Monado Arts
| Monado Arts | |
|---|---|
 Activating the Smash art | |
| User | Shulk |
| Universe | Xenoblade |
Monado Arts (モナドアーツ, Monado Arts) is Shulk's neutral special move.
Overview
Shulk has access to five arts. Each art is represented by a kanji character and a color. Shulk will also perform a pose when activating each art. The arts activate when the special button is pressed; the art that activates depends on the symbol that appears, as well as Shulk calling out the name of the selected art.
| Symbol | Monado Art | Color | Affected stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 翔 | Jump | green |  Jump height,  Weight
|
| 疾 | Speed | blue | Movement speed, Damage dealt
|
| 盾 | Shield | yellow | Weight, Increase defense, Movement speed, Damage dealt
|
| 斬 | Buster | purple | Damage dealt, Knockback dealt, Decrease Defense
|
| 撃 | Smash | red | Knockback dealt, Damage dealt, Decrease Defense, Weight
|
Once an art activates, that art cannot be activated again after some time. Before then, its corresponding kanji symbol will be grayed out when selecting another art. Each art lasts for a limited time before stats return to normal. No two Monado Arts can run at the same time; if one is active, and a different art is chosen, the previous art gets overwritten. Monado arts can be cancelled by pressing the special button twice. Kirby appears to be able to copy Monado arts with his Inhale, but how it will affect Kirby is currently unknown.
Origin
The Shield, Speed, and Buster arts are three of the arts that are available in Xenoblade Chronicles. Shulk would learn each art automatically as the story progresses. Shield created a barrier around the target that can block physical talent attacks as long as the strength of the shield is at least that of the incoming attack. Speed increases the target's agility, allowing him or her to dodge attacks more easily. Buster is a powerful slash attack that extends the beam produced by the Monado as well as the damage caused by the slash, and it deals extra damage to Mechon.
The Jump and Smash arts, however, are unique to Smash 4, with the Smash art being named after the game.
