Editing Lucario (SSBU)

REMINDER: Our Manual of Style states that all Pokémon are to use gender-neutral pronouns.

'''Lucario''' ({{ja|ルカリオ|Rukario}}, ''Lucario'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. It was confirmed as a playable character on June 12th, 2018. As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', it is [[unlockable character|unlockable]], instead of being available from the [[starter character|start]]. Lucario is classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #41]].

Lucario is once again voiced in different languages provided by different voice actors, with their respective portrayals of Lucario from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' being repurposed for ''Ultimate''. The voice actors are as follows:

*{{s|wikipedia|Sean Schemmel}} in English

*{{s|wikipedia|Daisuke Namikawa}} in Japanese

*Jean-Marc Delhausse in French

*Carlos Lobo in Spanish

*Gerhard Jilka in German  

*Luigi Fantino in Italian

 

Lucario is ranked 57th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the C+ tier. This is a significant drop from its 17th out of 54 placement in ''SSB4'' and is its worst placement in the series.

*Clear {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} with {{SSBU|Yoshi}} or anyone in his unlock tree, being the 1st character unlocked.

Lucario must then be defeated on [[Spear Pillar]] (the [[Ω form]] is used in World of Light).

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In terms of physical attributes, Lucario is a [[weight|middleweight]] fighter (same weight as {{SSBU|Ice Climbers}}, {{SSBU|Mythra}}, {{SSBU|Steve}}, {{SSBU|Wolf}}, and {{SSBU|Villager}}, making it on the lower end of middleweights) with average height, a below-average walking speed and an average running speed, a very fast initial dash (tied for 5th fastest with {{SSBU|Bowser}}, {{SSBU|Mewtwo}}, {{SSBU|Marth}}, and {{SSBU|Lucina}}), above-average [[traction]], very high [[air speed]] (6th fastest in this category), above-average [[air acceleration]] and [[falling speed]], and below-average gravity; Lucario can also [[crawl]], [[wall jump]], and [[wall cling]]. These traits make Lucario a somewhat floaty character who can maintain aerial presence for a long time, be it onstage or offstage, while also having decent mobility and control on the ground due to its fast dashing speed and above-average traction; collectively, Lucario's overall mobility meanders between average and above-average.

Lucario's most notable strength comes from its unique fighter ability, [[Aura]], in which damage and knockback multipliers are applied to all of its attacks depending on how much damage Lucario has taken, with the multipliers being directly proportional to its percent; the multiplier is x0.66 at 0%, increases to x1.0 (base power) at 65%, and caps out at 190% with a multiplier of x1.67. Aura multipliers are also affected by differences in [[stock]]s, with it increasing when Lucario is behind in stocks and decreasing when it is ahead. Additionally, Aura also affects the properties of its special moves; as Aura increases, the size of Aura Sphere becomes larger when charging and when fired, the blast from [[Force Palm]] has greater range, and [[Extreme Speed]] travels a greater distance. In turn, this ability can allow Lucario to rack up large amounts of damage and kill at very early percents when it has taken a lot of damage, making it useful as a comeback mechanic when Lucario is falling behind. It should be noted that Aura also stacks with [[rage]], further augmenting the increased knockback of Lucario's moves at very high percents, though to a lesser extent than in the previous game.

In terms of its grounded moveset, while its [[neutral attack]] has little to no use due to having low damage output relative to its speed, dealing only 9% at base power despite coming out at frame 5 (for reference, faster jabs such as {{SSBU|Mario}}'s come out frame 2 and deal 8% while slower jabs such as {{SSBU|Bayonetta}}'s come out frame 9 and deal 21%) its other grounded moves have some utility; [[forward tilt]] has its use as a [[spacing]] tool due its ability to be angled and kills middleweights at 145% on the edge of {{SSBU|Final Destination}} at base power, [[up tilt]] is a combo starter that can combo into itself at low percents and into [[neutral aerial]], [[forward aerial]], and [[up aerial]] at mid percents, [[down tilt]] can combo into [[dash attack]] and forward aerial at mid percents while also having its use as a spacing tool, and dash attack, while not being very useful for killing, is a decent burst option due to it coming out fast as well as because of its fast initial dash.

Its [[smash attack]]s also have their uses as disjointed kill options. [[Up smash]] has its use as an anti-air that kills middleweights at 105% at base power and it can also hit grounded opponents up close with its initial scooping hitbox, making it a situational out of shield option against laggy moves. [[Down smash]] covers Lucario from both sides and kills middleweights at 115% from center stage at base power. [[Forward smash]] has the greatest amount of kill power and horizontal range out of its smash attacks, being able to kill middleweights at 90% from center stage at base power while also having the potential to be safe on shield if spaced well. Its [[grab]] game also has utility. [[Up throw]] and [[down throw]] can be used as combo starters, with the former being able to combo into forward aerial at low percents and neutral aerial at mid percents (as well as up aerial on bigger characters), while the latter can combo into forward aerial at low percents (with down throw > forward air > forward air > up air being its most damaging combo at low percents). [[Forward throw]] and [[back throw]] don't have much use outside of being positional throws, though the latter can have a situational use as a late kill throw.

Lucario's aerial moveset also has good utility. Neutral aerial hits twice, covers Lucario from both sides and has a good amount of active frames, making it a useful [[edgeguarding]] tool that compliments its ability to maintain aerial presence. It can also combo into up tilt, down tilt, and dash attack at low and mid percents when [[SHFF]]'d. Forward aerial is fast and can combo into itself when SHFF'd, up aerial and back aerial are vertical and horizontal kill options, with the former killing middleweights at 110% at base power near the top blast zone and having situational combo potential into itself and neutral aerial when SHFF'd, and the latter kills at 115% from base power at center stage while also being slightly disjointed. Down aerial is also unique in its uses; it is its fastest aerial at frame 4, allowing it to be an out of shield option, it stalls its movements which allows it to mix up its [[disadvantage]] and edgeguarding, and it has its use as a kill option, killing middleweights at 135% from the edge of Final Destination at base power.

Lucario's [[special move]]set sports great versatility as well. [[Aura Sphere]] is useful as a projectile and as a kill option, with a fully charged one killing middleweights at 150% from center stage at base power. In addition, the move also maintains a hitbox behind Lucario as it is being charged, giving it use as an approach mixup and sometimes as a situational kill confirm into back aerial. [[Force Palm]] is unique in the fact that it functions as a ranged blast from a distance and as a command grab at point blank range, giving it use as an out of shield option and a kill option, as it kills middleweights at 140% at base power from center stage. [[Extreme Speed]], being its primary recovery option, travels a good distance and has a hitbox that enables it to be used as a mixup for onstage recoveries. Finally, [[Double Team]] is a [[counterattack|counter]] that has greater utility than conventional counters; the distance the move covers allows Lucario to punish the opponent when countering a projectile, and the fact that the strength of the counter is based on Aura as opposed to the strength of the countered move allows it to kill middleweights at 115% at base power regardless of the move being countered.

All in all, these traits give Lucario a decent neutral game with Aura Sphere, good advantage state, edgeguarding capabilities, and a decent disadvantage state with its fast air mobility and two specials that can be B-reversed and versatile special moves, as outside of Mewtwo, Lucario is the only character that has both a chargeable projectile that can be stored and a command grab in their special moveset, not to mention that Lucario is the only character who has a projectile that has a hitbox during its charging animation as well as a move that functions as both a command grab and a ranged attack with Force Palm. In addition, Aura gives Lucario the potential to take early stocks and to comeback from percent and stock deficits.

However, Lucario also has notable flaws. Ironically, a lot of its flaws come from its most notable strength, Aura, as the fluctuating nature of the ability makes it inconsistent in a few ways. One thing Aura makes inconsistent is how Lucario is rewarded for winning neutral; because Aura has a x0.66 multiplier, this means that Lucario starts off the match and fresh stocks as a character with extremely poor damage output, meaning that it will have to win neutral many times and/or maintain advantage really well just to rack up decent damage with little to no Aura all while the opponent can have an easier time closing those percent deficits due to not being burdened with a damage reducing multiplier. In addition to having the issue of being burdened by low Aura, it is also difficult for Lucario to make the most out of high Aura because Lucario's average weight makes it very unlikely for it to be alive at very high percents, much less at 190% for him to use the highest Aura multiplier of x1.67, and then losing a stock only becomes even worse because it puts Lucario back to being burdened by the x0.66 multiplier; this essentially means that Lucario is only at its strongest state when it is also at its most vulnerable state. Aura's inconsistency not only affects the consistency in which it can rack up damage, but also the consistency at which it can kill; the kill percents mentioned earlier are at base power when Lucario has already taken at least 65%, meaning that those kill percents are far higher when its Aura is lower, and while it can also kill at far lower percents with high Aura, the consistency of that is also hindered by its average weight. Another thing that Aura makes inconsistent is its combo game; while other characters have their bread and butter combos and kill confirms at certain percent ranges, Lucario's combos and confirms are far less consistent because the knockback of moves will keep fluctuating as Aura increases, making it so those combos at low and mid percents won't always land due to Aura giving moves too much knockback.

Outside of Aura's inconsistencies, another flaw Lucario has revolves around its frame data, as while it isn't as slow as characters like {{SSBU|Ganondorf}} and {{SSBU|King K. Rool}}, it is still somewhat sluggish; its jab (frame 5) and forward tilt (frame 12) are slow relative to other jabs and forward tilts while also having poor damage output and/or kill power unless it is at high Aura, all of its smash attacks come out at frame 15 or slower, and all of its aerials barring forward aerial and down aerial come out at frame 10 or slower, with such issues making its already inconsistent kill power even more inconsistent on top of the fact that its throws outside of Force Palm have very little kill power unless it is at high Aura. Its poor frame data also hinders its ability to approach, which is also worsened by its somewhat floaty nature.

Finally, Lucario's special moveset, despite being versatile, doesn't come without its flaws, as Force Palm has hitbox issues that cause the command grab to not be triggered when at close range, and Double Team can put Lucario deeper in disadvantage if used hastily. However, the most glaring flaw with its special moveset is its recovery; while Extreme Speed travels fast and covers good distance, the fact that it has 46 frames of startup makes it vulnerable to edgeguarding. Additionally, the move is also inconsistent due to not always grabbing the ledge as well as the fact that the speed and distance change with Aura, making it possible to overshoot its recovery and self destruct.

Overall, Lucario is a very high risk, high reward character. Essentially being most powerful when most vulnerable, players need to know when to play recklessly and when to play carefully. Either kill sooner and get killed sooner, or kill later and get killed later. Despite the strengths it has in its special moveset and in its aerial and offstage game as well as the potential to secure early stocks and comebacks with high Aura, the potency of these strengths are complicated by Aura's many inconsistencies and its damage reducing multiplier when at percents less than 65%. On top of that, its below-average frame data and floaty nature makes its approaches inconsistent and its recovery is exploitable due to its long start-up.

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==

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Lucario has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition from ''SSB4'' to ''Ultimate''. While it was immensely nerfed overall at launch due to a combination of its most powerful attributes, character mechanics and some of the universal changes to gameplay being detrimental to it, game updates have given Lucario various buffs to help compensate. Regardless, Lucario is still considered to be significantly nerfed overall.

Lucario's biggest nerfs come from its character attributes and changes to the game's engine. Its [[Aura]] multiplier is slightly lower than in ''SSB4'', reducing its effectiveness even while accounting for the newly introduced [[1v1 multiplier]]. The weakening of [[rage]] also hinders Lucario, due to the mechanic stacking with Lucario's Aura; and its [[weight]] is now lighter, disallowing Lucario to take advantage of rage and Aura combined as much as before. Furthermore, the changes in [[knockback]] physics and [[air dodging]] has had the overall effect of limiting or even outright removing some of Lucario's previously guaranteed throw combos, which were some of the only reliable ways for it to add damage. Its grabs were also nerfed, and while this is a nerf shared with the cast, Lucario's own grabs are also slower, while possessing similar ending lag to characters like {{SSBU|Zelda}}. All in all, Lucario is noticeably less powerful at higher percentages, and it's harder for it to rack up damage conventionally.

Some of Lucario's most reliable moves are also less effective. [[Aura Sphere]] can no longer be grab-canceled, and it deals less hitlag, almost completely eliminating the charge combos the move was capable of. [[Down aerial]] halts Lucario's momentum less if used repeteadly, making it a less effective stalling tool. [[Extreme Speed]]'s controls have been modified to the point where holding down the control stick can accidentally lead to self-destruction, and the move itself covers less distance overall and stops its momentum at the end, worsening Lucario's recovery at lower percentages (though it remains outstanding at high percentages). [[Double Team]] has a drastically shorter duration and intangibility, making it significantly easier to punish Lucario for mistiming the move. Finally, [[back aerial]] is weaker and has a sourspot that lingers, as opposed to the full move dealing even damage.

However, Lucario did receive some buffs. Many of its attacks in general are faster, notably its [[neutral attack]], [[forward smash]], and [[forward aerial|forward]] and back aerials. Other moves have also gained more utility such as [[neutral aerial]] now being able to connect into its late hit and having larger hitboxes and [[dash attack]] having a stronger, easy to land sweetspot. Its [[special move]]s have also been collectively improved; [[Aura Sphere]] can now be cancelled into a jump or any ground attack during a charge, allowing for mixup options, [[Force Palm]] has more range, Extreme Speed has less ending and landing lag which significantly improves its safety, and [[Double Team]] can now home in on opponents and is much faster overall.

Lucario also benefits from a few of the gameplay mechanic changes. Its overall mobility has been greatly improved due to faster horizontal movement, while the universal 3-frame [[jumpsquat]] further improves Lucario's ability to traverse the stage. The universal reductions to landing lag have also benefitted Lucario's safety on shield to the point that, at high levels of Aura, its aerials become among the safest in the game (with neutral aerial's clean hit in particular having the potential to be neutral on shield). Lastly, the introduction of the 1v1 multiplier is an overall benefit to Lucario, granting its attacks a far higher damage output than ever before, especially at medium to high levels of Aura.

In the end, Lucario's gameplan is much worse as a result of the nerfs to its attributes, its higher frailty, and the revamped gameplay mechanics; and its few reliable options for racking up damage are less effective, especially after an early game update. Despite Lucario's subsequent buffs from game updates, they do not properly compensate for the numerous nerfs it has received, and this is further pronounced by the numerous buffs other returning veterans have received, as well as the introduction of various powerful DLC characters that perform better than Lucario does, with a few of them proving difficult for it to overcome. As a result, Lucario fares much worse in ''Ultimate'' than in ''SSB4'', and is one of the most nerfed characters in the transition.

{{SSB4 to SSBU changelist|char=Lucario}}

Lucario received a significant nerf in update 2.0.0 with [[Aura Sphere]] having noticeably less hitlag, leading to significantly less combo potential. Aura Sphere also now deals less shield damage as a result of update 3.0.0. Since then, however, Lucario was buffed via game updates, with the most changes coming from update 3.1.0.

Said update brought plentiful buffs to its normals, aerials, and Aura Sphere by lowering ending lag, range, and knockback. As a result of this update, Lucario was made much more consistent and effective. Update 7.0.0 made Lucario's shield bigger as part of a near-universal buff. Update 9.0.0 gave Lucario a considerable buff to its Aura, as now the multiplier is slightly higher when it and the opponent has tied stocks. This change nearly brings it back to its max multiplier in ''Smash 4'' (which was 1.7x). In addition, the first hit of its neutral attack and its down smash was given less startup and ending lag, forward tilt was buffed to be more consistent by altering the knockback and angle, and finally, Force Palm was given slightly more knockback, and Extreme Speed has less landing lag. An undocumented change in update 12.0.0 fixed one of the major flaws that plagued Force Palm. If Lucario used Force Palm out of a dash, the opponent would sometimes get pushed too far, making the grabbox not land correctly. Update 12.0.0 fixed this issue, and now grabbing with Force Palm is much more consistent.

Update 13.0.0 buffed Lucario for one final time. Its dash attack's sweetspot now lasts one more frame and has more range. The second hit of forward tilt was given more knockback, and down tilt was given less startup and ending lag.

Overall, when compared to how it fared at launch, Lucario is now seen as a much more viable character in ''Ultimate'''s metagame.  

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/2.0.0|char=Lucario}}

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/3.0.0|char=Lucario}}

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/3.1.0|char=Lucario}}

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|6.0.0}}'''

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/6.0.0|char=Lucario}}

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|7.0.0}}'''

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/7.0.0|char=Lucario}}

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|9.0.0}}'''

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/9.0.0|char=Lucario}}

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|12.0.0}}'''

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/12.0.0|char=Lucario}}

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|13.0.0}}'''

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/13.0.0|char=Lucario}}

** Lucario's Aura effects also change in regard to place. When at a -1 placing, Lucario's Aura gains a multiplier of 1.125×.

[[File:Lucario SSBU Skill Preview Extra 1.png|thumb|Lucario using a fully charged [[Aura Sphere]] with maximum strength [[Aura]], as shown via [[Move List]].]]

{{cquote|''As Aura's power increases, your attack power increases as well. The more unfavorable the match is for you, the more power you gain.''

<br>''Aura's Power increases''

<br>• ''When you have fewer KOs than opponents''

<br>• ''The more you've been KO'd''

<br>• ''As your damage increases''

<br>• ''As your HP decreases in Stamina Mode''

<br>''Aura Sphere will get bigger, and the speed and power of it will increase. You can also leap higher and quicker when using Extreme Speed.''

 

|neutralname=Sweep ({{ja|はらい|Harai}}) / Thrust ({{ja|つき|Tsuki}}) / Kick Up ({{ja|けりあげ|Keri Age}})

|neutraldesc=The kham choui{{ref|a}} (a downward sweeping punch in {{s|wikipedia|Shaolin Kung Fu}}), followed by the choong choui{{ref|b}} (a jab-style punch in Shaolin Kung Fu), followed by a stretch kick. Doesn’t KO  until very high percent even with maximum aura.

|ftiltname=Palm Strike ({{ja|はどうさい|Shōda}})

|utiltname=Turning Kick ({{ja|せんかいしゅう|Senkai Shū}})

|dtiltname=Leg Sweep ({{ja|あしばらい|Ashi Barai}})

|dashname=Jump Kick ({{ja|とびげり|Tobi Geri}}, ''Dropkick'')

|fsmashname=Aura Strike ({{ja|はどうげき|Hadōgeki}})

|fsmashdesc=A double palm thrust, which emits a burst of Aura. When at max aura, it is extremely powerful; it is one of the strongest smash attacks in the game overall, as it has the potential to one-hit KO almost every fighter in the roster when at maximum aura. However, its noticeable startup and ending lag makes it punishable. It KOs at 55% at base aura.

|usmashname=Aura Palm ({{ja|はどうしょう|Hadōshō}})

|usmashdesc=A modified version of the long choui{{ref|d}} (an uppercut-styled punch in Shaolin Kung Fu), while emitting a blast of Aura. Hits twice. One of the strongest up smashes in the game, and the second  most damaging smash attack in the game when at max aura (behind Hero's forward smash with a critical hit).

|dsmashname=Aura Split ({{ja|はどうさい|Hadōsai}})

|nairname=Spiral Fist ({{ja|せんくうけん|Senkūken}})

|fairname=Airstrike ({{ja|くうしゅうきゃく|Kū Shū Kyaku}})

|bairname=Twist Thrust ({{ja|ひねりつき|Hineri Tsuki}})

|uairname=Vertical Kick  ({{ja|ちょくじょうしゅう|Chokujo Shū}})

|uairdesc= A high front kick with a delayed backflip at the end. Extremely powerful at max aura, capable of KOing at around 80% even at ground level. Outside of that, it makes for a good juggling tool. Its late hit can act as a potential KO setup into its sweetspot on landing.

|dairname=Rapid Kicks ({{ja|ちょくじょうしゅう|Rentō Kyaku}})

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|grabdesc=Reaches out with its left hand.

|pummelname=Grab Surge ({{ja|つかみはどう|Tsukami Hadō}})

|pummeldesc=A surge of Aura. Its power scales with Aura, though it retains average speed at all levels of Aura.

|fthrowname=Single Hit ({{ja|たんだ|Tanda}})

|fthrowdesc=Shoves the opponent away with a palm strike. A very fast throw, along with being one of the strongest forward throws in the game at max aura. It starts KOing at 105% at max aura.

|bthrowname=Body Drop ({{ja|たいおとし|Tai Otoshi}})

|uthrowname=Thrust Up ({{ja|おしあげ|Oshi Age}})

|uthrowdesc=The pao choui{{ref|g}} (an uppercut-styled punch in Shaolin Kung Fu). One of Lucario's best combo starters, as it can follow up with a neutral aerial, forward aerial, and an up aerial or back aerial as a 50/50 KO setup. With maximum aura and rage stacked it KOs at 99% at the top platform of {{SSBU|Battlefield}}.

|dthrowname=Slam ({{ja|たたきつけ|Tatakitsuke}})

|dthrowdesc=Holds the opponent over its head and then slams them into the ground. Can combo into a forward aerial, a neutral aerial or an up aerial at low percentages, although its timing is very strict.

|nsdesc=A chargeable, condensed sphere of {{s|bulbapedia|Aura}}. Pressing the special button again will make Lucario [[bulbapedia:Aura Sphere (move)|fire the sphere]]. Its size scales with Aura and has a hitbox while charging, comboing into back air at mid percents . The charge can be cancelled into into dodge, shield, and jump. It starts KOing at 40% at max aura.

|ssdesc=Fires a stream of Aura. Its blast's range scales with Aura. If the opponent is close to Lucario, the move acts like a grab, with Lucario grabbing the opponent and then [[bulbapedia:Force Palm|striking them with a palm thrust at point-blank range]]. If its at base aura then it will KO at 88% and 31% with max aura.

|usdesc=[[bulbapedia:Extreme Speed|Propels itself in a predetermined direction]] by blasting streams of Aura from its forepaws. Has a hitbox at the end of its animation, and upon crashing directly into a wall or the ground, Lucario will bounce. This can be used to bounce off the sides of the stage towards the ledge, but isn't recommended on stage due to ending lag. Extreme Speed's distance scales with Aura.

|fsdesc=[[bulbapedia:Mega Evolution|Mega Evolves]] into Mega Lucario, then leaps up above the center of the stage, and firing a huge stream of Aura. Increases in power depending on Lucario's Aura and can achieve [[OHKO]] power at max aura if all hitboxes connect. KOing at 18% if at base aura.

*Teleports on stage, floats for a second, gathers aura in its hands, and then lands.

*'''Side Taunt''': Moves one hand forward and one behind its back, growling. A flash of aura emanates from its outstretched hand.

*'''Down Taunt''': Stands on one foot and holds one hand in mid-air, assuming a {{s|wikipedia|Fujian White Crane}}-like stance. This taunt is very similar to {{SSBU|Link}}'s down taunt.

===[[Idle pose]]s===

SSBULucarioIdle1.gif|Lucario's first idle pose.

 

*'''Left:''' Aura pulsates out of its paws, then does a crane-like stance, saying "Behold the power of aura." ("{{ja|満ちるぞ、この波導！|Michiru zo, kono hadō!}}", ''I am filled with aura!'').

*'''Up:''' Moves its paws in front of itself, then clasps them together, saying "The aura is with me!" ("{{ja|波導は我にあり！|Hadō wa ware ni ari!}}", ''The aura is with me!''). The quote often repeated by Lucario in ''{{s|bulbapedia|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew}}''.  

*'''Right:''' Moves its paw to its left side and groans while aura radiates off its body.

==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 -->

 

 

*{{Sm|Armadillo|Canada}} - One of the best Lucario players in the post-online metagame with some of Lucario's best results since Tsu, including 9th at {{Trn|Battle of BC 5}} with a win over {{Sm|Shuton}} as well as 13th at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2023}} and 17th at {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves 2023}}. In addition, he notably defeated {{Sm|MkLeo}} at {{Trn|SUPER ELITE MONTHLY SERIES XII: FORMA DE LEO FEAT HBOX}}. He has since been banned from tournament entry following controversies surrounding his conduct.

*{{Sm|Gachipi|Japan}} - One of the best Lucario players in the post-online metagame, placing at or near top 8 at several superregionals including 2nd at {{Trn|Seibugeki 16}}, 4th at {{Trn|Kurobra 40}}, and 7th at {{Trn|Gen 2.0}}. He is also the second Lucario player to ever place top 8 at a major, doing so by placing 5th at {{Trn|Seibugeki 17}} and tying for the highest Lucario placement at a major/supermajor.

*{{Sm|Jeda|France}} - The best Lucario player in Europe in the early metagame, ranking 18th on the [[European Smash Rankings]] at his peak and placing highly at many European events, including 13th at the superregionals {{Trn|Syndicate 2019}} and {{Trn|Ultimate WANTED 2}} and 17th at the major {{Trn|Albion 4}}. He is the second Lucario player ranked in the top 100 on a global ranking, ranking 76th on the [[OrionRank 2019]]. His activity and performances have declined since his peak, and he has not attended any notable event since 2021.

*{{Sm|Tsu|Japan}} - The best Lucario player in the early metagame who has some of Lucario's best results, including 2nd at {{Trn|2GG: Grand Tour - South Carolina}} and 5th at {{Trn|Umebura Japan Major 2019}}, the latter tying for the highest placement for a Lucario player at a major/supermajor and remains Lucario's best tournament placement at a supermajor. He is the only Lucario player ever ranked top 50 globally, ranking 44th on the [[Spring 2019 PGRU]]. However, since then he has yet to achieve performances as strong as the early metagame, and he has also picked up other characters to play alongside Lucario.

 

When ''Ultimate'' was released, many players believed that Lucario's faster and more reliable moves and benefits from the game's mechanics allowed it to fare better in the new game. Early results were able to match this enthusiasm thanks to the efforts of {{Sm|Tsu}} and {{Sm|Jeda}}, both of whom spearheaded Lucario's early metagame playerbase. However, this honeymoon period did not last for long, as players began recognizing that the character's nerfs, especially to its Aura, were more glaring than initially perceived. In addition, Lucario's reliance on Aura meant it had a harder time KOing until it was at higher percents, while its best KO moves often have slow frame data. As such, many of his best players either began playing other characters or became less consistent than before, leading to a decline in its playerbase: although Lucario's representation hovered in the mid-40s throughout 2019, by 2021 it had dropped into the bottom 10. Although players like {{Sm|Armadillo}} began placing well with Lucario during this time, it did little to alleviate this decline, and as such Lucario was ranked 71st on the first tier list near the end of the mid-tier.

 

Following the first tier list, Lucario entered a renaissance period as its best players gained more recognition at a national level. Armadillo's improving performances, which included a 9th-place finish at {{Trn|Battle of BC 5}} and having wins over {{Sm|Glutonny}}, {{Sm|MkLeo}}, and {{Sm|Shuton}}. {{Sm|Gachipi}}'s rise in Japan also helped Lucario's declining representation, with both players showcasing how threatening Lucario could be at higher percents. As such, many players realized that Lucario was not as weak as initially perceived, and as such Lucario rose substantially on the second tier list, jumping 14 spots to 57th in the C+ tier.

Lucario fights characters with [[counterattack]]s.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|1||{{CharHead|Shulk|SSBU|hsize=20px}} and {{CharHead|Little Mac|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Gaur Plain]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade|Time to Fight! - Xenoblade Chronicles}}''||

|2||{{CharHead|Palutena|SSBU|hsize=20px}} and {{CharHead|Bayonetta|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Umbra Clock Tower]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Bayonetta|Red & Black}}''||

|3||{{CharHead|Marth|SSBU|hsize=20px}} and {{CharHead|Lucina|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Coliseum]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Fire Emblem|Story 5 Meeting}}''||

|4||{{CharHead|Mii Swordfighter|SSBU|hsize=20px}} (x6)||[[Spear Pillar]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Battle! (Wild Pokémon) - Pokémon Diamond / Pokémon Pearl}}''||Horde Battle. Items do not appear.<br>Mii Swordfighter costume combinations:

*[[Yiga Clan]] Mask and Yiga Clan Outfit

*[[Takamaru]] Wig and Takamaru Outfit

*[[Isaac]] Wig and Isaac's Outfit

*[[Dunban]] Wig and Dunban Outfit

*[[Black Knight]] Helm and Black Knight Armor

*[[Vince]]'s Hat and Vince's Outfit

|5||{{CharHead|Roy|SSBU|hsize=20px}}, {{CharHead|Ike|SSBU|hsize=20px}}, and {{CharHead|Corrin|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Castle Siege]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Fire Emblem|The Devoted}}''||

|6||{{CharHead|Greninja|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Pokémon Stadium 2]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Battle! (Champion) - Pokémon X / Pokémon Y}}''||

During the opening cutscene, Lucario was present on the cliffside when [[Galeem]] unleashed his beams of light. Lucario dodged a beam of light using [[Double Team]], but was hit by a beam {{SSBU|Greninja}} avoided a moment later, vaporizing it and placing it under Galeem's imprisonment along with the rest of the fighters, excluding {{SSBU|Kirby}}.

In the mode proper, Lucario can be found on the corner of a stone wall, guarded by the spirits of Pico, Merric, and Lloid.

{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"

!style="width:5%;"|No.

!style="width:5%;"|Image

!Name

!Type

!Power

!Stage

!Music

|41

|[[File:Lucario SSBU.png|center|108x108px]]

|{{SpiritType|Attack}} <center>{{color|#dc1029|Attack}}</center>

|3,300

|[[Spear Pillar]] ([[Ω form]])

|''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Battle! (Team Galactic)}}''

{{clr}}

Lucario'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 Lucario has been unlocked. Unlocking Lucario in World of Light allows the player to preview the first spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. Its fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with its artwork in ''Ultimate''.

Additionally, Lucario's Mega Evolved form appears as a primary spirit.

SSBU spirit Lucario.png|417. '''''Lucario'''''

SSBU spirit Mega Lucario.png|505. Mega Lucario

==In Spirit Battles==

|{{SpiritTableName|Mega Lucario|link=y|size=64}}

|''Pokémon'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Dialga|link=y|size=64}}

|''Pokémon'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|[[Spear Pillar]] (Dialga only)

|{{SpiritTableName|Cobalion, Terrakion, & Virizion|size=64}}

|''Pokémon'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Tornadus (Incarnate Forme)|size=64}}

|''Pokémon'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Keldeo (Ordinary Form)|customname=[[Keldeo]] (Ordinary Form)|size=64}}

|''Pokémon'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Lucario}} {{Head|Lucario|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Navy}} (140 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|•[[Stamina battle]]<br>•Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Keldeo)<br>•The enemy's FS Meter charges quickly

|{{SpiritTableName|Xerneas|link=y|size=64}}

|''Pokémon'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|[[Garden of Hope]] (hazards off)

|•You constantly take minor damage<br>•Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Xerneas)<br>•The enemy is injured but powerful

|{{SpiritTableName|Young Cricket|size=64}}

|''WarioWare'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Kicks|size=64}}

|''Animal Crossing'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Fei Long|size=64}}

|''Street Fighter'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Lucario}} {{Head|Lucario|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Grey}} (120 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Gen|size=64}}

|''Street Fighter'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Lucario}} {{Head|Lucario|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Pink}} (140 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Karin|size=64}}

|''Street Fighter'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Lucario}} {{Head|Lucario|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Purple}} (140 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Zoroark|link=y|size=64}}

|''Pokémon'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Wolf}} {{Head|Wolf|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}}<br>•{{SSBU|Lucario}} {{Head|Lucario|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Grey}}×3

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|•Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Zoroark)<br>•Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd

|{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Battle! (Reshiram / Zekrom)}}

|{{pkmn|Zoroark}}'s [[bulbapedia:Illusion (Ability)|Illusion ability]]

SSBUWebsiteLucario1.jpg|[[Taunting]] on [[Temple]].

===Fighter Showcase Video===

*Lucario and {{SSBU|Charizard}} are the only characters to have had their [[Final Smash]] change between games only to have it revert back to the original Final Smash. In Lucario's case, it had [[Aura Storm]] in ''Brawl'', changed to [[Mega Lucario]] in ''Smash 4'', and then reverted back to Aura Storm in ''Ultimate''. However, it does transform into Mega Lucario for the duration of Aura Storm. In Charizard's case, it had [[Triple Finish]] in ''Brawl'', changed to [[Mega Charizard X]] (as it was a standalone character) in ''Smash 4'', and reverted back to Triple Finish in ''Ultimate'' (as a consequence of being regrouped back into {{SSBU|Pokémon Trainer}}'s party).

*Despite also having a type of counter, {{SSBU|Incineroar}}, {{SSBU|Chrom}}, {{SSBU|Peach}}, {{SSBU|Daisy}}, {{SSBU|King K. Rool}}, and {{SSBU|Mii Brawler}} do not appear in Lucario's Classic Mode route.

*The Tip about Lucario's Aura being able to reach a multiplier of 2.5x is inaccurate and outdated: in the base game, 1.6x is the maximum multiplier, and 0.6x is the base multiplier attacks, making the net change about ×2.7. However, as of 9.0.0, the maximum multiplier is now 1.67x, making the change now roughly 2.8x.

*''Ultimate'' is the first game where Lucario doesn't have the highest [[traction]] of any character since its debut in ''Brawl'', with the title instead being held by {{SSBU|Sonic}}.

*The aura surrounding Lucario’s hands are missing in its clapping animation when losing a match but appears in the no contest screen.