Editing Donkey Kong (SSB4)

{{disambig2|Donkey Kong's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''|the character in other contexts|Donkey Kong}}

{{Infobox Character

|availability = [[Starter]]

|tier = C

|ranking = 22

}}

Donkey Kong retains his outstanding power, deceptively fast mobility, and great [[spacing]] options, but has also been improved both directly and indirectly. Donkey Kong now boasts great combo potential thanks to his "cargo up throw", which has been re-purposed into a very reliable combo starter that boasts guaranteed and extremely damaging follow-ups at varying percentages, alongside [[Combos#Types of combos|KO confirm]]s into his up aerial at a wide range of percents. Changes to game mechanics have also improved DK: the removal of both [[chain grab]]bing and [[edge-hogging]] drastically improve his endurance and recovery, respectively, whereas [[rage]] supplements his power, granting him an effective advantage state.

==Attributes==

Donkey Kong's grounded moveset is very useful; his neutral attack can be [[jab cancel]]ed for follow-ups, and can jab lock, as well as being able to set up into grab, his forward tilt is great for spacing, as it has long range and is intangible, his up tilt is a decent combo starter at low percentages, and his down tilt has incredible speed and can trip opponents, making it ideal for starting or extending combos. All of his smash attacks pack incredible power and have very long ranges, while not being particularly slow either. To complement his ground game, Donkey Kong's aerial game is extremely effective. His forward and down aerials can [[meteor smash]] and can effectively finish off his combos or his opponents, thanks to their high power. His neutral aerial is very quick and can lead into follow-ups, or it can be used to give Donkey Kong some space. His up aerial launches opponents upwards, making it great for combos and KOing. His back aerial is long-ranged, has a long-lasting hitbox, and can be used to [[edge-guard]] opponents. The last three aerials can also [[auto-cancel]] in a [[short hop]], further demonstrating their utility. Finally, Donkey Kong's fast air speed allows him to easily pursue opponents in the air.

Donkey Kong's forward throw is an all-purpose throw, as well as an excellent damage racker. Using it will open up four different throws, commonly known as the "cargo throws". Cargo down throw is a [[semi-spike]] and is great for edge-guarding. Cargo back throw deals 12% and can KO at very high percentages near the upper blast line. His most notable throw, however, is his cargo up throw, which can lead into any aerial at lower percents. Since it connects directly into his powerful up aerial at most percentages, this combo can be used to KO opponents at specific percentages, and has since been nicknamed the "Ding Dong".

Finally, [[Spinning Kong]] can be used as an [[out of shield]] option, thanks to its super armor and high damage output. As a recovery, it lets Donkey Kong move horizontally quickly and for a long time, giving him a very long horizontal [[recovery]]. Spinning Kong also retains its ability from ''Brawl'' to completely negate all momentum, against both horizontal and vertical knockback however, this is considered impractical and nearly impossible to utilize due to the changes to [[hitstun canceling]].

Despite being very fast in terms of start-up, Donkey Kong's moveset is slow in regard to ending lag, making him susceptible to [[punishment]] without careful spacing. Finally, his vertical recovery is almost nonexistent, due to Spinning Kong's vertical distance being considerably low. This also makes it extremely difficult for him to survive even the weakest meteor smashes.

Custom moves can give Donkey Kong considerable benefits, more so than most other characters. Kong Cyclone is often considered to be Donkey Kong's most valuable move, as well as the best custom in the game: it grants super armor, has a suction effect, can be auto-canceled, and possesses greater power, maneuverability and speed compared to Spinning Kong. Altogether, these traits enable Kong Cyclone to significantly improve DK's [[neutral game]].

Overall, Donkey Kong is a potent character; with speed, power, range, endurance, and easy-to-use combos, there are very few matchups he cannot overcome. As a result, DK is, alongside {{SSB4|Bowser}}, one of the two most effective super heavyweights in the game. This, in turn, is reflected in his presence in the competitive scene, as he has average tournament representation and above average results, the latter of which has been thanks to the likes of {{Sm|HIKARU}}, {{Sm|Tweek}}, {{Sm|Konga}} and {{Sm|DKwill}}.

===Aesthetics===

*{{change|Donkey Kong is significantly more expressive. He now scowls during certain attacks, his up [[taunt]], and while hanging from an edge; he appears confused during his down taunt and while [[teeter]]ing; his irises shrink when he is hit, [[grab]]bed, [[screen KO]]'d, and when an opponent escapes his grab; his eyes comically bulge outward when he is launched;<ref>[https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAABnUYnjrQ_heQ Pic of the Day: February 12, 2014]</ref> he sports a toothy grin during his side taunt, backflipping and chest-beating [[victory pose]]s, and standing and pivot grabs; and he {{GameIcon|ssb4-u}}smiles with his lips pursed during his self-congratulatory victory pose. The majority of Donkey Kong's animations are also more fluid.}}

*{{change|[[Idle pose]]'s animation has slightly changed. Donkey Kong now purses his lips, instead of slightly baring his teeth.}}

===Attributes===

*{{buff|Donkey Kong's [[air speed]] is faster (1.081 → 1.15).}}

===Ground attacks===

*{{buff|The 19% damage increase to shields and the increase to [[shieldstun]] significantly improve sweetspotted forward and down smash's shield pressuring potentials.}}

===Aerial attacks===

===Throws/other attacks===

===Special moves===

==Update history==

Although update [[1.1.1]] reduced the [[shield damage]] dealt by [[Giant Punch]] and [[Headbutt]], this was compensated by the increased [[shieldstun]] brought about by the same update, which significantly benefits Donkey Kong's powerful, high hitlag attacks by making them safer on shield. While the changes to shield mechanics also inhibit his effective [[out of shield]] options and his already unimpressive shield, these nerfs are largely negligible.

*{{buff|Cargo up throw deals 3% more damage|7%|10%.}}

*{{buff|Cargo down throw deals 1% more damage|6%|7%.}}

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

==Moveset==

{{MovesetTable

|game=SSB4

|neutralcount=2

|neutral1dmg=4%

|neutral2dmg=6%

|neutraldesc=A hook followed by an uppercut. At very low percentages, it can combo into itself or work as a fairly reliable set-up for a fully charged [[Giant Punch]]. However, its first hit can also be [[jab cancel]]ed into forward tilt, down tilt or a grab, which is further supplemented by the first hit's tip launching the opponent towards Donkey Kong instead of away from him.

|ftiltangles=3

|ftiltupdmg=11%

|ftiltdowndmg=9%

|ftiltdesc=A backhanded slap. Can be angled, with the upward angle dealing the most amount of damage and the downward angle dealing the least.

|utiltdmg=11% (arm), 10% (elbow), 9% (hand)

|utiltdesc=An overhead arcing swipe. It has a very reliable range and deals more damage and knockback if the target is hit near DK's shoulder.

|dtiltdmg=7% (arm), 6% (hand)

|dtiltdesc=A crouching swat. Slightly less powerful around his fingers. In addition to its great speed and range, it has a chance to [[Tripping|trip]] opponents, allowing for guaranteed follow-ups such as itself, a [[Pivoting|pivoted]] up tilt, forward smash, Giant Punch, [[Headbutt]], [[Hand Slap]] or a grab.

|dashdmg=10% (clean), 8% (late)

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|20}} (hands), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|19}} (arms)

|fsmashdesc=A lunging {{s|mariowiki|clap}}. It deals slightly less damage if it hits with Donkey Kong's arms. KOs at 92% uncharged and at 54% fully charged without rage.

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|18}}

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|14}} (arms), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|17}} (early, fists), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|18}} (late, fists)

|dsmashdesc=Raises his arms overhead and then quickly swings them downward to perform [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Forearm club|forearm clubs]]. It has decent range, fast start-up for a smash attack, and deals great vertical knockback. It KOs starting at 101% when sweetspotted, it is especially good for punishing rolls and laggy attacks, and is a reliable [[out of shield]] option. It could arguably be considered one of the best down smashes in the game, despite its fair amount of ending lag.

|nairdmg=11% (clean), 8% (late)

|nairdesc=Quickly spins around to perform [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|discus clotheslines]] with both arms, similarly to [[Spinning Kong]]. It is not the fastest of DK's aerials, but has the longest lasting hitbox and the lowest amount of ending lag. Additionally, its late hit has excellent combo potential when SHFF'd, but it requires good timing due to its hitbox not being optimally positioned compared to his other aerials.

|fairdmg=16% (early), 15% (meteor smash), 13% (late)

|fairdesc=A [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Double axe handle|double axe handle]]. If [[sweetspot]]ted, the opponent is [[meteor smash]]ed. Like many other moves, its early hitbox is weaker than its meteor smash hitbox, to the point that it is even weaker than the late sourspot despite dealing more damage. However, the early hitbox launches opponents away by dealing extreme horizontal knockback, making it more effective for KOing horizontally. It appears similar to his midair attack from ''{{s|mariowiki|Donkey Kong 64}}'', which itself was inspired by this attack due to ''SSB'' debuting before ''Donkey Kong 64''.

|bairdmg=13% (clean), 8% (late)

|bairdesc=A back kick. A useful move courtesy of its decent power, large, lingering hitbox and minimal start-up, ending and landing lag. Its low ending lag allows it to initiate a [[wall of pain]].

|uairdmg=13%

|uairdesc=An upward headbutt. DK's head is intangible as soon as the attack begins. Its high damage output and knockback make it a viable KOing option and the most potent follow-up from "cargo up throw". It also autocancels in a SHFF, making for an excellent juggling option and frame traps landing air dodges with ease.

|dairdmg=16% (sweetspot), 13% (sourspot)

|dairdesc=A stomp. Its sweetspot is a strong [[meteor smash]], while its sourspot, which is close to Donkey Kong's chest, deals diagonal knockback. However, it is a rather laggy attack despite its fairly quick start-up.

|grabdesc=Reaches out. Donkey Kong's overall grab range is the second longest in the game, being surpassed only by {{SSB4|Greninja}}'s.

|pummeldmg=2.1%

|pummeldesc=A slap. A fairly fast pummel.

|fthrowdmg=10% (forward), 12% (backward), 10% (upward), 7% (downward)

|fthrowdesc=Cradles the opponent on his back, allowing him to move and jump around while still holding the opponent. This gives him access to forward, back, up, and down throws that are distinct from his normal grabs.

When the opponent is too damaged to escape in time, all of these throws allow for easy [[stage spike]]s. Donkey Kong can simply walk off the edge, pull back and throw them against the underside. However, this carries significant risk, as the opponent can [[tech]] it and thus result in DK ending up too far below the edge to recover if his timing is off.

|bthrowdmg=11%

|bthrowdesc=Flings the opponent backward. DK's most damaging throw, it KOs even the heaviest characters in the game below 170% near the edge without [[rage]].

|uthrowdmg=9%

|dthrowdmg=7%

|dthrowdesc=Shoves the opponent into the ground with one arm. It has rather weak knockback and launches opponents horizontally in front of DK.

|edgedesc=Performs a forearm club while climbing up.

|nsdefname=Giant Punch

|nsc1name=Lightning Punch

|nsc1desc=An [[electric]]al version that takes less time to fully charge (six wind-ups at significantly increased speed), but deals much less damage and lacks super armor at full wind-ups.

|nsc2name=Storm Punch

|ssdefname=Headbutt

|ssdefdmg=10% (grounded/sweetspot aerial), 8% (sourspot aerial)

|ssc1name=Jumping Headbutt

|ssc1dmg=5% (aerial), 10% (grounded)

|usc1name=Chopper Kong

|usc1dmg=—

|usc2name=Kong Cyclone

|usc2dmg=4% (grounded hit 1), 3% (aerial hit 1), 15% (grounded hit 2), 12% (aerial hit 2)

|dsdefname=Hand Slap

|dsdefdmg=14%

|dsc1desc=[[Paralyze]]s opponents and launches with high vertical knockback from the second hit, reliably KOing around 100% without rage, but decreased range and is unable to meteor smash.

|dsc2name=Hot Slap

|dsc2desc=Flaming pillars erupt in front of DK instead of earth-shaking vibrations in both directions. It only generates hitboxes in front which doesn't reach out far, but has decent vertical range, much less start-up and much more knockback growth than Hand Slap, giving it better KO potential. However, it does not meteor smash if used in the air.

|fsname=Konga Beat

|fsdesc=Takes out the {{s|mariowiki|DK Bongos}} and begins to play them to the beat of "DK Island Swing", which emits shockwaves in the process. The song is accompanied by an indicative bar that will appear above DK, signaling the player when to press the attack button in sync with the beat. The attack’s range and power is determined by the player's input, with successful inputs having the greatest range and power. If the player hits all beats correctly, DK will give a thumbs up at the end of the song.

}}

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

{{Idle

|desc-1=Leans forward curiously while pursing his lips.

|image-1=DonkeyKongIdlePose1WiiU.jpg

|image-2=DonkeyKongIdlePose2WiiU.jpg}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===

===[[Victory pose]]s===

|set10=1333

}}

===Tier placement and history===

While he would gain dedicated mains like {{Sm|DKwill}} and buffs via game updates, it was not until update [[1.1.0]] that Donkey Kong's reputation would improve considerably. This was due to said update granting him a massive buff for his grab game in the form of his now-famous "cargo up throw", which allows for what is known as the "Ding Dong" combo, which is reminiscent of {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}}'s "Hoo Hah" combo, albeit not to the same extreme degree. Because of the huge benefits as well as the [[true combo]]s that can be performed with this throw, Donkey Kong's popularity started to increase at all levels of play, with professionals such as DKwill, {{Sm|Average Joe}}, {{Sm|HIKARU}} and {{Sm|Mew2King}} making a larger impact in tournaments.

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==[[Alternate costume (SSB4)#Donkey Kong|Alternate costumes]]==

==References==

{{SSB4Characters}}

[[Category:Donkey Kong (SSB4)| ]]

[[Category:Trophies (SSB4-3DS)]]