Super Smash Bros. 4

Falco (SSB4): Difference between revisions

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{{ArticleIcons|ssb4=y}}
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{{disambig2|Falco's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''|the character in other contexts|Falco Lombardi}}
{{disambig2|Falco's appearance in Super Smash Bros. 4|the character in other contexts|Falco Lombardi}}
{{Infobox Character
{{Infobox Character
|name         = Falco
|name = Falco
|image       = [[Image:Falco SSB4.png|250px|Falco]]
|image = [[File:Falco SSB4.png|250px]]
|game         = SSB4
|game = SSB4
|ssbgame1     = SSBM
|ssbgame1 = SSBM
|ssbgame2     = SSBB
|ssbgame2 = SSBB
|ssbgame3 = SSBU
|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]
|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]
|tier = F
|ranking = 46
}}
}}
'''Falco''' ({{ja|ファルコ|Faruko}}, ''Falco'') returns as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Falco was officially confirmed on October 3rd, 2014, alongside {{SSB4|Ness}} and {{SSB4|Wario}}, coinciding with the the North American and European release of ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]''. His moveset appears to be largely unchanged from its ''Brawl'' incarnation.
'''Falco''' ({{ja|ファルコ|Faruko}}, ''Falco'') returns as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Falco was officially confirmed on October 3rd, 2014, alongside {{SSB4|Ness}} and {{SSB4|Wario}}, coinciding with the North American and European release of {{for3ds}}. As in ''[[Melee]]'' and ''[[Brawl]]'',  {{s|wikipedia|Hisao Egawa}} reprises his role in the Japanese version with his re-recorded voice clips of the game. Mark Lund, his voice actor from ''Star Fox 64 3D'', now voices him in the English version, replacing Dex Manley from ''Brawl''.


In Japanese, he is once again voiced by Hisao Egawa. In English, instead of being voiced by Dex Manley like in Brawl, he is now voiced by Mark Lund, his voice actor from ''Star Fox 64 3D'' and ''Star Fox Zero''.
Falco ranks 46th out of 54 on the [[tier list]], an extreme drop from ''Brawl'' where he was ranked 7th out of 38, and an enormous drop from his ''Melee'' position where he was ranked 4th out of 26, making this his worst placement in the series by far. The majority of Falco's moves have high speed and very favourable angles, granting him a strong combo game and [[juggling]] capabilities. These are further aided by his good grab game and strong jumps, with the latter remaining the highest in the game. His moves that lack speed or reach are also packed with power, giving his moves surprisingly high KO power; for example, his back aerial can reliably KO below 130%. He also boasts an effective grab game and out of shield game, with all of his throws possessing great utility and/or KO power, while the speed of his moves allows him to easily punish opponents out of shield.


==How to Unlock==
However, Falco's [[neutral game]] has been drastically weakened, with several of the moves that made him a threat at all ranges being nerfed: his two staple moves, {{b|Blaster|Falco}} and down aerial, now being much slower, and both are also incapable of [[autocancelling]] in a [[short hop]], eliminating Falco's ability to safely [[approach]]; changes to his back aerial by lowering its duration and reach also make it less effective at [[spacing]]. These weakened tools amplify the issue of Falco's low horizontal mobility, making it very difficult to keep up with opponents or force an approach. Finally, even though Falco benefits from the changes to [[hitstun cancelling]] as they make down throw much better for combos, it can no longer lead into the [[Gatling Combo]] or rack up damage on its own. In fact, the changes to game mechanics have hindered Falco overall, as the removal of [[DACUS]], the Gatling Combo, and [[chain grab]]bing hurt his damage racking capabilities overall, while the introduction of rage makes him more susceptible to KOs, due to his light weight. His recovery, despite being long distanced and buffed overall, is still slow, predictable, and easily intercepted, making Falco vulnerable to [[gimp]]s.
 
Owing to his flaws, especially compared to his ''Brawl'' incarnation, Falco has held poor tournament representation and results in competitive play. Although [[updates]] to the game have attempted to buff a number of his negative attributes, he still has struggled to make an impact at tournaments at the national level.
 
==How to unlock==
==={{for3ds}}===
==={{for3ds}}===
*Play 20 VS Matches.
*Play 20 VS Matches.
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==Attributes==
==Attributes==
Falco is a [[Weight|light]] character with polarized movement. He has a fast [[walking speed]], slow [[dashing speed]], fast [[falling speed]], low [[air speed]], very high [[gravity]], average [[air acceleration]] and the strongest [[jump]]s. These stats give Falco very slow horizontal movement, but proficient vertical movement. They also give him good vertical survivability for a character of his weight.
Falco is a [[Weight|light]] character with polarized movement. He has the strongest [[jump]]ing ability, a fast [[walking speed]], fast [[falling speed]] and high [[air acceleration]], but a rather slow [[dashing speed]], below average [[air speed]] and very high [[gravity]]. These stats give Falco slow horizontal movement, but proficient vertical movement. They also give him good vertical endurance for a lightweight.


Falco's greatest strength is the resilience of his moveset. His jab is very quick, hitting on frame 2, and his tilt attacks are fast and send opponents at favourable angles. Forward tilt is exceedingly quick, while up tilt and down tilt can be used to combo into another attack or KO at high percentages. His smash attcks are all powerful and have decent range as well. Down smash is also a [[semi-spike]], making it very good at [[edgeguarding]]. His aerial moves are also powerful in their own way. Neutral aerial deals 11% and is very quick, being excellent at disrupting the opponent's moves. Forward aerial is powerful and can easily KO offstage. It also has a strong landing hitbox which sends the opponent away if the move wasn't over. Up aerial sends opponents vertically, being a great move for comboing and KOing off the top, thanks to Falco's high jumps. Back aerial is Falco's strongest aerial, as well as his second fastest, making it a great choice in any case. Lastly, down aerial, while significantly nerfed from ''[[Brawl]]'', can still be useful for KOing offstage, as it is a [[meteor smash]].
Falco's greatest strength is the speed of his moveset. His neutral attack and forward tilt are both exceedingly quick, while up tilt and down tilt can be used to combo into other attacks or even KO at high percentages. His smash attacks are all powerful and have decent reach as well. Down smash is also a [[semi-spike]], making it very good at [[edgeguarding]]. His aerial moves are also powerful in their own way. Neutral aerial deals decently high knockback and is very quick, making it an excellent option for disrupting an opponent's moves and a great combo extender/finisher. Forward aerial is powerful and can easily KO offstage, and can be used for [[gimp]]ing by fast-falling during the move then [[footstool jump]]ing over the opponent, in a similar manner to fellow fighter {{SSB4|Fox}}. It also has a strong landing hitbox with disjointed range. Up aerial sends opponents vertically and is a great move for comboing and KOing off the top, thanks to Falco's high jumps. Back aerial is Falco's strongest aerial, as well as his second fastest, making it a great choice in many scenarios. Lastly, down aerial, while significantly nerfed from ''[[Brawl]]'', can still be useful for KOing offstage, as it is a [[meteor smash]]. All of these moves grant Falco a versatile combo game.


Another advantage Falco possesses is his grab game. His [[pummel]] is quick and decently damaging, making it great at racking up damage. Forward throw is decently strong and can set up a dash attack or an edgeguard. Back throw is great for giving Falco some breathing space, since the first hit is a semi-spike, and when combined with the laser's hit, the throw can even KO at high percentages. Up throw sends opponents straight up, and can be used to combo into any aerial or KO with the aid of a platform. Finally, down throw can combo into dash attack and any aerial at low percentages, or [[tech-chase]] if the opponent is past combo percentages, like in ''Brawl''. Coupled with his fast [[roll]]s and [[sidestep]], with the former being long-distanced, Falco has an impressive [[out of shield]] game.
Another advantage Falco possesses is his grab game. His [[pummel]] is quick and decently damaging, making it great at racking up damage. The forward throw is decently strong and can set up a dash attack or an edge guard. Back throw is great for giving Falco some breathing space, since the first hit is a semi-spike, and when combined with the laser's hit, the throw can even KO at high percentages. Up throw sends opponents straight up, and can be used to combo into any aerial or even KO at very high percents. Finally, down throw can combo into dash attack and any aerial at low percentages, or [[tech-chase]] if the opponent is past combo percentages, like in ''Brawl''. Coupled with his fast [[roll]]s and [[sidestep]], with the former being long-distanced, as well as his aforementioned combo abilities, Falco has an impressive [[out of shield]] game.


However, Falco has numerous weaknesses. As mentioned before, Falco's horizontal mobility is very slow, limiting his movement across the stage. This also gives him significant trouble [[approach]]ing and [[pressuring]] opponents, since [[Blaster]], his only reliable tool at doing so, can no longer [[autocancel]]. In addition, while Falco's moves are overall very quick startup-wise, many of them are very slow endlag-wise, making misused moves heavily susceptible to [[punishment]]. When combined with the fact that all of his moves' sweetspots are close to his body, Falco has significant trouble KOing, despite his overall high power. Outside of low percentages, Falco's combo-oriented moves are prone to being [[DI]]ed, making it harder for him to rack up damage effectively. Despite being light, Falco is susceptible to combos, because of his fast falling speed and lack of escape options. His survivability is also below average at best, mainly because of Falco's low weight and high gravity. His most prominent flaw, however, is his [[recovery]]. While his high jumps, [[Falco Phantasm]], [[wall jump]] and [[Fire Bird]] give him a very long-distanced recovery, it is extremely predictable because of how linear it is. These four options are also very ineffective on their own, making his recovery easy to [[gimp]].
His special moveset also provides some interesting options. {{b|Blaster|Falco}} is Falco's main [[projectile]] and, while extremely unsafe at close range, is an invaluable move for [[pressuring]], [[gimp]]ing recoveries (especially those of {{SSB4|Ganondorf}}, {{SSB4|Little Mac}} and {{SSB4|Cloud}}) and halting or even outright preventing [[approach]]es. {{b|Reflector|Falco}} is, as its name implies, a move capable of [[reflection]], allowing Falco to actively combat [[camping]]. It also carries a damaging hitbox that has a high chance of [[tripping]] opponents, even at percentages over 400%, allowing for potential tech-chases. [[Falco Phantasm]] involves Falco quickly dashing sideways, making it great for horizontal [[recovery]]. The aerial version also meteor smashes aerial opponents and has little landing lag, making it useful for gimping recoveries and repositioning, respectively. Lastly, [[Fire Bird]], his primary recovery move, grants him respectable distance in any direction chosen. It also allows Falco to slide across the air, letting him mix up his positioning, and has damaging hitboxes throughout (dealing 31% of all hits connect), making up for its low speed.


Falco has a number of useful custom moves. Burst Blaster has less range, but is much faster, forcing bad approaches from the opponent much more easily. Falco Phase grants less distance and cannot hit opponents, but Falco cannot be hurt either, and the move is also faster. Fast Fire Bird gives even less distance than the default and is weaker, but as the name implies, it moves and charges much faster, giving the opponent no time to hit Falco. Distant Fire Bird is slower, but it moves further and has more momentum, considerably improving his vertical recovery. Reflector Void destroys [[projectile]]s instead of [[reflect]]ing them, but deals more damage on contact, and is the optimal choice if the opponent lacks projectiles.
However, Falco has numerous weaknesses. His most prominent flaws are his [[neutral game]] and recovery. Regarding his neutral game, Falco's horizontal mobility is fairly slow, which limits his movement across the stage. This gives him significant trouble approaching and pressuring opponents, since Blaster, his most reliable tool at doing so, can no longer autocancel. In addition, while Falco's moves are overall very quick startup-wise, many of them are slow endlag-wise, making misused moves heavily susceptible to [[punishment]]. When combined with his overall poor reach on his melee attacks and the fact that most of his moves' sweetspots are close to his body, Falco has a below average neutral game, making him have trouble at KOing despite his overall high power. As for his recovery, while his high jumps, Falco Phantasm, [[wall jump]] and FireBird all give him a very long-distanced recovery, it is extremely predictable due to how linear it is. These four options are also very ineffective on their own, making his recovery fairly easy to gimp. Outside of low percentages, Falco's combo-oriented moves are prone to being [[DI]]ed, making it harder for him to rack up damage effectively, which is further exacerbated by the removal of [[chain grab]]bing, [[DACUS]] and the Gatling Combo. Despite being light, Falco is susceptible to combos, due to his fast falling speed and lack of escape options. His survivability is below average at best, mainly because of Falco's low weight, high gravity, and predictable recovery.


Due to his severely nerfed [[neutral game]] from ''Brawl'', Falco's weaknesses tend to outweigh his strengths noticeably, resulting in low tournament repesentation and similar results.
Falco benefits a decent amount from custom moves. Burst Blaster has less range, but is much faster, forcing bad approaches from the opponent much more easily. Falco Phase cannot hit opponents and does not grant any momentum, like in ''[[Melee]]'', but Falco cannot be hurt either, and the move is also faster. Distant Fire Bird is slower and has no charging hitbox, like in ''Melee'', but it moves further and has more momentum, considerably improving his recovery. Reflector Void destroys most projectiles instead of reflecting them, but deals more damage on contact, and is the optimal choice against certain characters like {{SSB4|Villager}} or if the opponent lacks projectiles. The other variations of his custom moves are either very situational, or do not have many advantages over the default.


==Changes from ''Brawl''==
Overall, like {{SSB4|Kirby}} and {{SSB4|Luigi}}, Falco runs hot and cold. Despite having excellent combo potential and KO power, his slow ground mobility, poor range and significantly nerfed neutral game make it very difficult to put his newfound abilities to use. Mainly due to his poor neutral game, Falco's weaknesses outweigh his strengths, resulting in poor tournament representation and similar results, with very few dedicated mains such as {{Sm|AC}} and {{Sm|Keitaro}}.
Falco has received a mix of buffs and nerfs, but even though the former are more than the latter, he is considered to be nerfed overall.


Falco's overall power has been improved significantly, removing his main weakness from ''Brawl''. His down tilt has regained its lost power from ''Melee'' and his smash attacks are stronger. His forward aerial is stronger and unaffected by [[SDI]], his up aerial has consistent power and more vertical knockback, and his back aerial has much more power, to the point of being one of the strongest of its kind. In addition, his grab game has had its consistency drastically improved, with up throw and down throw having comboing abilities, and back throw having KO power. His recovery, another severe weakness he had ever since ''Melee'', has been heavily buffed. While [[Falco Phantasm]] can no longer be interrupted, it no longer puts Falco in [[helpless]] state, allowing [[Fire Bird]] to be used immediately after, with the latter also granting more distance. Due to being slow, both moves also benefit a lot from the removal of [[edge-hogging]].
==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''==
Falco has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''Smash 4''. Even though the former is technically of greater quantity than the latter, he is considered to be significantly nerfed overall, due to his neutral game being drastically weakened and the nerfs he received are far more severe than the buffs he received.


However, the few nerfs Falco received were harsh enough to cripple his [[neutral game]]. The removal of [[DACUS]] prevents his newly buffed up smash to be used as an approach option or a combo finisher. The removal of [[chain grab]]bing is a double-edged sword for Falco. While he is no longer affected adversely by it, the threat of him easily racking up large amounts of damage is no longer present. Down aerial, a staple in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', has been drastically slowed down, to the point where it is now useless outside of [[edgeguarding]]. Finally, [[Blaster]], formerly one of the most reliable tools for approaching, pressuring and [[lock]]ing, is slower and incapable of [[autocancel]]ling.
Falco's power has been improved significantly, removing his main weakness from ''Brawl''. His down tilt has regained its lost power from ''Melee'' and his smash attacks are stronger. His forward aerial is stronger and unaffected by [[SDI]], his up aerial has consistent power and more vertical knockback, and his back aerial while having a shorter duration and less range around him has much more power, to the point of being the eighth strongest overall in the game while also being the fastest in the game. In addition, his grab game has seen some improvements, with up throw having comboing abilities, and back throw now having KO power. His recovery has also been noticeably buffed. While Falco Phantasm can no longer be shortened and its hitbox was noticed nerfed, it no longer puts Falco in [[helpless]] state, allowing Fire Bird to be used immediately after, with the latter also granting more distance than before. Due to being slow, both moves also benefit a lot from the removal of [[edge-hogging]].


As a result, Falco is now much less of a threat in the neutral game, making it considerably harder for him to put his high power to good use. He has infamously low tournament representation, and outside of {{Sm|Keitaro}}'s efforts, no notable results.
However, the nerfs Falco received created new weaknesses that were harsh enough to severely cripple his neutral game. The removal of DACUS (and subsequently the Gatling Combo) prevents his newly buffed up smash from being used as an approach option or a combo finisher. The removal of chain grabbing is a double-edged sword for Falco. While he is no longer adversely affected by it, his ability to easily rack up large amounts of damage with his down throw is no longer present. His down throw was also directly nerfed as it deals less damage and has higher knockback, hindering its combo potential. Down aerial, a staple in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', has been drastically slowed down having immensely increased startup lag and no longer [[auto-cancelling]] in a short hop. These changes hinder down aerial so much to the point where it is now useless outside of [[edgeguarding]] and even then, down aerial has reduced knockback. Falco Phantasm has increased startup lag, travels more slowly and its hitbox no longer lasts for its entire duration moving forwards greatly hindering its use on stage and it can no longer be shortened hindering its mixup potential. Finally, his Blaster, formerly one of the most reliable tools for approaching and pressuring, is slower and incapable of autocancelling. These changes make Falco much less of a threat in the neutral game, as it is now considerably harder for him to put his high power to good use.
 
Overall, most of Falco's buffs are not highly beneficial while the nerfs he received practically removed some of his previous best tools. The general changes to the mechanics also did not help him as much as some other characters while taking away a few of his key traits. Due to these nerfs, Falco is considered to be one of the characters to have been nerfed the most in the transition from ''Brawl'' to ''Smash 4''. His harmful changes have resulted in many players having poor opinions about him and he has seen far less success in tournaments.


===Aesthetics===
===Aesthetics===
*{{change|As part of the aesthetic used in ''SSB4'', Falco's overall color scheme is brighter compared to how it looked in ''Brawl''. Additionally, his eye reticle is smaller than it was in ''Brawl''.}}
*{{change|Due to the aesthetic used in ''Smash 4'', Falco's attire is sleeker, and his overall colour scheme is more vibrant.}}
*{{change|Falco now has eight costumes much like the rest of the cast. In addition, all of his [[alternate costume]]s are completely renewed.}}
*{{change|{{b|Blaster|Falco}}'s design has slightly changed.}}
*{{change|Falco now says "Get some!" when he performs his side taunt, instead of "Don't try me."}}


===Attributes===
===Attributes===
*{{buff|Falco's [[Dashing|dashes]] slightly faster (1.432 → 1.472).}}
*{{buff|Falco [[dash]]es faster (1.432 → 1.472) although it is lower relative to the cast, going from the 18th slowest out of 39 characters to the 16th slowest out of 58.}}
*{{change|Falco's [[falling speed]] is faster (1.708 → 1.8), which makes him harder to KO but slightly more susceptible to combos.}}
*{{buff|Falco's [[air speed]] is higher (0.893 → 0.93) although it is lower relative to the cast, going from the 16th slowest out of 39 characters to the 14th slowest out of 58.}}
*{{buff|Falco's [[air acceleration]] is higher (0.08 → 0.1), going from the 20th fastest out of 39 characters to the 7th highest out of 58.}}
*{{buff|Falco's [[double jump]] is significantly higher (height multiplier: 0.92x → 1x).}}
*{{nerf|Falco [[falling speed|falls]] faster (1.708 → 1.8). This makes him more susceptible to combos and while this would improve his vertical endurance, this is offset by his higher gravity, giving him marginally worse vertical endurance overall.}}
*{{buff|Falco's [[fast fall]]ing speed is faster (2.3912 → 2.88), improving his air game and making him less susceptible to juggling.}}
*{{change|Falco's [[gravity]] is higher (0.112 → 0.13). This improves his ability to land, but hinders his endurance, air time and makes him more susceptible to combos, especially against lower knockback moves.}}
*{{nerf|Falco's [[Item throw]] is weaker (1 → 0.94). Additionally, the removal of [[glide toss]]ing greatly hinders his approach with items.}}
*{{change|The removal of [[chain grab]]bing both helps and hinders Falco. It significantly improves his endurance, however, it also removes his ability to chain grab, removing his most reliable way to rack up damage in the previous game.}}
*{{buff|[[Roll]]s have less ending lag (FAF 32 → 30).}}
*{{nerf|Rolls have a shorter duration (frames 4-19 → 4-16).}}
*{{buff|Air dodge has less startup (frame 4 → 2) and ending lag (FAF 50 → 32).}}
*{{nerf|Air dodge has a shorter duration (frames 4-29 → 2-26).}}
*{{nerf|[[Spot dodge]] has a shorter duration (frames 2-20 → 2-16) and more ending lag (FAF 23 → 26), no longer being one of the fastest spot dodges in the game.}}


===Ground attacks===
===Ground attacks===
*{{buff|[[Neutral attack]] now transitions into a finisher, where Falco swipes his wing across.}}
*[[Neutral attack]]:
*{{nerf|[[Dash attack]] is slightly slower, with an extra 4 frames of start-up (hitting on frame 8 instead of 4).}}
**{{buff|With the exception of the infinite, neutral attack now always launches opponents in the direction Falco is facing, making it more consistent.}}
*{{buff|[[Sweet_spot_(hitbox)|Sweetspotted]] [[down tilt]] has much more base knockback (25 → 50), restoring its KOing potential from ''Melee''. The removal of [[hitstun]] cancelling also makes it a good combo starter at low percents.}}
**{{change|The first two hits have swapped priority on their nearest and furthest hitboxes.}}
*{{buff|[[Forward smash]] deals more knockback (40 base/88 growth → 42 base/96 growth).}}
**{{nerf|The first two hits have shorter durations (frames 2-5 (hit 1)/3-6 (hit 2) → 2-4/3-5).}}
*{{nerf|Forward smash hits 1 frame later (16 frames → 17 frames) and has less [[reach]].}}
**{{nerf|The first two hits have more ending lag (FAF 17/19 → 23/26).}}
*{{change|Falco has a new [[up smash]]: he does a backflip, kicking twice instead of once, with the first hit leading into the second.}}
**{{buff|The first hit deals more knockback (5 (set), 100 (scaling) → 35 (base)/30), which improves its [[jab cancel]]ing potential despite its higher ending lag (especially at higher percents).}}
*{{buff|New up smash deals more damage (14% → 16%) and has no [[sourspot]] behind Falco.}}
***{{nerf|However, this also hinders its ability to lead into the second hit, especially against floatier characters.}}
*{{nerf|New up smash has more ending lag and the removal of DACUS removes its potential as an approach option, follow-up option, and KOing option from his down throw. Falco can also no longer perform the Gatling Combo, removing its combo potential.}}
**{{buff|The first hit's near hitboxes launch opponents at a lower angle (80° → 68°/77°), making it connect more reliably into the second hit.}}
*{{buff|[[Down smash]] has slightly more growth (70 → 76). Falco's feet are now [[intangible]] during start-up and the charging period.}}
**{{nerf|The first hit deals less damage (4% → 3%).}}
**{{nerf|The first hit has smaller hitboxes (4u/4u/4u → 2.5u/3.2u/4u) which are positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0/2/6 → -0.5/1.5/4.5), reducing its range.}}
**{{nerf|The first hit transitions into the second hit later (frame 8 → 9).}}
**{{buff|The second hit's near and far hitboxes launch opponents at different angles (50° → 45° (near)/80° (far)), making it connect more reliably into the infinite.}}
**{{buff|The second hit's near hitbox is larger (4u → 5u) and it is positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0 → -0.5), giving it more range inside of him.}}
**{{nerf|The second hit deals more knockback (20 (set), 100 (scaling) → 30 (base)/30). This makes it connect less reliably into the infinite and while this would improve the move's jab canceling potential, this is offset by the move's higher ending lag, hindering its jab canceling potential overall.}}
***{{nerf|Additionally, the higher knockback and launch angles of the first two hits often put the opponent considerably higher in the air, which prevents them from landing as soon as they are no longer in hitstun. This makes it much easier for them to perform an aerial action to avoid any jab cancel followups.}}
**{{nerf|The second hit's mid hitbox is smaller (4u → 3u) and both the mid and far hitboxes are positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 2/6 → 1.5/4.5), reducing its range.}}
**{{nerf|The second hit transitions into the infinite later, especially when held (frame 8 (pressed)/10 (held) → 9/17). This makes the infinite much easier to avoid if Falco holds to do the infinite, despite the second hit's higher knockback.}}
**{{buff|The infinite has less startup lag (frame 9 → 7).}}
**{{buff|The weakening of [[SDI]] makes the infinite harder to escape from (although it can still easily be avoided), despite its [[SDI multiplier]] being increased (1× → 1.2×).}}
**{{nerf|The infinite deals less damage (1% → 0.4%).}}
**{{nerf|The infinite has smaller hitboxes (3u/4u/5u → 2.7u/3.2u/3.5u) which are positioned closer to Falco (z offset: 4/10/14 → 4/7/12), reducing its range.}}
**{{nerf|The infinite's far hitbox launches oppponents at a lower angle (80° → 70°), making it connect less reliably.}}
**{{nerf|As with other infinites, the infinite now pushes Falco away from his opponent after a few hits. This significantly hinders its damage racking potential, especially at walls.}}
***{{change|If Falco uses the infinite near an edge, this property can potentially push Falco off the edge and cancel the move. This improves its safety but hinders its reliability.}}
**{{buff|The infinite has received an updated finisher, an outward knifehand strike.}}
***{{buff|This new finisher uses a regular hitbox (rather than a [[windbox]]) which deals damage (0% → 3%) and much more knockback (29 (set), 100 (scaling) → 60 (base)/100).}}
**{{buff|The finisher has more range inside of Falco, as Falco now stretches far out using the move and the move now uses an extended hitbox which extends further away/inside from Falco (z offset: 12 → 14/8).}}
**{{buff|The finisher has a longer duration (frame 2 → 5-6).}}
**{{nerf|The finisher has much more startup (frame 2 → 5) and ending lag (FAF 9 → 40), greatly hindering its safety.}}
***{{nerf|When combined with its new hitbox, this also removes its mixup potential.}}
**{{nerf|The finisher has a smaller hitbox (7u → 5u), giving it less vertical range despite its hitbox being moved upwards (y offset: 8 → 9).}}
*[[Forward tilt]]:
**{{nerf|Forward tilt has more ending lag (FAF 27 → 28).}}
**{{nerf|Forward tilt has an altered animation where Falco does stretch his leg as far out, reducing its range, despite the foot hitbox being positioned further away from Falco (y offset: 4.8 → x offset: 5).}}
*[[Up tilt]]:
**{{buff|The changes to [[hitstun canceling]] and [[DI]] grant up tilt combo potential beyond non [[tumble]] percents.}}
**{{buff|The early first hit launches opponents at a lower angle (100° → 106°) and it has higher set knockback (60 → 100), allowing it to connect more reliably into the second hit, as well as making it safer if it fails to lead into the second hit.}}
**{{nerf|The early first hit has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 4-5 → 5).}}
**{{nerf|The early first hit now only has one static hitbox in front of Falco rather than four hitboxes covering Falco's arm, which significantly reduces its range inside and above Falco.}}
***{{nerf|Additionally, the early first hit can no longer hit aerial opponents, considerably increasing up tilt's startup lag against them (frame 4 → 6).}}
**{{buff|The late first hit and the second hit's hand hitboxes are positioned further away from Falco (x offset: -4 (hit 1)/-5 (hit 2) → 5/6.2), giving them more range, especially the former.}}
**{{nerf|The late first hit's shoulder and arm hitboxes are smaller (5u/6u → 4u/5u) and the lowest hitbox has been removed.}}
**{{nerf|The second hit has smaller hitboxes (5u/6u/6u → 4u/4u/5u) and the lowest hitbox has been removed.}}
*[[Down tilt]]:
**{{buff|The changes to hitstun canceling and DI considerably improve down tilt's combo potential.}}
**{{buff|Down tilt has an altered animation where rather than spinning around in place with his tail out, Falco steps forward slightly and sweeps his tail in front of him. The hitboxes are also now attached to the tip of Falco's tail rather than the base with both of these changes giving down tilt more range despite the hitboxes being positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0/6/12 → -4.1/1.9/7.8).}}
***{{nerf|However, this also gives the move less range inside of Falco despite the nearest hitbox being larger (2.4u → 2.6u).}}
**{{buff|Down tilt deals more knockback (25 (base), 90 (scaling) (50/35)/(90/88)), improving the furthest and especially the nearest hitboxes' KO potential.}}
**{{nerf|The middle hitbox deals less damage (12% → 11%), hindering its KO potential, as its knockback was not fully compensated.}}
*[[Dash attack]]:
**{{buff|Dash attack deals more knockback (40/30 (base), 90 (scaling) → (80/70)/70).}}
**{{buff|The clean hit has a larger hitbox (5.28u → 5.5u) which now uses a static extended hitbox, considerably improving its range.}}
**{{buff|The late hit is positioned further away from Falco (x offset: 0 → 2), giving it more range.}}
***{{nerf|However, the late hit is also smaller (4.32u → 4u), reducing its range above and behind Falco.}}
**{{nerf|Dash attack has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 4-7 (clean)/8-17 (late) → 8-11/12-18), with its total duration subsequently increased (FAF 36 → 40). This considerably hinders dash attack's usage as a burst approach option or as a whiff punishment tool.}}
**{{nerf|The removal of [[DACUS]] (and subsequently the Gatling combo) significantly hinders dash attack's utility.}}
*[[Forward smash]]:
**{{buff|Forward smash has less ending lag (FAF 50 → 49).}}
**{{buff|The clean hit deals more knockback (40 (base), 88 (scaling) → 42/(90/93/96)), improving its KO potential, especially the far hit.}}
**{{buff|The clean hit's furthest hitboxes have been moved further away from Falco (x offset: 3.2/6.5 → 4/8), improving their range.}}
**{{buff|The late hit has higher base knockback (10 → 30).}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 16-20 (clean)/21 (late) → 17-19/20). As the move's animation is unchanged, this remove's the clean hit's ability to hit opponents behind Falco.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash has a higher [[hitlag]] multiplier (0.5× (clean)/0.3x (late) → 1×/0.5×), making it easier to DI.}}
**{{nerf|The late hit has a smaller hitbox (9u → 6u) which has been moved closer to Falco (z offset: 13 → 12). When combined with the hitbox coming out one frame sooner, this significantly reduces its range.}}
***{{buff|However, the hitbox is now extended, giving it more range inside of Falco.}}
*[[Up smash]]:
**{{change|Falco has a new up smash, a sideways-flipping kick that hits with both legs with the following-legged hit re-positioning him forward. It hits twice instead of once.}}
**{{buff|Up smash has less startup with a longer duration (frames 8-11 (clean)/12-17 (late) → 7-12 (hit 1)/13-20 (hit 2)).}}
**{{buff|Up smash now grants [[intangibility]] on Falco's legs while the hitboxes are active, making it harder to intercept.}}
**{{buff|Up smash deals more damage overall (14% → 4% (hit 1)/12% (hit 2)/16% (total)).}}
**{{buff|Up smash has larger hitboxes (3.5u/3.5u/3u → 4u/3.5u/4u (hit 1 clean)/4u/3.5u/3.5u (late)/5u/3.5u/3u (hit 2)) and the foot hitbox has been moved further away from Falco (y offset: 6 → x offset: 7.7 (hit 1 (clean))/7 (hit 1 (late)/hit 2)).}}
**{{nerf|Up smash has more ending lag (FAF 45 → 50).}}
**{{nerf|With up smash now being a multi hit move, it is overall less reliable as there are multiple instances where the second hit can miss after the first hit connects (especially when the opponent is far below Falco).}}
**{{nerf|The second hit launches opponents at a lower angle (95° → 80°) and its knockback was not fully compensated for its lower damage (20 (base), 98 (scaling) → 31/104), slightly hindering its KO potential on its own.}}
***{{buff|However, the extra damage and the upwards lift from the first hit gives up smash slightly higher KO potential overall.}}
**{{nerf|The removal of DACUS greatly hinders up smash's utility, greatly hindering its approach potential as well as removing its ability to be used after a dash attack.}}
**{{nerf|The second hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.3×).}}
*[[Down smash]]:
**{{buff|Down smash has higher knockback scaling (70 → 78), improving its KO potential.}}
**{{buff|Down smash now uses static hitboxes, which gives the move more range, especially during its later active frames.}}
***{{nerf|However, this also gives the move less range inside of Falco.}}
**{{nerf|Down smash has smaller hitboxes (5u/5u/4u/4u → 4.3u/4.3u/3.5u/3.5u).}}
**{{nerf|The near hits deal less damage (13% → 12%).}}


===Aerial attacks===
===Aerial attacks===
*{{buff|Neutral aerial|Neutral]] and [[forward aerial]]s connect better, since both use the [[autolink angle]] now.}}
*[[Neutral aerial]]:
*{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more landing lag (9 frames → 15 frames).}}
**{{buff|Neutral aerial has less ending lag (FAF 50 → 49).}}
*{{buff|Last hit of forward aerial has significantly increased knockback (80 base/60 growth → 55 base/145 growth), making it a very reliable KO move offstage and has much less landing lag (33 frames 25 frames). It additionally has an added landing hitbox that deals 3% and can KO at around 150%.}}
**{{buff|The loop hits have higher set knockback (10 → 22) and they now use the [[autolink angle]] (110° → 367°), which alongside the weakening of SDI, allows them to connect more reliably.}}
*{{nerf|Forward aerial deals less damage (11% → 9%) and has 4 frames extra start-up (6 frames 10 frames).}}
**{{buff|The loop hits' right arm hitbox is larger (4u → 6u).}}
*{{change|Falco has a new [[back aerial]]: he kicks behind him while shortening more his body.}}
**{{buff|The final hit deals considerably more knockback (40 (base), 100 (scaling) → 55/130). This improves its KO potential, while the changes to hitstun canceling and DI allow it to retain its combo potential at lower percents.}}
*{{buff|New back aerial has much more growth, (103 → 130), making it a viable KOing option both onstage and offstage if landed clean.}}
**{{buff|The final hit now always launches opponents in the direction Falco is facing, making it more reliable.}}
*{{nerf|New back aerial has less range, its lingering hitbox has been notably shortened, and no longer hits in front of Falco.}}
**{{buff|The final hit now uses one large extended hitbox rather than four smaller normal hitboxes (5u/5u/4u/4u → 8u), giving it more range.}}
*{{nerf|[[Down aerial]]'s [[meteor smash]] has much weaker growth (100 80), and the move has significantly more startup (frame 5 → 16) and landing lag (12 frames → 23 frames), drastically worsening its utility.}}
**{{change|Neutral aerial now has a [[slash]] effect instead of a normal effect.}}
*{{buff|[[Up aerial]] no longer has a sourspot and consistently sends upwards, leading to more followups.}}
**{{change|The final hit has a much higher hitlag multiplier (1x → 2x). This allows the move to significantly benefit more from the introduction of [[frame canceling]] but this also makes it much easier to DI.}}
*{{nerf|Up aerial deals 1% less damage (11% 10%).}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more landing lag (9 frames → 15), hindering its safety as well as its followup potential, despite the loop hit's higher knockback (unless the move is perfectly frame canceled).}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has a longer animation (49 frames → 57), increasing the amount of time Falco cannot grab ledges after performing the move.}}
**{{nerf|The loop hits' wing hitboxes are smaller (5u → 4u) and they are positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 4/-4 → 3).}}
**{{nerf|The loop hits' left arm hitbox is smaller (4u → 3u).}}
**{{nerf|The second hit deals less damage (3% → 2%).}}
**{{nerf|The final hit has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 21-24 → 23-24).}}
*[[Forward aerial]]:
**{{buff|Forward aerial has less ending lag (FAF 60 → 51).}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial has less landing lag (33 frames → 25).}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 49 → 46).}}
***{{nerf|However, it auto-cancels later relative to when the final hitbox comes out.}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial has a new animation where Falco does not stretch out as far. This makes Falco harder to hit.}}
***{{nerf|However, this animation is also slightly longer (59 frames → 61).}}
**{{buff|The loop hits deal much more knockback (0 (base), 40 (scaling) → 60 (set)/100) and they have a much faster rehit rate (8 → 4). This not only makes the move drastically more reliable (with the move going from almost never connecting properly to now working very reliably) but this also makes the move drastically safer, as opponents can no longer avoid or hit Falco out of the multi hits at lower percents.}}
**{{buff|The loop hits' near hitbox is larger (4u → 5u) and its far hitbox has been moved further away from Falco, improving its range.}}
***{{buff|Additionally, the move's hitboxes are now static, giving it more consistent horizontal range.}}
***{{nerf|However, the near hitbox has been moved further away from Falco, giving it less range inside of him.}}
**{{buff|The final hit launches opponents at a lower angle (50° → [[Sakurai angle|361°]]) as well as dealing more damage (3% → 4%) and much more knockback (80 (base), 60 (scaling) → 55/145), greatly improving its KO potential.}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial now has a landing hitbox which deals a decent amount of knockback and it possesses high hitlag (which only applies to the opponent). This drastically improves forward aerial's safety when landing, especially on hit.}}
***{{buff|Altogether, these changes drastically improve forward aerial's utility, removing its status as a contender for the worst aerial in the game.}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 6-33 (loop hits)/34-35 (final) 10-27/28-29).}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a higher SDI multiplier (0.8x (loop hits)/0x (final) → 1x (both)), with it now being possible to SDI the final hit.}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial has a higher hitlag multiplier (0.7× (loop hits)/2x (final) → 1×/2.5×), making it easier to DI. As forward aerial cannot be frame canceled, this hinders the move overall.}}
**{{nerf|The loop hits deal less damage (2% → 1%), reducing forward aerial's total damage output despite the move having an extra loop hit (11% 9%).}}
**{{nerf|The final hit has one smaller extended hitbox rather than two normal hitboxes (8u/6u → 6u), reducing its range.}}
*[[Back aerial]]:
**{{change|Back aerial has a new animation, with Falco kicking more horizontally.}}
***{{buff|This new animation slightly narrows Falco's hurtbox, leaving him less vulnerable.}}
***{{nerf|However, this animation is also slightly longer (39 frames → 41).}}
**{{buff|The clean hit has much higher knockback scaling (103 → 130), significantly improving its KO potential to the point where it is now one of the strongest back aerials in the game.}}
**{{buff|Back aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 23 → 15), although it still auto-cancels three frame after the hitboxes are removed.}}
**{{buff|The changes to [[shieldstun]] considerably improves the move's safety on shield, now being completely unpunishable on shield for the entire cast if auto-canceled perfectly.}}
**{{change|As with most other back aerials, back aerial now always launches opponents behind Falco.}}
**{{nerf|Back aerial has a shorter duration (frames 4-7 (clean)/8-19 (late) → 4-5/6-11).}}
**{{nerf|Back aerial has smaller hitboxes (4.5u/6u/4u → 4.8u/3.2u (clean), 4u/5u/4u → 3.8u/2.8u (late)), the foot hitbox has been moved closer to Falco (y offset: 4.1 → x offset: 4) and the front hitbox has been removed, reducing its range.}}
***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes hinder back aerial's ability to wall out opponents.}}
*[[Up aerial]]:
**{{buff|Up aerial has less startup lag (frame 10 → 7).}}
***{{nerf|However, its total duration was not fully compensated (FAF 36 → 35), giving it more ending lag.}}
**{{buff|Up aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 26 → 23).}}
**{{buff|The foot hitbox is slightly larger (4.8u → 5u).}}
**{{buff|The middle and lowest hitboxes launch opponents at higher angles (68°/80° → 75°/85°). When combined with the changes to hitstun canceling and DI, this improves up aerial's combo potential.}}
**{{buff|The lowest hitbox deals drastically higher knockback (30 (base), 20 (scaling) → 35/90), going from an incredibly weak sourspot to now being the move's sweetspot.}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial has a shorter initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-6 → 1-3).}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial deals less damage (11% → 10%).}}
**{{nerf|The upper hitboxes deal less knockback (27 (base), 100 (scaling) → 35/90), which along with their lower damage, hinders its KO potential.}}
**{{nerf|The foot hitbox launches opponents at a lower angle (68° → 65°).}}
*[[Down aerial]]:
**{{buff|The removal of [[meteor canceling]] improves down aerial's reliability, although this is partially offset by the move's reduced power.}}
**{{buff|The clean hit has a longer duration (frames 5-7 → 16-19).}}
**{{change|The clean hit launches aerial opponents at a slightly more horizontal angle (280° → 285°).}}
**{{change|The clean hit now launches grounded opponents vertically (280° → 80°). This improves its KO potential as well as preventing opponents from [[tech]]ing the move at higher percents (considering the changes to meteor smashes), however, this also hinders its followup potential at lower percents.}}
**{{change|The clean hit has a much higher hitlag multiplier (). This allows the move to greatly benefit from the introduction of frame canceling but this also makes it much easier to DI.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has drastically higher startup lag (frame 5 → 16), no longer being the fastest meteor smash. This makes the move much harder to land.}}
***{{buff|However, its total duration was not fully compensated (FAF 50 → 52), giving it less ending lag.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has much more landing lag (12 frames → 23).}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has shorter initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-4 → 1-3).}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial auto-cancels later (frame 27 → 38), no longer doing so in a short hop.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has a longer animation (49 frames → 63).}}
**{{nerf|The late hit has a shorter duration (frames 8-21 → 20-30).}}
***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes greatly hinder down aerial's safety and utility.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has smaller hitboxes (5.5u → 4.2u (clean)/5.3u (late)).}}
**{{nerf|The clean hit has lower knockback scaling (100 80). This makes the move barely stronger against grounded opponents despite its higher launch angle while also making it much weaker against aerial opponents.}}


===Throws/other attacks===
===Throws/other attacks===
*{{buff|All of Falco's laser-based throws now consist of one strong blaster shot instead of three weak blaster shots, making them more reliable for damage racking, especially at high percentages. This makes his back throw a reliable KO option.}}
*[[Grab]]s:
*{{buff|[[Up throw]]'s new vertical trajectory along with its aforementioned single strong shot makes it much better for follow-ups at mid to high percents. It also benefits from the new [[rage]] mechanic, which makes it a reliable KO throw on stages with platforms.}}
**{{nerf|Standing and pivot grabs have more startup lag (frame 6 (standing)/9 (pivot) → 8/11) with their total durations subsequently increased (FAF 30 (standing)/36 (pivot) → 32/38).}}
*{{buff|[[Back throw]] deals more damage and knockback, making it a reliable KO throw at around 150% near the edge.}}
**{{buff|Dash grab has less startup lag (frame 11 → 10).}}
*{{nerf|[[Down throw]]'s initial hit deals slightly less damage (3% → 2%). It has lost its [[chain grab]]bing ability, removing one of his best strategies from ''Brawl'' as well as harming Falco's damage racking game. It also has more base knockback (45 → 60) making it more difficult to follow up on at higher percents.}}
***{{nerf|However, its total duration was unchanged, giving it slightly more ending lag.}}
*{{buff|The removal of hitstun cancelling makes down throw a better combo starter at low to mid percents, particulary into dash attack and forward aerial.}}
**{{buff|All grabs extend further away from Falco (z offset: 8.8 (standing)/8 (dash)/-12.8 (pivot) → z stretch: 8.9/10.7/-14.9), giving dash and pivot grabs more range.}}
**{{buff|Standing and pivot grabs extend further inside of Falco (z offset: 4.8 (standing)/-4.8 pivot → 4/-4), giving them more range inside of Falco.}}
**{{nerf|All grabs have smaller grabboxes (4.8u (standing/pivot)/4.5u (dash) → 3.1u/2.5u), giving all grabs less vertical range as well as giving standing grab less horizontal range despite its grabbox being extended slightly further away from Falco.}}
*[[Pummel]]:
**{{change|Pummel has an updated animation and its hitbox has slightly altered positioning (x/y offsets: 0/0 → 0.5/-0.5).}}
*[[Forward throw]]:
**{{change|Forward throw has an updated animation where Falco takes more time to stand upright after the throw.}}
**{{buff|The hitbox has a larger duration (frame 10 → 10-11).}}
**{{change|Falco releases his opponent from forward throw one frame later (frame 11 → 12).}}
*[[Back throw]]:
**{{buff|Falco now only shoots one laser instead of three. When combined with the weakening of DI, this makes back throw much more reliable as Falco can now reliably land the entire throw (outside of higher percents where the opponent can still DI to avoid the laser).}}
**{{buff|Back throw deals more damage (2% (throw)/2% (lasers)/8% (total) → 6%/3%/9%). The throw's knockback scaling was not fully compensated (80 → 60) while the laser's knockback was not compensated, improving its KO potential (to the point where the move can now KO at realistic percents if the laser connects).}}
**{{change|Back throw launches opponents at a slightly higher angle (33° → 35°).}}
*[[Up throw]]:
**{{buff|Falco now only shoots one laser instead of three. When combined with the weakening of DI, this makes up throw much more reliable as Falco can now reliably land the entire throw (outside of higher percents where the opponent can still DI to avoid the laser).}}
**{{buff|Up throw launches opponents at a more vertical angle (107° (throw)/50° (laser) → 94°/90°). When combined with the changes to hitstun canceling and DI, this siginificantly improves up throw's combo potential despite the laser coming out sooner than the previous third laser (frame 24 → 20).}}
**{{buff|The throw and the laser deal more damage (2% (throw)/2% (lasers)/8% (total) 4%/4%/8%). The throw only received a decrease to its base knockback (70 → 60) while the laser's knockback was not compensated. When combined with their higher launch angles, this significantly improves up throw's KO potential (to the point where the move can now KO at realistic percents if the laser connects).}}
*[[Down throw]]:
**{{nerf|Falco now only shoots one laser instead of four, significantly reducing down throw's total damage output (9% → 5%).}}
**{{nerf|The throw deals more damage (1% → 3%) without full compensation on its knockback (45 (base), 130 (scaling) → 60/110). This greatly hinders down throw's followup potential at lower percents as Falco's opponent is now put into [[tumble]] at 0%, allowing them to DI and reducing the amount of followups Falco can perform.}}
***{{change|Despite these changes, the changes to hitstun canceling and DI still allows Falco to combo from down throw at lower percents.}}
*[[Floor attack]]:
**{{buff|Floor attacks deal more damage (6% → 7%) and [[shield damage]] (1 → 8) per hit, with minimally compensated knockback scaling (50 → 48).}}
**{{change|Floor attacks' angles have been altered (361° → 48°).}}
*[[Edge attack]]:
**{{buff|Edge attack no longer has [[set knockback]] (110 (set)/100 (scaling) → 90 (base)/20 (scaling)).}}
**{{change|Edge attack deals consistent damage (8% (legs)/6% (body) → 7%).}}


===Special moves===
===Special moves===
*{{nerf|[[Blaster]] loses practicality as an approach option as shots no longer auto-cancel, cannot be fired as frequently, and aerial Blaster shots barely get a noticeable increase in attack speed. The height of Falco's short hop often shoots the lasers over the opponent's heads. It also covers significantly less range (not even the full Final Destination length). It also can no longer silent laser. Due to its slower speed, and the new physics involving locks, the Blaster can no longer lock floored opponents.}}
*{{b|Blaster|Falco}}:
*{{buff|Blaster shots now deal consistent 3% damage as they travel farther.}}
**{{buff|Blaster has less startup lag (frame 12 (grounded)/10 (aerial) → 11/9).}}
*{{buff|[[Falco Phantasm]] no longer dashes over edges when used on the ground. It also has less landing lag when used while airborne. It no longer leaves Falco [[helpless]] when used in midair and gives Falco some slight forward momentum after the move ends. The introduction of ledge-trumping also allows it to be used for gimping opponents after trumping the edge, while allowing him to recover using Fire Bird}}
**{{buff|Blaster has a more generous repeat window (frames 8-16 → 7-17).}}
*{{nerf|Falco Phantasm has 2 frames more startup (17 frames 19 frames).}}
**{{bugfix|The [[Laser glitch]] has been removed.}}
*{{change|Falco Phantasm has a new animation, involving Falco spreading his arms out.}}
**{{nerf|Blaster has more ending lag (FAF 57 (grounded)/42 (aerial) → 59/50).}}
*{{nerf|Falco Phantasm can no longer be canceled, removing recovery mix-ups with it.}}
**{{nerf|Blaster has a longer delay between consecutive shots (24 frames → 29 (grounded), 15 frames → 24 (aerial)).}}
*{{buff|[[Fire Bird]] grants more distance.}}
**{{nerf|Blaster no longer auto-cancels on landing, greatly hindering its safety as well as greatly hindering Falco's camping potential.}}
*{{buff|[[Reflector]] starts and ends slightly faster. Because of ''SSB4'''s removal of hitstun cancelling, it is a better poking option than in the previous game as Falco can now use another move once Reflector ends while the opponent is stunned, especially if Reflector causes them to trip at low percentages, giving the move new followup opening options.}}
**{{nerf|When Falco lands on the same frame as the laser comes out, the laser will now make a sound effect, making lasers easier to react to in this situation.}}
*{{nerf|Because Reflector is faster, the window that Falco gets to reflect projectiles is slightly shorter, making timing of the move more crucial than in ''Brawl''.}}
**{{nerf|Lasers have lower set knockback (3 → 2).}}
*{{change|Falco's Reflector animation is more fluid, and he now catches the device with his wing once the move ends.}}
**{{nerf|Lasers travel slower (5 → 3.8).}}
*{{nerf|[[Landmaster]] is less powerful and lasts a shorter duration.}}
**{{nerf|Lasers have a drastically shorter duration (98 frames → 33). When combined with their slower travel speed, this drastically reduces the distance lasers travel, with them now only covering around 3/4ths of {{SSB4|Final Destination}}.}}
**{{nerf|The changes to shields have hindered the laser's safety on shield as their lack of hitlag now applies to shielding opponents.}}
**{{nerf|The longer gap between shots, the slower speed/shorter distance of the lasers and the introduction of the three hit [[lock]] limit, have greatly hindered the laser's locking potential.}}
***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes have drastically hindered Blaster's utility to the point that it completely detriments Falco's entire gameplan.}}
*[[Falco Phantasm]]:
**{{buff|Falco Phantasm no longer leaves Falco [[helpless]] when used in midair, though it can still only be used once in the air. When combined with the removal of [[edge hog]]ging, this drastically improves its recovery potential.}}
**{{buff|Falco Phantasm no longer dashes over edges when used on the ground.}}
**{{buff|Falco Phantasm has less landing lag (20 frames → 16).}}
**{{buff|Falco now retains some forward momentum after the move ends.}}
**{{buff|The aerial version has a larger hitbox against aerial opponents (2.5u → 3u).}}
**{{buff|The removal of meteor canceling improves the aerial version's reliability against aerial opponents.}}
**{{change|Falco Phantasm has an altered animation, with Falco crossing his wings before spreading them outwards.}}
**{{change|The hitboxes are positioned higher (y offset: 4 5 (grounded)/6 (aerial)).}}
**{{nerf|Falco Phantasm has more startup (frame 17 → 18) and ending lag (FAF 58 → 61).}}
**{{nerf|Falco Phantasm can no longer be shortened, hindering its mix-up potential.}}
**{{nerf|Falco Phantasm dashes more slowly and covers less distance.}}
***{{nerf|Notably, the hitboxes now end before Falco dashes forward the full distance, creating a blindspot near the end of the dash as well as greatly reducing its range as an attack.}}
**{{nerf|The grounded version has a smaller hitbox (5.11u → 3u).}}
**{{nerf|The aerial version has a smaller hitbox against grounded opponents (5u → 4u).}}
**{{nerf|Falco can no longer reuse Falco Phantasm if he is aerial [[grab release]]d out of it.}}
*[[Fire Bird]]:
**{{buff|Falco's momentum is no longer completely halted after performing Fire Bird at an upwards 45° angle, making it cover noticeably more distance.}}
**{{buff|The dash hitboxes have lower SDI multipliers (1.5× → 0.8×), which alongside the weakening of the mechanic, makes them harder to escape (although they are still unreliable).}}
**{{nerf|Fire Bird no longer gives Falco a slight vertical boost at the end of the move, making it slightly harder to recover if Falco overshoots the ledge from behind.}}
**{{nerf|The dash hitboxes are positioned closer to Falco (y offset: 5 → x offset: 4.2), giving them less range.}}
*{{b|Reflector|Falco}}:
**{{buff|Reflector has less ending lag (FAF 52 → 51).}}
**{{buff|The hitbox is larger (3u → 3.5u).}}
**{{buff|Reflected projectiles have a higher speed (1x → 1.3x) and duration multiplier (0.5x → 0.8x).}}
**{{change|Reflector has an updated sound effect and animation.}}
**{{nerf|The hitbox deals less damage (6% → 5%).}}
**{{nerf|The hitbox has a lower trip chance (40% → 25%).}}
**{{nerf|The hitbox can now be reflected (although it will only hit Falco when used at close range).}}
**{{nerf|The Reflector has a shorter duration (frames 1-51 → 1-32), no longer lasting the entire animation.}}
**{{nerf|Reflected projectiles have a lower damage multiplier (1.5× → 1.2×).}}
*[[Landmaster]]:
**{{nerf|Landmaster is weaker and has a shorter duration (18 seconds → 12).}}
**{{change|Landmaster is now light blue, instead of dark blue.}}
**{{bugfix|The [[regenerating terrain glitch]] has been fixed.}}


==Update history==
==Update history==
Falco has been buffed in game updates so far. In update [[1.0.4]], Falco was slightly buffed due to his Blaster shooting a bit faster, which slightly improved his neutral game. Update [[1.0.8]] buffed his punishing game by making his neutral aerial more versatile, and increasing the speed of his up and forward aerials. The new shield mechanics also aid some of his moves without harming others. While these buffs do not notably improve Falco's worsened neutral game, they do give him more offensive options and improve his previously nerfed damage racking ability.
Falco has been buffed via game updates. In update [[1.0.4]], his Blaster's firing rate was increased, which slightly improved his neutral game. Update [[1.0.8]] buffed Falco's punishing game by making his neutral aerial more versatile, as well as increasing the speed of his up and forward aerials. The same update also slightly improved his aerial mobility by increasing his air speed and acceleration. Update [[1.1.4]] increased his down smash's knockback, while improving his up smash by decreasing its start-up, increasing its knockback, and granting intangibility to its first hit. Lastly, the new shield mechanics also aid some of Falco's moves without harming others. These changes gave Falco more offensive options and improved both his KOing and his previously nerfed damage racking abilities, making him better than he was in the game's initial release. However, since none of them have improved his below average neutral game, Falco still remains at a disadvantage compared to most of the cast.


'''{{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}} 1.0.4'''
'''{{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}} [[1.0.4]]'''
*{{buff|[[Blaster]] fires faster.}}
{{UpdateList/1.0.4|char=Falco}}
*{{buff|Forward aerial's landing hit deals 3% more damage|2%|5%.}}
*{{bugfix|Fixed a glitch where Reflector Void would fail to properly reflect [[Timber]].}}
'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} 1.0.8'''
*{{buff|Neutral attack has been improved. It locks opponents more reliably for all of its hits and all hits have slightly larger hitboxes.}}
*{{buff|Up smash's second hitbox starts up 1 frame sooner and lasts 2 frames longer.}}
*{{buff|Neutral aerial has been significantly improved. It has larger hitboxes, can now properly keep opponents in for all hits, and always produces knockback towards the direction Falco faces, significantly improving its follow-up capabilities.}}
*{{nerf|Neutral aerial's second hit deals 1% less damage (3 → 2), making the total damage reduced by 1%|12%|11%}}.}}
*{{buff|Forward aerial has 2 frames of faster start-up (12 → 10) and overall completes about 8 frames faster (58 → 50), giving it follow-up capabilities. It additionally has reduced landing lag (32 → 25) and deals 1% more damage if all aerial hits connect|5%|6%.}}
*{{nerf|Forward aerial's landing hit deals 2% less damage|5%|3%.}}
*{{buff|Up aerial's start-up was decreased by 3 frames (10 → 7) and its hitboxes deal more vertical based knockback, making it more viable for combos. Its hitboxes are also slightly larger.}}
*{{change|Up aerial's sourspot was removed, now leaving it with a single hitbox that deals 1% less damage than the up aerial's previous sweetspot|11%|10%. While this means it is much more consistent in utility, it means it no longer has a hitbox that is extra powerful.}}
*{{buff|Down aerial's sweetspot lasts 1 frame longer, and its sourspot's hitboxes are slightly larger.}}
*{{change|Down aerial's sweetspot no longer meteor smashes grounded opponents, now sending opponents at a slightly diagonal vertical trajectory. While this removes its follow-up potential at high percents, it can no longer be teched by grounded opponents.}}
*{{nerf|Falco Phantasm has 1 extra frame of start-up|18|19.}}


===Technical changelist===
'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.6]]'''
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align:center"
*{{buff|Up smash's first hit's leg hitboxes can now hit grounded opponents, while the early foot hitbox can now hit aerial opponents. This removes the move's blind spot against grounded opponents at close range, while giving the move signficantly more horizontal range against aerial opponents.}}
! Change!!Old value!!New value
*{{nerf|Up smash's first hit's leg hitboxes launch opponents at a higher angle (140° → 110°) with considerably more knockback (30 (base), 20 (scaling) → 60/25). This makes them connect less reliably into the second hit against aerial opponents.}}
|-
 
|Jab 1 hitboxes 0 and 2 switched|| ||
'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.8]]'''
|-
*{{buff|Falco's [[air speed]] is higher (0.893 → 0.93).}}
|Jab 1 base knockback||30||35
*{{buff|Falco's [[air acceleration]] increased (0.07 → 0.09).}}
|-
*{{buff|The first two hits of neutral attack now always launch opponents in the direction Falco is facing, improving their reliability.}}
|Jab 1 angle (hitboxes 0-1)||80°||68°/77°
*{{buff|The near hitboxes on the first hit of neutral attack are larger (3u (middle)/2u (near) → 3.2u/2.5u)), with the near hitbox being positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0 -0.5).}}
|-
*{{change|The near and far hitboxes on the first hit of neutral attack have swapped priority.}}
|Jab 1 size (hitboxes 0-1)||2/3||2.5/3.2
*{{change|The near hitboxes on the first hit of neutral attack launch opponents at lower angles (80° → 68° (near)/77° (middle)).}}
|-
*{{change|The first hit of neutral attack has more base knockback (30 → 35). This improves its jab canceling potential, but hinders its ability to lead into the second hit.}}
|Jab 1 Z-offset (hitbox 0)||0||-0.5
*{{buff|The second hit of neutral attack's near hitbox is much larger (2u → 5u) and it is positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0 -0.5).}}
|-
*{{change|The second hit of neutral attack's near hitbox launches opponents at a lower angle (50° → 45°).}}
|Jab 2 hitbox 2 angle||50°||45°
*{{buff|Neutral infinite's near hitboxes are larger (3u (middle)/2u (near) → 3.2u/2.7u).}}
|-
*{{change|Up smash's first hit's late foot hitbox now overrides the early foot hitbox.}}
|Jab 2 hitbox 2 size||2||5
**{{nerf|This means that the foot hitbox can no longer hit grounded opponents above Falco, preventing it from hitting opponents on higher platforms.}}
|-
**{{buff|However, the move always failed to lead into the second hit against opponents on higher platforms, allowing Falco to simply land the second hit, which is much more powerful.}}
|Jab 2 Z-offset (hitbox 2)||0||-0.5
*{{buff|Up smash's second hit has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 14-19 → 13-20). The animation was unchanged, giving the move more range below Falco.}}
|-
*{{change|Up smash's second hit now has a part value of 1 on its hitboxes. As the first hit's hitboxes are deleted, this has no affect.}}
|Transition from Jab 2 to Jab 3||frame 10||frame 9
*{{buff|Neutral aerial's loop hits have more set knockback (15 → 22) and they now use the auto-link angle (110° → 367°). These changes greatly improve neutral aerial's reliability.}}
|-
*{{buff|Neutral aerial's loop hits have a larger middle hitbox (4u → 6u) and it is now static, now fully covering Falco's body.}}
|Rapid jab loop hitbox sizes||2/3||2.7/3.2
*{{nerf|Neutral aerial's second hit deals less damage (3% (hit 2)/12% (total) → 2%/11%).}}
|-
*{{buff|Neutral aerial's final hit has higher base knockback (40 → 55), improving its KO potential.}}
|Up smash final hit longevity||frames 13-20||frames 12-21
*{{buff|Neutral aerial's final hit now uses one large extended hitbox rather than multiple smaller hitboxes (4u/4u/3u/3u → 8u), giving it more range overall.}}
|-
*{{buff|Neutral aerial's final hit now always launches opponents in the direction Falco is facing, making it more consistent.}}
|Neutral air weight-based knockback increased||| ||
*{{change|Neutral aerial's final hit has considerably more hitlag (1x → 2x). This makes it benefit more from [[frame canceling]] (even with its higher knockback) but this also makes it easier to DI and it significantly hinders the move's safety on shield.}}
|-
**The changes to shields in [[1.1.0]] and [[1.1.1]] would remove the shield safety disadvantage caused by the higher hitlag.
|Neutral air range increased || ||
*{{nerf|Neutral aerial's final hit has startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 21-24 → 23-24).}}
|-
*{{buff|Forward aerial has less startup lag (frame 12 → 10), ending lag (FAF 59 → 51) and landing lag (32 frames → 25).}}
|Neutral air (hit 2) damage||3%||2%
*{{buff|Forward aerial [[auto-cancel]]s earlier (frame 54 → 46).}}
|-
*{{nerf|Forward aerial has a a shorter duration (frames 12-34/35-36 → 10-27/28-29).}}
|Neutral air hits now auto link || ||
**{{buff|However, the final hit's lower startup lag allows Falco to complete the move in a short hop, which he previously could not do.}}
|-
*{{buff|Forward aerial's loop hits have a shorter rehit rate (6 → 4). This gives forward aerial an extra loop despite its shorter duration, increasing its maximum damage (8% → 9%) as well as making it connect more reliably and making it harder to escape on shield.}}
|Neutral air's final hit now forces front-facing knockback || ||
*{{nerf|Forward aerial's landing hit damage (5% 3%) without full compensation on its base knockback (30 → 50), significantly hindering its KO potential.}}
|-
*{{buff|Up aerial has less startup lag (frame 10 → 7).}}
|Animation speed 1.33x for frames 0-37 || ||
**{{nerf|However, its total duration was not fully compensated (FAF 36 → 35), giving it more ending lag.}}
|-
*{{buff|Up aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 26 → 23).}}
|Looping hits refresh time||6||4
*{{nerf|Up aerial has a shorter initial auto-cancel (frames 1-6 → 1-3).}}
|-
*{{buff|Up aerial's foot hitbox is slightly larger (4.8u → 5u).}}
|Number of looping hits||3||5
*{{nerf|Up aerial deals less damage (11% 10%), with the foot and leg hitboxes also dealing less knockback (27 (base), 100 (scaling) → 35/90), considerably hindering its KO potential.}}
|-
*{{nerf|Up aerial's foot hitbox launches opponents at a lower angle (68° → 65°), hindering its KO potential along with its lower damage and knockback.}}
|Forward air landing damage||5%||3%
*{{buff|Up aerial's leg and body hitboxes launch opponents at higher angle (68°/80° 75°/85°), with it no longer being possible to LSI the leg hitbox.}}
|-
*{{buff|Up aerial's body hitbox deals drastically more knockback (30 (base), 20 (scaling) → 35/90). When combined with its higher launch angle, this transforms the hitbox from a drastically weaker sourspot to the move's sweetspot.}}
|Forward air base knockback||30||50
**{{nerf|However, this also removes the hitbox's ability to lead into followups at higher percents, including potential KO confirms.}}
|-
*{{buff|Down aerial's clean hit has a longer duration (frames 16-18 → 16-19).}}
|Up air damage||11%||10%
*{{buff|Down aerial's late hit has a slightly larger hitbox (5u → 5.3u).}}
|-
*{{buff|Down aerial's clean now launches grounded opponents upwards with a less horizontal angle (285° → 80°). This means that the move can no longer be [[tech]]ed at higher percents, giving it much more consistent followup potential as well as granting it KO potential at very high percents.}}
|Up air angle||68°/68°/80°||65°/75°/85°
**{{nerf|However, this also removes down aerial's ability to lock and trip at lower percents, hindering its followup potential at lower percents in certain scenarios.}}
|-
 
|Up air base knockback || 27/27/30 || 35/35/35
'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.4]]'''
|-
{{UpdateList/1.1.4|char=Falco}}
|Up air knockback growth || 100/100/20 || 90/90/90
|-
|Up air hitbox 0 size||4.8||5
|-
| Animation speed 1.5x for frames 0-8 || ||
|-
|Up air startup||10 frames||7 frames
|-
|Down air sweetspot produces a different hitbox with a nonmeteor angle on grounded opponents || 280° || 80°
|-
|Down air sourspot replaces sweetspot one frame later || 19 || 20
|-
|Down air sourspot hitbox size||5||5.3
|}


==Moveset==
==Moveset==
*Falco can [[wall jump]].
''For a gallery of Falco's hitboxes, see [[/Hitboxes|here]].''
{{MovesetTable
{{MovesetTable
|game=SSB4
|game=SSB4
Line 192: Line 390:
|neutral2dmg=2%
|neutral2dmg=2%
|neutralinfdmg=0.4% (loop), 3% (last)
|neutralinfdmg=0.4% (loop), 3% (last)
|neutraldesc=Falco performs two jabs, then tilts diagonally and spins very quickly with his wings out to repeatedly slash the opponent. He finishes the attack with a strong swipe.
|neutraldesc=Performs two knifehand strikes, then tilts diagonally and spins very quickly with his wings spread out before finishing with another knifehand strike. A handy [[jab cancel]]ling tool due to its quick speed (comes out on frame 2), as it can be followed up by a tilt, down smash or a grab.
|ftiltname= 
|ftiltname= 
|ftiltdmg=9%
|ftiltdmg=9%
|ftiltdesc=A mid-level roundhouse kick. It can be angled, but has below average knockback.
|ftiltdesc=A roundhouse kick. It can be angled strongly, but has below average knockback. Can [[lock]] opponents.
|utiltname= 
|utiltname= 
|utiltdmg=4% (hit 1 most), 3% (hit 1 late tip), 5% (hit 2)
|utiltdmg=4% (hit 1), 3% (hit 1, late tip), 5% (hit 2)
|utiltdesc=Swings both of his wings above his head, hitting twice. The tip of the first hit is a [[meteor smash]], although it is very hard to land consistently in normal gameplay as both attacks chain well into each other. A good move in general, being both good for comboing and a fast but somewhat weak KOing option, dealing enough vertical knockback to KO at around 160%.
|utiltdesc=Slightly twists around and swings both of his wings upward. The tip of the first hit is a [[meteor smash]], although it is very hard to land consistently in normal gameplay as both attacks connect well with each other. Useful for comboing. It also functions as a fast, though somewhat weak KOing option, dealing enough vertical knockback to KO at around 160%.
|dtiltname= 
|dtiltname= 
|dtiltdmg=12% (near), 11% (mid), 9% (far)
|dtiltdmg=12% (near), 11% (mid), 9% (far)
|dtiltdesc=Falco quickly swipes his opponent's legs with his tail feathers. Surprisingly good knockback for its speed, it is a reliable KOing option around 120% if sweetspotted.
|dtiltdesc=Swipes across the floor with his tail feathers. One of the strongest down tilts in the game, reliably KOing at 120% if sweetspotted. It also has combo potential depending on the knockback it deals.
|dashname= 
|dashname= 
|dashdmg=9% (clean), 6% (late)
|dashdmg=9% (clean), 6% (late)
|dashdesc=Falco performs a flying kick.
|dashdesc=A flying kick. The late hit launches the opponent at a lower angle.
|fsmashname= 
|fsmashname= 
|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|15}} (clean), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|10}} (late)
|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|15}} (clean), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|10}} (late)
|fsmashdesc=Falco swings his wings forward in an overhead powerful swipe, slashing anyone who is caught in it. Has high knockback and its sweetspot is at his hands.
|fsmashdesc=A two-handed overhead slash downwards. Has high knockback and speed, though has slow startup on the flipside. Its sweetspot is at his hands. One of Falco's strongest attacks, KOing at 102%.
|usmashname= 
|usmashname= 
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|4}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|12}} (hit 2)
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|4}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|12}} (hit 2)
|usmashdesc=Falco performs a backflip kick. Hits twice with moderate knockback.
|usmashdesc=A sideways-flipping kick that hits twice. Falco's legs have intangibility while the hitboxes are active. KOs at 130% and comes out as a rather fast damage rack-up tool, but has some notable lag.
|dsmashname= 
|dsmashname= 
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|15}} (feet), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|12}} (legs)
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|15}} (feet), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|12}} (legs)
|dsmashdesc=Falco does a split kick that comes out rather quickly. His legs are intangible for a short time before the attack strikes. Below average range. Has a very small sourspot in the center of his body that deals weak vertical knockback, but endlag renders it practically unusable for comboing.
|dsmashdesc=A split kick. Comes out quickly and Falco's feet are intangible for a short time before the attack. However, it has below average reach. There is a very small sourspot in the center of his body that deals weak vertical knockback, but the move's ending lag renders it practically unusable for combos. Falco's hurtbox also shrinks down during this attack, allowing him to avoid high-aimed moves if timed properly.
|nairname= 
|nairname= 
|nairdmg=3% (hits 1-2), 2% (hit 3), 4% (hit 4)
|nairdmg=3% (hits 1-2), 2% (hit 3), 3% (hit 4)
|nairdesc=Falco performs a few spinning swipes with his wings, hitting four times. A good combo move, the final hit knocks opponents away.
|nairdesc=Spins and swipes repeatedly with his wings, hitting four times. A good combo move, with each hit connecting well with one another. The last hit launches opponents away. As the move's looping hits use the [[autolink angle]], it can be used during a fast fall to [[gimp]] recovering opponents.
|fairname= 
|fairname= 
|fairdmg=1% (loop), 4% (last), 3% (landing)
|fairdmg=1% (loop, 5 hits), 4% (last hit), 3% (landing)
|fairdesc=Falco spins in a horizontal corkscrew to perform a drilling peck. It is similar to {{SSB4|Pikachu}} and {{SSB4|Sonic}}'s forward aerials. All of its hits chain well into each other and the final hit deals impressive knockback, KOing off-stage around 100% while not being particularly hard to land. Landing while the move is used causes a shockwave that knocks opponents away with decently strong knockback, making this move one of Falco's most reliable KOing options both onstage and offstage.
|fairdesc=Spins in a horizontal corkscrew to perform a drilling peck. It is similar to {{SSB4|Pikachu}} and {{SSB4|Sonic}}'s forward aerials. Can KO around 100% offstage while not being particularly hard to land. It has a landing hit positioned around Falco's head that launches opponents away with decently strong knockback, making this move one of Falco's most reliable KOing options overall. As the move's looping hits use the autolink angle, it can be used during a fast fall to gimp recovering opponents.
|bairname= 
|bairname= 
|bairdmg=13% (clean), 7% (late)
|bairdmg=13% (clean), 7% (late)
|bairdesc=Falco does a back kick. Excellent start-up and knockback scaling make it a great KOing option despite its fairly low range and its hitbox no longer lasting as long as it did in ''Brawl''.
|bairdesc=A back kick. It is notorious for being one of the fastest and strongest back aerials in the game; the clean hit comes out at frame 4 and possesses incredibly high knockback scaling that even exceeds moves such as {{SSB4|Ness}}'s back throw. When including its ability to autocancel from a [[short hop fast fall]], it is a powerful KOing option and combo breaker, capable of KOing at 130% from the center of {{SSB4|Final Destination}}. However, its other qualities have been heavily toned down since ''Brawl'', with its range and duration being considerably shorter.
|uairname= 
|uairname= 
|uairdmg=11%
|uairdmg=10%
|uairdesc=Falco does a forwards flip kick into the air. Juggles well at low percents and can KO at higher percents. Its knockback is somewhat lacking compared to Fox's, but Falco's high jumps allow it to be used from very high up near the blast line, where it can KO at around 110%.
|uairdesc=A somersault kick. The kick covers above Falco, giving it rather good range. The attack also starts behind him, allowing the early hit to catch opponents while he's landing. Juggles well at low percentages and can KO at higher percents, although its knockback is lacking compared to {{SSB4|Fox}}'s. Regardless, Falco's high jumps allow it to be used from very high up near the blast line, where it can KO as early as 115%.
|dairname= 
|dairname= 
|dairdmg=13% (clean), 8% (late)
|dairdmg=13% (clean), 8% (late)
|dairdesc=Falco performs a downward corkcrew stomp. High start-up lag and hits once with a meteor smash. It has been significantly nerfed from ''Brawl'', although it benefits from [[frame cancel]]ling.
|dairdesc=Briefly pulls his legs upward before performing a downward corkscrew stomp. A decently strong [[meteor smash]] on aerial opponents; as a carryover from ''Melee'', it is one of the few meteor smashes that sends opponents diagonally downwards. Due to the clean hit's 2× [[hitlag]] multiplier, it benefits significantly from [[frame cancelling]], though this is very situational. The late hit can also lock opponents. However, the move has high startup lag and landing lag, so it is mostly used for reads.
|grabname= 
|grabname= 
|grabdesc=Grabs the opponent.
|grabdesc=An average grab.
|pummelname= 
|pummelname= 
|pummeldmg=2%
|pummeldmg=2%
|pummeldesc=A quick knee strike.
|pummeldesc=Knee strikes the opponent. Decent speed.
|fthrowname= 
|fthrowname= 
|fthrowdmg=4% (hit 1), 3% (throw)
|fthrowdmg=4% (hit 1), 3% (throw)
|fthrowdesc=Falco punches the opponent away. Can combo into a dash attack at low to mid percents if the opponent doesn't react.
|fthrowdesc=Launches the opponent forward with a cross.
|bthrowname= 
|bthrowname= 
|bthrowdmg=6% (throw), 3% (shots)
|bthrowdmg=6% (throw), 3% (shot)
|bthrowdesc=Falco throws the foe backwards and then shoots them once with his [[Blaster]]. Can KO at around 150% near the edge if opponent is hit by the Blaster's laser.
|bthrowdesc=Throws the opponent backwards and then shoots them once with his [[Blaster]]. Can KO at around 150% near the edge if the opponent is hit by the laser.
|uthrowname= 
|uthrowname= 
|uthrowdmg=4% (throw), 4% (shots)
|uthrowdmg=4% (throw), 4% (shot)
|uthrowdesc=Falco throws the foe upwards and then shoots them once with his Blaster. Falco's most reliable combo throw at mid to high percents thanks to his high jumps. It can lead into a KO with up air if the opponent's reaction is read.
|uthrowdesc=Throws the opponent upwards and then shoots them once with his Blaster. A reliable combo starter until high percentages thanks to Falco's high jumps. It can combo into any aerial (except down aerial) and, with a proper read, lead into a KO with up aerial. The throw itself can KO at high percentages if performed on stages with platforms, although opponents can DI away from it at said percent range.
|dthrowname= 
|dthrowname= 
|dthrowdmg=2% (shots), 3% (throw)
|dthrowdmg=2% (shot), 3% (throw)
|dthrowdesc=Falco throws the opponent to the ground and shoots them in the chest with his Blaster. Good combo starter at low to mid percents.
|dthrowdesc=Throws the opponent to the ground and shoots them with his Blaster. Like his up throw, it is a very reliable combo starter. It can lead into an up smash or dash attack at low percentages, as well as a neutral, forward or back aerial at medium percentages.
|floorfname= 
|floorfname= 
|floorfdmg=7%
|floorfdmg=7%
|floorfdesc=Falco lunges and kicks backwards and forwards.
|floorfdesc=Lunges and kicks backward and forward.
|floorbname= 
|floorbname= 
|floorbdmg=7%
|floorbdmg=7%
|floorbdesc=Falco extends to attack in front and in back.
|floorbdesc=Extends to attack in front and in back.
|floortname= 
|floortname= 
|floortdmg=5%
|floortdmg=5%
|floortdesc=Falco spins around, kicking those who are near.
|floortdesc=Spins around while kicking.
|edgename= 
|edgename= 
|edgedmg=7%
|edgedmg=7%
|edgedesc=Falco lunges at the opponent with a kick.
|edgedesc=A corkscrew dropkick.
|nsdefname=Blaster
|nsdefname=Blaster
|nspage=Blaster (Falco)
|nsdefdmg=3%
|nsdefdmg=3%
|nsdefdesc=Falco fires his Blaster. Unlike Fox's Blaster, it is slow but can stun the opponent and is slightly more powerful. The Blaster fires a bit faster in the air, although this speed increase is insignificant.
|nsdefdesc=Unlike Fox's variant, the shots come out much slower, travel slower, aren’t as long, and don’t go as far, but they flinch opponents and don’t decay in power as they travel. The Blaster fires slightly faster in the air, although this speed increase is negligible. Due to the lasers' low fixed knockback, they can [[lock]] opponents at any percent.
|nsc1name=Explosive Blaster
|nsc1name=Explosive Blaster
|nsc1dmg=1% (loop), 2% (last)
|nsc1dmg=1% (loop, 4 hits), 2% (last)
|nsc1desc=Falco fires a shot that slows down as it travels and explodes right before it stops. It pushes opponents while traveling, but does not do damage until the shot explodes.
|nsc1desc=The Blaster's laser slows down as it travels and explodes right before it stops. It pushes opponents while traveling, but does not deal damage until the laser explodes. Also visually alters the lasers fired from throws. Similar to Zero Suit Samus’ [[paralyzer|Electromagnetic Net]].
|nsc2name=Burst Blaster
|nsc2name=Burst Blaster
|nsc2dmg=2%
|nsc2dmg=2% (near), 1% (far)
|nsc2desc=Falco's Blaster acts similarly to Fox's Blaster in that it fires faster, but with less power, range, and loses its ability to make the opponent flinch. The ending lag is significantly reduced.  
|nsc2desc=Acts similarly to Fox's Blaster in that it fires faster, but has lower power, length, range, and loses its ability to make the opponent flinch. Additionally, it still fires slower than Fox's, though its ending lag is significantly lower. Doesn’t fire quicker in mid-air.
|ssdefname=Falco Phantasm
|ssdefname=Falco Phantasm
|ssdefdmg=7% (ground), 6% (airborne opponents when used in air)
|ssdefdmg=7% (ground), 6% (airborne opponents when used in air)
|ssdefdesc=Falco dashes forward at a blinding speed, leaving behind after-images. Unlike Fox Illusion, Falco Phantasm will launch airborne opponents straight downwards on contact, and it has 2 frames less start-up. On grounded opponents, it sends them upwards with favorable force to combo into a back aerial.
|ssdefdesc=Dashes forward at a blinding speed, leaving behind afterimages. Unlike Fox Illusion, Falco Phantasm will launch airborne opponents [[meteor smash|straight downward]] on contact, and it has 2 less startup frames. On grounded opponents, it sends them upwards with favorable force to combo into a back aerial.
|ssc1name=Falco Phase
|ssc1name=Falco Phase
|ssc1dmg=0%
|ssc1dmg=0%
|ssc1desc=Falco is intangible for the duration of the move, but cannot hit opponents either. It also covers slightly less distance.
|ssc1desc=Quicker, and Falco is intangible for the duration of the move, but it cannot hit opponents either. It does not give Falco any momentum.
|ssc2name=Falco Charge
|ssc2name=Falco Charge
|ssc2dmg=4% (early), 12% (clean), 4% (late)
|ssc2dmg=4% (early), 12% (clean), 4% (late)
|ssc2desc=A shorter dash that hits much harder at the beginning of the move.
|ssc2desc=The dash's range is shorter, but it hits much harder at the beginning of the move.
|usdefname=Fire Bird
|usdefname=Fire Bird
|usdefdmg=2% (charging loop), 3% (launch hit 1), 2% (launch hits 2-8), 2% (launch hit 9)
|usdefdmg=2% (charging loop, 7 hits), 3% (launch hit 1), 2% (launch hits 2-8),
|usdefdesc=Falco cloaks himself in flames and suddenly fires himself in any direction, depending on what direction is held. The attack hits multiple times. It also travels a shorter distance than Fox's [[Fire Fox]].
|usdefdesc=Cloaks himself in flames and before firing himself in any direction, depending on what direction is held. The launch attack hits multiple times. It also travels a shorter distance than Fox's [[Fire Fox]]. The first launch hit can knock opponents away from the rest of the hits.
|usc1name=Fast Fire Bird
|usc1name=Fast Fire Bird
|usc1dmg=2%
|usc1dmg=2%
|usc1desc=Falco instantly fires himself in any direction, but at the cost of a shortened distance.
|usc1desc=Instantly fires himself in any direction, but at the cost of a shortened distance.
|usc2name=Distant Fire Bird
|usc2name=Distant Fire Bird
|usc2dmg=8% (first hit), 2% (loop)
|usc2dmg=8% (first hit), 2% (loop)
|usc2desc=Falco charges up for a longer period of time, but travels further. The initial part of the attack launches opponents while the rest of the attack hits opponents multiple times, dealing weak knockback and cannot link hits very well.
|usc2desc=The charging time is longer, but Falco travels further. The initial part of the attack launches opponents, while the rest of the attack hits opponents multiple times, dealing weak knockback and having a 1.5× [[SDI]] multiplier.
|dsdefname=Reflector
|dsdefname=Reflector
|dsdefdmg=5% (reflector), 1.2x (reflection)
|dspage=Reflector (Falco)
|dsdefdesc=Falco activates his Reflector and kicks it away from him, reflecting any projectiles and shocking any enemies it comes in contact with. It then returns to him as if magnetized. The move can be used as a poking tool that trips low-damage opponents and can start combos.
|dsdefdmg=5% (Reflector), 1.(reflection)
|dsdefdesc=Activates his Reflector and kicks it away from him, reflecting any projectiles and hitting opponents it comes in contact with. It then returns to him as if magnetized. The move can be used as a poking tool that can lock or [[trip]] low damaged opponents to start combos.
|dsc1name=Accele-Reflector
|dsc1name=Accele-Reflector
|dsc1dmg=2% (reflector), 1.0x (reflection)
|dsc1dmg=2% (Reflector), (reflection)
|dsc1desc=The reflector can only reflect projectiles while moving forwards, but doubles the speed of the reflected shots which deal the same damage as before. The Accele-Reflector is colored green.
|dsc1desc=The Reflector deals less damage, can only reflect while moving forward and does not increase the reflected projectiles' damage output, but doubles the speed of the reflected projectiles. The Accele-Reflector is colored green.
|dsc2name=Reflector Void
|dsc2name=Reflector Void
|dsc2dmg=9% (reflector), 0.75x (reflection)
|dsc2dmg=9% (Reflector), 0.75× (reflection)
|dsc2desc=The reflector destroys [[absorb]]able projectiles instead of reflecting them, but deals more damage on contact. The Reflector Void is colored purple.
|dsc2desc=The Reflector deals more damage and destroys [[absorb]]able projectiles instead of reflecting them. Non-absorbable projectiles are still reflected, but deal less damage due to its lowered reflection multiplier. Its angle and knockback are almost identical to his Reflector in ''[[Falco (SSBM)/Down special|Melee]]''. The Reflector Void is colored purple.
|fsname=Landmaster
|fsname=Landmaster
|fsdmg=12%/11%/10%/8% (movement), 10% (roll), 8%/12% (shot)
|fsdmg=12%/11%/10%/8% (movement), 10% (roll), 8%/12% (shot)
|fsdesc=Falco summons his Landmaster. Like Fox's Landmaster, Falco's version can shoot laser blasts from the cannon and can damage foes by maneuvering around. Unlike Fox's however, it has better aerial mobility, shorter duration and its blasts are weaker.
|fsdesc=Calls in a Landmaster. Like Fox's Landmaster, Falco's version can shoot laser blasts and damage opponents while maneuvering around. Unlike Fox's however, it has better aerial mobility at the cost of weaker blasts.
}}
}}


===Taunts===
===Stats===
* '''Up Taunt''': Kicks his [[Reflector]] around like a hacky sack and says "Piece of cake!" ({{ja|楽勝だぜ。|Rakushō Da ze.}}, ''That was an easy win.'') before catching it.
{{Attributes
* '''Side Taunt''': Poses by standing on one foot with his wing raised before saying "Get some!" ({{ja|かかってきな。|Kakatte Ki na.}}, ''Come at me.'')
|cast = 58
* '''Down Taunt''': Spins once and crosses one wing before saying "Hands off my prey!" ({{ja|俺の獲物に手を出すな!|Ore no Emono ni Te wo Dasu na!}}, ''Get your hands off of my prey!'')
|weight = 82
*'''[[Smash Taunt]]''': When fighting as Falco on the [[Corneria]] stage in {{for3ds}} or [[Lylat Cruise]] in {{forwiiu}}, quickly tap down on the directional pad once and he will kneel down and seem as though he is trying to communicate with someone through a device, and then stand back up, at which point a [[Star Fox's Conversations|conversation]] will begin with another character from the {{uv|Star Fox}} universe.
|rweight = 46-47
|dash = 1.9
|rdash = 3
|run = 1.472
|rrun = 43
|walk = 1.28
|rwalk = 10
|trac = 0.065
|rtrac = 10-11
|airfric = 0.01
|rairfric = 24-32
|air = 0.93
|rair = 45
|baseaccel = 0.01
|rbaseaccel = 10-54
|addaccel = 0.09
|raddaccel = 5-7
|gravity = 0.13
|rgravity = 4
|fall = 1.8
|rfall = 5-8
|ff = 2.88
|rff = 7-9
|jumpsquat = 6
|rjumpsquat = 42-51
|jumpheight = 50.506073
|rjumpheight = 1
|shorthop = 17.34
|rshorthop = 16
|djump = 50.506073
|rdjump = 3
}}


===Idle Poses===
===[[Announcer]] call===
*Slightly turns to his side.
{{audio|Needs announcer calls from other languages.}}
*Moves his wing in front of his face.
<gallery>
Falco English Announcer SSB4-SSBU.wav|English/Japanese/Chinese
</gallery>


===[[List of crowd cheers (SSB4)|Cheer]]===
===[[On-screen appearance]]===
Fal - co!
{{appearance
|desc=Ejects from an upside-down [[Arwing]].
|char=Falco
|game=SSB4}}


===On-Screen Appearance===
===[[Taunt]]s===
Falco ejects from an upside-down [[Arwing]].
{{Taunt/SSB4
|char=Falco
|desc-up=Kicks his {{b|Reflector|Falco}} around like a hacky sack and says "Piece of cake!" ({{ja|楽勝だぜ。|Rakushō da ze.}}, ''An easy win.'') before catching it.
|desc-side=Poses by standing on one foot with his wing raised before saying "Get some!" ({{ja|かかってきな。|Kakatte ki na.}}, ''Come bring it.'')
|desc-down=Spins once and crosses one wing before saying "Hands off my prey!" ({{ja|俺の獲物に手を出すな!|Ore no emono ni te wo dasu na!}}, ''Get your hands off my prey!'')
|desc-smash=When fighting as Falco on the [[Corneria]] stage in {{for3ds}} or [[Lylat Cruise]] in {{forwiiu}}, quickly tap down on the directional pad once and he will kneel down and seem as though he is trying to communicate with someone through a device, and then stand back up, at which point a [[Star Fox's Conversations|conversation]] will begin with another character from the {{uv|Star Fox}} universe.}}
 
===[[Idle pose]]s===
{{Idle
|desc-1=Slightly turns to his side.
|desc-2=Moves his wing in front of his face.
|image-1=FalcoIdlePose1SSB4.jpg
|image-2=FalcoIdlePose2SSB4.jpg}}


===Victory Fanfare===
===[[Crowd cheer]]===
A flourished remix directly from ''Brawl'' based on the theme that would play at the title screen in ''{{s|lylatwiki|Star Fox 64}}''. It is shared with {{SSB4|Fox}}.
{{Crowd
<gallery>
|char=Falco
StarFoxUniverseTheme.ogg
|game=SSB4
</gallery>
|desc-us=Fal-co!
|desc-jp=Fal-co!
|pitch-us=Group chant
|pitch-jp=Group chant}}


===Victory Poses===
===[[Victory pose]]s===
<gallery>
{{Victory/SSB4
File:FalcoPose1WiiU.png
|victory-theme=StarFoxUniverseTheme.ogg
File:FalcoPose2WiiU.png
|victory-desc=A flourished remix directly from ''Brawl'' based on the theme that would play at the title screen in ''{{s|lylatwiki|Star Fox 64}}''.
File:FalcoPose3WiiU.png
|desc-1=Jumps high into the air and then performs a crouching pose upon descending to the ground.
</gallery>
|desc-2=Performs a rapid series of kicks and then poses, saying "Had enough already?" ({{ja|くたばるのはまだ早ぇぜ。|Kutabaru no wa mada hae~ze.}}, ''Too early to kick the bucket just yet.'')
*Jumps high into the air and poses on the ground.
**If Fox is present after a match, there is a chance he will instead say "You're off your game, Fox." Or in Japanese: {{ja|腕が落ちたな、フォックス。|Ude ga ochita na, Fokkusu.}} (''Your skills have fallen off, Fox.'')
*Does rapid kicks and poses, saying "Had enough already?".
|desc-3=Crosses arms and looks away, saying "You aren't worth the trouble." In Japanese: {{ja|付き合ってらんねぇな。|Tsukiatte ran ne~na.}} (''Not worth associating with.'')
**''If Fox is present after a match, there is a chance he will instead say "You're off your game, Fox."''
|char=Falco}}
*Crosses arms and looks away, saying "You aren't worth the trouble."


==In [[Competitive play|Competitive Play]]==
==In [[competitive play]]==
===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===
===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===
{{OfficialCustomMoves
{{OfficialCustomMoves
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}}
}}


===Notable players===
===Most historically significant players===
*{{Sm|AC|Mexico}}
<!--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 -->
*{{Sm|Keitaro|USA}}
*{{Sm|Cyro|USA}}
*{{Sm|BrickZ|USA}}


==In [[event matches]]==
''See also: [[:Category:Falco players (SSB4)]]''
===Solo Events===
 
*{{Sm|AC|USA}} - Although more known for his {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}, he also has a prominent Falco secondary, most notably using Falco to win the arcadian {{Trn|2GG: Breakthrough}} and defeat {{Sm|6WX}} at {{Trn|2GGC: Midwest Mayhem Saga}}, ultimately placing 7th.
*{{Sm|Anragon|France}} - The best Falco player in Europe. Placed 3rd at [https://www.start.gg/tournament/neokan-party-3/event/wii-u-singles/brackets/66958 Neokan Party 3], [http://challonge.com/fr/MARS2016SingleWiiU MARS 2016], and 33rd at {{Trn|Smashdown World}}. Previously ranked 9th on the [[French Power Rankings]].
*{{Sm|Arc|p=Japan|Japan}} - The best Falco player in Japan and one of the best in the world. Placed 17th at both {{Trn|Umebura 25}} and {{Trn|Sumabato 20}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Kuro}} and {{Sm|Compact}}.
*{{Sm|Cyro|USA}} - One of the best Falco players in the world. Placed 17th at {{Trn|2GG: Breakthrough}}, 33rd at both {{Trn|2GGT: Abadango Saga}} and {{Trn|2GGC: GENESIS Saga}}, and 65th at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}}.
*{{Sm|Daybreak|USA}} - The best Falco player in the Midwest. Currently ranked 4th on the [[Michigan Smash 4 Power Rankings]]. Placed 17th at {{Trn|Showdown: Battle Royale 3}} and 33rd at both {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 4}} and {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 11}} and with a win over {{Sm|yeti}}.
*{{Sm|Deus|Germany|p=Germany}} - Placed 9th at {{Trn|Smash Valley}} and 13th at {{Trn|Respawn 5}} with a win over {{Sm|Meru}}.
*{{Sm|Keitaro|USA}} - One of the best Falco players in the world. Placed 25th at {{Trn|KTAR XVII}}, {{Trn|2GGT: FOW Saga}}, and {{Trn|Smash Factor 5}} wins over players like {{Sm|Mistake}} and {{Sm|Mr. E}}. Formerly ranked 10th on the [[New Jersey Power Rankings|New Jersey Smash 4 Power Rankings]].
 
===Tier placement and history===
Falco has been regarded rather poorly ever since ''Smash 4''{{'}}s release. Smashers immediately noticed the severe nerfs to his [[Blaster]], which was an essential component of Falco's playstyle in his previous iterations and a driving force behind his top-tier performances in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl.'' The nerfs to his down aerial, another signature move of his, further contributed to his weak status, as well as his grounded mobility being somewhat slower than in ''Brawl''. As time went on Falco continued to see little representation and lacked notable results at a national level, leading many to believe that his nerfs were too severe for him to be even a mid-tier, while the buffs he received in updates failed to address his ineffective [[neutral game]]. Meanwhile, various characters who were at some point considered comparatively sub-par, notably {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}, {{SSB4|Marth}}, and {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}, received buffs that raised their position in the metagame, worsening Falco's position relative to the cast. All these issues led to Falco slowly declining on tier lists, from 38th on the first [[tier list]] to 49th on the second tier list, and then 50th on the third tier list.
 
It wouldn't be until near the end of the game's lifespan when Falco's representation began to improve, mainly due to dedicated mains such as {{Sm|Keitaro}} or players who use Falco as a secondary or co-main such as {{Sm|AC}} and {{Sm|Daybreak}}. In addition, some players began arguing that Falco had some potentially good matchups against projectile-based characters that were ranked higher than him, like {{SSB4|Villager}}, {{SSB4|Mega Man}}, and {{SSB4|Toon Link}}, although his overall matchup to the top echelon remains rather poor. Due to these developments, some players believe Falco is rather underrated, citing his strong [[combo]] game, powerful [[back aerial]], feared down tilt and an effective reflector. This was reflected in Falco's slight rise to 46th on the current tier list, with a few arguing Falco could be ranked higher. Nevertheless, the community unanimously considers Falco as a shell of his former self.
 
==In Solo Modes==
===[[All-Star Mode]]===
In All-Star Mode, Falco is fought in Stage 4 in both versions if he has been unlocked alongside {{SSB4|Kirby}}, {{SSB4|Fox}}, {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}, {{SSB4|Wario}}, {{SSB4|Sonic}}, and {{SSB4|King Dedede}}.
 
==={{GameIcon|SSB4-U}}[[Event Match]]es===
====Solo Events====
*'''[[All-Star Battle: Melee]]''': Falco is one of the eight opponents fought in this event. All the opponents debut in ''Melee'' and reappeared in ''Smash 4'' as veterans.
*'''[[All-Star Battle: Melee]]''': Falco is one of the eight opponents fought in this event. All the opponents debut in ''Melee'' and reappeared in ''Smash 4'' as veterans.
*'''[[Duck Hunt!]]''': As {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}}, the player must defeat 10 ducks which appear in the stage background. Falco can interfere with the progress with Giant Falco appearing after some time has passed.
*'''[[Duck Hunt!]]''': As {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}}, the player must defeat 10 ducks which appear in the stage background. Falco can interfere with the progress with Giant Falco appearing after some time has passed.
*'''[[Great Fox Defense]]''': Falco must prevent a group of {{SSB4|Mr. Game & Watch}}es from landing on the stage. The Mr. Game & Watches have more stock on higher difficulties.
*'''[[Great Fox Defense]]''': Falco must prevent a group of {{SSB4|Mr. Game & Watch}}es from landing on the stage. The Mr. Game & Watches have more stock on higher difficulties.
*'''[[Up to Speed]]''': As {{SSB4|Sonic}}, the player must defeat {{SSB4|Fox}}, Falco, and {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}} in a high-speed 1 stock match.
*'''[[Up to Speed]]''': As {{SSB4|Sonic}}, the player must defeat {{SSB4|Fox}}, Falco, and {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}} in a high-speed 1 stock match.
===Co-op Events===
====Co-op Events====
*'''[[Keep 'Em off the Ship!]]''': Fox and Falco team up to prevent a larger wave of Mr. Game & Watches from landing on the stage.
*'''[[Keep 'Em off the Ship!]]''': Fox and Falco team up to prevent a larger wave of Mr. Game & Watches from landing on the stage.
*'''[[Sky Pirates]]''': {{SSB4|Meta Knight}} and {{SSB4|Dark Pit}} must team up to defeat Captain Falcon and Falco before the plane returns to the airfield.
*'''[[Sky Pirates]]''': {{SSB4|Meta Knight}} and {{SSB4|Dark Pit}} must team up to defeat Captain Falcon and Falco before the plane returns to the airfield.
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*'''[[Visiting Onett]]''': Falco is one of the opponents {{SSB4|Ness}} and {{SSB4|Villager}} must fight against. The opponents are space characters or characters from other planets.
*'''[[Visiting Onett]]''': Falco is one of the opponents {{SSB4|Ness}} and {{SSB4|Villager}} must fight against. The opponents are space characters or characters from other planets.


==Trophies==
===[[Congratulations screen]]s===
 
:'''Falco'''
::{{Flag|North America}} ''A talented pilot and part of the Star Fox team, Falco can be a bit rough around the edges. He once led his own galactic gang before joining up with Fox. In Smash Bros., his ability to jump high and deal damage in the air makes him a powerful threat, and his thrown Reflector can catch foes by surprise.''
 
::{{Flag|Pal}} ''Ex-gang leader, ace pilot and comrade of Fox, Falco Lombardi might play it cool, but he's burning with passion on the inside. In this game, he excels at jumping and aerial combat, and the way his Reflector move flies forwards can catch foes off guard. Add to that his balanced array of attacks, and it's clear that Falco's a real threat.''
 
{{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Star Fox (03/1993)|console2=N64|game2=Star Fox 64 (07/1997)}}
 
:'''Falco (Alt.)'''
::{{Flag|North America}} ''Falco's Blaster looks identical to Fox's at first, but actually it's quite different! The beams Falco fires deal more damage and cause the victim to flinch, but at a slower rate of fire. Considering Falco's lineage, it's not all that surprising that he can fire faster while airborne.''
 
::{{Flag|Pal}} ''Falco's Blaster looks identical to Fox's at first glance, but they are actually quite different. Most notably, Falco's version causes enemies to flinch, which can be invaluable when warding off approaching foes. It also deals more damage and has a slower fire rate - though its fire rate actually increases when used in mid-air.''
 
{{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Star Fox (03/1993)|console2=N64|game2=Star Fox 64 (07/1997)}}
 
:'''Landmaster (Falco)'''
::{{Flag|North America}} ''Falco jumps aboard his landmaster for his Final Smash, This powerful combat vehicle sports an explosive cannon and a heavily armored exterior. Falco can blast other fighters or simply drive into them with his tank. This landmaster also flies higher than Fox's, letting Falco give his rivals a pick-me-up...off the stage!''
 
::{{Flag|Pal}} ''With immense firepower and tough armour, the Landmaster makes for a mighty Final Smash. Falco can use this fine combat vehicle to run down and roll into rivals, as well as inundate them with cannon blasts. His Landmaster can hover a bit higher than Fox's making it easier to pick rivals up and give them a nice comfy ride off the stage!''
 
<center>
<center>
====3DS====
<gallery>
<gallery>
FalcoTrophy3DS.png|Classic (3DS)
SSB4-3DS Congratulations Classic Falco.png|Classic Mode
File:FalcoAllStarTrophy3DS.png|Alt. (3DS)
SSB4-3DS Congratulations All-Star Falco.png|All-Star Mode
File:FalcoTrophyWiiU.png|Classic (Wii U)
</gallery>
File:FalcoAltTrophyWiiU.png|Alt. (Wii U)
====Wii U====
LandmasterFalcoTrophyWiiU.png|[[Landmaster]]
<gallery>
SSB4-Wii U Congratulations Classic Falco.png|Classic Mode
SSB4-Wii U Congratulations All-Star Falco.png|All-Star Mode
</gallery>
</gallery>
</center>
</center>
==[[Trophies]]==
Falco's default trophy is obtained by clearing Classic Mode as Falco. His alternate trophy is obtained by clearing All-Star Mode as Falco in the 3DS version or purchasing it in the Trophy Shop for 1000G in the Wii U version. The Landmaster (Falco) trophy is obtained only in the Wii U version by clearing All-Star Mode as Falco.
{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Falco
|image-3ds=FalcoTrophy3DS.png
|image-wiiu=FalcoTrophyWiiU.png
|mode=Classic
|desc-3ds-ntsc=A talented pilot and part of the Star Fox team, Falco can be a bit rough around the edges. He once led his own galactic gang before joining up with Fox. In Smash Bros., his ability to jump high and deal damage in the air makes him a powerful threat, and his thrown Reflector can catch foes by surprise.
|desc-wiiu-ntsc=A talented pilot and part of the Star Fox team, Falco Lombardi is a bit rough around the edges. He once led his own galactic gang before joining up with Fox. In Smash Bros., his ability to jump high and deal damage in the air makes him a powerful threat, and his thrown Reflector can catch foes by surprise.
|desc-pal=Ex-gang leader, ace pilot and comrade of Fox, Falco Lombardi might play it cool, but he's burning with passion on the inside. In this game, he excels at jumping and aerial combat, and the way his Reflector move flies forwards can catch foes off guard. Add to that his balanced array of attacks, and it's clear that Falco's a real threat.
|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Star Fox|release1=03/1993|console2=N64|game2=Star Fox 64|release2=07/1997}}
|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Starwing|release1=06/1993|console2=N64|game2=Lylat Wars|release2=10/1997}}
}}
{{clrl}}
{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Falco (Alt.)
|category=Fighter
|image-3ds=FalcoAltTrophy3DS.png
|image-wiiu=FalcoAltTrophyWiiU.png
|mode=Alt
|desc-ntsc=Falco's Blaster looks identical to Fox's at first, but actually it's quite different! The beams Falco fires deal more damage and cause the victim to flinch, but at a slower rate of fire. Considering Falco's lineage, it's not all that surprising that he can fire faster while airborne.
|desc-pal=Falco's Blaster looks identical to Fox's at first glance, but they are actually quite different. Most notably, Falco's version causes enemies to flinch, which can be invaluable when warding off approaching foes. It also deals more damage and has a slower fire rate – though its fire rate actually increases when used in mid-air.
|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Star Fox|release1=03/1993|console2=N64|game2=Star Fox 64|release2=07/1997}}
|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Starwing|release1=06/1993|console2=N64|game2=Lylat Wars|release2=10/1997}}
}}
{{clrl}}
{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Landmaster (Falco)
|image=LandmasterFalcoTrophyWiiU.png
|desc-ntsc=Falco jumps aboard his Landmaster for his Final Smash. This powerful combat vehicle sports an explosive cannon and a heavily armored exterior. Falco can blast other fighters or simply drive into them with this tank. This Landmaster also flies higher than Fox's, letting Falco give his rivals a pick-me-up...off the stage!
|desc-pal=With immense firepower and tough armour, the Landmaster makes for a mighty Final Smash. Falco can use this fine combat vehicle to run down and roll into rivals, as well as inundate them with cannon blasts. His Landmaster can hover a bit higher than Fox's, making it easier to pick rivals up and give them a nice comfy ride off the stage!
|game=ssb4-wiiu
}}
{{clrl}}


==[[Alternate costume (SSB4)#Falco|Alternate costumes]]==
==[[Alternate costume (SSB4)#Falco|Alternate costumes]]==
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Falco amiibo.png|Falco's [[amiibo]], exclusive to Best Buy.
Falco amiibo.png|Falco's [[amiibo]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-1.jpg|Kicking {{SSB4|Little Mac}}.
Falco unlock notice SSB4-3DS.png|Falco's unlock notice in {{for3ds}}.
Falco unlock notice SSB4-Wii U.png|Falco's unlock notice in {{forwiiu}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-1.jpg|Kicking {{SSB4|Little Mac}} with his dash attack.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-2.jpg|Readying his [[Blaster]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-2.jpg|Readying his [[Blaster]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-3.jpg|Attacking {{SSB4|Bowser}} with {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}}, {{SSB4|Fox}}, and [[Takamaru]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-3.jpg|Attacking {{SSB4|Bowser}} with {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}}, {{SSB4|Fox}}, and [[Takamaru]].
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SSB4 - Falco Screen-11.jpg|Hitting {{SSB4|Lucario}} while wearing a [[Bunny Hood]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-11.jpg|Hitting {{SSB4|Lucario}} while wearing a [[Bunny Hood]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-12.jpg|Using [[Falco Phantasm]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-12.jpg|Using [[Falco Phantasm]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-13.jpg|Slashing {{SSB4|Pit}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-13.jpg|Slashing {{SSB4|Pit}} with his forward smash.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-14.jpg|Uses Falco Phantasm on Pit and {{SSB4|Yoshi}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-14.jpg|Uses Falco Phantasm on Pit and {{SSB4|Yoshi}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-15.jpg|Hitting {{SSB4|Charizard}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-15.jpg|Hitting {{SSB4|Charizard}}.
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SSB4 - Falco Screen-19.jpg|Jabs on {{SSB4|Olimar}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-19.jpg|Jabs on {{SSB4|Olimar}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-20.jpg|Forward aerial attack on {{SSB4|Mega Man}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-20.jpg|Forward aerial attack on {{SSB4|Mega Man}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-21.jpg|Dash attack.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-21.jpg|Getup attack.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-22.jpg|Falco in standby mode.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-22.jpg|Falco in standby mode.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-23.jpg|Down smash.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-23.jpg|Down smash.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-24.jpg|Poses with {{SSB4|Peach}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-24.jpg|Poses with {{SSB4|Peach}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-25.jpg|Attacking {{SSB4|Toon Link}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-25.jpg|Attacking {{SSB4|Toon Link}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-26.jpg|A pose.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-26.jpg|A pose via his ledge attack.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-27.jpg|Attacking {{SSB4|Greninja}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-27.jpg|Attacking {{SSB4|Greninja}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-28.jpg|Aerial attack with [[Andross]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-28.jpg|Back aerial attack with [[Andross]].
SSB4 - Falco Screen-29.jpg|Uses a [[Drill Arm]] on Mario and {{SSB4|Sonic}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-29.jpg|Uses a [[Drill Arm]] on Mario and {{SSB4|Sonic}}.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-30.jpg|A taunt.
SSB4 - Falco Screen-30.jpg|A taunt.
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Falco has three English voice actors between both versions of ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. He has Marc Lund for his battle voice and the [[Orbital Gate Assault]] [[Star Fox Smash Taunt|Smash taunts]], Dex Manley for the [[Lylat Cruise]] Smash taunts, and Ben Cullum for the [[Corneria]] Smash taunts. He shares this with {{SSB4|Fox}}.
*Falco has three English voice actors between both versions of ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. He has Mark Lund for his battle voice and the [[Orbital Gate Assault]] [[Star Fox Smash Taunt|Smash taunts]], Dex Manley for the [[Lylat Cruise]] Smash taunts, and Ben Cullum for the [[Corneria]] Smash taunts. He shares this distinction with {{SSB4|Fox}}.
*Interestingly, the custom move set for his neutral special, [[Blaster]] will actually influence the throws in which Falco uses it. He also shares this with {{SSB4|Fox}}.
**Regardless of the release dates of both ''Star Fox 64 3D'' and ''Super Smash Bros. 4'', Falco is still reprised by Hisao Egawa in Japanese as opposed to being voiced by his new Japanese voice actor, Kōsuke Takaguchi (this also occurs with Fox).
*This is Falco's first appearance where he is not unlocked by completing [[Multi-Man mode|100-Man Smash]] (this unlock criteria goes to {{SSB4|Wario}} instead).
*As mentioned above, Falco's custom move Explosive {{b|Blaster|Falco}} will visually alter the lasers from his throws.
*''Smash 4'' is the first installment where Falco is not unlocked by completing [[Multi-Man mode|100-Man Smash]]. This unlock criteria goes to {{SSB4|Wario}} instead.
*Falco is the last non-DLC character amiibo to be released in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' amiibo lineup.
*Falco is the last non-DLC character amiibo to be released in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' amiibo lineup.
*Due to being placed 46th on the current tier list, Falco's tier placement marks the first time a ''Star Fox'' character is in the low tiers.
*Much like {{SSB4|Zelda}}, this is the only game where Falco reuses his design from a previous game with his ''Star Fox Command'' appearance being reused.
*This is the final game in the series where Falco keeps his [[spot dodge]] animation from ''Melee'' and is voiced by Hisao Egawa in gameplay in the Japanese version.


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Latest revision as of 19:35, November 12, 2024

This article is about Falco's appearance in Super Smash Bros. 4. For the character in other contexts, see Falco Lombardi.
Falco
in Super Smash Bros. 4
Falco SSB4.png
StarFoxSymbol.svg
Universe Star Fox
Other playable appearances in Melee
in Brawl
in Ultimate
Availability Unlockable
Final Smash Landmaster
Tier F (46)
Falco (SSB4)

Falco (ファルコ, Falco) returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4. Falco was officially confirmed on October 3rd, 2014, alongside Ness and Wario, coinciding with the North American and European release of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. As in Melee and Brawl, Hisao Egawa reprises his role in the Japanese version with his re-recorded voice clips of the game. Mark Lund, his voice actor from Star Fox 64 3D, now voices him in the English version, replacing Dex Manley from Brawl.

Falco ranks 46th out of 54 on the tier list, an extreme drop from Brawl where he was ranked 7th out of 38, and an enormous drop from his Melee position where he was ranked 4th out of 26, making this his worst placement in the series by far. The majority of Falco's moves have high speed and very favourable angles, granting him a strong combo game and juggling capabilities. These are further aided by his good grab game and strong jumps, with the latter remaining the highest in the game. His moves that lack speed or reach are also packed with power, giving his moves surprisingly high KO power; for example, his back aerial can reliably KO below 130%. He also boasts an effective grab game and out of shield game, with all of his throws possessing great utility and/or KO power, while the speed of his moves allows him to easily punish opponents out of shield.

However, Falco's neutral game has been drastically weakened, with several of the moves that made him a threat at all ranges being nerfed: his two staple moves, Blaster and down aerial, now being much slower, and both are also incapable of autocancelling in a short hop, eliminating Falco's ability to safely approach; changes to his back aerial by lowering its duration and reach also make it less effective at spacing. These weakened tools amplify the issue of Falco's low horizontal mobility, making it very difficult to keep up with opponents or force an approach. Finally, even though Falco benefits from the changes to hitstun cancelling as they make down throw much better for combos, it can no longer lead into the Gatling Combo or rack up damage on its own. In fact, the changes to game mechanics have hindered Falco overall, as the removal of DACUS, the Gatling Combo, and chain grabbing hurt his damage racking capabilities overall, while the introduction of rage makes him more susceptible to KOs, due to his light weight. His recovery, despite being long distanced and buffed overall, is still slow, predictable, and easily intercepted, making Falco vulnerable to gimps.

Owing to his flaws, especially compared to his Brawl incarnation, Falco has held poor tournament representation and results in competitive play. Although updates to the game have attempted to buff a number of his negative attributes, he still has struggled to make an impact at tournaments at the national level.

How to unlock[edit]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS[edit]

  • Play 20 VS Matches.
  • Complete Classic Mode without using any continues.

Falco must then be defeated on Corneria.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]

Falco must then be defeated on Orbital Gate Assault.

Attributes[edit]

Falco is a light character with polarized movement. He has the strongest jumping ability, a fast walking speed, fast falling speed and high air acceleration, but a rather slow dashing speed, below average air speed and very high gravity. These stats give Falco slow horizontal movement, but proficient vertical movement. They also give him good vertical endurance for a lightweight.

Falco's greatest strength is the speed of his moveset. His neutral attack and forward tilt are both exceedingly quick, while up tilt and down tilt can be used to combo into other attacks or even KO at high percentages. His smash attacks are all powerful and have decent reach as well. Down smash is also a semi-spike, making it very good at edgeguarding. His aerial moves are also powerful in their own way. Neutral aerial deals decently high knockback and is very quick, making it an excellent option for disrupting an opponent's moves and a great combo extender/finisher. Forward aerial is powerful and can easily KO offstage, and can be used for gimping by fast-falling during the move then footstool jumping over the opponent, in a similar manner to fellow fighter Fox. It also has a strong landing hitbox with disjointed range. Up aerial sends opponents vertically and is a great move for comboing and KOing off the top, thanks to Falco's high jumps. Back aerial is Falco's strongest aerial, as well as his second fastest, making it a great choice in many scenarios. Lastly, down aerial, while significantly nerfed from Brawl, can still be useful for KOing offstage, as it is a meteor smash. All of these moves grant Falco a versatile combo game.

Another advantage Falco possesses is his grab game. His pummel is quick and decently damaging, making it great at racking up damage. The forward throw is decently strong and can set up a dash attack or an edge guard. Back throw is great for giving Falco some breathing space, since the first hit is a semi-spike, and when combined with the laser's hit, the throw can even KO at high percentages. Up throw sends opponents straight up, and can be used to combo into any aerial or even KO at very high percents. Finally, down throw can combo into dash attack and any aerial at low percentages, or tech-chase if the opponent is past combo percentages, like in Brawl. Coupled with his fast rolls and sidestep, with the former being long-distanced, as well as his aforementioned combo abilities, Falco has an impressive out of shield game.

His special moveset also provides some interesting options. Blaster is Falco's main projectile and, while extremely unsafe at close range, is an invaluable move for pressuring, gimping recoveries (especially those of Ganondorf, Little Mac and Cloud) and halting or even outright preventing approaches. Reflector is, as its name implies, a move capable of reflection, allowing Falco to actively combat camping. It also carries a damaging hitbox that has a high chance of tripping opponents, even at percentages over 400%, allowing for potential tech-chases. Falco Phantasm involves Falco quickly dashing sideways, making it great for horizontal recovery. The aerial version also meteor smashes aerial opponents and has little landing lag, making it useful for gimping recoveries and repositioning, respectively. Lastly, Fire Bird, his primary recovery move, grants him respectable distance in any direction chosen. It also allows Falco to slide across the air, letting him mix up his positioning, and has damaging hitboxes throughout (dealing 31% of all hits connect), making up for its low speed.

However, Falco has numerous weaknesses. His most prominent flaws are his neutral game and recovery. Regarding his neutral game, Falco's horizontal mobility is fairly slow, which limits his movement across the stage. This gives him significant trouble approaching and pressuring opponents, since Blaster, his most reliable tool at doing so, can no longer autocancel. In addition, while Falco's moves are overall very quick startup-wise, many of them are slow endlag-wise, making misused moves heavily susceptible to punishment. When combined with his overall poor reach on his melee attacks and the fact that most of his moves' sweetspots are close to his body, Falco has a below average neutral game, making him have trouble at KOing despite his overall high power. As for his recovery, while his high jumps, Falco Phantasm, wall jump and FireBird all give him a very long-distanced recovery, it is extremely predictable due to how linear it is. These four options are also very ineffective on their own, making his recovery fairly easy to gimp. Outside of low percentages, Falco's combo-oriented moves are prone to being DIed, making it harder for him to rack up damage effectively, which is further exacerbated by the removal of chain grabbing, DACUS and the Gatling Combo. Despite being light, Falco is susceptible to combos, due to his fast falling speed and lack of escape options. His survivability is below average at best, mainly because of Falco's low weight, high gravity, and predictable recovery.

Falco benefits a decent amount from custom moves. Burst Blaster has less range, but is much faster, forcing bad approaches from the opponent much more easily. Falco Phase cannot hit opponents and does not grant any momentum, like in Melee, but Falco cannot be hurt either, and the move is also faster. Distant Fire Bird is slower and has no charging hitbox, like in Melee, but it moves further and has more momentum, considerably improving his recovery. Reflector Void destroys most projectiles instead of reflecting them, but deals more damage on contact, and is the optimal choice against certain characters like Villager or if the opponent lacks projectiles. The other variations of his custom moves are either very situational, or do not have many advantages over the default.

Overall, like Kirby and Luigi, Falco runs hot and cold. Despite having excellent combo potential and KO power, his slow ground mobility, poor range and significantly nerfed neutral game make it very difficult to put his newfound abilities to use. Mainly due to his poor neutral game, Falco's weaknesses outweigh his strengths, resulting in poor tournament representation and similar results, with very few dedicated mains such as AC and Keitaro.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Falco has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition from Brawl to Smash 4. Even though the former is technically of greater quantity than the latter, he is considered to be significantly nerfed overall, due to his neutral game being drastically weakened and the nerfs he received are far more severe than the buffs he received.

Falco's power has been improved significantly, removing his main weakness from Brawl. His down tilt has regained its lost power from Melee and his smash attacks are stronger. His forward aerial is stronger and unaffected by SDI, his up aerial has consistent power and more vertical knockback, and his back aerial while having a shorter duration and less range around him has much more power, to the point of being the eighth strongest overall in the game while also being the fastest in the game. In addition, his grab game has seen some improvements, with up throw having comboing abilities, and back throw now having KO power. His recovery has also been noticeably buffed. While Falco Phantasm can no longer be shortened and its hitbox was noticed nerfed, it no longer puts Falco in helpless state, allowing Fire Bird to be used immediately after, with the latter also granting more distance than before. Due to being slow, both moves also benefit a lot from the removal of edge-hogging.

However, the nerfs Falco received created new weaknesses that were harsh enough to severely cripple his neutral game. The removal of DACUS (and subsequently the Gatling Combo) prevents his newly buffed up smash from being used as an approach option or a combo finisher. The removal of chain grabbing is a double-edged sword for Falco. While he is no longer adversely affected by it, his ability to easily rack up large amounts of damage with his down throw is no longer present. His down throw was also directly nerfed as it deals less damage and has higher knockback, hindering its combo potential. Down aerial, a staple in Melee and Brawl, has been drastically slowed down having immensely increased startup lag and no longer auto-cancelling in a short hop. These changes hinder down aerial so much to the point where it is now useless outside of edgeguarding and even then, down aerial has reduced knockback. Falco Phantasm has increased startup lag, travels more slowly and its hitbox no longer lasts for its entire duration moving forwards greatly hindering its use on stage and it can no longer be shortened hindering its mixup potential. Finally, his Blaster, formerly one of the most reliable tools for approaching and pressuring, is slower and incapable of autocancelling. These changes make Falco much less of a threat in the neutral game, as it is now considerably harder for him to put his high power to good use.

Overall, most of Falco's buffs are not highly beneficial while the nerfs he received practically removed some of his previous best tools. The general changes to the mechanics also did not help him as much as some other characters while taking away a few of his key traits. Due to these nerfs, Falco is considered to be one of the characters to have been nerfed the most in the transition from Brawl to Smash 4. His harmful changes have resulted in many players having poor opinions about him and he has seen far less success in tournaments.

Aesthetics[edit]

  • Change Due to the aesthetic used in Smash 4, Falco's attire is sleeker, and his overall colour scheme is more vibrant.
  • Change Falco now has eight costumes much like the rest of the cast. In addition, all of his alternate costumes are completely renewed.
  • Change Blaster's design has slightly changed.
  • Change Falco now says "Get some!" when he performs his side taunt, instead of "Don't try me."

Attributes[edit]

  • Buff Falco dashes faster (1.432 → 1.472) although it is lower relative to the cast, going from the 18th slowest out of 39 characters to the 16th slowest out of 58.
  • Buff Falco's air speed is higher (0.893 → 0.93) although it is lower relative to the cast, going from the 16th slowest out of 39 characters to the 14th slowest out of 58.
  • Buff Falco's air acceleration is higher (0.08 → 0.1), going from the 20th fastest out of 39 characters to the 7th highest out of 58.
  • Buff Falco's double jump is significantly higher (height multiplier: 0.92x → 1x).
  • Nerf Falco falls faster (1.708 → 1.8). This makes him more susceptible to combos and while this would improve his vertical endurance, this is offset by his higher gravity, giving him marginally worse vertical endurance overall.
  • Buff Falco's fast falling speed is faster (2.3912 → 2.88), improving his air game and making him less susceptible to juggling.
  • Change Falco's gravity is higher (0.112 → 0.13). This improves his ability to land, but hinders his endurance, air time and makes him more susceptible to combos, especially against lower knockback moves.
  • Nerf Falco's Item throw is weaker (1 → 0.94). Additionally, the removal of glide tossing greatly hinders his approach with items.
  • Change The removal of chain grabbing both helps and hinders Falco. It significantly improves his endurance, however, it also removes his ability to chain grab, removing his most reliable way to rack up damage in the previous game.
  • Buff Rolls have less ending lag (FAF 32 → 30).
  • Nerf Rolls have a shorter duration (frames 4-19 → 4-16).
  • Buff Air dodge has less startup (frame 4 → 2) and ending lag (FAF 50 → 32).
  • Nerf Air dodge has a shorter duration (frames 4-29 → 2-26).
  • Nerf Spot dodge has a shorter duration (frames 2-20 → 2-16) and more ending lag (FAF 23 → 26), no longer being one of the fastest spot dodges in the game.

Ground attacks[edit]

  • Neutral attack:
    • Buff With the exception of the infinite, neutral attack now always launches opponents in the direction Falco is facing, making it more consistent.
    • Change The first two hits have swapped priority on their nearest and furthest hitboxes.
    • Nerf The first two hits have shorter durations (frames 2-5 (hit 1)/3-6 (hit 2) → 2-4/3-5).
    • Nerf The first two hits have more ending lag (FAF 17/19 → 23/26).
    • Buff The first hit deals more knockback (5 (set), 100 (scaling) → 35 (base)/30), which improves its jab canceling potential despite its higher ending lag (especially at higher percents).
      • Nerf However, this also hinders its ability to lead into the second hit, especially against floatier characters.
    • Buff The first hit's near hitboxes launch opponents at a lower angle (80° → 68°/77°), making it connect more reliably into the second hit.
    • Nerf The first hit deals less damage (4% → 3%).
    • Nerf The first hit has smaller hitboxes (4u/4u/4u → 2.5u/3.2u/4u) which are positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0/2/6 → -0.5/1.5/4.5), reducing its range.
    • Nerf The first hit transitions into the second hit later (frame 8 → 9).
    • Buff The second hit's near and far hitboxes launch opponents at different angles (50° → 45° (near)/80° (far)), making it connect more reliably into the infinite.
    • Buff The second hit's near hitbox is larger (4u → 5u) and it is positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0 → -0.5), giving it more range inside of him.
    • Nerf The second hit deals more knockback (20 (set), 100 (scaling) → 30 (base)/30). This makes it connect less reliably into the infinite and while this would improve the move's jab canceling potential, this is offset by the move's higher ending lag, hindering its jab canceling potential overall.
      • Nerf Additionally, the higher knockback and launch angles of the first two hits often put the opponent considerably higher in the air, which prevents them from landing as soon as they are no longer in hitstun. This makes it much easier for them to perform an aerial action to avoid any jab cancel followups.
    • Nerf The second hit's mid hitbox is smaller (4u → 3u) and both the mid and far hitboxes are positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 2/6 → 1.5/4.5), reducing its range.
    • Nerf The second hit transitions into the infinite later, especially when held (frame 8 (pressed)/10 (held) → 9/17). This makes the infinite much easier to avoid if Falco holds to do the infinite, despite the second hit's higher knockback.
    • Buff The infinite has less startup lag (frame 9 → 7).
    • Buff The weakening of SDI makes the infinite harder to escape from (although it can still easily be avoided), despite its SDI multiplier being increased (1× → 1.2×).
    • Nerf The infinite deals less damage (1% → 0.4%).
    • Nerf The infinite has smaller hitboxes (3u/4u/5u → 2.7u/3.2u/3.5u) which are positioned closer to Falco (z offset: 4/10/14 → 4/7/12), reducing its range.
    • Nerf The infinite's far hitbox launches oppponents at a lower angle (80° → 70°), making it connect less reliably.
    • Nerf As with other infinites, the infinite now pushes Falco away from his opponent after a few hits. This significantly hinders its damage racking potential, especially at walls.
      • Change If Falco uses the infinite near an edge, this property can potentially push Falco off the edge and cancel the move. This improves its safety but hinders its reliability.
    • Buff The infinite has received an updated finisher, an outward knifehand strike.
      • Buff This new finisher uses a regular hitbox (rather than a windbox) which deals damage (0% → 3%) and much more knockback (29 (set), 100 (scaling) → 60 (base)/100).
    • Buff The finisher has more range inside of Falco, as Falco now stretches far out using the move and the move now uses an extended hitbox which extends further away/inside from Falco (z offset: 12 → 14/8).
    • Buff The finisher has a longer duration (frame 2 → 5-6).
    • Nerf The finisher has much more startup (frame 2 → 5) and ending lag (FAF 9 → 40), greatly hindering its safety.
      • Nerf When combined with its new hitbox, this also removes its mixup potential.
    • Nerf The finisher has a smaller hitbox (7u → 5u), giving it less vertical range despite its hitbox being moved upwards (y offset: 8 → 9).
  • Forward tilt:
    • Nerf Forward tilt has more ending lag (FAF 27 → 28).
    • Nerf Forward tilt has an altered animation where Falco does stretch his leg as far out, reducing its range, despite the foot hitbox being positioned further away from Falco (y offset: 4.8 → x offset: 5).
  • Up tilt:
    • Buff The changes to hitstun canceling and DI grant up tilt combo potential beyond non tumble percents.
    • Buff The early first hit launches opponents at a lower angle (100° → 106°) and it has higher set knockback (60 → 100), allowing it to connect more reliably into the second hit, as well as making it safer if it fails to lead into the second hit.
    • Nerf The early first hit has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 4-5 → 5).
    • Nerf The early first hit now only has one static hitbox in front of Falco rather than four hitboxes covering Falco's arm, which significantly reduces its range inside and above Falco.
      • Nerf Additionally, the early first hit can no longer hit aerial opponents, considerably increasing up tilt's startup lag against them (frame 4 → 6).
    • Buff The late first hit and the second hit's hand hitboxes are positioned further away from Falco (x offset: -4 (hit 1)/-5 (hit 2) → 5/6.2), giving them more range, especially the former.
    • Nerf The late first hit's shoulder and arm hitboxes are smaller (5u/6u → 4u/5u) and the lowest hitbox has been removed.
    • Nerf The second hit has smaller hitboxes (5u/6u/6u → 4u/4u/5u) and the lowest hitbox has been removed.
  • Down tilt:
    • Buff The changes to hitstun canceling and DI considerably improve down tilt's combo potential.
    • Buff Down tilt has an altered animation where rather than spinning around in place with his tail out, Falco steps forward slightly and sweeps his tail in front of him. The hitboxes are also now attached to the tip of Falco's tail rather than the base with both of these changes giving down tilt more range despite the hitboxes being positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0/6/12 → -4.1/1.9/7.8).
      • Nerf However, this also gives the move less range inside of Falco despite the nearest hitbox being larger (2.4u → 2.6u).
    • Buff Down tilt deals more knockback (25 (base), 90 (scaling) → (50/35)/(90/88)), improving the furthest and especially the nearest hitboxes' KO potential.
    • Nerf The middle hitbox deals less damage (12% → 11%), hindering its KO potential, as its knockback was not fully compensated.
  • Dash attack:
    • Buff Dash attack deals more knockback (40/30 (base), 90 (scaling) → (80/70)/70).
    • Buff The clean hit has a larger hitbox (5.28u → 5.5u) which now uses a static extended hitbox, considerably improving its range.
    • Buff The late hit is positioned further away from Falco (x offset: 0 → 2), giving it more range.
      • Nerf However, the late hit is also smaller (4.32u → 4u), reducing its range above and behind Falco.
    • Nerf Dash attack has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 4-7 (clean)/8-17 (late) → 8-11/12-18), with its total duration subsequently increased (FAF 36 → 40). This considerably hinders dash attack's usage as a burst approach option or as a whiff punishment tool.
    • Nerf The removal of DACUS (and subsequently the Gatling combo) significantly hinders dash attack's utility.
  • Forward smash:
    • Buff Forward smash has less ending lag (FAF 50 → 49).
    • Buff The clean hit deals more knockback (40 (base), 88 (scaling) → 42/(90/93/96)), improving its KO potential, especially the far hit.
    • Buff The clean hit's furthest hitboxes have been moved further away from Falco (x offset: 3.2/6.5 → 4/8), improving their range.
    • Buff The late hit has higher base knockback (10 → 30).
    • Nerf Forward smash has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 16-20 (clean)/21 (late) → 17-19/20). As the move's animation is unchanged, this remove's the clean hit's ability to hit opponents behind Falco.
    • Nerf Forward smash has a higher hitlag multiplier (0.5× (clean)/0.3x (late) → 1×/0.5×), making it easier to DI.
    • Nerf The late hit has a smaller hitbox (9u → 6u) which has been moved closer to Falco (z offset: 13 → 12). When combined with the hitbox coming out one frame sooner, this significantly reduces its range.
      • Buff However, the hitbox is now extended, giving it more range inside of Falco.
  • Up smash:
    • Change Falco has a new up smash, a sideways-flipping kick that hits with both legs with the following-legged hit re-positioning him forward. It hits twice instead of once.
    • Buff Up smash has less startup with a longer duration (frames 8-11 (clean)/12-17 (late) → 7-12 (hit 1)/13-20 (hit 2)).
    • Buff Up smash now grants intangibility on Falco's legs while the hitboxes are active, making it harder to intercept.
    • Buff Up smash deals more damage overall (14% → 4% (hit 1)/12% (hit 2)/16% (total)).
    • Buff Up smash has larger hitboxes (3.5u/3.5u/3u → 4u/3.5u/4u (hit 1 clean)/4u/3.5u/3.5u (late)/5u/3.5u/3u (hit 2)) and the foot hitbox has been moved further away from Falco (y offset: 6 → x offset: 7.7 (hit 1 (clean))/7 (hit 1 (late)/hit 2)).
    • Nerf Up smash has more ending lag (FAF 45 → 50).
    • Nerf With up smash now being a multi hit move, it is overall less reliable as there are multiple instances where the second hit can miss after the first hit connects (especially when the opponent is far below Falco).
    • Nerf The second hit launches opponents at a lower angle (95° → 80°) and its knockback was not fully compensated for its lower damage (20 (base), 98 (scaling) → 31/104), slightly hindering its KO potential on its own.
      • Buff However, the extra damage and the upwards lift from the first hit gives up smash slightly higher KO potential overall.
    • Nerf The removal of DACUS greatly hinders up smash's utility, greatly hindering its approach potential as well as removing its ability to be used after a dash attack.
    • Nerf The second hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.3×).
  • Down smash:
    • Buff Down smash has higher knockback scaling (70 → 78), improving its KO potential.
    • Buff Down smash now uses static hitboxes, which gives the move more range, especially during its later active frames.
      • Nerf However, this also gives the move less range inside of Falco.
    • Nerf Down smash has smaller hitboxes (5u/5u/4u/4u → 4.3u/4.3u/3.5u/3.5u).
    • Nerf The near hits deal less damage (13% → 12%).

Aerial attacks[edit]

  • Neutral aerial:
    • Buff Neutral aerial has less ending lag (FAF 50 → 49).
    • Buff The loop hits have higher set knockback (10 → 22) and they now use the autolink angle (110° → 367°), which alongside the weakening of SDI, allows them to connect more reliably.
    • Buff The loop hits' right arm hitbox is larger (4u → 6u).
    • Buff The final hit deals considerably more knockback (40 (base), 100 (scaling) → 55/130). This improves its KO potential, while the changes to hitstun canceling and DI allow it to retain its combo potential at lower percents.
    • Buff The final hit now always launches opponents in the direction Falco is facing, making it more reliable.
    • Buff The final hit now uses one large extended hitbox rather than four smaller normal hitboxes (5u/5u/4u/4u → 8u), giving it more range.
    • Change Neutral aerial now has a slash effect instead of a normal effect.
    • Change The final hit has a much higher hitlag multiplier (1x → 2x). This allows the move to significantly benefit more from the introduction of frame canceling but this also makes it much easier to DI.
    • Nerf Neutral aerial has more landing lag (9 frames → 15), hindering its safety as well as its followup potential, despite the loop hit's higher knockback (unless the move is perfectly frame canceled).
    • Nerf Neutral aerial has a longer animation (49 frames → 57), increasing the amount of time Falco cannot grab ledges after performing the move.
    • Nerf The loop hits' wing hitboxes are smaller (5u → 4u) and they are positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 4/-4 → 3).
    • Nerf The loop hits' left arm hitbox is smaller (4u → 3u).
    • Nerf The second hit deals less damage (3% → 2%).
    • Nerf The final hit has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 21-24 → 23-24).
  • Forward aerial:
    • Buff Forward aerial has less ending lag (FAF 60 → 51).
    • Buff Forward aerial has less landing lag (33 frames → 25).
    • Buff Forward aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 49 → 46).
      • Nerf However, it auto-cancels later relative to when the final hitbox comes out.
    • Buff Forward aerial has a new animation where Falco does not stretch out as far. This makes Falco harder to hit.
      • Nerf However, this animation is also slightly longer (59 frames → 61).
    • Buff The loop hits deal much more knockback (0 (base), 40 (scaling) → 60 (set)/100) and they have a much faster rehit rate (8 → 4). This not only makes the move drastically more reliable (with the move going from almost never connecting properly to now working very reliably) but this also makes the move drastically safer, as opponents can no longer avoid or hit Falco out of the multi hits at lower percents.
    • Buff The loop hits' near hitbox is larger (4u → 5u) and its far hitbox has been moved further away from Falco, improving its range.
      • Buff Additionally, the move's hitboxes are now static, giving it more consistent horizontal range.
      • Nerf However, the near hitbox has been moved further away from Falco, giving it less range inside of him.
    • Buff The final hit launches opponents at a lower angle (50° → 361°) as well as dealing more damage (3% → 4%) and much more knockback (80 (base), 60 (scaling) → 55/145), greatly improving its KO potential.
    • Buff Forward aerial now has a landing hitbox which deals a decent amount of knockback and it possesses high hitlag (which only applies to the opponent). This drastically improves forward aerial's safety when landing, especially on hit.
      • Buff Altogether, these changes drastically improve forward aerial's utility, removing its status as a contender for the worst aerial in the game.
    • Nerf Forward aerial has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 6-33 (loop hits)/34-35 (final) → 10-27/28-29).
    • Nerf Forward aerial has a higher SDI multiplier (0.8x (loop hits)/0x (final) → 1x (both)), with it now being possible to SDI the final hit.
    • Nerf Forward aerial has a higher hitlag multiplier (0.7× (loop hits)/2x (final) → 1×/2.5×), making it easier to DI. As forward aerial cannot be frame canceled, this hinders the move overall.
    • Nerf The loop hits deal less damage (2% → 1%), reducing forward aerial's total damage output despite the move having an extra loop hit (11% → 9%).
    • Nerf The final hit has one smaller extended hitbox rather than two normal hitboxes (8u/6u → 6u), reducing its range.
  • Back aerial:
    • Change Back aerial has a new animation, with Falco kicking more horizontally.
      • Buff This new animation slightly narrows Falco's hurtbox, leaving him less vulnerable.
      • Nerf However, this animation is also slightly longer (39 frames → 41).
    • Buff The clean hit has much higher knockback scaling (103 → 130), significantly improving its KO potential to the point where it is now one of the strongest back aerials in the game.
    • Buff Back aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 23 → 15), although it still auto-cancels three frame after the hitboxes are removed.
    • Buff The changes to shieldstun considerably improves the move's safety on shield, now being completely unpunishable on shield for the entire cast if auto-canceled perfectly.
    • Change As with most other back aerials, back aerial now always launches opponents behind Falco.
    • Nerf Back aerial has a shorter duration (frames 4-7 (clean)/8-19 (late) → 4-5/6-11).
    • Nerf Back aerial has smaller hitboxes (4.5u/6u/4u → 4.8u/3.2u (clean), 4u/5u/4u → 3.8u/2.8u (late)), the foot hitbox has been moved closer to Falco (y offset: 4.1 → x offset: 4) and the front hitbox has been removed, reducing its range.
      • Nerf Altogether, these changes hinder back aerial's ability to wall out opponents.
  • Up aerial:
    • Buff Up aerial has less startup lag (frame 10 → 7).
      • Nerf However, its total duration was not fully compensated (FAF 36 → 35), giving it more ending lag.
    • Buff Up aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 26 → 23).
    • Buff The foot hitbox is slightly larger (4.8u → 5u).
    • Buff The middle and lowest hitboxes launch opponents at higher angles (68°/80° → 75°/85°). When combined with the changes to hitstun canceling and DI, this improves up aerial's combo potential.
    • Buff The lowest hitbox deals drastically higher knockback (30 (base), 20 (scaling) → 35/90), going from an incredibly weak sourspot to now being the move's sweetspot.
    • Nerf Up aerial has a shorter initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-6 → 1-3).
    • Nerf Up aerial deals less damage (11% → 10%).
    • Nerf The upper hitboxes deal less knockback (27 (base), 100 (scaling) → 35/90), which along with their lower damage, hinders its KO potential.
    • Nerf The foot hitbox launches opponents at a lower angle (68° → 65°).
  • Down aerial:
    • Buff The removal of meteor canceling improves down aerial's reliability, although this is partially offset by the move's reduced power.
    • Buff The clean hit has a longer duration (frames 5-7 → 16-19).
    • Change The clean hit launches aerial opponents at a slightly more horizontal angle (280° → 285°).
    • Change The clean hit now launches grounded opponents vertically (280° → 80°). This improves its KO potential as well as preventing opponents from teching the move at higher percents (considering the changes to meteor smashes), however, this also hinders its followup potential at lower percents.
    • Change The clean hit has a much higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 2×). This allows the move to greatly benefit from the introduction of frame canceling but this also makes it much easier to DI.
    • Nerf Down aerial has drastically higher startup lag (frame 5 → 16), no longer being the fastest meteor smash. This makes the move much harder to land.
      • Buff However, its total duration was not fully compensated (FAF 50 → 52), giving it less ending lag.
    • Nerf Down aerial has much more landing lag (12 frames → 23).
    • Nerf Down aerial has shorter initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-4 → 1-3).
    • Nerf Down aerial auto-cancels later (frame 27 → 38), no longer doing so in a short hop.
    • Nerf Down aerial has a longer animation (49 frames → 63).
    • Nerf The late hit has a shorter duration (frames 8-21 → 20-30).
      • Nerf Altogether, these changes greatly hinder down aerial's safety and utility.
    • Nerf Down aerial has smaller hitboxes (5.5u → 4.2u (clean)/5.3u (late)).
    • Nerf The clean hit has lower knockback scaling (100 → 80). This makes the move barely stronger against grounded opponents despite its higher launch angle while also making it much weaker against aerial opponents.

Throws/other attacks[edit]

  • Grabs:
    • Nerf Standing and pivot grabs have more startup lag (frame 6 (standing)/9 (pivot) → 8/11) with their total durations subsequently increased (FAF 30 (standing)/36 (pivot) → 32/38).
    • Buff Dash grab has less startup lag (frame 11 → 10).
      • Nerf However, its total duration was unchanged, giving it slightly more ending lag.
    • Buff All grabs extend further away from Falco (z offset: 8.8 (standing)/8 (dash)/-12.8 (pivot) → z stretch: 8.9/10.7/-14.9), giving dash and pivot grabs more range.
    • Buff Standing and pivot grabs extend further inside of Falco (z offset: 4.8 (standing)/-4.8 pivot → 4/-4), giving them more range inside of Falco.
    • Nerf All grabs have smaller grabboxes (4.8u (standing/pivot)/4.5u (dash) → 3.1u/2.5u), giving all grabs less vertical range as well as giving standing grab less horizontal range despite its grabbox being extended slightly further away from Falco.
  • Pummel:
    • Change Pummel has an updated animation and its hitbox has slightly altered positioning (x/y offsets: 0/0 → 0.5/-0.5).
  • Forward throw:
    • Change Forward throw has an updated animation where Falco takes more time to stand upright after the throw.
    • Buff The hitbox has a larger duration (frame 10 → 10-11).
    • Change Falco releases his opponent from forward throw one frame later (frame 11 → 12).
  • Back throw:
    • Buff Falco now only shoots one laser instead of three. When combined with the weakening of DI, this makes back throw much more reliable as Falco can now reliably land the entire throw (outside of higher percents where the opponent can still DI to avoid the laser).
    • Buff Back throw deals more damage (2% (throw)/2% (lasers)/8% (total) → 6%/3%/9%). The throw's knockback scaling was not fully compensated (80 → 60) while the laser's knockback was not compensated, improving its KO potential (to the point where the move can now KO at realistic percents if the laser connects).
    • Change Back throw launches opponents at a slightly higher angle (33° → 35°).
  • Up throw:
    • Buff Falco now only shoots one laser instead of three. When combined with the weakening of DI, this makes up throw much more reliable as Falco can now reliably land the entire throw (outside of higher percents where the opponent can still DI to avoid the laser).
    • Buff Up throw launches opponents at a more vertical angle (107° (throw)/50° (laser) → 94°/90°). When combined with the changes to hitstun canceling and DI, this siginificantly improves up throw's combo potential despite the laser coming out sooner than the previous third laser (frame 24 → 20).
    • Buff The throw and the laser deal more damage (2% (throw)/2% (lasers)/8% (total) → 4%/4%/8%). The throw only received a decrease to its base knockback (70 → 60) while the laser's knockback was not compensated. When combined with their higher launch angles, this significantly improves up throw's KO potential (to the point where the move can now KO at realistic percents if the laser connects).
  • Down throw:
    • Nerf Falco now only shoots one laser instead of four, significantly reducing down throw's total damage output (9% → 5%).
    • Nerf The throw deals more damage (1% → 3%) without full compensation on its knockback (45 (base), 130 (scaling) → 60/110). This greatly hinders down throw's followup potential at lower percents as Falco's opponent is now put into tumble at 0%, allowing them to DI and reducing the amount of followups Falco can perform.
      • Change Despite these changes, the changes to hitstun canceling and DI still allows Falco to combo from down throw at lower percents.
  • Floor attack:
    • Buff Floor attacks deal more damage (6% → 7%) and shield damage (1 → 8) per hit, with minimally compensated knockback scaling (50 → 48).
    • Change Floor attacks' angles have been altered (361° → 48°).
  • Edge attack:
    • Buff Edge attack no longer has set knockback (110 (set)/100 (scaling) → 90 (base)/20 (scaling)).
    • Change Edge attack deals consistent damage (8% (legs)/6% (body) → 7%).

Special moves[edit]

  • Blaster:
    • Buff Blaster has less startup lag (frame 12 (grounded)/10 (aerial) → 11/9).
    • Buff Blaster has a more generous repeat window (frames 8-16 → 7-17).
    • Bug fix The Laser glitch has been removed.
    • Nerf Blaster has more ending lag (FAF 57 (grounded)/42 (aerial) → 59/50).
    • Nerf Blaster has a longer delay between consecutive shots (24 frames → 29 (grounded), 15 frames → 24 (aerial)).
    • Nerf Blaster no longer auto-cancels on landing, greatly hindering its safety as well as greatly hindering Falco's camping potential.
    • Nerf When Falco lands on the same frame as the laser comes out, the laser will now make a sound effect, making lasers easier to react to in this situation.
    • Nerf Lasers have lower set knockback (3 → 2).
    • Nerf Lasers travel slower (5 → 3.8).
    • Nerf Lasers have a drastically shorter duration (98 frames → 33). When combined with their slower travel speed, this drastically reduces the distance lasers travel, with them now only covering around 3/4ths of Final Destination.
    • Nerf The changes to shields have hindered the laser's safety on shield as their lack of hitlag now applies to shielding opponents.
    • Nerf The longer gap between shots, the slower speed/shorter distance of the lasers and the introduction of the three hit lock limit, have greatly hindered the laser's locking potential.
      • Nerf Altogether, these changes have drastically hindered Blaster's utility to the point that it completely detriments Falco's entire gameplan.
  • Falco Phantasm:
    • Buff Falco Phantasm no longer leaves Falco helpless when used in midair, though it can still only be used once in the air. When combined with the removal of edge hogging, this drastically improves its recovery potential.
    • Buff Falco Phantasm no longer dashes over edges when used on the ground.
    • Buff Falco Phantasm has less landing lag (20 frames → 16).
    • Buff Falco now retains some forward momentum after the move ends.
    • Buff The aerial version has a larger hitbox against aerial opponents (2.5u → 3u).
    • Buff The removal of meteor canceling improves the aerial version's reliability against aerial opponents.
    • Change Falco Phantasm has an altered animation, with Falco crossing his wings before spreading them outwards.
    • Change The hitboxes are positioned higher (y offset: 4 → 5 (grounded)/6 (aerial)).
    • Nerf Falco Phantasm has more startup (frame 17 → 18) and ending lag (FAF 58 → 61).
    • Nerf Falco Phantasm can no longer be shortened, hindering its mix-up potential.
    • Nerf Falco Phantasm dashes more slowly and covers less distance.
      • Nerf Notably, the hitboxes now end before Falco dashes forward the full distance, creating a blindspot near the end of the dash as well as greatly reducing its range as an attack.
    • Nerf The grounded version has a smaller hitbox (5.11u → 3u).
    • Nerf The aerial version has a smaller hitbox against grounded opponents (5u → 4u).
    • Nerf Falco can no longer reuse Falco Phantasm if he is aerial grab released out of it.
  • Fire Bird:
    • Buff Falco's momentum is no longer completely halted after performing Fire Bird at an upwards 45° angle, making it cover noticeably more distance.
    • Buff The dash hitboxes have lower SDI multipliers (1.5× → 0.8×), which alongside the weakening of the mechanic, makes them harder to escape (although they are still unreliable).
    • Nerf Fire Bird no longer gives Falco a slight vertical boost at the end of the move, making it slightly harder to recover if Falco overshoots the ledge from behind.
    • Nerf The dash hitboxes are positioned closer to Falco (y offset: 5 → x offset: 4.2), giving them less range.
  • Reflector:
    • Buff Reflector has less ending lag (FAF 52 → 51).
    • Buff The hitbox is larger (3u → 3.5u).
    • Buff Reflected projectiles have a higher speed (1x → 1.3x) and duration multiplier (0.5x → 0.8x).
    • Change Reflector has an updated sound effect and animation.
    • Nerf The hitbox deals less damage (6% → 5%).
    • Nerf The hitbox has a lower trip chance (40% → 25%).
    • Nerf The hitbox can now be reflected (although it will only hit Falco when used at close range).
    • Nerf The Reflector has a shorter duration (frames 1-51 → 1-32), no longer lasting the entire animation.
    • Nerf Reflected projectiles have a lower damage multiplier (1.5× → 1.2×).
  • Landmaster:
    • Nerf Landmaster is weaker and has a shorter duration (18 seconds → 12).
    • Change Landmaster is now light blue, instead of dark blue.
    • Bug fix The regenerating terrain glitch has been fixed.

Update history[edit]

Falco has been buffed via game updates. In update 1.0.4, his Blaster's firing rate was increased, which slightly improved his neutral game. Update 1.0.8 buffed Falco's punishing game by making his neutral aerial more versatile, as well as increasing the speed of his up and forward aerials. The same update also slightly improved his aerial mobility by increasing his air speed and acceleration. Update 1.1.4 increased his down smash's knockback, while improving his up smash by decreasing its start-up, increasing its knockback, and granting intangibility to its first hit. Lastly, the new shield mechanics also aid some of Falco's moves without harming others. These changes gave Falco more offensive options and improved both his KOing and his previously nerfed damage racking abilities, making him better than he was in the game's initial release. However, since none of them have improved his below average neutral game, Falco still remains at a disadvantage compared to most of the cast.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS 1.0.4

  • Buff Forward aerial's landing hit deals considerably more damage (2% → 5%). Its knockback values were not compensated, drastically improving its KO potential.
  • Buff Forward aerial's landing hit extends farther horizontally (z offsets: 11/8 → 12/7), increasing its horizontal range.
  • Buff Down aerial has less ending lag (FAF 58 → 52) and landing lag (26 frames → 23).
  • Buff Blaster has a more generous repeat window (frames 7-14 → 7-17).
  • Buff Grounded Blaster has a shorter delay between shots (34 frames → 29).
  • Buff Grounded Blaster has less ending lag (FAF 64 → 59).
  • Bug fix Fixed a glitch in which Reflector Void failed to reflect Timber properly.
  • Change Landmaster's falling hitbox can no longer hit damageable floors.


Super Smash Bros. 4 1.0.6

  • Buff Up smash's first hit's leg hitboxes can now hit grounded opponents, while the early foot hitbox can now hit aerial opponents. This removes the move's blind spot against grounded opponents at close range, while giving the move signficantly more horizontal range against aerial opponents.
  • Nerf Up smash's first hit's leg hitboxes launch opponents at a higher angle (140° → 110°) with considerably more knockback (30 (base), 20 (scaling) → 60/25). This makes them connect less reliably into the second hit against aerial opponents.

Super Smash Bros. 4 1.0.8

  • Buff Falco's air speed is higher (0.893 → 0.93).
  • Buff Falco's air acceleration increased (0.07 → 0.09).
  • Buff The first two hits of neutral attack now always launch opponents in the direction Falco is facing, improving their reliability.
  • Buff The near hitboxes on the first hit of neutral attack are larger (3u (middle)/2u (near) → 3.2u/2.5u)), with the near hitbox being positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0 → -0.5).
  • Change The near and far hitboxes on the first hit of neutral attack have swapped priority.
  • Change The near hitboxes on the first hit of neutral attack launch opponents at lower angles (80° → 68° (near)/77° (middle)).
  • Change The first hit of neutral attack has more base knockback (30 → 35). This improves its jab canceling potential, but hinders its ability to lead into the second hit.
  • Buff The second hit of neutral attack's near hitbox is much larger (2u → 5u) and it is positioned closer to Falco (x offset: 0 → -0.5).
  • Change The second hit of neutral attack's near hitbox launches opponents at a lower angle (50° → 45°).
  • Buff Neutral infinite's near hitboxes are larger (3u (middle)/2u (near) → 3.2u/2.7u).
  • Change Up smash's first hit's late foot hitbox now overrides the early foot hitbox.
    • Nerf This means that the foot hitbox can no longer hit grounded opponents above Falco, preventing it from hitting opponents on higher platforms.
    • Buff However, the move always failed to lead into the second hit against opponents on higher platforms, allowing Falco to simply land the second hit, which is much more powerful.
  • Buff Up smash's second hit has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 14-19 → 13-20). The animation was unchanged, giving the move more range below Falco.
  • Change Up smash's second hit now has a part value of 1 on its hitboxes. As the first hit's hitboxes are deleted, this has no affect.
  • Buff Neutral aerial's loop hits have more set knockback (15 → 22) and they now use the auto-link angle (110° → 367°). These changes greatly improve neutral aerial's reliability.
  • Buff Neutral aerial's loop hits have a larger middle hitbox (4u → 6u) and it is now static, now fully covering Falco's body.
  • Nerf Neutral aerial's second hit deals less damage (3% (hit 2)/12% (total) → 2%/11%).
  • Buff Neutral aerial's final hit has higher base knockback (40 → 55), improving its KO potential.
  • Buff Neutral aerial's final hit now uses one large extended hitbox rather than multiple smaller hitboxes (4u/4u/3u/3u → 8u), giving it more range overall.
  • Buff Neutral aerial's final hit now always launches opponents in the direction Falco is facing, making it more consistent.
  • Change Neutral aerial's final hit has considerably more hitlag (1x → 2x). This makes it benefit more from frame canceling (even with its higher knockback) but this also makes it easier to DI and it significantly hinders the move's safety on shield.
    • The changes to shields in 1.1.0 and 1.1.1 would remove the shield safety disadvantage caused by the higher hitlag.
  • Nerf Neutral aerial's final hit has startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 21-24 → 23-24).
  • Buff Forward aerial has less startup lag (frame 12 → 10), ending lag (FAF 59 → 51) and landing lag (32 frames → 25).
  • Buff Forward aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 54 → 46).
  • Nerf Forward aerial has a a shorter duration (frames 12-34/35-36 → 10-27/28-29).
    • Buff However, the final hit's lower startup lag allows Falco to complete the move in a short hop, which he previously could not do.
  • Buff Forward aerial's loop hits have a shorter rehit rate (6 → 4). This gives forward aerial an extra loop despite its shorter duration, increasing its maximum damage (8% → 9%) as well as making it connect more reliably and making it harder to escape on shield.
  • Nerf Forward aerial's landing hit damage (5% → 3%) without full compensation on its base knockback (30 → 50), significantly hindering its KO potential.
  • Buff Up aerial has less startup lag (frame 10 → 7).
    • Nerf However, its total duration was not fully compensated (FAF 36 → 35), giving it more ending lag.
  • Buff Up aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 26 → 23).
  • Nerf Up aerial has a shorter initial auto-cancel (frames 1-6 → 1-3).
  • Buff Up aerial's foot hitbox is slightly larger (4.8u → 5u).
  • Nerf Up aerial deals less damage (11% → 10%), with the foot and leg hitboxes also dealing less knockback (27 (base), 100 (scaling) → 35/90), considerably hindering its KO potential.
  • Nerf Up aerial's foot hitbox launches opponents at a lower angle (68° → 65°), hindering its KO potential along with its lower damage and knockback.
  • Buff Up aerial's leg and body hitboxes launch opponents at higher angle (68°/80° → 75°/85°), with it no longer being possible to LSI the leg hitbox.
  • Buff Up aerial's body hitbox deals drastically more knockback (30 (base), 20 (scaling) → 35/90). When combined with its higher launch angle, this transforms the hitbox from a drastically weaker sourspot to the move's sweetspot.
    • Nerf However, this also removes the hitbox's ability to lead into followups at higher percents, including potential KO confirms.
  • Buff Down aerial's clean hit has a longer duration (frames 16-18 → 16-19).
  • Buff Down aerial's late hit has a slightly larger hitbox (5u → 5.3u).
  • Buff Down aerial's clean now launches grounded opponents upwards with a less horizontal angle (285° → 80°). This means that the move can no longer be teched at higher percents, giving it much more consistent followup potential as well as granting it KO potential at very high percents.
    • Nerf However, this also removes down aerial's ability to lock and trip at lower percents, hindering its followup potential at lower percents in certain scenarios.

Super Smash Bros. 4 1.1.4

  • Buff Up smash's first hit has less startup lag with a longer duration (frame 8 → 7-8). The animation was unchanged, giving the move considerably more range below Falco.
  • Buff During up smash, Falco now has intangibility on his attacking leg while the hitboxes are active.
  • Change Up smash's first hit has altered knockback (60/80 (base near/far), 25/30 (scaling near/far) → 70/18).
  • Change Up smash's first hit now has weight independent knockback.
  • Change Up smash's Middle hitbox has been moved slightly forwards (x offset: 1.5 → 2).
  • Buff Up smash's far hitbox is positioned further away from Falco (x offset: 5 → 7.7 (hit 1 early)/7 (hit 1 late/hit 2)), giving the move more range.
  • Buff Up smash's second hit deals more knockback (30 (base), 98 (scaling) → 31/104), improving its KO potential.
  • Buff Down smash has higher knockback scaling (76 → 78), slightly improving its KO potential.
  • Bug fix Down Throw Ledge Spike Bug removed.
  • Nerf Trip invincibility and all trip followups except floor attack have one less frame of invincibility.


Moveset[edit]

For a gallery of Falco's hitboxes, see here.

  Name Damage Description
Neutral attack   3% Performs two knifehand strikes, then tilts diagonally and spins very quickly with his wings spread out before finishing with another knifehand strike. A handy jab cancelling tool due to its quick speed (comes out on frame 2), as it can be followed up by a tilt, down smash or a grab.
2%
0.4% (loop), 3% (last)
Forward tilt   9% A roundhouse kick. It can be angled strongly, but has below average knockback. Can lock opponents.
Up tilt   4% (hit 1), 3% (hit 1, late tip), 5% (hit 2) Slightly twists around and swings both of his wings upward. The tip of the first hit is a meteor smash, although it is very hard to land consistently in normal gameplay as both attacks connect well with each other. Useful for comboing. It also functions as a fast, though somewhat weak KOing option, dealing enough vertical knockback to KO at around 160%.
Down tilt   12% (near), 11% (mid), 9% (far) Swipes across the floor with his tail feathers. One of the strongest down tilts in the game, reliably KOing at 120% if sweetspotted. It also has combo potential depending on the knockback it deals.
Dash attack   9% (clean), 6% (late) A flying kick. The late hit launches the opponent at a lower angle.
Forward smash   15% (clean), 10% (late) A two-handed overhead slash downwards. Has high knockback and speed, though has slow startup on the flipside. Its sweetspot is at his hands. One of Falco's strongest attacks, KOing at 102%.
Up smash   4% (hit 1), 12% (hit 2) A sideways-flipping kick that hits twice. Falco's legs have intangibility while the hitboxes are active. KOs at 130% and comes out as a rather fast damage rack-up tool, but has some notable lag.
Down smash   15% (feet), 12% (legs) A split kick. Comes out quickly and Falco's feet are intangible for a short time before the attack. However, it has below average reach. There is a very small sourspot in the center of his body that deals weak vertical knockback, but the move's ending lag renders it practically unusable for combos. Falco's hurtbox also shrinks down during this attack, allowing him to avoid high-aimed moves if timed properly.
Neutral aerial   3% (hits 1-2), 2% (hit 3), 3% (hit 4) Spins and swipes repeatedly with his wings, hitting four times. A good combo move, with each hit connecting well with one another. The last hit launches opponents away. As the move's looping hits use the autolink angle, it can be used during a fast fall to gimp recovering opponents.
Forward aerial   1% (loop, 5 hits), 4% (last hit), 3% (landing) Spins in a horizontal corkscrew to perform a drilling peck. It is similar to Pikachu and Sonic's forward aerials. Can KO around 100% offstage while not being particularly hard to land. It has a landing hit positioned around Falco's head that launches opponents away with decently strong knockback, making this move one of Falco's most reliable KOing options overall. As the move's looping hits use the autolink angle, it can be used during a fast fall to gimp recovering opponents.
Back aerial   13% (clean), 7% (late) A back kick. It is notorious for being one of the fastest and strongest back aerials in the game; the clean hit comes out at frame 4 and possesses incredibly high knockback scaling that even exceeds moves such as Ness's back throw. When including its ability to autocancel from a short hop fast fall, it is a powerful KOing option and combo breaker, capable of KOing at 130% from the center of Final Destination. However, its other qualities have been heavily toned down since Brawl, with its range and duration being considerably shorter.
Up aerial   10% A somersault kick. The kick covers above Falco, giving it rather good range. The attack also starts behind him, allowing the early hit to catch opponents while he's landing. Juggles well at low percentages and can KO at higher percents, although its knockback is lacking compared to Fox's. Regardless, Falco's high jumps allow it to be used from very high up near the blast line, where it can KO as early as 115%.
Down aerial   13% (clean), 8% (late) Briefly pulls his legs upward before performing a downward corkscrew stomp. A decently strong meteor smash on aerial opponents; as a carryover from Melee, it is one of the few meteor smashes that sends opponents diagonally downwards. Due to the clean hit's 2× hitlag multiplier, it benefits significantly from frame cancelling, though this is very situational. The late hit can also lock opponents. However, the move has high startup lag and landing lag, so it is mostly used for reads.
Grab   An average grab.
Pummel   2% Knee strikes the opponent. Decent speed.
Forward throw   4% (hit 1), 3% (throw) Launches the opponent forward with a cross.
Back throw   6% (throw), 3% (shot) Throws the opponent backwards and then shoots them once with his Blaster. Can KO at around 150% near the edge if the opponent is hit by the laser.
Up throw   4% (throw), 4% (shot) Throws the opponent upwards and then shoots them once with his Blaster. A reliable combo starter until high percentages thanks to Falco's high jumps. It can combo into any aerial (except down aerial) and, with a proper read, lead into a KO with up aerial. The throw itself can KO at high percentages if performed on stages with platforms, although opponents can DI away from it at said percent range.
Down throw   2% (shot), 3% (throw) Throws the opponent to the ground and shoots them with his Blaster. Like his up throw, it is a very reliable combo starter. It can lead into an up smash or dash attack at low percentages, as well as a neutral, forward or back aerial at medium percentages.
Forward roll
Back roll
Spot dodge
Air dodge
Techs
Floor attack (front)
Floor getups (front)
  7% Lunges and kicks backward and forward.
Floor attack (back)
Floor getups (back)
  7% Extends to attack in front and in back.
Floor attack (trip)
Floor getups (trip)
  5% Spins around while kicking.
Edge attack
Edge getups
  7% A corkscrew dropkick.
Neutral special Default Blaster 3% Unlike Fox's variant, the shots come out much slower, travel slower, aren’t as long, and don’t go as far, but they flinch opponents and don’t decay in power as they travel. The Blaster fires slightly faster in the air, although this speed increase is negligible. Due to the lasers' low fixed knockback, they can lock opponents at any percent.
Custom 1 Explosive Blaster 1% (loop, 4 hits), 2% (last) The Blaster's laser slows down as it travels and explodes right before it stops. It pushes opponents while traveling, but does not deal damage until the laser explodes. Also visually alters the lasers fired from throws. Similar to Zero Suit Samus’ Electromagnetic Net.
Custom 2 Burst Blaster 2% (near), 1% (far) Acts similarly to Fox's Blaster in that it fires faster, but has lower power, length, range, and loses its ability to make the opponent flinch. Additionally, it still fires slower than Fox's, though its ending lag is significantly lower. Doesn’t fire quicker in mid-air.
Side special Default Falco Phantasm 7% (ground), 6% (airborne opponents when used in air) Dashes forward at a blinding speed, leaving behind afterimages. Unlike Fox Illusion, Falco Phantasm will launch airborne opponents straight downward on contact, and it has 2 less startup frames. On grounded opponents, it sends them upwards with favorable force to combo into a back aerial.
Custom 1 Falco Phase 0% Quicker, and Falco is intangible for the duration of the move, but it cannot hit opponents either. It does not give Falco any momentum.
Custom 2 Falco Charge 4% (early), 12% (clean), 4% (late) The dash's range is shorter, but it hits much harder at the beginning of the move.
Up special Default Fire Bird 2% (charging loop, 7 hits), 3% (launch hit 1), 2% (launch hits 2-8), Cloaks himself in flames and before firing himself in any direction, depending on what direction is held. The launch attack hits multiple times. It also travels a shorter distance than Fox's Fire Fox. The first launch hit can knock opponents away from the rest of the hits.
Custom 1 Fast Fire Bird 2% Instantly fires himself in any direction, but at the cost of a shortened distance.
Custom 2 Distant Fire Bird 8% (first hit), 2% (loop) The charging time is longer, but Falco travels further. The initial part of the attack launches opponents, while the rest of the attack hits opponents multiple times, dealing weak knockback and having a 1.5× SDI multiplier.
Down special Default Reflector 5% (Reflector), 1.2× (reflection) Activates his Reflector and kicks it away from him, reflecting any projectiles and hitting opponents it comes in contact with. It then returns to him as if magnetized. The move can be used as a poking tool that can lock or trip low damaged opponents to start combos.
Custom 1 Accele-Reflector 2% (Reflector), 1× (reflection) The Reflector deals less damage, can only reflect while moving forward and does not increase the reflected projectiles' damage output, but doubles the speed of the reflected projectiles. The Accele-Reflector is colored green.
Custom 2 Reflector Void 9% (Reflector), 0.75× (reflection) The Reflector deals more damage and destroys absorbable projectiles instead of reflecting them. Non-absorbable projectiles are still reflected, but deal less damage due to its lowered reflection multiplier. Its angle and knockback are almost identical to his Reflector in Melee. The Reflector Void is colored purple.
Final Smash Landmaster 12%/11%/10%/8% (movement), 10% (roll), 8%/12% (shot) Calls in a Landmaster. Like Fox's Landmaster, Falco's version can shoot laser blasts and damage opponents while maneuvering around. Unlike Fox's however, it has better aerial mobility at the cost of weaker blasts.

Stats[edit]

Stats Weight Dash speed Walk speed Traction Air friction Air speed Air acceleration Gravity Falling speed Jumpsquat Jump height Double jump height
Value 82 1.9 – Initial dash
1.472 – Run
1.28 0.065 0.01 0.93 0.01 – Base
0.09 – Additional
0.13 1.8 – Base
2.88Fast-fall
6 50.506073 - Base
17.34 - Short hop
50.506073

Announcer call[edit]

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On-screen appearance[edit]

  • Ejects from an upside-down Arwing.
FalcoOnScreenAppearanceSSB4.gif

Taunts[edit]

  • Up taunt: Kicks his Reflector around like a hacky sack and says "Piece of cake!" (楽勝だぜ。, An easy win.) before catching it.
  • Side taunt: Poses by standing on one foot with his wing raised before saying "Get some!" (かかってきな。, Come bring it.)
  • Down taunt: Spins once and crosses one wing before saying "Hands off my prey!" (俺の獲物に手を出すな!, Get your hands off my prey!)
  • Smash taunt: When fighting as Falco on the Corneria stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS or Lylat Cruise in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, quickly tap down on the directional pad once and he will kneel down and seem as though he is trying to communicate with someone through a device, and then stand back up, at which point a conversation will begin with another character from the Star Fox universe.
Up taunt Side taunt Down taunt
FalcoUpTauntSSB4.gif FalcoSideTauntSSB4.gif FalcoDownTauntSSB4.gif

Idle poses[edit]

  • Slightly turns to his side.
  • Moves his wing in front of his face.
FalcoIdlePose1SSB4.jpg FalcoIdlePose2SSB4.jpg

Crowd cheer[edit]

English Japanese
Cheer
Description Fal-co! Fal-co!
Pitch Group chant Group chant

Victory poses[edit]

A flourished remix directly from Brawl based on the theme that would play at the title screen in Star Fox 64.
  • Jumps high into the air and then performs a crouching pose upon descending to the ground.
  • Performs a rapid series of kicks and then poses, saying "Had enough already?" (くたばるのはまだ早ぇぜ。, Too early to kick the bucket just yet.)
    • If Fox is present after a match, there is a chance he will instead say "You're off your game, Fox." Or in Japanese: 腕が落ちたな、フォックス。 (Your skills have fallen off, Fox.)
  • Crosses arms and looks away, saying "You aren't worth the trouble." In Japanese: 付き合ってらんねぇな。 (Not worth associating with.)
FalcoPose1WiiU.gif FalcoPose2WiiU.gif FalcoPose3WiiU.gif

In competitive play[edit]

Official Custom Moveset Project[edit]

Character Custom sets available
Falco (SSB4) Falco 1123 1121 1133 1131 3123
3121 3133 3131 2123 2133

Most historically significant players[edit]

See also: Category:Falco players (SSB4)

Tier placement and history[edit]

Falco has been regarded rather poorly ever since Smash 4's release. Smashers immediately noticed the severe nerfs to his Blaster, which was an essential component of Falco's playstyle in his previous iterations and a driving force behind his top-tier performances in Melee and Brawl. The nerfs to his down aerial, another signature move of his, further contributed to his weak status, as well as his grounded mobility being somewhat slower than in Brawl. As time went on Falco continued to see little representation and lacked notable results at a national level, leading many to believe that his nerfs were too severe for him to be even a mid-tier, while the buffs he received in updates failed to address his ineffective neutral game. Meanwhile, various characters who were at some point considered comparatively sub-par, notably Meta Knight, Marth, and Mewtwo, received buffs that raised their position in the metagame, worsening Falco's position relative to the cast. All these issues led to Falco slowly declining on tier lists, from 38th on the first tier list to 49th on the second tier list, and then 50th on the third tier list.

It wouldn't be until near the end of the game's lifespan when Falco's representation began to improve, mainly due to dedicated mains such as Keitaro or players who use Falco as a secondary or co-main such as AC and Daybreak. In addition, some players began arguing that Falco had some potentially good matchups against projectile-based characters that were ranked higher than him, like Villager, Mega Man, and Toon Link, although his overall matchup to the top echelon remains rather poor. Due to these developments, some players believe Falco is rather underrated, citing his strong combo game, powerful back aerial, feared down tilt and an effective reflector. This was reflected in Falco's slight rise to 46th on the current tier list, with a few arguing Falco could be ranked higher. Nevertheless, the community unanimously considers Falco as a shell of his former self.

In Solo Modes[edit]

All-Star Mode[edit]

In All-Star Mode, Falco is fought in Stage 4 in both versions if he has been unlocked alongside Kirby, Fox, Meta Knight, Wario, Sonic, and King Dedede.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii UEvent Matches[edit]

Solo Events[edit]

  • All-Star Battle: Melee: Falco is one of the eight opponents fought in this event. All the opponents debut in Melee and reappeared in Smash 4 as veterans.
  • Duck Hunt!: As Duck Hunt, the player must defeat 10 ducks which appear in the stage background. Falco can interfere with the progress with Giant Falco appearing after some time has passed.
  • Great Fox Defense: Falco must prevent a group of Mr. Game & Watches from landing on the stage. The Mr. Game & Watches have more stock on higher difficulties.
  • Up to Speed: As Sonic, the player must defeat Fox, Falco, and Captain Falcon in a high-speed 1 stock match.

Co-op Events[edit]

  • Keep 'Em off the Ship!: Fox and Falco team up to prevent a larger wave of Mr. Game & Watches from landing on the stage.
  • Sky Pirates: Meta Knight and Dark Pit must team up to defeat Captain Falcon and Falco before the plane returns to the airfield.
  • The Ultimate Battle: Two players select a character and must defeat the entire roster.
  • Visiting Onett: Falco is one of the opponents Ness and Villager must fight against. The opponents are space characters or characters from other planets.

Congratulations screens[edit]

3DS[edit]

Wii U[edit]

Trophies[edit]

Falco's default trophy is obtained by clearing Classic Mode as Falco. His alternate trophy is obtained by clearing All-Star Mode as Falco in the 3DS version or purchasing it in the Trophy Shop for 1000G in the Wii U version. The Landmaster (Falco) trophy is obtained only in the Wii U version by clearing All-Star Mode as Falco.

3DS Classic Mode trophy
Wii U Classic Mode trophy
Falco
NTSCSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS A talented pilot and part of the Star Fox team, Falco can be a bit rough around the edges. He once led his own galactic gang before joining up with Fox. In Smash Bros., his ability to jump high and deal damage in the air makes him a powerful threat, and his thrown Reflector can catch foes by surprise.
NTSCSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U A talented pilot and part of the Star Fox team, Falco Lombardi is a bit rough around the edges. He once led his own galactic gang before joining up with Fox. In Smash Bros., his ability to jump high and deal damage in the air makes him a powerful threat, and his thrown Reflector can catch foes by surprise.
SNES: Star Fox (03/1993)
N64: Star Fox 64 (07/1997)
PAL Ex-gang leader, ace pilot and comrade of Fox, Falco Lombardi might play it cool, but he's burning with passion on the inside. In this game, he excels at jumping and aerial combat, and the way his Reflector move flies forwards can catch foes off guard. Add to that his balanced array of attacks, and it's clear that Falco's a real threat.
SNES: Starwing (06/1993)
N64: Lylat Wars (10/1997)
3DS All-Star Mode trophy
Wii U alternate trophy
Falco (Alt.)
NTSC Falco's Blaster looks identical to Fox's at first, but actually it's quite different! The beams Falco fires deal more damage and cause the victim to flinch, but at a slower rate of fire. Considering Falco's lineage, it's not all that surprising that he can fire faster while airborne.
SNES: Star Fox (03/1993)
N64: Star Fox 64 (07/1997)
PAL Falco's Blaster looks identical to Fox's at first glance, but they are actually quite different. Most notably, Falco's version causes enemies to flinch, which can be invaluable when warding off approaching foes. It also deals more damage and has a slower fire rate – though its fire rate actually increases when used in mid-air.
SNES: Starwing (06/1993)
N64: Lylat Wars (10/1997)
Landmaster (Falco) trophy
Landmaster (Falco)
NTSC Falco jumps aboard his Landmaster for his Final Smash. This powerful combat vehicle sports an explosive cannon and a heavily armored exterior. Falco can blast other fighters or simply drive into them with this tank. This Landmaster also flies higher than Fox's, letting Falco give his rivals a pick-me-up...off the stage!
PAL With immense firepower and tough armour, the Landmaster makes for a mighty Final Smash. Falco can use this fine combat vehicle to run down and roll into rivals, as well as inundate them with cannon blasts. His Landmaster can hover a bit higher than Fox's, making it easier to pick rivals up and give them a nice comfy ride off the stage!

Alternate costumes[edit]

Falco Palette (SSB4).png
Falco (SSB4) Falco (SSB4) Falco (SSB4) Falco (SSB4) Falco (SSB4) Falco (SSB4) Falco (SSB4) Falco (SSB4)

Gallery[edit]

Trivia[edit]

  • Falco has three English voice actors between both versions of Super Smash Bros. 4. He has Mark Lund for his battle voice and the Orbital Gate Assault Smash taunts, Dex Manley for the Lylat Cruise Smash taunts, and Ben Cullum for the Corneria Smash taunts. He shares this distinction with Fox.
    • Regardless of the release dates of both Star Fox 64 3D and Super Smash Bros. 4, Falco is still reprised by Hisao Egawa in Japanese as opposed to being voiced by his new Japanese voice actor, Kōsuke Takaguchi (this also occurs with Fox).
  • As mentioned above, Falco's custom move Explosive Blaster will visually alter the lasers from his throws.
  • Smash 4 is the first installment where Falco is not unlocked by completing 100-Man Smash. This unlock criteria goes to Wario instead.
  • Falco is the last non-DLC character amiibo to be released in the Super Smash Bros. amiibo lineup.
  • Due to being placed 46th on the current tier list, Falco's tier placement marks the first time a Star Fox character is in the low tiers.
  • Much like Zelda, this is the only game where Falco reuses his design from a previous game with his Star Fox Command appearance being reused.
  • This is the final game in the series where Falco keeps his spot dodge animation from Melee and is voiced by Hisao Egawa in gameplay in the Japanese version.