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{{disambig2|Shulk's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''|the character in other contexts|Shulk}}
{{disambig2|Shulk's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''|the character in other contexts|Shulk}}
{{Infobox Character
{{Infobox Character
|name = Shulk
|name = Shulk
|image = {{tabber|title1=Colony Type I|content1=[[File:Shulk SSBU.png|250px]]|title2=Ecru Type|content2=[[File:Shulk Swimsuit SSBU.png|223px]]}}
|image = [[File:Shulk SSBU.png|250px]]
|game = SSBU
|game = SSBU
|ssbgame1 = SSB4
|ssbgame1 = SSB4
|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]
|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]
|tier = A-
|ranking = 25
}}
}}
'''Shulk''' ({{ja|シュルク|Shuruku}}, ''Shulk'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. He was confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Shulk is classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #57]].
{{cquote|''He is the only fighter that can change his status during battle. His sword, the Monado, allows him to switch between five modes—Jump, Speed, Shield, Buster and Smash—which change his abilities for a short time. Fun fact: Shulk's eighth color variation puts him in a pair of swimming trunks!''|cite=[https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/blog/ Super Smash Blog]|source=[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site]]}}
'''Shulk''' ({{ja|シュルク|Shuruku}}, ''Shulk'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. He was confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Shulk is classified as fighter #57.


{{iw|wikipedia|Adam Howden}} and {{iw|wikipedia|Shintarō Asanuma}} reprise their roles as Shulk's voice actors in the English and Japanese versions respectively, mostly through recycled voice clips from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Howden and Asanuma also reprised their roles for Shulk's appearance in {{SSBU|Pyra}} and {{SSBU|Mythra}}'s [[List of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate character trailers#Pyra and Mythra|reveal trailer]].
Adam Howden and Shintarō Asanuma reprise their roles as Shulk's voice actors in the English and Japanese versions of the game through mostly reused voice clips from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''.
 
Shulk is ranked 25th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing him in the A- tier. This is a significant improvement from his 34th out of 54 placement in ''SSB4''. One of Shulk's greatest strengths is his enormous disjointed range, courtesy of the Monado. This allows him to outrange almost every fighter in the game, which gives Shulk one of the most effective spacing capabilities relative to the rest of the cast. Shulk can further enhance his strengths through the usage of [[Monado Arts]]. They allow him to change his stats on command, depending on the art selected. To name a few, Speed Art allows him to run faster and improve his approach and Buster Art gives him increased damage output in exchange for less knockback, allowing for high-damaging combos. Shield Art, in particular, is notorious for breaking out of combos due to decrease knockback taken.
 
Despite the amount of strengths, Shulk is not flawless. He still retains his sluggish frame data and startup of a majority of his moves, making him prone to getting parry punished or overwhelmed by faster moves. His recovery is also fairly exploitable due to Air Slash being his only main recovery option and if it gets disrupted, he can lose his stock fairly early if he has used his midair jump, even with Jump Art in store. Speaking of Monado Arts, despite giving Shulk upgrades, they also grant multiples downsides. For example, while Smash Art gives him better KO power, it also greatly increases knockback taken, giving Shulk a worse endurance than even Pichu while in Smash Art, giving it some risk to using it. Finally, Shulk is one of the most difficult characters to master since he has a lot of advanced techniques, and properly using Monado Arts mid-match has to account for fast decision-making to see which art is best suited for each situation.
 
==How to unlock==
Complete one of the following:
*Play [[VS. match]]es, with Shulk being the 22nd character to be unlocked.
*Clear {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} with {{SSBU|Pikachu}} or any character in its unlock tree, being the 2nd character unlocked after {{SSBU|Villager}}.
*Have Shulk join the player's party in [[World of Light]].
Shulk must then be defeated on [[Gaur Plain]] (the [[Ω form]] is used in World of Light).
 
==Attributes==
Shulk is a [[weight|middleweight]] swordsman who sports average [[walk]]ing speed, [[dash]]ing speed, [[falling speed]], and [[gravity]]. When coupled with his above-average [[air speed]] and his below-average [[air acceleration]], Shulk's overall mobility is average to the point of lacking any obvious advantages or disadvantages.
 
Shulk's greatest asset is his disjointed [[range]]: thanks to the {{h2|List of swords|Monado}}, Shulk possesses some of the longest overall disjoints in the game. Shulk's excellent range allows him to [[punish]] careless moves by retaliating at a distance, or create [[space]] by challenging his opponent with his disjointed attacks. His most useful grounded moves are his up tilt and smash attacks, each of which possess distinct perks. His up tilt boasts outstanding vertical range, can cover multiple get-up options from the edge, and can KO at very high percentages, whereas his smash attacks boast high power and long ranges.
 
Shulk also boasts a very strong aerial game as his powerful aerials have a great combination of large hitbox size, long hitbox duration, and low landing lag, which plays a key role in his approach and spacing games. Both his neutral and forward aerials possess wide-arced ranges with low landing lag, making them Shulk's best approach options. The former is useful for anything from starting combos to covering landing options thanks to its long-lasting hitbox and low landing lag, while the latter's wide range and dependable speed makes it a very good [[edge-guarding]] and spacing option. His back aerial is a capable KOing option due to it being Shulk's most powerful aerial, with its high horizontal range also allowing it to space or poke from a distance. Lastly, his up and down aerials are, like his back aerial, thrusts instead of slashes. As such, they have minimal horizontal ranges, but can KO surprisingly early should they hit, with the former being potent near the upper blast line, whereas the latter is capable of [[meteor smash]]ing.
 
Much like in his [[Xenoblade Chronicles (universe)|home game]], Shulk is a character who revolves around adapting to different situations with his attribute-enhancing [[Monado Arts]]. Each Art tweaks his attributes considerably for a certain amount of time (10 seconds for Buster, 8 seconds for Speed and Smash, and 6 seconds for Jump and Shield) and can be manually canceled at any time, even immediately after hitstun ends or during landing lag. With this freedom, Shulk can activate an Art to open up options for virtually any situation while still being able to switch or cancel them if he is in a challenging position. Jump grants him significant aerial mobility by making his jumps the highest in the game while improving both his air speed and Air Slash's height. This grants him an incredible [[recovery]], allowing him to recover from almost anywhere off-stage, edge-guard more aggressively and even perform several KO combos, such as a [[wall of pain]] leading to a [[sacrificial KO|sacrificial]] Air Slash at medium percentages.
 
Speed amplifies his typically average grounded mobility while reducing his jump height, making his ground-to-air transitions more efficient for aerial combos and spacing, while allowing him to approach and retreat noncommittally. It also lowers traction, making Shulk's pivot grab amongst the longest in the game for its duration. These two Arts grant him outstanding mobility, and when combined with the large hitboxes of his attacks, Shulk can effectively space opponents out of a specific side of the stage with either Jump or Speed, making him very difficult to approach on stages with platforms.
 
Shield bolsters Shulk's defensive game by reducing both damage and knockback received, which allows him to survive for a much longer period of time and resist getting trapped in combos. His shield also becomes much more durable, making it harder to break with shield-breaking attacks such as [[Bowser Bomb]]. Buster reduces his overall knockback, but increases his overall damage output, allowing him to rack up damage extremely quickly. Buster also makes up and down throws effective and damaging combo starters at 0%, while the increased damage and shieldstun make Shulk's moves both safer on shield and capable of pressuring shields. Lastly, Smash boosts his entire moveset's knockback, making almost all of Shulk's attacks into viable KOing options (especially with [[rage]]), and his down throw becomes the strongest in the game while it is active. Despite his fastest aerial coming out on frame 13 and starting behind him, Shulk has a particular strength in combo breaking. The Shield Art is among the best combo breakers in the game, since it makes him fall out of all combos. He can also switch to the Smash Art at low percentages as another way to escape combos, thanks to it noticeably heightening the knockback he receives.
 
Thanks to the Monado Arts, Shulk is highly adaptive, and usually has an easier time mixing up his playstyle compared to other characters so long as his Arts are used effectively and in tandem with his powerful air game. Such an example would be constantly switching from Jump and Shield to stall a losing match, or activating different arts while being juggled to affect Shulk's falling speed, and hence mess up an opponent's combo. It also allows him to use [[rage]] effectively, especially when combined with Shield in order to survive and accumulate rage, or with Smash for a risky, yet powerful boost in knockback.
 
Due to the technical aspects of activating Monado Arts, Shulk also has access to multiple unique [[advanced technique]]s, the most notable of which is known as {{h2|Monado Arts|Monado Art landing lag cancel}}ing. By jumping and timing the activation of an Art just before landing, Shulk can reduce the landing lag of his aerials to 5 frames while gaining [[intangibility]] for 14 frames (1 frame less than the length granted by his [[sidestep]]). While difficult to perform, it allows Shulk to avoid punishment before immediately responding with a punish of his own, or start [[shield break combo]]s, such as an Art canceled back aerial to forward smash. It can even let him retreat by pivoting in midair, or extend the invincibility of [[air dodging]] via an aerial Art activation. This technique is the only viable way to make some of Shulk's moves (such as back aerial) safe on shield against faster characters.
 
Several other techniques include the Monado Purge, a 50/50 KO set-up consisting of an up throw to up aerial at high percentages, and {{h2|Monado Arts|Monado Art ledge snap}}, which bypasses edge get-up animations while protecting the user with brief intangibility. When mastered, Shulk's Monado Art techniques can be very effective and unpredictable mix-up options that are inaccessible by any other character.
 
Excluding his Arts, Shulk's special moveset shares his overall high range, and all have their own forms of utility. [[Back Slash]] is very powerful when striking the opponent's back and has long range regardless, making it a great surprise attack as well as a decent spacing tool. [[Air Slash]] grants a good amount of vertical distance, comes out quickly, and has strong knockback growth, making it a good recovery move and an even better [[out of shield]] option. The distance and knockback of Air Slash can additionally be affected by the Jump and Smash Arts respectively, allowing the move to gain even more vertical distance, or be used as a combo finisher in the air or a KO option out-of-shield. Lastly, [[Vision]] is tied with [[Double Team]] for having the longest lasting [[counterattack]] window in the game when fresh while also having the longest range, both of which give Shulk one of the most effective counters of any character. Its alternate counterattack, which is performed when Shulk inputs the direction from which the triggered attack came from, also rivals [[Counter Surge]] as the strongest counterattack in the game.
 
However, Shulk has some exploitable weaknesses. Despite being [[buff]]ed in ''Ultimate'', his moveset is still mostly sluggish. Aside from his neutral attack, standing grab and Vision, all his other attacks do not hit before frame 10, and majority of his moveset has more than 25 frames of ending lag. Like the aforementioned heavyweights, this means he has to rely on careful reads to land a hit, as a missed attack can easily be capitalized upon. This is made worse by the low shieldstun of his attacks (unless Buster is active), making his attacks inherently unsafe up close and on shield, while still unsafe if spaced against faster characters prevalent in the metagame. Additionally, despite his excellent range, most of Shulk's moves deal more damage with the Monado's blade rather than its beam blade, while several of his strongest combos (such as a landing neutral aerial to a grab or a forward aerial wall of pain) rely on him being extremely close to his opponent/affected by rage to be inescapable, due to his beam blade's lower hitstun. As a result, Shulk is required to take risks before he can start performing any significant combos.
 
His sluggish frame data also extends to his aerials. Shulk is the only character who cannot [[auto-cancel]] any of his aerials before their entire duration is over, forcing him to endure landing lag every time he starts an aerial attack, even from a double jump (with the exception of forward aerial). While Monado Art landing lag canceling can negate this, it is considerably more complicated to perform compared to auto-canceling, making it very difficult and unwieldy to perform consistently. Essentially, this makes every attack very committal, and makes it important for Shulk to space his attacks carefully as he can easily be punished for missing. Additionally, moves such as back aerial or up aerial are unsafe to use upon landing; unlike many other characters' aerials, their hitboxes only appear after a pause, making it possible to land before an attack even comes out while causing Shulk to suffer from landing lag.
 
His lack of a [[projectile]] and anti-projectile options also makes it difficult to pressure his opponent from a distance, while making it hard for him to approach against projectile users as well. Even pressure on the ground can be hard to escape from, as Shulk has the fifth lowest [[traction]] in the game. This gives him a poor out of shield game without Air Slash, which is punishable when missed. Shulk's special attacks are also flawed in some ways. Back Slash's knockback is exceptionally weak if hitting the opponent's front, being unsafe on hit at low percentages, has considerable ending lag, and is notorious for its inability to [[edge sweetspot]]. Air Slash provides very minimal horizontal momentum and does not sweetspot edges immediately unless the second slash is inputted right beside an edge, thus making his recovery predictable, even with Jump. Lastly, Vision's counter window decays upon consecutive use, which discourages frequent usage.
 
The Monado Arts also have debuffs to compensate for their buffs: if an Art is active, it causes some of his other attributes to drop, weakening some of his abilities. A careful opponent can potentially take advantage of them to gain the upper hand, making his Arts a double-edged sword due to his reliance on them to approach and/or perform combos. Jump makes him take very high damage, and when combined with his slow moveset, makes it even riskier to whiff a move. Speed lowers his damage output, requiring him to deal more hits for the same amount of damage and reduces his jump force to the point of hindering his vertical mobility.
 
Shield drastically reduces his mobility and damage output to the point of making his recovery and offensive potential among the worst in the game. When coupled with his worsened mobility, Shield's increased knockback defense also leaves Shulk heavily susceptible to combos and juggling. Buster increases his vulnerability to damage to the same degree as Jump, while its lower knockback drastically lowers Shulk's KO potential to the point that his smash attacks will not KO until past 150%. Finally, Smash drastically lowers his endurance, hinders his combo game, and makes his attacks the least damaging in the game.
 
Even having no Arts active is disadvantageous, as Shulk's balanced attributes do not allow him to easily approach or catch up with opponents. Having no Arts active also hinders him offensively: very few of Shulk's moves possess combo potential past low percentages, and all his smash attacks are punishable because of their high ending lag. This forces Shulk to be reliant on edge-guarding and spacing while waiting for an Art to refresh, and requires him to capitalize on the duration of a needed Art to the fullest in order to perform certain techniques (such as combo strings or approaching), compared to other characters who may have the ability to do so at any time.
 
Overall, Shulk's optimal playstyle consists of warding off pressure and having extensive knowledge of his opponent. His range, unique toolkit, and versatile tech grant him powerful abilities when mastered, with some being inaccessible to any other character in the roster, however players must have reliable spacing skill as whiffing one of his moves can leave him wide open and vulnerable to heavy damage. While his weaknesses are exploitable when fighting head-on, his adaptability allows him to excel when played patiently and while exploiting openings. Regardless, Shulk has an extremely high learning curve because of a combination of sluggish attacks and very demanding techniques, as extensive knowledge of Monado Arts, proper spacing, reads and patient play are each required for him to thrive.


==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==
==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==
Shulk has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in his transition to ''Ultimate'', but he was greatly buffed overall. His most notable weaknesses have been relieved to some degree, and the changes to the game physics grant many of his options more utility to go with his faster moveset.


A great amount of the revamped game physics benefit Shulk. The universal reduction of [[landing lag]] grant him a safer approach game, and he has gained the ability to [[autocancel]] some aerials (a trait he was previously notable for lacking). This alleviates his punishable landings, one of his biggest weaknesses in ''SSB4''. The universally faster mobility also improves Shulk overall, as it improves the ease of approaching and retreating, the implementation of [[dash-canceling]] with any ground move allows him to approach with his high-ranged tilts, and the readdition of pseudo-[[dash dancing]] alleviates his previously low [[traction]] and turnaround time. Finally, the changes to knockback benefit [[Back Slash]], as opponents no longer turn around when hit from behind with a move that causes [[tumbling]], making the sweetspot safer to land.
===Aesthetics===
*{{change|As with all [[veteran]]s returning from ''SSB4'', Shulk's model features a more subdued color scheme. In addition to losing most of the glossy sheen from his clothes and hair, Shulk's clothing now features simple detailing, his face is more defined, and his hair is somewhat less tousled.}}
*{{change|Shulk's alternate costumes now alter his hair color to match each party member they represent.}}
**{{change|His hair colors are now dirty blonde, black, auburn, black, silver, and orange for the palette swaps of [[Fiora]], [[Dunban]], Reyn, Sharla, Melia, and [[Riki]] respectively.}}
*{{change|Shulk's muscles are more prominently defined in his shirtless alternate costume.}}
*{{change|Shulk's idle stance has been slightly altered, as his chest now visibly moves as he breathes.}}
*{{change|Moves that originally caused the [[Monado]] to glow with a blue outline now completely cover its blade with an opaque blue glow.}}
*{{change|Shulk's second jump freefall animation has been altered, with his limbs no longer being straightened out. This brings it closer to how Shulk jumps in ''Xenoblade Chronicles''.}}
*{{change|During Shulk's hip-posing [[victory pose]], the Monado now glows with a sword trail when swung, and Shulk gives a wide grin at the end.}}


In addition to lower landing lag and faster, more reliable mobility, a few of Shulk's moves possess less lag, such as [[dash attack]] and [[neutral air]]; the latter even executes faster. Combined, this grants Shulk a much more reliable approach, which was another weakness that plagued him in ''SSB4'' due to his moveset's slow speed and his trouble at landing. Aside from his [[Monado Arts]], Shulk's special moves have seen some buffs, with Back Slash now grabbing ledges after some time, [[Air Slash]] executing faster and grabbing edges faster, and [[Vision]] having larger hitboxes and less lag after a successful counter.
===Attributes===
*{{buff|Like all characters, Shulk's [[jumpsquat]] animation now takes three frames to complete (down from 5).}}
*{{buff|Due to the backward-facing hitstun state now applying to all attacks, [[Back Slash]] is less situational and can potentially combo out of his other moves with its effective damage.}}
*{{buff|Shulk [[dash]]es faster.}}
*{{nerf|Shulk is lighter, reducing his endurance substantially.}}
*{{change|All of Shulk's moves with an initial hit (such as up aerial, forward smash and up smash) cause significantly more [[freeze frames]] on the first hit.}}


Shulk's nerfs were noticeable, however. Most notably, his previously heavy [[weight]] has been reduced, which coupled with his lack of options to relieve pressure makes him easier to KO, especially after a combo. His renowned [[back aerial]] has lost its large early body hitbox and has smaller hitboxes, now strictly mapping its range to behind Shulk himself and removing its situational usage for KOing in front of him. His grab game, already below average without Monado Arts active, is even less powerful, with Shulk's grabs having less range in addition to suffering from the universal nerfs to grabs, thus making them more punishable; moreover, all of his throws (except for up throw) deal less damage and knockback, with [[down throw]] no longer being the strongest in the game with Smash Art active, further necessitating an active Art for his throws to be useful.
===Ground attacks===
*[[Neutral attack]]:
**{{buff|Neutral attack transitions faster.}}
***{{change|Neutral attack's second hit is now a full roundhouse kick.}}
***{{buff|Due to neutral attacks now dragging opponents to the ground, neutral attack is no longer timing-specific against floatier or significantly damaged fighters.}}
*[[Dash attack]]:
**{{nerf|During dash attack, Shulk doesn't slide as far. This reduces the move's range slightly.}}
***{{buff|As characters no longer slide through other fighters, dash attack will now connect in instances where it would usually whiff.}}
***{{buff|Dash attack appears to have faster startup.}}
*[[Forward tilt]]:
**{{buff|Forward tilt's animation has been sped up.}}
*[[Up tilt]]:
**{{buff|Up tilt has less ending lag, faster startup, and a better horizontal hitbox.}}
***{{change|Up tilt's ending animation has been altered, looking similar to Shulk's pose in his render.}}
**{{nerf|Due to changes to Buster mechanic, up tilt has more freeze frames making difficult to follow up itself.}}
*[[Down tilt]]:
**{{buff|Down tilt is faster and has more knockback.}}


Other nerfs include his very damaging [[neutral attack]], which deals much less damage and its first two hits range were reduced. In exchange for faster execution and larger hitboxes, a successful Vision's counterattack is less powerful and no longer [[unblockable]], while remaining slightly unreliable under some circumstances, like activating it in the air or countering a projectile. While he mostly benefits from the game physics changes, a few of them also hurt Shulk, as the increased mobility makes it easier for some opponents to pressure Shulk without his Arts active, and the reduced landing lag worsens his already poor out of shield game.
===Aerial attacks===
*{{buff|All aerials have less landing lag.}}
*[[Neutral aerial]]:
**{{buff|Neutral aerial has been sped up significantly.}}
***{{buff|Neutral aerial's hitbox timing is unchanged despite the faster animation speed, meaning the ending frames can now connect with opponents, and the full move now covers 360 degrees.}}
*[[Back aerial]]:
**{{buff|Back aerial can now [[autocancel]].}}
***{{buff|Back aerial's hitbox has been adjusted to be parallel to the ground. This makes it easier for the attack to hit grounded opponents without going over their heads.}}
***{{nerf|Back aerial's early hitbox has been removed, preventing the Monado's blade from hitting opponents in front of Shulk.}}
*[[Up aerial]]:
**{{buff|Up aerial can now autocancel.}} [https://youtu.be/WvzqeLP3zHM]
*[[Down aerial]]
**{{buff|Down aerial can now autocancel.}} [https://youtu.be/3C41FWu2hg8?t=93]
***{{buff|Down aerial appears to have been sped up and has more range.}}


Shulk's defining [[Monado Arts]] have been altered significantly. They no longer take their damage multiplier into account for the opponent's final percentage, helping Speed preserve its knockback and further improving Smash's KO power. They also now perform more like [[Monado Arts|Hyper Monado Arts]] from ''SSB4'', with both their benefits and detriments being amplified: Jump has faster air mobility and further increases the distance of Air Slash, but further increases damage taken by Shulk; Speed offers much faster mobility, but further reduces damage; Shield improves his defense even more to the point he can survive [[smash attacks]] even past 200%, but his moves now deal less knockback alongside their lowered damage, and Shield's duration lowers significantly if he is hit; Buster's lower knockback multiplier now grants Shulk true throw combos (which compensates for the loss of Speed ones), but it also increases damage taken by Shulk; and Smash now buffs Shulk's KO potential to such an extent that he is easily capable of KOing opponents very early below 100%, but causes his endurance to be the absolute worst in the game. Shulk retains the ability to switch Monado Arts while in hitstun, which can allow him to disrupt or outright escape true combos and KO setups, and he can now instantly access them at any time by holding the special button and selecting an art instead of pressing it multiple times (though said feature is still present). However, all of his individual Arts last significantly shorter and have much longer cooldown times, which combined with their amplified drawbacks makes them riskier to use and more susceptible to counterplay. Finally, the multitude of [[advanced technique]]s that can be performed with Monado Arts have been altered significantly, with engine changes causing some to be completely removed (such as [[Monado_Arts#Buffered_deactivation|Buffered Deactivation]]), while introducing new ones ([[Monado_Arts#Dial_storage|Dial Storage]]).
===Grabs and throws===
*[[Down throw]]:
**{{change|Down throw has a snappier animation, with Shulk performing a short jump before the main hit.}}


As a result of these changes, Shulk's strengths and weaknesses are more defined, and his playstyle has been drastically altered to be more dynamic. It revolves less around taking advantage of Monado Arts at all times, now depending on using his improved kit to make use of his stronger, shorter-lasting Monado Art abilities when he is able to get an opening. His faster mobility, lower landing lag and the changes to dash-canceling now help him with approaching, but he has to be more careful with dealing with opposing pressure. He still has some of his most noticeable flaws from ''SSB4'', such as a poor approach, frame data, out of shield options and disadvantage (especially when Shield Art is on cooldown), and lack of options to deal with pressure. Regardless, Shulk's buffs outweigh the nerfs he has received, and he is a better character in ''Ultimate''.
===Special Moves===
 
*[[Monado Arts]]:
{{SSB4 to SSBU changelist|char=Shulk}}
**{{buff|Monado Arts can now be selected quicker by holding the Special button, holding the stick in a direction, then releasing the Special button. His Monado Arts are mapped to the following: up for Smash, upper left for Jump, lower left for Speed, upper right for Buster, and lower right for Shield. The previous method of selecting Monado Arts has still been retained.}}
 
***{{buff|This new method of switching allows the user to switch Monado Arts without needing to cancel the current one, opening up more combo potential and flexibility through switching from certain Monado Arts.}}
==Update history==
***{{change|Arts that are on cooldown now have a bar under them to show how much longer until they can be used again. A timer bar also appears to show how long until the active Art deactivates.}}
Shulk received a mix of buffs, glitch fixes and a single nerf via game updates. Update 2.0.0 enabled forward aerial to autocancel slightly earlier and decreased its edge lockout duration, the latter of which was also applied to up aerial. Update 3.0.0 increased the ranges of Shulk's floor and edge attacks, while update 3.1.0 did the same for neutral attack's second hit. Interestingly, update 8.0.0 granted Shulk a buff that was not mentioned in the official patch notes: aerial [[Vision]]'s [[counterattack]] now grants Shulk [[intangibility]] on frame 1.
**{{buff|Monado Arts can be activated immediately during hitstsun.}}
 
***{{buff|Monado Arts activate faster when selecting Arts individually.}}
Update 9.0.0 increased the knockback scaling of Vision's counterattack, which restored most of the strength it lost in the transition from ''SSB4'' to ''Ultimate''. The central hitbox of up smash's first hit gained more hitstun, which enables it to connect more reliably into the second hit. Lastly, the [[Monado Arts|Shield Art]]'s multiplier for knockback received was increased, which worsened its renowned durability and Shulk's disadvantage state.
***{{change|Monado Arts now have varying cooldowns and durations.}}
 
***{{nerf|Monado Arts last for a noticeably shorter period of time.}}
Overall, Shulk fares similarly well as he did at the launch of ''Ultimate''.
***{{nerf|Shield Art's Meter goes down upon being hit.}} [https://youtu.be/oroapSPtDas?t=213]
 
***{{change|Monado Arts's kanji graphics are now stylized and shown in solid colored, thick-outlined text. Upon activation, the kanji flashes with a cartoon-styled burst.}}
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|1.1.0}}'''
**{{change|Monado Arts now displays the name of the art in addition to the kanji, like on the HUD.}}
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/1.1.0|char=Shulk}}
*[[Back Slash]]:
 
**{{buff|Back Slash is slightly faster.}}
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|2.0.0}}'''
***{{buff|Shulk can now snap onto ledges while using Back Slash, after enough travel time.}}
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/2.0.0|char=Shulk}}
***{{buff|The distance Back Slash travels can now be affected by holding down left or right.}}
 
***{{change|Back-hitting Back Slash now causes a yellow burst effect, similar to the graphic shown when a party member successfully lands an Art's bonus effect in ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' (in this case, hitting the back of an enemy).}}
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|3.0.0}}'''
*[[Air Slash]]:
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/3.0.0|char=Shulk}}
**{{buff|The second hit of Air Slash has a faster startup, making it easier to connect both hits of the move.}}
 
***{{nerf|Air Slash's second hit has a shorter range, and the entire move is harder to snap to ledge with.}}
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|3.1.0}}'''
***{{nerf| Air Slash's second hit has significantly less knockback, hence hindering its kill potential and making it easier to punish.}} [https://youtu.be/tnR0h8DM-R4?t=81]
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/3.1.0|char=Shulk}}
*[[Vision]]:
 
**{{change|Vision's backdrop is significantly brighter.}}
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|4.0.0}}'''
**{{nerf|Vision deals noticeably less base knockback, hindering its ability to KO at low percentages despite its high damage.}}
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/4.0.0|char=Shulk}}
*[[Final Smash]]:
 
**{{change|[[Fiora]] appears during [[Chain Attack]], attacking with Shulk in addition to [[Riki]] and [[Dunban]]. Camera angles have been adjusted to accommodate for her, and Shulk has gained an additional voice clip that calls out her name. Additionally, Riki and Dunban have more detailed models.}}
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|8.0.0}}'''
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/8.0.0|char=Shulk}}
 
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|9.0.0}}'''
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/9.0.0|char=Shulk}}
 
'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|11.0.0}}'''
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/11.0.0|char=Shulk}}
 
==Moveset==
*Shulk's damage outputs and knockback can be manipulated by [[Monado Arts]]. The following moveset list details the properties of his attacks when he has no active Monado Arts.
*With the exception of neutral attack, up smash, throws, and getup attacks, all of Shulk's attacks that use the Monado have a sweetspot on the blade itself and a sourspot on the beam, much like {{SSBU|Roy}}'s reverse [[tipper]] mechanic. For simplicity, if for example, such an attack deals 10% damage with the blade and 9% with the beam, its damage output is listed as 10%/9%.
''For a gallery of Shulk's hitboxes, see [[Shulk (SSBU)/Hitboxes|here]].''
 
{{MovesetTable
|game=SSBU
|neutralname=Straight ({{ja|ストレート|Sutorēto}}) / Side Kick ({{ja|サイドキック|Saido Kikku}}) / Upper Swing ({{ja|アッパースイング|Appā Suingu}})
|neutralcount=3
|neutral1dmg=2%
|neutral2dmg=1.5%
|neutral3dmg=5% (clean), 4.2% (late)
|neutraldesc=A jab, followed by a roundhouse kick, followed by an upward slash. It connects much more consistently than it did in ''SSB4'', and the first two hits can now [[jab reset]], though its slim hitbox makes this difficult on most prone characters. It also has very low range compared to his other moves, but is very fast in comparison to them (frame 5). Its second hit resembles {{s|xenoserieswiki|Tempest Kick}}, one of [[Dunban]]'s ether Arts.
|ftiltname=Side Swing ({{ja|サイドスイング|Saido Suingu}})
|ftiltdmg=13.5%/12%
|ftiltdesc=An inward slash. Its impressive damage output and high knockback growth make it powerful for a tilt attack. While near the edge of {{SSBU|Final Destination}}, its blade hitbox KOs at roughly 97%. It also deals high shield damage when Buster is active. However, its range is shorter than Shulk's other moves, while its narrow hitbox allows smaller characters to crouch under it. It is almost identical to one of Shulk's [[xenoserieswiki:Auto-attack (XC1)|auto-attacks]].
|utiltname=Hop Swing ({{ja|ホップスイング|Hoppu Suingu}})
|utiltdmg=10% (clean), 10%/9% (late)
|utiltdesc=An overhead arcing slash. It wide hitbox and sheer range make it a useful move overall, since it can almost reach the top platform of {{SSBU|Battlefield}} and function as an anti-air attack, limit edge get-up options, pressure shields, or trap landings. With Buster active, it is a useful damage racking option from under platforms. Without Arts, it can also function as a situational KOing option thanks to its high knockback growth: it can KO grounded opponents at 160% without rage, and functions as one of Shulk's strongest KO moves with the Smash Art, KOing within the 105% range. However, it only hits in front of Shulk at its beginning, and has moderate start-up and ending lag.
|dtiltname=Low Cutter ({{ja|ローカッター|Rō Kattā}})
|dtiltdmg=9.5%/7.5%
|dtiltdesc=A kneeling inward slash. Moderately slow for a tilt attack, but it has good range and the lowest amount of ending lag out of his entire moveset. As a result, it is a good combo starter while Jump, Speed, or Buster are active. Unlike in ''Smash 4'', the hitbox now covers the end of the beam blade. When spaced correctly, it is also able to hit edge-hanging opponents once their invincibility ends.
|dashname=Dash Slash ({{ja|ダッシュスラッシュ|Dasshu Surasshu}})
|dashdmg=12.5%/11%
|dashdesc=An inward slash. Somewhat short-ranged but can connect easily. When coupled with its decent damage output, it can function as a situational KOing option. While near the edge of Final Destination, it KOs middleweights at around 160%. However, it has high ending lag (28 frames). With the Speed Art, it becomes a more effective burst option with more horizontal range thanks to Shulk lunging further forward, but the Shield Art instead reduces his burst range during the move. It is almost identical to [[xenoserieswiki:Stream Edge (XC1)|Stream Edge]], one of Shulk's Break-inducing Arts.
|fsmashname=Monado Smash ({{ja|モナドスマッシュ|Monado Sumasshu}})
|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|5.5}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|13}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|11.5}} (hit 2)
|fsmashdesc=A forward thrust, which causes the Monado to reveal its beam blade. It consists of two hits: the first is from the Monado's blade, which leads into the second hit from its beam blade. It is one of the longest ranged non-projectile forward smashes in the game; when coupled with its ability to be angled, it can hit opponents [https://youtu.be/QTbawhu0xxY?t=140 hanging from ledge] if spaced correctly. The Buster Art grants the move good shield-pressuring potential, as it can deplete half a shield. While near the edge of Final Destination, the non-angled blade/beam KOs at 74%/86%. However, the first hit's low [[priority]] makes it easily canceled by weak attacks, while the move's high ending lag (44 frames) makes it completely unsafe on shield. As a result, it is best used as a punishment option or as a high-risk, high-reward mix-up against approaching opponents. It is almost identical to [[xenoserieswiki:Slit Edge (XC1)|Slit Edge]], one of Shulk's physical Arts, albeit with the Monado being held in a standard grip instead of sideways.
|usmashname=Anti-Air Monado ({{ja|アンチエアモナド|Anchi Ea Monado}})
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|4.5}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|13.5}} (hit 2)
|usmashdesc=Squats and slams the Monado's hilt onto the ground, causing its beam blade to thrust upward. An overall effective move for punishing, as the first hit's deceptive horizontal range launches opponents into the second hit. This allows it to punish rolls, landings, and edge get-up options. The second hit's vertical range, high knockback and [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]] allow it to KO reliably. Unlike forward smash, it does not possess a sweetspot and sourspot, which also gives it consistent KO potential at around 109%. The move has considerable start-up (hits on frame 18) and ending lag (37 frames), making it punishable.
|dsmashname=Pivot Monado ({{ja|ピボットモナド|Pibotto Monado}})
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|14}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|11}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|12}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|10}} (hit 2), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|10}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|8}} (hit 3), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|8}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|6}} (hit 4), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|6}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBU|4}} (hit 5)
|dsmashdesc=A series of circular slashes around himself, with Shulk spinning in a full circle three times. It is capable of hitting during any of its five hitboxes (three at Shulk's front and two at his back), with its first hit being strong enough to KO reliably near the edge at 78%/85% (blade/beam). Each spin quickly loses power, but the final spin has slightly more range. The Smash Art grants the later hits KO potential, despite their weak power without any Monado Arts. It is usually impossible to connect more than one hit together unless Buster is active, in which case it will break full shields if an opponent is cornered at an edge and the first three hits land. Extremely useful for punishing [[roll]]s and [[sidestep]]s thanks to its multiple hitboxes and range, but suffers from the most overall lag out of Shulk's smash attacks because of its considerable start-up (hits on frame 18) and ending lag (41 frames). It is almost identical to [[xenoserieswiki:War Swing (XC1)|War Swing]], one of {{s|xenoserieswiki|Reyn}}'s physical Arts.
|nairname=Clock Turn ({{ja|クロックターン|Kurokku Tān}})
|nairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|8.5}}/{{ShortHopDmgSSBU|7.5}}
|nairdesc=A circular slash around himself. It is one of Shulk's most useful [[approach]] options, thanks to its wide range, full 360 degree coverage, low landing lag (6 frames) and long duration. Unlike in ''SSB4'' , the hitboxes now match the trail until the end where the Monado retracts its beam blade. Its hitbox begins slightly behind Shulk's toes and continues all the way over his head, allowing the initial frames to start combos if an opponent misses a tech, the later frames being able to punish [[air dodge]]s, and the final frames having approach-deterring utility. Overall, it is one of Shulk's defining moves, as it can start combos while Jump, Speed or Buster are active, which can lead into a grab, neutral attack, forward tilt, up tilt, aerials or [[Air Slash]]. It can also neutralize weak projectiles, such as those from {{SSBU|Toon Link}} or {{SSBU|Diddy Kong}}. However, its long-lasting hitbox and very high ending lag (46 frames) make it a very unsafe move to use off-stage when [[fast falling]], as Shulk will be in serious danger of [[self-destruct]]ing. It is often considered to be one of the best neutral aerials in the game due to its large hitboxes, long duration, and excellent combo starting ability.
|fairname=Wide Slash ({{ja|ワイドスラッシュ|Waido Surasshu}})
|fairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|8}}/{{ShortHopDmgSSBU|6.5}}
|fairdesc=A downward slash. It has the lowest amount of ending lag out of his aerials (24 frames) and low landing lag (10 frames), while its range grants it excellent coverage for an aerial, which makes it great for interrupting approaches and spacing. It is also a dependable combo option with either Speed or Buster active, and a powerful [[edge-guarding]] move, as it can easily cover their options (in Jump) or KO them outright while offstage at percents as low as 50% (with Smash). In Jump/Speed/Buster, it can allow Shulk to perform a [[wall of pain]] ending with Air Slash; this is a damage/KO combo at certain percentages, which has been dubbed the "Fair Slash" by players.
|bairname=Behind Thrust ({{ja|ビハインドスラスト|Bihaindo Surasuto}})
|bairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12.5}} (clean), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12.5}}/{{ShortHopDmgSSBU|8.5}} (late)
|bairdesc=A delayed reverse gripped thrust. The Monado's blade deals respectable damage with high knockback growth, making it a powerful KO move; it KOs at the edge at roughly 94%/137% (blade/beam) without Arts, and 65%/85% in Smash which makes it the second most powerful back aerial, surpassed only by {{SSBU|Zelda}}'s. It has lost its initial blade hitbox near Shulk's body from ''Smash 4'', but is no longer as punishable due to its reduced landing lag (11 frames). Hence, it is a useful spacing tool due to its high horizontal range, but only if spaced spaced correctly or alongside Jump/Speed's aerial drift. However, it has slow start-up (19 frames) and a narrow, brief hitbox, making it very difficult to time; a few consistent methods are to perform it at the peak of short hop before fast falling without Arts, or immediately out of a short hop in the Speed Art.
|uairname=Stab Up ({{ja|スタッブアップ|Sutabu Appu}})
|uairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|5.5}} (hit 1), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|10.5}}/{{ShortHopDmgSSBU|8}} (hit 2)
|uairdesc=An upward thrust, which causes the Monado to reveal its beam blade. Like his forward and up smashes, the first hit from the Monado's blade leads into the second hit from its beam blade. It has tremendous vertical range that is capable of reaching through the main platform of [[Town and City]]; however, it has very minimal horizontal range and each hit only lasts 3 frames, which can make it difficult to connect with, especially if Shulk has too much momentum. It is one of the most damaging up aerials in the game if both hits connect (sweetspot only); coupled with its second hit's high knockback growth, it is a fearsome (albeit difficult to land) KO option near the upper [[blast line]]. It also has the second lowest landing lag out of Shulk's aerials (9 frames), giving it some spammability if under a platform. If the second hit of an up aerial lands, Shulk can land, switch into another Art, and combo into another up aerial; this is a KO confirm known as the "[[xenoserieswiki:Monado Cyclone (XC1)|Monado Cyclone]]" combo that can work at a wide percent range with the right Arts active, though it is quite difficult to set up. Except for the Buster Art, if the second hit is sweetspotted, it is the strongest up aerial in the game, KOing slightly earlier than Zelda's.
|dairname=Stab Down ({{ja|スタッブダウン|Sutabu Daun}})
|dairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|7.5}} (hit 1 grounded), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|6}} (hit 1 aerial), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|11.5}}/{{ShortHopDmgSSBU|10.5}} (hit 2)
|dairdesc=A downward thrust, which causes the Monado to reveal its beam blade. It hits twice in the same fashion as his up aerial, but the first hit deals more damage to grounded opponents. The second hit [[meteor smash]]es aerial opponents if the blade hitbox connects. Like his up aerial, it has minimal horizontal range, each hit only lasts 3 frames, and its first hit might not connect into its second hit if Shulk is moving too fast. However, it has excellent range and high knockback, making it a decent edge-guarding option, as it can stage spike edge-hanging opponents, reach distant offstage opponents, or even KO outright at the edge starting from 108%. The first hit can also drag opponents offstage for a meteor smash if they are standing right next to an edge.
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})
|grabdesc=Reaches out with his left arm.
|pummelname=Grab Hilt Bash ({{ja|つかみヒルトバッシュ|Tsukami Hiruto Basshu}})
|pummeldmg=1.3%
|pummeldesc=Hits the opponent with the Monado's pommel. Has middling speed and damage for a pummel, but it becomes the second most damaging one in the game with Buster active (1.82%), only behind {{SSBU|Kazuya}}.
|fthrowname=Hold Swing ({{ja|ホールドスイング|Hōrudo Suingu}})
|fthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 5% (throw)
|fthrowdesc=An upward slash. It lacks true follow-ups because of its base knockback, but it can lead into a dash attack or a forward aerial at low percentages with Speed or Buster active. With the Smash Art active, it is a powerful KOing option, doing so at about 110% at the edge of Final Destination. It is also capable of [[lock]]ing nearby floored opponents, a trait shared with all of Shulk's throws.
|bthrowname=Back Breaker ({{ja|バックブレイカー|Bakku Bureikā}})
|bthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 6% (throw)
|bthrowdesc=Pulls the opponent behind himself and performs a reversed gripped thrust. Shulk's most damaging throw and causes the opponent to suffer back-facing knockback, which allows it to be used as a set-up for [[Back Slash]]. With Smash active, it is one of the strongest back throws in the game, as it KOs around 90%, surpassing {{SSBU|Ness}}' back throw.
|uthrowname=Underhand Spear ({{ja|アンダーハンドスピア|Andāhando Supia}})
|uthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 4% (throw)
|uthrowdesc=Heaves the opponent in the air and performs a kneeling upward thrust. It is mostly used for aerial mixups since it cannot true combo into most attacks: at low percentages and/or with Buster active, it can lead into up tilt or [[Air Slash]], or a ground attack if the opponent [[air dodge]]s. With Jump active, it can lead into a neutral aerial or forward aerial, the latter of which requires the opponent to DI away. At high percentages, it can act as a set-up into the "[[xenoserieswiki:Monado Purge (XC1)|Monado Purge]]" combo, which is an up throw to up aerial, though this is extremely situational since opponents can air dodge out of it in any direction.
|dthrowname=Earth Pierce ({{ja|アースピアース|Āsu Piāsu}})
|dthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 2.5% (throw)
|dthrowdesc=Pins the opponent to the ground and performs a jumping downward thrust. With no Arts active or any Art active aside from Buster, it lacks combo or KO potential because of its throw hitbox's base knockback and very low damage output. However, it is an excellent combo throw with Buster active, as it can follow up with down tilt or forward tilt at low to mid percentages, forward smash, forward aerial or Air Slash at mid percentages, and even start a KO combo into Air Slash or other attacks if Buster is buffer-canceled during the throw's animation.
|floorfname= 
|floorfdmg=7%
|floorfdesc=Slashes around himself while getting up.
|floorbname= 
|floorbdmg=7%
|floorbdesc=Slashes around himself while getting up.
|floortname= 
|floortdmg=5%
|floortdesc=Slashes around himself while getting up.
|edgename= 
|edgedmg=9%
|edgedesc=Performs an inward slash while climbing up.
|nsname=Monado Arts
|nsdmg=Jump: 6s duration, 18s cooldown <br/>Speed: 8s duration, 16s cooldown <br/>Shield: 6s duration, 16s cooldown <br/>Buster: 10s duration, 14s cooldown <br/>Smash: 8s duration, 16s cooldown
|nsdesc=[[xenoserieswiki:Activate Monado|Activates one of five Monado Arts]]: Jump, [[xenoserieswiki:Monado Speed (XC1)|Speed]], [[xenoserieswiki:Monado Shield (XC1)|Shield]], [[xenoserieswiki:Monado Buster (XC1)|Buster]], or Smash. Each Art significantly enhances particular attributes at the cost of significantly hindering others, and all last for varying durations unless manually canceled. A wheel can be used by holding the special button, selecting an Art, and then releasing the Special button, which instantly activates an Art even while in hitstun; alternatively, the special button can be pressed once to cycle through each Art manually, and pressed thrice to cancel a current Art. Each Art has varied cooldown times and durations. Shulk poses and announces an Art's name if it activates when he is not attacking or dodging; this grants 14 frames of intangibility and can be used to replace landing lag animations or change directions in midair. This is pivotal for several Monado Art-based [[advanced technique]]s, including the {{h2|Monado Arts|Monado Art landing lag cancel}}ing and [[Monado Arts#Dial storage|dial storage]].
|ssname=Back Slash
|ssdmg=10%/9% (front hit), 16%/14% (back hit), 15%/13% (back hit landing)
|ssdesc=[[xenoserieswiki:Back Slash (XC1)|A leaping downward slash]], with Shulk occasionally yelling "Back Slash!" during the move. The Monado's blade beam glows red during the move, referencing physical Arts in his home game. Shulk takes a small leap forward upon start-up, giving it slightly more range and allows him to jump over small projectiles. The distance of the leap can be adjusted by holding left or right during the leap. True to its name, it deals more damage and has higher knockback if it hits the opponent's back: the blade/beam hitbox will KO at around 74%/88% at the edge. Conversely, the front hitbox is incapable of KOing until excessively high percentages, unless in the Smash Art. It has recovery potential since it snaps to the edge if started at a height slightly higher than the top platform of Battlefield, though it is risky since the move cannot be canceled.
|usname=Air Slash
|usdmg=6% (hit 1 early), 5% (hit 1 late), 5.5% (hit 2)
|usdesc=[[xenoserieswiki:Air Slash (XC1)|A jumping upward slash]], similar to [[Dolphin Slash]], with Shulk occasionally yelling "Air Slash!" The Monado's blade beam glows pink during the move, referencing Break-inducing Arts in his home game. It is a [[natural combo]]: its first hit has set knockback, while pressing the attack button again will result in a second hit, which is an outward slash that grants a small vertical boost, especially if used late. Its second hit has extremely high knockback growth, which makes it a useful KOing option, especially from [[out of shield]]; its second hit KOs approximately at 106% near an edge. The Jump Art increases vertical distance gained by the first slash. However, the Jump Art can cause the natural combo to whiff due to the additional vertical distance. The first slash will automatically snap to edges during its ending frames.
|dsname=Vision
|dsdmg=1.3× (minimum: 10%/9% (normal), 13%/10% (forward-held))
|dsdesc=Braces himself while holding the Monado near his face to [[xenoserieswiki:Vision|foresee an attack]]. If he is hit, Shulk [[counterattack]]s with a slow, powerful, and long-ranged slash that launches opponents forward. Alternatively, holding forward while counterattacking on the ground causes a fast dashing slash that deals more damage and knockback growth in addition to launching opponents backward, but its speed and Shulk's momentum can cause it to occasionally miss its target. Previously one of the strongest counters in ''SSB4'', its knockback scaling has remained similar and it is nearly as strong as it was, but it is no longer [[unblockable]]. Monado Arts can affect the KO potential of the counterattack. As a downside, Vision loses counter frames if repeatedly used over a short period of time, making it and [[Witch Time]] the only counterattacks that lose effectiveness if spammed. Counter frames are regained over time or once Shulk is KO'd. The counter's pose resembles {{s|xenoserieswiki|Shadow Eye}}, one of Shulk's supportive Arts. The normal counterattack is almost identical to Stream Edge, one of Shulk's Break-inducing Arts, whereas the forward-held counterattack is a reference to {{s|xenoserieswiki|Thunder}}, one of Dunban's ether Arts.
|fsname=Chain Attack
|fsdmg=3% (hit 1), 2% (hits 2-12), 12% (hit 13 front opponent), 2% (hit 13 other opponents) 5% (hit 14). Total: 46% (front opponent), 36% (other opponents)
|fsdesc=Emits a sphere of bright light in front of himself. If it hits an opponent, Shulk summons [[Dunban]], [[Riki]], and [[Fiora]] to perform a [[xenoserieswiki:Chain Attack (XC1)|Chain Attack]] on the opponent, which he then concludes with a powerful slash. Chain Attack's damage output and knockback are also affected by Monado Arts. However, it has a short range, as Shulk needs to be close to the opponent in order for its first hit to land. In addition, Arts can expire during the Chain Attack's cutscene, which affects its damage output and knockback.
}}
 
===Stats===
 
{{Attributes
| cast=89
| weight=97 | rweight=37-39
| dash=1.87 | rdash=52-57
| run=1.672 | rrun=49-50
| walk=1.155 | rwalk=35-38
| trac=0.094 | rtrac=68-69
| airfric=0.009 | rairfric=52-56
| air=1.113 | rair=33
| baseaccel=0.01 | rbaseaccel=15-87
| addaccel=0.04 | raddaccel=69-78
| gravity=0.098 | rgravity=34-36
| fall=1.58 | rfall=48-51
| ff=2.528 | rff=45-48
| jumpsquat=3 | rjumpsquat=1-88
| jumpheight=33.5 | rjumpheight=36-37
| shorthop=16.8 | rshorthop=32
| djump=33.5 | rdjump=45-46
}}
 
===[[Announcer]] call===
{{audio|Needs announcer calls from other languages.}}
<gallery>
Shulk English Announcer SSB4-SSBU.wav|English/Japanese/Chinese
</gallery>
 
===[[On-screen appearance]]===
*Jumps down onto the stage while performing a downward slash using the Monado. Shulk then quickly turns his back to the screen and places the Monado on his back while Buster's symbol flashes briefly.
<gallery>
ShulkOnScreenAppearanceSSBU.gif|Shulk's on-screen appearance
</gallery>
 
===[[Taunt]]s===
*'''Up taunt''': Holds his right hand out and says while shaking his head, "Now it's Shulk time!" ({{ja|穏やかじゃないですね。|Odayaka janai desu ne.}}, ''Not being gentle, huh?''). The animation itself resembles the one Shulk performs when engaging in a conversation in ''Xenoblade Chronicles''. The English phrase is a reference to Reyn, his best friend and one of his party members, who utters the phrase "Now it's Reyn time!" whenever his Talent Art gauge is completely filled during combat. The Japanese phrase similarly references a popular phrase in Japan; in this case, a line Shulk commonly says when accepting quests.
*'''Side taunt''': Grips the Monado's handle with his right hand while triumphantly pumping his left fist and announcing "I'm really feeling it!" ({{ja|だんだんノってきたよ！|Dandan notte kita yo!}}, ''Gradually getting the hang of it!''). This is one of the lines Shulk may announce in ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' when his tension level increases in combat.
*'''Down taunt''': Grips the Monado with both hands, activates it, and poses similarly to when he activates Buster while saying "This is the Monado's power!" ({{ja|モナドの力よ！|Monado no chikara yo!}}, ''The Monado's power! / The power of the Monado!''). If timed correctly, it can dodge certain projectiles, such as {{b|Blaster|disambiguation}}, [[Bow and Arrows]], and [[Palutena Bow]]. This is one of the lines Shulk may announce when he uses his "Activate Monado" Talent Art in ''Xenoblade Chronicles''.
<gallery>
SSBUShulkTaunt1.gif|Shulk's up taunt.
SSBUShulkTaunt2.gif|Shulk's side taunt.
SSBUShulkTaunt3.gif|Shulk's down taunt.
</gallery>
 
===[[Idle pose]]s===
*Taps his foot while thinking about something. It is based on his idle animation from ''Xenoblade Chronicles''.
*Tenses and quickly looks behind himself, then in front of himself before easing up.
<gallery>
SSBUShulkIdle1.gif|Shulk's first idle pose.
SSBUShulkIdle2.gif|Shulk's second idle pose.
</gallery>
 
===[[Crowd cheer]]===
<div class="tabber">
<div class="tabbertab" title="English, Japanese/Chinese, Italian, Dutch, French">
{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (English)
!Cheer (Japanese/Chinese)
!Cheer (Italian)
!Cheer (Dutch)
!Cheer (French)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Shulk Cheer English SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Shulk Cheer Japanese SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Shulk Cheer Italian SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Shulk Cheer Dutch SSBU.ogg|center]]||{{NTSC}} [[File:Shulk Cheer French NTSC SSBU.ogg|center]] <br> {{PAL}} [[File:Shulk Cheer French PAL SSBU.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
|Shulk Shulk Shulk! || Shu - ru - ku! || Shulk attacca! Eh - eh! || Shu - Shu - Shulk! || Shuuuulk
|}
</div>
<div class="tabbertab" title="German, Spanish, Russian, Korean">
{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (German)
!Cheer (Spanish)
!Cheer (Russian)
!Cheer (Korean)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Shulk Cheer German SSBU.ogg|center]]||{{NTSC}} [[File:Shulk Cheer Spanish NTSC SSBU.ogg|center]] <br> {{PAL}} [[File:Shulk Cheer Spanish PAL SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Shulk Cheer Russian SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Shulk Cheer Korean SSBU.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
| {{rollover|Schluss mit Ulk! Seht auf Shulk!|eng.: Fun ends here! Look at Shulk!|y}}|| || Shulk! Shulk! Shulk! ||
|}
</div>
</div>
 
===[[Victory pose]]s===
*'''Left:''' Raises the Monado, activates it, and swings it in an outward, downward arc. He then deactivates it and places it on his back, saying either "I got through that pretty good!" ({{ja|よかった、これで解決ですね。|Yokatta, kore de kaiketsu desu ne.}}, ''All good, it's been quite resolved.'') or "This is a good result!" ({{ja|結構よい仕上がりだね。|Kekkō yoi shiagari da ne.}}, ''It was a splendid completion, huh?'').
*'''Up:''' Swings the Monado twice while it is active (the first swing is inward with both hands, and the second is an outward swing with his right arm). Then he holds it level to his head (horizontally lengthwise) as it deactivates, saying either "The future is ours to decide." ({{ja|みんなの気持ちが伝わってきたよ！|Minna no kimochi ga tsutawatte kita yo!}}, ''Everyone's feelings have been coming through!'') or "I've got a good rhythm going!" ({{ja|ほんと、いい流れがつくれているよ！|Honto, ī nagare ga tsukurete iru yo!}}, ''For real, this makes it a good flow!'').
*'''Right:''' Bows down with the Monado held lengthwise, with the Monado activating before Shulk holds it in a reverse grip, saying either "I can feel the power!" ({{ja|うん、力を感じる！|Un, chikara wo kanjiru!}}, ''Hmm, I feel the power.'') or "I can change the future." ({{ja|未来は…変えられるんだ！|Mirai wa… kae rarerun da!}}, ''The future… I can change it!'').
[[File:XenobladeSeriesVictoryThemeUltimate.ogg|thumb|The second half of the riff of {{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade|You Will Know Our Names}}, the battle theme used in ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' when fighting a unique monster, slightly sped up.]]
<gallery>
ShulkVictoryPose1SSBU.gif
ShulkVictoryPose2SSBU.gif
ShulkVictoryPose3SSBU.gif
</gallery>
 
==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 -->
 
<!--If you are planning to add a player you consider to be notable, please provide tournament results in some shape or form in the edit summary (be it a link to a results thread or bracket of placing high in a tournament of other notable players or a video of them beating a notable player). Winning tournaments without notable players present is generally not enough to warrant a spot.-->
 
''See also: [[:Category:Shulk players (SSBU)]]''
 
*{{Sm|Darkshad|USA}} - One of the best Shulk players in the United States. Placed 3rd at {{Trn|Bourbon State Gaming: Stop Your Friendlies}}, 4th at {{Trn|COST 2019}}, 5th at {{Trn|2GG: Run it Back}}, 17th at {{Trn|Full Bloom 5}}, and 49th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 5}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Kome}} and {{Sm|Jakal}}.
*{{Sm|FuerzaDON|Mexico}} - The best Shulk player in Mexico. Placed 9th at both {{Trn|Ragnarok}} and {{Trn|WeTecThose 9}}, 13th at {{Trn|Abierto Guadalajara Ultimo Reto}}, and 33rd at {{Trn|Smash Factor 8}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Nair^}}, {{Sm|8BitMan}}, and {{Sm|Chag}}. Currently ranked 30th on the [[Mexican Power Rankings]].
*{{Sm|jaredisking1|USA}} - One of the best Shulk players in the United States. Placed 1st at {{Trn|GrandSlam 9}}, 2nd at {{Trn|Daddy’s Den X Ultra}}, 5th at both {{Trn|Rise 'N Grind}} and {{Trn|Back in Blood 3}}, and 13th at {{Trn|Port Priority 7}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Big D}}, {{Sm|Ouch!?}}, and {{Sm|Scend}}. Formerly ranked 2nd on the [[Oregon Power Rankings]].
*{{Sm|Kome|Japan}} - The best Shulk player in the world. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 10}}, 2nd at {{Trn|EVO Japan 2020}}, {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 4}}, and {{Trn|Sumabato SP 15}}, and 3rd at {{Trn|Kagaribi 5}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Marss}}, {{Sm|Zackray}}, and {{Sm|Maister}}. Ranked 25th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]].
*{{Sm|Nicko|USA}} - One of the best Shulk players in the world in the early metagame. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Play With Heart}}, 2nd at {{Trn|Port Priority 5}}, 5th at {{Trn|2GG: Nightmare on Smashville}}, 13th at {{Trn|Mainstage}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Collision 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Dabuz}}, {{Sm|Rivers}}, and {{Sm|moxi}}. Ranked 36th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]]
*{{Sm|Salem|USA}} - Used Shulk alongside {{SSBU|Snake}} and {{SSBU|Hero}}, and was considered one of the best Shulk players in the world before he was banned. Placed 7th at {{Trn|MomoCon 2019}}, 13th at {{Trn|CEO 2019}}, 17th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 5}}, and 25th at {{Trn|GENESIS 7}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Dabuz}} and {{Sm|Umeki}}. Ranked 30th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]].
*{{Sm|Tru4|Germany}} - One of the best Shulk players in Europe. Placed 1st at {{Trn|DoKomi 2019}}, 4th at both {{Trn|Battle Arena Melbourne 11}} and {{Trn|DreamHack Leipzig 2020}}, 7th at {{Trn|Ultimate Fighting Arena 2019}}, and 9th at {{Trn|VCA 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|WaDi}}, {{Sm|Puppeh}}, and {{Sm|Meru}}. Ranked 11th on the [[European Smash Rankings]].
*{{Sm|Uncivil ninja|USA}} - The best Shulk player in Florida. Placed 9th at both {{Trn|Tampa Never Sleeps 8}} and {{Trn|CEO Dreamland 2020}}, 17th at {{Trn|Come to Papa 3}}, and 25th at both {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves}} and {{Trn|GENESIS 7}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|VoiD}}, {{Sm|Myran}}, and {{Sm|8BitMan}}.
 
===Tier placement and history===
Throughout ''Ultimate''{{'}}s lifespan, many players placed Shulk as a high tier or even top tier character in their own tier lists; this is due to the buffs he received such as reduced landing lag and the ability to utilize his Monado Arts faster. However, due to a high learning curve and reliance of advanced techniques like [[Monado Arts#Dial storage|dial storage]], Shulk's playerbase has remained rather small compared to other top and high tier characters; his representation has hovered around the top 30 for most of the game's competitive lifespan. Despite his small playerbase, his best players have historically performed well with the character. Shulk was represented in the early metagame by {{Sm|Kome}} and {{Sm|Nicko}}, both of whom were ultimately ranked on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]]. Although Nicko became less active after the online metagame, Kome continued to see strong, albeit inconsistent, results at majors, while {{Sm|jaredisking1}} also achieved some good placements in the United States. As such, despite sparse tournament representation, his strong performances from dedicated mains led to him being ranked 19th on the first tier list, at the end of the top tier. He would later fall to 25th on the second and current tier list, but remains ranked as a high tier character in the A- tier.


=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Witness the Monado's Power==
=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: Witness the Monado's Power==
[[File:SSBU Congratulations Shulk.png|thumb|Shulk's congratulations screen.]]
Each of the opponents represent one of Shulk's [[Monado Arts]] and are fought in the cycling order of each art in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''.
Shulk's opponents represent one of the [[Monado Arts]] and are fought in the cycling order of each Art in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. The penultimate battle against {{SSBU|Mega Man}} continues the theme by having Mega Man represent [[xenoserieswiki:Monado Enchant (XC1)|Monado Enchant]] from ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' (represented by the kanji for "Machine"), which references that Art's ability of allowing Shulk's party to damage {{s|xenoserieswiki|Mechon}} with conventional weapons.


{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Round!!Opponent!!Stage!!Music!!Notes
!Round!!Opponent!!Stage
|-
|-
|1||{{CharHead|Falco|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Lylat Cruise]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Star Fox|Space Armada}}''||Represents Monado Jump.
|1||{{SSBU|Falco}}||[[Lylat Cruise]]
|-
|-
|2||{{CharHead|Sonic|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Windy Hill Zone]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Sonic The Hedgehog|Windy Hill - Zone 1}}''||Represents [[xenoserieswiki:Monado Speed (XC1)|Monado Speed]].
|2||{{SSBU|Sonic}}||[[Windy Hill Zone]]
|-
|-
|3||Giant {{CharHead|King K. Rool|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Jungle Japes]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Donkey Kong|Crocodile Cacophony}}''||Represents [[xenoserieswiki:Monado Shield (XC1)|Monado Shield]].
|3||Giant {{SSBU|King K. Rool}}||[[Jungle Japes]]
|-
|-
|4||{{CharHead|Cloud|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Midgar]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Final Fantasy|Let the Battles Begin!}}''||Represents [[xenoserieswiki:Monado Buster (XC1)|Monado Buster]]. It is also a reference to the name of Cloud's signature weapon, the Buster Sword.
|4||{{SSBU|Cloud}}||[[Midgar]]
|-
|-
|5||{{CharHead|Little Mac|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Boxing Ring]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Punch-Out!!|World Circuit Theme}}''||Represents Monado Smash.
|5||{{SSBU|Little Mac}}||[[Boxing Ring]]
|-
|-
|6||{{CharHead|Mega Man|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Wily Castle]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Mega Man|Metal Man Stage}}''||Represents [[xenoserieswiki:Monado Enchant (XC1)|Monado Enchant]].
|6||{{SSBU|Mega Man}}||[[Wily Castle]]
|-
|-
|colspan="5"|[[Bonus Stage]]
|colspan="3"|Bonus Stage
|-
|-
|Final||{{SSBU|Master Hand}}||{{SSBU|Final Destination}}||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Super Smash Bros.|Master Hand}}'' <small>(Less than 7.0 intensity)</small><br>''{{SSBUMusicLink|Super Smash Bros.|Master Hand / Crazy Hand}}'' <small>(Intensity 7.0 or higher)</small>||On intensity 7.0 and higher, {{SSBU|Crazy Hand}} fights alongside Master Hand.
|Final||{{SSBU|Master Hand}} and {{SSBU|Crazy Hand}}||{{SSBU|Final Destination}}
|}
|}
[[Credits]] roll after completing Classic Mode. Completing it as Shulk has ''{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade|Xenoblade Chronicles Medley}}'' accompany the credits.
{{clr}}


==Role in [[World of Light]]==
==Role in [[World of Light]]==
[[File:WoL-57Shulk.jpg|thumb|Finding Shulk in World of Light|left]]
Shulk was among the fighters that were summoned to fight the army of [[Master Hand]]s.
Shulk was among the fighters that were summoned to fight the army of [[Master Hand]]s.


During the opening cutscene, Shulk was briefly seen on the cliffside when Galeem unleashed its beams of light. After the Master Hands begin turning into energy for [[Galeem]] to absorb, Shulk experiences a {{s|xenoserieswiki|vision}} where all of the fighters are annihilated and the universe engulfed in light. Shulk turns back attempting to warn everyone, but before he can tell the other fighters what he foresaw, his vision comes true when Galeem unleashes a shower of light that vaporizes Shulk off-screen and imprisons him with the rest of the fighters except for {{SSBU|Kirby}}.
After the Master Hands begin turning into energy for [[Galeem]] to absorb, Shulk experiences a [[vision]] of the future, where all of the fighters are annihilated and the galaxy engulfed in light. Shulk turns back attempting to warn everyone, but remains speechless. Galeem then unleashes his beams of light and Shulk is vaporized offscreen; he is later placed under Galeem's imprisonment alongside all other fighters except for {{SSBU|Kirby}}.
 
In the mode proper, he can be found right over a cliff that leads to a waterfall. The area Shulk can be found at is rocky and grassy with many water features, reminiscent to the appearance of [[Gaur Plain]]. The [[List of spirits (Fire Emblem series)|Camilla]] spirit must be defeated right before he can be challenged.
{{clrl}}
 
===Fighter Battle===
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
!style="width:5%;"|No.
!style="width:5%;"|Image
!Name
!Type
!Power
!Stage
!Music
|-
|57
|[[File:Shulk SSBU.png|center|108x108px]]
|Shulk
|{{SpiritType|Attack}} <center>{{color|#dc1029|Attack}}</center>
|8,200
|[[Gaur Plain]] ([[Ω form]])
|''{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade|Xenoblade Chronicles Medley}}''
|}
{{clr}}
 
==[[Spirit]]==
Shulk's fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}}. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Shulk has been unlocked. Unlocking Shulk in World of Light allows the player to preview the spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. His fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with his artwork in ''Ultimate''.
 
<center>
<gallery>
SSBU spirit Shulk.png|951. '''''Shulk'''''
</gallery>
</center>
 
==In Spirit Battles==
===As the main opponent===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
! colspan=4|Spirit
! colspan=7|Battle parameters
|-
! style="width:5%;"|No.
! style="width:5%;"|Image
! Name
! Series
! Enemy Fighter(s)
! style="width:5%;"|Type
! style="width:5%;"|Power
! Stage
! Rules
! Conditions
! Music
|-
|253
|{{SpiritTableName|Beedle|size=64}}
|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Trunks}}<br>•{{SSBU|Toon Link}} {{Head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Brown}}
|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}
|2,600
|[[Gaur Plain]] ([[Battlefield form]])
|•Item: [[Beetle]]
|•Items will be pulled toward the enemy
|{{SSBUMusicLink|The Legend of Zelda|Dragon Roost Island}}
|-
|915
|{{SpiritTableName|ProtoMan.EXE|size=64}}
|''Mega Man Battle Network'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Lavender}}
|{{SpiritType|Shield}}
|9,300
|[[Mute City SNES]] ([[Battlefield form]])
|•Item: Swords
|•The enemy has increased melee-weapon damage and move speed
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Mega Man|Zero (Theme of ZERO (from Mega Man X))}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|966
|{{SpiritTableName|Rex|link=y|size=64|dlcalt=y}}
|rowspan="2"|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|rowspan="2"|•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}} (90 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Lucina}} {{Head|Lucina|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=White}} (90 HP)
|rowspan="2"|{{SpiritType|Shield}}
|rowspan="2"|9,900
|[[Kongo Falls]] ([[Ω form]])
|•Hazard: Lava Floor
|•The floor is lava<br>•[[Stamina battle]]<br>•The enemy starts the battle with a [[Fire Bar]]
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Battle!! - Xenoblade Chronicles 2}}
|-
|style="background-color:#EEE;"|[[Cloud Sea of Alrest]] ([[Ω form]])<ref group="SB" name="DLC"/>
|style="background-color:#EEE;"|N/A<ref group="SB" name="DLC"/>
|style="background-color:#EEE;"|•[[Stamina battle]]<br>•The enemy starts the battle with a [[Fire Bar]] <ref group="SB" name="DLC"/>
|style="background-color:#EEE;"|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Argentum}}<ref group="SB" name="DLC"/>
|-
|1,148
|{{SpiritTableName|Satoru|size=64}}
|''Trade & Battle: Card Hero'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}}<br>•{{SSBU|Mewtwo}} {{Head|Mewtwo|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Brown}}<br>•{{SSBU|Ridley}} {{Head|Ridley|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Meta}}<br>•{{SSBU|Bowser}} {{Head|Bowser|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}}
|{{SpiritType|Grab}}
|1,700
|[[Pokémon Stadium 2]]
|•Move Speed ↓
|•Defeat the main fighter to win<br>•The enemy's melee weapons have increased power<br>•Reinforcements will appear during the battle
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Other|Worthy Rival Battle}}
|-
|1,158
|{{SpiritTableName|Ryota Hayami|size=64}}
|''Wave Race'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Orange}}
|{{SpiritType|Attack}}
|1,800
|[[Wuhu Island]] (Jetski starting line)
|•Slippery Stage<br>•Buoyancy Reduced
|•You can't swim<br>•The stage's platforms are very slippery
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Other|Wii Sports Resort}}
|-
|1,165
|{{SpiritTableName|Isa Jo|size=64}}
|''Sin & Punishment'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}<br>•{{SSBU|Mii Gunner}} {{Head|Mii Gunner|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (Moveset [[Laser Blaze|2]][[Stealth Burst|2]][[Cannon Jump Kick|2]][[Bomb Drop|2]], Saki Amamiya Wig, Saki Amamiya Outfit, Normal Voice Type 1)
|{{SpiritType|Shield}}
|3,600
|[[Midgar]] (hazards off)
|N/A
|•The enemy starts the battle with a [[Ray Gun]]<br>•The enemy starts the battle with a [[Rocket Belt]]
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Mega Man|Opening Stage}}
|-
|1,221
|{{SpiritTableName|Satoru Amatsubo|size=64}}
|''Project Hacker: Kakusei''
|•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Orange}}<br>•{{SSBU|Mega Man}} {{Head|Mega Man|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Brown}}×3
|{{SpiritType|Attack}}
|1,500
|[[Wily Castle]] (hazards off)
|N/A
|•Reinforcements will appear during the battle
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Mega Man|Shooting Star}}
|-
|1,271
|{{SpiritTableName|Allen|size=64}}
|''Culdcept'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}}<br>•{{SSBU|King K. Rool}} {{Head|King K. Rool|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}}<br>•{{SSBU|Ridley}} {{Head|Ridley|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}
|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}
|3,500
|[[Arena Ferox]]
|•Item: [[Assist Trophy]]
|•Defeat the main fighter to win<br>•Reinforcements will appear during the battle
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Other|Worthy Rival Battle}}
|}
 
===As a minion===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
! colspan=4|Spirit
! colspan=7|Battle parameters
! colspan=1|Inspiration
|-
! style="width:5%;"|No.
! style="width:5%;"|Image
! Name
! Series
! Enemy Fighter(s)
! style="width:5%;"|Type
! style="width:5%;"|Power
! Stage
! Rules
! Conditions
! Music
! Character
|-
|952
|{{SpiritTableName|Fiora|link=y|size=64}}
|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Lucina}} {{Head|Lucina|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Yellow}}<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=White}}
|{{SpiritType|Shield}}
|9,300
|[[Gaur Plain]] ([[Battlefield form]])
|•Defense ↓
|•You have reduced defense after a little while
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Time to Fight! - Xenoblade Chronicles}}
|{{iw|xenoserieswiki|Shulk}}
|-
|953
|{{SpiritTableName|Mecha-Fiora|size=64}}
|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Corrin}} {{Head|Corrin|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Female}}<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=White}}
|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}
|13,200
|[[Reset Bomb Forest]]
|•Assist Trophy Enemies ([[Riki]])
|•Hostile assist trophies will appear
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|You Will Know Our Names}}
|{{iw|xenoserieswiki|Shulk}}
|-
|956
|{{SpiritTableName|Dunban|link=y|size=64}}
|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Mii Swordfighter}} {{Head|Mii Swordfighter|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (Moveset [[Blurring Blade|3]][[Airborne Assault|1]][[Skyward Slash Dash|2]][[Power Thrust|3]], Dunban Wig, Dunban Outfit, High Voice Type 1)<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=White}}
|{{SpiritType|Shield}}
|9,200
|[[Gaur Plain]]
|•Sudden Final Smash
|•Defeat the main fighter to win<br>•The enemy will suddenly have a Final Smash<br>•The enemy's melee weapons have increased power
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|You Will Know Our Names}}
|{{iw|xenoserieswiki|Shulk}}
|-
|957
|{{SpiritTableName|Melia|size=64}}
|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Palutena}} {{Head|Palutena|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Lavender}}
|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}
|4,200
|[[Gaur Plain]] ([[Battlefield form]])
|•Hazard: Poison Floor
|•The floor is poisonous<br>•The enemy's magic attacks have increased power
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Time to Fight! - Xenoblade Chronicles}}
|{{iw|xenoserieswiki|Shulk}}
|-
|958
|{{SpiritTableName|Riki (Xenoblade Chronicles)|customname=[[Riki]] (Xenoblade Chronicles)|size=64}}
|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|•[[Bowser Jr. (SSBU)|Roy]] {{Head|Bowser Jr.|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Roy}}<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Yellow}}
|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}
|8,000
|[[Gaur Plain]] ([[Ω form]])
|•Earthquake<br>•Flowery<br>•Assist Trophy Enemies (Riki)
|•The enemy's special moves have increased power<br>•Hostile assist trophies will appear<br>•You constantly take minor damage after a little while
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Gaur Plain}}
|{{iw|xenoserieswiki|Shulk}}
|-
|967
|{{SpiritTableName|Pyra|link=y|size=64}}
|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Lucina}} {{Head|Lucina|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=White}}<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}
|{{SpiritType|Attack}}
|13,900
|[[Halberd]] ([[Battlefield form]])
|•Item: [[Fire Bar]]<br>•Hazard: Lava Floor
|•The floor is lava<br>•The enemy's melee weapons have increased power<br>•The enemy starts the battle with a Fire Bar
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Still, Move Forward!}}
|[[Rex]]
|-
|968
|{{SpiritTableName|Mythra|link=y|size=64}}
|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Corrin}} {{Head|Corrin|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Female}}<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}
|{{SpiritType|Shield}}
|13,500
|[[Gaur Plain]] ([[Battlefield form]])
|N/A
|•The enemy will charge up a powerful Final Smash<br>•The enemy starts the battle with an enhanced [[Beam Sword]]
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Still, Move Forward!}}
|[[Rex]]
|-
|1,376
|{{SpiritTableName|ASTRAL CHAIN Hero (Female)|size=64}}
|''ASTRAL CHAIN''
|•{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} {{Head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px}}<br>•Metal {{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}}
|{{SpiritType|Attack}}
|9,500
|{{SSBU|Final Destination}}
|•Item: [[Black Hole]]
|•Defeat the main fighter to win<br>•The enemy favors special moves
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Metal Gear|Main Theme - METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER}}
|Sword Legion
|-
|1,465
|{{SpiritTableName|Pneuma|size=64}}
|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series
|•{{SSBU|Pyra}}/{{SSBU|Mythra}} {{Head|Pyra|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Green}}/{{Head|Mythra|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Green}} (130 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}} (130 HP)
|{{SpiritType|Grab}}
|13,400
|[[Cloud Sea of Alrest]]
|•Metal Shift<br>•Move Speed ↑<br>•Sudden Final Smash
|•The enemy will suddenly have a Final Smash after a little while<br>•The enemy will occasionally turn metal when the enemy's at high damage<br>•[[Stamina battle]]
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Counterattack}}
|[[Rex]]
|-
|1,516
|{{SpiritTableName|Noah & Mio|size=64|customname={{iw|xenoserieswiki|Noah}} & {{iw|xenoserieswiki|Mio}}}}
|[sic]
|•{{SSBU|Dark Samus}} {{Head|Dark Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Purple}} (120 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Mii Brawler}} {{Head|Mii Brawler|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (Moveset [[Flashing Mach Punch|2]][[Onslaught|1]][[Thrust Uppercut|3]][[Feint Jump|2]], Nia Wig, Nia Outfit, Normal Voice Type 4) (80 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Shulk}} {{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}} (80 HP)
|{{SpiritType|Attack}}
|9,300
|[[Bridge of Eldin]] ([[Battlefield form]])
|N/A
|•[[Stamina battle]]<br>•Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd<br>•The enemy starts the battle with a [[Beam Sword]]
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Battle!! - Xenoblade Chronicles 2}}
|Noah
|}
<references group="SB">
<ref name="DLC">This alternative occurs when the corresponding DLC has been purchased and downloaded.</ref>
</references>


==[[Alternate costume (SSBU)#Shulk|Alternate costumes]]==
==[[Alternate costume (SSBU)#Shulk|Alternate costumes]]==
{|style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
<center>[[File:Shulk Palette (SSBU).png|1000px]]</center>
|-
|colspan=8|[[File:Shulk Palette (SSBU).png|link=Alternate costume (SSBU)#Shulk|1000px]]
|-
|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=50px}}
|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=50px|cl=White}}
|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=50px|cl=Black}}
|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=50px|cl=Orange}}
|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=50px|cl=Blue}}
|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=50px|cl=Lavender}}
|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=50px|cl=Yellow}}
|{{Head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=50px|cl=Trunks}}
|}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
SSBU Shulk Number.png|Shulk's fighter card.
SSBU Shulk Number.png|Shulk's fighter card.
Shulk unlock notice SSBU.jpg|Shulk's unlock notice.
SSBUWebsiteShulk1.jpg|Idling on the [[Great Plateau Tower]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk1.jpg|Idling on the [[Great Plateau Tower]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk2.jpg|Activating the Smash Art on {{SSBU|Battlefield}}.
SSBUWebsiteShulk2.jpg|Activating the Smash Monado Art on {{SSBU|Battlefield}}.
SSBUWebsiteShulk3.jpg|Fighting {{SSBU|Samus}} on [[Gaur Plain]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk3.jpg|Shulk fighting {{SSBU|Samus}} on [[Gaur Plain]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk4.jpg|[[Crouching]] near {{SSBU|Snake}} on [[Shadow Moses Island]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk4.jpg|[[Crouching]] near {{SSBU|Snake}} on [[Shadow Moses Island]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk5.jpg|Using [[Chain Attack]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk5.jpg|Using [[Chain Attack]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk6.jpg|[[Taunting]] on [[Summit]].
SSBUWebsiteShulk6.jpg|[[Taunting]] on [[Summit]].
SSBUWebsiteLucina3.jpg|Getting attacked by {{SSBU|Lucina}} on [[Temple]].
SSBUWebsiteLucina3.jpg|Shulk getting attacked by {{SSBU|Lucina}} on [[Temple]].
SSBUWebsiteSonic5.jpg|Getting hit by {{SSBU|Sonic}}'s [[Spin Charge]] on [[Mario Galaxy]].
SSBUWebsiteSonic5.jpg|Getting hit by {{SSBU|Sonic}}'s [[Spin Charge]] on [[Mario Galaxy]].
SSBUWebsiteRathalos3.jpg|Shulk, {{SSBU|Link}} and {{SSBU|Marth}} advancing towards [[Rathalos]] on [[Coliseum]].
SSBUWebsiteRathalos3.jpg|Shulk, {{SSBU|Link}} and {{SSBU|Marth}} advancing towards [[Rathalos]] on [[Coliseum]].
SSBUWebsite11.jpg|Activating the Buster Art on Battlefield.
SSBUWebsite11.jpg|Shulk activating the Buster Monado Art on Battlefield.
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Fighter Showcase Video===
===Character Showcase Video===
{{#widget:YouTube|id=XWeR6XmzZyI}}
<youtube>XWeR6XmzZyI</youtube>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Shulk's pose in his official render resembles the pose he assumes when selecting Monado Arts from the move's menu.
*Shulk's pose in his official render resembles the pose he performs when selecting [[Monado Arts]] from the move's menu.
*Shulk's artwork was one of the three that have been updated on the official site, alongside {{SSBU|Falco}} and {{SSBU|Palutena}}. In his case, the lighting on his hair and face have been modified, making his features appear less flat.
*Shulk's artwork was one of the three that have been updated on the official site, alongside {{SSBU|Falco}} and {{SSBU|Palutena}}. In his case, the lighting on his hair and face have been modified, making his features appear less flat.  
*In the Gourmet Race section of the [[World of Light]], a visual glitch occurs when the "New Record!" announcement appears. After it shows, Shulk will run with the Monado in hand until he performs another action.
*Despite fighting mechanical foes in his game, [[Galleom]] does not appear as a boss in Shulk's Classic Mode route.
*In Shulk's right victory pose, his mouth will either be open or closed during the actual pose depending on what quote he is saying. His mouth will be closed if the "I can change the future!" quote plays, while it will be open if his "I can feel the power!" quote is played.
*Shulk appears in the most Legend-rank spirit battles as an ally, at a total of four.
**Specifically, he appears in the Mecha-[[Fiora]], [[Pyra]], [[Mythra]], and {{s|xenoserieswiki|Pneuma}} spirit battles.


{{SSBUCharacters}}
{{SSBUCharacters}}
{{Xenoblade Chronicles universe}}
{{Xenoblade universe}}
[[Category:Shulk (SSBU)| ]]
[[Category:Shulk (SSBU)]]
[[Category:Spirits]]
[[es:Shulk (SSBU)]]

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