Ken (SSBU): Difference between revisions
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{{iw|wikipedia|Reuben Langdon}}, Ken's English voice actor from ''Street Fighter IV'' and ''Street Fighter V'', reprises his role in the overseas versions, including the Chinese and Korean versions. His Japanese voice actor since ''Street Fighter III: Third Strike'', {{iw|wikipedia|Yuji Kishi}}, reprises his role exclusively in the Japanese version. ''Ultimate'' is the last game where {{iw|wikipedia|Reuben Langdon}} voices Ken in English, as {{iw|wikipedia|David Matranga}} is his current English voice actor in ''Street Fighter 6''. | {{iw|wikipedia|Reuben Langdon}}, Ken's English voice actor from ''Street Fighter IV'' and ''Street Fighter V'', reprises his role in the overseas versions, including the Chinese and Korean versions. His Japanese voice actor since ''Street Fighter III: Third Strike'', {{iw|wikipedia|Yuji Kishi}}, reprises his role exclusively in the Japanese version. ''Ultimate'' is the last game where {{iw|wikipedia|Reuben Langdon}} voices Ken in English, as {{iw|wikipedia|David Matranga}} is his current English voice actor in ''Street Fighter 6''. | ||
Ken is ranked 45th out of 82 on the current tier list, placing him in the B- tier. Ken is known as the more aggressive shoto, being able to dish out huge amounts of damage from his multitude of combos and strings, finishing off his opponents with strong KO confirms into his [[Shoryuken]]. Like his fellow ''Street Fighter'' friend, Ken has a lot of good frame data on his moves and the distinction of having the auto-turnaround mechanic which allows him to perform his combos easier and more reliably. His Shoryuken in particular is great as an anti-air with high knockback growth when the last hit connects or when all hits on the ground connect with each other. | Ken is ranked 45th out of 82 on the current tier list, placing him in the B- tier. Ken is known as the more aggressive [[shoto]], being able to dish out huge amounts of damage from his multitude of combos and strings, finishing off his opponents with strong KO confirms into his [[Shoryuken]]. Like his fellow ''Street Fighter'' friend, Ken has a lot of good frame data on his moves and the distinction of having the auto-turnaround mechanic which allows him to perform his combos easier and more reliably. His Shoryuken in particular is great as an anti-air with high knockback growth when the last hit connects or when all hits on the ground connect with each other. | ||
However, Ken shares nearly the same amount of weaknesses as Ryu, being fairly easy to combo reliably and easily edgeguarded if one reads his linear recovery route. In addition, unlike Ryu, Ken is vulnerable to some of his moves being able to be escaped via SDI, such as his Shoryuken and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, allowing his opponent to punish him for landing those moves. Finally, Ken is forced to approach in a lot of matchups with his limited amount of approach options, making him linear overall. | However, Ken shares nearly the same amount of weaknesses as Ryu, being fairly easy to combo reliably and easily edgeguarded if one reads his linear recovery route. In addition, unlike Ryu, Ken is vulnerable to some of his moves being able to be escaped via SDI, such as his Shoryuken and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, allowing his opponent to punish him for landing those moves. Finally, Ken is forced to approach in a lot of matchups with his limited amount of approach options, making him linear overall. | ||
Overall, Ken is seen as a capable and viable fighter in the right hands with his strong advantage state and combo ability, and players can choose to play either Ken or Ryu, depending on the matchup or mood. For example, if the matchup requires an aggressive game plan, then Ken is the optimal choice, | Overall, Ken is seen as a capable and viable fighter in the right hands with his strong advantage state and combo ability, and players can choose to play either Ken or Ryu, depending on the matchup or mood. For example, if the matchup requires an aggressive game plan, then Ken is the optimal choice. As such, many players who play Ken also play Ryu, although there are several successful players dedicated to just Ken, such as {{Sm|Jahzz0}} and {{Sm|takera}}. | ||
==How to unlock== | ==How to unlock== | ||
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Overall, Ken is a combo-oriented fighter with a fearsome offensive potential, as his unique mechanics deliberately give him access to powerful true combos essential to the competitive success of most characters; his ability to trap opponents in hitstun or shield pressure, multiple options for escaping or negating combos, and dependable recovery all make Ken very rewarding and unpredictable. However, his polarized movement, mediocre vertical recovery, and lacking approach make him difficult to play optimally. His high learning curve in particular is perhaps his biggest issue; much practice is generally required for his input specials to use them reliably and consistently, rather than accidentally inputting the wrong move. | Overall, Ken is a combo-oriented fighter with a fearsome offensive potential, as his unique mechanics deliberately give him access to powerful true combos essential to the competitive success of most characters; his ability to trap opponents in hitstun or shield pressure, multiple options for escaping or negating combos, and dependable recovery all make Ken very rewarding and unpredictable. However, his polarized movement, mediocre vertical recovery, and lacking approach make him difficult to play optimally. His high learning curve in particular is perhaps his biggest issue; much practice is generally required for his input specials to use them reliably and consistently, rather than accidentally inputting the wrong move. | ||
==Differences from {{SSBU|Ryu}}== | ==Differences from {{SSBU|Ryu}}== | ||
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*[[Tatsumaki Senpukyaku]]: | *[[Tatsumaki Senpukyaku]]: | ||
**{{change|Tatsumaki Senpukyaku hits multiple times, as opposed to Ryu's single hit.}} | **{{change|Tatsumaki Senpukyaku hits multiple times, as opposed to Ryu's single hit.}} | ||
**{{change|Aesthetically, Ken | **{{change|Aesthetically, Ken spins faster during Tatsumaki Senpukyaku however he moves at the same speed as Ryu.}} | ||
**{{buff|Compared to Ryu's, Ken's Tatsumaki Senpukyaku does not lose its hitbox on hit due to its multi-hit nature. Ken can also reliably cross up shields with his version, making it safer on shield.}} | **{{buff|Compared to Ryu's, Ken's Tatsumaki Senpukyaku does not lose its hitbox on hit due to its multi-hit nature. Ken can also reliably cross up shields with his version, making it safer on shield.}} | ||
**{{nerf|Tatsumaki Senpukyaku deals less damage than the late hit of Ryu's version, even if all hits connect.}} | **{{nerf|Tatsumaki Senpukyaku deals less damage than the late hit of Ryu's version, even if all hits connect.}} | ||
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**{{nerf|Tatsumaki Senpukyaku deals significantly less knockback compared to Ryu's, removing its KO potential.}} | **{{nerf|Tatsumaki Senpukyaku deals significantly less knockback compared to Ryu's, removing its KO potential.}} | ||
**{{nerf|The grounded version does not grant intangibility to Ken's attacking leg.}} | **{{nerf|The grounded version does not grant intangibility to Ken's attacking leg.}} | ||
**{{nerf|The grounded version (both command input and normal input) travels a shorter distance than Ryu’s (5-9 training stage blocks depending on charge → 4-7) however the aerial version travels the same distance.}} | |||
*[[Shoryuken]]: | *[[Shoryuken]]: | ||
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|neutralcount=3 | |neutralcount=3 | ||
|neutralinf=y | |neutralinf=y | ||
|neutralname=Jab ({{ja|ジャブ|Jabu }}) / Body Blow ({{ja|ボディーブロー|Bodī Burō}}) / Hook ({{ja|フック|Fukku}})<br/> Inazuma Kick{{ref|a}} (Held-Far)<br/> Upper ({{ja|アッパー|Appā}}) (Held-Close) | |neutralname=Jab ({{ja|ジャブ|Jabu }}) / Body Blow ({{ja|ボディーブロー|Bodī Burō}}) / Hook ({{ja|フック|Fukku}})<br/> Inazuma Kick {{ja|稲妻かかと割り|Inazuma Kakato Wari}}{{ref|a}} (Held-Far)<br/> Upper ({{ja|アッパー|Appā}}) (Held-Close) | ||
|neutral1dmg=1.5% (hits 1 and 2) | |neutral1dmg=1.5% (hits 1 and 2) | ||
|neutral2dmg=5% | |neutral2dmg=5% | ||
|neutral3dmg=6% (hit 1), 10% (hit 2) (held-far) | |neutral3dmg=6% (hit 1), 10% (hit 2) (held-far) | ||
|neutralinfdmg=12% (held-close) | |neutralinfdmg=12% (held-close) | ||
|neutraldesc= ''Tapped'': A jab, followed by a | |neutraldesc= ''Tapped'': A jab, followed by a body blow, followed by a hook. The second hit is based on Ken's ''Street Fighter III'' close medium punch. The first and second hits can be special-canceled, and are also able to jab lock. | ||
''Held (far)'': Ken performs his Inazuma Kick: a double-hitting axe kick. It is somewhat hard to land both hits, as the range tends to overlap with his close variant. This move causes Ken to slightly move forward, and deals a good amount of shield damage, making it useful for shield pressure. Cannot be special-canceled. | ''Held (far)'': Ken performs his Inazuma Kick: a double-hitting axe kick. It is somewhat hard to land both hits, as the range tends to overlap with his close variant. This move causes Ken to slightly move forward, and deals a good amount of shield damage, making it useful for shield pressure. Cannot be special-canceled. | ||
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|dairdesc=A downward-angled cross. Against aerial opponents, the sweetspot on Ken's fist is a [[meteor smash]] that launches opponents at a rather diagonal angle, akin to a [[spike]]. It can be special-canceled. | |dairdesc=A downward-angled cross. Against aerial opponents, the sweetspot on Ken's fist is a [[meteor smash]] that launches opponents at a rather diagonal angle, akin to a [[spike]]. It can be special-canceled. | ||
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}}) | |grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}}) | ||
|grabdesc=Reaches out | |grabdesc=Reaches out. Ken's overall grab range is short. | ||
|pummelname=Hizageri{{ref|h}} ({{ja|ひざ蹴り|Hizageri}}) | |pummelname=Hizageri{{ref|h}} ({{ja|ひざ蹴り|Hizageri}}) | ||
|pummeldmg=1.3% | |pummeldmg=1.3% | ||
|pummeldesc=A knee strike while holding the opponent in the {{s|wikipedia|collar-and-elbow}} position. It is based on his Tsukami Hizageri ({{ja|つかみ膝蹴り|Tsukami Hizageri}}, "Grasping Knee Kick") throw in the ''Street Fighter Alpha/Zero'' games. | |pummeldesc=A knee strike while holding the opponent in the {{s|wikipedia|collar-and-elbow}} position. Average power, and its lower hitlag makes it faster compared to other similar pummels, being only marginally slower than {{SSBU|Kirby}}. As a result, it is very useful for racking up damage. It is based on his Tsukami Hizageri ({{ja|つかみ膝蹴り|Tsukami Hizageri}}, "Grasping Knee Kick") throw in the ''Street Fighter Alpha/Zero'' games. | ||
|fthrowname=Seoi Throw ({{ja|背負い投げ|Seoi Nage}}) | |fthrowname=Seoi Throw ({{ja|背負い投げ|Seoi Nage}}) | ||
|fthrowdmg=9% | |fthrowdmg=9% | ||
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==In [[competitive play]]== | ==In [[competitive play]]== | ||
===Most historically significant players=== | ===Most historically significant players=== | ||
<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines --> | <!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines --> | ||
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''See also: [[:Category:Ken players (SSBU)]]'' | ''See also: [[:Category:Ken players (SSBU)]]'' | ||
*{{Sm|AndresFn|Spain}} - | *{{Sm|AndresFn|Spain}} - Known for playing all four FGC characters but primarily played Ken in 2021 and most of 2022. He is the best Ken player in Europe and is best known for winning {{Trn|Glory 2.0}} with mostly Ken, defeating {{Sm|Flow|p=France}} and {{Sm|Tarik}} twice. He has since relegated the character to a secondary, pulling out the character to defeat {{Sm|Supahsemmie}} at {{Trn|Tera}} and {{Sm|Bloom4Eva}} at {{Trn|Shonen WAR 2}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Jahzz0|USA}} - The best Ken player in the | *{{Sm|Jahzz0|USA}} - The best Ken player in the world since 2024, first known for winning {{Trn|Santa Paws 1}} over {{Sm|Anathema}} and defeating {{Sm|Glutonny}} at {{Trn|Smash Ultimate Summit 5}}. He is since known for many other performances, including placing 7th at {{Trn|Patchwork 2024}}, 13th at {{Trn|Kagaribi 9}} defeating {{Sm|Shuton}} and 9th at {{Trn|Rise 'N Grind 2023}} defeating {{Sm|Riddles}}. | ||
*{{Sm|takera|Japan}} - One of the best Ken players in the world, spearheading Ken's rise in the metagame after placing 5th at {{Trn|EGS Cup 3}} and 7th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 11}} in the early metagame, defeating {{Sm|KEN}} and {{Sm|Zackray}} in the former event and marking some of the best Ken results of all-time. Although notoriously inconsistent since then, he still remained the only Ken player with multiple top 8 finishes at majors, placing 5th at several events including {{Trn|DELTA 4}} and {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 13}}. | |||
*{{Sm|takera|Japan}} - | *{{Sm|Vendetta|USA}} - One of the best Ken players in North America and one of the best Ken players in the world in the first half of 2022. He is the first American Ken player to top 8 a major, doing so at {{Trn|Glitch - Infinite}} after defeating {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}}, {{Sm|WaDi}}, and {{Sm|Goblin}}. His other notable performances include placing 17th at both {{Trn|MomoCon 2022}} and {{Trn|GENESIS 9}}, defeating {{Sm|Cosmos}} and {{Sm|LeoN}} in the latter event. | ||
*{{Sm|Vendetta|USA}} - One of the best Ken players in the | |||
===Tier placement and history=== | |||
In the early stages of ''Ultimate'', Ken and his original fighter {{SSBU|Ryu}} had poor representation due to their high technical learning curve and problems with approaching due to their slow mobility and vulnerability to projectiles. Due to the perception of Ryu at the time being lackluster from the nerfs he received from ''Smash 4'', Ken was viewed more positively as he had access to his input kicks and slightly better mobility, though he was nonetheless perceived as a mid-tier at the time. Future patches to both characters granted them noteworthy buffs that enhanced their close-quarters fighting style, notably giving them a retooled jab that became an excellent combo starter and giving them more leeway to input special moves from many of his attacks. Players initially believed the buffs were more beneficial to Ken, as Ken had a wider array of combos and better mobility and damage-racking capabilities compared to Ryu, leading to Ken to drastically improve in representation in the second half of 2019. This representation was spearheaded by {{Sm|takera}}, who finished top 8 finishes at a few majors during this time, and also included a few good major performances from {{Sm|Sandstorm}}, some notable secondary usage from {{Sm|Riddles}}, and several strong regional-level players such as {{Sm|Nito}} and {{Sm|Venom}}. As such, players widely considered Ken to not only superior than Ryu, but also a high tier, with this perception being maintaned following further buffs to Ken in 7.0.0. | |||
This perception began to change in 2021, as not only did Ryu receive buffs exclusive to him, but many Ken players also began picking up Ryu as a co-main. As such, the representation between the two characters began closing, which was most apparent in 2022: although it marked one of the most successful years for Ken thanks to strong performances from {{Sm|Vendetta}} in the first half of the year and {{Sm|Jahzz0}} towards the end of the year, it also marked the meteoric rise of {{Sm|Asimo}}, whose results with Ryu eclipsed all results from Ken players during that time. This was reflected in the first tier list, with Ken ranking 34th as a high tier and two spots above Ryu. Following the first tier list, Ken's results at the top level took a hit, as takera remained notoriously inconsistent and Jahzz0's performances were rather low-key save a few high peaks. With Asimo remaining a consistent threat to place high at majors, the community began believing that Ryu was a better character than Ken. As such, Ken slipped to 45th on the second tier list in the B- tier, now ranking thirteen spots below Ryu and tying with {{SSBU|Roy}} and {{SSBU|Chrom}} for the largest drop between the two lists. Following the second tier list, Jahzz0 saw a more consistent period in being able to place highly at majors, such as his placings at {{Trn|Patchwork 2024}} and {{Trn|Riptide 2024}}, as well as recent wins over {{Sm|Kola}} and {{Sm|Riddles}}. As a result, some players believe Ken's steep fall between the first and second tier lists should be reevaluated, with some believing Ken deserves to be ranked higher. Currently, Ken is considered to be inferior to his Echo Fighter, Ryu; however, the extent of how inferior is still up for debate. | |||
=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Red-Hot Rivalry== | =={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Red-Hot Rivalry== | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
{{ImageCaption|Image:KenHeadSSBU.png|Image:KenHeadSSBUWebsite.png|width1=64px|width2=64px|caption=Left: Ken's standard head icon.<br/>Right: ''Ultimate'' official website variant.}} | |||
*On the [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site|official website for ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'']], Ken's head icon is slightly different than how it appears in-game, as it lacks the red marks to indicate the color of his gi, and has an additional gray outline on top of the standard black. | |||
*Ken's pose in his official artwork is much like the pose in his ''Street Fighter III'' artwork. | *Ken's pose in his official artwork is much like the pose in his ''Street Fighter III'' artwork. | ||
**It also resembles {{SSB4|Ryu}}'s pose in his ''Smash 4'' artwork, only mirrored. | **It also resembles {{SSB4|Ryu}}'s pose in his ''Smash 4'' artwork, only mirrored. | ||