Shulk (SSB4): Difference between revisions

Shulk is currently ranked 35th out of 55 on the ''SSB4'' [[tier list]], placing him in the D tier. Thanks to the [[List of swords#Monado|Monado]], Shulk possesses a number of worthwhile strengths, most notably the [[Monado Arts]]. The Arts are extremely versatile, as they enable him to temporarily alter his attributes and thus adapt to a multitude of playstyles that can, with optimal usage, quickly enable him to regain the advantage. The Monado itself possesses the longest overall range of any weapon in the series, which in turn gives Shulk one of the most effective movesets for [[spacing]] relative to the rest of the cast. Lastly, [[Vision]] is one of the most effective [[counterattack]]s in the game, thanks to it boasting high power, impressive range and one of the longest counterattack windows of its kind.

However, Shulk's main weakness is his sluggish overall frame data. This is most obvious with his aerials, which have extremely high ending lag and, with the exception of forward aerial, are completely unable to [[Auto-canceling|auto-cancel]] in spite of their [[interruptibility]]. When coupled with his tall frame and heavy weight, Shulk's problematic frame data also makes him vulnerable to combos and juggling. Although excellent, Shulk's range nevertheless has its flaws: his heavy reliance on aerials makes him prone to [[out of shield]] attacks, his smash attacks are completely unsafe on shield without Buster, and most of the Monado's sweetspots are located close to him. Lastly, the Monado Arts require precise usage because of their respective strengths and weaknesses, as well as their cooldown durations. This is further compounded by the Arts' [[advanced technique]]s requiring extreme frame precision.

Shulk's greatest strength is his disjointed [[range]]. The [[List of swords#Monado|Monado]]'s range grants him the longest overall disjointed range in the series, even surpassing Ike and {{SSB4|Cloud}}'s, with most of his normal attacks having overall long ranges. Shulk's excellent range allows him to [[punish]] careless moves by retaliating at a distance, or create [[space]] by challenging his opponent with his disjointed attacks. His most useful grounded moves are his neutral attack, up tilt and smash attacks, each of which possess distinct perks. When clean, his neutral attack is the most damaging non-infinite neutral attack in the game, even without Buster. His up tilt boasts outstanding vertical range and can cover multiple get-up options from the edge. Lastly, his smash attacks boast high power and long ranges; his forward smash is particularly notable thanks to it being the third longest ranged forward smash in the game, being surpassed only by {{SSB4|Corrin}} and {{SSB4|Mii Gunner}}'s.

His range also applies to his aerial moves, and collectively grant him a powerful air game. Both his neutral and forward aerials possess wide-arced ranges with low landing lag, making them Shulk's best approach options. The former is useful for anything from starting combos to covering landing options thanks to its long-lasting hitbox and low landing lag, while the latter lasts shorter and has slightly more landing lag, but ends faster making it a very good [[edge-guarding]] and spacing option. His back aerial is a capable KOing option thanks to its great range and being his most powerful aerial. Lastly, his up and down aerials are, like his back aerial, thrusts instead of slashes. As such, they have minimal horizontal ranges, but can KO surprisingly early should they hit, with the former being potent near the upper blast line and the latter being capable of [[meteor smash]]ing.

Much like in his [[Xenoblade (universe)|home game]], Shulk is a character who revolves around adapting to different situations with his attribute-enhancing [[Monado Arts]]. Each Art tweaks his attributes considerably for 16 seconds and can be manually canceled at any time, even immediately after hitstun ends or during landing lag. With this freedom, Shulk can activate an Art to open up options for virtually any situation while still being able to switch or cancel them if he is in a challenging position. Jump grants him significant aerial mobility by making his jumps the highest in the game while improving both his air speed and Air Slash's height. This allows him to recover from almost anywhere off-stage, edge-guard more aggressively and even perform several KO combos, such as a [[wall of pain]] leading to a [[sacrificial KO|sacrificial]] Air Slash at medium percentages. Speed amplifies his usually average ground speed while reducing his jump height, making his ground-to-air transitions more efficient for aerial combos and spacing, while allowing him to approach and retreat noncommittally. It also lowers traction, making Shulk's pivot grab the third longest in the game (tied with {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}) for its duration. These two Arts grant him outstanding mobility for a heavyweight, and when combined with the large hitboxes of his attacks, Shulk can effectively space opponents out of a specific side of the stage with either Jump or Speed, making him very difficult to approach on stages with platforms.

Shield bolsters Shulk's defensive game by reducing both damage and knockback received, which allows him to survive for a much longer period of time and resist getting trapped in combos. His shield also becomes much more durable, making it harder to break with shield-breaking attacks such as [[Bowser Bomb]]. Buster reduces his overall knockback, but increases his overall damage output, allowing him to rack up damage extremely quickly. Buster also makes up and down throws effective and damaging combo starters at 0%, while the increased damage and shieldstun make Shulk's moves both safer on shield and capable of pressuring shields. Lastly, Smash boosts his entire moveset's knockback, making almost all of Shulk's attacks KOing options (especially with [[rage]]), and his down throw becomes the strongest in the game while it is active. Thanks to the Monado Arts, Shulk is highly adaptive, and usually has an easier time mixing up his playstyle compared to other characters so long as his Arts are used effectively and in tandem with his powerful air game. Such an example would be constantly switching from Jump and Shield to stall a losing match, or activating different arts while being juggled to affect Shulk's falling speed, and hence mess up an opponent's combo. Lastly, his heavy weight allows him to use [[rage]] effectively, especially when combined with Shield in order to survive and accumulate rage, or with Smash for a risky, yet powerful boost in knockback.

Due to the technical aspects of activating Monado Arts, Shulk also has access to multiple unique [[advanced technique]]s, the most notable of which is known as [[Monado Arts#Monado Art Landing Lag Cancel|Monado Art Landing Lag Canceling]]. By jumping and timing the activation of an Art just before landing, Shulk can reduce the landing lag of his aerials to 5 frames while gaining [[intangibility]] for 14 frames (1 frame less than the length granted by his [[sidestep]]). While difficult to perform, it allows Shulk to avoid punishment before immediately responding with a punish of his own, or start [[shield break combo]]s, such as an Art canceled back aerial to forward smash. It can even let him retreat by pivoting in midair, or extend the invincibility of [[air dodging]] via an aerial Art activation. This technique is the only viable way to make some of Shulk's moves (such as back aerial) safe on shield against faster characters. Several other techniques include the Monado Purge, a 50/50 KO setup consisting of an up throw to up aerial at high percentages, and Monado Art Edge Snapping, which bypasses edge get-up animations while protecting the user with brief intangibility. If mastered, Shulk's Monado Art techniques can be very effective and unpredictable mix-up options inaccessible to any other character in the game.  

The Monado Arts also have debuffs to compensate for their buffs: if an Art is active, it causes some of his other attributes to drop, weakening some of his abilities. A careful opponent can potentially take advantage of them to gain the upper hand, making his Arts a double-edged sword due to his reliance on them to approach and/or perform combos. Jump makes him very vulnerable to damage, and when combined with his slow moveset, makes it even riskier to whiff a move. Speed lowers his damage output, requiring him to deal more hits for the same amount of damage and reduces his jump force to the point of hindering his vertical mobility. Shield drastically reduces his mobility and damage output to the point of making his recovery and offensive potential among the worst in the game, respectively. Shield's increased knockback defense also leaves Shulk heavily susceptible to combos and juggling that can be difficult to escape from due to his decreased mobility. Buster increases his vulnerability to damage (although not to the same extent as Jump) and the lower knockback makes it nearly impossible to KO opponents without smash attacks, and then even they only do so well past 150%. Finally, Smash severely reduces his endurance, hinders his combo game, and make his attacks the least damaging in the game.

Shulk's [[Character customization|custom moves]] grant him various options. Decisive Monado Arts last longer and have amplified effects, but cannot be changed. This makes them great for regaining neutral or claiming stage control, but at the cost of their dynamic flexibility in the middle of the match. Hyper Monado Arts last much shorter and with even harsher debuffs, but their buffs are even more powerful, which allows him to briefly boost a needed stat to the extreme and capitalize upon its benefits in a much shorter time. Back Slash Leap offers quicker start-up and more vertical range, at the cost of some horizontal range and more ending lag. Advancing Air Slash gives more horizontal distance and the second hit is stronger, but it gives less vertical distance. Mighty Air Slash is more powerful, but has only half the range, making it difficult to connect the second hit. Dash Vision is weaker than normal, but it has much more range, is much faster upon activation, and gives Shulk both his only anti-projectile option and another recovery option. Lastly, Power Vision has much more start-up upon counterattacking and a much stricter counter window if used repeatedly, but the counterattack itself is immensely powerful and capable of scoring [[one-hit KO]]s, especially with Smash.

Shulk has been buffed considerably via game updates. Update [[1.0.4]] increased the damage outputs of almost every single one of his attacks, improved Speed and Buster by adjusting their damage output and input multipliers respectively, and noticeably improved his down tilt and forward smash by adjusting their hitboxes. The changes to shield mechanics brought about by updates [[1.1.0]] and [[1.1.1]] were indirect buffs for Shulk: they made his attacks harder to punish on shield and turned several of his attacks into surprisingly effective shield breakers, especially when used with Buster. Lastly, update [[1.1.3]] increased the damage outputs of his dash, tilt and aerial attacks, as well as decreasing the landing lag of his aerials. As a result of these buffs, Shulk is considered to be much more viable than how he was during the initial release of ''SSB4''.

|neutraldesc=A jab, a mid-level roundhouse kick, then an upward slash. Shulk's fastest move (hits on frame 5), has good range, and boasts the highest damage output of any non-infinite neutral attack in the game, so long as it is clean and neither Shield or Smash are active. These traits make it Shulk's most reliable damage racking option. Its second hit resembles Dive Sobat, one of Reyn's Physical Arts.

|ftiltdesc=An inward slash. Its impressive damage output and high knockback growth make it powerful for a tilt attack. Its blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 119/108% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) while near the edge of {{SSB4|Final Destination}}. It is also capable of hitting opponents close to Shulk's back when [[Pivoting|pivoted]], and deals high shield damage when Buster is active. However, it lacks the range possessed by Shulk's other moves. It resembles one of Shulk's basic Auto Attacks.

|utiltdesc=An overhead arcing slash. It has excellent vertical range, almost being capable of reaching the top platform of [[Battlefield]]. As such, it is very useful as an anti-air, for covering most ledge get-up options, challenging shields, or trapping landings from beneath platforms. With Buster active, it is also a useful damage racking option. It can also function as a situational KOing option thanks to its high knockback growth, though its blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 153%/143% (3DS and Wii U, respectively)  on Final Destination. With the Smash Art active, the move becomes a viable KO move at around 113%, and as low as 90% (with rage). However, it only hits in front of Shulk at its beginning, and has moderate start-up and ending lag.

|dtiltdesc=A kneeling inward slash. Moderately slow for a down tilt (hits on frame 10), but it has good range and the lowest amount of ending lag out of all his moves (21 frames), which make it a good combo starter while Jump, Speed, or Buster are active. It is also able to [https://youtu.be/iDgmTwZxyoU?t=391 hit edge-hanging opponents once their invincibility ends] if spaced correctly.  

|dashdesc=An inward slash. Unlike Shulk's other standard attacks, it does not possess a sweetspot or sourspot. When coupled with its decent damage output, it can function as a situational KOing option. It KOs middleweights at 156%/146% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) while near the edge of Final Destination. However, it has very high ending lag (37 frames).

|fsmashdesc=A thrust, which causes the Monado to reveal its beam blade. It consists of two hits: the first is from the Monado's blade, which leads into the second hit from its beam blade. It is the third longest ranged, non-projectile forward smash in the game, surpassed only by {{SSB4|Corrin}} and {{SSB4|Mii Gunner}}'s. When coupled with its ability to be angled, it can hit opponents attempting to grab the edge. Its overall long range and power make it an extremely powerful punishing option. When not angled, the blade KOs opponents at 98%/84% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) while near the edge of Final Destination, while the non-angled beam blade KOs at 107%/97% while near the edge of Final Destination. However, the first hit's low [[priority]] makes it easily canceled by weak attacks, while the move's considerable ending lag (41 frames) make it very risky. It is also unsafe on shield without using Buster. It is based on Slit Edge, one of Shulk's Physical Arts.

|usmashdesc=Squats and slams the Monado's hilt onto the ground, causing its beam blade to thrust upward. An overall effective move for punishing, as the first hit's deceptive horizontal range launches opponents into the second hit, similarly to {{SSB4|Marth}} and {{SSB4|Lucina}}'s up smashes. This allows it to punish rolls, landings, and edge get-up options. The second hit's vertical range, high knockback and [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]] allow it to KO reliably. Unlike forward smash, it does not possess a sweetspot and sourspot, which also gives it consistent KO potential. Its second hit KOs aerial middleweights at 99%/91% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) on Final Destination. However, the first hit has considerable start-up (hits on frame 18) and ending lag (35 frames), making it equally as punishable. Opponents can also hinder its effectiveness by DIing downward to [[powershield]] the second hit after getting hit by the first, especially fast-fallers or if Shulk has high [[rage]].

|dsmashdesc=Crouches and spins to swing the Monado in a circle along the ground. It is capable of hitting during any of its five hitboxes (three at Shulk's front and two at his back), with its first hit being strong enough to KO reliably. Its first hit's blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 91%/81% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) while near the edge of Final Destination. Each spin quickly loses power, but the final spin has slightly more range. The Smash Art grants the later hits KO potential, despite their weak power without any Monado Arts. While it is possible for this attack to connect more than once, it is difficult to do so unless Buster is active and the opponent has low damage. With Buster active, it is capable of shield breaking if an opponent is cornered at an edge and the first three hits land. Extremely useful for punishing [[roll]]s and [[sidestep]]s thanks to its multiple hitboxes and range, but suffers from the most overall lag out of Shulk's smash attacks because of its considerable start-up (hits on frame 18) and ending lag (41 frames). It resembles War Swing, one of Reyn's Physical Arts.

|fairdesc=A downward slash. It has the lowest amount of ending lag out of his aerials (24 frames), while its range grants it excellent coverage for an aerial, which makes it great for interrupting approaches and spacing. It is also a dependable combo option with either Speed or Buster active, and a powerful [[edge-guarding]] move with Jump active, which can allow Shulk to perform a [[wall of pain]] ending with [[Air Slash]]; this is a [[rage]]-specific damage/KO combo at certain percents with Jump/Speed/Buster active (dubbed the "Fair Slash" by fans). However, it has noticeable landing lag, making it punishable on shield if spaced incorrectly. While the move is notably Shulk's only aerial that can autocancel, it is only capable of doing so immediately out of a full hop without Arts (excluding Buster and Smash), making it extremely ineffective. If it hits during its ending frames, which are near Shulk's feet, it will launch opponents behind him and allow for either Air Slash combos or a [[stage spike]].

|bairdesc=A reverse gripped thrust. Its hitbox begins at Shulk's body. The Monado's blade deals respectable damage with high knockback growth, making it very useful for KOing. Its blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 112%/101% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) while near the edge of Final Destination. The move's high horizontal range makes it hard to challenge if spaced correctly or alongside Jump/Speed's aerial drift, making it very useful for long-range spacing. However, it has slow start-up and high landing lag, making it possible to land before the hitbox appears while suffering from full landing lag. Due to its long range, this move benefits the most from [[Monado Arts#Monado Art Landing Lag Cancel|Monado Art Landing Lag Canceling]], which also negates its usually high landing lag.

|uairdesc=An upward thrust, similar to {{SSB4|Link}} and {{SSB4|Toon Link}}'s up aerials. Functions like his forward and up smashes, with its first hit being from the Monado's blade and its second hit being from its beam blade. It has deceptively long vertical range that is capable of [https://youtu.be/0quf0zxVv3I?t=618 reaching through the main platform of Town and City], which makes it a useful juggling option against falling opponents and strong KOing option near the upper [[blast line]]. Its second hit has high knockback growth, which allows its blade hitbox to KO middleweights at 94%/82% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) while near the upper blast line of Final Destination. With Jump active, a landing up aerial can chain directly into another up aerial, leading to a KO combo. However, it has very minimal horizontal range and each hit only lasts 2 frames, which can make it difficult to connect with, especially if Shulk has too much momentum.

|dairdesc=A downward thrust, similar to Link's down aerial. Like his forward and up smashes, the first hit from the Monado's blade leads into the second hit from its beam blade. The second hit [[meteor smash]]es when [[sweetspot]]ted. A decent edge-guarding option, it can also stage spike edge-hanging opponents. However, it has high landing lag, making it punishable if missed. Like his up aerial, it has minimal horizontal range, each hit only lasts 2 frames, and its first hit might not connect into its second hit if Shulk is moving too fast.

|grabdesc=Reaches out. Shulk's overall grab range is average. While Speed is active, however, his pivot grab becomes the third longest in the game (tied with {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}), thanks to his increased speed and decreased traction.

|pummeldesc=Hits the opponent with the Monado's pommel. A slow pummel, but while Buster is active, it is tied with {{SSB4|Olimar}}'s White Pikmin-based pummel as the most damaging pummel in the game. Conversely, it is the least damaging pummel in the game (in regard to dealing damage per second) while either Shield or Smash is active.

|fthrowdesc=An upward swipe. It lacks true follow-ups because of its base knockback, but it can lead into a dash attack or a forward aerial at low percentages with Speed or Buster active. It is also Shulk's second most damaging throw, with its base knockback allowing it to set up edge-guards. Although the slash can hit other nearby opponents, it deals set knockback on anyone aside from the thrown opponent, and can [[lock]] nearby floored opponents, a trait shared with all of Shulk's throws.

|uthrowdesc=Heaves the opponent in the air and performs a kneeling upward thrust. It has combo potential at low percentages and/or with Buster active, as it can lead into several up tilts or [[Air Slash]] with Buster active, or a ground attack if the opponent [[air dodge]]s. With the Jump Art, an up throw can lead into a forward aerial, although this requires opponents to DI away. At high percentages, it can act as a set-up into an up aerial while Jump is active, which has the potential to KO opponents if their reaction is read properly. This combo is only avoidable with an air dodge and, due to Shulk's ability to buffer-cancel Arts or double jump to increase his jump height, this can be effectively performed at a wide range of percentages. This is referred to as the [http://shulk101.com/tutorial/monadopurge Monado Purge Combo].

|ssdefdesc=A leaping downward slash. Shulk takes a small leap forward upon start-up, giving it slightly more range and allows him to jump over small projectiles. However, it cannot grab edges once initiated, making it largely ineffective as a recovery move, and is a relatively slow attack, especially in regard to ending lag. True to its name, it deals more damage and has higher knockback if it hits the opponent's back; its blade hitbox KOs middleweights at 88%/79% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) while near the edge of Final Destination. Although it KOs opponents much later when hitting their front, it is still decently strong regardless, with its blade hitbox KOing middleweights at 146%/135% (3DS and Wii U, respectively) when hitting their front while near the edge of Final Destination.

|ssc2desc=Grants [[super armor]] for the slash and increased horizontal movement, but deals noticeably less damage if it does not strike the opponent's back. It also has significantly higher ending lag, making it much more punishable.

|usdefdesc=A jumping upward slash, similar to [[Dolphin Slash]]. It is a [[natural combo]]: its first hit has set knockback, while pressing the attack button at its conclusion will result in a second hit, which is an outward slash that grants a small vertical boost, especially if used late. Its second hit has extremely high knockback growth, which makes it a useful KOing option, especially from out of shield, with its second hit KOing aerial middleweights at 127%/118% while near the edge of Final Destination. However, its first hit will not automatically edge sweetspot unless the player presses the special button when Shulk is right next to an edge.

|dsdefdesc=A counterattack involving Shulk using the Monado to foresee an attack. If he is hit, Shulk retaliates with a slow, powerful, and long-ranged slash that launches opponents forward. Alternatively, holding forward while counterattacking on the ground causes a fast dashing slash that deals more damage and knockback growth in addition to launching opponents backward, but at the cost of less range. Notable for being both one of the strongest counters in the series (with its alternate version rivaling [[Counter Surge]] in regard to power) and being tied with [[Double Team]] for having the longest amount of counter frames. However, it loses counter frames if repeatedly used over a short period of time, making it and [[Witch Time]] the only counterattacks that lose effectiveness if spammed. Counter frames are regained over time or once Shulk is KO'd. The standard counterattack resembles Stream Edge, one of Shulk's Physical Arts, whereas the alternate counterattack resembles Thunder, one of [[Dunban]]'s Ether Arts.

|fsdesc=Traps opponents in a bright Vision-colored light. If it lands, Shulk summons [[Dunban]] and [[Riki]] to perform a Chain Attack on the opponent, which he then concludes with a powerful slash. Chain Attack's damage output and knockback are also affected by Monado Arts. Even with no Arts active, it is among the strongest [[Final Smash]]es in the game, as it is strong enough to KO middleweights at 17% while near the edge of Final Destination in the ''3DS'' version, and at 4% if the Smash Art is active. However, it has a short range, as Shulk needs to be close to the opponent in order for its first hit to land. In addition, Arts can also expire during the Chain Attack's cutscene, which affects its damage output and knockback.

*{{Sm|Erico|USA}} - Placed 17th at [http://kotn4.challonge.com/s4_top64 Kings Of The North 4]. Notable for researching and expanding Shulk's metagame by publishing [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM5S2SF6em9gC15HknCsG2A/videos video tutorials]. Introduced [[Vision#Vision Sliding|Vision Sliding]] and the Monado Art Buffered Deactivation technique, which led to the discovery of the Monado Purge combo and MonaDACUS. Co-owns the official Shulk Discord with [[Smasher: Paradigm (Canada)|Paradigm]].

*{{Sm|FuerzaDON|Mexico}} - The best Shulk player in Mexico, and one of the first to consistently perform the [[Monado Arts#Monado Art Landing Lag Cancel|Monado Art Landing Lag Cancel]] (MALLC). Placed 13th at [[True Combo 2015]], where he [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjLExEHDaOk took seven stocks in a crew match], and placed 7th at [https://smash.gg/tournament/concomics-2016/brackets ConComics Guadalajara 2016]. Also won four Colony 9 Cup tournaments, which were hosted by the official Shulk Discord and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGaqDyI-EaM he took sixteen stocks in the Discord JMU Crew Battle: Shulk vs. Cloud]. He has wins over Chag, {{Sm|Regi|}}, Cloudy, Klein and Richi.

*{{Flag|Canada}} [[Smasher: Jerm (Canada)|Jerm]] - Formally ranked 3rd on the [[Ottawa Power Rankings#Smash_4_Rankings|Ottawa Power Rankings]]. Host of the [https://www.youtube.com/user/Jermalie0 Distant Kingdom], which focuses on Shulk techniques and matchups. Made the first official video guide for MALLC.

*{{Sm|Masonomace|USA}} - A prominent labber on the official Shulk Discord, who regularly posts technical info regarding Shulk's frame data, percent ranges for true combos, and techniques. Notable for his Shield Art-heavy playstyle.

*{{Sm|M|Sweden|p=Sweden}} - Placed 3rd at [[B.E.A.S.T 7]]; the highest-placing Shulk in a national tournament. He has wins over {{Sm|iStudying|}} and {{Sm|Glutonny}}.

*{{Flag|Canada}} [[Smasher: Paradigm (Canada)|Paradigm]] - Introduced and researched notable Shulk techniques, such as Vision Sliding and the Monado Purge combo, alongside Erico. Co-owns the official Shulk Discord with Erico.

*{{Sm|Soronie|USA}} - Placed 7th at [[Don't You Dair 3]] and 49th at [[2GGT: Abadango Saga]]. Formally ranked 6th on the [[NorCal Power Rankings]].

*{{Sm|9B|Japan}} - Formally ranked 8th on the [[JAPAN Power Rankings]]. The first player to show mastery of MALLC in a tournament setting. Has since switched to {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}.

*{{Sm|Artryuu|Canada}} - Placed 33rd at [[Get On My Level 2016]], 25th at [[Nexus 2]] and 4th at [[Back 2 School: Battle Royale]]. Ranked 1st and 10th on the [[Ottawa Power Rankings]] in May 2015 and 2016, respectively.

*{{Sm|Masha|Japan}} - Placed 17th at [[Umebura 25]], 13th at [[Karisuma 10]] and 9th at [[Sumabato 14]] before switching to {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}.

*{{Sm|Trela|USA}} - Shulk was among numerous characters he used before switching to {{SSB4|Ryu}}.

*{{Sm|Nicko|USA}} - The best Shulk in America and one of the best Shulk players in the world prior to his retirement. Previously ranked 7th on the [[SoCal Power Rankings]]. Placed 17th at [[2GGT: Mexico Saga]], 65th at [[EVO 2016]], 25th at [[2GGT: Abadango Saga]] and 33rd at [[2GGC: Civil War]].

Opinions on Shulk's overall viability in the metagame have fluctuated greatly throughout ''SSB4''{{'}}s lifespan. During the game's initial release, Shulk was quickly discovered to be very flawed, mostly due to his moveset being burdened with very sluggish frame data, due to his aerials being incapable of autocanceling throughout their animations. As a result, Shulk was poorly regarded early on. However, update 1.0.4 significantly buffed Shulk, which mainly addressed many of his aforementioned issues. When these buffs were coupled with the discovery of [[advanced technique]]s like his signature [[Monado Arts#Monado Art Landing Lag Cancel|Monado Art Landing Lag Canceling]] (MALLC), Shulk's position on the tier list became a hot topic of debate among players due to his perceived potential. As time went on, players' opinions of Shulk dropped once again. Despite the benefits of his [[Monado Arts]], Shulk failed to achieve high placings at major tournaments, so Shulk was perceived to be a low-tier character and was left with a small, albeit dedicated, playerbase as a result. Despite receiving some buffs in future updates, most notably update 1.1.3, they failed to compensate for his flaws. As such, Shulk was ranked 40th on the first ''4BR'' [[tier list]], placing him in the G tier and confirming his status as a low-tier character.