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Pikachu (SSBU): Difference between revisions
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REMINDER: Our Manual of Style states that all Pokémon are to use gender-neutral pronouns. | REMINDER: Our Manual of Style states that all Pokémon are to use gender-neutral pronouns. | ||
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'''Pikachu''' ({{ja|ピカチュウ|Pikachū}}, ''Pikachu'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. Like all veterans, it was confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Pikachu is classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #08]]. | '''Pikachu''' ({{ja|ピカチュウ|Pikachū}}, ''Pikachu'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. Like all veterans, it was confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Pikachu is classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #08]]. | ||
As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', {{s|wikipedia|Ikue Ōtani}}'s portrayals of Pikachu from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' were repurposed for ''Ultimate''. | As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', {{s|wikipedia|Ikue Ōtani}}'s portrayals of Pikachu from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' were repurposed for ''Ultimate''. | ||
Pikachu is ranked 17th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the A tier. This is a notable improvement from its 15th out of 54 placement in ''SSB4''. Pikachu's strengths come from its overall great mobility all around. Its most prominent strengths are in its [[Neutral game|neutral]] and [[edgeguarding]] game, due to the fast [[startup]], low endlag of all its [[aerial attack]]s, and its ability to recover far from the stage thanks to [[Skull Bash]] and [[Quick Attack]]. All of its aerials also [[Auto-canceling|auto-cancel]] on a [[short hop]], which grants it utility for [[out of shield]] [[Punishment|punishes]] and potential [[zero-to-death]] [[combo]]s. Despite its poor [[range]], Pikachu also possesses a strong [[grab]] game: its [[Back throw|back]] and [[forward throw]]s allow it to set up combos leading to edgeguards while its [[down throw]] is a valuable combo starter. | Pikachu is ranked 17th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing it in the A tier. This is a notable improvement from its 15th out of 54 placement in ''SSB4''. Pikachu's strengths come from its overall great mobility all around. Its most prominent strengths are in its [[Neutral game|neutral]] and [[edgeguarding]] game, due to the fast [[startup]], low endlag of all its [[aerial attack]]s, and its ability to recover far from the stage thanks to [[Skull Bash]] and [[Quick Attack]]. All of its aerials also [[Auto-canceling|auto-cancel]] on a [[short hop]], which grants it utility for [[out of shield]] [[Punishment|punishes]] and potential [[zero-to-death]] [[combo]]s. Despite its poor [[range]], Pikachu also possesses a strong [[grab]] game: its [[Back throw|back]] and [[forward throw]]s allow it to set up combos leading to edgeguards while its [[down throw]] is a valuable combo starter. Pikachu possesses a strong, far-travelling [[projectile]] in [[Thunder Jolt]], which is used to help Pikachu's approach and edgeguards. Finally, Pikachu has arguably one of the best disadvantage states in the game due to it’s extremely small hurtbox, frame 2 air dodge, and the aforementioned low startup on it’s aerials, making it very difficult to combo and allowing Pikachu to reset into [[neutral]] with relative ease. | ||
However, Pikachu has some notable weaknesses. Due to being one of the [[weight|lightest]] [[fighter]]s in the game, its survivability is hindered against characters with strong finishers. Pikachu also struggles to [[KO]] effectively due to none of its aerials having the ability to KO onstage, while most of its KO moves are either only effective at high percents or have notable downsides such as sourspots or high ending lag. Lastly, its poor range and lack of [[disjoint]]s gives it few options to [[approach]] aside from Thunder Jolt; its reliance on the projectile provide it with a noticeable disadvantage against characters who can properly deal with it. | However, Pikachu has some notable weaknesses. Due to being one of the [[weight|lightest]] [[fighter]]s in the game, its survivability is hindered against characters with strong finishers. Pikachu also struggles to [[KO]] effectively due to none of its aerials having the ability to KO onstage, while most of its KO moves are either only effective at high percents or have notable downsides such as sourspots or high ending lag. Lastly, its poor range and lack of [[disjoint]]s gives it few options to [[approach]] aside from Thunder Jolt; its reliance on the projectile provide it with a noticeable disadvantage against characters who can properly deal with it. | ||
Overall, Pikachu's strengths outweigh its weaknesses. Even before the release of ''Ultimate'', many players saw Pikachu as a top tier character, and its strengths have been proven by strong performances from players such as {{Sm|ESAM}} and {{Sm|ShinyMark}}. However, Pikachu's playerbase is rather small while its overall results are mediocre compared to other top tiers, with both ESAM and ShinyMark seeing high highs but mediocre lows. As such, Pikachu | Overall, Pikachu's strengths outweigh its weaknesses. Even before the release of ''Ultimate'', many players saw Pikachu as a top tier character, and its strengths have been proven by strong performances from players such as {{Sm|ESAM}} and {{Sm|ShinyMark}}. However, Pikachu's playerbase is rather small while its overall results are mediocre compared to other top tiers, with both ESAM and ShinyMark seeing high highs but mediocre lows. As such, Pikachu status as a top tier character has been subject to debate, with opinions on the character varying wildly depending on region. | ||
==Attributes== | ==Attributes== | ||
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REMINDER: Our Manual of Style states that all Pokémon are to use gender-neutral pronouns. | REMINDER: Our Manual of Style states that all Pokémon are to use gender-neutral pronouns. | ||
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Pikachu is a | {{incomplete|This section can be improved upon to better flesh out Pikachu's strengths and weaknesses.}} | ||
Pikachu is a lightweight with a small [[hurtbox]], tied with Kirby, Olimar, Sephiroth, and Mewtwo for the seventh lightest fighter. It has overall good mobility, possessing fast [[walk speed|walking]] and [[run speed|dashing]] speeds, high [[jump]]s, is tied for the ninth-highest [[air acceleration]], and has the fourth-highest traction, but slightly above average [[falling speed]] and [[gravity]] and below-average [[air speed]]. Due to its fast mobility, a strong projectile in [[Thunder Jolt]], exceptional frame data, and among the fastest defensive options, Pikachu has an exceptional [[neutral]] game and rarely struggles to approach. | |||
Pikachu's main strengths are its fast frame | Pikachu's main strengths are its fast frame data and dominant edgeguarding game, with each being considered among the best of the cast. This is mainly due to Pikachu's aerials, each of which can autocancel in a short hop. Its neutral, forward, back, and up aerials are fast, all of them except for up aerial being multihit attacks that can combo into each other and most of Pikachu's other moves, with their extremely low ending lag making them excellent for [[combos]], [[edgeguarding]], and potential [[zero-to-death combo|zero-to-deaths]]. Forward and back aerials in particular are notoriously effective as neutral options due to their animation low-profiling Pikachu's already small hurtbox, which makes them notably hard for most characters to punish [[out of shield]]. Up aerial is a fantastic [[juggling]] option to boot, while neutral aerial notably converts into both up smash and down smash if used while landing, making it Pikachu's most reliable method of confirming KOs at high percentages. Down aerial can meteor smash in its first two active frames and is fast for a move of its category, with its long-lasting hitbox making it an extremely potent edgeguarding option as well. Down aerial also is its only aerial with over 20 frames of ending lag, though it still has relatively low lag compared to other meteor smashes of its kind. | ||
Another notable strength Pikachu has is its ability to escape pressure. It boasts a 2 | Another notable strength Pikachu has is its ability to escape pressure. It boasts a frame 2 [[air dodge]] and an incredibly small hurtbox, which combined with its light weight and fantastic frame data make it among the most difficult characters to combo. The speed and versatility of its up special [[Quick Attack]] makes it trivial to land and escape disadvantage compared to the majority of the cast, while its aforementioned frame data gives it one of the strongest out-of-shield games through its neutral aerial, back aerial, and up smash. It additionally boasts a phenomenal recovery, with Quick Attack's long distance and multiple angles (there must be a difference of 30 degrees between each jolt's arc, or the second jolt will not come out) making it exceptionally difficult to edgeguard, and its side special [[Skull Bash]] providing additional horizontal distance if necessary despite being risky to use. All in all, Pikachu boasts an incredible disadvantage state that allows him to rapidly and effectively reverse the situation on the opponent if they make a single mistake. | ||
Pikachu has a potent grab and throw game despite its poor | Pikachu has a potent grab and throw game despite its poor grab range. It has a fast pummel and its forward and back throws are good for setting up edgeguards, with back throw also being able to [[KO]] near the ledge at high percents. Its up throw can combo into down special [[Thunder]] and reliably KOs middleweights around 170%. Down throw is a fantastic combo starter, being able to combo into Thunder and all of Pikachu's aerials setting up "nair loops" which involves using dragdown nair and up tilt to rack up damage while reacting to the DI of the opponent to continue the combo. It can also lead into various combos and kill confirms depending on the opponent's DI, including up air bridges which can take the opponent all the way offstage before Pikachu KOs them with a forward air. Extending Pikachu's notorious combo game revolves around using its aerial attacks to drag the opponent down, thereby extending the combo further. Thunder Jolt also complements its advantage state nicely as it can combo into any of Pikachu's moveset or be used to pressure the opponent and make them hesitatingly pick options while under pressure. | ||
Pikachu is not without weaknesses, however. All of its normal attacks excluding forward smash have poor range, with most of said attacks being barely disjointed or not at all. Because of its lack of range, Pikachu tends to rely on using Thunder Jolt to | Pikachu is not without weaknesses, however. All of its normal attacks excluding forward smash have poor range, with most of said attacks being barely disjointed or not at all. Because of its lack of range, Pikachu tends to rely on using Thunder Jolt to help it approach the opponent. It gets KO'd relatively early due to its diminutive weight, and it also bears inconsistent raw KO power itself. Dash attack is powerful but extremely unsafe if whiffed, up throw doesn't KO under 170% without rage, and its forward and up smashes are burdened by several sourspots that make them unwieldy to use. Beyond this, none of its aerials are strong enough to KO reliably while onstage, and its other KO moves (down smash, forward tilt, and back throw) are unfit for KOing until around 150% by the ledge. While Thunder is powerful, it has slow start-up and high ending lag that limits its usage to be a situational combo finisher and edgeguarding option. A notable weakness in Pikachu's otherwise potent neutral is its inability to trade due to many of its aerials being multihits, meaning that if a trade occurs Pikachu will deal about 1% while taking the full damage of the move it trades with, a substantial weakness considering how light the character is. | ||
Overall, Pikachu's strengths outweigh its weaknesses and it is universally considered to be a top-tier character, with many proclaiming it as a top 3 character. | |||
Overall | |||
==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''== | ==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''== | ||
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In spite of mostly receiving drastic buffs, Pikachu is not without a few nerfs. Most significantly, the removal of [[Quick Attack cancel]]ing noticeably reduces Pikachu's mobility and approach options, making it more predictable. The changes to neutral aerial, in lieu of an improved combo game, also remove its KO potential. The increased startup and ending lag on its grabs, and dash grab and pivot grab not reaching as far, limit the benefits its grab game has received. Lastly, up throw's altered knockback, while giving it KO potential, makes it more difficult for Pikachu to combo into Thunder. Outside of these nerfs, however, other nerfs Pikachu received have generally been minor, while a good amount of the buffs it received make up for said shortcomings, most notably its improved neutral game. | In spite of mostly receiving drastic buffs, Pikachu is not without a few nerfs. Most significantly, the removal of [[Quick Attack cancel]]ing noticeably reduces Pikachu's mobility and approach options, making it more predictable. The changes to neutral aerial, in lieu of an improved combo game, also remove its KO potential. The increased startup and ending lag on its grabs, and dash grab and pivot grab not reaching as far, limit the benefits its grab game has received. Lastly, up throw's altered knockback, while giving it KO potential, makes it more difficult for Pikachu to combo into Thunder. Outside of these nerfs, however, other nerfs Pikachu received have generally been minor, while a good amount of the buffs it received make up for said shortcomings, most notably its improved neutral game. | ||
In the end, Pikachu's entire moveset has seen drastic improvements all around, it benefits significantly from the new engine, and its limited KOing ability was mostly alleviated, causing its buffs to severely outweigh the nerfs it received. Although Pikachu still suffers from the same weaknesses that plagued it in ''SSB4'', such as short range, poor endurance, and still limited KOing ability, its improved strengths now more than compensate for its shortcomings, allowing Pikachu to fare better than in ''SSB4'' and once again cementing it as one of the most viable "fragile speedster" characters. This has led to a positive perception of Pikachu since release, and | In the end, Pikachu's entire moveset has seen drastic improvements all around, it benefits significantly from the new engine, and its limited KOing ability was mostly alleviated, causing its buffs to severely outweigh the nerfs it received. Although Pikachu still suffers from the same weaknesses that plagued it in ''SSB4'', such as short range, poor endurance, and still limited KOing ability, its improved strengths now more than compensate for its shortcomings, allowing Pikachu to fare better than in ''SSB4'' and once again cementing it as one of the most viable "fragile speedster" characters. This has led to a positive perception of Pikachu since release, and has performed significantly better overall than in previous games (save for [[Pikachu (SSB)|its appearance in]] ''[[SSB]]''). | ||
{{SSB4 to SSBU changelist|char=Pikachu}} | {{SSB4 to SSBU changelist|char=Pikachu}} | ||
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'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|3.1.0}}''' | '''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|3.1.0}}''' | ||
{{UpdateList (SSBU)/3.1.0|char=Pikachu}} | {{UpdateList (SSBU)/3.1.0|char=Pikachu}} | ||
'''Technical changelist''' | '''Technical changelist''' | ||
{|class="wikitable" | {|class="wikitable" | ||
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|bairname=Glider ({{ja|グライダー|Guraidā}}) | |bairname=Glider ({{ja|グライダー|Guraidā}}) | ||
|bairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|1}} (hits 1-5), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|3.6}} (hit 6), 4% (landing) | |bairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|1}} (hits 1-5), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|3.6}} (hit 6), 4% (landing) | ||
|bairdesc=Spins around horizontally in a skydiver position, hitting multiple times, with a pose at the end to launch | |bairdesc=Spins around horizontally in a skydiver position, hitting multiple times, with a pose at the end to launch foes. Very fast, coming out on frame 4 with a long active duration and very low ending lag (18 frames) and can hit all around Pikachu, but its below average knockback makes it unreliable for KOing until very high percentages and has poor range, only hitting opponents close to Pikachu. To compensate, it is a great combo starter and, at low percents, it can combo into itself multiple times. It can drag down opponents and has a landing hitbox. | ||
|uairname=Tail Chop ({{ja|しっぽはたき|Shippo Hitaki}}) | |uairname=Tail Chop ({{ja|しっぽはたき|Shippo Hitaki}}) | ||
|uairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|6}} (clean, tail), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|5}} (clean, tip), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|4}} (late) | |uairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|6}} (clean, tail), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|5}} (clean, tip), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|4}} (late) | ||
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|dairname=Electric Screw ({{ja|でんげきスクリュー|Dengeki Sukuryū}}) | |dairname=Electric Screw ({{ja|でんげきスクリュー|Dengeki Sukuryū}}) | ||
|dairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|13}} (clean), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12}} (late), 4% (landing) | |dairdmg={{ShortHopDmgSSBU|13}} (clean), {{ShortHopDmgSSBU|12}} (late), 4% (landing) | ||
|dairdesc=Points down and spins its head downwards, launching opponents. The clean hit lasts for two frames and is a powerful [[meteor smash]], while the late hit has good horizontal knockback. It has low ending lag with 22 frames of vulnerability, but it | |dairdesc=Points down and spins its head downwards, launching opponents. The clean hit lasts for two frames and is a powerful [[meteor smash]], while the late hit has good horizontal knockback. It has low ending lag with 22 frames of vulnerability, but it's the highest of Pikachu's aerials. Also has a landing hitbox. | ||
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}}) | |grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}}) | ||
|grabdesc=Reaches out. Pikachu will have a scared look if it misses. | |grabdesc=Reaches out. Pikachu will have a scared look if it misses. Fast but has low range. | ||
|pummelname=Grab Electric Shock ({{ja|つかみでんきショック|Tsukami Denki Shokku}}) | |pummelname=Grab Electric Shock ({{ja|つかみでんきショック|Tsukami Denki Shokku}}) | ||
|pummeldmg=1% | |pummeldmg=1% | ||
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|fthrowname=Electric Throw ({{ja|でんきなげ|Denki Nage}}) | |fthrowname=Electric Throw ({{ja|でんきなげ|Denki Nage}}) | ||
|fthrowdmg=2% (hits 1-5) | |fthrowdmg=2% (hits 1-5) | ||
|fthrowdesc=Lays the opponent on its tail and shocks them. It | |fthrowdesc=Lays the opponent on its tail and shocks them. It's Pikachu's most damaging throw, but too weak to KO and not fit for combos either, thus having little utility outside its high damage output or throwing the opponent offstage. | ||
|bthrowname=Submission ({{ja|じごくぐるま|Jigoku Gurama}}, ''Hell Wheel'') | |bthrowname=Submission ({{ja|じごくぐるま|Jigoku Gurama}}, ''Hell Wheel'') | ||
|bthrowdmg=9% | |bthrowdmg=9% | ||
|bthrowdesc=Rolls backward before launching the opponent with a tomoe nage, a judo | |bthrowdesc=Rolls backward before launching the opponent with a tomoe nage, a throw used in judo. Very good for setting up edgeguards, as it has high base knockback and the animation means opponents near the center will end up being launched near the edge, but it is unimpressive as a KOing option as it only starts KOing middleweights around 165% at the edge of Final Destination. May be based on [[bulbapedia:Submission (move)|Submission]], a Fighting-type move that Pikachu could learn in Generation 1 games. | ||
|uthrowname=Heading ({{ja|ヘディング|Hedingu}}) | |uthrowname=Heading ({{ja|ヘディング|Hedingu}}) | ||
|uthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 5% (throw) | |uthrowdmg=3% (hit 1), 5% (throw) | ||
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|dthrowname=Hip Press ({{ja|ヒッププレス|Hippu Puresu}}) | |dthrowname=Hip Press ({{ja|ヒッププレス|Hippu Puresu}}) | ||
|dthrowdmg=5% | |dthrowdmg=5% | ||
|dthrowdesc=Lays the opponent on the ground and performs a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Senton|senton]]. A good combo starter comboing into every aerial from low to mid percents, allowing Pikachu to start combos. The move has a hitbox that gets deleted on the same frame it | |dthrowdesc=Lays the opponent on the ground and performs a [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling throws#Senton|senton]]. A good combo starter comboing into every aerial from low to mid percents, allowing Pikachu to start combos. The move has a hitbox that gets deleted on the same frame it's activated due to an oversight. | ||
|floorfname= | |floorfname= | ||
|floorfdmg=7% | |floorfdmg=7% | ||
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|usname=Quick Attack | |usname=Quick Attack | ||
|usdmg=2% (hit 1), 3% (hit 2) | |usdmg=2% (hit 1), 3% (hit 2) | ||
|usdesc=[[bulbapedia:Quick Attack (move)|Zips upward at high speeds, dealing damage to opponents on contact]]. It can be angled; if angled in a different direction after the first time it is | |usdesc=[[bulbapedia:Quick Attack (move)|Zips upward at high speeds, dealing damage to opponents on contact]]. It can be angled; if angled in a different direction after the first time it is used, Pikachu will use it again. It covers great distances and can be unpredictable if used well, but Pikachu goes into freefall after using it. It's also an approach option, but doesn't true combo into anything. Pikachu also cannot use the Quick Attack cancelling technique from ''Smash 4''. | ||
|dspage=Thunder_(Pokémon) | |dspage=Thunder_(Pokémon) | ||
|dsname=Thunder | |dsname=Thunder | ||
|dsdmg=15% (shockwave), 8% (thunderbolt), 6% (thunderbolt meteor) | |dsdmg=15% (shockwave), 8% (thunderbolt), 6% (thunderbolt meteor) | ||
|dsdesc=[[bulbapedia:Thunder (move)|Calls down a bolt of lightning from the sky]]. If the bolt strikes Pikachu, it will create an electric explosion around itself, dealing massive knockback and granting Pikachu intangibility for 10 frames. If an opponent is struck near the top of the bolt or at the cloud, they're launched down into Pikachu and will get hit by the discharge as well; otherwise, they | |dsdesc=[[bulbapedia:Thunder (move)|Calls down a bolt of lightning from the sky]]. If the bolt strikes Pikachu, it will create an electric explosion around itself, dealing massive knockback and granting Pikachu intangibility for 10 frames. If an opponent is struck near the top of the bolt or at the cloud, they're launched down into Pikachu and will get hit by the discharge as well; otherwise, they're launched upwards. Has high endlag if the bolt doesn't strike Pikachu. The thunderbolt becomes active on frame 13, but there is a long gap before the discharge, and thus, it's easy to attack Pikachu before the thunderbolt hits it and is very vulnerable to counters. The projectile comes out on frame 2, and can be used to break combos. | ||
|fsname=Volt Tackle | |fsname=Volt Tackle | ||
|fsdmg=0.3% (6 hits during startup), 1% (initial hit), 1.5% (loop), 20% (launch) | |fsdmg=0.3% (6 hits during startup), 1% (initial hit), 1.5% (loop), 20% (launch) | ||
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===[[Victory pose]]s=== | ===[[Victory pose]]s=== | ||
*'''Left:''' Backflips, spins, and faces the screen with a happy expression. This resembles its "character chosen" animation in ''Super Smash Bros.'' | *'''Left:''' Backflips, spins, and faces the screen with a happy expression. This resembles its "character chosen" animation in ''Super Smash Bros.'' | ||
*'''Up:''' Looks up with a surprised expression as its ears perk. It then scratches its right ear and smiles. | *'''Up:''' Looks up with a surprised expression as its ears perk. It then scratches its right ear and smiles. | ||
*'''Right:''' Sleeps while muttering "Piii...ka." | *'''Right:''' Sleeps while muttering "Piii...ka." | ||
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''See also: [[:Category:Pikachu players (SSBU)]]'' | ''See also: [[:Category:Pikachu players (SSBU)]]'' | ||
*{{Sm|Captain L|Canada}} - The second-best Pikachu player in the early metagame, | *{{Sm|Captain L|Canada}} - The second-best Pikachu player in the early metagame, ranking 50th on the [[Spring 2019 PGRU]] and placing 13th at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2019}} and 25th at {{Trn|MomoCon 2019}}, {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 5}}, and {{Trn|CEO 2019}}. He has since dropped Pikachu in favor of {{SSBU|Sheik}}. | ||
*{{Sm|ESAM|USA}} - The best Pikachu player of all time. He is | *{{Sm|ESAM|USA}} - The best Pikachu player of all-time who was a major innovator on Pikachu's metagame. He is the only Pikachu player who has won a major and supermajor, having won {{Trn|Glitch 7 - Minus World}} and {{Trn|Glitch 8.5 - Konami Code}}. At his peak, ESAM was ranked 14th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]]. | ||
*{{ | *{{Sm|H4|USA}} - The best Pikachu player in Japan when he studied abroad in 2023, best known for his victory at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 38}} defeating {{Sm|Jogibu}}, {{Sm|Snow|p=Japan}}, and {{Sm|Sigma}} and placing 7th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 40}} defeating {{Sm|alice}}. Outside of Japan, he is also considered one of the best Pikachu players in the United States, placing 7th at {{Trn|Back in Blood 5}} defeating {{Sm|BassMage}} and 13th at {{Trn|Port Priority 7}} defeating {{Sm|Mr.E}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Kishiru|Japan}} - The best Pikachu player in Japan in the early metagame and during the pandemic period, | *{{Sm|Kishiru|Japan}} - The best Pikachu player in Japan in the early metagame and during the pandemic period, with several strong tournament runs such as placing 13th at {{Trn|Kagaribi 5}}, placing 17th at {{Trn|Umebura Japan Major 2019}} defeating {{Sm|T}}, placing 25th at {{Trn|Glitch 8 - Missingno}} defeating {{Sm|Jakal}}, and defeating {{Sm|Zackray}} at {{Trn|Eastern Powerhouse Invitational 2}}. He went inactive in late-2021 and has rarely competed since, but remains active in the scene as a commentator. | ||
*{{Sm|Neeroz|France}} - The best Pikachu player in Europe | *{{Sm|Neeroz|France}} - The best Pikachu player in Europe first known for placing 7th-place finish at {{Trn|Ultimate WANTED 3}}, the first top 8 at a national-level event for a Pikachu player other than ESAM. His other notable performances include placing 3rd at {{Trn|Thonon Gaming Fest 2024}} defeating {{Sm|Sisqui}} and {{Sm|Tilde}}, placing 9th at {{Trn|King Con}} defeating {{Sm|Neo|p=Japan}}, and placing 13th at {{Trn|Temple: Hermès Edition}}. | ||
*{{Sm|ShinyMark|Guatemala}} - The best Pikachu player | *{{Sm|ShinyMark|Guatemala}} - The second-best Pikachu player of all-time who has been the best Pikachu player since 2022, with results that rival ESAM's such as winning {{Trn|Diamond Dust}} and placing 3rd at {{Trn|Delfino Maza 2023}}, 5th at {{Trn|Smash Factor 9}}, and 7th at {{Trn|Collision 2023}}. He is ranked 35th on the [[LumiRank 2023]]. | ||
===Tier placement and history=== | ===Tier placement and history=== | ||
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However, Pikachu noticeably lacked the results other contenders for best in the game had. ESAM largely spearheaded Pikachu's results for the first few years of the game's competitive lifespan, and despite seeing high highs, was often brought down by mediocre results. For example, ESAM saw a career-defining victory over {{Sm|MkLeo}} at {{Trn|Glitch 8.5 - Konami Code}} but underperformed at most of his other majors in 2021. The post-online metagame also saw the rise of a couple other Pikachu players such as {{Sm|H4}}, {{Sm|Neeroz}}, and {{Sm|ShinyMark}}; the latter especially has seen performances that were on par with ESAM's, which included two top 8 finishes at supermajors. These results, however, were often countered with the players' inconsistency or a lack of results from outside their region. As a result, per [[OrionRank]]'s character rankings, Pikachu was 25th in results in 2021<ref>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zTKrF1HOv70Pp8xdJKrRQy3QiMYKLTCstoVNgxymt0o</ref>, and then fell to 43rd in 2022<ref>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gRlzy4z_dpqb2ZRhGoqtbDcuvUKz_ROsMZHGegon53M</ref>, a far cry from its top tier perception. Furthermore, Pikachu's position in the post-pandemic metagame became less secure due to the increase in strong players at top level play as well as new metagame standards, with more people preferring to use characters that have easier time racking up damage and KOing, such as {{SSBU|Steve}} and {{SSBU|Kazuya}}. | However, Pikachu noticeably lacked the results other contenders for best in the game had. ESAM largely spearheaded Pikachu's results for the first few years of the game's competitive lifespan, and despite seeing high highs, was often brought down by mediocre results. For example, ESAM saw a career-defining victory over {{Sm|MkLeo}} at {{Trn|Glitch 8.5 - Konami Code}} but underperformed at most of his other majors in 2021. The post-online metagame also saw the rise of a couple other Pikachu players such as {{Sm|H4}}, {{Sm|Neeroz}}, and {{Sm|ShinyMark}}; the latter especially has seen performances that were on par with ESAM's, which included two top 8 finishes at supermajors. These results, however, were often countered with the players' inconsistency or a lack of results from outside their region. As a result, per [[OrionRank]]'s character rankings, Pikachu was 25th in results in 2021<ref>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zTKrF1HOv70Pp8xdJKrRQy3QiMYKLTCstoVNgxymt0o</ref>, and then fell to 43rd in 2022<ref>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gRlzy4z_dpqb2ZRhGoqtbDcuvUKz_ROsMZHGegon53M</ref>, a far cry from its top tier perception. Furthermore, Pikachu's position in the post-pandemic metagame became less secure due to the increase in strong players at top level play as well as new metagame standards, with more people preferring to use characters that have easier time racking up damage and KOing, such as {{SSBU|Steve}} and {{SSBU|Kazuya}}. | ||
Overall, opinions on Pikachu have varied greatly. Some players, particularly in North America, continue to argue that Pikachu is one of the best characters despite its underwhelming results due to its thereotical strength, while others, particularly in [[Japan]], believe that Pikachu is overrated due to its mediocre results compared to other top and high tier characters. The clashing opinions was reflected on the first tier list, where Pikachu is ranked 13th, with the character notably having the greatest standard deviation in its tier list voting; the character was ranked in the top 5 in Latin America, and top 10 in the | Overall, opinions on Pikachu have varied greatly. Some players, particularly in North America, continue to argue that Pikachu is one of the best characters despite its underwhelming results due to its thereotical strength, while others, particularly in [[Japan]], believe that Pikachu is overrated due to its mediocre results compared to other top and high tier characters. The clashing opinions was reflected on the first tier list, where Pikachu is ranked 13th, with the character notably having the greatest standard deviation in its tier list voting; the character was ranked in the top 5 in Latin America, and top 10 in the United States and Canada, but conversely was not even ranked in the top 25 in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.start.gg/ultranks-first-official-ssbu-tier-list-4a35bf3dcfc3|title=UltRank’s First Official SSBU Tier List}} Note: the standard deviation is noted in the "Analysis" section, while the placements by region is noted in the "Regional Differences" section</ref> | ||
Following the first tier list, Pikachu's overall representation remained rather stagnant: although ShinyMark eventually began traveling more and became a notable top level threat, on the other hand ESAM's activity remained low while the results he did have were worse than before. With no other Pikachu players within the top 150 by the end of the year, opinions on Pikachu continued to mellow out, and as such Pikachu fell 4 spots to 17th on the second tier list, ranking in the A tier. | Following the first tier list, Pikachu's overall representation remained rather stagnant: although ShinyMark eventually began traveling more and became a notable top level threat, on the other hand ESAM's activity remained low while the results he did have were worse than before. With no other Pikachu players within the top 150 by the end of the year, opinions on Pikachu continued to mellow out, and as such Pikachu fell 4 spots to 17th on the second tier list, ranking in the A tier. | ||
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|•You are easy to launch<br>•Hostile assist trophies will appear | |•You are easy to launch<br>•Hostile assist trophies will appear | ||
|{{SSBUMusicLink|Punch-Out!!|Title Theme - Punch-Out!! (Wii)}} | |{{SSBUMusicLink|Punch-Out!!|Title Theme - Punch-Out!! (Wii)}} | ||
|Wrestler | |{{iw|rhwiki|Wrestler}} | ||
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