Editing Squirtle (PM)

{{ArticleIcons|pm=y|p+=y}}

|name = Squirtle

|image = {{tabber|title1=Classic (PM)|content1=[[File:Squirtle SSBB.jpg|250px]]|title2=Classic (P+)|content2=[[File:PPlus Squirtle.png|250px]]|title3=Shinobi|content3=[[File:Shinobi Squirtle PM.png|250px]]}}

|mod = Project M

|base = SSBB

|moveset1 = Squirtle (SSBB)

|altcostume = Shinobi Squirtle

'''Squirtle''' is a playable character in the ''[[Brawl]]'' mod ''[[Project M]]''. Like {{PM|Ivysaur}} and {{PM|Charizard}}, it has been separated from the {{SSBB|Pokémon Trainer}} and so fights alone. Its [[down special move]], [[Pokémon Change]], has been replaced with {{s|bulbapedia|Bubble}}. Since his ''Brawl'' incarnation has also been given significant buffs.

 

Squirtle is ranked 31st out of 41 on the [[Project M#Tier list|official]] [[tier list]] and is placed toward the lower half of the C tier. This is roughly the same as its placement as part of the Pokémon Trainer in ''Brawl'', where it ranked 29th out of 38.

In ''Project M'', Squirtle's kit puts a strong emphasis on movement. Able to out-maneuver most opponents, Squirtle can play evasively while looking for an opening before launching into fast-paced combos to carry opponents to the side blastzones or kill off the top. Squirtle's access to fast burst movement options through its unique run turnaround animation, [[shellshift]], and low friction on the ground enable it to quickly chase down escaping opponents even offstage, where its remarkable up-special allows it to effectively gimp opponents and return to stage from practically anywhere.

 

However, the trade-off is that Squirtle has generally unimpressive range on his attacks and grab. Squirtle plays similarly to {{PM|Pikachu}} in his short range, low profile, good mobility and powerful up smash, and shares the weakness of light weight, but is generally more grounded as a result of his wider variety of ground movement options and advanced techniques.

 

[[File:SquirtleBubblePM.jpg|thumb|220px|Squirtle's down special, Bubble.]]

In Brawl, Squirtle was tied to the {{SSBB|Pokémon Trainer}} and was considered the strongest Pokémon in its party by far. Squirtle has now been separated from its trainer and its moveset has been significantly revamped. As a result, Squirtle received a mix of buffs and nerfs. Squirtle's mobility has been improved further due to its increased speed and the introducution of various mechanics such as [[wavedashing]]. The strength of many of its attacks has also increased and the general changes to ''Project M'''s physics further improve Squirtle's combo game. Squirtle's specials moves have also been heavily revamped to make them more effective. Due to being a solo character, Squirtle has a new down-special move, Bubble. Bubble's hitboxes are transcendent, similar to {{PM|Falco}}'s lasers, and will trip the opponent like {{PM|Diddy Kong}}'s banana, making it a valuable tool to combat [[crouch cancel]]. In addition, using Bubble while airborne will cause Squirtle's vertical momentum to stall for a short period, making it situationally usable as a recovery tool.

 

 

 

Overall, Squirtle is a more viable choice for competitive play due to no longer being bogged down by stamina, extremely slow and punishable switching between its party and its trainer's other less effective Pokémon which it was forced to switch between. Despite this, according of the latest tier list, Squirtle is now worse than its previous party members Ivysaur and Charizard. While Squirtle is lower in tier list than it was in ''Brawl'' (as predicted if judged as a standalone character) Squirtle in ''PM'' is overall much more viable thanks to the better balance.

*{{buff|Shellshift now has a hitbox that deals 3% damage and weakly launches enemies away with high base knockback, leading better into shellshift techniques, most notably the Hydroplane for a KO.}}

*{{buff|Squirtle is no longer tied to the {{SSBB|Pokémon Trainer}}. Because of this, Squirtle no longer suffers from the stamina mechanic.}}

*{{nerf|However, this also means that Squirtle is no longer affected by [[type effectiveness]]. While this does help Squirtle against {{PM|Ivysaur}}, this hinders Squirtle overall as it no longer resists fire attacks hindering its endurance. This also means that Squirtle cannot swap out with Ivysaur or {{PM|Charizard}} in order to adapt to different matchups.}}

*{{buff|The third hit of neutral attack deals more damage (4% → 6%) and the first two hits now launch opponents vertically making them connect more reliably. The second and third hits have longer durations (frames 4-5 → 4-8 (hit 2), 5 → 4-6 (hit 3)) and the third hit also has less ending lag (frame 36 → 26).}}

*{{nerf|The first hit of neutral attack has more startup lag (frame 1 → 2), less range and can no longer be spammed by holding the A button. Additionally, the second hit can no longer [[trip]] opponents and the first two hits cannot [[lock]] opponents.}}

*{{buff|Forward tilt deals higher damage (6% → 7%/8%/9%) and deals much more knockback (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 10/120) (though it still is not very effective at KOing) and has a sweetspot at the tip of the tail. Squirtle's tail also now has [[intangibility]].}}

*{{nerf|Forward tilt has smaller hitboxes, a shorter duration (frames 4-7 → 4-6), more ending lag (frame 18 → 20) and it can no longer lock opponents.}}  

*{{buff|Up tilt has more combo ability at higher percents due to the removal of [[hitstun canceling]].}}

*{{nerf|Up tilt has a smaller hitbox and it has less combo potential at lower percents due to the fact that it is now possible to [[DI]] moves which don't put opponents into [[tumble]]. It is also more difficult to spam due to the removal of buffering.}}

*{{buff|Down tilt has less startup (frame 5 → 3) and ending lag (frame 36 → 23) and it now hits just twice making it more reliable. Both hits now launch opponents vertically giving it more combo potential and Squirtle's tail now has intangibility.}}

*{{nerf|Squirtle no longer moves forward when using down tilt and its hitboxes are smaller giving it less range. It also deals less damage (13% → 10%).}}

*{{buff|Squirtle has a new attack while crawling forwards. Squirtle retreats into its shell and inches forward. It deals 3% and deals vertical knockback giving it combo potential. It also has armor for most of its duration.}}

*{{buff|Dash attack has less startup lag (frame 6 → 5) and it's clean hit deals horizontal knockback making it better at KOing near the ledge.}}

*{{buff|Forward smash has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 18-22 → 15-21) and has less ending lag (frame 58 → 52). It also deals more damage (14% → 15%), knockback (0 base), 100 (scaling) → 25/104) and has increased armor (frames 17-22 → 13-25).}}

*{{nerf|Forward smash now has knockback based heavy armor rather than super armor.}}

*{{buff|Up smash has less startup (frame 18 → 9) and ending lag (frame 65 → 62). Its strongest hit deals more damage (13% → 14%) and has more knockback scaling (90 → 95), and the pumps just hit once, allowing the first hit to link better with the second.}}

*{{buff|Down smash has less startup (frame 17 → 16) and ending lag (frame 52 → 50) and is now a multi hit which deals slightly more damage (11% → 12%), with the first hits [[meteor smash|meteoring]] the foe, and the last hit sends opponents vertically allowing for better follow-ups unlike most smashes even at somewhat higher percents and now has armor from frames 15-19.}}

*{{nerf|Down smash deals much lower knockback due to the final hit dealing less damage (11% → 6%).}}

*{{buff|Neutral aerial is now a vertical shell spin with one consistent hitbox with a clean hit and a late hit. It has more [[gimp]]ing potential due to sending opponents at a [[semi-spike]] angle, having higher knockback scaling and dealing more damage (9% (clean), 6% (late) → 11%/8%). It also has less ending lag (frame 49 → 33) and it now has armor from frames 5-22.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more startup lag (frame 4 → 6).}}

*{{buff|Forward aerial has less ending lag (frame 38 → 32) and deals slightly more damage (12% → 13%) improving its KO potential.}}

*{{nerf|Forward aerial has smaller hitboxes and a shorter duration (frames 5-14 → 5-11).}}

*{{buff|Back aerial has a longer duration (frames 5-14 → 5-22) and deals more damage (10% (clean), 6% (late) → 12%/8%) improving its KO potential.}}

*{{nerf|Back aerial has smaller hitboxes and more ending lag (frame 35 → 37).}}

*{{buff|Up aerial has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 6-8 → 5-12) and it has higher knockback scaling.}}

*{{nerf|Up aerial has considerably smaller hitboxes. It is also less effective at juggling at lower percents.}}

*{{buff|Down aerial deals more damage (10% → 13%), and on grounded opponents it acts as a locking meteor smash akin to {{PM|Jigglypuff}}'s down air. The final hit now launches opponents vertically granting it combo potential. The multi hits all have longer durations (1 frame → 3), down aerial has less ending lag (frame 51 → 37) and it now [[auto-cancel]]s in a short hop.}}

*{{nerf|Down aerial has more startup lag (frame 6 → 9) and the final hit has less range and considerably decreased knockback no longer making it a viable KO option. The last hit also no longer has edgeguarding potential due to it sending opponents vertically.}}

*{{buff|The changes to aerial [[grab release]]s greatly benefit Squirtle as it is no longer a victim to many air release followups.}}

*{{nerf|However, Squirtle gains less from a grounded grab release due to the altered mechanics and its slower jab.}}

*{{nerf|All grabs have shorter durations (3 frames → 2). Additionally, standing grab has more startup lag (frame 6 → 7).}}

*{{buff|Pivot grab has less ending lag (frame 38 → 36).}}

*{{buff|Pummel deals more damage (1% → 3%).}}

*{{nerf|Pummel is slower (17 frames → 23).}}

*{{nerf|Forward throw deals less damage (9% → 6%).}}

*{{buff|Forward throw and up throw have more combo ability due to the removal of hitstun canceling and the universally increased falling speeds.}}

*{{nerf|Up throw deals much less damage (11% → 7%) hindering its KO potential.}}

*{{nerf|Down throw has much more ending lag hindering its combo potential despite the removal of hitstun canceling.}}

*{{buff|[[Withdraw]] deals more damage (7% → 8%) and has much less startup lag (frame 19 → 6), along with having 2 possible speeds between smash withdraw and tilt withdraw and a slightly extended duration. When hitting a hurtbox, Squirtle bounces and quickly exits his shell, leading into aerial followups and techchase situations. Withdraw can be canceled into a frame 6 execute called {{s|bulbapedia|Aqua Jet}} by holding B while overlapping with a hurtbox, which is stronger and hits upwards, but leaves Squirtle [[helpless]]. The helplessness can be made negligible by edgecancelling off of a platform.}}

*{{buff|[[Waterfall]] travels faster and higher, and deals more damage (15% → 19%) and has more KO potential.}}

*{{change|[[Pokémon Change]] has been replaced by a new move called {{s|bulbapedia|Bubble}}; a fast, short-ranged projectile with multiple hits that trips grounded opponents (for [[tech-chase]]s), and has a horizontal angle on aerial targets that can easily gimp them.}}

*{{nerf|Bubble does not grant invincibility nor does it reset [[stale move negation]].}}

*{{buff|Squirtle has a new Final Smash {{s|bulbapedia|Water Spout}}. It produces weak water spouts near Squirtle and stronger water spouts away from Squirtle. Compared to [[Triple Finish]], it has more vertical range, more range behind Squirtle and its overall damage potential is much higher.}}

*{{nerf|Down smash's hitbox sizes were decreased and lowered to reduce vertical disjoint above Squirtle.}}

*{{buff|All of down smash's repeating hitboxes were homogenized to draw in, while the final hit is now a moderate strength pop-up above and behind Squirtle.}}

*{{buff|Added a missing body hitbox during up aerial's initial hit, and pushed the outer hitbox out slightly.}}

*{{nerf|[[Waterfall]] start up increased and movement speed increased. Animation edited to reflect changes and transition into special fall better.}}

*{{nerf|Waterfall hitboxes decreased in size and rearranged to better cover Squirtle while reducing forward disjoint.}}

*{{buff|Withdraw jump can now be inputted during Withdraw turn once Squirtle has changed directions.}}

| || 2% (hit 1), 12% (throw) || Squirtle throws its opponent on the ground and slams on top of them. Squirtle's strongest throw, dealing strong diagonal knockback. Easily KOs at around 125% damage.

{{cleanup|[[SmashWiki:Cleanup of the Notable Players sections|Needs to be updated to fit these guidelines]]}}

*{{Sm|Cloudburst|USA}} - Best Squirtle player along with Dirtboy. Ranked 13th on [[PMRank 2023]].

*{{Sm|Dirtboy|USA}} -  Ranked 14th on [[PMRank 2023]]. Has been ranked in every release of [[PMRank]].

*{{Sm|Fskin|Germany}} - The best Squirtle player in Europe.

*{{Sm|Wombat|p=Connecticut|USA}} - Placed 17th at Undertow.

Like Ivysaur and Charizard, Squirtle received more significant alternate costumes for ''Project M''. It now uses its default costume for the Blue [[Team Battle|Team]].

|colspan=8|[[File:Squirtle Palette (PM).png|frame|center|Squirtle's alternate costumes in PM]]

|colspan=1|[[File:SquirtleHeadSSBB.png]]

|colspan=1|[[File:SquirtleHeadGreenPM.png]]

|colspan=1|[[File:SquirtleHeadRedPM.png]]

|colspan=1|[[File:SquirtleHeadYellowPM.png]]

|colspan=1|[[File:SquirtleHeadPinkPM.png]]

|colspan=1|[[File:SquirtleHeadPurplePM.png]]

|colspan=1|[[File:SquirtleHeadNinjaPM.png]]

|colspan=1|[[File:SquirtleHeadNinjaWhitePM.png]]

 

Each of Squirtle's new color schemes are mostly based on other Pokémon.

*The orange one (used for Red Team) is based on {{pkmn|Charmander}}.

*The yellow one is based on [[Koopa Troopa]].

*The pink one is based on [[Mew]].

*The purple one is based on a Shiny {{pkmn|Blastoise}}. Fittingly, this recolor emits sparkles in ''[[Project+]]'' like in the mainline games.

 

 

Squirtle gains a new recolor that references the mythical kappa, a Japanese demon that takes the form of a turtle, as well as recolors that reference other turtle Pokemon {{pkmn|Carracosta}} and {{pkmn|Turtonator}}, as well the Generation V water starter {{pkmn|Oshawott}}. The Shinobi costume also gains team colors, and a black costume that resembles {{iw|bulbapedia|Koga}}.

 

'''Z-Secret Costume:''' Alternate Ninja Squirtle: A costume that may be a reference to the ''[[wikipedia:Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' franchise.