Super Smash Bros. 4

Substitute

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Substitute
Greninja-Substitute.png
Greninja vanishes its Substitute in place.
User Greninja
Universe Pokémon
Article on Bulbapedia Substitute (move)
"Substitute" may also refer to an alternate character.

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 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 known variations:

1. Substitute 2. Exploding Attack 3. Substitute Ambush
Substitute
Exploding Attack
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

SubstituteDollTrophyWiiU.png

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.
Game Boy: Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue (09/1998)
3DS: Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (10/2013)

Origin

File:Substitute.png
Substitute in Generation I.

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 shares the original Pokémon's stats and typing. When a substitute takes the amount of damage sacrificed by the original Pokémon or more, 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.

Gallery

Trivia

Sakurai used Substitute.jpg
  • A Substitute doll was seen in the Super Smash Bros. Direct, taking Masahiro Sakurai's place as he introduced the Poké Ball Pokémon.