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Blast Burn vs. Flamethrower: Which Fire Move Reigns Supreme for Charizard?

For any trainer looking to maximize Charizard’s potential, the question of which Fire-type charged move to equip is paramount. The short answer? Blast Burn is generally better than Flamethrower for Charizard in most scenarios, especially in Pokémon GO. While Flamethrower has its niche uses, Blast Burn’s sheer power and quicker charging time make it the superior choice for maximizing damage output. Let’s dive deep into the details.

Understanding the Moves: A Detailed Comparison

Before we definitively crown a winner, let’s break down each move’s attributes and why they matter.

Blast Burn: This is a Community Day exclusive move, meaning Charizard could only initially learn it during special events. Blast Burn is a high-damage, single-bar charged move. Its key strength lies in its Damage Per Second (DPS) and Total Damage Output (TDO). While it leaves Charizard vulnerable after use due to a short animation, the sheer power often makes up for it.
Flamethrower: This is a more readily available move, learnable through TMs. Flamethrower is a multi-bar charged move, typically having 3 bars. It charges more quickly than Blast Burn, allowing for more frequent usage. Its DPS is lower than Blast Burn, but the faster charging can provide tactical advantages in certain battles, especially in Player vs. Player (PvP) combat.

Why Blast Burn Usually Wins

The critical factor is damage output over time. While Flamethrower’s multiple bars might seem advantageous, Blast Burn’s raw power allows Charizard to inflict significantly more damage within a given timeframe. In Raids and Gym battles, where maximizing damage is crucial, Blast Burn consistently outperforms Flamethrower.

The Cases for Flamethrower

However, Flamethrower isn’t entirely without merit. Its multi-bar nature offers a few niche advantages:

Baiting Shields in PvP: In Go Battle League, Flamethrower can be used strategically to bait out opponent shields. This can create openings for other, more powerful moves.
Energy Management: If you’re facing opponents that are particularly resistant to Fire-type moves, having a faster-charging move like Flamethrower can help conserve energy and allow you to switch to a more advantageous Pokémon.
Availability: As a readily available move, Flamethrower is available without any requirements. Blast Burn is exclusive to Charizard and his evolutions caught during Community Day events or evolved when the move is available.

Optimizing Charizard’s Moveset in Pokémon GO

While Blast Burn is a strong contender, other moves can strengthen Charizard’s moveset. The optimal moveset is determined based on various factors, including Fast Move and Charged Move combinations. The optimal moveset for Charizard in Pokémon Go consists of Wing Attack as the Fast Move and Blast Burn and Dragon Claw as Charged Moves.

Delving Deeper: Additional Fire-Type Considerations

While focusing on Charizard, it is important to consider the best and most powerful moves for Fire-type Pokemons. Fire-type Pokemon are one of the most popular types in Pokemon Go. They are super effective against Bug, Grass, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon, making them useful choices in battle.

Blast Burn is not the strongest Fire-type move, as Inferno Overdrive is the strongest Fire-type move overall. Blast Burn charges quickly and can be used more often, but Blue Flare has a power rating of 130, an accuracy rating of 100, and a low PP count of 5.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Charizard, Blast Burn, and Fire-type moves in general:

Is Blast Burn Charizard’s best move in Pokémon GO? In most scenarios, yes. The combination of high damage and relatively fast charging makes it superior for raids and Gym battles. Dragon Claw is also an excellent option for coverage against Dragon-type Pokémon.
How do I get Blast Burn on my Charizard? Blast Burn is a Community Day exclusive move. You can get it by evolving Charmeleon into Charizard during a Charizard Community Day or by using an Elite Charged TM during special events where legacy moves are available.
What is Charizard’s best overall moveset in Pokémon GO? Wing Attack and Blast Burn paired with Dragon Claw is generally considered the best overall moveset. Wing Attack provides solid energy generation, while Blast Burn delivers massive Fire-type damage. Dragon Claw offers quick, impactful damage and coverage.
Is Fire Blast a viable alternative to Blast Burn? Fire Blast is stronger than Flamethrower but unreliable due to low accuracy and PP. It can be decent in some situations, but Blast Burn’s reliability makes it the better choice. Fire Blast also doesn’t charge as quickly as Blast Burn, which can be a detriment.
How does Overheat compare to Blast Burn for Charizard? Overheat is a powerful Fire-type move, but it lowers the user’s Attack stat by two stages after each use. Blast Burn is almost universally preferred over Overheat because of its much higher utility.
What are the best Fire-type Pokémon besides Charizard in Pokémon GO? Moltres, Entei, and Heatran are all excellent Fire-type attackers. Their stats and available movesets make them top-tier choices.
What is the strongest Fire-type move in the Pokémon franchise? Z-Move is the strongest Fire-type move, with a rating of 200 attack points.
What is the second strongest Fire-type move in the Pokémon franchise? Eruption is the second strongest Fire-type move, with a rating of 150 attack points.
Are there any situations where Flamethrower is better than Blast Burn in Pokémon GO? Yes, primarily in PvP situations where you need to bait shields or conserve energy. However, Blast Burn’s raw damage often outweighs these tactical advantages.
What other types of moves should I consider for Charizard? Dragon Claw provides useful coverage against Dragon-type Pokémon, which are otherwise resistant to Fire-type moves. This coverage is especially helpful in PvP battles.
How does weather affect Fire-type moves in Pokémon GO? Sunny weather boosts the damage of Fire-type moves. This can make Blast Burn even more devastating, further solidifying its position as the superior choice.
Is Charizard a good Pokémon to use in Pokémon GO? Yes! Charizard has a high attack stat, and it can be useful in raids, gyms, and PvP when used correctly.
What are Charizard’s weaknesses? Charizard is weak against Water, Electric, and Rock-type moves. Be mindful of these weaknesses when choosing Charizard for battle.
What is the best fast move for Charizard? The best fast move for Charizard is Wing Attack, which pairs well with Blast Burn and Dragon Claw.
Where can I learn more about Pokémon GO strategy and gameplay? Resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ offer insights into the educational and strategic aspects of games like Pokémon GO.

Conclusion: Embrace the Burn

While Flamethrower has its merits, Blast Burn is the superior Fire-type charged move for Charizard in most Pokémon GO scenarios. Its raw power, coupled with a relatively fast charge time, makes it ideal for maximizing damage output in raids and Gym battles. While Flamethrower can be useful for PvP shield baiting, the overall utility of Blast Burn is undeniable. Train smart, optimize your movesets, and watch your Charizard soar to new heights!

Is Charizard Blast Burn better than flamethrower?