Captain Falcon (SSB4): Difference between revisions

*{{buff|Captain Falcon [[walk]]s faster (0.85 → 0.94).}}

*{{buff|Captain Falcon [[dash]]es faster (2.18 → 2.32).}}

*{{buff|Neutral attack's second hit can now either transition into the [[Gentleman]] alone, or skip to the neutral infinite if the attack button is pressed repeatedly, instead of performing both in succession. This makes the move much more versatile, allowing it to either quickly launch targets away with the Gentleman, or rack up damage more reliably with the infinite. Gentleman also launches at a lower angle (70° → [[Sakurai angle|361°]]) and has drastically more knockback akin to the ''Melee'' version (10/0 (base)/50/70 (scaling) → 70/100), making it safer on hit and allowing it to KO near edges.}}

*{{nerf|All hits of neutral attack except the second hit deal less damage (3% → 2% (hit 1), 6% (clean)/5% (late) → 5% (Gentleman), 2% (near)/1% (far) → 1% (infinite)). The first hit also has more ending lag (frame 16 → 18), worsening its [[jab cancel]]ing ability. Lastly, Gentleman has slightly smaller hitboxes (6.2u → 6u), and its duration is shorter (frames 6-9 → 6-8) due to the late hit being removed.}}

*{{change|Gentleman has a higher [[hitlag]] multiplier (1× → 1.2×). This makes it safer on [[shield]], but easier to [[DI]].}}

*{{buff|Neutral infinite has different angles (361°/90° → 85°/75°/90°), slightly higher knockback (0 (base)/50/20 (scaling) → 15/8 (base)/50/30 (scaling)), and deals no hitlag due to its much lower multiplier (1× → 0.3×), making it impossible to [[SDI]]. One of its hitboxes is also larger (4u → 4.2u) and positioned directly in front of Captain Falcon for every hit, regardless of the punches' different angles. Altogether, these changes allow it to connect much more reliably. Lastly, neutral infinite has received a finisher, a short straight-punch.}}

*{{buff|[[Forward tilt]] has less ending lag when not angled (frame 37 → 32) and angled downward (frame 32 → 31), and deals consistent base knockback when angled downward (0/10 → 10).}}

*{{nerf|Forward tilt deals less damage when not angled (10%/9% → 9%/8%) and angled upward (11%/10% → 10%/9%).}}

*{{buff|[[Up tilt]] now [[meteor smash]]es aerial opponents if the heel is landed (361° → 275°), greatly improving its KOing and edgeguarding potential. The non-meteor smash hitboxes on the other hand launch at a higher angle (361° → 60°), which coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling grants them some combo ability from low to mid percents.}}

*{{nerf|Up tilt deals less damage (13% → 11%), with knockback not fully compensated on the non-meteor hitboxes (50 (base)/80 (scaling) → 35/22 (base, non-meteor/meteor)/100 (scaling)), hindering their KO potential. It also has a shorter duration (frames 17-22 → 17-20), and the heel hitboxes are smaller (6.5u → 6u (non-meteor)/3.5u (meteor)).}}

*{{buff|[[Down tilt]] now always sends opponents at a [[semi-spike]] trajectory (80°/40°/20° → 25°), and has increased knockback (25 (base)/75 (scaling) → 38/80), allowing it to [[edgeguard]] and set up [[tech-chase]]s more effectively. It also has less ending lag (frame 37 → 35).}}

*{{nerf|Due to its altered angle, down tilt has lost all of its combo potential outside of tech-chasing. Its also has a shorter duration (frames 11-15 → 11-12).}}

*{{buff|[[Dash attack]] has larger hitboxes (6u (clean)/4.5u (late) → 6.2u/4.8u), higher knockback (80/65 (base, clean/late)/40 (scaling) → 90/50), and its clean hit deals more damage (8% → 10%), while its late hit launches at a higher angle (40° → 65°). This improves its approach potential, and coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, its combo potential.}}

*{{nerf|Forward smash has increased startup (frame 18 → 19).}}

*{{buff|[[Forward smash]] has increased knockback (20 (base)/85 (scaling) → 24 (base)/95/83 (scaling)), and deals more damage (18% → 20%) with a lower launch trajectory (40° → 38°) when angled downward, improving its KO potential. It also has a longer duration (frames 18-20 → 19-22).}}

*{{nerf|Captain Falcon can no longer do a two-hit forward smash with [[battering item]]s, nor can he fire multiple stars at once with the [[Star Rod]].}}

*{{buff|[[Up smash]]'s first hit has different angles (90°/100° → 95°/110°) and higher [[set knockback]] (80/100 → 120/140) on its lower leg hitboxes, and its upper leg hitboxes have gained set knockback (0 → 20). This allows it to connect more reliably into the second hit, which has slightly increased knockback scaling (102/103/110 → 104/106/112) and larger hitboxes (4.8u → 6u/5.5u/5u). The changes to hitstun canceling also grant the move combo potential against fast-fallers at low to mid percents.}}

*{{nerf|Up smash's first hit deals less damage on its lower leg hitboxes (8% → 6%), and one of them is smaller (6.72u → 6u). Both hits also have a shorter duration (frames 22-23 (hit 1)/28-29 (hit 2) → 22/28).}}

*{{buff|[[Down smash]]'s front hit no longer has a hitbox that deals 6% with set knockback, making it more reliable. The back hit also deals more damage (16% → 18%), improving its KO potential.}}

*{{nerf|Down smash's front hit deals less damage (16% → 14%) with its knockback scaling not fully compensated (85 → 90), hindering its KO potential. Both it and the back hit also have smaller hitboxes (6u/5u/4.5u/4u → 4.5u/4.2u/3.7u).}}

*{{change|Down smash's front hit no longer has [[indirect]] hitboxes. The back hit has a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 1.2×), making it safer on shield, but easier to DI.}}

*{{buff|[[Neutral aerial]] has increased knockback scaling (125 → 130), improving its edgeguarding potential. The changes to hitstun canceling also grant it much better combo potential at low to mid percents, especially into itself.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more landing lag (9 → 12 frames).}}

*{{buff|[[Knee Smash]] is much easier to combo into at mid percents due to up aerial's new angle and the changes to hitstun canceling.}}

*{{buff|The increased [[shieldstun]], 19% damage increase on shields and changes to shield hitlag improve Knee Smash, back aerial and up aerial's shield pressuring potentials, with the latter two now being safe on shield with properly timed landings.}}

*{{nerf|Knee Smash has increased ending (frame 40 → 46) and landing lag (22 → 30 frames), and [[autocancel]]s later (frame 35 → 42), no longer doing so in a short hop. Its late hit also has a lower [[trip]] chance (30% → 20%).}}

*{{buff|[[Back aerial]] has consistent base knockback (20/0 → 25).}}

*{{nerf|Clean back aerial deals less damage (14% → 13%).}}

*{{buff|Clean [[up aerial]] launches at a higher angle (361° → 70°), making it much more effective for combos.}}

*{{nerf|Up aerial deals less damage (13%/12% → 11%/10% (clean), 12%/10% → 10%/9% (late)), hindering its KO potential despite its base knockback being slightly increased (10 (clean)/8 (late) → 16/10). It also autocancels later (frame 22 → 24), and due to the clean hit's higher angle, it can only edgeguard effectively with the late hit.}}

*{{buff|[[Down aerial]]'s meteor hitbox is noticeably larger (4.5u → 5.9u). Coupled with the removal of [[meteor canceling]], this drastically improves its edgeguarding potential.}}

*{{nerf|Due to Captain Falcon's higher gravity, down aerial can no longer autocancel in a short hop.}}

*{{buff|Forward and down throws have less ending lag. Coupled with the changes to hitstun canceling, this allows the former to start combos from low to mid percents, and the latter to start combos even up to high percents, despite its knockback being increased (75 (base)/34 (scaling) → 80/45).}}  

*{{buff|[[Forward throw]] has significantly increased knockback (45 (base)/105 (scaling) → 55/120), improving its KO potential.}}

*{{buff|[[Back throw]] has significantly increased base knockback (30 → 60), improving its KO potential near edges and allowing it to set up edgeguards more effectively.}}

*{{buff|[[Up throw]] deals more knockback (70 (base)/105 (scaling) → 80/110), allowing it to KO floaty or lightweight characters on stages with platforms or low ceilings.}}

*{{nerf|[[Down throw]] deals less damage (7% → 6%).}}

*{{buff|Edge attack no longer has set knockback (110 (set)/100 (scaling) → 90 (base)/20 (scaling)).}}

*{{nerf|Edge attack deals less damage (10% → 7%).}}

*{{buff|Falcon Punch can no longer be SDIed (1× → 0×). It also has a higher hitlag multiplier (1x → 1.5x), which alongside the increased shieldstun and 19% damage increase to shields improves its shield pressuring ability.}}

*{{nerf|[[Falcon Punch]] has significantly decreased knockback (30 (base)/93 (scaling) → 0/90), making it weaker than his fully charged forward smash unless reversed on the ground. It also has more ending lag (frame 100 (non-reversed)/108 (reversed) → 110/118), which combined with the removed base knockback makes it unsafe on hit at low percents. Lastly, it has smaller hitboxes (5u/3.5u → 4u/2.5u).}}

*{{change|Falcon Punch deals consistent damage for all its versions. This overall increases the reversed versions' damage (28%/26%/24% → 28% (grounded), 27%/24%/23% → 25% (aerial)), and averages the non-reversed grounded version's damage (27%/25%/23% → 25%), but overall decreases the non-reversed aerial version's damage (26%/23%/22% → 22%).}}

*{{buff|[[Raptor Boost]] deals more damage (7% → 9% (grounded)/8% (aerial)). Grounded Raptor Boost also deals more shield damage (2 → 4), launches at a higher angle (80° → 85°), and has increased knockback scaling (52 → 75), significantly improving its KO potential especially with [[rage]]. Lastly, it no longer dashes off edges, making it harder to [[self-destruct]] with.}}

*{{nerf|Grounded Raptor Boost's attack has a smaller hitbox (8u → 7u) and more ending lag (frame 26 → 36). Aerial Raptor Boost is also no longer a guaranteed meteor smash on aerial opponents (270° → 60°/275°), making it much harder to edgeguard with. Furthermore, both versions have a higher hitlag multiplier (1× → 2×), making them easier to DI, while still being unsafe on shield due to the grounded version's higher ending lag and the aerial version's landing lag.}}

*{{buff|[[Falcon Dive]] covers more distance while losing less momentum, improving Captain Falcon's recovery.}}

*{{nerf|The removal of grab armor removes the minimal protection Falcon Dive provided, leaving Captain Falcon more vulnerable to edgeguarding.}}

*{{change|Falcon Dive's angle has been altered (361° → 50°). It has a modified animation after the attack's explosion, where Captain Falcon does a flourishing backflip before righting himself.}}

*{{nerf|Grounded [[Falcon Kick]] has more startup (frame 15 → 18) and ending lag (frame 70 → 74). Aerial Falcon Kick's clean hit also has lower knockback scaling (70 → 60), hindering its KO potential.}}

*{{buff|Grounded Falcon Kick's clean hit deals drastically more knockback (50 (base)/70 (scaling) → 60/80) and launches at a higher angle (45° → 80°), while its mid and late hits have more base knockback (62 (mid)/50 (late) → 90/80), improving its KO potential. Its late hit also lasts longer (frames 26-33 → 29-38). Lastly, aerial Falcon Kick's late hit has higher knockback scaling (60 → 65).}}

*{{change|Grounded Falcon Kick's mid hit's angle has been altered (85° → 68°).}}

Captain Falcon has been slightly [[nerf]]ed in most balance patches so far, mostly to his KO power. However, changes to the shield mechanics in [[1.1.0]] and [[1.1.1]] have indirectly buffed Falcon, as the increase in [[shieldstun]] and the application of [[hitlag]] on shields benefit many of his moves, improving his offensive playstyle.

*{{buff|Non-angled and up-angled forward smash's knockback scalings have been minimally increased, now KOing about 1-2% sooner. Down-angled forward smash also launches at a lower angle.}}

*{{nerf|Up aerial deals less damage, making it weaker for KOing despite its base knockback being slightly increased.}}

{|class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align:center"

!Change!!Old value!!New value

*{{nerf|Back aerial deals less damage|14%|13%.}}

*{{nerf|Neutral infinite finisher's horizontal displacement has been reduced|14u/19u|10u/15u.}}

*{{buff|Wind-Up Raptor Boost deals more damage|8% ground/7% air|9%/8%.}}

|neutraldesc=Two straight punches followed by [[Gentleman|a knee strike]]. Alternatively, the first two punches can be followed by a series of punches, culminating in an underhand punch that has very high base knockback. The infinite and underhand punch have deceptively high range.

|ftiltdesc=A roundhouse kick. Can be [[angle]]d, which increases its damage. Useful for spacing and [[lock]]ing.

|utiltdesc=An axe kick with good horizontal knockback. Can be used to continue or start combos at mid percents. It is a powerful [[meteor smash]] on aerial opponents if the heel is landed, colloquially referred to as the "Heel of Shame". However, it has very slow startup for a tilt.

|dtiltdesc=A sweep kick with [[Semi-spike|horizontal knockback]]. Great for edgeguarding due to its trajectory, but has noticeable startup.

|dashdesc=A shoulder tackle. Useful for punishing landings due to its distance covered, and can be used to set up an aerial attack.

|fsmashdesc=Rears back and performs a lunging elbow strike with a [[flame]] effect. It has deceptively long horizontal range due to Captain Falcon leaning forward, and boasts enough knockback to KO middleweights between 90% and 100% from the center of {{SSB4|Final Destination}}. However, it has slow startup and high ending lag.

|usmashdesc=Performs a spinning double hop-kick. A potent move that despite its slow startup, has low ending lag and deceptive horizontal range. Both hits deal more damage at the upper portion of Captain Falcon's leg. At low to mid percents, it can combo into an up aerial against fast-fallers.

|dsmashdesc=Kicks forwards and then backwards. The back kick is more powerful, KOing middleweights under 110% from center stage.

|nairdesc=Kicks forwards twice. A decent follow-up option after a down throw. Can combo into itself or an up aerial, as well as a neutral attack or grab by connecting only the first hit and quickly landing with the move.

|fairdesc=A knee strike. It has very high knockback and an [[electric]] effect if sweetspotted, but is incredibly weak if sourspotted. Reliably KOs below 90% from center stage and even earlier near the edge, and is the strongest forward aerial in the game, while having only moderate startup and ending lag. However, it has short reach, along with a very small sweetspot that lasts for only one frame, possesses very high landing lag, and cannot autocancel in a short hop, making it extremely difficult to sweetspot without set-ups.

|bairdesc=A quick backhanded strike. Has low landing lag with decent range, and autocancels in a [[SHFF]], so it is one of Captain Falcon's best approach options. It can also Ccombo into a dash attack or grab on landing at low percents, and has respectable power, KOing middleweights at around 135% from center stage when clean.

|uairdesc=A flip kick. Has fast startup with a decently long duration, good all-around range (though not directly below him), low ending lag, minimal landing lag, low base knockback and autocancels in a short hop. All these attributes make it an excellent combo move. Depending on percent and positioning, it combos into itself and any other aerial. At mid to high percents, an up aerial on a grounded opponent can combo into a down aerial meteor smash, which is deadly at the ledge, or alternatively Knee Smash, usually guaranteeing a KO. It is also a decent KOing option on its own, KOing below 150% near the upper blast line, and the late hit is a weak [[semi-spike]] that is effective against opponents with poor horizontal recoveries. Captain Falcon can also land with an up aerial after hitting an opponent with Falcon Dive, as he sustains less landing lag than the [[RCO lag]] he would sustain otherwise.

|dairdesc=Stomps downward. A strong meteor smash when sweetspotted at his legs, but deals high horizontal knockback nonetheless if sourspotted. It can notably lock opponents at low to mid percents.

|grabdesc=Reaches out with a backhanded swing. Captain Falcon's grab range is short, but his dash grab has deceptively long range due to propelling him a long distance forward.

|fthrowdesc=Punches the enemy, sending them forward. Can be followed up with a dash attack. It can also lead into a [[pivot]]ed forward tilt lock at low percents, but this only works if the opponent misses their [[tech]].

|bthrowdesc=Puts the enemy behind him and kicks them backwards. Can KO at high percentages near the edge, starting at 150%.

|dthrowdesc=Swings the foe overhead and then slams them on the ground with a single arm. Can be followed up reliably with neutral air, up air and Knee Smash. It is his only throw that consists of a single hit and is weight dependent.

|nsdefdesc=-Winds up and releases his iconic fiery punch. Turning around while using the move increases its power, but slightly increases its startup lag, while landing an aerial punch lowers its power. Inputting a direction (up or down) when charging Falcon Punch in the air will give a slight boost in that direction, which also applies for custom variants.

|ssdefdesc=Dashes forward, performing an uppercut on the ground if an opponent is in range, or a downswing in the air. The grounded version can KO middleweights at around 125% without rage, while the aerial version can meteor smash opponents below Captain Falcon.  

|ssc1desc= Mre startup and travels a low distance, but has more power and super armor.

|ssc2name=Wind-Up Raptor Boost

|usdefdesc=Leaps upward and grabs any opponent that comes in range, launching them away with an explosion. If successful, Captain Falcon will flip backward while shouting "YES!", and can use the move again instead of becoming [[helpless]].

|dsdefdesc=Bursts forward with a flaming high-speed kick. If used in the air, he will plunge down at a diagonal angle. The grounded version launches vertically and KOs middleweights at around 120% when clean, while the aerial version launches horizontally and has a landing hitbox.  

|dsc2desc=A faster-moving kick that is much weaker and has more startup, but goes right through opponents. Using it in midair stalls Captain Falcon when the move completes. The landing hit [[paralyze]]s opponents.

|fsdesc=Calls in the Blue Falcon, which crashes through the stage in front of him. Should it hit an opponent, a short cutscene plays where they are run over and sent flying. Characters who are not hit will stay in place until the end of the move. Like certain other Final Smashes, if no one is hit when the Blue Falcon appears, the attack fails.