Lucina (SSBU): Difference between revisions

{{disambig2|Lucina's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''|the character in other contexts|Lucina}}

{{cquote|''Lucina is Marth's echo fighter, so she shares most of her standard and special attacks with Marth. However, while Marth's attacks are more powerful when made with the tip of his blade, Lucina's attacks just as powerful whether you use the tip or the base of the sword.''|cite=[https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/blog/ Super Smash Blog]|source=[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site]]}}

'''Lucina''' ({{ja|ルキナ|Rukina}}, ''Lucina'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. She was confirmed as a playable character on June 12th, 2018. She is an [[clone|Echo Fighter]] of {{SSBU|Marth}}, thus being classified as fighter #21ε.

Rather than [[Wikipedia:Alexis Tipton|Alexis Tipton]], who voices her in ''Fire Emblem Warriors'' and ''Fire Emblem Heroes'', [[wikipedia:Laura Bailey (voice actress)|Laura Bailey]]'s portrayal of Lucina from ''[[Smash 4]]'' was repurposed for the Engilsh version of ''Ultimate''. Similarly, Yu Kobayashi's portrayal from the same game was also recycled for the Japanese version.

*Clear {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} with {{SSBU|Yoshi}} or any character in his unlock tree, being the fifth character unlocked after {{SSBU|Ganondorf}}.

With the exception of the third method, Lucina must then be defeated on [[Arena Ferox]].

As in ''SSB4'', the primary difference between Lucina and Marth is that Lucina lacks a tipper, meaning that her sword attacks deal equal damage throughout her blade. She is less effective at spacing than Marth, but in return can rack up damage more consistently. As such, Lucina is more versatile and aggressive, but also less rewarding. Theoretically, Marth deals more overall damage when played optimally and can kill earlier, but Lucina can deal consistent damage and kill more reliably without worrying about precise spacing. Lucina was also slightly recloned from her previous appearance in ''SSB4'', as she is no longer shorter than Marth, her up tilt will now move her forward slightly, and she no longer keeps her momentum on her neutral attack and up tilt. Despite losing these somewhat negligible differences, she keeps one other difference from ''SSB4'': her up tilt has a unique sweetspot based on how late into the swing the opponent is hit. This ensures that she can rack up damage more easily with her up tilt as long as she is facing away from her opponent.

Overall, whether a person wants to use Lucina or Marth is based on their playstyle. Marth relies on spacing, more defensive play, and early KOs. Lucina can be played more aggressively, and relies on her more effective combos to increase the damage enough so she can KO the opponent. Marth can be more rewarding if used right, but Lucina's consistent damage and knockback helps her in certain matchups. Even without a tipper, Lucina is still extremely effective at spacing, though nowhere near to the extent of Marth. She also shares Marth's strong [[juggling]] and [[edgeguarding]] capabilities. As such, she is considered to be one of the easiest and most versatile characters in the game, even when compared to Marth.

Despite her strengths and versatility, Lucina is not without flaws, most of them shared with Marth. As a solely sword-based character, her otherwise excellent [[neutral game]] suffers from her lack of a projectile, and she can struggle against projectile-heavy characters and playstyles. This ties in with her vulnerability once she loses the neutral game, as despite having a below-average weight and only average falling speed, Lucina is susceptible to combos, and her tall hurtbox provides an easy target. Dolphin Slash is her only reliable combo-breaker, but as it leaves her helpless, it can inadvertently put her in an even worse position. Also, while Counter can be used defensively, it leaves Lucina extremely vulnerable to punishment should it whiff. Lucina also has little defense against juggling, as her aerials are ineffective at relieving pressure; though her attacks have quick startup, many of them come with high ending lag, and also suffer from short hitbox durations.

Like with Marth, Lucina's weak throws are another notable weakness. Except for her up throw, they have low knockback scaling, preventing them from KOing at realistic percents, while up throw can only KO starting at 160% if Lucina has no rage. Her throw game is poor as well; aside from having a fairly fast pummel, Lucina's throws deal low damage and have high base knockback, making them poor for combos and damage-racking outside of very low percents, such as aerials at 0%. However, it should be noted that the high base knockback of her throws allow Lucina to take advantage of her good edgeguarding capability, especially at the edge.

While Lucina and Marth have largely identical attacks, mobility attributes and frame data, the lack of a tipper spreads across Lucina's entire moveset, making her one of the more unique Echo Fighters alongside her father {{SSBU|Chrom}} and {{SSBU|Ken}}. As such, these three characters are expected to have their own spots on the [[tier list]], and are expected to be permitted to be used alongside their base fighters in [[Squad Strike]]. Lucina has obtained excellent results and representation early in the ''Ultimate'' metagame, especially compared to Marth.

*{{change|Due to the Parallel Falchion lacking a [[tipper]] like Falchion, its entire blade deals equal damage and knockback on most attacks, equal to the weighted average of Marth's sweet- and sourspotted attacks.}}

**{{buff|Moves that move Lucina forward, such as [[Dancing Blade]], are more effective than Marth's variants due to the forward movement counteracting with the tipper.}}

**{{buff|Lucina can rack up damage more easily than Marth, as most of Marth's Falchion is composed of his sourspot.}}

**{{nerf|Lucina's damage and knockback are significantly lower than Marth's sweetspots, hindering her KO potential, and making her unable to space as well as Marth.}}

*{{change|Aside from her neutral attack, the rest of Lucina's moveset lacks [[hitlag]] modifiers.}}

*{{change|The second hit of Lucina's neutral attack has less knockback scaling (45 → 75), making it slightly less effective at spacing, but slightly more effective for combos.}}

*{{buff|Lucina's [[up tilt]] (named "Anti-air Slash" in the in-game tips) has a unique timing-based sweetspot. On the later half of the slash, the attack does more damage while also having weaker knockback. The combination of less knockback and more damage allows her up tilt to rack more damage than Marth's as long as she is facing away from her opponent.}}

*{{change|Down tilt has different particle effects.}}

**{{buff|Lucina's Shield Breaker's animation is different. She leans farther back during its start-up; trembles more exaggeratedly while rearing her arm back; and takes a step forward during its thrust. This marginally improves Lucina's horizontal recovery potential compared to Marth's, due to her hitbox being slightly wider when using this move. This change is also reflected when {{SSBU|Kirby}} copies this.}}

**{{change|Lucina's Counter's stance is different. She also has different quotes when she counterattacks, saying either "My turn!" or "You're mine!"}}

Much like with {{SSBU|Marth}}, Lucina highly benefits from the universal changes in ''SSBU'', particularly in terms of aerials and tilts. In addition, the new engine is also a benefit to Lucina's balanced blade, to an extent far greater than Marth's more polarized blade, as the faster pace of the game allows her greater close-combat capabilities to be an advantage in certain situations. Unlike most clones, Lucina became slightly more similar to Marth, though a majority of her reclonings were neglible (such as her being slightly shorter, or a few moves not stopping her momentum).

*{{change|As with all [[veteran]]s returning from ''SSB4'', Lucina's model features a more subdued color scheme. Her clothing now has simple detailing, her hair has been reshaped, and her face appears sharper, with her cheeks now showing a slight pink blush.}}

*{{change|Lucina has several new basic animations. Her idle, crouch, and [[sidestep]] all have new animations, and her [[jump]] animations have all been changed as well, resembling (but not identical to) Roy's jumps in ''SSB4''. She also has a new [[screen KO]] animation.}}

*{{change|Lucina's [[victory theme]] is now a snippet of the ''Fire Emblem Awakening'' song, Id (Purpose).}} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5K9NbmdYnA?t=179]

*{{buff|Like all characters, Lucina's [[jumpsquat]] animation now takes three frames to complete (down from 5).}}

*{{nerf|Back roll has more startup with less intangibility (frames 4-17 → 5-16), and more ending lag (frame 31 → 35).}}

*{{change|Lucina is taller, and is now as tall as Marth. This increases her range, but also increases her hurtbox, making her easier to hit}}

*{{buff|Lucina's new jump animation has her pick up her feet more, allowing her to short hop over certain projectiles.}}

**{{nerf|The first hit has altered angles (78°/65°/90° → [[Sakurai angle|361°]]/361°/180°/361°) and knockback (55 (base)/30 (growth) → 30 (base)/15/12/12/12 (growth)) to keep opponents close to Lucina, akin to other neutral attacks. This allows it to [[jab lock]], but most importantly removes all its guaranteed [[jab cancel]] setups, which made it one of Lucina's most potent punishment tools in ''Smash 4''.}}

**{{nerf|The second hit has more startup (frame 3 → 4).}}

**{{change|The first hit has an altered animation where Lucina swings in a more horizontal arc, matching its hitboxes better.}}

**{{buff|Dash attack deals more damage (9.975% → 10.925%).}}

**{{change|Lucina's up tilt now has her move forward just like Marth's. This improves its horizontal range and gives it the same spacing potential as Marth's. However, this in turn makes it harder to repeatedly land her timing-based sweetspot.}}

**{{nerf|Forward smash has less knockback growth (80 → 77).}}

**{{buff|Down smash now consistently launches opponents at a horizontal angle, allowing it to set up edgeguards and KO near edges more effectively, despite lower base knockback on both hits (60 (both) → 55 (front)/45 (back)).}}

**{{nerf|It has one frame more ending lag (frame 55 → 56).}}

**{{buff|Neutral aerial's first hit has more base knockback (30 → 45/45/35) and altered angles (80°/75°/65°/90° → 75°/80°/90°), allowing it to connect into the second hit while rising, and improving its combo potential on landing combined with its lower landing lag.}}

**{{buff|It deals slightly more damage (4.2% → 4.275% (hit 1), 8.5% → 8.55% (hit 2)).}}

**{{change|Forward aerial has less knockback growth (85 → 81), improving its combo potential, but hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{buff|Back aerial deals slightly more damage (11.8% → 11.875%).}}

**{{buff|Up aerial has more knockback growth (82 → 83).}}

**{{buff|The removal of [[tech]]ing for grounded [[meteor smash]]es improves down aerial's combo potential onstage, compounded further by its lower landing lag.}}

**{{buff|It deals slightly more damage (12.3% → 12.35% (non-meteor), 14.2% → 14.25% (meteor)).}}

*{{buff|Standing grab has less startup (frame 7 → 6).}}

*{{nerf|Dash and pivot grab have more startup (frame 8 → 9 (dash), 9 → 10 (pivot)).}}

*{{nerf|All grabs have increased ending lag (frame 30 → 35 (standing), 37 → 43 (dash), 35 → 38 (pivot)).}}

*{{change|Lucina's throws are no longer weight-dependent. This improves her down throw's combo potential on heavyweights, but reduces it on lightweights.}}

*{{nerf|All of Lucina's throws except up throw release the opponent slower (frame 15 → 18 (forward), 9 → 19 (back), 16 → 20 (down)), making them easier to [[DI]].}}

**{{nerf|Pummel deals less damage (2% → 1.3%).}}

**{{change|Lucina has a new forward throw, a quick elbow strike to the opponent's chest.}}

**{{buff|Edge attack deals more damage (7% → 9%).}}

**{{buff|Shield Breaker can now be angled vertically.}}

**{{buff|It now deals 1.15× its regular damage if it hits an opponent's head.}}

**{{change|Shield Breaker now only has the Parallel Falchion glow purple instead of Lucina's whole body.}}

**{{change|The move triggers [[Special Zoom]] upon breaking an opponent's shield.}}

***{{buff|The fourth downward swing's hits after the first are also faster (frame 19, 25, 31, 37 → 10, 13, 16, 19), allowing them to connect better and preventing opponents from jumping out of them at low percents.}}

**{{buff|The first swing has less ending lag (frame 42 → 40 (grounded), 32 → 30 (aerial)), as does the fourth upward swing (frame 51 → 45).}}

**{{nerf|The first swing has more startup (frame 6 → 9).}}

**{{nerf|The fourth upward swing has more base knockback (60 → 80/85), but drastically less knockback growth (118 → 40), removing its ability to KO at realistic percents.}}

**{{change|Dancing Blade's neutral swings all have altered animations, except for the third. The first one is now an outward swing similar to her forward tilt, the second is a vertical swing instead of a horizontal one, and the final swing no longer has Lucina spinning before she slashes the opponent.}}

**{{change|The third downward swing has an altered animation, now being a low outward swing instead of a stab.}}

**{{change|It now leaves multiple afterimages of Lucina during the leap.}}

**{{buff|Due to the changes to [[tech]]ing, Critical Hit is now almost impossible to tech, though at some circumstances such as {{SSBU|Shulk}}'s [[Monado Arts|Shield Monado Art]], it can still be teched at very low percentages.}}

|neutralname= 

|neutraldesc=Slashes the Parallel Falchion twice in front of herself. The first hit can also [[jab lock]].

|ftiltname= 

|ftiltdesc=A fast upward swipe while leaning forward. Has a large arc that is useful for spacing. Can hit opponents standing on top of some platforms.

|utiltname=Anti-air Slash

|utiltdesc=Swings the Parallel Falchion in a large arc above her head, with a large hitbox that can hit enemies behind her. Lucina's up tilt has a timing-based sweetspot unlike Marth's version; on the latter half of the swing, Lucina deals more damage but less knockback, allowing her to rack up damage more easily as long as she is facing away from her opponent. Covers platforms very well and is useful for juggling.

|dtiltname= 

|dtiltdesc=A quick crouching sword poke. Lucina's fastest tilt, which is useful for interrupting grounded approaches and creating space. Deals [[semi-spike]] knockback, making it useful for edgeguarding. Knocks opponents into a [[tumble]] around 80%, which can force opponents into a [[tech chase]] situation.

|dashname= 

|dashdesc=A quick, running, upward-sweeping diagonal slash. Deals decent knockback, KOing middleweights at the edge around 130%. Has notable ending lag and low hitlag, making it rather unsafe against shields. The ability to use the faster and safer forward tilt out of a dash makes this move's use rather niche.

|fsmashname=Dragon Killer

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|15.275}}

|fsmashdesc=Rotates her body counter-clockwise with a strong overarching one-handed swing from her head to the ground. Moderately fast startup, but high ending lag. Deals considerably high knockback, KOing middleweights at the edge around 76%.

|usmashname=Justice Sword

|usmashdesc=A quick, upward thrust. The weak grounded hit can knock nearby opponents into the main attack. Good for aerial protection and chasing down landing opponents.  

|dsmashname= 

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|9.5}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|14.275}}} (hit 2)

|dsmashdesc=Sweeps the Parallel Falchion on the ground toward the front outward then toward the back inward. The back hit has much stronger power, while the front hit is weak. It also has high ending lag.

|nairname= 

|nairdesc=Two horizontal slashes around herself via an inward slash followed into a full 360° outward spin. The second hit can hit on both sides of Lucina, and can be used to create space by short hopping then fast-falling immediately after using the move in the air. The first hit has low knockback scaling, which, combined with [[fast fall]]ing and the move's low landing lag, allows it to combo into many of Lucina's tilts, and even her forward smash, even at high percentages. The second hit has moderate knockback, KOing middleweights at the edge around 120%.

|fairname= 

|fairdesc=Does a descending crescent slash in front of her with great coverage. This is Lucina's best tool for air combat, and its reasonably low landing lag makes it very safe when spaced properly. Lucina can also use this move more reliably than Marth's, as it deals relatively high damage and knockback throughout. Around 27%, it begins to knock opponents into a tumble, which can force a tech chase situation. KOs middleweights at the edge around 143%.

|bairname=About Face

|uairname= 

|uairdesc=An overhead crescent slash with good coverage, ending in a delayed somersault. Lucina's fastest aerial, it is good for juggling thanks to its large arc, making it a good anti-air as well, and has moderate knockback. Due to its angle, it makes a reliable combo starter. Compared to Marth's, it loses true combo percent potential sooner due to its greater knockback.

|dairname= 

|dairdesc=A downward, wide crescent slash with large coverage. If the attack connects at the middle of the swinging arc (directly below Lucina), it serves as a powerful meteor smash. However, the meteor smash window lasts only one frame (frame 11). Can be useful against [[cross-up]]s and as an [[out of shield]] option as it starts behind Lucina and covers a wide area below her.

|grabname= 

|pummelname= 

|fthrowname= 

|fthrowdesc=An elbow strike with her sword arm.

|bthrowname= 

|bthrowdesc=Tosses the opponent over her leg, sending them behind her. Its high base knockback allows her to set up edgeguarding, but it cannot combo or KO reliably.

|uthrowname= 

|uthrowdesc=A powerful one-armed upward throw. Lucina's strongest throw, which can KO at around 170%.

|dthrowname= 

|dthrowdesc=Throws opponent to the ground with one arm, bouncing them upwards. Her primary throw for follow-ups due to its low base knockback, allowing her to follow up with an up or back aerial at low percentages. However, it quickly loses combo potential due to its high knockback growth, sending opponents too high after medium percentages.

|nsdesc=Lucina assumes a readying stance and charges the Parallel Falchion at chest level before powerfully thrusting it forward. This attack deals massive [[shield damage]] even when uncharged, and will instantly break shields at full charge, although it can be safely [[perfect shield]]ed. The aerial version gives Lucina a very slight horizontal boost, while a fully charged aerial version will thrust Lucina in whatever direction she is facing, giving her a strong horizontal recovery option, albeit with very high startup. Can be angled up or down, though this does not change the damage or knockback. The attack deals 1.15× regular damage if it hits the opponent's head, though this appears to be out-prioritized by any hitbox striking a non-head hurtbox.

|usdesc=Lucina performs a high-speed jumping uppercut slash that can be B-reversed. Has a powerful sweetspot and grants very slight [[intangibility]] in the first few frames, which can easily cause stage-spikes under the right circumstances. Grants good vertical distance but is rather lacking in horizontal distance. Does not snap to the edge until after its hitbox is gone.  

| First Hit (Neutral) || 2.85% || Does an outward slash. Deals very little knockback even at extremely high percents. Can [[jab lock]]. The tip of the sword lifts opponents off the ground slightly, making it combo into the second hit more consistently.

| Second Hit (Up) || 2.85% || An upwards lifting slash. Has greater vertical reach than the first hit or the second neutral hit. Lifts opponents slightly off the ground, with the tip of the sword pulling them in slightly.

| Second Hit (Neutral) || 2.85% || Does an inward slash. Has a shorter hitbox than the first hit, which can lead to it sometimes missing if the first hit is landed from too far away. Deals very little knockback, even at extremely high percents. Can jab lock.

| Third Hit (Up) || 3.325% || Does an upwards slash while turning clockwise. Launches opponents up and away, leading into the upward finisher.

| Fourth Hit (Neutral) || 4.75% || Turns counterclockwise, steps forward, and does very powerful vertical slash downward. This is the strongest finisher in regards to knockback, KOing middleweights near the edge by itself around 118%.

*Swings her sword, then assumes a pose similar to her official SSB4 render, saying "The future is not written!" ({{ja|未来を変えて見せます！|Mirai o kaetemisemasu!}}, ''Watch me change the future!'').

*Points her sword upward, then poses, saying "Father, I won." ({{ja|勝ちましたよ、お父様|Kachimashi ta yo, otousama}}, ''I won, Father.'').

**If {{SSBU|Ike}} is present during the match, then there is a chance that she will instead say "And they call ''you'' the Radiant Hero?" ({{ja|これが蒼炎の勇者？|Kore ga souen no yuusha?}}, ''This is the Radiant Hero?'').

*Sheaths her sword, saying "You'll never defeat me!" ({{ja|負けるわけにはいきません！|Makeru wa ikemasen!}}, ''I cannot lose!'').

**If {{SSBU|Marth}} is present during the match, then there is a chance that she will instead say "''This'' is the Hero-King?" ({{ja|これが英雄王の力？|Kore ga eiyuuou no chikara?}}, ''This is the strength of the Hero King?'').

==In competitive play==

===Notable players===

<!--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|Etsuji|Japan}} - The best Lucina player in Japan. Placed 17th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP}}, 7th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 2}} and 13th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 2}}.

*{{Sm|k9sbruce|USA}} - Placed 17th at {{Trn|SoCal Chronicles}}.

*{{Sm|Kobe|USA}} - Placed 13th at {{Trn|Smash Conference United}}.

*{{Sm|Mew2King|USA}} - Placed 25th at {{Trn|Smash Conference United}}.

*{{Sm|MkLeo|Mexico}} - The best Lucina player in the world. Placed 1st at {{Trn|GENESIS 6}}.

*{{Sm|Mr E|USA}} - Placed 33rd at {{Trn|GENESIS 6}}.

*{{Sm|Nairo|USA}} - The second best Lucina player in the world. Placed 2nd at {{Trn|Glitch 6}}.

*{{Sm|NAKAT|USA}} - Placed 2nd at {{Trn|Ultimate WANTED 1}}.

*{{Sm|Salem|USA}} - One of the best Lucina players in the world. Placed 13th at {{Trn|GENESIS 6}}. Has wins over {{Sm|Larry Lurr}} and {{Sm|Umeki}}.

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

|1||Male and Female {{SSBU|Corrin}}||[[Find Mii]]||Lost in Thoughts All Alone||

|2||{{SSBU|Chrom}}||[[Arena Ferox]]||Conquest (Ablaze)||

|3||Male and Female {{SSBU|Robin}}||[[Reset Bomb Forest]]||Id (Purpose)||

|4||{{SSBU|Ike}}||[[Castle Siege]]||Eternal Bond||

|5||{{SSBU|Roy}}||[[Norfair]]||Beyond Distant Skies - Roy's Departure||

|6||{{SSBU|Marth}}||[[Coliseum]]||Story 5 Meeting||

|colspan="5"|Bonus Stage

|Final||{{SSBU|Master Hand}}||{{SSBU|Final Destination}}||Master Hand||On intensity 7.0 and higher, {{SSBU|Crazy Hand}} fights alongside Master Hand, and the track ''Master Hand / Crazy Hand'' plays during the battle.

Lucina was one of the many fighters that fell under [[Dharkon]]'s control upon Galeem's first defeat. She can be found in the area that resembles the remains of a clockwork guarded by the spirit of Omega Ridley.

==[[Spirit]]s==

Lucina's Fighter Spirit can be obtained by completing [[Classic Mode]]. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 500 coins. Unlocking Lucina in World of Light allows the player to preview the first spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a Fighter Spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. Each Fighter Spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with the fighter's artwork in ''Ultimate''.

Lucina Spirit.png|611. '''''Lucina'''''

SSBUFireEmblemJPTwitter1.jpg|With all playable {{uv|Fire Emblem}} veterans on Coliseum.

===Character Showcase Video===

**The screenshot depicting her alongside Marth alludes to their kinship as descendant and ancestor, respectively.

*Despite receiving both new idle and crouching animations, Lucina still reuses the previous animations when holding a small item. She shares this quirk with {{SSBU|Marth}}, {{SSBU|Wolf}}, {{SSBU|Pit}}, {{SSBU|Dark Pit}}, {{SSBU|Luigi}} and {{SSBU|Sheik}}.