Incineroar (SSBU): Difference between revisions

|ranking = 52

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:{{cquote|''Incineroar Enters the Ring!''|cite=Introduction tagline}}

{{iw|wikipedia|Tyler Bunch}} (credited as "H.D. Quinn"), who voices {{iw|bulbapedia|Professor Kukui's Incineroar}} in the English dub of ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon}}'', reprises his role. In Japanese, Incineroar is voiced by {{iw|wikipedia|Unshō Ishizuka}}, who passed away 2 months and 19 days before Incineroar's reveal. Incineroar also has different voice actors for the French and German versions due to its name being different in those languages, being voiced by Frédéric Clou in French and an unidentified voice actor in German.

Incineroar is ranked 52nd out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the C+ tier. Incineroar's main strength is its high damage power especially when fighting up close. It has several moves that have fast frame data and large hitboxes, which allows it to rack up damage quickly. In addition, Incineroar possesses several strong KO options, including three of its throws, [[Alolan Whip]], and most of its aerials. All of its moves are further powered up thanks to [[Revenge]], which allows Incineroar to not only tank a hit, but also deal even more damage the next time it attacks. Finally, Revenge and Incineroar's heavyweight allow it to survive to higher percents and take advantage of rage, making it even deadlier.

 

 

Overall, Incineroar is most effective when fighting and pressuring players up-close, but it has trouble against those that can outspeed or outrange it. Although initial results from Incineroar were lackluster, they have since noticeably improved thanks to the efforts of players such as {{Sm|Skyjay}}.

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Finally, [[Revenge]] is a unique [[counterattack]] that retaliates with a weak hit, but stores a stackable power increase that affects Incineroar's next move; with a sufficiently strong buff, it grants exorbitantly powerful punishes, with moves such as its smashes, Darkest Lariat, Alolan Whip, and most infamously back throw turning into some of the strongest attacks in the game. While the buff lasts for one successful move, it is not lost should the attack hit an opponent's shield, making Incineroar's moves generally safe on block and can even result in the opponent's shield being broken if they keep shielding, leading to their doom. The buff does eventually go away if Incineroar uses too many moves without landing a hit, or if Incineroar itself is hit enough times, or if Incineroar is grabbed and thrown by an opponent. Revenge's buff is not lost upon hitting the failed version of Alolan Whip, but is lost upon hitting the first neutral attack if you do not complete the jab combo.

However, Incineroar's powerful abilities come at a severe cost. Its biggest issue comes from its poor [[neutral game]]. As mentioned before, Incineroar possesses abysmal mobility; when combined with a lack of a [[projectile]], this makes it very easy to zone out and gives it a terrible approach. While the hitboxes on its moves are large, Incineroar's overall [[range]] remains somewhat short, so any sufficiently long-ranged projectile or [[disjoint]]ed range can be enough to keep Incineroar at bay. This is especially troublesome considering the cast is also full of characters with either greater mobility (such as {{SSBU|Sonic}}), superior melee range (such as {{SSBU|Lucina}}), good zoning games (such as {{SSBU|Min Min}}), or in some cases, all three points (such as {{SSBU|Wolf}}).

Although its moveset has greatly damaging options, Incineroar has surprisingly inconsistent KO potential compared to many of its fellow super heavyweights. While its throws are among the strongest in the game and many of its other moves possess high knockback at low percentages as a result of their high base knockback, their knockback doesn't increase quickly due to their low knockback scaling. Notable examples of this are neutral and back aerials, back throw, Darkest Lariat and Alolan Whip's back body drop. Notably, some of Incineroar's moves require landing a sweetspot in order to attain their maximum knockback; notable cases include forward tilt (despite the sweetspot being the strongest in the game), forward smash, and both forward and back aerials.

In the end, Incineroar falls within the "grappler" playstyle archetype, which notoriously requires a very specific playstyle to be effective. Incineroar excels at taking advantage of close-range openings, where it can land powerful blows or start consistent combos that rack up damage quickly in only a few hits, all while being difficult for an opponent to punish due to its staying power, relative safety on shield and heavy punish abilities, making Incineroar very formidable once it wins the neutral game and gets in close. However, its significantly below-average mobility and relatively short range makes getting in its greatest hurdle, as most of the cast can simply run away and attack from a distance. Also, while it has an incredible overall damage output, it suffers inconsistent KO potential that is mostly reliant on its throws and side special, making it predictable when it comes to scoring a KO.

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*Incineroar will display various animations after using its neutral attack, dash attack, all smash attacks and Alolan Whip; it strikes a boastful pose if an attack hits, and expresses frustration if it misses (during its smash attacks). Aside from neutral attack's third hit, all of these animations are [[interruptible]]. All pose-inducing attacks (excluding neutral attack's third hit) also result in a crowd (separate from the standard [[crowd]]) cheering in response.

*Incineroar continuously receives damage while [[swimming]]. This trait is shared with {{SSBU|Charizard}}, {{SSBU|Sonic}}, and {{SSBU|Inkling}}. This references Incineroar being susceptible to water due to being a Fire-type Pokémon.

|ftiltdesc=A knifehand thrust. Can be angled. It is a [[semi-spike]] and deals high damage for a tilt attack of its speed. It is the strongest forward tilt in the game in regard to KO potential; it KOs at 80% from the edge of {{SSBU|Final Destination}}, and at 116% from the center. Despite possessing a sourspot, it is practically impossible to land unless initiated at very close range due to the sweetspot taking priority over the sourspot. It appears almost identical to the [[bulbapedia:Pokémon anime|''Pokémon'' anime]]'s depiction of {{iw|bulbapedia|Throat Chop}}.

|fsmashdesc=An [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Enzuigiri|enzuigiri]]. If it lands, Incineroar will gloat with its arms spread out, similarly to its down taunt. Conversely, it will fold its arms and clench its fists in dismay if it misses, though this animation is rarely seen due to the attack being interruptible before it plays. It has decent range and a sweetspot on Incineroar's foot; the sweetspot is strong enough to KO at 39% from the edge of Final Destination, and inflicts high [[shield damage]] as well. It is also fairly fast in spite of its power, thanks to it coming out on frame 16, but its high ending makes it easy to punish, especially on shield. Although its sourspot has a respectable damage output, its knockback values result in its KO potential being underwhelming in comparison. Despite being small, the sourspot also takes priority over the sweetspot.

|usmashdesc=An upward [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Double axe handle|double axe handle]]. If it lands, Incineroar will look to the sky and point upward, and it will clench its fists in dismay if it misses. It is Incineroar's fastest smash attack, both start-up and endlag-wise. It starts at ground level and has a rather big hitbox that covers the front of Incineroar and even reaches slightly behind it. It also grants intangibility to Incineroar's arms and hands throughout its active frames (frames 13-18). Although its damage output is respectable and consistent, these traits are counterbalanced slightly by its below-average knockback scaling. It KOs at 116% on Final Destination.

|dsmashdesc=A [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Big splash|jumping splash]]. If it lands, Incineroar will point its finger upward while on the floor, and it will pound its fist on the ground angrily if it misses. As Incineroar leaves the ground while using the move, it can dodge ground attacks and act as a hard [[punish]]. It inflicts moderately high shield damage and, like forward smash, it is incredibly powerful, KOing at 62% from the edge of Final Destination. However, it has considerable start-up and ending lag, being Incineroar's laggiest smash attack in both regards.

|bthrowdesc=A {{h2|wikipedia:Suplex|German suplex}}. When used right at the edge, it is potentially even stronger than {{SSBU|Ness}}' back throw, as it is capable of KOing at 90% from the edge of Final Destination. It can even [[OHKO]] the lightest characters at the edge of stages while boosted by [[Revenge]]. While further away from the edge, however, Incineroar's back throw is considerably weaker than Ness', and is actually outclassed by {{SSBU|Zelda}}, {{SSBU|Dr. Mario}}, and {{SSBU|Isabelle}}'s back throws in addition to Ness'. Incineroar has higher knockback until about 120%; thereafter, Ness' back throw becomes stronger due to its higher knockback scaling. It can also hit bystanders, as it launches them at a lower angle and KOs them even earlier (at 75%).

|nsdesc=[[bulbapedia:Darkest Lariat (move)|Spins rapidly to perform a series of discus lariats]] and [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Spinning backfist|spinning backfists]]. It hits multiple times, with each hit becoming progressively weaker, but they launch opponents away instead of linking into each other. Incineroar gains [[invincibility]] during the move (frames 5 and 6 on its whole body, frame 7 on its head and arms, and frames 8-57 on its arms). It has extremely minimal start-up, and the entire move possesses [[transcendent priority]]; combined with its arm invincibility, this allows it to break through opposing attacks and weaker [[projectile]]s, aside from moves with sufficient range. Incineroar can move left or right slowly by holding a direction, and it even slows Incineroar's descent, though its slow speed means it is not suitable for recovery. Its early hit KOs at 108% from the edge of Final Destination.

|ssdesc=A [[command grab]] involving Incineroar lunging a short distance forward to grab an opponent. The opponent is then thrown against wrestling ropes that appear after the grab connects. Depending on when the special or attack button is pressed after grabbing an opponent, Incineroar will perform one of three different moves: a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Lariat|lariat]] that launches the opponent the direction Incineroar is facing (input just as the opponent touches Incineroar); a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Back body drop|back body drop]] that launches the opponent vertically (input any time after the opponent rebounds); or a failed attempt that causes the victim to collide against Incineroar's head, dealing 4% to both (too late/no input). Upon executing the lariat, Incineroar poses with its arms in the air and performs "devil horn" signs with both its paws, while tilting its head upward. The lariat deals 20% and can KO at 72% from the edge of Final Destination. The back body drop deals 12% and can KO at 159% (or earlier when used near the upper blast line and/or on a stage with a low ceiling). Although the collision cannot KO at all, it can be used to simultaneously help Incineroar recover and [[gimp]] the opponent. During the throw, Incineroar gains [[heavy armor]] that withstands 11.99%. If the opponent is hit out of the move, Incineroar will shrug toward the screen. It does not cause [[helpless]]ness, which allows Incineroar to use it to extend its recovery.

*{{Sm|Magister|USA}} - The first Incineroar player to garner significant results and was the best Incineroar player in the world in the early metagame. He was the first Incineroar player ranked in the top 100 on a notable global ranking, ranking 93rd on the [[OrionRank Ultimate: Six Months In]]. He also placed top 64 at several majors including 25th at the supermajor {{Trn|GENESIS 6}} and 33rd at {{Trn|2GG: Prime Saga}} and {{Trn|Glitch 8 - Missingno}}. He has not entered a notable tournament since 2020.

*{{Sm|Nanon|Mexico}} - One of the best Incineroar players in the early metagame. Regularly placed top 64 at Mexican events, including 9th at the superregional {{Trn|BIT MASTER MTY 8}}, 13th at the superregional {{Trn|Bit Master Mty 10}}, and 33rd at the major {{Trn|Smash Factor 8}}.  

*{{Sm|Skyjay|Mexico}} - The best Incineroar player of all-time, and one of the best Mexican players in the post-online metagame. He is the only Incineroar player to place top 8 at majors, most notably placing 2nd at the supermajor {{Trn|Collision 2023}}. He is also the only Incineroar player who was ranked in the top 50 on a notable global power ranking, with his highest ranking being 23rd on the [[LumiRank Mid-Year 2023]].

 

At the start of ''Ultimate'', Incineroar was considered a mid-tier fighter by most professionals thanks to its raw power and threatening KO potential. Incineroar also attained a decent amount of success from players, especially {{Sm|Magister}}, who placed well at both regional and majors. However, as the metagame progressed, Incineroar's sluggish movement began to work against it as it was unable to keep up with the fast, agile characters that were in the metagame. Likewise, Incineroar's representation also suffered, especially following Magister's lower activity and performance. As such, opinions on Incineroar fell, with many professionals considering it to be a low-tier or even bottom-tier character.

 

The post-pandemic metagame saw a revival for Incineroar as dedicated mains began showcasing Incineroar's grappler archetype, specifically its high damage and KO potential. In particular, {{Sm|Skyjay}}'s greater presence on the continental scene helped improve Incineroar's representation as Skyjay began consistently placing highly at majors, becoming a consistent top 50 threat by the end of 2021. Due to Incineroar's improving results, players reassessed Incineroar as a mid-tier once again, which is reflected in its position on the current tier list, where it is ranked 64th as a lower-mid tier on the first official tier list. Since then, many players argued that Incineroar should be ranked even higher, especially following an explosion of strong results from Skyjay which included his 2nd-place finish at {{Trn|Collision 2023}}. This vast rise in success for Incineroar throughout the year of 2023, primarily spearhead by strong results from Skyjay, would result in further improvement to its perception, resulting in Incineroar rising 12 spots and ranking 52nd on the second and current tier list as a mid tier, an improvement from its perceived low tier status in the early metagame.

|6||{{CharHead|Incineroar|SSBU|hsize=20px|color=Purple}}||Boxing Ring (Ω form)||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Battle! (Lorekeeper Zinnia)}}''||If the player uses the purple alternate costume, the opponent will be the {{Head|Incineroar|g=SSBU|s=20px}} default Incineroar.

|rowspan="2"|{{iw|xenoserieswiki|Dromarch}}

|{{iw|rhwiki|Forthington}}

**Incineroar's Japanese voice clips are much more muffled and lower in quality than in other languages, likely because Ishizuka was not able to return for ADR before his death, resulting in the development team having to use the voice clips as they originally were. Oddly, however, the voice clips appear to be in much higher quality in the Japanese version of its reveal trailer.

*Aside from touching [[Pac-Jump]]'s red trampoline, Incineroar cannot render itself [[helpless]] apart from a very specific condition, this being landing with a [[Cross Chop]] and failing to touch solid ground during the initial rebound. It shares this trait with {{SSBU|Kirby}}, who can only experience helplessness if he slides off an edge during [[Final Cutter]] or by copying {{SSBU|Meta Knight}} and using [[Mach Tornado]] in the air.