Editing Pikachu (PM)

{{ArticleIcons|pm=y|p+=y}}
{{Infobox Character Mod
|name = Pikachu
|image = {{tabber|title1=Pikachu (PM)|content1=[[File:Pikachu SSBB.jpg|250x250px]]|title2=Pikachu (P+)|content2=[[File:PPlus Pikachu.png|250x250px]]|title3=Team Rocket Pikachu (P+)|content3=[[File:PPlus Team Rocket Pikachu.png|250x250px]]}}
|mod = Project M
|base = SSBB
|moveset1 = Pikachu (SSBM)
|moveset2 = Pikachu (SSBB)
|moveset3 = Pikachu (SSB)
|altcostume = Pirate Hat Pikachu, Sideways Pokémon Trainer Hat Pikachu, Team Rocket Pikachu (''[[Project+]]'')
}}
'''Pikachu''' is a playable character in the ''[[Brawl]]'' mod ''[[Project M]]'' and ''[[Project+]]''. For its appearance in ''Project M'', it was mostly reverted to its ''Melee'' version, while keeping a few techniques and moves from its ''Brawl'' and ''Smash 64'' versions. 

Pikachu ranks 23rd out of 41 on the [[Project M#Tier list|official]] ''Project M'' [[tier list]], close to the bottom of B tier. This is a considerable drop from its placements in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'' where it was 9th out of 26 and 8th out of 38, respectively. In the official ''Project+'' [[Project+#Tier list|tier list]], it ranks 24th out of 42 characters, leaving Pikachu in a similar position to its Project M placement.

==Changes from ''Melee'' to PM== 
[[File:Pikachu PM Pirate Hat Alt.png|thumb|Pikachu performing its back aerial while wearing its pirate hat alternate costume.]]
Pikachu was buffed in ''Project M'' overall, gaining many favorable attributes from ''Brawl'' while keeping others from ''Melee'' (such as its powerful up smash), along with a few other options being strengthened, giving it additional leverage against top-tiered characters.

===Attributes===
*{{buff|Pikachu retains its [[crawl]] and [[wall jump]] techniques from ''Brawl'', the latter one giving Pikachu a better recovery on stages such as [[Yoshi's Story]].}}

===Ground Attacks===
*{{buff|[[Down smash]] links into itself more adequately, while still having its reduced hitlag from ''Melee'', making it harder for opponents to escape from the move.}}

===Aerial Attacks===
*{{buff|Neutral, forward and back aerials can now [[auto-cancel]] in a short hop.}}
*{{buff|[[Forward aerial]]'s hitboxes are pushed more outward in front of Pikachu, and the move now has an additional late hit that sends foes away like in ''Brawl'', making it safer on hit and better for racking up damage dealing more damage overall (7% → 11%).}}
*{{buff|[[Back aerial]] is now its ''Smash 64'' kick, which has combo potential and KO/[[edgeguarding]] strengths that its previous back aerial did not, greatly improving Pikachu's aerial game. It deals more damage (12% (clean), 9% (late) → 14%/10%) and has less ending lag (frame 60 → 33).}}
*{{nerf|Back aerial has more startup lag (frame 4 → 8).}}
*{{buff|[[Up aerial]] deals more damage (4% → 7%).}}
*{{change|Forward and [[down aerial]]s have additional sparkling graphics, which also match their hitbox placements better.}}

===Grabs and Throws===
*{{change|[[Down throw]] has much higher base knockback. This allows it to chaingrab fast fallers but removes its ability to chaingrab floatier characters.}}

===Special Moves===
*{{buff|[[Thunder Jolt]] uses its higher knockback scaling from ''Brawl'', and also has slightly less ending lag, making it more consistently usable for [[camping]].}}
:*{{nerf|Thunder Jolt has a slightly shorter duration.}}
*{{buff|Pikachu retains its [[Quick Attack cancel]] from ''Brawl'', greatly improving its [[approach]] and defensive options, especially with the ''Melee''-style physics allowing for some new options, such as [[waveland]]ing out of a QAC. During a Quick Attack, Pikachu's tail now also becomes intangible.}}
:*{{nerf|Unlike in ''Brawl'', QAC can only be performed during the first half of Quick Attack.}}
*{{buff|{{b|Thunder|Pokémon}} remains unchanged from ''Brawl'', so that the bolt can still pass through platforms and solid surfaces very close to the thundercloud it's summoned from, and Pikachu bounces slightly upwards upon being hit by it in midair, allowing it to still create a "Thunder wall" offstage for edgeguarding (though this is harder due to the faster falling speeds). It can also [[B reverse]] like it could in ''Brawl''.}}

==Revisions==
===v2.5b===
* {{buff|Quick Attack minimum and maximum distances increased to match ''Melee''{{'}}s.}}
* {{change|Up smash and neutral aerial's sound effects adjusted.}}
* {{change|Forward throw has some electric graphical hit effects restored.}}
* {{change|Up throw matched to ''Melee''.}}

===v2.6b===
* {{buff|Forward aerial received slightly more horizontal range with new graphical effects to match that range.}}
* {{buff|Quick Attack's startup was reduced slightly, and it can now sweetspot ledges. The move's ending animation stretch was tweaked so that it leaves Pikachu closer to walls.}}
* {{nerf|Quick Attack's delay between dashes is a little longer.}}
* {{change|Full jump sound effect doesn't occur right at the start of the jump.}}
* {{bugfix|Neutral aerial weak hit knockback values have been fixed.}}
* {{change|Down aerial has an added burst graphic to the impact.}}
* {{buff|Quick Attack goes maximum distance upward when stick input is below the amount needed to change direction.}}
* {{change|Quick Attack's aerial mobility and friction adjusted during the move and when in [[helpless]] state.}}
* {{buff|Quick Attack preserves momentum at the end of the dashes.}}
* {{change|Using Quick Attack into the ground uses the grounded ending animation of the move instead of the special landing animation.}}
* {{bugfix|Fixed a bug where Quick Attack canceling into a platform and dropping through it could result in landing from a helpless state (similar to the [[landing lag glitch]]) after going into Fall.}}

===v3.0===
* {{buff|Skull Bash can now sweetspot ledges, reinstated from ''Brawl''.}}
* {{buff|Pikachu's hurtboxes get less of a stretch during Quick Attack's animation, and its tail is now intangible during travel.}}
* {{change|Quick Attack cancel tweaked to compensate for the SCD bugfix.}}

===v3.5===
* {{buff|Quick Attack can now reverse ledgegrab on frames 10 to 16 from the special's end.}}
* {{nerf|Quick Attack Cancel (QAC) can now only be activated on the first dash.}}
* {{nerf|Skull Bash no longer ledge snaps mid animation.}}
* {{change|Throws now all use electric element on release.}}
* {{change|Quick Attack was rebuilt such that it no longer ends just above the ground and then falls, which allowed aerial inputs. But instead moves cleanly into the QA landing animation. Many other small refinements make the move much more polished.}}

===v3.6===
* {{buff|Dash attack and down tilt received slight increases in damage.}}
* {{buff|Thunder Jolt now does the same amount of damage from the ground as it does from the air.}}
* {{buff|Ending lag of Quick Attack now matches ''Melee''.}}

==Moveset==
Up to date as of version 3.6.

{|class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" | !!Name!!Damage!!Description
|-
! colspan="2" | Neutral attack
| || 2% || Pikachu performs an extremely quick headbutt. The A button can be mashed for quick, rapid headbutts.
|-
! rowspan="3" | Forward tilt || ↗
| rowspan="3" | || 9% (clean), 6% (late) || rowspan="3" | Pikachu stands on its hands and kicks out with both legs. The move can be angled up or down.
|-
!→
| 8% (clean), 5% (late)
|-
!↘
| 7% (clean), 4% (late)
|-
! colspan="2" | Up tilt
| || 7% (base), 6% (tip) || Pikachu flicks its tail in an arc over its body. This move is useful for juggling fast fallers.
|-
! colspan="2" | Down tilt
| || 8% || Pikachu sweeps its tail in front of itself in a half circle while crouching low. Can be used to [[edgeguard]] opponents with a predictable recovery.
<!--Crawl attack-->
|-
! colspan="2" | Dash attack
| || 10% || Pikachu jumps forward and attacks with a headbutt. While it does have some knockback, it is rather laggy and can leave Pikachu vulnerable for a counter attack.
|-
! colspan="2" | Forward smash
| || {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|21}} (clean), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|19}} (mid), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|18}} (late) || Pikachu rears back then leans forward, ejecting an attached jolt of electricity from its cheeks. Has decent range and a disjointed hitbox, making it a wise choice for edgeguarding.
|-
! colspan="2" | Up smash
| || {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|17}}-{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|19}} (clean), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|13}} (mid), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|7}} (late) || Pikachu does a quick backflip, attacking opponents with its tail. Has very strong knockback and can KO as early as 80% on heavyweights.
|-
! colspan="2" | Down smash
| || {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|2}} (hits 1-6), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|3}} (hit 7) || Pikachu spins around in place repeatedly, while surrounded with electricity. This move has decent power and is useful for racking up damage.
|-
! colspan="2" | Neutral aerial
| || 12% (clean), 9% (late) || Pikachu curls up in a ball and does a quick somersault in the air. Has quick startup, but high landing lag.
|-
! colspan="2" | Forward aerial
| || 2% (hits 1-4), 3% (hit 5) || Pikachu spirals forward in the air while emitting electricity. Has a bit of landing lag, but can set up for a grab.
|-
! colspan="2" | Back aerial
| || 14% (clean), 10% (late) || Pikachu thrusts one foot behind itself, dealing great horizontal knockback.
|-
! colspan="2" | Up aerial
| || 7% || Pikachu swiftly swings its tail above itself in an arc. Can be used for juggling and if hit at the proper angle, can send the enemy at a [[semi-spike]] trajectory.
|-
! colspan="2" | Down aerial
| || 12% (attack), 4% (landing) || Pikachu spirals downward  towards the ground while surrounded by electricity. This move can hit in the air and creates a small shockwave upon landing, which damages nearby opponents.
<!--Grab aerial-->
|-
! colspan="2" | Grab
| || &mdash; ||
|-
! colspan="2" | Pummel
| || 3% || Gives the enemy a quick shock.
|-
! colspan="2" | Forward throw
| || 2% (hits 1-4), 2% (throw) || Pikachu places the opponent on its back and shocks them forward. Can set up for an up smash or another grab.
|-
! colspan="2" | Back throw
| || 9% || Pikachu does a few backwards somersaults with the opponent, then flings them behind itself.
|-
! colspan="2" | Up throw
| || 5% (hit 1), 5% (throw) || Pikachu places the opponent on its head, then headbutts them upward. Can combo with Thunder.
|-
! colspan="2" | Down throw
| || 5% (hit 1), 5% (throw) || Pikachu places the opponent on the ground, then jumps on them. Can combo into itself on heavyweights.
|-
! colspan="2" | Floor attack (front)
| || 6% || Gets up and headbutts both sides of itself.
|-
! colspan="2" | Floor attack (back)
| || 6% || Gets up and does a sweep kick on both sides.
|-
! colspan="2" | Floor attack (trip)
| || 5% || Gets up and then flicks its tail backwards and forward with a few visual sparks.
|-
! colspan="2" | Edge attack (fast)
| || 8% || Pikachu quickly climbs up and flips its tail overhead.
|-
! colspan="2" | Edge attack (slow)
| || 9% || Pikachu slowly climbs up and whips its tail forward.
|-
! colspan="2" | Neutral special
| [[Thunder Jolt]] || 10% || Pikachu fires a bouncing jolt of electricity forward, dealing small knockback and damage. This projectile 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.
|-
! colspan="2" | Side special
| [[Skull Bash]] || 7-25% || Pikachu charges up and fires forward like a missile whenever the B Button is released or a certain amount of time passes. The button can be held for a limited time for increased speed, damage, and knockback. Has slight ending lag. Great for horizontal recovery.
|-
! colspan="2" | Up special
| [[Quick Attack]] || 3% (1st dash), 2% (2nd dash) || Moves at warp speed in two directions that can be selected via the [[control stick]]. The second warp is optional, but if used, the direction must be 45 degrees different than the first direction to work. Causes light damage and can be canceled into a jump or an attack upon landing.
|-
! colspan="2" | Down special
| {{b|Thunder|Pokémon}} || 10% (bolt), 17% (blast) || Shouts "PIKA!", then a large thunderbolt comes down on Pikachu. If the attack hits Pikachu it creates a shockwave dealing more damage and knockback. It is also possible for the bolt to not hit Pikachu, by moving in the air after using the move.
|-
! colspan="2" | Final Smash
| [[Volt Tackle]] || 13-25% || Pikachu transforms into a big blue ball of lightning and flies around the stage, charging through opponents. Pressing the attack button will cause the ball to spark out, causing significantly more damage and knockback.
|}

==In [[competitive play]]==
===Notable players===
{{cleanup|[[SmashWiki:Cleanup of the Notable Players sections|Needs to be updated to fit these guidelines]]}}
*{{Sm|Anther|USA}} - The former best Pikachu player in the world, ranked 24th on [[PMRank 2016]].
*{{Sm|Copykat|USA}} - MD/VA Pikachu recognized in the [[PMRank: Quarantine's Rising Stars]].
*{{Sm|Wfycat|USA}} - Ranked 43rd on [[PMRank 2019]].

==Alternate costumes==
===Project M===
Pikachu has received an additional costume where it wears its party hat costume from ''Melee'' and ''Smash 64'', but purple instead of blue (It was blue before PM 3.5). It also received a special pirate hat costume, referencing [[bulbapedia:Captain Pikachu (Pokémon Center promo)|a Japanese promotional card]] from the Pokémon Trading Card Game in which it appeared as Captain Pikachu (wearing the same hat). It also got an alt where it wears the (''Brawl'' or post-Generation I version of) the Pokémon Trainer hat sideways and had its ears folded down. 
{|style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
|colspan=8|[[File:Pikachu Palette (PM).png|frame|center|Pikachu's alternate costumes in PM.]]
|-
|[[File:PikachuHeadSSBB.png]]
|[[File:PikachuHeadRedSSBB.png]]
|[[File:PikachuHeadGreenSSBB.png]]
|[[File:PikachuHeadBlueSSBB.png]]
|[[File:PikachuHeadPartyHatPM.png]]
|[[File:PikachuHeadPirateHatPM.png]]
|[[File:PikachuHeadTrainerHat.png]]
|}

===Project+===

Pikachu received a significant revamp with a new subtly fuzzy appearance. The Team Rocket Pikachu costume was added as well, giving Pikachu a full traditional team set for the first time. Costumes alternate between the male and female tail models, but holding left or right on the d-pad when starting a match will toggle to the other tail for that costume.

[[File:Pikachu Palette (P+).png|800px|thumb|center|Pikachu's alternate costumes in P+.]]

'''Red''': Wears Red's hat as it appears in the Generation 1 Pokémon games. Pikachu itself is its shiny colors, and emits sparkles in its entrance animation.

'''Green''': Wears Brendan's headband as it appears in ''Pokémon Emerald''.

'''Blue''': Wears goggles similar to those worn by the [[bulbapedia:Swimmer (Trainer class)|Swimmer]] Trainer Class.

'''Dark Blue''': Wears a pirate hat similar to the one worn as part of a [[bulbapedia:Captain Pikachu (Pokémon Center promo)|special Japanese promotional card]] for the ''Pokémon Trading Card Game''.

'''Maroon''': Wears Red's hat as it appears in ''Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen'', which was the basis for his appearance in ''Brawl''. The hat is turned sideways and causes its ears to be pointed downwards. Also resembles a Shiny Pikachu.

'''Dark Green''': Wears a Harmony Scarf from ''Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon''.

'''Orange''': Wears the equipment it wore when it was gravely injured in the ''Pokémon'' anime episode ''[[bulbapedia:EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]''.

'''White''': Wears a pair of headphones similar to the ones worn in the mobile app ''Pokémon Jukebox''.

'''Ruby''': Wears May's bandana as it appears in ''Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire''.

'''Lime''': Wears a green fedora similar to the one it wore in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''.

'''Purple''': Wears a party hat similar to the one used for its Blue Team costume in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''

'''Team Rocket Default''': Wears an outfit resembling that of the [[bulbapedia:Team Rocket Grunt (Trainer class)|Team Rocket Grunt]]s. Its ears, along with those of the other Team Rocket costumes, resemble those of [[bulbapedia:Pikachutwo|Pikachutwo]], a clone of [[bulbapedia:Ash's Pikachu|Ash's Pikachu]] created by Mewtwo that appeared in ''Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back'' and ''Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns''.

'''Team Rocket Red''': The outfit is colored to match the general color scheme of the [[bulbapedia:Team Magma Grunt (Trainer class)|Team Magma Grunt]]s from ''Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire''.

'''Team Rocket Green''': The outfit is colored to match the general color scheme of the [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Pinchers|Pokémon Pinchers]] from ''Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs''.

'''Team Rocket Blue''': The outfit is colored to match the general color scheme of the [[bulbapedia:Team Aqua Grunt (Trainer class)|Team Aqua Grunt]]s from ''Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire''.

'''Team Rocket Purple''': The outfit is colored to match the color scheme of the male [[bulbapedia:Archer|Team]] [[bulbapedia:Petrel|Rocket]] [[bulbapedia:Proton|Executive]]s as they appeared in ''Pokémon Gold & Silver''.

'''Team Rocket White''': Resembles the outfits usually worn by [[bulbapedia:Jessie|Jessie]] and [[bulbapedia:James|James]] from the ''[[bulbapedia:Pokémon anime|Pokémon]]'' anime.

'''Secret costumes:'''
{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Secret costumes:'''
|-
| [[File:Pikachu Z P+.png|250px]] || '''Z-Secret Costume:''' Pikachu Libre
|-
| [[File:Pikachu R_P+.png|250px]] || '''R-Secret Costume:''' Wears a detective hat like the titular protagonist of the ''Detective Pikachu'' [[bulbapedia:Detective Pikachu (game)|game]] and [[bulbapedia:Detective Pikachu (movie)|film]].
|}

==Trivia==
*Prior to 3.0, Pikachu's ''Project+'' artwork is identical to the pose it strikes at the end of its [[List of victory poses (SSBB)#Pikachu|left victory pose]] in ''Brawl'' itself.
*The light bulb of its ''Pokémon Emergency!'' costume lights up whenever it uses an electrical attack.

==External links==
*[https://www.reddit.com/r/SSBPM/comments/ghnuo3/labbing_discord_results_pikachu/ Labbing Discord Tech Post]

{{Project M}}
[[Category:Pikachu]]
[[Category:Characters (PM)]]
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