Dr. Mario (SSB4): Difference between revisions

|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]

|tier = F

}}

'''Dr. Mario''' ({{ja|Dr. マリオ|Dokutā Mario}}, ''Dr. Mario'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. His return to the series was announced on [[Super Smash Bros. 4 Official Site|''SSB4''{{'}}s official website]] on October 9th, 2014, during which {{SSB4|Dark Pit}} was also revealed.<ref>[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/138070-Secret-Super-Smash-Bros-Characters-Revealed-by-Nintendo#&gid=gallery_3377&pid=1 More "Secret" ''Super Smash Bros.'' Characters Officially Revealed]</ref> Charles Martinet reprises his role as Dr. Mario's voice actor; however, he now uses {{SSBB|Mario}}'s voice clips recycled from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', some of which have been muted.

However, the multipliers applied to some of Dr. Mario's attributes collectively result in him being considerably slower and less nimble than Mario. Due to changes to game mechanics and some adjustments to his moveset, Dr. Mario's combo game is also inferior to Mario's in regard to both versatility and consistency. Furthermore, Dr. Mario's recovery is inferior to Mario's overall, and he retains Mario's weakness of having short range in his attacks.

==How to unlock==

Unlike in ''Melee'', Dr. Mario now functions like a stronger, yet slower Mario, owing to the implementation of multipliers to the majority of his moveset and some of his attributes. Aside from six moves, the remainder of Dr. Mario's moveset deals 1.12× more damage compared to Mario's moveset.<ref name="DamageMultiplier">[http://smashboards.com/threads/complete-hitbox-frame-data-for-every-character-now-with-ko-percents.383550/ Complete Hitbox/Frame Data For Every Character (Now with KO Percents)]</ref> Conversely, his [[walk]]ing and [[dash]]ing speeds are 0.832× slower; his [[air speed]], [[air acceleration]], and [[jump]] heights are 0.808× slower. These multipliers result in Dr. Mario being distinctly affected by passive [[equipment]] physics, in which he specifically possesses a +15 Attack value and a -50 Speed value. Although Dr. Mario's lower jump height makes his [[short hop]] more effective than Mario's, these modified attributes collectively render his overall mobility as sub-par. Conversely, Dr. Mario's higher overall damage output results in him being noticeably more efficient at KOing in comparison to Mario.

He also shares two useful combo starters with Mario, thanks to said moves being modified since ''Melee''. Down tilt is the most effective of the two: although it is short-ranged, it is very reliable at low to high percentages, with useful follow-ups including itself, neutral attack, up tilt, his smash attacks, back aerial, up aerial, and Super Jump Punch. Like Super Jump Punch, forward aerial can function as a KO mix-up at high percentages, but requires a [[hard read]]. Up tilt can combo into itself reliably, albeit not as consistently as Mario's version because of its higher damage output. However, its higher damage output makes it better at juggling, and even enables it to function as a situational KOing option at very high percentages.

Ol' One-Two gives Dr. Mario a fast and extremely powerful KOing option that can KO at very low percentages, but at the cost of further hindering his already sub-par recovery. Conversely, Super Jump functions in the exact opposite way: it grants noticeably better recovery, but deals no damage. However, Soaring Tornado is arguably Dr. Mario's best custom move because of its utility. It grants noticeably better vertical recovery; has incredible edge-guarding potential thanks to its [[windbox]] and hitbox; and its hitbox is powerful enough to KO early either on-stage or off-stage. However, these benefits come at the cost of it granting no horizontal recovery. Conversely, Clothesline Tornado is effectively his worst custom move: it boasts impressive power, yet further hinders his recovery; has a shorter duration; and has slower start-up lag.

==Differences from {{SSB4|Mario}}==

While also factoring in the differences Dr. Mario had from Mario in ''Melee'', this gives Dr. Mario a drastically different playstyle from his original counterpart, despite sharing many common moves.

**{{buff|The loop hits use the [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] (366°), whereas Mario Tornado's launch the opponent vertically (94°). This makes its hits connect together significantly better.}}

**{{change|The last hit launches the opponent diagonally (45°), whereas Mario Tornado's launches them vertically (75°). This makes it capable of edge-guarding, but significantly less effective for juggling.}}

===Grabs and throws===

**{{change|Due to its higher damage output, up throw is as effective for combos at low percentages in spite of its lower knockback (70 (base)/72 (scaling) → 65/70).}}

*[[Down throw]]:

**{{buff|It launches the opponent vertically (80°), whereas Mario's launches them diagonally (68°). This makes its combos less susceptible to [[directional influence]].}}

===Aesthetics===

*{{change|Dr. Mario's design is now a combination of his appearance as of ''{{s|mariowiki|Dr. Mario Online Rx}}'', and his appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''. His fair skin; dark brown hair; fully buttoned {{s|wikipedia|white coat}}; red tie; and tawny shoes are from ''Online Rx'' and subsequent [[mariowiki:Dr. Mario (series)|''Dr. Mario'' games]], whereas his white coat's loose sleeves and dark gray pants are from ''Melee''.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario has received three new [[alternate costume]]s.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario has been updated with universal features introduced in ''Brawl''.}}

**{{change|Clean neutral aerial deals 4.4% less damage (10% → 5.6%) and its angle has been altered (50° → 361°). When coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes improve its combo potential. However, these changes hinder its spacing and edge-guarding potential. The late hit also has a longer duration (frames 20-31 → 11-27).}}

**{{nerf|Late neutral aerial deals 5.04% less damage (14% → 8.96%) and has decreased knockback (20 (base)/100 (scaling) → 13/90), significantly hindering its spacing and KO potential. It also has a shorter duration (frames 3-31 → 3-27).}}

*[[Forward aerial]]:

**{{change|Due to its arm hitbox being removed, forward aerial now deals consistent damage (17% (arm)/16% (fist) → 16.8%).}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial auto-cancels later (frame 16 → 18).}}

*[[Down aerial]]:

**{{change|Down aerial now consists of a consistent hitbox that re-hits every 4 frames and launches at 95°/[[Autolink angle|366°]], instead of multiple hitboxes every 3 frames that launch at 80°. These changes make its hits connect together better, but shorten its duration (frames 10-29 → 11-27).}}

**{{buff|Down aerial has received a landing hitbox that deals 2.24% and launches at 361°. Down aerial's last hit also no longer has set knockback. These changes improve its safety.}}

**{{nerf|The removal of chain grabbing significantly hinders down throw's damage racking potential.}}

*[[Floor attack]]:

**{{buff|Front and back floor attacks deal 1.84% more damage (6% → 7.84%).}}

*[[Edge attack]]:

**{{change|Dr. Tornado's last hit's angle has been altered (361° → 45°).}}

**{{change|Dr. Tornado's loop hits have lost their [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]], whereas its last hit has received transcendent priority. This allows its last hit to cancel out non-transcendent attacks, but hinders its loop hits' safety against incoming moves.}}

*[[Final Smash]]:

**{{change|Dr. Mario now has a [[Final Smash]], [[Doctor Finale]]. Dr. Mario rears his arms back before thrusting them forward to launch two gigantic Megavitamins that move across the screen in a spiraling motion, which trap and repeatedly damage any opponents in their path.}}

|game=SSB4

|neutralcount=3

|neutral1dmg=2.8%

|neutral2dmg=1.68%

|neutral3dmg=4.48%

|neutraldesc=The {{s|mariowiki|Punch}} + Punch + {{s|mariowiki|Kick}} combo from ''Super Mario 64''. It hits on frame 2, which makes it among the fastest moves in the game. Its first hit can also [[jab lock]] like the first hit of [[Mario (SSB4)|his normal self]]'s neutral attack. However, its higher ending lag makes it less effective at jab locking and unreliable at [[jab cancel]]ing compared to Mario's.

|ftiltdmg=7.84%

|ftiltdesc=A wheel kick. It can be angled and is useful for jab locking. Due to its average damage output and almost nonexistent base knockback, however, it only becomes reliable for spacing beginning at 50%.

|utiltdmg=7.056%

|utiltdesc=A spinning uppercut. Compared to his normal self's up tilt, its higher damage output makes it better at juggling. By extension, it can even function as a situational KOing option, unlike Mario's. On Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 165%/156% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). However, its higher damage output makes it less effective at chaining into itself past low percentages. It appears to be based on the second hit of the [[mariowiki:List of weapons in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars|Mega Glove]]'s combo from ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''.

|dtiltdmg=5.6% (foot), 7.84% (body)

|dtiltdesc=A legsweep. It is Dr. Mario's best combo starter, thanks to it hitting on frame 5 and launching at 80°. It can combo into neutral attack and a grab at 0%-15%; itself, all smash attacks, and Super Jump Punch at 0%-20%; up tilt, a dashing up smash, and a short hopped Super Jump Punch at low to medium percentages; and back and up aerials at medium to high percentages. It also has forward aerial as a KO mix-up at high percentages, but this requires a hard read. However, it has short range.

|dashdmg=8.96% (clean), 6.72% (late)

|dashdesc=The {{s|mariowiki|Slide Kick}}. Its clean and late hitboxes both launch at 90°, which make it better for set-ups at low percentages compared to his normal self's dash attack. However, it has a fair amount of ending lag like Mario's.

|fsmashangles=3

|fsmashupdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|19.992}} (arm), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|16.464}} (hand)

|fsmashdowndmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|19.6112}} (arm), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|16.1504}} (hand)

|fsmashdesc=A palm thrust that produces a blast of [[electric]]ity. Unlike in ''Melee'', it now consists of a sweetspot and a sourspot: the former is on Dr. Mario's arm, whereas the latter is the blast of electricity. Its sweetspot's impressive damage output and high knockback scaling make it Dr. Mario's strongest smash attack, and while its sourspot deals slightly less damage, it is also strong enough to KO reliably. Angling upward or downward slightly increases its KO ability, with the upward angled version KOing the earliest. While near the edge of Final Destination, its sweetspot KOs middleweights beginning from 72%/64% (''3DS''/''Wii U''), whereas the sourspot KOs middleweights beginning at 89%/80% (''3DS''/''Wii U'').

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|15.68}}

|usmashdesc=An upward arcing headbutt. It hits on frame 9, which is quite fast for a smash attack. It also renders Dr. Mario's head [[Intangibility|intangible]] throughout its duration like his normal self's up smash. However, its duration is slightly longer than Mario's. Unlike Mario's, it functions almost identically to {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s up smash, which launches opponents diagonally instead of vertically, and will launch them in the opposite direction of where Dr. Mario is facing so long as they are in front of him. Compared to Luigi's, it launches at 130° instead of 110°, which grants it much greater combo and edge-guarding potential in comparison. When uncharged, it can combo into itself, up tilt and Super Jump Punch at 0%-10%, and into forward and down tilt at 10%-15%. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 105%/96% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). However, its launching angle makes it unreliable at KOing while away from the edge, whereas Mario and, to a slightly lesser degree, Luigi's versions can KO reliably from anywhere on-stage.

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|11.2}} (front), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|13.44}} (back)

|dsmashdesc=The {{s|mariowiki|Sweep Kick}}. Due to it hitting on frame 5, it is tied with {{SSB4|Pit}}, {{SSB4|Dark Pit}}, {{SSB4|Zelda}}, {{SSB4|Ryu}} and his normal self's down smashes for the second fastest smash attack of any kind in the game, being surpassed only by {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}'s [[buffer]]ed down smash. It is also a [[semi-spike]], which makes it excellent for edge-guarding. Its back hit is stronger and more damaging than the front hit, but the front hit is still powerful and capable of KOing. Depending on the opponent's position, both of its hits can potentially hit them. While near the edge of Final Destination, its back hit KOs middleweights at 97%/88% (''3DS''/''Wii U''), while the front hit does so at 121%/110% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). However, it is Dr. Mario's least damaging smash attack, and its 29 frames of ending lag make it punishable.

|nairdmg=5.6% (clean), 8.96% (late)

|nairdesc=A flying kick. It hits on frame 3, which is the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Dr. Mario's aerials. Like in ''Melee'', it is a "reverse [[sex kick]]": its late hitbox deals more damage and has more knockback, whereas its clean hitbox deals less damage and has less knockback. It can also auto-cancel with a short hop. Thanks to these traits, its late hitbox is decent for edge-guarding, whereas its clean hitbox is a useful set-up option when [[SHFF]]'d and a decent combo breaker.

|fairdmg=11.2% (early), 16.8% (clean), 10.08% (late)

|fairdesc=Rears back his fist and then throws an [[wikipedia:Overhand (boxing)|overhand]]. Unlike his normal self's forward aerial, its clean hitbox is not a [[meteor smash]], but instead launches at 50°. While the slowest of Dr. Mario's aerials, its clean hit is the third strongest of all forward aerials in the game. Thus, it is useful for edge-guarding and, with a proper read, against on-stage opponents when SHFF'd. Unlike in ''Melee'', it now has early and late hitboxes; these hitboxes make the overall move slightly safer, but these also KO significantly later than the sweetspot in spite of their decent damage outputs. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 92%/84% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). Due to hitting on frame 16 and possessing both 37 frames of ending lag and 28 frames of landing lag, it is very punishable.

|bairdmg=13.44% (clean), 7.84% (late)

|bairdesc=A dropkick. Its hits on frame 6, autocancels with a short hop, and its clean hitbox has both a respectable damage output and high knockback scaling. Altogether, these traits make it one of Dr. Mario's most viable KOing options. While near the edge of Final Destination, its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 134%/123% (''3DS''/''Wii U''), respectively. It also has a moderately longer duration compared to his normal self's back aerial, which makes it more effective for spacing and edge-guarding.

|uairdmg=7.84%

|uairdesc=A bicycle kick. It hits on frame 4 and can auto-cancel with a short hop. Compared to his normal self's up aerial, it has much lower knockback scaling, slightly lower ending lag, a moderately longer duration, and launches at 45°. Altogether, these traits make its beginning and ending frames reliable for chaining into Super Jump Punch or back aerial at low to medium percentages. Its launching angle also makes its beginning frames useful for edge-guarding. However, its lower knockback and launching angle make its beginning frames unusable for KOing, and significantly less effective for juggling or SHFF'd combos.

|dairdmg=1.904% (hits 1-4), 3.36% (hit 5), 2.24% (landing)

|dairdesc=A diagonal corkscrew dropkick. Like [[Mario Tornado]], the move hits multiple times, but also launches at 45°, which makes it usable for edge-guarding unlike its counterpart. If Dr. Mario lands during the move, it produces a hitbox, which can be used to cover landings. However, unlike Mario Tornado, this move is considerably laggier, cannot auto-cancel with a short hop, and its final hit's launching angle renders it unusable for juggling.

|grabdesc=Reaches out. Like his normal self, Dr. Mario's overall grab range is average.

|pummeldmg=3.64%

|pummeldesc=A headbutt. Moderately slow, but it is the most damaging pummel in the game by default.

|fthrowdmg=8.96%

|fthrowdesc=Spins the opponent around once and throws them forward. It is best suited for setting up an edge-guard, but can also be followed up with dash attack at 0%-20%.

|bthrowdmg=12.32% (throw), 8.96% (collateral)

|bthrowdesc=Spins the opponent by their legs three times before throwing them backward. Although its knockback has decreased since ''Melee'', it is still strong enough to KO reliably. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at 154%/146% (''3DS''/''Wii U''). It also can hit nearby opponents during the spin. It is based on the throw that [[Mario|his normal self]] uses against [[Bowser]] in ''Super Mario 64''.

|uthrowdmg=7.84%

|uthrowdesc=Heaves the opponent directly overhead with both hands. It is useful against heavyweights and fast-fallers for aerial combos at low to medium percentages, but otherwise lacks combo potential on other types of characters past low percentages.

|dthrowdmg=5.6%

|dthrowdesc=A [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Body slam|body slam]]. Its average base knockback and low knockback scaling make it more effective for aerial combos compared to his normal self's down throw, but much less effective for grounded combos in comparison. It also launches at 80°, which makes its combos less susceptible to DI compared to Mario's. It can combo down aerial and [[Dr. Tornado]] at low percentages, and into up aerial and [[reverse aerial rush]]ed back aerial at low to medium percentages. However, its down aerial and back aerial combos require hard reads. It also has forward aerial and Super Jump Punch as KO mix-ups at high percentages, but they also require hard reads. In comparison, its only grounded combos are up tilt and up smash, which are effective against the majority of cast only at 0%.

|fsdesc=Rears his arms back before thrusting them forward to launch two gigantic Megavitamins that move across the screen in a spiraling motion, which trap and repeatedly damage any opponents in their path. It functions identically to [[Mario Finale]], but deals slightly more damage.

}}

===[[Announcer]] call===

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

{{appearance

|char=Dr.Mario

|game=SSB4}}

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

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

==In [[competitive play]]==

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

{{OfficialCustomMoves

<!--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 -->

==[[Trophies]]==

{{Trophy/Fighter

|name=Dr. Mario

}}

{{clrl}}

==[[Alternate costume (SSB4)#Dr. Mario|Alternate costumes]]==

<gallery>

Dr. Mario amiibo.png|Dr. Mario's [[amiibo]].

SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-2.jpg|Attempting to grab {{SSB4|Charizard}}.

SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-3.jpg|Using his forward smash on {{SSB4|Mega Man}}.

<!--He IS a cut Melee veteran, but the article already elaborates on this, so don't add it in.-->

*Like Dark Pit and {{SSB4|Lucina}}, Dr. Mario was originally planned to be an [[alternate costume]]. However, all three were instead converted into being [[clone]]s late in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''{{'}}s development. [[Masahiro Sakurai]] explained that the reason for doing so in regard to Dr. Mario was in order to appeal to his fanbase from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''.<ref>[http://www.gamnesia.com/news/sakurai-explains-why-dr-mario-is-his-own-character-in-smash-bros Sakurai explains why Dr. Mario is his own character in ''Smash Bros.'']</ref>

*Dr. Mario's [[amiibo]] description on the official amiibo website is a combination of his [[Classic Mode]] trophy descriptions from ''Melee'' and ''SSB4''.

*''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' is the only game where Dr. Mario is not unlocked by completing Classic Mode with {{SSB4|Mario}}.

*In Dr. Mario's official artwork, his collar and tie are done up, while his stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are black. However, his in-game model shows his collar open and tie loose, while his stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are dark gray and dark taupe, respectively.

*Dr. Mario is the only character to have two [[List of challenges (SSB4-Wii U)|challenges]] exclusive to him in {{forwiiu}}.

*Dr. Mario and {{SSB4|Lucario}} are the only characters that lack a [[meteor smash]], including [[unconventional meteor smash]]es.

*Dr. Mario is the only character with [[Equipment|custom equipment]] incorporated into his attributes.