Editing Sheik (SSB4)

|image=[[File:Sheik SSB4.png|250px|Sheik]]

|universe=Zelda

|ssbgame1=SSBM

|ssbgame2=SSBB

:{{cquote|Sheik Appears on the Scene!|cite=Introduction Tagline}}

'''Sheik''' ({{ja|シーク|Shīku}}, ''Sheik'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Her return to the series was announced during a [[Nintendo Direct|''Super Smash Bros.'' Direct]] on April 8th, 2014.<ref name="Direct">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xUWnQu2Grs Super Smash Bros. Direct 4.8.2014]</ref> Jun Mizusawa reprises her role as Sheik's voice actor, albeit via recycled voice clips from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.

Sheik is currently ranked 4th out of 55 on the [[tier list]], placing her at the top of the A tier. This is a significant improvement over her mid-tier placement in ''Brawl'', where she was ranked 25th out of 38. While not as overwhelmingly dominant as {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} in ''Brawl'', the sheer effectiveness of Sheik's moveset saw her almost universally perceived as the best character in the early metagame of ''SSB4''. Sheik's extremely fast frame data grants her an excellent neutral game and a potent combo game, which are supplemented by [[Needle Storm]] and her improved grab game, respectively. Her KO potential has also improved: up aerial now consists of multiple hits and concludes with a very strong hit, while her new down special move, [[Bouncing Fish]], deals respectable damage and has high knockback scaling. Lastly, the combination of Sheik's much faster [[air speed]], Bouncing Fish's horizontal travel distance, and the removal of [[edge-hogging]] have greatly improved her [[recovery]].

Although she has outstanding strengths, Sheik nevertheless has noticeable weaknesses. Her overall low damage output offsets the very high knockback scaling of her smash attacks and up aerial, which results in her KO potential being unimpressive at best. When coupled with her lack of set-ups at high percentages, Sheik is forced to rely on hard reads to properly score a KO. While [[rage]] alleviates her KO potential, it also offsets her combo game. By extension, Sheik cannot utilize rage more often than not, owing to her above average height and very light [[weight]] collectively rendering her endurance as unimpressive. Lastly, nerfs from game updates have further hindered her by decreasing her already light weight, worsening her forward aerial and grab game's combo potentials, and weakening up aerial and Bouncing Fish's KO potentials.

While Sheik's flaws have resulted in her losing her status as the highest ranked character in ''SSB4'', she is still widely considered to be a very viable character in competitive play.

Sheik is a character that, as a ninja of sorts, fits the "hit-and-run" character archetype. One of Sheik's greatest strengths is her overall mobility, being among the best in the game both grounded and aerial, boasting the fifth fastest [[walk]]ing speed, eighth fastest [[dash]]ing speed, above average [[traction]], high [[air speed]] and [[air acceleration]] and the ninth fastest [[falling speed]]. She also has high [[gravity]], which makes her mobility better, but leaves her more vulnerable to vertical knockback. However, she is the eleventh [[weight|lightest]] character; when coupled with her gravity and tall height, these traits collectively make her very susceptible to combos. Her crouch is also very low, making her difficult to hit when doing so. Sheik can also wall cling and crawl.

Aside from her excellent mobility, another of Sheik's greatest strengths is her nearly-unrivaled frame data. Her moves have generally negligible amounts of startup and ending lag, making her extremely difficult to punish properly, and this is supplemented by the good range of her moveset. She also has an excellent projectile in [[Needle Storm]], with the needles being fast, long-ranged (covers about half of [[Final Destination]]), possessing [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]], and causing [[hitstun]]. Coupled with her range, her needles give her a strong camping ability. Overall, her mobility, projectile game, range and frame data all combined form her greatest strength: her outstanding neutral game. She can play both defensively, by pressuring and zoning from afar without much trouble, or aggressively, with her fast attack speed giving her an unpredictable approach. Sheik can poke and pressure her opponents with her aerials and tilts, all of which are safe options. If they choose to drop shield, they are wide open to these attacks. At the same time, holding shield presents her with an opportunity to grab and use her throw set-ups.

Sheik's excellent frame data, combined with the low power of many of her moves, gives her among the best combo abilities in the game. Her throws can easily lead into other attacks, with her forward and down throws being particularly effective at starting combos, as they can set up long chains of forward aerials, with her up aerial and Bouncing Fish being useful combo finishers. Her combos are not limited to her air game; all of her tilts can start and extend combos since they send opponents into the air, and can confirm into aerials; her forward tilt particularly, can chain into itself at lower percentages, and has reliable follow-ups all the way into KO percents as well. Down tilt, while not chaining into itself as effectively, has even lower power, giving her access to KO confirms as well. She also boasts an effective jab cancel that leads into her tilts. With proper spacing and timing, she can even perform pseudo-[[chain grab]]s.

All aspects of Sheik's moveset are solid overall. A sole few number of her aerial moves possess great versatility; forward aerial in particular, has little startup, decent ending lag, auto-cancels in a short hop fast fall, and has slightly disjointed range, making it an all-purpose move: it can be used to approach, pressure, combo and set up edge-guards. Neutral aerial is her fastest one, allowing her to break out of combos and finish or extend hers, notably into [[Bouncing Fish]]. Up aerial is her strongest one of her aerial moveset, and also sends opponents into a great angle for juggling, both of which give it good utility at both KOing and finishing combos. Her back aerial is her second strongest one, though due to its low damage output, it is overall best suited for [[edge-guarding]] and ending a combo. It also has the longest range of Sheik's aerials, and when fast-falled and sweetspotted (at the foot), it is even safer on shield than her forward aerial.

Outside of her Needle Storm, Sheik's special moveset also possesses good utility: her up special, [[Vanish]], grants her invincibility and invisibility, making it hard for the opponent to predict where she will appear. It also has a hitbox on disappearance that is decently strong, and another one and a windbox when she reappears, making it nigh-impossible to punish. Meanwhile, her down special Bouncing Fish, is famous for being her primary KO move, being similar to [[Flip Jump]] on some regards: it deals good damage with high knockback scaling, has KO confirms on it from her neutral aerial (both clean and late), forward aerial and aerial Needle Storm, and is safe on shield if it hits. Both Vanish and Bouncing Fish also conform Sheik's last strength in her recovery, as they make it versatile and extendable, both of them and can be used in tandem with each other, and they are difficult and risky to intercept, as they both deal high knockback enough to interrupt an edge-guard. Combined with her wall jump, this makes Sheik hard to edge-guard or gimp, without disabling her midair jump, and enables her to reverse edge-guard effectively.

However, despite having immense strengths, Sheik still has notable flaws. The most notable of them is her frailty: despite her recovery being amazing, in a similar vein to {{SSB4|Fox}}, her on-stage endurance is fairly weak, succumbing to strong enough blows, whereas her above average height, high falling speed and gravity make her easy to combo. This is further compounded by her poor damage output overall: despite her strong damage racking ability, she requires very long strings of attacks to deal the same amount of damage that super-heavyweight characters such as {{SSB4|Bowser}} and {{SSB4|Donkey Kong}} can inflict in noticeably fewer hits. While the low damage and power on her moves grant her an awesome combo game, Sheik also struggles to secure her opponent's stock. She has a few moves with high knockback, but she has difficulty landing them; her up smash has a powerful sweetspot on her arms as she rises them, but it is hard to land outside of a read or confirm, and is hampered by its much weaker sourspot as she lowers her arms. Her forward smash and her down smash are among the weakest smash attacks of their kind, and they have punishable ending lag as well. In the air, she is limited to using her up aerial or Bouncing Fish to KO, and even then they must be relatively close to the blast lines for maximum effectiveness, since her other aerial attacks do not KO until 200% or more, and are otherwise only useful for edge-guarding and gimping characters with particularly weak or linear recoveries. Furthermore, her overall below average grab game has no throws that can KO reliably, and her aforementioned forward and down throws have too much knockback for truly reliable KO set-ups. With all of this working against her, it is not uncommon for her opponents to survive in excess of 150%. Lastly, the introduction to [[rage]] hinders Sheik: without rage, she often has trouble KOing, though as her rage increases, her combo game is slowly hindered, which when combined with her poor damage output, it can make bringing an opponent to KO percents difficult. Besides, this also brings opponents to a high level enough of rage to KO Sheik herself with a strong enough move.

Other weaknesses include a few moves that have very low utility, despite Sheik's moveset versatility. These include her down aerial, which is the slowest of her aerial moveset, has the highest landing lag and is a [[stall-then-fall]], which give it the lowest utility of Sheik's aerial moveset despite it [[meteor smash]]ing an opponent. Her smash attacks are difficult to land overall and outside of up smash, have little KO power. Lastly, Burst Grenade has a slow explosion, renders Sheik helpless if performed while airborne, and has only situational usage on edge-guarding predictable recoveries (such as {{SSB4|Little Mac}}) and extending the damage of a hard punish.

All in all, Sheik's strengths outweigh her weaknesses, to the point that she has some of the highest tournament representation of any character in ''SSB4''. By extension, her playerbase includes the likes of {{Sm|Mr. R}}, {{Sm|VoiD}}, and {{Sm|Vinnie}}, who are considered to be among the best players in the world. However, Sheik's nerfs from [[1.1.5]] have slightly affected her standings and representation compared to other characters.

==Changes from ''Brawl''==

Sheik has been buffed significantly in the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''SSB4''. The partial reversion to some of her attacks and the outright updating of others have restored many of her options that she lost in ''Brawl'', while changes to gameplay mechanics also greatly benefit her restored strengths. For example, Sheik's grab game has regained much of its utility because of synchronization between such changes: her grabs and back throw have less ending lag, which grants the latter combo potential, whereas forward and down throws greatly benefit from both their altered angles and the changes to [[hitstun]] canceling.

Sheik's special moveset has also largely improved: [[Needle Storm]] has increased knockback and travels faster; [[Vanish]]'s reappearance is safer thanks to it receiving a hitbox alongside its [[wind]]box; and her new special moves, [[Burst Grenade]] and [[Bouncing Fish]], provide greater utility than [[Chain]] and [[Transform]] respectively. Sheik also benefits greatly from the reintroduction of [[pivoting]], which improves her grounded mobility, allows her to extend combos with her tilt attacks, and improves Needle Storm's [[mindgame]] potential. Although Sheik's KO potential is not as potent as it was in ''Melee'', it has nevertheless improved, thanks to the increased knockback scaling on her smash attacks and up aerial, as well as the additions of Bouncing Fish and the [[rage]] mechanic.

In addition to her moveset, Sheik herself has also improved, as her [[walk]]ing, [[dash]]ing, and [[air speed]]s are much faster. Her faster air speed is especially useful in two ways: it now enables her aerial combo game to flow much more fluidly, which is especially evident with her forward aerial's altered angle, and it significantly improves her recovery alongside Bouncing Fish's horizontal travel distance, and the removal of [[edge-hogging]].

However, Sheik also received a few nerfs, some of which are due to gameplay changes. The removal of [[Dash attack canceled up smash|DACUS]] significantly weakens her up smash's versatility. Although Sheik's forward tilt is still a very useful combo starter, its combo potential was nevertheless worsened by the changes to [[lock]]s. On top of this, her already below average damage output has lowered even further, which forces players to rely on combos to rack up damage before attempting to score a KO. Despite rage alleviating Sheik's KO potential, it also offsets her combo game at medium to high percentages, and her unimpressive endurance means that she cannot utilize it as consistently or effectively as other characters. Lastly, game updates have nerfed Sheik in certain ways, with update [[1.1.5]] most notably removing many of her 50/50 KO mix-ups.

Despite these noticeable flaws, Sheik's buffs significantly outweigh her nerfs, to the point that she was regarded by many as the best character in the game prior to update 1.1.5.

*{{change|Sheik has a new idle animation and two new [[idle pose]]s. However, she will revert to her idle poses from ''Brawl'' while holding a small [[item]].}}

*{{change|Due to the removal of [[Chain]], side taunt's visual effects have changed. Sheik now brandishes the {{s|wikipedia|tripwire}} she uses for her new side special, [[Burst Grenade]].}}

*{{nerf|Sheik is [[Weight|lighter]] (85 → 81), hindering her endurance. While this would also make Sheik less susceptible to combos, her faster [[falling speed]], higher [[gravity]], and the changes to [[hitstun]] canceling collectively result in her being more susceptible to combos.}}

*{{buff|Sheik's [[air speed]] is faster (0.846 → 1.1).}}

*{{change|Sheik's gravity is higher (0.1409 → 0.15). This slightly improves her aerial mobility, but slightly hinders her horizontal endurance.}}

*{{nerf|Due to the limitations of the [[Nintendo 3DS]]' processing power,<ref>[http://sourcegaming.info/2015/07/09/i-answer-some-questions-sakurai-famitsu-column-vol-461-464/ "I Answer Some Questions" Sakurai Famitsu column vol. 461-464, on Ice Climbers, clones, and Smash Run]</ref> Sheik is no longer connected to {{SSB4|Zelda}} via [[Transform]] or [[character selection screen]] input.<ref name="Direct"/> As a result, she can no longer access Zelda's significantly better KO potential and vertical recovery to alleviate her own.}}

*{{change|Neutral attack's first hit deals 1% less damage (3% → 2%). This improves its [[jab cancel]]ing potential, but hinders its damage racking potential.}}

*{{buff|Neutral attack's second hit has decreased start-up lag (frame 3 → 2).}}

*{{buff|Neutral infinite has received a finisher,<ref>[https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAABnUYnly14CnA Pic of the Day: February 26, 2014]</ref> a palm thrust.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral infinite deals less damage (2% (near)/1% (far) → 0.8%/0.6%).}}

*{{buff|The weakening of [[Smash directional influence|SDI]] makes neutral infinite significantly more difficult to escape from.}}

*{{nerf|Forward tilt deals 1% less damage (5% → 4%), although its knockback scaling was compensated (100 → 158/165). It also has increased ending lag (frame 22 → 25). Altogether, these changes hinder its combo and damage racking potential.}}

*{{buff|Up and down tilts deal less damage (6% (hit 1)/7% (hit 2) → 5%/6% (up), 8% → 5% (down)), improving their combo potentials.}}

*{{buff|Forward tilt and up tilt's first hit have longer durations (frames 5-6 (both) → 5-8).}}

*{{nerf|The changes to [[lock]]s remove forward tilt's ability to lock opponents.}}

*{{nerf|Up tilt's second hit and down tilt have shorter durations (frames 19-14 → 19-23 (up), frames 5-8 → 5-6 (down)).}}

*{{nerf|Dash attack deals 0.5% less damage (7% (clean)/5% (late) → 6.5%/4.5%), although its clean hit's knockback was somewhat compensated (50 (base)/100 (scaling) → 70/90).}}

*{{nerf|Forward smash's second hit deals 1% less damage (9% → 8%), although its knockback was compensated (50 (base)/100 (scaling) → 60/109).}}

*{{nerf|Forward smash now consists of one hit instead of two when using a [[Item#Types of items|battering item]].}}

*{{change|Forward smash now uses a [[Slash#Stab|stab]] effect, instead of a [[normal]] effect.}}

*{{nerf|Up smash deals less damage (17% (sweetspot)/12% (sourspot) → 15%/11%), although its sweetspot's knockback scaling was compensated (82 → 86).}}

*{{nerf|The removal of [[Dash attack canceled up smash|DACUS]] significantly hinders up smash's approach potential.}}

*{{nerf|Due to its initial hitbox being removed, down smash deals less damage (13% (hit 1)/10% (hits 2-3) → 3% (hit 1)/6% (hit 2)) and has increased start-up lag (frame 4 → 11). However, its last hit's knockback scaling was compensated (155 → 165).}}

*{{nerf|Down smash has increased ending lag (frame 49 → 55) and decreased range. It also no longer grants [[intangibility]] on Sheik's legs. Altogether, these changes significantly hinder its safety.}}

*{{change|Clean sweetspotted and clean sourspotted neutral aerial deal less damage (13% (clean sweetspot)/10% (clean sourspot) → 8%/7%), although their knockback was compensated. These changes improve their combo potentials, but hinder their edge-guarding potentials.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral aerial auto-cancels later (frame 25> → 31>).}}

*{{change|Forward aerial deals less damage (9% → 5% (arm)/4.3% (body)) and now has a sourspot that takes priority over the sweetspot. Due to its angle being altered (30° → 50°), it is also no longer a [[semi-spike]]. These changes significantly improve its combo potential, but slightly hinder its spacing and edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{nerf|Forward aerial has decreased range.}}

*{{change|Forward aerial now has a [[slash]] effect, instead of a normal effect.}}

*{{change|Forward aerial's animation has slightly changed. Sheik now lunges farther inward.}}

*{{nerf|Back aerial deals less damage (12% (clean sweetspot)/11% (clean sourspot)/6% (late) → 8%/7%/5%), although its knockback was compensated. These changes significantly hinder its KO and edge-guarding potential. Additionally, back aerial has increased landing lag (10 frames → 12). Lastly, late back aerial has a shorter duration (frames 7-17 → 7-14).}}

*{{buff|Due to consisting of loop hitboxes instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, up aerial now uses the [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] instead of having [[sex kick]] properties (11% (clean)/6% (late) → 1% (hits 1-3)/4% (hit 4)). This improves its KO and juggling potential.}}

*{{nerf|Up aerial has increased ending lag (frame 40 → 44). It also auto-cancels later (frame 30> → frame 47>) and can no longer auto-cancel with a short hop.}}

*{{change|Up aerial now has slash and stab effects, instead of a normal effect.}}

*{{nerf|Clean down aerial deals 2% less damage (10% → 8%), although its knockback scaling was compensated (80 → 90). Down aerial also has increased landing lag (26 frames → 30).}}

*{{buff|Down aerial has received a landing hitbox that deals 2%, improving its safety. Due to its angle being altered (70° → 280°), clean down aerial is now a [[meteor smash]], granting it edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{change|Due to Sheik's faster falling speed, down aerial descends significantly faster. This makes it better at breaking combos, but significantly hinders its safety while off-stage.}}

*{{change|Down aerial now has a stab effect, instead of a normal effect.}}

*{{buff|Standing and dash grabs have decreased ending lag (frame 30 → 28 (standing), frame 40 → 35 (dash)).}}

*{{nerf|Dash and pivot grabs have increased start-up lag (frame 7 → 8 (dash), frame 8 → 9 (pivot)).}}

*{{buff|Pummel deals 0.1% more damage (3% → 3.1%).}}

*{{nerf|Forward and down throws have increased knockback scaling (65 → 79 (forward), 75 → 90 (down)), hindering their combo potentials at high percentages.}}

*{{change|Forward throw transitions faster and its angle has been altered (57° → 72°). These changes improve its combo potential on heavyweights and fast-fallers, but slightly hinder its combo potential on lightweights.}}

*{{buff|The changes to [[hitstun]] canceling significantly improve forward and down throws' combo potentials at low to medium percentages.}}

*{{buff|Back throw has decreased ending lag, granting it combo potential.}}

*{{change|Down throw's angle has been altered (83° → 77°).}}

*{{nerf|[[Needle Storm]] deals less damage (3% (near)/2% (far) → 1.9%/1.2%), although its knockback was compensated. It also has decreased range and increased ending lag, hindering its zoning potential.}}

*{{buff|Needle Storm travels significantly faster.}}

*{{buff|The reintroduction of [[pivoting]] improves Needle Storm's [[mindgame]] potential.}}

*{{change|Sheik has a new side special, [[Burst Grenade]]. Sheik throws a grenade attached to a tripwire that can be detonated at will. Unlike [[Chain]], it functions similarly to an [[item]]-based [[projectile]], as its grenade will become a non-[[explosive]] item if Sheik is grabbed or attacked before she can detonate it.}}

*{{buff|Compared to Chain, Burst Grenade's explosion deals more damage (3% (Chain)/5% (tip) → 12%) and has significantly more knockback, making it capable of KOing. Like Chain, it can block incoming projectiles, although only its grenade can do so. Unlike Chain, it has damaging [[wind]]boxes that [[Wind#Pulling attacks|pull]] opponents and it does not have a set range, making it significantly more effective at edge-guarding.}}

*{{nerf|Compared to Chain, Burst Grenade has significantly more lag. Unlike Chain, Burst Grenade cannot be freely maneuvered, making it less effective at zoning. It also cannot be used as a [[tether recovery]], and renders Sheik [[helpless]] in the air, making it unusable for recovery.}}

*{{nerf|Burst Grenade is [[Reflection|reflectable]] and its explosion is [[Absorption|absorbable]].}}

*{{nerf|[[Vanish]]'s disappearing hitbox deals 3% less damage (15% → 12%), hindering its KO potential. Its explosion is also now absorbable.}}

*{{buff|Vanish's reappearing windbox has received a hitbox that deals 5%, improving its safety.}}

*{{buff|Sheik has a new down special, [[Bouncing Fish]]. It is a 360° Tengkong Pantui Cepu, a kick used in {{s|wikipedia|Nanquan}}. Unlike [[Transform]], it deals damage, has high knockback scaling, and propels Sheik forward, making it capable of KOing and usable for recovery.}}

*{{nerf|Unlike Transform, Bouncing Fish has significant landing lag, making it more punishable.}}

*{{nerf|[[Light Arrow]] deals less damage (3% (hit 1)/45% (first opponent)/25% (third opponent) → 1%/44%/24%) and has decreased knockback, slightly hindering its KO potential.}}

Much like {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}}, Sheik has been nerfed significantly via game updates. Update [[1.0.4]] considerably weakened her up aerial and [[Bouncing Fish]], her most reliable KOing options, and increased [[Needle Storm]]'s ending lag. It also decreased her forward aerial's damage output, which hindered its spacing and edge-guarding potential. Update [[1.0.6]] noticeably decreased down tilt and back aerial's damage outputs: this improved the former's combo potential, but almost completely removed the latter's KO potential. Update [[1.1.0]] decreased forward aerial's damage output and made its sourspot take priority over its sweetspot. However, it also compensated its sweetspot's knockback scaling; this slightly improved its spacing and edge-guarding potential, yet slightly worsened its sweetspot's combo potential. Update [[1.1.4]] decreased the knockback scaling and size of [[Vanish]]'s disappearing hitbox, which collectively hinder its KO potential.

The most detrimental update, however, was [[1.1.5]]: as of said update, Sheik is much more susceptible to early KOs as she is four units lighter, the range reduction of Needle Storm made her neutral game weaker, and her pivotal forward and down throws have increased knockback scaling and angle alterations which reduces their combo potential, and removes any semi-guaranteed KO set-ups without making them strong enough to KO at realistic percentages. Overall, Sheik is noticeably worse compared to how she was at the release of ''SSB4'', with professionals such as ZeRo no longer considering her the best character in the game and having dropped her as a result. Despite these nerfs, Sheik has nevertheless managed to retain her status as a top-tier character throughout ''SSB4''{{'}}s lifespan.

*{{buff|Down tilt deals 2.5% less damage|7.5%|5%, improving its combo potential.}}

*{{nerf|Clean sweetspotted and clean sourspotted back aerial deal less damage|11% (clean sweetspot)/10% (clean sourspot)|8%/7%, significantly hindering their KO potential and edge-guarding potentials.}}

*{{change|Forward aerial deals less damage|5.5% (sweetspot)/4.8% (sourspot)|5%/4.3%, although its sweetspot's knockback was compensated: 125 → 132. These changes slightly improve its sweetspot's spacing and edge-guarding potential, and slightly improve its sourspot's combo potential. However, they slightly hinder its sweetspot's combo potential.}}

*{{nerf|Penetrating Needles deal less [[shield damage]]|9|6.}}

|neutralname=&nbsp;

|neutraldesc=An inward {{s|wikipedia|knifehand strike}}, followed by an upward knifehand strike. When button mashed, Sheik performs a barrage of knifehand strikes, followed by a palm thrust. It hits on frame 2 and both of its first two hits can be [[jab cancel]]ed reliably, even at high percentages. As a result, it is a very useful as a set-up for combos into itself or her tilt attacks, and even into KOs with her smash attacks. Although its infinite's finisher has extremely high knockback scaling to offset its very low damage output, it is still punishable because of its high ending lag.

|ftiltname=&nbsp;

|ftiltdesc=A roundhouse kick. It hits on frame 5 and has extremely low base knockback, yet extremely high knockback scaling. When coupled with its hitboxes' favorable launching angles, it can easily combo into itself from 0% to very low percentages, into [[Bouncing Fish]] at low percentages, into neutral and forward aerials at low to medium percentages, and into up aerial at low to higher percentages.

|utiltname=&nbsp;

|utiltdesc=A stretch kick transitioned into an axe kick. Its first hit has low weight-based knockback, which enables it to be reliably combo into its second hit. Conversely, its second hit has very high knockback scaling, which enables it to continue combos.

|dtiltname=&nbsp;

|dtiltdesc=A legsweep. Its very low base knockback, average knockback scaling, and differing launching angles grant it decent combo potential. The hitboxes on Sheik's leg launch opponents at 70°, which enable it to combo into her neutral or forward aerials. In comparison, the hitbox on her heel launches opponents at 90°, which enables it to combo into up aerial.  

|dashname=&nbsp;

|dashdesc=Lunges to perform two outward fanning knifehand strikes. It hits on frame 5, which ties it with {{SSB4|Sonic}}'s dash attack as the fourth fastest in the game. It also has high knockback scaling, which makes it decent for spacing. However, its 32 frames of ending lag make it punishable.

|fsmashname=&nbsp;

|fsmashdesc=A roundhouse kick followed by a spinning side kick. Each hit moves her forward, while its first hit's low weight-based knockback enables it to combo reliably into the second hit. Although its second hit has an average damage output, its high knockback scaling nevertheless enables it to KO middleweights at 132% while near the edge. It also has the lowest amount of ending lag out of Sheik's smash attacks. However, its first hit only lasts for 1 frame, and both of its hits have minimal shieldstun.

|usmashname=&nbsp;

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|15}} (sweetspot), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|11}} (sourspot)

|usmashdesc=Raises her arms overhead and then quickly swings them downward to perform outward fanning knifehand strikes. Its sweetspot located is on her fingertips when her hands are overhead and launches opponents at 93°, whereas its sourspot is located around her torso during the downswing and launches opponents at 50°. Its sweetspot is both powerful and safe: its respectable damage output enables it to KO middleweights at 113%, and it grants [[intangibility]] to her head and arms on frames 8-15. Although its sourspot has very high knockback scaling, its lower damage output results in it KOing middleweights at 152% while near the edge. It is also very punishable, owing to its 37 frames of ending lag and its sourspot's minimal shieldstun.

|dsmashname=&nbsp;

|dsmashdesc=A modified butterfly kick performed from the [[wikipedia:Windmill (b-boy move)|windmill]], a breakdancing move. It hits twice, with its second hit's extremely high knockback scaling enabling it to KOing middleweights at 138% while near the edge. However, it is Sheik's least damaging smash attack, and is very punishable because of its 35 frames of ending lag, rather short range, and minimal shieldstun.

|nairname=&nbsp;

|nairdesc=A flying kick. Due to it hitting on frame 3, it is Sheik's fastest aerial. It is also a [[sex kick]], which makes it good for breaking combos or functioning as an out of shield option. Its clean sweetspot is useful edge-guarding, but can also combo into Bouncing Fish at medium percentages. Conversely, its late sweetspot and sourspot are capable of covering Sheik's landing, catching opponents off-guard, and applying pressure against an opponents [[edge recovery]].

|fairname=&nbsp;

|fairdesc=A lunging, downward knifehand strike. Its sweetspot is located on her arm, whereas its sourspot is located on her body. Arguably Sheik's most versatile move: it comes out on frame 5 and has low base knockback, very high knockback scaling, minimal ending and landing lag, decent range, and a very generous auto-cancel window. These traits collectively make it useful for approaching when [[Short hop fast fall L-cancel#Short hop fast fall|SHFF]]'d and for edge-guarding, safe on shield when spaced well, and excellent for combos. Combos include into itself, grabs, tilt attacks, neutral aerial, a [[reverse aerial rush]]ed back aerial, and Bouncing Fish.

|bairname=&nbsp;

|bairdesc=A high-angle back kick. Due to it hitting on frame 4, it is tied with up aerial as Sheik's second fastest aerial. As a result, it is a decent edge-guarding option and can be used from a reverse aerial rush. It also has very high knockback scaling and large hitboxes, but has minimal KO potential because of its meager damage output offsetting its very high knockback scaling.

|uairname=&nbsp;

|uairdesc=A diagonal, corkscrew flying kick. Due to it hitting on frame 4, it is tied with back aerial as Sheik's second fastest aerial. Its first three hits have the [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] against aerial opponents, which allows all of its hits to connect easily. Conversely, its last hit has extremely high knockback scaling, which allows it to KO middleweights at 135% while near the upper blast line and makes it one of Sheik's most viable KOing options.

|dairname=&nbsp;

|grabname=&nbsp;

|pummelname=&nbsp;

|fthrowname=&nbsp;

|fthrowdesc=The tie shan kao, a technique used in {{s|wikipedia|Bajiquan}}. Its base knockback and knockback scaling are both average, and it launches opponents at 72°. These traits enable it to combo into neutral, forward, and up aerials and Bouncing Fish from 0% to medium percentages, and even into a [[Jump-canceling|jump-canceled]] up smash on heavyweights and fast-fallers at low percentages. Although it can combo into Bouncing Fish at high percentages, which has respectable KO potential while near the edge, this combo is dependent on DI and only effective without [[rage]] and is dependent on DI.  

|bthrowname=&nbsp;

|bthrowdesc=Throws opponent behind herself and performs a mid-level side kick. It can potentially combo into neutral, forward, and back aerials from 0% to low percentages. It can also combo into Bouncing Fish at medium to high percentages, which has respectable KO potential while near the edge. However, this combo is risky, as it is heavily dependent on DI.

|uthrowname=&nbsp;

|uthrowdesc=A handstand kick. Due to its high ending lag, it has no guaranteed follow-ups until high percentages, with only [[Vanish]] being a potential KO combo. When coupled with it being Sheik's least damaging throw, it is her overall least useful throw.

|dthrowname=&nbsp;

|dthrowdesc=A collar drag takedown followed by a somersault axe kick. It has average base knockback, high knockback scaling, and launches the opponent at 77°. These traits enable it to combo into neutral, forward, reverse aerial rushed back, and up aerials from 0% to medium percentages. It can also combo into Vanish at high percentages, which has respectable KO potential while near the upper blast line. However, this combo is risky, as it is heavily dependent on DI. Despite having the highest knockback scaling out of her throws, it lacks KO potential because of its throw hitbox's very low damage output.

|floorfdesc=Kneels and performs a palm thrust in front of herself, and then behind herself.  

|floorbdesc=A {{s|wikipedia|kip-up}} transitioned into a double-footed {{s|wikipedia|scorpion kick}}.  

|edgedesc=Performs a corkscrew {{s|wikipedia|dropkick}} while climbing up.  

|nsdefdesc=Accumulates up to six needles that can be thrown immediately or stored for later use. When used in the air, Sheik throws the needles downward at approximately 45°. One of Sheik's best options for camping/zoning, as it can nullify approaches and has [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]].  

|nsc1desc=The needles deal more damage and [[shield damage]], the latter of which is thanks to their [[electric]] effect. They also pierce multiple opponents. However, is has less range, and Sheik can accumulate a maximum of only three needles.

|nsc2desc=[[Stun]]s an opponent, similarly to [[Disable]]. Like Disable, the stun's duration is longer the more damaged the opponent is. However, it has significant ending lag, less range, and Sheik can accumulate only one needle.  

|ssdefdmg=1% (grenade), 1% (pull), 12% (explosion)

|ssdefdesc=Throws a grenade attached to a {{s|wikipedia|tripwire}}. On detonation, it creates a small area that [[Wind#Pulling attacks|pulls]] opponents towards it, then explodes. The detonation can be delayed a second by holding the special attack button. The grenade can be thrown a farther when used in the air or when thrown over an edge, which makes it very useful for edge-guarding. Despite this, its explosion is still strong enough to KO middleweights at 147% while near the edge. If Sheik is attacked before the grenade explodes, the grenade will be detached from the tripwire and become a non-[[explosive]] [[item]] that anyone can use. However, Sheik will be rendered [[helpless]] if it is used in the air and uninterrupted, similarly to [[Din's Fire]].

|ssc1desc=Upon detonation, the grenade does not pull enemies into it and the explosion has a smaller radius, but the explosion launches opponents towards Sheik, allowing for multiple follow-up options like [[gimp]]s or up smash.

|ssc2desc=The grenade bounces on the ground with a time delay before exploding. Despite what the in-game description states, however, it deals the same damage regardless of how long it takes to explode.

|usdefdesc=After a short delay, Sheik destroys a {{s|zeldawiki|Deku Nut}} in order to disappear via a small explosion, before reappearing nearby in a controlled direction. Its disappearing hitbox's respectable damage output and very high knockback scaling enable it to KO at 126% while near the upper blast line. It also grants a small vertical boost when used in the air. Conversely, its reappearance hitbox deals much less damage, but also has a windbox that can [[Wind#Pushing attacks|push]] away opponents who are very close to wherever Sheik reappears. It grants intangibility on frames 19-53. Reappearing near a edge renders her helpless, though [[Self-destruct|self-destructing]] with the move is difficult to do because it allows Sheik to grabbing the edge the moment she enters helplessness. Due to a glitch, holding the [[Control stick|control stick/circle pad]] in a chosen direction and then using Vanish right after enduring knockback also gives her a boost in the chosen direction.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mx2b2pbHek Smash 4 Wii U - Sheik's Extended Vanish]</ref>

|usc2desc=The disappearing hitbox is a meteor smash throughout its duration. However, it covers less distance, her travel path is visible, and its disappearance does not grant a short vertical boost when used in the air.  

|dsdefdesc=A 360° Tengkong Pantui Cepu, a kick used in Nanquan. If her feet connect with an opponent, she will backflip a small distance and land on her feet. She can kick up to three times if the preceding kick connect. Upon missing, she lands on her back and stands up. It can also be executed earlier by pressing the special button again, and covers more distance if the control stick/circle pad is held in whatever direction Sheik is facing. Its long horizontal travel distance, respectable damage output, and high knockback scaling make it one of Sheik's most viable KOing options. It KOs middleweights at 155% while near the edge, and grants intangibility on frames 3-4. Due to its earliest input hitting on frame 17, however, it is punishable if it misses.

|dsc1desc=The flip is more vertical, traveling a shorter horizontal distance. Grounded opponents are launched diagonally upwards with set knockback in order to ensure that the opponent can be hit the second time, said kick being significantly more powerful on aerial opponents. She can kick up to two times if the preceding kick connects.

|dsc2desc=The flip is faster and more shallow, which requires pressing the attack button in order to kick if the attack is used while standing on the ground. If the kick hits, she will flip a short distance forward and will launch opponents backward while dealing more knockback, which enables it to KO at 106%. It cannot be used more than once before landing on the ground. If it hits, she can control her movement. It has little to no lag if the button is not pressed.

|fsdmg=1% (hit 1), 44% (first opponent), 33% (second opponent), 24% (third opponent)

===Notable players===

====Active====

<!--If you are planning to add a player you consider to be notable, please provide tournament results in some shape or form in the edit summary (be it a link to a results thread or bracket of placing high in a tournament of other notable players or a video of them beating a notable player). Winning tournaments without notable players present is generally not enough to warrant a spot. -->

*{{Sm|Blank (Florida)|USA}} - Best Sheik in Florida, she has taken a set off Tweek's DK and placed 17th at [[CEO Dreamland]] and 13th at [[Too Hot to Handle]].

*{{Sm|Mr. R|Netherlands}} - The undisputed best player in Europe and one of the two best Sheik mains in the world. 5th at [[CEO 2016]], 3rd at [[Super Smash Con 2016]], 1st at [[Syndicate 2016]], 4th at [[The Big House 6]], 1st at [[Eclipse 2]].

*{{Sm|Nietono|Japan}} - Highest ranked Sheik on the [[JAPAN Power Rankings]]. Ranked 36th worldwide and 17th in Japan.

*{{Sm|Puppeh|USA}} - A prodigy who is currently ranked 5th in the [[MD/VA Power Rankings|MD/VA Smash 4 Power Rankings]]. 9th at [[Glitch]], 4th at [[Paradigm Shift]], 7th at [[Glitch 2]].

*{{Sm|Vinnie|USA}} - The best Sheik in Tristate. Is also the second person to have taken a set off of {{Sm|ZeRo}}. 5th at [[MomoCon 2016]], 9th at [[EVO 2016]], 1st at [https://smash.gg/tournament/revelation-2016/brackets Revelation 2016].

*{{Sm|VoiD|USA}} - One of the two best players in SoCal and one of the two best active Sheik mains. 4th at [[EVO 2016]], 4th at [[Super Smash Con 2016]], 5th at [[The Big House 6]].

*{{Sm|Yoh|Canada}} - Top Canadian Sheik, ranked 3rd in Ontario behind Blacktwins and Mistake. Plays both Sheik and Diddy Kong. 5th at [[Canada Cup 2016]] and 17th at [[GOML 2016]].

*{{Sm|RAIN|Japan}} - Used to main Sheik before dropping her for [[Cloud]]. With Sheik, 1st at [[Umebura 14]], [[Umebura 15]], and [[Umebura 16]], 9th at [[EVO 2015]], 25th at [[GENESIS 3]], 17th at [http://challonge.com/SHIGTournamentT SHIG Tournament].

*{{Sm|ZeRo|Chile}} - Widely considered to be the best Sheik player in the world before mostly dropping her, only still using her in specific matchups (ex. {{SSB4|Luigi}}), and was ranked on several Power Rankings, including 1st on the [[Panda Global SSB4 Rankings]]. Held a 56-tournament win streak with Sheik as one of his mains.

Sheik has always been perceived as a top-tier character since the game's release, which was eventually reflected in her ranking at the very top of the first official ''4BR'' [[tier list]], with the previous nerfs to {{SSB4|Rosalina & Luma}} and {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}} paving the way for Sheik to be considered the near-indisputable best character in the game, in a similar manner to {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} in ''Brawl'' and {{SSBM|Fox}} in ''Melee''. Players noticed her fantastic frame data, the ability to control the [[neutral game]] by [[spacing]] effectively with her forward aerial and [[camp]] with [[Needle Storm]], extensive combo game that allowed her to rack up damage quickly and efficiently, dominant offstage game, and reliable KO set-ups off of low-committal grab set-ups. This led most players to believe she lacked losing match-ups and had only a handful that were arguably even. As expected, Sheik's position was cemented by a stellar playerbase that included highly talented players such as {{Sm|ZeRo}}, {{Sm|Mr.R}}, {{Sm|VoiD}}, {{Sm|K9sbruce}} and {{Sm|RAIN}}, among others, all of whom achieved great results with the character on a consistent basis.

However, Sheik's overwhelming dominance took a blow with patches [[1.1.4]] and [[1.1.5]], which removed her most reliable KO set-ups, worsened her survivability, and weakened her camping ability. As a result, her most notable player, ZeRo, eventually dropped her, and others such as K9sbruce have been using secondaries more often. Despite her heavy nerfs, Sheik's neutral, combo, and offstage games are still among the best, allowing her to continue to gain strong results from players like VoiD and Mr.R and remain a top-tier character, placing at 3rd and 4th on the second and third version of the tier list respectively and remaining on the S tier.

 

Currently, Sheik is ranked as 4th on the fourth tier list, but has since then dropped to the A tier due to her results being worse than the characters ranked higher than her, although they still remain strong.

 

 

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Sheik claimed to be a surviving Sheikah. However, this was just a cunning disguise for Princess Zelda so that she could escape Ganondorf. In Smash Bros., she's the complete opposite of Zelda, striking with fast attacks that can keep an opponent off balance.''

 

::{{flag|pal}} ''Sheik is introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as the "survivor of the Sheikah", although it turns out to be Zelda, who took on the disguise to hide from Ganondorf. Sheik's ninja-like speed is a real contrast with Zelda's, and it allows for sneaky, fast-paced attacks that overwhelm opponents before they can even react.''

 

{{Trophy games|console1=n64|game1=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (11/1998)|console2=3ds|game2=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (06/2011)}}

 

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Sheik's Burst Grenade side special throws a small grenade that draws in nearby fighters before exploding. Once the button has been released, it'll hop or explode after a time. The down special Bouncing Fish is an attack where Sheik strikes with both heels, falling similarly to the way a fish might flop around.''

::{{flag|pal}} ''Sheik's Burst Grenade side special throws a small grenade that draws in nearby fighters, then explodes. Hold the button longer to thrown it further. The down special Bouncing Fish is a fish-like flop forwards that has Sheik attack with both heels on the way down. If the move connects, Sheik will bounce back up into the air.''

{{Trophy games|console1=n64|game1=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (11/1998)|console2=3ds|game2=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (06/2011)}}

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Sheik's Final Smash uses a gigantic bow to fire a Light Arrow across the screen. If multiple foes are in its path, it will strike them all, ignoring shields like they're not even there. Sheik's Light Arrow is more damaging than Zelda's and it launches its victims at a lower angle.''

::{{flag|pal}} ''Sheik's Final Smash uses a gigantic bow to fire a Light Arrow across the screen. If multiple foes are in its path, it will strike them all, even penetrating straight through their shields. Sheik's Light Arrow is more powerful than Zelda's and it launches its targets at a more shallow angle.''

SheikTrophy3DS.png|Classic (3DS)

SheikTrophyWiiU.png|Classic (Wii U)

SheikAltTrophyWiiU.png|Alt. (Wii U)

LightArrowSheikTrophyWiiU.png|[[Light Arrow]]

==In [[Event Match]]es==

===Solo Events===

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

*'''[[Aura Mastery]]''': As {{SSB4|Lucario}},the player must defeat an invisible Sheik and an invisible {{SSB4|Wii Fit Trainer}}.

*'''[[Identity Crisis]]''': Sheik must defeat {{SSB4|Samus}}. After defeating her, the player must then defeat {{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}}. If Sheik gets knocked out, then {{SSB4|Zelda}} will appear.

===Co-op Events===

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

SSB4 - Sheik Wii U Screen Shot 8.jpg|Back-to-back with {{SSB4|Zelda}} in {{forwiiu}}.  

*Sheik is the first and currently only character to have her [[weight]] changed twice via updates.

[[Category:Sheik (SSB4)]]