Ike (SSB4): Difference between revisions

|name         = Ike

|ranking = 40

Ike is ranked 40th out of 55 on the [[tier list]], placing him at the top of the E tier. This is a moderate drop from his placement in ''Brawl'', where he was ranked 23rd out of 38. In addition to largely retaining his renowned power and range, Ike's overall mobility has noticeably improved, thanks to his faster [[dash]]ing and [[air speed]]s, and higher [[double jump]]. His frame data has also fairly improved, with the most obvious improvements being his tilts and aerials. He also benefits from the changes to gameplay mechanics: [[rage]] supplements his power; the changes to [[hitstun canceling]] have made his up and down throws into very useful combo starters; and the updated edge mechanics supplement his [[recovery]].

While Ike has attained greater degrees of success prior to [[1.1.6]], thanks to the likes of {{Sm|Ryo}}, {{Sm|SM}}, {{Sm|San}}, and {{Sm|Waldo}}, his playerbase's success has stagnated afterwards.  

Overall, Ike has been re-balanced with his weaknesses becoming less severe at the cost of his previous strengths being noticeably toned down. Ike is faster both in terms of mobility and frame data and has a better recovery in exchange for less range and power (especially when relative to the cast). While he gained a few new useful tools (most of which due to the changes to the game's mechanics), he also lost one of his most vital tools in the form of his jab. His representation in competitive play: despite initially being minimal, it has expanded over time thanks to the numerous buffs he received from game updates, while his still relatively small playerbase has managed to achieve average results at regional and even national tournaments.  

*{{change|Ike has received two new [[alternate costume]]s. The first is based on [[Black Knight]], while the second is based on [[Chrom]]. Additionally, Ike's yellow, red, and brown costumes has been updated.}}

*{{nerf|Ike is taller. This makes his hurtbox slightly larger. While this would also improve his overall [[range]], this is largely mitigated by the majority of his moveset having smaller hitboxes and/or altered hitbox placements.}}

*{{change|Ike is [[weight|heavier]] (105 → 107). This improves his endurance, but makes him more susceptible to combos.}}

*{{buff|Ike's [[air speed]] is faster (0.9212 → 1.08).}}

*{{buff|[[Double jump]] is higher.}}

*{{buff|[[Roll]]s have less ending lag (FAF 34 (front), FAF 38 (back) → 33 (both)).}}

*{{nerf|Spot dodge has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 2-20 → 3-18) and ending lag (FAF 26 → 28).}}

*{{change|The changes to [[hitstun canceling]] both help and hinder Ike. They significantly improve his combo potential, but make him more susceptible to combos and prevent him from making use of [[momentum canceling]] hindering his endurance.}}

**{{nerf|Neutral attack deals less damage (4% (hit 1)/5% (hit 2)/7% (hit 3) → 3% (hits 1-2)/5% (hit 3)), hindering its damage racking potential and removing its last hit's KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Neutral attack has increased ending lag (FAF 17 → 24 (hit 1), FAF 20 → 28 (hit 2), FAF 38 → 39 (hit 3)). Its first two hits also has increased start-up lag (frame 3 → 4) and the first hit loops later when held (frames 15 → 20) and the second hit transitions later (frame 7 → 11). Altogether, these changes significantly hinder its [[jab cancel]] potential and makes the first hit less spammable if the player holds the attack button. Neutral attack's third hit also has a shorter duration (frames 10-14 → 5-8).}}

**{{buff|Neutral attack's third hit has decreased start-up lag (frame 10 → 5) and the first hit transitions faster (frame 11 → 10) compensating for the second and third hit's slower startup.}}

**{{nerf|Due to consisting of one hitbox instead of four, forward tilt now deals consistent damage (15% (blade)/14% (upper body)/12% (lower body) → 12.5%). It also has decreased knockback (38 (base), 100 (scaling) → 30/97) hindering its KO potential.}}

***{{buff|However, this hitbox stays directly in front of Ike during the active frames, prohibiting issues with the z-axis.}}

**{{buff|Forward tilt has decreased start-up (frame 17 → 13) and ending lag (FAF 56 → 42).}}

**{{buff|Up tilt's clean hit deals more damage and lacks a sourspot (9%/12% → 14%), although its base knockback was compensated (70 → 50). It also has decreased start-up (frame 13 → 11) and ending lag (FAF 50 → 48).}}

**{{nerf|Sourspotted up tilt has a shorter duration (frames 16-29 → 14-21).}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt deals less damage (14% → 8%), and knockback (55 (base), 100 (scaling) → 70/70) significantly hindering its KO potential.}}  

**{{buff|Down tilt has significantly decreased start-up (frame 16 → 7) and ending lag (FAF 55 → 29).}}

**{{change|Down tilt's angles being altered (270°/270°/361°/361° → 80° (all)), no longer being a [[meteor smash]]. When coupled with its faster speed, lower power and the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes significantly improve its combo potential at low to medium percentages but they also significantly hinder its edgeguarding potential.}}

**{{buff|Dash attack deals more damage (8% (tip)/7% (blade) → 14%/11%) and has increased knockback scaling (70 → 78), significantly improving its KO potential. Additionally, it has decreased start-up lag (frame 18 → 15). Lastly, dash attack received a late hitbox that deals 9% and launches at 45°, improving its safety.}}

**{{nerf|Dash attack has increased ending lag (FAF 51 → 52).}}

*{{buff|The 19% damage increase to [[shield]]s and the increase to [[shieldstun]] significantly improve clean smash attacks' shield pressuring potentials.}}

**{{buff|Late forward smash's clean tip deals 2% more damage (17% → 19%). Forward smash also has a longer duration (frames 31-34 → 31-35).}}

**{{nerf|Early forward smash deals less damage (22% → 19%). Forward smash also has decreased knockback (50 (base), 100 (scaling) → 40/90 (clean), (45/50)/100 → 40/86 (late)), hindering its KO potential. It also has increased ending lag (FAF 80 → 84).}}

**{{buff|Clean up smash has slightly increased knockback scaling (85 → 86), slightly improving its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Up smash has increased ending lag (FAF 67 → 71) and has lost its [[transcendent priority]].}}  

**{{nerf|Late up smash deals less damage (19% → 10%), significantly hindering its KO potential. The removal of [[DACUS]] also slightly hinders up smash's approach potential.}}

**{{buff|Down smash's first and clean second hits deal 1% more damage (13% (hit 1)/16% (hit 2 clean) → 14%/17%). Down smash also has increased base knockback (30 → 40) and altered angles (65°/70°/75°/82° (both) → 48° (both)/61° (late hit 2)). Altogether, these changes improve its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Down smash has increased ending lag (FAF 70 → 71) and have lost its transcendent priority.}}

**{{nerf|Down smash has a shorter duration (frames 13-16 → 13-15 (hit 1), frames 32-35 → 32-33 (clean hit 2), frames 36-44 → 34-36 (late hit 2)). Down smash's first hit and clean second hit also have smaller hitboxes (5u (hit 1)/6u (clean hit 2) → 4.2u (both)).}}

*{{buff|All aerials have lost their transcendent priority, allowing them to cancel out projectiles.}}

*{{buff|Forward, back, up and down aerials have decreased landing lag (21 frames → 18 (forward), 21 frames → 19 (back), 18 frames → 15 (up), 28 frames → 23 (down)).}}

*{{nerf|All aerials except for down aerial have shorter initial [[auto-cancel]] windows (frames 1-7 → 1-5 (neutral), frames 1-4 → 1-2 (forward/back), frames 1-8 → 1-5 (up)).}}

**{{change|Due to consisting of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox instead of a consistent hitbox, neutral aerial no longer deals consistent damage (9% → 10% (clean)/7% (late)). The clean hit has greater KO potential but the late hit has less KO potential.}}

**{{buff|Neutral aerial has decreased start-up (frame 15 → 12) and ending lag (FAF 76 → 60). Additionally, it auto-cancels earlier (frame 67 → 61). Lastly, its angle has been altered (70° → 80°). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes make its clean hitbox significantly better for combos compared to its previous hitbox.}}

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has increased landing lag (12 frames → 14) and a shorter duration (frames 15-32 → 12-27).}}

**{{buff|Forward aerial has increased base knockback (20 → 30). Additionally, it has decreased start-up lag with a longer duration (frames 18-21 → 12-16) and ending lag (FAF 60 → 55). Lastly, it auto-cancels earlier (frame 45 → 36), granting it the ability to auto-cancel in a short hop. Altogether, these changes significantly improve its KO, spacing, and approach potential.}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a new animation with significantly less range.}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial deals 3% less damage (14% → 11%), without full compensation on its knockback (40 (base), 100 (scaling) → 55/94).}}

**{{buff|Up aerial has decreased start-up lag (frame 15 → 13) and auto-cancels earlier (frame 53 → 51).}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial now deals less damage (16% (clean), 12% (late) → 15%) and has reduced base knockback (40 → 30 (tip), 20 (non-tip)) hindering its KO potential. The non tip's knockback scaling was also decreased (100 → 90) and the tip's angle was altered (270° → 50°) no longer being a meteor smash. These changes hinder down aerial's reliability.}}

**{{nerf|Due to no longer having a late hit, down aerial has a shorter duration (frames 16-30 → 16-17).}}

**{{buff|Down aerial has larger hitboxes than ''Brawl'''s clean hit (5.2u/5.2u/5.2u → 6.0u/5.5u/6.3u).}}

**{{buff|The removal of [[Meteor smash#Meteor canceling|meteor canceling]] significantly improves down aerial's reliability.}}

*{{nerf|All grabs have increased ending lag (FAF 30 → 33 (standing), FAF 40 → 41 (dash), FAF 36 → 39 (pivot)).}}

*{{buff|Dash grab has decreased start-up lag (frame 12 → 10).}}

*{{nerf|Pivot grab has increased start-up lag (frame 9 → 11).}}

*{{buff|All throws deal 1% more damage (6% → 7%).}}

**{{buff|Forward throw has increased knockback (50 (base), 50 (scaling) → 55/75), improving its spacing potential.}}

**{{nerf|Ike releases opponents from forward throw later (frame 7 → 8) and it has more ending lag (FAF 24 → 34).}}

**{{change|Back throw has increased knockback (50 (base), 50 (scaling) → 55/75). This improves its edge-guarding potential, but hinders its tech-chasing potential at high percentages.}}

**{{nerf|Ike releases opponents from back throw later (frame 21 → 22) and it has more ending lag (FAF 33 → 38).}}

**{{buff|Up throw has decreased ending lag as it is now properly interruptible (FAF 55 → 43) and its angle has been altered (90° → 87°). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes significantly improve its combo potential.}}

**{{buff|The changes to hitstun canceling significantly improve down throw's combo potential at low to medium percentages.}}

**{{nerf|Quick Draw deals 3% less damage (9% (uncharged)/16% (fully charged) → 6%/13%), although its base knockback was compensated (50 → 70). It also has increased ending lag (FAF 42 → 57 (no contact), FAF 58 → 59 (contact)) and takes longer to fully charge (60 frames → ≈88). Altogether, these changes hinder its spacing potential.}}

**{{buff|Quick Draw has decreased start-up (frame 17 → 16) and landing lag. It also covers more distance, and no longer renders Ike [[helpless]] if he hits something. Altogether, these changes improve its recovery potential.}}

**{{change|Quick Draw's angle has been altered (60°/65°/70°/75° → 60°).}}

**{{nerf|Aether has decreased super armor frames (frames 18-38 → 18-21) and no longer allows Ike to grab edges from behind, hindering its safety and recovery potential.}}

*{{buff|[[Counter]]'s knockback growth increased|74|100, significantly improving its KO potential.}}

*{{change|Up aerial's knockback altered|40 (base)/100 (growth)|55/94.}}

*{{buff|Down throw's collateral hitbox moved forward|-7u|-5u.}}

*{{buff|Furious Eruption improved. Its sweetspot and fully charged sourspot's hitbox sizes increased|7u (uncharged sweetspot)/8u (charged sweetspot)/10u (fully charged sweetspot)/15u (fully charged sourspot)|8.5u/10u/12.5u/16u and have been adjusted upward. Its other hitboxes' durations increased: 12 frames (uncharged second)/16 frames (charged second)/16 frames (fully charged second) → 15/19/19.}}

*{{nerf|Furious Eruption's first hit's duration decreased|12 frames (uncharged)/16 frames (fully charged)|10/14.}}

*{{change|Smash Counter's knockback altered|48 (base)/100 (growth)|90/70.}}

|ftiltdmg=12.5%  

|nsc2desc=The explosion's vertical range is larger, especially when charged. It also has a slightly longer duration and, like Eruption, has transcendent priority. When fully charged, it KOs middleweights at 29% from anywhere on Final Destination in {{for3ds}}. However, it it lacks KO potential when uncharged. In addition, it deals 10% recoil damage when charged halfway, and 15% recoil damage when fully charged.

|dsc1desc=The counterattack [[stun]]s the opponent, similarly to [[Disable]]. Like Disable, the stun's duration is longer the more damaged the opponent is. Due to not being a true counterattack, it deals minuscule damage. It also comes out on frame 11 and has a duration of 13 frames.  

|dsc2dmg=≈1.5× (minimum 15%)

|desc-1=Taps Ragnell's blade on his shoulder.  

|desc-1=Plunges Ragnell into the ground and then folds his arms while saying "You'll get no sympathy from me."

|desc-2=Swings Ragnell twice, then casually holds it by resting its blade on his shoulder while saying "I fight for my friends." In the Japanese version, Ike says "{{ja|守るべきもののため戦うだけだ|Mamoru beki mono no tame, tatakau dake da.}}"

==In competitive play==

''Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the [[PGR 100]], which recognizes the official top 100 players in [[Super Smash Bros. 4]] of all time.''

*{{Sm|Rango|USA}} - Placed 9th at [[Tipped Off 11]]; 13th at [[MomoCon 2016]]; and 17th at [[Paradigm Shift]].

*{{Sm|Renslay|USA}} - Placed 17th at {{Trn|2GGT: Mexico Saga}} and 33rd at {{Trn|2GGT: Abadango Saga}}.

*{{Sm|Ryo|USA}} (#77) - The best Ike player in the world. Placed 7th at [[MLG World Finals 2015]]; 9th at [[Shots Fired 2]] and [[Super Smash Con 2016]]; 17th at [[The Big House 5]]; and 25th at [[CEO 2017]], [[2GGC: Fire Emblem Saga]] and [[GENESIS 5]]. Formerly ranked 46th on [[Panda Global Rankings]] v2.

*{{Sm|Ryuga|USA}} (#86) - One of the best Ike players in the world before switching to {{SSB4|Corrin}}.

*{{Sm|San|USA}} - One of the best Ike players in the world. Placed 4th at [[Get On My Level 2017]]; 9th at [[Canada Cup 2015]], [[Get On My Level 2016]] and [[Canada Cup 2016]]; 17th at The Big House 5; and 33rd at [[Pound 2016]]. He has wins over {{Sm|SuperGirlKels}} and {{Sm|Angel Cortes}}. Ranked 1st on the [[New York Power Rankings]].

Upon ''SSB4''{{'}}s release, players noted both Ike's buffed mobility and nerfed power, with some arguing that the mobility changes were more important in the faster-paced meta, while others believed the ne. Eventually, the general consensus agreed that his improved mobility did not properly compensate for his unaddressed flaws and loss of some options from ''Brawl''. However, game updates (most notably [[1.0.8]]) would significantly improve Ike; he gained consistent and strong throw combos, improved hitboxes on many moves, and his lack of a midrange option was alleviated by giving his dash attack KO potential. As such, he began achieving respectable results from dedicated players such as {{Sm|Rango}}, {{Sm|Ryo}}, {{Sm|Ryuga}}, {{Sm|San}}, and {{Sm|Waldo}}. As such, he was ranked 26th on the first [[tier list]], a fairly noticeable improvement from his tier placement in ''Brawl''.

Although game updates considerably improved Ike's perception and were pivotal for his success, Ike has since achieved lower and more average placings at tournaments despite his playerbase continuing to advance his metagame. This is due to the improved results of other characters who benefitted more from the balance changes such as {{SSB4|Bowser}}, {{SSB4|Marth}}, {{SSB4|Lucina}}) and the inclusion of [[Downloadable content|DLC]] characters (notably {{SSB4|Corrin}}, {{SSB4|Mewtwo}} and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}), who would eventually start to surpass Ike in regard to overall representation and results. In addition, some of his best players, such as Ryuga and Rango, dropped Ike in favor of Corrin and {{SSB4|Cloud}}, respectively. These in turn saw him drop to 35th on the second tier list, and retained this 35th ranking third tier list.

Ike's perception became rather mixed: some players claimed that his standing was accurate, or should be slightly higher because of his improving placings; evidence stems from Ryo and San, who have earned solid results while taking sets off top players as of 2017, the latter even achieving 4th place at [[Get On My Level 2017]]. However, others claimed he should be ranked lower because of his glaring issues alongside overall mediocre representation and results, citing that he also lacks the growing success of characters ranked below him (such as {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}}, {{SSB4|Link}}, {{SSB4|Samus}}, and {{SSB4|Shulk}}), and putting him among the standing he initially had in ''Brawl''. As a result, Ike continued to drop even further, now ranking 40th on the fourth and current tier list, a far cry from his initial placement. To this day, Ike's true tier standing is still greatly up for debate as some smashers like {{Sm|ZeRo}}, {{Sm|ESAM}}, and {{Sm|Raito}} claim that Ike should be ranked lower (the latter claiming that Ike is among the bottom 5 characters in the game) while other smashers like {{Sm|Dabuz}} believe that Ike should be ranked slightly higher due to his strong throw combos and fantastic ledgetraps.

==Trophies==

:'''Ike'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''One of the main characters from the Fire Emblem series. Having fought in the Mad King's War, restored the fallen nation of Crimea, and taken on the Begnion Empire, Ike is rightly called a hero. He has the strength to back the title—one good swing of his blade can launch the heaviest of foes.''

::{{flag|pal}} ''One of the main characters from the Fire Emblem series. Having fought in the Mad King's War, played a huge part in restoring the fallen nation of Crimea, and taken on the Begnion Empire, Ike is rightly called a hero. And he has the strength to go with that title. One good swing of his blade can launch even the heaviest of fighters.''

 

 

:'''Ike (Alt.)'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Ike's side smash is a powerful two-handed sword strike. It's one of the best launch attacks in the entire game, though it will leave you wide open when you use it. For Eruption, one of his specials, you stab the ground and unleash a pillar of fire. Charging for too long will hurt Ike, so be careful!''

 

::{{flag|pal}} ''Ike's side smash is a powerful two-handed sword strike. It's one of the best launch attacks in the entire game, so even though it leaves you open, it's a real winner. For Eruption, one of his specials, you stab the ground and unleash a pillar of fire that hits anyone nearby. If you charge it too long, though, you'll hurt yourself, so be careful!''

 

{{Trophy games|console1=GCN|game1=Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (10/2005)|console2=Wii|game2=Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (11/2007)}}

 

:'''Great Aether'''

 

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Ike's Aether up special is combined with a relentless barrage of sword blows in this powerful Final Smash. He knocks targets into the air with an upward swing, and then they're stuck there as he strikes over and over. Finally, he slams them down to the ground and launches them. Just make sure that first strike hits!''

 

::{{flag|pal}} ''Ike's Aether up special is combined with a relentless barrage of sword blows in this powerful Final Smash. He knocks his target into the air with an upward swing, and then they're stuck there as he strikes again and again. Finally, he slams them down to the ground and launches them. Just make sure that first strike hits!''

IkeTrophy3DS.png|Classic (3DS)

IkeTrophyWiiU.png|Classic (Wii U)

IkeAltTrophyWiiU.png|Alt. (Wii U)

GreatAetherTrophyWiiU.png|[[Great Aether]]

==In [[Event Match]]es==

* '''[[All-Star Battle: Brawl]]''': Ike is one of the opponents fought in this event. All of the opponents debuted in ''Brawl''.

* '''[[The Ultimate Swordsman]]''': Ike must defeat {{SSB4|Link}}, {{SSB4|Marth}}, {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}, {{SSB4|Toon Link}}, male {{SSB4|Robin}}, female Robin, and {{SSB4|Shulk}}. All of the opponents wield swords.

===Co-op Events===

* '''[[Mirror Magic]]''': Ike and {{SSB4|Lucina}} must defeat {{SSB4|Ganondorf}}, a [[Giant (disambiguation)|giant]] [[Metal Box|metal]] dark Ike, and a giant metal dark Lucina.