Editing Lucina (SSB4)

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==Attributes==
==Attributes==
[[File:Forward smash comparison.JPG|420px|thumb|Lucina's {{s|fireemblemwiki|Parallel Falchion}} lacks a specific sweetspot compared to Marth's {{iw|fireemblemwiki|Falchion|Archanea}}, as demonstrated by the trails emitted by their swords' blades.]]
[[File:Forward smash comparison.JPG|420px|thumb|Lucina's {{s|fireemblemwiki|Parallel Falchion}} lacks a specific sweetspot compared to Marth's {{iw|fireemblemwiki|Falchion|Archanea}}, as demonstrated by the trails emitted by their swords' blades.]]
Lucina is a [[clone]] of Marth: her moveset and animations are primarily based on his, while their attributes are identical. As such, Lucina is tied with Marth as the lightest [[Weight|middleweight]] in the game, yet she boasts great overall mobility like he does: she has the fastest [[walk]]ing speed in the game; above-average [[dash]]ing speed and [[air acceleration]]; average [[air speed|air]] and [[falling speed]]s; and low [[gravity]]. Lucina is also slightly shorter than Marth, which makes both her hurtbox and range marginally shorter than his.
Lucina is a [[clone]] of Marth: her moveset and animations are primarily based off of his, while their attributes are identical. As such, Lucina is tied with Marth as the lightest [[Weight|middleweight]] in the game, yet she boasts great overall mobility like he does: she has the fastest [[walk]]ing speed in the game; above-average [[dash]]ing speed and [[air acceleration]]; average [[air speed|air]] and [[falling speed]]s; and low [[gravity]]. Lucina is also slightly shorter than Marth, which makes both her hurtbox and range marginally shorter than his.


The primary difference between Lucina and Marth is their swords: Lucina's Parallel Falchion has a consistent damage output throughout its blade, whereas Marth's Falchion is more powerful when hitting with its blade's tip, but is significantly weaker throughout the rest of its blade. By extension, the power of all Lucina's attacks is approximately the weighted average of Marth's sweetspotted and sourspotted attacks, if not very slightly higher.
The primary difference between Lucina and Marth is their swords: Lucina's Parallel Falchion has a consistent damage output throughout its blade, whereas Marth's Falchion is more powerful when hitting with its blade's tip, but is significantly weaker throughout the rest of its blade. By extension, the power of all Lucina's attacks is approximate to the weighted average of Marth's sweetspotted and sourspotted attacks, if not very slightly higher.


These traits collectively grant Lucina a few advantages that help her stand out from Marth; in particular, her neutral game is overall safer because of the higher shieldstun on average her moves can inflict, which makes her moves safe on shield when spaced correctly. A prime example of this is her forward aerial, which is arguably her most useful spacing option, especially when utilizing the middle or tip of her Parallel Falchion.
These traits collectively grant Lucina a few advantages that help her set apart from Marth; in particular, her neutral game is overall safer because of the higher shieldstun on average her moves can inflict, which makes her moves safe on shield when spaced correctly. A prime example of this is her forward aerial, which is arguably her most useful spacing option, especially when utilizing the middle or tip of her Parallel Falchion.


Another advantage that Lucina possesses is her consistent KO potential: unlike Marth, precise spacing is not required for all her moves to deal dependable knockback, whereas Marth's sourspotted attacks deal mediocre damage and knockback even at high percentages. Noteworthy examples include her up smash, down aerial, and [[Dancing Blade]], which are all more powerful than Marth's equivalents in any given case. Although Lucina does not have as many intricate sourspot combos or set-ups that Marth can utilize to set up his tippers, she gains more consistent damage off her own combos than Marth due to her lack of such sourspots.
Another advantage that Lucina possesses is her consistent KO potential: unlike Marth, precise spacing is not required for all her moves to deal dependable knockback, whereas Marth's sourspotted attacks deal mediocre damage and knockback even at high percentages. Noteworthy examples include her up smash, down aerial and [[Dancing Blade]], which are all more powerful than Marth's equivalents in any given case. Although Lucina does not have as many intricate sourspot combos or set-ups that Marth can utilize to set up his tippers, she gains more consistent damage off her own combos than Marth due to her lack of such sourspots.


Lucina also has her own KO set-ups different from those of Marth via the first hit of neutral attack, while sharing some of them with him, and those she shares being arguably easier to perform because of the Parallel Falchion's consistent hitboxes; the most prominent example is the KO combo consisting of her neutral attack's first hit into forward smash, which is overall more effective when compared to Marth's, thanks to her balanced hitstun and knockback.
Lucina also has her own KO set-ups different from those of Marth via the first hit of neutral attack, while sharing some of them with him, and those she shares being arguably easier to perform because of the Parallel Falchion's consistent hitboxes; the most prominent example is the KO combo consisting of her neutral attack's first hit into forward smash, which is overall more effective when compared to Marth's, thanks to her balanced hitstun and knockback.


There are also many strengths Lucina shares with Marth. Like him, many of her moves possess good [[range]], fast start-up, and cover wide arcs, allowing her to pressure the opponent without leaving herself open to punishment. Lucina's special moveset also possesses immense utility, and in two cases, more than that of Marth. [[Shield Breaker]] can break shields thanks to its high shield damage, even when uncharged, and it is useful for punishing rolls. It also grants some horizontal movement, which is amplified when fully charged. [[Dancing Blade]] can be used to punish sidesteps and boasts combo, mix-up, KO, and even recovery potentials. In comparison to Marth's version, it does not link as well because of each hit's higher knockback, but it has much better KO potential.
There are also many strengths Lucina shares with Marth. Like him, many of her moves possess good [[range]], fast start-up, and cover wide arcs, allowing her to pressure the opponent without leaving herself open to punishment. Lucina's special moveset also possesses immense utility, and in two cases, more than that of Marth. [[Shield Breaker]] can break shields thanks to its high shield damage, even when uncharged, and it is useful for punishing rolls. It also grants some horizontal movement, which is amplified when fully charged. [[Dancing Blade]] can be used to punish sidesteps and boasts combo, mix-up, KO and even recovery potentials. In comparison to Marth's version, it does not link as well because of each hit's higher knockback, but it has much better KO potential.


[[Dolphin Slash]] has quick start-up; provides intangibility during its start-up; and is relatively strong upon coming out. These attributes make it Lucina's primary method of recovery, as its speed can make it difficult to intercept, especially from [[out of shield]]. In addition, its power makes it capable of breaking combos and even [[stage spike]] reckless edgeguard attempts. Lastly, [[Counter]] is a [[counterattack]] with a 1.2× damage multiplier that can KO an opponent who uses a sufficiently strong attack.
[[Dolphin Slash]] has quick start-up; provides intangibility during its start-up; and is relatively strong upon coming out. These attributes make it Lucina's primary method of recovery, as its speed can make it difficult to intercept, especially from [[out of shield]]. In addition, its power makes it capable of breaking combos and even [[stage spike]] reckless edgeguard attempts. Lastly, [[Counter]] is a [[counterattack]] with a 1.2× damage multiplier that can KO an opponent who uses a sufficiently strong attack.


The last strength Lucina shares with Marth is her strong edgeguarding potential: her forward and back aerials' fast start-up and good range make them go-to edgeguarding options. Down aerial is relatively quick, and can strongly meteor smash opponents if it hits at the center of the arc. Forward smash's range makes it a good choice against opponents aiming their recoveries directly towards the edge, such as {{SSB4|Little Mac}} and {{SSB4|Falco}}, and down tilt's range and speed make it good at exploiting an opponent's 2-frame-long vulnerability when grabbing the edge. Both can hit below the edge as well.
The last strength Lucina shares with Marth is her strong edgeguarding potential: her forward and back aerial's fast start-up and good range make them go-to edgeguarding options. Down aerial is relatively quick, and can strongly meteor smash opponents if it hits at the center of the arc. Forward smash's range makes it a good choice against opponents aiming their recoveries directly towards the edge, such as {{SSB4|Little Mac}} and {{SSB4|Falco}}, and down tilt's range and speed make it good at exploiting an opponent's 2 frame-long vulnerability when grabbing the edge. Both have the ability to hit below the edge as well.


Nonetheless, Lucina also possesses notable disadvantages compared to Marth. The lack of a tipper is both a strength and a weakness: while the lack of a tipper does make her combos and rushdowns more consistently damaging than Marth's, if Lucina does not successfully use one of her reliable KOing options, she must rely on scoring KOs with vastly inferior options compared to Marth's tippered attacks. On a related note, she cannot secure early KOs with hard reads or gain as much positional advantage off precise spacing against approaches or shields. This makes Lucina slightly less threatening in the neutral game; attacking opponents do not have to space their approaches relative to the Parallel Falchion's blade the same way they would with Marth's Falchion, and defending opponents do not need to adjust their spacing to avoid being hit by a tipper.
Nonetheless, Lucina also possesses notable disadvantages compared to Marth. The lack of a tipper is both a strength and weakness: while the lack of a tipper does make her combos and rushdowns more consistently damaging than Marth's, if Lucina does not successfully use one of her reliable KOing options, she must rely on scoring KOs with options that are vastly inferior compared to Marth's tippered attacks. On a related note, she cannot secure early KOs with hard reads, or gain as much positional advantage off precise spacing against approaches or shields. This makes Lucina slightly less threatening in the neutral game; attacking opponents do not have to space their approaches relative to the Parallel Falchion's blade the same way they would with Marth's Falchion, and defending opponents do not need to adjust their spacing to avoid being hit by a tipper.


As such, for Lucina's attacks to be safe on shield, she must still utilize her Parallel Fachion's range to space her moves at the middle portion or the tip of its blade. Opponents also do not have to worry about being KO'd early from a powerful and timely tippered attack, which in turn makes Lucina somewhat inferior at pressuring opponents in comparison to Marth.
As such, in order for Lucina's attacks to be safe on shield, she must still utilize her Parallel Fachion's range in order to space her moves at the middle portion or the tip of its blade. Opponents also do not have to worry about being KO'd early from a powerful and timely tippered attack, which in turn makes Lucina somewhat inferior at pressuring opponents in comparison to Marth.


Lucina also shares some of the weaknesses Marth does: despite having below-average weight and average falling speed, she is susceptible to combos, and her slightly above-average height makes her a rather easy target. Lucina also has minimal defense against [[juggling]], as her aerials are ineffective at relieving pressure. Though her attacks have quick start-up, many of them come with high ending and landing lag, and lack lingering hitboxes, making her attacks unsafe to use on shield up close despite their greater power. Lucina's moveset also lacks a projectile, making her struggle against projectile-oriented characters.
Lucina also shares some of the weaknesses Marth does: despite having below-average weight and average falling speed, she is susceptible to combos, and her slightly above-average height makes her a rather easy target. Lucina also has minimal defense against [[juggling]], as her aerials are ineffective at relieving pressure. Though her attacks have quick start-up, many of them come with high ending and landing lag, and lack lingering hitboxes, making her attacks unsafe to use on shield up close despite their greater power. Lucina's moveset also lacks a projectile, making her struggle against projectile-oriented characters.


While Lucina can pressure characters and force them to hold shield and block her attacks, she often struggles against shields, as improperly spaced aerials leave her susceptible to punishment, and Shield Breaker is highly punishable if predicted. This is further compounded by Lucina's poor grab game: although her pummel is fairly quick, each of her throws has low damage outputs, while only two of them (up and down throws) have utility. However, even these throws are ineffective: up throw only KOs at very high percentages, whereas down throw fails to combo past medium percentages.
While Lucina can pressure characters and force them to hold shield and block her attacks, she often struggles against shields, as improperly spaced aerials leave her susceptible to punishment, and Shield Breaker is highly punishable if predicted. This is further compounded by Lucina's poor grab game: although her pummel is fairly quick, each of her throws have low damage outputs, while only two of them (up and down throws) have utility. However, even these throws are ineffective: up throw only KOs at very high percentages, whereas down throw fails to combo past medium percentages.


Lastly, Lucina is vulnerable to edgeguarding. Dolphin Slash is her only reliable recovery option, and despite being hard for edgeguarders to overcome thanks to its speed and power, it has a linear path with fixed distance, making it predictable regardless. Due to its below-average horizontal distance, she is also vulnerable to [[semi-spike]]s. She does have options to mix it up, though: Shield Breaker can aid her horizontal recovery when fully charged, while Dancing Blade stalls her after a midair jump. Even so, she is also heavily reliant on her double jump for mixing up her recovery, and she is in significant danger of being [[gimp]]ed if off-stage without it.
Lastly, Lucina is vulnerable to edgeguarding. Dolphin Slash is her only reliable recovery option, and despite being hard for edgeguarders to outcome thanks to its speed and power, it has a linear path with fixed distance, making it predictable regardless. Due to its below-average horizontal distance, she is also vulnerable to [[semi-spike]]s. She does have options to mix it up, though: Shield Breaker can aid her horizontal recovery when fully charged, while Dancing Blade stalls her after a midair jump. Even so, she is also heavily reliant on her double jump for mixing up her recovery, and she is in significant danger of being [[gimp]]ed if off-stage without it.


Overall, Lucina is a "lower-risk, lower-reward" version of Marth. She trades heavy power and range for more consistent spacing and damage-racking abilities, as well as more consistent KO potential. Like {{SSB4|Mario}} and {{SSB4|Pit}}, she has a low learning curve thanks to her straightforward playstyle, since she benefits from spacing at close range while also having several fast and reliably strong KOing options. Despite this, and due to Marth's more rewarding KO and spacing potentials, she must play more defensively to utilize her moveset to the fullest, namely her moves' consistently high knockback, though without getting the extra reward Marth obtains by doing so.
Overall, Lucina is a "lower-risk, lower-reward" version of Marth. She trades heavy power and range for more consistent spacing and damage racking abilities, as well as more consistent KO potential. Like {{SSB4|Mario}} and {{SSB4|Pit}}, she has a low learning curve thanks to her straightforward playstyle, since she benefits from spacing at close range while also having several fast and reliably strong KOing options. Despite this, and due to Marth's more rewarding KO and spacing potentials, she must play more defensively in order to utilize her moveset to the fullest, namely her moves' consistently high knockback, though without getting the extra reward Marth obtains by doing so.


While Lucina does possess some advantages that allow her to fare better in certain matchups compared to Marth, such as {{SSB4|Pikachu}} and {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}}, she still lacks the main advantages that Marth's tipper provides. Despite her flaws, Lucina's actual level of viability is debatable: although her playerbase is fairly small, she receives strong results from the players who do use her, with the most notable examples being {{Sm|ZeRo}}'s numerous tournament victories upon adopting her as a secondary in 2017.
While Lucina does possess some advantages that allow her to fare better in certain matchups compared to Marth, such as {{SSB4|Pikachu}} and {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}}, she still lacks the main advantages that Marth's tipper provides. Despite her flaws, Lucina's actual level of viability is debatable: although her playerbase is fairly small, she receives strong results from the players who do use her, with the most notable examples being {{Sm|ZeRo}}'s numerous tournament victories upon adopting her as a secondary in 2017.

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