Pichu (SSBU)

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Pichu in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Universe	Pokémon
Other playable appearance	in Melee
Availability	Unlockable
Final Smash	Volt Tackle

“	Pichu is back after 17 years! Pichu's electric attacks have greater range and do more damage than its other attack types – but they also damage Pichu.	”
—Super Smash Blog, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site

Pichu (ピチュー, Pichu) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It was confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Pichu is classified as fighter #19.

Pichu's voice actress from Melee and the Pokémon anime, Satomi Kōrogi, reprises her role with new voice clips.

How to unlock

Complete one of the following:

• Play VS. matches, with Pichu being the 34th character to be unlocked.
• Clear Classic Mode with Pikachu or any character in its unlock tree, being the seventh character unlocked after Mr. Game & Watch.
• Have Pichu join the player's party in World of Light.

With the exception of the third method, Pichu must then be defeated on Pokémon Stadium 2.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. Melee

Pichu has been buffed in its transition from Melee to Ultimate. It benefits slightly from the implementation of rage, as its electrical attacks can now slowly increase its knockback with the recoil damage it receives from them, and can potentially allow it to escape certain kill confirms that would otherwise KO it. Its mobility has overall improved as well, as its walking, dashing, and air speed have increased, and its air acceleration has increased substantially. It can also crawl now, allowing Pichu to approach more easily while being able to dodge certain projectiles. On another note, while its endurance is still arguably the worst in the game, its weight was nevertheless increased, allowing it to survive a little bit longer. Pichu's offense has become much more effective and oppressive, allowing it to become more of a glass cannon character rather than an intentionally "joke character".

Although Pichu's moveset still resembles that of Pikachu, it is not classified as an Echo Fighter. As with Dr. Mario and Young Link, this is more likely due to it debuting in Melee rather than SSB4 or Ultimate as with the Echo Fighters.

Aesthetics

• Pichu's design and proportions now match the latest games in the Pokémon franchise. Its colors are more subdued than they were in Melee.
• Pichu is much more expressive. Like Pikachu, its eyes become swirls when dazed, a detail derived from the Pokémon anime from when a Pokémon faints. It also looks angry when dashing. Pichu also now has squash and stretch in its animations, giving it a more bouncy feel than in Melee.
• Pichu's stance is now mirrored as it faces more on the screen regardless of the direction it turns towards.
• Pichu has a new idle animation where it wobbles left to right then looks back to twitch its tail.
• Pichu now has an on-screen appearance and an up taunt. Its up taunt is very similar to Pikachu's up taunt, except it humorously becomes dizzy afterwards. Its left-facing taunt from Melee is now its side taunt and its right-facing taunt is now its down taunt.
• Pichu's goggles and ribbon alternate costumes no longer have a neck scarf. Pichu has also received five new alternate costumes.
• Pichu is much more vocal, with more voice lines during certain attacks, or when hurt.
• Pichu has a new air dodge animation where it twirls in the air at an angle, instead of scrunching up.
• Pichu no longer appears to sleep while crouching.
• Pichu has new victory animations. One involves Pichu jumping while spinning before striking a joyful pose, with its arms spread out.
• Pichu now has a Boxing Ring title, which is "Shockingly Adorable."

Attributes

• Pichu can now crawl. This allows for an easier approach while dodging projectiles.
• Pichu walks faster (1.24 → 1.302).
• Pichu dashes much faster (1.72 → 1.892) although relative to the cast, it now has the 25th fastest dash speed out of 78 characters compared to the 5th fastest out of 26 characters.
• Pichu's air speed is higher (0.85 → 1.029).
• Pichu's air acceleration is much higher (0.05 → 0.1) going from being the 12th highest out of 26 characters to the 9th highest out of 78 characters.
• Pichu is heavier (55 → 62), which improves its survivability, though it remains the lightest character in the game.
• With the implementation of rage, Pichu's self-inflicted damage can now gradually increase its launching power, and also keep itself out of kill confirm percentages.
• The removal of chain grabs immensely aids Pichu's endurance and longevity.
  • However, this also removes some chain grabs Pichu was capable of performing on fast-fallers.

Ground attacks

• Forward tilt has a different animation.
  • Forward tilt has increased range, can trip opponents, and significantly increased knockback, now being able to KO at high percents.
• Forward tilt now has an electric effect, thus dealing recoil damage to Pichu.
• Forward tilt can no longer be angled.
• Up tilt deals less damage (6% → 5%).
  • Up tilt has better combo potential.
• Down tilt sends opponents at a vertical angle, now making it a potent combo starter.
  • Down tilt deals less damage (7% → 6%).
• Dash attack has noticeably less ending lag.
• Forward smash's hits connect more reliably than in Melee, where it could be SDIed out of before the finishing hit.
• Forward smash deals less recoil damage to Pichu (2% → 1.5%).
• Forward smash's final hit deals more damage (6% → 8%).
• Up smash deals less damage (16% → 14%).
• Up smash now has intangibility on Pichu's ears.
• Down smash has an electric effect, dealing recoil damage to Pichu.

Aerial attacks

• All aerials have less landing lag.
• Neutral aerial deals less damage (12/9% → 7/5%).
• Neutral aerial now uses its head instead of its tail.
• Forward aerial does considerably less recoil damage to Pichu (1% per hitbox → 1% total).
• Forward aerial deals more damage (2% → 3.5%) and the last hit has much more knockback, making it able to KO near the blastzones.
• Back aerial now has an electric effect, causing recoil damage to Pichu.
• Back aerial is now a multihit move with better combo potential and much more knockback on its last hit, making it able to KO.
• Up aerial deals more knockback.
• Down aerial deals more damage (12% → 13%).
• Down aerial is now capable of meteor smashing opponents.

Throws/other attacks

• When grabbing, Pichu swipes one hand sideways, instead of grabbing overhead like Pikachu.
• Grab range has been increased.

Special Moves

• Thunder Jolt causes considerably less recoil damage to Pichu (1% → 0.4%).
• Skull Bash causes Pichu to bounce back when it hits an opponent, making it safer to use.
• Uncharged Skull Bash deals more damage (5% → 7.8%).
• Skull Bash deals more recoil damage (1% → 1.5%).
• Agility travels further and does less recoil damage (1/3% → 0.6/1.4%).
• Thunder meteor smashes targets hit high above Pichu and can drag them down into the launching hit, as with Pikachu's version of the move. It is also much faster than Pikachu's variant.
• Thunder now passes through the stage. While this lets Pichu use it as a close range attack under platforms and such, it also means Pichu can hurt itself doing so.
• Like with Pikachu's Thunder, the electricity discharged when the lightning strikes Pichu is now yellow rather than blue and has Pichu flash with a dark tint, and does not cry if struck.
• Pichu now has a Final Smash, Volt Tackle, which is nearly identical to Pikachu's: it has Pichu dash quickly around the stage at different angles while surrounded in a ball of electricity, then launching opponents with an electric blast at the end of the move as the ball disappears. It also causes recoil damage, unlike Pikachu's version of the move.

Moveset

• Pichu can crawl and wall jump.

The following damage percentages were calculated without the damage multiplier that is active during one-on-one fights.

Full hop damage numbers are shown. Hover over the percentage numbers for short hop damage numbers (due to short hops having a 0.85% damage modifier). Note: All numbers are listed as base damage, without the 1v1 multiplier.

		Name	Damage	Description
Neutral attack			1.2%	Does a quick headbutt.
Forward tilt			8%, 0.7% recoil	Plants itself on its upper paws and kicks both its feet forward. Can make opponents trip at low percents. Cannot be angled as it could in Melee.
Up tilt		rowspan="1"	5%	Swipes its tail above its body in an arc. Can combo into itself at low percents, or into an aerial at mid to high percents.
Down tilt		rowspan="1"	6%	Swipes its tail in front of itself. Has very low knockback scaling, allowing it to combo into up tilt at low to mid percents, or an aerial even at very high percents.
Dash attack			8% (clean), 6% (late)	Jumps and headbutts forward.
Forward smash			2% (hits 1-5), 8% (hit 6), 1.5% recoil	Launches a short jolt of electricity from its cheeks.
Up smash			14%	Does an upward headbutt.
Down smash			1.5% (hits 1-4), 8% (hit 6), 0.8% recoil	Discharges electricity while quickly spinning in place.
Neutral aerial		rowspan="1"	7% (clean), 5% (late)	Somersaults in the air. A quick out of shield option.
Forward aerial		rowspan="1"	3.5% (hits 1-4), 1% recoil	Does a forward barrel roll. Can combo into itself at lower percents.
Back aerial			2% (hits 1-5), 3.5% (hit 6), 1.0% recoil	Does an electric spin similar to its down smash.
Up aerial			4%	Flicks its tail above itself.
Down aerial			13%, 4% (landing), 1% recoil after startup, 0.5% recoil landing (can land before startup)	Does a downward barrel roll. Has the capability to meteor smash opponents.
Grab			—	Quickly leans forward and grabs with one arm. Has a range of approximately Pichu's body width.
Pummel			1.4%, 0.1% recoil	Shocks the opponent.
Forward throw			1.5% (hits 1-4), 6% (throw), 0.5% recoil	Places the opponent on its back and shocks them, sending them forward.
Back throw			9%	Does a backwards somersaults with the opponent, then flings them behind itself.
Up throw			5% (hit 1), 5% (throw)	Tosses foe up and headbutts them. Can combo into Thunder at certain high percents, like Pikachu's.
Down throw			4% (hit 1), 4% (throw)	Places opponent on the ground, then jumps on them. Can combo into an aerial at low to mid percents.
Forward roll Back roll Spot dodge Air dodge		—	—
Techs		—	—
Floor attack (front) Floor getups (front)			7%	Does a full rotation sweep with its tail.
Floor attack (back) Floor getups (back)			7%	Does a full rotation sweep with its tail.
Floor attack (trip) Floor getups (trip)			5%	Swings its tail on both sides of itself.
Edge attack Edge getups			9%	Climbs up then flicks its tail out.
Neutral special		Thunder Jolt	7% (short distance), 6% (medium distance), 5% (long distance), 10% (ball), 0.4% recoil	Pichu's main projectile. Fires a jolt of electricity forward. It travels forward while bouncing along the ground, and can also travel up walls, below the edge, and along ceilings. If used in the air, it will travel diagonally down instead. Disappears after around 3 seconds. Can be used to gimp certain recoveries. Deals less damage the farther it travels.
Side special		Skull Bash	7.8-33%, 1.5% recoil	Charges and, when the B button is released, fires itself forward like a missile. When fully charged or close to fully charged, it has KO power. The move can also be used to extend Pichu's recovery, though it does have some lag. Compared to Pikachu's Skull Bash, Pichu's Skull Bash deals more damage and covers more distance when fully charged, but takes longer to fully charge the move and suffers recoil damage.
Up special		Agility	0%, 0.6% recoil (warp 1), 1.4% recoil (warp 2)	Pichu's primary recovery move. Moves at warp speed in two directions that can be selected via the control stick. Compared to Pikachu's Quick Attack, Agility travels farther. However, it deals no damage and Pichu suffers recoil damage.
Down special		Thunder	14% (shockwave), 4% (thunderbolt), 8% (thunderbolt meteor), 3% recoil	Summons a thundercloud from which a lightning bolt comes down and strikes Pichu. The start of the bolt has a meteor effect and deals more damage than the rest of the bolt. When the bolt hits Pichu, a shockwave is generated than has the potential to KO.
Final Smash		Volt Tackle	0.3% (over 6 hits during startup), 1% (initial tackle hit), 1.6% (successive hits), 21% (final blast), 3.2% recoil (startup), 0.2% recoil (each hit), 3.5% recoil (final blast)	Pichu turns into a ball of electricity and dashes forward. Any opponents hit are knocked into the center of the screen where Pichu furiously tackles them from multiple directions then releases a powerful electric blast in the center. If the dash doesn't hit an opponent, the final smash is ended early.

Classic Mode: Lightweight Fracas

Pichu fights against opponents that are lightweights like itself.

Round	Opponent	Stage
1	Jigglypuff	Pokémon Stadium 2
2	Squirtle	Peach's Castle
3	Mr. Game & Watch	Skyworld
4	Olimar	Pilotwings
5	Kirby and Meta Knight	Skyloft
6	Mewtwo	Prism Tower
Bonus Stage
Final	Master Hand	Final Destination

Note: When fighting Squirtle, its Pokémon Trainer is absent.

Role in World of Light

Although Pichu does not appear in the World of Light opening cutscene, it was vaporized and later imprisoned alongside the rest of the fighters (sans Kirby) when Galeem unleashed his beams of light.

Alternate costumes

Gallery

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  Artwork of all playable Pokémon characters and Poké Ball Pokémon, as posted by the official Pokémon Twitter account.

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  Pichu's amiibo.

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  Pichu's fighter card.

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  Taunting in Great Bay.

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  Taunting on Green Greens.

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  Using its up smash next to Mewtwo on Spear Pillar.

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  Pichu using its up smash on Wario on Pilotwings.

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  Pichu using its Final Smash, Volt Tackle, on Mega Man on Pokémon Stadium.

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  Using a Rocket Belt with Pikachu in Mario Galaxy.

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  With multiple Pichu, Pikachu, and Incineroar on Paper Mario.

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  A dazed Pichu next to Rosalina in The Great Cave Offensive.

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  Pichu taunting at Ryu failing to perform a Hadoken.

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  Pichu sleeping next to Zelda on Tortimer Island.

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  With Pikachu and Alolan Raichu on Yoshi's Island.

Character Showcase Video

<youtube>9ZD89yfBCyE</youtube>

Trivia

• Pichu and Young Link share the longest gap between playable appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series, with seventeen years between Melee and Ultimate.
  • This has been noted by both of their Super Smash Bros. blog's "Today's Fighter" descriptions.
• One of the poses Pichu strikes in its new taunt resembles its trophy from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
• Pichu is the only veteran absent from SSB4 to not appear in the full group artwork version of the box cover.
• Pichu is the only veteran who is unaffected by the new universal 3-frame jumpsquat; in Melee, its jumpsquat animation also took three frames to complete.
• Pichu's fast fall provides the smallest change to its falling speed when compared to any other fighter. It increases its fall speed by only 31.579%, compared to the usual 60%.
• One of Pichu's alternate costumes is the Spiky-eared Pichu from Arceus and the Jewel of Life and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Being one of a kind, the Spiky-eared Pichu is female, making it the only one of Pichu's alternate costumes with an implied gender.
  • This means that Pichu's gender may differ per costume, similar to Pikachu and Robin.
• As of Ultimate, Pichu is the only character who takes damage while using their Final Smash.
  • This also makes Pichu the only character so far that can take damage from all of its special moves.