King K. Rool (SSBU)/Forward tilt
King K. Rool forward tilt hitbox visualizations | ||||
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Overview
King K. Rool rears back and performs a lunging clap attack, similar to Donkey Kong's forward smash. The move gains Belly Super Armor when he rears back to clap, making it a highly effective approach option with pivot cancelling. Sends at a semi-spike angle and is decently fast for its power, KOing middleweights at 107% at the edge of Final Destination.
It can be angled up and down, making it a decent anti-air tool when angled up (outranging Lucina's forward aerial, and it is capable of hitting every character on the ledge - even 2-framing - when angled down. This gives the move a great degree of flexibility. To add to this versatility, the move has impressive range due to a massive, disjointed hitbox surrounding K. Rool's hands. This makes it even more difficult to challenge, making it a premier defensive option in K. Rool's kit.
It can also be safe on shield (-18 on the sweetspot, -19 on the sourspot, note the range when considering shield safety) if spaced perfectly, making it a decent approach option against characters who have poor range on their out of shield options. On the flip side, the armor also makes a half-decent out of shield option, with armor starting on Frame 16 considering the 11 shield drop frames. This is useful against opponents less experienced with pressuring shield.
Forward Tilt can be used to end combos, usually after a forward air at Low%s. This is considered to be slightly inferior to dash attack in terms of damage, but is far more consistent. It is also the only consistent option out of a forward air without momentum at Low%s, with dash attack tending to whiff. Forward Tilt is also the best option out of a basic jab lock should down aerial be unfavorable as a lock option (usually out of lock% range). This serves as a handy kill confirm.
Forward tilt is considered to be one of the easier moves to use out of down throw, being capable of sweetspotting opponents if angled correctly (although this varies by character). A resource for this can be found here. This is considered to be one of the better KO methods, although it does have stiff competition with up tilt and dash attack for their superior consistency.
However, forward tilt is not without flaws. It does suffer from moderately high ending lag, though this flaw can be partially mitigated when spaced correctly. It does however make it relatively easy to whiff punish. K. Rool's face is also pretty vulnerable during the attack, giving its protection a slight hole. These are generally minor flaws in the move, but have to be noted when using it.
The combination of its range, Belly Super Armor, KO potential and ability to angle it up or down makes it not only one of the best moves in King K. Rool's kit, but also arguably one of the best forward tilts in the game.
Hitboxes
Timing
Hitboxes | 12-13 |
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Belly Super Armor Frames | 5-11 |
Interruptible | 43 |
Animation length | 60 |
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Belly Super Armor |
Lag time |
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Vulnerable |
Armour |
Interruptible |
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