Editing Pichu (SSBM)

{{ArticleIcons|melee=y}}
{{Disambig2|Pichu's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''|the character in other contexts|Pichu}}
{{Infobox Character
|name = Pichu
|image = [[File:Pichu SSBM.jpg]]
|symbol = preBrawl
|game=SSBM
|ssbgame1=SSBU
|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]
|tier = D
|tierPAL = H
|ranking = 22
|rankingPAL = 26
}}
'''Pichu''' ({{ja|ピチュー|Pichū}}, ''Pichu'') is a [[Pokémon]] character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. Pichu is the pre-evolution of {{SSBM|Pikachu}}, and in ''Melee'', Pichu has a nearly identical moveset, making it a [[clone]].

Pichu is voiced by Satomi Kōrogi, who also voiced one of the {{s|bulbapedia|Pichu Brothers}} in the ''Pokémon'' anime.

Pichu is ranked 22nd out of 26 on the current Melee tier list, placing it in the D tier. This is significantly lower than Pikachu, who currently ranks 9th in the B+ tier. Pichu has solid overall mobility, complemented with a couple noteworthy [[attack]]s, having an excellent [[Pichu (SSBM)/Neutral aerial|neutral aerial]], along with access to prolonged combos with its [[Pichu (SSBM)/Up aerial|up aerial]] and throws used for [[chaingrab]]bing. Pichu also has an oversized [[shield]] making it difficult to [[shield stab]], aiding its [[out of shield]] game.

However, all of Pichu's strengths are severely outweighed by its weaknesses. It has very poor [[range]] and endurance due to its stubby frame and [[Weight#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee_weight_values|featherweight]] status, which makes stray hits an unusually big threat and [[crouch cancel]]ing for openings nearly useless. It also takes [[recoil damage]] from its [[electric]]-based moves, including its own recovery, further hampering both its offense and defense. To make matters worse, Pichu has a rather high technical learning curve, many of its moves have niche, but noteworthy, applications in specific matchups, alongside underexplored, or situational [[technique]]s, all of which are vital to maintain any semblance of equal footing with competitive opponents.

Although no longer considered a contender for the worst in the game, Pichu was intended to be a bad character in general, which has been demonstrated throughout ''Melee''{{'}}s competitive lifespan; Pichu arguably has the worst representation out of any fighter in ''Melee'', and has seen seldom use in competitive play outside of [[sandbagging]]. While Pichu is a poor character choice in competitive play, {{Sm|codeman}} has demonstrated that it is possible for it to place respectably in-tournament.

==How to unlock==
Pichu must be defeated in battle before it can be unlocked. There are two ways the player can encounter Pichu:
*One way is to complete [[Event 37: Legendary Pokémon]]. If the player fails to defeat Pichu, they can re-fight it by completing the event again.
*Another way is to play 200 VS. matches to completion. If the player fails to defeat Pichu, they can re-fight it by playing another VS. match to completion. If this method is used, fighters with lower VS. match quotas must be unlocked before Pichu can be fought.
Upon meeting either requirement, the player will fight against Pichu on Pokémon Stadium, with "Battle Theme" playing.

==Attributes==
Pichu, as a character, falls under the archetype of being nimble, yet relatively fragile. Due to its high traction and average falling speed, Pichu has a rather short wavedash; additionally, its quick and low-lag aerials also give Pichu a good [[SHFFL]]. As such, Pichu can easily maneuver around stages, with low [[lag|landing lag]], a great [[Ledgedash#List_of_characters_ranked_by_GALINT|ledgedash]], a small body and a rather fast [[Dash#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee_rankings|dash]] speed, making Pichu one of the more difficult characters to hit in the game. However, its poor endurance due to its very light weight ensures that opponents will not have to find too many openings against it to secure KOs.

Pichu's smash attacks are all short range, but overall possess good knockback and damage relative to their frame data. Pichu's up smash and forward smash are able to KO characters at as little as ~70%, while its down smash semi-spikes opponents and has invincibility frames. Pichu also has decent throws; its forward and back throws can knock opponents off stage and help with positioning, while its up and down throws can chain throw fastfallers and lead to tech chases.

Pichu's best tool is [[Pichu_(SSBM)/Neutral_aerial|neutral aerial]], becoming active in just three frames and has minimal landing lag, especially when L-canceled. This move serves as a viable [[approach]] option, can rack up significant damage with long strings of just itself, and can create a pseudo-[[wall of pain]] if the player can complete a string of hits off-stage. Pichu's up aerial complements neutral aerial's utility, allowing it to juggle enemies in the air, though it does as low as 2% when [[stale]]d. Most of its other aerials attacks are situational in use, but these two moves alone provide Pichu a decent means to pressure the opponent midair.

Despite its recoil, Pichu also boasts an excellent recovery. Its up special, [[Agility]], can travel in many different directions while covering a large distance, and can have extremely little [[Agility#Overview|ending lag]]. Pichu's [[Skull Bash]] also further aids its horizontal distance, with outstanding power when fully charged, it can deal a massive 39% damage and guarantees KOs at very low percentages when landed (although rarely is). With Agility being able to seamlessly mix up edgeguarders, and Skull Bash's potential strength serving as a deterrent to attempted edgeguards, Pichu has one of the best recovery distances in the game.

A key weakness of Pichu is its poor range. Pichu's fastest and most powerful attacks are all close to its body, and its tools to safely approach enemies are limited, making it very difficult for Pichu to KO or even find openings against its opponents (especially against characters with disjointed hitboxes). Its neutral aerial is Pichu's primary attack option, making Pichu's overall [[neutral game]] play rather predictable. Pichu's grab game is also heavily hampered by its short range, at the third shortest in the game, making it difficult for players to consistently take advantage of Pichu's decent throws. Many of Pichu's poorest matchups stem from it struggling to deal with some individual moves of characters (such as {{SSBM|Fox}}'s neutral air or a large portion of {{SSBM|Marth}}'s moveset) because it lacks tools that have enough range to counter the attacks.

Pichu's defensive game is also notoriously poor. Although it has a rather large shield for its size, it is saddled with short tech rolls and a slow, short ledge roll, making it very easy for enemies to extend punishes on Pichu with little that the Pichu player can do to escape. Furthermore, despite being a lightweight, Pichu is also quite vulnerable to combos (some of which are either infinite or [[zero-death]], such as {{SSBM|Ganondorf}}'s chain throw) due to its high hitstun and average falling speed. It is worth noting, however, that Pichu's (as well as Pikachu's) tech-in-place has only 2 frames of vulnerability, while all other characters have 6 - though over-relying on this can become predictable. These traits exacerbate Pichu's range issues and its risk-reward in interactions.

Finally, Pichu suffers from the infamous recoil damage it receives while using almost any move involving [[electric]]-based hitboxes, injuring its survivability in a way that is unlike any other character in the game (aside from [[Mr. Game & Watch (SSBM)|Mr. Game & Watch]]'s [[Judge#Numbers_and_their_effects|Judgement 1]], [[Roy (SSBM)|Roy]]'s fully charged [[Flare_Blade#In_Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|Flare Blade]], and [[Donkey Kong (SSBM)|Donkey Kong]]'s escaped [[Kong Karry]]), as several of Pichu's moves add at least one percent of damage to the user. For example, using both segments of Agility to recover adds four percent to Pichu each time it is used. While most of Pichu's best moves do not use electricity, recoil damage reduces the utility of its electric-based attacks. If players are not careful with balancing Pichu's electrical and non-electrical attacks, the recoil damage can add up quickly. With the lowest [[Weight#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee_weight_values|weight]] in the game (being lighter than ''Jigglypuff'') and average falling speed, Pichu's survivability is already among the worst in the game, even without recoil damage.

Overall, Pichu is a high-risk, high-effort character that cannot afford to make mistakes, incorrect guesses, or even trade hits due to its fragility, limited move options, and shorter range compared to more viable characters. This results in Pichu being a poor choice competitively, with its advantages being thoroughly outweighed by its drawbacks. While Pichu could potentially pose a threat to the opponent with its decent frame data, evasion, and chain grabs, its horrific survivability heavily counters any benefits over higher tiered characters. High tiered characters in the ''Melee'' cast can outrange and out-punish Pichu in many instances. This is amplified by Pichu's need to sometimes win vastly more neutral interactions than the opponent to be victorious, owed to Pichu being easily comboed and knocked out at mid-range percentages. As such, Pichu is almost never seen at any level of play, and those who do main Pichu are sometimes not taken seriously by other players.

==Differences from {{SSBM|Pikachu}}==
{{incomplete|Missing some differences in overview.}}
Pichu performs drastically worse than Pikachu competitively, particularly in the [[singles]] format, largely due to garnering [[recoil damage]] while using some of its moves, its reduced [[weight]], and differing moves altogether. Pichu's added recoil damage on several of its moves results in them being less rewarding to land by mildly punishing the player for choosing the option, regardless of whether or not it connects. Pichu, however, is also smaller than Pikachu, while also having a shield that protects its body more consistently than Pikachu's. Both traits culminate into a character that is significantly harder to hit than its evolved form, although its lighter weight largely counteracts these benefits.

On top of most of Pichu's [[recovery]] options dealing recoil damage, the movement of [[Agility]] is slower and has no attack hitboxes, unlike Pikachu's [[Quick Attack]]. However, Pichu's Agility can travel in more directions than Quick Attack, and is capable of only one frame of landing lag, the lowest in the game. Pichu also has the ability to [[wall jump]] (as well as [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYwDLsa84x4 doraki walljump]). Due to the situational nature of wall jumping, Pichu's recoil damage, the reduced movement speed of Agility, as well as the attacking hitboxes of Quick Attack, Pikachu's recovery is deemed superior, despite covering less distance.

One of the key differences across Pichu's moveset is the change of some single-hit moves to multi-hit, and vice versa. The greater presence of multi-hit moves in its moveset is mostly to Pichu's detriment, allowing opponent's to use [[directional influence]] to escape the remaining hits. Perhaps most notably, it makes Forward Smash largely unsafe on hit if the opponent is on stage, as the finisher can be escaped. Neutral aerial is effectively the same hitbox-wise as its counterpart. However, due to Pichu having significantly smaller damageable collision bubbles than Pikachu, and Pichu's version having three frames less landing lag (one frame less when using an [[L-cancel]]), the move is deemed superior to Pikachu's version. This (along with Pikachu's shorter grab range, which is the shortest in the game) is possibly the only monumental benefit Pichu has over Pikachu that doesn't come with a significant drawback. 

Pichu's up aerial lacks a [[semi-spike]] hitbox, largely resulting in Pichu's inferiority to Pikachu in terms of [[edgeguard]]ing. Up aerial instead launches the opponent upward in a consistent manner, making it better for setting up a follow up attack. Regardless, this loss of an integral edgeguarding tool weakens its off stage presence. This is significant as edgeguarding is considered one of Pikachu's biggest strengths, and one of the main reasons that it can stand up to the top ''Melee'' characters at the highest levels of play. Due to this, Pichu tends to take stocks via Neutral aerial, with the move being reasonably strong compared to its other moves. This is also a result of the move being decent frame data wise, while also not having the drawbacks that usually saddle its moveset (multi-hitting attacks or recoil damage). However, as Pichu's neutral air is respectably challenging to contest with, and is a solid finisher offstage, on top of the excellent recovery distance Pichu has in particular, which can afford to go deep offstage, Pichu's edgeguarding ability is arguably at an average level among the cast.

Pichu also notably possesses a marginally greater [[Grab#In_Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|grab range]] than Pikachu. With its smaller size, this results in Pichu's grab game being mildly safer and harder to punish than Pikachu's. Otherwise, throw follow ups and chain grab opportunities are near identical (though notably, [[pummel]]ing deals recoil damage to Pichu). Pichu is also one of the few characters in ''Melee'' who can perform a rear clinch, due to its grab range extending slightly behind the neck. This niche functionality could be compared to a [[pivot grab]], albeit with minuscule range to compensate for significantly easier execution and slightly faster start up.

====Aesthetics====
*{{change|Pichu's idle animations, taunt, and victory poses are all different from Pikachu's.}}

====Attributes====
*{{buff|Pichu can [[wall jump]], aiding its recovery.}}
*{{nerf|All of Pichu's [[electric]]al attacks inflict [[recoil damage]].}}
*{{nerf|Pichu [[run]]s slower than Pikachu (1.8 → 1.72).}}
*{{nerf|Pichu's [[fast fall]] speed is lower (2.7 → 2.5).}}
*{{change|Pichu's [[traction]] is higher than Pikachu's (0.09 → 0.1). This makes it easier for Pichu to punish out of shield but it also gives Pichu a shorter [[wavedash]].}}
*{{nerf|Pichu is significantly [[Weight|lighter]] than Pikachu (80 → 55), giving it a much lower survivability.}}
*{{buff|Pichu's [[roll]]s go slightly further than Pikachu's.}}
*{{change|Pichu is slightly smaller than Pikachu, reducing its range and hurtbox.}}

====Ground attacks====
*{{nerf|Pichu's [[jab]], [[forward tilt|forward]] and [[down tilt]]s have shorter reach than Pikachu's.}}
*{{nerf|All three of Pichu's [[smash attack]]s deal less damage and have less reach than Pikachu's.}}
*{{nerf|Pichu's dash attack travels a shorter distance, reducing its range.}}
*[[Up tilt]]:
**{{buff|Up tilt becomes significantly more disjointed than Pikachu's from the fourth active frame onwards.}}
**{{nerf|It deals less damage (7%/6% → 6%) and has lower knockback (45 (base)/124 (scaling) → 25/120).}}
*[[Forward smash]]:
**{{nerf|Forward smash strikes multiple times instead of once, and can therefore be [[SDI]]'d out of before the final blow connects.}}
**{{nerf|It is a multi hitting move making it far less reliable than Pikachu's. It also deals less damage (21% (early), 19% (mid), 18% (late) → 2% (hits 1-5), 6% (hit 6), 14% (total)).}}
**{{change|The final hit has increased knockback values (25 (base)/92 (scaling) → 90/140). Combined with the lower damage value, this results in the move's knockback being more base-heavy, improving its KO potential near the horizontal blastline, while worsening its KO potential from further away.}}
**{{nerf|It causes recoil damage (2%).}}
*[[Up smash]]:
**{{change|Up smash is completely different; it hits the opponent with its head. Similar to {{SSBM|Mario}} and his clones.}}
**{{buff|Its sweetspot has a much larger hitbox than Pikachu's (2u/3.2u/4.8u → 5.6u).}}
**{{nerf|It has more startup lag with a shorter duration due to it lacking a late hit (frames 8-17 → 9-11). It also deals less damage than Pikachu's clean hit (19%/18%/17% → 16%) and knockback (40 (base)/110/100 (scaling) → (50/40)/105).}}
*[[Down smash]]:
**{{buff|Down smash is more reliable due to consisting of a single hit and it is a semi spike (70° → 160°, sending opponents behind it, like the first hit of Ganondorf's down smash), giving it edge-guarding ability, as long as Pichu is close to the edge while facing its opponent. It also has intangibility on frames 7-10 and it deals more damage than the final hit of Pikachu's down smash (3% → 13%)).}}
**{{change|It has one hit and it's non-electrical.}}
**{{nerf|Its different angle has removed its combo potential. It also deals slightly less damage than Pikachu's (13.83% → 13%).}}
**{{nerf|Despite dealing more damage than the final hit of Pikachu's down smash, it is significantly weaker than Pikachu's down smash, due to its lowered knockback values (70 (base)/170 (scaling) → 30/70).}}

====Aerial attacks====
*[[Neutral aerial]]:
**{{buff|Neutral aerial has less landing lag (15 → 12).}}
**{{buff|One of its hitboxes is bigger (≈4.2u → ≈4.69u), which combined with Pichu's smaller size gives the move more favourable hitboxes overall.}}
*[[Forward aerial]]:
**{{buff|It has less landing lag (12 → 9).}}
**{{nerf|Although its head hitbox is bigger (≈6.3u → ≈6.49u), it has a much less favourable placement, reducing the move's range.}}
**{{nerf|It causes recoil damage (4% (1% per hit)).}}
*[[Back aerial]]:
**{{nerf|Back aerial's clean hit deals much less damage (12% → 9%), being the same as the late hit.}}
**{{buff|It has 3 hitboxes instead of 2, with altered placements, giving the move more range.}}
**{{change|It has no landing hitbox, but to compensate it has significantly less landing lag (30 → 18).}}
*[[Up aerial]]:
**{{nerf|Up aerial has a consistent angle throughout the entire attack (80°/0°/120° → 80°), slightly improving its combo ability against fast-fallers, but entirely removing its gimping ability due to not being able to [[semi-spike]].}}
**{{nerf|It has slightly more start-up (frame 3 → 4).}}
***{{buff|However, its total duration remains unchanged, giving it less ending lag.}}
**{{nerf|It has 3 smaller hitboxes rather than 2 larger ones, with altered placements, which give the move less range overall.}}
**{{buff|It has a slightly longer initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-2 → 1-3).}}
**{{buff|It has significantly less landing lag (26 → 18).}}
*[[Down aerial]]:
**{{buff|Down aerial has significantly less landing lag (40 → 26).}}
**{{nerf|It causes recoil damage (1% (aerial hitbox), 1% (landing), total: 2%).}}

====Grabs and throws====
*{{buff|[[Grab]] range is slightly longer than Pikachu's, although it is still one of the shortest in the game.}}
*{{nerf|[[Pummel]] and [[forward throw]] cause recoil damage (1%).}}
*{{nerf|Pichu rolls back a shorter distance during [[back throw]].}}

====Special moves====
*[[Thunder Jolt]]:
**{{nerf|Thunder Jolt causes recoil damage (1%).}}
*[[Skull Bash]]:
**{{buff|Skull Bash can be charged for a longer period of time, is more powerful when fully charged, and travels a longer distance than Pikachu's.}}
***{{buff|It deals much more damage when fully charged (29% → 39%).}}
**{{nerf|It has more ending lag than Pikachu's.}}
**{{nerf|It causes recoil damage (1%).}}
*[[Agility]]:
**{{nerf|Pichu's [[Agility]] is slower than Pikachu's [[Quick Attack]], cannot travel as far, and inflicts neither damage nor knockback.}}
**{{buff|It can go in more directions than Quick Attack.}}
**{{nerf|It causes recoil damage (1% (first zip), 3% (second zip), total: 4%).}}
*{{b|Thunder|Pokémon}}:
**{{nerf|Thunder's lightning bolt does less damage than Pikachu's and is a multi-hit move (hitting up to 4 times), allowing opponents to [[Smash DI]] out of the move.}}
**{{change|Its lightning bolt has a vertical knockback angle unlike Pikachu's (70° → 94°).}}
**{{nerf|Thunder's discharge causes recoil damage (3%).}}
**{{nerf|Thunder's discharge does significantly less damage (17% → 13%), and less base knockback (100 → 90). Combined these changes significantly hinders the discharge's KO potential.}}
**{{nerf|Thunder's discharge hitbox size was slightly reduced (3,000 → 2,800).}}

==Moveset==
''For a gallery of Pichu's hitboxes, see [[Pichu (SSBM)/Hitboxes|here]].''
[[File:PichuAerialAttacksSSBM.png|thumb|Pichu's aerial attacks]]
{{MovesetTable
|game=SSBM
|neutralcount=1
|neutralname=Headbutt ({{ja|ずつき|Zutsuki}})
|neutral1dmg=2%
|neutraldesc=Does an extremely quick headbutt. Can easily chain into itself, and even [[lock]] some characters against certain walls, such as [[Pokemon Stadium]] transformations.
|ftiltname=Pichu Kick ({{ja|りょうあしげり|Ryōashi Geri}}, ''Both-Feet Kick'')
|ftiltangles=3
|ftiltupdmg=9%
|ftiltsidedmg=8%
|ftiltdowndmg=7%
|ftiltdesc=Plants itself on its upper paws and kicks both its feet forward. Low knockback and very low range. This attack can be angled up or down and features one of Pichu's few lingering moves without recoil damage. Deals the most damage angled up, as with all angled forward tilts, with near identical range.
|utiltname=Tail Smack ({{ja|しっぽアタック|Shippo Atakku}}, ''Tail Attack'')
|utiltdmg=6%
|utiltdesc=Swipes its tail above its body in an arc. Low range and somewhat slow, though sets up for aerial combos and follow ups.
|dtiltname=Tail Sweep ({{ja|あしばらい|Ashibarai}}, ''Leg Sweep'')
|dtiltdmg=7%
|dtiltdesc=Swipes its tail in front of itself. Short ranged, but can act as a good method for spacing (and it notably out-ranges forward tilt).
|dashname=Running Headbutt ({{ja|ジャンプずつき|Janpu Zutsuki}}, ''Jump Headbutt'')
|dashdmg=8%
|dashdesc=Jumps and headbutts forward. It has noticeable endlag and can be unsafe on hit at lower percents.
|fsmashname=Thundershock ({{ja|ショートでんげき|Shōto Dengeki}}, ''Short Volt Attack'') 
|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|2}} (hits 1-5), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|6}} (hit 6), 2% recoil
|fsmashdesc=Launches a short jolt of electricity from its cheeks. The final hit is a very powerful finisher, KOing at relatively low percentages. Incredible knockback when fully charged, KOs light characters at very low damages near the edge. However, this attack can be [[SDI]]'d out of. Has [[Priority#Transcendent_priority|transcendent priority]].
|usmashname=Jumping Headbutt ({{ja|ヘッドバット|Heddobatto}}, ''Headbutt'')
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|16}}
|usmashdesc=Headbutts upwards similar to Mario's up smash, except that Pichu's head has no intangibility frames. One of Pichu's best finishers and one of the strongest up smashes in the game. Can be a guaranteed follow-up off of an up throw to KO [[fastfaller]]s at high percentages.
|dsmashname=Spinning Mouse ({{ja|こうそくかいてん|Kōsoku Kaiten}}, ''High-Speed Rotation'')
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|13}}
|dsmashdesc=Quickly spins in place. It has more range than it appears and has some invincibility frames at the beginning of the move, as well as being relatively powerful. Unlike Pikachu's, it is not [[electric]]-based.
|nairname=Pichu Roll ({{ja|ピチュースピン|Pichū Supin}}, ''Pichu Spin'')
|nairdmg=12% (clean), 9% (late)
|nairdesc=Curls up in a ball and does somersaults in the air. Notorious for effectively comboing into itself at almost any percent. One of the best neutral airs overall for its speed and combo ability. It can also edgeguard well and KO at high percentages. It is easily one of Pichu's best moves.
|fairname=Electric Drill ({{ja|でんげきドリル|Dengeki Doriru}}, ''Volt Attack Drill'')
|fairdmg=2% (hits 1-4) with 1% recoil for every hitbox
|fairdesc=Does a barrel roll in the air, emitting sparks. Hits multiple times with minimal damage. Tied with Agility for the most recoil damage in Pichu's moveset.
|bairname=Glider ({{ja|グライダー|Guraidā}})
|bairdmg=9%
|bairdesc=Spins in a manner similar to its down smash. A moderate amount of ending and landing lag, though it is a lingering move with no recoil that deals the same damage throughout. Has [[sex kick]] properties.
|uairname=Tail Chop ({{ja|しっぽはたき|Shippo Hataki}}, ''Tail Duster'')
|uairdmg=4%
|uairdesc=Swiftly swings its tail above itself in an arc. Low damage, but can set up many combos on fast fallers, and follow-up into itself, or another aerial. Lacks [[semi-spike]] properties compared to {{SSBM|Pikachu}}'s.
|dairname=Electric Screw ({{ja|でんげきスクリュー|Dengeki Sukuryū}}, ''Volt Attack Screw'')
|dairdmg=12%, 4% (landing) (1% recoil for both the attack & landing)
|dairdesc=Does a barrel roll, like its forward aerial, except that it is facing downwards. Creates a small shockwave that hurts nearby opponents when Pichu lands on the ground during the attack.
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})
|grabdesc=Pichu's [[Grab#In_Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|grab range]] is notably one placing below {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}'s, marginally better than {{SSBM|Pikachu}}'s (with Pikachu's being the shortest grab range in the game).
|pummelname=Electric Shock ({{ja|つかみでんきショック|Tsukami Denki Shokku}}, ''Grab Electric Shock'')
|pummeldmg=3% (pummel), 1% recoil
|pummeldesc=Zaps the opponent.
|fthrowname=Electrocution ({{ja|でんきなげ|Denki Nage}}, ''Electric Throw'')
|fthrowdmg=2% (hits 1-4), 2% (throw), 1% recoil
|fthrowdesc=Places the opponent on its back and shocks them, sending them forward. This throw hits multiple times and has low knockback. Oddly, this is Pichu's only throw that inflicts recoil, despite all of them visually dealing electrical damage.
|bthrowname=Submission ({{ja|じごくぐるま|Jigoku Gurama}}, ''Hell Wheel'')
|bthrowdmg=9%
|bthrowdesc=Does backwards somersaults with the opponent, then flings them behind itself. Frame data and throw point vary depending on the opponent's weight.
|uthrowname=Electric Skull ({{ja|でんきトス|Denki Tosu}}, ''Electric Toss'')
|uthrowdmg=5% (hit 1), 5% (throw)
|uthrowdesc=Tosses foe up and headbutts them with electricity. Decent chaingrabbing ability, especially against fast fallers, which can lead to a KO. It can also set up a [[tech chase]] scenario on platforms.
|dthrowname=Electric Slam ({{ja|でんきプレス|Denki Puresu}}, ''Electric Press'')
|dthrowdmg=5% (hit 1), 5% (throw)
|dthrowdesc=Places the opponent on the ground, then jumps on them. It can set up a [[jab reset]] and tech chase scenario on some characters.
|floorfname=&nbsp;
|floorfdmg=6%
|floorfdesc=Gets up and headbutts both sides of itself.
|floorbname=&nbsp;
|floorbdmg=6%
|floorbdesc=Gets up and kicks both sides of itself.
|edgefname=&nbsp;
|edgefdmg=8%
|edgefdesc=Quickly does a cartwheel and attacks with its foot.
|edgesname=&nbsp;
|edgesdmg=6%
|edgesdesc=Slowly gets up, then flicks its tail.
|nsname=Thunder Jolt
|nsdmg=7% (ground), 10% (aerial), 1% recoil
|nsdesc=Pichu's main [[projectile]]. Fires a jolt of electricity forward. It travels forward while bouncing along the ground, and can also travel up walls, below the [[edge]], and along ceilings. If used in the air, it will travel diagonally down instead. Disappears after around 3 seconds. Can be used to [[gimp]] certain recoveries.
|ssname=Skull Bash
|ssdmg=5-39%, 1% recoil
|ssdesc=Charges and, when the [[B button]] is released, fires itself forward like a missile. When fully charged or close to fully charged, it has KO power. The move can also be used to extend Pichu's [[recovery]], though it does have some lag. On the ground, the attack has rather high lag and is easy to shield grab. Compared to Pikachu's Skull Bash, Pichu's Skull Bash deals more damage and covers more distance when fully charged, but takes longer to fully charge the move and suffers recoil damage.
|usname=Agility
|usdmg=0%, 1% (recoil warp 1), 3% (recoil warp 2)
|usdesc=Pichu's primary recovery move. Moves at warp speed in two directions that can be selected via the [[control stick]]. The main difference from Pikachu's [[Quick Attack]] is that Agility can be used in almost the same direction both times, but it deals no damage, moves slower, and inflicts recoil damage on Pichu.
|dsname=Thunder|dspage=Thunder (Pokémon)
|dsdmg=4% (bolt hits 1-4), 13% (blast), 3% recoil
|dsdesc=Shouts "PICHU!", then a large thunderbolt comes down on Pichu. The move in general is rather laggy. Hits multiple times and has greater vertical knockback, while Pikachu's Thunder hits once and has greater horizontal knockback. Pichu will suffer recoil damage only if the bolt hits Pichu. It has some [[thunderspike]] utility in some situations, whether for a KO or damage. Has transcendent priority.
}}

===Stats===
'''NTSC'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 55
|rweight = 26
|dash = 1.8
|rdash = 5-7
|run = 1.72
|rrun = 6
|walk = 1.24
|rwalk = 4-5
|trac = 0.1
|rtrac = 1-4
|airfric = 0.01
|rairfric = 15-20
|air = 0.85
|rair = 17-18
|baseaccel = 0.02
|rbaseaccel = 2-23
|addaccel = 0.03
|raddaccel = 13-19
|gravity = 0.11
|rgravity = 8-11
|fall = 1.9
|rfall = 12-14
|ff = 2.5
|rff = 11-12
|jumpsquat = 3
|rjumpsquat = 1-7
|jumpheight = 32.04
|rjumpheight = 13-14
|shorthop = 14
|rshorthop = 10-11
|djump = 29.44
|rdjump = 6-7
|ellag = 2
|rellag = 1
}}

'''PAL'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 55
|rweight = 26
|dash = 1.8
|rdash = 5-7
|run = 1.72
|rrun = 6
|walk = 1.24
|rwalk = 4-5
|trac = 0.1
|rtrac = 1-4
|airfric = 0.01
|rairfric = 15-20
|air = 0.85
|rair = 15-17
|baseaccel = 0.02
|rbaseaccel = 2-23
|addaccel = 0.03
|raddaccel = 13-19
|gravity = 0.11
|rgravity = 8-11
|fall = 1.9
|rfall = 12-14
|ff = 2.5
|rff = 11-12
|jumpsquat = 3
|rjumpsquat = 1-7
|jumpheight = 32.04
|rjumpheight = 13-14
|shorthop = 14
|rshorthop = 10-11
|djump = 29.44
|rdjump = 6-7
|ellag = 2
|rellag = 1
}}

===[[Announcer]] call===
[[File: Pichu Announcer SSBM.wav]]

===[[Taunt]]s===
''Note: Just like {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}, Pichu's taunt will be different depending on which side it is facing, but both taunts finish at the same time and have the same [[IASA]] frames, like Captain Falcon (as both of his taunts have 60 frames apiece).''
{{Taunt/SSBM
|char=Pichu
|desc-left=Jumps up and down four times, while saying "Pichu!"
|desc-right=Lies on the ground and squirms around, while saying "Pichu!"}}

===[[Idle pose]]s===
{{Idle
|desc-1=Happily bounces left and right while looking around, occasionally jumping.
|desc-2=Leans slightly forward while looking side to side for a slightly longer duration, cheerfully twitching its ears while doing so.
|image-1=Pichu Idle Pose Melee 1.gif
|image-2=Pichu Idle Pose Melee 2.gif}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (International)
!Cheer (Japanese)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Pichu Cheer International SSBM.ogg|center]]||[[File:Pichu Cheer Japanese SSBM.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
|Pi - chu! || Piiii - chu!
|}

===[[Victory pose]]s===
{{Victory/SSBM
|victory-theme=PokemonThemeMelee.ogg
|victory-desc=An excerpt from the main theme of ''Pokémon''.
|desc-1=Dances excitedly then jumps around three times in a circle.
|desc-2=Jumps up twice, then jump up high a third time while spinning and waves at the screen before landing.
|desc-3=Spins around twice on one foot, then jumps up twice while clapping both its feet.
|char=Pichu}}

==In [[competitive play]]==
===Most historically significant players===
<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->

:''See also: [[:Category:Pichu players (SSBM)]]''

*{{Sm|codeman|USA}} - The only Pichu player with any level of success in competitive play, with the bulk of his performance taking place in the 2020s. He has taken sets off players such as {{Sm|Rikzz}} at {{Trn|Get On My Level X}} in 2024 and {{Sm|Excel_Zero}} at [https://www.start.gg/tournament/the-smash-world-tour-championships/event/melee-mid-tiers-saturday/brackets/1044443/1640133 Smash World Tour 2021 Melee Mid-Tiers], and has also taken games off of players such as {{Sm|n0ne}}, {{Sm|2saint}}, and {{Sm|S2J}}, being the only Pichu player to ever take games off top players outside of sandbagging. He is also the only Pichu player to ever place far in bracket at majors, most notably placing 33rd at {{Trn|Wavelength 2024}} and 49th at {{Trn|Shine 2022}}.

===Tier placement and history===
From the start, many noted that it was completely outclassed by {{SSBM|Pikachu}}, who was already considered a below-average character at the time. Top level players doubted that Pichu could ever develop a deep metagame or gain any notable, high-skill players. Because of this, Pichu has been almost never seen outside of sandbagging or low-tier exhibitions. Pichu's initial placements on each [[tier list]] reflected its stance, typically shifting between 25th and 26th for over a decade of ''Melee''{{'}}s lifespan, competing with characters such as {{SSBM|Bowser}}, {{SSBM|Kirby}}, and {{SSBM|Mewtwo}} for the lowest placement on the tier list, before placing 24th on the twelfth tier list in 2015.

While still considered to be a very low tier character and is nearly unused outside of [[sandbagging]], players eventually began to recognize what strengths Pichu has, namely its movement and decent set of normals. {{Sm|Mew2King}} and {{Sm|Armada}}, two of the "[[Five Gods]]" believe that while Pichu is still unviable, they believe that other characters, like {{SSBM|Kirby}}, {{SSBM|Zelda}}, and {{SSBM|Bowser}}, are even worse than it, [http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2014/may/02/kirby-and-zelda-are-two-worst-characters-melee-pichu-highly-underrated-mew2king-discusses-his-super-smash-bros-tier-list-pt-1/ ranking Pichu 19th] and [https://youtu.be/17n7Tcjrifg?t=264 22nd], respectively. Pikachu's rise in the competitive scene also helped Pichu's slight climb out of the very bottom tier, with players noting that Pichu shared a few of the tools that ultimately made Pikachu a viable pick. Despite Pichu's barren results, most players believed that the former was attributed to a different metagame and the latter has other bottom-tier characters that have also failed to achieve significant results. 

With its strengths being recognized better and {{sm|codeman}}'s notable runs in ''Melee''{{'}}s modern metagame, it is currently ranked 22nd on the thirteenth tier list. While Pichu is generally no longer viewed as a contender for the worst character in the game, it is still widely considered to be an unviable choice, with a terrible matchup spread and its playerbase and results in the modern era only slightly improving compared to the very early era of the game.

==In 1-P Mode==
===In {{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===
In Classic Mode, Pichu can appear as an ordinary fighter in one on one battles, as an ally or as an opponent alongside {{SSBM|Kirby}} or Pikachu, as the sole opponent in a multi-character battle or as a metal opponent in the second to last stage. Barring the metal fight, Pichu always appears on [[Pokémon Stadium]], with its alternate music ''Battle Theme'' playing; when fought with Kirby it will appear on [[Fountain of Dreams]] instead.

===In [[Adventure Mode]]===
In Adventure Mode, Pichu can appear in Stage 7 on [[Pokémon Stadium]], appearing alongside a team consisting of Pikachu and, if unlocked, Jigglypuff. Pichu's theme, ''Battle Theme'' can also play on the stage.

===In [[All-Star Mode]]===
In All-Star Mode, Pichu and its allies are fought on [[Fourside]]. Unlike normal gameplay, however, ''Battle Theme'' plays here.

===In [[Event Match]]es===
Pichu appears in the following Event Matches:
*'''[[Event 48: Pikachu and Pichu]]''': In this match, the player must fight against a team of two Pichu and one Pikachu. The goal is for the player to KO the two Pichu in the shortest time possible; Pikachu has infinite stocks, while the player has two and the Pichu have one. The stage used is {{SSB|Dream Land}}, making the event the only one in the game to take place on a Past Stage.
*'''[[Event 49: All-Star Match Deluxe]]''': Pichu is the third opponent fought in this series of staged battles. The selected character battles it on the [[Pokémon Stadium]] stage with a stock of 2 while Pichu has 1. With a timer of four minutes, the player must defeat it and the other five characters one-by-one with the overall time and damage: {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}}, {{SSBM|Falco}}, {{SSBM|Young Link}}, {{SSBM|Roy}} and {{SSBM|Ganondorf}}.

===[[Congratulations_screen#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|Congratulations Screens]]===
<center><gallery>
PichuClassicMode.jpg|Classic Mode
PichuAdventureMode.jpg|Adventure Mode
PichuAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star Mode
</gallery></center>

==[[Trophies]]==
In addition to the normal trophy about Pichu as a character unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Classic Mode}} as it on any difficulty, there are two trophies about it as a fighter, unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Adventure Mode}} and [[All-Star Mode]] respectively as it on any difficulty. Each of the trophies can also be unlocked by playing 100, 200, and 300 versus matches respectively as Pichu:

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Pichu
|image=Pichu Trophy Melee.png
|mode=Classic
|desc=(1.0/1.01 NTSC) A baby Electric-type Pokémon identifiable by its big ears, Pichu evolves into Pikachu. It's not very skilled at storing up electrical energy and will sometimes discharge it if jarred. Although it's small, it has enough electrical power to give even an adult quite a shock. It's often startled by its own power.
:(1.02 NTSC/PAL) A Tiny Mouse Pokémon identifiable by its big ears, Pichu evolves into Pikachu. It's not very skilled at storing up electrical energy and will sometimes discharge it if jarred. Although it's small, it has enough electrical power to give even an adult quite a shock. It's often startled by its own power.
|gamelist={{Trophy games|game1=Pokémon Gold & Silver|release1=10/00}}
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Pichu
|image=Pichu Trophy (Smash).png
|mode=Adventure
|desc=Compared with Pikachu, Pichu is a tad more nimble and a little more difficult to hit. Those are the only two advantages, however, and since Pichu damages itself when it uses electrical attacks, it's best suited for handicapped matches. Even though Pichu's tough to catch, it's easy to throw its tiny frame great distances.
|gamelist=:B: Thunder Jolt
:Smash B: Skull Bash
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Pichu
|image=Pichu Trophy (Smash 2).png
|mode=All Star
|desc=Pichu is the lightest character in Super Smash Bros. Melee., and it's top of the class in weakness, too! For Pichu, it's all about scampering here and there to pick up items that will help it survive. The first warp in Agility causes 1 point of damage to Pichu, and the second causes 3, so try to limit the number of times you use the move.
|gamelist=:Up & B: Agility
:Down & B: Thunder
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Pichu|Alternate costumes]]==
{|style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
|colspan=4|[[File:Pichu Palette (SSBM).png]]
|-
|{{Head|Pichu|g=SSBM|s=25px}}
|{{Head|Pichu|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Red}}
|{{Head|Pichu|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Blue}}
|{{Head|Pichu|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Green}}
|}

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
SSBMWebsitePichu1.jpg|[[Idle|Idling]] next to {{SSBM|Pikachu}} and {{SSBM|Kirby}} on [[Pokémon Stadium]].
SSBMWebsitePichu2.jpg|[[Dash]]ing away from {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Sheik}} on [[Corneria]].
SSBMWebsitePichu3.jpg|[[Crouching]] next to {{SSBM|Mario}} and {{SSBM|Luigi}} on [[Temple]].
Pichu Thunder.jpg|Using {{b|Thunder|Pokémon}} near {{SSBM|Yoshi}} on [[Onett]].
SSBMWebsitePichu5.jpg|Using its [[down aerial]] on Fox and {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} on Temple.
SSBMWebsitePichu6.jpg|Multiple Pichus idling on [[Rainbow Cruise]].
</gallery>
</center>

==Trivia==
*Pichu's textures are higher-resolution versions of its textures in ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Stadium 2}}'', suggesting that the model from that game was used to make Pichu.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1211/index.html Pichu's page at Smabura-Ken]
*[https://sourcegaming.info/2015/09/24/meleepichusite/ Translation]
*[http://www.smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=98282 Pichu Video List]
*[http://www.smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=96978 Pichu Player List]
*[https://smashboards.com/threads/a-guide-for-pichu-in-the-2019-meta.476773/ Pichu Guide for 2019]
{{SSBMCharacters}}
{{EnemiesAdvSSBM}}
{{Pokémon universe}}
[[Category:Pokémon (SSBM)]]
[[Category:Pichu (SSBM)| ]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSBM)]]
[[es:Pichu (SSBM)]]
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