Editing Meta Knight (SSB4)

Eric Newsome and Atsushi Kisaichi both reprise their roles as Meta Knight's voice actors in the English and Japanese versions, albeit via recycled voice clips from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.

However, Meta Knight received heavy nerfs in the transition to ''SSB4'', likely owing to his dominance in ''Brawl''. His outstanding frame data and range, long-distanced recovery and overall damage output have been toned down, while his [[approach]] has been weakened because of the total removal of {{s|wikirby|Galaxia}}'s [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]]. When combined with his continued lack of a [[projectile]], these changes result in Meta Knight having a more difficult time overcoming [[camping]] strategies. Meta Knight's very quick falling speed is also a double-edged sword: while it is an important aspect of his mobility, it is also detrimental because of his light [[weight]], as it leaves him vulnerable to both combos and KOs. His endurance is also exacerbated by the nerfs to his recovery, with the most notable example being the removal of [[Glide|gliding]].

Due to his attack speed, Meta Knight is also renowned for his incredible combo potential, with the ability to get very early KOs with guaranteed followups. He additionally has notable finishers: his forward smash has high power and very low ending lag, making it spammable and hard to challenge even if shielded. His up smash is one of the fastest smash attacks in the game and has good power. His back aerial is very deadly offstage due to its high knockback scaling, and its [[autolink angle]] allows it to drag opponents downwards while edgeguarding or to force a [[lock]]. Though less effective, Dimensional Cape, neutral aerial and up throw can still KO. However, his Shuttle Loop is his most frequently used KO move, owing to the numerous setups into it; it is additionally a powerful out of shield option due to its speed, range, and power.

Meta Knight's grab game is effective. While his pummel is slow and his standing grab range is short, the former is highly damaging and the latter is made up for by his long-ranged dash grab. His forward and down throws can combo into other moves even at higher percentages, his back throw is useful for launching opponents off-stage, and his up throw can KO at very high percentages so long as it lands on a platform. Partly due to his throw set-ups, Meta Knight possesses a good combo game. He can launch opponents into the air with his dash attack and throws, and these moves can combo into his up tilt, up smash, any aerial, [[Mach Tornado]] and Shuttle Loop, and his up aerial can reliably lead into his other aerials. His back aerial uses the [[autolink angle|auto-link angle]], allowing Meta Knight to drag opponents to the ground and [[jab reset]] with his down tilt, and the latter move can [[Tripping|trip]] opponents and lead into combos, before opening up [[tech-chase]]s at high percentages. With proper mastery of his combos, he can potentially [[Combo#Types of combos|zero-to-death]] his opponents, most infamously with the [[Rufio]], a staple combo in his metagame that consists of a series of up aerials, which can then lead into a Shuttle Loop near the upper blast line for a virtually ensured KO.

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

Having been completely unmatched in ''Brawl'', Meta Knight's frame data has been considerably toned down. Many of his attacks now have slower start-up lag, reduced active frames, and higher ending and landing lag, with his up aerial being a good example in all these aspects. Additionally, his aerials have much later auto-cancel windows, which in combination with their higher landing lag, substantially hinders their safety as his neutral, forward, and back aerials no longer auto-cancel in a short hop. His range has been shortened, which makes his [[spacing]] ability much weaker and thus forces him to adopt a more aggressive playstyle. To further compound this, his overall damage output has been significantly reduced now being below average. With the nerfs to several of his most pivotal [[neutral game]] options, such as down tilt, forward aerial, down aerial, [[Shuttle Loop]] and [[Mach Tornado]], and the loss of [[Glide|gliding]] and the [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]] on his moves, Meta Knight's neutral game is overall significantly worse, leaving him more vulnerable to [[camping]] and zoning, especially with his lack of a projectile. The changes to his down aerial and Shuttle Loop combined with the removal of [[edge-hogging]], his shorter recovery, and the generally improved recoveries of the majority of the cast have collectively hurt Meta Knight's edge-guarding potential, and the loss of gliding removes some of his off-stage mix-ups. With his faster falling speed and the changes to [[hitstun canceling]], Meta Knight can no longer momentum cancel and is more vulnerable to combos, worsening his already poor endurance.

Overall, Meta Knight's direct changes drastically hindered him in many ways making him a much worse character on paper and while the changes to the game's mechanics greatly benefited him overall, they were not enough to offset his nerfs and make him one of the best characters in the game. As a result, he was one of the characters who was the most severely nerfed from the transition to ''Smash 4'', alongside {{SSB4|King Dedede}}, {{SSB4|Falco}}, {{SSB4|Marth}} (during the initial release), {{SSB4|Wario}}, and {{SSB4|Olimar}}. Due to retaining the majority of his key advantages from ''Brawl'', however, Meta Knight is widely considered to be a viable character, and while his tournament success and representation is much lower, he has still seen more results and representation than a majority of the cast which has given him consistent status as a high-tier character throughout ''Smash 4''{{'}}s lifespan.

*{{nerf|Meta Knight is larger (size multipler: 0.95x → 1x). This makes him easier to hit and while this would improve his range, this is offset by many of his attacks having considerably worse hitboxes, making his larger size a hinderance overall.}}

*{{buff|Meta Knight's body hurtbox is slightly smaller ({{rollover|5.51|5.8 x 0.95)|y}} → 5.4).}}

*{{buff|Rolls travel further due to Meta Knight's larger size.}}

*{{buff|Backward roll has less ending lag (FAF 34 → 28).}}

===Ground attacks===

**{{buff|However, this also makes it much easier for Meta Knight to cancel out projectiles, as he no longer has to rely on dash attack to do so.}}

*[[Neutral attack]]:

**{{change|Neutral attack's animation has slightly changed. Meta Knight now leans slightly farther inward while swinging Galaxia.}}

***{{nerf|However, the move's angle change also removes its ability to [[lock]] opponents.}}

**{{buff|The third and fifth hits now hit in front of Meta Knight. This makes the move connect much more reliably as there is no longer a large gap between the second/fourth hits and the next hit that hits in front.}}

***{{buff|This also leaves Meta Knight much less vulnerable to whiff punishment due to the shorter gap between every hit in front of him.}}

***{{nerf|However, this also removes the move's ability to hit opponents behind Meta Knight.}}

**{{buff|Neutral attack has larger hitboxes (5u → 5.8u/6.8u) that are now extended.}}

**{{buff|Every hit now has identical horizontal hitbox positions (z offset: 6/14.8 (hit 1)/7.2/14.8 (hit 2)/0/-3.6/-9.2 (hit 3)/7.2/13.6 (hit 4)/-2/-10.4 (hit 5) → 8.5/13.5 (all)/z stretch: 8/8 (all)). This gives hits 3-5 more range in front of Meta Knight and it gives hits 2 and 4 more range inside of Meta Knight.}}

**{{buff|The third hit deals more knockback (50 (base), 113 (scaling) → 80/107).}}

**{{buff|The third hit has less ending lag (FAF 34 → 31).}}

**{{nerf|The third hit deals less damage at close range (5% → 4%).}}

**{{nerf|The third hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 2×), making it easier to DI.}}

**{{buff|Down tilt deals more damage at far range (4% → 5%).}}

**{{buff|Down tilt has higher base knockback outside of the furthest range (11/6 → 15).}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt deals less damage at close range (6%/7% → 5%).}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt has a lower [[trip]] chance (30% → 25%).}}

**{{nerf|Dash attack covers less distance overall.}}

**{{change|Dash attack now always launches opponents in the direction Meta Knight is facing. This allows it to set up combos more reliably but hinders its ability to set up crossups.}}

**{{buff|Dash attack has larger hitboxes (4.2u/4.2u/4.2u → 5.5u/5u/4u) which are positioned further away from Meta Knight (z offset: 0/2/4 → y offset: -1/-6/-10), greatly improving its range relative to Meta Knight.}}

*[[Forward smash]]:

**{{buff|Forward smash deals more damage (14% → 16%) and knockback (28 (base), 99 (scaling) → 30/(108/98), significantly improving its KO potential, especially the near hit.}}

**{{buff|The changes to shields significantly benefit forward smash as the move is now safe (in terms of frame advantage) against a sizeable portion of the cast.}}

**{{change|Forward smash's hitboxes are positioned lower (y offset: 6.4 → 5).}}

**{{nerf|Forward smash has a shorter duration (frames 24-25 → 24).}}

**{{nerf|The far hitbox is now extended and it has been positioned closer to Meta Knight (z offset: 19 → 13/z stretch: 17), reducing the move's range.}}

**{{nerf|The near hitbox has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.5×), making it easier to DI.}}

**{{nerf|The third hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 2×), making it easier to DI.}}

*[[Down smash]]:

**{{change|Down smash now has a voice clip as Meta Knight performs his down smash. While this sound clip does exist in ''Brawl'', it would never play in game as it was tied to the move's startup animation which was 0 frames long.}}

**{{nerf|Down smash has a shorter duration (frames 4-5 (front)/9-10 (back) → 4/9).}}

**{{nerf|However, this also hinders their ability to deal with short ranged low priority moves such as [[Fox Illusion]].}}

*[[Neutral aerial]]:

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 3-4 (clean)/5-24 (late) → 6-7/8-20).}}

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more ending lag (FAF 32 → 44), preventing Meta Knight from performing two neutral aerials in a short hop.}}

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial [[auto-cancel]]s much later (frame 25 → 50) going from doing so as soon as the hitboxes ended to no longer doing so until the animation ends. This drastically hinders neutral aerial's safety, with the move no longer auto-canceling in a short hop.}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit deals less damage (12% → 10%) hindering its KO potential despite its higher base knockback (30 → 40).}}

**{{nerf|When the late hit becomes active, the clean hit's hitboxes are no longer called to be removed. This means that neutral aerial now has a clean hit and a late hit rather than having two separate hits, preventing both hits from connecting and greatly reducing its maximum damage potential (19% → 10%).}}

**{{buff|The late hit deals more damage (7%/6%/5% → 7.5%) and has higher base knockback (20 → 40), improving its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a shorter initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-3 → 1).}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial auto-cancels much later (frame 22 → 44), no longer doing so in a short hop.}}

***{{nerf|The near hitbox is positioned closer to Meta Knight (z offset: 6 (hits 1 and 2)/3 (hit 3) → 7 (all)) and it does not extend as much vertically (y offset: 1/10 → 6/y stretch: 9 (hits 1 and 2)/8.5 (hit 3)).}}

****{{nerf|These changes reduce the first two hit's range overall as well as reducing the third hit's range behind Meta Knight and reducing every hit's vertical range from far ranges.}}

**{{change|The far hitbox has been repositioned lower (y offset: 7.2 (hits 1 and 3)/6.4 (hit 2) → 4.5 (hit 1)/2 (hit 2)/7 (hit 3)).}}

**{{nerf|The near hitbox is now one extended hitbox rather than two normal hitboxes. The hitbox does not extend as far vertically (y offset: 2.8/11.6 (hits 1 and 3)/2/10.8 (hit 2) → 2.5/y stretch: 6.5), giving back aerial less vertical range, especially from above.}}

**{{buff|The near hitbox has been moved closer to Meta Knight (z offset: 8 → 6), giving back aerial more range inside of Meta Knight.}}

**{{buff|Back aerial now always launches opponents in the opposite direction Meta Knight is facing. As the move hits multiple times, this improves its reliability.}}

**{{nerf|The first two hits deal less damage (3% (hits 1 and 2)/10% (total) → 1.5% (aerial)/2.2% (grounded)/8.4% (maximum total)).}}

**{{nerf|The first two hits now launch grounded opponents horizontally (80° → 45°) and they deal more knockback to grounded opponents (0 (base), 48/35/20 (set), 100 (scaling) → 40/0/130). This hinders their reliability as well as hindering their followup potential, while also not granting them KO potential at realistic percents.}}

**{{buff|The third hit has higher knockback scaling (175 → 212), significantly improving its KO potential.}}

*[[Up aerial]]:

**{{nerf|Up aerial has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 2-3 → 6), no longer being the fastest aerial in the game.}}

***{{nerf|When combined with Meta Knight's lower short hop, this also means that Meta Knight can now only perform one up aerial in a short hop as opposed to three.}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial has a longer animation (23 frames → 36).}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial launches opponents at lower angles (78°/78°/60°/60° → 69°/69°/52°). When combined with its higher ending lag, this significantly hinders up aerial's followup potential at lower percents.}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial has a higher SDI multiplier (1x → 1.5x).}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial hitboxes have been positioned higher (y offset: 17/14 → 19/16). While this allows the move to retain its vertical range despite its smaller hitboxes, this also gives it much less range below Meta Knight.}}

**{{nerf|The left side hitbox has been extended closer to Meta Knight (z offset: -12.8 → -11.5), giving the move much less range behind Meta Knight.}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial has more ending lag (FAF 26 → 28) and a longer animation (25 frames → 29).}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial has more landing lag (15 frames → 22).}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial deals less damage (7% (center)/9% (sides) → 6% (both)), without full compensation on its knockback (30/15 (base), 105 (scaling) → 30/108).}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial has smaller hitboxes (5.4u/5.2u/5.4u/5.4u → 3.5u/3u/3u) and they are now extended.}}

**{{nerf|The side hitboxes has been positioned lower (y offset: 3.4 → y stretch: 4.5). This gives the move less range above Meta Knight with the move still having less range below Meta Knight due to the hitboxes being smaller.}}

**{{nerf|The side hitboxes have been moved closer to Meta Knight (z offset: 10/-10 → z stretch: 6/-8), reducing the move's horizontal range, especially in front of Meta Knight.}}

***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes considerably hinder its spacing and edgeguarding potential.}}

**{{change|The heel hitbox is positioned closer to Meta Knight (y/z offsets: 11/11 → 8/10).}}

**{{buff|Meta Knight releases opponents from forward throw later (frame 5 → 10). While this does make the throw easier to DI, it also reduces its ending lag as its total duration was unchanged.}}

*[[Back throw]]:

**{{buff|Back throw's hitbox has a longer duration (frame 16 → 16-17).}}

*[[Up throw]]:

**{{buff|Up throw has received an incredibly powerful collateral hitbox shortly before Meta Knight lands, significantly improving its utility outside of 1v1 matches.}}

**{{nerf|Up throw deals less damage (12% → 10%), although its knockback scaling was compensated (60 → 70).}}

*[[Down throw]]:

**{{buff|The 10th hit has a longer duration (frame 73 → 73-74).}}

**{{buff|The 10th hit has higher base knockback (50 → 60).}}

**{{change|The 10th hit launches opponents at a lower angle (90° → 70°). This grants Meta Knight more followup options against bystanders but makes it more susceptible to DI.}}

*[[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 have less intangibility (frames 1-27 → 1-25).}}

**{{nerf|Both floor attacks now use one static extended hitbox rather than multiple normal hitboxes attached to Meta Knight. The moves now have a consistent size (7u/5u → 5u) and they do not extend as far (z offset: (16/-16)/0 → (13/-13)/z stretch: 5/-5), reducing their range.}}

*[[Edge attack]]:

**{{nerf|Edge attack has a shorter duration (frames 25-28 → 25-27).}}

**{{nerf|Edge attack has less intangibility (frames 1-23 → 1-22).}}

**{{nerf|Edge attack now uses one extended hitbox rather than four normal hitboxes which does not extend as far (z offset: 15/-4 → -14/z stretch: 2), giving it less range, especially behind Meta Knight.}}

**{{nerf|As with other edge attacks, edge attack can no longer send opponents behind Meta Knight, removing its ability to set up edgeguards.}}

**{{change|Mach Tornado's visual effects have slightly changed. Its trail is now noticeably thinner.}}

**{{change|Mach Tornado spin speed needed to stop spinning is slightly lower (10 → 9).}}

**{{nerf|Mach Tornado loses more spin speed per frame (2 → 3). This reduces Mach Tornado's loop hit's minimum duration (frames 12-58 → 12-41).}}

**{{nerf|Repeated button presses increase Mach Tornado's spin speed less (16 → 10) and they lose more spin speed (1.5 → 1.7). When combined with the move losing more speed without button presses, this greatly reduces the loop hit's maximum duration (frames 12-127 → 12-70) as well as greatly reducing the amount of height Meta Knight can gain by using the move.}}

**{{nerf|Mach Tornado has much more ending lag (29 frames → 54), making it much more punishable.}}

***{{buff|However, the hitbox is positioned slightly higher than the previous side hitboxes (y offset: 7 → 8) which along with its larger hitbox, gives it slightly more range above Meta Knight.}}

**{{nerf|The loop hit's priority now functions like a standard move, rather than having grounded/aerial priority. This means that the grounded version can no longer clang with aerials while the aerial version can no longer clang with grounded or aerial moves. This greatly hinders the move's safety, especially in the air as opponents can now hit Meta Knight out of the move much more easily.}}

***{{nerf|When combined with the move's reduced range, this also allows more damaging moves without transcendent priority to hit Meta Knight much more easily.}}

**{{nerf|Drill Rush can no longer be [[edge cancel]]ed.}}

**{{nerf|Drill Rush now only grants the rebounding jump if the player lands the final hit, hindering its safety and recovery potential.}}

**{{buff|Drill Rush travels further.}}

**{{buff|Drill Rush has a longer startup animation (21 frames → 25) however, the move's hitboxes now become active as soon as Meta Knight starts spinning. This makes the move connect much more reliably against opponents at close range while also keeping its startup lag the same despite its longer startup animation.}}

**{{nerf|The loop hits have a higher SDI multiplier after its first four active frames (0.8x → 1x).}}

**{{buff|The final hit has higher base knockback (30 → 40).}}

**{{buff|The final hit's far hitbox is positioned further away from Meta Knight (x offset: 6 → y offset: 10) with the grounded version's far hitbox also being larger (4u → 6u), significantly improving its range.}}

**{{nerf|The final hit has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 66-67 (grounded)/66-70 (aerial) → 70 (both)).}}

**{{change|Shuttle Loop now functions very differently. Instead of a single upwards loop that leads into a glide, Meta Knight performs two upwards loops with the first loop linking into the second one and after the loops, Meta Knight then enters [[helpless|free fall]].}}

**{{change|The first hit has knockback which minimally scales in order to link into the second hit.}}

**{{buff|Due to the altered functionality of Shuttle Loop, Meta Knight can now connect both hits of grounded Shuttle Loop reliably while the aerial version's maximum damage output is higher (9% → 12%).}}

**{{buff|The grounded version's first hit has two new hitboxes positioned closer to Meta Knight on its first active frame, giving the move more range inside of him.}}

**{{nerf|The grounded version's first hit has smaller hitboxes (6.8u/6.8u (clean)/6u/6u (late) → (4u/4u)/5u/5u)), reducing its range despite its hitboxes being moved further away from Meta Knight on its first active frame (z offset: 12 → 14).}}

**{{buff|The aerial version's first hit's hitboxes are now identical in terms of size and positions to the grounded version. This gives it more range despite its hitboxes being smaller (7u → 4u/4u/4u/4u).}}

**{{buff|The aerial version's second hit deals more knockback (90 (base), 60 (scaling) → 55/118), improving its KO potential despite its lower damage (9% → 6%) compared to the previous clean hit.}}

***{{buff|This significantly improves its KO potential near the upper blast line which along with the changes to hitstun canceling and DI, makes it highly effective vertical combo ender.}}

***{{nerf|However, this also significantly hinders its edgeguarding potential which was an area the move was incredibly potent in previously.}}

**{{nerf|Due to its multi hitting nature, Shuttle Loop is a less reliable move, especially at higher percents.}}

**{{nerf|Meta Knight can no longer auto-cancel Shuttle Loop if he spaces it to land before it finishes, significantly hindering its utility and safety.}}

***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes along with the move's altered functionality and the grounded version losing its intangibility on startup greatly hinders the move's safety as well as reducing its utility.}}

**{{nerf|Dimensional Cape has reduced vertical speed (2.5 → 2), reducing its vertical distance.}}

**{{nerf|[[Infinite Dimensional Cape]] has been removed, removing the move's ability to infinitely stall as well as generally hindering its utility.}}

**{{buff|The attack's hitboxes are larger (7u/5u → 8.5u/5.5u (neutral)/11.5u/7.5u (forwards/vertical)) and they are now noticeably extended, significantly improving its range.}}

**{{change|The attack launches opponents at a lower angle (60° → 53°).}}

Meta Knight has been buffed via game updates. In updates [[1.0.4]] and [[1.0.8]], damage output, knockback, reach, and attack speed were improved on some moves. Update [[1.1.0]] reduced the number of Galaxia's trails on his moves to match his moves' hitboxes, considerably improving his accuracy. The specific buffs to his neutral attack, forward tilt, and neutral aerial have given him more options with which to relieve pressure, and the increased power of his neutral and back aerials have enhanced his KO and edge-guarding potential. Update [[1.1.1]]'s changes to shield mechanics have also been beneficial for Meta Knight: thanks to several of his attacks hitting multiple times and/or having high [[hitlag]] modifiers, most notably forward aerial and forward smash. However the one indirect buff that really improved Meta Knight was 1.0.4 adjusting [[LSI]] to no longer apply on hits that launch between 65-115 degrees; this change made Meta Knight's infamous [[ladder]] and [[bridge]] combos that would define his meta significantly more potent, allowing Meta Knight to string more up and down aerials in the same combo and to connect at wider percentage windows, while also allowing the [[Shuttle Loop]] finisher to KO significantly earlier.

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}} [[1.0.4]]'''

*{{buff|Neutral attack's loop hits deal 0.2% more damage|1%|1.2%; its loop hits' knockback scaling decreased: 40 → 30; its last hit's hitbox size increased: 5.7u → 8u; its ending lag decreased: frame 47 → 35; its SDI multiplier decreased: 1× → 0.6×; and its hitboxes split to cover more space. Altogether, these changes improve its damage racking potential, range and safety.}}

*{{buff|Forward tilt's last hit deals 1% more damage|3%|4% and its last hit's ending lag decreased: frame 41 → 31.}}

*{{buff|Neutral aerial's landing lag decreased|20 frames|16.}}

{{MovesetTable

|game=SSB4

|neutral1dmg=1.2% (loop)

|neutral2dmg=2% (last)

|ftiltcount=3

|ftiltdmg=2%

|ftilt3dmg=4%

|ftiltdesc=An inward slash followed by an outward slash, followed by an upward slash. Unlike the majority of tilt attacks, it functions like a neutral attack, as pressing the attack button will cause Meta Knight to perform its first hit, while subsequently pressing the attack button will cause him to perform its second and last hits. Because of this trait, it is safer to use than Meta Knight's actual neutral attack, thanks to its quick start-up and fairly long range making it better at spacing. In addition, its first hit can [[jab cancel]] reliably into Shuttle Loop for a KO at high percentages. However, its last hit has some ending lag, and overall it is not as suitable for damage racking like neutral attack is. Has enough power to reliably KO from the ledge at around 125%, but quickly loses this ability as the first and second hits stop linking into the third at higher percents.

|utiltdmg=7% (clean), 5% (late)

|utiltdesc=A spinning, upward thrust. Deals moderate vertical knockback while also having quick start-up, minimal ending lag, and long vertical range. Its sweetspot is at Galaxia's tip, similarly to {{s|fireemblemwiki|Falchion}}. It has decent combo potential, as it can combo into itself at 0%, into neutral aerial from 0% to low percentages, and into up aerials at low to medium percentages. However, it has extremely short horizontal range, which makes it possible to miss opponents unless they are at point-blank range.

|dtiltdmg=5%

|dtiltdesc=A crouching thrust. Due to it hitting on frame 3, it is Meta Knight's fastest move, and is tied with {{SSB4|Lucas}}, {{SSB4|Ness}}, {{SSB4|R.O.B}} and {{SSB4|Little Mac}}'s down tilts as the fastest down tilt in the game. It can also trip opponents at low percentages, [[jab reset]] floored opponents, and lead into [[Tech-chasing|tech-chases]] at high percentages. It moves Meta Knight a small distance along the ground when used, but because it oddly shortens the length of Galaxia's blade until it concludes, it has fairly short range.

|dashdmg=6% (clean), 5% (late)

|dashdesc=A side kick. Its slightly disjointed hitbox, favorable launch angle and low ending lag make it reliable for approaching, interrupting approaches, and starting combos. At low to medium percentages, it combos reliably into up tilt, up smash, any aerial, and Mach Tornado, and can potentially lead into Shuttle Loop for a KO.

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|16}}

|fsmashdesc=An outward slash. It is one of Meta Knight’s most viable KOing options, with the sweetspot KOing uncharged at 91% and fully charged at 57% from the center of Final Destination. It is also [[interruptibility|interruptible]] very early and has good range, making it very hard to punish even when shielded. Unlike in ''Brawl'', it now has a sweetspot and a sourspot: the former is located near Galaxia's hilt, whereas the latter is located at its tip. Its sourspot is also atypical, as it has the same damage output as its sweetspot, and is thus also reliable for KOing, doing so at 103% uncharged and 66% fully charged. Due to it hitting on frame 24, however, it is his slowest standard attack in terms of start-up lag. In addition, its hitbox only lasts for 1 frame.

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|3}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|2}} (hit 2), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|4}} (hit 3)

|usmashdesc=A series of upward fanning slashes. Despite its appearance, it is only able to hit opponents directly touching Galaxia, and not those who are beside Meta Knight, unless the target is large. It hits on frame 8, which is fast for a smash attack, and has large vertical hitboxes. Despite its minimal damage output, it also has moderate knockback, KOing at 118% uncharged and 87% fully charged from the ground. In addition to functioning as an effective anti-air option, it can combo into Shuttle Loop at low percentages. However, it has moderate ending lag.

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|7}} (front), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|10}} (back)

|dsmashdesc=A spinning, low-angle inward slash. It is extremely fast, to the point that it the fastest smash attack in the game, with its first hit hitting on frame 4; however, this is only true when [[buffer]]ed. Otherwise, it hits on frame 5. It is also a semi-spike, which makes it useful for warding off pressure, punishing rolls, and launching opponents off-stage. Although the back hit is strong enough to KO middleweight at 132% while near the edge, its front hit is significantly weaker, as it does not KO middleweights until 177% while near the edge.

|nairdmg=10% (clean), 7.5% (late)

|nairdesc=A cartwheeling slash. Due to it hitting on frame 6 and having [[sex kick]] properties, a fairly long duration, and deceptively high knockback, it is effective at both edge-guarding and escaping pressure. Its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 100% while near the left/right [[blast line]]s, and at 143% while they are on-stage and near the edge. Auto-cancels when performed at the beginning of a jump, but has low ending and landing lag otherwise, allowing it to combo into a dash attack at low percentages, or jab reset with his down tilt if the opponent does not [[tech]]. It is based on the Knight Spin from ''Meta Knightmare Ultra'', but involves a cartwheel instead of a somersault.

|fairdmg=2.2% (hits 1-2 grounded opponents), 1.5% (hits 1-2 aerial opponents), 3% (hit 3)

|fairdesc=A series of fanning slashes in front of himself. Due to it hitting on frame 9, it is his slowest aerial, but is a fast move nonetheless. With long range and relatively low landing lag (16 frames), it is an effective approach and spacing option when used from a short hop, and is able to auto-cancel with a jump. It is also decent for finishing combos, edge-guarding, and air-to-air combat thanks to its range, and can be used in a [[wall of pain]] because of its relatively low launch angle. Its 2× hitlag multiplier also results in it having much less landing lag if it connects with the opponent, making it safer on shield. However, it has a very short duration for a multiple hitting move, as each of its hitboxes only last for 1 frame.

|bairdmg=2.2% (hits 1-2 grounded opponents), 1.5% (hits 1-2 aerial opponents), 4% (hit 3)

|bairdesc=A series of spinning outward slashes. There is a delay between each slash, though its range and duration make it relatively easy to hit with. Due to it hitting on frame 7 and its last hit having deceptively strong knockback, it is great for edge-guarding, and is able to KO middleweights at 90% while near the left/right blast lines. It also has low ending lag and auto-cancels from a jump. Due to using the auto-link angle, its first two hits can also be used to drag aerial opponents to the ground and be proceeded with a follow-up, most notably a lock with down tilt. However, it has moderate landing lag.

|uairdmg=4%

|uairdesc=An upward arcing slash. It hits on frame 6, has low ending lag, and deceptive range. When coupled with its weak knockback and Meta Knight's multiple double jumps, it has superb combo potential. At a variety of percentages, it combos into any aerial including itself, Mach Tornado, and Shuttle Loop. Most notably, it can potentially combo into itself up to five times (or six on fast-fallers) until medium percents, and can also lead into a high altitude Shuttle Loop for an early KO with the help of platforms. Even if an opponent air dodges this move, a neutral or down aerial can frame trap their ending lag. Auto-cancels with a short hop, but its hitbox lasts for only 1 frame, it has moderate landing lag, and it cannot hit most grounded opponents. As of update 1.1.5, it deals less knockback and launches opponents at a slightly lower angle, meaning it starts chaining into itself at high percentages. However, it is still easy for it to combo into itself as a zero-to-death combo against floaty characters, even in spite of update 1.1.5 also increasing its SDI multiplier.

|dairdmg=6%

|dairdesc=A downward arcing slash. It hits on frame 4 and has low ending lag. It is also a semi-spike, making it quite deadly off-stage, especially against opponents with poor horizontal recoveries. Can also be used to pressure grounded opponents, and start tech-chases at medium percentages, potentially leading into a jab reset with his down tilt if the opponent fails to tech. Auto-cancels with a short hop, but has high landing lag otherwise (22 frames) and its hitbox only lasts for 1 frame.

|grabdesc=Reaches out with his free hand. Meta Knight's standing grab has the fifth shortest range, but his dash grab covers a lot of ground, thanks to it boosting him forward. His pivot grab is also useful, thanks to his [[Pivoting|pivot]] being tied with {{SSB4|Fox}}, {{SSB4|Greninja}}, and {{SSB4|Sonic}}'s as the third longest in the game by default.

|pummeldmg=3%

|pummeldesc=Jabs with one of the talons on his cape's wings. Moderately slow, but one of the most damaging pummels in the game.

|fthrowdmg=6% (hit 1), 3% (throw)

|fthrowdesc=A bicycle kick. Due to being very fast, it gives the opponent only a small window to DI properly. When coupled with it launching opponents at 65°, it is a useful combo starter. Depending on DI, it can combo into dash attack, dashing up smash, and any aerial from low to medium percents, and potentially into Shuttle Loop for a KO combo.

|bthrowdmg=7% (hit 1), 3% (throw)

|bthrowdesc=Lays the opponent behind himself, warps, and then slashes their back. Good for launching opponents off-stage to set up an edge-guard. It can also combo into a dash attack or start a tech-chase from 0% to low percentages, or lead into a forward aerial or Shuttle Loop at high percentages if the opponent DIs poorly. Although it has very high knockback scaling, its throw hitbox's very low damage output offsets this. As a result, it does not KO middleweights until 175% while near the edge.

|uthrowdmg=10% (throw), 7% (collateral)

|uthrowdesc=The Air Drop from [[Kirby]]'s {{s|wikirby|Ninja}} ability. Despite its decent damage output, its base knockback and knockback scaling are both only average. As a result, it is unreliable at KOing, even on stages with platforms; it does not KO middleweights until 175% upon landing on one of {{SSB4|Battlefield}}'s secondary platforms, and at 160% upon landing on Battlefield's top platform. Conversely, its collateral hitbox is very strong, as its high base knockback and very high knockback scaling can reliably KO even heavyweights below 100%. Although situational, it can also combo into Shuttle Loop if the opponent DIs poorly.

|dthrowdmg=0.5% (hits 1-9), 1% (hit 10), 2% (throw)

|dthrowdesc=The Fury Stomp from Kirby's {{s|wikirby|Suplex}} ability. It combos into dash attack, dashing up smash, all aerials, and Mach Tornado from 0% to medium percentages, and into Shuttle Loop from 0% to around 100%. However, its extremely high knockback scaling and Meta Knight's slightly below-average air speed make its other follow-ups difficult to perform past medium percentages, especially if the opponent DIs properly.

|fsdesc=Swings his cape in front of himself. If the cape touches any nearby opponents, they will be trapped and the screen will then fade to black. After a few seconds, Meta Knight performs a very powerful slash to the trapped opponents that ignores [[Armor|super armor]] and is strong enough to KO grounded middleweights at 80%. If his cape does not to make contact, Meta Knight pauses for a brief time, and Dimensional Cape fails. Any opponents who are not trapped are also attacked, but instead receive vastly less damage and weak, vertical knockback. However, the weaker attacks can also be avoided by dodging with correct timing.

}}

===[[On-screen appearance]]===

|char=MetaKnight}}

===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===

{{OfficialCustomMoves

}}

===Tier placement and history===

However, Meta Knight's status went into a sudden decline after his up aerial combos, which were pivotal to his success, had been nerfed in update [[1.1.5]]. As a result, several of his best players either began to co-main him (such as {{Sm|Tyrant}} adopting Sheik and {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}}), transition him into a secondary (such as MkLeo adopting {{SSB4|Cloud}} and {{SSB4|Marth}} as his new mains), or even drop him entirely (such as {{Sm|Katakiri}} and {{Sm|Seibrik}}). Although Meta Knight has maintained his high-tier status throughout ''SSB4''{{'}}s lifespan thanks to his solid punishment game, popularity as a counterpick to Rosalina & Luma, and his playerbase consistently achieving good results, he has steadily dropped on subsequent tier lists regardless. He has since dropped to 13th on the second tier list, then to 14th on the third tier list and, despite Leo bringing better results after using him once again, he has recently dropped once again to 16th on the fourth and current tier list, although this was before Leo's stellar performance with Meta Knight at [[2GG Championship]].

* '''[[All-Star Battle: Brawl]]''': Meta Knight is one of the opponents fought in this event. All of the opponents debuted in ''Brawl''.

* '''[[The Ultimate Swordsman]]''': As {{SSB4|Ike}}, the player must defeat Meta Knight, {{SSB4|Link}}, {{SSB4|Marth}}, {{SSB4|Toon Link}}, male {{SSB4|Robin}}, female Robin and {{SSB4|Shulk}}. All of the opponents wield swords.

* '''[[Unwavering Chivalry]]''': Meta Knight must defeat Marth without defeating {{SSB4|Peach}} or {{SSB4|Zelda}}.

* '''[[Final Battle Team-Up]]''': Meta Knight, using his ''{{s|wikirby|Kirby's Adventure}}''-based [[alternate costume]], is one of the opponents two players must defeat.

* '''[[Sky Pirates]]''': Meta Knight and {{SSB4|Dark Pit}} must defeat a team of {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}} and {{SSB4|Falco}} in a one stock battle on [[Pilotwings]] before the plane returns to the airfield.

* '''[[The Ultimate Battle]]''': Two players select a character and must defeat the entire roster.

* '''[[Visiting Onett]]''': {{SSB4|Ness}} and {{SSB4|Villager}} must defeat Meta Knight, {{SSB4|Kirby}}, {{SSB4|Fox}}, Falco, {{SSB4|Olimar}} and {{SSB4|Rosalina & Luma}}. All of the opponents are outer space-based characters.

==[[Alternate costume (SSB4)#Meta Knight|Alternate costumes]]==