Pikachu (SSBB): Difference between revisions

Pikachu's most salient feature, as with its appearances in previous Smash Brothers games, is its speed. Pikachu also has good specials, excellent smash attacks, decent tilts, the ability to crawl (although Pikachu retracts its tail over its body when it crawls backwards, which allows it to be hit by projectiles that normally would not hit it while crawling forward), fairly useful throws, very good recovery, and is able to wall jump. Pikachu is a fairly small target, but this comes at the price of being the 5th lightest character, tied with [[Meta Knight (SSBB)|Meta Knight]] (making it easily be knocked off-stage by a strong smash-attack) and having the smallest shield in the game (making both [[shield stabbing]] and shield breaking easy).  

Pikachu's best game is played on the ground, at a medium range, where its smash attacks can be used to the fullest. Pikachu's up-smash is one of the fastest in the game, with decent power to boot, and is excellent for KOs while its down smash holds for multiple hits and has a high priority, functioning as a panic button of sorts for close encounters. Both of these smashes do powerful vertical knockback, and can be followed by [[Thunder]] for a Star KO (called Thunderspiking) - this is very useful against floaty characters, especially ones with bad air dodges, most notably [[Peach (SSBB)|Peach]]. The forward smash is a good tool for edgeguarding and KOs off the side. All of its smashes, however, have poor range like most of its other moves.

As for specials, Skull Bash and Quick Attack are both good recovery techniques, although Skull Bash is easily punishable by edgeguarders, able to be stopped by projectiles (e.g. Waddle Dee Throw), and requires charging time, but it can knock edgehoggers off the ledge. [[Edgeguarding]] Pikachu is difficult due to its recovery being unpredictable, as Quick Attack can be aimed in two different directions, giving Pikachu many ways of returning to the stage. Quick Attack also opens options for mindgames, by confusing opponents about Pikachu's actions. The most common form of this is QAC (Quick Attack cancel), allowing Pikachu use any special or aerial move after. This is mainly used for approaching, as it lets Pikachu quickly dash towards the opponent while attacking. Thunder is Pikachu's most well known move. Opponents will expect it of the player, and because of that, Pikachu needs to watch out for characters who have reflectors or reflect, because if 2 or more characters reflect the Thunder it will cause the player to instantly jump to 100-500% KOing the player instantly if they're under the Thunder, but the move is still one of Pikachu's best KO moves, KOing reliably at 100%. Thunder Jolt is Pikachu's neutral Special, and is a useful move to keep most opponents at bay, as well as forcing them in the air. Thunder Jolt is a ground-hugging projectile, meaning opponents can't escape it by ducking or crawling. If it is used in the air, it travels diagonally towards the ground. It can also knock edgehoggers off the ledge.

Pikachu's aerials are its weakest area. Forward aerial is weak in damage but can carry momentum through; whereas neutral aerial is slightly stronger, but negates all momentum, and causes Pikachu to fall during the move, but it is a fairly reliable finisher. Up aerial is extremely weak, but can be used as a juggling tool. Down aerial and back aerial are laggy when they hit the ground, but all of the down aerial's landing lag can be avoided if it is used at the start of a short hop. The down aerial is a decent finisher, particularly offstage, but not as powerful as the neutral aerial.

Pikachu's throws are possible to chain-grab with, in certain situations. Down and Forward throws are mostly used for this, while back throws easily set up to an edgeguarding chance. A down throw can also easily be followed with an up smash. Up throw is another move that launches opponents into the air.

Other tips for Pikachu are to maintain good DI and Tech skills, as well as good dodging skills. Pikachu's speed makes it imperative to keep moving and to always seek the high ground on stages with platforms.