List of flaws in artificial intelligence (SSB4): Difference between revisions

The following is a list of flaws in the [[artificial intelligence]] of ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', present in both games up to the most recent version (1.1.7) unless otherwise stated.

2. Suboptimal play by the CPU, in general, does not constitute an AI flaw. For something to be considered an AI flaw, it has to be a repeated behavior by the AI that directly hinders a CPU's performance regardless of outside circumstances.

3. Per the previous guideline, a potential example must be behavior by the CPU that it will nearly always repeat when the circumstances leading to the example occurs.

4. Make sure to add the latest version in which the flaw occurs: if your game isn't updated to the current latest version (1.1.7), you might want to check if the flaw was fixed in posterior versions, and add your version in which it occurred accordingly. Otherwise, always list the version as 1.1.7 with its corresponding Smash symbol. Since the AI is the same between both the 3DS and Wii U versions from 1.0.6 onward, always add {{GameIcon|ssb4}} unless it's a stage flaw, in which either {{GameIcon|ssb4-3}} or {{GameIcon|ssb4-u}} should be added if the stage is exclusive to one version.-->

**Moreover, with the exception of {{SSB4|Donkey Kong}}, CPUs tend to favor their [[down throw]]s to combo at low to mid percents, even with characters whose down throws are ineffective for said purpose and instead have other combo throws (such as {{SSB4|Bowser}} and {{SSB4|Kirby}}), and in case they do use said throws, they will rarely try to combo out of them whatsoever (an example being Bowser with his up throw). Likewise, at high percents, they almost always their [[back throw]]s for KOing, even with characters such as {{SSB4|Greninja}}, {{SSB4|Marth}}, and {{SSB4|Pit}} who have other stronger throws; the only exceptions are {{SSB4|Charizard}}, {{SSB4|Kirby}}, {{SSB4|Link}}, and {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}, who instead appropriately use their [[up throw]]s in this instance.

|CPUs often fail to recognize when an opponent is in ending lag, instead, they act as though the player has the ability to attack them at any moment. This is particularly noticeable if the player uses [[Rest]], as the CPU will continue to act cautiously, failing to recognize that Jigglypuff is vulnerable.

|CPUs persistently try to use certain projectiles or special moves even when only one of them can be out at a time, or when a certain period of time must pass for the special to be used again; they will just use it again with no results, causing them to become vulnerable most of the time. These moves include [[Clown Cannon]], [[Mechakoopa]], Wario Bike, [[Banana Peel]], Robin's four special moves (of which {{b|Thunder|Robin}} and [[Arcfire]] suffer the most from this behavior), [[Robo Beam]], [[Gyro]], [[Pikmin Throw]], and [[Bonus Fruit]].

|When using a projectile repeatedly, CPUs tend to not move and reposition themselves between uses of it, causing them to constantly miss with projectiles that only cover a specific distance, such as [[Shot Put]] and [[Explosive Flame]], leaving themselves open.

|CPU Bayonetta always uses [[After Burner Kick]] when at a short distance away from the edge, often without attacking or dodging opponents after using the move and before landing.

|CPU Luigi, Sheik, and Zero Suit Samus never aid their recoveries with their respective [[down special]]s, causing them to fail their recoveries and get KO'd if their other recovery moves do not attain enough distance to get back onto the stage.

|CPU Kirby often uses his forward aerial after a midair jump to attack edge guarders during his recovery, regardless of his level, which, while making him harder to gimp, is a very predictable and stoppable process as the CPU will never attempt to act differently.

|If the player and a CPU Pac-Man are in opposite sides of a stage, he will try to summon a [[Bonus Fruit]] even if there is already one on stage and it is picked up by the player, resulting in him persistently using the move in place with no effect, often for prolonged amounts of time.

| [[File:HammerIconSSB4.png|32px|link=Hammer (item)]] [[File:GoldenHammerIconSSB4.png|32px|link=Golden Hammer]] || CPUs still exhibit most flaws from ''Brawl'' when using the regular and/or Golden Hammer.

| [[File:BumperIconSSB4.png|32px|link=Bumper]] [[File:MotionSensorBombIconSSB4.png|32px|link=Motion-Sensor Bomb]] [[File:UniraIconSSB4.png|32px|link=Unira]] || While CPUs are overall better at avoiding dangerous items activated by anyone other than them, this can become a problem with Motion-Sensor Bombs, Uniras and Bumpers. If one is activated between the thrower and a CPU, it will repeatedly walk up to it, only to back up at the last second (either by jumping backward, rolling, or sidestepping) and occasionally use a random attack, rarely managing to jump over it unless there are other CPUs at the same side.

| [[File:BackShieldIconSSB4.png|32px|link=Back Shield]] || If a CPU is cornered near the edge of a stage by a player facing away from them while wearing a Back Shield, the CPU may continuously attack the shield or roll backward rather than trying another option such as jumping over the player.

| rowspan=2|[[File:SmashBallIconSSB4.png|32px|link=Smash Ball]] || When a player near them has partial intangibility from a dodge, CPU Bowser, Little Mac, and Lucario still roll during their Final Smashes to "avoid" them instead of attacking them, despite becoming invincible to knockback, allowing the player to easily stall them out until the Final Smashes wear off.

| [[File:PalutenasTempleWiiUFull.png|128px|link=Palutena's Temple]] || CPUs have a difficult time chasing opponents on the moving platform above the stage, often hitting themselves with the spikes below it or failing to get on it at all. CPU {{SSB4|Little Mac}}s, in particular, have a very hard time chasing their opponents on this stage without self-destructing.

| [[File:SSB4UDelfinoPlaza.png|128px|link=Delfino Plaza]] || On Delfino Plaza and stages with a similar layout, CPUs will usually aim their recoveries below the main platform instead of aiming for the ledges (thus requiring less height to recover), causing them to get KO'd if their recovery moves do not grant enough distance to propel them above the platform when they could have given enough distance for them to grab the ledges instead. || {{GameIcon|ssb4-3}}1.0.4, {{GameIcon|ssb4-u}}1.0.2

| [[File:SSB4 Corneria.JPG|128px|link=Corneria]] || On Corneria, CPUs will attempt to grab items even if they fall onto the Great Fox's laser blaster, often not being able to make it back onto the ship's deck afterward (repeatedly jumping in place or off the gun only to get back onto it), forcing them to stay put until they are inevitably blasted offscreen. || rowspan=3|{{GameIcon|ssb4-3}}1.0.4

| [[File:SSB4 Paper Mario.JPG|128px|link=Paper Mario]] || In the third section of Paper Mario, CPUs who are standing on the Bowser's head won't pay attention to when the head rotates, often focusing on fighting anyone else who may be on there too, rather than maintaining their footing, often resulting in them falling off and not making it back to the stage.

**CPU Ness at high levels no longer uses PK Flash on land, now using it only for edge guards.

*CPU Bowser Jr. uses Clown Kart Dash on land much more often and now uses the hammer when recovering with Abandon Ship.

*CPU Marth and Lucina perform all hits of Dancing Blade more often but have a higher tendency of using the move.

In comparison to other ''Smash'' games, the AI in ''Smash 4'' since the release of the Wii U version has been coded to always combo the throws (majorly down throws) of most characters into a certain attack (usually an aerial or special move) when at high levels. This greatly improves the CPUs' damage racking capacities, although it can also result in them missing their followup attack and becoming vulnerable if the opponent has some damage already and reacts with proper DI since the CPU will often jump in the same way and attack at a specific interval instead of trying to read the opponent's DI. Additionally, some CPUs such as Olimar will not use any attacks out of their down throw despite having potential setups, such as forward air in the case of Olimar, while others such as Mewtwo will do so even if their down throw doesn't allow any guaranteed combos.

*Rosalina, Bowser Jr., and Mewtwo: Second jab to [[down tilt]].