Incineroar (SSBU): Difference between revisions

|ranking = 52

:{{cquote|''Incineroar Enters the Ring!''|cite=Introduction tagline}}

Incineroar is ranked 52nd out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the C+ tier. Incineroar's main strength is its high damage power especially when fighting up close. It has several moves that have fast frame data and large hitboxes, which allows it to rack up damage quickly. In addition, Incineroar possesses several strong KO options, including three of its throws, [[Alolan Whip]], and most of its aerials. All of its moves are further powered up thanks to [[Revenge]], which allows Incineroar to not only tank a hit, but also deal even more damage the next time it attacks. Finally, Revenge and Incineroar's heavyweight allow it to survive to higher percents and take advantage of rage, making it even deadlier.  

*Incineroar will display various animations after using its neutral attack, dash attack, all smash attacks and Alolan Whip; it strikes a boastful pose if an attack hits, and expresses frustration if it misses (during its smash attacks). Aside from neutral attack's third hit, all of these animations are [[interruptible]]. All pose-inducing attacks (excluding neutral attack's third hit) also result in a crowd (separate from the standard [[crowd]]) cheering in response.

*Incineroar continuously receives damage while [[swimming]]. This trait is shared with {{SSBU|Charizard}}, {{SSBU|Sonic}}, and {{SSBU|Inkling}}. This references Incineroar being susceptible to water due to being a Fire-type Pokémon.

|ftiltdesc=A knifehand thrust. Can be angled. It is a [[semi-spike]] and deals high damage for a tilt attack of its speed. It is the strongest forward tilt in the game in regard to KO potential; it KOs at 80% from the edge of {{SSBU|Final Destination}}, and at 116% from the center. Despite possessing a sourspot, it is practically impossible to land unless initiated at very close range due to the sweetspot taking priority over the sourspot. It appears almost identical to the [[bulbapedia:Pokémon anime|''Pokémon'' anime]]'s depiction of {{iw|bulbapedia|Throat Chop}}.

|fsmashdesc=An [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Enzuigiri|enzuigiri]]. If it lands, Incineroar will gloat with its arms spread out, similarly to its down taunt. Conversely, it will fold its arms and clench its fists in dismay if it misses, though this animation is rarely seen due to the attack being interruptible before it plays. It has decent range and a sweetspot on Incineroar's foot; the sweetspot is strong enough to KO at 39% from the edge of Final Destination, and inflicts high [[shield damage]] as well. It is also fairly fast in spite of its power, thanks to it coming out on frame 16, but its high ending makes it easy to punish, especially on shield. Although its sourspot has a respectable damage output, its knockback values result in its KO potential being underwhelming in comparison. Despite being small, the sourspot also takes priority over the sweetspot.

|usmashdesc=An upward [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Double axe handle|double axe handle]]. If it lands, Incineroar will look to the sky and point upward, and it will clench its fists in dismay if it misses. It is Incineroar's fastest smash attack, both start-up and endlag-wise. It starts at ground level and has a rather big hitbox that covers the front of Incineroar and even reaches slightly behind it. It also grants intangibility to Incineroar's arms and hands throughout its active frames (frames 13-18). Although its damage output is respectable and consistent, these traits are counterbalanced slightly by its below-average knockback scaling. It KOs at 116% on Final Destination.

|dsmashdesc=A [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Big splash|jumping splash]]. If it lands, Incineroar will point its finger upward while on the floor, and it will pound its fist on the ground angrily if it misses. As Incineroar leaves the ground while using the move, it can dodge ground attacks and act as a hard [[punish]]. It inflicts moderately high shield damage and, like forward smash, it is incredibly powerful, KOing at 62% from the edge of Final Destination. However, it has considerable start-up and ending lag, being Incineroar's laggiest smash attack in both regards.

|bthrowdesc=A {{h2|wikipedia:Suplex|German suplex}}. When used right at the edge, it is potentially even stronger than {{SSBU|Ness}}' back throw, as it is capable of KOing at 90% from the edge of Final Destination. It can even [[OHKO]] the lightest characters at the edge of stages while boosted by [[Revenge]]. While further away from the edge, however, Incineroar's back throw is considerably weaker than Ness', and is actually outclassed by {{SSBU|Zelda}}, {{SSBU|Dr. Mario}}, and {{SSBU|Isabelle}}'s back throws in addition to Ness'. Incineroar has higher knockback until about 120%; thereafter, Ness' back throw becomes stronger due to its higher knockback scaling. It can also hit bystanders, as it launches them at a lower angle and KOs them even earlier (at 75%).

|nsdesc=[[bulbapedia:Darkest Lariat (move)|Spins rapidly to perform a series of discus lariats]] and [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Spinning backfist|spinning backfists]]. It hits multiple times, with each hit becoming progressively weaker, but they launch opponents away instead of linking into each other. Incineroar gains [[invincibility]] during the move (frames 5 and 6 on its whole body, frame 7 on its head and arms, and frames 8-57 on its arms). It has extremely minimal start-up, and the entire move possesses [[transcendent priority]]; combined with its arm invincibility, this allows it to break through opposing attacks and weaker [[projectile]]s, aside from moves with sufficient range. Incineroar can move left or right slowly by holding a direction, and it even slows Incineroar's descent, though its slow speed means it is not suitable for recovery. Its early hit KOs at 108% from the edge of Final Destination.

|ssdesc=A [[command grab]] involving Incineroar lunging a short distance forward to grab an opponent. The opponent is then thrown against wrestling ropes that appear after the grab connects. Depending on when the special or attack button is pressed after grabbing an opponent, Incineroar will perform one of three different moves: a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling strikes#Lariat|lariat]] that launches the opponent the direction Incineroar is facing (input just as the opponent touches Incineroar); a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Back body drop|back body drop]] that launches the opponent vertically (input any time after the opponent rebounds); or a failed attempt that causes the victim to collide against Incineroar's head, dealing 4% to both (too late/no input). Upon executing the lariat, Incineroar poses with its arms in the air and performs "devil horn" signs with both its paws, while tilting its head upward. The lariat deals 20% and can KO at 72% from the edge of Final Destination. The back body drop deals 12% and can KO at 159% (or earlier when used near the upper blast line and/or on a stage with a low ceiling). Although the collision cannot KO at all, it can be used to simultaneously help Incineroar recover and [[gimp]] the opponent. During the throw, Incineroar gains [[heavy armor]] that withstands 11.99%. If the opponent is hit out of the move, Incineroar will shrug toward the screen. It does not cause [[helpless]]ness, which allows Incineroar to use it to extend its recovery.

At the start of ''Ultimate'', Incineroar was considered a mid-tier fighter by most professionals thanks to its raw power and threatening KO potential. Incineroar also attained a decent amount of success from players, especially {{Sm|Magister}}, who placed well at both regional and majors. However, as the metagame progressed, Incineroar's sluggish movement began to work against it as it was unable to keep up with the fast, agile characters that were in the metagame. Likewise, Incineroar's representation also suffered, especially following Magister's lower activity and performance. As such, opinions on Incineroar fell, with many professionals considering it to be a low-tier or even bottom-tier character.

The post-pandemic metagame saw a revival for Incineroar as dedicated mains began showcasing Incineroar's grappler archetype, specifically its high damage and KO potential. In particular, {{Sm|Skyjay}}'s greater presence on the continental scene helped improve Incineroar's representation as Skyjay began consistently placing highly at majors, becoming a consistent top 50 threat by the end of 2021. Due to Incineroar's improving results, players reassessed Incineroar as a mid-tier once again, which is reflected in its position on the current tier list, where it is ranked 64th as a lower-mid tier on the first official tier list. Since then, many players argued that Incineroar should be ranked even higher, especially following an explosion of strong results from Skyjay which included his 2nd-place finish at {{Trn|Collision 2023}}. This vast rise in success for Incineroar throughout the year of 2023, primarily spearhead by strong results from Skyjay, would result in further improvement to its perception, resulting in Incineroar rising 12 spots and ranking 52nd on the second and current tier list as a mid tier, an improvement from its perceived low tier status in the early metagame.

|rowspan="2"|{{iw|xenoserieswiki|Dromarch}}

|{{iw|rhwiki|Forthington}}

**Incineroar's Japanese voice clips are much more muffled and lower in quality than in other languages, likely because Ishizuka was not able to return for ADR before his death, resulting in the development team having to use the voice clips as they originally were. Oddly, however, the voice clips appear to be in much higher quality in the Japanese version of its reveal trailer.

*Aside from touching [[Pac-Jump]]'s red trampoline, Incineroar cannot render itself [[helpless]] apart from a very specific condition, this being landing with a [[Cross Chop]] and failing to touch solid ground during the initial rebound. It shares this trait with {{SSBU|Kirby}}, who can only experience helplessness if he slides off an edge during [[Final Cutter]] or by copying {{SSBU|Meta Knight}} and using [[Mach Tornado]] in the air.