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Incineroar (SSBU) (edit)

Revision as of 17:51, September 17, 2023

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adding an introduction to the best of my abilites and doing some general cleanup; removed the comparison to Ganondorf which is unnecessary and breaks the flow of the attributes section
m (adding an introduction to the best of my abilites and doing some general cleanup; removed the comparison to Ganondorf which is unnecessary and breaks the flow of the attributes section)
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{{iw|wikipedia|Tyler Bunch}} (credited as "H.D. Quinn"), who voices {{iw|bulbapedia|Ash's Incineroar}} and {{iw|bulbapedia|Professor Kukui's Incineroar}} in the English dub of ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon}}'', reprises his role. In Japanese, Incineroar is voiced by {{iw|wikipedia|Unshō Ishizuka}}, who passed away 2 months and 19 days before Incineroar's reveal. Incineroar also has different voice actors for the French and German versions due to its name being different in those languages, being voiced by Frédéric Clou in French and an unidentified voice actor in German.
{{iw|wikipedia|Tyler Bunch}} (credited as "H.D. Quinn"), who voices {{iw|bulbapedia|Ash's Incineroar}} and {{iw|bulbapedia|Professor Kukui's Incineroar}} in the English dub of ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon}}'', reprises his role. In Japanese, Incineroar is voiced by {{iw|wikipedia|Unshō Ishizuka}}, who passed away 2 months and 19 days before Incineroar's reveal. Incineroar also has different voice actors for the French and German versions due to its name being different in those languages, being voiced by Frédéric Clou in French and an unidentified voice actor in German.


Incineroar is ranked 64th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the C+ tier.
Incineroar is ranked 64th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the C+ tier. Incineroar's main strength is its high damage power especially when fighting up close. It has several moves that have fast frame data and large hitboxes, which allows it to rack up damage quickly. In addition, Incineroar possesses several strong KO options, including three of its throws, [[Alolan Whip]], and most of its aerials. All of its moves are further powered up thanks to [[Revenge]], which allows Incineroar to not only tank a hit, but also deal even more damage the next time it attacks. Finally, Revenge and Incineroar's heavyweight allow it to survive to higher percents and take advantage of rage, making it even deadlier.
 
However, Incineroar also has several weaknesses, most notably its sluggish movement in both the air and on the ground; its walking and dashing speed are the slowest in the game. This gives Incineroar a poor [[neutral game]], which combined with a lack of projectiles and somewhat short range, means it can have trouble getting close to those that can camp or outrange it. Furthermore, its KO moves are also somewhat inconsistent, as many of its moves either have sourspots that deal less damage and knockback or have poor knockback scaling; Revenge also does not last forever as there are several ways for it to disappear, including getting grabbed. This leads to Incineroar having to rely on either its throws or Alolan Whip to KO, which can become predictable. Finally, Incineroar's recovery is also lackluster due to [[Cross Chop]]'s limited horizontal distance if not used above or near the stage, which can lead into a [[self-destruct]] if not positioned properly.
 
Overall, Incineroar is most effective when fighting and pressuring players up-close, but it has trouble against those that can outspeed or outrange it. Although initial results from Incineroar were lackluster, they have since noticeably improved thanks to the efforts of players such as {{Sm|Skyjay}}.


==How to unlock==
==How to unlock==
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Finally, [[Revenge]] is a unique [[counterattack]] that retaliates with a weak hit, but stores a stackable power increase that affects Incineroar's next move; with a sufficiently strong buff, it grants exorbitantly powerful punishes, with moves such as its smashes, Darkest Lariat, Alolan Whip, and most infamously back throw turning into some of the strongest attacks in the game. While the buff lasts for one successful move, it is not lost should the attack hit an opponent's shield, making Incineroar's moves generally safe on block and can even result in the opponent's shield being broken if they keep shielding, leading to their doom. The buff does eventually go away if Incineroar uses too many moves without landing a hit, or if Incineroar itself is hit enough times, or if Incineroar is grabbed and thrown by an opponent. Revenge's buff is not lost upon hitting the failed version of Alolan Whip, but is lost upon hitting the first neutral attack if you do not complete the jab combo.
Finally, [[Revenge]] is a unique [[counterattack]] that retaliates with a weak hit, but stores a stackable power increase that affects Incineroar's next move; with a sufficiently strong buff, it grants exorbitantly powerful punishes, with moves such as its smashes, Darkest Lariat, Alolan Whip, and most infamously back throw turning into some of the strongest attacks in the game. While the buff lasts for one successful move, it is not lost should the attack hit an opponent's shield, making Incineroar's moves generally safe on block and can even result in the opponent's shield being broken if they keep shielding, leading to their doom. The buff does eventually go away if Incineroar uses too many moves without landing a hit, or if Incineroar itself is hit enough times, or if Incineroar is grabbed and thrown by an opponent. Revenge's buff is not lost upon hitting the failed version of Alolan Whip, but is lost upon hitting the first neutral attack if you do not complete the jab combo.


However, Incineroar's powerful abilities come at a severe cost. Its biggest issue comes from its poor [[neutral game]]. As mentioned before, Incineroar possesses abysmal mobility; when combined with a lack of a [[projectile]], this makes it very easy to zone out and gives it a terrible approach. While the hitboxes on its moves are large, Incineroar's overall [[range]] remains somewhat short, so any sufficiently long-ranged projectile or [[disjoint]]ed range can be enough to keep Incineroar at bay. This is especially troublesome considering the cast is also full of characters with either greater mobility (like {{SSBU|Sonic}} or {{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}}), superior melee range (like {{SSBU|Marth}} or {{SSBU|Donkey Kong}}), good zoning games (like {{SSBU|Villager}} or {{SSBU|Min Min}}), or in some cases, all three points (like {{SSBU|Wolf}} or {{SSBU|Palutena}}).
However, Incineroar's powerful abilities come at a severe cost. Its biggest issue comes from its poor [[neutral game]]. As mentioned before, Incineroar possesses abysmal mobility; when combined with a lack of a [[projectile]], this makes it very easy to zone out and gives it a terrible approach. While the hitboxes on its moves are large, Incineroar's overall [[range]] remains somewhat short, so any sufficiently long-ranged projectile or [[disjoint]]ed range can be enough to keep Incineroar at bay. This is especially troublesome considering the cast is also full of characters with either greater mobility (such as {{SSBU|Sonic}}), superior melee range (such as {{SSBU|Lucina}}), good zoning games (such as {{SSBU|Min Min}}), or in some cases, all three points (such as {{SSBU|Wolf}}).


Further adding to this is Incineroar's poor air game: although moves like neutral aerial offer good utility, and forward and back aerials have the range to outspace opponents, none of Incineroar's aerials can autocancel from a short hop aside from up aerial (with forward aerial not autocanceling even from a full hop). This significantly limits their use in the neutral game, as their poor autocancel windows make them unable for approaching reliably. In bulk, this gives Incineroar one of the most lackluster neutral games of any character, being one of the characters with the most trouble at getting close to opponents to begin with, and forces it to heavily rely on bait-and-punish tactics in order to get in.
Further adding to this is Incineroar's poor air game: although moves like neutral aerial offer good utility, and forward and back aerials have the range to outspace opponents, none of Incineroar's aerials can autocancel from a short hop aside from up aerial (with forward aerial not autocanceling even from a full hop). This significantly limits their use in the neutral game, as their poor autocancel windows make them unable for approaching reliably. In bulk, this gives Incineroar one of the most lackluster neutral games of any character, being one of the characters with the most trouble at getting close to opponents to begin with, and forces it to heavily rely on bait-and-punish tactics in order to get in.
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Although its frame data gives it less of an issue breaking out of combos and rushdown tactics, its only reliable options to break through such tactics are neutral aerial, Darkest Lariat, and Revenge; all of which are exceptionally simple to punish predicted. If it is unable to break through combos, its slow mobility can leave it very vulnerable to constant aggression, in addition to being vulnerable to zoning and spacing. Its poor neutral game further contributes to this, as it can make it very difficult for Incineroar to even get back to a position where it can try to exploit the opponent's offense or defense. Despite its fast falling speed, Incineroar's slow air speed also leaves it vulnerable to juggling. Altogether, all these flaws collectively result in Incineroar having a poor disadvantage state.
Although its frame data gives it less of an issue breaking out of combos and rushdown tactics, its only reliable options to break through such tactics are neutral aerial, Darkest Lariat, and Revenge; all of which are exceptionally simple to punish predicted. If it is unable to break through combos, its slow mobility can leave it very vulnerable to constant aggression, in addition to being vulnerable to zoning and spacing. Its poor neutral game further contributes to this, as it can make it very difficult for Incineroar to even get back to a position where it can try to exploit the opponent's offense or defense. Despite its fast falling speed, Incineroar's slow air speed also leaves it vulnerable to juggling. Altogether, all these flaws collectively result in Incineroar having a poor disadvantage state.


Finally, although its moveset has greatly damaging options, Incineroar has surprisingly inconsistent KO potential compared to many of its fellow super heavyweights. While its throws are among the strongest in the game and many of its other moves possess high knockback at low percentages as a result of their high base knockback, their knockback doesn't increase quickly due to their low knockback scaling. Notable examples of this are neutral and back aerials, back throw, Darkest Lariat and Alolan Whip's back body drop. Notably, some of Incineroar's moves require landing a sweetspot in order to attain their maximum knockback; notable cases include forward tilt (despite the sweetspot being the strongest in the game), forward smash, and both forward and back aerials.
Although its moveset has greatly damaging options, Incineroar has surprisingly inconsistent KO potential compared to many of its fellow super heavyweights. While its throws are among the strongest in the game and many of its other moves possess high knockback at low percentages as a result of their high base knockback, their knockback doesn't increase quickly due to their low knockback scaling. Notable examples of this are neutral and back aerials, back throw, Darkest Lariat and Alolan Whip's back body drop. Notably, some of Incineroar's moves require landing a sweetspot in order to attain their maximum knockback; notable cases include forward tilt (despite the sweetspot being the strongest in the game), forward smash, and both forward and back aerials.


Finally, disregarding its up throw, Incineroar has the worst vertical KO potential of the super heavyweights. Up tilt, up aerial, and Alolan Whip's back body drop all have lackluster power, while its up smash, while powerful, is relatively slow for an out of shield option. Revenge can alleviate this issue to a degree, but this requires Incineroar to read the opponent's attack in the first place. In addition, the buff is lost once it has successfully landed an attack, meaning that if Incineroar is forced to attack with one of its weaker moves, it is possible to waste the buff entirely. The buff can also be gradually lost by attacking Incineroar, by waiting after approximately 60 seconds (which is possible due to Incineroar's susceptibility to being outranged or camped), or outright wasted by throwing Incineroar via a regular grab or a command grab, further adding to its inconsistency.
Finally, disregarding its up throw, Incineroar has the worst vertical KO potential of the super heavyweights. Up tilt, up aerial, and Alolan Whip's back body drop all have lackluster power, while its up smash, while powerful, is relatively slow for an out of shield option. Revenge can alleviate this issue to a degree, but this requires Incineroar to read the opponent's attack in the first place. In addition, the buff is lost once it has successfully landed an attack, meaning that if Incineroar is forced to attack with one of its weaker moves, it is possible to waste the buff entirely. The buff can also be gradually lost by attacking Incineroar, by waiting after approximately 60 seconds (which is possible due to Incineroar's susceptibility to being outranged or camped), or outright wasted by throwing Incineroar via a regular grab or a command grab, further adding to its inconsistency.


In the end, Incineroar falls within the "grappler" playstyle archetype, which notoriously requires a very specific playstyle to be effective. Incineroar excels at taking advantage of close-range openings, where it can land powerful blows or start consistent combos that rack up damage quickly in only a few hits, all while being difficult for an opponent to punish due to its staying power, relative safety on shield and heavy punish abilities, making Incineroar very formidable once it wins the neutral game and gets in close. However, while it has an incredible overall damage output, it suffers inconsistent KO potential that is mostly reliant on its throws and side special, making it predictable when it comes to scoring a KO.
In the end, Incineroar falls within the "grappler" playstyle archetype, which notoriously requires a very specific playstyle to be effective. Incineroar excels at taking advantage of close-range openings, where it can land powerful blows or start consistent combos that rack up damage quickly in only a few hits, all while being difficult for an opponent to punish due to its staying power, relative safety on shield and heavy punish abilities, making Incineroar very formidable once it wins the neutral game and gets in close. However, while it has an incredible overall damage output, it suffers inconsistent KO potential that is mostly reliant on its throws and side special, making it predictable when it comes to scoring a KO.
Additionally, Incineroar suffers from issues similar to {{SSBU|Ganondorf}}, where its poor mobility, middling range, and lack of both a projectile and reliable approach options collectively make it very susceptible to being kept in check and paying a costly price for any wide openings on its end despite having better options to break pressure at close quarters. Because of this, Incineroar is a "high risk, high reward" type of character, and benefits from a patient, largely bait-and-punish oriented playstyle in order to achieve the same momentum its fellow super heavyweights can.
Unlike Ganondorf, Incineroar is typically considered a lower-end mid tier character, and is a popular choice at lower levels of play because of its attributes and moveset resulting in ludicrous and extravagant punishes that can easily KO an unaware player. Incineroar is uncommon at the highest levels of play, though Incineroar players have made some splashes at majors. {{Sm|Skyjay}}, in particular, has recently made significant contributions at the top level to Incineroar's metagame, although it is uncertain how Incineroar will fare in the long run.


==Update history==
==Update history==
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==In [[competitive play]]==
==In [[competitive play]]==
===Tier placement and history===
At the start of ''Ultimate'', Incineroar was considered a mid-tier fighter by most professionals, thanks to its respectable combo potential, its high overall damage output being bolstered by [[Revenge]], its back throw being strong enough to potentially KO earlier than {{SSBU|Ness}}' back throw, and [[Cross Chop]] being a potent, albeit [[self-destruct]]ive [[Kill confirm|KO confirm]] from down throw. Incineroar also attained a decent amount of success from players, especially {{Sm|Magister}}, who placed well at both regional and national tournaments.
However, as the metagame progressed, Incineroar saw limited representation and below-average results at major tournaments. Magister's tournament attendance would also begin to wane while also achieving less sucessful placements at tournaments that he did attend. Although Incineroar has received useful buffs via game updates, especially in regard to its poor recovery, its results continued to decline. As a result, most professionals began to consider Incineroar as a low tier or even bottom tier fighter.
As of 2021 however, Incineroar's results have improved thanks to dedicated mains. {{Sm|Skyjay}}, in particular, reached new heights with Incineroar by defeating several top players and achieving consistent top 48 placements at major tournaments; he even reached 2nd place at {{Trn|Collision 2023}} using solo Incineroar, which is the best tournament result for Incineroar in the entire competitive history of ''Ultimate''. In addition, several other Incineroar players have continuously achieved respectable placements at a regional level. Due to this rise in representation, opinions on Incineroar have shifted positively: some professionals (such as {{Sm|Dabuz}}) once again view it as a mid tier fighter, whereas others (such as {{Sm|ESAM}}) believe that Incineroar is potentially capable of rising beyond the mid tier. Overall, the competitive community's general consensus is that Incineroar is a solidly capable mid tier fighter in spite of its rather small playerbase, with it ranking 64th on the first and current tier list.
===Most historically significant players===
===Most historically significant players===
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*{{Sm|Magister|USA}} - The first Incineroar player to garner significant results and was the best Incineroar player in the world in the early metagame. He was the first Incineroar player ranked in the top 100 on a notable global ranking, ranking 93rd on the [[OrionRank Ultimate: Six Months In]]. He also placed top 64 at several majors including 25th at the supermajor {{Trn|GENESIS 6}} and 33rd at {{Trn|2GG: Prime Saga}} and {{Trn|Glitch 8 - Missingno}}. He has not entered a notable tournament since 2020.
*{{Sm|Magister|USA}} - The first Incineroar player to garner significant results and was the best Incineroar player in the world in the early metagame. He was the first Incineroar player ranked in the top 100 on a notable global ranking, ranking 93rd on the [[OrionRank Ultimate: Six Months In]]. He also placed top 64 at several majors including 25th at the supermajor {{Trn|GENESIS 6}} and 33rd at {{Trn|2GG: Prime Saga}} and {{Trn|Glitch 8 - Missingno}}. He has not entered a notable tournament since 2020.
*{{Sm|Nanon|Mexico}} - One of the best Incineroar players in the early metagame. Regularly placed top 64 at Mexican events, including 9th at the superregional {{Trn|BIT MASTER MTY 8}}, 13th at the superregional {{Trn|Bit Master Mty 10}}, and 33rd at the major {{Trn|Smash Factor 8}}.  
*{{Sm|Nanon|Mexico}} - One of the best Incineroar players in the early metagame. Regularly placed top 64 at Mexican events, including 9th at the superregional {{Trn|BIT MASTER MTY 8}}, 13th at the superregional {{Trn|Bit Master Mty 10}}, and 33rd at the major {{Trn|Smash Factor 8}}.  
*{{Sm|Skyjay|Mexico}} - The best Incineroar player of all-time, and one of the best Mexican players in the post-online metagame. He is the only Incineroar player to place top 8 at majors, most notably placing 2nd at the supermajor {{Trn|Collision 2023}}. He has also placed 4th at the major {{Trn|Delfino Maza 2023}} and 5th at the major {{Trn|Smash Ultimate Summit 6}}. He is also the only Incineroar player who was ranked in the top 50 on a notable global power ranking, with his highest ranking being 23rd on the [[LumiRank Mid-Year 2023]].
*{{Sm|Skyjay|Mexico}} - The best Incineroar player of all-time, and one of the best Mexican players in the post-online metagame. He is the only Incineroar player to place top 8 at majors, most notably placing 2nd at the supermajor {{Trn|Collision 2023}}. He is also the only Incineroar player who was ranked in the top 50 on a notable global power ranking, with his highest ranking being 23rd on the [[LumiRank Mid-Year 2023]].
 
===Tier placement and history===
At the start of ''Ultimate'', Incineroar was considered a mid-tier fighter by most professionals thanks to its raw power and threatening KO potential. Incineroar also attained a decent amount of success from players, especially {{Sm|Magister}}, who placed well at both regional and majors. However, as the metagame progressed, Incineroar's sluggish movement began to work against it as it was unable to keep up with the fast, agile characters that were in the metagame. Likewise, Incineroar's representation also suffered, especially following Magister's lower activity and performance. As such, opinions on Incineroar fell, with many professionals considering him to be a low-tier or even bottom-tier character.
 
The post-pandemic metagame saw a revival for Incineroar as dedicated mains began showcasing Incineroar's grappler archetype, specifically its high damage and KO potential. In particular, {{Sm|Skyjay}}'s greater presence on the national scene helped improve Incineroar's representation as Skyjay began consistently placing highly at majors, becoming a consistent top 50 threat by the end of 2021. Due to Incineroar's improving results, players have since reassessed Incineroar as a mid-tier, which is reflected in its position on the current tier list, where it is ranked 64th as a lower-mid tier. Even still, some players believe Incineroar has potential to be ranked higher, as Skyjay's results continued to improve after the release of the tier list, including placing 2nd at the supermajor {{Trn|Collision 2023}}.


=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Burning Pro Wrestling Spirit!==
=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Burning Pro Wrestling Spirit!==
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