R.O.B. (SSBU): Difference between revisions

Arguably R.O.B.'s most impactful buff is to [[Arm Rotor]]. Previously universally regarded as one of the worst attacks in ''SSB4'', it executes faster, with faster startup lag and less ending lag, and has larger hitboxes with improved angles that connect with each other much better. This not only significantly improves its use as an [[edgeguarding]] option, but when combined with the other changes made to his moveset, it has now become one of the most devastating combo finishers in ''Ultimate'', granting R.O.B. potential [[zero-to-death combo]]s and allowing him to KO opponents at absurdly early percentages.

Several of R.O.B.'s attacks have received quality of life changes that improve their utility. [[Forward smash]] and [[back aerial]] deal more knockback, granting them increased KO potential and toning down one of R.O.B.'s previous weaknesses. [[Up tilt]] has had its first hit's hitbox from ''Brawl'' restored, increasing its range and reliability. [[Down smash]] also launches opponents at a consistent angle, improving its consistency all around. [[Robo Beam]] has larger hitboxes and launches at lower angles, improving their effectiveness as edgeguarding options. [[Gyro]] has also been significantly buffed: it can now be returned to the dock once R.O.B. has grabbed it to charge it again and fire it with less startup, as opposed to tossing it once he has grabbed it. It can also now be jump-canceled. These changes grant R.O.B. even more potential combo routes and give him more safe options against opponents.

R.O.B. also benefits from most of the universal changes to the game's engine. The universal increase in mobility and the ability to [[dash-canceling|use any attack out of a run]] allows him to close out the distance more effectively and compounds his improved up-close game. The universally increased shieldstun for grounded attacks has also been fairly beneficial to R.O.B., as it makes his very fast and decently-ranged down tilt safer on shield. The universal decrease to landing lag noticeably improves R.O.B.'s combo game as well; aside from changes made to his Arm Rotor, they make up aerial's looping hits more viable for starting combos, and neutral aerial's reduced start-up lag coupled with its decreased landing lag noticeably improves its combo potential and makes it a safer option when landing. Lastly, the changes to [[air dodge]]s benefit R.O.B., as they allow him to edgeguard his opponents more effectively and use a directional air dodge out of Robo Burner to gain more distance, improving his already excellent recovery.

R.O.B has received a mix of [[buff]]s and [[nerf]]s via game updates, but has been slightly nerfed overall. The removal of Gyro canceling was significant, as it effectively removed several movement options and advanced techniques R.O.B. could do in previous games. R.O.B was affected more than most other characters during version 3.0.0 with the universal projectile shield damage nerf and the down tilt loop became harder to set up in version 4.0.0, with buffs being quality of life updates to make moves connect more consistently.

Overall, while faring slightly worse than at launch, R.O.B. remains highly viable in the competitive scene and is seen as a high tier character throughout the game's lifespan.

|neutraldesc=Two alternating {{iw|wikipedia|hook|boxing}}s. Both of its hits hit on frame 3, which ties it with down tilt as R.O.B.'s fastest attack. Its first hit can be repeated by holding the attack button, and can also jab lock opponents, while the second hit is useful for spacing.

|ftiltdesc=A lunging hook that can be angled. Can setup tech chases at mid-percents and the sweetspot on the tip of ROB's arm KOs at 150% near the ledge. Angled down, it can also hit many ledge hangs.

|utiltdesc=Quickly thrusts his arms upward. It combos into itself and up aerial at a wide range of percents. Between 80-110%, it KO confirms into up aerial if initiated with an instant double jump. Useful as an anti-air and as a platform pressure tool, but has minimal horizontal range.

|dtiltdesc=Quickly thrusts his arms diagonally downward. It hits on frame 3, which ties it with neutral attack as R.O.B.'s fastest attack. Widely considered by many to be the best down tilt in the game and one of the best moves in the game overall due to its fast startup, low ending lag, good range, safety on shield, shield pressuring ability, chance to trip, and use as a combo starter and extender.  

|dashdesc=A double [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Forearm club|forearm club]]. Combos into forward air at low and mid-percents, as well as a Gyro toss if dash attack was used to pick up the Gyro.

|fsmashdesc=Fires a energy blast forwards, similar to the uncharged [[Robo Beam]]. Although this move has poor startup and is very punishable, the strongest hitbox closest to R.O.B.'s eyes deals high knockback, KOing around 75% near the ledge. It can also be angled, allowing it to catch jumps and ledge options. Most useful as a dash-back whiff punish option or as a jab lock finisher.

|usmashdesc=Handstands and activates his thrusters to emit a [[Flame|fiery]] blast upward. It hits on frame 10, which is fast for a smash attack. It also has deceptive horizontal range on the ground, thanks to R.O.B.'s arms having hitboxes that launch opponents into the thrusters' hitboxes, the latter of which are very powerful, KOing around 100%. With precise timing and spacing, it can be combo'd into from a down tilt around 90-100%. It is also a useful [[out of shield]] option. However, it has high ending lag and is very punishable.

|dsmashdesc=Lowers his torso and spins many times doing a [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|discus clothesline]], similarly to [[Arm Rotor]]. It hits on frame 7, which is very fast for a smash attack. Thanks to it being a [[semi-spike]] and its last hit's very high knockback growth, it KOs at middleweights at 129% while near the edge, and is very effective for edge-guarding. However, its base hitboxes launch the opponent behind R.O.B., which means that he must face away from the edge when attempting to use this move in order to properly launch the opponent offstage. Like forward and up smash, it also has high ending lag.

|nairdesc=Activates his thrusters and somersaults and emit a fiery blast in a circular motion. Its large hitbox, very minimal landing lag, and ability to autocancel with a short hop collectively make it very useful for spacing, approaching and starting combos. If [[SHFF]]'d, it can reliably combo into forward air, Arm Rotor, or up air. It is also R.O.B.'s best landing option and is safe on shield. However, due to it hitting on frame 14, it is one of the slowest aerials of its type and can be stuffed out by faster aerials.

|fairdesc=Swings his arms forwards. It hits on frame 6, making it R.O.B.'s fastest aerial. It is also ideal for spacing when [[SHFF]]'d, has minimal landing lag, and is decent for edge-guarding. Hitting a landing Fair after a fast-fall combos into down tilt and leads to tech chases. However, it lacks KO potential because of its average damage output and very low base knockback. It is also R.O.B.'s only aerial that does not have a disjointed hitbox.

|bairdesc=Leans forward and activates his thrusters to emit a fiery blast behind him. Very high power, but is very slow, coming out on frame 19, and has several sourspots. Back aerial can also be used for horizontal recovery, as it slightly propels him forward and does not consume [[Robo Burner]]'s fuel, and due to it briefly halting R.O.B.'s momentum, it can autocancel in a short hop, just like his other aerials. One of the strongest back airs in the game, KOing around 80% at the ledge. Can be combo'd into from a reverse landing nair.

|uairdesc=Rapidly spins his arms upwards. It is R.O.B.'s second fastest aerial attack. It is down throw's most reliable follow-up from low to medium percentages. It is also useful for juggling and KOing, as its loop hits keep the opponent trapped reliably, whereas its last hit's extremely high knockback growth enables it to KO middleweights at 115% while near the upper [[blast line]]. It can also auto-cancel with a short hop.

|dairdesc=Activates his thrusters to emit a fiery blast downward. The middle portion of the blast is a powerful [[meteor smash]], which makes it a very potent edge-guarding option, especially after an [[Edge-guarding#Ledge trump|edge trump]] if the opponent re-grabs the edge. Auto-cancels in a short hop due to it stopping R.O.B.'s momentum for a while. Due to it hitting on frame 20 and having 43 frames of ending lag, it is R.O.B.'s slowest aerial. When coupled with its 12 frames of landing lag, it is punishable if it is not spaced properly and auto-canceled, though not to the same extent as in ''SSB4''.

|grabdesc=[[wikipedia:Clinch fighting|Clinches]] the opponent. All of R.O.B's grabs are extremely fast, but have terrible range.

|pummeldesc=A headbutt.

|fthrowdesc=While holding the opponent in his hand, R.O.B. pulls his arm back and then flings it forward, throwing them away. Combos into dash attack or forward air at low percents.

|bthrowdesc=Flings the opponent behind him with both of his arms. If fully charged beforehand, Gyro can follow up from a back throw from low to mid percentages. Additionally, dash attack and forward air combo out of back throw at low percents.

|uthrowdesc=A [[Wikipedia:Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Reverse piledriver|jumping reverse piledriver]]. It can combo reliably into forward air, forward tilt, or up air at a wide range of percents. It is also a useful KO throw, KOing around 160% from ground level and even earlier if R.O.B. has rage and/or lands on a platform.

|dthrowdesc=R.O.B. flips the opponent over and drills them into the ground headfirst, [[bury]]ing them. Depending on the opponent's mashing, R.O.B. can follow up with an up tilt, up air, up smash, or down smash.

|edgedesc=Swings his base forward and activates his thrusters to emit a fiery blast forward while climbing up. Despite the appearance, it doesn't possess a flame hitbox.

|nsdesc=An optical laser with 3 different levels: '''Uncharged Robo Beam''', '''Robo Beam''', and '''Super Robo Beam'''. Uncharged Robo Beam is a very small energy blast instead of a laser, and can only damage opponents at point-blank range. However, it can be fired consecutively and has deceptively high knockback growth, which allows it to ward off nearby opponents. Conversely, both Robo Beam and Super Robo Beam can damage opponents from afar and ricochet, but cannot be fired consecutively. Robo Beam and Super Robo Beam also deal noticeably more damage when fired at point-blank range. It is one of R.O.B.'s options for zoning alongside Gyro, with Robo Beam being better for his neutral game, while Super Robo Beam is better for surprising opponents. Landing a Super Robo Beam can situationally combo into a gyro toss, dash attack, or forward air.

|ssdesc=Rapidly spins his torso around to perform a series of discus clotheslines that concludes with an uppercut. Mashing the special button extends the duration of the move. It can also [[reflect]] projectiles and move R.O.B. forward or backward while the [[control stick]] is tilted in the respective direction. An infamous combo finisher, possessing extremely high base knockback. It will KO most opponents offstage below 70% but struggles to KO onstage due to its poor knockback growth.

|usdesc=Activates his thrusters in order to fly. It grants impressive vertical and horizontal recovery distance, although R.O.B. has a set amount of fuel, indicated by the gauge in his chassis, to use in order to perform this move. Fuel is recovered over time as long as R.O.B. is grounded. This doesn't cause [[helpless]]ness, allowing R.O.B. to [[fast fall]], [[air dodge]], or attack with any aerials or any of his other specials either through its duration or after its conclusion. R.O.B. is also immune to [[footstool jump]]s while using this move, although other characters can still jump off of him regardless. It also grants [[intangibility]] on frames 2-4, but only when performed on the ground.

|dsdesc=Charges a spinning top on his base. R.O.B.'s other zoning option alongside Robo Beam, it can be picked up and thrown as an [[item]] after making contact with either the opponent or the stage. However, opponents can do the same and thus use the top against him. Only one Gyro can be active at a time, and attempting another will result in R.O.B. flailing in confusion. If R.O.B. is holding his Gyro, he will be able to charge it again. Typically, an idle Gyro deals little knockback when touched, albeit enough to harass anyone trying to get past and even perform a [[lock]]. Its sheer versatility as a combo and stage control tool make it one of the best projectiles in the game. When an opponent hits a grounded Gyro they are always knocked back in the direction R.O.B. was facing when he set the Gyro down.

|fsdesc=Re-configures his body into a cannon-like form, and begins to charge energy. During the charge, he fires smaller red lasers that home on opponents in front of him. He then unleashes the built-up energy in the form of a green laser, which can be angled up or down. As the Final Smash begins to end, the laser briefly enlarges, becoming wider and more powerful.

*'''Side Taunt''': Faces the screen and moves his head around, flashing bright lights from his eyes while clapping.

*'''Down Taunt''': Faces the screen, moves his arms down, and then moves them back up again, spinning them while he does so.

Ever since the start of the game, R.O.B. has always been considered a very strong character due to buffs from the previous game, such as having better approach options, more versatile projectiles with Gyro and Robo Beam, even more threatening KO options, and an improved edgeguarding game, leading many to consider him as an excellent zoner with a wide array of utility options. R.O.B. saw immense success in the early metagame from players such as {{Sm|WaDi}} and {{Sm|Zackray}}, and continued to have strong representation in the post-online metagame from players such as {{Sm|Anathema}} and {{Sm|Zomba}}, which lead him to be one of the most represented characters in ''Ultimate''{{'}}s metagame. As such, R.O.B. is widely considered a top-tier character, which is reflected in his placement on the current tier list, where he is ranked 6th.

*In the Korean version, R.O.B. uses the "Robot" [[announcer]] voice clip from the Japanese version, despite R.O.B.'s name being written the same way as in the English version. This is unlike {{SSBU|King Dedede}}, {{SSBU|Simon}}, and {{SSBU|Richter}}, all of whom use the English announcer voice clip due to the pronunciation. This was not the case in ''Brawl''.

*Although R.O.B. is "voiced", in [[Stamina Mode]], he stays silent when he gets KO'd by reaching 0 HP with no stocks remaining. {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}} and the {{SSBU|Mii Fighter}}s also share this oddity.

*All of R.O.B.'s move names aside from specials are based on the raw file names for these categories of moves in the game<ref>https://youtu.be/XMzR5mJHPDg</ref>.