Editing Ness (SSBU)

'''Ness''' ({{ja|ネス|Nesu}}, ''Ness'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. He was revealed along with the fellow ''EarthBound'' fighter {{SSBU|Lucas}} and all other previous veterans on June 12, 2018. As in the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and {{for3ds}}, he is [[unlockable character|unlockable]], instead of being available from the [[starter character|start]]. Ness is classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #10]].

In a first for the series, {{s|wikipedia|Makiko Ōmoto}} does not provide Ness with any new voice clips, instead all [[PK Freeze|but one]] of his voice lines from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' have been repurposed for ''Ultimate''.

 

 

 

As a result of his strengths and weaknesses, Ness is viewed as a strong but volatile character in competitive play. Players such as {{Sm|Gackt}}, {{Sm|Scend}}, and {{Sm|Syrup}} have seen consistent success with Ness in tournaments.

*Play [[VS. match]]es, with Ness being the 1st character to be unlocked.

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

Ness has been significantly buffed in his transition from ''SSB4'' to ''Ultimate''. Various changes to his previous options and the addition of new ones have positively impacted his playstyle, and the changes to the game's engine strengthen his kit.

Ness' ground game is better compared to previous iterations; [[forward tilt]] is now a viable KO option, [[dash attack]] has increased knockback and range, [[up tilt]] has decreased ending lag and is useful for starting combos, and [[down tilt]] racks up damage much more effectively, especially near the ledge. Among his most significant buffs are the changes to his yo-yo smash attacks ([[up smash]] and [[down smash]]), which not only regained their charging hitboxes, but now hang below the ledge to very easily set up edgeguards against most characters; up smash has also lost its early hit and has dramatically higher knockback, making it a viable KO option for the first time.

Many of Ness' other tools are more effective as well. All of his aerials, save for neutral aerial, deal more damage, and he has gained a new [[up aerial]] that hits multiple times, allowing for drag-down combos and set-ups while retaining most of its standalone KO power. [[Down aerial]] has more range, can once again be autocanceled from a short hop, and has a much stronger [[meteor smash]] effect. In terms of special moves, [[PK Flash]] charges much more quickly and no longer causes [[helpless]]ness; [[PK Fire]] has reduced lag (especially landing lag, making it far more useful when used in the air) that improves its combo and set-up potential, and [[PK Thunder]] deals more damage. His most notable buff, however, comes from a significantly improved [[PSI Magnet]]; the move now has a hitbox (similarly to {{SSBU|Lucas}}, although during the move rather than when canceling the move) that possesses a rehit rate, which gives it offensive use for the first time in the series, as it helps Ness extend combos and gives him newfound KO confirms at high percentages.

The universal changes in ''Ultimate'' have improved Ness as well, especially the new [[air dodge]] mechanics and general buffs to aerial attacks. The return of directional air dodges benefits Ness tremendously, as his own directional air dodge travels further than that of any character (aside from Lucas), providing a reliable [[recovery]] option aside from the notoriously exploitable PK Thunder 2. The removal of multiple air dodges also enables Ness to pressure opponents in the air with PK Thunder more consistently. Furthermore, Ness' already great aerial game is further compounded by the universal reductions to landing lag, improving their safety and combo potential.

However, Ness has also received a few nerfs. His new up aerial has less horizontal range, requires landing all hits (which start from behind and move in an arc above Ness) to deal considerable damage, and sends at a lower angle that hinders its KO potential, worsening Ness' ability to juggle opponents. His grab game has been toned down, as his slower, more standard [[pummel]] cannot rack up damage as effectively, [[back throw]] is very slightly worse for KOing (though it remains the strongest throw in the game), [[down throw]]'s higher ending lag hinders its combo potential past low to mid-percents, and the universal nerfs to grabs affects Ness just as much as the rest of the cast, as grabbing is a key component to his gameplan. Lastly, the power of his yo-yo smash attacks now only increases by half as much when charged, and PK Flash, in exchange for its much faster charge, is significantly weaker when fully charged.

Overall, the buffs to Ness' neutral game, punish game, edgeguarding, and recovery outweigh the few nerfs he received, and while his main weaknesses —such as lack of range and an exploitable recovery— are still present, they are generally to a lesser extent than in previous ''Smash'' games. Thus, despite his similar position among the roster, Ness performs better than in ''SSB4'', and his incarnation in ''Ultimate'' is widely considered his strongest in the ''Smash'' series to date.  

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

==Update history==

Ness has received a mix of [[buff]]s and [[nerf]]s, but he was buffed overall. Update 2.0.0 increased autocancel frames for up aerial matching the ending lag of the move and his down aerial deals more damage while keeping the knockback the same. Update 3.0.0, nerfed yo-yo charging smash attacks which was infamous for breaking shields easily. He also received buffs such as PK Flash having a larger hitbox, and physics changes to the yo-yo that improved its potential as an edge guarding tool. Update 3.1.0 reverted the yo-yo physics back to its pre-patch state, and his neutral attack connects more reliably.

However, Ness has received a number of buffs in 9.0.0. Up tilt, dash attack and up throw deal more damage, though with knockback adjusted for the former two. In addition, down aerial and PK Flash have less start-up lag. Overall, Ness remains a strong character who can compete well with the rest of the cast.

 

'''{{GameIcon|SSBU}} {{SSBU|2.0.0}}'''

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

 

'''{{GameIcon|SSBU}} {{SSBU|3.0.0}}'''

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

 

'''{{GameIcon|SSBU}} {{SSBU|3.1.0}}'''

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

 

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

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

|neutralname=Jab ({{ja|ジャブ|Jyabu}}) / Straight ({{ja|ストレート|Sutorēto}}) / Middle Kick ({{ja|ミドルキック|Midoru Kikku}})

|neutraldesc=Two punches followed by a front kick. The first and second hits can [[lock]].

|ftiltname= Side Kick ({{ja|サイドキック|Saido Kikku}})

|ftiltdesc=A roundhouse kick that can be angled. Surprisingly good power, KOing at around 120% at the ledge.

|utiltname=PK Toss ({{ja|ＰＫトス|Pīkei Tosu}})

|utiltdmg=9% (spark), 7% (body)

|utiltdesc=Jumps and attacks with an upward double palm thrust that produces a PSI spark from his hands. Has a sourspot located on his body that deals 7%. A decent anti-air and juggling tool.

|dtiltname=Crouching Kick ({{ja|クラウチングキック|Kurauchingu Kikku}})

|dtiltdesc=A swift shin kick. Extremely spammable and can be used to lock. Has a sourspot located on the tip of his foot.

|dashname=PK Hand Stamp ({{ja|ＰＫハンドスタンプ|Pīkei Hando Sutanpu}})

|dashdmg=4% (hit 1), 7% (hit 1 aerial), 2% (hit 2), 4% (hit 3)

|dashdesc= A double palm thrust that sends three PSI sparks out in front of him with the third spark knocking the opponent up into the air. The first spark deals more damage to aerial targets. Good to set up juggles and pressuring from afar. Difficult to punish on shield if only the last hit connects. The disjointed hitboxes go very far, giving it impressive range for a dash attack. The first hit is more damaging on opponents in the air.

|fsmashname=Batter Up! ({{ja|バットスイング|Batto Suingu}}, ''Bat Swing'')

|fsmashdesc=Swings his {{s|wikibound|baseball bat}}. It can [[reflect]] incoming projectiles with a high multiplier and is one of the strongest forward smashes in the game, killing most characters around 50% by the ledge. However, its lag is considerable and makes it easy to punish up close.

|usmashname=Around the World ({{ja|シャトルループ|Shatoru Rūpu}}, ''Shuttle Loop'')

|usmashdmg=1% (charge), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|13|1.2}}

|usmashdesc=Sends his {{s|wikibound|yo-yo}} forward and performs an "around-the-world", hitting first in front then above and behind. It has a hitbox while charging and can hang from the ledge, but can only be held for an additional half of a second instead of two, and has a max charge damage multiplier of 1.2×.

|dsmashname=Walk the Dog ({{ja|ヨーヨーショット|Yōyō Shotto}}, ''Yo-Yo Shot'')

|dsmashdmg=1% (charge), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|10|1.2}}

|dsmashdesc=Sends his {{s|wikibound|yo-yo}} backward and performs the "walk-the-dog" with it, hitting first behind then in front. It has a hitbox while charging and can hang from the ledge, but can only be held for an additional half of a second instead of two, and has a max charge damage multiplier of 1.2×. Might have troubles linking correctly if the opponent is at the furthest point of the back hit.

|nairname=Ness Spin ({{ja|ネススピン|Nesu Supin}})

|nairdesc=Spins diagonally in the air with his arms outstretched, emitting PSI from his hands. Quick, coming out on frame 5 and acts like a [[sex kick]]. Rather useful to break combos and as an out-of-shield option. Autocancels from a short hop. It has decent knockback, making it a good edgeguarding and KOing option.

|fairname=Aerial PK Hand Stamp ({{ja|空中ＰＫハンドスタンプ|Kūchū Pīkei Hando Sutanpu}}

|fairdesc= A double palm thrust that generates a stream of PSI sparks from his hands. Comes out on frame 8, making it tied with up aerial for the second fastest out of Ness' aerials. Decently safe on shield if Ness backs away during the attack, and it's useful to start and continue combos. Autocancels from a short hop. Can chain into itself multiple times at low percentages, making it a useful wall-of-pain tool.

|bairname=PK Drop Kick ({{ja|ＰＫドロップキック|Pīkei Doroppu Kikku}})

|bairdesc=A dropkick that produces a PSI spark. Comes out on frame 10. The clean hit is very strong, being his strongest aerial overall. Autocancels from a short hop.

|uairname=PK Wiper ({{ja|ＰＫワイパー|Pīkei Waipā}})

|uairdesc=Waves his finger in an arc above his head while generating PSI sparkles, hitting up to 5 times. Autocancels from a short hop. A great combo tool, as its linking hits and last hit's vertical angle combine to make it a great combo extender. It can also KO well near the upper blast line at high percentages since the final hit has extremely high knockback scaling. Overall great power.

|dairname=PK Meteor Kick ({{ja|ＰＫメテオキック|Pīkei Meteo Kikku}})

|dairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|14}} (clean), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12}} (late)

|dairdesc=Twirls before kicking down into the air, producing a PSI spark. The clean hit can [[meteor smash]], and can be used to start combos on-stage fairly reliably if landed against grounded opponents. Autocancels from a short hop. Ness' slowest aerial, coming out on frame 18.

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|grabdesc=Grabs with both hands. A fast grab with a slight amount of ending lag.

|pummelname=Grab PK Shock ({{ja|つかみＰＫショック|Tsukami Pīkei Shokku}})

|pummeldesc=A point-blank blast of PSI energy. Average power and speed.

|fthrowname=PK Throw ({{ja|ＰＫスルー|Pīkei Surū}})

|bthrowname=Reverse PK Throw ({{ja|リバースＰＫスルー|Ribāsu Pīkei Surū}})

|bthrowdesc=Psychokinetically swings the opponent over his head before sending them off backward, in a diagonally upwards motion. It is the opposite of his forward throw, possessing very low base knockback but incredibly high knockback scaling, making it one of the strongest back throws in the game, and considered the most versatile KO throw overall, as it can KO much more reliably anywhere onstage at higher percentages than most other back throws at its level of strength like {{SSBU|Incineroar}}'s or {{SSBU|Dr. Mario}}'s, due to its much higher knockback scaling.

|uthrowname=Cowboy PK Throw ({{ja|カウボーイＰＫスルー|Kaubōi Pīkei Surū}})

|uthrowdmg=12%

|uthrowdesc=Psychokinetically spins the opponent above his head before sending them up. It leaves the opponent in an unfavorable position where they can be juggled, most commonly by PK Thunder.

|dthrowname=Rapid PK Fire ({{ja|ラピッドＰＫファイヤー|Rapiddo Pīkei Faiyā}})

|floorfdesc=Sweep kicks in front of and behind himself.

|floorbdesc=With one hand planted on the ground, sweeps his leg behind and in front of himself.

|floortdesc=Kicks behind and in front of himself with both legs.

|edgedmg=9%

|nsdesc=A light blue sphere of light appears above Ness and flies forward in an arc if charged. The arc it travels can be controlled, and the projectile is able to go through [[platform#Soft_platforms|soft]] and [[platform#Semisoft_platforms|semisoft platforms]] and will not dissipate upon contact with [[platform#Hard_platforms|hard platforms]].

This is referred to as [[PK Thunder 2]]. The Rocket portion of the attack has invulnerability from frame 1 to 32 and is constituted of an early and late hit. Making contact with something during PKT2 will shorten the distance traveled, and slamming into a wall allows Ness to perform another PK Thunder if the player is sufficiently quick enough.

|dsdmg=4% per hit

|dsdesc=Surrounds Ness with a purple energy field, allowing him to [[absorb]] energy-based projectiles (such as {{SSBU|Mario}}'s [[Fireball]], {{SSBU|Fox}}'s {{b|Blaster|Fox}} or {{SSBU|Samus}}'s  [[Charge Shot]] or explosions (including all of {{SSBU|Snake}}'s explosives) and heal for 1.6× the damage he would have taken, but only at a maximum of 30% damage per projectile.

It possesses a hitbox on startup if held, and will also slightly push back opponents on release. Upon absorption, the magnet can be canceled with a jump, roll or spot dodge. Can also be used as a [[Fall Break]] to stall Ness' vertical momentum slightly in the air.

|fsdesc=[[Paula]] and [[Poo]] join Ness, assisting him in summoning [[wikibound:PK Starstorm|a shower of falling stars]] to attack his enemies. The comets will rain down over the stage and can be slightly aimed left and right.

===[[Taunt]]s===

*'''Up taunt''': Turns toward the screen and nods while saying "Okay." The pose is similar to that of his clay model from ''EarthBound''.

*'''Side taunt''': Swings his bat out in front of him and strikes a pose, similar to how baseball players use it to indicate they are hitting a home run.

*'''Down taunt''': Waves his hand in an S motion while emitting a stream of PSI from his finger.

*Look to his left, then to his right.

*'''Left:''' Walks in then looks around with a surprised expression, before rubbing the back of his head while smiling (his "character chosen" animation in ''Super Smash Bros.'', albeit much more subtle).

*'''Up:''' Skips into the victory screen, then nods slightly, holding a pose similar to his official clay model, up taunt, and official ''Brawl'' render.

*'''Right:''' Swings his bat once, then strikes a pose similar to his side taunt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite his middling tier list placement, Ness still enjoys strong results at most levels of competition: Gackt remains the preeminent representative of Ness on a global scale, earning the 27th spot on the [[LumiRank 2023]] and defeating {{Sm|MkLeo}} at {{Trn|GENESIS X}}, while ATATA and Scend have placed highly at the regional level. As such, opinions of Ness' current stance in the metagame remain varied: While some regions, especially Japan, continue to believe Ness lacks the representation for a higher tier placing, some regions, especially the United States and Latin America, still view Ness as a solid high-tier character and ranked him higher for the second tier list. Overall, Ness' incredible offensive tools are offset by weaknesses in his neutral and disadvantage; he therefore remains a common yet polarizing character in competitive play.

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

|1||{{CharHead|Ness|SSBU|hsize=20px|color=Blue}}||[[Magicant]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Magicant (for 3DS / Wii U)}}''||The opponent has his blue alternate costume equipped, referencing Ness' younger self that he encounters in Magicant. If the player is using the blue alternate costume, {{Head|Ness|g=SSBU|s=20px}} default Ness will appear as the enemy instead.

|2||{{CharHead|Lucas|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[New Pork City]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|You Call This a Utopia?!}}''||

|3||{{CharHead|R.O.B.|SSBU|hsize=20px|color=Purple}} (x3)||[[Fourside]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Fourside}}''||A reference to the Sentry Robots fought in the {{s|wikibound|Monotoli Building}}.

|4||{{CharHead|Sheik|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Gerudo Valley]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Bein' Friends}}''||A reference to {{s|wikibound|Dusty Dunes Desert}}. [[Mr. Saturn]] is the only item that spawns.

|5||{{CharHead|Toon Link|SSBU|hsize=20px|color=Black}} (x2)||[[Luigi's Mansion]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Unfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise}}''||A reference to the zombies fought in {{s|wikibound|Threed}}. When used, the only Assist Trophy summoned will be [[Jeff]].

|6||{{CharHead|Villager|SSBU|hsize=20px}} and {{CharHead|Isabelle|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Onett]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|EarthBound|Onett Theme / Winters Theme}}''||A reference to the {{s|wikibound|Sharks}} and the dogs fought in Onett. When used, the only Assist Trophy summoned will be {{b|Starman|EarthBound}}.

|colspan="5"|[[Bonus Stage]]

|Final||{{SSBU|Master Hand}}||{{SSBU|Final Destination}}||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Super Smash Bros.|Master Hand}}'' <small>(Less than 7.0 intensity)</small><br>''{{SSBUMusicLink|Super Smash Bros.|Master Hand / Crazy Hand}}'' <small>(7.0 or higher intensity)</small>||{{SSBU|Crazy Hand}} teams up with Master Hand on Intensity 7.0 or higher.

[[File:WoL-10Ness.jpg|thumb|Finding Ness in World of Light|left]]

Although Ness has been absent from the World of Light opening cutscene, he was vaporized and later imprisoned alongside the rest of the fighters (minus {{SSBU|Kirby}}) when [[Galeem]] unleashed his beams of light.

Ness can be found in a pink cloud area reminiscent of [[Magicant]], and to access him the player needs to defeat the [[Flying Man]] [[List of spirits (EarthBound series)|spirit]].

 

|[[File:Ness SSBU.png|center|64x64px]]

 

==[[Spirit]]==

Ness' fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} as Ness. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Ness has been unlocked. Unlocking Ness in World of Light allows the player to preview the spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. His fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with his artwork in ''Ultimate''.

SSBU spirit Ness.png|563. '''''Ness'''''

SSBU Ness Number.png|Ness's fighter card.

Ness unlock notice SSBU.jpg|Ness's unlock notice.

SSBUWebsiteNess1.jpg|Ness [[idling]] on the [[Bridge of Eldin]].

SSBUWebsite18.jpg|Using his side taunt in Onett.

===Fighter Showcase Video===

*Ness was the only one of the four original [[unlockable character]]s from ''Super Smash Bros. 64'' to be playable in the E3 demo.

*''Ultimate'' is the first ''Smash'' game in which Ness has a greater number of aerials that use PSI than Lucas, being 5 to 4 as opposed to 2 and 3 to 3 in ''Brawl'' and ''Smash 4'' respectively.

*Ness being unlocked by clearing Classic Mode as Kirby could be a reference to Ness being unlocked on {{SSB|Dream Land}} in the original ''Super Smash Bros.'', that both are voiced by Makiko Ōmoto, or that both are from games developed by [[HAL Laboratory, Inc.]]