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.

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, Greninja disappears with a Substitute in its place to reappear with a strong 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, especially by flurry strikes.

Customization

This article or section is incomplete. You can help SmashWiki by expanding or finishing it.

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

Exploding Attack: Greninja disappears for a brief moment and then reappears with an explosion around itself. This move does not counter.
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.

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 that said Pokémon to use it. If the Pokémon does not have enough HP to make the substitute, then the move will fail.

Greninja can learn Substitute by leveling up. 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.