Dark Pit (SSBU)

Dark Pit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Universe	Kid Icarus
Other playable appearance	in SSB4
Availability	Unlockable
Final Smash	Dark Pit Staff
Tier	B- (41)

Dark Pit (ブラックピット, Black Pit) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He was officially revealed on June 12th, 2018 alongside fellow Kid Icarus fighters Pit and Palutena, and the rest of the returning roster. Dark Pit is Pit's Echo Fighter, thus being classified as Fighter #28^ε.

Antony Del Rio and Minami Takayama's portrayals of Dark Pit from Super Smash Bros. 4 were repurposed for the English and Japanese versions of Ultimate, respectively, with the former once again remaining uncredited. However, they both provide new voice clips for certain Palutena's Guidance conversations.

Dark Pit, alongside his base fighter Pit, are ranked 41st out of 82 on the current tier list, placing them in the B- tier. This is a slight rise for them compared to their 32nd out of 54 placement in SSB4.

How to unlock

Complete one of the following:

• Play VS. matches, with Dark Pit being the 54th character to be unlocked.
• Clear Classic Mode with Samus or any character in her unlock tree, being the last character unlocked after Wario.
• Have Dark Pit join the player's party in World of Light.

Dark Pit must then be defeated on Reset Bomb Forest (the Ω form is used in World of Light).

Attributes

Dark Pit is Pit's Echo Fighter, and he is very similar to his counterpart as well. His mobility is completely identical, sharing the same walking speed, dashing speed, air speed, falling speed and three double jumps. Similarly, Dark Pit's standard attacks are all identical to Pit's, sharing the exact same frame data, hitboxes, damage and knockback, with only three attacks in his entire moveset having different attributes (two special attacks and his Final Smash). A Pit player will have no trouble playing Dark Pit or vice versa because of their mirrored movesets, but the slight differences the two possess can make Dark Pit a better or worse choice in a matchup.

The only major differences lie in Dark Pit's special moves. The first is Dark Pit's Silver Bow: compared to Pit's Palutena's Bow, Silver Bow's arrows travel in a straight trajectory and can be only shifted slightly up and down. Their limited movement grant them significantly less utility overall, especially in regards to "sniping" offstage opponents and gimping them. Instead, they possess higher overall damage, increased knockback, and faster speed when uncharged, which make them more rewarding when used as a more conventional projectile. They can also KO offstage opponents if charged up. In essence, Dark Pit's arrows are more effective as a standard projectile or on opponents who are in a disadvantageous state, but offer significantly less utility otherwise.

The second is his side special, Electroshock Arm. Compared to Pit's Upperdash Arm, Electroshock Arm is more effective due to its higher damage, electric hitbox (which makes it safer on shield), and altered knockback; given its horizontal trajectory, it sends at an effective edgeguarding angle, and is a powerful tool for KOing especially at the edges of a stage (where it can do so as early as 80%). Whereas the vertical trajectory of Upperdash Arm allows it to set up juggles and KO consistently anywhere on the stage, and its angle also makes it capable of KOing moderately early on stages with low ceilings, Electroshock Arm instead sees more utility as a surprise KOing and edgeguarding tool; Upperdash Arm is mostly limited to setting up juggles until KO percents instead, rendering it somewhat inferior for KOing compared to Electroshock Arm.

All in all, in line with Dark Pit's Idol description in Uprising, the "flawed clone of Pit" is a more difficult character to use projectile-wise due to his stronger, inaccurate projectile, but brings a different finishing tool in the form of Electroshock Arm, which can grant him opportunities to net KOs in the form of hard punishes. Nevertheless, Dark Pit's differences from Pit are not all that significant (similarly to fellow Echo Fighters Daisy, Richter and Dark Samus), and it is largely up to the player to decide whether to use Pit or Dark Pit during battle, since both are traditional "all-rounders" with a more notable preference towards edgeguarding and recovery.

Differences from Pit

As in SSB4, Dark Pit is almost completely identical to Pit. Unlike in SSB4, he no longer has a weaker forward tilt or a smaller neutral finisher; because of these changes, he now has a completely identical non-special moveset to his original counterpart, with the only mechanical differences between him and Pit being his neutral special (Silver Bow), side special (Electroshock Arm), and Final Smash (Dark Pit Staff). These mechanical differences, while few, are fairly notable: Silver Bow's arrows are faster and stronger but have reduced control, making them more useful as standard projectiles than for edgeguarding or zoning; Electroshock Arm launches at a lower angle, making it better at the edge as a KOing move than Upperdash Arm, but worse from across the stage; and Dark Pit Staff fires a long beam instead of being a focused attack like Lightning Chariot, making it better for catching multiple opponents scattered around, but the move has less power to compensate.

Dark Pit's differences, while sometimes significant, are often considered to be marginal enough to not affect his viability in most situations, including competitive play. Aside from matchups or stages where either character's special moves would prove useful, choosing Dark Pit over Pit is entirely up to personal preference.

Aesthetics

• As with all other Echo Fighters, Dark Pit has unique taunts and victory poses.
• Dark Pit has darker colored effects for some moves, such as Power of Flight and Silver Bow.
• Dark Pit's defeated/No Contest animation is different: his body faces away from the screen and he retains a stern look.
• Dark Pit has a unique victory theme.
• Dark Pit's on-screen appearance has him descend while surrounded by purple rays of light as opposed to yellow ones.
• The Silver Bow's trail is silver with cerulean accents, whereas the Palutena Bow's trail is metallic gold with cerulean accents. Unlike the Palutena Bow, the Silver Bow is not accompanied by halos or an archery gauntlet.
• Unlike his counterpart, Dark Pit does not have access to the Palutena's Guidance Smash Taunt on the Palutena's Temple stage.

Special moves

• Silver Bow:
  • Silver Bow deals considerably more damage (3.2% → 5.5% (uncharged), 8.6% → 14% (fully charged)) than Palutena Bow, and launches opponents at a lower angle (60° → 45°), allowing it to KO much more effectively.
  • It travels slightly faster and further.
  • It lasts for a shorter amount of time, and its trajectory cannot be controlled as much, making it less versatile.
  • The arrow is black and purple instead of white and cyan in color.
  • It has a different sound effect when fired.
• Electroshock Arm:
  • Electroshock Arm deals more damage (11% → 12% (grounded), 9% → 9.5% (aerial)), although with lower knockback values by comparison (grounded: 100 base/72 scaling → 99/67, aerial: 90 base/72 scaling → 90/58).
  • Aerial Electroshock Arm's hitbox is centred somewhat outside the playing field, reducing its consistency.
  • Electroshock Arm sends opponents at a lower angle than Upperdash Arm (80° → 40°). This improves its KO ability near edges, but reduces it at the center of the stage.
  • As implied by its name, Electroshock Arm has an electric effect.
• Power of Flight:
  • Dark Pit's Power of Flight causes his wings to glow green, then blue, and then red, whereas Pit's version makes his wings glow blue, then yellow, and then red.
• Dark Pit has a unique Final Smash, being Dark Pit Staff.
  • Compared to Pit's Lightning Chariot, Dark Pit Staff has much greater horizontal range, and can hit up to seven opponents at once. It can also be comboed into from Dark Pit's own attacks, such as back throw.
  • It only hits directly in front of Dark Pit, whereas Lightning Chariot can hit opponents at any height due to its ability to be freely aimed.

Misc.

• Dark Pit has a different pose when trapped inside of Steve's Minecart.
• When trapped in Steve's grab, the fence posts are positioned closer to Steve. As such, Dark Pit's knee doesn't stick out as far through the fence.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. 4

Dark Pit has been buffed overall in the transition from SSB4 to Ultimate. Much like Pit, almost all aspects of Dark Pit's moveset have been improved, and he benefits from the changes to gameplay mechanics.

Dark Pit shares most of the same buffs with Pit, with the most significant ones being a better KO ability and aerial game. Several of his deal higher knockback, toning down one of his previously largest weaknesses in SSB4. His aerial game has notably improved thanks to a combination of more damage and power, and lower landing lag, and Silver Bow has less lag, both changes of which improve his neutral game. His grounded game has also become more consistent and useful. Lastly, Dark Pit largely benefits from the universal changes in Ultimate, with the changes to air dodges making his edgeguarding game even stronger, and the faster mobility and ability to use any attack out of a run making his offensive game more reliable, which was a previously large weakness from SSB4.

Among Dark Pit's unique buffs are those to his Silver Bow and Electroshock Arm. The former is a much more reliable projectile for KOing and edgeguarding, as fired arrows deal more damage, travel faster, and send at a much lower and desirable angle. Meanwhile, the latter also sends at an even lower angle, slightly improving its KOing ability. Additionally, Dark Pit no longer has a weaker forward tilt or a less consistent finisher on his neutral attack, making his non-special moveset completely identical to his original counterpart.

Dark Pit has, however, also received a few nerfs that are shared with Pit, such as his Guardian Orbitars having less HP and shrinking the more time they're held out; Power of Flight halting completely before he can move, slightly worsening his recovery; and his grabs having more lag, standarizing them in comparison to the cast.

Altogether, Dark Pit's moveset has been strengthened as a whole and he now boasts a better offensive game while keeping his good defensive game, and the universal changes give him more opportunities to gain the advantage. However, he still lacks noteworthy attributes (outside of his edgeguarding ability) and carries many of his previous weaknesses from SSB4, which isn't helped by many veterans either being buffed to varying degrees and/or benefitting from the universal changes. Much like his original counterpart, however, Dark Pit has received buffs from game updates that have helped fix some inconsistencies or given him new options, letting him moderately keep up with the rest of the cast. In the end, Dark Pit is a much better character than in SSB4.

Aesthetics

• Due to the aesthetic used in Ultimate, Dark Pit's model features a more subdued color scheme, now more closely resembling his appearance in Kid Icarus: Uprising. Like Pit, his eyes and hair appear more detailed, with the latter having a more cel-shaded appearance. His clothing and wings now feature subtle detailing.
• Most of Dark Pit's alternate costumes have been altered, using more vibrant and easily distinguishable colors.
• Dark Pit's idle animation has been slightly altered. However, he reverts to his SSB4 idle pose when holding a small item.
• Many of Dark Pit's expressions, including when Screen KOed, are now identical to Pit's.
• Dark Pit's down and side taunts are performed faster.

Attributes

• Like all characters, Dark Pit's jumpsquat animation takes 3 frames to complete (down from 5).
• Dark Pit walks faster (1.199 → 1.259).
• Dark Pit runs much faster (1.66215 → 1.828).
  • Dark Pit's initial dash is significantly faster (1.5 → 2.09).
• Dark Pit's air speed is higher (0.89 → 0.935).
• Dark Pit's air acceleration is higher (0.065 → 0.075).
• Dark Pit's traction is significantly higher (0.0505 → 0.135), being tied with Pit's for the second highest in the game.
• Forward roll has more ending lag (FAF 28 → 30).
• Back roll has more startup (frame 4 → 5) and ending lag (FAF 28 → 35).
• Spot dodge has more startup (frame 2 → 3).
• Air dodge has more startup (frame 2 → 3) and significantly more ending lag (FAF 32 → 53).
• Air dodge grants more intangibility (frames 2-26 → 3-29).

Ground attacks

• Neutral attack:
  • The first hit has less startup lag (frame 5 → 4), with its total duration reduced as well (FAF 27 → 26).
  • Neutral infinite has a new animation: instead of slashing horizontally with his bow fully formed like a buzzsaw, Dark Pit quickly slashes with the bow split in two.
  • The infinite has a shorter gap between hits (3 frames → 2), alongside a different angle (25°/120° → 361°) and knockback values (18/4 set/100 scaling → 8 base/10 scaling). This allows it to connect much more reliably, with opponents no longer being able to jump out of it before the finisher comes out.
  • The neutral infinite deals drastically less hitlag, making it harder to SDI out of.
  • The infinite's finisher has less startup with a longer hitbox duration (frame 5 → frames 4-5). The hitbox is also larger, making it identical to Pit's.
  • The finisher deals more knockback (45 base/170 scaling → 40/185).
  • The third hit and infinite deal less damage (5% → 4% (hit 3), 0.8% → 0.5% (infinite)).
  • The third hit has a shorter hitbox duration (frames 3-4 → 3).
  • The infinite's finisher has more ending lag (FAF 40 → 48).
  • The first and second hits of neutral attack have altered angles and knockback to keep opponents close to Dark Pit, akin to other neutral attacks. This allows them to connect better and jab lock, but worsens their jab cancel setups.
  • The infinite has gained a shieldstun multiplier of 3×. This allows it to lock opponents into their shields between each hit, and thus pressure them more effectively, but also allows them to cancel shieldstun and punish Dark Pit more easily if they shield 10 hits or more.
• Forward tilt:
  • Forward tilt has increased base knockback (15 → 40), making it identical to Pit's. This improves its KO potential.
  • Forward tilt has a slightly altered animation during which Dark Pit lunges less far, reducing the move's range.
• Up tilt:
  • Up tilt's animation has been altered into two lunging upward kicks. The move deals two hits instead from three, with its hitbox timings altered (frames 6, 8-10, 15-16 → 6-8, 15-16).
  • It has noticeably less ending lag (FAF 43 → 33), which combined with Dark Pit's faster jumpsquat and jump speed turns it into a reliable combo starter.
  • The first hit uses the autolink angle (100° → 365°) and has lower set knockback (110 → 85), enabling it to connect better into the second hit.
  • Up tilt deals less total damage (10% → 9%).
  • It has smaller hitboxes (4.5u → 4u (hit 1), 7.5u → 6u (hit 2)).
  • The second hit has increased base knockback (50 → 70), but significantly reduced knockback scaling (120 → 30). This removes its KO potential at high percents, but allows it to combo at a much wider percent range combined with its other changes.
• Down tilt:
  • Down tilt has less ending lag (FAF 32 → 26) and launches at a more vertical angle (55° → 83°) and has less knockback scaling (50 → 46).
    • Combined with Dark Pit's faster jumpsquat, this significantly improves its combo potential to the point that it gains a kill confirm into Up aerial at high percents.
  • It moves Dark Pit forward slightly with each use, allowing for a pseudo-crawl.
• Dash attack:
  • Dash attack's animation has been altered to a downward swipe of Dark Pit's blade. Dark Pit no longer spins during the animation.
  • It has drastically increased knockback scaling (50 → 74), greatly improving its KO ability.
• Forward smash:
  • Forward smash has less ending lag (FAF 59 → 55).
  • The first hit has altered angles (70°/35/70°/0° → 100°/70°/35°/192°), and its outermost hitboxes' set knockback is lower against grounded opponents (43 → 20), but higher against aerial opponents (5 → 20). This allows it to connect better into the second hit, with aerial opponents no longer being to air dodge the second hit when struck by the outermost hitboxes.
  • The second hit has a longer hitbox duration (frame 21 → frames 21-22).
  • The first hit has more range, but the second has less range. This makes it easier to land the first hit of the move and harder to land the second.
• Up smash:
  • Up smash's first hit has altered angles (365°/365°/105° → 365°/120°/120°/367°/105° (clean), 110° → 110°/123° (late, grounded/aerial opponents)), allowing it to connect more reliably.
  • The third hit has more knockback scaling (102 → 111).
• Down smash:
  • Down smash's clean front hit has increased knockback (35 base/93 scaling → 40/98), improving its KO potential.
  • The first hit launches at a lower angle (55° → 48°), further aiding in KO potential.

Aerial attacks

• All aerials have reduced landing lag (24 frames → 14 (neutral, up), 20 → 12 (forward), 20 → 8 (back), 24 → 12 (down)).
• Neutral aerial:
  • Neutral aerial's looping hits use five different hitboxes instead of four, and its two smallest hitboxes have been increased (2u/2.5u → 2.5u/3u), which have altered angles (65°/125°/25°/160° → 48°/335°/220°/140°/130°) and set knockback values (70/70/20/20 → 50/30/30/30/65). This allows them to connect more reliably and reduces the blindspots around Dark Pit.
  • The looping hits have reduced hitlag (1× → 0.5×) and SDI multipliers (1× → 0.8×), making them harder to escape from.
  • The looping hits have longer hitbox durations (1 frame → 2 frames).
  • The last hit deals more damage (4% → 4.5%).
  • The final hit is larger (9.2u → 9.5u), and has been repositioned (Y offset: 8 → 9.5, Z offset: 2 → 3), improving its horizontal and vertical range.
• Forward aerial:
  • Forward aerial deals noticeably more damage (1.5% → 2.5% (hits 1-2), 4% → 6% (hit 3); 7% → 11% (total)), with knockback scaling not fully compensated on the last hit (180 → 148), slightly increasing its KO potenial.
  • The looping hits have reduced hitlag multipliers (1× → 0.8×), making them harder to SDI out of.
  • The looping hits have larger hitboxes (1.5u → 2.3u), and extend further (Z offset: 11-18 → 10-19), improving its range.
• Back aerial:
  • Back aerial's sweetspot launches at a lower angle (46° → 43°) and has increased knockback scaling (96 → 105), improving its KO potential.
  • Due to its significantly reduced landing lag, the sourspot is a much more reliable combo starter.
  • It has slightly larger hitboxes (3.4u (sweetspot)/3.2u (sourspot) → 3.7u/3.5u).
• Up aerial:
  • The move has less startup (frame 12 → 10) and ending lag (FAF 50 → 41), and autocancels earlier (frame 37 → 35).
  • Up aerial's linking hits deal less damage (2% → 1.5%), but the last hit deals substantially more damage (2% → 5%), increasing its total output (10% → 11%).
  • The last hit has different knockback values (5 base/270 scaling → 50/143), improving its safety on hit at lower percents, while also drastically improving its KO potential when combined with the increased damage.
  • The last hit launches at a higher angle (68° → 80°), no longer being vulnerable to LSI and improving its juggling ability.
  • The looping hits have reduced hitlag multipliers (1× → 0.8×), making them harder to SDI out of.
• Down aerial:
  • Down aerial's meteor smash sweetspot is larger (3u → 4u), and extends further downwards (Y offset: -4 → -4—-6) making it easier to edgeguard with it.
  • The clean hit's sourspot has more knockback scaling (80 → 100), while its sweetspot has more base knockback against aerial opponents (0 → 10), improving its KO potential.
  • The removal of teching for grounded meteor smashes improves down aerial's combo potential onstage at high percents, compounded further by its reduced landing lag.

Throws and other attacks

• All grabs have increased ending lag (FAF 30 → 35 (standing), 37 → 43 (dash), 35 → 38 (pivot)).
• Dash and pivot grab have slightly more startup lag (frame 8 → 9 (dash), 9 → 10 (pivot)).
• Dash grab has slightly less range (Z2 offset: 11.8u → 11.5u).
• Pummel:
  • Pummel deals less damage (2% → 1.3%).
  • It deals more hitlag (4 frames → 14), but has less startup (frame 2 → 1) and much less ending lag (FAF 16 → 7).
• Back throw:
  • Back throw releases the opponent slower (frame 24 → 29), making it easier to DI.
    • However, its total duration remains unchanged, decreasing its ending lag as a result. This improves its combo ability.
  • Back throw's speed is no longer weight-dependent. This gives it far more combo ability on heavyweights, while still being increased on lightweights due to its lower ending lag.
• Up throw:
  • Up throw has more ending lag (FAF 33 → 38).
• Down throw:
  • Down throw has increased combo potential due to Dark Pit's faster jumpsquat and jump speed.
• Edge attack:
  • Edge attack deals more damage (7% → 9%).

Special moves

• Silver Bow:
  • Silver Bow has less startup (frame 20 (grounded)/22 (aerial) → 16), and drastically less ending lag on the ground (FAF 59 → 47), improving its camping ability.
  • It deals considerably more damage (4.3125% → 5.5% (uncharged), 10.95% → 14% (fully charged)), making it far stronger compared to Palutena Bow.
  • It launches at a lower angle (60° → 45°), allowing it to edgeguard more effectively.
  • The arrows travel faster.
  • It has received negative shield damage (0 → -2.2).
  • Firing a fully charged arrow causes the screen to shake.
• Electroshock Arm:
  • Grounded and aerial Electroshock Arm have less ending lag if missed (FAF 83 (grounded)/121 (aerial) → 80/105). The aerial version also has less ending lag upon activation (FAF 58 → 52).
  • Electroshock Arm launches at a lower angle (43° → 40°), slightly improving its KO ability.
  • The aerial version has a shorter hitbox duration upon activation (frames 2-5 → 2-3).
  • Dark Pit's "Electroshock!" voice clip has been moved to when he summons the Electroshock Arm rather then attacking with it and he no longer consistently vocalizes.
    • Additionally, he now uses both voice clips from using Power of Flight from Smash 4 whenever he strikes an opponent with the attack. Should he attack an opponent after saying "Electroshock!", he will remain silent.
• Power of Flight:
  • Power of Flight can sweetspot edges from behind.
  • Power of Flight now flies in a slight arc, moving outwards slightly before pulling back inwards again. The overall finishing location appears unchanged, however.
  • It takes longer for Dark Pit to move after he begins to fall, leaving him more vulnerable to attacks.
  • Power of Flight now uses Dark Pit's charging and attacking voice grunts when using Electroshock Arm from Smash 4.
• Guardian Orbitars:
  • Guardian Orbitars has less startup (frame 9 → 7), and much less ending lag if not extended (FAF 64 → 50), making it more reliable for reflecting projectiles.
  • They have less ending lag upon release (FAF 24 → 19), and the minimum amount of time they have to be held for upon activation is shorter (20 frames → 15).
  • They can be held for a longer amount of time (80 frames → 100).
  • They gradually shrink the longer they are held out.
  • They have less HP against physical attacks (18 → 15).
  • Unlike in Smash 4, Dark Pit's left foot noticeably sticks out from the bottom, leaving it more easily exposed to attacks from the side that wouldn't have normally hit him in Smash 4.
• Dark Pit Staff:
  • Dark Pit Staff has drastically reduced knockback (50 base/100 scaling → 63/53), launching fighters a considerably shorter distance even from 0%, and no longer being one of the strongest in the game.

Update history

Like his counterpart, Dark Pit has been buffed in patches, with his notable buffs coming in update 4.0.0 and 8.0.0.

1.1.0

• Up throw has more ending lag (FAF 33 → 38), making it identical to Pit's.

3.0.0

• Silver Bow has received negative shield damage (0 → -2.2).

3.1.0

• Up smash's hits connect more reliably.
• Electroshock Arm has less ending lag after hitting an opponent in the air (FAF 56 → 52), making it identical to Pit's variant.

4.0.0

• Neutral attack 1 has slightly less startup lag (frame 5 → 4) with its total duration reduced as well (FAF 27 → 26).
• Up tilt has less ending lag (FAF 35 → 33).
• Back aerial has less landing lag (11 frames → 8).
• Down smash's first hit deals more knockback on the sweetspot (35 base/93 scaling → 40/98), improving its KO potential.
• Down aerial's meteor smash has more base knockback against airborne opponents (0 → 10).
• Fixed an issue in Mega Special Smash that resulted Power of Flight to be used in tight spaces indefinitely, resulting Dark Pit to be stuck in his up special.

7.0.0

• Overall shield size has been increased.

8.0.0

• Down tilt launches at a higher angle (75° → 83°) and has less knockback scaling (50 → 46), improving its combo potential.
• Up smash's third hit has more knockback scaling (102 → 111).
• Down smash's first hit launches at a lower angle (55° → 48°), improving its KO potential.
• Up aerial:
  • The move has less startup (frame 12 → 10) and ending lag (FAF 50 → 41), and autocancels earlier (frame 37 → 35).
  • The last hit launches at a higher angle (68° → 80°), no longer being vulnerable to LSI.
  • The last hit has more knockback scaling (130 → 143). In combination with the previous change, this significantly improves its KO potential.
• Trip attack has more ending lag (FAF 47 → 50), matching the rest of the cast.
• Guardian Orbitars has less ending lag upon release (FAF 24 → 19), and the minimum amount of time they have to be held for upon activation is shorter (20 frames → 15).

Moveset

• Dark Pit can perform 3 double jumps.

For a gallery of Dark Pit's hitboxes, see here.

Note: All numbers are listed as base damage, without the 1v1 multiplier.

		Name	Damage	Description
Neutral attack		Forehand Slice (フォアハンドスライス) / Backhand Slice (バックハンドスライス) / Upper Swing (アッパースイング) / Cutter Rush (カッターラッシュ) / Cutter Finish (カッターフィニッシュ)	2%	A reverse gripped downward slash, followed by a reverse gripped inward slash, then by an upward slash. If button mashed, Dark Pit will instead follow up the second slash with a flurry of slashes using both blades, which concludes with a lunging outward slash.
			2%
			4%
			0.5% (loop), 2% (last)
Forward tilt		Cross Chop (クロスチョップ)	7% (base), 10% (tip)	Arcs his body forward to perform a scissoring slash. It is decent for spacing and possesses above average power for a tilt attack, with its sweetspot KOing middleweights at around 150% from the center of Final Destination. Due to it hitting on frame 10, however, it is Dark Pit's slowest tilt attack, and its base hitboxes KO significantly later due to their lower damage output. Overall, it is one of Dark Pit's most situational attacks.
Up tilt		Anti-Air Kick (アンチエアキック)	4% (hit 1), 5% (hit 2)	Two alternate lunging kicks upward. Compared to Smash 4, where it was nearly useless due to its short range, high ending lag and lack of combo or KO potential, its much more favorable ending lag and knockback in Ultimate allow it to combo reliably into a neutral aerial or up aerial, even up to high percents.
Down tilt		Leg Cutter (レッグカッター)	6%	A kneeling outward slash. Its minimal startup and low ending lag make it Dark Pit's best grounded spacing option, and it launches at a vertical angle, allowing it to combo into a dashing up smash at low percents, and a neutral, forward or up aerial from low to mid percents.
Dash attack		Dash Slice (ダッシュスライス)	11%	A spinning inward slash. Its fast startup, long range and respectable damage output make it excellent for punishing landings, while it also possesses enough knockback to KO at high percents, starting at around 160%. However, like other dash attacks, its moderate ending lag makes it punishable on shield.
Forward smash		Dual Attack (デュアルアタック)	5% (hit 1), 10% (hit 2)	Performs a reverse gripped inward slash with a blade, then quickly reassembles the Silver Bow in order to perform an outward slash with the Silver Bow. Its first hit has low set knockback to connect reliably into its second hit. Due to hitting on frame 10, it is also one of the fastest forward smashes in the game. The second hit can KO middleweights at around 120% from the center of Final Destination.
Up smash		Angel Spin (エンジェルスピン)	3% (hit 1), 2% (hit 2), 8% (hit 3)	Jumps to perform three upward slashes. It hits on frame 6, making it one of the fastest smash attacks overall. It is also a useful anti-air attack due to its long vertical range and disjointed hitboxes. However, it conversely possesses short horizontal range, resulting in it hitting grounded opponents only if they are at point-blank range in front of Dark Pit.
Down smash		Low Attack Combination (ローアタックコンビネーション)	12% (base), 10% (tip)	Performs a kneeling outward slash with a blade, followed by a squatting reverse gripped thrust behind himself with the other blade. Its sweetspot is located at the base of each blade. Like Dark Pit's other smash attacks, it is among the fastest of its kind, hitting on frame 5. While the first hit has higher base knockback and both hits have equal knockback scaling, the back hit's sweetspot KOs earlier thanks to its semi-spike angle.
Neutral aerial		Spinning Cycle (スピニングサイクル)	0.7% (hits 1-7), 4.5% (hit 8)	A buzzsaw-like series of slashes in front of himself. It hits multiple times, with its last hit having high knockback scaling. It has the fastest startup out of Dark Pit's aerials (hitting on frame 4), long lasting hitboxes, and autocancels in a short hop quickly after the hitboxes cease, making it useful for approaching, edgeguarding, and canceling out weak projectiles.
Forward aerial		Front Cycle (フロントサイクル)	2.5% (hits 1-2), 6% (hit 3)	Lunges forward to perform a buzzsaw-like series of slashes that hit up to three times. The last hit has high knockback scaling, KOing middleweights at around 175% from the center of Final Destination, and at around 130% at the edge, making it useful for edgeguarding at high percents. Like neutral aerial, it also autocancels quickly in a short hop, but has comparatively longer horizontal range, so it is a safe approach option. However, it has moderate startup lag and minimal vertical range.
Back aerial		Air Stab (エアスタッブ)	12% (tip), 8% (base)	A double reverse gripped thrust. It has a sourspot at the base of Dark Pit's blades that launches vertically with weak knockback, allowing it to combo into several grounded moves and aerials (including another back aerial) from low to mid percents on landing. Conversely, the tip of the blades possess a sweetspot that launches horizontally with the highest knockback out of Dark Pit's aerials, KOing at around 135% from center stage, and making it one of Dark Pit's most reliable KO options. However, the sweetspot can be difficult to land due to having lower priority than the sourspot, as well as the move's moderate startup lag.
Up aerial		Lightning Rotor (ライトニングローター)	1.5% (hits 1-4), 5% (hit 5)	An overhead, buzzsaw-like series of slashes. It hits multiple times, with its last hit launching vertically. Combined with the long duration of its hitboxes, this allows it to function as a reliable juggling tool. With proper timing and spacing, it can also hit characters on the ground upon landing and start combos, much like his back aerial's sweetspot. However, its moderate startup and long total duration make it punishable if used high up from the ground and missed.
Down aerial		Under-Arc Slash (アンダースラッシュ, Under Slash)	10%	A downward arcing reverse gripped slash. It has a sweetspot on the first hit frame that is a meteor smash, while its fairly long range and ability to autocancel in a short hop allows it to function as an approach option. It also has the fastest total duration out of Dark Pit's aerials, and its non-meteor hitboxes launch opponents vertically, allowing it to combo into other aerials from low to mid percents. While its meteor smash is relatively weak, it is among the fastest, coming out on frame 10.
Grab		Grab (つかみ)	—	Reaches out with his free hand.
Pummel		Grab Kneebutt (つかみニーバット)	1.3%	A knee strike. Average power and speed.
Forward throw		Upper Swing (アッパースイング)	6% (hit 1), 4% (throw)	Slashes the opponent away. It is Dark Pit's most powerful throw, KOing middleweights at around 130% near edges. Although it is best suited for KOing, it is decent at setting up edgeguards, and even has minimal combo potential, leading into a dash attack at low percents.
Back throw		Behind Throw (ビハインドスルー)	8%	Grabs the opponent by their head, spins around with them in tow, and then slams them onto the ground headfirst. Besides setting up edgeguards, it can combo into a dash attack at low percents, or act as a setup into Silver Bow at mid to high percents.
Up throw		Stand Shoot (スタンドシュート)	4% (hit 1), 7% (throw)	A handstand kick, similar to Sheik's up throw. It is Dark Pit's most damaging throw, but its throw hitbox's average base knockback and knockback scaling make it unsuited for KOing or combos. As a result, its only utility is dealing damage and initiating aerial pressure alongside Silver Bow.
Down throw		Bone Divide (ボーンディバイド)	2% (hit 1), 4% (throw)	Pins the opponent to the ground and then slashes their back. It is Dark Pit's best combo starter, as it can combo into a dashing up smash at low percents, and into any of Dark Pit's aerials except down aerial until high percents.
Forward roll Back roll Spot dodge Air dodge		—	—
Techs		—	—
Floor attack (front) Floor getups (front)			7%	Slashes on either side of himself while getting up.
Floor attack (back) Floor getups (back)			7%	Slashes in front of himself, then thrusts behind himself while getting up.
Floor attack (trip) Floor getups (trip)			5%	Spins the Silver Bow behind himself and then in front of himself before getting up.
Edge attack Edge getups			9%	Performs a hook kick while climbing up.
Neutral special		Silver Bow	5.5% (uncharged), 14% (fully charged)	Shoots a purplish-black arrow from his bow. Can be slightly angled up or down while flying and can be aimed up while charging. The arrows deal considerably more damage and knockback than Pit's, and are slightly faster, although they cannot be curved as strongly. This makes them significantly less effective for gimping and edgeguarding, but more effective as a conventional projectile.
Side special		Electroshock Arm	12% (grounded), 9.5% (aerial), 1× (reflected projectiles)	Wields the Electroshock Arm to perform a dashing uppercut. It grants super armor during the dash, and reflects projectiles at roughly 45°. However, it is an overall laggy attack, especially if missed; the aerial version in particular has a total duration of 104 frames (roughly 1.73 seconds), leaving Dark Pit prone to self-destructs if used below ground level. Nevertheless, it can aid his recovery, as it is capable of sweetspotting edges and can still allow him to get back to the stage if he has enough jumps left. Compared to Pit's Upperdash Arm, Electroshock Arm has an electric effect, deals more damage, and launches opponents horizontally instead of vertically, allowing it to KO earlier near edges; however, its lower knockback values make it weaker from center stage, with the grounded version KOing middleweights at around 125% instead of 110%.
Up special		Power of Flight	—	Soars through the air by using the Power of Flight. It covers a significant amount of distance, and the flight's direction can be angled in any way except downward, making it capable of being a purely vertical and nearly horizontal recovery option. It also grants intangibility on frames 9-19 when used on the ground, and on frames 15-19 when used in the air. Due to its high landing lag and lack of hitboxes, however, it leaves Dark Pit more vulnerable than other recoveries, especially if he does not grab an edge.
Down special		Guardian Orbitars	1.5× (reflected projectiles)	Wields the Guardian Orbitars to create twin energy shields that protect his left and right sides. They reflect projectiles with 50% more power and 70% more speed than they originally had, and can block physical attacks. However, they have 15 HP for physical attacks, with 0.07 HP regenerated every frame (4.2 HP per second), and break if it is fully depleted, after which they require 10 seconds to regenerate. Guardian Orbitars also push away opponents who are near Dark Pit when he wields them, which makes them capable of edgeguarding. In the air, Dark Pit can drift while using them, even if they are broken. Guardian Orbitars have a minimum duration of 20 frames (0.33 seconds) and a maximum duration of 100 frames (1.66 seconds). However, they leave Dark Pit open to attacks from above and below him, and they gradually shrink in size as they are held out.
Final Smash		Dark Pit Staff	1% (startup), 39% (beam)	Pulls out his namesake weapon, and fires an extremely powerful charged shot with nearly infinite horizontal range. Opponents are sent flying diagonally, and the closer they are to Dark Pit when the Final Smash activates, the more damage they take.

Stats

Stats	Weight	Dash speed	Walk speed	Traction	Air friction	Air speed	Air acceleration	Gravity	Falling speed	Jumpsquat	Jump height	Double jump height
Value	96	2.09 – Initial dash 1.828 – Run	1.259	0.135	0.008	0.935	0.01 – Base 0.065 – Additional	0.081	1.48 – Base 2.368 – Fast-fall	3	31 - Base 14.96 - Short hop	23.70148302, 19.110125, 15.01259414

Announcer call

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• English

• Japanese/Chinese

• French

On-screen appearance

• Slowly descends onto the stage while surrounded by rays of purple darkness that shine down from the sky.

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  Dark Pit's on-screen appearance

Taunts

• Up Taunt: Taps his shoulder with one of his blades and motions with his left hand, saying "Who wants some?"　(かかってこい。, Bring it on.)
• Side Taunt: Spins the Silver Bow in front of him while facing the screen, before swinging one of his blades and saying "Watch out!" (いくぜ!, Here we go!)
• Down Taunt: Turns around a bit, then points with his right blade (if in its bow form, he points the Silver Bow instead), saying "Game on!" (死にたいヤツは前に出ろ。, Step right up if you want to die.) (Reference to chapter 21 of the Japanese dub of Kid Icarus: Uprising.) This is the only taunt that does not split his Bow into blades if it was in bow form beforehand.

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  Dark Pit's up taunt.

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  Dark Pit's side taunt.

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  Dark Pit's down taunt.

Idle poses

• Briefly fiddles with his Silver Bow. Dark Pit will split it into its blades if it is in its bow form.
• Taps the tips of his buskins on the ground and then impatiently hops in place.

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  Dark Pit's first idle pose.

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  Dark Pit's second idle pose.

Crowd cheer

	Cheer (English)	Cheer (Japanese/Chinese)	Cheer (Italian)	Cheer (Dutch)	Cheer (French)
Cheer
Description	Pittoo Pittoo Pittoo!	Black Pit! Burapi!	Pit Os - cu - ro! *claps 4 times*	Dark! Dark! Pit!	Pit malé - fique!

	Cheer (German)	Cheer (Spanish)	Cheer (Russian)	Cheer (Korean)
Cheer
Description		Pit Sombrío! *clap 5 times*	Tem - ny Pit!	Beu - llaek Pi - teu!

Victory poses

• Left: Flies down, sticks his Silver Bow to the ground, then crosses his arms before saying "Can't help but feel sorry for ya." ("貴様らに舞い降りる翼はない。", You've got no wings to fly.).
• Up: Twirls the Dark Pit Staff, then points it outward, while saying "Looks like I'm the last man standing." ("俺はまだ生きているぞ。", I'm still living on right here.).
• Right: Spreads his right hand to the side before pumping his fist out in front of him, saying "Nice try." ("ふん！ しゃらくさい。", Hmph! Tricky.).
  • If Pit was present in the match, there is a chance he will instead say "Where's your goddess now?" ("どうだ？ 女神のフンめ。", How's that strike you, goddess crap?).

A small excerpt of Dark Pit's theme from Kid Icarus: Uprising.

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In competitive play

Most historically significant players

See also: Category:Pit players (SSBU); Category:Dark Pit players (SSBU)

•  Len  - Placed 3rd at The Pinnacle 2018, 17th at both The Pinnacle 2019 and Pinnacle 2021, 25th at Play With Heart, and 33rd at Port Priority 7 with wins over players such as moxi, Big D, and Ouch!?.
•  Lucky  - The best Pit and Dark Pit player in the early metagame prior to dropping the characters. Placed 4th at Smashwick 4, 7th at both DoKomi 2019 and Calyptus Cup X: Purple Age, 17th at Ultimate Fighting Arena 2019, and 25th at Albion 4 with wins over players such as Tarik, Streakz, and Longo. Ranked 38th on the European Smash Rankings in 2020.
•  Nata  - Placed 7th at Shinosuma HEROES 1, 9th at Wave 3, 17th at WINNER! -Next 1-, and 25th at both Kagaribi 6 and Seibugeki 12 with wins over players such as Sigma, Choco, and takera.
•  RaZe  - The best Pit player in Australia but has since relegated both characters to a secondary in favor of Link. Placed 5th at Big Cheese 2 and Melbourne Esports Open, 9th at Phantom 2020, and 17th at Battle Arena Melbourne 11. Online, placed 2nd at SWT: Oceania Ultimate Online Qualifier. Currently an honorary mention on the Australian Power Rankings.
•  Tet.  - Placed 13th at both Kagaribi and Seibugeki 11 as well as 25th at Kagaribi 3, Kagaribi 7, and Seibugeki 12 with wins over players such as chicken, takera, and Tarakotori. Online, placed 3rd at both Tamisuma SP 207 and Tamisuma SP 271 and 5th at Tamisuma SP 265. Previously ranked 40th in the 13th Smashmate SP season.
•  Zackray  - The undisputed best Pit and Dark Pit player of all-time, giving Pit and Dark Pit their highest-placing result at a major/supermajor, placing 3rd at Kagaribi 9, WINNER! -Next 2- and Kagaribi 10.

Tier placement and history

In early Ultimate, many players believed Pit and Dark Pit were improved significantly from their incarnations in SSB4, with the universal increased mobility, landing lag reduction on all aerials, and new KO moves fixing many of their core problems from the previous game. However, their representation remained small due to how straightforward the characters were: professional players believe Pit and Dark Pit lacked an explosive factor in their kits, especially when compared to the rest of the cast, leading to the archetype that they were "honest" characters with average capabilities all around. Although there were some solid performances from players such as Lucky and RaZe, the Pits were widely considered mid tier at best. This reputation remained largely the same for the following few years, and although many old Pit players eventually dropped the character, newer Pit players were able to take their place, such as Tet. and Nata. Without much change in their metagames during this time, the Pits were ranked 52nd on the first tier list as an upper-mid tier.

Around the time of the first tier list, Zackray began playing the Pits. Although he never won a major with the two characters, he was able to push the characters to heights never seen before, regularly placing top 8 at large Japanese events, especially in the Kagaribi series. These strong performances, as well as other noteworthy performances from Japanese players, led many to notice how effective their options and movesets are when used in the right hands. As such, many players reevaluated their opinions on the characters, leading the Pits to rise eleven spots to 41st on the second tier list, one of the largest rises out of any character between the first and second tier lists.

Classic Mode: Created Warriors

Dark Pit's congratulations screen.

Dark Pit's opponents are characters that are artificial creations or genetically enhanced, with the exception of Pit, who is fought in reference to his and Dark Pit's rivalry in Kid Icarus: Uprising. Due to being a robot, Galleom also fits this theme and is fought as the route's final boss.

Round	Opponent	Stage	Music	Notes
1	Mewtwo	Spear Pillar	Battle! (Dialga/Palkia) / Spear Pillar	References how Mewtwo was created as a result of genetic experiments in the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island. It is a clone of Mew, but its genes were spliced with that of another creature.
2	Dark Samus	Frigate Orpheon	Opening/Menu - Metroid Prime	References Dark Samus simply being a fusion of Samus' DNA and her Phazon Suit, animated by Phazon.
3	Link (x3)	Temple	Great Temple / Temple	References Dark Link. Due to there being three Dark Links, this could also be a reference to the Dark Interlopers.
4	Cloud	Midgar	Fight On!	After the Nibelheim incident, Cloud and Zack Fair were captured by Shinra and injected with Jenova cells by Professor Hojo. This turned them into Sephiroth Clones with superhuman abilities.
5	Captain Falcon	Big Blue	Devil's Call in Your Heart	References Blood Falcon, an evil clone of Captain Falcon.
6	Pit	Palutena's Temple	Dark Pit's Theme	References Dark Pit's battles with Pit.
Bonus Stage
Final	Galleom	Base	Boss Battle - Super Smash Bros. Brawl	Pit appears as a teammate.

Credits roll after completing Classic Mode. Completing it as Dark Pit has Dark Pit's Theme accompany the credits.

Role in World of Light

Finding Dark Pit in World of Light

Dark Pit was among the fighters that were summoned to fight the army of Master Hands.

During the opening cutscene, Dark Pit was present on the cliffside when Galeem unleashed its beams of light. He was flying alongside Pit to escape the beams, but after Palutena was vaporized, they lost their Power of Flight and fell victim to the beams as well. They were both placed under Galeem's imprisonment along with the rest of the fighters, excluding Kirby.

Dark Pit was one of the many fighters that fell under Dharkon's control upon Galeem's first defeat. He can be found in the Dracula's Castle sub-area, having to climb a chimney and beat the Boo spirit fight to reach him.

Fighter Battle

No.	Image	Name	Type	Power	Stage	Music
28ε		Dark Pit	Shield	11,200	Reset Bomb Forest (Ω form)	Dark Pit's Theme

Spirit

Dark Pit's fighter spirit can be obtained by completing Classic Mode. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Dark Pit has been unlocked. Unlocking Dark Pit in World of Light allows the player to preview the spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. His fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with his artwork in Ultimate.

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  704. Dark Pit

In Spirit Battles

As the main opponent

Spirit				Battle parameters
No.	Image	Name	Series	Enemy Fighter(s)	Type	Power	Stage	Rules	Conditions	Music
721		Eggplant Wizard	Kid Icarus Series	•Dark Pit		9,300	Reset Bomb Forest	•Defense ↓ •Attack Power ↓ •Item: Food	•You have reduced defense after a little while •You have reduced attack power after a little while	Overworld

As a minion

Spirit				Battle parameters							Inspiration
No.	Image	Name	Series	Enemy Fighter(s)	Type	Power	Stage	Rules	Conditions	Music	Character
117		Flies & Hand	Mario Paint Series	•Giant Donkey Kong •Tiny Dark Pit ×4		4,000	Living Room	•Assist Trophy Enemies (Flies & Hand) •Item: Food	•Survive until the timer runs out (1:00) •Hostile assist trophies will appear	Mario Paint Medley	Flies
840		Phyllis & Pelly	Animal Crossing Series	•Pit •Dark Pit		3,600	Town and City	•Item Tidal Wave •Uncontrollable Speed	•All fighters move faster and can't stop quickly after a little while •Certain items will appear in large numbers after a little while •The enemy is easily distracted by items	Town Hall and Tom Nook's Store - Animal Crossing: Wild World	Phyllis
1,377		ASTRAL CHAIN Hero (Male)	ASTRAL CHAIN	•Chrom •Metal Dark Pit		9,500	Fourside (Ω form)	N/A	•Defeat the main fighter to win •The enemy is metal	Corneria - Star Fox Zero	Bow Legion

As an ally

Spirit				Battle parameters							Inspiration
No.	Image	Name	Series	Enemy Fighter(s)	Type	Power	Stage	Rules	Conditions	Music	Character
714		Pandora	Kid Icarus Series	•Wendy •Ally: Dark Pit		3,500	Kalos Pokémon League (Ω form)	•Bob-omb Festival	•Join forces with a CPU ally •Bob-ombs will rain from the sky after a little while •Explosion attacks aren't as effective against the enemy	Dark Pit's Theme	Dark Pit

Alternate costumes

Gallery

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  Dark Pit's fighter card.

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  Dark Pit's unlock notice.

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  On Skyworld.

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  Dark Pit attacking Falco on Spirit Train.

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  Dark Pit using Electroshock Arm against Pit on Temple.

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  Dark Pit posing on Coliseum.

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  Using his Guardian Orbitars against Bayonetta on the Great Plateau Tower.

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  Unleashing his Final Smash, Dark Pit Staff on Yoshi's Story.

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  Dark Pit struck by Dark Samus's forward aerial on Gerudo Valley.

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  With Pit and Palutena on Skyworld.

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  Steve using Elytra near Pit and Dark Pit on Temple.

Trivia

• In the World of Light trailer, Dark Pit is seen losing his Power of Flight with the loss of Palutena, and his wings glow blue during use. This is unlike the in-game move, where his wings use a green glow, which occurs when the ability is granted by Viridi.
  • On a related note, Dark Pit is the only Echo Fighter to appear in the World of Light opening.
• Dark Pit's inclusion as a separate character as opposed to an alternative costume in SSB4 was originally due to the Three Sacred Treasures belonging to Pit and Sakurai deeming it unfitting for the weapons to be used by him. The Lightning Chariot that replaces Pit's old Final Smash, however, has been used by both Dark Pit and Pit, thus defeating the original purpose of separating the two characters. The reason for Dark Pit's re-inclusion is likely due to Ultimate's goal of bringing all previous characters back into a singular game.
• In German, the name tag and voice clip from the announcer on the victory screen is slightly different from the one used on the character select screen, instead featuring a noticeable translation of "the" (der Finisterer Pit). He shares this trait with Young Link.
• Pausing and zooming the camera around Dark Pit's ears reveals a gap between the top part of his ear and his hair, which is more visible when looking at his left ear. This is shared with Pit.
• Dark Pit, Wii Fit Trainer, and Kazuya are the only playable characters in Ultimate that do not appear in a Nintendo Switch game outside of Ultimate.
• Excluding DLC fighters, Dark Pit is tied with Olimar as the fighter featured in the least amount of spirit battles, with both only appearing in 5.
  • Additionally, Dark Pit has the least amount of spirits possessed as a main fighter, with a total of 1 (in this case, the Eggplant Wizard spirit)