SSBU Icon.png

Zero Suit Samus (SSBU)

From SmashWiki, the Super Smash Bros. wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
This article is about Zero Suit Samus's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. For the character in other contexts, see Zero Suit Samus.
Zero Suit Samus
in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Zero Suit Samus SSBU.png
Zero Suit Samus-Alt6 SSBU.png
Zero Suit Samus-Alt7 SSBU.png

MetroidSymbol.svg
Universe Metroid
Other playable appearances in Brawl
in SSB4

Availability Unlockable
Final Smash Zero Laser
Tier A- (30)
ZeroSuitSamusHeadSSBU.png

Zero Suit Samus (ゼロスーツサムス, Zero Suit Samus) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. She was officially revealed on June 12th, 2018 alongside Wii Fit Trainer and the rest of the returning roster. Once again, Zero Suit Samus is unconnected to the standard playable Samus, although she temporarily transforms into the latter during her Final Smash. Zero Suit Samus is classified as Fighter #29.

As in Super Smash Bros. 4, Alésia Glidewell's portrayal of Zero Suit Samus from Super Smash Bros. Brawl was repurposed for Ultimate.

Zero Suit Samus is currently ranked 30th out of 82 characters on the current Ultimate tier list, placing her in A- tier. This is a significant drop from her top-tier position in Smash 4, where she was ranked 6th out of 54 characters, and is her worst placement in the series to date. Zero Suit Samus possesses fantastic movement that allows her to be fantastic as a hit-and-run character and even a time-out character, while also giving her a strong disadvantage state. Zero Suit Samus also possesses a long and fast recovery thanks to Flip Jump, Boost Kick, and her tether. She also possesses safe aerials and a projectile that complements her strong neutral game and grants her a strong aerial game.

However, Zero Suit Samus also has some notable weaknesses. Zero Suit Samus has issues closing out stocks consistently and her damage racking capabilities are unimpressive compared to other top-tier characters, making her ability to make comebacks rather poor. She also has weak survivability due to being a tall yet light character, making her susceptible to early KOs. Finally, she has little out-of-shield options, while the options she does have are either inconsistent or has average startup.

Zero Suit Samus was initially considered to be among the best characters in the game, with the character notably having a strong presence in Japan. However, nerfs to her strengths and metagame shifts due to the addition of DLC characters and buffs to other characters led to a noticeable decline following the online era. Even with the decline, she is still considered to be a viable character who has seen great results and decent representation in tournaments thanks to the likes of Marss.

How to unlock[edit]

Complete one of the following:

With the exception of the third method, Zero Suit Samus must then be defeated on Brinstar. In World of Light, she is fought on the Ω form of Brinstar Depths.

Attributes[edit]

Zero Suit Samus is a tall, lightweight character, similar to Zelda and Rosalina, which alongside her low weight (tied with Meta Knight for the seventh lowest) gives her poor endurance. However, much like other rushdown characters of her playstyle, her mobility is among the best in the game; she possesses the 2nd fastest initial dash in the game, the 7th fastest run speed, the 9th fastest air speed, the 15th fastest air acceleration, and the 3rd highest jump height overall. Altogether, this combination of traits gives her an excellent hit-and-run playstyle.

One of her biggest strengths is her outstanding air game, considered among the best in the cast. While her neutral aerial has noticeable start-up, it is decently disjointed and sends at an excellent angle for combos. This makes it one of her main tools in the neutral and is notable for having several KO confirms into some of her finishing moves. Her forward aerial is also a great combo starter due to its low lag and can be useful for edgeguarding, while it also has some KO potential offstage. Her back aerial is fast, fairly strong, and can be combo'd into from a neutral aerial at high percents, making it one of her primary KO options. Her up aerial is exceptionally fast at frame 6 and can be combo'd into itself repeatedly, making it a great juggling tool that can sometimes KO confirm into Boost Kick. Her down aerial is a stall-then-fall aerial with a meteor smash hitbox; while it is her slowest aerial and easily her most unsafe, it can nonetheless be used as a situational KO move and landing option. Finally, she is one of the only characters in the game with a grab aerial, which like most other grab aerials has long range and low lag overall, giving her a good approach against aerial foes as well as a niche recovery option.

While her ground game isn't as powerful as her aerials, it still has decent utility. Her neutral attack is notable for coming out instantly on frame 1, making it a reliable anti-pressure tool despite its poor damage output and range. Her forward tilt has good range, low lag, and can set up tech-chase situations and can trip at low percents when angled downwards, her up tilt is the fastest of its kind at 3 frames of startup and can be used as an anti-air, and her down tilt lowers her hurtbox and is useful as a ranged poking option while also being a decent combo starter. Her down smash has decently sized hitboxes with low ending lag and is an effective combo tool starting from lower percentages while at higher percentages, it can lead into KO moves such as Boost Kick or up smash; however, unlike most other down smashes, it only hits in front of her, limiting its utility for tech-chasing. Lastly, her up smash has impressive vertical range overall, deals high hitstun, has low enough ending lag for combos at low percentages, and has decent KO power, arguably making it one of the best up smashes in Ultimate.

Zero Suit Samus also has a decent grab game, as her grab has a very long range, while all of her throws deal at least 8% damage. Her forward throw can be used for tech chasing, while her back throw can force opponents into unfavorable offstage situations or even lead into her infamous Flip Jump meteor smash. Her up throw is a decent KO throw (which KO's starting around 170%), and while her down throw is ironically unsuitable for combos unlike other down throws, it can still follow up at low percentages if the opponent fails to act fast enough.

Finally, her special moveset has strong utility overall. Paralyzer, her neutral special, has a very fast charge time compared to other chargeable projectiles, and starting at mid percentages, will stun opponents long enough for her to be able to follow up. Plasma Whip, her side special, is a long-ranged attack with very strong utility: tapping the button will cause the move to become a multi-hitting KO option that KO's starting at 140% if fresh, while holding the button will cause the move to hit once and knock foes upward. While this version is less suited for offense and has more lag, it still has utility for setting up combos. Boost Kick, her up special, travels merely average distance as a recovery, but compensates with having many options that follow up into it (such as neutral and up aerials, Paralyzer and Flip Jump's burying sweetspot), while the last hit is strong enough to KO earlier than her forward smash and her strongest move overall. Finally, her down special, Flip Jump, is a 45° acrobatic jump that does not render her helpless in the air, while its followup kick can meteor smash foes in the air or bury them on the ground, and is fast enough that it will often leave slower characters (such as Ganondorf) in dangerous situations. It also grants intangibility on frames 3-12, making it an excellent tool for getting out of disadvantage.

Zero Suit Samus is not without flaws, however. Perhaps her most infamous flaw lies in her defense: while her recovery is among the most effective in Ultimate due to her abundance of recovery options, fast air speed, and high jumps, her aforementioned weight and tall frame give her very poor endurance, while her recovery options (except for Flip Jump) are linear and fairly straightforward to edgeguard, which can make her recovery predictable. This flaw is further stressed with her fast falling speed, as it is easy for characters with sufficiently fast combo attacks (including Mario and Pichu) to perform combos on her (although her frame 2 air dodges can somewhat alleviate this issue).

Her ground game, despite its strengths, is also flawed. While her tilts have passable range, and her up and down smashes are good for followups and KO confirms, her forward smash has high end lag for an attack of its kind and is not strong or consistent enough to KO reliably, making it arguably her worst move. Her dash attack cannot reliably combo due to its high ending lag, and her down smash, despite its followup potential, is unsafe on hit at low percentages due to its low hitlag and knockback, meaning that the paralyzed opponent(s) can generally act before she can follow up.

Zero Suit Samus's out-of-shield game can also be rather problematic. While Boost Kick is very fast at frame 6 and can KO very early at the ledge, it lacks sufficient range in front of her and has a very hard time punishing cross-ups out of shield. While the aerial version has more range, it also costs 3 extra frames to start up (due to her jumpsquat) and as such is less reliable. Her up smash acts as a solid out of shield option due to its decent horizontal range but is still merely frame 10, which while fast for an up smash, is only average startup for an out of shield option. Her rather high short hop also causes her aerials to be unviable out of shield outside of forward aerial on certain characters, and her grab by default is very slow. As such, ZSS's out of shield game suffers immensely if the opponent spaces against her shield well.

Finally, while her grab game has some utility, it is still notably flawed. As her throws only deal passable damage at best, while up throw is her only KO throw (and not a particularly potent one at that), they are only generally used to deal damage if other close-range moves are stale. Her grab in general is also very laggy in startup and end lag, meaning that despite its long range, it is easy to punish from any sufficiently fast attack if it misses. Lastly, the nerfs to her down throw, which was easily her best throw from Smash 4, make her grab game more suited for direct offense instead of damage racking strings, giving it limited utility overall.

In the end, Zero Suit Samus retains much of her playstyle from Smash 4, being a hit-and-run character with a strong punish game, while the transition from Smash 4 to Ultimate has improved her overall mobility and neutral tools at the cost of her potent ladder combos and overall KO power.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. 4[edit]

Zero Suit Samus was previously considered a dominating top tier character throughout the lifetime of SSB4 (6th out of 55 characters), with a combination of excellent mobility, impressive recovery and a highly deadly punish game that could easily turn the tables on a careless opponent. Likely as a result of this, Zero Suit Samus has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition to Ultimate, but was nerfed overall.

Zero Suit Samus significantly benefits overall from the universal changes to gameplay mechanics. The faster movement speed further enhances her already excellent mobility, improving her approach and as such, her "hit and run" playstyle. The changes to air dodge mechanics improves her juggling capabilities, while not affecting her as much thanks to her great recovery and options to escape pressure. The universally reduced landing lag and more limited out of shield options allow her to retain some of her setups while improving on her mediocre neutral game, one of her most notable weaknesses in SSB4.

She has also directly received some useful buffs. Down tilt, arguably her worst move in SSB4, has reduced ending lag that gives it combo potential, and her up smash has reduced base knockback with significantly increased knockback scaling, turning it into a reliable all-purpose attack with combo potential at low percentages and KO power at high ones. Aside from her lost ability to string lengthy and devastating punishes off of a down throw, Zero Suit Samus' grab game has been improved as a whole — her grab, previously one of the laggiest in the game, has been sped up, making it less risky to use; forward throw sends opponents in a lower angle, granting it the ability to set up tech-chasing; and up throw has increased knockback, granting her an emergency KO move at high percentages.

Finally, her special moveset has seen many improvements, as Paralyzer charges and fires shots faster, while Plasma Whip has had some of its lost KO power from Brawl restored and has a new version where opponents can be sent towards her for new setups if the button is held. Flip Jump executes faster in the air, both the jump and footstool stomp have less ending lag, and the manual kick can be inputted faster, which allows her to combo into it from her neutral aerial much more consistently and take stocks at very early percentages.

However, despite these changes, Zero Suit Samus has received some significant nerfs that generally halt the buffs she received. The most notable direct nerfs were to her outstanding punish game, which while still potent, has been toned down as a whole: her down throw has more knockback and ending lag, losing almost all its combo potential past extremely low percentages; up aerial has more ending lag, and both her down smash and Flip Jump's bury hitbox (especially the former) have less hitstun and knockback, worsening several of her setup moves and making it more difficult to capitalize on them and on KO confirms. Furthermore, the changes to the knockback physics make it more difficult for her to string her moves into the other. As a result of this, her combo game is significantly less varied and effective, now requiring Zero Suit Samus to utilize her improved mobility in order to land hits.

Zero Suit Samus's recovery, previously one of the best in the game, was also nerfed, as Plasma Whip takes much longer to grab an edge and has reduced tether range. Her KO ability, one of her previous weaknesses, has also been further defined due to the nerfs to forward smash's sourspots and forward aerial's power, back aerials and Boost Kick's hitboxes, and Boost Kick's reduced knockback (unless started from the ground), making it much harder for her to score KOs. Finally, in terms of indirect changes, while the faster mobility is a boon to Zero Suit Samus, it also allows many other characters to keep up with her and thus catch her more easily than before, slightly weakening her already problematic disadvantage.

In the end, Zero Suit Samus' nerfs have made her "hit and run" gameplan shift completely from SSB4. She plays less linear thanks to a wider array of options, as opposed to her more polarized kit in SSB4, though while she retains many of her advantages from the previous game and still possesses devastating punishes, her watered down combo game makes her early punish game and advantage less oppressive than before, now requiring her to play a much more patient neutral game, using her mobility to weave in and out and more carefully punishing mistakes, lest she be put at a disadvantage. She has also received slight nerfs through game updates, though these haven't drastically affected her viability. However, this all culminates in Zero Suit Samus performing worse than in SSB4.

Aesthetics[edit]

  • Change Due to the aesthetic used in Ultimate, Zero Suit Samus's model features a more vibrant color scheme. The material of her Zero Suit no longer looks homogeneous; her physique has been altered as well, with her figure now being leaner and more muscular and her bust being reduced. Most of her suit is now a lighter shade of blue with a matte texture, which matches her in-game design in Metroid: Samus Returns. Her eyes are a more vibrant green and less blue. Her skin is also paler.
  • Change Zero Suit Samus has a new idle animation. She now holds the Paralyzer in a high ready position, similar to one of her idle poses and victory animations, and no longer bounces in place.
  • Change Zero Suit Samus's walking and running animations have been altered slightly; she now bobs with each step.
  • Change Zero Suit Samus propels herself forward using her jet boots when performing a forward roll.
  • Change Zero Suit Samus now strikes a pose during her down taunt animation.

Attributes[edit]

  • Buff Like all characters, Zero Suit Samus's jumpsquat takes 3 frames to complete (down from 4).
  • Buff Zero Suit Samus runs faster (2.1 → 2.31).
    • Buff Her initial dash is significantly faster (1.7 → 2.42), now being the 2nd fastest in the game.
  • Buff Zero Suit Samus walks slightly faster (1.4 → 1.47).
  • Buff Zero Suit Samus' air speed is slightly faster (1.2 → 1.26).
  • Buff Zero Suit Samus' traction is higher (0.07 → 0.116).
  • Buff Forward roll has less ending lag (FAF 28 → 27).
  • Nerf Forward roll grants less intangibility (frames 4-15 → 4-12).
  • Change Zero Suit Samus activates her Jet Boots during forward roll.
  • Nerf Back roll grants less intangibility (frames 4-15 → 4-14) and has more ending lag (FAF 28 → 33).
  • Buff Spot dodge has less ending lag (FAF 25 → 24).
  • Nerf Spot dodge has more startup and grants less intangibility (frames 2-15 → 3-14).
  • Buff Air dodge grants more intangibility (frames 2-25 → 2-26).
  • Nerf Air dodge has significantly more ending lag (FAF 31 → 46).

Ground attacks[edit]

  • Neutral attack:
    • Buff The first hit transitions faster into the second hit (frame 12 → 6), which transitions faster into the third hit (frame 10 → 6).
    • Buff The first and second hits have altered angles (92°/61° → 361°/180° (hit 1), 45° → 361° (hit 2)) to keep opponents on the ground, akin to other neutral attacks, and the first hit has gained a hitstun modifier, which is higher for the hitboxes closer to Zero Suit Samus (0 → 10/6/2). This allows the move to jab lock and connect more reliably overall.
    • Buff The first and second hits' hitboxes are placed lower (Y offset: 12u/11u → 10u (hit 1), 11u/10u → 9.5u/9.8u/10u (hit 2)), allowing them to hit opponents at low heights slightly more effectively.
    • Nerf All hits have a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.8×), giving opponents more time to SDI each hit and DI the last hit.
    • Nerf The first two hits have a shorter hitbox duration (frames 1-2 → frame 1 (hit 1), 2-3 → 2 (hit 2)).
    • Nerf The first and third hits have more ending lag (FAF 21 → 24 (hit 1), 32 → 35 (hit 3)).
    • Nerf The first two hits no longer use set knockback (23/45 set/100 scaling → 20/15/10 base/50/33/20 scaling (hit 1), 34/50 set/100 scaling → 30/25/20 base/40/40/30 scaling (hit 2)), causing them to connect less reliably at high percents, without granting them jab cancel setups whatsoever.
    • Change The first hit has an altered animation where Zero Suit Samus jabs at a slightly lower height, matching its changed hitbox positions.
    • Change The first and second hit consist of three hitboxes instead of two, which are smaller (3u/3.8u → 2u/2.3u/2.5u (hit 1), 2.2u/2.8u/3.5u (hit 2)).
    • Change The third hit has altered hitbox sizes (4.2u/3u → 4u/3.5u) and a consistent horizontal placement throughout (Z offset: 6u/2u (frame 3), 8.1u/1.1u (frame 4) → 8u/2u (frames 3-4)) This increases its range on the first active frame, but reduces its disjoint on the second active frame.
  • Up tilt:
    • Buff The first hit deals less knockback (55/85 base/30/50 scaling → 40/57/30/40), and its aerial-only hitbox launches at a higher angle (150° → 138°), allowing it to connect better into the second hit.
    • Nerf It no longer grants intangibility on Zero Suit Samus' legs, making it less effective as an anti-air.
    • Change It no longer has anti-rebound properties. This prevents the second hit from hitting opponents after the first hit clangs, but can also prove beneficial by allowing Zero Suit Samus to escape subsequent attacks from opponents rather than remaining stuck in the move's ending lag.
  • Down tilt:
    • Buff Down tilt has less ending lag (FAF 36 → 30). In combination with the increased shieldstun for ground attacks, this makes it safer on shield.
    • Buff It launches at a higher angle (60° → 70°). Coupled with the above change, this gives the move combo potential at low percents.
    • Change It moves Zero Suit Samus a much shorter, almost negligible distance forward. This reduces its range, but improves its utility for spacing in combination with its lower ending lag.
    • Change It has a different animation: Zero Suit Samus uses her left leg instead of her right.
  • Dash attack:
    • Buff The innermost hitbox stretches downward (Y offset: 10u → 10u-5u), with the late hit's also being larger (4.1u → 4.5u), allowing it to hit opponents lying down more effectively.
  • Forward smash:
    • Buff Forward smash's second hit can be angled, allowing her to both hit characters in the air more reliably when angled up, and hit smaller characters when angled down.
    • Buff Forward smash's hitboxes now properly match its animation, giving it slightly less start-up (frame 14, 27 → 13, 26).
    • Buff The first hit has different hitboxes for grounded and aerial opponents, with altered angles (45°/40°/38° → 60°/40°/38° (grounded)/45°/18°/16° (aerial)) and set knockback (50/68/72 → 35/68/72 (grounded)/38/60/67 (aerial)), allowing it to connect more reliably into the second hit.
    • Nerf It has more ending lag (FAF 63 → 65).
    • Nerf Zero Suit Samus doesn't move forward as much, especially during the second kick. This makes it harder to hit opponents from farther away.
    • Nerf The second hit's hitboxes on Zero Suit Samus's leg have less knockback scaling (109 → 97), hindering their KO potential, especially in comparison to the hitbox on her foot.
  • Up smash:
    • Buff The last hit has less base knockback (70 → 45), but much more knockback scaling (145 → 212). This greatly increases its KO power, no longer being one of the weakest up smashes in the game, and simultaneously improves its combo potential at low percents.
  • Down smash:
    • Nerf Down smash applies hitlag to Zero Suit Samus, as well as to shielding opponents, reducing her advantage over paralyzed opponents and making the move easier to punish out of shield.
    • Nerf It has a lower hitlag multiplier (1× → 0.6×) and deals much less knockback (50/40 base/90/50 scaling → 0 base/90/85 scaling), significantly reducing its paralysis time. In combination with the aforementioned change, this greatly hinders its combo potential to the point it is unsafe on hit at low percents, with the sweetspot not leading into a jab until around 12%.

Aerial attacks[edit]

  • Buff All aerials have less landing lag (10 frames → 8 (neutral), 16 → 10 (forward), 11 → 10 (back), 9 → 5 (up), 30 → 24 (down)).
  • Forward aerial:
    • Buff Zero Suit Samus kicks at a slightly lower height, allowing her to hit grounded characters more easily at the start of a short hop.
    • Buff The first hit has different hitboxes against grounded opponents, which launch at a higher angle (361° → 50°) and have more base knockback (50 → 60), allowing it to connect better into the second hit.
    • Buff The first hit transitions faster into the second (frame 16 → 13).
      • Nerf However, the move's total duration remains the same, increasing its ending lag.
    • Nerf The second hit has less knockback scaling (116 → 104), hindering its KO potential.
  • Back aerial:
    • Nerf The sourspot is larger (2.5u → 3.5u), placed closer to Zero Suit Samus (X offset: 1.5u → -1u), and takes priority over the sweetspot. While this covers a blindspot on Zero Suit Samus' upper leg, it most notably makes the sweetspot harder to land, as the sourspot previously covered a very small space and was thus almost negligible.
    • Change The move has a slightly altered animation: Zero Suit Samus is more upright while kicking and her left leg is more inward.
  • Up aerial:
    • Nerf Up aerial has slightly more ending lag (FAF 34 → 35). This hinders her ability to combo and juggle her opponents without landing, and makes successful ladder combos into Boost Kick much harder to pull off.
  • Down aerial:
    • Buff Down aerial has less knockback scaling against grounded opponents (90 → 60), allowing it to connect better into the landing hit.
    • Buff The landing hitbox is larger (8u → 9u), extends farther horizontally (Z offset: -1u–1u → -1.5u–1u), and is positioned higher (Y offset: 6u → 7u). This improves its range, especially against opponents above or behind Zero Suit Samus, further helping it connect from the main hitboxes.
    • Buff The landing hit can combo into a forward aerial at low percents due to its increased range and the move's lower landing lag.
  • Grab aerial:
    • Buff Grab aerial has less ending lag (FAF 60 → 50).
    • Buff It has a lower hitlag multiplier (1× → 0.7×).
    • Nerf It causes the Plasma Whip to retract upon hitting an opponent, hindering its utility in battles with multiple opponents.
    • Nerf It has less tether range.
    • Change It deals consistent damage (3% early/6% clean → 5%). It is less than the previous clean hit, but more than the early hit.
    • Change It has a different hitbox size inbetween the previous early and clean hits (2u (early)/4u (clean) → 3u).
    • Change The Plasma Whip droops and lays on the ground during landing lag.

Throws and other attacks[edit]

  • Grabs:
    • Buff All grabs have less ending lag, especially pivot grab (FAF 69 → 59 (standing), 72 → 67 (dash), 80 → 62 (pivot)).
    • Buff Standing grab has less startup (frame 16 → 15), and the hitbox on the Plasma Whip has a longer duration (frames 16-25 → 15-25).
    • Buff The changes to jostle mechanics prevent dash grab from whiffing when initiated too close to the opponent.
    • Nerf Dash and pivot grab have more startup (frame 16 → 17 (dash), 17 → 18 (pivot)).
    • Nerf Standing and dash grab's hitboxes at close range have a shorter duration (frames 16-19 → 15-17 (standing), 16-18 (dash)).
  • Pummel:
    • Nerf Pummel deals less damage (2% → 1.3%).
    • Change It deals more hitlag (4 frames → 14), but has less startup (frame 2 → 1) and much less ending lag (FAF 16 → 7).
  • Forward throw:
    • Change Zero Suit Samus has a new forward throw: a kick to the opponent's chest.
    • Buff It releases opponents at a lower angle (45° → 33°), allowing it to set up tech-chases.
    • Nerf It has more startup (frame 6 (hit 1), 8 (release) → 8, 9).
      • Buff However, its total duration remains the same, giving it one frame less ending lag.
    • Change It deals less damage on release (7% → 4%), with the first hit dealing more damage instead (2% → 5%), and only base knockback slightly compensated on the former (50 → 58). This makes it less effective for getting opponents offstage, but allows it to set up tech-chases for longer.
    • Change It no longer uses an electric effect and SFX, instead using a neutral effect with kick SFX, but the first hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.5×).
  • Back throw:
    • Buff The first hit has a larger hitbox (4u → 5u) that is placed higher (Y offset: 12u → 16u) and farther horizontally (Z offset: -12u → -14u), allowing it to hit bystanders more effectively.
  • Up throw:
    • Buff Up throw deals much more knockback (80 base/60 scaling → 65/93), allowing it to KO under 170% without LSI.
    • Buff The first hit's hitbox follows Zero Suit Samus' leg instead of remaining static in front of her, allowing it to hit bystanders above her more effectively.
  • Down throw:
    • Buff Down throw has less startup (frame 26 (hit 1), 28 (release) → 20, 22).
      • Nerf However, the hitbox now has 8 frames of hitlag when it connects. This makes Zero Suit Samus release the opponent slightly later despite the release occuring earlier in the animation.
    • Buff It deals more damage (2% (hit 1), 3% (throw) → 4% (both); 5% total → 8%).
    • Nerf It has a longer total duration (FAF 46 → 52). When combined with its faster startup, this significantly increases its ending lag. This completely removes its guaranteed followups, no longer being Zero Suit Samus' most reliable combo starter, to the point it has gone from one of her best moves, to arguably becoming her worst, and is her least useful throw.
  • Edge attack:
    • Buff Edge attack deals more damage (7% → 9%).

Special moves[edit]

  • Paralyzer:
    • Buff Instead of only having an uncharged and fully charged variant, Paralyzer now functions like any other charge move. This means that Zero Suit Samus can now release the move at any time, with the shots scaling in damage, duration, knockback and paralysis time as they are charged further.
      • Buff This also makes Paralyzer safer, as if Zero Suit Samus starts charging the move, she no longer has to commit to the fully charged version.
    • Buff The shots have a longer duration (22 frames (uncharged)/46 frames (fully charged) → 24/48).
    • Buff The shots have increased set knockback for both uncharged and fully charged blasts (18 (uncharged)/65 (fully charged) → 21/70).
    • Change The shots are more orange in color.
    • Nerf The shots have a lower hitlag multiplier, especially after their first active frame (2x → 1x (clean)/0.7x (late)). This results in the move paralyzing opponents for a shorter period of time despite the changes to the paralysis formula, especially outside of point blank range, hindering the move's setup potential.
  • Plasma Whip:
    • Buff Plasma Whip's second and last hits deal more damage (1.2% → 2% (hit 2), 7.5% → 8% (last hit)), and it deals an additional hit of 1.2% damage on the same frame as the second hit. This moderately increases its total damage (13.1% → 15.6%).
    • Buff All hits have larger hitboxes (4u/2.5u (hit 1), 2.8u (hit 2), 3.2u (hit 3), 3.5u (hit 4), 4.6u (hit 5) → 4u/3.5u (hit 1), 4u (hit 2), 3.5u (hit 3), 3.7u (hit 4), 4u (hit 5), 6u (hit 6)).
    • Buff The first five hits use different angles (30°/10° → 20°/10° (hit 1), 10° (hits 2-4) → 17° (hits 2-3), 15° (hits 4-5)) and set knockback (100/60 base/30/70 scaling → 50/80 set/100 scaling (hit 1), 60 base/65 scaling (hits 2-4) → 80 set/100 scaling (hit 2), 60/100 (hit 3), 65/100 (hit 4), 60/95 (hit 5)), allowing them to connect more reliably.
    • Buff The last hit has less startup with a longer duration (frames 32-34 → 31-35).
    • Buff The last hit launches at a lower angle (60° → 55°), and deals much more knockback (45 base/105 scaling → 47/138) on top of its increased damage. This significantly increases its power to the point it can KO at around 135% from the center of Final Destination if all hits connect (comparing to the previous version not KOing until around 195%), restoring most of its utility from Brawl and giving Zero Suit Samus another reliable finisher.
    • Buff A different variation of the attack can be used by holding the special move button throughout it, which has Zero Suit Samus swing the Plasma Whip back and above her, instead of releasing a spark from its tip. This variation has more ending lag (FAF 56 → 63), and replaces the last hit with four hits (frames 31-35 → 31-32, 37-38, 42-43, 46-47) that use the electric effect and deal 4% each (though they cannot feasibly link into each other), launching opponents vertically (107°/95°/80°/75°) with different knockback (98 base/62 scaling) and a hitstun modifier of 4. This allows it to set up opponents for juggles, with the later hits having true combos into aerial attacks, and gives it anti-air properties.
    • Nerf Plasma Whip has reduced tether range and takes much longer to tether to the ledge (frame 2 → 20). This significantly reduces its utility as a recovery tool, although it can still be used as a recovery move with proper timing.
  • Boost Kick:
    • Buff The aerial version's first hit and both versions' subsequent hits have lower set knockback (150 → 130 (hit 1, aerial), 110 → 50 (hits 2-5), 16/12 (hit 7) → 12/10 (hit 6, grounded), 10/16 (hit 6, aerial)), and the second to fifth hits use the autolink angle (87° → 367°), allowing them to connect more reliably.
    • Buff The last hit has less startup (frame 36 → 35).
    • Nerf It has more startup lag (frame 4 → 6).
    • Nerf It has more landing lag (23 frames → 30).
    • Nerf Samus' air speed is reduced by more after using the move (air speed multiplier: 0.5 → 0.4).
    • Nerf It hits seven times instead of eight, with the previous sixth hit being removed, dealing less total damage as a result (16.8% → 15.5%). The new sixth hit has more startup to compensate (frame 24 → 28).
    • Nerf The grounded version's first hit has lost its farthest hitbox, reducing its range to the point Zero Suit Samus has to be right next to the opponent in order for it to connect. This worsens its effectiveness as an out of shield option.
    • Nerf The aerial version's last hit has less knockback scaling (209 → 184), causing it to KO roughly 25% later than the grounded version unless it is used close to the top blast line.
    • Bug fix The move no longer experiences RCO lag.
  • Flip Jump:
    • Buff Flip Jump travels slightly faster and has less ending lag (FAF 50 → 39).
    • Buff The manual kick can be inputted earlier (frame 19 → 14). Combined with the jump's faster animation, reduced ending lag, and her neutral aerial's reduced landing lag, this significantly improves its utility as a finisher as her neutral aerial can combo into the kick much more consistently.
    • Buff The footstool stomp has much less ending lag in the air (FAF 85 → 60), and bounces Zero Suit Samus a shorter distance upward, allowing her to reach opponents sooner after they are buried.
    • Nerf It can no longer be ledge canceled.
    • Nerf The flip no longer grants intangibility on Zero Suit Samus's head, legs and feet for its entire duration after the full intangibility on frames 3-12 ends.
    • Nerf The kick has a shorter duration (frames 9-14 → 9-12).
    • Nerf The footstool stomp's burying hitbox deals much less knockback (60 base/100 scaling → 10/90), significantly hindering its followup potential, no longer possessing KO setups until very high percents if the opponent mashes fast enough.
    • Change The kick uses the "small" kick sound effect on hit rather than the "large" one.
  • Final Smash:
    • Change Zero Suit Samus has a new Final Smash, Zero Laser. She summons her gunship, but temporarily dons her Varia Suit (using the same model as the playable version) and fires a single, long-lasting laser from the top of the ship, similarly to Aura Storm. The players choose where to aim the laser with a targeting reticle.
    • Buff Zero Laser deals significantly increased damage compared to a single laser (0.8% loop hits/10% last/17.2% total → 1.2%/1.6% loop hits/20%/25% last/51.2%-66.6% total), and the last hit has much higher knockback, making it more powerful.
    • Nerf Zero Laser only has a single use compared to Gunship's maximum of five shots, making it deal less total damage if all hits connect (86% → 66.6%). The last hit also has a delay before being fired, meaning the Final Smash can miss. This makes it less versatile and consistent.

Update history[edit]

Zero Suit Samus has received a mix of buffs and nerfs via game updates, but has been nerfed overall. Patch 2.0.0 nerfed her forward smash by adding a sourspot at close range while her Flip Jump has reduced base knockback, hindering her ability to KO aerial opponents at an early percentage from a back throw. Patch 3.0.0 nerfed her Flip Jump further as it travels a less horizontal distance, hindering her recovery.

However, her buffs in patch 2.0.0 allow her to grab ledges earlier when using forward aerial and up aerial while patch 3.1.0 allows her Plasma Whip to connect more reliably. Her Flip Jump has been reverted to how it was before patch 3.0.0, improving her recovery. Patch 7.0.0 would then reduce Flip Jump's knockback scaling on the burying hit, nerfing its confirm into Boost Kick, to the point where sufficient mashing will result in it being very difficult to get the followup at high percents although still possible if the player acts fast enough. Patch 11.0.0 increased the landing lag of Neutral Aerial and increased the startup time for Boost Kick. This reduces her safety on shield, and it weakens Boost Kick as an out of shield option and makes ladder combo kills using the second hit of Boost Kick significantly harder. The increased lag on both moves make her combos have a tighter window but are still doable and she remains a highly viable character.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2.0.0

  • Nerf Forward smash now has a sourspot at close range that has less knockback scaling (109 → 97).
  • Change Flip Jump has altered knockback (60/100 → 25/145). This reduces the bury time at lower percents but increases it at higher percents.
  • Buff Zero Suit Samus can grab earlier after using forward aerial (73 frames → 71).
  • Buff Zero Suit Samus can grab earlier after using up aerial (75 frames → 59).

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 3.0.0

  • Change The animations for the Grapple Beam have been adjusted.
  • Nerf Flip Jump travels less horizontal distance (horizontal control speed 0.7 → 0.5).

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 3.1.0

  • Buff Plasma Whip's hits connect more reliably.
  • Buff Flip Jump travels more horizontal distance (horizontal control speed 0.5 → 0.7), reverting to its pre-3.0.0 behavior.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 4.0.0

  • Change Down aerial no longer has its downward movement disabled when used out of hitstun.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 6.0.0

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 7.0.0

  • Buff Overall shield size has been increased.
  • Nerf Flip Jump's burying hitbox has much less knockback (25 base/145 scaling → 10/90), significantly reducing its bury duration, to the point opponents can mash out and escape KO setups into Boost Kick even at high percents.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 8.0.0

  • Buff Zero Laser's final hit lasts three additional frames.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 11.0.0

  • Nerf Neutral aerial has more landing lag (6 frames → 8).
  • Nerf Boost Kick has more startup lag (frame 4 → 6).

Moveset[edit]

For a gallery of Zero Suit Samus' hitboxes, see here.

Note: All numbers are listed as base damage, without the 1v1 multiplier.

  Name Damage Description
Neutral attack Level Chop (レベルチョップ) / Gun Hook (ガンフック) / Elbow Smash (エルボースマッシュ) 1.5% A knifehand strike, followed by a pistol-whip with her Paralyzer, followed by a 12-6 elbow. It is tied with Little Mac for the fastest jab, coming out instantly on frame 1. The first hit can lock, but the height of the hitbox causes it to miss small or crouching opponents on non-slanted terrain. It also has a poor damage output, only doing a total of 6% if all three hits connect. Its main purpose is to disrupt grounded approaches or combos, as well as finish a combo on its own due to its instantaneous startup.
1.5%
3%
Forward tilt Spin Kick (スピンキック) 8% (leg), 6.5% (body) A roundhouse kick. It can be angled. The down-angled version may cause tripping at low percentages. Its main usage is for spacing, due to its overall low lag and average knockback.
7% (leg), 6% (body)
8% (leg), 6.5% (body)
Up tilt Headstand Kick (ヘッドスタンドキック) 5% (hit 1), 7% (hit 2) A butterfly kick performed from a variation of the 2000 (a breakdancing move) followed by an upward scissor kick. It hits on frame 3, making it Zero Suit Samus' fastest tilt attack. It is also one of only two moves that hit in front of and behind her, with the other being neutral aerial, making it a good replacement to her down smash to hit both sides.
Down tilt Ground Sweep (グラウンドスイープ) 8% (leg), 6% (foot) A legsweep. This lowers her hurtbox more than her crouch, allowing her to duck under most projectiles with proper timing. It works as a decent combo starter, being able to combo into forward aerial, up aerial, and a dashing up smash at low percentages.
Dash attack Jumping Kneebutt (ジャンピングニーバット) 8% (clean), 5% (late) Activates her Jet Boots to perform a jet-propelled knee strike. It functions very well as a burst option and a whiff punish, due to it coming out on frame 7. However, it does not have much of a function otherwise, as it lacks KO potential, and has too much ending lag to be able to be used for combos.
Forward smash Jet Boot Kick (ジェットブーツキック) 5% (hit 1), 11% (hit 2) A mid-level sidekick followed by a spinning sidekick at a slightly higher angle. Due to it activating her Jet Boots, the second hit has a visible sweetspot in the form of a small, fiery blast at the tip of her foot. Unlike typical sweetspots, it has the same damage output as the sourspot; the only change is that it has slightly higher knockback scaling. Her side smash can be angled, but only the second kick changes in angle. It is often considered one of the worst forward smashes among the cast, because, despite its moderate startup, it is extremely weak, and it has very high ending lag despite this, making it a high-risk move with low reward.
Up smash Shocker String (ショッカーストリング) 4% (hit 1), 0.8% (hits 2-6), 3% (hit 7) Spins in place while twirling her Plasma Whip overhead. It possesses surprisingly high hitstun with low ending lag, making it a solid combo starter at low to mid percents, while still possessing decent kill power. It's also a very strong anti-air, as the attack has a huge disjoint above Samus's head. All of this, combined with its long-lasting, disjointed hitbox, make it commonly considered among the best up smashes in the game.
Down smash Slant Paralyzer (スラントパラライザー) 8% (near), 6% (far) Aims her Paralyzer downward in front of herself and fires a paralyzing energy blast at the ground. This move has poor KO potential, instead, it is used to initiate combos. The move has slow startup as it comes out on frame 20, but has very low ending lag with only 17 frames of cooldown which makes it excellent for leading into other moves such as Boost Kick for a potential KO at high percents. Opponents are paralyzed much longer at higher percentages. It can 2-frame punish opponents, giving her true followups if it is timed correctly. Based on the ability to shoot her Paralyzer downward in Metroid: Zero Mission.
Neutral aerial Whip Guard (ウィップガード) 8% Spins in midair, swinging her Plasma Whip laterally around herself. It is often considered her best aerial and one of the best neutral aerials in the game for a multitude of reasons; the most notable of which is its combo potential. It can combo into all of her aerials in a very wide range of percentages, starting at 0%, and at high percentages (around 80%), it has a KO confirm into back aerial. At lower percentages (around 40-60%), it has a notorious KO setup into Flip Kick, although it is sometimes inconsistent because of the sweetspot's small hitbox. Another reason it's so versatile is that it's extremely difficult to punish when landing with the move; against shield, its electric properties and disjointed range make it difficult to punish, even on whiff or out of a parry. On shield, it is -4 at best, making it safe against out-of-shield options that can even be as fast as frame 5. Combining all of this together, it adds up to be one of Zero Suit Samus's best moves overall.
Forward aerial Twice Kick (トワイスキック) 5% (hit 1), 7% (hit 2) A hook kick followed by a roundhouse kick. At very high percents, the first hit has trouble connecting into the second hit; however, this, in return, makes it a good combo starter on landing. At low percentages, it can combo into up smash, another forward aerial, and forward tilt. At high percentages, it has KO confirms into back aerial, Boost Kick and Flip Kick. The attack by itself is decently strong, KOing offstage at around 100%. Because of ZSS's ability to go very far offstage and still be able to recover, it can KO even earlier.
Back aerial Sobat (ソバット) 12% (foot), 10% (leg) A spinning hook kick. Very high knockback for an attack of its type, being able to KO opponents earlier than all her uncharged smash attacks. It works very well as a combo finisher and KO confirm, being able to combo out of her landing neutral aerial, the first hit of her forward aerial, and her up aerial.
Up aerial Air Kick (エアキック) 6.5% A bicycle kick. Thanks to its minimal start-up and ending lag, very low base knockback and very high knockback scaling, and low landing lag, it boasts excellent juggling potential.
Down aerial Slash Dive (スラッシュダイブ) 6%, 5.5% (landing) A diagonal flying kick, similar to Sonic and Sheik's down aerials, though unlike most moves of its kind, it meteor smashes throughout its entire duration. Has the slowest startup lag of all of her aerials. Due to this move being a stall-then-fall, it is extremely risky to use off-stage, leading to a self-destruct in most cases, though its aforementioned properties make it effective as a quick and unexpected sacrificial KO, as the opponent will be KO'd first if hit below the ledge. Even when she lands on the ground, there is a high landing lag, making it easy to punish. Despite this, its extremely fast descent speed can enable it to counter a juggle if there is sufficient distance between Zero Suit Samus and the opponent.
Grab aerial Aerial Plasma Whip (空中プラズマウィップ) 5% Lashes in front of her with the Plasma Whip. It shares most of the same combos and KO confirms that her neutral aerial has, such as her back aerial and Flip Kick at high percentages; however, due to its lower knockback, it has an additional KO setup into Boost Kick.
Grab Grab (つかみ) Performs a kneeling lunge to unfurl the Plasma Whip. A hitbox appears at her hand, allowing her to grab opponents with less lag.
Pummel Grab Kneebutt (つかみニーバット) 1.3% A knee strike.
Forward throw Short Kick (ショートキック) 5% (hit), 4% (throw) Kicks the opponent away. It is arguably her most useful throw, as it is essential to her excellent tech-chasing capabilities due to its very low launch angle. It can even combo into dash attack against some characters, although the window for it to be true is rather tight.
Back throw Kick Throw (キックスルー) 2% (hit), 6% (throw) A mid-level roundhouse kick. It can get opponents offstage, and, if the opponent's reaction is read, it can combo into Flip Kick; however, this combo is extremely risky, as Zero Suit Samus has a very good chance to self-destruct if the Flip Kick misses due to its high ending lag.
Up throw Hold Somersault Kick (ホールドサマーソルトキック) 2% (hit), 8% (throw) A backflip kick. The most damaging out of all of her throws, as well as her strongest throw; however, it doesn't KO middleweights until around 165%. To make up for this, however, it has an extremely fast startup, making it impossible to react to with DI.
Down throw Knee Stamp (ニースタンプ) 4% (hit), 4% (throw) Pins the opponent on the ground, and performs an ax kick. Its high ending lag and average knockback make it a poor combo starter; the only way it can combo into attacks is to read the opponent's reaction.
Floor attack (front)   7% A modified butterfly kick performed from a windmill (a breakdancing move).
Floor attack (back)   7% Same as her frontal floor attack.
Floor attack (trip)   5% Performs a spinning low-level roundhouse kick.
Edge attack   9% Performs a low-level roundhouse kick while climbing up.
Neutral special Paralyzer 4~6% Assumes a kneeling position to fire a paralyzing energy blast from her weapon. It can be charged, which increases its damage output the duration of its paralysis but at the cost of lowered speed. Targets hit by paralysis cannot be paralyzed again until making contact with the stage.
Side special Plasma Whip 2% (arm), 3.2% (whip, base), 1.2% (whip, middle), 4% (whip, held tip), 8% (whip, pressed tip) Performs a kneeling lunge to unleash the Plasma Whip forward in a swirling motion. The whip hits repeatedly, while its sweetspot, which is located at the whip's tip, launches opponents away, and can KO at high percentages. Alternatively, holding down the special move button will have the tip of the whip snap upwards, knocking opponents up and towards her. While the held version deals less damage, it gives Zero Suit Samus an opportunity for followups.
Up special Boost Kick 5% (hit 1), 1.2% (hits 2 - 6), 4% (hit 7) Activates her Jet Boots to perform a jet-propelled diagonal split-legged flying kick, followed by a spinning hook kick. One of her best KO moves against a midair opponent. It can also be angled forward or backward, which allows it to catch an opponent's air dodge, rolls, and edge get-up reactions. The move is also a great out of shield option as it is very fast at frame 6 and is a potential KO option at high percents, although the hitbox is directly in front of Zero Suit Samus and is very small, limiting its utility as an OoS option to very close range as it will very likely lead to a punish if it is whiffed.
Down special Flip Jump 8% (stomp), 14% (kick) A 720° Ce Kong Fan[1], a jumping technique used in contemporary Wushu. It functions as a third jump and grants intangibility on frames 3-12. It can deal damage in two ways: upon contact at the end of the jump, or by pressing either the attack button or special button during the jump. Upon contact, Zero Suit Samus performs a footstool stomp, which buries grounded opponents and meteor smashes aerial opponents. Pressing the attack or special buttons makes her perform a diagonal flying kick, which is very powerful. The flying kick also has a sweetspot at her foot that can meteor smash aerial opponents but has slightly less knockback against aerial opponents. Overall, due to its sheer versatility as a combo finisher, recovery option, and an excellent tool for breaking out of disadvantage, it is commonly considered one of the best moves in the game and is arguably Zero Suit Samus’ best move.
Final Smash Zero Laser 1.2/1.6% (laser loop), 20/25% (final burst) Zero Suit Samus leaps up, rising into the air, then appears atop her Gunship in the background, wearing her Power Suit. A player-controlled crosshair then appears, and after a short amount of time (or when the attack button is pressed), the now-suited Samus begins firing her Zero Laser with an area roughly equal to that of the crosshair. Like the version used by her suited counterpart, it hits multiple times. Opponents take more damage closer to the center of the crosshair. At the end of the move, there is a brief pause, then one final burst is fired with enough power to launch opponents. Once the move concludes, Samus reverts to her Zero Suit and returns to her previous position.

Stats[edit]

Stats Weight Dash speed Walk speed Traction Air friction Air speed Air acceleration Gravity Falling speed Jumpsquat Jump Height Double jump Height
Value 80 2.42 – Initial dash
2.31 – Run
1.47 0.116 0.008 1.26 0.01 – Base
0.085 – Additional
0.12 1.7 – Base
2.72Fast-fall
3 44.5 - Base
21.35 - Short hop
44.2

Announcer call[edit]

Sound.png This article could use additional or higher-quality audio files.
The editor who added this tag suggests: Needs announcer calls from other languages.
If you have a good audio file for this article, upload it here.

On-screen appearance[edit]

  • Jumps out of her Gunship and uses her Jet Boots to briefly hover before landing.

Taunts[edit]

  • Up Taunt: Tosses her Paralyzer into the air, spins once, and catches it behind herself while saying "Is that all?"
  • Side Taunt: Swings the Plasma Whip in a circular motion while saying "Try me."
  • Down Taunt: Holds her Paralyzer near her waist, and then performs a pirouette while twirling the Plasma Whip around her body and saying "You're mine."

Idle poses[edit]

  • Stands up straight and looks around, holding her Paralyzer towards her face.
  • Makes configurations to her Paralyzer.

Crowd cheer[edit]

Cheer (English) Cheer (Japanese/Chinese) Cheer (Italian) Cheer (Dutch) Cheer (French)
Cheer
Custom combination of the flags of Canada, the USA, and Mexico.

Source, tweaked to fix rendering issues
Description Ze - ro - Suit! Zero Suit Sams! Sa - mus Tu - ta Ze - ro! Ze - ro - Suit! Sa - mus -- sans combinaison! Custom combination of the flags of Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
Sa - mus -- sans ar - mure! Source, tweaked to fix rendering issues
Cheer (German) Cheer (Spanish) Cheer (Russian) Cheer (Korean)
Cheer
Custom combination of the flags of Canada, the USA, and Mexico.

Source, tweaked to fix rendering issues
Description Ze - ro - Suit! Sa - mus! Saaaa - mus Ze - ro! Sa - mus! nul'-kostyum! Ze - ro Su - it Sa - mu - s!

Victory poses[edit]

  • Left: Slashes the air twice with her Plasma Whip and says "Be still."
  • Up: Uses Flip Jump and then performs a jet-propelled somersault while grunting.
  • Right: Performs a stretch kick and then swings her leg into position to perform a modified passé while grunting. Her leg motions and ending pose seems to "draw out" her series symbol, with the stretch kick being the "circle" and the ending pose being the "S".
A flourished remix of the theme that would play when Samus Aran obtained a new power-up or addition to her Power Suit. It would also play when Samus defeated Ridley or Kraid.

In competitive play[edit]

Most historically significant players[edit]

See also: Category:Zero Suit Samus players (SSBU)

Tier placement and history[edit]

Zero Suit Samus had a lukewarm reception when Ultimate was released, as she was seen to be considerably nerfed from her last appearance, where she was a top-tier character. Many of her tools were watered down, most notably her throw combos and ladder setups. However, this lukewarm reception was reversed thanks to the myriad of outstanding results from Zero Suit Samus players. In particular, Marss established himself as one of the best players in the world after winning a few majors, while Japanese majors often saw many Zero Suit Samus players place highly, including but not limited to Kuro, Choco, and shky. As a result of these strong results, the general consensus believed the character to be a solid top tier, with players such as Maister as well as many top players in Japan even arguing the character could be one of the best in the game.

However, the post-pandemic metagame saw a notable shift in Zero Suit Samus's reception. For one, she received nerfs to some of her best moves, hindering her combo game and KO potential; the nerfs were great enough to cause some players, including Marss and shky, to believe the character was no longer one of the best in the game. In addition, her best players slowly became less active or started to perform worse than before. In particular, Marss began shifting his focus towards content creation while Kuro and Choco began struggling to make it into the top 32 at majors. As a result, Zero Suit Samus's representation declined, from having top 10 representation in 2019 to not even breaking top 30 by 2022. The nerfs to her strongest tools and decline in results and representation mellowed out opinions on the character, with most players no longer considering her to be a top-tier. This opinion is reflected in her current placement on the tier list, where she is ranked 26th in the high tier, while also marking the first time she was ranked below her suited counterpart.

Classic Mode: Grapplers! Whips! Claws![edit]

Zero Suit Samus' congratulations screen.

Zero Suit Samus's opponents are largely characters who use tether grabs or recoveries, like her. The only exception is Little Mac, who represents the theme of "wires" by using his wireframe outfit.

Round Opponent Stage Music Notes
1 YoungLinkHeadSSBU.png Young Link and ToonLinkHeadSSBU.png Toon Link Skyloft Dark World (for 3DS / Wii U)
2 IvysaurHeadSSBU.png Ivysaur Spear Pillar Pokémon Gym/Evolution - Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue Ivysaur's Pokémon Trainer is absent.
3 DarkSamusHeadSSBU.png Dark Samus Brinstar Depths Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior
4 YoshiHeadSSBU.png Yoshi Peach's Castle Super Mario World Medley
5 SimonHeadSSBU.png Simon and RichterHeadSSBU.png Richter Dracula's Castle Simon Belmont Theme (The Arcade)
6 LittleMacHeadWireSSBU.png (x3) LittleMacHeadGreenSSBU.png (x3) Little Mac 75m (Battlefield form) Tunnel Scene - X Horde Battle. Items do not appear.
The stage is also made of wires, and the music track references how the Game Boy game X has wireframe graphics.
Bonus Stage
Final Master Hand Final Destination Master Hand (Less than 7.0 intensity)
Master Hand / Crazy Hand (Intensity 7.0 or higher)
On intensity 7.0 and higher, Crazy Hand fights alongside Master Hand.

Credits roll after completing Classic Mode. Completing it as Zero Suit Samus has Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior accompany the credits.

Role in World of Light[edit]

Zero Suit Samus' location in World of Light.
Finding Zero Suit Samus in World of Light

Although Zero Suit Samus does not appear in the World of Light opening cutscene, she was vaporized and later imprisoned alongside the rest of the fighters (sans Kirby) when Galeem unleashed his beams of light. Zero Suit Samus' awakening battle is separate from that of Samus, who is vaporized in the opening cutscene.

Zero Suit Samus can be found and awakened in the upper-right volcanic area in the World of Light after defeating the Metroid spirit.

Fighter Battle[edit]

No. Image Name Type Power Stage Music
29
Zero Suit Samus SSBU.png
Zero Suit Samus
Grab
Grab
7,500 Brinstar Depths (Ω form) Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior

Spirit[edit]

Zero Suit Samus's fighter spirit can be obtained by completing Classic Mode. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Zero Suit Samus has been unlocked. Unlocking Zero Suit Samus 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. Her fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with her artwork in Ultimate.

While Samus herself appears in a number of spirits, including an unarmored "Young Samus" spirit portrayed by a Zero Suit Samus puppet fighter, the Zero Suit itself only appears in Zero Suit Samus' fighter spirit.

In Spirit Battles[edit]

As the main opponent[edit]

Spirit Battle parameters Inspiration
No. Image Name Series Enemy Fighter(s) Type Power Stage Rules Conditions Music Character
242
SSBU spirit Urbosa.png
Urbosa The Legend of Zelda Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsBlueSSBU.png (100 HP)
Attack
4,400 Gerudo Valley (Battlefield form) •Item: Lightning
•Hazard: Zap Floor
•The floor is electrified
Stamina battle
•The enemy starts the battle with a Killing Edge
Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
274
SSBU spirit Young Samus.png
Young Samus Metroid Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsOrangeSSBU.png
Snake SnakeHeadWhiteSSBU.png
Neutral
3,400 Frigate Orpheon N/A •The enemy falls slowly Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior
595
jody summer
Jody Summer F-Zero Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadRedSSBU.png
Captain Falcon CaptainFalconHeadWhiteSSBU.png
Shield
9,400 Big Blue N/A •The enemy has increased move speed and reduced weight White Land (Remix)
645
SSBU spirit Lyn.png
Lyn Fire Emblem Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsBlueSSBU.png
Attack
9,400 Gaur Plain (Battlefield form) •Attack Power ↑
•Assist Trophy Enemies (Lyn)
•Hostile assist trophies will appear
•The enemy has increased attack power when the enemy's at high damage
•The enemy starts the battle with a Killing Edge
Attack - Fire Emblem
728
mimicutie spirit
Mimicutie Kid Icarus Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsBlueSSBU.png
Shield
1,700 Skyworld •Item Tidal Wave •The enemy's kicks and knee strikes have increased power
•The enemy favors side smash attacks
•Certain items will appear in large numbers after a little while
In the Space-Pirate Ship
754
SSBU spirit Meryl Silverburgh.png
Meryl Silverburgh Metal Gear Solid Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadBlackSSBU.png
Neutral
1,700 Shadow Moses Island •Sudden Damage •All fighters occasionally take sudden damage after a little while Encounter
757
from the game's files
Rosemary Metal Gear Solid Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadWhiteSSBU.png
Attack
1,600 Living Room •Defense ↓
•Item: Food
•All fighters have reduced defense after a little while MGS4 ~Theme of Love~
760
The boss
The Boss Metal Gear Solid Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadWhiteSSBU.png (180 HP)
Grab
13,900 Garden of Hope (Ω form) •Defense ↑
•Hazard: Poison Floor
•The floor is poisonous
•Timed stamina battle (2:00)
•The enemy has increased defense when the enemy's at high damage
Snake Eater
761
Evaaa
EVA Metal Gear Solid Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadGreenSSBU.png
Snake SnakeHeadChartreuseSSBU.png
Shield
3,600 Garden of Hope •Item: Food •Defeat the main fighter to win
•The enemy becomes more powerful after eating
Snake Eater
918
SSBU spirit Mega Man Zero.png
Mega Man Zero Mega Man Zero Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadRedSSBU.png (160 HP)
Attack
9,400 Midgar (hazards off) •Assist Trophy Enemies (Zero) Stamina battle
•Hostile assist trophies will appear
•The enemy starts the battle with a Beam Sword
Zero (Theme of ZERO (from Mega Man X))
955
SSBU spirit Sharla.png
Sharla Xenoblade Chronicles Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadGreenSSBU.png
Attack
3,700 Gaur Plain •Item: Ray Gun •The enemy's shooting items have increased power
•The enemy starts the battle with a Ray Gun
Gaur Plain
971
SSBU spirit Poppi α.png
Poppi α Xenoblade Chronicles Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadBlackSSBU.png
Daisy DaisyHeadBlueSSBU.png
Mii Gunner MiiGunnerHeadSSBU.png (Moveset: 2123)
Shield
3,800 Midgar (hazards off) •Assist Trophy Enemies (Jeff) •Hostile assist trophies will appear after a little while
•Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd
•The enemy starts the battle with a Beam Sword
Still, Move Forward! Poppi QTπ
980
SSBU spirit Chun-Li (Street Fighter Alpha).png
Chun-Li (Street Fighter Alpha) Street Fighter Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadBlueSSBU.png (140 HP)
Grab
3,600 Onett (Ω form) •Jump Power ↓ •The enemy's kicks and knee strikes have increased power
Stamina battle
•All fighters have reduced jump power
Chun-Li Stage Type B
1,202
Eternaldarknessgirl
Alexandra Roivas Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadBlackSSBU.png
Grab
1,800 Luigi's Mansion •Hazard: Screen Flip •The screen will suddenly flip when the enemy's at high damage Main Theme - Luigi's Mansion (Brawl)
1,296
SSBU spirit Shantae.png
Shantae Shantae Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsOrangeSSBU.png
Grab
9,400 Pirate Ship •Item: Transforming Types •The enemy's battering items have increased power
•The enemy starts the battle with a Killing Edge
Mob Smash
1,311
SSBU spirit Ann Takamaki.png
Ann Takamaki Persona Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadRedSSBU.png
•Giant Peach PeachHeadRedSSBU.png
Attack
4,500 Castle Siege (Throne Room) •Item: Fire Flower •Defeat the main fighter to win Last Surprise
1,350
SSBU spirit High Line (Guns Empress).png
High Line (Guns Empress) DAEMON X MACHINA •Tiny Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadBlackSSBU.png
Ridley RidleyHeadGreySSBU.png
Attack
4,200 Halberd •Move Speed ↑
•Assist Trophy Enemies (Jeff)
•Item: Shooting Types
•Hostile assist trophies will appear
•The enemy has increased move speed after a little while
•Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd
Metalopod Guns Empress
1,353
SSBU spirit S-Tetrimino & Z-Tetrimino.png
S-Tetrimino & Z-Tetrimino Tetris Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadRedSSBU.png
Samus SamusHeadGreenSSBU.png
Grab
4,300 Mushroom Kingdom U (Slide Lift Tower) •Sudden Final Smash
•Item: Screw Attack
•The enemy will suddenly have a Final Smash Chill (for 3DS / Wii U) Z-Tetrimino
1,376
SSBU spirit ASTRAL CHAIN Hero (Female).png
ASTRAL CHAIN Hero (Female) ASTRAL CHAIN Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadSSBU.png
•Metal Shulk ShulkHeadBlueSSBU.png
Attack
9,500 Final Destination •Item: Black Hole •Defeat the main fighter to win
•The enemy favors special moves
Main Theme - METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER
1,451
SSBU spirit Shiva.png
Shiva FINAL FANTASY Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadSSBU.png
Shield
7,300 Summit (Battlefield form) •Assist Trophy Enemies (Krystal)
•Item: Freezie
•Hostile assist trophies will appear after a little while
•The enemy is easily distracted by items
JENOVA
1,480
SSBU spirit Nina Williams.png
Nina Williams Tekken Series Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadBlackSSBU.png
Mii Gunner MiiGunnerHeadSSBU.png×2 (Moveset 2232, Special Forces Helmet, Special Forces Outfit)
Shield
3,700 Shadow Moses Island (hazards off) N/A •Defeat the main fighter to win
•Reinforcements will appear during the battle
Karma

As a minion[edit]

Spirit Battle parameters Inspiration
No. Image Name Series Enemy Fighter(s) Type Power Stage Rules Conditions Music Character
238
SSBU spirit Zelda (Breath of the Wild).png
Zelda (Breath of the Wild) The Legend of Zelda Series Zelda ZeldaHeadBlueSSBU.png (50 HP)
Link LinkHeadWhiteSSBU.png (60 HP)
Inkling InklingHeadPinkSSBU.png (30 HP)
Donkey Kong DonkeyKongHeadYellowSSBU.png (60 HP)
Falco FalcoHeadBlueSSBU.png (50 HP)
Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsBlueSSBU.png (50 HP)
Shield
9,200 Great Plateau Tower N/A Stamina battle
•Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd
•Defeat an army of fighters
Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Urbosa
288
SSBU spirit Adam Malkovich.png
Adam Malkovich Metroid Series Snake SnakeHeadWhiteSSBU.png
Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadWhiteSSBU.png
Shield
1,600 Shadow Moses Island N/A •Defeat the main fighter to win Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior Young Samus Aran
1,306
SSBU spirit Phantom Thieves of Hearts.png
Phantom Thieves of Hearts Persona Series Joker JokerHeadSSBU.png
Pikachu PikachuHeadLibreSSBU.png
Captain Falcon CaptainFalconHeadBlackSSBU.png
Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadRedSSBU.png
Chrom ChromHeadBlackSSBU.png
Sheik SheikHeadBlackSSBU.png
Grab
13,300 Mementos (Haru Okumura background, hazards off) •Sudden Final Smash
•Item: Daybreak Parts
•The enemy will suddenly have a Final Smash when the enemy's at high damage
•Reinforcements will appear during the battle
Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There Ann Takamaki / Panther
1,328
SSBU spirit Hero's Comrades.png
Hero's Comrades DRAGON QUEST Series Ike IkeHeadBlackSSBU.png (120 HP)
•Tiny King Dedede KingDededeHeadPinkSSBU.png (120 HP)
Zero Suit Samus ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsBlueSSBU.png (100 HP)
Sheik SheikHeadRedSSBU.png (130 HP)
•Tiny Robin RobinHeadRedSSBU.png (90 HP)
Zelda ZeldaHeadGreenSSBU.png (110 HP)
Link LinkHeadTealSSBU.png (100 HP)
Shield
13,300 Yggdrasil's Altar N/A •The enemy has increased melee-weapon damage and move speed
•The enemy's smash attacks have increased power
Stamina battle
The Hero Goes Forth with a Determination Jade

Alternate costumes[edit]

Zero Suit Samus Palette (SSBU).png
ZeroSuitSamusHeadSSBU.png ZeroSuitSamusHeadBlueSSBU.png ZeroSuitSamusHeadRedSSBU.png ZeroSuitSamusHeadBlackSSBU.png ZeroSuitSamusHeadGreenSSBU.png ZeroSuitSamusHeadWhiteSSBU.png ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsOrangeSSBU.png ZeroSuitSamusHeadShortsBlueSSBU.png

Gallery[edit]

Fighter Showcase Video[edit]

Trivia[edit]

  • For unknown reasons, Zero Suit Samus's taunt voice clips are not present in the Sound Test, making her the only character with this distinction.
  • In the Japanese version, non-Japanese voice actors and actresses are credited without any transliteration to Japanese in the Sound Test. In the case of Zero Suit Samus, Alésia Glidewell's name was cut short, resulting in "Alesia Glidew". This has since been fixed.
  • On the character selection screen, the icon in the Japanese version shows Zero Suit Samus' name within only one row, while in the English version it is shown with two rows. She shares this trait with Captain Falcon, Mr. Game & Watch, Pokémon Trainer, Wii Fit Trainer, Rosalina & Luma, the Mii Fighters, Piranha Plant and Banjo & Kazooie.
  • Zero Suit Samus' character showcase video, unlock battles, and Classic Mode credits use "Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior" from Super Metroid, a game where the Zero Suit did not yet exist. This may be a reference to how Samus would appear in various states of undress during the game's ending sequence, as Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior serves as the end credits theme for that game.
  • This is the first game where Zero Suit Samus's default head icon depicts her hair tie as its natural red, as both previous depictions have matched the Zero Suit's cyan. She shares this trait with Peach.
  • If Zero Suit Samus charges a smash attack while holding a Star Rod, she will not vibrate in place during the animation. This also applies to Byleth if they charge a smash attack while holding a Death's Scythe.
  • If Zero Suit Samus starts charging her forward smash, the flashing effects will be focused on her handgun instead of her left leg. This is a carryover from Brawl, where she uses her handgun for her previous forward smash. This was also present in Smash 4.
  • Unusually, the angled variants of Zero Suit Samus's forward smash do not cause the flames effects on her boot to terminate after the second kick.
  • On the official site, Zero Suit Samus's blue shorts costume is placed before the orange shorts costume, while in-game, the order of the two is swapped.

Notes[edit]

1.^ translates to "Aerial Cartwheel" or "Side Somersault"