Editing Pikachu (SSB)

{{disambig2|Pikachu's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros''|this Pokémon in other contexts|Pikachu}}

|name = Pikachu  

|image = [[File:Pikachu SSB.png]]

|symbol = preBrawl

|game = SSB

|ssbgame1 = SSBM

|ssbgame2 = SSBB

|ssbgame3 = SSB4

|tier = S

|ranking = 1

|rankingJP = 1

'''Pikachu''' ({{ja|ピカチュウ|Pikachū}}, ''Pikachu'') is a [[starter character]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' It originates from the {{uv|Pokémon}} series, being its recognizable mascot. Pikachu is generally a [[weight|light]], quick character, which would serve as the archetype for some other lightweight characters in the series.  

Pikachu is voiced by {{s|wikipedia|Ikue Ōtani}}, who also voiced it [[bulbapedia:Ash's Pikachu|in the anime]] and other game appearances, with her portrayals [https://youtu.be/WLmo93PtMZo re-purposed directly] from the anime's recording sessions.

Pikachu ranks 1st on the [[tier list]], its best placement in the series due to having many overwhelming advantages: its mobility is among the best, with fast [[walking]], [[dashing]], and [[air speed]]s, though its [[falling speed]] is slightly below average. Pikachu is notable for its amazing offstage and [[edgeguarding]] game, with fast and powerful [[aerial]]s that can also combo well with or without certain other moves, along with a [[recovery]] on [[Quick Attack]] that covers a long distance while also being unpredictable, as well as having some [[invincibility frame]]s and the ability to easily [[edge sweetspot|sweetspot the edge]]. While its attacks are generally fast, it has a few rather powerful moves, though its moveset is overall more [[combo]]-oriented. This is evident in its solid ground game, with an {{mvsub|Pikachu|SSB|up tilt}} that can rack up large damage by chaining into itself and can easily combo into virtually any other move as well, along with powerful [[smash attack]]s and an exceedingly powerful {{mvsub|Pikachu|SSB|back throw}}. It also has a [[projectile]] in its [[Thunder Jolt]], as well as {{b|Thunder|Pokémon}}, which is notable for being able to KO near the upper [[blast line]] very early; the [[Thunderspike]] technique can easily set this up.

 

However, Pikachu is not flawless. It has low [[weight]], allowing for it to be [[KO]]ed earlier than most of the characters, and can also be easily comboed by others. Pikachu also has limited options out of a [[tech]].

 

Despite this, Pikachu's strengths exceed its weaknesses, and it has held the best tournament results in [[competitive play]], alongside good representation. Pikachu's prowess in ''Smash 64'' is considered undisputed to such a great extent that it is considered to have the best matchup spread of any character in the game, with Pikachu's only potentially difficult matchups being against {{SSB|Captain Falcon}} and {{SSB|Yoshi}} which are typically considered to either be even or slightly winning for Pikachu in the North American version of the game.

[[File:SSB64 Congratulations Pikachu.png|thumb|250px|Pikachu's [[congratulations screen]].]]

[[File:Ssb64pikachu.jpg|thumb|Pikachu using Thunder Jolt in the ''Smash 64'' instruction booklet.]]

Pikachu is a small lightweight, being the third lightest character in the game although Pikachu's falling speed/gravity are around average overall. Pikachu has great mobility, having the third fastest [[dash]] speed as well as high [[air speed]]/[[air acceleration]], high jumps and high traction.

 

Pikachu's high mobility on the ground is complemented with Pikachu possessing a a strong array of ground moves, with the main standouts being Pikachu's up tilt and up smash. Up tilt is a fast, highly disjointed move which can easily chain into itself and other moves beyond lower percents while up smash is a reliable combo starter at lower percents in addition to being very safe on shield and a strong KO move at higher percents. These moves allow Pikachu to have a strong combo game at lower percents and Pikachu can lead into these moves with its aerials. Pikachu also possesses a grab with respectable range and Pikachu possesses a [[jab grab]], allowing it to easily land a grab, especially with its strong mobility. Pikachu's throws are also quite effective. Forward throw has low ending lag, allowing Pikachu to potentially follow up out of it at lower percents while back throw deals very high damage and knockback, making it a very strong KO option. The rest of Pikachu's ground normals are overall more situational although down tilt is a notably solid move with good power, long disjointed range, a low launching angle and low ending lag. 

 

Pikachu also has a very strong aerial game, not only due to Pikachu's fast air speed and high jumps but also because Pikachu has a strong set of aerials. Neutral aerial is a fast, lingering aerial with decent KO power, making it a solid combo starter at lower percents as well as a solid edgeguarding option. Forward aerial can rack up a lot of damage and easily set up followups at any percent, although it is susceptible to [[SDI]]. Back aerial is a bit on the slower side but it has great range and very solid KO power, making it strong as either an edgeguarding option or as a combo ender. Down aerial is a lingering aerial with horizonal knockback, which covers Pikachu's entire body and it never gets weaker as it stays out, making it a solid option to either get opponents off stage, edgeguard opponents or even anti air to an extent. Pikachu's best aerial overall however is its up aerial. Up aerial is rather unusual as it has weak, horizontal knockback however, it is very fast, it is highly disjointed and it covers an arc around Pikachu and it is overall an excellent combo and edgeguarding tool, as well as a solid spacing move and anti-air. All of these aerials combined with Pikachu's great mobility and up special give it one of the most devastating aerials games in the game.

 

Pikachu also has a strong set of specials. [[Thunder Jolt]] is Pikachu's weakest special as it is a laggy projectile, but it can be useful for edgeguarding and camping with its downwards trajectory and long duration. Pikachu's down special, {{b|Thunder|Pokémon}}, is a very powerful move which is a projectile with infinite vertical range. Pikachu can easily combo into it with an up smash for a KO at very low percents (with the use of Thunder to KO opponents off the upper blast known being known as [[Thunderspiking]]). Thunder not only allows Pikachu to score some very early KOes but it is also not [[Reflect|reflectable]] or [[Absorb|absorbable]] unlike many other projectiles. If the Thunder hits Pikachu, it produces a hitbox with strong horizontal knockback, although this is not utilised anywhere near as much as Thunderspiking.

 

Pikachu's best special however (and possibly Pikachu's best move overall) is [[Quick Attack]]. Quick Attack is completely intangible on startup, it travels a long distance, Pikachu can angle it in any direction and Pikachu has the option to use it twice in a row. This makes it the best [[recovery]] move in ''Smash 64'' by far, as Pikachu can travel a huge amount of distance with it, Pikachu can mix it up in a ton of ways and it is generally incredibly hard to intercept both due to the intangibility on startup and its mixup potential. This not only naturally makes it strong when Pikachu is trying to recover from a disadvantageous poisition but this also makes the move strong when Pikachu is in an advantageous position, as it allows Pikachu to go incredibly deep for edgeguards and still safely return to the stage.

 

The move's intangibility on startup also gives the move utility in a ton of other areas, such as escaping fake combos and as an [[Out of shield]] option to avoid shield pressure. Pikachu even has the ability to stall on the ledge infinitely, as Quick Attack can snap to the ledge and due to Quick Attack's intangibility frames, Pikachu can stall at the ledge almost completely intangibly, being the only character in the game who can do so. Quick Attack overall is one of the best moves in the entire game (despite its lack of a hitbox) due to its incredible recovery potential as well as its high utility and mixup potential.

 

Pikachu's does not possess one single notable strength but rather, a variety of strengths which all work together to make a formidable character. Pikachu has great mobility, a great ground game, a great aerial game, incredible edgeguarding and Pikachu has the best recovery and escape options in the game. Pikachu can easily approach its opponent to start its strong punish game and Pikachu also has the tools to play a more defensive game if it needs to. Pikachu has plenty of strong combo starters and extenders in addition to strong combo enders and raw KO moves. Even if Pikachu does find itself in a disadvantageous spot, Pikachu overall has one of the best disadvantages in the game, as it has the best recovery by quite a wide margin and Quick Attack is an excellent tool to escape disadvantage if Pikachu can access it (in addition to being a fantastic move).

 

 

As strong as Pikachu is however, it does have a few weaknesses. Pikachu is very light and it has average falling speed, which makes Pikachu moderately easy to combo and even KO at 0% although if Pikachu does survive, it has a very strong recovery, making it difficult to KO from an edgeguard after a significant combo. Quick Attack does leave Pikachu quite vulnerable if it does not warp to the [[edge]], so it can be quite punishable, especially against faster characters. Quick Attack in general is a very difficult move to master as there are many ways to use it and using it incorrectly can result in Pikachu losing a stock. Pikachu's tech options are also rather slow and punishable and it has a short pivot, making pivoting less useful for Pikachu than for some other characters. These weaknesses however are relatively minor compared to other characters, with Pikachu's strengths far outweighing these weaknesses.

 

Overall, Pikachu is an incredibly solid character who excels in almost every area, moreso than any other character in certain areas. Pikachu has both strong offense and defence, with Pikachu having great mobility, an all around strong moveset, the best recovery in the game and very strong ways to escape disadvantage. This results in Pikachu having a very strong [[matchup]] spread. In the North American version, Pikachu's most difficult matchups are against Captain Falcon and {{SSB|Yoshi}}. Captain Falcon outruns Pikachu on the ground and he can easily KO Pikachu off of one hit while Yoshi has superior air mobility to Pikachu, in addition to being able to utilise parrying and double jump armor to heavily punish Pikachu. These matchups however are generally considered to be around even or slightly winning for Pikachu, with the general consensus being that Pikachu wins every other matchup in the game, including the {{SSB|Kirby}} matchup.

 

As a result of all of these factors, Pikachu is often considered to be the best character in the game and has overall seen some of the highest representation and results in tournaments out of the entire cast.

 

In the Japanese version, Pikachu has a few differences although none of them are particularly significant, with Pikachu's strongest tools being identical in both versions. Pikachu is still considered to be the best character in the Japanese version although Captain Falcon is considered to have a definitive winning matchup against Pikachu in said version. Pikachu also received some changes in the PAL versions of the game, which buffed Pikachu overall, with Pikachu receiving power increases to some of its more notable moves, including up tilt, forward smash, down aerial and Thunder. As a result, Pikachu is still the best character in the PAL versions albeit to an even greater degree.

 

Pikachu was noticeably buffed in the North American version. Its up angled forward tilt and dash attack are stronger, and forward smash has more range, making it easier to hit with. Thunder Jolt, however, covers less distance, slightly worsening its projectile game although its aerial hit is stronger. Pikachu also benefits from the changes to gameplay mechanics more than any other character, due to the higher presence of [[SDI]] allowing it to escape combos easier (despite its forward aerial being slightly less reliable for combos), whereas the removal of momentum sliding makes its mobility one of the best. As a result, despite its worse matchup spread, Pikachu is considered to fare better than in the Japanese version.

 

*{{buff|Forward smash's late hit's hitboxes have been repositioned and it has gained a third hitbox which reaches further out, increasing its range.}}

*{{buff|Clean [[Thunder Jolt]] deals more damage (8% → 10%).}}

*{{nerf|Thunder Jolt has a shorter duration (118/119 frames → 98/99).}}

*{{nerf|Thunder Jolt deals less knockback (30 (base), 50 (scaling) → 50/30 (clean), 20/50 → 10/20 (late)).}}

Pikachu was buffed again in the PAL versions. Forward smash, down aerial and {{b|Thunder|Pokémon}} all deal more damage making them stronger KO moves.

*{{buff|Up tilt has increased base knockback (10 → 15).}}

*{{buff|Late forward smash deals more damage (18% → 20%).}}

*{{buff|Down aerial deals more damage (13% → 14%).}}

 

*{{buff|{{b|Thunder|Pokémon}} deals more damage (12% (thunderbolt)/16% (shockwave) → 14%/18%).}}

|neutralname=Headbutt ({{ja|ずつき|Zutsuki}})

|neutraldesc=Pikachu headbutts forward. Can chain into itself or lead into a [[jab grab]].

|ftiltname=Double-Footed Kick ({{ja|りょうあしげり|Ryō Ashigeri}})

|ftiltupdmg=11%, 9% (NTSC-J)

|ftiltdowndmg=9%, 10% (NTSC-J)

|ftiltdesc=Pikachu stands on its two hands and kicks its two feet forward. Can be angled up or down. Has unimpressive power/range and moderate ending lag, making it one of Pikachu's least useful moves.

|utiltname=Tail Attack ({{ja|しっぽアタック|Shippo Atakku}})

|utiltdesc=Does a tail whip upwards. It can easily chain into itself multiple times or combo into aerials (outside of very low percents), it has a disjointed hitbox and it has low ending lag, making it one of the best up tilts in the game. Has slightly higher knockback in the PAL versions.

|dtiltname=Tail Sweep ({{ja|あしばらい|Shippo Barai}})

|dtiltdesc=A tail sweep. It is a [[semi-spike]] with good power, low ending lag and disjointed range.

|dashname=Running Headbutt ({{ja|ジャンプずつき|Janpu Zutsuki}}, ''Jump Headbutt'')

|dashdesc=Does a running headbutt while falling onto the ground. Can setup edgeguards although it is not particularly powerful. Has lower knockback in the Japanese version.

|fsmashname=Thundershock ({{ja|ショートでんげき|Shōto Dengeki}}, ''Electrical Short'')

|fsmashdmg=18%, 20% (PAL late)

|fsmashdesc=Pikachu releases a short jolt of electricity from its cheeks. The electrical effect is in 2-D. It has slow startup lag and average power for a forward smash, although it has great range and its hitbox lasts for a long time. Has less range in the Japanese version and even more KO power in the PAL versions.

|usmashname=Tail Somersault ({{ja|しっぽサマーソルト|Shippo Sāmasoruto}})

|usmashdesc=Pikachu flips itself and moves its tail from front to back, hitting nearby opponents. Has decent KO power although nothing too extreme for an up smash. The main advantage the move has is its low ending lag, which makes it safe on shield and allows it to be used as a combo starter. Can combo into up tilt at lower percents, up air at middle percents and Thunder at slightly higher percents to score early KOes. It also has a much weaker late hit, although this can be used to combo at higher percents.  

|dsmashname=Double Leg Kick ({{ja|ダブルりょうあしキック|Daburu Ryō Ashi Kikku}})

|dsmashdesc=Does a spinning breakdance attack on the floor. Has two hits and unlike most down smashes, these two hits differ in strength. The front hit deals a decent amount of damage and has incredible horizontal knockback (KOing about as early as Kirby's forward smash) while the back hit deals lower damage and knockback.

|nairname=Pikachu Kick ({{ja|ピカチュウキック|Pikachū Kikku}})

|nairdesc=Pikachu sticks out its foot for about half a second. A very fast [[sex kick]] with very low startup lag and below average ending lag. Its only notable downside is its unimpressive range.

|fairname=Electric Drill ({{ja|でんげきドリル|Dengeki Doriru}})

|fairdmg=3% (hits 1-7), 21% (total), 6% (landing)

|fairdesc=Does a drill-like move forward, surrounded by electricity. 7 hits at a rate of 3% per hit for a total of 21%. Can be used as a combo starter.  

|bairname=Backwards Kick ({{ja|うしろげり|U Shiro-Geri}})

|bairdesc=Pikachu kicks backwards, its small foot getting slightly larger for a short second. It is somewhat slow although it has great range and knockback (being the second strongest back aerial), making it useful as both for beating other aerials and as a finisher.

|uairname=Tail Chop ({{ja|しっぽはたき|Shippo Hitaki}})

|uairdesc=Pikachu flips forward while swinging its tail around it. Its tail hitbox begins on frame 3 and completes an arc of over 180 degrees with a massive disjointed hitbox and no hurtbox. Considered one of the strongest anti-airs in the game, it's also useful as a defensive tool, combo starter, and spacing option. Combos easily into itself at mid percents, often leading to a bair or nair.

|dairname=Electric Screw ({{ja|でんげきスクリュー|Dengeki Sukuryū}})

|dairdmg=13%, 14% (PAL)

|dairdesc=Does a drill-like like move downward, surrounded by electricity. Knocks opponents horizontally with decent knockback (especially in the PAL versions). Along with {{SSB|Link}}'s down aerial, this is the only down aerial in ''Smash 64'' to lack a [[meteor smash]] hitbox.

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|grabdesc=Grabs the opponent. Has decent range.

|fthrowname=Neck Throw ({{ja|くびかりなげ|Ku Bikari Nage}})

|fthrowdesc=Pikachu grabs the foe, flips and releases them. Combos into usmash or another grab at low percents against most of the cast, making it a powerful combo starter.

|bthrowname=Electric Throw ({{ja|でんきなげ|Denki Nage}})

|bthrowdesc=Pikachu puts the foe on its back and releases electricity. A much weaker variant of this throw would become its forward throw in future ''Smash Bros.'' iterations. Has low ending lag and incredible knockback, being one of the strongest back throws in the game.

|floorbname= 

|edgefdesc=Has a large hitbox and hits opponents away from the stage, making it effective as an edgeguarding tool while holding the ledge.

|nsdmg=10% (ball), 7% (wave), 8% (NTSC-J ball)

|usdesc=Moves in two directions at warp speed. The move lacks a hitbox, making it unable to hit opponents. The directions can be controlled with the [[Control Stick]], with the second warp being optional, though the direction of second warp must be at least 45 degrees different than the direction of the first warp. This is easily the best recovery move in the game due to the huge distance it covers, along with its vast mixup potential. Pikachu is completely [[intangible]] during its startup, which lasts 20 frames. This both boosts its recovery potential and gives it utility in many other areas.  

|dsdmg=12% (bolt), 16% (blast), 14% (PAL bolt), 18% (PAL blast)

|dsdesc=Pikachu drops a bolt of lightning from the sky causing vertical knockback to any opponent in the bolt's way. Upon hitting the user, a large shockwave is created with stronger horizontal knockback than the lightning itself. Can stall Pikachu in midair if timed correctly. The move is extremely useful after using an up smash, as it can lead to very early KOes. The move can also be used to juggle opponents near the upper blast zone. Has even greater damage and knockback in the PAL versions.  

|char=Pikachu

|game=SSB}}

|desc-3=Backflips and spins around (also its character selection animation).

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

:''See also: [[:Category:Pikachu players (SSB)]]''

<!--This character has a 15 player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines-->

*{{Sm|Jam|UK}} - The best ''Smash 64'' player in Europe. He won one of the most notable European tournaments with {{Trn|Fête}} and also placed 5th at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 7}}. He is also one of the most notable European players to have attended some large North American tournaments and gave some tough competition, seen with his 2nd place finish at {{Trn|Hitstun 6}} where he took sets from {{Sm|Zero|p=Texas}}, Josh Brody, and {{Sm|CTG}}.

*{{Sm|kysk|USA}} - The best ''Smash 64'' player during 2019 and one of the best players of the game overall. He was considered one of the first Japanese players to heavily utilize counterpicking at a high level, doing so at many points with his Pikachu. Won a multitude of tournaments in 2019 with Pikachu as a secondary character. He also won {{Trn|Kanto Fall 2019}} and placed 4th at {{Trn|Kansai 2018}} with solo Pikachu.

*{{Sm|Mariguas|Mexico}} - One of the best Pikachu players of all time. His tournament win with {{Trn|Get On My Level 2017}} where he double-eliminated Isai, as well as other strong placements such as 4th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2016}} and 5th at {{Trn|GENESIS 3}} made him a top 10 player from 2016-2017. He retired from the game in 2018.

*{{Sm|wario|Japan}} - One of the best Japanese players and one of the best Pikachu players of all time. He won every tournament he attended from 2015 to 2016 which included {{Trn|Kansai 2015}}, {{Trn|Kansai 2016}}, and {{Trn|GENESIS 3}}. He is one of the few Japanese players to have a winning record over {{Sm|Jouske}}, including two grand finals wins. As such, he is one of the most respected Pikachu players in the scene.

===Tier placement and history===

{{incomplete|Documentation of the reasoning behind Double Pikachu being banned, and the rough date where this was standardised.}}

====Ban discussions====

Due to the majority of Pikachu players and the character's dominance, there was discussion in the community of having the character banned in 2017. Such discussions, such as from top Pikachu main KeroKeroppi, thought it should have been banned due to how much flexibility and reward the character offered. SuPeRbOoMfAn even used Pikachu a lot more in tournaments to further support Pikachu’s influence. However, this ban never ended up happening and Pikachu was left to continue to dominate the scene. In recent years, however, Pikachu is considered to have two close-to-even matchups, while in the past, it undisputedly had none. These two matchups that are considered to be managable are  against {{SSB|Captain Falcon}}, with his wide array of powerful combo and KO moves, and recently Yoshi, due to his parry mechanics and having a few zero-to-death combos on Pikachu. Despite more developed counterplay, Pikachu continues to remain the top character in the metagame.

In Doubles, even in [[Smash Remix]] tournaments, double Pikachu is often banned, due to very little reason not to use both.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T99G_p8Nis5jwF2Y_r2zHEKvm0iKgz9jGVbEafkKl30/edit?usp=sharing Xanadu Origins Ruleset; stacked event where Double Pikachu was banned]</ref>  A ruleset known as ZPK was the banning of both Pikachu and {{SSB|Kirby}} from competing in doubles, seen at tournaments such as [https://www.start.gg/tournament/battle-at-the-border-23/ Battle at the Border].

A technique that enables Pikachu to cancel his [[jab]] immediately into his [[grab]]. Since Pikachu's grab hitbox begins on frame 6, but jab begins on frame 2, this combo allows him to attack faster, and is effective when pressuring shields, or after teching to surprise an opponent. However it can only be used when standing still, since unlike grabs, jabs can't be done out of a run. This technique can also be performed by {{SSB|Mario}}, {{SSB|Luigi}}, and {{SSB|Ness}}.

In the game's Single-player mode, Pikachu is the fifth character to be fought. It is fought on the [[Saffron City]] stage.

|colspan=4|[[File:Pikachu Palette (SSB).png]]

|-

|{{Head|Pikachu|g=SSB|s=25px}}

|{{Head|Pikachu|g=SSB|s=25px|cl=Red}}

*Pikachu is one of only two characters in the game to lack a [[meteor smash]], alongside {{SSB|Link}}.

*Pikachu is one of only three characters in the game, the other two being Mario and Luigi, to hit in front and behind itself when doing a forward smash with battering items, with the hitboxes having the greatest horizontal range, as it does a spin attack with the item.

*Pikachu's up special used to be called Agility, but was changed to Quick Attack later.<ref>https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/PostReturn038.html</ref>

**However, [[Agility]] would eventually be given to [[Pichu]] for its up special in ''Melee'' and ''Ultimate''.

*On the [[character selection screen]], Pikachu's portrait greatly resembles its artwork from ''{{s|bulbapedia|Pokémon Blue}}''.

 

 

[[Category:Pikachu (SSB)| ]]

[[es:Pikachu (SSB)]]