Editing Ryu (SSB4)

|ranking = 11

:{{Cquote|Here Comes A New Challenger! Ryu|cite=Introduction tagline}}

'''Ryu''' ({{ja|リュウ|Ryū}}, ''Ryū'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Initially [[Leak#Roy and Ryu data|leaked]] via data mining of update [[1.0.6]],<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/13/ryu-and-roy-for-smash-bros-leaked Ryu and Roy for Smash Bros. Wii U, 3DS Leaked]</ref> His appearance in the series was formally announced alongside {{SSB4|Roy}} during a [[Nintendo Direct]] on June 14th, 2015, and he was made available that same day as [[Downloadable content (SSB4)|downloadable content]] alongside {{SSB4|Lucas}} and Roy.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWM-SCjIuNg Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U - New Content Approaching 6.14.15]</ref> Ryu is the fourth of six playable third-party characters in ''SSB4'', alongside fellow [[Capcom]] fighter {{SSB4|Mega Man}}; [[Sega]]'s {{SSB4|Sonic}} and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}; [[Bandai Namco]]'s {{SSB4|Pac-Man}}; and [[Square Enix]]'s {{SSB4|Cloud}}.

Ryu is voiced by Kyle Hebert in English and Hiroki Takahashi in Japanese, both of whom have voiced him since ''Street Fighter IV'' and make him sound akin to his appearance in ''Street Fighter V''.

Ryu is ranked 11th out of 55 on the [[tier list]], placing him at the bottom of A tier. In addition to tying him with {{SSB4|Marth}}, this renders both of them as the lowest ranking top-tier characters. The control input carryover from the ''{{Uv|Street Fighter}}'' series benefits Ryu immensely, with his tapped attacks being useful combo starters and his held attacks being great combo finishers or potent KO options. This is complemented by his multiple combo-breaking options, such as [[Shoryuken]], neutral aerial, and [[Focus Attack]], all which have quick start-up and make him surprisingly difficult to [[juggle]], whereas the latter two also allow him to start damaging combos due to the good damage and speed of his moveset.

Ryu's [[recovery]] is also resilient, as his entire special moveset grants him unpredictable ways to return to the stage. Ryu is exceedingly difficult to punish [[out of shield]] due to most of his moves having a [[freeze frame]] multiplier of at least 1.8×.<ref name=Dantarion>[http://opensa.dantarion.com/s4/mastercore3/dump/160/ryu @dantarion's master core

dump of ryu v160]</ref> Additionally, Ryu's light and heavy tilts' [[stale]] independently from each other, allowing him to attack with light tilts without weakening, and in some cases even strengthening his heavy ones.

However, Ryu's [[approach]] is problematic due to his overall mobility being slightly below-average. Most notably, he carries over the "fixed arc" jumps from his home series because of his [[air acceleration]] being the slowest in the game; as such, Ryu's aerial approach is very committal. Additionally, his only projectile, [[Hadoken]], is slow and very easily intercepted, while his ground attacks have short ranges. His grab game is also lackluster, as none of his throws possess KO potential, while only his down throw has minimal combo potential at low percents.

Ryu's recovery is also very easy to [[gimp]] if [[Shoryuken]] is his only available option, due to its fixed movement and inability to [[edge sweetspot]] until the later half of its animation. Finally, Ryu often suffers with "forcing" KOs, as he lacks reliable finishing moves outside of set-ups from Focus Attack or his tapped tilts, making it difficult for him to KO without starting a combo.  

Due to possessing one of the highest learning curves in the game, Ryu's representation is merely average compared to other highly ranked characters. Regardless, he has overall been very successful in competitive play, thanks to his high reward potential. However, despite his success and great potential, Ryu's tier ranking is debatable as other characters above and around him have achieved higher amounts of success on their own.

Ryu has one of the most unique archetypes in ''SSB4'', being a [[weight|heavyweight]] of average size and mobility. Most of his attributes liken to the balance of {{SSB4|Mario}} in regard to several key attributes: Ryu has decent frame data; an average [[damage]] output; and an overall dependable ground game and mobility, due to his slightly above average [[traction]] and average [[dash]]ing speed. This owes to the fact that Ryu, like Mario, is an "all-rounder" in his home series. However, the rest of his attributes are polarized due to them attempting to mirror the physics of ''Street Fighter'': in contrast to his dash, Ryu's [[walk]]ing speed is the third slowest, while his above average [[air speed]] is counteracted by his moderately fast [[falling speed]] and very short [[jump]]s (being the fourth lowest, tied with {{SSB4|Little Mac}}). His jumps also follow a fixed "arc" due to him having the lowest [[air acceleration]], and a unique trait where his [[air friction]] stays locked at 0 while jumping, despite having a standard amount while attempting to decelerate. Finally, Ryu's fast falling speed increases his normal falling speed by 40%, instead of 60%. Overall, Ryu has effective burst movement through dashing and jumping, but has to fully commit when approaching through the air, and can have trouble moving short distances or landing.

Ryu's controls set him apart from any character in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, in that they emulate how he functions in his home series. The speed and power of his attacks are based on whether the player taps the attack button (fast but weak) or holds it (strong but slow).<ref>[https://www.sourcegaming.info/2015/06/25/ryu-roy-and-lucas-join-the-battle-sakurai-famitsu-column-vol-481/ Ryu, Roy, and Lucas join the battle!]</ref> Additionally, Ryu's special moves (aside from [[Focus Attack]]) have different effects; altered hitbox sizes/durations; and/or increased power if the button is held and/or the move is used with its input in ''Street Fighter''. This essentially gives Ryu two movesets, both with different uses: in general, one opens up reliable combo chains and racks up damage quickly, and another KOs outright. Not only does this make Ryu the only character in the game that has access to [[true combo]]s from nearly any move that can be chained directly into KO options, it also gives him a wide array of punishing mix-ups. This grants him arguably the most reward off of landing combo attacks in relation to the cast.

 

Apart from his control scheme, Ryu possesses another unique trait: nearly all of his attacks (even his tapped tilts) have a [[freeze frame]] multiplier of at least 1.8×,<ref name=Dantarion/> making his attacks surprisingly safe on [[shield]] for a melee fighter. This makes it easy for Ryu to pressure foes who shield abusively, while making some of his combo-initiating attacks hard to escape despite his average damage output. His previously mentioned air speed complements his ability to take advantage of [[hitstun]] and keep opponents in long combos until high percents, both while grounded and in the air.

Ryu's aerial moveset shares his grounded moveset's utility. His neutral aerial is a [[sex kick]] with high effectiveness, due to it having very low knockback and the lowest [[landing lag]] of any aerial in the game. Combined with the ability to use it twice in a short hop and its very weak late hit, it has excellent utility as a combo starter and KO set-up even at high percents. Forward aerial is quick, has good range and deals high damage, can be chained into itself with jumps, and its sourspot's high shield damage can pressure shields. Up aerial starts fast and has a deceptively high reach, granting it juggling capabilities. Up and down aerials are also able to autocancel from a jump, with down aerial doing so from a jump.

Alongside these tools, Ryu has a wide array of very powerful finishers: some of his held tilts, smash attacks and aerials are capable of ending stocks swiftly due to their overall speed. Held up tilt grants upper body [[intangibility]] from frames 4-10 while hitting on frame 7, making it deceptively safe for KOs alongside its speed and combo potential from tapped up tilt. Up smash's wide vertical hitbox can punish aerial approaches and substitute for the previously mentioned combo. Forward smash, while slow, has a long range compared to most of Ryu's attacks and is his strongest standard ground attack, making it good for hard punishes. Back aerial's hitbox is small, but it is his strongest aerial while being fast with good range. Meanwhile, forward and up aerial's overall utility are further enhanced by their KO potential at high percents. Finally, down aerial is a powerful diagonal [[meteor smash]] with a long duration and fast start-up, making it deadly at the edge. With this abundance of finishers tying in with his excellent combo ability, Ryu has a plethora of set-ups and combos that can begin with almost any of his attacks connecting.

Despite his abundance of strengths, Ryu has his weaknesses, some of which are exploitable. Despite his aforementioned recovery being very long-distanced overall, it is very short if many extendable elements, such as [[Tatsumaki Senpukyaku]], are not utilized. Canceled Focus Attack still requires a brief charge before it can be canceled. Tatsumaki Senpukyaku's long duration makes it susceptible to being interrupted by long-ranged attacks during use, and he can only use it once before landing (unless he is affected by hitstun). Ryu's falling speed, low jumps and very poor air acceleration causes his vertical recovery to suffer if he is constantly forced offstage at lower trajectories, which is exacerbated by Shoryuken's recovery being almost strictly vertical while also having very high aerial lag. As such, while Ryu has a manageable horizontal recovery, his vertical recovery is easy to predict and interrupt. Additionally, while Ryu excels at shield pressure, his [[grab]] game is otherwise poor. Aside from its high damage output and quick [[pummel]], none of his throws have effective follow-up or KO potentials due to them having too much knockback to combo, and too little to secure stocks. Down throw is his only combo throw, but only at very low percents, while the unique mechanics of his other throws only work in [[doubles]] play (down throw instantly breaking shields, and up throw being capable of KOing bystanders).  

Ryu's strong combo potential is also held back by his [[neutral game]], with several factors making it difficult for him to find openings. His very slow walking speed hinders the otherwise great utility of his tilt attacks, and his overall range is very short despite his good frame data (especially in regard to his tapped tilts and neutral aerial), giving him trouble with characters who possess [[Hitbox|disjointed hitboxes]], especially when including his tall stature. His only projectile, [[Hadoken]], is very easily telegraphed and punishable due to its sluggishness and lag. Overall, these two issues force him to play patiently and take advantage of any openings, due to his difficulty with contending against opposing [[camping]] and inability to force [[approach]]es. Aside from the advantages granted by his neutral aerial and Focus Attack, Ryu's aerial approach is comparatively poor due to his fixed arc jumps, which forces him to commit with air attacks. Furthermore, the advantages offered by Focus Attack are match-up dependent; it is relatively ineffective against characters with several multiple hitting moves (most notably {{SSB4|Meta Knight}} and {{SSB4|Fox}}), with some characters being able to exploit it for a free hit (such as {{SSB4|Shulk}} and {{SSB4|Cloud}} with their up aerial and [[Cross Slash]], respectively). As Focus Attack is also Ryu's main method of escaping combos against such characters, Ryu's high weight and rather quick falling speed leave him susceptible to some combos and juggles, and his slow fast-falling speed gives him occasional difficulty landing.  

Overall, Ryu is a combo-oriented fighter with a fearsome offensive ability, due to his unique mechanics deliberately giving him the true combos necessary for many characters' competitive success; his ability to overwhelm opponents by trapping them in hitstun/shield pressure, multiple options to negate and escape combos, along with his dependable recovery all tie in to him being very rewarding and unpredictable, with his strengths overpowering his weaknesses. However, his polarized movement, mediocre vertical recovery, and lack of approach make him difficult to use optimally without mastering his options. Possibly his biggest issue is his notably high learning curve; much practice is generally required for his command specials in order to use them reliably and consistently rather than accidentally inputting the wrong move. Additionally, using the C-stick or other separate analog stick for tilts is arguably more essential to Ryu's optimal playstyle than to any other character, due to the dexterity required to pull off his command inputs during combos, making him more difficult to play using controllers that lack a second analog stick or on a first generation Nintendo 3DS system.  

As a result of his high learning curve, Ryu's results run slightly cold compared to other characters regarded as highly. However, his strengths make him widely considered as a very effective character, with players such as {{Sm|Trela}} and {{Sm|Locus}} showcasing Ryu's potential to great effect.

Ryu has been buffed both directly and indirectly via game updates. Update [[1.1.0]] increased the length of his turn around animation, which allows for easier usage of his directional inputs without accidentally turning him around. The same update's changes to shield mechanics, alongside update 1.1.1's universal increase in [[shieldstun]], also greatly helped Ryu's already impressive shield pressuring potential.

*{{buff|Turn around animation length increased|2 frames|5. This makes directional inputs easier to perform without unintentionally turning Ryu around.}}

|neutralname=&nbsp;

|neutral3dmg=5%  

|neutraldesc=''Tapped'': A jab, followed by a {{s|wikipedia|short straight-punch}}, followed by a hook. Tapping the button without Ryu hitting anything makes him repeat the first hit as fast as the player can tap. It is based on his standing light punch from ''Street Fighter II'' (albeit with its animation from ''Street Fighter III'') and close standing medium punch and standing hard punch from ''Street Fighter III'' respectively.<br /><br /> ''Held'': A spinning hook kick. Despite being categorized as a neutral attack, it has deceptively high knockback, which enables it to KO beginning at 125%. It is based on his standing heavy kick in ''Street Fighter II''.

|ftiltname=Collarbone Breaker ({{ja|鎖骨割り|Sakotsu Wari}}, "Collarbone/Clavicle Splitter") (held)

|ftiltdesc=''Tapped'': The tsumasaki geri, a kick used in Karate. It launches the opponent diagonally upward. Good for following with a dash attack or forward aerial at low percents. Renders his foot intangible from frames 6-11. It is based on his standing medium kick in ''Street Fighter III''.<br /><br /> ''Held'': The overhand of the same name that debuted in ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo''. Despite its appearance, it hits twice much like the original version. Deals very high [[shield damage]], but its start-up makes it difficult to use on quick opponents. A tapped up tilt can lead into this move.

|utiltname=&nbsp;

|utiltdesc=''Tapped'': The sok ngat, an uppercut-style elbow strike used in Muay Thai. It can be used repeatedly as fast as the player can press the attack button, which allows it to chain into itself and lead into many of Ryu's moves for a quick finisher. Despite its appearance, it has decent range. It is based on his close standing light punch in ''Street Fighter II''.<br /><br /> ''Held'': An uppercut. Strong for its speed and grants his upper body intangibility from frames 4-10, making it a surprisingly effective anti-air attack and KO move. If it connects, it can instantly be canceled into any version of Shoryuken. A reliable finisher for his tapped up tilt. KOs at 152%. It is based on his close standing heavy punch in ''Street Fighter III''.

|dtiltname=Light Ankle Kick (Tapped)<br>Heavy Ankle Kick (Held)

|dashname=&nbsp;

|fsmashname=Joudan Sokutougeri ({{ja|上段足刀蹴り|Jōdan Sokutō Geri}}, "High-Level Foot Edge Kick")

|usmashname=&nbsp;

|dsmashname=&nbsp;

|nairname=&nbsp;

|fairname=Tobigeri

|bairname=&nbsp;

|bairdesc=An outside crescent kick. Though it has a small hitbox, its strength and fast start-up make it Ryu's most powerful aerial and a viable KOing option. KOs at 115%. It is based on his vertical jumping heavy kick from ''Street Fighter II'', which in some sources also doubled as his Senpuukyaku ({{ja|旋風脚|Senpūkyaku}}, "Whirlwind Leg") command normal/unique art from other games.

|uairname=Sukui Tsuki

|dairname=Straight Punch

|grabname=&nbsp;

|pummelname=&nbsp;

|fthrowname=&nbsp;

|fthrowdesc=The {{s|wikipedia|seoi nage}}, a Judo throw. If the opponent does not react, this throw can lead into a down aerial meteor smash at medium percentages. It is based on his punch throw in ''Street Fighter II'', where it had the same name in most in-depth sources.

|bthrowname=Somersault Throw

|bthrowdesc=The {{s|wikipedia|tomoe nage}}, a Judo throw. Heavy opponents can be knocked back onto their feet with a tapped down tilt, then thrown again. It is based on his kick throw in ''Street Fighter II'', where it had the same name in most in-depth sources.

|uthrowname=Heel Drop

|dthrowname=&nbsp;

|fsdmg=1% (Shin Shoryuken electricity), 10% (Shin Shoryuken hits 1-2), 20% (Shin Shoryuken last), 29%-30% (Shinku Hadoken)

|fsdesc=A Final Smash that varies depending on range. At point-blank range, Ryu traps the opponent with the '''Shin Shoryuken''', a three-hit combo that launches the opponent with an even stronger Shoryuken. Begins KOing at specific percentages for every character, much like [[Straight Lunge|KO Uppercut]] and [[Limit Charge|Finishing Touch]]. At any other range, Ryu performs the '''Shinku Hadoken''', a much larger Hadoken that [[windbox#pulling attacks|vacuums]] nearby opponents into it before dragging them a distance across the screen and exploding. Shin Shoryuken has much higher KO potential against a single opponent, whereas Shinku Hadoken has more range, reliably affects multiple opponents, and is capable of bypassing walls.

{{Crowd

|game=SSB4

|char=Ryu

|desc-us=Ryu! Ryu! Ryu!

|desc-jp=Ryu! Ryu! Ryu!

|pitch-us=Male

|pitch-jp=Male}}

Ryu's results would continue to decline due to the release of {{SSB4|Corrin}} and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}, the buffs to {{SSB4|Mewtwo}} in game updates and the spike in popularity Cloud had gained. This caused some smashers to drop him and reduced his tournament results significantly, which in turn made him rank at 9th on the second tier list, and eventually 12th on the third tier list. Ryu's results would also become more unstable, hovering between mediocre due to Trela's temporary retirement, and above average due to Locus' rise as a top player. With Trela's comeback, however, and Venom's improved results, Ryu would rise slightly to 11th on the fourth and current tier list, now sharing the spot with {{SSB4|Marth}}. Overall, while his strengths are larger than some other top-tiered characters, they are held back more than said characters by his more pronounced weaknesses and the dexterity to input his moves, and as such gives him a very high learning curve that has deterred his tournament results from being as great as they initially were.

 

==[[List of Super Smash Bros. 4 character trailers#Ryu|Reveal trailer]]==

{{#widget:YouTube|id=1kalsCPXfaQ}}

:'''Ryu'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Ryu visits from the Street Fighter series! Ryu's fighting style is based on karate, but he's mixed in some other martial arts to make his own unique style. In Smash, he will perform either weak or strong attacks depending on if you press or hold down the buttons. His special attacks also have three power levels!''

 

::{{flag|pal}} ''Ryu makes his Super Smash Bros. debut! His fighting style is based on a form of karate, but he's mixed in some other martial arts to make his own unique style. Here his attacks can be weak or strong depending on whether you press or hold the buttons. Each of his specials have 3 levels of power using the same method.''

 

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Ryu's Focus Attack move lets him withstand a blow and then counterattack. The longer you hold it, the longer your enemies will be stunned if you hit them. If it hits a standing enemy, the enemy will become defenseless. When that happens, cancel your Focus Attack and unleash a sick combo!''

::{{flag|pal}} ''Ryu's down special, Focus Attack, allows him to withstand a single attack and then unleash a counter. The longer you hold the button, the longer a standing enemy will be stunned if you hit them. An enemy in the air will fall slowly, defenceless. When that happens, cancel the Focus Attack and go for the knock-out!''

:'''Shin Shoryuken / Shinku Hadoken'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Use this attack when Ryu is far away from an enemy to unleash a Shinku Hadoken that penetrates through the stage. But if you use it when Ryu is close to an enemy, he'll unleash a Shin Shoryuken uppercut attack. When it hits, Ryu will follow up with his other fist and launch the opponent up, up, and away!''

::{{flag|pal}} ''Ryu's Final Smash takes on two different forms depending on how close Ryu is to the enemy. If he's farther away, he'll use Shinku Hadoken, a move that pulls in any enemies nearby. If closer, he'll instead use Shin Shoryuken. He'll hit the enemy once with a powerful uppercut, then follow it up with the other fist to finish the job!''

RyuTrophy3DS.png|Classic (3DS)

RyuTrophyWiiU.png|Classic (Wii U)

RyuAltTrophyWiiU.png|Alt. (Wii U)

ShinShoryukenTrophyWiiU.png|[[Shin Shoryuken]]

|colspan=8|[[Image:Ryu Palette (SSB4).png]]

*Similarly to {{SSB4|Little Mac}}, Ryu shares some small animations with Captain Falcon. In Ryu's case most of his histun animations along with his tumbling animation are directly taken from Captain Falcon.

[[Category:Third party characters]]