Editing Zero Suit Samus (SSB4)

|image = {{tabber|title1=Zero Suit|content1=[[File:Zero Suit Samus SSB4.png|250px]]|title2=Casual Outfit (Zero Mission)|content2=[[File:Zero Suit Samus-Alt6 SSB4.png|250px]]}}

:{{cquote|''Zero Suit Samus Zeroes In!''|cite=Introduction Tagline}}

Zero Suit Samus is currently ranked 6th out of 54 on the [[tier list]]. This is a slight improvement from her high-tier placement in ''Brawl'', where she was ranked 9th out of 38, and is her best placement in the series. Zero Suit Samus's greatest strength is her dominant air game: her neutral and back aerials are safe and reliable set-up and KOing options, respectively, whereas her up aerial is an incredibly effective juggling option and combo tool that also boasts KO potential. In addition, her [[punishment]] potential is also one of the greatest among the cast, courtesy of her fast and nimble mobility, a [[paralyze|paralyzing]] [[projectile]] in [[Paralyzer]], and a potent combo game that can quickly rack up damage or even KO outright. Finally, she possesses a long-distanced and varied recovery, thanks to having two [[Tether recovery|tether recoveries]], a third jump in Flip Jump, and her new up special, [[Boost Kick]]. This makes her recovery hard to intercept as it's unpredictable and can be very deadly. The latter two specials also complement her air game, as both possess enough power to KO rather early.

Although she has outstanding strengths, Zero Suit Samus also has some noticeable weaknesses. Her ground game is unimpressive compared to her air game, which is most evident with her grab game: her grabs' long ranges are offset by their extreme amounts of start-up and ending lag, while her forward, back and up throws have very minimal utility outside of dealing damage. In addition, her ground moves also lack KO potential: her only ground move that truly has KO potential is her forward smash, which is one of the weakest smash attacks in the game, while the rest of her ground moves require very high percents or rely on edgeguarding to score a KO. By extension, many of Zero Suit Samus' attacks contain hitboxes that are positioned high above the ground, which can make it very difficult for her to fight against small characters. Finally, none of her aerials are effective combo breakers, which is further compounded by her susceptibility to combos. Altogether, these traits give Zero Suit Samus a weak [[neutral game]].

Regardless of her flaws, Zero Suit Samus is widely considered to be a strong top tier in competitive play, with dedicated mains such as {{Sm|Choco}}, {{Sm|Marss}}, and {{Sm|Nairo}} proving her effectiveness in top-level competitive play.

Zero Suit Samus is a tall light[[weight]] who boasts overall excellent mobility, thanks to several of her attributes being among the top 10 of their respective categories. Her [[walk]]ing speed is tied with {{SSB4|Sheik}}'s for the fifth fastest, her [[dash]]ing speed is the fifth fastest, her [[air speed]] is tied with the default {{SSB4|Mii Brawler}}'s for the sixth fastest, her [[traction]] is tied with {{SSB4|Little Mac}} and {{SSB4|Wario}}'s for the third highest, her [[air acceleration]] is tied with {{SSB4|Lucas}} and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}'s for the eighth fastest, and her [[jump]] is the third highest. Unlike most lightweights, Zero Suit Samus has very quick [[falling speed]] and high [[gravity]], and, like in her home series, is able to [[Crawling|crawl]] and [[wall jump]].

Zero Suit Samus' greatest asset is her superb air game. In addition to her excellent aerial attributes, her [[short hop]] is tied with Bayonetta's for the second highest in the game, which collectively supplement her useful aerial attacks. Her neutral aerial has long range and low landing lag, and launches at 55°, all of which make it very useful for follow-ups. Her forward aerial is quick and fairly powerful, making it useful as part of a combo at low percentages, and a dependable off-stage KOing option. Her back aerial has long range and high power, making it her most reliable aerial KOing option. Her up aerial is very quick, has very low base knockback and very high knockback scaling, and launches opponents vertically, all of which make it excellent at juggling and capable of KOing. Her down aerial is able to [[meteor smash]] and possesses a strong landing hitbox, though it is dangerous to use off-stage due to being a [[stall-then-fall]]. Unlike in ''Brawl'', she now has a [[grab aerial]], which can be used for [[spacing]], set-ups, or as a [[tether recovery]].

Zero Suit Samus' special moves also possess considerable versatility. [[Paralyzer]] is quick, has decent [[range]], and [[paralyze]]s the opponent, granting it excellent follow-up potential. [[Plasma Whip]] has long range and, like her grab aerial, can be used for spacing or as a tether recovery. [[Boost Kick]] is decent for recovery, but thanks to it hitting on frame 4 and boasting impressive power, it is actually one of Zero Suit Samus' most viable KOing options, especially from [[out of shield]]. Lastly, [[Flip Jump]] functions like a third jump, but also grants [[intangibility]] at its start and allows her to move unpredictably. As such, it can enable her to avoid attacks or mix up her recovery, the latter of which is supplemented by its ability to automatically wall jump upon making contact with a wall. Like Boost Kick, it also boasts impressive offensive potential: its inputted kick is strong enough to KO easily and can meteor smash aerial opponents, whereas its [[Footstool jump|footstool]] stomp is now capable of both [[bury]]ing grounded opponents and meteor smashing aerial ones.

Lastly, Zero Suit Samus possesses a few invaluable KO set-ups aside from Paralyzer. Her down smash is one of the few smash attacks of its kind that only hits in one direction, but it has low ending lag and paralyzes an opponent like Paralyzer, allowing her to follow it up with a forward smash, back aerial, a grab, Boost Kick or Flip Jump, with the last KOing at very low percentages. In addition, Zero Suit Samus's down throw itself has guaranteed follow-ups at any percentage below 160%. Depending on the opponent's [[Directional influence|DI]], it can combo into her forward or up aerial, and sometimes her back aerial and Boost Kick. This throw is also notorious for its ability to score very early KOs. Without proper DI, a series of up aerials leading into a Boost Kick can KO the majority of the cast at 50% while near the upper blast line. The latter's loop hits also have high base knockback and can KO if its last hit does not land due to [[Smash directional influence|SDI]], even with perfect DI. Even with proper DI, this combo can also KO earlier if the opponent is near an edge. Due to its speed, Zero Suit Samus's neutral attack's first hit can also function as a surprisingly effective set-up into Boost Kick at medium to high percentages. Altogether, these traits make Zero Suit Samus' [[punishment]] potential one of the most potent in the game.

However, Zero Suit Samus has some noticeable weaknesses. She can be KO'd fairly early because of her status as a lightweight, but unlike the majority of her fellow lightweights, she is also burdened with a susceptibility to combos because of her tall frame, very quick falling speed, and high gravity. Aside from her pummel's speed and her down throw's excellent combo potential, the rest of Zero Suit Samus' grab game is poor. Her grabs' long ranges are offset by their overall lag: they are tied with [[Grapple Beam]] for the highest amount of start-up lag in the game, and their ending lag is the third highest in the game, surpassed only by {{SSB4|Pac-Man}}'s grabs and her Power Suit's Grapple Beam. Despite having respectable damage outputs, her forward, back and up throws have no guaranteed follow-ups; although the back throw has some semblance of mix-up potential, its mix-ups are very situational and require hard reads.

By extension, the overwhelming majority of Zero Suit Samus' attacks have hitbox placements that are high above the ground, making it easy for short characters to avoid getting hit, especially while [[crouching]]. Despite Paralyzer's paralysis effect, its range is decent at best, and it does not stay out for very long. As a result, her approach against most defensive and zoning characters is limited to dodging their projectiles with her mobility, [[perfect shield]]ing, and either coming in from above with an aerial, or fast falling and then immediately grabbing. All of these drawbacks also make Zero Suit Samus susceptible to momentum shifts, which in turn gives her a weak [[neutral game]].

Overall, Zero Suit Samus' very potent air and punishment games allow her to reliably set-up combos and KOs like in ''Brawl'', while her KO potential has improved thanks to her newfound KOing options. However, she must nevertheless be wary of characters with strong [[neutral game]]s, due to the poor quality of her own neutral game.  

Despite being a high-tier character in ''Brawl'', Zero Suit Samus has been buffed in the transition to ''SSB4'', mostly due to ''Smash 4'''s altered mechanics, combined with the nerfs other ''Brawl'' veterans received. Her KO potential has improved, most notably thanks to her new forward smash and her new up special, [[Boost Kick]], the latter of which is especially potent from [[out of shield]]. Zero Suit Samus' combo game has also improved, mainly due to the changes to [[hitstun canceling]] combined with her altered down throw and up aerial. She also greatly benefits from the introduction of [[rage]], which can allow her combos to KO opponents at insanely low percents. Lastly, [[Plasma Whip]] tethers the ledge much sooner, improving her already strong recovery, and she now has a grab aerial, improving her spacing potential and giving her an additional recovery option.

However, Zero Suit Samus also received some nerfs. The most noticeable of these was that as she is no longer tied to {{SSB4|Samus}}, she no longer has access to her [[Power Suit Piece]]s, which significantly hinders her stage control and her item game combined with the removal of [[glide toss]]ing. Although Plasma Whip has improved recovery potential, it has more ending lag and is significantly weaker, making it much easier to punish and far less reliable for KOing, eliminating one of her most useful KO moves. Her aerial prowess has also slightly worsened. Her jumps are lower (especially since she no longer has [[Plasma Wire]]), and her aerials except for down aerial are all weaker. She is significantly more vulnerable to combos due to the removal of hitstun canceling combined with her increased falling speed. Lastly, some of her ground attacks have been nerfed as well: her down tilt has increased startup and much more ending lag along with a less favorable angle, removing all of its combo potential and making it arguably her worst move; her new dash attack has one more frame of startup along with much higher ending lag, making it much more punishable and removing its locking and follow-up potential; and her down smash is weaker, has smaller hitboxes, its stun duration was decreased, and it has increased ending lag, worsening its follow-up potential and making it less safe on shield.

Overall, Zero Suit Samus is an even larger threat in ''Smash 4'', with her tournament results and representation being even higher, although she is less effective than in earlier versions of the game, as update [[1.1.4]] added {{SSB4|Bayonetta}} and gave Zero Suit Samus some minor nerfs, while update [[1.1.5]] nerfed her further. Nevertheless, Zero Suit Samus remains one of the stronger characters in ''Smash 4''.

*{{change|Zero Suit Samus' design is now a combination of her appearance in ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid: Other M}}'', and her official artwork for ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid Fusion}}'' and ''{{s|metroidwiki|Metroid: Zero Mission}}''. Her bangs, beauty mark, shorter height, larger {{s|wikipedia|bust/waist/hip measurements}} and {{s|metroidwiki|Zero Suit}} are from ''Other M''. Additionally, her lean musculature is from ''Fusion'' and ''Zero Mission''; her facial structure and greenish blue eyes are from ''Zero Mission'';<ref name=ZM>[https://www.metroiddatabase.com/old_site/mzm/art/ZSSMZME.png Metroid: Zero Mission's Development Room Gallery 2]</ref> and her flaxen blonde hair is from ''Fusion''. Lastly, the aesthetic used in ''SSB4'' has resulted in Zero Suit Samus' hair being of a significantly higher visual quality than in ''Brawl''.}}

*{{change|Zero Suit Samus' previously unused damage yells from ''Brawl''{{'}}s [[Sound Test]] are now heard when taking high knockback.}}

*{{buff|[[Air dodge]] has less startup (frame 4 → 2) and ending lag (FAF 40 → 31).}}

*{{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> Zero Suit Samus is no longer connected to {{SSB4|Samus}} via [[Final Smash]] or [[character selection screen]] input. As a result, she no longer has access to her [[Power Suit Piece]]s which significantly hinders her stage control at the beginning of a match.}}

**{{buff|Neutral attack's first and second hits have higher set knockback (10 (both) → 23/45 (hit 1), 34/50 (hit 2)). These changes make its hits connect together better, and decreases the possibility of opponents [[powershield]]ing the second and third hits. It also improves its [[jab cancel]]ing potential despite all three hits having higher ending lag. Its last hit also has more base knockback (45 → 60).}}

**{{buff|Forward tilt has a new animation where Zero Suit Samus now takes a step forward before kicking, improving the move's range.}}

**{{buff|Forward tilt has higher base knockback (8 (up/non-angled)/12 (down) → 30), improving its KO potential (outside of the down angled version's nearest hitbox).}}

***{{nerf|However, this also hinders its locking potential, with the move no longer being able to reliably lock above 10%.}}

**{{nerf|Forward tilt has smaller hitboxes (4u/4.5u/4u/3.5u) → 3.8u/4.2u/3.8u) and the back leg hitbox has been removed.}}

**{{nerf|The non and down angled versions no longer have an extra trip chance (20% (non angled)/60% (down) → 0% (both)). When combined with the move's higher base knockback, this significantly hinders its tripping ability, especially the down angled version.}}

**{{buff|The up angled version deals more damage (6% → 8% (far)/6.5% (near)).}}

**{{buff|The non angled version deals more damage on Zero Suit Samus' foot and leg (6% → 7%).}}

**{{nerf|The down angled version deals less damage (9% → 8% (far)/6.5% (near)), hindering the near hitbox's KO potential despite its higher base knockback.}}

**{{nerf|Zero Suit Samus does not bend her leg quite as low for the down angled version, giving it less range below her.}}

**{{buff|Up tilt now grants intangibility to Zero Suit Samus's lower legs from when the first hit becomes active, until the second hit ends. This make up tilt a safer anti-air.}}

**{{change|Down tilt has a new animation, where Zero Suit Samus now moves forward when performing the legsweep.}}

***{{nerf|However, this also significantly hinders its safety, as Zero Suit Samus moves towards her opponent.}}

**{{buff|Down tilt deals more knockback (65 (base), 70 (scaling) → 60/85).}}

**{{buff|The far hitbox deals more damage (6% → 8%).}}

**{{change|Down tilt has a lower trip chance (40% → 20%), although it is still incapable of tripping under normal circumstances.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt has more startup with a shorter duration (frame 5-7 → 8-9).}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt has more ending lag (FAF 26 → 36) and a much longer animation (36 frames → 69).}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt launches opponents at a lower angle (70°/90°/80° → 60°). When combined with the move's higher ending lag and knockback, this significantly hinders down tilt's followup potential, even with the changes to hitstun canceling and DI.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt has smaller hitboxes (4u/4.7u/4u → 4.2u/3.8u) and the nearest hitbox has been removed. The move also does not extend as far (y offset: -7/-1 → x offset/stretch: 5.2/0), reducing its range relative to Zero Suit Samus, especially inside of her.}}

***{{nerf|These changes along with its new animation also mean that the move will now flat out whiff if Zero Suit Samus uses it too close to her opponent.}}

***{{buff|With this new dash attack, Zero Suit Samus does not extend her body as far horizontally, making her harder to hit horizontally.}}

***{{nerf|However, Zero Suit Samus extends her body more vertically, making dash attack worse at going under hitboxes.}}

**{{buff|Dash attack covers considerably more distance, going from covering around 25% of Battlefield to now covering around 40%-45% of Battlefield.}}

**{{buff|Dash attack has a longer duration overall (frames 6-15 → 7-19).}}

***{{nerf|However, the clean hit has a shorter duration (frames 6-9 → 7-9).}}

**{{nerf|Dash attack has much more ending lag (FAF 32 → 52). This not only greatly hinders its safety, but this also removes its followup potential despite its altered knockback and the changes to hitstun canceling and DI.}}

**{{nerf|Dash attack has smaller hitboxes (3.5u/5u/6u → 3.5u/4.5u (clean), 2.5u/3.8u/3.5u → 3.1u/4.1u (late)) and the nearest hitbox has been removed. The move now uses static hitboxes which do not cover as much lateral distance, giving it less lateral range in comparison to Zero Suit Samus.}}

***{{nerf|These changes along with the move's new animation also makes it more prone to whiffing when used at close range.}}

***{{buff|However, the move now has a considerable disjoint despite its reduced lateral range, due to the move's new animation.}}

**{{change|Zero Suit Samus has a new forward smash, a mid-level side kick followed by a spinning side kick at a slightly higher angle.}}

**{{buff|Unlike the previous forward smash, it consists of two hits instead of one (10%/11%/13%/6% (front)/6% (back) → 5% (hit 1)/11% (hit 2)), and its second hit deals more knockback (30/35 (base), 100 (scaling) → 28/(106/109)). These changes make it significantly more effective at KOing. It also has less start-up (frame 21 → 14) and ending lag (FAF 67 → 63).}}

**{{nerf|Down smash deals less damage (11% → 8% (near)/6% (far)). The far hit's knockback was not compensated which along with the changes to the [[Paralyze|paralysis]] formula, makes it stun opponents for less than half the amount of time.}}

**{{buff|The changes to shields significantly improve neutral aerial's safety on shield, with the move's high hitlag no longer hindering the move's safety on shield. The move is now no longer punishable by grabs with a perfectly timed landing.}}

**{{change|Neutral aerial now launches opponents at a consistent angle (55°/52°/50°/47° → 55°).}}

***{{buff|The near hitbox is larger (5u → 5.7u (front)/5.6u (back), and the move has more slightly range in front of Zero Suit Samus.}}

***{{nerf|However, the far hitbox is smaller (5u → 3u) and the move overall has less range above, below and behind Zero Suit Samus.}}

**{{buff|Forward aerial has less ending lag (FAF 48 → 47).}}

**{{buff|Forward aerial has larger hitboxes (5.5u/4.8u/5u → 6.4u/5.5u).}}

***{{buff|Zero Suit Samus stretches her leg out much further during the second hit, giving it more range.}}

***{{nerf|However, Zero Suit Samus does not stretch her leg out as far for the first hit, giving it less range. Zero Suit Samus also moves hers leg inwards during the move's later active frames for both hits (rather than outwards).}}

***{{nerf|This new animation is also longer (47 frames → 74), significantly increasing the time Zero Suit Samus cannot grab ledges after performing the move.}}

**{{nerf|The thigh hitbox has been removed on both hits.}}

**{{nerf|The first hit has a shorter duration (frames 6-9 → 6-7).}}

**{{nerf|The first hit deals less damage (6% → 5%).}}

**{{change|The first hit has more base knockback but less knockback scaling (35 (base), 70 (scaling) → 50/50).}}

***{{buff|This allows it to connect more reliably into the second hit at higher percents, especially when combined with Zero Suit Samus' greater aerial mobility.}}

***{{nerf|However, this does also remove forward aerial's ability to lock and trip at lower percents.}}

**{{nerf|The second hit has a shorter duration, due to it no longer having a late hit (frames 16-17 (clean)/18-20 (late) → 16-17).}}

**{{nerf|The second hit deals less damage compared to the previous clean hit (11%/10% (clean)/7% (late) → 7%), without full compensation on its knockback scaling (105 → 116), significantly hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial deals less damage (13% (foot)/12% (leg) → 12/10%) without full compensation on its knockback (33 (base), 100 (scaling) → 42/98) hindering its KO potential, especially the sourspot.}}

**{{nerf|The leg hitbox is smaller (4.8u → 2.5u) and it has been moved further away from Zero Suit Samus (x offset: 0 → 1.5), while the thigh hitbox has been removed completely. This gives the move drastically less range inside of Zero Suit Samus, to the point where back aerial now has a blindspot on Zero Suit Samus' upper leg.}}

**{{change|Up aerial has a new animation where Zero Suit Samus now performs a bicycle kick. She performs a considerably slower somersault than she did previously.}}

***{{buff|This makes the move cover more space overall, as Zero Suit Samus no longer sharply changes her angle.}}

***{{nerf|However, this animation is much longer (35 frames → 73), significantly increasing the time Zero Suit Samus cannot grab ledges after performing the move.}}

**{{buff|Up aerial has a longer duration (frames 4-6 (clean)/7-8 (late) → 6-12), with the move no longer having a weaker late hit.}}

**{{buff|Up aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 34 → 25).}}

**{{buff|Up aerial overall has slightly more range in front and below Zero Suit Samus during the beginning of the move.}}

**{{buff|Down aerial deals more damage (5% (aerial)/4% (grounded) → 6%/5%), improving its KO potential.}}

***{{buff|When combined with the removal of meteor canceling, this improves down aerial's edgeguarding potential.}}

**{{buff|Down aerial has larger hitboxes (6u/5u → 6.3u/5.2u).}}

**{{change|Zero Suit Samus descends faster while performing down aerial (horizontal/vertical momentum: 0.8/-4.3 → 1/-5).}}

**{{change|Down aerial launches aerial opponents at a slightly more horizontal angle (275° → 278°), while grounded opponents are now launched vertically (361° → 80°).}}

**{{buff|The landing hit now has an extended hitbox, giving it more horizontal range (z offset: 0 → 1/z stretch: -1).}}

**{{buff|Zero Suit Samus now has a [[grab aerial]], granting her a new combo, spacing and recovery tool.}}

**{{buff|Back throw deals more damage (4% (throw)/6% (total) → 8%), with its knockback compensated (70 (base), 60 (scaling) → 72/45).}}

**{{nerf|Down throw deals less damage (5% (throw)/7% (total) → 3%/5%) and it deals more knockback (100 (base), 25 (scaling) → 90/60), hindering its followup potential at higher percents while still not being a viable KO option.}}

**{{buff|Floor attacks have less ending lag (FAF 50 → 46) and back floor attack has less startup lag (frame 15 (hit 1)/27 (hit 2) → 14/23).}}

**{{nerf|Paralyser has more startup lag when charged (frame 41 → 43).}}

**{{nerf|Paralyser has more ending lag (FAF 40 (uncharged)/60 (charged) → 49/71). This hinders the uncharged version's followup potential (unless Zero Suit Samus lands after shooting) despite its longer stun duration, as well as hindering the safety of both versions.}}

**{{nerf|Paralyzer has smaller hitboxes (1.9u (uncharged)/3u (charged) → 1.3u/2u).}}

**{{buff|Instead of having one hit before the tip comes out, Plasma Whip now has four hitboxes which lead into each other. These hitboxes all have varying weight independent knockback, which allows the move to connect more reliably and removes its notoriously large dead zone (although opponents can still fall out of the move).}}

**{{change|The final hit launches opponents at a higher angle (50° → 60°). This improves its KO potential near the vertical blastzone and even from center stage; however, this also hinders its KO potential near the horizontal blast zone, as well as making it more susceptible to DI.}}

**{{nerf|The whip hitboxes deal less damage on their own (3% → 2% (hit 1 near)/1.2% (hit 1 far/hits 2-4).}}

**{{nerf|The final hit deals far less damage (16% → 7.5%) without full compensation on its knockback (60 (base), 75 (scaling) → 45/105), significantly hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{change|Zero Suit Samus has a new up special, Boost Kick. It is a jet-propelled diagonal split-legged flying kick, followed by a spinning hook kick.}}

**{{buff|Compared to [[Plasma Wire]], Boost Kick deals overall more damage (4%-6% → 5% (hit 1)/1.3% (hits 2-7)/4% (hit 8)) and has different knockback (60 (base), 40 (scaling) → 50/209), making it significantly more effective at KOing. It also covers more horizontal distance than Plasma Wire. Like Plasma Wire, it has [[mindgame]] potential. Unlike Plasma Wire, it can punish rolls.}}

**{{nerf|Compared to Plasma Wire, Boost Kick covers much less vertical distance, weakening her vertical recovery. Unlike Plasma Wire, it cannot [[meteor smash]] opponents, and renders her [[helpless]]. It also has more ending lag compared with Plasma Wire (FAF 44 → 80) and it cannot be used in conjunction with her jumps to gain extra height.}}

**{{buff|Due to now being character separate from Samus, Zero Suit Samus has a new [[Final Smash]], Gunship. She boards [[metroidwiki:Samus Aran's Gunship|her Gunship]] and fires energy blasts from its cannons toward the stage, similarly to [[Grenade Launcher]]. Compared to [[Power Suit Samus]], it has a significantly longer duration, which makes it significantly more effective at damage racking in spite of its overall lower damage output (25% (spin)/10% (discharge) → 0.8% (hits 1-9)/10% (hit 10)). Unlike Power Suit Samus, it can be used for stage control.}}

Zero Suit Samus was nerfed via game updates. Update [[1.0.4]] increased her air dodge's landing lag in order for it to match the rest of the cast's, while her up smash and [[Paralyzer]] had their start-up and ending lag increased, respectively. Not only was Paralyzer's ending lag increased, but the fully charged version's angle against grounded opponents was altered. Originally, the move lifted opponents off the ground. This made it easier to land aerial followups, but more notably, it allowed Zero Suit Samus to re-stun opponents with another fully charged Paralyzer if they landed back on the ground during the paralyzer's hitstun. This gave Zero Suit Samus an infinite against fast fallers, as she could jump closer to the opponent to continue the stun if they got too far away, and she could even swap sides to continue the stun. The move was adjusted so that it kept opponents on the ground, preventing it from re-stunning opponents and completely removing the infinite.

 

While Zero Suit Samus did receive notable direct nerfs in version 1.0.4, she did greatly benefit from the removal of [[LSI]] on moves with an angle between 65° to 115°, which indirectly buffed her overall (with the lower blast zones in the Wii U version further complimenting this). Zero Suit Samus has an array of effective vertical launching moves for comboing, primarily with her down throw, up aerial and Boost Kick, which she can use for powerful ladder combos. In early 3DS versions, however, those ladder combos were far less dangerous, as the opponent could utilise LSI on all of her main followups (down throw/up aerial/boost kick) to escape a ladder combo. LSI up was mainly effective, as it could get the opponent out of range of continuous up aerial followups or a Boost Kick ender, although LSI down could be more helpful at lower percents to fall out of the ladder combo, mainly for fast fallers. In version 1.0.4, however, it became impossible to LSI Zero Suit Samus's down throw, up aerial and Boost Kick, which made her ladder combos much more devastating. In earlier 3DS versions, ladder combos could be avoided consistently, and on flat ground especially, they should have never led to a KO against an experienced opponent, but from version 1.0.4, ladder combos could lead to guaranteed KOs at very low percents, and all the opponent could do was hope that the Zero Suit Samus player failed to follow their DI, or that they fall out of the Boost Kick ender and survive (although this could still lead to a KO depending on the scenario). Zero Suit Samus was by far one of the characters who benefitted the most from the altered LSI system, as it gave her a far more consistent and devastating combo game, making her a more effective character in version 1.0.4 despite her direct nerfs.

 

From updates [[1.0.6]] to [[1.1.3]], Zero Suit Samus remained largely unchanged. She did benefit from the changes to shields in updates [[1.1.0]] and [[1.1.1]], as they made her attacks considerably safer on shield (most notably, her aerials), and Zero Suit Samus still had an incredibly devastating frame 4 Out of Shield punish with Boost Kick, which stood out even more relative to the cast with the higher shieldstun and lower shield pushback. These changes did make her grab a less applicable guaranteed out of shield punish, although the reduced shield pushback did alleviate this to an extent.

Update [[1.1.4]], however, did bring a couple of nerfs to Zero Suit Samus. She became slightly lighter, but more notably, her Boost Kick's power was reduced, making it a worse KO option, especially near the upper blast zone, hindering her ladder combos. Her most substantial nerfs, however, came about in update [[1.1.5]]. Zero Suit Samus received various reductions to her damage output with her neutral aerial, up aerial and down throw all being affected. Her down throw in particular was nerfed the most significantly, as while its damage was reduced, its knockback was increased. This notably hindered Zero Suit Samus' ability to ladder combo at higher percents. She still had the ability to KO her opponents off of a grab at very low percents, but the window to do so was reduced due to the move's higher knockback, meaning that ZSS had to rely more on her other KO options at higher percents. Considering that Zero Suit Samus's down throw is a key part of her grab game, this change was fairly substantial. Grabs also had their active frames reduced, which made it harder for Zero Suit Samus to get the grab and start her down throw combos. While Zero Suit Samus did receive improvements to her back throw and Plasma Whip, these changes were far from enough to make up for the nerfs to her key tools for her main game plan.

 

Overall, while Zero Suit Samus greatly benefitted from the universal changes in update 1.0.4, she ultimately ended getting considerably nerfed by the end of the game's life. Version 1.0.4 gave Zero Suit Samus an incredibly effective combo game, but her nerfs noticeably reduced the effectiveness of her most devastating combo tools. Her down throw had its damage reduced and its knockback increased, her up aerial had its damage decreased, and Boost Kick had its knockback reduced, with Zero Suit Samus' main combo starter, extender and ender all being nerfed. Despite this, Zero Suit Samus still remained a highly effective character. While her ladder combos are not as devastating as they used to be, they can still be absolutely devastating, still being able to lead into a very early KO at low percents, especially with [[rage]]. Zero Suit Samus' main game plan was nerfed, but it was not removed, still making her a very strong character.

 

While Zero Suit Samus' tier placement in the vanilla version of the game is hard to determine due to its unoptimized nature and different mechanics, which significantly affected her, she was one of the absolute strongest characters in the game in earlier Wii U versions. Things were initially positive for Zero Suit Samus, with her staying the same while other top tiers were nerfed, being as high as a top 2 character at her peak. By update 1.1.4, however, Zero Suit Samus started to get nerfed, and new, powerful DLC characters were added, which did reduce her strength in the metagame. Update 1.1.5 was ultimately the final nail in the coffin, giving her more notable nerfs. By the end of the game's height of activity, Zero Suit Samus was typically seen as a character in the lower half of the top 10. While she still remained a very strong character, she was not as powerful as she used to be, and she had more competition at the top of the tier list.

|neutralname=Level Chop ({{ja|レベルチョップ|Reberu Choppu}}) / Gun Hook ({{ja|ガンフック|Gan Fukku}}) / Elbow Smash ({{ja|エルボースマッシュ|Erubõ Sumasshu}})

|ftiltname=Spin Kick ({{ja|スピンキック|Supin Kikku}})

|ftiltdesc=A roundhouse kick. It is useful for spacing and can be angled, with its downward angle being capable of [[trip]]ping opponents at low percentages.

|utiltname=Headstand Kick ({{ja|ヘッドスタンドキック|Heddosutando Kikku}})

|dtiltname=Ground Sweep ({{ja|グラウンドスイープ|Guraundo Suīpu}})

|dashname=Jumping Kneebutt ({{ja|ジャンピングニーバット|Janpingu Nībatto}})

|fsmashname=Jet Boot Kick ({{ja|ジェットブーツキック|Jetto Būtsu Kikku}})

|usmashname=Shocker String ({{ja|ショッカーストリング|Shokkā Sutoringu}})

|dsmashname=Slant Paralyzer<!--name from SSBU tips--> ({{ja|スラントパラライザー|Suranto Pararaizā}})

|nairname=Whip Guard ({{ja|ウィップガード|Wippu Gādo}})

|fairname=Twice Kick ({{ja|トワイスキック|Towaisu Kikku}})

|bairname=Sobat ({{ja|ソバット|Sobatto}})

|uairname=Air Kick ({{ja|エアキック|Ea Kikku}})

|uairdesc=A bicycle kick. Thanks to its minimal start-up and ending lag, very low base knockback and very high knockback scaling, it boasts excellent juggling potential. It can combo into itself at low percentages and, with sufficient [[rage]], it can combo into Boost Kick after a second one has been landed, leading to a KO. By extension, its very knockback scaling also grants it KO potential in spite of its low damage output. It KOs middleweights at 144% while near the upper [[blast line]] of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 136% in the ''Wii U'' version. However, its very low base knockback makes it unsafe on hit against characters that have a fast aerial attack to counter with.

|dairname=Slash Dive<!--name from SSBU tips--> ({{ja|スラッシュダイブ|Surasshu Daibu}})

|zairname=Aerial Plasma Whip ({{ja|空中プラズマウィップ|Kūchū Purazuma Wippu}})

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|pummelname=Grab Kneebutt ({{ja|つかみニーバット|Tsukami Nībatto}})

|fthrowname=Short Kick ({{ja|ショートキック|Shōto Kikku}})

|bthrowname=Kick Throw ({{ja|キックスルー|Kikku Surū}})

|uthrowname=Hold Somersault Kick ({{ja|ホールドサマーソルトキック|Hōrudo Samāsoruto Kikku}})

|dthrowname=Knee Stamp ({{ja|ニースタンプ|Nī Sutanpu}})

|nsdefdesc=Assumes a {{s|wikipedia|kneeling position}} to fire a paralyzing energy blast. It can be charged, which increases its damage output the duration of its paralysis, but at the cost of lowered speed. Targets hit by paralysis cannot be paralyzed again until making contact with the stage.

|dsc2name=Low Flip

==In [[competitive play]]==

''See also: [[:Category:Zero Suit Samus players (SSB4)]]''

*{{Sm|ANTi|USA}} - Although better known for using {{SSB4|Mario}}, ANTi has also used Zero Suit Samus as a common secondary in tournaments, using her to win crucial sets to place 2nd at both {{Trn|Port Priority 3: Tristate Throwdown}} and {{Trn|The Big House 6}}, as well as 7th at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2016}}. He was ultimately ranked 14th on the [[PGR 100]] with Zero Suit Samus as a secondary.

*{{Sm|Choco|Japan}} - One of the best Zero Suit Samus players of all-time, ranking 35th on the [[PGR 100]], and one of Japan's best players, known for being the runner-up at {{Trn|Umebura Niconico Qualifier}} and {{Trn|Umebura Smash 4 Final}}. Despite his achievements, he was notoriously underrated on the [[PGR]] for most of competitive ''Smash 4'' due to his performances being largely based in Japan, and wouldn't make a major impact internationally until his 7th-place run at {{Trn|EVO 2018}}.  

*{{Sm|Luhtie|USA}} - First known for his run to 5th at {{Trn|Rise 2017}} defeating {{Sm|Elegant}} and {{Sm|Tyrant}}, but this was quickly overshadowed by his win over {{Sm|ZeRo}} at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}}, where he ultimately placed 33rd. He has since seen many other strong performances at events, including placing 25th at the {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2017}} and {{Trn|2GGC: SCR Saga}} defeating {{Sm|Abadango}} in the former and {{Sm|AC}} in the latter. His performances in the latter half of 2017 led him to be ranked in the Area 51 position on the [[PGR v4]].

*{{Sm|Marss|USA}} - The second-best Zero Suit Samus player of all-time, ranked 16th on the [[PGR 100]], having dominated [[New England]] competitive play. He notably won {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 12}}, and has come close to winning several majors, having placed 2nd at {{Trn|The Big House 7}}, 3rd at {{Trn|Pound 2016}}, and 5th at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}}.

*{{Sm|Nairo|USA}} - The best Zero Suit Samus player of all-time, and one of the overall best ''Smash 4'' players of all-time, ranking no lower than 4th on any iteration of the [[PGR]] and ultimately ranking 2nd on the [[PGR 100]]. He is the only Zero Suit Samus player with major wins, with 10 major and supermajor victories including {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2016}} and {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2017}}. In addition, he is the first player to double-eliminate {{Sm|ZeRo}}, doing so at {{Trn|MLG World Finals 2015}}.

*{{Sm|quiK|Germany}} - The best Zero Suit Samus player in Europe and one of Europe's best players overall, ranking 6th on the [[European Smash 4 Power Rankings]] and regularly placing top 8 at Europe's largest events, including winning {{Trn|Albion 3}} and placing 3rd at {{Trn|Smash Valley}}, 5th at {{Trn|SALT}}, and 7th at {{Trn|Syndicate 2017}}. Outside of Europe, he notably placed 33rd at {{Trn|2GGC: Nairo Saga}} defeating {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}.

*{{Sm|shky|Japan}} - The second-best Zero Suit Samus player in Japan, breaking out onto the competitive scene in 2018 by placing 3rd at {{Trn|Umebura Tokaigi Qualifier 1}} and 7th at {{Trn|EVO Japan 2018}}, and remained a threat throughout the rest of competitive ''Smash 4'', placing 3rd at {{Trn|Sumabato 27}} and 7th at {{Trn|KVOxTSB 2018}}. He is the second Japanese player ranked on an iteration of the PGR without attending an international event, ranking 41st on the [[PGR v5]].

Zero Suit Samus was widely viewed as a top-tier character ever since ''SSB4'' was released. She became infamous for her highly rewarding grab combos that could lead into early KOs; varied methods of setting up KOs with her back and down throws, down smash, and Paralyzer; her ability to escape pressure with her aerial mobility and down special; and the incredible safety of her electric attacks like her neutral aerial, which she received in update [[1.1.1]]. However, she also has a few weaknesses, such as her laggy grab and lackluster ground game. Although players would often point out both her weaknesses and her representation only being above average for a perceived top-tier character, Zero Suit Samus' weaknesses were also perceived as negligible. Additionally, her top-tier status was supplemented by the efforts of many dedicated professionals, who dominated their respective regions with her and whose tournament results were sufficient enough to position her as the second best character in the game in the eyes of most players.

Among these dedicated professionals was {{Sm|Nairo}}, who quickly established himself as one of the best players in the world after regularly achieving top 8 placings at major tournaments, winning several of them, and becoming the first person to eliminate {{Sm|ZeRo}}, the undisputed best player in the world at the time, from a tournament. Several other Zero Suit Samus players also made strong impacts on the metagame, including {{Sm|Marss}} and {{Sm|NickRiddle}}. Thanks to these very strong tournament results, Zero Suit Samus was ranked 2nd on the first tier list.

However, Zero Suit Samus received nerfs from game updates, with update 1.1.5 providing her most significant ones by exacerbating her grab game's lag issues and somewhat toning down her immense strengths. These nerfs ultimately affected her results, with some of her main players eventually being outperformed by other characters, such as {{SSB4|Cloud}}, which in turn saw her playerbase slightly shrink. Zero Suit Samus' downturn was reflected in her next few tier placements, as she lost her top 3 status by being ranked 8th on the second tier list, and then lost her top 10 status by being ranked 11th on the third tier list.

However, this downturn of events was reversed following the release of the third tier list, as Zero Suit Samus saw a spike in results thanks to Nairo and Marss' continued success at majors and {{Sm|Choco}}'s strong performances in the Japanese scene. In addition, the nerfs did little to hinder her threatening ladder combos, which remained a core part of her playstyle. As such, many Smashers believed she had been severely underrated on the third tier list, especially when her results were more impressive than some characters ranked above her, including {{SSB4|Sheik}} and {{SSB4|Mario}}. Although a few top players remained adamant that Zero Suit Samus was not as strong as many perceived, she ultimately rose back into the top 10 on the fourth and final tier list, ranking 6th. This placement remained mostly agreed upon for the rest of competitive ''Smash 4'', especially with continued success from her best players and the rise of {{Sm|shky}} in the game's final year.

==In Solo Modes==

In All-Star Mode, Zero Suit Samus is fought in Stage 6 in the 3DS version or Stage 2 in the Wii U version alongside {{SSB4|Roy}}, {{SSB4|Ike}}, {{SSB4|Lucas}}, {{SSB4|Olimar}}, {{SSB4|Lucario}}, {{SSB4|Toon Link}}, {{SSB4|Villager}}, and {{SSB4|Bowser Jr.}}

==={{GameIcon|SSB4-U}}[[Event Match]]es===

====Solo Events====

* '''[[A Situation of some Gravity]]''': Zero Suit Samus must defeat {{SSB4|Rosalina & Luma}} while she is affected by high gravity.

* '''[[All-Star Battle: Brawl]]''': Zero Suit Samus is one of the opponents fought in this event. All of the opponents debuted in ''Brawl''.

* '''[[Bounty Hunter Clash]]''': As {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}}, the player must defeat Zero Suit Samus. After some time, two {{SSB4|Villager}}s will appear and must be defeated as well.

* '''[[Identity Crisis]]''': As {{SSB4|Zelda}} and {{SSB4|Sheik}}, the player must defeat Zero Suit Samus and {{SSB4|Samus}}.

* '''[[Peach in Peril]]''': {{SSB4|Bowser}} and {{SSB4|Bowser Jr.}} must defeat Zero Suit Samus, Rosalina & Luma, Zelda, {{SSB4|Wii Fit Trainer}} and female {{SSB4|Robin}}, but not {{SSB4|Peach}}. KOing Peach results into an instant failure.

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

SSB4-Wii U Congratulations Classic Zero Suit Samus.png|Classic Mode

SSB4-Wii U Congratulations All-Star Zero Suit Samus.png|All-Star Mode

==[[Trophies]]==

Zero Suit Samus's default trophy is obtained by clearing Classic Mode as Zero Suit Samus. Her alternate trophy is obtained by clearing All-Star Mode as Zero Suit Samus in the 3DS version or purchasing it in the Trophy Shop for 1000G in the Wii U version. The Gunship (Zero Suit Samus) trophy is obtained only in the Wii U version by clearing All-Star Mode as Zero Suit Samus.

{{Trophy/Fighter

|name=Zero Suit Samus

|image-3ds=ZeroSuitSamusTrophy3DS.png

|image-wiiu=ZeroSuitSamusTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-ntsc=Samus is far from helpless when her Power Suit is deactivated. Sure, she loses a lot of the moves and weapons she had access to before, but her Jet Boots pick up the slack! She also has the Paralyzer, a versatile weapon that can shock her rivals or change into a Plasma Whip to grab edges and enemies.

|desc-pal=Without her Power Suit, Samus Aran may not have her usual strength, special moves or over-powered arm cannon, but her Jet Boots definitely kick things up a notch in their own way. The Paralyzer, her gun, does just what you'd expect it to, but it can also turn into a whip for attacking and grabbing onto edges while falling.

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=GBA|game1=Metroid: Zero Mission|release1=02/2004|console2=Wii|game2=Metroid: Other M|release2=08/2010}}

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=GBA|game1=Metroid: Zero Mission|release1=04/2004|console2=Wii|game2=Metroid: Other M|release2=09/2010}}

{{clrl}}

|name=Zero Suit Samus (Alt.)

|image-3ds=ZeroSuitSamusAltTrophy3DS.png

|image-wiiu=ZeroSuitSamusAltTrophyWiiU.png

|mode=Alt

|desc-3ds-ntsc=Zero Suit Samus's up special Boost Kick involves a series of fast kicks that end with a swift, sideways-launching one. A perfectly executed attack will hit eight times! Her down special Flip Jump can bury a grounded fighter in the dirt. She can kick midflip by pressing the special button.

|desc-wiiu-ntsc=Zero Suit Samus's up special Boost Kick involves a series of fast kicks that ends with a swift, sideways-launching one. A perfectly executed attack will hit eight times! Her down special Flip Jump can bury a grounded fighter in the dirt. She can kick midflip by pressing the special button.

|desc-pal=Zero Suit Samus's Boost Kick up special finishes with a swift sideways kick. If you start the move close to an opponent, you can hit them up to eight times and launch them sideways! Her main down special, Flip Jump, buries opponents if you land on them at the end of it. Alternatively, press the button again mid-flip for a drop kick.

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=GBA|game1=Metroid: Zero Mission|release1=02/2004|console2=Wii|game2=Metroid: Other M|release2=08/2010}}

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=GBA|game1=Metroid: Zero Mission|release1=04/2004|console2=Wii|game2=Metroid: Other M|release2=09/2010}}

{{clrl}}

 

|image=GunshipFinalSmashTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-ntsc=Samus's spaceship carries her through space and serves as her base of operations during her missions. Zero Suit Samus will call down and board her Gunship with her Final Smash. Once she's in the pilot's seat, she has a short time to unleash up to five powerful shots from the ship's weapons. Foes aren't safe even hiding off-screen!

|desc-pal=Samus's Gunship is her way of travelling through space and her base of operations when exploring hostile planets. In Zero Suit Samus's Final Smash, she can use her Gunship to fire powerful beams at other fighters, hitting them multiple times, even if they're hiding off-screen! At least they can be thankful it doesn't go on forever.

*Zero Suit Samus is the only character who has more than one method of accessing their [[tether recovery]].