Editing Fox (SSB4)

|ranking = 7-8

As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', {{s|wikipedia|Kenji Nojima}} reprises his role in the Japanese version with his re-recorded voice clips of the game. Mike West, who voiced Fox in ''{{s|wikipedia|Star Fox 64}}'' and reprised his role in the 3DS remake, ''{{s|wikipedia|Star Fox 64 3D}}'', now voices Fox in the English version, replacing Jim Walker from ''Brawl''.

Fox has been ranked 7th/8th (tied with {{SSB4|Sonic}} on the last SBR tier list) in all versions of the [[tier list]] to date, placed in the A tier on the final tier list. This is a noticeable improvement from his previous position from ''Brawl'' where he was ranked 15th of 38 characters as an upper mid tier character, and marks Fox's return to being ranked as a top tier character, like in ''Melee''. Fox's strengths include very quick mobility, a fast and [[transcendent]] projectile in his {{b|Blaster|Fox}}, and an anti-[[camping]] move in his {{b|Reflector|Fox}}. Altogether, these grant him one of the fastest and safest [[approach]]es in the entire game and allow him to easily keep up with almost any opponent. Fox also boasts a versatile combo game thanks to his quick, low knockback moves, along with capable KOing power, with a quick and powerful finisher in his up smash.

However, Fox's fast falling speed, high gravity, subpar air speed and light weight make him one of the easiest characters to both combo and KO, making him prone to momentum shifts. His [[recovery]], while long-distanced, is linear and predictable, allowing for players to edgeguard him. His grab game is also poor, as his throws lack utility due to having no follow-ups past medium percentages or being realistic KOing options. The introduction of [[rage]] further burdens Fox, as the efficiency of his combos drops dramatically with it, as well as  becoming even easier to KO.

Regardless, Fox's weaknesses are not enough to keep him out of the top tier, which is evident by his high tournament representation, such as from {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}, and Fox has attained great results.

Finally, Fox has terrible endurance. His light [[weight]] and high gravity allow many characters to KO him below 100%. Not only that, but his falling speed leaves him extremely susceptible to combos, though less vulnerable to juggles. Thus, he loses the main advantage that light-weights possess while suffering from their most glaring weakness. Some characters can easily rack up 50% on Fox off of one combo, a prominent example being {{SSB4|Luigi}}, and he along with other characters can potentially bring Fox to KO percents with one or two combos. His aforementioned recovery issues only exacerbate Fox's frailty. Since Fox aims to rack up heavy damage but can struggle KOing, he is in even greater danger of losing his stock to opponents with heavy [[rage]], and his endurance prevents him from making effective use of the mechanic.

Fox received a mix of buffs and nerfs, but despite being directly [[nerf]]ed from ''Brawl'' to ''Smash 4'', several universal changes benefited Fox significantly more in ''SSB4''. Fox's neutral game is less effective, with increased lag on his aerials and a weakened camping game due to the removal of auto-canceling on his Blaster. This means Fox can no longer safely bait as many bad approaches from his opponents. Additionally, his general damage output and frame data were nerfed and some of his finishers (such as up smash) have been weakened. He is lighter, and the changes to [[hitstun canceling]] combined with his higher fall speed and gravity makes him even easier to combo and worsens his endurance. One of his most significant nerfs was to his {{b|Reflector|Fox}}, which can no longer allow him to stall in the air effectively due to its drastically increased ending lag, no longer has [[intangibility]] on startup removing its ability to break combos and can no longer semi-spike, making it much less effective overall now being near useless outside of reflecting projectiles.

However, Fox benefits from the general changes of ''SSB4'' enough to overcome these nerfs. This most notably includes the removal of [[chain grab]]bing, which was a major reason for his mid-tier placement in ''Brawl'', and early hitstun canceling, which restores his ability to perform short combos with some of his more versatile attacks, such as his up tilt and neutral aerial. Additionally, while Fox's neutral game was nerfed, it still remains better than most due to his retained mix-ups, excellent [[foxtrot]] and [[short hop]] and his overall mobility. Fox also benefits from a better [[jab cancel]] at higher percents, which can set up KOs more reliably. His recovery has also improved, with [[Fox Illusion]] no longer leaving him [[helpless]] and [[Fire Fox]] traveling farther. Fox benefits from the untechable [[reeling]] animation arguably more than any other character, as it now allows Fox to combo his weaker moves (such as down or neutral aerial) into his smash attacks for a K.O.

*{{change|Fox has received three new [[alternate costume]]s, one of which resembles [[Slippy Toad]]'s appearance in ''Star Fox: Assault''.}}

*{{buff|Fox [[dash]]es faster (2.08 → 2.184), now only slightly trailing his Melee dashing speed.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt deals less damage (9%/8%/7% → 8%/7%/6%), hindering its KO potential.}}

***{{buff|This significantly improves its approach potential, especially when combined with its increased travel distance.}}

**{{nerf|Up smash deals less damage (17%/15% (clean)/13% (late) → (16%/14%)/11%), with the clean hit also having decreased knockback scaling (96 → 94), hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Down smash has more ending lag (FAF 50 → 53).}}

**{{buff|Forward aerial's first four hits now send aerial opponents at the [[autolink angle]] (75° → 366°) with [[set knockback]] (10 (base), 50 (scaling) → 120 (set)/100 (scaling)). When combined with the weakening of SDI, this allows it to connect much more reliably and it makes the move harder to escape, despite its SDI multiplier being increased (1× → 1.3×).}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial deals much less damage (6% (hit 1)/5% (hits 2/3)/4% (hit 4)/23% (total) → 2%/1%/0.6%/0.8%/7.4%), going from the most damaging forward aerial in ''Brawl'' to one of the least damaging in ''Smash 4''.}}

***{{nerf|Removes its ability to [[auto-cancel]] in a short hop, noticeably hindering its approach potential.}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial deals less damage (15% → 13%), without full compensation on its knockback scaling (85 → 88), hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|The first six hits deal less damage (3% → 1.4%), significantly reducing down aerial's total damage output (21% → 11.4%).}}

**{{nerf|Edge attack has a shorter duration (frames 25-32 → 19-21).}}

**{{change|Much like Fox's throw lasers, Blaster's laser now has a unique laser sound effect when it connects (rather than a punch sound).}}

**{{buff|Fox Illusion no longer leaves Fox [[helpless]] after the move is performed in the air, though it can still only be used once in the air. When combined with the removal of [[edge hog]]ging, this drastically improves its recovery potential.}}

**{{nerf|Fire Fox has more landing lag (18 frames → 20 (normal/30 (RCO lag)).}}

**{{nerf|Reflector launches aerial opponents at a much higher angle (10° → 40°), significantly hindering its edgeguarding and KO potential despite its higher knockback.}}

**{{nerf|Similar to its ''Smash 64''/''Melee'' counterparts, Fox is now locked in his reflector for 20 frames before he can release it, drastically increasing the move's ending lag (FAF 22 → 41). This significantly hinders its safety as an attack on the ground, as well as removing its followup potential.}}

|fsmashdesc=A butterfly kick. It has good range since Fox somersaults forward. Has possibly the lowest base knockback in the game for a forward smash, but decent knockback growth.

|usmashname=Flip Kick ({{ja|サマーソルトキック|Samāsoruto Kikku}}, ''Somersault Kick'')

|fthrowdesc=Releases the opponent and quickly performs a cross, launching them forward. Can lead into a dash attack or up smash at low to high percentages if the opponent does not DI away or tech. It is also Fox's strongest throw, but it does not start KOing until extremely high percentages.

|dthrowdesc=Forces the opponent onto the ground and fires four rapid, point-blank shots at them with his Blaster. A semi-reliable combo starter into forward aerial, back aerial, or up aerial, depending on DI, but since it has high base knockback and scaling, such follow-ups become impossible past very low percentages unless the opponent DIs poorly.

|desc-jp=Fo-kusu! *claps 3 times*

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

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''See also: [[:Category:Fox players (SSB4)]]''

*{{Sm|Charliedaking|USA}} - One of the best Fox players in the United States. His best results came from the second half of 2017, with placements such as 5th at {{Trn|2GGC: ARMS Saga}} and 7th at {{Trn|2GGC: West Side Saga}}. He is ranked 67th on the [[PGR 100]].

*{{Sm|Eon|USA}} - First broke out onto the scene by placing 9th at {{Trn|2GGC: GENESIS Saga}} defeating {{Sm|komorikiri}} and {{Sm|6WX}}. He has since been a regular at SoCal events at majors, including placing 9th at {{Trn|IBP Masters Showdown}} and 13th at {{Trn|Smash Masters League: Battle for Vegas}}, ultimately ranking 98th on the [[PGR 100]].

*{{Sm|Kuro|Japan}} - One of the best Fox players in Japan after switching to the character in mid-2017, placing highly at several notable Japanese events including 4th at {{Trn|Sumabato Tokaigi Qualifier 2}} and 9th at both {{Trn|Sumabato 27}} and {{Trn|Umebura Smash 4 Final}}. He is ranked 97th on the [[PGR 100]].

*{{Sm|Larry Lurr|USA}} - The best Fox player of all-time who was also a top 10 player for most of the game's lifespan, ultimately ranking 8th on the [[PGR 100]]. Although he never won the major, he came the closest, including placing 2nd at {{Trn|2GGT: ZeRo Saga}} and 3rd at {{Trn|EVO 2017}}.

*{{Sm|Light|USA|p=Connecticut}} - The second-best Fox player of all-time who was in contention for the best in 2018, especially following a string of strong results which included placing 4th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 4}}, {{Trn|Smash Sounds}}, and {{Trn|Shine 2018}}. He is ranked 43rd on the [[PGR 100]], the second-highest Fox player on the ranking.

*{{Sm|NAKAT|USA}} - Co-mains Fox alongside {{SSB4|Ness}} and was one of the best Fox players throughout the game's lifespan. He most notably used Fox to place 9th at both {{Trn|CEO 2016}} and {{Trn|2GGC: Greninja Saga}}. He is ranked 49th on the [[PGR 100]].

*{{Sm|Shogun|Japan}} - One of Japan's best Fox players of all time, regularly placing in the top 16 at Japanese events including 4th at {{Trn|Sumabato 16}} and 7th at both {{Trn|Umebura 25}} and {{Trn|Umebura 28}}. He is ranked 82nd on the [[PGR 100]].

*{{Sm|SH|Japan}} - Mainly active in 2015 and was the best Fox player in Japan during that time, most notably winning the {{Trn|Sumabato Niconico Qualifier}} over {{Sm|Abadango}} and {{Sm|Nietono}}. Although rarely active since then, he was still considered one of Japan's best Fox players, ultimately ranking 75th on the [[PGR 100]].

*{{Sm|Xzax|USA}} - One of the best Fox players in the world from 2015 to 2016, regularly placing well at SoCal events such as 5th at {{Trn|2GGT: Fresh Saga}} and 17th at {{Trn|2GGT: Abadango Saga}}. Although his results have since declined, he has still seen occasional success, such as 33rd at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}} upsetting {{Sm|ZeRo}}, and as such is ranked 92nd on the [[PGR 100]].

During the game's release, Fox was considered a mid-tier character by the ''SSB4'' community. Players believed the reductions to his overall damage output, the weakening of his up smash, the heavily increased landing lag on his aerials, the loss of [[Blaster]] [[auto-cancelling]] and shine-spikes, and his increased frailty resulted in him being worse than his ''Brawl'' incarnation. However, they slowly reassessed their thoughts on the character, as the removal of [[chaingrabbing]] and [[edge-hogging]] and the heavy changes to [[hitstun]] cancelling would prove beneficial to Fox, as such mechanics plagued him in ''Brawl''. Opinions on Fox improved further as players discovered the first two hits of his jab could perform [[infinite]]s and easily combo into other moves, including his main finishers. As a result, a massive amount of Fox players rushed into the competitive scene and quickly gained results, with many spamming the infinite as their battle strategy. Ultimately, this "infinite" carried even casual players to victories over experts. While nerfs to his jab in patch 1.1.0 removed the infinite and reduced its combo utility, his results continued to improve thanks to the efforts of players such as {{Sm|Charliedaking}}, {{Sm|Eon}}, {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}}, and most notably {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}, who consistently ranked in the top 10 on global power rankings. In addition, Fox also notably benefited from the nerfs to {{SSB4|Sheik}} and {{SSB4|Luigi}}, who were among Fox's most challenging match-ups prior to their nerfs.

These points have led Fox to be considered a top tier character by the community as the metagame advanced, which is reflected on him ranking at 7th on all iterations of the ''4BR'' [[tier list]]. This also makes Fox the only character to consistently stand on the same placing on each iteration of the tier list (although he shares the spot with {{SSB4|Sonic}} on the fourth and final tier list). However, some smashers such as {{Sm|Dabuz}} and {{Sm|ESAM}} have claimed that Fox should be ranked higher on the tier list due to his dominant results and overwhelming advantage state, with both players ranking Fox among the top 5.

{{Trophy/Fighter

|name=Fox

|image-3ds=FoxTrophy3DS.png

|image-wiiu=FoxTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-3ds-ntsc=Fox is the leader of the mercenary unit Star Fox, often enlisted to defeat the evil Andross. His piloting skills are top notch, but in Smash Bros. he brings speed and fast attacks to the battle. His Reflector move allows him to turn projectile attacks against his foes, increasing their power for a punishing blow.

|desc-wiiu-ntsc=Fox McCloud is the leader of the mercenary flight team, Star Fox, often enlisted to defeat the evil Andross. His piloting skills are top notch, but in Smash Bros. his strength is sheer speed. His Reflector move allows him to turn projectile attacks against his foes, increasing their power for a punishing blow.

|desc-pal=Leader of the Star Fox team, Fox is a skilled pilot with a strong sense of justice. In this game, he's quick on his feet and can use his speed to toy with opponents, attacking relentlessly and giving them no room to breathe. Even if they try to attack him from afar with projectiles, his Reflector move just sends them flying right back!

{{Trophy/Fighter

|name=Fox (Alt.)

|image-3ds=FoxAltTrophy3DS.png

|image-wiiu=FoxAltTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-ntsc=Fox is at home in the air, and many of his moves, like his up smash, Flip Kick, will send foes up there. It's great for KO'ing a damaged opponent. Another handy move is his up special Fire Fox. The flames that surround Fox deal damage to nearby foes, and you can launch yourself in any direction once charged.

|desc-pal=The Flip Kick that Fox does for his upward smash can really send foes flying. It's well worth pulling out this attack in combos against airborne opponents. Try following it up with his red-hot Fire Fox special to hammer them repeatedly. The fact that you can fly in any direction with this move is a real bonus too!

|name=Landmaster (Fox)

|image=LandmasterFoxTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-ntsc=Originally designed for exploration, the Landmaster in Fox's Final Smash has been converted into an ultra-high-performance, anti-air, rolling combat vehicle. When Fox hops aboard, he can drive or roll into foes and blast them with cannon fire. It can even fire in midair. And best of all, Fox is safe from damage inside this metal beast!

|desc-pal=Originally designed for exploration, the Landmaster in Fox's Final Smash has been converted into an ultra-high-performance, anti-air, rolling combat vehicle. When Fox gets on board, he can drive or roll into foes and blast them with cannon fire. It can even fire in mid-air. And best of all, Fox won't take any damage while inside!

|game=ssb4-wiiu

**However, despite his current Japanese voice actor being Takashi Ōhara since ''Star Fox 64 3D'', Kenji Nojima reprises Fox in Japanese by the time of both ''Smash 4'' and ''Star Fox 64 3D''{{'}}s release dates. This trait is also shared with {{SSB4|Falco}}.

*Fox is the only character in ''SSB4'' whose normal falling speed is higher than 2, at 2.05.

*In {{for3ds}}, Fox will appear to have two upper jaws if the game is paused right after getting hit, but only while using an attack that makes him visually open his mouth. This appears to be a graphical error similar to the "double mouth" glitch experienced by {{SSB4|Sonic}}.