Pichu (SSBM)

This article is about Pichu's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee. For other uses, see Pichu. Also, for information about the character of whom Pichu is a clone, see Pikachu.

Pichu (Japanese: ピチュー, Pichū) is a Pokémon character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. He is unlocked by completing Event Match 37: Legendary Pokemon or by playing 200 vs. matches.

Pichu in SSBM

Pichu is said to be a joke character amongst many players and even in the game itself. Because of this reason he fits into the game uniquely as a harmless, cute, and even laughable gag. It has been argued about his placing in the tier-list, with many people asking for Mewtwo, Bowser, and Kirby to be considered under Pichu. Despite the nuances of the ever-changing lists, Pichu remains profoundly known as the character nobody wants to competitively play for long.

But it is for all the character's downfalls that he has a following of players at all. The ability to win with Pichu is a Smasher's dream. The reality of it, however, is that nobody has won any notable tournament with only Pichu, not even pro players like Chu Dat or KoreanDJ. Pichu is always a fleeting moment of desire, and then it is forgotten. Even most of the Pichu players in the Smash community do not mainly play as Pichu, using the character as a secondary to play against lesser opponents.

Pros & cons

Pros

• Low landing framerate (2 frames)
• Small size helps in avoiding attacks
• Ground-level attacks are good for edgeguarding
• Two recovery attacks (Skullbash [smash+B] and Agility [Up+B])
• Far recovery distance and choice in direction helps get past edgeguarding
• Juggles fastfallers well with U-air
• Can chainthrow fastfallers
• Powerful F-Smash Knockback (on last hit)

Cons

• Lightest character in the game
• Electrical attacks inflict self-damage
• Extremely short attack range
• Poor grab range
• Shortest tech/ledge roll
• Laggy attacks
• Easily comboed despite light weight

External links

[1] - Pichu Video list [2] - Pichu Player list