Dr. Mario (SSB4): Difference between revisions

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The implementation of multipliers to most of Dr. Mario's moveset and some of his attributes result in him functioning like a stronger, yet slower {{SSB4|Mario}}. As a result, his overall damage output and KO potential are above-average for a character of his size and weight. Similar to Mario, Dr. Mario's frame data is very fast in regard to start-up lag. In addition to granting him a decent combo game, this trait makes him both difficult to [[Punishment|punish]] and very effective at punishing.

==Attributes==

Unlike in ''Melee'', Dr. Mario now functions like a stronger, yet slower Mario, owing to the implementation of multipliers to the majority or his moveset and some of his attributes. Aside from six moves, the remainder of Dr. Mario's moveset deals 1.12× more damage compared to Mario's moveset.<ref name="DamageMultiplier">[http://smashboards.com/threads/complete-hitbox-frame-data-for-every-character-now-with-ko-percents.383550/ Complete Hitbox/Frame Data For Every Character (Now with KO Percents)]</ref> Conversely, his [[walk]]ing and [[dash]]ing speeds are 0.832× slower; his [[air speed]] and [[air acceleration]] are 0.808× slower; and his [[jump]] and [[double jump]]'s initial speeds are 0.888× slower, which is equivalent to their heights being 0.788544× lower. These multipliers result in Dr. Mario being distinctly affected by passive [[equipment]] physics, in which he specifically possesses a +15 Attack value and a -50 Speed value. Although Dr. Mario's shorter jump height makes his [[short hop]] more effective than Mario's, these modified attributes collectively render his overall mobility as sub-par. Conversely, Dr. Mario's higher overall damage output results in him being noticeably more efficient at KOing in comparison to Mario.

Dr. Mario possesses a decent grab game. His overall grab is range is average, but each of his grabs have minimal start-up and ending lag. Dr. Mario's pummel also has the distinction of being the most damaging in the game by default, as it is surpassed by {{SSB4|Olimar}} and {{SSB4|Shulk}}'s pummels only if they use [[Pikmin (species)|White Pikmin]] and the [[Monado Arts|Buster Art]], respectively. Forward throw is useful for initiating [[Edge-guarding|edge-guards]] and can even combo into dash attack at 0%-20%, whereas back throw is a viable KOing option at high percentages.

Up aerial's horizontal launching angle grants its beginning and ending frames decent combo potential into Super Jump Punch and back aerial, respectively, at low to medium percentages. This angle also makes its beginning frames capable of edge-guarding, unlike his normal self's up aerial. However, up aerial's launching angle also makes it much less effective at starting combos when SHFF'd or juggling compared to Mario's. Down aerial hits multiple times like [[Mario Tornado]], and its final hitbox has a horizontal launching angle like up aerial. As a result, it is much more effective for edge-guarding compared to Mario Tornado, yet completely unusable for juggling. Compared to Mario's up aerial and [[Mario Tornado]], however, Dr. Mario's up and down aerials are unable to KO outright because of their much lower knockback scaling and less damaging final hitbox, respectively.

Unlike [[F.L.U.D.D.]], Dr. Tornado deals damage. When coupled with its very high knockback scaling, [[Autolink angle|auto-link angle]] and [[transcendent priority]], it is useful for edge-guarding, warding off edge-guarders, and even out-prioritizing attacks. However, Dr. Tornado's much shorter range makes it much riskier to use for edge-guarding compared to F.L.U.D.D. Due to [[Super Jump Punch]] consisting of a powerful clean hitbox and a weak late hitbox instead of multiple hitboxes like Mario's, it actually functions like a less polarized version of {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s Super Jump Punch. As a result, its clean hitbox makes it a viable KOing option unlike Mario's. Although it can no longer be canceled, Super Jump Punch can now be [[B-reversing|B-reversed]] upon landing its clean hitbox like Mario's can upon start-up. This makes it useful for edge-guarding, and can enable Dr. Mario to avoid punishment and/or hit an opponent behind himself upon hitting his primary target.

Due to his overall recovery granting noticeably less vertical distance compared to Mario's, Dr. Mario is very vulnerable to most [[meteor smash]]es. As a result, it is optimal for him to read the opponent when trying to return to the stage, as well as knowing when and how to make use of Dr. Tornado. Even though Dr. Mario may not need to use his double jump to recover, any sufficiently strong attacks, particularly [[semi-spike]]s, may launch him too far away to recover properly. Lastly, Dr. Mario is an all-rounder like his normal self, and is thus outclassed in certain aspects by other characters: {{SSB4|Donkey Kong}} and {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}} have more power and much better overall mobility; Luigi and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}} have much more versatile combo games; and {{SSB4|R.O.B.}} and {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}} are much better at zoning.

Dr. Mario benefits significantly from his [[Character customization|custom moves]]. Like Mario, his custom moves define the fundamentals of customization, but in Dr. Mario's case, some of them alleviate his most significant flaws. Fast Capsule deals less damage and barely causes [[flinch]]ing, but covers more range at a much faster pace. Conversely, Mega Capsule has less range and is much slower, but deals repeated damage and lingers after being thrown. This allows it to shut down many approaches from characters that lack projectiles, as well as provide follow-ups. Breezy Sheet provides more safety when fighting near the edge but deals slightly less damage, whereas Shocking Sheet gives Dr. Mario another KOing option that has decent speed, but merely destroys projectiles instead of reflecting them.

Overall, Dr. Mario's fast frame data enables him to pressure and/or punish the opponent effectively at close range, while his above-average damage output makes him capable of KOing easily. Unlike Mario, however, his slow mobility hinders his [[neutral game]] to the point that he is largely reliant on baiting and punishing. By extension, his sub-par recovery makes him a less capable edge-guarder compared to his normal self. Although Dr. Mario's tournament representation and results are both extremely sparse because of his weaknesses outweighing his strengths, he has nevertheless achieved some instances of success, thanks to {{Sm|2ManyCooks}}, {{Sm|Nairo}}, {{Sm|Koolaid}} and {{Sm|B7Games}}.

A number of Dr. Mario's moves have received buffs and nerfs. Down tilt now functions like Mario's, and is thus a reliable combo starter at low to high percentages. Up aerial's lower launching angle makes it better for edge-guarding and partaking in combos. Down aerial and Dr. Tornado's hitbox alterations result in their hits connecting together better. Megavitamins have longer ranges, are no longer [[absorb]]able and, when used in the air, descend faster. Super Jump Punch now possesses KO potential, thanks to it functioning like a less polarized version of {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s Super Jump Punch. Conversely, neutral attack deals much less damage; forward aerial is only effective when sweetspotted; up aerial has significantly worsened juggling potential; down aerial and Megavitamins have lower damage outputs, more lag, shorter durations and, in the case of the latter, a smaller hitbox; and back throw's KO potential has worsened.

Despite being poor in ''Melee'', Dr. Mario's recovery also received a mix of buffs and nerfs. His jump is higher, his air speed is faster, he can now [[wall jump]] like his normal self, and [[Dr. Tornado]] can now be moved horizontally. However, Dr. Tornado now covers much less vertical distance, while [[Cape#Super Sheet|Super Sheet]] no longer stalls him in the air. As a result, Dr. Mario is forced to mix up the usage of Dr. Tornado by using it before his jump, before his double jump, or after his double jump.

===Aesthetics===

*{{change|Dr. Mario's pants are now slightly rolled up at his ankles. His stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are also dark gray and dark taupe, respectively, instead of steel blue and cordovan, respectively. These changes are original to ''SSB4''.}}

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

*{{change|Dr. Mario has a new [[idle pose]]. He now punches his open palm with his fist. However, his stance while holding a light [[item]] is now identical to {{SSB4|Mario}}'s.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario has a new [[victory pose]]. He now contemplatively rubs his chin with his hand. It replaces the "Here we go!" victory pose that he shared with {{SSBM|Mario}} in ''Melee''.}}

*{{change|Dash attack deals less damage (9% (clean)/8% (late) → 8.96%/6.72%). However, its clean hitbox's knockback was compensated (70 (base)/30 (scaling) → 90/42), and its late hitbox's knockback was somewhat compensated (60 (base)/50 (scaling) → 90/42). Its angle has also been altered (80° (clean)/85° (late) → 90° (both)). Altogether, these changes slightly improve its combo potential at low percentages, but slightly hinder its safety.}}

*{{buff|Non-angled and downward angled forward smash deal more damage (19% (non-angled)/18% (downward) → 19.04%/19.6112%), although their knockback was compensated (30 (base)/97 (scaling) → 25/96). Forward smash has also received a sourspot located at the blast of [[electric]]ity that deals 16.464% (upward)/15.68% (non-angled)/16.1504% (downward). This increases its range.}}

*{{change|Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, up smash now deals consistent damage (16% (clean)/13% (late) → 15.68%).}}

*{{change|Due to its angle being altered (259° (clean/late) → 130°), up smash is no longer a [[spike]]. This improves its KO potential, but significantly hinders its combo potential.}}

===Aerial attacks===

*{{change|Clean neutral aerial deals 4.4% less damage (10% → 5.6%) and its angle has been altered (50° → 361°). These changes improve its combo potential, but hinder its spacing and edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{buff|Neutral and forward aerials auto-cancel earlier (frame 36> → 34> (neutral), frame 44> → 43> (forward)).}}

*{{nerf|Back aerial has increased ending lag (frame 29 → 34) and a shorter duration (frames 6-16 → 6-13). Due to its angle being altered (28° → 361°), clean back aerial is also no longer a semi-spike, hindering its edge-guarding potential.}}

*{{buff|Up aerial deals 2.16% less damage (10% → 7.84%), although its base knockback was compensated (0 → 9). It also has decreased ending lag (frame 34 → 32) and a longer duration (frames 4-9 → 4-12). Altogether, these changes improve its combo potential at low to medium percentages.}}

*{{nerf|Up and down aerials auto-cancel later (frame 16> → 18> (up), frame 33> → 45> (down)).}}

*{{nerf|Due to consisting of five hits instead of seven, down aerial deals 10.024% less damage (21% → 10.976%). It also has increased start-up (frame 10 → 11) and ending lag (frame 38 → 52).}}

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

*{{buff|The weakening of [[Smash directional influence|SDI]] makes down aerial significantly more difficult to escape from.}}

*{{buff|Due to having a clean hitbox and a late hitbox instead of five consecutive hitboxes, [[Super Jump Punch]] has an altered damage output (5% (hit 1)/2% (hits 2-4)/3% (hit 5) → 13.44% (clean)/6.72% (late)). This significantly improves its KO potential in spite of its clean hitbox having less knockback (40 (base)/160 (scaling) → 30/100).}}

*{{nerf|Super Jump Punch has increased landing lag and a shorter duration (frames 3-21 → 3-19).}}

*{{nerf|Super Jump Punch can no longer be [[Super Jump Punch#Up-B cancel|canceled]].}}

*{{change|Super Jump Punch's visual effects have changed. It no longer produces {{s|mariowiki|Coin}}s upon contact.}}

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

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

*{{change|Dr. Mario's stance is identical to Mario's, albeit slower.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario is less vocal than Mario. Some of his attacks also emit different sound effects.}}

*{{change|Dr. Mario looks straight ahead during his [[Results screen|defeated]]/[[Results screen#No Contest screen|No Contest]] animation, whereas Mario looks slightly to the left.}}

*{{change|{{GameIcon|ssb4-u}}Dr. Mario keeps his fingers close to each other during his [[screen KO]], whereas Mario spreads his apart.}}

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

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

===Grabs and throws===

*{{buff|Unlike F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado deals damage.}}

*{{buff|Compared to F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado is significantly more effective for recovery.}}

*{{change|[[Doctor Finale]] produces 2D and 3D Megavitamin-based effects and emits Megavitamins' contact sound effect, whereas [[Mario Finale]] produces 3D fiery effects and emits a burning sound effect.}}

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.1]]'''

*{{buff|Clothesline Tornado's first hit's hitbox size increased.}}