Robin (SSB4): Difference between revisions

Robin is ranked 31st out of 56 on the [[tier list]], placing him at the end of E tier and thus making him the lowest ranked mid-tier character. Robin has strong zoning options due to his tomes, with [[Thunder (Robin)|Thunder]] being a versatile projectile at multiple charges, [[Arcfire]] being a strong tool for area denial and combo starting, [[Elwind]] being a strong [[meteor smash]] at point blank range that can be used for off-stage [[edgeguarding]], and [[Nosferatu]] being a tide-turning, healing grab. He also has high KO power courtesy of the [[Levin Sword]], which deals greater knockback compared to the relatively quick start-up of his long range attacks, and an extremely potent KO set-up via his down throw. Finally, his used tomes and broken Levin Sword can become powerful tactical items if tracked correctly, being imperative for advanced [[shield break combo]]s and KO confirms in the hands of a skilled player. However, he is burdened with poor mobility, including having the slowest run speed in the game, and a lackluster defensive game due to a lack of landing options and combo breakers. His grab range is infamously short and laggy, while his disjointed range is also very short for a weapon-based fighter, making close range combat risky without use of his tomes, and his attacks have rather awkward swings, which can make it difficult to hit opponents. Furthermore, the durability system removes his strong tools when his tomes or Levin Sword eventually break, forcing him to keep track of their uses before they run out; without his tomes, Robin becomes noticeably easy to [[approach]] due to a lack of zoning options (even losing use of his recovery move at worst), and without the Levin Sword his range, damage output and KO power becomes even lower due to him switching to the shorter and weaker [[Bronze Sword]]. Due to these factors, Robin has a high learning curve due to his fluctuating playstyle and difficult broken weapon combos, and is outmatched by faster, more mobile characters regardless.

|neutraldesc=Robin starts with an upward slash, followed by a downward slash. The move can then proceed to a third finishing hit or into a rapid combo, depending on whether the A button is held or mashed. The first is a fiery high-knockback explosion which can KO around 170%; it costs 1 durability from Arcfire and cannot be used if Arcfire is expended. The second is a barrage of wind blades that hits multiple times and ends with a high-knockback wind slash, which draws from Elwind's durability; it uses up 1 durability every 2 seconds for a maximum potential of 18 seconds. If both tomes are depleted, Robin will only be able to use the first two sword slashes. Its fast startup, deceptively high range and damage/KO potential make it a go-to option on the ground.

|dtiltdesc=A very quick downward slash, with quick recovery time. Robin's fastest tilt, though lacking in range and knockback. Knocks enemies away.

|dashdesc=A short sword stab close to Robin's body. Makes Robin dash forward on startup, and deals good knockback, able to KO at high percentages. Long start up and significant lag after use makes it unwieldy, although it is a reliable KO move when used against an unsuspecting opponent.

|fsmashdmg=Bronze: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|9.6}}<br/>Levin: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|22}} (clean), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|5}} (late)

|fsmashdesc=A forwards-reaching half-slash of decent range with Robin's sword ending in front of his body, akin to a stab. A viable close range punish but suffers from long endlag and slight startup. The Levin Sword version KOs around 100%, while the Bronze Sword KOs around 175%.

|usmashdmg=Bronze: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|9}}<br/>Levin: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|21}} (clean sword), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|10}} (clean body), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|5}} (late)

|dsmashdmg=Bronze: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|8}}<br/>Levin: {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|21}} (clean), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|12}} (mid), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|8}} (late)

|dsmashdesc=An overhead slash which ends with Robin slamming his sword onto the ground while crouching. With the Levin Sword, the slam generates brief sparks on both sides of Robin, which can hit opponents even after he starts getting up. This property does not happen with the Bronze Sword, meaning this move can only hit on both sides with the Levin Sword. Bronze Sword KOs around 150% while Levin Sword KOs around 110%. Robin's most reliable punish move on the ground due to the duration of its hitbox. It has quite a bit of hitlag, making it very effective against shields, but it is fairly punishable if it misses due to its high ending lag.

|nairdesc=A fast slash in front, then behind Robin. The backwards slash can hit opponents if Robin fast falls from a short hop behind them. Has next to no KO potential, but a decent spacing option. If Robin uses this move while equipped with the Levin Sword, he will equip the Bronze Sword again, making this his only aerial with this property. Autocancels if used after a short hop.

|fairdesc=Robin winds up and then does a swooping forward slash. Because of its arc, it can catch grounded opponents while in the air. A reliable spacing tool that deals a lot of damage. With the Bronze sword, it has very poor KO potential, but the knockback makes it easy to combo with. The Levin Sword has a lingering hitbox that can deal damage during the move's final frames. With Levin Sword, the move can KO around 140%.

|bairdesc=Robin leans back for a quick backwards stab. Fast, but somewhat narrow hitbox which can make landing it awkward. If the Levin Sword version does land, this is Robin's strongest aerial attack, KOing as early as 100% (although his up air can KO earlier high in the air). The Levin Sword version can hit a few frames after the move ends, which can surprise opponents.

|uairdmg=Bronze: 7%<br/>Levin: 13% (clean), 5% (late)

|uairdesc=An upwards slash with a large arc swing in a similar fashion to Marth's up air. With the Bronze Sword, it is a great juggling tool due to its low knockback and large arc, and with the Levin Sword it is Robin's most effective aerial due to its massive range and KO potential. Can hit at the end of the move when Robin's sword is still. KOs around 155%; with Levin Sword, KOs around 110%.

|dairdmg=Bronze: 7%<br/>Levin: 10% (early), 11% (clean), 5% (late)

|dairdesc=A quick downward one-handed slash that also hits slightly in front of Robin. The sweetspot in the middle of the Levin Sword can [[meteor smash]] while it is swung down, while the Bronze Sword cannot meteor at all. Like all Robin's aerials, the move has a lingering hitbox if the Levin Sword is used. The long recovery frames and high landing lag makes this move unreliable.

|pummeldesc=Zaps opponent with magic. Slow, in fact it is the second slowest pummel in the game, with only the {{SSB4|Mii Swordfighter}}'s pummel being slower.

|fthrowdesc=Magically flings opponent forward. Somewhat fixed knockback, although too high for any followups.

|bthrowdesc=Turns around and tosses the foe a fair distance above and behind Robin. Usually throws the foe out of reach for a follow up combo, but has high knockback growth, being a KO throw at high percentages (especially near the edge). Deals the most damage of all his throws.

|uthrowdesc=Sends the foe straight up. Better damage and KO potential, but noticeably less follow-up ability than the down throw.

|dthrowdesc=Slams foe down, bouncing them vertically. Extremely low base knockback, perfect for follow-ups at any percentage. Its low hitstun, however, prevents true combos into moves other than his neutral attack and up tilt.  

|edgedesc= Climbs up and pokes the opponent with the Bronze Sword.

|nsdefdmg=4.5% (Thunder), 10.5% (Elthunder), 10% (Arcthunder), 10.5% (Thoron)

|nsdefdesc=Robin casts thunder magic from his tome. This is a chargeable projectile with distinct properties for each charge level: Thunder (a fast, weak, and short-ranged spark) is produced when the move is uncharged, followed by Elthunder (A yellow, stronger blast with more range) which is cast when briefly charged, then Arcthunder (a red, gradually accelerating and multiple hitting projectile), and finally Thoron (an infinite-ranged, powerful and electrical energy beam) when fully charged.

|nsc1desc=Robin casts stronger lightning magic. More powerful overall, with slower charging and less durability.

|nsc2desc=Robin casts lightning spells quicker than normal. Faster and weaker overall. Durability is unchanged.

|ssdefdmg=2% (shot), 1% (pillar)

|ssc1desc=Robin uses a slower, stronger tome to cast Arcfire. Creates a large single-hit explosion with decent knockback in lieu of the usual flame pillar, and gives the fireball more horizontal reach.

|usdefdesc=Robin casts Elwind below himself twice which propels him into the air. The first wind blade can meteor smash aerial foes directly below him. When Elwind is depleted, Robin will have no means of recovery for 6 seconds, which can prove disastrous if he wastes his tome uses.

|dsdefdesc=Robin casts Nosferatu on a close opponent to drain their life force, healing Robin as a result. Inflicts constant damage and acts a grab. More energy is drained if the player mashes the special attack button, attacks from behind, and/or has higher damage percentage than the victim.

|fsdesc=Summons Chrom via warp magic, and has him slash any opponents in his way. The foes are then flung into the air, followed by Chrom and Robin relentlessly attacking them with the Falchion as well as lightning and fire spells, respectively. After they are finished, they join for a final simultaneous strike that sends the victims plummeting to the ground, where the recoil sends them towards the upper blast line. Also replenishes all weapons to full durability.

* Thunder has 20 durability points, with a custom version of it, Thunder+, having 10 points. Even if the tome has less durability than the spell requires, it can still be performed, though the tome will immediately break afterward. Thunder respawns 10 seconds after breaking.

** Thunder uses 1 durability point in both its regular form and its Thunder+ variants.

** Elthunder uses 3 durability points in its regular form and 2.5 durability points in its Thunder+ variant.

** Arcthunder uses 5 durability points in its regular form and 4.5 durability points in its Thunder+ variant.

** Thoron uses 8 durability points in its regular form and 10 durability points in its Thunder+ variant.

*** If {{SSB4|Kirby}} [[Inhale (Kirby)|copies]] Robin, he will lose the [[List of Copy Abilities|Copy Ability]] altogether once Thunder's 20 durability points are used up.

 

* Arcfire and his neutral attack finisher that uses fire use 1 durability point each and can be used six times total before the tome breaks. The tome will break after six total uses due to the two attacks drawing from the same pool of durability. Arcfire respawns 10 seconds after breaking.

 

* Elwind and his neutral infinite finisher involving wind also pull from the same pool. Elwind can be used nine times in total before the book expires and respawns 6 seconds after breaking.

 

* Nosferatu can be used four times in total. It respawns 40 seconds after breaking.

 

* Robin's Levin Sword can be used eight times in total before it breaks. The Levin Sword respawns 6 seconds after breaking.