Shulk (SSB4): Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Character

|name = Shulk

|game = SSB4

|ssbgame1 = SSBU

|availability = [[Starter character|Starter]]

|tier = D

}}

'''Shulk''' ({{ja|シュルク|Shuruku}}, ''Shulk'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. After initially being [[leak]]ed on August 19th, 2014 as part of the [[ESRB leak]], Shulk was officially revealed in a [[List of Director's Room Miiverse posts|Director's Room Miiverse post]] on August 29th, 2014, which coincided with the announcement of ''Xenoblade Chronicles 3D'' on the same day. Adam Howden and Shintarō Asanuma reprise their roles as Shulk's voice actors in the English and Japanese versions of ''SSB4''.

The Monado itself possesses the longest overall range of any weapon in the game, which in turn gives Shulk one of the most effective movesets for [[spacing]] relative to the rest of the cast. Lastly, [[Vision]] is one of the most effective [[counterattack]]s in the game, thanks to it boasting high power, impressive range, and one of the longest counterattack windows of its kind.

==Attributes==

Shulk's greatest strength is his disjointed [[range]]: thanks to the [[List of swords#Monado|Monado]], Shulk possesses the longest overall disjointed range in the game. Shulk's excellent range allows him to [[punish]] careless moves by retaliating at a distance, or create [[space]] by challenging his opponent with his disjointed attacks. His most useful grounded moves are his neutral attack, up tilt and smash attacks, each of which possess distinct perks. When clean, his neutral attack is the most damaging non-infinite neutral attack in the game by default. His up tilt boasts outstanding vertical range, can cover multiple get-up options from the edge, and can KO at very high percentages. Lastly, his smash attacks boast high power and long ranges; his forward smash, in particular, is the third longest ranged forward smash in the game, being surpassed only by {{SSB4|Corrin}} and {{SSB4|Mii Gunner}}'s.

Much like in his [[Xenoblade Chronicles (universe)|home game]], Shulk is a character who revolves around adapting to different situations with his attribute-enhancing [[Monado Arts]]. Each Art tweaks his attributes considerably for 16 seconds and can be manually canceled at any time, even immediately after hitstun ends or during landing lag. With this freedom, Shulk can activate an Art to open up options for virtually any situation while still being able to switch or cancel them if he is in a challenging position. Jump grants him significant aerial mobility by making his jumps the highest in the game while improving both his air speed and Air Slash's height. This allows him to recover from almost anywhere off-stage, edge-guard more aggressively and even perform several KO combos, such as a [[wall of pain]] leading to a [[sacrificial KO|sacrificial]] Air Slash at medium percentages.

Shield bolsters Shulk's defensive game by reducing both damage and knockback received, which allows him to survive for a much longer period of time and resist getting trapped in combos. His shield also becomes much more durable, making it harder to break with shield-breaking attacks such as [[Bowser Bomb]]. Buster reduces his overall knockback, but increases his overall damage output, allowing him to rack up damage extremely quickly. Buster also makes up and down throws effective and damaging combo starters at 0%, while the increased damage and shieldstun make Shulk's moves both safer on shield and capable of pressuring shields. Lastly, Smash boosts his entire moveset's knockback, making almost all of Shulk's attacks KOing options (especially with [[rage]]), and his down throw becomes the strongest in the game while it is active.

Due to the technical aspects of activating Monado Arts, Shulk also has access to multiple unique [[advanced technique]]s, the most notable of which is known as [[Monado Arts#Monado Art Landing Lag Cancel|Monado Art Landing Lag Canceling]]. By jumping and timing the activation of an Art just before landing, Shulk can reduce the landing lag of his aerials to 5 frames while gaining [[intangibility]] for 14 frames (1 frame less than the length granted by his [[sidestep]]). While difficult to perform, it allows Shulk to avoid punishment before immediately responding with a punish of his own, or start [[shield break combo]]s, such as an Art canceled back aerial to forward smash. It can even let him retreat by pivoting in midair, or extend the invincibility of [[air dodging]] via an aerial Art activation. This technique is the only viable way to make some of Shulk's moves (such as back aerial) safe on shield against faster characters.

Excluding his Arts, Shulk's special moveset shares his overall high range, and all have their own forms of utility. [[Back Slash]] is very powerful when striking the opponent's back and has long range regardless, making it a great surprise attack as well as a decent spacing tool. [[Air Slash]] grants a good amount of vertical distance, comes out quickly, and has strong knockback growth, making it a good recovery move and an even better [[out of shield]] option. The distance and knockback of Air Slash can additionally be affected by the Jump and Smash Arts respectively, allowing the move to gain even more vertical distance, or be used as a combo finisher in the air or a KO option out-of-shield. Lastly, [[Vision]] is tied with [[Double Team]] for having the longest lasting [[counterattack]] window in the game when fresh while also having the longest range, both of which give Shulk one of the most effective counters of any character. Its alternate counterattack, which is performed when Shulk inputs the direction from which the triggered attack came from, also rivals [[Counter Surge]] as the strongest counterattack in the game.

{{MovesetTable

|game=SSB4

|neutralcount=3

|neutral1dmg=3.5%

|neutral3dmg=5.3% (clean), 4.2% (late)

|neutraldesc=A jab, followed by a mid-level roundhouse kick, followed by an upward slash. Shulk's fastest move (hits on frame 5), has good range, and boasts the highest damage output of any non-infinite neutral attack in the game, so long as it is clean and neither Shield or Smash are active. These traits make it Shulk's most reliable damage racking option. Its second hit resembles Dive Sobat, one of Reyn's Physical Arts.

|ftiltdmg=13.5% (blade), 12% (beam)

|ftiltdesc=An inward slash. Its impressive damage output and high knockback growth make it powerful for a tilt attack. While near the edge of {{SSB4|Final Destination}}, its blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 119%/108% (3DS/Wii U). It is also capable of hitting opponents close to Shulk's back when [[Pivoting|pivoted]], and deals high shield damage when Buster is active. However, its range is shorter than Shulk's other moves, while its narrow hitbox allows smaller characters to crouch under it. It is based on one of Shulk's basic Auto Attacks.

|utiltdmg=8.5% (blade), 7.5% (beam)

|utiltdesc=An overhead arcing slash. It has a wide hitbox and excellent vertical range, almost being capable of reaching the top platform of [[Battlefield]]. As such, it is very useful as an anti-air attack, for covering most edge get-up options, challenging shields, or trapping landings while beneath platforms. With Buster active, it is also a useful damage racking option. Without Arts, it can also function as a situational KOing option, thanks to its high knockback growth; on Final Destination, the blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 153%/143% (3DS/Wii U). With the Smash Art, it is one of Shulk's strongest KO moves, doing so at around 105%. However, it only hits in front of Shulk at its beginning, and has moderate start-up and ending lag.

|dtiltdmg=9.5% (blade), 7.5% (beam)

|dashdmg=11.5%

|dashdesc=A braking inward slash. Unlike Shulk's other standard attacks, it does not possess a sweetspot or sourspot. When coupled with its decent damage output, it can function as a situational KOing option. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 156%/146% (3DS/Wii U). However, it has very high ending lag (37 frames).

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|5.5}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|13}} (hit 2 blade), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|11.5}} (hit 2 beam)

|fsmashdesc=A thrust, which causes the Monado to reveal its beam blade. It consists of two hits: the first is from the Monado's blade, which leads into the second hit from its beam blade. It is the third longest ranged, non-projectile forward smash in the game, surpassed only by {{SSB4|Corrin}} and {{SSB4|Mii Gunner}}'s. When coupled with its ability to be angled, it can hit opponents attempting to grab the edge. The Buster Art grants the move good shield-pressuring potential. While near the edge of Final Destination, the non-angled blade KOs at 98%/84% (3DS/Wii U), while the non-angled beam blade KOs at 107%/97% (3DS/Wii U). However, the first hit's low [[priority]] makes it easily canceled by weak attacks, while the move's considerable ending lag (41 frames) make it very risky. It is also completely unsafe on shield. It is based on Slit Edge, one of Shulk's Physical Arts.

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|4.5}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|13.5}} (hit 2)

|usmashdesc=Squats and slams the Monado's hilt onto the ground, causing its beam blade to thrust upward. An overall effective move for punishing, as the first hit's deceptive horizontal range launches opponents into the second hit, similarly to {{SSB4|Marth}} and {{SSB4|Lucina}}'s up smashes. This allows it to punish rolls, landings, and edge get-up options. The second hit's vertical range, high knockback and [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]] allow it to KO reliably. Unlike forward smash, it does not possess a sweetspot and sourspot, which also gives it consistent KO potential. On Final Destination, the second hit KOs aerial middleweights at 99%/91% (3DS/Wii U). However, the first hit has considerable start-up (hits on frame 18) and ending lag (35 frames), making it equally as punishable. Opponents can also hinder its effectiveness by DIing downward to [[powershield]] the second hit after getting hit by the first, especially fast-fallers or if Shulk has high [[rage]].

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|14}} (hit 1 blade), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|11}} (hit 1 beam), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|12}} (hit 2 blade), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|10}} (hit 2 beam), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|10}} (hit 3 blade), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|8}} (hit 3 beam), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|8}} (hit 4 blade), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|6}} (hit 4 beam), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|6}} (hit 5 blade), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|4}} (hit 5 beam)

|dsmashdesc=Crouches and spins to swing the Monado in a circle along the ground. It is capable of hitting during any of its five hitboxes (three at Shulk's front and two at his back), with its first hit being strong enough to KO reliably. While near the edge of Final Destination, its first hit's blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 91%/81% (3DS/Wii U). Each spin quickly loses power, but the final spin has slightly more range. The Smash Art grants the later hits KO potential, despite their weak power without any Monado Arts. While it is possible for this attack to connect more than once, it is difficult to do so unless Buster is active and the opponent has low damage. With Buster active, it is capable of shield breaking if an opponent is cornered at an edge and the first three hits land. Extremely useful for punishing [[roll]]s and [[sidestep]]s thanks to its multiple hitboxes and range, but suffers from the most overall lag out of Shulk's smash attacks because of its considerable start-up (hits on frame 18) and ending lag (41 frames). It resembles War Swing, one of Reyn's Physical Arts.

|nairdmg=7.5% (blade), 8.5% (beam)

|nairdesc=A circular slash around himself. It is one of Shulk's most useful [[approach]] options, thanks to its wide range, low landing lag (10 frames) and long duration. It is also his fastest aerial combo breaker, with a startup of 13 frames. Its hitbox begins slightly behind Shulk's toes and continues all the way over his head, allowing the initial frames to start combos if an opponent misses a tech and the later frames being able to punish [[air dodge]]s; however, despite what the sword trail depicts, the move is unable to connect against enemies behind him during its final frames (when the Monado is parallel to the ground). A dependable combo starter while Jump, Speed or Buster are active, which can lead into a grab, neutral attack, forward tilt, up tilt, aerials or Air Slash. Its slow arc can also neutralize weak projectiles, such as those from {{SSB4|Toon Link}} or {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}}. However, its long-lasting hitbox and very high ending lag (40 frames) makes it a very unsafe move to use off-stage when [[fast falling]], as Shulk will be in serious danger of [[self-destruct]]ing.

|fairdmg=8% (blade), 6.5% (beam)

|fairdesc=A downward slash. It has the lowest amount of ending lag out of his aerials (24 frames), while its range grants it excellent coverage for an aerial, which makes it great for interrupting approaches and spacing. It is also a dependable combo option with either Speed or Buster active, and a powerful [[edge-guarding]] move with Jump active, which can allow Shulk to perform a [[wall of pain]] ending with [[Air Slash]]; this is a [[rage]]-specific damage/KO combo at certain percentages with Jump/Speed/Buster active, which has been dubbed the "Fair Slash" by players. However, it has noticeable landing lag, making it punishable on shield if spaced incorrectly. While the move is notably Shulk's only aerial that can autocancel, it is only capable of doing so immediately out of a jump without Arts (excluding Buster and Smash), giving it limited use. If it hits during its ending frames, which are near Shulk's feet, it will launch opponents behind him and allow for either Air Slash combos or a [[stage spike]].

|bairdmg=12.5% (blade), 8.5% (beam)

|bairdesc=A reverse gripped thrust. Its hitbox begins at Shulk's body. The Monado's blade deals respectable damage with high knockback growth, making it very useful for KOing. While near the edge of Final Destination, its blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 112%/101% (3DS/Wii U). Its high horizontal range makes it hard to challenge if spaced correctly or alongside Jump/Speed's aerial drift, making it very useful for long-range spacing. However, it has slow start-up and high landing lag, making it possible to land before the hitbox appears while suffering from full landing lag. Due to its long range, this move benefits the most from [[Monado Arts#Monado Art Landing Lag Cancel|Monado Art Landing Lag Canceling]], which also negates its usually high landing lag.

|uairdmg=5.5% (hit 1), 10.5% (hit 2 blade), 8% (hit 2 beam)

|uairdesc=An upward thrust, which causes the Monado to reveal its beam blade. Functions like his forward and up smashes, with its first hit being from the Monado's blade and its second hit being from its beam blade. It has deceptively long vertical range that is capable of [https://youtu.be/0quf0zxVv3I?t=618 reaching through the main platform of Town and City], which makes it a useful juggling option against falling opponents and, when coupled with its second hit's high knockback growth, a strong KOing option near the upper [[blast line]]. On Final Destination and while near the upper blast line, its second hit's blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 94%/82% (3DS/Wii U). With Jump active, a landing up aerial can chain directly into another up aerial, leading to a KO combo. However, it has very minimal horizontal range and each hit only lasts 2 frames, which can make it difficult to connect with, especially if Shulk has too much momentum.

|dairdmg=7.5% (hit 1 grounded), 6% (hit 1 aerial), 11.5% (hit 2 blade), 10.5% (hit 2 beam)

|dairdesc=A downward thrust, which causes the Monado to reveal its beam blade. Like his forward and up smashes, the first hit from the Monado's blade is leads into the second hit from its beam blade. The second hit [[meteor smash]]es if the blade hitbox connects. A decent edge-guarding option, it can also stage spike edge-hanging opponents. However, it has high landing lag, making it punishable if missed. Like his up aerial, it has minimal horizontal range, each hit only lasts 2 frames, and its first hit might not connect into its second hit if Shulk is moving too fast.

|grabdesc=Reaches out. Shulk's overall grab range is average. While Speed is active, however, his pivot grab becomes tied with {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}'s for the third longest in the game, thanks to his increased speed and decreased traction.

|pummeldmg=3%

|pummeldesc=Hits the opponent with the Monado's pommel. A slow pummel, but while Buster is active, it is tied with {{SSB4|Olimar}}'s White Pikmin-based pummel as the most damaging pummel in the game. Conversely, it is the least damaging pummel in the game (in regard to dealing damage per second) while either Shield or Smash are active.

|fthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 8% (throw)

|fthrowdesc=An upward swipe. It lacks true follow-ups because of its base knockback, but it can lead into a dash attack or a forward aerial at low percentages with Speed or Buster active. It is also Shulk's second most damaging throw, with its base knockback allowing it to set up edge-guards. Although the slash can hit other nearby opponents, it deals set knockback on anyone aside from the thrown opponent. It is also capable of [[lock]]ing nearby floored opponents, a trait shared with all of Shulk's throws.

|bthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 9% (throw)

|bthrowdesc=Pulls the opponent behind himself and performs a reversed gripped thrust. Shulk's most damaging throw and one of the few moves in the game that has back-facing knockback, which allows it to be used as a set-up for a [[Back Slash]]. With Smash active, it is one of the strongest back throws in the game, as it KOs around 125%. However, its below-average knockback growth prevents it from KOing reliably while Smash is not active.

|uthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 4% (throw)

|uthrowdesc=Heaves the opponent in the air and performs a kneeling upward thrust. It has combo potential at low percentages and/or with Buster active, as it can lead into several up tilts or [[Air Slash]] with Buster active, or a ground attack if the opponent [[air dodge]]s. With Jump active, it can lead into a forward aerial, although this requires the opponent to DI away. At high percentages, it can act as a set-up into an up aerial while Jump is active, which has the potential to KO opponents if their reaction is read properly. This combo is only avoidable with an air dodge and, due to Shulk's ability to buffer-cancel Arts or double jump to increase his jump height, this can be effectively performed at a wide range of percentages. This is referred to as the [http://shulk101.com/tutorial/monadopurge Monado Purge Combo].

|dthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 4% (throw)

|dthrowdesc=Pins the opponent to the ground and performs a kneeling downward thrust. It has varied utility depending on Shulk's active Monado Art. With Buster active, it can combo into dash attack, forward tilt, forward smash, or forward aerial beginning at 0%, with the combo into forward smash being capable of dealing 35%. With Smash Active, it is notably the strongest down throw in the game, capable of KOing at around 120%. With no Arts active or any Art active aside from the above listed, it lacks combo or KO potential because of its base knockback and its throw hitbox's very low damage output.

|nsdefname=Monado Arts

|nsdefdmg=—

|nsc1name=Decisive Monado Arts

|nsc1dmg=—

|fsdesc=Traps opponents in a bright ball of light. If it hits, Shulk summons [[Dunban]] and [[Riki]] to perform a Chain Attack on the opponent, which he then concludes with a powerful slash. Chain Attack's damage output and knockback are also affected by Monado Arts. Even with no Arts active, it is among the strongest [[Final Smash]]es in the game, as it is strong enough to KO middleweights at 17% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version. However, it has a short range, as Shulk needs to be close to the opponent in order for its first hit to land. In addition, Arts can expire during the Chain Attack's cutscene, which affects its damage output and knockback.

}}

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

===[[Crowd cheer]]===

===[[Victory pose]]s===

==In [[competitive play]]==

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

{{OfficialCustomMoves

===Most historically significant players===

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===Tier placement and history===

<center>

<gallery>

</gallery>

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

|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSB4|s=50px|cl=Trunks}}

|}

==Gallery==

<gallery>

SSB4 Newcomer Introduction Shulk.png|Shulk's splash art.

Shulk amiibo.png|Shulk's [[amiibo]].

Shulk reveal.jpg|The Pic of the Day revealing Shulk's inclusion in ''SSB4''.

Shulk reveal Monado.jpg|Using his forward smash on {{SSB4|Sheik}}.

Riki Assist Trophy SSB4.jpg|Using his side taunt alongside [[Riki]].

</gallery>

==Trivia==

*The voice clip for Shulk's third victory pose, "I ''can'' change the future!", is missing from the [[Sound Test]].

*Despite not being a third-party character, Shulk is placed alongside them in most official material, including the {{for3ds}} roster and foldout. In the {{forwiiu}} roster, Shulk is placed before the clones, whereas its manual has him placed before {{SSB4|Bowser Jr.}} As a result of this placement, Shulk may be mistaken as a third-party character. Due to Nintendo's acquisition of Monolith Soft in 2007 prior to the development of ''Xenoblade Chronicles'', however, <!--Attention! Do not edit the following without discussing it on the talk page.--> Shulk is not a third-party character.<!--Repeat : Do not edit this bullet point without discussing it on the talk page. Doing so will result in an automatic block.-->

{{SSB4Characters}}