Pikachu (SSB4): Difference between revisions

'''Pikachu''' ({{ja|ピカチュウ|Pikachū}}, ''Pikachu'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Its return to the series was announced during the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] [[Nintendo Direct]] on June 11th, 2013.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13D1I5s236o Nintendo Direct@E3 2013]</ref> It was also among the first wave of [[amiibo]] that are compatible with ''SSB4''. Ikue Ōtani reprises her role as Pikachu's voice actress, albeit via recycled voice clips from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.

The competitive community's overall opinion of Pikachu has been volatile since ''SSB4''{{'}}s release. Initially, it was widely seen as an average character, but after a number of impressive tournament showings by ESAM, including his brief period of retirement having added to the "mystery" of Pikachu's potential, it was seen as a top 3 character by players like {{Sm|ZeRo}} and ESAM himself. Incidentally, this perception was further cemented after ZeRo and ESAM competed against each other in an extremely close Winners' Finals set at [[Super Smash Con]].

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''==

However, Pikachu has also received significant nerfs. Quick Attack canceling can no longer be used on the ground unless used off of a slope, making it less flexible as an approach option, forcing Pikachu to use its Quick Attack edge-cancel technique. Pikachu's grab game, one of its greatest strengths in ''Brawl'', has been heavily nerfed: its overall grab range is shorter, its up and down throws deal less damage, with the latter's increased knockback worsening its combo potential, and the removal of [[chain grab]]bing removed its forward and down throws' highly damaging chain grabs. While the changes to hitstun canceling have given it new combos, they are nonetheless inferior to its chain grabbing combos in ''Brawl'' and Pikachu also has worse [[lock]]ing potential not only due to the three hit lock limit but also because Quick Attack has lost its locking potential in exchange for combo potential and Pikachu's up aerial has much higher knockback making it less reliable at leading into a [[footstool]]. Pikachu's damage output has noticeably been reduced hindering its overall racking ability. Pikachu's overall range is also worse further exacerbating its already poor range especially when relative to the cast. Although the new edge mechanics supplement Pikachu's already impressive [[recovery]], they also hinder its edge-guarding potential, especially since the majority of its fellow veterans have improved recoveries. While some of Pikachu's moves have greater KO potential, others have reduced KO potential most notably down smash, neutral aerial and [[Thunder]]. Thunder has significantly less range and power making [[thunderspiking]] both harder and far less effective although Thunder has a new meteor smash hitbox on its Thundercloud which can lead into the shockwave. Lastly, the introduction to [[rage]] is a mixed bag: although it alleviates Pikachu's unimpressive KO potential, Pikachu's unimpressive endurance makes it difficult for it to utilize rage safely and the removal of [[momentum canceling]] has also further worsened Pikachu's already poor endurance.

**{{nerf|The grounded version of the shockwave has more ending lag (FAF 38 → 42).}}

**{{nerf|Thunder deals less damage (10% (thunderbolt)/17% (shockwave) → 8%/15%) and deals less knockback (100 (base), 50 (scaling), → 74/60 (thunderbolt), 100/60 → 70/66 (shockwave)).}}

***{{buff|The thunderbolt's reduced range allows Pikachu to hit itself sooner reducing the shockwave's startup lag.}}

**{{nerf|The removal of [[edge momentum shifting]] slightly hinders its utility.}}

''' {{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.6]]'''

''' {{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.0]]'''

|fsdesc=Performs [[bulbapedia:Volt Tackle (move)|Volt Tackle]], its evolutionary line's {{s|bulbapedia|signature move}}. Pikachu surrounds itself in a sphere of electricity and flies around the stage, charging through opponents. Pressing the attack button will cause the sphere to discharge electricity, which deals significantly more damage and has more knockback. Unlike in ''Brawl'', Volt Tackle now emits a small, whitish violet spark of electricity that is analogous to a cursor, which makes it easier to aim its trajectory.

}}

====[[On-screen appearance]]====

|char=Pikachu}}

===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===

{{OfficialCustomMoves

|set10=1321

}}

===Tier placement and history===

The debate over Pikachu's tier placement would become even more prevalent due to ESAM's results eventually declining due to the strengths of other well-regarded characters, as well as Pikachu's unfavorable matchups against {{SSB4|Mario}} and {{SSB4|Ness}} becoming more apparent. These criticisms were further exacerbated by Pikachu's representation still remaining fairly minimal for a high-tier character, and altogether resulted in its ranking on the first tier list being met with widespread disapproval. As expected, Pikachu's tier placement saw a noticeable drop on the second tier list, where it was ranked 12th. Despite ESAM placing at 3rd at [[UGC Smash Open]], Pikachu's tier placement saw another drop, now being ranked 15th on the third tier list. Pikachu's results, while rare, have remained pretty strong nonetheless, which has allowed it to hold on the 15th placing on the fourth and current tier list.

==In [[Event Match]]es==

*Pikachu knows six official Pokémon {{s|bulbapedia|move}}s in ''SSB4'', all of which it can learn legally in the ''Pokémon'' {{s|bulbapedia|core series}}. In addition to {{iw|bulbapedia|Skull Bash|move}}, {{iw|bulbapedia|Quick Attack|move}}, {{iw|bulbapedia|Thunder|move}} and {{iw|bulbapedia|Volt Tackle|move}}, it can also use {{iw|bulbapedia|Thunder Wave|move}} and {{iw|bulbapedia|Thunder Shock|move}} as [[Character customization|custom moves]].

**One of its custom moves, Quick Feet, has the [[bulbapedia:Quick Feet (ability)|same name]] of an {{s|bulbapedia|ability}} instead of a move, similarly to [[Victini]]'s [[Poké Ball]] effect. However, Pikachu cannot legitimately have Quick Feet as an Ability.

==References==