Substitute

Substitute
Greninja vanishes its Substitute in place.
User	Greninja
Universe	Pokémon
Article on Bulbapedia	Substitute (move)

"Substitute" may also refer to an alternate character.

“	Deceive with a substitute, and then counter an attack.	”
—Smash for 3DS's foldout

Substitute (みがわり, Scapegoat) is Greninja's down special in Super Smash Bros. 4, functioning as a counterattack. Greninja strikes a pose and, when attacked, disappears in a puff of smoke with a wooden log or a Substitute doll taking its place; it then reappears with a strong flying kick. This move is functionally similar to Lucario's Double Team as a counterattack; however, a direction can be held after a successful counter to perform the countering attack in that direction. However, Greninja is not invincible throughout the move, and the attack can be interrupted, such as by a jab infinite.

Customization

Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:

1. Substitute	2. Exploding Attack	3. Substitute Ambush
"Evade an incoming enemy attack by summoning a substitute, and then counterattack."	"Vanish momentarily, and then reappear with a powerful explosion. Not a counterattack."	"Evade an enemy attack with a substitute, and then launch a slow but extra-powerful counter."

1. Substitute: Default.
2. Exploding Attack: Greninja disappears for a brief moment and then reappears with an explosion around itself. This move does not counter.
3. Substitute Ambush: This move is similar to the default move, but Greninja disappears for longer and hits harder. A log is spawned instead of a substitute doll if no direction is held.

In Smash Tour

The Substitute Doll appears as a green trophy item: if a tour item targets the player who used it, the effect will be redirected to another random player. This also applies to exclude the player who used it from the effect of items that target all players.

Trophy information

The Substitute Doll trophy is available in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, obtained by scoring 90 or more KOs in Solo Endless Smash while playing as Meta Knight.

Substitute Doll

If it looks like a Pokémon and it gets attacked like a Pokémon, it's probably a- Oh, no, it could also be a Substitute Doll. This cute plush figure appears out of nowhere when a Pokémon uses the move Substitute. Is that a smile on its face or a grimace of determination? Only the doll knows, and it's not telling.

: Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue (09/1998)

: Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (10/2013)

Origin

File:SubstituteGen6.png

Substitute being used in Generation VI.

Substitute is a Normal-type status move in the Pokémon games introduced in Generation I. When used, the Pokémon loses 25% of its maximum HP from its current HP and leaves the screen, replaced by a substitute doll. The substitute has its own HP which is equal to the HP the user lost to create the substitute, but derives its type and stats from the currently active Pokémon - the move Baton Pass allows for switching Pokémon without losing the substitute. When the Pokémon is attacked by any move that isn't sound-based, the substitute takes damage instead - a substitute loses all of its HP, it fades away. When the Substitute user wants to use another move, the Substitute and Pokémon will temporarily switch places to allow said Pokémon to use the move. If the Pokémon does not have enough HP to make the substitute, the move will fail.

While the move is widely available to almost all Pokémon via TM or Move Tutor, Greninja is one of the few Pokémon able to learn this move by leveling up as well. It's usage in Smash is a possibly popular folklore ninja reference to the usage of substitution/body-replacement techniques often referenced that fictional ninja use the escape from danger. The log occasionally left behind is a notable trademark of this.

Gallery

• 

  Substitute being charged.

• 

  Substitute being used in the 3DS version of Smash 4; either version can occassionally leave behind a log instead.

• 

  A Substitute Doll left behind by the move.

• 

  The Substitute counter attack in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

• 

  The challenge image.

• Substitute.png

  The move being used in Pokémon Yellow.

Trivia

• A Substitute doll was seen in the Super Smash Bros. Direct, taking Masahiro Sakurai's place as he introduced the Poké Ball Pokémon.
• Another similarity to Double Team is the fact that both are non-offensive Normal-type moves in their series of origin.
• In the European Portuguese version of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the description for Exploding Attack is erroneously the same as Substitute Ambush's. This is not the case in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Greninja's special moves

Neutral special	Water Shuriken
Side special	Shadow Sneak
Up special	Hydro Pump
Down special	Substitute
Final Smash	Secret Ninja Attack