Editing Luigi (SSBM)

{{ArticleIcons|melee=y}}
{{disambig2|Luigi's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''|the character in other contexts|Luigi}}
{{Infobox Character
|name = Luigi
|image = [[File:Luigi SSBM.jpg]]
|symbol = preBrawl
|game = SSBM
|ssbgame1 = SSB
|ssbgame2 = SSBB
|ssbgame3 = SSB4
|ssbgame4 = SSBU
|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]
|tier = B-
|tierPAL = E
|ranking = 12
|rankingPAL = 13
}}
'''Luigi''' ({{ja|ルイージ|Ruīji}}, ''Luigi'') is an [[unlockable character]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. He is markedly similar to {{SSBM|Mario}}, though his moveset and attributes (such as traction and aerial mobility) are different in many ways, making him a [[Clone|semi-clone]]. 

As in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', {{iw|mariowiki|Charles Martinet}}'s portrayal of Mario from ''{{iw|mariowiki|Super Mario 64}}'' was re-purposed for Luigi's appearance in ''Melee'', and is once again altered in pitch (like his [[Luigi Cyclone]] clip). ''Melee'' would be the final game to take this approach with Luigi's voice after having done so in ''Smash 64''.

Luigi currently ranks 12th out of 26 on the tier list, in the B- tier, placing him three places above his older brother Mario. This is a huge improvement from his ranking in ''Super Smash Bros.'', where he was also ranked 12th (in last place). Luigi is notable for his excellent [[air]] game, with the second highest [[jump]], only behind {{SSBM|Falco}}, and some of the best [[aerial]]s, which are very low in lag and surprisingly powerful. Luigi's [[wavedash]] is the longest in the game, taking him nearly half the distance of {{SSBM|Final Destination}} at speeds that rival {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}. Luigi also has a wide array of efficient [[combo]] and [[KO]] moves both on the [[ground]] and in the air. 

However, Luigi's [[traction]], which is the lowest in the game, also works against him in other regards; while it gives him an excellent wavedash, it limits his grounded [[approach]]es and  [[out of shield]] options (often getting pushed out of range when his shield is hit). His approach options outside of wavedashing are generally poor; he has one of the slowest [[dash]]ing speeds and short [[range]], while his aerial approaches are hampered by his high [[short hop]], low [[falling speed]], and the worst [[air speed]] in the game. These problems are compounded with his difficulty in forcing opponents to approach, with no reliable [[spacing]] or zoning tools to fight from a safe distance,  while his [[floaty]] physics make him vulnerable to [[juggle]]s and vertical finishers. Additionally, his [[recovery]], though it goes very far, is easy to [[edgeguard]] because of how linear and slow it is.

Nevertheless, Luigi's terrific wavedash and his combo game make him a decent character in competitive play, as despite his average representation, he has mostly solid matchups and above-average results from multiple dedicated players over ''Melee'''s history, such as {{Sm|Abate}}, {{Sm|Eddy Mexico}}, and {{Sm|Ka-Master}}.<!--The only players that should be mentioned in the intro are the greatest players of all time, and as such the players mentioned should also be in MHSP. As such, do not add RapMonster to this introduction-->

==How to unlock==
Luigi must be defeated in battle before he can be unlocked. There are two ways the player can encounter Luigi:
*One way is to clear the first level of [[Adventure Mode]] with a two as the second digit of the seconds portion of the clock. (XX:X2.XX). After this is done, a cinematic plays when the player finishes the level, showing Luigi replacing Mario in the level to battle alongside {{SSBM|Peach}}. The player must then defeat the two within one minute. After Adventure Mode is completed, the player will face off against Luigi. If the player fails to defeat Luigi, they can re-fight him by doing this same method again. If this method is used and {{SSBM|Young Link}}'s unique encounter requirement is met, then he must be unlocked before Luigi can be fought.
*Another way is to play 800 VS. matches to completion. If the player fails to defeat Luigi, they can re-fight him by playing another VS. match to completion. If this method is used, fighters with lower VS. match quotas must be unlocked before Luigi can be fought.
When fought against, Luigi appears in [[Mushroom Kingdom II]].

==Attributes==
While Luigi may initially appear to be a clone of his older brother {{SSBM|Mario}}, in a way similar to {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}}, Luigi is a [[clone|semi-clone]] of Mario who exchanges mobility for extra power, despite the inverse being true in the ''[[Super Mario]]'' games. Many significant differences are present between their ground, aerial, and special attacks, and Luigi possesses several unique moves. Luigi's attributes can also wildly vary from Mario's; Luigi's air speed, dashing speed, and [[traction]] are among the lowest in the game, whereas Mario's are about average. Luigi's jumps are also much higher than Mario's. Luigi has the longest [[wavedash]] in the game as a result of his low traction.

Luigi's primary advantage in this regard is his impressive KO potential in his grounded moveset. Luigi's wavedash functions as his primary method of approaching and movement on the ground, allowing him to traverse large distances very quickly and with a great deal of maneuverability. Luigi can combine his excellent wavedash with a variety of powerful smash attacks to produce some of the best [[Wavedash#Wavesmashing|wavesmashes]] in the game. His down smash is highly versatile, acting as combo starter due to its completely vertical knockback, as a juggling move, or as a KO move at high percentages. His forward smash has extremely high knockback scaling (135; one of the highest in the game), making it a powerful KO move (though it can be a risky one, due to its ending lag). His up smash has intangibility on his head and is effective at KOing on the upper blast line and on floaty opponents, in addition to outprioritizing attacks from above Luigi. Luigi's [[up special]] can act as a powerful vertical finisher if sweetspotted, though it leaves Luigi in a helpless state and is very laggy; it is very punishable if the sweetspot is missed or the opponent avoids the attack (such as by shielding it). As a result, its use is often restricted to punishing very laggy moves (such as {{SSBM|Sheik}}'s [[Vanish]]), or as a tech-chase [[punish]], or [[DI]] dependent combo finisher on fastfallers.

Despite having the lowest air speed in the game, all of Luigi's aerial attacks are extremely solid. His forward aerial has quick startup and high knockback (at the [[Sakurai angle]]; 45° against aerial opponents), making it a useful attack for both KOing and edgeguarding. Down aerial boasts excellent utility with both its sweetspot and sourspot hitboxes; the sweetspot (near Luigi's hips), while difficult to land, is a meteor smash with solid power, making it great for edgeguarding offstage and starting combos onstage. The sourspot launches at the same angle as forward aerial with only slightly less power, making the attack a great choice for edgeguarding for any case. His back aerial has good range and works well for setting up edgeguards, while his up aerial is useful for hitting opponents above him and has low knockback which allows it to combo effectively into more aerials (such as a down or neutral aerial) on floaty opponents, and also works as a somewhat situational edgeguarding tool. Above all, however, is his neutral aerial, which is one of the most versatile attacks in the game. It is a standard [[sex kick]] that comes out on frame 3; however, it is the only sex kick that launches opponents vertically, along with disproportionately high hitstun. This makes it an incredible combo starter and even a situational KO option near the upper blast line, and thanks to its incredible speed, it is possibly the most notorious combo breaker in the game, as Luigi is able to use it to break opposing combos and start one of his own instantaneously.

Luigi's [[grab]] game is also good. Although his grab range is merely average, it is still much longer than Mario's and his aforementioned long wavedash allows Luigi to extend its reach. His throws have many varied uses. Both his down throw and up throw function as combo starters, leading into juggles with moves like up tilt, neutral air, and down smash; fast fallers such as {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Falco}} are generally more susceptible to up throw, while down throw is more suitable for floaty characters like Marth. Up throw is also a viable chain grab on fast-fallers at low percentages. His forward throw and back throws can set up a variety of edgeguards, with his back throw having sufficiently high knockback to function as a kill move at high percentages.

Luigi's strange variety of attributes, however, acts as a double-edged sword. Despite a highly effective wavedash, Luigi's movement without wavedashing is poor; while his [[moonwalk]] is decent, his dash is slow and his short initial dash animation gives him a very short dash-dance. Additionally, Luigi's projectile, [[Fireball]]s are poor; they have low hitstun, travel slowly, and have high ending lag, making them some of the more situational projectiles in the game. In addition, Luigi's air game, despite his powerful aerials, lacks much needed synergy with his stellar ground movement due to his low air speed. Furthermore, it, along with his low falling speed, leaves him highly vulnerable to juggles, as he cannot reach the ground effectively to escape them (this is one of the major factors in his poor matchup with Marth, who is capable of both starting and maintaining juggles on Luigi very effectively). A very high short hop and a low falling speed also gives Luigi among the worst SHFFLs in the game, even with his low-lag aerials. Finally, his low falling speed is what makes him vulnerable to being KOed off the top blast line (especially by characters with powerful vertical finishers, like Fox and {{SSBM|Ganondorf}}), and being juggled in the air.

Outside of his approach, Luigi suffers from an exploitable recovery. Although his two primary recovery moves, [[Super Jump Punch]] and [[Green Missile]] have decent range (Green Missile can be used repeatedly when recovering high, and can also lead to a [[Misfire]]), they are extremely linear in trajectory; Super Jump Punch does not move Luigi horizontally at all and Green Missile moves him horizontally and then causes him to fall significantly during the high ending lag. The slow and linear nature of these moves make his recovery easy to edgeguard on reaction, undermining his otherwise relatively long recovery. While Fireball can be used as a potentially potent edgeguard breaker, characters with reflectors can easily punish and gimp Luigi as a result, on top of its high ending lag. His Super Jump Punch also makes for one of the poorest [[meteor cancel]] moves in the game. He can also recover using the [[Luigi Cyclone]], which gives vertical and horizontal distance, but strangely, the Cyclone needs to be "charged" before it allows Luigi to rise while using it (the move becomes "charged" when it is completed or is interrupted while Luigi is touching the ground). In comparison to [[Mario Tornado]] and [[Dr. Tornado]], it also requires even more intense [[button mashing]] to rise; many Luigi players must hold the controller in a different way to normal (such as balancing it on their leg) to be able to press the B button fast enough to utilize the Cyclone as an effective recovery move.

Overall, Luigi is a character that tends to run hot and cold. He lacks many particularly safe approaches on the ground outside of wavedashing, and his aerial approaches are very poor, which generally leaves him vulnerable to characters with good zoning ability. Additionally, Luigi is over-reliant on wavedashing; a highly effective Luigi player must have perfect control over his wavedash distance. However, if Luigi can get within range to where he can land his blows, he can quickly and efficiently take the opponents' stock with effective use of his wavesmashes and versatile aerials. While he requires a large amount of technical skill and relies on situational attacks more than most characters, mastering Luigi's moveset rewards players with unpredictability and very strong offensive potential that can't be taken lightly by opponents.

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

Unlike in ''Smash 64'' where Luigi was a clone of {{SSBM|Mario}}, his moveset has received an overhaul from ''Melee'', and the moves he shares with Mario now have different properties. Overall, this makes Luigi a semi-clone instead of a full clone.

Given that Luigi was considered to be the worst character in ''Smash 64'', being ranked at the lowest position on the latest tier list at 12th, Luigi was the character who was [[buff]]ed the most in the transition from ''Smash 64'' to ''Melee''. Luigi greatly benefits from ''Melee''{{'}}s new mechanics, most notably [[wavedashing]]. Wavedashing immensely improves Luigi's otherwise poor grounded mobility and it now gives his low traction an advantage rather than it only being a huge detriment. Luigi also benefits from the inclusion of up and down throws as it gives him a powerful chaingrabbing game. A wide variety of his moves have also seen improvements to their speed and some moves such as down smash and neutral aerial have gained combo potential.

However, Luigi has also seen some significant [[nerf]]s. Despite gaining some new KO options, many of Luigi's attacks have reduced KO potential including his up smash, back throw and [[Luigi Cyclone]] (which is also slower). His recovery is also worse. While his new side special [[Green Missile]] grants him an extra recovery option, it is very slow and predictable; thus it can easily be challenged most of the time. Luigi Cyclone grants less height and it now needs to be charged on the ground before it can be used in the air for recovery purposes, while [[Super Jump Punch]] covers much less distance, particularly horizontally. In addition, Super Jump Punch is both slower and much weaker - especially the aerial version - making it a lot more difficult to combo into. Despite gaining new combo options, he has also lost one of his most valuable combo options in the form of his up aerial, which now has increased startup lag plus a worse [[auto-cancel]] window. It no longer sends opponents vertically, significantly hindering its combo and juggling potential (no longer leading into Super Jump Punch) - although it now has less ending lag and higher edgeguarding potential.

Overall, while Luigi's direct changes do not drastically buff him, the changes to the game's mechanics (mainly the inclusion of wavedashing) have immensely helped him, pushing him into the mid tiers. It also helps that his damage output and [[auto-cancel]] ability are greater relative to the cast, making him shine in those areas more than he did in ''Smash 64''.

===Aesthetics===
*{{change|The graphical upgrades of the Nintendo GameCube give Luigi a more proportionate build. His appearance more closely resembles official N64-era renders of him from games such as ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart 64}}'' and ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Party}}''. His overalls are now a navy blue color (more like Mario's) instead of purple from the previous game and the seams are slightly more accentuated. His green clothes are a darker shade. He has a rounder head and a slightly darker skin tone.}}
*{{change|Idle animation has somewhat altered via his arms waving around a bit.}}
*{{change|Luigi has two new [[victory pose]]s: the first one has Luigi planks twice while falling, and the second one has Luigi making finger guns and pretending to shoot. They replace two of his victory poses from ''Smash 64''.}}

===Attributes===
*{{buff|Luigi [[walk]]s significantly faster (0.8 (24) → 1.1).}}
*{{nerf|Luigi's [[initial dash]] is much slower (1.667 (50) → 1.34) and covers less distance.}}
*{{Buff|Luigi [[run]]s very slightly faster (1.33 (40) → 1.34), no longer having the slowest dash in the game alongside Ness.}}
*{{buff|Luigi's [[traction]] is slightly higher (0.0233 (0.7) → 0.025), though it still remains the lowest in the game by a large margin.}}
*{{nerf|Luigi's [[jumpsquat]] is longer (3 frames → 4).}}
*{{nerf|Luigi's already slow [[air speed]] has been decreased even more (0.867 (26, JPN) / 0.75 (22.5, NA/AUS/EUR) → 0.68).}}
*{{nerf|Luigi's [[air acceleration]] is lower (0.0667 (2) → 0.04), although no longer being the slowest. It is slightly lower than Mario's.}}
*{{nerf|Luigi [[jump]]s drastically lower (57.267 (1718) → 46.546), hindering his vertical recovery and ability to chase opponents above him. While still the 2nd highest out of 26 characters, he jumps slightly lower than {{SSB|Jigglypuff}} in ''Smash 64''.}}
**{{buff|Luigi's [[short hop]] is also extremely lower (31.6167 (1038.5) → 14.91). This improves his aerial approach potential while Luigi retains his ability to [[auto-cancel]] all of his aerials as well as being able to perform multiple aerials in a short hop.}}
*{{change|Luigi [[falling speed|falls]] faster (1.4 (42) → 1.6), improving his vertical endurance but making him easier to combo.}}
**{{nerf|However, Luigi's [[fast fall]]ing speed is slower (2.25 (67.5) → 2). The difference between his falling speed and fast falling speed is much lower (increase: 60.7% → 25%), which makes it more predictable when landing and gives him fewer options in the air.}}
*{{buff|The addition of [[air dodging]] has dramatically benefitted Luigi as he can now [[wavedash]]. Luigi possesses the longest wavedash in the game due to his extremely low [[traction]] making him benefit from wavedashing more than almost any other returning veteran. Wavedashing has greatly aided Luigi's mobility as it gives him an excellent [[approach]] option; offsetting his otherwise poor approach.}}

===Ground attacks===
*[[Neutral attack]]:
**{{buff|Neutral attack deals more damage (2% → 3% (hit 1)/4% → 5% (hit 3)).}}
**{{buff|The first two hits knockback (8 (base), 50 (scaling) → 20 (set)/100) and angles (361° (hit 1)/70° (hit 2) → 83°/85° (both)) have been altered, allowing them to connect more reliably into the third hit.}}
**{{buff|All three hits have less ending lag (FAF 18 → 15 (hit 1)/FAF 20 → 19 (hit 2), FAF 26 → 23 (hit 3)).}}
**{{nerf|Luigi can no longer cancel the first hit into a grab.}}
**{{nerf|The second hit has a shorter duration (frames 3-5 → 3-4).}}
**{{buff|The third hit has a new animation with Luigi bumping forward with his rear end, slightly increasing its range.}}
**{{nerf|The third hit has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 3-8 → 5-6).}}
*[[Forward tilt]]:
**{{buff|Forward tilt has less startup (frame 8 → 4) and ending lag (FAF 43 → 32).}}
**{{nerf|Forward tilt has decreased base knockback (10 → 2).}}
**{{nerf|Down angled forward tilt now deals very weak set knockback (10 (base), 0 (set), 100 (scaling) → 2/1/100), now making it extremely punishable on hit regardless of the opponent's percent.}}
*[[Up tilt]]:
**{{buff|Luigi has a new up tilt: an overhead "cat paw" swipe with his fist. It has less startup (frame 5 → 4) and ending lag (FAF 42 → 30) compared to the previous up tilt.}}
**{{buff|Up tilt has more horizontal range.}}
**{{buff|Up tilt now launches opponents towards Luigi (80° → 100°).}}
**{{change|Up tilt has altered knockback (0 (base), 150 (scaling) → 30/(127/125/123).}}
***{{buff|This makes the move much safer on hit at lower percents and improves its juggling potential when combined with its lower ending lag.}}
***{{nerf|However, this also hinders its KO potential when combined with its lower damage.}}
**{{nerf|Up tilt deals less damage (10% → 9%).}}
**{{nerf|Up tilt has a shorter duration (frames 5-16 → 4-12).}}
*[[Down tilt]]:
**{{buff|Luigi has a new down tilt: a low swinging crouch back-kick with Luigi's following/right leg which deals more damage (7% → 9%) compared to the previous down tilt.}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt has more startup lag and a shorter duration (frames 3-6 → 5-7).}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt has more ending lag (FAF 18 → 35) significantly hindering its use as a spacing tool.}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt has less range.}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt deals less knockback (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 10/80).}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt now launches opponents vertically (361° → 80°) further hindering its spacing potential while not granting it combo potential due to its low knockback and high ending lag.}}
*[[Dash attack]]:
**{{buff|Dash attack has less ending lag (FAF 61 → 59).}}
**{{change|Dash attack's hits have altered knockback (0 (base), 40 (set), 100 (scaling) → 2/0/100).}}
***{{buff|This makes it connect more reliably at lower percents.}}
***{{nerf|However, this makes it connect less reliably at higher percents.}}
**{{nerf|Dash attack has more startup lag (frame 3 → 4).}}
**{{nerf|Dash attack's hits have shorter durations (4 frames (hits 1-2)/7 frames (hits 3-6) → 1 frame (all)).}}
**{{nerf|Dash attack deals slightly less damage due to changes to [[stale move negation]] (12% → 11.1%).}}
*[[Forward smash]]:
**{{buff|Luigi has a new forward smash: a knifehand. It has less startup lag (frame 16 → 12) compared to the previous forward smash.}}
***{{nerf|However, its total duration remains unchanged; increasing its ending lag.}}
**{{buff|Forward smash deals much more knockback (30 (base), 100 (scaling) → 20/135), making it much stronger despite its lower damage and no longer being the weakest in the game.}}
**{{buff|Forward smash now deals extra shield damage (0 → 5).}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash has a shorter duration (frames 16-20 → 12-14).}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash deals less damage (16%/15%/14% → 14%/13%/12%).}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash's angles have been altered (361° (all) → 65° (up)/55° (non angled)/45° (down)) which along with its lower damage, hinders the effectiveness of the non angled and up angled versions; especially against fast fallers.}}
*[[Up smash]]:
**{{buff|Up smash has a new animation; Luigi now takes a massive step forward as he leans for the headbutt. This gives it a bit more horizontal range and much less ending lag (FAF 60 → 40).}}
**{{nerf|Up smash has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 7-15 → 9-11). Luigi also no longer jumps, decreasing it's vertical range.}}
**{{nerf|Up smash has less intangibility (frames 7-10 → 9-11).}}
**{{nerf|Up smash deals less damage (19% → 17%) and knockback (26 (base), 120 (scaling) → 35/98) in addition to sending opponents at a less vertical angle (85° → 110°). This significantly hinders its KO potential; no longer being the strongest in the game alongside Mario's version of up smash.}}
*[[Down smash]]:
**{{buff|Down smash has less startup lag (frame 8 → 5) and a shorter total duration (FAF 45 → 38).}}
**{{change|Down smash now launches opponents vertically (361° → 90°), significantly improving its combo potential, but hindering its edgeguarding and KO potential.}}
**{{nerf|Down smash has a shorter duration (frames 8-29 → 5-6/14-15) with the front hit and back hit now having separate hitboxes rather than one long lasting hitbox.}}
***{{nerf|This also increases the move's cooldown as its total duration was not fully compensated.}}
**{{nerf|Down smash deals less knockback (20 (base), 100 (scaling) → 40/80).}}

===Aerial attacks===
*{{buff|All aerials except up aerial auto-cancel earlier (frame 37 → 36 (neutral), frame 27 → 20 (forward), frame 20 → 19 (back), frame 33 → 24 (down)).}}
**{{nerf|However, Luigi's aerials no longer auto-cancel the entire time their hitboxes are not active.}}
*{{Nerf|Luigi's faster fall speed and lower short hop removes his ability to perform double neutral aerial in one [[Short hop]].}}
*[[Neutral aerial]]:
**{{buff|Neutral aerial's clean hit deals more damage (14% → 15%) and has higher base knockback (15 → 20).}}
**{{change|Neutral aerial now launches opponents vertically (361° → 90°).}}
***{{buff|This significantly improves its combo potential being an excellent combo starter.}}
***{{nerf|However, this also removes its edgeguarding potential.}}
**{{buff|Neutral aerial has a shorter total duration (FAF 50 → 46).}}
***{{nerf|However, it can also no longer be performed twice in a [[short hop]] due to Luigi's lower short hop.}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has a shorter duration (frames 3-10 (clean)/11-36 (late) → 3-6/7-31), slightly increasing its ending lag.}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has slightly increased landing lag (14 frames → 15).}}
**{{nerf|Late neutral aerial deals less damage (11% → 8%) without full compensation on its base knockback (0 → 20).}}
***{{buff|However, this improves its combo potential.}}
*[[Forward aerial]]:
**{{buff|Luigi has a new forward aerial: A karate chop. It has less startup (frame 11 → 7) and ending lag (FAF 40 → 33).}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial has increased base knockback (10 → 43), improving its spacing and edgeguarding potential.}}
***{{nerf|However, this hinders its combo potential.}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial has less landing lag (30 frames → 25).}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial deals less damage compared to its previous clean hit (16% → 12%), making it weaker overall despite its increased base knockback.}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a shorter duration due to it no longer possessing a late hit (frames 11-26 → 7-10).}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has less range.}}
*[[Back aerial]]:
**{{buff|Back aerial has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 10-13 (clean)/14-19 (late) → 6-17).}}
**{{change|Back aerial has a new animation, where Luigi kicks more sideways with his right side facing up, instead of kicking backward face-down. Luigi also recovers differently without curling up into a flip.}}
***{{buff|This new animation is shorter significantly reducing the move's ending lag (FAF 40 → 29).}}
***{{nerf|However, this also gives the move less range.}}
**{{nerf|Back aerial deals less damage compared to its previous clean hit (16% → 11%) with only a slight increases to its base knockback (10 → 12), significantly hindering its KO potential.}}
***{{buff|However, this improves the move's combo potential.}}
***{{buff|Additionally since the move no longer has a weaker late hit, it deals more damage (10% → 11%) and has higher base knockback (0 → 12) compared to the previous late hit.}}
*[[Up aerial]]:
**{{buff|[[Up aerial]] has less ending lag (FAF 40 → 30).}}
**{{buff|Up aerial deals more damage (12% (clean)/9% (late) → 13%).}}
**{{change|Up aerial launches opponents horizontally rather than vertically (80°/70° → 55°).}}
***{{buff|This grants the move edgeguarding potential.}}
***{{nerf|However, this significantly hinders its combo and juggling potential removing one of Luigi's most powerful combo tools.}}
**{{buff|Up aerial has much less landing lag (40 frames → 15).}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial has more startup lag with a shorter duration due to no longer having a late hit (frames 2-4 (clean)/5-11 (late) → 5-7).}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial auto-cancels later (frame 12 → 16), removing Luigi's ability to perform two up aerials in a short hop and still auto-cancel the up aerial.}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial has decreased knockback scaling (120 → 100) hindering its KO potential despite its higher damage.}}
*[[Down aerial]]:
**{{change|Luigi's down aerial hits only once via a single drill spinning stomp, instead of being a multi-hitting drill.}}
**{{change|Down aerial's angles have been altered (-70° → 361°/270°).}}
**{{buff|Down aerial deals much more damage (3% → 16%) and knockback (30 (set), 100 (scaling) → 20 (base), 100 (scaling)) compared to the previous individual kicks; making it a powerful KO move.}}
**{{buff|Down aerial has a shorter total duration (FAF 39 → 29) becomming the fastest down aerial in the game in terms of ending lag.}}
**{{buff|Down aerial has less landing lag (36 frames → 18).}}
**{{nerf|Due to down aerial only consisting of one hit instead of eight:}}
***{{nerf|Its maximum damage potential is lower (24% → 16%).}}
***{{nerf|It has a much shorter duration (frames 10-11,13-14,16-17,19-20,22-23,25-26,28-29,31-32 → 10-14), increasing its ending lag.}}
***{{nerf|It can no longer be used as an effective shield pressuring tool.}}
***{{nerf|It is no longer a powerful and reliable combo tool.}}
***{{buff|However, the move is now more reliable; no longer being escapable with [[SDI]].}}
**{{nerf|The introduction of [[meteor canceling]] hinders the new sweetspot's reliability.}}

===Throws/other attacks===
*{{buff|Luigi has been given an [[up throw]], a [[down throw]], and a [[pummel]], along with the rest of the ''Super Smash Bros.'' veterans, providing him more options out of a grab. This significantly improves his attack options. His new up and down throw's are capable of [[chain grab]]bing opponents.}}
*[[Grab]]s:
**{{nerf|Luigi's [[Grab]]s have more startup lag (frame 6 → 7 (standing), 11 (dash)) and ending lag (FAF 16 → 31 (standing), 41 (dash)).}}
*[[Forward throw]]:
**{{nerf|Forward throw deals much less damage (16% → 8%) and knockback (70 (base), 70 (scaling) → 60/65).}}
*[[Back throw]]:
**{{nerf|Back throw deals less damage (12% → 10%) and has decreased knockback scaling (70 → 65).}}
**{{nerf|Back throw's collateral hit deals less damage (10% → 8%).}}
*[[Taunt]]:
**{{buff|Taunt has less startup (frame 48 → 46) and ending lag (FAF 79 → 71).}}
***{{nerf|However, it can no longer be interrupted with shield or grab increasing the amount of time Luigi cannot shield or grab after performing the taunt (60 frames → 70).}}
**{{buff|Taunt has slightly more range; now being able to hit the entire cast on the ground.}}
**{{buff|Taunt now deals extra shield damage (0 → 1).}}
**{{buff|Taunt has increased set knockback (60 → 100) and is now a meteor smash (361° → 280°), increasing its utility.}}
**{{nerf|Taunt has a shorter duration (frames 48-50 → 46).}}

===Special moves===
*[[Fireball]]:
**{{buff|Fireball travels faster.}}
**{{nerf|Fireball has a smaller hitbox.}}
**{{nerf|Fireball has slightly increased startup (frame 16 → 17) and ending lag (FAF 46 → 47).}}
**{{nerf|Fireball has a shorter duration (frames 16-94 → 17-66).}}
**{{nerf|Fireball has decreased base knockback (10 → 5).}}
**{{change|It has an altered animation, with Luigi firing the Fireball underhanded.}}
*[[Green Missile]]:
**{{change|Luigi has a [[side special]]: Green Missile. Luigi travels sideways like a rocket which he can charge to increase its strength/distance. It also has a 1/8 chance to misfire which will set Luigi on fire and immediately make him travel a great distance with strong damage/knockback regardless of charge. It gives him an additional [[recovery]] option. It also slightly aids to his KO ability, being another KO option with a misfire, albeit not very reliable and a misfire travels so far that it can lead into a self destruct.}}
*[[Super Jump Punch]]:
**{{buff|Super Jump Punch has increased intangibility (frame 2 → 5-8).}}
***{{nerf|However, its intangibility has increased startup lag (frame 2 → 5).}}
**{{change|The late hit has an altered angle (361° → 80°) as well as altered knockback (10 (set), 100 (scaling) → 1 (base)/1).}}
**{{change|The aerial sweetspot no longer makes the [[ping]] sound effect when it connects.}}
**{{nerf|Super Jump Punch has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 2-24 → 5-23).}}
**{{nerf|Super Jump Punch has a new animation where Luigi jumps straight up. This new animation covers less vertical distance and covers no horizontal distance whatsoever meaning that Luigi has to enter free fall before he can move horizontally.}}
**{{nerf|Super Jump Punch can no longer be angled.}}
**{{nerf|Super Jump Punch has more landing lag (25 frames → 40).}}
**{{nerf|The changes to up aerial and the introduction of DI have made Super Jump Punch much harder to combo into.}}
**{{nerf|The sweetspot no longer has a hitbox which covers Luigi's body.}}
**{{nerf|The grounded sweetspot deals less knockback (90 (base), 80 (scaling) → 70/73).}}
**{{nerf|The aerial sweetspot deals less damage (25% → 20%) and knockback (80 (base), 80 (scaling) → 58/72), significantly hindering its KO potential despite its altered angle (80° → 90°).}}
*[[Luigi Cyclone]]:
**{{buff|Luigi Cyclone has less ending lag (FAF 87 → 80).}}
**{{buff|Grounded Luigi Cyclone now allows Luigi to move along the ground to cover a great distance very quickly, improving its utility.}}
**{{buff|The first hit's hitboxes no longer disappear if Luigi lands while they are active.}}
**{{buff|The first hit now always launches opponents straight up (65°/90° → 90°).}}
**{{change|The first hit deals much less damage (15% → 8% (ground)/9% (air)) and knockback (65 (base), 90 (scaling) → 50/80).}}
***{{buff|This improves its ability to lead into the second hit.}}
***{{nerf|However, this significantly hinders its KO potential.}}
**{{buff|The second hit now launches opponents straight up (70° → 90°) which along with the move's lower ending lag, improves its combo potential.}}
**{{nerf|Luigi Cyclone has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 1-42 (hit 1)/43-44 (ground hit 2)/43-46 (air hit 2) → 6-29/43).}}
**{{nerf|Luigi Cyclone now requires significantly faster button inputs to make Luigi rise.}}
**{{nerf|Luigi can no longer mash to rise when using the grounded version.}}
**{{nerf|Luigi Cyclone now needs to be "charged" by being used on the ground first before it can be used in midair to rise with mashing.}}
**{{nerf|The second hit deals much less damage (18% → 12%) and knockback (80 (base), 100 (scaling) → 50/80), drastically hindering its KO potential.}}
***{{buff|However, this improves its combo potential.}}
***{{nerf|As a result of all these changes, the move is no longer a reliable KO move and combo finisher.}}

==Version history==
'''PAL'''
*{{change|Changed the conditions for starting a match with a charged [[Luigi Cyclone]] (see [[Luigi Cyclone#Combinations that start the game with Luigi Cyclone charged (NTSC)|here]] for conditions in the NTSC version). Luigi will now start the match with a charged Luigi Cyclone, regardless of opposing character, if playing with the lower port on [[Fountain of Dreams]], [[Pokémon Stadium]], [[Big Blue]], [[Onett]], [[Icicle Mountain]] and [[Poké Floats]].}}

==Moveset==
''For a gallery of Luigi's hitboxes, see [[Luigi (SSBM)/Hitboxes|here]].''
[[File:LuigiAerialAttacksSSBM.png|thumb|Luigi's aerial attacks]]
{{MovesetTable
|game=SSBM
|neutralcount=3
|neutralname=Left Jab ({{ja|左パンチ|Hidari Panchi}}, ''Left Punch'')<br>Right Jab ({{ja|右パンチ|Migi Panchi}}, ''Right Punch'')<br>Plumber's Rump ({{ja|どんけつ|Donketsu}}, ''Tail-End/Butt'')
|neutraldesc=A three-hit attack consisting of two jabs followed by a hip bump. Useful as a low-damage opener. Because the third strike of the combo knocks the opponent away with a medium amount of lag, many players elect to omit the third strike of the combo. Luigi can repeat the first strike of the neutral attack by [[jab cancel]]ling. Can combo into the [[Sweet_spot_(hitbox)|sweetspot]] of a [[Super_Jump_Punch#Luigi|Super Jump Punch]].
|neutral1dmg=3%
|neutral2dmg=2%
|neutral3dmg=5%
|ftiltname=Plumber Kick ({{ja|ミドルキック|Midoru Kikku}}, ''Middle Kick'')
|ftiltdmg=10%
|ftiltdesc=Does a back spinning kick with his right leg. Has medium [[knockback]]. It is often used to poke or simply to push the opponent away, giving Luigi extra time to maneuver or set up [[edgeguard]]s. It can be angled, with the downwards angled version having very low hitstun, often leaving Luigi vulnerable on hit or block. Combined with wavedashing for approaching, it can be a surprise attack on the opponent.
|utiltname=Cat Punch ({{ja|ねこパンチ|Neko Panchi}})
|utiltdmg=9%
|utiltdesc=Swipes over his head with his fist. Its upward trajectory makes this move well-suited for [[juggle|juggling]], especially against [[fast-faller]]s.
|dtiltname=Heel Kick ({{ja|かかとげり|Kakato Geri}})
|dtiltdmg=9%
|dtiltdesc=Crouches, turns around, and kicks his heel out behind him. It pops the opponent up with low-knockback and is laggy, making it of limited usefulness. Since this attack hugs the ground, it can be used to attack a [[sweet spot (ledge)|sweet spot]]ting enemy.
|dashname=Fists of Fear ({{ja|ぽこぽこパンチ|Pokopoko Panchi}}, ''Pow-Pow/Burbling Punch'')
|dashdmg=2% (hits 1-6)
|dashdesc=Dashes forward and attacks his opponent with a flurry of punches. It hits six times and does moderate damage, but it's not very useful due to being extremely unsafe on hit (it has 22 frames on ending lag and very low hitstun), allowing any character to grab him out of it. All hits deal ≈11.1% when used fresh.
|fsmashname=Trowel Stab ({{ja|地獄突き|Jigoku Zuki}}, ''Hell Thrust'')
|fsmashangles=3
|fsmashupdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|14}}
|fsmashsidedmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|13}}
|fsmashdowndmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|12}}
|fsmashdesc=Bends his elbow before thrusting his arm out, performing a spearhand thrust. Launches opponents diagonally upwards. Has some of the highest knockback scaling in the game at 135, being able to KO under 130%. Additionally, charging this move will cease Luigi's momentum mid-[[wavedash]], which will make him stop suddenly. This move can be angled up or down.
|usmashname=Lead Headbutt ({{ja|スマッシュヘッドバット|Sumasshu Heddobatto}}, ''Smash Headbutt'')
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|17}}
|usmashdesc=Performs an upwards headbutt. Identical to Mario's up smash, but has an up-and-behind trajectory, ideal for KOs off the upper [[blast line]], or KOs on floaty opponents. It can also set up aerial combos in a similar manner to his up tilt. Luigi's head is [[intangible]] while the hitboxes are active.
|dsmashname=Breakdance Sweep ({{ja|ダブルキック|Daburu Kikku}}, ''Double Kick'')
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|17}}
|dsmashdesc=Kicks out twice in a breakdancing motion, first in front and then behind. The combination of the attack's upward trajectory and its [[knockback]] makes it an excellent [[combo]] starter. Can combo into itself.
|nairname=Plumber's Boot ({{ja|ルイージキック|Ruīji Kikku}}, ''Luigi Kick'')
|nairdmg=15% (clean), 8% (late)
|nairdesc=A [[sex kick]] that sends the opponent straight upwards. For this reason, Luigi's sex kick is a popular tool for juggling and comboing opponents, being able to KO at high percentages. Its hitbox and low startup time (hits on frame 3) means that it is useful for interrupting combo attempts by the opponent. One of the strongest sex kicks in the game (being the 3rd most powerful neutral aerial overall and the most powerful sex kick in ''Melee''). The late hit can combo into the sweetspot of a Super Jump Punch.
|fairname=Chop Chop ({{ja|脳天チョップ|Nōten Choppu}}, ''Head Crown Chop'')
|fairdmg=12%
|fairdesc=Does a quick karate chop forward. High horizontal knockback and is one of Luigi's primary KO'ing aerial attacks. It also has high knockback at low damage. Launches at the [[Sakurai angle]].
|bairname=Drop Kick ({{ja|後方ドロップキック|Kōhō Doroppu Kikku}}, ''Backward Drop Kick'')
|bairdmg=11%
|bairdesc=Performs a reverse dropkick. Good for damage racking, edgeguarding, and zoning (especially on floaty opponents such as {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}). It also has high base knockback, similar to Dr. Mario's back aerial, adding to its effectiveness.
|uairname=Bicycle Kick ({{ja|エアスラッシュ|Ea Surasshu}}, ''Air Slash'')
|uairdmg=13%
|uairdesc=Does a upwards flipkick, hitting above him. Doesn't offer the same juggling properties from the ground as Mario's; however, it is often used against opponents above Luigi on platforms, or as a vertical launcher to set up an aerial finisher like his forward aerial. It is also useful as an edgeguard.
|dairname=Screwdriver Kick ({{ja|ドリルキック|Doriru Kikku}})
|dairdmg=16%
|dairdesc=Does a quick downwards spin kick which unlike Mario's is a single hit kick. A valuable edgeguarding move. Can [[meteor smash]] if he hits the opponent with his hip (in a similar fashion to {{SSBM|Young Link}}'s down aerial meteor smash.) The lower hitbox has strong knockback at the Sakurai angle in a similar fashion to his forward aerial.
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})
|grabdesc=&nbsp;
|pummelname=Clutch Headbutt ({{ja|つかみヘッドバット|Tsukami Heddobatto}}, ''Grab Headbutt'')
|pummeldmg=3%
|pummeldesc=Headbutts opponent. Relatively slow.
|fthrowname=Heave-Ho ({{ja|ヒコーキ投げ|Hikōki Nage}}, ''Airplane Throw'')
|fthrowdmg=8%
|fthrowdesc=Spins around once and throws his opponent forward. This throw is relatively weak but can be used near the [[ledge]] to set up edgeguards.
|bthrowname=Airplane Swing ({{ja|ジャイアントスイング|Jaianto Suingu}}, ''Giant Swing'')
|bthrowdmg=10% (throw), 8% (collateral)
|bthrowdesc=Spins around three times and throws his opponent backwards. Luigi's strongest throw, often being used for throwing enemies offstage and getting KOs.
|uthrowname=Luigi Launch ({{ja|スルーアップ|Surū Appu}}, ''Throw Up'')
|uthrowdmg=7%
|uthrowdesc=Throws his opponent upward. Very useful combo starter, leading into moves such as an up tilt, a neutral aerial, and an up smash. It can also [[chain grab]] fast-fallers.
|dthrowname=Down the Drain ({{ja|スルーダウン|Surū Daun}}, ''Throw Down'')
|dthrowdmg=7%
|dthrowdesc=Throws the opponent into the ground, causing them to bounce at a horizontal angle. Allows for combos or tech chase follow ups.
|floorbname=&nbsp;
|floorbdmg=6%
|floorbdesc=Swirls around in a similar fashion to his down smash.
|floorfname=&nbsp;
|floorfdmg=6%
|floorfdesc=Gets up and punches behind him, then in front.
|edgefname=&nbsp;
|edgefdmg=6% (body), 8% (legs)
|edgefdesc=Does a somersault and then kicks upward onto the stage.
|edgesname=&nbsp;
|edgesdmg=10%
|edgesdesc=Slowly gets up and kicks forward with one leg.
|nsname=Fireball
|nsdmg=6%
|nsdesc=Shoots a fireball as a [[projectile]]. The fireball isn't affected by gravity. It can be used to [[Vududash]].
|ssname=Green Missile
|ssdmg=5-26% (normal), 25% (misfire)
|ssdesc=A chargeable move that launches Luigi sideways like a rocket. Mainly a recovery tool. There is a lot of ending lag on this move, which can make it very punishable. There is a 1-in-8 chance that Luigi will [[misfire]], sending him much farther, much faster, and with much more knockback. Performing this move like a [[smash attack]] causes the move to finish charging sooner.
|usname=Super Jump Punch
|usdmg=25% (ground clean), 20% (air clean), 1% (late)
|usdesc=Does a jumping uppercut upwards with no horizontal distance. There is a 1-frame sweetspot right at the beginning of the move, which is very powerful. Otherwise, it deals pitiful damage and no knockback.
|dsname=Luigi Cyclone
|dsdmg=8% (ground hit 1), 9% (air hit 1), 12% (hit 2)
|dsdesc=A spinning attack that can be moved left and right. By very rapidly [[mash]]ing the [[B button]], it can be used to gain vertical recovery distance, if the move was "charged" by having done a grounded Luigi Cyclone prior (in most cases).
|tauntname=Taunt ({{ja|挑発|Chōhatsu}})
|tauntdmg=1%
|tauntdesc=A bashful kick to the ground. The only damaging taunt in the game. [[Meteor smash]]es with set knockback, sending opponents upwards on the ground, and downwards if they are hanging on the ledge. It has very limited practical applications, being very slow and weak, as well as possible to [[meteor cancel]] due to its angle.
}}

===Stats===
'''NTSC'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 100
|rweight = 8-10
|dash = 1.34
|rdash = 19
|run = 1.34
|rrun = 22
|walk = 1.1
|rwalk = 12-15
|trac = 0.0025
|rtrac = 26
|airfric = 0.01
|rairfric = 15-20
|air = 0.68
|rair = 26
|baseaccel = 0.015
|rbaseaccel = 24
|addaccel = 0.025
|raddaccel = 22-23
|gravity = 0.069
|rgravity = 24
|fall = 1.6
|rfall = 19-21
|ff = 2
|rff = 21-24
|jumpsquat = 4
|rjumpsquat = 8-15
|jumpheight = 46.546
|rjumpheight = 2
|shorthop = 14.91
|rshorthop = 7
|djump = 35.568
|rdjump = 4
|ellag = 4
|rellag = 2-23
}}

'''PAL'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 100
|rweight = 8-9

|dash = 1.34
|rdash = 19
|run = 1.34
|rrun = 22
|walk = 1.1
|rwalk = 12-15
|trac = 0.0025
|rtrac = 26
|airfric = 0.01
|rairfric = 15-20
|air = 0.68
|rair = 26
|baseaccel = 0.015
|rbaseaccel = 24
|addaccel = 0.025
|raddaccel = 22-23
|gravity = 0.069
|rgravity = 24
|fall = 1.6
|rfall = 19-21
|ff = 2
|rff = 21-24
|jumpsquat = 4
|rjumpsquat = 8-15
|jumpheight = 46.546
|rjumpheight = 2
|shorthop = 14.91
|rshorthop = 7
|djump = 35.568
|rdjump = 4
|ellag = 4
|rellag = 2-23
}}

===[[Announcer]] call===
[[File: Luigi Announcer SSBM.wav]]

===[[List of taunts (SSBM)|Taunt]]===
{{Taunt/SSBM|char=Luigi|desc=Bashfully kicks the ground, dealing 1% damage to anyone who hits his foot. It is the only taunt in ''Melee'' that can damage the opponent. The taunt normally sends the enemy upwards with [[set knockback]], but against opponents hanging on the ledge, it will [[meteor smash]]. Since it is slow and very weak, Luigi's taunt is rarely used in [[competitive play]].}}

===[[List of idle poses (SSBM)|Idle pose]]===
{{Idle|desc=Rubs the back of his head sheepishly. The controller vibrates slightly during this animation.|image=Luigi Idle Pose Melee.gif}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (International)
!Cheer (Japanese)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Luigi Cheer International SSBM.ogg|center]]||[[File:Luigi Cheer Japanese SSBM.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
|Lu - i - gi! || Lui - gi!
|}

===[[Victory pose]]s===
{{Victory/SSBM
|victory-theme=MushroomKingdomThemeMelee.ogg
|victory-desc=An orchestrated cover of the iconic "Level Completed" music from ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
|desc-1=Planks twice. The spring sound from Super Mario World can be heard after each plank.
|desc-2=Turns around and makes gun motions with his fingers, saying "Let's-a go"!
|desc-3=Childishly swings his arms at the air and gasps twice with exhaustion. This is his animation when he is chosen in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''
|char=Luigi}}

==In [[competitive play]]==
===Most historically significant players===
<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->

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

*{{Sm|Abate|USA}} - One of the best Luigi players of all time, primarily active in the 2010s and ranking as high as 33rd on the [[SSBMRank 2015]]. He first broke out onto the scene by placing 7th at {{Trn|Zenith 2013}} defeating {{Sm|Hax}} and continued to place well in the following several years, including placing 7th at {{Trn|The Big House 5}} defeating {{Sm|Axe}} and {{Sm|S2J}} to become the first Luigi player to top 8 a supermajor. Though he went inactive towards the end of the decade, he has made a few sparse appearances around his home region, including placing 25th at superregional {{Trn|Fight Pitt 10}}.
*{{Sm|Blea Gelo|USA}} - One of the best Luigi players in the 2010s, ranking as high as 63rd on the [[SSBMRank 2015]]. He was first known for placing 9th at {{Trn|CEO 2014}} and has since placed well at many other large events, including 7th at {{Trn|MLG World Finals 2015}} and 9th at {{Trn|Bad Moon Rising}}, where he defeated {{Sm|Chillin}} and {{Sm|Bladewise}} in the latter event. 
*{{Sm|Eddy Mexico|Mexico}} - One of the greatest Luigi players of all time and one of the longest-active Luigi players in competitive play. He was one of the first two Luigi players to be ranked globally, ranking 42nd on the [[SSBMRank 2013]], and formerly the highest-ranking Luigi on a global ranking by ranking 31st on the [[SSBMRank 2014]]. He is also one of the greatest Mexican ''Melee'' players, regularly placing highly at {{Trn|Smash Factor}} events including 3rd at both {{Trn|Smash Factor 9}}, and {{Trn|Smash Factor X}}, where he defeated {{Sm|Mang0}} at the latter event. Outside of Mexico, he has found great success at major events from the 2010's, including placing 17th at {{Trn|EVO 2014}} and 25th at {{Trn|EVO 2015}}, to the post-pandemic era with placements such as 25th at {{Trn|Pat's House 4}} and 13th at {{Trn|Battle of BC 4}}.
*{{Sm|Jah Ridin'|Switzerland}} - The best Luigi player in Europe. He is the highest-ranking Swiss player on a global ''Smash'' ranking, ranking 90th on the [[SSBMRank 2024]]. He was first known for winning [https://www.start.gg/tournament/last-6/event/melee-singles/brackets/56602 LAST VI] over {{Sm|Tekk}} and regularly placed top 8 at European events throughout his career, including placing 4th at both {{Trn|SAPF}} and {{Trn|Let's Drink The Pool}}, as well as 7th at {{Trn|HFLAN Melee Edition 2019}}. Internationally, he is known for defeating {{Sm|Jmook}} at [https://www.start.gg/tournament/melee-verdugo-west-266-counts-for-top-100/details Melee @ Verdugo West #266] and placing 17th at {{Trn|Collision 2023}} and 25th at {{Trn|Shine 2023}}. He boasts some of the most consistent Luigi results in the post-pandemic metagame, having finished within the top 48 of all but 2 majors he has attended since he began travelling in 2023.
*{{Sm|Ka-Master|USA}} - The best Luigi player in the [[Golden Age]], and was previously considered one of the two best Luigi players in the world alongside Abate. Prior to the modern era, he placed 9th at {{Trn|MELEE-FC Diamond}}, the best tournament run from a Luigi player in the early metagame. He is the only Luigi player to have been ranked on the [[RetroSSBMRank]], ranking 9th in 2008. After a brief retirement in 2010, he would return to competition in late-2015, where he would then appear on all iterations of [[SSBMRank]] while he was active, peaking at 58th on the [[2018 MPGR]]. He placed 7th at {{Trn|Don't Park on the Grass 2018}}, defeating {{Sm|Fiction}} and {{Sm|Rocky}}, and made several top 64 runs at majors and supermajors, with his best run being 13th at {{Trn|GameTyrant Expo 2018}}. Though less active in the post-pandemic era, he has still shown strong placements such as 25th at both {{Trn|Battle of BC 6}} and {{Trn|Battle of BC 7}} with a win over {{Sm|Espi}}.
*{{Sm|RapMonster|USA}} - The best Luigi player in the post-Slippi era, breaking out onto the scene after finishing 9th at {{Trn|Get On My Level: Forever}}, defeating several ranked players including {{Sm|Krudo}} and {{Sm|SluG}}. He placed well at a variety of other events throughout 2025, including winning several regional events over ranked players, such as {{Trn|No Jawns 5}}, and placing 13th at {{Trn|Supernova 2025}}. He was ranked 28th on the [[SSBMRank 2025]], the highest-ranking Luigi player in ''Melee'', and the only Luigi player to rank in the global top 30. After 2025, he would go on to finish 9th at {{Trn|GENESIS X3}} after defeating {{Sm|Zain}}, marking the most prestigious win by a Luigi player in the history of ''Melee'', and would make a slew of regional results, placing 2nd at {{Trn|Sunset Melee}}, defeating {{Sm|SDJ}}, and won {{Trn|Smash Valley: The Last Dance}}.
*{{Sm|Vist|USA}} - Previously the best Luigi in MD/VA and one of the best in the world. Notably defeated Mang0 at {{Trn|Pound 3}} and placed 5th at {{Trn|Pound V.5}} and 33rd at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2017}}. He became one of the first two Luigi players to be ranked globally with 98th on the [[SSBMRank 2013]].
*{{Sm|Vudujin|USA}} - He discovered and popularized the [[Vududash]]. Some of his best results include 7th at {{Trn|Fight Pitt 7}}, 9th at {{Trn|Zenith 2013}}, and 25th at {{Trn|The Big House 2}}. He was formerly ranked as high as 2nd on the [[Pittsburgh Melee Power Rankings]].

===Tier placement and history===
Luigi was once ranked quite high on the [[tier list]], hovering around positions 6 to 9 for about the first year of ''Melee''{{'}}s metagame. He then saw a large drop to 12th, which can be attributed to his low [[traction]] leading to slippery movement, predictable [[recovery]], and short [[reach]], which many players of top tier characters began adapting to and countering in their own metagames, resulting in worse matchups for Luigi; he was also seen as outclassed by both {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} and {{SSBM|Mario}}, who either had more power or a less risky [[combo]] game, respectively. He then fell to the top of low tier for many years to come. However, with excellent performances by dedicated top players such as {{Sm|Eddy Mexico}} and {{Sm|Abate}} showing Luigi's extremely quick mobility and approach with the [[wavedash]] and waveland, as well as his great aerial game and KO power despite his poor reach, opinions of Luigi began to change. 

Luigi would achieve significant performaces at tournaments over the early to mid 2010s such as {{Trn|EVO 2013}} and {{Trn|The Big House 5}}, with Abate going as far as to break into the top 8 at majors at his peak. These results combined with a lack of similar performances by Mario resulted in Luigi pulling ahead, back into the middle tier, three spots above Mario at 13th place. Luigi would see greater results in the coming years, headlined with {{Sm|Plup}} using the character to place 5th at major {{Trn|CEO Dreamland}}, with continued efforts from Abate, Eddy Mexico, Ka-Master, as well as new Luigi players continuing to break through, such as {{Sm|Ka-Master}} and {{Sm|Kürv}}. This would lead to his slight rise to 12th place in 2021, surpassing Dr. Mario to become the highest-ranked [[Plumbers|Plumber]]. In spite of these efforts, however, opinions of Luigi remained lukewarm, with only Plup exceeding the best placements set by Abate, who would eventually go inactive. Though Luigi was a common sight at regional top 8's and many of the character's best representatives, such as Eddy Mexico and {{Sm|Ka-Master}}, would still make respectable placements, Luigi was still often deemed an unviable character whose lackluster air mobility couldn't compete with other high-tiers.

The mid-2020s post-pandemic metagame was a turning point for Luigi. Alongside the rise of other high-mid tier and mid-tier characters such as {{SSBM|Yoshi}} and {{SSBM|Donkey Kong}}, Luigi players pushed themselves further and further into major brackets, headed first by {{Sm|Jah Ridin'}} in Europe, who would become the first European Luigi player to be globally ranked in 2023 thanks to his consistency at majors and regionals. This was followed soon after by {{Sm|RapMonster}}, who dominated his local scene before accumulating exceptional major performances that were considered the best since Abate. Luigi's new guard achieved this by showcasing that his aerial game was not as poor as previously thought, with innovative combo extensions and dynamic movement. These efforts have led some top players to reconsider Luigi's lukewarm placement on the tier list.

==In 1-P Mode==
==={{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===
In Classic Mode, Luigi can appear as an ordinary opponent, an ally in team and giant battles, alongside {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}}, {{SSBM|Link}}, or {{SSBM|Yoshi}} in a team, a giant opponent, the sole member of a multi-character battle, or a metal character. In all appearances, he either appears on {{SSBM|Mushroom Kingdom}} or [[Mushroom Kingdom II]] with the exception of the metal battle and when on a team with Yoshi, where he will fight the player on {{SSBM|Battlefield}} or [[Yoshi's Story]], respectively.

===[[Adventure Mode]]===
Luigi can appear in the Adventure Mode if the player finishes the first stage, [[Mushroom Kingdom (Adventure Mode)|Mushroom Kingdom]], with the number two anywhere in the seconds meter (ex. 3:4'''2''':35) , a cutscene will occur which will show Luigi taking Mario's place in the upcoming battle (unusually, it does not count if there is a two in the tens column, but not the ones column: ex. 3:25:35 will not count). The player will then have to battle a team of Luigi and {{SSBM|Peach}}. Of note is that Luigi can appear in the Adventure Mode without being unlocked; encountering him in the Adventure Mode prior to unlocking him is actually one of two criteria the player can meet to unlock him. Humorously, defeating Luigi yields the Luigi KO [[List of bonuses#Super Smash Bros. Melee|bonus]], which is the one that awards least points to the player: a measly 20 points.

If the player has unlocked Luigi, [[Metal Luigi]] will appear in Stage 11-2: {{SSBM|Battlefield}} stage alongside [[Metal Mario]].

===[[All-Star Mode]]===
Luigi and his allies are fought on {{SSBM|Mushroom Kingdom}}.

===[[Event Match]]es===
Luigi is featured in the following event matches:
*'''[[Event 31: Mario Bros. Madness]]''': The player chooses any character and must fight {{SSBM|Mario}} and Luigi in a two-timed match on {{SSBM|Mushroom Kingdom}}. The player must have the most points within the two minutes to clear this event.
*'''[[Event 35: Time for a Checkup]]''': The player controls Luigi must defeat a team of {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} and {{SSBM|Peach}} on [[Yoshi's Story]].
*'''[[Event 38: Super Mario Bros. 2]]''': The player chooses any character and must defeat Mario, Luigi, and Peach in a two-stock match on [[Mushroom Kingdom II]]. Both the characters and the stage are a direct throwback to the original ''Super Mario Bros. 2'', an NES sequel to ''Super Mario Bros''.
*'''[[Event 40: All-Star Match 4]]''': Luigi is the second opponent to be fought in this series of staged battles. The player battles him on Mushroom Kingdom II, which will transition to the next stage if Luigi gets defeated. With a timer of four minutes, the player must defeat him along with {{SSBM|Marth}}, {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}, {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}, and {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}}.
*'''[[Event 42: Trouble King 2]]''': The player controls Luigi and must defeat a giant {{SSBM|Bowser}} on the stage [[Poké Floats]], with both players having two stocks each.

===[[Congratulations_screen#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|Congratulations Screens]]===
<center>
<gallery>
LuigiClassicMode.jpg|Classic Mode
LuigiAdventureMode.jpg|Adventure Mode
LuigiAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star Mode
</gallery>
</center>

==[[Trophies]]==
In addition to the normal trophy about Luigi as a character unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Classic Mode}} as Luigi on any difficulty, there are two trophies about him as a fighter, unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Adventure Mode}} and [[All-Star Mode]] respectively as Luigi on any difficulty. Each of the trophies can also be unlocked by playing 100, 200, and 300 versus matches respectively as Luigi:

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Luigi
|image=Luigi Trophy Melee.png
|mode=Classic
|desc=Although Mario's younger brother has always played second fiddle, Luigi finally garnered the spotlight with his very own game, Luigi's Mansion. Things are looking up for the eternal understudy; he's even picked up his own rival in Waluigi. The day he's referred to as the "lean, mean, green machine" may not be too far off.
|gamelist={{Trophy games|game1=Mario Bros.|release1=Arcade 1983}}
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Luigi
|image=Luigi Trophy (Smash).png
|mode=Adventure
|desc=Luigi has worse traction than his brother, but he's a more powerful jumper. His Fireballs aren't affected by gravity, so they fly straight horizontally. The Green Missile is similar to Pikachu's Skull Bash, but there's a 12.5% chance of a spontaneous misfire. Luigi's taunting pose inflicts minor damage.
|gamelist=:B: Fireball
:Smash B: Green Missile
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Luigi
|image=Luigi Trophy (Smash 2).png
|mode=All Star
|desc=Smack someone with Luigi's Super Jump Punch, and if the timing is just right, it will become a Fire Jump Punch of incredible strength. However, Luigi can only jump straight up when delivering this blow, and if his aim is a bit off, he'll only do a single point of damage. The Luigi Cyclone sucks foes in and twirls them about.
|gamelist=:Up & B: Super Jump Punch
:Down & B: Luigi Cyclone
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Luigi|Alternate costumes]]==
{|style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
|colspan=4|[[File:Luigi Palette (SSBM).png]]
|-
|{{Head|Luigi|g=SSBM|s=25px}}
|{{Head|Luigi|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=White}}
|{{Head|Luigi|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Blue}}
|{{Head|Luigi|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Pink}}
|}

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
SSBMWebsiteLuigi1.jpg|"[[Footstool jump]]ing" {{SSBM|Mario}} during {{SSBM|Adventure Mode}}.
FJPMelee.jpg|Using his {{b|sweet spot|hitbox}}ted [[Super Jump Punch]] on {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Samus}} on [[Great Bay]].
Fireball Melee.jpg|Using [[Fireball]] alongside Mario on [[Princess Peach's Castle]].
SSBMWebsiteLuigi4.jpg|Using his [[forward smash]] on {{SSBM|Link}}.
Luigi greenmissle.jpg|[[Misfire|Misfiring]] on [[Pokémon Stadium]].
SSBMWebsiteLuigi6.jpg|Using his [[taunt]] on {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} on [[Mute City]].
Luigi Metal Box Melee.jpg|Luigi with the [[Metal Box]]
</gallery>
</center>

==Trivia==
*A beta platform that doesn't exist in the actual [[Hyrule Temple]] stage can be seen in the short clip that plays when the player completes a single player mode with Luigi.
*Beating Luigi in the Adventure Mode only gives the player 20 bonus points, the smallest [[bonus point]] increase in the game. Luigi is also the only unlockable character who can appear in Adventure Mode prior to unlocking him.
**Luigi is the only unlockable character to have his own cinematic, which plays when the player meets the criterion in Adventure Mode.
*Luigi is the only ''SSB64'' veteran and is overall one of the only ''Melee'' characters ({{SSBM|Roy}}, {{SSBM|Marth}}, {{SSBM|Falco}}, {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}}, and {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}}) to not appear in the ''Melee'' intro.
*The only unique sounds Luigi has in ''Melee'' are the Spring sound effect from ''Super Mario World'', used in one of his victory poses and the Misfire sound effect (the standard [[Green Missile]] sound effects are simply reused from [[Skull Bash]], and all other clips belonged to Mario).
*Luigi is the only character in ''Melee'' that has a [[taunt]] that can damage a player.
**Because of this, he is the only character where the Poser Power and Poser KO bonuses can be utilized.
*{{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} and Luigi are the only veterans to be unlockable in ''Melee''.
*Luigi is the only playable character in ''Melee'' to already make his playable debut on the GameCube before this game, as ''Luigi's Mansion'' was released before ''Melee''.

==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1127/index.html Luigi's page at Smabura-Ken]
*[[smashwiki:26TP/Luigi|Translation]] 

{{SSBMCharacters}}
{{EnemiesAdvSSBM}}
{{Mario universe}}
[[Category:Luigi (SSBM)| ]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSBM)]]
[[es:Luigi (SSBM)]]
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