Luigi (SSBU): Difference between revisions

Luigi is ranked 39th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing him at the end of B+ tier. This is a slight drop from his high tier placement ''SSB4'', where he was ranked 18th out of 54 characters. Similarly to [[Mario (SSBU)|his brother]], Luigi has excellent frame data, with low [[startup]] and [[ending lag]] on the majority of his kit, making him a very difficult character to punish. He has an outstanding air game, with one of the best jumping abilities of the roster and strong aerials with fast startup, low ending lag (except neutral and back aerials) and landing lag, and lenient [[auto-cancel]] windows, with all of them being able to auto-cancel from a short hop, and he can autocancel all of them in a short hop fast fall except for neutral aerial. His forward and up aerials in particular have such low ending lag that he can use two forward aerials or two up aerials in a short hop and still autocancel them. Additionally, Luigi boasts incredible combo ability and solid KO power: his [[down throw]] is one of the best combo starters in the game, and allows him to either perform consistent [[zero-to-death]] combos on the vast majority of the roster or set up for a kill via [[Super Jump Punch]], [[Luigi Cyclone]], or a sweetspotted back aerial at high percentages. Finally, Luigi Cyclone's frame 1 [[invincibility]] when used in the air gives Luigi a reliable combo breaker.

However, Luigi still has several noticeable weaknesses. His overall mobility is sluggish, with his [[air speed]] being one of the slowest in the game. Luigi's pitifully slow air speed is an especially painful hindrance, as it makes him susceptible to [[juggling]]. Both of these weaknesses leave Luigi with a poor disadvantage state. Along with his only average grounded mobility at best, his ground game is also further brought down by his below average range, which makes it difficult for him to fight against [[camping]]. In addition, Luigi's recovery, while long-distanced, is very predictable and linear, as [[Green Missile]] doesn't leave him [[helpless]] but only grants him horizontal distance with noticeable ending lag, while Super Jump Punch only travels straight upwards with no horizontal gain, and it also possesses very high landing lag, making him vulnerable to punishes if he fails to grab the ledge. Finally, Luigi Cyclone has lost all of its recovery and gimping potential, as the move's very high ending lag and reduced distance cause him to lose what little recovery distance he got before he can act, removing one of Luigi's strongest options off-stage.  

Overall, Luigi is a polarizing character who, in the right situation, can setups for quick and unexpected KOs, but on the other hand his weaknesses, can allow opponents to take advantage of his poor mobility and predictable recovery. This has allowed him to foster a good-sized playerbase spearheaded by players such as {{Sm|Luugi}}, {{Sm|Rarukun}}, and, prior to his ban, {{Sm|Elegant}}.

Luigi is a [[Weight|middleweight]] whose attributes deviate from most other characters in his weight class. Luigi sports fairly average [[walk]]ing speed, [[dash]]ing speed, and [[air acceleration]], a decent initial dashing speed, below-average [[gravity]], slow [[falling speed]], low [[traction]], the 2nd slowest [[air speed]], and the 4th highest [[jump]]s. As a result, Luigi is quite [[floaty]] and his mobility is fairly sluggish overall, especially in the air.

Despite his extremely poor air speed, Luigi has a fantastic set of aerial attacks, courtesy of them possessing fast startup, lenient [[auto-cancel]] windows, quick [[interruptibility]] (except for neutral and back aerials) and low ending lag in general. In terms of auto-canceling, he can auto-cancel all of his aerials with a short hop, can auto-cancel all of them except neutral aerial with a short hop fast fall, and can use forward, up and down aerials twice with a single short hop. Lastly, he can use his forward and up aerials twice with a single short hop without suffering from landing lag. Neutral aerial is the only [[sex kick]] that consistently launches an opponent vertically, which grants it a few notable perks: the clean hitbox deals high damage and respectable knockback, making it a great combo breaker and even a situational KO option while near the upper [[blast line]] at high percentages, while both it and especially the late hitbox are very useful combo starters when used with a [[short hop]]. Forward aerial has the lowest ending lag of its kind and launches at the [[Sakurai angle]]; at low to medium percentages, these traits make it very reliable for [[approach]]ing, down throw-initiated combos into itself, neutral aerial and up aerial, as well as a reliable [[edge-guarding]] option at high percentages. Back aerial has the highest ending lag of Luigi's aerials by a noticeable margin, but its minimal startup, decent range and powerful clean hitbox collectively enable it to function as a safe and reliable option for KOing, edge-guarding and (when used via a [[reverse aerial rush]]) approaching. Up aerial is useful for combos: it can either extend them or, thanks to having the lowest amount of landing lag out his aerials, use its clean hitbox to start them at low percentages when SHFF'd due to its clean hit dealing above-average damage for a combo move. Its generous auto-cancel window and very low ending lag also allow Luigi to use it twice in a single short hop and still auto-cancel it successfully, a trait it shares with his forward aerial and {{SSBU|Little Mac}}'s neutral aerial. Lastly, down aerial is safe to use and has a clean hitbox which is a fast meteor smash, coming out on frame 10 and with only 18 frames of ending lag, the lowest of any meteor smash. Due to his powerful aerials with generally low lag all around, Luigi has an outstanding air game.  

As a pseudo-[[clone]] of Mario, Luigi has a pair of special moves that are derived from his older brother, yet his versions deviate in noticeable ways. [[Fireball]] is a [[projectile]] that is useful for pressuring, hindering an opponent's approach, or setting up an attack. Unlike Mario's Fireball, Luigi's is unaffected by gravity and undulates; these traits make it somewhat less effective at hindering an opponent's [[recovery]] attempt, but allow it to cover a consistent area horizontally and vertically. Compared to Mario's version, Luigi's Fireballs have less ending lag as well as a clean hit that deals more damage, allowing him to throw another one just 1 frame before the clean hitbox ceases. Luigi's [[Super Jump Punch]] has fast startup like Mario's, but propels him vertically instead of diagonally. By extension, it consists of a sweetspot and sourspot, instead of multiple hitboxes like Mario's. Its sweetspot boasts devastating power, which makes it a very potent punishment option, yet it is very risky because of its high ending and landing lag and its sourspot being mostly useless aside from being a niche gimping option.

Additionally, Luigi's poor aerial mobility hinders his ability to approach with his aerial attacks, as well as his recovery. On top of this, his recovery, although long-distanced, is linear, slow, predictable and fairly susceptible to [[gimp]]ing and edgeguarding. Luigi Cyclone barely grants any additional height compared to previous games, which leaves him reliant on [[Super Jump Punch]] and [[Green Missile]] for recovering; the former travels directly upward only, and the latter has noticeable lag, cannot [[Edge sweet spot|sweetspot edges]], and relies on either charging or its random misfire chance to cover a serviceable horizontal distance.

Overall, Luigi is a very solid character, but unlike Mario, he can have a tendency to run hot and cold. His extremely fast frame data, devastating combos and strong air game and grab game collectively make him a force to be reckoned with, so long as his opponents make careless mistakes. Luigi's overall combo game, KO potential, and advantage state are easily superior to his brother's, having many different set-ups that can deal absurdly high damage within seconds, and then score KOs immediately thereafter. However, Luigi's short range, mediocre grounded mobility, abysmal aerial mobility, and predictable side special and up special force him to fight at close-quarters all the time, hindering both his approach and recovery. Because of this, a mastery of Luigi's recovery mix-ups and powerful combo game is crucial to achieving success with him.

|usmashdesc=An upward arcing headbutt. Due to it coming out on frame 9, it is fairly quick for a smash attack, and is one of Luigi's fastest KO options. Like Mario and {{SSBU|Dr. Mario}}'s up smashes, it renders his head [[intangible]] throughout its duration. Unlike theirs, however, it consists of a sweetspot and a sourspot, the latter of which inflicts 2% less damage and is located closer to Luigi. Despite this, the sourspot is out-prioritized by the sweetspot, and is very unlikely to hit unless the opponent is practically touching him. Compared to Mario's version, it launches at a fairly lower angle, but actually KOs earlier due to its overall higher knockback. Like Dr. Mario's version, its hitbox lasts for 1 frame longer than Mario's version, giving it more frontal range and a longer period of intangibility. In addition, its animation ends 1 frame earlier. Its combination of very fast interruptibility, the intangibility on Luigi's head and respectable power make it very hard to punish, especially from out of shield.

|dsmashdesc=A modified {{iw|mariowiki|Sweep Kick}}. Due to it coming out on frame 6, it is Luigi's fastest smash attack. It is useful for punishing rolls, thanks to it hitting in front of Luigi and behind himself; the back hit also has noticeably higher knockback compared to the front hit. Its respectable damage output also makes it useful for edge-guarding, and enables it to KO at reasonable percentages while near the edge. In an opposite fashion to his up smash, both hits possess sweetspots located closer to Luigi, with the sourspots covering the rest of his legs. Unlike in ''SSB4'', its front hit is significantly more reliable for KOing and edge-guarding, thanks to it launching the opponent at 52° instead of 120°.

|nairdesc=A flying kick. It comes out on frame 3, which is the fastest startup out of Luigi's aerials and, in turn, makes it very useful for breaking out of combos. It also launches at a vertical angle; this enables its late hit to start combos reliably with a landing short hop, and enables its clean hit to potentially KO at high percentages while near the upper blast line. Despite being able to auto-cancel with a short hop like Luigi's other aerials, it is his only aerial that cannot do so with a [[SHFF|short hop fast fall]].

|bairdesc=A dropkick. It has decent range, to the point that it has the second longest range among Luigi's aerial attacks. The clean hit's sweetspot is located on Luigi's feet and deals high damage and knockback, making it one of Luigi's best KOing options. The clean hit's sourspot and the late hit deal much less damage and knockback; as a result, they are much less effective for KOing, yet more useful for partaking in combos. It comes out on frame 6, but its 33 frames of ending lag is the highest amount out of Luigi's aerials. It can auto-cancel both with a short hop and with a short hop fast fall, although in the latter case, it requires strict timing to do so.

|uairdesc=A bicycle kick. It is useful for combos like Mario's up aerial, due to its very low ending lag and landing lag. Its clean hitbox also inflicts above-average damage for a combo-oriented move. However, it launches at a lower angle than Mario's; this makes it less effective for juggling and especially vertical combos past low percentages, yet more effective for horizontal combos. It also comes out 1 frame later than Mario's, on frame 5 instead of 4, but has less ending lag. However, it possesses a substantially smaller hitbox. Just like his forward aerial, Luigi can use his up aerial twice with a single short hop, as well as auto-cancel it due to its lenient auto-cancel window and low ending lag.

|dsdesc=Spins around rapidly, to the point of generating a vortex around himself that traps an opponent and damages them with a series of [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|discus clotheslines]] and [[Wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Spinning back fist|spinning backfists]] before assuming a [[wikipedia:Spreadeagle (position)|spread-eagle position]] to launch them. It allows Luigi to move horizontally on the ground, as well as maintain his aerial position by mashing the special move button, although both abilities are considerably weaker than in previous games. It also grants Luigi [[invincibility]] during startup (frames 4-8 while grounded and 1-7 in midair), and has [[windbox]]es around Luigi that pull opponents into the attack. These traits make it a more effective, yet slightly less rewarding combo breaker compared to his neutral aerial. As of update 2.0.0, Luigi Cyclone's final hit has respectable power: the grounded version KOs middleweights at ≈160%, whereas the aerial version is a reliable KO confirm from down throw at high percentages, especially when used on a platform. Although Luigi Cyclone connects more reliably than in previous games, it should also be noted that it now requires consistent button mashing for all of its hits to connect.

Luigi English Announcer SSB4-SSBU.wav|English/Japanese/Chinese

Luigi German Announcer SSBU.wav|German

*{{Sm|Elegant|USA}} - The best Luigi player of all-time, notably placing 3rd at {{Trn|Mainstage 2021}} and 4th at {{Trn|Riptide}} and {{Trn|Low Tide City 2021}}. His highest ranking was 14th on the [[OrionRank Ultimate: Eclipse]], the highest-ranking Luigi player on a notable global ranking. However, he has since been banned in several regions due to his conduct while drunk.

*{{Sm|Kiyarash|USA}} - Debuted during the online metagame and was the best Luigi in North America's online metagame, with notable placements such as 2nd at the {{Trn|SWT: NA Southwest Ultimate Online Qualifier}}. Offline, he is one of the best Luigi players in North America since 2023, placing 6th at the {{Trn|SWT: NA West Ultimate Regional Finals}}, 17th at the supermajor {{Trn|Crown the Third}}, and 25th at the supermajor {{Trn|Port Priority 8}}, upsetting {{Sm|Zomba}} in the latter event.

*{{Sm|Luugi|UK}} - One of the best Luigi players in the world since mid-2022 and the second Luigi player ranked top 50 on a notable global ranking, ranking 47th on the [[LumiRank Mid-Year 2023]]. His 2nd-place finish at {{Trn|King Of Fields 95 3}} is tied for the highest placement for a Luigi player at a major/supermajor.

*{{Sm|Navy|Japan}} - One of the Japan's most accomplished Luigi players in 2019, Navy most notably placed 4th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 6}} with wins over {{Sm|Etsuji}} and {{Sm|kept}}. Navy went on a hiatus from offline competition during the period of 2020 until early 2023. Navy has since returned to form, placing 9th at the major {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 15 "FINAL"}} and 13th at the major {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 14.5 "in Hyogo"}}.  

*{{Sm|Rarukun|Japan}} - One of the best Luigi players in the world since mid-2023, thanks to a string of strong major performances, most notably 2nd at {{Trn|KOWLOON 9 with Sumabato}}, tied for the highest placement for a Luigi player at a major/supermajor.

*{{Sm|WaKa|Mexico}} - The best Luigi player in North America following Elegant's ban, and one of the best players in Mexico. Although his activity has been either online or in-region, he has won many regionals in his region and has also placed highly at all Mexican majors he attended, including 9th at {{Trn|Smash Factor 9}} and 17th at both {{Trn|Smash Factor X}} and {{Trn|Delfino Maza 2023}}. He is also ranked 66th on the [[UltRank 2022]].

Luigi's new grab, which had noticably more lag, and nerfs to [[Luigi Cyclone]] that removed its recovery and gimping potential initially soured opinions on Luigi's viability. However, many players soon realized Luigi's combo game porential, specifically his zero-to-death combos. In addition, several Luigi players placed highly at tournaments as the metagame progressed, most notably {{Sm|Elegant}}, who despite a rough start eventually became a top 50 player by the end of the first year. Although Luigi's poor disadvantage state still hindered him, his perception greatly improved, and many players considered him as a mid-tier at worst.

Since then, Luigi's results only improved as Luigi's combo game developed even further: in the post-online metagame, Elegant established himself as a top 20 player in the world following a string of top 8 results at supermajor events. Even after Elegant's ban, other Luigi players came and took his place; most notable among them were {{Sm|Luugi}} and {{Sm|Rarukun}}, both of which have seen placements that were on-par if not better than what Elegant had. As such, although Luigi was ranked 47th on the current tier list as an upper-mid tier, many players have argued that Luigi should be ranked in the high-tier due to his strong results and deadly combo game.

Luigi's opponents are fighters who demonstrate a creepy or scary motif, either because of their appearance (such as [[Dark Link]]), the series they hail from (such as [[Bayonetta]]), or both (such as [[Ridley]]). This theme is further referenced by each Round being fought on a stage that is gloomy and/or set at nighttime. The [[boss]] of Luigi's route, [[Dracula]], also fits this theme due to being a vampire; by extension, his role as the boss also references Luigi's exploration of [[Dracula's Castle|his castle]] during {{SSBU|Simon}} and {{SSBU|Richter}}'s reveal trailer.

|{{s|mariowiki|Mr. L}}