Pichu (SSBM)/Forward smash

Overview
Pichu charges electricity from its cheek pouches before leaning forward and aggressively releasing it. Comes out on frame 16 and ends on frame 49.

Application
Forward smash excels at edgeguarding fast-fallers such as, , and , where Pichu can use its low hitboxes to make recovering an arduous task. This is especially prominent if characters like Falco are unable to sweetspot the ledge, making it far easier for Pichu to edgehog. The move's sourspots can be used to surprise the aforementioned fast-fallers near the ledge, which can cause them to flub their recovery and subsequently self-destruct. The move can also be used after a jab reset, where Pichu can capitalize off their tech animations. Pichu is able to more effectively pressure opponents near the ledge, since their options are more limited there. Lastly, Pichu can use it as a situational neutral tool, allowing it to circumvent its difficulty in landing the move otherwise. Pichu's forward smash, while potent as an edgeguarding tool, is rarely seen elsewhere, as it fails to protect Pichu from hits above or behind it, which can allow the opponent a free punish. Using it to call out ledge invincibility positions is risky, since this can lead to prediction battles for Pichu.

Overall, Pichu’s forward smash excels at its niche in advantage, while the move’s applications elsewhere requires players to carefully practice in order to fully synergise it with its other moves, like its neutral aerial or Thunder Jolts.

Hitboxes

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