Editing Luigi (SSB4)

Luigi is ranked 18th out of 54 in the [[tier list]], placing him in the B tier. This is a significant improvement over his E tier placement in ''Brawl'', where he was ranked 28th out of 38, and is Luigi's best placement in the series. Luigi's most notable strength is the utility of his moveset: his overall fast frame data makes him difficult to [[Punishment|punish]] and supplements his very strong and consistent combo game; all his aerials can autocancel or even repeat in a short hop, generally have low startup and ending lag, are good for combos, and his sweetspotted neutral and back aerial are strong KO options; his excellent air game is complemented by his great jump height and favorable launch angles on a number of his grounded moves.

Luigi's attributes have also improved. In addition to a much faster [[dash]]ing speed, his air game and aerial mobility benefit from his much faster [[fast falling]] speed; higher [[gravity]]; lower [[short hop]]; and higher [[jump]]. Lastly, Luigi's [[recovery]] remains unpredictable and long-distanced, with [[Green Missile]] and [[Luigi Cyclone]] being risky to intercept.

However, Luigi has retained his noticeable weaknesses from previous installments. Luigi's mobility is still slow and awkward in spite of its improvements: his faster dashing speed is slightly below-average at best, while his low [[traction]] and slow [[air speed]] still largely hinder his [[out of shield]] options and recovery. Despite having a fairly quick [[projectile]], the majority of Luigi's moveset is short-ranged, which prevents him from racking up damage from a safe distance, especially against characters that have projectiles and/or disjointed [[hitbox]]es.

Overall, Luigi tends to run hot-and-cold like in previous installments. He initially had a large playerbase and excellent results, the latter of which was demonstrated by {{Sm|J.Miller}} winning [[B.E.A.S.T 5]] with him. Although Luigi's playerbase has decreased since update 1.1.1 nerfed his combo game, he has nevertheless continued to achieve great success at local and regional tournaments, and respectable results at national tournaments. This has been most evident with {{Sm|Elegant}} barely finishing runner-up to {{Sm|MkLeo}} in [[GameTyrant Expo 2017]], which has caused Luigi's current tier placement to become somewhat debatable.

Iceball has a slightly lower damage output, higher startup lag, shorter range, and travels slower. However, it momentarily [[freeze]]s opponents beginning at 50%, while its slower speed enables Luigi to fire multiple Iceballs in immediate succession. True to its name, Burial Header [[buries]] grounded opponents, but also covers much more vertical height; descends much faster; and has much less landing lag. However, it deals much less damage and lacks KO potential. Mach Cyclone covers almost no horizontal distance, and possesses a [[windbox]] and a concluding hitbox instead of multiple hitboxes. However, it covers a tremendous amount of vertical distance, while its lone hitbox is very powerful, making it very useful for edge-guarding. Aside from these, the rest of Luigi's custom moves are generally not worth using because of their advantages being situational at best.

In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', Luigi was regarded as a low tier character as while he had great frame data and surprisingly solid KO power (especially considering the speed of his attacks), he suffered from having very poor mobility and range, both of which made it extremely difficult for him to approach and his opponents could very easily keep him out. Luigi also simply did not work particularly well in ''Brawl{{'}}''s engine, as [[hitstun canceling]] and [[Directional Influence]] gave him a rather inconsistent combo game outside of low percents, which heavily hindered him as his combos were his main method of building up damage. While Luigi could build up a lot of damage with his combos, it largely relied on his opponent making mistakes, rather than him being able to abuse inescapable combos.

In ''Super Smash Bros. 4'', Luigi has seen a mix of [[buff]]s and [[nerf]]s and while he received more nerfs overall, he has been significantly improved, largely due to the game's altered universal mechanics.

Luigi's overall mobility has been improved, especially on the ground. His [[dash]] speed is noticeably faster, his [[fast fall]]ing speed is higher and his [[air speed]]/traction are also marginally higher, making it easier for him to approach. Luigi also possesses a stronger grab game. His grabs are faster and have more range, and his down throw has now become an extremely powerful combo starter due to the changes to hitstun canceling/DI, making it easier and more rewarding for Luigi to utilise his grabs.

Luigi's aerials have become more effective combo tools (with the exception of back aerial). Luigi's aerials are weaker, which overall makes them more effective at performing combos (although this does come at the cost of their KO power). Luigi's down aerial in particular now has a clean hit which consistently [[meteor smash]]es aerial opponents, which not only makes it more reliable at edgeguarding, but it also makes the move a much more reliable combo tool, especially since its late hit is weaker and can still lead to combos. Luigi's back aerial was the only aerial which did not receive improved combo potential but in return, it is a stronger KO move.

Luigi's aerial [[Luigi Cyclone]] has also seen some improvements as an attack, as it connects more reliably and its final hit is stronger near the upper blast zone. Its loop hitboxes also have increased knockback and they can meteor smash opponents, which makes the move even more effective at edgeguarding opponents. Luigi Cyclone can now fairly easily edgeguard characters with poor recoveries (and even some characters with stronger recoveries such as {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}) at very low percents, which Luigi can set up with his down throw and down aerial. As a result of these changes, Luigi Cyclone is now a highly effective edgeguarding tool and a solid vertical KO move, rather than being an unreliable KO move and a situational edgeguarding tool.

 

Luigi's largest benefits however come from the changes to hitstun canceling and DI (with both being far less effective). Both of these changes, combined with his weaker aerials greatly improves his combo potential, collectively granting him one of the most potent and consistent combo games among the cast. At very low percents, Luigi can easily start a combo with his down throw, which can build up a very high amount of damage. In the most extreme cases, Luigi can even perform [[0-death]] combos. This overall greatly improves Luigi, as he now has consistent and highly damaging combos, making it much more rewarding when Luigi successfully approaches his opponent, much like in ''Smash 64'' and ''Melee'' (which is now easier due to his improved mobility and grabs).

 

However, Luigi also received some nerfs, with Luigi receiving more nerfs overall. His overall frame data is worse with a handful of his attacks having shorter durations, increased startup or ending lag, or all of the above. A fair amount of Luigi's attacks also have reduced range, with multiple attacks having smaller hitboxes and losing hitboxes in certain cases. Luigi's damage output is also lower overall, which hinders the KO potential of numerous moves including up tilt, forward smash, up smash, the front hit of down smash, all of his aerials except for back aerial (especially neutral and down aerials, and even back aerial now has a much weaker sourspot on its clean hit and it has increased ending/landing lag), back throw and [[Super Jump Punch]]. In some cases such as with his aerials and up tilt, this does act as a double edged sword, as it does also improve their combo potential but with most of his grounded moves, this purely acts as a hinderance (although the introduction of [[rage]] can compensate for this, and Luigi's solid weight means that he can build up rage fairly easily). This overall results in Luigi's KO potential going from being highly solid (especially considering his frame data) to now being closer to average, especially since numerous returning veterans had improved KO potential overall, unlike Luigi.

 

 

Luigi's recovery in general is now worse due to the changes to his specials. On the positive side, Luigi does have better air speed, a higher double jump, Luigi Cyclone travels more horizontal distance in the air and like with other characters, Luigi does benefit from the removal of [[edge hog]]ging and the increased speed of his air dodge. However, all of Luigi's specials are worse for recovering. [[Green Missile]] can no longer auto-snap the ledge, and the regular version no longer grants Luigi intangibility, making it a much riskier and exploitable recovery move. In addition to this, Luigi is less likely to get a misfire, although the misfire does now grant Luigi some intangibility. As mentioned before, Super Jump Punch covers less distance, both horizontally and vertically and despite all of its improvements, Luigi Cyclone covers less distance with button mashing, making it a less effective vertical recovery move.

 

Lastly, despite the change's to the game's mechanics greatly benefiting Luigi overall, he has still seen some hinderances from them. The removal of [[DACUS]], [[glide toss]]ing and skid canceling does hinder Luigi's approach potential in certain situations.  The changes to shield mechanics (particularly the changes made in version [[1.1.1]]) made his already poor [[Out of Shield]] game even worse, as he now suffers from higher shieldstun, making it even harder for him to use his otherwise strong Out of Shield options (although he does benefit from the increase to shield damage, the removal of shield-slide offs, and a fair amount of his attacks are overall safer due to these changes). Luigi's Super Jump Punch is now a slower Out of Shield option which combined with the higher shieldstun, makes it incapable of punishing more attacks, although its increased range along with his grab also having more range allows him to punish opponents from slightly further distances, especially when combined with his slightly higher traction.

 

Overall, while Luigi's direct changes may not have improved him on paper, ''Smash 4{{'}}''s universal mechanics were far more than enough to make him a much more effective character, and he did receive some useful direct buffs in addition. The changes to the game's mechanics gave him a rather powerful, consistent and devastating punish game, which was something he sorely lacked in the previous game (due to his punish game being far less consistent). Luigi also has a slightly easier time approaching due to his improved mobility, combined with many characters who gave him a hard time in the previous game being toned down.

 

Luigi was initially considered to be a top tier in earlier versions of the game (especially after the Wii U version was released), due to his powerful punish game. After version 1.1.1 however, Luigi did receive a nerf to his down throw which noticeably hindered him. In earlier versions, his down throw was identical to its ''Brawl'' counterpart (besides its animation), but it was far more effective due to the changes to hitstun canceling and DI, as it was an excellent combo throw at lower percents, and it even had KO setups at higher percents, which worked at an extremely large percentage range. In 1.1.1, the throw had decreased base knockback, which improved its followup potential at lower percents, but it had significantly increased knockback scaling, which greatly hindered its followup potential at higher percents, and in turn, it made his KO setups far more precise. This made the throw much worse at higher percents, which considerably hindered Luigi overall. Aerial Luigi Cyclone also received reduced KO power in the patch and this along with the changes to shields in the same patch did not help him either.

 

Despite these changes along with the introduction of {{SSB4|Cloud}} and Bayonetta in later patches, Luigi managed to sit comfortably in high tier within the later stages of the game's meta, and he overall managed to achieve consistent success in competitive play. All in all, despite still having diffiulty approaching due to his poor mobility and range, in addition to having toned down frame data, KO power and an even more exploitable recovery, Luigi is one of the most improved characters in ''Smash 4'' (even if it is largely due to the game's universal changes), alongside {{SSB4|Mario}}, {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}}, {{SSB4|Bowser}}, {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}, {{SSB4|Sheik}}, and {{SSB4|Sonic}}.

*{{change|Luigi's purple [[alternate costume]] has been slightly altered. The "L" on his cap is now purple instead of yellow. Luigi has also received two new alternate costumes, one of which resembles [[Mario]]'s appearance on the Game & Watch boxart for ''{{iw|mariowiki|Donkey Kong Jr.|Game & Watch}}''.}}

*{{change|Luigi's victory pose where he makes gun motions with his fingers has been tweaked. He now keeps both eyes open during it instead of winking each eye in sync with the direction he sways his hands.}}

*{{buff|Luigi [[dash]]es noticeably faster (1.34 → 1.5), going from the 6th slowest out of 39 characters to the 17th slowest out of 58.}}

*{{buff|Luigi's [[air speed]] is marginally higher (0.7332 → 0.7341766) although it is still the second lowest (and now by a wider margin).}}

*{{change|Luigi's [[falling speed]] is slightly higher (1.22 → 1.25) although relative to the cast, it has gone from the 9th lowest out of 39 characters to the 6th lowest out of 58. This slightly improves his vertical endurance, but makes him slightly easier to combo.}}

*{{buff|Luigi's [[Fast fall|fast falling speed]] is faster (1.708 → 2.0), matching his fast-falling speed from ''Melee''. This greatly improves his ground-to-air transitioning and leaves him less vulnerable to juggling although much like his regular falling speed, it is now lower relative to the cast.}}

*{{change|Luigi's [[gravity]] is higher (0.065 → 0.075). This, combined with his faster falling speed, allows him to land more safely. However, it also makes him more susceptible to combos when he is not put into [[tumble]] and it hinders his endurance when he is put into tumble.}}

*{{change|Luigi's [[short hop]] is lower due to his higher gravity. This makes it easier for Luigi to hit his opponents out of a short hop but hinders his aerial output while short hopping.}}

*{{buff|Luigi's [[Jump|full hop]] and especially his [[double jump]] are higher, improving his air game and aerial mobility.}}

*{{buff|Luigi's [[traction]] is marginally higher (0.022 → 0.024), although it is still the lowest by a wide margin.}}

*{{buff|Much like [[Mario (SSB4)|his brother]], the changes to [[hitstun canceling]] and [[Directional Influence]] drastically improves Luigi's combo ability, giving him a rather devastating combo game, similar to his appearances prior to ''Brawl''.}}

**{{buff|All three hits of neutral attack now always launch opponents in the direction Luigi is facing. This allows the move to connect more reliably into the later hits if Luigi hits the opponent from behind.}}

**{{buff|The second hit has a new animation where Luigi keeps his fist out for longer. This gives the second hit more consistent range, as Luigi no longer moves his arm back on the move's second active frame.}}

**{{buff|The third hit has increased base knockback (50 → 65).}}

**{{buff|The third hit has a slightly different animation where Luigi jumps much further forward when he performs the hip thrust, increasing its range.}}

***{{nerf|However, this also makes Luigi more susceptible to punishment if the move is whiffed or shielded.}}

**{{nerf|The third hit has more startup lag (frame 5 → 6).}}

***{{buff|However, its total duration was unchanged, giving it less ending lag.}}

**{{buff|Forward tilt's near hitboxes are slightly larger (3.84u/3.36u → 4u/3.4u).}}

**{{buff|Down angled forward tilt no longer has set knockback (2 (base), 1 (set), 100 (scaling) → 2/0/100). This greatly improves its safety, as it is no longer dangerously punishable on hit at any percent.}}

***{{nerf|However, this also hinders its [[lock]]ing potential, especially at higher percents.}}

**{{change|Forward tilt now always launches opponents in the direction Luigi is facing.}}

**{{nerf|The body hitbox has been moved closer to Luigi, with the hitbox now ending as it covers Luigi's neck rather than his nose.}}

**{{nerf|Up tilt deals less damage (9% → 6%), without full compensation on its knockback (30 (base), 127/125/123 (scaling) → 8/150). This significantly hinders its KO potential and makes it unsafe on hit at low percents.}}

**{{nerf|The body/arm hitboxes are marginally smaller (3.36u/4.32u → 3.3u/4.3u).}}

**{{buff|Up tilt's lower knockback combined with the changes to hitstun canceling/DI improve its combo potential beyond low percents despite its slightly higher ending lag.}}

**{{buff|Down tilt has less ending lag (FAF 35 → 27), making it a much safer move to throw out.}}

**{{buff|Down tilt deals more knockback (30 (base), 50 (scaling) → 20/65).}}

**{{change|Down tilt now always launches opponents at the [[Sakurai angle]], as opposed to only the foot hitbox sending aerial opponents at the Sakurai angle, while all other hitboxes (including the foot hitbox against grounded opponents) were [[meteor smash]]es (361° (aerial foot hitbox)/270° → 361° (all)).}}

***{{buff|This makes down tilt a safer spacing tool if it does not [[trip]], especially when combined with its lower ending lag.}}

***{{nerf|However, this also hinders down tilt's combo potential, and it prevents the move from tripping much sooner (80 KB → 60).}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt has a lower trip chance (35% → 25%) which along with its altered angle, make it far less likely to trip and even when it does, the opponent will be sent further away, limiting Luigi's followup options.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt no longer moves Luigi forward (horizontal momentum: 1.2 → 0), reducing its range.}}

***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes hinder down tilt's utility.}}

**{{buff|Dash attack's loop hits have more base knockback but less knockback scaling (1 (base), 80 (scaling) → (26/60)/10). This allows all the loop hits to combo into each other and even the final hit (against most characters) at 0%, preventing the opponent from shielding the rest of the attack, which they could previously do right up until higher percents.}}

**{{buff|The loop hit's angles have been altered (361° → 65°/10°), allowing them to connect more reliably into each other, especially when combined with their altered knockback.}}

**{{buff|The loop hit's body hitbox is larger (3.84u → 4u).}}

**{{buff|The final hit deals more knockback (50 (base), 100 (scaling) → 60/128).}}

**{{buff|The final hit's middle hitbox is larger (3u → 4u).}}

**{{nerf|Dash attack has more ending lag (FAF 69 → 76).}}

**{{nerf|The loop hit's hand hitbox is smaller (4.8u → 3.6u) and the body hitbox has been moved closer to Luigi.}}

**{{nerf|The final hit has a shorter duration (frames 48-50 → 48).}}

**{{nerf|The final hit has a higher [[hitlag]] multiplier (1× → 2.5x), making it much easier to [[DI]].}}

*[[Item#Types of items|Battering item]] dash attack:

**{{change|While dash attacking with a battering item, Luigi now holds the item with one hand instead of both.}}

**{{buff|Non and down angled forward smash deal more damage (14% (non-angled)/13% (down) → 15% (both)), now matching the up angled version.}}

**{{change|Non-angled forward smash launches opponents at a slightly lower angle (55° → 53°).}}

**{{nerf|Up smash's sweetspot deals less damage (15% → 14%), slightly hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Luigi does not slide as far when charging up smash, hindering its approach potential. This is further compounded with the removal of [[DACUS]].}}

**{{nerf|Down smash has more startup lag (frame 5 → 6).}}

**{{nerf|Down smash deals less damage (17% (feet)/16% (body) → 15%/14%). The first hit did not see full compensation on its knockback scaling (80 → 85), hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|The second hit launches opponents at a lower angle (70° → 60°), hindering its KO potential and making it more susceptible to DI.}}

**{{buff|The second hit has much higher knockback scaling (80 → 104), improving its KO potential despite its lower damage/lower launch angle.}}

**{{buff|The body hitbox is slightly larger (3.84u → 4u).}}

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has smaller hitboxes, especially the late hit (4.5u/4.5u (both) → 4.5u/4u (clean), 3u/2.5u (late)).}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit deals less damage (14% → 12%) and has decreased knockback scaling (100 → 90), significantly hindering its KO potential, especially near ground level.}}

***{{buff|However, this also significantly improves its combo potential.}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit has a shorter duration (frames 3-6 → 3-5).}}

**{{nerf|The late hit angle launches opponents at a slightly lower angle (90° → 80°). When combined with neutral aerial's higher landing lag, this hinders its combo potential at lower percents.}}

**{{buff|The changes to hitstun canceling and DI drastically improves neutral aerial's combo potential beyond low percents, despite its increased landing lag.}}

**{{buff|Forward aerial's hand hitbox is larger (4.8u → 5.6u).}}

**{{change|Forward aerial deals less damage (10% → 8%). This improves its combo potential but hinders its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a new, longer animation (34 frames → 39), increasing the amount of time Luigi cannot grab ledges after performing the move.}}

**{{buff|Back aerial's clean hit has a sweetspot on Luigi's foot. This sweetspot deals more damage (12% → 14%) and its knockback was not compensated, greatly improving its KO potential.}}

**{{buff|The clean hit's leg hitbox is marginally larger (5.76u → 5.8u).}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial has more ending lag (FAF 37 → 46), losing its [[interruptibility]].}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial has a shorter initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-5 → 1-2).}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial has a shorter duration (frames 6-9 (clean)/10-16 (late) → 6-7/8-13).}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit has now a sourspot on Luigi's legs. The sourspot deals noticeably less damage (12% → 8%) without compensation on its knockback, matching the late hit, no longer having any KO potential.}}

***{{buff|However, this allows it to [[lock]] more efficiently.}}

**{{nerf|The late hit has smaller hitboxes (4.5u/5.76u → 4u/5u).}}

**{{change|Clean up aerial deals less damage (13% → 11%). This improves its combo potential, but hinders its KO potential.}}

**{{buff|Down aerial now has a clean hit on its first active frame which consistently meteor smashes, similar to the previous body hitbox. Since it's located on his feet instead of his chest, this makes it much easier and more consistent to meteor smash with down aerial.}}

**{{buff|The late hit's foot hitbox is larger (5u → 5.2u).}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial has more landing lag (12 frames → 20).}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial deals less damage (11% → 10% (clean)/8% (late)), and its clean hit has lower knockback scaling (100 → 80), drastically hindering the move's KO potential (although the removal of [[meteor canceling]] does compensate for the clean hit's lower knockback).}}

***{{buff|However, this also significantly improves its combo potential.}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit has a much smaller hitbox (3.3u/5u/5u → 2.5u).}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit can only hit aerial opponents, giving the move more startup lag with a shorter duration against grounded opponents (frames 10-14 → 11-14).}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 2×). This makes it easier to DI and it does not even allow the move to benefit from the introduction of [[frame canceling]], due to the clean hit only hitting aerial opponents.}}

**{{nerf|The late hit lost its meteor smash hitbox, reducing down aerial's horizontal range and hindering its edgeguarding potential.}}

**{{buff|All of Luigi's grabs have slightly increased range, particularly dash grab (z offset: 8.4 (standing)/9 (dash)/-14 (pivot) → z stretch: 8.7/10.6/14.7). Dash grab also has a larger grabbox (2.5u → 2.6u).}}

**{{buff|Dash and pivot grabs have less startup lag (frame 12 → 8 (dash), frame 11 → 9 (pivot)), with their total durations subsequently reduced (FAF 40 (dash)/36 (pivot) → 36/34).}}

**{{nerf|Standing and pivot grabs have slightly smaller grabboxes (3.36u (standing)/3.5u (pivot) → 3.3u (both)).}}

***{{nerf|Additionally, pivot grab does not extend as far behind Luigi, due to now only consisting of one grabbox.}}

**{{nerf|The removal of [[chain grab]]bing slightly hinders forward throw's damage racking potential.}}

**{{buff|The changes to hitstun canceling and DI improves up throw's combo ability at lower percents, especially against fast falling lightweights.}}

**{{change|Down throw has a new animation, where Luigi {{s|mariowiki|Ground Pound}}s his opponent. This new animation is purely aesthetic.}}

**{{buff|Down throw has decreased base knockback (75 → 55), no longer putting opponents into tumble at very low percents. This improves its combo potential at very low percents, as the opponent cannot DI and they won't be affected by the gravity penalty.}}

**{{nerf|Down throw has much higher knockback scaling (30 → 83), making it deal much more knockback at higher percents. This significantly hinders its combo potential at higher percents, while still being too weak to KO.}}

***{{buff|Despite this, the move still has much greater combo potential up until high percents due to the changes to hitstun canceling and DI, which make down throw a very powerful and reliable combo tool right up until high percents.}}

*[[Floor attack]]s:

**{{buff|Floor attacks deal more damage (6% → 7%) and shield damage (1 → 8) per hit, without full compensation on their knockback scaling (50 → 48).}}

**{{nerf|Floor attacks launch opponents at a higher angle (361° → 48°).}}

**{{change|Front floor attack has a new animation where Luigi now kicks instead of punching, differentiating the animation from Mario's. It also now hits in front of Luigi first.}}

**{{buff|Back floor attack has less startup lag (frame 20 → 19).}}

**{{change|Luigi has a new edge attack, a double-footed legsweep.}}

***{{nerf|However, its total duration was unchanged, giving it more ending lag.}}

**{{buff|Edge attack no longer has [[set knockback]] (110 (set), 100 (scaling) → 90 (base)/20).}}

**{{change|Edge attack now deals consistent damage due to now consisting of one hitbox (8% (legs)/6% (body) → 7%).}}

***{{buff|However, there is now a smaller gap between when Luigi is vulnerable and when the hitbox comes out (3 frames → 2).}}

**{{nerf|Edge attack now always launches opponents in the direction Luigi is facing, removing its ability to set up edgeguards.}}

**{{nerf|Trip attack now has one extended hitbox rather than three separate hitboxes, which covers less of Luigi's body.}}

**{{buff|The removal of intangibility when re-grabbing a ledge off stage improves down taunt's utility, as it can now be used to reliably punish a ledge re-grab.}}

**{{buff|Fireball has increased base knockback (5 → 7).}}

**{{change|Fireball’s sound effect is lower pitched and the fireballs have seen a slight visual update.}}

**{{nerf|Fireball has more ending lag (FAF 41 → 44).}}

**{{nerf|Fireball has received a late hit for the last 2/5ths of its duration, which deals less damage (6% → 5%) and hitlag (1x → 0.5x).}}

**{{buff|Uncharged Green Missile deals more damage (5% → 6%).}}

**{{buff|Inputting Green Missile with a smash input gives it a slight charge, reducing the total amount to time to reach full charge, much like in ''Melee''.}}

**{{buff|Green Missile's hitbox has been positioned slightly further forward (x offset: 0 → 1).}}

**{{buff|Super Jump Punch's sweetspot is positioned further out (z offset: 1 → 7 (grounded)/5.5 (aerial)), improving its range despite no longer being attached to Luigi's head.}}

**{{nerf|The grounded version has more startup both on its hitbox and intangibility (frame 6 → 8).}}

**{{nerf|Super Jump Punch's already high landing lag has been significantly increased (45 frames → 67).}}

**{{nerf|The sweetspot has decreased knockback (70 (base), 73 scaling → 50/77 (grounded), 58/72 → 40/66 (aerial)), and the grounded version launches opponents at a slightly lower angle (90° → 88°), hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|The grounded version's sweetspot is smaller (2.4u → 2.2u).}}

**{{nerf|Despite having an increased height multiplier (0.95x → 1x), Super Jump Punch covers significantly less vertical distance (especially on the ground), hindering its recovery potential.}}

**{{nerf|Luigi has less air control while using Super Jump Punch (1 → 2).}}

**{{nerf|Luigi can no longer land on the ground until Super Jump Punch's animation ends and renders him helpless. This significantly increases its ending lag when used near a platform or a ledge, especially when combined with the move's higher landing lag.}}

**{{nerf|Luigi can now fast fall during Super Jump Punch's ascent, which will reduce its height even further.}}

***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes significantly hinder its safety on stage (making it harder to utilise platforms or to drift to the ledge), and they significantly hinder its recovery potential.}}

**{{buff|Luigi Cyclone's loop hits' use the [[autolink angle]] (160°/20°/90° → 366°) and have altered knockback (20 (base), 60 (scaling) → (85/80/20)/(30/60) (grounded), 50/80 → 60/120 (aerial)). When combined with the weakening of SDI, this makes them connect more reliably, especially the aerial version against aerial opponents.}}

***{{buff|The higher knockback on the aerial version also improves its edgeguarding potential.}}

**{{buff|The loop hits have a higher rehit rate (8 → 6), which allows the aerial version to now hit 4 times, like the grounded version.}}

***{{buff|This also gives the final loop hit more startup lag in the air if connected on the first possible frame (frame 23 → 28), decreasing the gap between the final loop hit and the final hit.}}

**{{buff|The final hit deals more knockback (60 (base), 115 (scaling) → 80/(130 (grounded)/120 (aerial))), improving the grounded version's KO potential despite its lower damage.}}

**{{buff|Luigi Cyclone has increased air speed (0.8 → 1.3).}}

**{{nerf|Luigi Cyclone has more startup (frame 7 → 10) and ending lag (FAF 81 → 90).}}

**{{nerf|Luigi Cyclone deals less damage (2% (loop hits)/4% (final hit)/12% (ground total)/10% (aerial total) → 1.5%/3%/9%).}}

**{{nerf|Luigi Cyclone has reduced ground speed (2.35 → 1.9).}}

**{{nerf|Repeated special presses grant Luigi Cyclone less vertical momentum (0.9 → 0.7) and its maximum rising speed is lower (2.0 → 1.8). This makes button mashing to increase Luigi Cyclone's height less effective, hindering its recovery potential.}}

**{{nerf|The loop hits now use static hitboxes, reducing their overall range, especially vertically.}}

**{{nerf|The final loop hit on the ground has less startup lag if connected on the first possible frame (frame 31 → 28), increasing the gap between the final loop hit and the final hit. When combined with the inner hitbox's lower damage, this allows the opponent to shield the final hit at lower percents.}}

**{{nerf|The aerial version has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.3× (loop, aerial)/2× (last hit)).}}

**{{nerf|The aerial version's final hit's lower hitbox has been positioned higher (y offset: 0 → 2), reducing its range below Luigi.}}

**{{change|Luigi has a new [[Final Smash]], [[Poltergust 5000]]. Luigi equips the {{s|mariowiki|Poltergust 5000}} and [[Windbox#Pulling attacks|vacuums]] nearby opponents into it before powerfully ejecting them. Unlike [[Negative Zone]], Poltergust 5000 traps nearby opponents, deals considerable damage, and has very high knockback, rather than affecting a very wide area and granting Luigi openings to deal damage and/or potentially score KOs.}}

|neutralname=Jab ({{ja|ジャブ|Jabu}}) / Straight ({{ja|ストレート|Sutorēto}}) / Rump Thrust ({{ja|どんけつ|Donketsu}})

|neutraldesc=A {{s|wikipedia|one-two combo}} followed by a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Hip attack|hip thrust]]. It hits on frame 2, its last hit slightly moves Luigi forward, and it has a decent overall damage output. These traits makes it a safe, yet reliable damage racking option. Its first hit can also be [[jab cancel]]ed into his tilt attacks, down smash, standing grab and [[Super Jump Punch]], the latter of which is effective at high percents especially with [[rage]]. Its first two hits are based on the {{s|mariowiki|Punch}} + Punch + {{s|mariowiki|Kick}} combo from ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario 64}}'', which Luigi himself used in ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario 64 DS}}''.

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

|ftiltdesc=A wheel kick. It can be angled and is useful for locking opponents. Due to its average damage output and almost nonexistent base knockback, however, it only becomes reliable for spacing beginning at 55%.

|utiltname=Cat Punch ({{ja|ねこパンチ|Neko Panchi}})

|dtiltname=Heel Kick ({{ja|かかとげり|Kakato Geri}})

|dashname=Flurry Punches ({{ja|ぽこぽこパンチ|Pokopokok Panchi}})

|fsmashname=Hell Thrust ({{ja|地獄突き|Jigoku Tsuki}})

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

|usmashdesc=An upwards arcing headbutt, similar to {{SSB4|Mario}}'s up smash. It hits on frame 9, which is quite fast for a smash attack, and launches opponents at a vertical angle towards Luigi. Like Mario and {{SSB4|Dr. Mario}}'s up smashes, it renders his head [[intangible]] throughout its duration. Unlike theirs, however, it consists of a sweetspot and a sourspot. It can also function well as a [[slide smash]], thanks to Luigi's very low traction. Its sweetspot is located on Luigi's head and is strong enough to KO middleweights at 121%/112% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') from anywhere on Final Destination. However, its sourspot, which is located on his torso, is unreliable for KOing because of its much weaker power.

|dsmashname=Double Kick ({{ja|ダブルキック|Daburu Kikku}})

|dsmashdesc=A modified version of the {{s|mariowiki|Sweep Kick}}. Due to it hitting on frame 6, it has the lowest amount of startup lag out of Luigi's smash attacks. It also hits on both sides, which makes it very useful for punishing rolls. Thanks to its back hit's high knockback growth, its legs' hitbox is strong enough to KO middleweights at 115%/109% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near the edge of Final Destination. Although its body hitbox KOs slightly earlier, it is difficult to hit with because of having lower priority than the leg hitbox. In addition, its front hit is much weaker because of its lower knockback growth.

|nairname=Luigi Kick ({{ja|ルイージキック|Ruīji Kikku}})

|nairdesc=A flying kick, similar to Mario's neutral aerial. Due to it hitting on frame 3, it has the lowest amount of startup lag out of Luigi's aerials and is a very useful anti-pressure option. It is also the only [[sex kick]] in the game that has a vertical launching angle. As a result, its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 122%/118% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near Final Destination's upper [[blast line]]. In comparison, its late hitbox is a very useful combo starter and approach option when [[SHFF]]'d.

|fairname=Crown Chop ({{ja|脳天チョップ|Nōten Choppu}})

|fairdesc=A downward knifehand chop. It is a reliable follow-up from down throw at low to medium percents, and is useful for edge-guarding or approaching. Its hitbox is positioned not only on Luigi's hand, but also slightly around his body.

|bairname=Rear Drop Kick ({{ja|後方ドロップキック|Kōhō Droppu Kikku}})

|bairdesc=A dropkick, similar to Mario's back aerial. It hits on frame 6, while its clean feet's hitbox has both an impressive damage output and high knockback growth. Altogether, these traits make it one of Luigi's most reliable KOing options. While near the edge of Final Destination, its clean feet hitbox KOs middleweights at 119%/108% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). It is also useful for approaching when used as part of a [[reverse aerial rush]]. However, it has a high amount of ending lag and is one of the few back aerials that can launch opponents in the opposite direction Luigi is facing, which can be undesirable for KOing especially if the sourspot at Luigi's legs is landed.

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

|uairdesc=A bicycle kick, similar to Mario's up aerial. It is useful for combos like Mario's up aerial, and is Luigi's only reliable follow-up from down throw at high percents. Thanks to it having the lowest amount of landing lag out of his aerials, its clean hitbox can start combos at low percents when SHFF'd. However, its launching angle is lower than Mario's, which makes it less effective at combos and juggling past low percents.

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

|dairdesc=A corkscrew double foot stomp. Its clean hit is a meteor smash, though it only lasts for 1 frame and only affects aerial opponents. When coupled with down throw, it can extend combos, or even act as a KO combo while near the edge. Conversely, its late hitbox is less effective for extending combos, and despite having much higher knockback growth, it is less effective for edge-guarding because of its slightly lower damage output.

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

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

|pummeldesc=A headbutt. Moderately slow, but tied with {{SSB4|Mr. Game & Watch}}'s as the fourth-most damaging pummel in the game.

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

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

|bthrowdesc=A [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Giant swing|giant swing]]. Luigi spins the opponent around while holding them by their legs three times before throwing them backwards. It can hit other opponents while spinning, which deals minor damage and knockback. It is Luigi's most damaging throw and his only one with KO potential, as it KOs middleweights at 151%/145% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near the edge of Final Destination. Based on the throw [[Mario]] uses against [[Bowser]] in ''Super Mario 64'', which Luigi himself used in ''Super Mario 64 DS''.

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

|dthrowname=Hip Drop ({{ja|ヒップドロップ|Hippu Doroppu}})

|nsc2name=Iceball

|ssdefdesc=Crouches and then shoots himself forward to perform a flying [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks|battering ram]]. It takes 1.17 seconds (70 frames) to fully charge, but it deals impressive damage upon doing so; the move even jumps from 6% to 9% almost instantly when charging. Just like in ''Brawl'', Luigi will briefly get his head stuck in a wall if he strikes one in midair with a charged Missile or a misfire. While near the edge of Final Destination, a fully charged Green Missile KOs middleweights at 91%/82% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). If charged on the ground for too long, the charge is canceled, which can allow for [[mindgame]]s. It also has a 10% chance to misfire, which deals considerably more damage and has much higher knockback growth. While near the edge of Final Destination, a misfired Green Missile KOs middleweights at 50%/42% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). A misfired Green Missile also grants intangibility on frames 18-22, and always travels the same distance regardless of the charge. However, its considerable ending lag makes it punishable whether it is used for offense or recovering, which makes [[read]]s very important in order to use it effectively.

|ssc2desc=Flies much farther and faster, which makes it much better for recovering. However, it takes longer to charge, and it a misfired Quick Missile is much weaker than the misfired versions of Green Missile and Floating Missile. It is also much more punishable, thanks to having noticeably more ending lag, and Luigi sliding upon the ground after landing. Although it deals slightly less damage, it is still strong enough to KO reliably when fully charged or misfired. While near the edge of Final Destination, a fully charged Quick Missile KOs middleweights at 97%/87% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). In comparison, a misfired Quick Missile KOs them at 85%/63% (''3DS''/''Wii U'').

|dsdefdmg=1.5% (hits 1-4), 3% (hit 5)

|dsc1desc=Covers significantly more vertical distance, especially when button mashed, and has slightly less startup lag. Unlike Luigi Cyclone, the first "hit" becomes an undamaging [[windbox]], while the second hit sends Luigi up from the ground, while also dealing twice as much damage with significantly more knockback. Altogether, these traits make it more efficient at recovering and edge-guarding compared to Luigi Cyclone. It KOs middleweights at 75% while near the left/right blast lines of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version. However, it does not cover any horizontal distance on the ground, cannot punish rolls because of its windbox, and has more ending lag.

|fsdesc=Wields the {{s|mariowiki|Poltergust 5000}} to [[Windbox#Pulling attacks|vacuum]] nearby opponents into it before powerfully ejecting them diagonally. Opponents will accumulate more damage the earlier they are vacuumed in. It has decent range, and is capable of vacuuming opponents from a variety of angles. It is also very strong: while near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 33% in the ''3DS'' version.

|dtauntdesc=Bashfully kicks to the ground. Its high fixed knockback value makes it a very potent meteor smash, allowing it to potentially OHKO a ledge-hanging opponent. However, it is held back by pitiful reach and slow start-up lag.

|desc-up=Strikes a variety of poses in the following order: he faces the screen with one hand on his waist while displaying the {{s|wikipedia|V sign}} with the other, referencing his animation from ''Luigi's Mansion'' when he would find a key. Then he turns to the right slightly, pointing his hands that direction while giving a frightened look on his face. Then, he places his left hand just below his nose, similarly to his pose in official artwork for ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time}}''. Then he turns away from the screen and crouches depressingly, similarly to his {{s|mariowiki|Bogey}} animation in ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Golf|Nintendo 64}}''. Finally, he faces the screen once more and places both hands on his face while sporting a frightened look that is very similar to his expression on the cover of ''Luigi's Mansion''.

|desc-side=[[Wikipedia:Planking (fad)|Planks]] while saying "Pow! Pow!" Due to it moving Luigi forward into the [[Hitbox#Hitboxes in three dimensions|z-axis]] and lowering his hurtbox, some attacks may actually miss him as a result.

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

 

''See also: [[:Category:Luigi players (SSB4)]]''

 

*{{Sm|Elegant|USA}} - The best Luigi player of all-time. He made his mark on the scene by becoming the best Luigi player past the 1.1.1. update, placing 7th at {{Trn|2GGT: Abadango Saga}} and top 16 at a few other 2GGT events held in 2016. He most notably placed 2nd at {{Trn|GameTyrant Expo 2017}}, defeating {{Sm|MkLeo}} and {{Sm|Ally}} and marks the best run seen by a Luigi player in all of ''Smash  4''. He peaked at 11th on the [[Panda Global Rankings v4]] and placed 27th on the [[PGR 100]], the highest seen by any solo-Luigi player.

*{{Sm|J.Miller|UK}} - The best Luigi player in Europe as well as one of the best players from Europe during the early metagame. He notably won at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 5}} and placed 17th at {{Trn|Apex 2015}}, some of the biggest ''Smash 4'' tournaments in the game's first year. As the meta progressed in Europe, he still maintained strong results at more populated tournaments in the country, placing 9th at both {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 7}} and {{Trn|Smashdown World}}.

*{{Sm|MrConCon|USA}} - The best Luigi player in the world during the early metagame, prior to the 1.1.1. update. He made two notable milestones with the character around this time, being the first person to defeat {{Sm|ZeRo}} in a tournament set, doing so at the local [http://challonge.com/oomba4smash Smash 4 Oomba 5/1], as well as being the first ever solo-Luigi player to be globally ranked with 36th on the [[Panda Global Rankings v1]]. Even past Elegant's rise in the scene, he was still in contention for one of the best Luigi players in the world, placing 7th at {{Trn|IBP Masters Showdown}} and 33rd at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}}.  

*{{Sm|Ron|Japan}} - Tri-mained Luigi alongside {{SSB4|Mario}} and {{SSB4|Yoshi}} and is considered the best Luigi player in Japan. His tri-main efficiency brought him a win at {{Trn|Sumabato 18}}, using Luigi to defeat {{Sm|Shuton}} in winners finals. He particularly used Mario and Luigi at many other Sumabato events, most notably seen in his runner-up finishes at {{Trn|Sumabato 12}} and {{Trn|Sumabato 20}}. He ranked 57th on the [[PGR 100]] with Luigi as one of his characters.

*{{Sm|Shoyo James|USA}} - Co-mained Luigi alongside {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}} and is one of the best Luigi players in the United States, placing 54th on the [[PGR 100]]. As a co-main, he would occasionally opt to use Luigi against Diddy Kong, shown in his victories against {{Sm|Zinoto}} at his 7th place finish at {{Trn|Showdown: Battle Royale 2}} and {{Sm|MVD}} at his 13th place finish at {{Trn|Frostbite 2017}}. His best win as Luigi was against {{Sm|Ally}} at his 2nd place finish at {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 6: SoCal Invasion}}.

==In Solo Modes==

==={{GameIcon|SSB4-U}}[[Event Match]]es===

====Solo Events====

====Co-op Events====

*Traditionally, Luigi has always been an [[unlockable character]] revealed after an installment of ''Super Smash Bros.'' had been released. However, ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' is the first (and currently the only) installment to break that tradition, as he was both revealed before release and is now a [[starter character]], instead of an unlockable one.

*The trophy description for Luigi in the North American version of {{forwiiu}} makes a reference to [http://www.knowyourmeme.com/memes/weegee Weegee], a popular Internet meme. However, it could also be a reference to a number of games where he excitedly refers to himself as "Weegee".

*Luigi's All-Star trophy in {{for3ds}} resembles his Adventure Mode trophy from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', albeit with a different costume. In comparison, his alt. trophy in {{forwiiu}} resembles his official artwork from his [[Smabura-Ken]] page.