List of flaws in artificial intelligence (SSB4)

The following is a list of flaws in the artificial intelligence of Super Smash Bros. 4, present in both games up to the most recent version (1.1.7) unless otherwise stated.

Update history
 1.0.5  1.0.6  1.0.8  1.1.0  1.1.1  1.1.3
 * AI is matched to that of, significantly improving it. In addition, some other changes were made:
 * CPUs now instantly shoot to the ledge of the stage with their up special when underneath it, preventing them from self-destructing in an attempt to dodge attacks while recovering.
 * CPU Luigi, Sheik and Zero Suit Samus now use their down specials to recover, though Luigi uses it without rising.
 * CPU Bowser Jr. now uses Clown Kart Dash to recover.
 * CPU Ness at high levels no longer uses PK Flash on land, now using it only for edge guards.
 * CPUs now unleash a fully charged smash attack on a foe stunned from a broken shield, instead of a random attack.
 * CPUs now attempt to steal ledges from foes.
 * CPUs with multiple jumps no longer hover by the ledge of the stage when recovering.
 * CPUs wait for a couple of seconds before using Share Stock.
 * CPU Luigi properly rises when using Luigi Cyclone to recover. He now combos his down throw into two forward airs instead of an up air.
 * CPU Bowser Jr. uses Clown Kart Dash on land much more often and now uses the hammer when recovering with Abandon Ship.
 * CPU Marth and Lucina perform all hits of Dancing Blade more often but have a higher tendency of using the move.
 * CPU Sonic now uses Spin Dash before his midair jump to recover.
 * CPU Mii Brawler now uses Feint Jump to recover.
 * CPUs with z-airs now integrate them into midair combat.
 * CPUs use down throws more often, and additionally, more CPU characters such as Ness and Link are coded to use down throw combos.
 * CPU Mr. Game & Watch now combos his down throw into an up air or Judge.
 * CPU Robin now combos his down throw into a jab or up tilt.
 * CPU R.O.B. now combos his down throw into an up air.
 * CPU Ike now uses Eruption against foes on ledges instead of Quick Draw.
 * A bug causing CPUs to do nothing at all on custom stages with a certain setup has been fixed.

Specific setups
In comparison to other Smash games, the AI in Smash 4 since the release of the Wii U version has been coded to always combo the throws (majorly down throws) of most characters into a certain attack (usually an aerial or special move) when at high levels. This greatly improves the CPUs' damage racking capacities, although it can also result in them missing their followup attack and becoming vulnerable if the opponent has some damage already and reacts with proper DI since the CPU will often jump in the same way and attack at a specific interval instead of trying to read the opponent's DI. Additionally, some CPUs such as Olimar will not use any attacks out of their down throw despite having potential setups, such as forward air in the case of Olimar, while others such as Mewtwo will do so even if their down throw doesn't allow any guaranteed combos.

In addition to this, high-level CPUs will sometimes followup the setup hits of some jabs into another move rather than always using the full jab, an example being CPU Captain Falcon using Falcon Dive after his second jab. As with the case above, however, not all of these are inescapable, and some even leave the CPUs more punishable than if they hadn't used the move at all.

Some known CPU setups are:

Out of jabs

 * Bowser: First jab to Bowser Bomb.
 * Rosalina, Bowser Jr., and Mewtwo: Second jab to down tilt.
 * Palutena: First jab twice to down smash.
 * Fox and Mewtwo: Second jab (first in Mewtwo's case) to grab.
 * Captain Falcon: Second jab to Falcon Dive.

Out of down throws

 * Neutral attack: Robin.
 * Up tilt: Link, Lucas (at low percentages), Robin.
 * Dash attack: Falco, Mewtwo, Pac-Man, Sonic.
 * Up smash: Pit and Dark Pit (at low percentages).
 * Neutral air: Ike, Lucas.
 * Forward air: Luigi, Rosalina, Samus, Zero Suit Samus, Pit, Palutena, King Dedede, Lucario, Ness*, Dark Pit, Mega Man, Mii Swordfighter.
 * Back air: Diddy Kong.
 * Up air: Mr. Game & Watch, Diddy Kong, Sheik, Pit, Ike, R.O.B., Dr. Mario, Dark Pit, Lucas, Ryu, Mii Brawler.
 * Super Jump Punch: Mario.
 * Luigi Cyclone: Luigi.
 * Wizard's Foot: Ganondorf.
 * Boost Kick: Zero Suit Samus.
 * Shuttle Loop: Meta Knight**.
 * Judge: Mr. Game & Watch.
 * Helicopter Kick: Mii Brawler.

* Always uses the move twice, immediately midair jumping before the second use.

** Uses forward air instead if a custom move is over Shuttle Loop.