Shulk (SSB4)

Shulk in Super Smash Bros. 4
Universe	Xenoblade Chronicles
Availability	Starter
Final Smash	Chain Attack

“	Shulk Foresees a Fight!	”
—Introduction Tagline

Shulk (シュルク, Shulk) was unofficially revealed as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4 alongside Bowser Jr. and Ganondorf via leaked videos from footage used by ESRB to rate the game before being formally confirmed on August 29th, 2014. His official reveal came along with the announcement of Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, the New Nintendo 3DS port of his game Xenoblade Chronicles, which was originally released for the Wii.

Shulk's English voice actor, Adam Howden reprises his role in the English version of the game, meanwhile, Shintarō Asanuma reprises his role in the Japanese version of the game.

Attributes

Shulk is a character of many talents, arguably having one of the most unique fighting styles in Super Smash Bros. 4. As popularly advertised, his signature weapon - the Monado - gives him a wide variety of abilities via the Monado Arts, allowing him to mix up his play style throughout the match. Overall, Shulk has somewhat similar attributes to Marth; his sword is long, relatively powerful, and can launch opponents farther upon certain conditions, such as when using the tipper (although Shulk's "tipper" is the middle of the Monado). Also, his weight and range are nearly identical, except Shulk's reach seems to become even longer in some instances, such as his smash attacks.

Shulk also has a powerful aerial game, possessing aerials with little to no landing lag, and can use them very effectively to approach and space opponents with his enormously disjointed range. His ground game is not bad either, as his smashes have decent power when sweetspotted even without being boosted by the Monado Arts, and some of them, such as forward smash, can surprise opponents with the sudden extension of the Monado's beam blade. His Vision has moderately fast start-up for a counter, and it has the longest time frame in the game for a counterattack of its kind.

His flaws are small, yet still noticeable; Air Slash provides only mediocre vertical distance, and Back Slash cannot even sweetspot ledges. Also, his speed in both the air and ground is not the best, leaving him vulnerable to quick attacks from characters such as Sonic, although his down smash can help provide a bubble from either speedy fighters or roll-spammers. However, most of these flaws can be addressed through the Monado Arts. His recovery problems can nearly be fixed through the Jump Art; when he cannot keep up with an opponent,the Speed Art is always there to keep him light on his toes, and the Shield Art can keep him alive for a much longer time against heavy hitters. Also, in the occasional times when he has trouble KOing, the Smash Art can score a KO absurdly early, with the Buster Art also being a great option to rack up enormous damage early on; for example, with the Buster Art, his forward smash can do about 24% uncharged, which is on par with Ganondorf. Nonetheless, Shulk has many of the same problems as Lucario - although his attacks and other various abilities are potent with the Arts activated much like Lucario's are with his Aura, his other traits (similar to Lucario's high damage) are drastically toned down. For example, with the Smash Art activated, he can be KOed as early as Jigglypuff can, and the Shield Art makes it hard for him to gain any significant percent on the enemy. Furthermore, when the Arts are not activated, he is merely average in most areas, yet in most cases, it is simple to activate or change them at the beginning of a stock or on-the-fly.

All in all, Shulk can be difficult to master, as it takes time to learn his playstyle, and requires extensive knowledge of the matchup or quick adaptability to be able to change the Arts accordingly; making the right decision can sometimes be hard with Shulk, as the player can pay dearly for activating the wrong Art. Nevertheless, his deficiencies are not significant enough to keep him out of the high tiers, as his ability to adapt and confuse is unrivaled.

Moveset

Shulk is specialized by long reach and power equally, able to attack opponents from a distance. Shulk uses the Monado as his weapon, which can attack from long range using its beam properties. The Monado does more damage and knockback on some attacks if it hits from the middle of the beam blade rather than from the tip of the beam blade.

		Name	Damage	Description
Neutral attack			3.5%	A punch, kick, upward slash combo. Very similar to Ike's.
			3.5%
			5.3% (clean), 4.2% (late)
Forward tilt		rowspan="1"	13% (blade), 11.5% (beam)	Shulk swings the Monado in front of him inward. Slight ending lag. Deals good knockback at high percentages while using the Smash Art.
Up tilt		rowspan="1"	8% (blade), 7% (beam)	Shulk jumps and does a fast, overhead sword swipe uppercut. A good anti-air technique. Can be used to rack up damage when combined with the up throw while using the Buster Art, and a powerful surprise KO move at high percents while using the Smash Art, able to KO middleweights at 120%.
Down tilt		rowspan="1"	9% (blade), 7% (beam)	A reasonably fast downward swipe with good range, making it a safe out of shield option. Good knockback with the Smash Art at high percents, though not as powerful as Shulk's up or forward tilt.
Dash attack			11%	Swipes the Monado forward. One of Shulk's KO moves when under the Smash Art.
Forward smash			5.5% (hit 1), 13% (hit 2 blade), 11.5% (hit 2 beam)	A long stab using the Monado's beam blade with slight ending lag. It looks akin to his Slit Edge Art from Xenoblade Chronicles. Like his up smash, the move has two hits, the first from the Monado itself and the second from the beam blade. The move has slightly more knockback scaling if angled up. Can KO middleweights at 115% (95% with the Smash Art).
Up smash			4.5% (hit 1), 13.5% (hit 2)	Shulk smashes the hilt of the Monado to the ground, causing the beam to strike upward. There are two hits to this move, the first being when Shulk slams the Monado down, and the second from the beam blade. The first hit has a small horizontal range, but can easily connect to the second hit if it lands. KOs at 111% (88% with the Smash Art.)
Down smash			14% (hit 1 blade), 11% (hit 1 beam), 12% (hit 2 blade), 10% (hit 2 beam), 10% (hit 3 blade), 8% (hit 3 beam), 8% (hit 4 blade), 6% (hit 4 beam), 6% (hit 5 blade), 4% (hit 5 beam)	A high-range spinning slash with long start-up and ending lag where Shulk drags the Monado three times around him along the ground. The move is capable of hitting five times (three at Shulk's front, two at his back), with each hit dealing less damage, though it is prohibitively difficult to have it strike the same opponent even twice-- under correct conditions however, this move is capable of breaking shields, especially if all three front hits connect with Buster activated (easily done by cornering a shielding opponent near an edge). Useful against roll-spammers, who will more than likely get hit by the second or third hit. First hit KOs at 125% (101% with the Smash Art).
Neutral aerial		rowspan="1"	7% (blade), 8% (beam)	A circular slash with the Monado over his head, with high range and little-to-no landing lag. The hitbox begins at Shulk's toes and continues all the way around him ending at his back, allowing Shulk to short hop over opponents to hit them with the starting hitbox. One of Shulk's most useful aerials, capable of interrupting most aerial approaches, though easily punished when spammed.
Forward aerial		rowspan="1"	7.5% (blade), 6% (beam)	An overhead forward-leaning Monado swing. Great for interrupting an opponent's approach in the air, as the slash has absurd range for an aerial. Extremely useful when combined with a short hop, being able to combo with Shulk's tilts and can be used to edgeguard safely. One of Shulk's most useful aerials.
Back aerial			12% (clean), 8% (late)	Shulk holds the Monado behind him and the beam strikes behind him. Has slow startup and moderate landing lag, but good range. One of Shulk's aerial KO moves.
Up aerial			5% (hit 1), 10% (hit 2 blade), 7.5% (hit 2 beam)	Shulk holds the Monado above him and the beam blade strikes upward. Solid juggling tool.
Down aerial			6% (hit 1 grounded), 4% (hit 1 aerial), 10% (hit 2 blade), 9% (hit 2 beam)	Shulk holds the Monado below him and the beam blade strikes downward. The first hit of the move does little knockback, but can easily connect to the second hit, which meteor smashes if sweetspotted. The sweetspot is located at the middle of the Monado's beam blade, though difficult to connect in the air.
Grab			—
Pummel			3%	Hits the opponent in the head with the Monado's hilt.
Forward throw			3% (hit 1), 8% (throw)	Shulk pulls the opponent towards him before slashing them with an uppercut from the Monado. Can combo into a short hopped forward air with the Speed Art.
Back throw			3% (hit 1), 9% (throw)	Shulk pulls the opponent behind him and stabs their midsection with the Monado in a reverse grip. Can be used to land a Back Slash with the Buster Art, though it is tricky to do on alert players who air dodge frequently.
Up throw			3% (hit 1), 4% (throw)	Heaves the opponent in the air and stabs their chest. Can be followed with up tilts and Air Slash, especially with the Buster Art, and can send opponents at the right height for a short-hopped up air.
Down throw			3% (hit 1), 4% (throw)	Slams the opponent onto the ground and drives the Monado through their spine. Can KO at high percentages with the Smash Art.
Forward roll Back roll Spot dodge Air dodge		—	—
Techs		—	—
Floor attack (front) Floor getups (front)			7%
Floor attack (back) Floor getups (back)			7%
Floor attack (trip) Floor getups (trip)			5%
Edge attack Edge getups			7%
Neutral special	Default	Monado Arts	—	Shulk activates one of five Arts, which enhance some of his abilities while reducing others.
	Custom 1	Decisive Monado Arts	—	Arts last longer, but once an Art is activated it cannot be changed.
	Custom 2	Hyper Monado Arts	—	Both positive and negative effects of Arts are amplified, and the Arts last for a shorter duration of time.
Side special	Default	Back Slash	10%/9% (front), 16%/14% (back)	Jumps forwards with a Monado swing, similar to Link's dash attack. The attack is more powerful if it hits the opponent's back.
	Custom 1	Back Slash Leap		Shulk leaps up before slashing downward towards the ground. Has reduced horizontal movement, but comes out a little faster.
	Custom 2	Back Slash Charge		Shulk leaps forward, gaining super armor for the slash. This move has increased horizontal movement, but has harshly reduced damage if not striking the back.
Up special	Default	Air Slash	6% (hit 1 clean), 5% (hit 1 late), 5.5% (hit 2)	Jumps upwards with a Monado swipe, similarly to Dolphin Slash. Pressing the attack button at the end of the swipe will result in a second, forward swipe.
	Custom 1	Advancing Air Slash	6% (hit 1 clean), 5% (hit 1 late), 8% (hit 2)	The first slash launches enemies diagonally, with the second slash moving Shulk forward.
	Custom 2	Mighty Air Slash	9% (hit 1 clean), 7% (hit 1 late), 10% (hit 2)	The range of the attack is reduced, but deals more damage.
Down special	Default	Vision	1.3x (min 13%/10% or 10%/7%)	A counterattack, similar to that of the Fire Emblem series. Has the longest counter window in the game, and the only counter in the series to have two different attacks depending on whether the player holds down the forward button.
	Custom 1	Dash Vision	1.0x (min 11%/8% or 8%/5%)	Shulk takes a big step forward and the counter's range is extended. The counter is faster, but lacks power.
	Custom 2	Power Vision	1.5x (min 20%/17% or 17%/14%)	Shulk counters an attack with greater power. However, the attack is slower and if used too much, the counter will become less and less effective.
Final Smash		Chain Attack	3% (hit 1), 2% (hits 2-12), 12% (hit 13), 5% (hit 14)	Shulk summons Dunban and Riki to perform a Chain Attack on his opponents, before finishing them off with a strong Monado slash.

Reveal trailer

<youtube>GUl1EkUJ46k</youtube>

Taunts

• Raises his hand up and says "Now it's Shulk time!", a reference to Reyn, his best friend and one of his party members in Xenoblade Chronicles.
• Raises a fist and says "I'm really feeling it!"
• Grips the Monado with both hands, activates it and says "This is the Monado's power!"

Victory Fanfare

The second half of the riff of You Will Know Our Names, the battle theme used in Xenoblade Chronicles when fighting a unique monster.

Victory Poses

• Swings the Monado a few times while it is active, then holds it level to his head as it deactivates, saying either "The future is ours to decide." or "I've got a good rhythm going!"
• Swings the inactive Monado upwards, then places it on his back, saying either "I got through that pretty good!" or "This is a good result!"
• Bows down with the Monado held lengthwise, then it activates, and he changes grip, saying either "I can feel the power!" or "I can change the future."

Trophies

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS trophy descriptions

Shulk's regular trophy can be obtained by completing Classic Mode with him and his alternative trophy can be obtained by completing All-Star mode with him.

Shulk

NA: In Xenoblade Chronicles, this young lad's colony is attacked by the Mechon, so he and his friends set off to take them down. In Smash Bros., his Monado Arts let him change his specialization during battle. You can choose to boost a stat—his jump or attack, for example—but other stats might drop as a result, so choose wisely.

PAL: In Xenoblade Chronicles, this young lad's colony is attacked by the Mechon, so he and his friends set off to take them down. In this game, his Monado Arts let him change his specialisation during battle. You can choose to boost a stat—his jump or attack, for example—but other stats might drop as a result, so choose wisely.

Shulk (Alt.)

NA: Shulk's up special Air Slash is an upward slash done during a jump. Press the button again quickly to launch opponents sideways. His side special Back Slash, on the other hand, is a downward swing with a very wide range, though using it leaves Shulk wide open. Try hitting foes from behind with this!

PAL: Shulk's up special, Air Slash, is an upward slash done during a jump. Press the button again quickly to launch opponents sideways. His side special, Back Slash, on the other hand, is a downward swing with a very wide range, although using it leaves Shulk wide open. Try hitting foes from behind with this to do more damage!

• 

  Classic (3DS)

• ShulkAllStarTrophy3DS.png

  Alt. (3DS)

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  Classic (Wii U)

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  Alt. (Wii U)

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  Chain Attack

In Event Matches

Solo Events

• Mechanical Menace: Shulk must defeat a metal R.O.B. and Mega Man, as well as Metal Face.
• New Challengers 2: Shulk is one of the seven opponents fought in this event alongside Greninja, Palutena, Robin, Dark Pit, Mega Man, and Pac-Man.
• The Ultimate Swordsman: Shulk is one of the opponents that Ike must defeat.

Co-op Events

• The Ultimate Battle: Two players select a character and must defeat the entire roster.

Update history

1.0.4

• Neutral attack 1 damage: 3% → 3.5%
• Neutral attack 2 damage: 3% → 3.5%
• Neutral attack 3 clean damage: 4.3% → 5.3%
• Neutral attack 3 late damage: 3.2% → 4.2%
• Forward tilt damage: 12%/10.5% → 13%/11.5%
• Forward tilt knockback scaling: 100 → 92
• Up tilt damage: 7%/6% → 8%/7%
• Down tilt damage: 8%/6% → 9%/7%
• Down tilt hitbox 2 position: bone 25, offset [0.0,2.0,-1.0] → bone 0, offset [0.0,5.5,5.5] (this change removes a point-blank blind spot)
• Dash attack damage: 10% → 11%
• Forward smash damage: 5%, 12.5%/11% → 5.5%, 13%/11.5%
• Forward smash received a variety of changes to enable both hits to link together better.
  • Hit 1 angles: 40/75/84 → 78/10/40
  • Hit 1 fixed knockback values: 45/45/31 → 28/28/28
  • Hit 1 radii: 4.0/4.0/4.0 → 2.0/2.0/4.0 (hitboxes are thinner)
  • Hit 1 positions: [-2.0,0.0,1.0]/[4.1,0.0,1.0]/[10.0,0.0,1.0] → [11.0–4.0,0.0,2.0]/[11.0–4.0,0.0,-0.5]/[-2.0,0.0,1.0] (hitboxes cover more area)
  • Hit 2 radii: 3.5/2.0 → 4.0/3.0
  • Hit 2 hitbox 1 x-offset: 22.0–0.0 → 21.0–0.0
• Up smash damage: 4%, 13% → 4.5%, 13.5%
• Down smash damage: 13%/10%, 11%/9%, 9%/7%, 7%/5%, 5%/3% → 14%/11%, 12%/10%, 10%/8%, 8%/6%, 6%/4%
• Neutral aerial damage: 6%/7% → 7%/8%
• Forward aerial damage: 6.5%/5% → 7.5%/6%
• Forward aerial landing lag slightly decreased.
• Back aerial damage: 11%, 7% → 12%, 8%
• Up aerial damage: 4%, 9%/6.5% → 5%, 10%/7.5%
• Down aerial damage: 4%/6%, 10%/9% → 5%/7%, 11%/10%
• Forward throw hit 1 damage: 2% → 3%
• Back throw hit 1 damage: 2% → 3%
• Up throw hit 1 damage: 2% → 3%
• Down throw hit 1 damage: 2% → 3%
• Monado Speed damage dealt: 0.72x → 0.8x
• Monado Buster damage taken: 1.2x → 1.13x
• Air Slash (default) hit 1 damage: 5%/4% → 6%/5%
• Advancing Air Slash hit 1 damage: 5%/4% → 6%/5%
• Mighty Air Slash hit 1 damage: 8%/6% → 9%/7%
• Vision (all variants) y-offset: 8.0 → 9.0 (hitboxes are slightly higher)

Alternate costumes

Gallery

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  Shulk's poster.

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  Splash art of Shulk.

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  Shulk's amiibo.

• Shulk Alt.png

  Swimsuit costume for Shulk.

• Shulk4PalleteSwaps.png

  More palette swaps for Shulk.

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  Pic of the Day, when Shulk was revealed.

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  Fighting Sheik.

• 
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  Shulk in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

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  Shulk activates the Smash Monado Art.

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  Attacking Donkey Kong.

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• 
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  Posing with two Villagers.

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  Forward air on Link.

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  Shulk's Final Smash, featuring Dunban and Riki.

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  With Luigi on Boxing Ring.

• 
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  Shulk posing with Riki.

• ShulkSSB4.png

  Image of Shulk from the ESRB leak.

Trivia

• The title of Shulk's trailer, "Looks like we don't have a choice!", is the line he says in Xenoblade Chronicles when the party is about to face a powerful enemy.
  • Due to said line having no obvious connection to the trailer, some fans believe it is in reference to the ESRB leak.
  • In the PAL versions of the game, however, the title is changed to "Now it's Shulk time", referencing one of Shulk's taunts.
• Shulk is the only fighter leaked by the ESRB leak to be a starter character on both versions.
• Shulk was the last character and newcomer confirmed for SSB4 before the worldwide release of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
• Shulk, along with Pac-Man and Mewtwo, does not have a green palette swap option.
• Despite not being a third party character, clone, or Mii, Shulk is placed with them in most official material, including the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS roster and foldout. This is changed on the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U roster, where Shulk is placed before the clones, and the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U manual, where he is placed before Bowser Jr. As a result of this ambiguity, some fans mistake Shulk as a third-party character. However, Monolith Soft was acquired by Nintendo in 2007 prior to the development of Xenoblade Chronicles, making Shulk a second-party character.
• Shulk's Down Taunt, if performed at the right timing, can dodge certain projectiles, such as Fox and Falco's Blaster, Link's Hero's Bow, and Pit's Palutena's Arrow.