse in a competitive environment, allowing it to use both special and physical attack stats.
13. Can you lose your Mega Charizard?
No, you cannot lose your Mega Charizard, however, it will revert back to its original form after 8 hours.
14. What are Groudon’s weaknesses?
Groudon is a pure Ground-type Pokemon, making it vulnerable to only three types: water, grass, and ice.
15. Is it better to use Mega Charizard or Dragonite?
It depends on the context. Mega Charizard has the ability to adapt with its two different megas, being a better option if you have access to those. However, Dragonite is a very strong option. It all boils down to the trainers pokemon, and what movesets they have.
By understanding these dynamics and preparing appropriately, you’ll be well on your way to conquering those fiery foes in Mega Charizard Raids!