Pikachu (SSB)

This article is about Pikachu's appearance in Super Smash Bros. For other uses, see Pikachu.

Pikachu
Pikachu
Universe	Pokémon
Appears in	SSB SSBM SSBB
Availability	Starter
Tier	S (1)

Pikachu (ピカチュウ, Pikachū) is a starter character in Super Smash Bros. and is notorious for its high priority aerials, good edgeguarding ability, and superb recovery. A versatile character with very few weaknesses, a player opposing a Pikachu should never rush straight at the opponent, as its aerials can out-prioritize almost any move. It is currently ranked number one on the tier list. Isai, the top Super Smash Bros. player, uses Pikachu.

Description

Pikachu
Mouse PKMN
Height 1'4"
Weight 13lbs
When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could cause lightning storms.
(Pokédex excerpt)

Works: Pokémon (GB)

Attributes

Pikachu is a small, very quick character with high-priority moves, great finishers, a projectile that can be used for approach, and a powerful Back throw. Its Thunder Jolt is a relatively underused attack, but can be used for approach. Quick Attack is arguably the best Triple Jump in Super Smash Bros., as it can be extended to be incredibly useful in recovery situations, or as a resort to leave battle to evade an attack to start a combo. Its edgeguarding abilities are very impressive, adding to its infinite edge stall. Pikachu is known as being the only character in ssb64 who can go all the way off the stage to edgeguard. Pikachu is also known for 3 great combo starters: forward-throw (for starting combos with the other moves), f-air, and d-air. Its attacks, most notably f-smash, have strange hitboxes, and f-smash is an excellent finisher as well. Its comboing ability is amazing, most notably Thunder-spiking, which involves using an up smash, and while the opponent is high enough, hit them with Thunder, the only attack in the game with infinite vertical range. Forward tilt, like most others, in an exceptional combo in U-smash. Overall, Pikachu has only a few even matchups, with the main ones being Fox on Hyrule Castle and Captain Falcon, and in every other matchup, Pikachu is at least 60-40.

The problems Pikachu faces are small, but still noticeable. It is easily comboed, along with the fact it is light weight, despite usually being able to get out of bad situations with its high priority attacks. Pikachu also has low range, especially on grabs. Its up-b, despite its invincibility frames and wonderful range, leaves Pikachu vulnerable. If one can get over these small issues, Pikachu will be a huge asset.

Normal Moves

A Attacks

• A - headbutt-2%
• Rapid A - '2%, then 1% per headbutt, without proper di, this can break a shield against a wall

• Forward tilt - light kick-9%*
• Down tilt - tail sweep-12%, normally used against walls/against certain people's recoveries (Fox, Captain Falcon, Samus, etc.)
• Up tilt - Vertical Kick-8%, a very fun move with very high priority. can combo multiple times without the opponent escaping, simple to combo with up smash and up tilt etc.

• Forward smash - Thunder jolt-16%, very high priority, one of the best killing moves, can be slightly aimed up/down but barely
• Down smash - Break dance-16/14% (forward hit 16, back hit 14), a less used and slightly less powerful version of the forward smash, randomly used (mindgames)
• Up smash - Flip-14% very powerful, similar to falcon but more range, slower, and with more lag, can combo multiple ones with heavy chars also using up tilt and it into aerials and down b, a good killing move, high priority

• Dash attack - Sliding Headbutt-8% barely used, can be used for finishing but BARELY

• Nair - Aerial Kick-14% a combo starter for pros, made better by isai*, a combo starter/finisher, high priority and powerful hit box
• Fair - aerial thunder jolt-6 hits, 2%/hit, a combo starter
• Bair - Back Kick-14%, very powerful, a combo ender/starter, high priority
• Dair - downward jolt-10-12, 3 on ground if not shuffzed%
• Uair - upward tail-8% depending on area of tail, a comboer

Throws

• Forward throw-14%
• Back throw-18%

Taunt

• Turns to its left, stands on tiptoes, lowers its tail, waves its arms four times, and looks to its left then to its right, accompanied by it saying "Pika Pika!" (the "a" is much longer in the second "Pika").

Special Moves

Pikachu's special moves

Neutral special	Thunder Jolt
Up special	Quick Attack
Down special	Thunder

Combos and General Strategy

Extended Quick Attack

Pikachu's already long up B can be extended even farther by letting the analog stick snap back to neutral position before the end of the second quick attack. This can also be used on the first quick attack but runs a high risk of missing the second quick attack.

Extended Quick Attack 2 (Or Sing & Dash)

If Jigglypuff is using its Up-B (Sing), and Pikachu Quick attacks into it, Pikachu's recovery blasts off into a quick burst of speed which reaches a farther range, and moves faster. However, This technique is practically useless, due to the fact that to get into a situation where it would be advantageous to do this, and then to pull it off correctly, while a Jigglypuff just happens to be singing, is extremely low.

Thunder-Spiking

Launching the opponent straight up (usually with an Up smash) and using Thunder (Pikachu's Down B) is called "Thunder-Spiking." Thunder-Spiking is usually used as a combo finisher. Unlike Pikachu's Thunder in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Thunder in Super Smash Bros. has infinite vertical range. This technique allows Pikachu to get a vertical kill at around 40% damage sooner than just a normal Up smash.

Costume Gallery

File:Alt-pikachu.jpg

Pikachu's changeable clothing in SSB