Super Smash Bros. 4

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'''Luigi''' ({{ja|ルイージ|Ruīji}}, ''Luigi'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. As part of Nintendo's  {{s|mariowiki|Year of Luigi}}, his return to the series was announced during the [[Nintendo Direct]] on August 7th, 2013.<ref name="luigipotd">[https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAABAADzUgIRwgV1Og Sakurai's post on Miiverse, August 7, 2013]</ref> Traditionally, Luigi has always been an unlockable character revealed after an installment of ''Super Smash Bros.'' had been released. However, ''SSB4'' is the first installment to break that tradition,<ref name="luigipotd"/> as he was both revealed before release and is now a [[starter character]]. Charles Martinet reprises his role as Luigi's voice actor, albeit through voice clips recycled from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.<ref name="treehouseday3">[http://www.twitch.tv/nintendo/b/537795858 Nintendo Treehouse: Live @ E3 2014 -- Day 3]</ref>
'''Luigi''' ({{ja|ルイージ|Ruīji}}, ''Luigi'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. As part of Nintendo's  {{s|mariowiki|Year of Luigi}}, his return to the series was announced during the [[Nintendo Direct]] on August 7th, 2013.<ref name="luigipotd">[https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAABAADzUgIRwgV1Og Sakurai's post on Miiverse, August 7, 2013]</ref> Traditionally, Luigi has always been an unlockable character revealed after an installment of ''Super Smash Bros.'' had been released. However, ''SSB4'' is the first installment to break that tradition,<ref name="luigipotd"/> as he was both revealed before release and is now a [[starter character]]. Charles Martinet reprises his role as Luigi's voice actor, albeit through voice clips recycled from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.<ref name="treehouseday3">[http://www.twitch.tv/nintendo/b/537795858 Nintendo Treehouse: Live @ E3 2014 -- Day 3]</ref>


Luigi is currently ranked 29th out of 58 in the [[tier list]], placing him at the bottom of the D tier. This is a vast improvement over his 28th out of 38 ranking in ''Brawl'', and it is his best ranking in the series to date. Luigi's most notable strength is the utility of his moveset. He retains his fast attack speed from ''Brawl'', which makes him difficult to [[punish]] and gives him a defensive, yet extremely dangerous aerial game. His grounded moves have favorable launching angles, which supplement his aerial game. Lastly, his moveset boasts outstanding combo versatility, courtesy of many flexible combo starters that allow him to rack up impressive amounts of damage. Luigi's [[recovery]] is also unpredictable and long-distanced, with [[Green Missile]] and [[Luigi Cyclone]] being risky to intercept.
Luigi is currently ranked 29th out of 58 in the [[tier list]], placing him at the bottom of the D tier and directly in the middle of the roster overall. This is a vast improvement over his placement in ''Brawl'', where he was ranked 28th out of 38 ranking in ''Brawl'', and it is his best ranking in the series to date. Luigi's most notable strength is the utility of his moveset. He retains his fast attack speed from ''Brawl'', which makes him difficult to [[punish]] and gives him a defensive, yet extremely dangerous aerial game. His grounded moves have favorable launching angles, which supplement his aerial game. Lastly, his moveset boasts outstanding combo versatility, courtesy of many flexible combo starters that allow him to rack up impressive amounts of damage. Luigi's [[recovery]] is also unpredictable and long-distanced, with [[Green Missile]] and [[Luigi Cyclone]] being risky to intercept.


However, Luigi retains his slow mobility; his infamously slow [[air speed]] and low [[traction]] hinder his movement, punishment ability and [[out of shield]] options. His recovery is also very slow, making [[edgeguarding]] detrimental to him. Finally, his range is very limited, which prevents him from racking up damage from a safe distance and making him prone to [[camping]], despite having [[Fireball]] as a [[projectile]].
However, Luigi retains his slow mobility; his infamously slow [[air speed]] and low [[traction]] hinder his movement, punishment ability and [[out of shield]] options. His recovery is also very slow, making [[edgeguarding]] detrimental to him. Finally, his range is very limited, which prevents him from racking up damage from a safe distance and making him prone to [[camping]], despite having [[Fireball]] as a [[projectile]].

Revision as of 23:54, August 22, 2016

This article is about Luigi's appearance in Super Smash Bros. 4. For the character in other contexts, see Luigi.
Luigi
in Super Smash Bros. 4
Luigi
MarioSymbol.svg
Universe Mario
Other playable appearances in SSB
in Melee
in Brawl
Availability Starter
Final Smash Poltergust 5000
Tier D (29)
Luigi (SSB4)

Luigi (ルイージ, Luigi) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4. As part of Nintendo's Year of Luigi, his return to the series was announced during the Nintendo Direct on August 7th, 2013.[1] Traditionally, Luigi has always been an unlockable character revealed after an installment of Super Smash Bros. had been released. However, SSB4 is the first installment to break that tradition,[1] as he was both revealed before release and is now a starter character. Charles Martinet reprises his role as Luigi's voice actor, albeit through voice clips recycled from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.[2]

Luigi is currently ranked 29th out of 58 in the tier list, placing him at the bottom of the D tier and directly in the middle of the roster overall. This is a vast improvement over his placement in Brawl, where he was ranked 28th out of 38 ranking in Brawl, and it is his best ranking in the series to date. Luigi's most notable strength is the utility of his moveset. He retains his fast attack speed from Brawl, which makes him difficult to punish and gives him a defensive, yet extremely dangerous aerial game. His grounded moves have favorable launching angles, which supplement his aerial game. Lastly, his moveset boasts outstanding combo versatility, courtesy of many flexible combo starters that allow him to rack up impressive amounts of damage. Luigi's recovery is also unpredictable and long-distanced, with Green Missile and Luigi Cyclone being risky to intercept.

However, Luigi retains his slow mobility; his infamously slow air speed and low traction hinder his movement, punishment ability and out of shield options. His recovery is also very slow, making edgeguarding detrimental to him. Finally, his range is very limited, which prevents him from racking up damage from a safe distance and making him prone to camping, despite having Fireball as a projectile.

Like in previous installments, Luigi tends to run hot-and-cold and while his representation remains average, his results in tournaments are better than ever before.

Attributes

Luigi is a middleweight with slow mobility overall. He has average walking and dashing speeds, low gravity, above average air acceleration, very slow falling speed and air speed, as well as the fourth highest jumps and the lowest traction.

Luigi's greatest strength is the immense utility of his moves. All of his grounded moves are fast and launch opponents at favorable angles. His neutral attack and forward tilt are very fast and have decent range. Up tilt can be followed up by an aerial attack until high percentages or KO at very high percentages, while down tilt's Sakurai angle can trip grounded opponents and launch aerial ones away. His smash attacks are all very fast and at the same time very powerful, with their low base knockback even allowing follow-ups at low percentages. His aerial attacks are also very useful. Neutral aerial is fast, its clean hit has high vertical knockback, and the late hit has low vertical knockback, which can allow additional follow-ups. Forward aerial is the fastest of its kind and is an overall useful move, particularly for approaching. Up aerial is very fast and deals plenty of damage and vertical knockback, making it excellent at combos. Back aerial is very powerful and has long range, which enables it to function as a safe KOing option or as an approach option when used as part of a reverse aerial rush. Down aerial is not only a meteor smash, but also the fastest of its kind. Lastly, Luigi is one of the few characters whose entire set of aerial attacks has the benefit of autocanceling from a short hop.

His special moveset is also very useful. Fireball is a projectile that can limit an opponent's approach, recovery or edgeguarding attempt. With adequate charge, Green Missile is powerful and can fly forward a long distance, especially in the case of a misfire. In this case, it becomes even stronger than the fully charged variant and the distance given covers about 60% of Final Destination. Its new ending animation can also be used for mindgames. Super Jump Punch is a quick attack, with its sweetspotted variant, the Fire Jump Punch, being devastatingly powerful. Finally, Luigi Cyclone can be used to approach, KO near the upper blast line and, with enough button mashing, provide vertical recovery and even gimp recoveries.

Finally, Luigi's grab game is among the best in the game. His grabs have short ranges, but are among the fastest. His pummel is moderately slow, but deals impressive damage, making it very good for damage racking. His forward and up throws have minimal utility, but they are quick and deal respectable damage, with the former being a capable edgeguard set-up. His back throw, though weakened since Brawl, is just as strong as Lucas' and can KO at high percentages. His down throw, however, is by far his most useful throw. Even after the significant nerf to its knockback brought about by update 1.1.1, it remains one of the most versatile throws in the game. At low percentages, it can be followed up by forward tilt, up tilt and any smash attack. Until medium percentages, it can be followed up by any aerial attack, Luigi Cyclone and Super Jump Punch. Even at medium to high percentages, it can reliably set up an up aerial. These combos vary between floaty characters and fast-fallers, but his versatile aerial attacks can still rack up large amounts of damage regardless.

However, Luigi has noticeable weaknesses. His mobility is a serious drawback, as it prevents him from approaching quickly, especially from the air. This gives Luigi significant trouble keeping up with faster opponents, like Sheik, Zero Suit Samus and Sonic, weakening his otherwise excellent neutral game. As a result, this forces Luigi to be heavily reliant on short hopped neutral, forward and back aerials to approach, or instead use Fireball to force approaches. However, there are a few methods that, at varying degrees, alleviate Luigi's problematic traction. Shield-stopping negates his dash's noticeable skid, improving his approach's safety. Fox-trotting enables Luigi to dash while only enduring a slight slide rather than the skid, making it slightly risky, yet allowing him to go on the offensive more reliably and even enabling him to play mindgames, particularly baiting. The last method is simply walking: although Luigi's walking speed is average like his dashing speed, it is not as glaringly susceptible to his slippery traction like his dash is. When coupled with proper usage of Fireball, this method can also enable him to maintain stage control. A notable user and proponent of the walking method is J.Miller.[3]

Most of Luigi's attacks also have very minimal ranges, making it very difficult for him to fight opponents with disjointed hitboxes, especially in the air. His plentiful and effective out of shield options are also usable only sporadically, since he gets pushed back very far when shielding due to his low traction, while his lack of a reflecting move leaves him vulnerable to camping. Luigi's most significant flaw, however, is his recovery. Green Missile is slow and can be stopped by opponents willing to take the hit, while Luigi Cyclone requires an extreme amount of button mashing to be effective without prior momentum. Lastly, Super Jump Punch is the least effective recovery option in his arsenal, due to it lacking any sort of horizontal movement as Luigi rises. This means he is overly reliant on his double jump to recover, as his low air speed will make it very difficult to return to the stage, making his long-distanced recovery slow and easily gimped.

With custom moves enabled, Luigi gets a number of useful options. Ice Ball, while having slower movement speed, has more range and can momentarily freeze opponents, completely disrupting their approach. Burial Header grants more height, descends faster, has much less landing lag and buries grounded opponents, at the cost of having a weaker sweetspot. Mach Cyclone covers almost no horizontal distance and its loop hits' hitboxes become windboxes, but it covers a tremendous amount of vertical distance and its final hit is stronger, making it great at edgeguarding. His most notable custom moves, however, are Floating Missile and Quick Missile. Floating Missile flies perfectly straight and is weaker, but charges in less than a second, making it much riskier to intercept. Quick Missile travels much farther and moves much faster, much like how Green Missile functioned in Melee, but it has less power, no traction and heavily increased ending lag. The rest of his custom moves have advantages that are situational at best, making them generally not worth using.

Overall, Luigi can be a force to be reckoned with as long as his significant flaws are circumvented. While his representation in the competitive scene has lowered somewhat since update 1.1.1 due to his down throw's nerf occurring in that update, he has achieved great results in tournaments regardless.

Changes from Brawl

Luigi has been significantly buffed in the transition from Brawl to Super Smash Bros. 4. His neutral and combo games have been improved, with the latter being among the most effective in the entire game. Additionally, he is more agile overall, which further supplements these improved traits. However, Luigi did receive a number of nerfs. His recovery was worsened moderately, some of his moves (including all of his KOing options) had their power weakened and most of his moves deal less damage. Nonetheless, he is still one of the most successful characters in tournament play.

Aesthetics

  • Change Due to the aesthetic used in SSB4, Luigi has a more cartoonish and sleeker design and his overall color scheme is more vibrant, making him better resemble his appearances in the latest Mario games. Like Mario, his chest also always faces the foreground.
  • Change Luigi is more expressive and, unlike in previous installments, much less depressive overall. While Luigi retains his panicked expression in some instances, such as when using his dash attack or while hanging from an edge, he now smiles in other instances, such as when using Fireball and during the results screen if he was defeated or if the match ended in a no contest. He also sports a fairly neutral expression in other instances, such as when using Luigi Cyclone or his forward aerial, Super Smash Bros. for Wii Uas well as humorous or quirky expressions to further reference his awkwardness, such as while sidestepping and upon being Screen KO'd.
  • Change Jump's animation has changed. Luigi now pedals his legs back and forth while in midair similarly to the Scuttle, one of his signature techniques that debuted in Super Mario Bros. 2 and has appeared in a number of other Mario games.
  • Change Up taunt's animation has slightly changed. Luigi now has different facial expressions.

Attributes

  • Buff Luigi dashes faster (1.34 → 1.5).
  • Buff Luigi's traction is higher (0.022 → 0.024), though it is still the lowest in the game.
  • Buff Luigi's air speed is faster (0.7332 → 0.73418).
  • Change Luigi's falls faster (1.22 → 1.25).
  • Buff Luigi's fast falling speed is faster (1.708 → 2.0).
  • Buff Luigi's gravity is higher (0.065 → 0.075). While this is typically a nerf due to it affecting a character's overall survivability, it is a buff in Luigi's case due to it somewhat alleviating the negatives that his floatiness provides.
  • Buff Short hop is lower and full jump is higher, improving his air game and aerial maneuverability.

Ground attacks

  • Buff Neutral attack's last hit has increased base knockback (50 → 65). It also sends Luigi forward, improving its range.
  • Change Neutral attack's animation has slightly changed. The last hit is now more pronounced and Luigi smiles while performing it.
  • Nerf All tilt attacks deal less damage (9% → 6% (up), 10% → 8% (forward), 9% → 8% (down)).
  • Nerf Forward tilt's hitbox duration is 3 frames shorter (6 → 3).
  • Buff Up tilt has altered knockback (30 (base)/127 (growth) → 8/150). This improves its combo and juggling potentials while retaining its KO potential.
  • Nerf Down tilt is no longer a meteor smash.
  • Buff Down tilt now trips opponents.
  • Buff Dash attack's hits connect together much better and its last hit has increased knockback (50 (base)/100 (growth) → 60/128), improving it reliability and safety.
  • Nerf Forward smash has decreased knockback growth (135 (all angles) → 121 (upward)/116 (non-angled)/117 (downward)).
  • Change All angled versions of forward smash deal consistent damage rather than each angle having a respective damage output.
  • Nerf Down smash and sweetspotted up smash deal less damage (16%/17% → 14%/15% (down), 15% → 14% (up)).
  • Nerf Down smash comes out later (frame 3 → 6 (front), frame 12 → 14 (back)).
  • Buff Down smash has increased knockback growth (80 (both) → 85 (front)/104 (back)).

Aerial attacks

  • Nerf Neutral, forward, up, and down aerials all deal less damage (14% → 12% (neutral), 10% → 8% (forward), 13% → 11% (up), 11% → 8%/10% (down)).
  • Nerf Neutral and back aerials have increased landing lag (10 → 14 (neutral), 12 → 16 (back)).
  • Nerf Clean neutral aerial has decreased knockback growth (100 → 90). It can also no longer be performed twice from a single short hop and its hitbox duration is 1 frame shorter.
  • Change Late neutral aerial's angle has been altered (90° → 80°).
  • Buff Forward aerial has increased range, improving its approach and edgeguarding potentials.
  • Buff Back aerial deals 2% more damage (12% → 14%).
  • Nerf Back aerial has increased ending lag (interruptibility frame 37 → 46). When coupled with Luigi's lower short hop, it can no longer be used twice from a single short hop. Its clean hitbox's duration is also 3 frames shorter (5 → 2).
  • Nerf Down aerial has 8 more frames of landing lag and its meteor smash hitbox has decreased knockback growth (100 → 80).
  • Buff Down aerial's meteor smash hitbox is now based on timing rather than positioning, improving its reliability.

Throws/other attacks

  • Buff Grab has decreased ending lag.
  • Buff Dash grab has decreased start-up (frame 12 → 8).
  • Change Grab's animation has slightly changed. Luigi now grabs with one hand instead of both.
  • Buff Pummel deals 0.2% more damage (3% → 3.2%).
  • Nerf Back throw deals 2% less damage (12% → 10%), reverting it to how it functioned in Melee and thus hindering its KO potential.
  • Buff The changes to hitstun canceling significantly improve down throw's combo potential.
  • Change Down throw's animation has changed. Luigi now shoves the opponent onto the ground and Ground Pounds them, similarly to Peach's and Wario's down throws.
  • Buff Floor attacks deal 1% more damage (6% → 7%).

Special moves

  • Nerf Late Fireball deals 1% less damage (6% → 5%).
  • Buff Fireball has increased range.
  • Change Fireball's animation has slightly changed. Luigi now smiles while using it.
  • Buff Uncharged Green Missile deals 5% more damage (5% → 10%). Its hitbox has also been re-positioned to cover Luigi's entire head instead of only his neck, improving its accuracy.
  • Nerf Fully charged Green Missile deals ≈6.2% less damage (26% → ≈19.8%).
  • Change Holding a fully charged grounded Green Missile past a certain point will now cancel the move, instead of holding the charge indefinitely. Upon being overcharged, Luigi will be vulnerable for a very brief moment. While this makes it impossible to use Green Missile to stall opponents and thus force them to go into Luigi's line of fire if they want to continue fighting, it also makes it so that Luigi will not be stuck in a position that could potentially prove fatal.
  • Change Green Missile's chance of misfiring has decreased (12.5% → 10%). This improves its safety while near edges, but hinders its offensive and recovery potentials.
  • Change Green Missile's animation has changed. Luigi now pants briefly after grounded Green Missile's charge is held for too long, while a misfired Green Missile now emits a fiery aura around him.
  • Buff Grounded Super Jump Punch's sweetspot has increased knockback growth (73 → 77), improving its KO potential. Its decreased vertical distance also makes Luigi less vulnerable after use, improving its safety.
  • Nerf Aerial Super Jump Punch's horizontal distance has been decreased after ascending. It also gains much less vertical distance (now being unable to reach the top platform in Battlefield), comes out 2 frames later (frame 6 → 8) and has increased landing lag.
  • Change Super Jump Punch's angle has been altered (90° → 88°).
  • Change Super Jump Punch's animation has slightly changed. A minuscule spark appears at the start of the move to indicate its sweetspot and its sourspot now produces a Star Coin.
  • Nerf Luigi Cyclone deals 3% less damage (12% → 9%) due to consisting of six hits instead of eight. Its first hit also comes out 3 frames later (frame 7 → 10). Additionally, it gains much less vertical distance when used in midair and is also extremely difficult to ascend with it without a jump and much more button mashing, hindering its recovery potential.
  • Buff Luigi Cyclone's hits connect together better and its last hit has increased knockback (60 (base)/115 (growth) → 80/130 (grounded)/120 (aerial)).
  • Change Luigi Cyclone's animation has changed. Luigi no longer closes his eyes in fear while using it, he smiles when it concludes and he emits whitish-blue, wind-like trails instead of silvery-white trails.
  • Change Luigi has a new Final Smash, Poltergust 5000. Whereas Negative Zone affected a very wide area and granted Luigi easy openings to inflict more damage and/or possibly secure KOs, Poltergust 5000 only traps nearby opponents, but deals considerable damage and strong vertical knockback to the point of easily scoring KOs.

Update history

Luigi has received a mix of buffs and nerfs via game updates, though his buffs outweighed his nerfs until update 1.1.1. While said update brought about only two nerfs, the nerf to his down throw was considerable enough to counter the numerous buffs that the updates gave him. The changes to shield mechanics also indirectly nerf Luigi, as it is even harder for him to punish out of shield and his best moves do not have noticeable hitlag. As a result, Luigi has become a slightly less effective character than he was during the initial release of SSB4, although he is still viable despite his most notable strengths (his combo and punishing games) being toned down.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS 1.0.4

  • Buff Forward smash damage: 14%15%
  • Change Forward smash's side angle: 55° → 53°
  • Change Down smash's second hit angle: 70° → 60°
  • Buff Down smash's second hit knockback scaling: 80 → 100
  • Buff Forward aerial's hand hitbox radius: 4.8 → 5.6
  • Change Order of hitboxes of forward aerial reversed (no practical effect).
  • Buff Super Jump Punch (default) ground sweetspot radius: 1.6 → 1.7
  • Change Super Jump Punch (default) ground sweetspot z-offset: 6.1 → 7.0
  • Buff Super Jump Punch (default) air sweetspot radius: 2.1 → 2.2
  • Change Super Jump Punch (default) air sweetspot z-offset: 4.7 → 5.5


Super Smash Bros. 4 1.0.6

  • Nerf Fireball deals 1% less damage the farther it goes: 6% → 5% (late).


Super Smash Bros. 4 1.1.0

  • Change Forward aerial deals less damage (9% → 8%). While this slightly worsens its edgeguarding abilities, it also slightly improves its combo abilities.
  • Nerf Fireball's ending lag is increased (total: 40 → 43 frames).
  • Buff Fiery Jump Punch (custom 2) knockback growth increased (40 → 50).
  • Buff Super Jump Punch's default grounded hitbox size increased (1.7u → 2.2u).
  • Buff Super Jump Punch's default aerial hitbox size increased (2.2u → 2.7u).
  • Nerf Down tilt's angle altered from 74° to the Sakurai angle significantly hindering its function as a combo starter or set-up.
  • Buff Down tilt's knockback growth increased (54 → 65).
  • Buff Down tilt's ending lag is decreased (29 → 26).
  • Buff Down tilt's new angle improves its edgeguarding potential, though not to the same degree as in Brawl.

Super Smash Bros. 4 1.1.1

  • Nerf The changes to shield mechanics have been detrimental to Luigi, as the increase in shieldstun makes it much harder for him to punish from out of shield due to his already low traction. Additionally, only a very select few of his moves benefit from these changes, with the most notable example being a fully charged or misfired Green Missile.
  • Nerf Down throw's knockback has been altered (75 base/30 growth → 55 base/83 growth). The new knockback scaling removes Luigi's most notable follow-ups (very few moves are now only semi-guaranteed KO set-ups), particularly outside of medium percents.
  • Buff Down aerial spike hitbox increased (1.8 → 2.5).
  • Buff Down smash knockback growth increased (80/100 → 82/104 first/second strikes)
  • Buff Fiery Jump Punch hitbox size increased (3.8 → 4.0).
  • Buff Fiery Jump Punch horizontal displacement (6.4 → 7.0).
  • Change Luigi Cyclone initial hitbox hitlag increased (1.0 → 1.3).
  • Change Luigi Cyclone angle 90° → 89°.
  • Nerf Aerial Luigi Cyclone final hitbox growth decreased 130 → 120.
  • Buff Clothesline Tornado damage increased (8% → 10%/12% depending on the hitbox.)
    • Buff The sweetspot hitbox is larger.
    • Buff The sweetspot has more base knockback: 60 → 100.
    • Nerf The sweetspot has drastically decreased growth: 120 → 70.


Moveset

  Name Damage Description
Neutral attack   3% Two alternating jabs followed by a hip thrust. The last hit slightly moves Luigi forward and, when coupled with its decent damage output and its fast overall speed, it is a safe yet reliable damage racking option. It can also be jab canceled into a grab or Super Jump Punch, although this requires fairly precise timing due to its fast overall speed.
2%
5%
Forward tilt   8% A reverse roundhouse kick. It can be angled and is decent for spacing beginning at 55%.
Up tilt   6% An overhead swipe. It can hit opponents directly behind Luigi. Like Mario's up tilt, it is very useful for initiating combos and partaking in juggling. However, it also possesses enough knockback to KO at very high percentages.
Down tilt   8% A crouching back kick. It can trip at low percentages and even hit opponents trying to grab the edge.
Dash attack   1% (hits 1-6), 2% (hit 7) A rapid series of childish punches, with the last hit launching the opponent. However, it is very punishable.
Forward smash   15% Rears his arm back before thrusting it forward to perform a knifehand thrust. It can be angled like his forward tilt, with the upward angled version dealing the most knockback and the the non-angled version dealing the least. Regardless of the angle, it has respectable power and speed, yet very poor range. However, its range issue can be somewhat alleviated with pivoting, due to Luigi's pivot being tied with Little Mac's as the second best in the game.
Up smash   14% (head), 12% (body) An upward headbutt. The most consistent KOing option out of Luigi's smash attacks. The angle at which opponents are launched changes depending on where they were hit, as hitting from Luigi's front will cause them to be launched backward and vice versa.
Down smash   14% (legs), 15% (body) A legsweep performed from a flare, an acrobatic technique used in breakdancing and gymnastics. The front hit's knockback is fairly unreliable for KOing, but it launches the opponent at an angle favorable for follow-ups. Conversely, the back hit's knockback is much stronger, to the point of KOing noticeably earlier. Both the front and back hit can possibly make contact with opponents.
Neutral aerial   12% (clean), 6% (late) A flying kick. It is the only sex kick in the game that deals vertical knockback. This makes it a capable combo starter and approach option either while falling or from a short hop, a very useful anti-pressure option, and even a surprise KOing option near the upper blast line if the opponent does not react properly. Originates from Super Mario 64.
Forward aerial   8% A downward knifehand strike. It is a quick and reliable follow-up from down throw at medium percentages, as well as being capable at edgeguarding or approaching. In addition to the hitbox on Luigi's hand, a hitbox exists on his body that has the quirk of launching opponents in the opposite direction.
Back aerial   14% (clean feet), 8% (clean legs, late) A dropkick. It is reliable for KOing and approaching, especially when used as part of a reverse aerial rush. Like forward aerial, this move's hitbox, while slightly covering Luigi's body up to his front side, has the same quirk of launching the opponent in the opposite direction if the body portion of the hitbox lands.
Up aerial   11% (clean), 7% (late) A backflip kick. It can combo into itself similarly to Mario's, though not past low percentages.
Down aerial   10% (clean), 8% (late) A diagonal corkscrew dropkick. Its sweetspot is a meteor smash, but only lasts for 1 frame. Unlike in previous games, the sweetspot is now based on timing rather than positioning, making it easier to land. When coupled with down throw, its meteor smash can extend combos or even act as a KOing combo near the edge. Conversely, its sourspot deals slightly horizontal knockback, which is unreliable for edgeguarding unless performed off-stage and beginning at 140%.
Grab   Reaches out. While Luigi's grab range is relatively short, it has minimal lag and his grab is the fastest in the game. His pivot grab is also very effective, due to his pivot being tied with Little Mac's as the second best in the game.
Pummel   3.2% A headbutt. Moderately slow, but one of the most damaging pummels in the game.
Forward throw   9% Spins the opponent around once and throws them forward. Very fast and Luigi's second most damaging throw, but has very minimal utility outside of dealing damage. Its only other benefits are acting either as an edgeguard set-up at high percentages or as a set-up into dash attack. However, this combo is only effective against lightweights and middleweights beginning at 0% and against heavyweights until low percentages, depending on the latter's DI.
Back throw   10% (throw), 6% (collateral) Spins the opponent by their legs three times before throwing them backward. It also can hit other opponents while spinning, which deals minor damage and knockback. Due to reverting to how it functioned in Melee, it is less reliable at KOing than it once was. However, it is still a very reliable KO throw, with its power rivaling that of Mario and Dr. Mario's back throws. Originates from how Mario threw Bowser in Super Mario 64.
Up throw   8% Throws the opponent directly overhead with both hands. Like his forward throw, it is fast, but has very minimal utility outside of dealing damage. Its only other benefit is acting as a set-up into a short hopped Luigi Cyclone, a combo that is only effective on middleweights, heavyweights and fast-fallers beginning at 0%.
Down throw   6% Shoves the opponent under himself and Ground Pounds them. An excellent combo starter that can lead into up tilt and any smash attack beginning at 0%, as well as any aerial, Luigi Cyclone and Super Jump Punch until medium percentages. Although it loses most of its combo potential at high percentages, it can combo into either Luigi Cyclone against jumping opponents or Super Jump Punch against air dodging opponents, so long as Luigi is not affected by rage.
Forward roll
Back roll
Spot dodge
Air dodge
Techs
Floor attack (front)
Floor getups (front)
  7% Gets up and kicks behind himself and then in front of himself.
Floor attack (back)
Floor getups (back)
  7% Gets up and punches behind himself and then in front of himself.
Floor attack (trip)
Floor getups (trip)
  5% Gets up and kicks behind himself and then in front of himself.
Edge attack
Edge getups
  7% Performs a double legsweep after climbing up.
Neutral special Default Fireball 6% (clean), 5% (late) Fires a green fireball from his hand. Fairly spammable, which enables it to pressure, zone, stop approaches or even act as a set-up for a grab. Like Mario's Fireball, it deals less damage as it covers more distance. Unlike Mario's Fireball, it is unaffected by gravity, which makes it less suitable at edgeguarding compared to Mario's Fireball.
Custom 1 Bouncing Fireball 6% (clean), 5% (mid), 4% (late) Functions almost identically to Mario's Fireball, although its bouncing arc is more vertical. It weakens even more than the default version, as it covers more distance, while also having a large amount of ending lag.
Custom 2 Ice Ball 4% Fires a whitish-blue ball of ice from his hand. Deals slightly less damage and is slow, but freezes opponents at higher percentages and has longer range.
Side special Default Green Missile 10% (uncharged), ≈19.8% (fully charged), 25% (misfired) Crouches and charges up before shooting himself forward to perform a flying battering ram. If charged on the ground for too long, the charge is canceled. It also has a 10% chance to misfire, which deals considerably more damage and knockback, but always travels the same distance regardless of the charge. Its lag makes it punishable whether it is used for offense or recovering, which makes reads very important in order to use it effectively.
Custom 1 Floating Missile ≈4.3% (uncharged), ≈18% (fully charged), 23% (misfired) Flies directly straight, which improves its accuracy for either offense or recovery. It also charges faster, but deals less damage, especially when uncharged, and knockback.
Custom 2 Quick Missile ≈5.15% (uncharged), ≈20% (fully charged), 20% (misfired) Flies much farther and faster, but missing causes Luigi to slide across the ground, making it even riskier than either version. It also deals less damage when uncharged and misfired, but negligibly more damage when fully charged.
Up special Default Super Jump Punch 25% (grounded sweetspot), 20% (aerial sweetspot), 1% (sourspot) A jumping uppercut. It deals considerable flame damage, respectable shield damage and strong knockback if sweetspotted, but minuscule damage and no knockback if sourspotted. In the air, the sweetspot is bigger but weaker and does not produce the ping sound, with the jump covering more vertical distance had the player used Luigi's double jump beforehand. A very potent punishing option, though its ending lag makes it very punishable as well.
Custom 1 Fiery Jump Punch 18% (grounded sweetspot), 15% (aerial sweetspot), 1% (sourspot) The sweetspot is easier to hit, it grants more horizontal distance and grants slightly more invincibility, but at the cost of less damage, lowered vertical distance and having noticeable ending lag. However, it also has higher height when double jumped. Like the aerial Super Jump Punch, it does not make the ping sound effect when sweetspotted. It is comparable to how Luigi's Super Jump Punch functioned in Melee.
Custom 2 Burial Header 8% (descent), 8% (landing), 1% (sourspot) Instead of a fiery sweetspot, Luigi deals burying damage as he falls. Luigi descends and gets up much faster, allowing for follow-ups. Compared to his other up specials, this one grants the best vertical distance of the three, as it is able to reach the top platform in Battlefield, and ascends even higher when paired with his double jump.
Down special Default Luigi Cyclone 1.5% (loop), 3% (last) Rapidly spins around, trapping the opponent and damaging them with a series of discus clotheslines and spinning backfists, with the last hit launching them. Unlike Mario's Mario Tornado and compared to Dr. Mario's Dr. Tornado, it can enable Luigi to move quickly to one side on the ground, making it decent as a surprise approach option. While in the air, button mashing grants it two special quirks: it will enable Luigi to ascend after his first jump, which also carries his double jump momentum to enable an easier ascent, or it can act as a pseudo-spike, though the latter technique is considerably difficult to perform. Outside of these two quirks, it can also function as a KOing option near the upper blast line.
Custom 1 Mach Cyclone 6% A faster variation that grants considerably more vertical distance, but grants no horizontal distance. Instead of having numerous hitboxes, it consists of a windbox and a single hitbox.
Custom 2 Clothesline Cyclone 8% A slower variation that deals much more knockback, but grants very minimal movement and has only one hitbox. It is comparable to how Luigi Cyclone functioned in Super Smash Bros.
Final Smash Poltergust 5000 30% (max captured), 10% (throw) The Poltergust 5000 suddenly appears on Luigi's back and he proceeds to vacuum nearby opponents before launching them out with great force. The sooner the opponents are vacuumed in, the more damage they accumulate before being launched.

On-screen appearance

  • A green Warp Pipe appears. Luigi leaps out with both hands on his face and hesitantly says "Let's-a go!"[2] while sporting a frightened expression that appears very similar to the one he has on the cover of Luigi's Mansion.
LuigiOnScreenAppearanceSSB4.gif

Taunts

  • Up taunt: Luigi strikes a variety of poses in the following order: he faces the screen with one hand on his waist while displaying the V sign with the other, referencing his animation from Luigi's Mansion when he would find a key. Then he turns to the right slightly, pointing his hands that direction while giving a frightened look on his face. Then, he places his left hand just below his nose, similar to his artwork for Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Then he turns away from the screen, crouching as if he is sad, just like his Bogey animation in Mario Golf. Finally, he faces the screen once more, with both hands on his face, giving a frightened look that appears very similar to the one he sports on the cover of Luigi's Mansion.
  • Side taunt: Luigi planks, during which he says "Pow, pow!" It is based off of one of his victory poses from Super Smash Bros. Melee. Due to it moving Luigi towards the screen as well as lowering his hurtbox, some attacks, such as Fox and Falco's Blasters, may actually miss him as a result.
  • Down taunt: Luigi bashfully kicks the ground and sighs. If it contacts with an opponent that is hanging on a ledge or off-stage, Luigi will perform a powerful meteor smash; if the opponent is on the stage, they instead receive set knockback. It is similar to the action Luigi performs when he lost in the minigames of Mario Party 2.
Up taunt Side taunt Down taunt
LuigiUpTauntSSB4.gif LuigiSideTauntSSB4.gif LuigiDownTauntSSB4.gif

Idle poses

  • Rubs the back of his head sheepishly.
  • Pulls on his nose, which slightly stretches and then snaps back into place.
LuigiIdlePose1WiiU.jpg LuigiIdlePose2WiiU.jpg

Crowd cheer

English Japanese
Cheer
Description Wee-gee! Rui-ji!
Pitch Group chant Group chant

Victory poses

A flourished remix directly from Brawl based on the sound clip that would play when Luigi reaches the end of a level in Super Mario Bros.
  • Planks twice, similarly to his side taunt and official artwork for SSB4.
  • Childishly swings his arms at the air, similarly to his dash attack, then exhaustively gasps afterwards. It is also the same animation used when he is selected in Super Smash Bros.
  • Turns around and makes finger gun gestures with both hands, saying "Bang, bang!"
LuigiPose1WiiU.gif LuigiPose2WiiU.gif LuigiPose3WiiU.gif

In competitive play

Official Custom Moveset Project

Character Custom sets available
Luigi (SSB4) Luigi 1311 1211 3311 3211 3111
1312 3312 3212 2311 3231

Notable players

Active

Inactive

Trophies

Luigi
Ntsc Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Luigi recently celebrated his 30th anniversary with the Year of Luigi, but all that attention just made him even more shy and awkward. In Smash Bros., Luigi takes a lot of cues from his brother in fighting style, adding flair to moves like Super Jump Punch. His taunts, however, are truly unique.
Ntsc Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Luigi recently celebrated his 30th anniversary with the Year of Luigi, but all that attention just made him even more shy and awkward. In Smash Bros. (as in life), Luigi tends to follow his brother's lead, but he adds his own flair to moves like Super Jump Punch. His taunts, however, are 100% Weegee.
Pal With the Year of Luigi long gone now, it's up to you to prove to everyone that Mario's cowardly co-star is still awesome. He may share a lot of moves with his brother, but he still puts his own spin on things. When you Super Jump Punch a foe just right, for example, the noise he makes is epic. His taunts are pretty funny too. Try them!
Mario Bros. 1983
3DS: Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon 03/2013
Luigi (Alt.)
Ntsc Luigi may sulk when his down taunt is used, but his little dejected kick can actually hurt a nearby enemy fighter. It can even trigger a meteor smash! Notice an enemy leisurely hanging from the edge? Run over and pout on the edge—that foe will be the one with something to pout about!
Pal Luigi might look a bit sulky when you use his down taunt, but when he does it next to another fighter, it can get in a little hit - well, a "little hit" that can also sometimes be a meteor smash! Say you spot a fighter hanging off the edge of the stage. Just give them a pout and a kick with this taunt, and they'll fall to their doom.
Mario Bros. 1983
3DS: Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon 03/2013
Poltergust 5000
Ntsc A ghost-sucking vacuum cleaner created by Professor E. Gadd. In Luigi's ghostly adventures, it's the only thing standing between him and complete terror. In this game, it sucks in enemies, damages them, and then fires them diagonally upward. If it's used in an area with no ceilings, you might send them soaring right off the screen!
Pal A ghost-sucking vacuum cleaner created by Professor E. Gadd. In Luigi's ghostly adventures, it's the only thing standing between him and abject terror. In this game, it sucks in enemies, damages them, then fires them diagonally upward. Use it in an area with no ceilings, and you might send them soaring right off the screen!

In Event Matches

Solo Events

Co-op Events

Alternate costumes

Luigi Palette (SSB4).png
Luigi (SSB4) Luigi (SSB4) Luigi (SSB4) Luigi (SSB4) Luigi (SSB4) Luigi (SSB4) Luigi (SSB4) Luigi (SSB4)

Gallery

Trivia

  • Luigi's official artwork is based on his side taunt.
  • Early in development, Luigi could wall jump, although this was scrapped in the final release.
  • The trophy description for Luigi in the North American version of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U makes a reference to Weegee, a popular internet meme. However, it could also be a reference to a number of games where he excitedly refers to himself "Weegee".
  • Luigi's All-Star trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS resembles his Adventure Mode trophy from Melee, albeit with a different costume.
  • Luigi was the first of the original four unlockable characters to be confirmed for SSB4.
  • If timed correctly, Luigi's side taunt can actually enable him to avoid several attacks, as displayed in the opening video for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
  • In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, the "Luigi (With Poltergust 3000)" trophy is titled erroneously. The Poltergust that Luigi is wearing in that trophy is actually the Poltergust 5000 from Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, as evident by the Strobulb located on its back.
  • When Luigi crawls, his footsteps emit the running sound effect from Mario Bros.
  • Due to the fact that Luigi's head comes forward into the z-axis when he crouches, he can avoid certain projectiles that go behind his head.

References