Captain Falcon (SSB4): Difference between revisions

Despite lacking a projectile, Falcon has an overall effective [[neutral game]], thanks to his mobility. His [[dash grab]] covers a long distance, making it a reliable [[approach]] option, and his back aerial is quick, has good range, and autocancels in a short hop, allowing it to lead into his grab. From there, he has many tools with which to rack up damage. His [[pummel]] is quick, and his down and forward throws are effective combo-starters, with his combo ability being arguably his greatest strength. His down throw leads into multiple up aerials, or his neutral aerial, and his forward throw combos into his dash attack or even his neutral air at low percents. Falcon's up aerial demonstrates the versatility of his [[combo]] game. At a wide range of percents, it can chain into any aerial including itself. Starting at middling percentages, it can even lead into his down air meteor smash on grounded foes, which can either extend combos onstage, or finish opponents near the ledge. Alternatively, Falcon can chain his up aerial into some his deadliest finishers, which include his down air meteor smash and the famed [[Knee Smash]] forward air, and end his opponent's stock below 100%.  

Captain Falcon also boasts excellent KO power, as well as a formidable edgeguarding ability. His smash attacks and back aerial deal high knockback, and his aforementioned Knee Smash is an extremely powerful [[semi-spike]] that KOs at early percentages offstage. His down aerial is relatively fast, has a large hitbox, and its sweetspot is one of the most powerful meteor smashes in the game, while its sourspot deals high horizontal knockback. His down tilt is a semi-spike, being useful for putting opponents offstage. His back and forward throws are good for starting edgeguards, and killing at high percentages. Due to his heavy weight, he is a proficient user of [[rage]], boosting his already strong KO power.

*{{change|Captain Falcon has a brighter color scheme overall in ''SSB4'', which matches his appearance in the ''F-Zero'' series. His racing suit and boots are tighter, which make his model more well-defined and muscular than in ''Brawl''. His dimples are also more pronounced, and the "eyes" on his mask are smaller. He has also lost the hair on the back of his head.}}

*{{nerf|[[Spot dodge]] has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 2-20 → 3-18).}}  

**{{change|Neutral attack's second hit can now either transition into the [[Gentleman]] (the third hit) only, or skip to the neutral infinite if the attack button is pressed repeatedly, rather than only being able to transition into the third hit which can then lead into the infinite.}}  

**{{buff|The infinite launches opponents at higher angles (361°/361°/90° → 85°/75°/90°) and it deals more knockback (0 (base), 50/20 (scaling) → (15/8)/(50/30)), making it connect more reliably.}}  

**{{buff|The infinite has a much lower hitlag multiplier (1× → 0.3×) along with a lower [[SDI]] multiplier (1x → 0.7x), making it much more difficult to escape from.}}  

**{{buff|Forward tilt has less ending lag when not angled and when angled downward (FAF 37 (non-angled)/32 (down) → 32/31).}}  

**{{buff|Up tilt's foot hitbox now [[meteor smash]]es aerial opponents (361° → 275°), greatly improving its edgeguarding potential.}}  

**{{nerf|Up tilt deals less damage (13% → 11%), without full compensation on its knockback, especially on the aerial foot hitbox (50 (base), 80 (scaling) → (35/22)/100).}}  

**{{nerf|Up tilt has a shorter duration (frames 17-22 → 17-20).}}  

***{{buff|This improving its consistency at edgeguarding and setting up [[tech-chase]]s, especially when combined with its increased knockback.}}  

***{{nerf|Down tilt has a shorter duration (frames 11-15 → 11-12).}}

**{{buff|Dash attack has larger hitboxes (6u (clean)/4.5u (late) → 6.2u/4.8u) and they are now static, rather than being attached to Captain Falcon's shoulder. They are positioned further forwards overall (z offset: 0.8 → 12), improving dash attack's range.}}  

**{{buff|Up and non-angled forward smash deal knockback (20 (base), 85 (scaling) → 24/95), improving its KO potential.}}  

**{{buff|Down angled forward smash deals more damage (18% → 20%) with minimally compensated knockback (20 (base), 85 (scaling) → 24/83), improving its KO potential.}}  

**{{nerf|Captain Falcon no longer lunges farther when performing a pivoted forward smash, significantly hindering its approach and whiff punishment potential.}}  

**{{buff|The first hit's lower hitboxes have altered angles (90°/100° → 95°/110°) and higher [[set knockback]] (80/100 → 120/140), allowing them to connect more reliably into the second hit.}}  

**{{buff|The second hit has larger hitboxes (4.8u/4.8u/4.8u → 6u/5.5u/5u).}}  

**{{nerf|The front hit deals much less damage (18% → 14%) without full compensation on its knockback scaling (85 → 90), significantly hindering its KO potential.}}  

**{{buff|Neutral aerial's second hit has slightly knockback scaling (125 → 130), improving its KO potential.}}  

**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a shorter initial [[auto-cancel]] window (frames 1-6 → 1-4).}}  

**{{nerf|Forward aerial auto-cancels later (frame 35 → 42), no longer doing so in a short hop.}}  

***{{nerf|When combined with the move's worse auto-cancel window and higher landing lag, this makes it much harder and more situation for Captain Falcon to exploit the opponent if they trip.}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial has a shorter initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-6 → 1-4).}}  

***{{buff|This siginificantly improves its combo potential at higher percents when combined with the changes to hitstun canceling and DI, with the move notably being able to combo into itself and even into a forward aerial.}}  

**{{buff|Down aerial's foot hitbox is noticeably larger (4.5u → 5.9u).}}  

**{{buff|The removal of [[meteor canceling]], significantly improves down aerial's edgeguarding potential, especially since its power was unchanged.}}  

***{{buff|In addition to this Dash grab's total duration was compensated (FAF 40 → 38).}}  

**{{nerf|All grabs are smaller (4.8u → 3.3u (standing/pivot)/2.6u (dash) and they do not extend as far inside of Captain Falcon (z offset: 2.2 (standing)/-2.4 (dash)/-2.5 (pivot) → 4/4/-4) reducing their range above and inside of Falcon.}}

*{{nerf|The changes to aerial [[grab release]]s hinders Captain Falcon moreso than almost any other returning veteran as he no longer has any guaranteed followups out of an aerial grab release on any character (as opposed to having multiple followups against most of the cast) while not significantly reducing his own susceptibility to them.}}

***{{buff|However, the changes to hitstun canceling and DI have drastically improved the throw's combo potential despite this, with the throw now being a completely reliable combo starter, especially when combined with the changes to dash grab.}}  

**{{buff|Floor attacks deal more [[shield damage]] per hit (1 → 8). Both floor attacks also have less startup lag (frame 20 (front), 19 (back) → 14 (both)), ending lag (FAF 50 → 46) and front floor attack deals more damage per hit (6% → 7%).}}

**{{change|Front floor attack's angle has been altered (361° → 48°).}}

**{{nerf|Front floor attack has less intangibility (frames 1-29 → 1-25).}}

**{{nerf|Back floor attack has less intangibility (frames 1-29 → 1-21) and less range.}}

**{{buff|Edge attack no longer has set knockback (110 (set), 100 (scaling) → 90 (base)/20). It also has less startup lag compared to the previous fast edge attack (frame 24 → 22).}}

**{{nerf|Edge attack deals less damage (10% (fast), 8% (slow) → 7%), has a shorter duration (frames 24-28 → 22-24), less range and less intangibility (frames 1-23 → 1-19) compared to the previous fast edge attack.}}

**{{buff|Falcon Punch is now impossible to SDI (1× → 0×). It also has a higher hitlag multiplier (1x → 1.5x), which alongside the increased shieldstun and 19% damage increase to shields improves its shield pressuring ability.}}

**{{nerf|Falcon Punch has significantly decreased knockback (30 (base), 93 (scaling) → 0/90), making it weaker than his fully charged forward smash unless reversed on the ground. It also has more ending lag (frame 100 (non-reversed)/108 (reversed) → 110/118), which combined with the removed base knockback makes it unsafe on hit at low percents. Lastly, it has smaller hitboxes (5u/3.5u → 4u/2.5u).}}

**{{buff|Falcon Punch's lower knockback allows it to lock heavier characters at very low percents.}}

**{{nerf|Falcon Punch deals consistent damage for all its versions. While this makes the reversed grounded version more consistent (28%/26%/24% → 28%), it reduces the maximum damage of all other variants (27%/25%/23% → 25% (grounded), (26%/23%/22% → 22% (aerial), 27%/24%/23% → 25% (reverse aerial)).}}

**{{buff|Raptor Boost deals more damage (7% → 9% (grounded)/8% (aerial)). Grounded Raptor Boost also deals more shield damage (2 → 4), launches at a higher angle (80° → 85°), and has increased knockback scaling (52 → 75), significantly improving its KO potential, especially with [[rage]]. It also no longer dashes off edges, making it harder to [[self-destruct]] with.}}

**{{nerf|Grounded Raptor Boost's attack has a smaller hitbox (8u → 7u) and more ending lag (frame 25 → 36). Aerial Raptor Boost is also no longer a guaranteed meteor smash on aerial opponents (270° → 60°/275°), making it much harder to edgeguard with. Furthermore, both versions have a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 2×), making them easier to DI, while still being unsafe on shield due to the grounded version's higher ending lag and the aerial version's landing lag.}}

**{{buff|[[Falcon Dive]] covers more distance while losing less momentum, improving Captain Falcon's recovery.}}

**{{nerf|The removal of grab armor removes the minimal protection Falcon Dive provided, leaving Captain Falcon more vulnerable to edgeguarding.}}

**{{change|Falcon Dive's angle has been altered (361° → 50°). It has a modified animation after the attack's explosion, where Captain Falcon does a flourishing backflip before righting himself.}}

**{{buff|Grounded Falcon Kick's clean hit deals much more knockback (50 (base), 70 (scaling) → 60/80) and launches at a higher angle (45° → 80°), while its mid and late hits have more base knockback (62 (mid)/50 (late) → 90/80), improving its KO potential. Its late hit also lasts longer (frames 26-33 → 29-38). Lastly, aerial Falcon Kick's late hit has higher knockback scaling (60 → 65).}}

**{{nerf|Grounded [[Falcon Kick]] has more startup (frame 15 → 18) and ending lag (frame 70 → 74). Aerial Falcon Kick's clean hit also has lower knockback scaling (70 → 65), hindering its KO potential. Falcon Kick also has increased landing lag (46 frames → 49).}}

**{{change|Grounded Falcon Kick's mid hit's angle has been altered (85° → 68°).}}

**{{buff|[[Blue Falcon]] has larger hitboxes upon startup.}}

**{{nerf|Blue Falcon has altered knockback (110 (base), 160 (scaling) → 100/165), being weaker overall.}}

Captain Falcon has been slightly [[nerf]]ed in most balance patches so far, mostly to his KO power. However, changes to the shield mechanics in [[1.1.0]] and [[1.1.1]] have indirectly buffed Falcon, as the increase in [[shieldstun]] and the application of [[hitlag]] on shields benefit many of his moves, improving his offensive playstyle.

|fairname=[[Knee Smash]]

|ssdefdesc=Dashes forward, performing an uppercut on the ground if an opponent is in range, or a downswing in the air. The grounded version can KO middleweights at around 125% without rage, while the aerial version can meteor smash opponents below Captain Falcon.  

|dsdefdesc=Bursts forward with a flaming high-speed kick. If used in the air, he will plunge down at a diagonal angle. The grounded version launches vertically and KOs middleweights at around 120% when clean, while the aerial version launches horizontally and has a landing hitbox.  

|dsc1desc= Hits multiple times, with the last hit launching the opponent. The last hit has less knockback, however.  

''Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the [[PGR 100]], which recognizes the official top 100 players in [[Super Smash Bros. 4]] of all time.''

*{{Sm|Big D|Canada}} - Considered one of the best {{SSB4|King Dedede}} players in the world, also has a notably strong Falcon.

*{{Sm|Eda|Japan}} - A strong Captain Falcon main from Japan. Placed 5th at [[Sumabato 22]] and 9th at [[Karisuma 15]]. Has wins on {{Sm|ikep}}, {{Sm|Shogun}} and {{Sm|DIO}}.

*{{Sm|Fatality|USA}} (#19) - Widely considered to be the best Falcon main in the world, with wins over {{Sm|CaptainZack}}, {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}, {{Sm|Salem}}, {{Sm|Cosmos}}, {{Sm|Nairo}}, {{Sm|Dabuz}}, {{Sm|komorikiri}}, {{Sm|Kameme}}, {{Sm|Marss}}, and {{Sm|ZeRo}}. Ranked 14th on the [[Panda Global SSB4 Rankings]] and 1st on the [[Georgia Smash 4 Power Rankings]]. Placed 2nd at [[2GGC: Civil War]], 2nd at Momocon 2017, and 5th at [[Frostbite 2018]]. He is the 25th player to take a set off {{Sm|ZeRo}}.

*{{Sm|Kesa|USA}} - The best Captain Falcon player in California. Has wins over {{Sm|Elegant}}, {{Sm|K9sbruce}}, {{Sm|Sho}} and {{Sm|pu55yk1ng}}.

*{{Sm|Marss|USA}} - Uses Captain Falcon as a counter-pick for {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}} and for [[Final Destination (SSB4)|Final Destination]]. Has taken sets from {{Sm|MVD}}, {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}}, {{Sm|dyr}}, and {{Sm|Pugwest}}.

*{{Sm|Acid|USA}} - Notably beat Fatality in Captain Falcon dittos at [[Tipped Off 11]].

*{{Sm|Demitus|USA}} - Was ranked 7th on the [[Chicago Smash 4 Power Rankings]]. He stopped playing Falcon in 2016.

*{{Sm|Glutonny|France}} - Has mostly dropped this character.

*{{Sm|GrimTurtle|USA}} - Switched mains to {{SSB4|Bayonetta}} and {{SSB4|Fox}}.

*{{Sm|Max Ketchum|USA}} - Was ranked 11th on the [[New Jersey Smash 4 Power Rankings]], with a notable win over {{Sm|Nairo}}. He switched to {{SSB4|Cloud}}/{{SSB4|Lucina}} in 2016.

*{{Sm|SilentSpectre|USA}}

*{{Sm|Trifroze|Finland}}

*{{Sm|ZeRo|Chile}} - He notably beat {{Sm|Ito}} with Captain Falcon at [[NorCal Regionals 2015]]. Occasionally (although rarely) breaks the character out in tournament, most notably against {{Sm|Tsu-}} at [[Frostbite 2017]] and against {{Sm|Fatality}} at [[MomoCon 2017]].

==Trophies==

:'''Captain Falcon'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''In the F-Zero racing scene, Captain Falcon uses his Blue Falcon to win big. His origin largely a mystery, he's made his way to the Smash Bros. battlefield to prove his worth outside the cockpit. He's got speed and power, and his distinct Falcon Punch leaves a dent. Start it in the air to surprise your foes!''

::{{flag|pal}} ''We love it when this F-Zero pilot from Port Town takes a break from racing the Blue Falcon to take on challengers in brawls. His balance of speed, power and weight is spot on, and his slow but mighty Falcon Punch is oh so sweet when it finally connects. Try starting the attack in mid-air and punching your way into a frantic fray!''

 

{{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=F-Zero (08/1991)|console2=GCN|game2=F-Zero GX (08/2003)}}

 

:'''Captain Falcon (Alt.)'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Captain Falcon's default down special, Falcon Kick, is no ordinary kick—it surges forward in a fiery blaze. It's a versatile attack that moves sideways on the ground and diagonally down in the air. His forward air attack, Knee Smash, can send an enemy flying for miles if hit just right.''

 

::{{flag|pal}} ''The captain's Falcon Kick isn't just any old kick - it blazes either to the side or diagonally down to terrorise the enemy. Its speed also makes it top-notch for surprise attacks! Another move to try out is his forward air attack, Knee Smash. If you get as close to someone as you can before using it, it can launch them miles!''

 

{{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=F-Zero (08/1991)|console2=GCN|game2=F-Zero GX (08/2003)}}

 

::{{flag|ntsc}}''Captain Falcon's Final Smash lets him pull opponents into the middle of an F-Zero race-where competitors have been known to break the speed of sound-and run them over with his racing machine, the Blue Falcon. If he manages to grab you, there's no escape. The impact launches its victims diagonally upward.''

 

CaptainFalconTrophy3DS.png|Classic (3DS)