This fighter attacks using skills from daily life in the village, such as planting, growing, and cutting down trees. They can also use items like nets, slingshots, and turnips. The Villager can also put items or incoming projectiles in a pocket to use later.
Villager (むらびと, Villager) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, officially confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Villager is classified as fighter #45.
Villager received relatively few direct changes in his transition to Ultimate, resulting in his core playstyle remaining relatively unchanged, similarly to Mario. When it comes to direct changes, Villager has received a mix of buffs and nerfs, but was directly buffed overall from Smash 4. However, while Villager has received some noteworthy buffs that make his playstyle easier to execute, the indirect changes to Ultimate's engine have noticeably toned down its efficacy compared to the rest of the cast.
On the buff side of stuff, Villager's camping abilities have been considerably buffed. Pocket not only now stores projectiles and items indefinitely, but also has less ending lag after pocketing them, and Villager can now pocket items with a grab. Lloid Rocket has notably increased knockback at low percentages, allowing Villager to win the neutral game easier. Villager's aerials all have less landing lag, and down aerial now has a sweetspot that always meteor smashes, instead of doing it if he uses three turnips; these changes further improve his dominant air game. His ground game has seen a few improvements as well: his down tilt's sourspot is stronger and can now hit opponents in the air, his dash attack is much faster, his up smash connects better and has improved KO potential and down smash has increased range and more base knockback, making it more reliable for burying and harder to escape from. His grab game also has been improved: his grabs are much faster and his throws have both better edge guarding potential (forward and back throws) and combo potential (down throw). Villager's previously mediocre mobility has also been improved, while the universal 3-frame jumpsquat further improves his combo potential, notably with his throws. Lastly, the changes made to air dodging noticeably benefit Villager, as he can more easily punish opponents after a mistake, giving his aerial attacks further utility and notably improving his edge-guarding ability.
On the nerf side, however, Villager also received some notable direct nerfs. Most of Villager's ground attacks also have more ending lag and/or less range, while the raw power throughout his standard moveset has been toned down, notably on his forward smash and all tilt attacks; for the latter point, up and down tilts are no longer among the strongest of their kind in the game. His moveset's lower raw power is also exacerbated by the weakening of rage, which forces Villager to rely much more on edge-guarding to seal a stock. Down aerial also had its startup nearly doubled, making it harder for Villager to combat juggling. His previously heavily disjointed pivot grab has much less range, counterbalancing some of the benefits his grab game has received. Villager's neutral attack now has a finisher, which improves his close-up game; however, this removes its ability to reliably jab lock and removes his kill confirm from Smash 4 to Timber's axe. While Villager's recovery remains incredibly long-distanced, it has been nerfed nonetheless, as the helium for Balloon Trip now takes longer to recharge, which allows opponents to edgeguard Villager much more easily. Villager is also noticeably lighter, which further hurts his survivability and doesn't allow him to make use of rage as effectively.
However, while his direct nerfs are not as significant as his buffs, Villager is significantly harmed by the indirect changes to gameplay mechanics, moreso than likely any other character. Villager's floaty physics and camping-focused playstyle, whose core is essentially unchanged from Smash 4, fare worse with the universal changes made to Ultimate's engine, as the universal increase in mobility prioritizes faster-paced, more aggressive gameplay; most characters are now able to get past Villager's zoning tools with less issue, while Villager's own faster mobility doesn't properly compensate for this. Alongside with nerfs to Balloon Trip, edge-guarding being more prominent again further hurts Villager's survivability. Most projectile-based veteran characters, such as Young Link, Pac-Man and Duck Hunt have also received buffs that address some of their issues against opposing camping, whereas newcomers Simon and Richter have camping abilities that are just as strong, alongside greater range on their standard moveset. Combined with the nerfs to his raw power and the weakening of rage, most if not all of these characters are now capable of overcoming Villager, further reducing the effectiveness of his strong camping game despite being greatly buffed.
Overall, Villager's gameplan is largely the same as in Smash 4 as a result of receiving less direct changes than most of the cast; however, the significantly changed environment renders his gameplan much less effective, meaning Villager fares noticeably worse in Ultimate than in Smash 4. Some professionals think that Villager's playstyle has became so much less effective that he is potentially a low-tier character, whereas previously he was a high-tier in Smash 4. This reflects to his tournament representation, as he is an even rarer pick in tournaments than before. However, while Villager's tournament results are below average in amount, he has had a few strong results thanks to the efforts of players including BobbyWasabi, Panda Bair, and particularly kept. As a result, Villager's true viability in tournaments is up for debate.
Forward tilt deals much less knockback scaling, but much more base knockback (30 (base)/90 (scaling) → 80 (base)/50 (scaling)). This makes it safer on hit at low percents, but significantly hinders its KO potential at higher percents.
Forward tilt launches at a higher angle (361° → 45°), further reducing its KO potential.
Down aerial has a hitbox on the clean hit that will now always meteor smash, regardless of how many turnips are used, greatly increasing its reliability.
It has a larger initial auto-cancel window (frames 1-7 → 1-13).
Down aerial has significantly increased startup lag (frame 8 → 14), no longer being one of the fastest meteor smashes in the game.
Back throw releases the opponent slightly later (frame 10 → 11), reducing its endlag, but giving the opponent more time to DI.
Back throw has much more base knockback but much less knockback scaling (18 (base)/110 (growth) → 46/88), making it safer at lower percents while still keeping its KO potential at higher percents.
Down throw has more base knockback, but lower knockback scaling (60 (base)/80 (scaling) → 78/60), allowing it to combo for longer.
Down throw releases the opponent later (frame 16 → 18) with its duration unchanged, reducing its ending lag by two frames, further improving its combo potential.
Pocketed projectiles no longer vanish after 30 seconds and can be kept indefinitely.
Pocket throw has increased start-up lag (frame 5 → 9) and endlag (FAF 27 → 30).
This gives the move one less frame endlag overall since its duration was not fully compensated.
While Villager has a pocketed item or projectile, the item/projectile will appear in a display above the damage meter, making Pocket easier to use but also allowing opponents to know what item is pocketed.
Lloid Rocket has slightly reduced endlag (FAF 38 → 36).
Lloid now has a shocked expression when hit.
Lloid has increased base knockback, but reduced knockback scaling (30 (base)/100 (scaling) → 65/75), making it safer on hit and increasing its KO potential at center stage, but reducing it near the ledge.
Lloid launches at a slightly higher angle (55° → 60°), hindering its edgeguarding potential.
Balloon Trip recharges helium slower, and if the helium is low enough it will only spawn one balloon instead of two, slowing Villager's ascent and making him more susceptible to edgeguarding.
This change boosted the firework launcher's base knockback to connect to the explosion more reliably. However, it was increased so much that it can sometimes launch the opponent out of the explosion, making the move miss entirely.
A quick series of alternating punches with boxing gloves that ends with a strong straight jab at the end. It no longer jab cancel because of the new finisher. However it can rack up a great amount of damage quickly.
Waves a stick upwards in an arc above his head, swinging it back and forth thrice. Hits twice, with very long duration and the second hit having vertical knockback that can KO at high percentages. Both hits can hit opponents on either side of the Villager.
Pulls a weed out of the ground, knocking foes upwards. Decently fast, coming out on frame 9. Like up tilt, it hits hard for a tilt of its speed, being able to KO at high percentages. Has deceptively long disjointed range, though it is strongest close up.
Falls over and drops a potted sapling, which flies a short distance. The pot will either shatter instantly upon hitting the ground, or it will bounce off the ground once. Its hitbox disappears if the latter happens, causing the potted sapling to deal no damage after the bounce. The pot deals less damage if it hits the opponent while it flies, but this gives the move a good range. It can be dropped from ledges to allow it to fly further, making for a possible edgeguarding option. However, the potted sapling will disappear after traveling a set distance.
Leans forwards and drops a bowling ball. Is safe on shield and has enough knockback to KO reliably around 95% (60% fully charged). However, it has poor horizontal range and noticeable startup as well as high endlag. Notably, the ball can fall off edges if the Villager stands near one, making it great for edge-guarding if the opponent recovers low. The bowling ball does slightly more damage and knockback if it falls a certain distance before hitting opponents. However, as the bowling ball is considered a projectile, it can be reflected even at point blank range.
Detonates a fountain firework, creating an explosion above themself. Has a fairly large hitbox and pulls opponents to the center of the blast, although it does not always connect properly and opponents can be knocked out of the move by any of the first few hits, especially at very high percentages. It can KO most characters at about 120%.
Takes out a shovel and digs in front, then behind himself. Fast startup for a smash attack, making it a decent out of shield option. It can bury grounded opponents; opponents in the air instead have weak knockback inflicted to them. This is the only smash attack in the series that cannot KO when grounded. Has moderate ending lag, and it can follow-up into Village's strongest attacks like forward smash if the opponent is at high percentages.
Does a cartwheel. Acts as a decently long sex kick that deals good knockback in the first frame. Has very fast startup (hits on frame 3), allowing Villager to use it as an extremely safe out-of-shield option and combo breaker, and the length of time its hitbox stays out also gives Villager a lot of protection.
Fires a slingshot pellet that travels slightly less than half the length of Final Destination. The pellet deals low knockback and deals even less knockback if hit in the final frames, similar to Mega Man's neutral air. The pellet deals moderate knockback at point blank range, which is deadly especially offstage.
Like the forward aerial, but aimed backwards. Slightly slower startup, but deals more knockback and damage compared to his forward aerial. Useful for KOing opponents if Villager's forward air becomes too stale to do so reliably due to excessive use.
Randomly swings one, two or three turnips upward. Damage depends on number of turnips, and the attack acts as a sex kick with a very long duration. High power with three turnips, and it's fast, coming out on frame 6.
Randomly swings one, two or three turnips downwards. Same damage values as up aerial, and is also a sex kick. It comes out slightly slower but is still quite fast. A clean hit any amount of turnips can meteor smash if the ends of the turnips hit the opponent; the early hits of the turnip that do not meteor instead have high horizontal knockback. The late hit can be used to initiate combos (such as into neutral attack, forward tilt, and almost any projectile Villager might have pocketed) if he hits it while landing, due to the small amount of horizontal knockback from the sex kick even at very high damage. May trip opponents at low percents if hit clean.
Traps opponents in a net with an overhead swing. Long range, but has considerable startup and noticeable ending lag, making it punishable if missed. Villager can also pocket items using the net.
Turns around swinging his net horizontally.One of the strongest back throw in the game, KOing even the heaviest characters reliably at around 153% without rage and with optimal DI from the opponent. It's also very effective for edgeguards due to its altered knockback.
Turns net horizontally and slams it into the ground. Knocks opponent upwards. Can combo into a forward tilt at very low damage on most characters as well as aerials from low to mid percentages. A good way to combo into a pocketed projectile.
Villager grabs a nearby projectile or item, stowing it away; using the move again will release the projectile or item with greatly increased damage and knockback, acting as a delayed reflector. Villager is granted brief intangibility during the first few frames of this move. Any pocketed items or projectiles are shown in a little display above the damage meter.
Launches the Gyroid Lloid sideways as a relatively slow projectile. Villager can choose to ride on it, which increases the damage and knockback dealt. Using the move in this fashion leaves Villager helpless unless the rocket explodes from hitting an opponent or damageable object. Additionally, if the Lloid hits a wall, runs out of fuel, or is hit by a strong enough move, it will explode much more powerfully than normal, dealing high flame damage and knockback. This fiery explosion can kill quite early, even on heavy characters.
Villager puts on a hat with two balloons (both of a set color determined by the player's number) attached to it. Pressing or holding the special move button will cause Villager to flap his arms and gain height. After a few seconds (or by pressing the standard attack button), the balloons will dissociate from Villager, leaving him helpless. The balloons can also be popped; losing one impairs Villager's potential vertical height, and losing both leaves him helpless . After using Balloon Trip, there is a period in which the helium has to recharge before it can be used effectively; if the helium is too low, then only one balloon will spawn.
A move of 3 different attacks in order, where Villager plants, waters, and chops down a tree, which hits opponents as it falls, even bouncing off near edges to lower areas. However, the tree can be destroyed by other characters, and is a fairly slow move to use altogether - using the move once only advances through one of the four stages (plant, water, first chop, second chop), so completing the attack takes four total usages in the same location. The tree itself is extremely powerful, even as it grows. The axe can be swung during the chop stages regardless of distance from the tree, as long as that Villager's grown tree currently exists on the map. Has a chance of creating a woodchip or a rare chance of spawning a fruit once chopped down.
When activated, Tom Nook and his sons come and build a house, trapping opponents that got caught in the Final Smash. Once the house is completed, it explodes, dealing high knockback and damage.
Villager fights against characters who appear unsuited for battle, such as Isabelle and Wii Fit Trainer. This is likely a reference to the similar reason for Villager not being included in Brawl.[1]
The default male Villager was among the fighters that were summoned to fight against the army of Master Hands. He was also present when Galeem unleashed its beams of light. He is seen panicking alongside Duck Hunt and a composed Wii Fit Trainer. He was vaporized and placed under Galeem's imprisonment along with the rest of the fighters, excluding Kirby.
During the mode itself, the default male Villager can be unlocked early on shortly after rescuing Mario, where the player arrives at a crossroads and has the choice to rescue him, Marth or Sheik. If one of the others is rescued first, Villager's path will be blocked by a force field created by Master Hand, which will disappear upon defeating a boss or can be circumvented by looping back to the other side.
Villager's Fighter Spirits can be obtained by completing Classic Mode. They also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 500 coins. Unlocking Villager in World of Light allows the player to preview the first spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As Fighter Spirits, they cannot be used in Spirit Battles and are purely aesthetic. Each Fighter Spirit has an alternate version that replaces them with their artwork in Ultimate.
•Defeat the main fighter to win •The enemy will occasionally be invisible after a little while •Hostile assist trophies will appear after a little while
Villager is the only character who travels to Town and City in Classic Mode.
Villager is the only SSB4 newcomer to appear on the game's boxart.
In the E3 demo of the game, Villager's portrait, strangely, used his in-game model as opposed to the render made for the final game. This was also the case with Link, Mario and Pikachu. This has since been fixed.
Coincidentally, all four of these characters were playable in the Super Smash Bros. for 3DS demo.
In the demo for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Villager's 7th and 8th costumes had a light skin tone, just like in SSB4. However, in the final game, the skin was changed to be a darker tone.
In Spanish, German, French, and Italian, the name tag and voice clip from the announcer on the victory screen is slightly different from the one used on the character select screen, instead featuring a noticeable translation of "the" ("el Aldeano"/"la Aldeana", "der Bewohner"/"die Bewohnerin", "l'Habitant"/"l'Habitante", "le Villageois"/"la Villageoise", and "l'Abitante"). This trait is shared with Wii Fit Trainer, Inkling, Pokémon Trainer, Hero, the Ice Climbers, and the Mii Fighters.
Villager is one of the only two characters who can be the first character unlocked in more than one way. These being taking Villager's route in the World of Light or completing Pikachu's Classic Mode. The other character who holds this distinction is Ness.
As with all 
Like all characters, Villager's 
Spotdodge has a slightly shorter duration (frames 3-18 → 3-17).
