Fox (SSBM): Difference between revisions

|rankingPAL = 1

}}

Despite being ranked first, Fox is not flawless. One of Fox’s primary weaknesses is his rather short [[reach]], due to his lack of disjointed hitboxes outside of his Shine. As such, he gets outspaced by other top tiers, especially in aerial combat, though his fast movement can compensate for this. His high falling speed makes him very easy to combo and chaingrab off of a single conversion from the opponent, and his light weight can result in extremely early horizontal KOs if the player's [[DI]] is poor. Although he boasts long-distance recovery options, their linear paths makes it easier for certain characters like {{SSBM|Marth}} to predict his recovery path and [[edge guard]] or [[gimp]] him. Fox also has an extremely high technical learning curve, as most of his techniques require extremely nimble fingers and fast reaction time. Also, due to his aforementioned flaws, Fox is considered to be a glass cannon, where he could lose a stock if a single mistake is made, giving him a high cerebral learning curve. So while Fox has incredible fighting prowess and potential, many consider Fox to be arguably the hardest character to play as and master, requiring a lot of practice. Although Fox can rack up damage quickly, his combo game is rather unreliable, as many of his strings rely on tech-chasing and DI mixups rather than guaranteed hits. Fox also lacks a good combo finisher in his kit, as his shine spike is extremely situational and cannot be properly used to end his combos. Unlike other top tiers, such as {{SSBM|Falco}}, {{SSBM|Marth}}, {{SSBM|Sheik}}, and {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}, who can net a kill off of starting a combo at mid percents, Fox's best option after a combo is to create an edgeguard situation (usually with his {{Mvsub|Fox|SSBM|back aerial}}), which gives the opponent a chance to recover. As such, Fox relies on getting a kill confirm at high percents to net KOs if he can't successfully edgeguard or shine spike his opponents.

==Attributes==

Fox's primary reason for his top-tier placing is his unparalleled comboing and damaging ability, helped by a powerful [[approach]] game. His fast fall and low, fast short hop contribute to an extremely quick [[SHFFL]], which can let him almost effortlessly start combos or act as a deadly approach option. Additionally, Fox's specials act as powerful ways to aid this; his [[Reflector (Fox)|Reflector]] comes out on frame 1, and makes for a potential combo starter, as well as a potential [[infinite]] combo with his [[waveshine infinite]], and his [[Blaster (Fox)|Blaster]] is an almost unstoppable damage-racking method, due to its long range, inability to cause [[hitstun]], high speed and its ability to be combined with Fox's [[short hop]] as part of the [[short hop laser]] technique. Additionally, a majority of Fox's attacks inflict significant damage while being very fast as well; his {{mvsub|Fox|SSBM|neutral aerial}}, {{mvsub|Fox|SSBM|back aerial}}, and tilts are especially notable in this regard, with the remainder of his aerials having little [[ending lag]].

While not the best, Fox's [[grab]] game is decent. His [[throw]]s' low knockback allow him to set up potentially lethal combos. His {{mvsub|Fox|SSBM|up throw}} can lead into a sweet spotted up aerial, one of Fox's primary KO methods, and can even [[chain throw]] [[fast faller]]s. His forward and back throws force opponents a fair distance off the stage, aptly setting up opportunities for Fox to use his smashes, aerials, or [[shine spike]]s to edgeguard. In rare situations, Fox can use his down throw to [[meteor smash]] his opponents off the edge of a stage. Despite this, Fox's grab range is average, though his high dashing speed gives him a potential method to "extend" its range. Fox also cannot reliably chain grab at higher percentages, though he retains his ability to hit most opponents out of his up throw with guaranteed aerials, depending on [[DI]].

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''==

===Aesthetics===

**{{nerf|This new taunt has much more ending lag (FAF 60 → 110), making it riskier to use.}}

===Attributes===

**{{buff|However, his aerial approach is much greater due to the fact that jumps now carry momentum from a dash, combined with Fox's lower short hop, as well as with him gaining the ability to fast fall while performing an aerial.}}

*{{nerf|Fox's snout and the darker portion of his tail now have hurtboxes. This make Fox easier to hit.}}

*{{buff|The introduction of [[air dodge]]s has immensely benefited Fox as it gives him access to [[wavedashing]] and wavelanding and his fast jumping and falling speed allow him to make excellent use of wavedashing.}}

**{{buff|Down tilt has less ending lag (FAF 30 → 28).}}

**{{change|Down tilt has received a middle hitbox which sends opponents at an 80° angle.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt deals less damage (12% → 10%), hindering its KO potential.}}

***{{nerf|Despite this, it still has worse combo potential overall due to the universal decrease to hitstun/the introduction of DI.}}

===Aerial Attacks===

*{{buff|All aerials except back aerial have less landing lag (16 frames → 15 (neutral), 30 frames → 22 (forward), 40 frames → 18 (up/down)).}}

**{{nerf|When combined with the weakening of [[L-cancel]]ling, this significantly hinders the safety and combo potential of Fox's aerials although his aerial pressure is even greater than before due to his faster falling speed and his ability to fast fall during an aerial.}}

*[[Neutral aerial]]:

**{{change|Neutral aerial has a slightly altered animation; Fox faces more away from his kicking-direction akin to his dash attack, and tucks in his right leg differently.}}

**{{buff|Neutral aerial has less ending lag (FAF 50 → 42).}}

**{{nerf|The clean hit deals less damage (14% → 12%) without full compensation on its base knockback (0 → 10).}}

**{{nerf|The final hit only received an increase to its base knockback (0 → 50), hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Despite it now being a weaker multi hit, forward aerial has significantly less combo potential due to the universal decrease to hitstun/introduction of DI/weakening of L-cancelling.}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial has more ending lag (FAF 40 → 53) and a longer animation (39 frames → 59).}}

***{{nerf|As a result of these changes, forward aerial has lost almost all of the utility it had in the previous game, now being one of Fox's worst moves.}}

**{{change|Back aerial has an altered animation: Fox's body is more upright while performing the move, with his legs being positioned in a less straight angle. As its hitboxes were not adjusted, this improves back aerial's vertical range but reduces its horizontal range.}}

**{{buff|Back aerial deals more damage (12% (clean back), 8% (front/late) → 15%/9%) improving its KO potential.}}

**{{buff|Back aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 28 → 24).}}

***{{nerf|However, it no longer auto-cancels as soon as its hitboxes are no longer active.}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial has more landing lag (15 frames → 20).}}

*[[Up aerial]]:

**{{buff|The second hit has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 12-13 → 11-14).}}

**{{buff|The second hit has more base knockback but less knockback scaling (0 (base), 135 (scaling) → 40/116). This makes it safer on hit at lower percents and improves its overall KO potential, especially near the upper blastzone.}}

**{{nerf|The first hit has more startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 6-11 → 8-9).}}

***{{buff|However, this improves its ability to link into the second hit.}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial has smaller hitboxes (5.33u/5.66u → 4.3u/4.3u.4.3u (hit 1), 5.66u/6.16u → 3.66u/4.89u/4.89u (hit 2) and the foot hitbox has been positioned closer to Fox (x offset: 3.66 → 3.12 (hit 1)/0 (hit 2)). This hinders its juggling potential, as well as its ability to hit opponents below Fox (especially the first hit when combined with its increased startup lag).}}

*[[Down aerial]]:

**{{change|Down aerial's angle has been slightly altered (-70° → 290°).}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial has more startup lag (frame 4 → 5).}}

***{{nerf|However, this makes the throw slower against heavier characters.}}

**{{nerf|Back throw deals much less damage (15% → 2% (throw)/2% (lasers)/7% (total)) without full compensation on the throw's knockback scaling (60 → 85), immensely hindering its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Back throw has lost its collateral hitbox. While the lasers can hit bystanders, they deal no knockback, making them much less effective than the previous collateral hitbox.}}

*[[Floor attack]]s:

**{{nerf|The lasers no longer have an infinite duration, now only lasting 34 frames.}}

*[[Fox Illusion]]:

*[[Fire Fox]]:

**{{buff|Fire Fox now has hitboxes while it is charging, which leaves Fox much less vulnerable and increases Fire Fox's maximum damage potential (16% → 2% (hits 1-7)/14% (hit 8)/25% (total)).}}

**{{buff|Fire Fox has a larger hitbox (3u → 4u).}}

**{{buff|Fire Fox travels further and faster.}}

**{{buff|Fox can now grab ledges from behind after dashing with Fire Fox.}}

**{{buff|Fire Fox has less landing lag (12 frames → 6/3).}}

***{{nerf|However this along with the universal reduction to hitstun/the introduction of DI and the introduction of wall teching has hindered Fox's shine spiking potential (although it is still an incredible edgeguarding tool and the ability to jump cancel the shine allows to be used at even lower stage positions than it could before).}}

**{{buff|Fox can now drop through platforms while using Reflector.}}

***{{buff|Overall, these changes combined with Fox's greater mobility grant Shine even greater utility than it already had.}}

**{{nerf|Reflector no longer auto-cancels on landing. While this allows Fox to keep holding out reflector when he lands to reflect projectiles, this also makes the move much more punishable if he lands with it.}}

***{{nerf|This along with the changes to shields have hindered its shield pressuring potential, with shine no longer being able to lead into a guaranteed shield break (although it still remains one of the best shield pressuring tools in the game).}}

**{{nerf|Reflector has a lower reflection multiplier (1.8x → 1.5x), regaining its multiplier from the Japanese version of ''Smash 64''.}}

**{{nerf|Reflector has more ending lag after reflecting a projectile (FAF 25 → 39).}}

==Version history==

Despite this, his tournament viability is not severely affected, as he is also ranked 1st on the [[PAL tier list]] (though recently, this has become more debatable).

|neutralinf=y

|neutralcount=2

|neutral1dmg=4%

|neutral2dmg=4%

|neutralinfdmg=1% (loop)

|neutraldesc=A quick jab that can combo into several other attacks, including an up smash. Very useful against shields, to [[jab reset]], and into shine cancels. The second jab makes Fox move forward a bit and is followed by a flurry of rapid kicks. Its combo ability into other moves makes it the best jab in the game.

|ftiltdmg=9%

|ftiltdesc=Sticks his foot out to the side. This is best used for a quick close-ranged [[spacing]] move. This move can be aimed up or down.

|utiltdmg=12% (foot grounded), 9% (leg & foot aerial)

|utiltdesc=Performs a quick and surprisingly strong vertical back kick. It covers Fox's whole body; thus, it makes Fox and his vertically-aimed foot a hitbox. Its speed, power, and hitbox make it great for close-up spacing. It can easily combo into itself, up air, and up smash. Used as part as a [[chain-grab]] against fast-fallers with it being connected to his up throw. Begins to KO at around 120% on mostly the floaty lightweights. Fox's foot deals more damage on grounded opponents.

|dtiltdmg=10%

|dtiltdesc=Performs a sweeping tail lash. Moderately fast. Can combo at mid-percentages into aerials. It can also become a somewhat solid finisher at higher percentages.

|dashdmg=7% (clean), 5% (late)

|dashdesc=Runs forward and sticks his leg out. Good combo ability, especially into an up smash. Very vulnerable to [[crouch canceling]].

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|15}} (clean), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|12}} (late)

|fsmashdesc=Performs a flying hook kick. Has rather low knockback (extremely low base knockback - 10) for a smash attack, though it is fast, and is actually quite reliable at higher percentages (very high knockback scaling - 105), KOing usually at around 120%.

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|18}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|17}} (clean NTSC/PAL), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|13}} (late)

|usmashdesc=Performs a bicycle kick. This move is very fast, and when used on the ground while facing the foe, it has very high vertical knockback. It is very reliable at mid-high damages. Shine into up smash is very useful for KOs. Considered one of the best up smashes in the game due to its extreme speed, extreme power, decent range, and ability to be easily set up into it. It is the second most powerful up smash in the game, behind {{SSBM|Pikachu}}'s. Fox's head is intangible during the early part of the animation.

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|15}}/{{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|13}} (feet NTSC/PAL), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|12}} (legs)

|dsmashdesc=Does a split kick, hitting on both of his sides. It is fast and has moderate knockback, sending opponents on a [[semi-spike]] trajectory. Useful for [[edgeguarding]] and spacing. Both of Fox's legs are intangible near the start of the move.

|nairdmg=12% (clean), 9% (late)

|nairdesc=Sticks his foot out, a simple [[sex kick]]. A very quick aerial, good against shields and great power when it first comes out. One of the best neutral airs in the game due to its combo ability and reliable setups into shine.

|fairdmg=7% (hit 1), 5% (hit 2), 6% (hit 3), 4% (hit 4), 3% (hit 5)

|fairdesc=Kicks forward five times. Good knockback when all hits connect. Regrettably, this move is very awkward due to the short amount of forward distance, short range of the move, and bad physics of the kicks being chained together. All hits are extremely hard to connect without a good set-up, especially on lighter characters.

|uairdmg=5% (hit 1), 13% (hit 2)

|dairdmg=2-3% (hits 1-7)

|dairdesc=Spins around, drilling downwards with his extended foot. Useful as a [[SHFFL]]'d approach option, with combo potential into moves like up tilt, up smash, and shine. It is the weakest [[spike]] in the game, with weak set knockback.

|grabdesc=

|pummeldmg=3%

|pummeldesc=Knees opponent.

|fthrowdmg=4% (hit 1), 3% (throw)

|fthrowdesc=Punches the opponent forward. Despite its generally poor combo ability, it can chain-grab on some heavy characters. It is best used for forcing opponents offstage, setting up an edgeguard.

|bthrowdmg=2% (throw), 2% (shots)

|bthrowdesc=Throws backwards and shoots the opponent with his Blaster. Used mainly for setting up edgeguards off-stage, though really not many other uses besides mixing up a Fox player's throw game.

|uthrowdmg=2% (throw), 2% (shots)

|uthrowdesc=Throws the opponent into the air and shoots them with his Blaster. It can chain-grab fast fallers at lower percentages and combo into moves such as up tilt, up aerial, and up smash. Often considered the best up throw in the game due to its easy kill setups (notably up throw to up air), its chaingrab ability, and its juggle potential (up air juggles after up throw).

|dthrowdmg=1% (shots), 1% (throw)

|dthrowdesc=Throws the opponent into the ground and shoots them with his Blaster. Has [[meteor smash]] properties, and if performed at the edge of a stage or platform, can send the opponent plummeting down. This is useful as a mixup at high percents or as a tech chase into a KO move. However, this also allows it to be meteor cancelled or teched, and faces competition with up throw, which has true combo followups on the majority of the cast.

|dspage=Reflector (Fox)

|dsdmg=5% (startup), 1.5x damage for reflected projectiles

}}

==In [[competitive play]]==

*{{Sm|KDJ|USA}} - Triple-mained with Marth and Sheik before retiring. Considered one of the strongest ''Melee'' players in the pre-''Brawl'' era.

===Tier placement and history===

The meteoric rise of {{Sm|Leffen}} in 2014 and 2015 as a solo Fox main, along with Mango's continued dominance, solidified many players' opinions about Fox's place at the top of the metagame. Many players who mained a lower-ranked character, most notably {{Sm|Hax}}, even abandoned their former character in favor of using only Fox, and other players, such as {{Sm|Armada}}, picked up Fox as a co-main to alleviate trouble against certain opponents. This heavily increased presence led panelists to rank Fox as decisively 1st on the tier list, which caused him to be placed in his own tier at the top of the most recent tier list (much akin to {{SSB|Pikachu}} in the previous iterations of the ''64'' tier list or {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} in ''Brawl''). However, his tier placement was met with some backlash; community members argued that designating Fox as "SS-tier" implied that he was overwhelmingly superior to the rest of the cast, when the true power gap between the top 3 characters was not actually that large, and that Fox was merely the most common and clear #1 out of them.

====PAL viability====

Fox players who travel to attend large tournaments, such as {{Sm|Leffen}}, are forced to adjust to these changes in gameplay, which can be an obstacle when fighting in a foreign country or continent. A handful of these players own copies of both the PAL and NTSC versions of the game to allow practice before international tournaments, mainly to practice executing certain Fox-specific setups that are impossible in the PAL version but present in the NTSC version, or to practice accommodating for the lack of these setups with backup strategies.

==={{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===

In Classic Mode, Fox can appear as an ordinary opponent, an ally or opponent in team battles, alongside {{SSBM|Falco}}, {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}, {{SSBM|Donkey Kong}} or {{SSBM|Samus}}, or as a metal opponent. In Fox's appearances, he appears on [[Corneria]] or [[Venom]] as a regular opponent, and on {{SSBM|Battlefield}} as a metal opponent. In team battles, he appears on {{SSBM|Mute City}} with Captain Falcon, on {{SSBM|Kongo Jungle}} with Donkey Kong, and on [[Brinstar]] with Samus.

In addition to the normal trophy about Fox as a character, there are two trophies about him as a fighter, unlocked by completing both [[Adventure Mode|Adventure]] and [[All-Star]] modes respectively with Fox on any difficulty:

==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Fox|Alternate costumes]]==

<gallery>

SSBM Fox HQ.jpg|Official artwork of Fox.

FalcoClassicMode.jpg|Lying next to {{SSBM|Falco}} on [[Corneria]].

CaptainFalconClassicMode.jpg|Knocked back by {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}'s [[Falcon Kick]] on Corneria.

BowserAllStarMode.jpg|[[Taunt]]ing {{SSBM|Bowser}} on [[Temple]].

DrMarioAllStarMode.jpg|[[Stun]]ned next to {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} on [[Princess Peach's Castle]].

CaptainFalconAllStarMode.jpg|Posing with Captain Falcon on {{SSBM|Final Destination}}.

NessAllStarMode.jpg|Using Blaster on {{SSBM|Ness}} on Pokémon Stadium.

*Fox is the only character in ''Melee'' with two soft-damage groans.

*In ''Melee'', Fox uses his tail as a support while firing his Blaster, but not in later games.

*Fox in ''Melee'' and {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} in ''Brawl'' are the only characters to have ever been in the SS tier.

{{SSBMCharacters}}

{{EnemiesAdvSSBM}}