Editing Ken (SSBU)
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However, Ken shares nearly the same amount of weaknesses as Ryu, being fairly easy to combo reliably and easily edgeguarded if one reads his linear recovery route. In addition, unlike Ryu, Ken is vulnerable to some of his moves being able to be escaped via SDI, such as his Shoryuken and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, allowing his opponent to punish him for landing those moves. Finally, Ken is forced to approach in a lot of matchups with his limited amount of approach options, making him linear overall. | However, Ken shares nearly the same amount of weaknesses as Ryu, being fairly easy to combo reliably and easily edgeguarded if one reads his linear recovery route. In addition, unlike Ryu, Ken is vulnerable to some of his moves being able to be escaped via SDI, such as his Shoryuken and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, allowing his opponent to punish him for landing those moves. Finally, Ken is forced to approach in a lot of matchups with his limited amount of approach options, making him linear overall. | ||
Overall, Ken is seen as a capable and viable fighter in the right hands with his strong advantage state and combo ability, and players can choose to play either Ken or Ryu, depending on the matchup or mood. For example, if the matchup requires an aggressive game plan, then Ken is the optimal choice. | Overall, Ken is seen as a capable and viable fighter in the right hands with his strong advantage state and combo ability, and players can choose to play either Ken or Ryu, depending on the matchup or mood. For example, if the matchup requires an aggressive game plan, then Ken is the optimal choice, and vice versa. Ken has seen solid results and decent representation from players, such as {{Sm|Takera}} and {{Sm|Jahzz0}}, to name a few. | ||
==How to unlock== | ==How to unlock== | ||
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Overall, Ken is a combo-oriented fighter with a fearsome offensive potential, as his unique mechanics deliberately give him access to powerful true combos essential to the competitive success of most characters; his ability to trap opponents in hitstun or shield pressure, multiple options for escaping or negating combos, and dependable recovery all make Ken very rewarding and unpredictable. However, his polarized movement, mediocre vertical recovery, and lacking approach make him difficult to play optimally. His high learning curve in particular is perhaps his biggest issue; much practice is generally required for his input specials to use them reliably and consistently, rather than accidentally inputting the wrong move. | Overall, Ken is a combo-oriented fighter with a fearsome offensive potential, as his unique mechanics deliberately give him access to powerful true combos essential to the competitive success of most characters; his ability to trap opponents in hitstun or shield pressure, multiple options for escaping or negating combos, and dependable recovery all make Ken very rewarding and unpredictable. However, his polarized movement, mediocre vertical recovery, and lacking approach make him difficult to play optimally. His high learning curve in particular is perhaps his biggest issue; much practice is generally required for his input specials to use them reliably and consistently, rather than accidentally inputting the wrong move. | ||
In spite of his weaknesses and high learning curve, Ken's results and representation are more notable than Ryu's. Some players choose to utilize both accordingly to play to the other's strengths, whether it be reliable damage and zoning or massive combo opportunities and options. | |||
==Differences from {{SSBU|Ryu}}== | ==Differences from {{SSBU|Ryu}}== | ||
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**{{nerf|The grounded version does not grant intangibility to Ken's attacking leg.}} | **{{nerf|The grounded version does not grant intangibility to Ken's attacking leg.}} | ||
**{{nerf|The grounded version (both command input and normal input) travels a shorter distance than Ryu’s (5-9 training stage blocks depending on charge → 4-7) however the aerial version travels the same distance.}} | **{{nerf|The grounded version (both command input and normal input) travels a shorter distance than Ryu’s (5-9 training stage blocks depending on charge → 4-7) however the aerial version travels the same distance.}} | ||
*[[Shoryuken]]: | *[[Shoryuken]]: | ||
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|dairdesc=A downward-angled cross. Against aerial opponents, the sweetspot on Ken's fist is a [[meteor smash]] that launches opponents at a rather diagonal angle, akin to a [[spike]]. It can be special-canceled. | |dairdesc=A downward-angled cross. Against aerial opponents, the sweetspot on Ken's fist is a [[meteor smash]] that launches opponents at a rather diagonal angle, akin to a [[spike]]. It can be special-canceled. | ||
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}}) | |grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}}) | ||
|grabdesc=Reaches out | |grabdesc=Reaches out with his hand. | ||
|pummelname=Hizageri{{ref|h}} ({{ja|ひざ蹴り|Hizageri}}) | |pummelname=Hizageri{{ref|h}} ({{ja|ひざ蹴り|Hizageri}}) | ||
|pummeldmg=1.3% | |pummeldmg=1.3% | ||
|pummeldesc=A knee strike while holding the opponent in the {{s|wikipedia|collar-and-elbow}} position | |pummeldesc=A knee strike while holding the opponent in the {{s|wikipedia|collar-and-elbow}} position. It is based on his Tsukami Hizageri ({{ja|つかみ膝蹴り|Tsukami Hizageri}}, "Grasping Knee Kick") throw in the ''Street Fighter Alpha/Zero'' games. | ||
|fthrowname=Seoi Throw ({{ja|背負い投げ|Seoi Nage}}) | |fthrowname=Seoi Throw ({{ja|背負い投げ|Seoi Nage}}) | ||
|fthrowdmg=9% | |fthrowdmg=9% | ||
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==In [[competitive play]]== | ==In [[competitive play]]== | ||
===Tier placement and history=== | |||
In the early stages of ''Ultimate'', Ken and his original fighter {{SSBU|Ryu}} barely had any representation. This was due to their high technical learning curve thanks to their fighting style inputs, and problems with approaching due to their mobilities and issues against projectiles. Due to the perception of Ryu at the time being lackluster from the nerfs he received from ''Smash 4'', Ken was viewed more positively as he had access to his input kicks and slightly better mobility, though he was nonetheless perceived as a mid-tier at the time. | |||
Patches slowly improved the perceptions of both Ryu and Ken, with most of their current buffs being shared between them. Patch 3.1.0. granted Ken some noteworthy buffs to encourage his close-quarters fighting style, with his held jab being retooled into an excellent combo starter, and giving more leeway for him to input special moves from many of his attacks. Ken's buffs widened the gap between his counterpart Ryu and significantly improved his perception in the metagame in comparison to him, as they granted Ken a newfound, formidable combo/damage racking ability that could end stocks from a single string of attacks. As a result, Ken gained more representation and was seen as a high tier character. | |||
Following that, patch 7.0.0. gave Ken even more buffs, with Tatsumaki Senpukyaku having intangibility on the legs and being able to cancel down smash into any special. Considering Ken's already high perception, this further improved him in the eyes of professionals, and he is often considered a dark horse candidate for a top tier or upper high tier. As with previous patches, Ken was commonly considered significantly better than Ryu due to his access to better mobility, a wider array of combos, a useful Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (which could initiate combos) and a feared KO tool in Shoryuken, which could KO as early as 90% and was easy to combo into. As a result of this, Ken has consistently been granted widespread representation from professionals especially when compared to Ryu, with players such as {{Sm|Riddles}}, {{Sm|Nito}}, {{Sm|Venom}}, {{Sm|Sandstorm}}, and {{Sm|takera}} earning good results with the character. More recently, however, his standing relative to Ryu has become more debatable, following metagame developments and buffs exclusive to Ryu coming in update 13.0.1; many Ken players have since picked up Ryu as a co-main and rank both fighters very close. Regardless, Ken remains a solid high-tier character in the eyes of most professionals, ranked 34th on the first and tier list and later dropped to 45th on the second and current tier list. | |||
===Most historically significant players=== | ===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 --> | <!--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 --> | ||
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''See also: [[:Category:Ken players (SSBU)]]'' | ''See also: [[:Category:Ken players (SSBU)]]'' | ||
*{{Sm|AndresFn|Spain}} - | *{{Sm|AndresFn|Spain}} - The best Ken player in Europe. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Glory 2.0}}, 5th at {{Trn|Temple: Hermès Edition}}, and 13th at {{Trn|VCA 2021}}, {{Trn|Ultimate WANTED 4}}, and {{Trn|Tech Republic VI}}. Ranked 14th on the [[PGRU v3 EU]]. | ||
*{{Sm|Jahzz0|USA}} - | *{{Sm|Jahzz0|USA}} - One of the best Ken players in the world. Placed 5th at {{Trn|DreamHack Atlanta 2022}}, 17th at both {{Trn|CEO 2022}} and {{Trn|Double Down 2022}}, 25th at {{Trn|MomoCon 2022}}, and 33rd at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2022}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Glutonny}}, {{Sm|Riddles}} and {{Sm|Zomba}}. | ||
*{{Sm| | *{{Sm|Maeda|France}} - The best Ken player in France. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Salty Arena Cup Ultimate 5}}, 2nd at {{Trn|4 Seasons Tournament: Winter 2020}}, 4th at {{Trn|European SEL Clash}}, and 33rd at {{Trn|Syndicate 2019}} with wins over {{Sm|Glutonny}}, {{Sm|Jeda}}, and, {{Sm|Otakuni}}. Ranked 45th on the [[European Smash Rankings]]. | ||
*{{Sm| | *{{Sm|takera|Japan}} - One of the best Ken players in the world and the best Ken player in the world in the late 2023. Placed 5th at {{Trn|EGS Cup 3}}, 7th at both {{Trn|Sumabato SP 11}} and {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 1}}, 13th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 10}}, and 25th at {{Trn|EVO Japan 2020}}. Ranked 60th on the [[Japan Player Rankings]]. | ||
*{{Sm|Vendetta|USA}} - One of the best Ken players in the United States. Placed 4th at {{Trn|Clash Of The Carolinas III}}, 5th at {{Trn|Dare 2 Dair}}, 7th at {{Trn|Glitch - Infinite}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|MomoCon 2022}} and {{Trn|DreamHack Atlanta 2022}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}}, {{Sm|Kola}}, and {{Sm|Anathema}}. Online, placed 1st at {{Trn|SWT: NA Southeast Ultimate Online Qualifier}} while defeating {{Sm|ESAM}}. Ranked as high as 5th on the [[Georgia Power Rankings]]. | |||
*{{Sm|Venom|Canada}} - The best Ken player in Canada. Placed 1st at {{Trn|LAN ETS 2020}}, 9th at both {{Trn|Rising Stars at EGLX 2019}} and {{Trn|DreamHack Montreal 2019}}, 17th at {{Trn|Defend the North 2019}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2022}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Armadillo}}, {{Sm|SuperGirlKels}}, and {{Sm|JW}}. | |||
=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Red-Hot Rivalry== | =={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Red-Hot Rivalry== | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*Ken's pose in his official artwork is much like the pose in his ''Street Fighter III'' artwork. | *Ken's pose in his official artwork is much like the pose in his ''Street Fighter III'' artwork. | ||
**It also resembles {{SSB4|Ryu}}'s pose in his ''Smash 4'' artwork, only mirrored. | **It also resembles {{SSB4|Ryu}}'s pose in his ''Smash 4'' artwork, only mirrored. |