Pikachu (SSB4): Difference between revisions

'''Pikachu''' ({{ja|ピカチュウ|Pikachū}}, ''Pikachu'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Its return to the series was announced during the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] [[Nintendo Direct]] on June 11th, 2013.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13D1I5s236o Nintendo Direct@E3 2013]</ref> It was also among the first wave of [[amiibo]] that are compatible with ''SSB4''. Ikue Ōtani reprises her role as Pikachu's voice actress, albeit via recycled voice clips from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.

The competitive community's overall opinion of Pikachu has been volatile since ''SSB4''{{'}}s release. Initially, it was widely seen as an average character, but after a number of impressive tournament showings by ESAM, including his brief period of retirement having added to the "mystery" of Pikachu's potential, it was seen as a top 3 character by players like {{Sm|ZeRo}} and ESAM himself. Incidentally, this perception was further cemented after ZeRo and ESAM competed against each other in an extremely close Winners' Finals set at [[Super Smash Con]].

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''==

However, Pikachu has also received significant nerfs. Quick Attack canceling can no longer be used on the ground unless used off of a slope, making it less flexible as an approach option, forcing Pikachu to use its Quick Attack edge-cancel technique. Pikachu's grab game, one of its greatest strengths in ''Brawl'', has been heavily nerfed: its overall grab range is shorter, its up and down throws deal less damage, with the latter's increased knockback worsening its combo potential, and the removal of [[chain grab]]bing removed its forward and down throws' highly damaging chain grabs. While the changes to hitstun canceling have given it new combos, they are nonetheless inferior to its chain grabbing combos in ''Brawl'' and Pikachu also has worse [[lock]]ing potential not only due to the three hit lock limit but also because Quick Attack has lost its locking potential in exchange for combo potential and Pikachu's up aerial has much higher knockback making it less reliable at leading into a [[footstool]]. Pikachu's damage output has noticeably been reduced hindering its overall racking ability. Pikachu's overall range is also worse further exacerbating its already poor range especially when relative to the cast. Although the new edge mechanics supplement Pikachu's already impressive [[recovery]], they also hinder its edge-guarding potential, especially since the majority of its fellow veterans have improved recoveries. While some of Pikachu's moves have greater KO potential, others have reduced KO potential most notably down smash, neutral aerial and [[Thunder]]. Thunder has significantly less range and power making [[thunderspiking]] both harder and far less effective although Thunder has a new meteor smash hitbox on its Thundercloud which can lead into the shockwave. Lastly, the introduction to [[rage]] is a mixed bag: although it alleviates Pikachu's unimpressive KO potential, Pikachu's unimpressive endurance makes it difficult for it to utilize rage safely and the removal of [[momentum canceling]] has also further worsened Pikachu's already poor endurance.

*{{change|[[Walk]]'s animation has slightly changed. Pikachu now walks in a more slanted motion.}}

*{{change|Down [[taunt]]'s animation has slightly changed. Pikachu now keeps its eyes open, instead of closing them.}}

===Attributes===

**{{nerf|The grounded version of the shockwave has more ending lag (FAF 38 → 42).}}

**{{nerf|Thunder deals less damage (10% (thunderbolt)/17% (shockwave) → 8%/15%) and deals less knockback (100 (base), 50 (scaling), → 74/60 (thunderbolt), 100/60 → 70/66 (shockwave)).}}

***{{buff|The thunderbolt's reduced range allows Pikachu to hit itself sooner reducing the shockwave's startup lag.}}

**{{nerf|The removal of [[edge momentum shifting]] slightly hinders its utility.}}

''' {{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.6]]'''

''' {{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.0]]'''

==Moveset==

*Pikachu can [[Crawling|crawl]] and [[wall jump]].

{{MovesetTable

|game=SSB4

|neutralcount=1

|neutral1dmg=1.4% (near), 1.2% (mid), 1% (far)

|neutraldesc=A [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Battering ram|battering ram]]. Due to it hitting on frame 2 and having very minimal ending lag, it is fairly [[spam]]mable if the [[Attack button (disambiguation)|attack button]] is held. It is very useful for [[Lock#Jab lock|jab locking]], but can also potentially [[Tripping|trip]] opponents. However, its damage output and knockback are very low.

|ftiltangles=3

|ftiltupdmg=10%

|ftiltdowndmg=8%

|ftiltdesc=A double-footed side kick performed from the [[wikipedia:Freeze (b-boy move)#Variants|baby freeze]], a variation of the freeze breakdancing move. It deals more damage when angled upward, whereas it has a chance to trip opponents when angled downward.

|utiltdmg=5%

|utiltdesc=Flicks its tail in an overhead arcing motion. Its fast speed and low knockback make it a very useful combo starter, as it can combo into itself and aerials beginning at 0% and up to medium percents.

|dtiltdmg=6%

|dtiltdesc=Lays in a prone position and spins around to swing its tail forward. It can set up a jab lock and potentially trip opponents, even at high percents.

|dashdmg=10% (clean), 6% (late)

|dashdesc=A battering ram. Its clean hitbox's respectable damage output and high knockback growth enable it to function as a situational KOing option, as it KOs middleweights at 166% while near the edge. However, it has 33 frames of ending lag, and its late hitbox has virtually no KO potential.

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|15}} (early), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|18}} (clean), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|12}} (late)

|fsmashdesc=Rears back and then leans forward to discharge a bolt of electricity from its cheeks. It is Pikachu's strongest smash attack, as its clean hitbox is strong enough to KO middleweights at 107% while near the edge. It consists of three hitboxes: its clean hitbox is located at the inner portion of the bolt, its early hitbox is located at Pikachu's cheeks, and its late hitbox is located at the tip of the bolt. Although its late hitbox deals the least amount of damage, it actually KOs earlier than its early hitbox, thanks to its much higher knockback growth. Its late hitbox KOs middleweights at 127% while near the edge, whereas its early hitbox KOs them at 141%. Due to it hitting on frame 15, however, it has the highest amount of start-up lag out of Pikachu's smash attacks. It also has 26 frames of ending lag.

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|13}} (clean tail), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|14}} (clean body), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|11}} (mid), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|7}} (late)

|usmashdesc=Backflips to strike with its tail. Despite involving its tail, its body hitbox actually deals slightly more damage than its tail's clean hitbox, similarly to how {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}'s tail-based attacks function. Its clean body hitbox KOs middleweights at 126%, whereas its tail's clean hitbox KOs them at 135%. Due to coming out on frame 10, it has the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Pikachu's smash attacks. However, it has 27 frames of ending lag, while its mid and late hitboxes have virtually no KO potential.

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|2}} (hits 1-5), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|3}} (hit 6)

|dsmashdesc=Discharges electricity while performing a modified [[wikipedia:Float (b-boy move)#Spinning floats|spinning float]], a variation of the float breakdancing move. It hits multiple times and is useful for punishing rolls. Due to it hitting on frame 8, it also has the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Pikachu's smash attacks. Although its last hit has extremely high knockback growth, this is offset by said hit's very low damage output, and it does not KO middleweights until 164% while near the edge. It also has 42 frames of ending lag, which is the highest amount out of its smash attacks.

|nairdmg=8.5% (clean), 5.5% (late)

|nairdesc=A somersaulting tackle. Due to it hitting on frame 3, it is Pikachu's fastest aerial. When coupled with its clean hitbox's very high knockback growth, it is a useful edge-guarding option, as it KOs middleweights at 135% while near the left/right [[blast line]]s. However, it can also function as a situational on-stage KOing option, as it KOs middleweights at 170% while near the edge. It can be auto-canceled when performed alongside a non-fast-fallen short hop, but has a noticeable amount of landing lag otherwise.

|fairdmg=1.7% (hits 1-4), 3% (hit 5)

|fairdesc=An electrified, corkscrew battering ram. It is a useful edge-guarding option, as its loop hits have minor [[meteor smash]] potential thanks to them launching at 280°, whereas its last hit's extremely high knockback growth enables it to KO middleweights at 131% while near the left/right blast lines. It also has the lowest amount of landing lag out of Pikachu's aerials, which enables it to be used as a set-up into a grounded move alongside a fast-fallen short hop. However, due to it hitting on frame 10, it has the second highest amount of start-up lag out of Pikachu's aerials.

|bairdmg=0.8% (hits 1-7), 3% (hit 8), 4% (landing)

|bairdesc=A series of belly turns, a technique used in {{s|wikipedia|parachuting}}. It hits multiple times and its last hit has extremely high knockback growth, which enables it to KO middleweights at 130% while near the left/right blast lines. Due to it coming out on frame 4, it is tied with up aerial for the second lowest amount of start-up lag out of Pikachu's aerials. However, it has 25 frames of ending lag, and the second highest amount of landing lag out of Pikachu's aerials.

|uairdmg=5%/4% (clean), 4% (late)

|uairdesc=Somersaults to flicks its tail in an overhead arcing motion. Due to it hitting on frame 4, it is tied with back aerial for the second  lowest amount of start-up lag out of Pikachu's aerials. It also has 18 frames of ending lag, which is the lowest amount out of Pikachu's aerials. These traits collectively make it capable of combos into itself or into a neutral aerial. It can be auto-canceled when performed alongside a fast-fallen short hop, although it has high landing lag otherwise. It is also Pikachu's least damaging aerial.

|dairdmg=12% (attack), 4% (landing)

|dairdesc=An electrified, corkscrew battering ram. It is Pikachu's most damaging aerial, and is capable of KOing middleweights at 143% while near the left/right blast lines. Although its landing hit deals much less damage, it has much higher base knockback and knockback growth, which makes it capable of warding off approaches. It can also be auto-canceled from a short hop. Due to it hitting on frame 14, it has the highest amount of start-up lag out of Pikachu's aerials. It has 40 frames of landing lag, which is also the highest amount out of Pikachu's aerials.

|grabdesc=Reaches out. Pikachu's grabs have minimal start-up and ending lag, but are short-ranged.

|pummeldmg=1.9%

|pummeldesc=Shocks the opponent. A fairly fast pummel.

|fthrowdmg=2% (hits 1-4), 2% (throw)

|fthrowdesc=Places the opponent on its back and zaps them. It is Pikachu's most damaging throw and has respectable combo potential, as it can combo into a dashing up smash at low percents, and a dash attack or a dashing neutral aerial at low to medium percents.

|bthrowdmg=9%

|bthrowdesc=Rolls backward repeatedly with the opponent in tow before performing the {{s|wikipedia|tomoe nage}}, a Judo throw. It is Pikachu's second most damaging throw, and has the highest base knockback out of its throws. However, it has the lowest knockback growth out of Pikachu's throws, which makes it very ineffective at KOing. As such, it is best used to set up an edge-guard. It appears almost identical to the ''Pokémon'' anime's depiction of [[bulbapedia:Submission (move)|Submission]].

|uthrowdmg=1% (hit 1), 3% (throw)

|uthrowdesc=Places the opponent on its head and then headbutts them upward. It can combo into Thunder at high percents, but DI can make this difficult. Although it has extremely high knockback growth, and the highest amount out of Pikachu's throws, this is offset by its throw hitbox's very low damage output. It is also Pikachu's least damaging throw.

|dthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 5% (throw)

|dthrowdesc=Places the opponent on the ground and then performs a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Senton|senton]]. It can combo into any aerial at low percents, and into Thunder at high percents, similarly to up throw. However, DI can make the latter combo difficult. Although it has very high knockback growth, this is offset by its throw hitbox's low damage output.

|fsdesc=Performs [[bulbapedia:Volt Tackle (move)|Volt Tackle]], its evolutionary line's {{s|bulbapedia|signature move}}. Pikachu surrounds itself in a sphere of electricity and flies around the stage, charging through opponents. Pressing the attack button will cause the sphere to discharge electricity, which deals significantly more damage and has more knockback. Unlike in ''Brawl'', Volt Tackle now emits a small, whitish violet spark of electricity that is analogous to a cursor, which makes it easier to aim its trajectory.

}}

====[[On-screen appearance]]====

|char=Pikachu}}

===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===

{{OfficialCustomMoves

|set10=1321

}}

===Tier placement and history===

The debate over Pikachu's tier placement would become even more prevalent due to ESAM's results eventually declining due to the strengths of other well-regarded characters, as well as Pikachu's unfavorable matchups against {{SSB4|Mario}} and {{SSB4|Ness}} becoming more apparent. These criticisms were further exacerbated by Pikachu's representation still remaining fairly minimal for a high-tier character, and altogether resulted in its ranking on the first tier list being met with widespread disapproval. As expected, Pikachu's tier placement saw a noticeable drop on the second tier list, where it was ranked 12th. Despite ESAM placing at 3rd at [[UGC Smash Open]], Pikachu's tier placement saw another drop, now being ranked 15th on the third tier list. Pikachu's results, while rare, have remained pretty strong nonetheless, which has allowed it to hold on the 15th placing on the fourth and current tier list.

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==[[Alternate costume (SSB4)#Pikachu|Alternate costumes]]==

*When Pikachu is [[stun]]ned, its eyes appear as swirls. This is a reference to the ''Pokémon'' anime, in which Pokémon typically display the same expression after {{s|bulbapedia|fainting}}.

**It is also the second character to have this unique detail. The first was [[Kirby]] [[Kirby (SSB)|in ''SSB'']].

==References==