Pikachu (SSB)
- This article is about Pikachu's appearance in Super Smash Bros. For other uses, see Pikachu.
| Pikachu | |
|---|---|
Pikachu
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| Universe | Pokémon |
| Appears in | SSB SSBM SSBB |
| Availability | Starter |
| Tier | S (1) |
Pikachu (ピカチュウ, Pikachū) is a starter character in Super Smash Bros. and is notorious for its high priority aerials, good edgeguarding ability, and superb recovery. A versatile character with very few weaknesses, a player opposing a Pikachu should never rush straight at the opponent, as its aerials are deadly and are good for countering.
It is currently ranked number one on the tier list for solid attack power, good combo-ability, a good projectile, and undoubtedly the best recovery in Smash 64.
Attributes
Pikachu is a small, very quick character with high-priority moves, great finishers, a projectile that can be used for approach, and a powerful Back throw. Its Thunder Jolt is a relatively underused attack, but can be used for approach. Quick Attack is by far the best Triple Jump in Super Smash Bros., as it can be extended to be incredibly useful in recovery situations, can be used to attack someone off the stage and then recover back, or as a resort to leave battle to evade an attack to start a combo. One of the main reasons why Pikachu is number 1 on the tier list is due to having possibly the only good recovery in smash 64. Its edgeguarding abilities are very impressive, adding to its infinite edge stall. Pikachu is also known for 3 great combo starters: up tilt, f-air, and d-air. Its attacks, most notably f-smash, have strange hitboxes, and f-smash is an excellent finisher as well. Its comboing ability is amazing, most notably Thunder-spiking, which involves using an up smash, and while the opponent is high enough, hit them with Thunder, the only attack in the game with infinite vertical range. Up tilt, like most others, is an exceptional combo in U-smash. Overall, Pikachu has only a few even matchups, with the main ones being Fox on Hyrule Castle and Captain Falcon on Dreamland, and in every other matchup, Pikachu is at least 60-40.
The problems Pikachu faces are small, but still noticeable. It is easily comboed, along with the fact it is light weight, despite usually being able to get out of bad situations with its high priority attacks and being able to up-B out of opponent hits. Pikachu also has low range, especially on grabs. Its up-B, despite its invincibility frames and wonderful range, leaves Pikachu vulnerable. If one can get over these small issues, Pikachu will be a huge asset.
Moveset
Ground Moves
Normal
- Neutral attack- Pikachu headbuts forward. 2% per pummel, can chain into itself. It has somewhat low range, the attack direction in front of Pikachu. Without proper di, this can break a shield against a wall
- Forward tilt- Pika stands on his two hands and kicks his two feet forward. 10% damage. Around the same if not slightly lower range than it's neutral attack. Can be slightly angled up or down, though not very noticeable.
- Down tilt - 12%, normally used against walls/against certain people's recoveries (Fox, Captain Falcon, Samus, etc.) Lower range than it's neutral attack, but usually forces the foe right over the ledge, setting up for an aerial finisher.
- Up tilt - Vertical Kick-8%, a very fun move with very high priority. can combo multiple times without the opponent escaping, simple to combo with up smash and up tilt. Easily leads into powerful N-Air.
- Dash attack- Sliding Headbutt- 8% damage. Barely used, can be used for finishing occasionally. Very laggy and predictable
Smash attacks
- Forward smash - Thunder jolt-16%, very high priority, one of the best killing moves, can be slightly aimed up/down but barely. Pika releases a short jolt of electricity from its cheeks. The electrical effect is in 2-D.
- Down smash - Break dance-16/14% (forward hit 16, back hit 14), a less used and slightly less powerful version of the forward smash, randomly used (mindgames). However, still very powerful/
- Up smash - Flip-14% very powerful, similar to Falcon's but more range, slower, and with more lag, can combo multiple ones with heavy chars also using up tilt and it into aerials and down b, a good killing move, high priority
Other attacks
- Ledge attack- Very quickly and flip kicks. 6% damage.
- 100% ledge attack- Slowly gets up and whips it's tail. 6% damage.
- Floor attack- Swirls around with its foot extended. 6% damage.
Aerial attacks
- Nair - Aerial Kick-14% a combo starter for pros, made better by Isai*, a combo starter/finisher and powerful hit box. An easily definable Sex Kick.
- Fair - Aerial thunder jolt-6 hits, 2%/hit, a combo starter or finisher. All the hits are awkward to connect, and the finishing hit isn't even that strong. The speed of the move slows as the foe is zapped.
- Bair - Back Kick-14%. Pika kicks back, its small foot getting slightly larger for a short second. Very powerful, a combo ender/starter
- Dair - downward jolt-10-12, 3 on ground. Uses and general KO-ing conditions similar to Link's D-Air, only much safer to use.
- Uair - upward tail- A flipping upwards tail swing. Does 8% damage. Knockback angle depends on area of tail, a comboer as well.
Throws
- Forward throw- Pikachu grabs the foe, flips and releases them. Average throw power. 14% damage.
- Back throw- Pikachu puts the foe on its back and releases electricity. Very powerful. This throw would later become his forward throw in future Smash Bros. iterations. 18%
Special Moves
Taunt
- Turns to its left, stands on tiptoes, lowers its tail, waves its arms four times, and looks to its left then to its right, accompanied by it saying "Pika Pika!" (the "a" is much longer in the second "Pika").
Matchups
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Combos and General Strategy
Extended Quick Attack
Pikachu's already long up B can be extended even farther by letting the analog stick snap back to neutral position before the end of the second quick attack. This can also be used on the first quick attack but runs a high risk of missing the second quick attack.
Thunder-Spiking
Launching the opponent straight up (usually with an Up smash) and using Thunder (Pikachu's down special) is called "Thunder-Spiking." Thunder-Spiking is usually used as a combo finisher. Unlike Pikachu's Thunder in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Thunder in Super Smash Bros. has infinite vertical range. This technique allows Pikachu to get a vertical kill at around 40% damage sooner than just a normal Up smash.
Description
Pikachu
Mouse PKMN
Height 1'4"
Weight 13 lbs
When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could cause lightning storms.
(Pokédex excerpt)
Works:
Costume Gallery
Trivia
- Pikachu is the only character in SSB to not have a spike, and one of the few in Smash history to not.
- Pikachu, along with Kirby, Link, and Yoshi, is one of the only characters to open its mouth in SSB.
- All of Pikachu's static and electric effects are rendered in 2-D due to limitations.
| Fighters in Super Smash Bros. | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | Captain Falcon · Donkey Kong · Fox · Jigglypuff · Kirby · Link · Luigi · Mario · Ness · Pikachu · Samus · Yoshi |
