Editing Falco (SSBM)

{{ArticleIcons|melee=y}}

{{Disambig2|Falco's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''|the character in other contexts|Falco Lombardi}}

|name = Falco

|image = [[File:Falco SSBM.jpg]]

|symbol = preBrawl

|game = SSBM

|ssbgame1 = SSBB

|ssbgame2 = SSB4

|tier = S

|tierPAL = S

|ranking = 4

|rankingPAL = 3

'''Falco''' ({{ja|ファルコ|Faruko}}, ''Falco'') is an [[unlockable character]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. He is a clone of {{SSBM|Fox}}, with many of the same moves. However, some of his moves have different properties, making their playstyles somewhat different.

Falco is voiced by Hisao Egawa in-game and in Japanese [[Star Fox Smash Taunt]] and [[Adventure Mode]] scenes, reprising his role from ''Star Fox 64''. He is voiced by Ben Cullum in the English Smash Taunt and Adventure scenes.

Falco is currently ranked 4th on the ''Melee'' tier list, being the highest ranked clone character as well as his best placement in the series marginally. Falco has the most versatile combo game in ''Melee,'' as he possesses many combo starters and the options to extend them, most notably a frame 1 launcher in his [[shine]] and a frame 5 [[down aerial]] that spikes powerfully. These tools allow him to easily chain together highly damaging strings that are hard to [[DI]] out of. He also possesses very effective edgeguarding options, such as his back air, forward and down smashes, and his aforementioned down air. Falco also has one of the best neutral game options among the entire cast with his {{b|Blaster|Falco}}, as it allows him to pressure from afar and approach noncommittally.

Falco, however, is not flawless; he suffers from being light yet having extremely high falling speed and low horizontal air speed. These flaws make him extremely vulnerable to chaingrabs and combos, while his low weight makes him among the easiest to KO horizontally. Additionally, his primary recovery moves, [[Falco Phantasm]] and [[Fire Bird]], both travel a short distance, leaving him extremely vulnerable to [[gimp]]ing, especially if he loses his double jump, and giving him one of the worst recoveries in the game. Falco also has mediocre movement options, due to his average dash speed, slow [[jump squat]], and relatively short [[wavedash]] and [[dashdance]] distances. He additionally has one of the worst grab games, as the unpredictable knockback from the lasers in his throws gives him no guaranteed throw follow-ups, which incentivizes his opponents to stay in shield in the neutral game. This also hurts his ability to land KOs at high percents due to his lack of reliable KO confirms, especially on floaty characters. Regardless of these flaws, Falco's strengths greatly overwhelm his weaknesses and he has amazing matchups, possessing positive matchups on nearly the entire cast.

Falco sacrifices a bit of his clone's speed for power, but still excels at performing devastating combos. Many of Falco's approach options also make for great combo starters as well. The core of Falco's combo ability lies in his good SHFFLs and ability to waveshine. Falco's primary form of comboing comes in the form of his [[pillar]], which is notorious for wearing [[shield]]s down quickly. Pillaring, in its most basic form, is simply chaining the upward vertical knockback of Falco's shine into the spiking hitboxes of his down aerial. To keep his moves fresh, Falco can combo into his other moves, most notably his down and up tilts, wavesmashes, his up throw, and his back and neutral aerials. Falco's down tilt and up throw are viable substitutes for his shine, while his up tilt racks up damage and segues directly into more shines. His smashes also rack up damage quickly but also make excellent KO options after enough beatings from the pillars have been dealt. Jump-canceled shines combo directly into back aerials and neutral aerials. Should the opponent DI close the ground, Falco can chase his opponents with multiple waveshines, depending on the direction. Falco can alternatively wear down shields by weaving back and forth with waveshining.

Additionally, Falco's grab and throw game is decent. Falco's grab range is above-average (tenth longest in the game), and his throws have multiple options; his down throw can potentially combo into a down tilt or start a shine combo, his up throw can start up aerial combos, and his forward and back throws can start edgeguards. However, although he can chain throw floaty characters with his forward throw, he lacks a reliable chain throw, his throws have poor damage output, and his down throw can be teched, leaving him vulnerable. Furthermore, unlike Fox's up throw, which can reliably set up into aerials at certain percents, Falco has a harder time securing follow-ups from his up-throw. This is because the lasers Falco shoots during his up throw animation have hitstun; and therefore, they can be [[Smash DI|SDI]]'d by the opponent.

Falco's properties, however, also compose his weaknesses. As with Fox, Falco is light (the 6th lightest character in the game), and is therefore able to be KO'd through the sidelines without difficulty, despite Falco being difficult to KO through the ceiling because of said falling speed. Additionally, despite his high jumps and ability to [[wall jump]], Falco's recovery is among the worst in the game; due to a low air speed and a high falling speed, Falco cannot maneuver effectively off-stage. His up special move, [[Fire Bird]], is also short and easy to gimp; due to its linear nature, attacks such as {{SSBM|Marth}}'s [[Counter]], {{SSBM|Link}}'s [[Spin Attack]], and {{SSBM|Mario}}'s [[Cape]] can easily knock Falco away from the ledge when using the moves. Additionally, due to its inability to harm attackers while it charges, Falco is vulnerable to any attack while using the move, particularly meteor smashes or spikes; with correct timing, opponents with reliable spikes, such as Marth or even another Falco, can easily gimp his recovery. As such, Falco is primarily reliant on his side special, [[Falco Phantasm]] to recover; however, even that doesn't travel a significant distance, and it still suffers from the linear problems of Fire Bird. To his merit, however, Falco can angle his Fire Bird in many different directions, and he can additionally shorten his Falco Phantasm to avoid going on stage and into the edge, mixing up his recovery options and leaving the opponent guessing. Additionally, Falco's recovery moves have slightly shorter startup lag than Fox's, which can be useful when mixing up the opponent.

===Similarities with {{SSB|Fox}} in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''===

*{{buff|Both Fox in ''Smash 64'' and Falco in ''Melee'' are heavier than Fox in Melee.}}

*{{change|Both [[Fire Bird]] and ''Smash 64'' [[Fire Fox]]  travel less distance and lack a charging hitbox, but can KO vertically at a reasonable percent.}}

==Differences from {{SSBM|Fox}}==

It is difficult to determine whether Falco is better or worse than Fox, as they are top-tiered [[clone]]s. Falco is heavier and falls faster than Fox does, aiding in his vertical endurance. Falco's combo ability, particularly against fastfallers, is superior to Fox's; his [[shine]] and down aerial can extend combos in ways that Fox's moves cannot. Additionally, Falco's [[Blaster|lasers]] are quite powerful in neutral because they cause hitstun, allowing them to be used as a powerful disruption and approach tool in the [[neutral game]] instead of just a passive maneuver to rack up damage.

However, Falco's ground mobility is inferior to Fox's, as he has slower ground speed and a shorter [[wavedash]]. Additionally, his recovery moves, despite possessing more power, travel much shorter distances than Fox's; while this does allow for a safer near-stage recovery, it makes it impossible to recover from afar. Fox's [[shine]] and down aerial can lead into an up smash, and up throw can lead to almost any aerial. However, since most of Falco's moves are geared towards comboing, he lacks many of these guaranteed setups into his own KO moves. This is especially prevalent against floaty characters, such as {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} and {{SSBM|Peach}}; Fox hard counters them due to the ease in which he can combo them, then KO them vertically, while Falco must rely on his superior neutral game and edgeguards to keep the match even.

*{{buff|Falco is bigger than Fox, giving him more reach on almost all of his moves; however, this also makes him easier to hit.}}

*{{nerf|Falco has more jump-squat frames than Fox (3 frames → 5 frames); as a result, his jump and [[SHFFL]] are slower.}}

*{{buff|Falco [[jump]]s dramatically higher (31.28 → 51.5) than Fox, going from the 8th lowest out of 26 characters to the highest by far.}}

**{{change|Falco's [[shorthop]] is also higher (10.65 → 11.58) than Fox.}}

*{{buff|Falco is heavier than Fox (75 → 80), allowing him to survive slightly longer, though he is the 6th lightest character in the game.}}

*{{change|Falco has much less [[gravity]] than Fox (0.23 → 0.17).}}

*{{buff|Falco's [[forward tilt]] has a slightly longer duration than Fox's (frame 5-8 → frame 5-9).}}

*{{change|Falco's [[up tilt]] deals overall less damage (12% (foot grounded)/9% (leg & foot aerial) → 9% (consistent)) and knockback (18 base/140 scaling → 30/120) than Fox's. This makes it unable to KO at realistic percentages, but makes it a much more reliable combo tool.}}

**{{buff|Falco's down tilt deals more damage (10% → 13%), making it much stronger than Fox's and a viable KO move at high percents.}}

**{{nerf|Falco's down tilt has less range than Fox's despite the former's attacks mostly having more range, due to his shorter tail.}}

**{{buff|Falco's forward smash deals more damage (15%/12% → 17%/14%) than Fox's, and overall has more knockback (10 base/105 scaling → 40/90), making it stronger.}}

**{{nerf|Falco's forward smash has a slightly shorter duration than Fox's (frame 12-23 → frame 12-22).}}

**{{buff|Falco's up smash has one more [[intangible]] frame on his head (frame 1-10 → frame 1-11).}}

**{{nerf|Falco's up smash deals less damage (18%/13% → 14%/12%) and knockback (30 base/112 scaling → 25 base/100), making it drastically weaker than Fox's. It also has a shorter duration (frame 7-18 → frame 7-16) and more ending lag.}}

***{{buff|However, its weaker knockback makes it a much better combo move.}}

*{{buff|Falco's [[down smash]] deals more damage (15%/13%/12% → 16%/13%) and has more knockback scaling (65 → 70) than Fox's. It also gains more intangibility frames on his legs (frame 6 → frame 1-6).}}

*{{buff|The first four hits of Falco's [[forward aerial]] deal more damage than Fox (7% (hit 1)/5% (hit 2)/6% (hit 3)/4% (hit 4) → 9%/8%/7%/5%), thus, giving it more damage than Fox's if all hits connect (23% → 29%). It can also autocancel in a full hop due to Falco's higher jumping height.}}

**{{buff|The first hit of Falco's up aerial has different knockback properties (134 fixed knockback/120 scaling → 40/30 base/20 scaling), making it overall easier to connect with the second hit than Fox's.}}

**{{nerf|The second hit of Falco's up aerial is weaker (40 base/116 scaling → 22/30 base/120/20 scaling) and deals less damage (first hit 5%/second hit 13%: 18% total → 6%/10: 16% total) overall than Fox's, hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{change|Each hit of Falco's up aerial has different knockback angles (first hit 92°/second hit 85° → 90°/70°/90°).}}

*[[Down aerial]]:

**{{change|Down air only has one strong hit instead of seven weak hits.}}

***{{buff|It has considerably more knockback due to not being set knockback (30 set/100 scaling → 10/20 base/100 scaling), significantly improving its combo and edgeguarding potential.}}

**{{buff|It autocancels slightly earlier (frame 31 → 30).}}

*{{nerf|Falco's [[back throw|back]] and [[down throw]]s are weaker than Fox's in damage and knockback output, with down throw being harder to meteor smash on the edge.}}

**{{buff|However, this considerably increases down throw's combo ability.}}

*{{nerf|Falco's [[up throw]] has less combo potential, with a followup often being dependent on the opponent's directional influence.}}

*[[Blaster (Falco)|Blaster]]:

**{{buff|Falco's Blaster causes [[hitstun]], allowing for better combo setups and better capability at hindering an opponent's approach. It also fires faster when airborne and the lasers cover much more distance.}}

**{{change|Falco's Blaster animation is different. Whereas Fox holds it straight with both hands, Falco holds it sideways with one wing next to his head.}}

**{{buff|Falco's Falco Phantasm propels Falco sooner (frame 20 → frame 16)<ref name="falcofd">[https://smashboards.com/threads/falco-hitboxes-and-frame-data.300397/ Falco Hitboxes and Frame Data]</ref> and possesses meteor smash capabilities.}}

**{{change|Falco Phantasm does not travel as far as Fox Illusion, hindering its recovery potential, but improving its safety near ledges.}}

***{{nerf|Falco Phantasm, however, has significantly more ending lag than Fox Illusion. }}

*[[Fire Bird]]:

**{{buff|Falco's Fire Bird has much more base knockback (60 → 80) than [[Fire Fox]], granting it KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Fire Bird's recovery distance is much shorter, travelling only half the length of Fire Fox. Fire Bird also lacks Fire Fox's charging hitboxes, dealing less damage (25% → 16%) and making edgeguarding Falco much easier, especially with [[meteor smash]]es and [[spike]]s. These changes drastically reduce its recovery potential.}}

**{{change|Fire Bird's animation differs slightly from that of Fire Fox; Falco does not spin during the travelling section of the move, whereas Fox does.}}

*[[Reflector (Falco)|Reflector]]:

**{{change|Falco's Reflector sends opponents straight vertically, making it extremely useful for on-stage combos that can be hard to escape from, unlike Fox's, which instead semi-spikes the opponent, allowing for neutral resets, edgeguards, and guaranteed KO setups.}}

**{{buff|Falco's Reflector deals more damage than Fox's (5% → 8%).}}

**{{nerf|Falco's Reflector has less range than Fox's.}}

 

 

*{{nerf|Down aerial's late hit no longer [[spike]]s opponents, now sending them at the [[Sakurai angle]] (290° → 361°). This significantly hinders its edgeguarding and followup potential.}}

|neutralname=Jab ({{ja|ジャブ|Jabu}}) / Straight ({{ja|ストレート|Sutorēto}}) / Rapid Kick ({{ja|ラピッドキック|Rapiddo Kikku}})

|ftiltname=Bird Kick ({{ja|バードウィップ|Bādo Uippu}}, ''Bird Whip'')

|utiltname=Back Kick ({{ja|フリップキック|Furippu Kikku}}, ''Flip Kick'')

|dtiltname=Bird Sweep ({{ja|テイルカッター|Teiru Kattā}}, ''Tail Cutter'')

|dashname=Jumping Side Kick ({{ja|ジャンプサイドキック|Janpu Saido Kikku}}, ''Jump Side Kick'')

|fsmashname=Roundhouse Kick ({{ja|レッグショット|Reggu Shotto}}, ''Leg Shot'')

|usmashname=Flip Kick ({{ja|サマーソルトキック|Samāsoruto Kikku}}, ''Somersault Kick'')

|usmashdesc=Does a bicycle kick. It is drastically weaker than Fox's up smash, but is a better juggler. However, there are usually better options available for knocking opponents into the air (like an up tilt or a Shine). It can also hit behind Falco, albeit with significantly lower knockback. Falco's head is intangible during the early part of the animation.

|dsmashname=Falco Split ({{ja|グラウンドキック|Guraundo Kikku}}, ''Ground Kick'')

|nairname=Flying Kick ({{ja|ファルコスキック|Faruko Kikku}}, ''Falco Kick'')

|fairname=Cyclone Kick ({{ja|トルネードシャフト|Torunēdo Shafuto}}, ''Tornado Shaft'')

|fairdesc=Kicks forward five times. The move has high duration due to the number of kicks, and it is very difficult to connect all the hits. It also gives Falco quite a short time to react with another jump or recovery. Does incredible damage if all hits connect, much more than Fox's.

|bairname=Reverse Spin Kick ({{ja|リバーススピンキック|Ribāsu Supin Kikku}})

|uairname=Falco Flip ({{ja|テイル＆レッグ|Teiru ando Reggu}}, ''Tail & Leg'')

|dairname=Air Drill ({{ja|エアドリル|Ea Doriru}})

|dairdesc=Spins around in place at a downwards angle while extending one foot. An extremely strong [[spike]] that can set up and follow out of Shine combos and KO characters quickly and efficiently. However, it is of extreme risk to use offstage, due to Falco's poor vertical recovery. Regardless, it is an excellent KO move and is among the most feared attacks in the game, with no [[sourspot]] and the hitbox lasting all of the move (however, in the PAL version of the game, the second half of the move produces weak horizontal knockback). Widely considered to be the best down air in the game due to its quick speed, spike properties, approaching ability, combo ability, amazing power, and good range.

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|pummelname=Knee ({{ja|つかみニーバット|Tsukami Nībatto}}, ''Grab Kneebutt'')

|fthrowname=Elbow Bash ({{ja|スマッシュエルボー|Sumasshu Erubō}}, ''Smash Elbow'')

|bthrowname=Skeet Blaster ({{ja|クローズレンジブラスターＨ|Kurōzu Renji Burasutā Ecchi}}, ''Close Range Blaster H'')

|uthrowname=Star Blaster ({{ja|クローズレンジブラスターＶ|Kurōzu Renji Burasutā Vī}}, ''Close Range Blaster V'')

|uthrowdesc=Tosses opponent upwards, then fires three shots from his Blaster. Excellent for setting up an aerial combo (most particularly an up aerial, back aerial or neutral aerial), but can be DI'd out of at higher percentages.

|dthrowname=Floor Blaster ({{ja|クローズレンジブラスターダウン|Kurōzu Renji Burasutā Daun}}, ''Close Range Blaster Down'')

|nsdesc=Falco fires a laser from his Blaster. Not nearly as fast as Fox's, but is more powerful and makes the opponent flinch. For this reason, it is excellent for stopping approaching opponents, and the lag can be canceled if the move is done during a short hop and Falco fastfalls to the ground (referred to as [[short hop laser]]. Can also stop opponents when they are offstage. If Falco does a short hop laser close to an opponent, they will be stunned momentarily, allowing Falco to get an easy grab or start an aerial combo with an up tilt or a Shine. This attack has [[Priority#transcendent_priority|transcendent priority]]. Considered to either be one of the best or the best projectile in the game and the best neutral special because of its approach and combo ability, as well as strong pressure offstage.

{{Taunt/SSBM|char=Falco|desc=Spins once and crosses one arm while scoffing. In the Japanese version, he speaks one of two phrases: {{ja|俺の獲物に手を出すな！|Ore no emono ni te wo dasu na!}} ("Get your hands off my prey!") or {{ja|逃がすかよ！|Nigasu ka yo!}} ("You're not getting away with this!")|desc-smash=Falco can do a [[Star Fox's Conversations|Star Fox conversation]] that can only be used on [[Corneria]] or [[Venom]] by quickly tapping Down on the [[control pad]] (for one frame). This taunt can only be used once per match.}}

|image-1=Falco Idle Pose Melee 1.gif

|image-2=Falco Idle Pose Melee 2.gif}}

|desc-2=Jumps high into the air and poses on the ground, scoffing. In the Japanese version, he may say either {{ja|逃がすかよ！|Nigasu ka yo!}} ("You're not getting away with this!") or {{ja|敵機撃墜！|Tekki gekitsui!}} ("Enemy plane down!").

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

<!--This character has a fifteen 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:Falco players (SSBM)]]''

*{{Sm|bobby big ballz|USA}} - One of the best Falco players in the US, well-known for his combo videos and extremely flashy style of play. Though he is very inconsistent at major/supermajor tournaments, he has placed 7th at {{Trn|Shine 2022}} and 13th at {{Trn|Riptide}}.

*{{Sm|Bombsoldier|Japan}} - One of the most influential Falcos of all time, known for his match against {{Sm|Ken}} at the [[Jack Garden Tournament]]. He changed the playstyle of top-level Falcos, pioneering the very beginnings of his punish game by discovering pillar combos.

*{{Sm|DaShizWiz|USA}} - Once known as one of the best Falco players in the United States. By the end of the Golden Age, he held some of the highest solo Falco placements at supermajors with 3rd at {{Trn|Revival of Melee}} and 7th at {{Trn|MELEE-FC Diamond}} and still competed to a high level even past that prime, placing 5th at {{Trn|Zenith 2013}} and was ranked 30th on the [[2013 SSBM Player Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Forward|USA}} - Formerly the best Falco player in Arizona, and one of the best in the world during the peak of the Golden Age. Pioneered Falco's punish game further, particularly by extending punishes using platforms and aerial [[Reflector (Falco)|Shine]] combos. By 2007, he made his mark at tournaments such as 5th at {{Trn|Cataclysm 3}} and 7th at {{Trn|MOAST 3}}.

*{{Sm|Ginger|USA}} - The best player in [[Michigan]] and one of the best Falco players in the current metagame. Came to rise around 2017 by being ranked 49th in that [[SSBMRank 2017|year]] and eventually cracked top 25 in the world at 21st on both the [[2019 MPGR]] and [[SSBMRank 2022]]. Popularized the “Ginger nair,” which uses Falco’s {{Mvsub|Falco|SSBM|neutral aerial}} against [[spacie]] [[Fire Fox|up-B’s]] to prevent opponents from [[tech]]ing against the stage.

*{{Sm|Magi|USA}} - One of the best Falco players in the world. She started gaining notoriety in 2019, after being ranked 97th on the [[2018 MPGR]] and for upsetting {{Sm|Mang0}} at {{Trn|GENESIS 6}}. Known for her creative combo game and popularizing Falco’s {{Mvsub|Falco|SSBM|up aerial}} as a combo extender. She became the best Falco player in the world behind Mang0 in 2023, ranking 17th on the [[SSBMRank 2023]].

*{{Sm|PC Chris|USA}} - Once considered one of the best players in the world in the mid 2000s and one of the best [[spacies]] player at the time; won multiple tournaments such as {{Trn|MLG New York Opener 2006}} and {{Trn|MLG Las Vegas 2006}} using Falco to beat {{Sm|Ken}} and {{Sm|Mew2King}} in grand finals at the respective tournaments and notably placed 2nd at {{Trn|MELEE-FC Diamond}} with solely Falco.

*{{Sm|PPMD|USA}} - One of the [[Five Gods]], once considered one of the best players in the world, playing both Falco and {{SSBM|Marth}}. As Falco, he became known for his analytical and effective playstyle, based around using lasers to control opponents in the neutral game, as well as his patience and strong punish game vs. floaty characters. His victory at {{Trn|Pound V}} in 2011 was solo Falco’s first supermajor win.

*{{Sm|Rob$|USA}} - A notable competitor in the MLG era; considered a co-main with {{SSBM|Sheik}}, although his Falco is more well known and comprises of some his best results. He won {{Trn|MLG Houston 2005}} defeating {{Sm|KillaOR}} and showed some of the best Falco results at other tournaments with a 5th at {{Trn|MLG New York 2005}} and 9th at {{Trn|MLG Anaheim 2006}}.

Throughout the ''Melee'' tier lists, Falco has always been in the high/top tiers along with {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Sheik}}, with his lowest position being fifth place. In the beginning of ''Melee''{{'}}s metagame, Falco players had not yet discovered his strong combo potential. As such, they relied only on zoning out the opponent with his [[Blaster]] in the [[neutral game]], while largely ignoring his punish game. While this defensive style of play was reasonably effective and gave Falco the results he needed to stay in the high tiers, Falco was widely considered to be not only inferior to Fox, but to other top tiers such as Sheik and {{SSBM|Marth}} as well, as those characters' metagames were advancing faster than his.

 

However, this perception changed drastically after the [[Jack Garden Tournament]], where players worldwide were introduced to {{Sm|Bombsoldier}} and his extremely aggressive interpretation of what was once considered a purely defensive character. Falco players soon realized that their approach to the character was suboptimal, and began implementing many of Bombsoldier's strategies into their own game. In turn, Falco's results began improving dramatically. New Falco mains, most notably {{Sm|PC Chris}}, soon began pushing him to levels of play exceeding that of even Bombsoldier's. PC Chris was even able to win some of the most prestigious tournaments at the time, proving that Falco had all the tools to succeed and come out on top at the highest level of play.

 

With PC Chris retiring soon after ''Brawl'' was released in 2008, and with the concurrent rise of {{Sm|KoreanDJ}} and {{Sm|Mew2King}} (who both played Fox, among other characters), Falco saw a dip in popularity for a brief period of time. There was noticeable debate over his position at 2nd on the tier list, and he fell to 4th in a 2008 revision. However, his metagame was revitalized by new world class players, such as {{Sm|Mango}}, {{Sm|PPMD}}, {{Sm|Westballz}}, and {{Sm|DaShizWiz}}, who all gave Falco results at the top level once again. Falco players continued to place extremely well, and for some time until 2014, even won more large tournaments than Fox players. This led some players at the time, [http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2014/may/08/if-final-destination-was-only-stage-melee-marth-would-be-best-character-mew2kings-top-5-super-smash-bros-tier-list-pt3/ such as Mew2King], to believe that Falco was a better character than Fox, with the argument that Falco succeeds in notable tournaments more consistently than Fox, while Fox's perceived superiority was based more on potential than performance.

 

However, since then, there have been very few majors, if any, won by a Falco main; Fox players have since taken 1st place in many more majors, even in PAL. This is mainly due to {{Sm|PPMD}}'s hiatus, the rise of Fox mains such as {{Sm|Leffen}}, and more top players electing to pick Fox in high-level tournament matches for his superior matchups against [[floaty]] characters. The Falco counterplay metagame has also advanced considerably, as professionals have greatly improved their [[DI]] and [[powershielding]] skills that make it much harder for Falco players to win the neutral game and combo opponents. As such, Falco is ranked 4th on the thirteenth and current tier list.

==In 1-P Mode==

===[[Congratulations_screen#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|Congratulations Screens]]===

FalcoClassicMode.jpg|Classic Mode

FalcoAdventureMode.jpg|Adventure Mode

FalcoAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star Mode

==[[Trophies]]==

In addition to the normal trophy about Falco as a character, there are two trophies about him as a fighter, unlocked by completing both [[Adventure Mode|Adventure]] and [[All-Star]] modes respectively with Falco on any difficulty:

|name=Falco Lombardi

|image=Falco Trophy Melee.png

|desc=A Star Fox team pilot, Falco's constant air of casual indifference belies his precise piloting skills. He avoids discussion of what he did before joining the team, but many consider it likely that his past was filled with reckless behavior. He's not much for cooperation, but he does respect those more skilled than he is.

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|game1=Star Fox|release1=3/93}}

|name=Falco Lombardi

|image=Falco Trophy (Smash).png

|desc=Where his leader, Fox, has blinding speed, Falco has his own distinct skills and advantages. He has both a higher jump and a longer reach than Fox, and although his Blaster lacks rapid-fire capabilities, it strikes with shocking force. Unlike Fox, Falco can stop enemies in their tracks with his Blaster fire.

|gamelist=:B: Blaster

:Smash B: Falco Phantasm

|game=Melee

{{Trophy/Fighter

|name=Falco Lombardi

|image=Falco Trophy (Smash 2).png

|mode=All Star

|desc=Falco's amazing jumping abilities have many merits, but it's vital to realize that it comes at the cost of some attack power and defensive strength. He falls at a high speed, which disrupts potential attackers, but this also prevents successful recoveries occasionally. Hit an opponent with Reflector, and he or she will fly straight up; this is Falco's quickest attack.

|gamelist=:Up & B: Fire Bird

*Hisao Egawa's voice clips cannot be heard in non-Japanese versions of ''Melee'' without unlocking Falco first. Despite this, his name and voice role still appear in the [[credits]] of the non-Japanese versions.

*Falco, {{SSBM|Mario}}, {{SSBM|Peach}}, {{SSBM|Yoshi}}, {{SSBM|Young Link}}, {{SSBM|Kirby}}, and {{SSBM|Pikachu}} are the only characters whose portraits on the [[character select screen]] match their [[character artwork|official artwork]].

 

 

*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0101/falco.html Falco's page at Smabura-Ken] ([[smashwiki:26TP/Falco|Translation]])

 

[[Category:Falco (SSBM)| ]]

[[Category:Trophies (SSBM)]]

[[es:Falco (SSBM)]]