Traction
Traction is a measure of how long it takes for a character to stop moving from a sideways force when grounded. Characters with low traction slide farther than others after walking, dashing, wavedashing, behing hit by an attack while grounded, and so on.
Having high traction affords greater ground control over a character, so high traction is generally an advantage. Characters with low traction generally require more precise movement across the ground and cannot punish attacks as effectively out of shield since they will get pushed further away from the opponent. However, there are cases where low traction is useful: low traction is necessary for a long wavedash in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Luigi is well-known for having the least traction of any character in all games.
Traction is significantly lessened by slippery terrain such as ice; all characters (except the Ice Climbers, whose traction is very high) have decreased traction on slippery surfaces.
Traction rankings
Super Smash Bros.
| Rank | Character | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Link | 2 |
| 1-5 | Samus | 2 |
| 1-5 | Fox | 2 |
| 1-5 | Pikachu | 2 |
| 1-5 | Ness | 2 |
| 6 | Captain Falcon | 1.8 |
| 7 | Donkey Kong | 1.7 |
| 8 | Yoshi | 1.6 |
| 9 | Mario | 1.5 |
| 10 | Kirby | 1.4 |
| 11 | Jigglypuff | 1.1 |
| 12 | Luigi | 0.7 |
Super Smash Bros. Melee
| Rank | Character | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Peach | 0.1 |
| 1-4 | Link | 0.1 |
| 1-4 | Zelda | 0.1 |
| 1-4 | Pichu | 0.1 |
| 5-6 | Pikachu | 0.09 |
| 5-6 | Jigglypuff | 0.09 |
| 7-13 | Donkey Kong | 0.08 |
| 7-13 | Young Link | 0.08 |
| 7-13 | Sheik | 0.08 |
| 7-13 | Kirby | 0.08 |
| 7-13 | Fox | 0.08 |
| 7-13 | Falco | 0.08 |
| 7-13 | Captain Falcon | 0.08 |
| 14 | Ganondorf | 0.07 |
| 15-23 | Mario | 0.06 |
| 15-23 | Dr. Mario | 0.06 |
| 15-23 | Bowser | 0.06 |
| 15-23 | Yoshi | 0.06 |
| 15-23 | Samus | 0.06 |
| 15-23 | Ness | 0.06 |
| 15-23 | Marth | 0.06 |
| 15-23 | Roy | 0.06 |
| 15-23 | Mr. Game & Watch | 0.06 |
| 24 | Mewtwo | 0.04 |
| 25 | Ice Climbers | 0.035 |
| 26 | Luigi | 0.025 |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
| Rank | Character | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucario | 0.0736 |
| 2 | Jigglypuff | 0.0718 |
| 3-6 | Wario | 0.07 |
| 3-6 | Zero Suit Samus | 0.07 |
| 3-6 | Wolf | 0.07 |
| 3-6 | Sonic | 0.07 |
| 7-8 | Peach | 0.068 |
| 7-8 | Ganondorf | 0.068 |
| 9 | Falco | 0.065 |
| 10 | Link | 0.064 |
| 11-16 | Mario | 0.06 |
| 11-16 | Sheik | 0.06 |
| 11-16 | Fox | 0.06 |
| 11-16 | Mr. Game & Watch | 0.06 |
| 11-16 | Olimar | 0.06 |
| 11-16 | R.O.B. | 0.06 |
| 17 | Pikachu | 0.0596 |
| 18 | Samus | 0.0585 |
| 19 | Bowser | 0.0577 |
| 20-22 | Meta Knight | 0.055 |
| 20-22 | Charizard | 0.055 |
| 20-22 | Marth | 0.055 |
| 23 | Toon Link | 0.0547 |
| 24 | Ness | 0.0546 |
| 25 | Snake | 0.0542 |
| 26 | Zelda | 0.054 |
| 27 | Ivysaur | 0.0532 |
| 28 | Donkey Kong | 0.0529 |
| 29 | Pit | 0.0505 |
| 30 | Captain Falcon | 0.05 |
| 31 | Kirby | 0.0493 |
| 32-33 | Diddy Kong | 0.0484 |
| 32-33 | King Dedede | 0.0484 |
| 34 | Lucas | 0.045 |
| 35 | Ike | 0.044 |
| 36 | Yoshi | 0.0426 |
| 37 | Squirtle | 0.042 |
| 38 | Ice Climbers | 0.035 |
| 39 | Luigi | 0.022 |
