Editing Falco (SSBU)

'''Falco''' ({{ja|ファルコ|Faruko}}, ''Falco'') is a playable fighter in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. He was officially revealed on June 12th, 2018 alongside fellow ''Star Fox'' fighter {{SSBU|Fox}} and the rest of the returning roster during the [[E3 2018]] Nintendo Direct. Falco is classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #20]].

Mark Lund reprises his role from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' with new voice clips, sounding more akin to his appearances in ''Star Fox Zero'' and ''Starlink: Battle for Atlas''. In the Japanese version, Falco is now voiced by Kōsuke Takaguchi, reprising his role from ''Star Fox 64 3D'' and ''Star Fox Zero'' and who also voiced {{SSBU|Wolf}}, replacing Hisao Egawa from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and ''Smash 4''.

 

 

 

Overall, Falco's drastic improvements has resulted in him seeing significantly better representation in comparison to ''Smash 4''. While the size of his playerbase pales compared to the other ''Star Fox'' fighters, Falco still sees solid results from players such as {{Sm|MASA}}, {{Sm|M0tsunabE}}, and {{Sm|Tilde}}.

With the exception of the third method, Falco must then be defeated on [[Corneria]]. In World of Light, he is fought on the [[Ω form]] of [[Lylat Cruise]].

Falco is a [[weight|lightweight]] character with the highest [[jump]] in the game, a fast [[initial dash]] speed, the 7th highest [[gravity]], the 10th fastest [[walking speed]], the 11th fastest [[falling speed]], the 12th highest [[traction]] and the 9th best [[air acceleration]], but in contrast has average [[dashing]] speed and the 23rd slowest [[air speed]]. This makes his movement somewhat polarizing as he has overall mediocre horizontal movement (especially while airborne), but excels in reaching impressive heights.

Owing to his status as a "talented aerial fighter" with an "amazing jumping ability" and fast falling speed, Falco's greatest strengths lie in his strong combo, juggling, and edgeguarding capabilities; with his aerials being most evident of these traits. Up aerial in particular, is his primary juggling tool, thanks to its quick startup, wide hitbox that can hit opponents on landing, and low overall lag and knockback. These traits make it very effective at starting and extending juggles, and as well as being capable of comboing into itself and other aerials. Additionally, it can KO at high percents near the upper blast line. Neutral aerial has a large, lasting hitbox that covers Falco and is a fast multi-hit, making it a good disruptor and combo extender/finisher. It can also drag opponents downward, allowing it to start combos on stage. Forward aerial has decent horizontal range and is also a lasting multi-hit, allowing it to edgeguard and KO reliably. Like his neutral aerial, it can drag opponents downward as well, potentially leaving offstage opponents in a very vulnerable position. Back aerial is one of the strongest aerials of its kind and can reliably KO even from center-stage. Lastly, down aerial, while nowhere near as notorious as its previous iterations, comes out fast and is a lasting hitbox; with its clean hit being a powerful meteor smash, giving it the ability to start combos onstage and score early KOs against poor recoveries.

Although Falco's ground game appears limited, he has a handful of respectable options at his disposal. Up tilt, in particular is Falco's staple in initiating combos thanks to its very quick startup, large hitboxes, and low ending lag and knockback. It can combo into itself and any of his aerials, and even setup for KO's into back aerial or up aerial at high percents. Down tilt, despite being Falco's most powerful tilt, is also capable of follow-ups into aerials thanks to its sourspots' lower power. Additionally, it covers a good distance in front of himself, allowing him to KO grounded opponents with ease or 2-frame many recoveries. Forward smash has considerable range and respectable KO power, while down smash starts up quickly and sends at a [[semi-spike]] angle, working as another quick KO option and heavily threatening those with poor recoveries. His other moves, although more situational, still have their uses: neutral attack comes out exceedingly quick and its first two hits can [[lock]], forward tilt can be angled and is relatively fast, allowing it to be used as a decent neutral option, and dash attack has a long duration, enabling it to catch dodges and landings, with its clean hit sending at a favorable angle for juggles and its late hit setting up for potential edgeguards.

Complementing Falco's aerials and tilts is his grab game, as shielding too often provides Falco the opportunity to make use of his highly damaging throws. Up throw is highly useful, as much like up tilt, it is an effective combo starter into any of his aerials at all percents and can perform KO setups or even outright KO with its second hit. Down throw combos into forward aerial at low percents and forward, while lacking true combos, is useful for setting up edgeguards and tech-chases. Finally, back throw's first hit is a semi-spike that sets up for Falco's strong edgeguarding game, while its second hit can outright KO at high percents near the ledge.

Considering his versatile moveset, Falco's specials can provide unique benefits. [[Blaster]] is his primary ranged option, with it being an effective disruptor due to its fast projectile and surprisingly low ending lag. Its shots can be used to pressure, provoke or halt approaches, snipe double jumps, or even outright gimp poor recoveries. [[Falco Phantasm]] propels Falco a significant distance very quickly, making it great for horizontal recovery. Its grounded version can start combos at low to mid percents and even set up KOs with back aerial at high percents, while its aerial version can meteor smash careless edgeguarders and even 2-frame low recoveries. [[Fire Bird]] is his primary recovery option and grants respectable distance in any chosen direction. Falco can notably use it in conjuction with [[footstool]] as an [[out of shield]] option; it has damaging hitboxes throughout and can deal up to 40% if all hits connect. Lastly, [[Reflector]] activates on frame 1, making reacting to projectiles less of a liability for Falco; it also has a hitbox which activates slightly later that serves as a decent poking tool.

In spite of Falco's well-balanced strengths, he has numerous weaknesses. His most prominent flaws are his survivability and his inconsistency. Despite being a lightweight, Falco is vulnerable to combos due to his fast falling speed and lack of reliable escape options. Although Falco's recovery grants respectable distance, it is very linear. Falco Phantasm no longer passes through shields, making it far easier to corner him and force him offstage as a result. Without his double jump, Falco is in great danger offstage due to the nerfs to air dodging and his two recovery options each being slow and predictable.

Regarding his moveset, Falco has several moves that do not function properly and can even work against him. Up smash, despite having fast startup and high vertical reach, has large blind spots that often miss outright against many grounded opponents, leaving him extremely vulnerable from behind and against small or crouching opponents (even if they're directly in front of Falco). Plaguing him since ''Smash 4'', both up tilt and up smash are prone to failing to properly connect against aerial opponents. Despite its appearance, neutral aerial has difficulty hitting opponents from behind, and due to changes in the game's engine, the move's looping hits are more prone to missing than they were in the previous installment. While Blaster and Reflector have reduced lag, the former is still unsafe on hit even from a distance, while the latter still has a misleadingly small hitbox and its removed trip chance ironically makes it even more unsafe on hit overall than in ''Smash 4''. Most notoriously, however, are Falco's back and up throws. Due to changes in the game's physics, the laser from both throws are even more susceptible to [[DI]] than before, allowing opponents to survive what otherwise would effortlessly KO.

These aforementioned problems compound Falco's other, more defined weakness of struggling to secure a KO. Like fellow ''Star Fox'' fighters {{SSBU|Fox}} and {{SSBU|Wolf}}, Falco's strongest moves are also his slowest in terms of startup and/or endlag, requiring careful execution in order to avoid heavy punishment. Lastly, Falco's damage output and range have been nerfed from ''Smash 4''. This is especially noteworthy due to most of the cast receiving various buffs not limited to these aspects and the prominence of swordfighters and zoners in ''Ultimate''.

Overall, Falco has the tools that let him defensively pressure his opponent, then effectively capitalize on their errors with his strong combo and edgeguarding capabilities. However, he can struggle keeping up with opponents who can outmaneuver or outrange his options. Although he can score early KOs through a well-executed edgeguard or hard read, Falco must be careful not to let opponents take advantage of his own weaknesses to avoid being combo'd and KO'd early himself.

Falco was previously considered a lackluster character in ''SSB4'', due to the harsh nerfs he received in the previous game as well as gameplay mechanics working adversely towards him. Likely owing to this, Falco has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition to ''Ultimate'', being greatly buffed overall.

Falco's buffs mainly address his weakened tools that affected his previous transition from ''Brawl'' to ''SSB4'', notably to his notoriously nerfed {{b|Blaster|Falco}} and [[down aerial]]; Blaster has faster startup, now fires at the same rate while grounded as it does in the air, and has much lower ending lag, drastically improving one of his staple moves and making it less punishable. Additionally, down aerial is much faster (now being half as fast as in ''Brawl'') and has regained its ability to [[autocancel]] from a short hop. These changes allow both to function as tools for approaching or walling once again, instead of being limited to only [[edgeguarding]] and hard reads. Many of Falco's other moves have been made more usable as well. [[Neutral attack]]'s first two hits can [[lock]], and its infinite portion connects more consistently; [[down tilt]], [[forward smash]] and [[up smash]] deal more damage, while [[forward tilt]] and [[up tilt]] have reduced ending lag (greatly improving their spacing and combo potential, respectively), and [[forward aerial]] starts faster.

Changes to gameplay mechanics have been kind to Falco. His grounded movement is noticeably faster, and the universal 3-frame jumpsquat and reduction to [[landing lag]] improve his strong aerial game, allowing him to easily juggle aerial foes while leaving him less vulnerable when landing; this also makes his short hop combos more effective. The nerfs to air dodging further strengthen his aerial game, allowing him to once again abuse his edgeguarding capabilities. As a result, Falco's [[neutral game]] is more consistent, improving on one of his biggest weaknesses from ''SSB4''.

 

 

In the end, Falco is considered to be much better than his appearance in ''SSB4'', with his key strengths being more threatening than before, and his neutral game has seen noticeable improvements, though at the cost of worse KO ability, recovery and disadvantage. This overall amounts to Falco being a much better character than he was in ''SSB4''.

Falco has been noticeably buffed via game updates. Curiously, he was left totally unchanged throughout several updates until update 7.0.0, which enlarged his shield as part of a near-universal buff. Following this, update 8.0.0 granted Falco a number of noteworthy buffs. His infamous up smash became significantly more consistent, thanks to hitbox and knockback adjustments, and its respectable power was increased even further. Neutral aerial, which was also somewhat notable for being inconsistent, was noticeably improved via hitbox adjustments and its last hit being sped up.

Down tilt's overall lag was decreased and its angle was adjusted; these changes not only improved both its KO and combo potential, but also reduced its susceptibility to DI. Down aerial also became more useful, as its excessive ending lag and landing lag were both decreased. Lastly, [[Falco Phantasm]] was sped up and its hitboxes were improved, which improved its trapping potential and even granted it utility as a set-up option.

Update 13.0.1 buffed Falco one last time. His dash attack deals more damage on both of its hitboxes with compensated knockback, making it KO slightly earlier. And finally, his forward smash now has added hitboxes on frame 17, making it better match the animation and giving it slightly longer hitbox detection.

Overall, Falco fares better than he did at ''Ultimate''{{'}}s launch, and he is now generally seen a lower high tier character.

|neutralname=Wing Chop ({{ja|ウイングチョップ|Uingu Choppu}}) / Reverse Chop ({{ja|リバースチョップ|Ribāsu Choppu}}) / Gyro Cutter ({{ja|ジャイロカッター|Jairo Kattā}}) / Finish Kick ({{ja|フィニッシュキック|Finisshu Kikku}})

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

|ftiltdesc=A roundhouse kick that can be angled both up and down. The angled versions send Falco's leg at very strong angles, being capable of missing medium-sized characters like {{SSBU|Mario}} if aimed up, but being able to hit any grounded character when aimed down. It is fast (frame 6) and has rather low ending lag (17 frames), but will not cause tumbling until around 70%, making it more suited for creating space at lower percents. At higher percents, it can set up a tech-chase situation.

|utiltname=Flap Upper ({{ja|フラップアッパー|Furappu Appā}})

|utiltdesc=Swings his wings up in the air, one after the other. Very fast (frame 5) with wide hitboxes that can hit prone opponents in front, and medium-sized characters from behind. One of Falco's staple moves and his best combo initiator due to its speed, low ending lag, and low knockback, allowing him to follow up with his capable aerial moves. It can combo into itself or neutral aerial at low percents, most aerials at mid percents, and, most notoriously, a reliable KO confirm into back aerial starting potentially as low as 80%, and even as high as 120%. Hit 1 has a sourspot near the end of its hitbox duration that deals 2.7% and has [[set knockback]] with no followups. One of the best up tilts in the game due to its fast startup, low ending lag, combo starting ability, and wide ranged hitboxes.  

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

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

|dashdmg=10.5% (clean), 7.5% (late)

|fsmashname=Wing Edge ({{ja|ウィングエッジ|Uingu Ejji}})

|usmashname=Double Somersault Kick ({{ja|ダブルサマーソルトキック|Daburu Samāsoruto Kikku}})

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

|nairname=Spinning Falco Chop ({{ja|スピニングファルコチョップ|Supiningu Faruko Choppu}})

|fairname=Beak Drill ({{ja|ビークドリル|Bīku Doriru}})

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

|uairname=Reverse Overhead ({{ja|リバースオーバーヘッド|Ribāsu Ōbāheddo}})

|dairname=Corkscrew Meteor ({{ja|メテオスクリュー|Meteo Sukuryū}}, ''Meteor Screw'')

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|grabdesc=Reaches forward with his right wing.

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

|pummeldesc=A knee strike. Average power and speed.

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

|fthrowdesc=Slams the opponent forward with his right arm. Has no true follow-ups at 0%, though it can follow-up with dash attack. At around 40%, it causes opponents to tumble, allowing setups such as a lock from neutral attack or Blaster, or tech chases if the opponent rolls. Otherwise, this throw is mostly used to send opponents offstage.

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

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

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

|dthrowdesc=Lays the opponent on the ground before firing a point-blank Blaster shot. It is an effective combo throw like up throw, though it is more focused on grounded follow-ups. Combos into neutral attack, dash attack, forward tilt, up smash, neutral aerial, forward aerial, Blaster, and [[Falco Phantasm]]. It can also set up for Blaster locks.

|usdesc=Engulfs himself in an aura of [[flame]] before launching himself in a fiery tackle. The trajectory of the move can be chosen before Falco launches himself, with over 40 angles to choose from. After the move ends, Falco becomes helpless. Compared to [[Fire Fox]], Fire Bird travels less distance, deals multiple hits and has almost no KO potential, though it does a high amount of total damage if every hit lands (does a maximum of 33%, being one of the most damaging up specials in the game). It can, therefore, be used as a niche damage-racking option, though the looping hits sometimes have issues keeping the opponent trapped in the move.

*Turns his torso towards the camera (away from it if he is facing left).

SSBUFalcoIdle1.gif|Falco's first idle pose.

SSBUFalcoIdle2.gif|Falco's second idle pose.

*'''Up:''' Jumps high into the air while scoffing, then poses on the ground while forcing a laugh. His ending pose is reminiscent of his artwork in ''Smash 4'', as well as his old [[spot dodge|spot dodging]] animation.

==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:Falco players (SSBU)]]''

*{{Sm|Juice|USA}} - The best Falco player in the early metagame, placing 13th at {{Trn|Shine 2019}} defeating {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}} and 25th at {{Trn|Glitch 7 - Minus World}}. He was also ranked 81st on the [[OrionRank 2019]], the highest-ranking player who primarily played Falco. He dropped Falco in favor of {{SSBU|Roy}} following the pandemic.

*{{Sm|Larry Lurr|USA}} - One of the best Falco players in the United States, playing the character alongside {{SSBU|Wolf}}. Although somewhat inconsistent, he has still placed highly at many events, including winning {{Trn|DreamHack Rotterdam 2022}} using solo-Falco and placing 13th at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2023}} and 17th at {{Trn|Battle of BC 4}} primarily using Falco.

*{{Sm|MASA|Japan}} - One of the best Falco players in the world in the post-online metagame. He is the second Falco player ranked in the top 50, with his highest being 38th on the [[LumiRank 2023]]. He regularly places highly at majors despite some dips, most notably placing 4th at both {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 8}} and {{Trn|Wave 4}} as well as 5th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP Ultimate}}.

*{{Sm|M0tsunabE|Japan}} - The second-best Falco player in Japan in the post-online metagame, especially since mid-2023, where despite inconsistencies he had several notable peaks at majors, including placing 5th at {{Trn|Seibugeki 15}} and 7th at both {{Trn|DELTA 4}} and {{Trn|UltCore}}.

*{{Sm|Tilde|USA}} - One of the best Falco players in the world, and the definitive best in 2021. He is the first Falco player ranked in the top 50, with his highest being 29th on the [[OrionRank Ultimate: Eclipse]]. He notably won {{Trn|Riptide 2022}}, the largest tournament win for a Falco player, and has also performed strongly at majors such as 4th at {{Trn|E-Caribana}} and 7th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con: Fall Fest}}. Although he has since become less active outside his region, he is still considered one of the best Falco players, most notably placing 3rd at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2023}}, the best Falco placement at a major/supermajor.

===Tier placement and history===

Before release, many players immediately took notice of Falco's drastic improvements from the previous game, as the mechanics of the game being greatly in his favor and he received improvements to his combo and neutral games. However, upon release many quickly believed that Falco's buffs seemed "overhyped", and Falco was largely overshadowed by his other fellow Spacies, both of which were considered top tier. Despite this, Falco still found success in the early metagame thanks to players such as {{Sm|Kofi}} and {{Sm|Juice}}. As a result Falco's representation in the metagame still remained around average, and he was widely considered a mid-tier character.

In the post-online metagame, although many of Falco's older players either dropped the character or saw worse results, new Falco players began making their marks on the metagame, most notably {{Sm|MASA}}, {{Sm|M0tsunabE}}, and {{Sm|Tilde}}. These players became known for using Falco's powerful combos and KO confirms to secure strong results at majors. Falco's improving results and representation helped gradually improve the community's perception on him, with some players believing the character has the potential to be high-tier. As it stands, Falco is currently ranked 35th on the current tier list.

|6||Giant {{CharHead|Mr. Game & Watch|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Find Mii]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Game & Watch|Flat Zone}}''||References Mr. Game & Watch's status as a corrupted character in [[The Subspace Emissary]].

|colspan="5"|[[Bonus Stage]]

[[Credits]] roll after completing Classic Mode. Completing it as Falco has ''{{SSBUMusicLink|Star Fox|Main Theme - Star Fox 64 (Brawl)}}'' accompany the credits.

{{clr}}

Falco's fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}}. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Falco has been unlocked. Unlocking Falco in World of Light allows the player to preview the spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. His fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with his artwork in ''Ultimate''.

|{{SpiritTableName|Orville & Wilbur|size=64}}

SSBUWebsiteFalco5.jpg|Attacking {{SSBU|Captain Falcon}} with Falco Phantasm on [[Lylat Cruise]].

SSBUWebsiteDarkPit2.jpg|Falco attacking {{SSBU|Dark Pit}} on [[Spirit Train]].

SSBUWebsite21.jpg|Taunting on Lylat Cruise.

SSBUWebsiteTerry4.jpg|{{SSBU|Terry}} using [[Power Geyser]] on {{SSBU|Link}} and {{SSBU|Villager}} on [[King of Fighters Stadium]].

===Fighter Showcase Video===

*One of the pictures of Falco from [https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/fighter/20.html his fighter page] on the ''Ultimate'' website features him using [[Fire Bird]] above the [[Great Plateau Tower]]. This is a likely homage to {{s|zeldawiki|Revali}}, a similar-looking character from ''{{s|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild}}''. Falco also represents Revali in his Spirit battle.

*The afterimages of Falco's [[Falco Phantasm]] still use his model from ''SSB4'' rather than his ''Ultimate'' model. This is shared with Fox's [[Fox Illusion]].

*Falco's zipper will sometimes detach from his jacket on certain animations such as hanging on an edge. This also happens with {{SSBU|Wolf}}.<ref>[https://imgur.com/fCU3NvX]</ref>

*Falco, {{SSBU|Peach}}, {{SSBU|Zelda}}, {{SSBU|Olimar}}, {{SSBU|Duck Hunt}} and {{SSBU|Dark Pit}} are the only fighters to appear as allies in spirit battles.

*Falco's Classic Mode route is vaguely similar to {{SSBU|Ken}}'s, as both of their routes fight "dark" forms/rivals of main characters as opponents, and both of their routes have the same opponents in some rounds.

**Falco and Ken are the only two fighters to face [[Crazy Hand]] by himself as their final boss in Classic Mode under Intensity 7.0.