Pikachu (SSBM): Difference between revisions
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In the most recent revision of the character matchup chart, Pikachu has average matchups all around. It counters six characters, soft counters four, and has even matchups with five, but is in return soft countered by five characters, countered by four, and hard countered by {{SSBM|Sheik}}. Pikachu was thought to only do well against characters who lacked the tools to overcome its speed and pressure, such as {{SSBM|Bowser}} and {{SSBM|Zelda}}. However, since it is a light character with a perceived poor approach and poor range, many considered characters with superior mobility, range, or pressure options, such as {{SSBM|Fox}}, {{SSBM|Marth}}, {{SSBM|Falco}}, and the {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}}, advantageous in their matchup against Pikachu. {{SSBM|Mario}} can also chain grab it with down throws, as can Sheik. In fact, it was a widespread thought at the time that Sheik could chaingrab Pikachu until 90% - a disadvantage that was significant enough to consider her Pikachu's decisive hard counter. | In the most recent revision of the character matchup chart, Pikachu has average matchups all around. It counters six characters, soft counters four, and has even matchups with five, but is in return soft countered by five characters, countered by four, and hard countered by {{SSBM|Sheik}}. Pikachu was thought to only do well against characters who lacked the tools to overcome its speed and pressure, such as {{SSBM|Bowser}} and {{SSBM|Zelda}}. However, since it is a light character with a perceived poor approach and poor range, many considered characters with superior mobility, range, or pressure options, such as {{SSBM|Fox}}, {{SSBM|Marth}}, {{SSBM|Falco}}, and the {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}}, advantageous in their matchup against Pikachu. {{SSBM|Mario}} can also chain grab it with down throws, as can Sheik. In fact, it was a widespread thought at the time that Sheik could chaingrab Pikachu until 90% - a disadvantage that was significant enough to consider her Pikachu's decisive hard counter. | ||
====Current metagame==== | ====Current metagame==== | ||
However, as Axe rose to dominance and Pikachu up the [[tier list]], opinions on Pikachu's matchups began to change. Fox and Falco are now considered soft counters to Pikachu, rather than counters. Pikachu loses the neutral game against them, but still has enough tricks to sneak in openings rather consistently, and can edgeguard them easily with its up aerial sweetspot (the "tail spike"). Additionally, despite its poor grab range, Pikachu was found to have a near-inescapable chaingrab against Fox and Falco on [[Final Destination]], allowing Pikachu players to pick up a rather reliable win in a set if they know how to execute it. Pikachu's matchup with Marth is by far the most optimistic advancement, as | However, as Axe rose to dominance and Pikachu up the [[tier list]], opinions on Pikachu's matchups began to change. Fox and Falco are now considered soft counters to Pikachu, rather than counters. Pikachu loses the neutral game against them, but still has enough tricks to sneak in openings rather consistently, and can edgeguard them easily with its up aerial sweetspot (the "tail spike"). Additionally, despite its poor grab range, Pikachu was found to have a near-inescapable chaingrab against Fox and Falco on [[Final Destination]], allowing Pikachu players to pick up a rather reliable win in a set if they know how to execute it. Pikachu's matchup with Marth is by far the most optimistic advancement, as it is now considered to win the matchup in practice. Marth's strongest tools, his grab game and edgeguarding, are less effective against Pikachu. He also struggles to hit Pikachu due to its small frame and high speed and lacks reliable KO setups against it, while Pikachu can nearly effortlessly gimp him. Pikachu is also no longer considered to lose to Dr. Mario and Luigi, although Mario still has a slight advantage due to his chaingrab. | ||
Sheik and the Ice Climbers are still considered difficult matchups for Pikachu, but with proper DI, they cannot chaingrab Pikachu as easily as once thought. Its matchups against Peach and Jigglypuff, on the other hand, have actually worsened. Pikachu cannot KO [[floaty]] characters consistently, as | Sheik and the Ice Climbers are still considered difficult matchups for Pikachu, but with proper DI, they cannot chaingrab Pikachu as easily as once thought. Its matchups against Peach and Jigglypuff, on the other hand, have actually worsened. Pikachu cannot KO [[floaty]] characters consistently, as it cannot edgeguard them and lacks reliable setups into its powerful up smash. This is exacerbated against Peach and Jigglypuff, as players now use their aerial mobility to stay out of Pikachu's threat range, meaning Pikachu struggles to find openings against them. Additionally, Jigglypuff is among the only characters that can edgeguard Pikachu effectively. While it may not KO Pikachu immediately through edgeguarding, it can cover all of Pikachu's returning options and send Pikachu back off-stage to repeat the process, accumulating a significant amount of damage. | ||
Overall, Pikachu's matchups have become significantly better since its 2010 perception as a low-tier character. It has very good chances against several of the top- and high-tier characters who were once considered its counters, and only struggles against the floaty characters, who are not quite as ubiquitous as the characters it has improved against. | Overall, Pikachu's matchups have become significantly better since its 2010 perception as a low-tier character. It has very good chances against several of the top- and high-tier characters who were once considered its counters, and only struggles against the floaty characters, who are not quite as ubiquitous as the characters it has improved against. | ||
