Charizard is one of the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise, known for its dragon-like appearance and powerful Fire-type moves. Among those moves, Flamethrower is one of the most sought-after by trainers for its balance of power and accuracy. Many players wonder exactly when Charizard learns Flamethrower in the different generations of Pokémon games, as the answer can vary depending on the version being played. Whether you’re playing on the classic Game Boy titles or the modern Nintendo Switch entries, understanding when Charizard learns Flamethrower can be key to building a strong and competitive team.
Understanding Flamethrower as a Move
Before diving into when Charizard learns Flamethrower, it’s important to understand what makes Flamethrower such a valuable move. Flamethrower is a Fire-type special attack with 90 base power and 100% accuracy. It also has a 10% chance to burn the opponent. Its reliability, decent power, and lack of drawbacks make it a favorite among both casual and competitive players.
Why Flamethrower Matters for Charizard
Charizard’s typing as a Fire/Flying Pokémon allows it to benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) when using Flamethrower. This means Flamethrower’s effective power is increased, making it a key part of Charizard’s offensive strategy. It’s also a great counter to Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel types, which are common in various stages of gameplay.
When Does Charizard Learn Flamethrower in Different Generations?
The level at which Charizard learns Flamethrower changes slightly across the generations. Below is a breakdown of the key games and when Flamethrower becomes available through level-up.
Generation I (Red, Blue, Yellow)
- Charmanderlearns Flamethrower at level 38.
- Charmeleonalso learns it at level 38.
- Charizarddoes not learn Flamethrower by level-up in Generation I; you must evolve before or at level 38 to get the move.
In the original games, if you evolve Charmeleon after level 38 without teaching it Flamethrower, Charizard won’t learn it naturally. This made it crucial to manage evolution timing.
Generation II (Gold, Silver, Crystal)
- Flamethrower is learned at level 46 by Charizard.
Generation II streamlined the learning process. Flamethrower could now be learned directly by Charizard without worrying about evolution timing. This generation started the trend of slightly higher level requirements for powerful moves.
Generation III (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen)
- Charmeleonlearns Flamethrower at level 34.
- Charizardalso learns Flamethrower at level 34.
In Generation III, the developers made Flamethrower available at a more reasonable level. This change made it easier for trainers to use Flamethrower early in the game, especially useful in battles against Grass-type gym leaders or wild Pokémon.
Generation IV (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver)
- Charizard learns Flamethrower at level 54.
In Generation IV, the level requirement increased again, likely to reflect the growing power of available move sets. Players had to be patient to access Flamethrower naturally or use TMs as an alternative.
Generation V (Black, White, Black 2, White 2)
- Charizard learns Flamethrower at level 62.
This was the highest level at which Flamethrower had ever been learned by Charizard naturally. Due to this, most players opted to use the TM for Flamethrower rather than wait until level 62. The TM became a much more convenient option in competitive and story playthroughs.
Generation VI (X, Y, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire)
- Charizard learns Flamethrower at level 47.
This generation lowered the level once again, making Flamethrower more accessible. With the addition of Mega Evolutions in Generation VI, many players found Flamethrower to be a consistent and dependable move during Charizard’s transformation in battle.
Generation VII (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee)
- Charizard learns Flamethrower at level 46 in the mainline titles.
- In Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee, Flamethrower is available earlier as a TM or from Move Tutors.
This era made it easier than ever to customize Charizard’s move pool early on. Move Tutors and TMs played a bigger role, giving players more flexibility in choosing Flamethrower earlier than through level-up alone.
Generation VIII (Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl)
- Charizard learns Flamethrower at level 54 in Sword and Shield.
Although the level was increased again, TMs remained widely available, and Flamethrower could be taught manually. The high level learning curve in Sword and Shield was often offset by the availability of TRs (Technical Records), which acted as single-use TMs.
Generation IX (Scarlet, Violet)
- Charizard learns Flamethrower at level 42.
In the most recent games, Charizard can learn Flamethrower earlier, making it much more accessible during the mid-game. This shift is part of a broader trend toward empowering players to access signature moves sooner and experiment with team builds more freely.
Alternative Ways to Learn Flamethrower
Using TMs and TRs
If you don’t want to wait until Charizard learns Flamethrower through leveling, you can always use TMs (Technical Machines) or TRs in newer generations. These items can be found throughout the game world or purchased, depending on the version.
Move Tutors
In games like Pokémon Let’s Go or certain postgame areas in Sword and Shield, Move Tutors offer another way to teach Flamethrower without needing to rely on level progression.
Egg Moves and Breeding
Though not typically how Flamethrower is obtained for Charizard, certain generations allow Pokémon to inherit moves through breeding. However, Flamethrower is generally not among Charizard’s egg moves.
Tips for Teaching Flamethrower to Charizard
- Monitor your Charmeleon’s level to avoid missing out on Flamethrower before evolving in earlier generations.
- Use TMs or TRs in modern games if you want early access to Flamethrower.
- Balance Flamethrower with other moves like Dragon Claw, Air Slash, or Solar Beam to maximize coverage.
- Pair Charizard with Pokémon that can handle Rock or Electric types, which are Flamethrower’s weaknesses.
So, when does Charizard learn Flamethrower? The answer varies significantly depending on which Pokémon game you’re playing. From level 34 in Generation III to as high as level 62 in Generation V, the availability of Flamethrower has shifted across the series. However, thanks to the presence of TMs, TRs, and Move Tutors, trainers always have a way to equip their Charizard with one of its most iconic Fire-type moves. If you’re building a Charizard-focused team, Flamethrower remains a must-have tool for taking on tough opponents, clearing through enemy teams, and staying true to this fiery Pokémon’s strengths.