Shulk (SSBU): Difference between revisions

Increase his weaknesses and amplify drawbacks mean the same thing in this context.
(Increase his weaknesses and amplify drawbacks mean the same thing in this context.)
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Shulk's defining [[Monado Arts]] have also been altered significantly, now performing more like [[Monado Arts|Hyper Monado Arts]] from ''Smash 4''. Their benefits have been boosted: Buster now grants Shulk true throw combos, alleviating the loss of Speed ones due to the new knockback physics, Shield allows him to stay grounded even after [[smash attack]]s at low percents, and Smash now buffs Shulk's KO potential to such an extent that he is capable of KOing very early with tilts, aerials and smash attacks. Moreover, Shulk retains the ability to switch Monado Arts while in hitstun, which can allow him to disrupt or outright escape true combos and KO setups, by switching to Shield or Smash arts.
Shulk's defining [[Monado Arts]] have also been altered significantly, now performing more like [[Monado Arts|Hyper Monado Arts]] from ''Smash 4''. Their benefits have been boosted: Buster now grants Shulk true throw combos, alleviating the loss of Speed ones due to the new knockback physics, Shield allows him to stay grounded even after [[smash attack]]s at low percents, and Smash now buffs Shulk's KO potential to such an extent that he is capable of KOing very early with tilts, aerials and smash attacks. Moreover, Shulk retains the ability to switch Monado Arts while in hitstun, which can allow him to disrupt or outright escape true combos and KO setups, by switching to Shield or Smash arts.


Shulk's nerfs were noticeable, however. His previously heavy [[weight]] has been reduced, his very damaging [[neutral attack]] has been significantly toned down and its reach was further nerfed, his [[back aerial]] has lost its large early body hitbox and has smaller hitboxes, and his [[throws]] are all less damaging and have less knockback, except up throw (which will not KO below 300% under normal circumstances anyways), with [[down throw]] no longer being the strongest in the game. His infamous [[Vision]] had its knockback scaling slightly reduced, it is no longer [[unblockable]] and the counterattack hits less reliably under some circumstances, like activating it in the air or countering a projectile. While the changes to his Monado Arts improve its strengths, they increase even moreso its weaknesses, they last significantly shorter, have much longer cooldown times, and their drawbacks have  been significantly amplified, making each Art much riskier to use and more susceptible to counterplay such as camping and shielding . Lastly, Shulk still has most of his noticeable flaws, such as a poor approach, poor frame data, poor out of shield options, poor disadvantage (especially when Shield Art is on cooldown) and trouble landing.
Shulk's nerfs were noticeable, however. His previously heavy [[weight]] has been reduced, his very damaging [[neutral attack]] has been significantly toned down and its reach was further nerfed, his [[back aerial]] has lost its large early body hitbox and has smaller hitboxes, and his [[throws]] are all less damaging and have less knockback, except up throw (which will not KO below 300% under normal circumstances anyways), with [[down throw]] no longer being the strongest in the game. His infamous [[Vision]] had its knockback scaling slightly reduced, it is no longer [[unblockable]] and the counterattack hits less reliably under some circumstances, like activating it in the air or countering a projectile. While the changes to his Monado Arts improve its strengths, they last significantly shorter, have much longer cooldown times, and their drawbacks have  been significantly amplified, making each Art much riskier to use and more susceptible to counterplay such as camping and shielding . Lastly, Shulk still has most of his noticeable flaws, such as a poor approach, poor frame data, poor out of shield options, poor disadvantage (especially when Shield Art is on cooldown) and trouble landing.


As a result, Shulk's playstyle revolves less around taking advantage of Monado Arts at all times, and he now depends on using his improved kit to make use of his stronger, shorter-lasting Monado Art abilities. Despite his continued issues with frame data, the changes that his playstyle has received, and the loss of many advanced techniques, Shulk’s results in Ultimate’s competitive scene are stronger than in ''Smash 4'' due to the benefits he gained from engine changes and his own buffs. This has resulted in him having relatively low, but strong representation from players such as {{Sm|Nicko}} and {{Sm|Kome}}. This has led to the perception of Shulk by the community to be that of a high tier character instead of the low-mid tier he was in ''Smash 4'', with some pro players even arguing he has top tier potential. Conversely, some players have begun doubting how much "potential" Shulk truly has, as he lacks the significant tournament results and representation of other high tiers. As of recent, {{Sm|Nicko}} has relegated him to a counterpick character in favor of {{SSBU|Roy}}, although {{Sm|Kome}} still has been doing well with the character, placing 5th in Temple: Hermès Edition and 3rd at Kagaribi 5. Overall, it's clear he is stronger than he was in ''Smash 4,'' but whether all these changes are enough to place him as a high or top tier is still up to debate.
As a result, Shulk's playstyle revolves less around taking advantage of Monado Arts at all times, and he now depends on using his improved kit to make use of his stronger, shorter-lasting Monado Art abilities. Despite his continued issues with frame data, the changes that his playstyle has received, and the loss of many advanced techniques, Shulk’s results in Ultimate’s competitive scene are stronger than in ''Smash 4'' due to the benefits he gained from engine changes and his own buffs. This has resulted in him having relatively low, but strong representation from players such as {{Sm|Nicko}} and {{Sm|Kome}}. This has led to the perception of Shulk by the community to be that of a high tier character instead of the low-mid tier he was in ''Smash 4'', with some pro players even arguing he has top tier potential. Conversely, some players have begun doubting how much "potential" Shulk truly has, as he lacks the significant tournament results and representation of other high tiers. As of recent, {{Sm|Nicko}} has relegated him to a counterpick character in favor of {{SSBU|Roy}}, although {{Sm|Kome}} still has been doing well with the character, placing 5th in Temple: Hermès Edition and 3rd at Kagaribi 5. Overall, it's clear he is stronger than he was in ''Smash 4,'' but whether all these changes are enough to place him as a high or top tier is still up to debate.
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