Editing Dr. Mario (SSB4)

{{Disambig2|Dr. Mario's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''|the character in other contexts|Dr. Mario}}

|name = Dr. Mario

|image = [[File:Dr. Mario SSB4.png|250px]]

|game = SSB4

|ssbgame1 = SSBM

|tier = F

'''Dr. Mario''' ({{ja|Dr. マリオ|Dokutā Mario}}, ''Dr. Mario'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. His return to the series was announced on [[Super Smash Bros. 4 Official Site|''SSB4''{{'}}s official website]] on October 9th, 2014, during which {{SSB4|Dark Pit}} was also revealed.<ref>[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/138070-Secret-Super-Smash-Bros-Characters-Revealed-by-Nintendo#&gid=gallery_3377&pid=1 More "Secret" ''Super Smash Bros.'' Characters Officially Revealed]</ref> Charles Martinet reprises his role as Dr. Mario's voice actor; however, he now uses {{SSBB|Mario}}'s voice clips recycled from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', some of which have been muted.

Dr. Mario is ranked 48th out of 54 on the [[tier list]], placing him in the F tier. This is a significant drop from his mid-tier placement in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', where he was ranked 13th out of 26, and ranked higher than [[Mario (SSBM)|his normal self]]. The implementation of multipliers to most of Dr. Mario's moveset and some of his attributes result in him functioning like a stronger, yet slower {{SSB4|Mario}}. As a result, his overall damage output and KO potential are above-average for a character of his size and weight. Similar to Mario, Dr. Mario's frame data is very fast in regard to start-up lag. In addition to granting him a decent combo game, this trait makes him both difficult to [[punish]] and very effective at punishing.

However, the multipliers applied to some of Dr. Mario's attributes collectively result in him being considerably slower and less nimble than Mario. Due to changes to game mechanics and some adjustments to his moveset, Dr. Mario's combo game is also inferior to Mario's in regard to both versatility and consistency. Furthermore, Dr. Mario's recovery is inferior to Mario's overall, and he retains Mario's weakness of having short range in his attacks.

Overall, Dr. Mario's weaknesses outweigh his strengths, which has been reflected in having extremely sparse tournament results and performances for all of ''Smash 4''. Although he is considered nonviable in competitive play and compared unfavorably to Mario, Dr. Mario has nevertheless achieved instances of success, thanks to smashers such as {{Sm|2ManyCooks}} and {{Sm|B7Games}}.

*Clear {{SSB4-3DS|Classic Mode}} as {{SSB4|Mario}} on [[Difficulty|Intensity]] 4.0 or higher.

After completing one of the two methods, Dr. Mario must then be defeated on [[Mushroomy Kingdom]].

After completing one of the two methods, Dr. Mario must then be defeated on [[Delfino Plaza]].

As a [[clone]] of {{SSB4|Mario}}, Dr. Mario is a [[Weight|middleweight]] that can [[wall jump]]. Like his normal self, Dr. Mario also has excellent frame data: when not counting [[special move]]s, the overall start-up lag of his normal moveset is the fifth fastest in the game. As a result, Dr. Mario is both difficult to [[punish]] and very effective at punishing. Although they share an overwhelming number of identical animations and even the exact same values for certain attributes ([[falling speed]]; [[fast fall]]ing speed; [[traction]]; and [[gravity]]), Dr. Mario nevertheless has a number of traits that differ from his normal self. Like Mario, Dr. Mario's height is below-average; oddly, however, he is marginally shorter in comparison, and does not [[crouch]] as low as his normal self.

Unlike in ''Melee'', Dr. Mario now functions like a stronger, yet slower Mario, owing to the implementation of multipliers to the majority of his moveset and some of his attributes. Aside from six moves, the remainder of Dr. Mario's moveset deals 1.12× more damage compared to Mario's moveset.<ref name="DamageMultiplier">[http://smashboards.com/threads/complete-hitbox-frame-data-for-every-character-now-with-ko-percents.383550/ Complete Hitbox/Frame Data For Every Character (Now with KO Percents)]</ref> Conversely, his [[walk]]ing and [[dash]]ing speeds are 0.832× slower; his [[air speed]], [[air acceleration]], and [[jump]] heights are 0.808× slower. These multipliers result in Dr. Mario being distinctly affected by passive [[equipment]] physics, in which he specifically possesses a +15 Attack value and a -50 Speed value. Although Dr. Mario's lower jump height makes his [[short hop]] more effective than Mario's, these modified attributes collectively render his overall mobility as sub-par. Conversely, Dr. Mario's higher overall damage output results in him being noticeably more efficient at KOing in comparison to Mario.

Other noticeable differences between Dr. Mario and Mario are seen in their movesets and, by extension, their playstyles. Although Dr. Mario's frame data is only slightly slower than Mario's, his higher overall damage output and slower overall mobility make him unable to use a healthy balance of offense and defense like his normal self. Instead, Dr. Mario is much better suited to a bait-and-punish playstyle. On a related note, Dr. Mario's combo game is less varied and consistent compared to his normal self's. Despite this, his combos deal respectable damage in spite of their fairly short lengths, similarly to {{SSB4|Ike}}'s.

He also shares two useful combo starters with Mario, thanks to said moves being modified since ''Melee''. Down tilt is the most effective of the two: although it is short-ranged, it is very reliable at low to high percentages, with useful follow-ups including itself, neutral attack, up tilt, his smash attacks, back aerial, up aerial, and Super Jump Punch. Like Super Jump Punch, forward aerial can function as a KO mix-up at high percentages, but requires a [[hard read]]. Up tilt can combo into itself reliably, albeit not as consistently as Mario's version because of its higher damage output. However, its higher damage output makes it better at juggling, and even enables it to function as a situational KOing option at very high percentages.

Outside of these moves, up smash functions almost identically to Luigi's version instead of Mario's version: it launches the opponent diagonally instead of vertically, and will launch them in the opposite direction of where Dr. Mario is facing so long as they are in front of him. Compared to Luigi's, however, it launches at a lower angle. As a result, Dr. Mario's version has much greater combo potential when uncharged: it can combo into itself, up tilt and Super Jump Punch at 0%-10%, and into forward and down tilt at 10%-15%. On an unrelated note, its launching angle also makes it much better at edge-guarding or setting up edge-guards compared to Mario and Luigi's versions.

Dr. Mario possesses a decent grab game. His overall grab is range is average, but each of his grabs have minimal start-up and ending lag. Dr. Mario's pummel also has the distinction of being the most damaging in the game by default, as it is surpassed by {{SSB4|Olimar}} and {{SSB4|Shulk}}'s pummels only if they use [[Pikmin (species)|White Pikmin]] and the [[Monado Arts|Buster Art]], respectively. Forward throw is useful for initiating [[edge-guard]]s and can even combo into dash attack at 0%-20%, whereas back throw is a viable KOing option at high percentages.

Up throw is able to initiate aerial pressure, especially on fast-fallers, but is effectively his least useful throw. Lastly, down throw is able to combo into Dr. Tornado at low percentages, and into up aerial at low to medium percentages. It can also combo into up smash; [[reverse aerial rush]]ed back aerial; down aerial; and even forward aerial and Super Jump Punch as KO mix-ups at high percentages. However, up smash is only effective against the majority of the cast at 0%-10%, whereas the latter four follow-ups require hard reads.

Like his normal self, Dr. Mario's air game is above-average. Neutral aerial is a "reverse sex kick": its clean hitbox deals minimal damage, whereas its late hitbox deals more damage. Thanks to it hitting on frame 3 and having low landing lag, its clean hitbox is ideal for set-ups. Conversely, its late hitbox is decent at edgeguarding. Back aerial is also fast; [[auto-cancel]]s in a short hop; and possesses a powerful clean hitbox, which collectively make it viable for KOing, edge-guarding and approaching. Forward aerial has considerable start-up lag, but its clean hitbox makes it the third strongest aerial of its kind; as such, it is lethal when [[SHFF]]'d against unwary opponents that are near the edge.

Up aerial's horizontal launching angle grants its beginning and ending frames decent combo potential into Super Jump Punch and back aerial, respectively, at low to medium percentages. This angle also makes its beginning frames capable of edge-guarding, unlike his normal self's up aerial. However, up aerial's launching angle also makes it much less effective at starting combos when SHFF'd or juggling compared to Mario's. Down aerial hits multiple times like [[Mario Tornado]], and its final hitbox has a horizontal launching angle like up aerial. As a result, it is much more effective for edge-guarding compared to Mario Tornado, yet completely unusable for juggling. Compared to Mario's up aerial and [[Mario Tornado]], however, Dr. Mario's up and down aerials are unable to KO outright because of their much lower knockback scaling and less damaging final hitbox, respectively.

In regard to special moves, [[Megavitamins]] travel farther in the air without landing compared to Mario's [[Fireball]], and they bounce twice instead of three times. [[Super Sheet]]'s [[reflection]] hitbox has a longer duration compared to [[Cape]]'s. Due to its hitbox being positioned higher, it also has more vertical range, yet less horizontal range in comparison. Most notably, Super Sheet no longer stalls Dr. Mario in midair like it did in ''Melee''. To alleviate the removal of Super Sheet's recovery potential, [[Dr. Tornado]] is now a much more integral part of Dr. Mario's recovery, thanks to it granting him a decent amount of horizontal distance when it is button mashed sufficiently.

Unlike [[F.L.U.D.D.]], Dr. Tornado deals damage. When coupled with its very high knockback scaling, [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] and [[transcendent priority]], it is useful for edge-guarding, warding off edge-guarders, and even out-prioritizing attacks. However, Dr. Tornado's much shorter range makes it much riskier to use for edge-guarding compared to F.L.U.D.D. Due to [[Super Jump Punch]] consisting of a powerful clean hitbox and a weak late hitbox instead of multiple hitboxes like Mario's, it actually functions like a less polarized version of {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s Super Jump Punch. As a result, its clean hitbox makes it a viable KOing option unlike Mario's. Although it can no longer be canceled, Super Jump Punch can now be [[B-reverse]]d upon landing its clean hitbox like Mario's can upon start-up. This makes it useful for edgeguarding, and can enable Dr. Mario to avoid punishment and/or hit an opponent behind himself upon hitting his primary target.

However, Dr. Mario's flaws are significantly more noticeable in comparison to Mario's. Although he boasts excellent KO potential, it is inconsistent. This is most obvious with up smash: its launching angle makes it reliable at KOing only while near the edge, whereas Mario and, to a lesser degree, Luigi's up smashes KO reliably from anywhere on-stage because of their higher launching angles. By extension, he has minimal KO set-ups like Mario. Additionally, Dr. Mario shares Mario's notable weakness of having short range in his attacks, which hinders his ability to fight characters with long or disjointed range. Dr. Mario's sluggish mobility compounds another notable weakness: his recovery. Despite now being able to wall jump, the combination of his slow air speed; slow air acceleration; and Super Jump Punch's mediocre travel distance results in his recovery being predictable like Mario's.

Due to his overall recovery granting noticeably less vertical distance compared to Mario's, Dr. Mario is very vulnerable to most [[meteor smash]]es. As a result, it is optimal for him to read the opponent when trying to return to the stage, as well as knowing when and how to make use of Dr. Tornado. Even though Dr. Mario may not need to use his double jump to recover, any sufficiently strong attacks, particularly [[semi-spike]]s, may launch him too far away to recover properly. Lastly, Dr. Mario is an all-rounder like his normal self, and is thus outclassed in certain aspects by other characters: {{SSB4|Donkey Kong}} and {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}} have more power and much better overall mobility; Mario, Luigi and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}} have much more versatile combo games; {{SSB4|Marth}} and {{SSB4|Cloud}} have much more range; and {{SSB4|R.O.B.}} and {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}} are much better at zoning.

Dr. Mario benefits significantly from his [[Character customization|custom moves]]. Like Mario, his custom moves define the fundamentals of customization, but in Dr. Mario's case, some of them alleviate his most significant flaws. Fast Capsule deals less damage and barely causes [[flinch]]ing, but covers more range at a much faster pace. Conversely, Mega Capsule has less range and is much slower, but deals repeated damage and lingers after being thrown. This allows it to shut down many approaches from characters that lack projectiles, as well as provide follow-ups. Breezy Sheet provides more safety when fighting near the edge but deals slightly less damage, whereas Shocking Sheet gives Dr. Mario another KOing option that has decent speed, but merely destroys projectiles instead of reflecting them.

Ol' One-Two gives Dr. Mario a fast and extremely powerful KOing option that can KO at very low percentages, but at the cost of further hindering his already sub-par recovery. Conversely, Super Jump functions in the exact opposite way: it grants noticeably better recovery, but deals no damage. However, Soaring Tornado is arguably Dr. Mario's best custom move because of its utility. It grants noticeably better vertical recovery; has incredible edge-guarding potential thanks to its [[windbox]] and hitbox; and its hitbox is powerful enough to KO early either on-stage or off-stage. However, these benefits come at the cost of it granting no horizontal recovery. Conversely, Clothesline Tornado is effectively his worst custom move: it boasts impressive power, yet further hinders his recovery; has a shorter duration; and has slower start-up lag.

 

Overall, Dr. Mario's fast frame data enables him to pressure and/or punish the opponent effectively at close range, while his above-average damage output makes him capable of KOing easily. Unlike Mario, however, his slow mobility hinders his [[neutral game]] to the point that he is largely reliant on baiting and punishing. By extension, his sub-par recovery makes him a less capable edgeguarder compared to his normal self, and he retains his normal self's lack of range as well.

 

==Differences from {{SSB4|Mario}}==

Like in ''Melee'', Dr. Mario functions as a stronger clone of Mario. However, he is now significantly slower compared to Mario. With Mario's Down Special and Down Aerial changes in ''Brawl'', this slightly declones Dr. Mario; albeit {{SSB4|Luigi}} still shares similar moves. In addition, Dr. Mario's Up Special is now a single hit opposed to being a multi-hit attack, with the coins being removed.

 

While also factoring in the differences Dr. Mario had from Mario in ''Melee'', this gives Dr. Mario a drastically different playstyle from his original counterpart, despite sharing many common moves.

*{{change|Dr. Mario's stance is identical to Mario's, albeit slower.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario is less vocal than Mario. Some of his attacks also emit different sound effects.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's [[on-screen appearance]]; [[taunt]]s; [[idle pose]]s; and [[victory pose]]s are different from Mario's.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario looks straight ahead during his [[Results screen|defeated]]/[[Results screen#No Contest screen|No Contest]] animation, whereas Mario looks slightly to the left. Additionally, his arms are place slightly higher than Mario's.}}

*{{change|{{GameIcon|ssb4-u}}Dr. Mario keeps his fingers close to each other during his [[screen KO]], whereas Mario spreads his apart.}}

*{{change|Some of Dr. Mario's raw properties are modified as if he were wearing [[equipment]] of +15 attack and -50 speed.}}

**{{buff|The damage outputs of Dr. Mario's attacks use a 1.12x<ref name="DamageMultiplier"/> multiplier. As a result, he is stronger than Mario. However, this multiplier does not apply to reflected projectiles or [[item]]s, and the base damage of his moves can also differ from Mario's.}}

**{{nerf|Dr. Mario's [[walk]]ing speed, [[dash]]ing speed and initial dash speed use a 0.832x multiplier; his [[jump]] heights, [[air speed]], [[air acceleration]] and [[air friction]] use a 0.808x multiplier. As a result, Dr. Mario is significantly less mobile than Mario.}}

*{{nerf|Dr. Mario's [[wall jump]] covers less height, hindering his recovery.}}

*[[Neutral attack]]:

**{{nerf|Neutral attack's first two hits have more weight-based knockback (15/10/15 (hit 1)/18/15/18 (hit 2) → 30 (both)). Additionally, Dr. Mario's neutral attack's first two hits can launch the opponent diagonally or vertically (60°/70°/80° (hit 1), 70°/78°/88° (hit 2)), whereas Mario's can launch the opponent horizontally or vertically (361°/361°/80° (both)). Lastly, neutral attack has more ending lag (frame 20 (hit 1)/frame 22 (hit 2)/frame 34 (hit 3) → 23/25/36). Altogether, these differences make it less effective at [[jab cancel]]ing and [[Lock#Jab lock|jab locking]], and can result in lightweight and/or floaty characters escaping its entirety at high percentages.}}

**{{buff|Forward tilt has a longer duration (frames 5-6 → 5-7).}}

*[[Up tilt]]:

**{{change|Up tilt has higher base damage (5.5 → 6.3). This makes it significantly more effective for KOing, but less effective for combos.}}

**{{buff|Dash attack has different knockback (100 (base)/40 (scaling) → 90/42). Dr. Mario's dash attack also launches the opponent vertically (90° (clean/late)), whereas Mario's can launch them diagonally or horizontally (60° (clean)/110° (late)). These differences make it more effective for combos at low percentages.}}

**{{change|Dr. Mario's forward smash's sweetspot and sourspot are on his arm and [[electric]]ity respectively, whereas Mario's are on the [[flame]] and his arm respectively.}}

***{{nerf|It has lower knockback scaling (99 (sweetspot)/103 (sourspot) → 96/100), partially compensating for the increased damage.}}

**{{nerf|It has slightly less range.}}

**{{change|It has an electric [[effect]], whereas Mario's has a flame effect. This makes it safer on shield, but easier to [[Directional influence|DI]].}}

**{{change|{{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}}Dr. Mario keeps his fingers outstretched while using forward smash, whereas Mario curls his fingers.}}

**{{change|Up smash has different knockback (32 (base)/94 (scaling) → 0/117). Dr. Mario's up smash also launches the opponent horizontally (130°), whereas Mario's launches them vertically (83°). These differences make it significantly more effective for combos at low percentages and KOing while near the edge, but make it significantly less effective for KOing and punishing.}}

**{{buff|It has a longer duration (frames 9-12 → 9-13).}}

*{{buff|The 19% damage increase to [[shield]]s and the increase to [[shieldstun]] make Dr. Mario's smash attacks significantly more effective at pressuring shields.}}

*{{nerf|All aerial attacks have more landing lag (10 frames → 12 (neutral), 26 frames → 28 (forward), 12 frames → 16 (back), 12 frames → 14 (up), 19 frames → 21 (down)).}}

*[[Neutral aerial]]:

**{{change|Dr. Mario's neutral aerial deals more damage and has higher knockback the longer it is active, whereas Mario's functions oppositely.}}

**{{nerf|It has a shorter duration (frames 3-5 (clean) → 3-10, 6-29 (late) → 11-27).}}

**{{buff|Forward aerial's clean hit has higher base damage (14 → 15). Forward aerial also has more knockback scaling (80 (early/late)/78 (clean) → 95/102).}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit has less base knockback (32 → 30).}}

**{{change|The clean hit launches the opponent diagonally (50°), whereas Mario's [[meteor smash]]es them (280°).}}

**{{nerf|The early and late hits have lower base damage (12 (early)/10 (late) → 10/9).}}

**{{buff|Back aerial's clean hit deals more base damage (10.5 → 12), making it more effective for KOing in spite of its lower knockback (12 (base)/106 (scaling) → 10/95).}}

**{{buff|It has a longer duration (frames 6-10 → 6-13).}}

**{{change|Up aerial has less knockback (10 (base)/135 (scaling) → 9/100). Dr. Mario's up aerial also launches the opponent diagonally (45°), whereas Mario's launches them vertically (75°). These differences make its beginning frames capable of edge-guarding, and its ending frames better for aerial combos. However, they also make its beginning frames unusable for KOing, and significantly less effective for juggling and [[SHFF]]'d combos.}}

**{{change|Dr. Mario retains his diagonal corkscrew dropkick as his down aerial, whereas Mario's has been [[Mario Tornado]] as of ''Brawl''.}}

**{{buff|The loop hits have higher base damage (1 → 1.7).}}

**{{nerf|The last hit has lower base damage (5 → 3) and has different knockback (80 (base)/100 (scaling) → 50/120). These differences make it significantly less effective for KOing.}}

**{{buff|The loop hits use the [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] (366°), whereas Mario Tornado's launch the opponent vertically (94°). This makes its hits connect together significantly better.}}

**{{change|The last hit launches the opponent diagonally (45°), whereas Mario Tornado's launches them vertically (75°). This makes it capable of edge-guarding, but significantly less effective for juggling.}}

**{{nerf|It has more start-up (frame 5 → 11); ending lag (frame 13 → 27); and smaller hitboxes. It also autocancels later than Mario Tornado (frame 33 → 45), preventing it from autocanceling in a short hop.}}

===Grabs and throws===

*[[Back throw]]:

**{{nerf|It has less knockback scaling (66 → 60). This makes it less effective for KOing despite its higher damage output.}}

*[[Up throw]]:

**{{change|Due to its higher damage output, up throw is as effective for combos at low percentages in spite of its lower knockback (70 (base)/72 (scaling) → 65/70).}}

**{{change|Down throw has altered knockback, with more base knockback, but less knockback scaling (40 (base)/90 (scaling) → 75/45).}}

***{{buff|It has less knockback overall, allowing it to combo for longer and improving its ability to combo into an aerial attack.}}

***{{nerf|However, its higher base knockback causes it put opponents into [[tumble]] at very low percents and worsens its ability to combo into a series of up tilts at low percents.}}

**{{buff|It launches the opponent vertically (80°), whereas Mario's launches them diagonally (68°). This makes its combos less susceptible to [[directional influence]].}}

**{{buff|Unlike [[Fireball]], Megavitamins cannot be [[absorb]]ed.}}

**{{change|It do not have a [[flame]] effect, unlike Fireball.}}

**{{change|It bounce twice and at a higher angle, whereas Fireball bounces three times and at a lower angle.}}

**{{change|{{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}}Dr. Mario keeps his fingers outstretched while using Megavitamins, whereas Mario curls his while using Fireball.}}

**{{buff|Compared to [[Cape]], Super Sheet's reflection hitbox has a longer duration (frames 6-20 → 6-22).}}

**{{change|Compared to Cape, Super Sheet's hitbox is positioned slightly upward. This results in it having slightly more vertical range, but slightly less horizontal range.}}

**{{change|Unlike aerial Cape, aerial Super Sheet does not stall Dr. Mario. This makes more effective at [[B-reversing]], but unusable for recovery.}}

*[[Super Jump Punch]]

**{{change|Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch consists of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, whereas Mario's consists of seven hitboxes.}}

**{{buff|Due to its higher damage output, the clean hit is significantly more effective for KOing in spite of its lower knockback (52 (base)/145 (scaling) → 30/100). Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch also has a longer duration than Mario's (frames 3-11 → 3-19).}}

**{{nerf|It retains its vertical distance from ''Melee'', whereas Mario's has increased, making it less effective for recovery.}}

**{{nerf|Unlike Mario's, It lacks [[intangibility]] on start-up.}}

**{{change|It does not produce {{s|mariowiki|Coin}}s upon contact, whereas Mario's does.}}

**{{change|Dr. Mario retains Dr. Tornado as his down special, whereas Mario's has been [[F.L.U.D.D.]] as of ''Brawl''.}}

**{{buff|Compared to F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado is significantly more effective for recovery.}}

**{{nerf|Compared to F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado has significantly less range, making it ineffective for gaining stage control.}}

**{{nerf|Due to dealing damage, It is less effective at [[gimping]].}}

**{{change|Doctor Finale produces 2D and 3D Megavitamin-based effects and emits Megavitamins' contact sound effect, whereas [[Mario Finale]] produces 3D fiery effects and emits a burning sound effect.}}

**{{buff|Its hitboxes are further out (Z offset: 0 → 10), improving its range.}}

 

*{{change|Dr. Mario uses Ties as defensive [[Equipment]], whereas Mario uses Overalls.}}

 

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

Dr. Mario became one of the most noticeably reworked [[veteran]]s upon his transition from ''Melee'' to ''SSB4''. Unlike in ''Melee'', he now functions as a stronger, yet slower Mario because of multipliers being applied to the majority of his moveset and some of his attributes. However, Dr. Mario's stronger moveset does not compensate for his much slower mobility. As a result, he is among the few characters to have been heavily nerfed in the transition to ''SSB4''.

 

Aside from the multipliers, changes to game mechanics have indirectly buffed and nerfed Dr. Mario. [[Rage]] makes his KOing options KO even heavyweights with relative ease. Additionally, the higher damage multiplier for fully charged smash attacks makes his fully charged forward/up smashes even more potent. Lastly, the changes to shields and [[shieldstun]] supplement Dr. Mario's smash attacks by making them much better at pressuring shields. However, the removal of [[chain grab]]bing significantly worsens his up and down throws' damage racking potentials, while the removal of [[wavedash]]ing further compounds his already worsened approach.

 

A number of Dr. Mario's moves have received buffs and nerfs. Down tilt now functions like Mario's, and is thus a reliable combo starter at low to high percentages. Up aerial's lower launching angle makes it better for edge-guarding and partaking in combos. Down aerial and Dr. Tornado's hitbox alterations result in their hits connecting together better. Megavitamins have longer ranges, are no longer [[absorb]]able and, when used in the air, descend faster. Super Jump Punch now possesses KO potential, thanks to it functioning like a less polarized version of {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s Super Jump Punch. Conversely, neutral attack deals much less damage; forward aerial is only effective when sweetspotted; up aerial has significantly worsened juggling potential; down aerial and Megavitamins have lower damage outputs, more lag, shorter durations and, in the case of the latter, a smaller hitbox; and back throw's KO potential has worsened.

 

However, several of Dr. Mario's moves have been ambivalently buffed and nerfed. Up tilt's consistent angle makes more reliable for combo, but at the cost of its versatility. Up smash is no longer a [[spike]], which makes its KO potential more consistent at the cost of significantly worsening its ability to start combos. Down smash's front hit is now a semi-spike, but has a much lower damage output. Neutral aerial's lower damage output makes its clean hitbox better for set-ups, yet removes its late hitbox's KO potential. Back aerial's clean hitbox now possesses KO potential, yet is no longer a semi-spike. Lastly, Super Jump Punch can now be [[B-reverse]]d upon landing its clean hitbox, but at the cost of its ability to be [[Super Jump Punch#Up-B cancel|canceled]].

 

Despite being poor in ''Melee'', Dr. Mario's recovery also received a mix of buffs and nerfs. His jump is higher, his air speed is faster, he can now [[wall jump]] like his normal self, and [[Dr. Tornado]] can now be moved horizontally. However, Dr. Tornado now covers much less vertical distance, while [[Super Sheet]] no longer stalls him in the air. As a result, Dr. Mario is forced to mix up the usage of Dr. Tornado by using it before his jump, before his double jump, or after his double jump.

 

All in all, Dr. Mario’s overhaul changed him for the worse, as he has become a significantly less effective character than he was in ''Melee'', especially when comparing him to {{SSB4|Mario}}. As such, he is widely regarded as an unviable low tier character, and is overall one of the most nerfed characters in ''Smash 4'', alongside {{SSB4|Wario}}, {{SSB4|Marth}} prior to updates, {{SSB4|Kirby}}, {{SSB4|Falco}}, {{SSB4|Olimar}}, {{SSB4|Meta Knight}} prior to updates, and {{SSB4|King Dedede}}.

*{{change|Dr. Mario's design is now a combination of his appearance as of ''{{s|mariowiki|Dr. Mario Online Rx}}'', and his appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''. His fair skin; dark brown hair; fully buttoned {{s|wikipedia|white coat}}; red tie; and tawny shoes are from ''Online Rx'' and subsequent [[mariowiki:Dr. Mario (series)|''Dr. Mario'' games]], whereas his white coat's loose sleeves and dark gray pants are from ''Melee''.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's neck is longer, his pants are now slightly rolled up at his ankles, the collar of his shirt is open, his tie is loose and his stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are dark gray and dark taupe, respectively, instead of steel blue and cordovan, respectively. These changes are unique to ''SSB4''.}}

*{{change|{{GameIcon|ssb4-u}}Dr. Mario's coat and stethoscope have individual physics.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario has received three new [[alternate costume]]s.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario has been updated with universal features introduced in ''Brawl''.}}

**{{change|Dr. Mario uses various voice clips for any move between the third hit of his [[neutral attack]], any [[tilt attack]], his [[dash attack]], and any [[aerial attack]], and always uses specific clips for both his up and down [[smash attack]]s.}}

**{{change|Dr. Mario now has an [[on-screen appearance]] and two new [[taunt]]s. His taunt from ''Melee'' has been moved to his side taunt.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario no longer uses his [[stun]] voice clip when waking out of [[asleep|sleep]] status.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario has a new [[idle pose]]. He now punches his open palm with his fist. However, his stance while holding a light [[item]] is now identical to {{SSB4|Mario}}'s.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario has a new [[victory pose]]. He now contemplatively rubs his chin with his hand. It replaces the "Here we go!" victory pose that he shared with {{SSBM|Mario}} in ''Melee''.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's chest now faces the foreground, regardless of whether he is facing left or right.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario is slightly shorter. This makes his hurtbox slightly smaller, but slightly hinders his range.}}

*{{change|Due to the majority of Mario's damage output having slightly decreased since ''Brawl'', the majority of Dr. Mario's damage output has also slightly decreased. This slightly improves his combo game, but slightly hinders his damage racking potential.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario is lighter (100 → 98), as he now [[Weight|weighs]] as much as {{SSBB|Mario}} as of ''Brawl''. This makes him slightly less susceptible to combos, but slightly hinders his endurance.}}

*{{nerf|Dr. Mario's [[traction]] is lower (0.06 → 0.045), as it is now identical to Mario's.}}

*{{buff|Dr. Mario's [[air speed]] is faster (0.9 → 0.9315).}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's [[falling speed]] is slower (1.7 → 1.5). This makes him less susceptible to combos, but hinders his vertical endurance.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario's [[gravity]] is lower (0.095 → 0.08715). This slightly improves his horizontal endurance, but slightly hinders his aerial mobility.}}

*{{buff|[[Roll]]s and [[air dodge]] have decreased ending lag (FAF 31 → 30 (rolls), FAF 48 → 33 (air dodge)).}}

*{{nerf|[[Sidestep]] has increased ending lag (FAF 22 → 27).}}

*{{nerf|Rolls and air dodge have decreased [[intangibility]] frames (frames 4-19 → 4-16 (rolls), frames 4-29 → 3-27 (air dodge)).}}

*{{buff|Dr. Mario [[jump]]s higher and can now [[wall jump]].}}

*{{nerf|[[Jump#Jump timing|Jumpsquat]] is slower (4 frames → 5).}}

*{{change|Backward jump's animation has changed. Dr. Mario now performs a [[mariowiki:Somersault|Backward Somersault]] repeatedly like Mario does, instead of once.}}

*{{nerf|The removal of [[wavedash]]ing significantly hinders Dr. Mario's approach.}}

*{{nerf|The removal of [[meteor canceling]] harms Dr. Mario more than any returning veteran, due to his lack of a meteor smash.}}

**{{nerf|Neutral attack deals less damage (4% (hit 1)/3% (hit 2)/6% (hit 3) → 2.8%/1.68%/4.48%), although its last hit's knockback was somewhat compensated (18 (base)/100 (scaling) → 45/80).}}

**{{nerf|Neutral attack has increased ending lag (FAF 16 (hit 1)/19 (hit 2)/23 (hit 3) → 23/25/36), hindering its [[jab cancel]]ing potential. Its last hit also has increased start-up lag (frame 5 → 7) and a shorter duration (frames 5-9 → 7-8).}}

**{{buff|Neutral attack's first hit is now a consecutive jab. Its second hit also has decreased start-up lag (frame 3 → 2). This makes its first two hits connect together better.}}

**{{change|Neutral attack's first and second hits' angles have been altered (83°/83°/85° (both) → 60°/70°/80° (hit 1)/70°/78°/88° (hit 2)).}}

*[[Forward tilt]]:

**{{change|Forward tilt now deals consistent damage (9% (upward)/8% (non-angled)/7% (downward) → 7.84% (all)).}}

**{{nerf|Forward tilt have increased start-up lag (frame 4 → 5) along with having a shorter duration (frames 4-8 → 5-7).}}

**{{change|Up tilt deals less damage (10% (clean)/8% (late) → 7.056%). Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, up tilt's angle has also been altered ([[Sakurai angle|361°]] (clean)/100° (late) → 96°). When coupled with the changes to [[hitstun canceling]], these changes improve its combo potential. However, these changes hinder its utility.}}

**{{buff|Down tilt deals less damage (9% → 7.84% (body)/5.6% (foot)); has decreased ending lag (FAF 33 → 28); and its angle has been altered (150° → 80° (body/foot)). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes grant it combo potential at low to high percentages.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt has a shorter duration (frames 5-8 → 5-7).}}

**{{change|Dash attack deals less damage (9% (clean)/8% (late) → 8.96%/6.72%). However, its clean hitbox's knockback was compensated (70 (base)/30 (scaling) → 90/42), and its late hitbox's knockback was somewhat compensated (60 (base)/50 (scaling) → 90/42). Its angle has also been altered (80° (clean)/85° (late) → 90° (both)). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes slightly improve its combo potential at low percentages. However, these changes slightly hinder its safety.}}

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

**{{buff|Non-angled and downward angled forward smash deal more damage (19% (non-angled)/18% (downward) → 19.04%/19.6112%), although their knockback was compensated (30 (base)/97 (scaling) → 25/96). Forward smash has also received a sourspot located at the blast of [[electric]]ity that deals 16.464% (upward)/15.68% (non-angled)/16.1504% (downward). This increases its range.}}

**{{buff|Due to the damage multiplier for fully charged smash attacks being increased from ''Melee'' to ''SSB4'' (1.3671× → 1.4×), fully charged forward and up smashes deal more damage (27.342% (upward)/25.9749% (non-angled)/24.6078% (downward) (forward) → 27.9888%/26.656%/27.45568%, 21.8736% (clean)/17.7723% (late) (up) → 21.952%).}}

**{{nerf|Upward angled forward smash deals 0.008% less damage (20% → 19.992%) and has decreased knockback (30 (base)/97 (scaling) → 25/96), slightly hindering its KO potential. Forward angled also has increased start-up (frame 12 → 15), ending lag (FAF 42 → 48), and a shorter duration (frames 12-16 → 15-17).}}

*[[Up smash]]:

**{{change|Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, up smash now deals consistent damage (16% (clean)/13% (late) → 15.68%).}}

**{{change|Due to its angle being altered (259° (clean/late) → 130°), up smash is no longer a [[spike]]. This improves its KO potential, but significantly hinders its combo potential.}}

**{{buff|Up smash has a longer duration (frames 9-11 → 9-13) and increased intangibility frames (frames 9-11 → 9-13).}}

**{{nerf|Down smash's front hit deals less damage (18% (clean)/17% (late) → 11.2%), hindering its KO potential. Additionally, down smash has increased ending lag (FAF 38 → 44). Lastly, down smash's back hit has a shorter duration (frames 14-15 → 14).}}

**{{buff|Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, down smash's back hit now deals consistent damage (15% (clean)/13% (late) → 13.44%). However, its knockback was somewhat compensated (45 (base)/75 (scaling) → 30/100). These changes improve its KO potential in spite of its damage output being lower than the clean hitbox's.}}

**{{buff|Due to its angle being altered (361° (front/back) → 32° (front)/30° (back)), down smash is now a [[semi-spike]]. This significantly improves its edge-guarding potential.}}

**{{change|Clean neutral aerial deals 4.4% less damage (10% → 5.6%) and its angle has been altered (50° → 361°). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes improve its combo potential. However, these changes hinder its spacing and edge-guarding potential. The late hit also has a longer duration (frames 20-31 → 11-27).}}

**{{nerf|Late neutral aerial deals 5.04% less damage (14% → 8.96%) and has decreased knockback (20 (base)/100 (scaling) → 13/90), significantly hindering its spacing and KO potential. It also has a shorter duration (frames 3-31 → 3-27).}}

**{{buff|Neutral aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 36 → 34), matching Mario's neutral aerial. Due to Dr. Mario's slower falling speed and lower gravity, it can now autocancel in a short hop.}}

*[[Forward aerial]]:

**{{change|Due to its arm hitbox being removed, forward aerial now deals consistent damage (17% (arm)/16% (fist) → 16.8%).}}

**{{nerf|It deals less knockback overall (50 (base)/100 (scaling) (arm)/40/100 (fist) → 30/102), hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{change|Forward aerial's angle has been lowered (60° → 50°). This hinders its KO potential off the top blast zone, but slightly improves it near the edge.}}

**{{change|Forward aerial has received an early hitbox and a late hitbox that deal 11.2% and 10.08%, respectively. These changes decrease its start-up lag (frame 18 → 16) and lengthen its duration (frames 18-22 → 16-22). However, these changes make it more susceptible to punishment at low to medium percentages.}}

**{{buff|Forward aerials auto-cancels earlier (frame 44 → 43).}}

*[[Back aerial]]:

**{{buff|Back aerial deals more damage (8% (clean)/7% (late) → 13.44%/7.84%). However, its clean hitbox's knockback was somewhat compensated (43 (base)/65 (scaling) → 10/95), and its late hitbox's knockback was compensated (20 (base)/100 (scaling) → 7/90 (late)). These changes significantly improve its clean hitbox's KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial has increased ending lag (FAF 29 → 34) and a shorter duration (frames 6-16 → 6-13). Due to its angle being altered (28° → 361°), clean back aerial is also no longer a semi-spike, hindering its edge-guarding potential.}}

**{{buff|Up aerial deals 2.16% less damage (10% → 7.84%), although its base knockback was compensated (0 → 9). It also has decreased ending lag (FAF 34 → 32). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes improve its combo potential at low to medium percentages.}}

**{{change|Up aerial's angle has been altered (55° → 45°). This improves its edge-guarding potential, but significantly hinders its juggling potential.}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial auto-cancels later (frame 16 → 18).}}

**{{nerf|Due to consisting of five hits instead of seven, down aerial deals 10.024% less damage (21% → 10.976%). It also has increased start-up (frame 10 → 11), much more ending lag (FAF 38 → 52), and auto-cancels later (frame 33 → 45), no longer being interruptible.}}

**{{change|Down aerial now consists of a consistent hitbox that re-hits every 4 frames and launches at 95°/[[Autolink angle|366°]], instead of multiple hitboxes every 3 frames that launch at 80°. These changes make its hits connect together better, but shorten its duration (frames 10-29 → 11-27).}}

**{{buff|Down aerial has received a landing hitbox that deals 2.24% and launches at 361°. Down aerial's last hit also no longer has set knockback. These changes improve its safety.}}

**{{buff|The weakening of [[SDI]] makes down aerial significantly more difficult to escape from.}}

===Throws/other attacks===

*{{buff|All grabs have increased ranges. Standing and dash grabs also have decreased start-up (frame 7 → 6 (standing), frame 11 → 8 (dash)) and ending lag (FAF 31 → 29 (standing), FAF 41 → 36 (dash)).}}

**{{change|Forward throw deals 0.04% less damage (9% → 8.96%) and has decreased knockback scaling (72 → 60). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes grant it combo potential into dash attack at low percentages. However, these changes hinder its edge-guarding potential.}}

**{{nerf|Back throw deals more damage (12% (throw)/8% (collateral) → 12.32%/8.96%), although its knockback was compensated (80 (base)/72 (scaling) → 70/60). This hinders its KO potential in spite of its higher damage output.}}

**{{nerf|Up throw deals 0.16% less damage (8% → 7.84%) and has decreased knockback (70 (base)/80 (scaling) → 65/70). When coupled with the removal of [[chain grab]]bing, these changes significantly hinder its damage racking potential.}}

**{{buff|Down throw deals 0.4% less damage (6% → 5.6%), although its knockback scaling was compensated (40 → 45). Its angle has also been altered (90° → 80°). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes improve its combo potential at low to medium percentages.}}

**{{buff|Front and back floor attacks deal 1.84% more damage (6% → 7.84%).}}

**{{change|Edge attack now deals consistent damage (6% (body)/8% (legs) → 7.84%).}}

*[[Megavitamins]]:

**{{buff|Megavitamins have increased range and can no longer be [[absorb]]ed. Aerial Megavitamins also descend faster.}}

**{{nerf|Megavitamins deal less damage (8% → 5.6% (early)/4.48% (late)) and have a smaller hitbox. They also have increased start-up (frame 14 → 17); ending lag (FAF 44 → 53); and a shorter duration (frames 14-89 → 17-69).}}

**{{change|Megavitamins' visual effects have changed. They are significantly more vibrant, more rounded, and {{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}}lack a translucent half.}}

*[[Super Sheet]]:

**{{buff|Super Sheet can now [[reflect]] projectiles behind Dr. Mario.}}

**{{buff|Super Sheet has a longer duration to [[reflect]] projectiles compared to Mario's [[Cape]] (frames 6-22).}}

**{{nerf|Super Sheet deals less damage (12% (near)/10% (far) → 7.84%) and has decreased knockback (30 (base)/80 (scaling) → 0/0). It also has a significantly smaller hitbox.}}

**{{change|Aerial Super Sheet no longer stalls Dr. Mario. This improves its mobility and [[B-reversing]] potential, but removes its recovery potential.}}

**{{bugfix|Super Sheet no longer causes opponents warping to the opposite side of the stage after being hit during the ledge get up.}}

*[[Super Jump Punch]]:

**{{buff|Due to having a clean hitbox and a late hitbox instead of five consecutive hitboxes, Super Jump Punch has an altered damage output (5% (hit 1)/2% (hits 2-4)/3% (hit 5) → 13.44% (clean)/6.72% (late)). This significantly improves its KO potential in spite of its clean hitbox having less knockback (40 (base)/160 (scaling) → 30/100).}}

**{{buff|Super Jump Punch can now be B-reversed upon hitting with its clean hitbox. This grants it edge-guarding potential, and improves its safety.}}

**{{nerf|Super Jump Punch has increased landing lag and a shorter duration (frames 3-21 → 3-19).}}

**{{nerf|Super Jump Punch can no longer be [[Super Jump Punch#Up-B cancel|canceled]].}}

**{{change|Super Jump Punch's visual effects have changed. It no longer produces {{s|mariowiki|Coin}}s upon contact.}}

*[[Dr. Tornado]]:

**{{buff|Dr. Tornado can now be moved horizontally, granting it horizontal recovery potential.}}

**{{buff|Dr. Tornado has decreased ending lag (FAF 80 → 75).}}

**{{buff|The weakening of SDI makes Dr. Tornado significantly more difficult to escape from.}}

**{{nerf|Dr. Tornado deals less damage (13% (all grounded hits)/14% (all aerial hits) → 8.736% (all hits)), although its last hit's knockback was compensated (75 (base)/120 (scaling) (grounded), 80 (base)/120 (scaling) (aerial) → 80/130 (both)). It also has increased start-up lag (frame 8 → 10).}}

**{{nerf|Aerial Dr. Tornado covers significantly less vertical distance, significantly hindering its vertical recovery potential.}}

**{{change|Dr. Tornado now consists of a consistent hitbox that re-hits every 6 frames and launch at 90°/180°/360°, instead of multiple hitboxes with short durations that launch at 180°/160°/100°. These changes make its hits connect together better, but shorten its duration (frames 8-39 → 10-40).}}

**{{change|Dr. Tornado's last hit's angle has been altered (361° → 45°).}}

**{{change|Dr. Tornado's loop hits have lost their [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]], whereas its last hit has received transcendent priority. This allows its last hit to cancel out non-transcendent attacks, but hinders its loop hits' safety against incoming moves.}}

**{{change|Dr. Mario's now vocalizes when performing the final hit of Dr. Tornado, with the voice clip coming from Mario's [[F.L.U.D.D.]]}}

**{{change|Dr. Mario now has a [[Final Smash]], [[Doctor Finale]]. Dr. Mario rears his arms back before thrusting them forward to launch two gigantic Megavitamins that move across the screen in a spiraling motion, which trap and repeatedly damage any opponents in their path.}}

Dr. Mario has been buffed slightly via game updates. Updates [[1.0.4]] and [[1.0.6]] improved his forward aerial's KO potential by increasing its knockback and its sweetspot's damage output, respectively. Update [[1.1.0]] followed a similar format in regard Dr. Mario's up smash, as it increased its duration and knockback. Unlike {{SSB4|Mario}}, the changes to [[shield]]s and [[shieldstun]] brought about by updates 1.1.0 and [[1.1.1]] are a mixed bag for Dr. Mario, instead of an indirect nerf. Although they hinder his [[out of shield]] options because of his low traction, his above-average damage output makes his most powerful moves noticeably safer on shield compared to Mario's.

{{UpdateList/1.0.6|char=Dr. Mario}}

*{{buff|Up smash's knockback scaling increased|108|117.}}

*{{buff|Up smash's duration increased|frames 9-12|9-13.}}

*{{buff|Clothesline Tornado deals 1% more damage|10.2% (hit 1)/12.44% (hit 2)|11.2%/13.44%, although its first hit's knockback was somewhat compensated: 60 (base)/120 (scaling) → 100/70.}}

*{{buff|Clothesline Tornado's first hit's hitbox size increased.}}

|neutralname=Jab ({{ja|ジャブ|Jabu}}) / Straight ({{ja|ストレート|Sutorēto}}) / Kick Up ({{ja|けりあげ|Keri Age}})

|neutraldesc=The {{s|mariowiki|Punch}} + Punch + {{s|mariowiki|Kick}} combo from ''Super Mario 64''. It hits on frame 2, which makes it among the fastest moves in the game. Its first hit can also [[jab lock]] like the first hit of [[Mario (SSB4)|his normal self]]'s neutral attack. However, its higher ending lag makes it less effective at jab locking and unreliable at [[jab cancel]]ing compared to Mario's.

|ftiltname=Middle Kick ({{ja|ミドルキック|Midoru Kikku}})

|ftiltdesc=A wheel kick. It can be angled and is useful for jab locking. Due to its average damage output and almost nonexistent base knockback, however, it only becomes reliable for spacing beginning at 50%.

|utiltname=Uppercut ({{ja|アッパーカット|Appākatto}})

|utiltdesc=A spinning uppercut. Compared to his normal self's up tilt, its higher damage output makes it better at juggling. By extension, it can even function as a situational KOing option, unlike Mario's. On Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 165%/156% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). However, its higher damage output makes it less effective at chaining into itself past low percentages. It appears to be based on the second hit of the [[mariowiki:List of weapons in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars|Mega Glove]]'s combo from ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''.

|dtiltname=Spinning Low Kick ({{ja|スピニングローキック|Supiningu Rō Kikku}})

|dtiltdesc=A legsweep. It is Dr. Mario's best combo starter, thanks to it hitting on frame 5 and launching at 80°. It can combo into neutral attack and a grab at 0%-15%; itself, all smash attacks, and Super Jump Punch at 0%-20%; up tilt, a dashing up smash, and a short hopped Super Jump Punch at low to medium percentages; and back and up aerials at medium to high percentages. It also has forward aerial as a KO mix-up at high percentages, but this requires a hard read. However, it has short range.

|dashname=Sliding ({{ja|スライディング|Suraidingu}})

|dashdesc=The {{s|mariowiki|Slide Kick}}. Its clean and late hitboxes both launch at 90°, which make it better for set-ups at low percentages compared to his normal self's dash attack. However, it has a fair amount of ending lag like Mario's.

|fsmashname=Defibrillator ({{ja|心臓マッサージ|Shinzō Massāji}}, ''Cardiac Massage'')

|fsmashdesc=A palm thrust that produces a blast of [[electric]]ity. Unlike in ''Melee'', it now consists of a sweetspot and a sourspot: the former is on Dr. Mario's arm, whereas the latter is the blast of electricity. Its sweetspot's impressive damage output and high knockback scaling make it Dr. Mario's strongest smash attack, and while its sourspot deals slightly less damage, it is also strong enough to KO reliably. Angling upward or downward slightly increases its KO ability, with the upward angled version KOing the earliest. While near the edge of Final Destination, its sweetspot KOs middleweights beginning from 72%/64% (''3DS''/''Wii U''), whereas the sourspot KOs middleweights beginning at 89%/80% (''3DS''/''Wii U'').

|usmashname=Ear, Nose, and Throat ({{ja|スマッシュヘッドバット|Sumasshu Heddobatto}}, ''Smash Headbutt'')

|usmashdesc=An upward arcing headbutt. It hits on frame 9, which is quite fast for a smash attack. It also renders Dr. Mario's head [[Intangibility|intangible]] throughout its duration like his normal self's up smash. However, its duration is slightly longer than Mario's. Unlike Mario's, it functions almost identically to {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s up smash, which launches opponents diagonally instead of vertically, and will launch them in the opposite direction of where Dr. Mario is facing so long as they are in front of him. Compared to Luigi's, it launches at 130° instead of 110°, which grants it much greater combo and edge-guarding potential in comparison. When uncharged, it can combo into itself, up tilt and Super Jump Punch at 0%-10%, and into forward and down tilt at 10%-15%. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 105%/96% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). However, its launching angle makes it unreliable at KOing while away from the edge, whereas Mario and, to a slightly lesser degree, Luigi's versions can KO reliably from anywhere on-stage.

|dsmashname=Break Spin ({{ja|ブレイクスピン|Bureiku Supin}})

|dsmashdesc=The {{s|mariowiki|Sweep Kick}}. Due to it hitting on frame 5, it is tied with {{SSB4|Pit}}, {{SSB4|Dark Pit}}, {{SSB4|Zelda}}, {{SSB4|Ryu}} and his normal self's down smashes for the second fastest smash attack of any kind in the game, being surpassed only by {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}'s [[buffer]]ed down smash. It is also a [[semi-spike]], which makes it excellent for edge-guarding. Its back hit is stronger and more damaging than the front hit, but the front hit is still powerful and capable of KOing. Depending on the opponent's position, both of its hits can potentially hit them. While near the edge of Final Destination, its back hit KOs middleweights at 97%/88% (''3DS''/''Wii U''), while the front hit does so at 121%/110% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). However, it is Dr. Mario's least damaging smash attack, and its 29 frames of ending lag make it punishable.

|nairname=Dr. Kick ({{ja|ドクターキック|Dokutā Kikku}})

|nairdesc=A flying kick. It hits on frame 3, which is the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Dr. Mario's aerials. Like in ''Melee'', it is a "reverse [[sex kick]]": its late hitbox deals more damage and has more knockback, whereas its clean hitbox deals less damage and has less knockback. It can also auto-cancel with a short hop. Thanks to these traits, its late hitbox is decent for edge-guarding, whereas its clean hitbox is a useful set-up option when [[SHFF]]'d and a decent combo breaker.

|fairname=Dr. Punch ({{ja|ドクターグーパンチ|Dokutā Panchi}})

|fairdesc=Rears back his fist and then throws an [[wikipedia:Overhand (boxing)|overhand]]. Unlike his normal self's forward aerial, its clean hitbox is not a [[meteor smash]], but instead launches at 50°. While the slowest of Dr. Mario's aerials, its clean hit is the third strongest of all forward aerials in the game. Thus, it is useful for edge-guarding and, with a proper read, against on-stage opponents when SHFF'd. Unlike in ''Melee'', it now has early and late hitboxes; these hitboxes make the overall move slightly safer, but these also KO significantly later than the sweetspot in spite of their decent damage outputs. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 92%/84% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). Due to hitting on frame 16 and possessing both 37 frames of ending lag and 28 frames of landing lag, it is very punishable.

|bairname=Drop Kick ({{ja|ドロップキック|Doroppu Kikku}})

|bairdesc=A dropkick. Its hits on frame 6, autocancels with a short hop, and its clean hitbox has both a respectable damage output and high knockback scaling. Altogether, these traits make it one of Dr. Mario's most viable KOing options. While near the edge of Final Destination, its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 134%/123% (''3DS''/''Wii U''), respectively. It also has a moderately longer duration compared to his normal self's back aerial, which makes it more effective for spacing and edge-guarding.

|uairname=Air Slash ({{ja|エアスラッシュ|Ea Surasshu}})

|uairdesc=A bicycle kick. It hits on frame 4 and can auto-cancel with a short hop. Compared to his normal self's up aerial, it has much lower knockback scaling, slightly lower ending lag, a moderately longer duration, and launches at 45°. Altogether, these traits make its beginning and ending frames reliable for chaining into Super Jump Punch or back aerial at low to medium percentages. Its launching angle also makes its beginning frames useful for edge-guarding. However, its lower knockback and launching angle make its beginning frames unusable for KOing, and significantly less effective for juggling or SHFF'd combos.

|dairname=Bone Drill ({{ja|ドリルキック|Doriru Kikku}}, ''Drill Kick'')

|dairdmg=1.904% (hits 1-4), 3.36% (hit 5), 2.24% (landing)

|dairdesc=A diagonal corkscrew dropkick. Like [[Mario Tornado]], the move hits multiple times, but also launches at 45°, which makes it usable for edge-guarding unlike its counterpart. If Dr. Mario lands during the move, it produces a hitbox, which can be used to cover landings. However, unlike Mario Tornado, this move is considerably laggier, cannot auto-cancel with a short hop, and its final hit's launching angle renders it unusable for juggling.

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|grabdesc=Reaches out. Like his normal self, Dr. Mario's overall grab range is average.

|pummelname=Grab Headbutt ({{ja|つかみヘッドバット|Tsukami Heddobatto}})

|pummeldesc=A headbutt. Moderately slow, but it is the most damaging pummel in the game by default.

|fthrowname=Swing-Around Throw ({{ja|ふり抜き投げ|Furinuki Nage}})

|fthrowdesc=Spins the opponent around once and throws them forward. It is best suited for setting up an edge-guard, but can also be followed up with dash attack at 0%-20%.

|bthrowname=Airplane Swing ({{ja|ジャイアントスイング|Jaianto Suingu}}, ''Giant Swing'')

|bthrowdesc=Spins the opponent by their legs three times before throwing them backward. Although its knockback has decreased since ''Melee'', it is still strong enough to KO reliably. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 154%/146% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). It also can hit nearby opponents during the spin. It is based on the throw that [[Mario|his normal self]] uses against [[Bowser]] in ''Super Mario 64''.

|uthrowname=Throw Up ({{ja|スルーアップ|Surū Appu}})

|uthrowdesc=Heaves the opponent directly overhead with both hands. It is useful against heavyweights and fast-fallers for aerial combos at low to medium percentages, but otherwise lacks combo potential on other types of characters past low percentages.

|dthrowname=Hospital Bed ({{ja|スルーダウン|Surū Daun}}, ''Throw Down'')

|dthrowdesc=A [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Body slam|body slam]]. Its average base knockback and low knockback scaling make it more effective for aerial combos compared to his normal self's down throw, but much less effective for grounded combos in comparison. It also launches at 80°, which makes its combos less susceptible to DI compared to Mario's. It can combo down aerial and [[Dr. Tornado]] at low percentages, and into up aerial and [[reverse aerial rush]]ed back aerial at low to medium percentages. However, its down aerial and back aerial combos require hard reads. It also has forward aerial and Super Jump Punch as KO mix-ups at high percentages, but they also require hard reads. In comparison, its only grounded combos are up tilt and up smash, which are effective against the majority of cast only at 0%.

|floorfdesc=Performs a modified version of the Sweep Kick before getting up.

|floorbdesc=Punches behind himself and then in front of himself while getting up.

|floortdesc=Performs a side kick behind himself and then in front of himself while getting up.

|edgedesc=Performs a dropkick while climbing up.

|nsdefdesc=Throws a {{s|mariowiki|Megavitamin}}. Megavitamins travel on a bouncing arc and are able to [[lock]], similarly to his normal self's [[Fireball]], although their arc is unique and allows them to cover different angles in comparison. Unlike Mario's Fireball, they cannot be absorbed.

|nsc1desc=Throws a smaller Megavitamin that flies straight ahead, similarly to [[Blaster (disambiguation)|Blaster]]. It is very [[spam]]mable, thanks to its much lower start-up and ending lag. However, it deals less damage and [[hitstun]].

|nsc2desc=Throws a much larger Megavitamin that damages any opponent it hits in its predetermined path until it vanishes. Unlike Megavitamins and Fast Capsule, it does not disappear upon impact, which grants it decent set-up potential. However, it has significantly shorter range, as well as significantly more start-up and ending lag.

|ssdefdmg=7.84% (sheet), 1.5× (reflected projectiles)

|ssdefdesc=Waves a white sheet in front of himself. It deals damage; [[reflect]]s projectiles with 50% more power than they originally had; and [[reverse]]s opponents. Compared to [[Cape]], its hitbox is much smaller, but its reflection hitbox has a slightly longer duration. Unlike in ''Melee'', it lacks recovery potential because it no longer stalls Dr. Mario in midair.

|ssc1desc=The sheet discharges electricity, which launches opponents and destroys projectiles instead of reversing them and reflecting them, respectively. Unlike Super Sheet, it deals respectable damage and has knockback, which grant it KO potential. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 109% in the ''3DS'' version. However, it has more ending lag.

|ssc2dmg=5.6% (sheet), 1.5× (reflected projectiles)

|ssc2desc=The sheet has emits a small gust of wind that pushes opponents back. It is one of the best edge-guarding options in the game, thanks to the sheet itself possessing an extremely strong [[Windbox#Pushing attacks|pushbox]]. However, it deals less damage and has slightly more ending lag.

|usdefdesc=A jumping uppercut. Unlike his normal self's Super Jump Punch, Dr. Mario's version consists of clean and late hitboxes like {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s Super Jump Punch, which grants it much greater KO potential compared to Mario's. While near the edge of Final Destination, its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 122%/112% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). Like Mario's Super Jump Punch, Dr. Mario's version now enables him to move himself in the opposite direction upon landing its clean hitbox, which makes it less punishable. Compared to Mario's Super Jump Punch, the travel distance of Dr. Mario's version has remained unchanged since ''Melee'', which makes it worse for recovery. Unlike Mario's, Dr. Mario's version lacks intangibility on start-up.

|usc1desc=Covers much more vertical distance and, when moved left or right during start-up, more horizontal distance. However, it deals no damage and has slightly more ending lag.

|usc2desc=A [[Flame|flaming]] version that is significantly stronger. Its first hit leads reliably into its second hit, but it is not strictly necessary to use, thanks to its second hit's higher damage output, knockback and vertical angle making it reliable for KOing on its own. Its second hit KOs middleweights at 96% from anywhere on Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version. However, it covers much less vertical distance, and almost no horizontal distance.

|dsdefdmg=1.344% (hits 1-4), 3.36% (hit 5)

|dsdefdesc=Rapidly spins around, trapping opponents and damaging them with a series of [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|discus clotheslines]] and [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Spinning back fist|spinning backfists]] before assuming a [[wikipedia:Spreadeagle (position)|spread-eagle position]] to launch them. On the ground, Dr. Tornado allows Dr. Mario to slightly move left or right, while button mashing will make him leap into the air. In the air, button mashing immediately after the apex of a jump will make him ascend, thus helping his recovery. However, aerial Dr. Tornado can only be used once for recovery: if it is used at the apex of his first jump, using it at the apex of his second jump will result in him descending instead of ascending. Despite hitting on frame 10 and having 34 frames of ending lag, its loop hits' usage of the [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] enable it to reliably trap opponents. Although its last hit has a very low damage output, it possesses very high knockback scaling, [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]], and launches opponents at 45°. These traits enable it to function as a very potent, albeit risky off-stage edge-guarding option. While near Final Destination's left/right [[blast line]]s, it KOs middleweights at 82%/75% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). It resembles the {{s|mariowiki|Spin Jump}}.

|dsc1desc=Covers much more vertical distance, especially when button mashed, and has slightly less start-up lag. Unlike Dr. Tornado, it consists of a [[windbox]] and a hitbox, the latter of which deals twice as much damage and much more knockback than Dr. Tornado's last hit. Altogether, these traits make it much more efficient for recovering and edge-guarding compared to Dr. Tornado. While near Final Destination's left/right blast lines, it KOs middleweights at 49% in the ''3DS'' version. However, it does not cover any horizontal distance, cannot punish rolls because of its windbox, and has more ending lag.

|dsc2dmg=11.2% (hit 1), 13.44% (hit 2)

|dsc2desc=Deals much more damage and has much higher knockback. Its first hit has deceptive range and is a semi-spike, which allows it to hinder approaches. Conversely, its last hit launches opponents vertically and is extremely powerful, as it KOs middleweights at 72% from anywhere on 3DS's Final Destination. However, its first hit does not KO middleweights until 151% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version. In comparison, its second hit is very difficult to land because of its first hit's long duration. It also has much more start-up and ending lag, which make it unusable for recovering or edge-guarding.

|fsdesc=Rears his arms back before thrusting them forward to launch two gigantic Megavitamins that move across the screen in a spiraling motion, which trap and repeatedly damage any opponents in their path. It functions identically to [[Mario Finale]], but deals slightly more damage.

 

|desc=*[[Megavitamins]] fall to the ground, and Dr. Mario appears when they recede. Based on a Megavitamin chain from ''{{iw|mariowiki|Dr. Mario|game}}''.

|desc-up=Grinds the sole of his shoe on the ground.

|desc-side=Pulls out a randomly colored Megavitamin, rolls it down his arm, uses his shoulder to toss it into the air, and then catches it.

|desc-1=Pounds his fist into his palm.

|desc-2=Performs a neck roll, a neck exercise.

|victory-desc=A flourished remix of the Course Clear Fanfare used in ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario Bros.}}''

|desc-1=Throws two randomly colored Megavitamins, dusts off his gloves, and then pulls out two more Megavitamins that are the same color as the ones he threw.

|desc-2=Holds out his stethoscope and points it in front of himself, then to his left, and then in front of himself again.

|desc-3=Contemplatively rubs his chin and then suddenly glances at the screen while continuing to rub his chin.

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->

''See also: [[:Category:Dr. Mario players (SSB4)]]''

*{{Sm|2ManyCooks|Canada}} - The best Dr. Mario player in the world until he dropped him for {{SSB4|Mario}} in 2017. He had several wins over {{Sm|Exodia}}, which includes defeating him and {{Sm|Alphicans}} to win [https://www.start.gg/tournament/otafest-assault-iv/details Otafest Assault IV] and defeating him at [https://albertabeatdown.challonge.com/smash4top48 Alberta Beatdown 2016] to place 2nd. Outside of his region, he most notably placed 33rd at {{Trn|2GGT: KTAR Saga}} defeating {{Sm|Rideae}}.

*{{Sm|B7Games|USA}} - The best Dr. Mario player in the world after 2ManyCooks dropped the character, best known for defeating {{Sm|Abadango}} at {{Trn|2GGT: Abadango Saga}}, placing 49th overall. He has also placed 33rd at {{Trn|2GGC: Midwest Mayhem Saga}}, the best solo-Dr. Mario placement at a major.

*{{Sm|Tsumusuto|Japan}} - The best solo-Dr. Mario player in Japan with several decent performances at {{Trn|Sumabato}} events, including placing 17th at {{Trn|Sumabato 9}} and {{Trn|Sumabato 22}}.

Upon ''SSB4''{{'}}s release, Dr. Mario's weaknesses and inability to successfully adapt to the new game physics saw him widely perceived as a low-tier or even bottom-tier character, with many players agreeing that {{SSB4|Mario}} was a far better character. Despite this initial reception, Dr. Mario was able to see some noteworthy performances, most notably {{Sm|Nairo}}'s surprising but effective choice to use Dr. Mario to defeat {{Sm|ESAM}} at {{Trn|MLG World Finals 2015}}. However, aside from that single Nairo performance, the regional efforts of players such as {{Sm|2ManyCooks}} and {{Sm|B7Games}}, and the support from a few players due to Dr. Mario's particular strengths, Dr. Mario's metagame remained stagnant due to poor touornament results and representation for all of competitive ''Smash 4''. As such, Dr. Mario remained in the low tier for all of ''Smash 4'', ranking 45th on the first [[tier list]] before dropping to 48th on the second and 51st on the third due to 2ManyCooks dropping Dr. Mario in favor of Mario, before rising back to 48th on the final tier list thanks to the efforts of B7Games and a few Japanese Dr. Mario players.

==In Solo Modes==

===[[All-Star Mode]]===

In All-Star Mode, Dr. Mario is fought in Stage 3 in the 3DS version or Stage 5 in the Wii U version if he has been unlocked alongside {{SSB4|Yoshi}}, {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}}, {{SSB4|Marth}}, {{SSB4|Pit}}, {{SSB4|Mega Man}}, {{SSB4|Palutena}}, and {{SSB4|Ryu}}.

* '''[[All-Star Battle: Secret]]''': Dr. Mario is one of the opponents fought in this event. All of the opponents have been unlockable characters in previous ''Super Smash Bros.'' games.

* '''[[Doctor Schmoctor]]''': As {{SSB4|Wario}}, the player must defeat Dr. Mario before Wario's health is depleted via [[flower]]ing.

* '''[[Viral Visitors]]''': Dr. Mario and {{SSB4|Peach}} must defeat four [[Kirby (SSB4)|Kirbys]].

* '''[[The Ultimate Battle]]''': Two players select a character and must defeat the entire roster.

SSB4-Wii U Congratulations Classic Dr Mario.png|Classic Mode

SSB4-Wii U Congratulations All-Star Dr Mario.png|All-Star Mode

==[[Trophies]]==

Dr. Mario's default trophy is obtained by clearing Classic Mode as Dr. Mario. His alternate trophy is obtained by clearing All-Star Mode as Dr. Mario in the 3DS version or purchasing it in the Trophy Shop for 1000G in the Wii U version. The Doctor Finale trophy is obtained only in the Wii U version by clearing All-Star Mode as Dr. Mario.

|desc-ntsc=In the 1990 puzzle game Dr. Mario, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to take a shot at that whole "medicine" thing. In this game, he's a balanced fighter who can throw Megavitamin capsules and nimbly deflect blows with his Super Sheet. He's not quite as quick as normal Mario, but his attacks deal a bit more damage.

|desc-pal=In Dr. Mario, released in Europe in 1991, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to have a bash at the whole medicine thing. In this game, he's an all-rounder who can throw Megavitamin capsules and nimbly deflect blows with his Super Sheet. He's not quite as quick as normal Mario, but his attacks deal a bit more damage.

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Dr. Mario|release1=10/1990|console2=Wii|game2=Dr. Mario Online Rx|release2=05/2008}}

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Dr. Mario|release1=06/1991|console2=Wii|game2=Dr. Mario & Germ Buster|release2=05/2008}}

|name=Dr. Mario (Alt.)

|image-3ds=DrMarioAltTrophy3DS.png

|image-wiiu=DrMarioAltTrophyWiiU.png

|mode=Alt

|desc-ntsc=Mario and Dr. Mario are only slightly different. Basically, Dr. Mario is stronger, but his MD slows his speed and lowers his jump. He also has a move Mario doesn't: Dr. Tornado, a down special that can trap opponents before launching them. You can move left and right while doing it and press the button repeatedly to rise into the air.

|desc-pal=Mario and Dr. Mario are only slightly different. Basically, Dr. Mario is stronger, but his heavy coat affects his speed and jumping. He also has a move Mario doesn't: Dr. Tornado, a down special that can trap opponents before launching them. You can move left and right while doing it and press the button repeatedly to rise into the air.

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Dr. Mario|release1=06/1991|console2=Wii|game2=Dr. Mario & Germ Buster|release2=05/2008}}

 

|image=DrFinaleTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-ntsc=In Dr. Mario's Final Smash, he spreads his arms wide and then lets loose a pair of giant vitamin capsules that spiral through the air, taking out any pesky "viruses" in their path. Their wide range makes them tough for foes to avoid, and opponents they strike will take multiple hits, possibly even being pushed right off the screen!

|desc-pal=In Dr. Mario's Final Smash, he spreads his arms wide, then lets loose a pair of giant vitamin capsules that spiral through the air, taking out any pesky "viruses" in their path. Their wide range makes them tough for foes to avoid, and opponents they strike will take multiple hits, possibly even being pushed right off the screen!

Dr. Mario unlock notice SSB4-3DS.png|Dr. Mario's unlock notice in {{for3ds}}.

Dr. Mario unlock notice SSB4-Wii U.png|Dr. Mario's unlock notice in {{forwiiu}}.

SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-1.jpg|[[Idle|Idling]] on [[Wuhu Island]].

SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-5.jpg|Alongside a [[Floor recovery|prone]] {{SSB4|King Dedede}}, a prone {{SSB4|Kirby}}, {{SSB4|Wii Fit Trainer}}, and some [[food]].

Dr. Mario SSB3DS screen.png|His [[on-screen appearance]].

Dr. Mario SSB3DS screen 2.png|Using [[Megavitamins]] on two Kirbys, in reference to the {{s|mariowiki|virus}}es from his [[Dr. Mario (game)|eponymous series]].

*Dr. Mario's [[amiibo]] description on the official amiibo website is a combination of his [[Classic Mode]] trophy descriptions from ''Melee'' and ''SSB4''.

*''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' is the only game where Dr. Mario is not unlocked by completing Classic Mode with {{SSB4|Mario}}.

*In Dr. Mario's official artwork, his collar and tie are done up, while his stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are black. However, his in-game model shows his collar open and tie loose, while his stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are dark gray and dark taupe, respectively.

*Dr. Mario, {{SSB4|Bowser}} and Lucina are the only characters who are not playable in a solo event unless selected.

*Dr. Mario and {{SSB4|Lucario}} are the only characters that lack a [[meteor smash]], including [[unconventional meteor smash]]es.

*Dr. Mario and {{SSB4|Pac-Man}} are the only characters who have a taunt that aesthetically changes each time it is performed. In Dr. Mario's case, his side taunt creates a randomly colored [[Megavitamin]] each time it is performed.

*Dr. Mario is the only character with [[Equipment|custom equipment]] incorporated into his attributes.