Editing Pikachu (SSBU)

{{Disambig2|Pikachu's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''|the character in other contexts|Pikachu}}

|image = {{tabber|title1=Normal|content1=[[File:Pikachu SSBU.png|x250px]]|title2=Pikachu Libre|content2=[[File:Pikachu-Alt7 SSBU.png|x250px]]}}

REMINDER: Our Manual of Style states that all Pokémon are to use gender-neutral pronouns.

 

As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', {{s|wikipedia|Ikue Ōtani}}'s portrayals of Pikachu from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' were repurposed for ''Ultimate''.

 

Pikachu is ranked 17th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the A tier. This is a notable improvement from its 15th out of 54 placement in ''SSB4''. Pikachu's strengths come from its overall great mobility all around. Its most prominent strengths are in its [[Neutral game|neutral]] and [[edgeguarding]] game, due to the fast [[startup]], low endlag of all its [[aerial attack]]s, and its ability to recover far from the stage thanks to [[Skull Bash]] and [[Quick Attack]]. All of its aerials also [[Auto-canceling|auto-cancel]] on a [[short hop]], which grants it utility for [[out of shield]] [[Punishment|punishes]] and potential [[zero-to-death]] [[combo]]s. Despite its poor [[range]], Pikachu also possesses a strong [[grab]] game: its [[Back throw|back]] and [[forward throw]]s allow it to set up combos leading to edgeguards while its [[down throw]] is a valuable combo starter. Pikachu possesses a strong, far-travelling [[projectile]] in [[Thunder Jolt]], which is used to help Pikachu's approach and edgeguards. Finally, Pikachu has arguably one of the best disadvantage states in the game due to its extremely small hurtbox, frame 2 air dodge, and the aforementioned low startup on its aerials, making it very difficult to combo and allowing Pikachu to reset into [[neutral]] with relative ease.

 

 

Overall, Pikachu's strengths outweigh its weaknesses. Even before the release of ''Ultimate'', many players saw Pikachu as a top tier character, and its strengths have been proven by strong performances from players such as {{Sm|ESAM}} and {{Sm|ShinyMark}}. However, Pikachu's playerbase is rather small while its overall results are mediocre compared to other top tiers, with both ESAM and ShinyMark seeing high highs but mediocre lows. As such, Pikachu's status as a top tier character has been subject to debate, with opinions on the character varying wildly depending on region.

Pikachu is a lightweight with a small [[hurtbox]], tied with Kirby, Olimar, Sephiroth, and Mewtwo for the seventh lightest fighter. It has overall good mobility, possessing fast [[walk speed|walking]] and [[run speed|dashing]] speeds, high [[jump]]s, is tied for the ninth-highest [[air acceleration]], and has the fourth-highest traction, but slightly above average [[falling speed]] and [[gravity]] and below-average [[air speed]]. Due to its fast mobility, a strong projectile in [[Thunder Jolt]], exceptional frame data, and among the fastest defensive options, Pikachu has an exceptional [[neutral]] game and rarely struggles to approach.

Pikachu's main strengths are its fast frame data and dominant edgeguarding game, with each being considered among the best of the cast. This is mainly due to Pikachu's aerials, each of which can autocancel in a short hop. Its neutral, forward, back, and up aerials are fast, all of them except for up aerial being multihit attacks that can combo into each other and most of Pikachu's other moves, with their extremely low ending lag making them excellent for [[combos]], [[edgeguarding]], and potential [[zero-to-death combo|zero-to-deaths]]. Forward and back aerials in particular are notoriously effective as neutral options due to their animation low-profiling Pikachu's already small hurtbox, which makes them notably hard for most characters to punish [[out of shield]]. Up aerial is a fantastic [[juggling]] option to boot, while neutral aerial notably converts into both up smash and down smash if used while landing, making it Pikachu's most reliable method of confirming KOs at high percentages. Down aerial can meteor smash in its first two active frames and is fast for a move of its category, with its long-lasting hitbox making it an extremely potent edgeguarding option as well. Down aerial also is its only aerial with over 20 frames of ending lag, though it still has relatively low lag compared to other meteor smashes of its kind.

Another notable strength Pikachu has is its ability to escape pressure. It boasts a frame 2 [[air dodge]] and an incredibly small hurtbox, which combined with its light weight and fantastic frame data make it among the most difficult characters to combo. The speed and versatility of its up special [[Quick Attack]] makes it trivial to land and escape disadvantage compared to the majority of the cast, while its aforementioned frame data gives it one of the strongest out-of-shield games through its neutral aerial, back aerial, and up smash. It additionally boasts a phenomenal recovery, with Quick Attack's long distance and multiple angles (there must be a difference of 30 degrees between each jolt's arc, or the second jolt will not come out) making it exceptionally difficult to edgeguard, and its side special [[Skull Bash]] providing additional horizontal distance if necessary despite being risky to use. All in all, Pikachu boasts an incredible disadvantage state that allows him to rapidly and effectively reverse the situation on the opponent if they make a single mistake.  

Pikachu has a potent grab and throw game despite its poor grab range. It has a fast pummel and its forward and back throws are good for setting up edgeguards, with back throw also being able to [[KO]] near the ledge at high percents. Its up throw can combo into down special [[Thunder]] and reliably KOs middleweights around 170%. Down throw is a fantastic combo starter, being able to combo into Thunder and all of Pikachu's aerials setting up "nair loops" which involves using dragdown nair and up tilt to rack up damage while reacting to the DI of the opponent to continue the combo. It can also lead into various combos and kill confirms depending on the opponent's DI, including up air bridges which can take the opponent all the way offstage before Pikachu KOs them with a forward air. Extending Pikachu's notorious combo game revolves around using its aerial attacks to drag the opponent down, thereby extending the combo further. Thunder Jolt also complements its advantage state nicely as it can combo into any of Pikachu's moveset or be used to pressure the opponent and make them hesitatingly pick options while under pressure.

Pikachu is not without weaknesses, however. All of its normal attacks excluding forward smash have poor range, with most of said attacks being barely disjointed or not at all. Because of its lack of range, Pikachu tends to rely on using Thunder Jolt to help it approach the opponent. It gets KO'd relatively early due to its diminutive weight, and it also bears inconsistent raw KO power itself. Dash attack is powerful but extremely unsafe if whiffed, up throw doesn't KO under 170% without rage, and its forward and up smashes are burdened by several sourspots that make them unwieldy to use. Beyond this, none of its aerials are strong enough to KO reliably while onstage, and its other KO moves (down smash, forward tilt, and back throw) are unfit for KOing until around 150% by the ledge. While Thunder is powerful, it has slow start-up and high ending lag that limits its usage to be a situational combo finisher and edgeguarding option. A notable weakness in Pikachu's otherwise potent neutral is its inability to trade due to many of its aerials being multihits, meaning that if a trade occurs Pikachu will deal about 1% while taking the full damage of the move it trades with, a substantial weakness considering how light the character is.

Overall, Pikachu's strengths outweigh its weaknesses.

REMINDER: Our Manual of Style states that all Pokémon are to use gender-neutral pronouns.

Pikachu has been heavily buffed in its transition from ''SSB4'' to ''Ultimate''. All of its moveset's aspects were greatly improved during its transition, in addition to its moveset benefiting noticeably from the changes to gameplay mechanics.

Pikachu's largest buffs arguably come from its improved speed: its already above-average mobility has been increased, many of its moves have less ending lag, and its aerials have drastically reduced landing lag; while the former and latter buffs are shared with the rest of the cast, they especially benefit Pikachu, the former due to its small size and the latter since its aerials had among the highest landing lag in ''SSB4''. These buffs improve Pikachu's neutral game and overall comboing capabilities; plus, due to its "pancaking" during many of their landing animations, allow it to avoid mistimed attacks with more ease and retaliate. To further complement this, its already great air game was enhanced as well: Pikachu has a new [[neutral aerial]] that hits multiple times and has much more combo potential; both its [[forward aerial|forward]] and [[up aerial]]s have increased KO power, alleviating one of Pikachu's biggest weaknesses in ''SSB4''; its [[back aerial]] [[auto-cancel]]s from a short hop, now consistently launches opponents behind Pikachu, and has a faster animation, which gives it combo potential into itself several times at low percentages, to the point that it is able to perform a pseudo-[[Wall of Pain]] with the move; and its [[down aerial]] now has a clean hitbox that [[meteor smash]]es opponents, further improving Pikachu's aerial KOing ability.

Although not as buffed as its aerial game, Pikachu's other moves have also seen noteworthy improvements. In particular, its [[dash attack]] has increased KO power and significantly increased [[shieldstun]], to the point it can be unpunishable on shield at certain distances depending on the character. Its [[forward smash]] has increased range, making it a more dangerous tool for trapping opponents on the [[edge]]; its [[up smash]]'s strong hit lasts longer, making it more reliable for KOing; and its [[down smash]] will always send opponents in the direction Pikachu faces and at a lower angle, making it more useful, as well as gaining a KO confirm into it from Pikachu's new neutral aerial. Pikachu's standing grab extends farther; its [[down throw]] now inflicts additional hit lag on the opponent on release, improving its combo ability; and its [[up throw]] has increased knockback, allowing it to KO at high percentages. On top of this, some of its special moves were significantly buffed, as [[Thunder Jolt]] has less ending lag, which improves Pikachu's neutral game and grants it a trapping option if opponents shield it from far away; [[Skull Bash]] has drastically reduced ending lag on hit, making it much safer unless it is [[perfect shield]]ed; and [[Thunder]]'s cloud hitbox deals set knockback, allowing it to connect consistently into the discharge, which also inflicts much more knockback.

Finally, Pikachu notably benefits from the changes to game mechanics. The new limits to [[air dodge]]s and smaller [[edge]] sweetspot sizes make Pikachu's already great edgeguarding prowess more dangerous, especially with its down aerial's new meteor smash hitbox, its stronger aerial attacks all-around, and improved primary projectile in Thunder Jolt; they also don't impair its disadvantage state much thanks to its long-distanced and unpredictable recovery. The changes to air dodging also make its on-stage offense even more effective, which combined with its improved mobility, streamlined [[jump]]squat, and reintroduction of [[dash-dancing]] allow it to chase opponents, giving it an excellent combo game that has the potential of causing [[zero-to-death combo]]s. The nerfs to [[rage]] also notably improves its poor endurance, while not nerfing its KOing ability due to its stronger moveset.

In spite of mostly receiving drastic buffs, Pikachu is not without a few nerfs. Most significantly, the removal of [[Quick Attack cancel]]ing noticeably reduces Pikachu's mobility and approach options, making it more predictable. The changes to neutral aerial, in lieu of an improved combo game, also remove its KO potential. The increased startup and ending lag on its grabs, and dash grab and pivot grab not reaching as far, limit the benefits its grab game has received. Lastly, up throw's altered knockback, while giving it KO potential, makes it more difficult for Pikachu to combo into Thunder. Outside of these nerfs, however, other nerfs Pikachu received have generally been minor, while a good amount of the buffs it received make up for said shortcomings, most notably its improved neutral game.

In the end, Pikachu's entire moveset has seen drastic improvements all around, it benefits significantly from the new engine, and its limited KOing ability was mostly alleviated, causing its buffs to severely outweigh the nerfs it received. Although Pikachu still suffers from the same weaknesses that plagued it in ''SSB4'', such as short range, poor endurance, and still limited KOing ability, its improved strengths now more than compensate for its shortcomings, allowing Pikachu to fare better than in ''SSB4'' and once again cementing it as one of the most viable "fragile speedster" characters. This has led to a positive perception of Pikachu since release, and has performed significantly better overall than in previous games (save for [[Pikachu (SSB)|its appearance in]] ''[[SSB]]'').

Pikachu was slightly buffed via game updates. Its grab game was slightly improved, thanks to a faster pummel and larger grabboxes. The only nerf it has received is [[Thunder Jolt]]'s shield damage being slightly decreased as part of a near-universal nerf to projectiles. Its shield size was also increased as a part of a near-universal buffs to shields.

 

While Pikachu does fare marginally better since the launch of ''Ultimate'', the changes it received were very minor overall, and as a result, patch changes have not noticeably affected perceptions of Pikachu's viability as a powerful high-tier character.

*Pikachu can [[crawl]].

*Pikachu can [[wall jump]].

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

|neutraldesc=[[bulbapedia:Headbutt (move)|Quickly headbutts forward]]. While it has minimal startup lag by coming out on frame 2 and can jab [[lock]], it cannot combo into itself easily due to opponents falling out of the move easily when spammed and being able to punish Pikachu for the move. Other moves such as down tilt or dash attack are better options since Pikachu does not have a finisher for its jab.

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

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

|utiltdesc=An overhead tail swipe, starting from behind Pikachu. An excellent combo starter, comboing into itself at low percents and into Pikachu's aerials at low to mid percents. It's a great combo tool, but not such a good anti air.

|dtiltname=Tail Sweep ({{ja|あしばらい|Ashi Barai}}, ''Foot Sweep'')

|dtiltdesc=Lays down and sweeps its tail in front of itself. It has good horizontal reach and very low ending lag, making it somewhat spammable. It can cause tripping at low percents and sets up for tech situations at mid-high percents.

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

|dashdesc=A battering ram. The early hitbox deals solid damage and good knockback, allowing it to KO middleweights around 135% on Final Destination. It also has a fairly low startup lag (frame 6), and the early hitbox lasts deceptively long. Additionally, it is decently safe on shield due to having a high shieldstun multiplier, although it can still be punished by quick out-of-shield options. However, the late hitbox has no KO potential at any reasonable percent, and the high ending lag prevents either hit from comboing.

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

|fsmashdesc=Rears its head back before leaning forward and releasing a large orb of electricity in front of it, leaving a trail of electricity. The early hit comes out on frame 15, the sweetspot on frame 17 and the late hit on frame 20. The center of the ball deals the most damage and knockback, having high horizontal KO potential. The trail does the second most damage and the least knockback, and the tip does the least damage and second most knockback. It has good range, with a hitbox close to the size of Pikachu. The uncharged sweetspot KOs Mario around 80% at the edge of Final Destination, although the early hit doesn't KO until 105% and the late hit until 100%, giving the attack several sourspots and making it very inconsistent. It also has a long duration and noticeable ending lag (25 frames, when counting the latest hit), making it very easy to punish if shielded or dodged. Pikachu can end a jab lock with forward smash, although it'll only sweetspot on various chararcters, and depends on whether they're facing up or down. Note that it'll always sweetspot Luigi, Sheik, Bayonetta, Steve and Pyra/ Mythra.

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

|usmashdesc=An overhead tail swipe. Unlike Pikachu's up tilt, it starts in front of it and has good vertical KO potential. The early hit comes out somewhat quickly (frame 10) and lasts until Pikachu's tail goes above it, after which the clean hit lasts until the tail goes behind it. The early hit's sweetspot is located on Pikachu's body and can be comboed into with falling nair. The early sweetspot KOs middleweights around 115% on Final Destination, while the early sourspot KOs around 125%. The late hit, however, does minimal damage and knockback.

|dsmashname=Electric Flower ({{ja|ねずみはなび|Nezumi Hanabi}}, ''Mouse Fireworks'')

|dsmashdesc=Charges its tail with electricity before spinning it around, shocking opponents. It has the least damage potential out of all its smash attacks, dealing only 13%. It KOs middleweights around 95% at the edge of Final Destination with no DI, and deals good horizontal knockback. It also has the least startup out of all its smash attacks, coming out on frame 8, but its 42 frames of ending lag make it very punishable if used poorly. As well as up smash, neutral aerial can combo into this move to confirm a KO.

|nairname=Pikachu Shock ({{ja|ピカチュウショック|Pikachū Shokku}})

|nairdesc=Poses while charging itself with electricity, shocking nearby opponents. It hits 4 times, with the final hit having weak knockback. It is one of Pikachu's most versatile tools; being useful for breaking out of combos due to its very fast startup (frame 3), and a generously low amount of ending lag (17 frames). It's notorious for its ability to be fastfalled to drag the opponent down and extend combos, and being a very quick out-of-shield option at frame 6. It can be fastfalled to combo into all of its tilts, grab, and both up and down smash due to its low ending lag. Like all of Pikachu's other aerials, it can [[autocancel]] in a [[short hop]].

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

|fairdesc=Spins forward with an electrically charged head, shocking opponents. Moderate startup lag at frame 11 and hits 6 times. Has low landing lag, and extremely low ending lag (15 frames), the lowest of Pikachu's aerials, making it an effective [[spacing]] option, but has two very small looping hitboxes, which are very close to Pikachu's head and don't use the auto-link angle and, unlike Pichu's version, the hits don't always connect properly because they don't launch at the auto-link angle. The multiple hits and long duration make it an effective short hop aerial to pressure the opponent's shield and possibly shield poke. Due to its lenient amount of ending lag, it is an excellent combo and edgeguarding option and can combo into grab sometimes, or connect into a dash attack to kill at high percents.

|bairname=Glider ({{ja|グライダー|Guraidā}})

|bairdesc=Spins around horizontally in a skydiver position, hitting multiple times, with a pose at the end to launch foes. Very fast, coming out on frame 4 with a long active duration and very low ending lag (18 frames) and can hit all around Pikachu, but its below average knockback makes it unreliable for KOing until very high percentages and has poor range, only hitting opponents close to Pikachu. To compensate, it is a great combo starter and, at low percents, it can combo into itself multiple times. It can drag down opponents and has a landing hitbox.

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

|uairdesc=An overhead tail swipe, starting from behind Pikachu. Extremely fast, coming out on frame 4, with very low ending lag (19 frames) as it autocancels and is interruptible at frame 27. It is useful for juggling or comboing into itself and other aerials at low-mid percents. The move has a strong hitbox behind and above Pikachu, which will send the opponent upwards, and a small weak hitbox in front of it which combos into itself and forward air.

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

|dairdesc=Points down and spins its head downwards, launching opponents. The clean hit lasts for two frames and is a powerful [[meteor smash]], while the late hit has good horizontal knockback. It has low ending lag with 22 frames of vulnerability, but it's the highest of Pikachu's aerials. Also has a landing hitbox.

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|pummelname=Grab Electric Shock ({{ja|つかみでんきショック|Tsukami Denki Shokku}})

|pummeldesc=An electric headbutt. Despite its weak power, its electric effect and hitlag multiplier grant it higher hitlag on average, giving it only average speed. As a result, it is one of the worst pummels in the game.

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

|fthrowdesc=Lays the opponent on its tail and shocks them. It's Pikachu's most damaging throw, but too weak to KO and not fit for combos either, thus having little utility outside its high damage output or throwing the opponent offstage.

|bthrowname=Submission ({{ja|じごくぐるま|Jigoku Gurama}}, ''Hell Wheel'')

|bthrowdesc=Rolls backward before launching the opponent with a tomoe nage, a throw used in judo. Very good for setting up edgeguards, as it has high base knockback and the animation means opponents near the center will end up being launched near the edge, but it is unimpressive as a KOing option as it only starts KOing middleweights around 165% at the edge of Final Destination. May be based on [[bulbapedia:Submission (move)|Submission]], a Fighting-type move that Pikachu could learn in Generation 1 games.

|uthrowname=Heading ({{ja|ヘディング|Hedingu}})

|uthrowdesc=Heaves the opponent onto its head and headbutts it upwards. A good low percent combo throw. Has decent knockback growth, making it Pikachu's best KOing throw, as it KOs opponents at around 170%. However, its KO setup with Thunder is less consistent due to its higher knockback. Can combo into Thunder at high percents.

|dthrowname=Hip Press ({{ja|ヒッププレス|Hippu Puresu}})

|dthrowdesc=Lays the opponent on the ground and performs a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Senton|senton]]. A good combo starter comboing into every aerial from low to mid percents, allowing Pikachu to start combos. The move has a hitbox that gets deleted on the same frame it's activated due to an oversight.

|nsdesc=Shoots a ball of electricity. A very useful projectile, as it deals good damage and moves quickly, helping Pikachu to control the neutral game. When it hits the stage or a platform, it sticks to it, looping across it until its lifespan is over or it hits the bottom of a [[soft platform]]. This allows Pikachu to run alongside it to approach, cover many grounded options, and help it get out of the corner.

|ssdesc=[[bulbapedia:Skull Bash (move)|Charges up before launching forward at a high velocity]]. It can be charged to increase damage, knockback, and distance. Useful for horizontal recovery and can sweetspot the ledge, but leaves Pikachu vulnerable due to being fairly slow, and the hitbox being within its hurtbox. If inputted like a smash attack, it immediately starts with some charge.

|usdesc=[[bulbapedia:Quick Attack (move)|Zips upward at high speeds, dealing damage to opponents on contact]]. It can be angled; if angled in a different direction after the first time it is used, Pikachu will use it again. It covers great distances and can be unpredictable if used well, but Pikachu goes into freefall after using it. It's also an approach option, but doesn't true combo into anything. Pikachu also cannot use the Quick Attack cancelling technique from ''Smash 4''.

|dsdesc=[[bulbapedia:Thunder (move)|Calls down a bolt of lightning from the sky]]. If the bolt strikes Pikachu, it will create an electric explosion around itself, dealing massive knockback and granting Pikachu intangibility for 10 frames. If an opponent is struck near the top of the bolt or at the cloud, they're launched down into Pikachu and will get hit by the discharge as well; otherwise, they're launched upwards. Has high endlag if the bolt doesn't strike Pikachu. The thunderbolt becomes active on frame 13, but there is a long gap before the discharge, and thus, it's easy to attack Pikachu before the thunderbolt hits it and is very vulnerable to counters. The projectile comes out on frame 2, and can be used to break combos.

 

 

===[[Announcer]] call===

 

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

*Emerges from a [[Poké Ball]], then briefly discharges electricity around itself.

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

===[[Idle pose]]s===

SSBUPikachuIdle1.gif|Pikachu's first idle pose.

SSBUPikachuIdle2.gif|Pikachu's second idle pose.

*'''Left:''' Backflips, spins, and faces the screen with a happy expression. This resembles its "character chosen" animation in ''Super Smash Bros.''

*'''Up:''' Looks up with a surprised expression as its ears perk. It then scratches its right ear and smiles.

*'''Right:''' Sleeps while muttering "Piii...ka."

==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 -->

 

*{{Sm|Captain L|Canada}} - The second-best Pikachu player in the early metagame, ranking 50th on the [[Spring 2019 PGRU]] and placing 13th at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2019}} and 25th at {{Trn|MomoCon 2019}}, {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 5}}, and {{Trn|CEO 2019}}. He has since dropped Pikachu in favor of {{SSBU|Sheik}}.

*{{Sm|ESAM|USA}} - The best Pikachu player of all-time who was a major innovator on Pikachu's metagame. He was the first Pikachu player to win a major and supermajor, having won {{Trn|Glitch 7 - Minus World}} and {{Trn|Glitch 8.5 - Konami Code}}. At his peak, ESAM was ranked 14th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]].

*{{Sm|H4|USA}} - The best Pikachu player in Japan when he studied abroad in 2023, best known for his victory at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 38}} defeating {{Sm|Jogibu}}, {{Sm|Snow|p=Japan}}, and {{Sm|Sigma}} and placing 7th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 40}} defeating {{Sm|alice}}. Outside of Japan, he is also considered one of the best Pikachu players in the United States, placing 7th at {{Trn|Back in Blood 5}} defeating {{Sm|BassMage}} and 13th at {{Trn|Port Priority 7}} defeating {{Sm|Mr.E}}.

*{{Sm|Kishiru|Japan}} - The best Pikachu player in Japan in the early metagame and during the pandemic period, with several strong tournament runs such as placing 13th at {{Trn|Kagaribi 5}}, placing 17th at {{Trn|Umebura Japan Major 2019}} defeating {{Sm|T}}, placing 25th at {{Trn|Glitch 8 - Missingno}} defeating {{Sm|Jakal}}, and defeating {{Sm|Zackray}} at {{Trn|Eastern Powerhouse Invitational 2}}. He went inactive in late-2021 and has rarely competed since, but remains active in the scene as a commentator.

*{{Sm|ShinyMark|Guatemala}} - The second-best Pikachu player of all-time who has been the best Pikachu player since 2022, and the second Pikachu player to win a major and supermajor at {{Trn|S Factor 11}}. He has also won {{Trn|Diamond Dust}} and placing 3rd at {{Trn|Delfino Maza 2023}}, 5th at {{Trn|Smash Factor 9}}, and 7th at {{Trn|Collision 2023}}. He is ranked 19th on the [[LumiRank 2024.1]], being the second Pikachu player to be ranked top 20 in the world.

===Tier placement and history===

Ever since the game's demo, Pikachu was considered a strong and viable character. This is due to several favorable adjustments, such as its new and potent neutral aerial, as well as its strengths, including its ability to pancake (crouch under) a lot of moves, its strong recovery and zoning options, and it possessing some of the best [[zero-to-death combo]]s in the game. As a result, some players argued that Pikachu was one of the best characters in the game, an outlook that only improved following [[nerf]]s to the early metagame's best characters, as well as strong performances from {{Sm|ESAM}} prior to and immediately following the online metagame.

However, Pikachu noticeably lacked the results other contenders for best in the game had. ESAM largely spearheaded Pikachu's results for the first few years of the game's competitive lifespan, and despite seeing high highs, was often brought down by mediocre results. For example, ESAM saw a career-defining victory over {{Sm|MkLeo}} at {{Trn|Glitch 8.5 - Konami Code}} but underperformed at most of his other majors in 2021. The post-pandemic metagame also saw the rise of a couple other Pikachu players such as {{Sm|H4}}, {{Sm|Neeroz}}, and {{Sm|ShinyMark}}. These results, however, were often countered with the players' inconsistency or a lack of results from outside their region. As a result, per [[OrionRank]]'s character rankings, Pikachu was has never been ranked higher than 23rd on the character rankings, and in fact languished between 32nd and 49th in the first few years of the post-pandemic metagame. Furthermore, Pikachu's position in the post-pandemic metagame became less secure due to the increase in strong players at top level play as well as new metagame standards, with more people preferring to use characters that have easier time racking up damage and KOing, such as {{SSBU|Steve}} and {{SSBU|Kazuya}}.

 

As such, for most of competitive play up to the first tier list, opinions on Pikachu have varied greatly between regions. Some players, particularly in North America, believe Pikachu's theoretical strength made up for its underwhelming representation, while others, particularly in [[Japan]], believe Pikachu is overrated due to its mediocre results and representation compared to other top and high tier characters. The clashing opinions was reflected on the first tier list, where Pikachu is ranked 13th, with the character notably having the greatest standard deviation in its tier list voting: the character was ranked in the top 5 in Latin America, and top 10 in the United States and Canada, but conversely was not even ranked in the top 25 in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.start.gg/ultranks-first-official-ssbu-tier-list-4a35bf3dcfc3|title=UltRank’s First Official SSBU Tier List}} Note: the standard deviation is noted in the "Analysis" section, while the placements by region is noted in the "Regional Differences" section</ref>

 

Following the first tier list, Pikachu's overall representation remained rather stagnant: although ShinyMark eventually began traveling more and became a notable top level threat, on the other hand ESAM's activity remained low while the results he did have were worse than before. With no other Pikachu players within the top 150 by the end of the year, opinions on Pikachu mellowed out a bit, and as such Pikachu fell 4 spots to 17th on the second tier list, ranking in the A tier.

Pikachu fights against other Pokémon on various Pokémon stages, with [[Poké Ball]]s as the only available item. Excluding Mewtwo, the opponents are ordered by their National Pokédex number. The title is a reference to {{s|bulbapedia|Ash Ketchum}}'s signature catchphrase in the ''Pokémon'' anime, which doubles as the [[bulbapedia:EP001|title of the first episode]] and the [[bulbapedia:M20|20th movie]].

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

|1||{{CharHead|Pokémon Trainer|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Saffron City]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Pokémon Gym/Evolution - Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue}}''||

|2||{{Head|Jigglypuff|g=SSBU|s=20px}}{{Head|Jigglypuff|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}{{Head|Jigglypuff|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=White}}{{Head|Jigglypuff|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}{{Head|Jigglypuff|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Green}}{{Head|Jigglypuff|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Pink}} {{SSBU|Jigglypuff}} (x6)||[[Pokémon Stadium 2]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Road to Viridian City - Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue}}''||Horde Battle (3 at a time).<br>The presence of 6 Jigglypuff likely references how the player can have at most 6 Pokémon on their team in the ''Pokémon'' games.

|3||{{Head|Pichu|g=SSBU|s=20px}}{{Head|Pichu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Spiky}} {{SSBU|Pichu}} (x2)||[[Prism Tower]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Pokémon Gold / Pokémon Silver Medley}}''||Likely a reference to the {{s|bulbapedia|Pichu brothers}} from the ''Pokémon'' anime.

|4||{{CharHead|Lucario|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Spear Pillar]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Battle! (Dialga/Palkia) / Spear Pillar}}''||

|5||{{CharHead|Greninja|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Kalos Pokémon League]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Battle! (Wild Pokémon) - Pokémon X / Pokémon Y}}''||

|6||{{CharHead|Incineroar|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Pokémon Stadium]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|The Battle at the Summit!}}''||

|Final||{{CharHead|Mewtwo|SSBU|hsize=20px}}, then {{SSBU|Master Hand}}||{{SSBU|Final Destination}}||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue Medley}}'' <small>(Mewtwo)</small><br>''{{SSBUMusicLink|Super Smash Bros.|Master Hand}}'' <small>(Master Hand)</small>||A [[Maxim Tomato]] appears after defeating Mewtwo.

Pikachu's Classic Mode character unlock tree includes the following characters in order:

{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"

!style="width:5%;"|No.

!style="width:5%;"|Image

!Name

!Type

!Power

!Stage

!Music

|08

|[[File:Pikachu SSBU.png|center|108px]]

|Pikachu

|{{SpiritType|Attack}} <center>{{color|#dc1029|Attack}}</center>

|3,300

|[[Pokémon Stadium]] ([[Ω form]])

|''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Main Theme - Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue (Melee)}}''

{{clr}}

Pikachu's default fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} as Pikachu. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold. Unlocking Pikachu in World of Light allows the player to preview the first spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???".  As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. Its Pikachu Libre outfit has a fighter spirit of its own, available through the shop. Each fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces them with their artwork in ''Ultimate''.

Additionally, Pikachu makes an appearance in a few support spirits.

SSBU spirit Pikachu.png|407. '''''Pikachu'''''

SSBU spirit Pikachu Libre.png|408. '''Pikachu Libre'''

SSBU spirit Detective Pikachu.png|562. Detective Pikachu

SSBU spirit Partner Pikachu.png|1,298. Partner Pikachu

==In Spirit Battles==

|{{SpiritTableName|Mouser|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Honey Queen|size=64}}

|•Giant {{SSBU|Pikachu}} {{Head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Yellow}} (140 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|•Timed [[stamina battle]] (1:00)<br>•The enemy is giant

|{{SpiritTableName|Zinger|link=y|size=64}}

|''Donkey Kong'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Little Mouser|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Rick|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Moley|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Alolan Raichu|link=y|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|•The floor is electrified<br>•Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Alolan Raichu)

|{{SpiritTableName|Mimikyu|link=y|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|•You take serious damage<br>•Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Mimikyu)

|{{SpiritTableName|Tapu Koko|link=y|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|•The floor is electrified<br>•The enemy's electric attacks have increased power<br>•Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Tapu Koko)

|{{SpiritTableName|Detective Pikachu|size=64}}

|''Detective Pikachu''

|•{{SSBU|Pikachu}} Team {{Head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Glasses}}×4

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|•Defeat the main fighter to win<br>•Timed battle (1:30)

|{{SpiritTableName|Elec Man|link=y|size=64}}

|•{{SSBU|Pikachu}} {{Head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Libre}} (140 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Great Zapfish|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Reporter & Wrestler|size=64}}

|''Rhythm Heaven'' Series {{Flag|North America}}<br>''Rhythm Paradise'' Series {{Flag|PAL}}

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{iw|rhwiki|Wrestler}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Partner Pikachu|size=64}}

|•{{SSBU|Pikachu}} {{Head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}} (150 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Mii Brawler}} {{Head|Mii Brawler|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (Moveset [[Shot Put|1]][[Onslaught|1]][[Soaring Axe Kick|1]][[Counter Throw|3]], SSB T-shirt) (100 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Morgana|link=y|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Morpeko|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Gandrayda|size=64}}

|''Metroid Prime'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Kracko|size=64}}

|•{{SSBU|King Dedede}} {{Head|King Dedede|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Grey}}<br>•{{SSBU|Pikachu}} {{Head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}×2

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Raikou, Entei, & Suicune|customname=[[Raikou]], [[Entei]], & [[Suicune]]|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Dribble & Spitz|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|[[mariowiki:Dribble & Spitz|Spitz]]

|{{SpiritTableName|Phantom Thieves of Hearts|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Great Sabrecub|customname=Great Sabrecub|size=64}}

|•{{SSBU|Pichu}} {{Head|Pichu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Spiky}} (60 HP)<br>•Giant {{SSBU|Pikachu}} {{Head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Female}} (120 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|Great Sabrecat

|{{SpiritTableName|Kyo Kusanagi|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

===Fighter Showcase Video===

*Pikachu, compared to the other starters, has the least number of characters in its unlock tree, having only seven characters as opposed to the standard eight.

*Pikachu is one of the few characters in the entire roster to have different facial expressions when attempting different types of grabs and missing them, being its standing grab (a scared expression) vs. its dash grab (a rather irritated expression) vs. its pivot grab (neutral expression).

*Due to its new Pikachu Libre costume and another one of its alternate costumes, Pikachu is now the only member of the [[Original 12]] to change sex between costumes, as well as the first of the Original 12 to technically be a different character in one of its costumes.

*It is possible that Pikachu's stock icon is a reference to the Pokémon's 20th Anniversary emblem, which features a simplified Pikachu face formed from the starter Pokémon, including Pikachu, from Generation I to Generation VI.