Meta Knight (SSB4): Difference between revisions

Meta Knight is ranked 16th out of 55 on the [[tier list]], placing him in the B tier. This is a moderate drop from his top-tier placement in ''Brawl'', where he was ranked 1st out of 38. Meta Knight's already impressive mobility has been improved: his already fast [[dash]]ing and [[falling speed]]s have become even faster, while his extremely slow [[air speed]] has become drastically faster. Meta Knight's overall frame data remains extremely fast and {{s|wikirby|Galaxia}} grants him [[Hitbox|disjointed]] [[range]], which collectively enable him to retain his formidable [[combo]] game and [[edge-guarding]] potential. Incidentally, he also boasts a superb [[recovery]]: in addition to his [[Double jump#Multiple double jumps|multiple double jumps]], all [[Mach Tornado|of]] [[Drill Rush|his]] [[Shuttle Loop|special]] [[Dimensional Cape|moves]] are reliable at bringing him back on-stage.

Boasting five midair jumps and a special moveset full of recovery options, Meta Knight has an outstanding [[recovery]]. [[Mach Tornado]] covers a large amount of horizontal recovery, especially if mashed. [[Drill Rush]] can be used as a horizontal recovery, and can be angled. [[Shuttle Loop]] covers a high amount of vertical distance and grants a fully controllable amount of horizontal distance. [[Dimensional Cape]] makes Meta Knight invisible, and allows him to move in any direction, making it the most unpredictable move in his arsenal and a good option for [[mindgame]]s. His recovery, when combined with his quick and disjointed aerial attacks, contributes to a deadly off-stage game. Furthermore, his aerial prowess makes him among the most difficult characters to [[juggling|juggle]] consistently.  

In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', Meta Knight was near universally regarded as the best character in the entire game, to the point of being considered by many as [[broken]]. This is due to numerous factors: Meta Knight was incredibly fast due to his blazing ground speed, array of mid-air jumps, having access to a glide and terrific frame data. In addition to his speed, most of his attacks were disjointed and possessed [[transcendent priority]], making Meta Knight a very difficult character to challenge and punish.  

As a result of all of these traits, Meta Knight was an incredibly dominant force in ''Brawl'', with numerous characters heavily struggling against him and even the characters who could deal with him still had a disadvantageous matchup against him. Likely as a result of how he warped the metagame, Meta Knight has been significantly reworked in ''Super Smash Bros 4'' and while he did receive some buffs, he was nerfed significantly overall.

Having been completely unmatched in ''Brawl'', Meta Knight's frame data has been considerably toned down. Many of his attacks now have slower start-up lag, reduced active frames, and higher ending and landing lag, with his up aerial being a good example in all these aspects. His range has been shortened, which makes his [[spacing]] ability much weaker and thus forces him to adopt a more aggressive playstyle. To further compound this, his overall damage output has been significantly reduced now being below average. With the nerfs to several of his most pivotal [[neutral game]] options, such as down tilt, forward aerial, down aerial, [[Shuttle Loop]] and [[Mach Tornado]], and the loss of [[Glide|gliding]] and the [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]] on his moves, Meta Knight's neutral game is overall significantly worse, leaving him more vulnerable to [[camping]] and zoning, especially with his lack of a projectile. The changes to his down aerial and Shuttle Loop combined with the removal of [[edge-hogging]], his shorter recovery, and the generally improved recoveries of the majority of the cast have collectively hurt Meta Knight's edge-guarding potential, and the loss of gliding removes some of his off-stage mix-ups. With his faster falling speed and the changes to [[hitstun canceling]], Meta Knight can no longer momentum cancel and is more vulnerable to combos, worsening his already poor endurance.

However, Meta Knight has received some noteworthy buffs. His already good mobility has been improved: his [[air speed]] is drastically faster, he dashes and falls faster, and he has gained a new movement option in his long perfect [[Pivoting|pivot]]. Several of his attacks are stronger, most notably his forward and up smashes, back aerial, and [[Dimensional Cape]]. Due to the changes to hitstun canceling and the updated gameplay physics, Meta Knight can perform true combos more reliably, especially with his dash attack, which has become his most reliably combo starter and is now a large part of his game plan. His up aerial also remains a strong combo option due to these changes despite its severe nerfs and his altered Shuttle Loop while having far less utility has become an incredible combo finisher and KO move near the upper blast line. His grab game is both more rewarding and more consistent, due to the mechanic changes somewhat making up for the nerfs to his damage output. He also benefits from the removal of [[chain grab]]bing and the changes to aerial [[grab release]]s which was previously one of his weaknesses.  

Meta Knight has also received buffs over time via game updates, and while they are helpful, they do not nearly compensate for the loss of his overwhelming strengths from ''Brawl'' and version [[1.1.5]] nerfed his up aerial further.  

*{{buff|Meta Knight's [[air speed]] is significantly faster (0.752 → 0.99), going from the third lowest out of 39 characters to the 35th highest out of 58.}}

*{{nerf|Meta Knight's mid-air jumps grant less height due to his higher gravity.}}

*{{buff|[[Roll]]s have a longer duration (frames 5-12 (forward)/4-12 (back) → 4-15 (both)).}}  

*{{buff|[[Air dodge]] has less startup (frame 3 → 2) and ending lag (FAF 40 → 31).}}

*{{nerf|All of Meta Knight's sword-based ground attacks have lost their [[Priority#Transcendent priority|transcendent priority]]. This significantly hinders Meta Knight's neutral game as it makes it much easier for opponents to challenge his ground moves.}}  

**{{buff|Neutral attack launches opponents at a higher angle ([[Sakurai angle|361°]] → 60°/84°) and it has lower knockback scaling (40 → 30). This makes the move connect much more reliably as grounded opponents are now put into the air when the move is performed, preventing them for shielding.}}  

**{{buff|Neutral attack has a lower [[Smash directional influence|SDI]] multiplier (1× → 0.6×). When combined with the weakening of the mechanic along with the move's other changes, this makes it much more difficult to escape from.}}  

**{{change|The third hit launches opponents at a lower angle (65° → 361°). This improves its KO and edgeguarding potential, but removes its set-up potential.}}  

**{{nerf|Down tilt has more ending lag (FAF 16 → 19).}}  

**{{nerf|Dash attack deals less damage (6%/7%/8% → 5%/6%)}}

**{{buff|Dash attack deals more knockback (40 (base), 88 (scaling) → 70/90). When combined with the changes to hitstun canceling and [[DI]], this significantly improves its combo potential (now being one of his best combo starters).}}  

**{{buff|Dash attack has larger hitboxes (4.2u/4.2u/4.2u → 5.5u/5u/4u) which are positioned further away from Meta Knight (z offset: 0/2/4 → y offset: -1/-6/-10), greatly improving its range.}}

**{{buff|Meta Knight now vocalizes once his forward smash's hitboxes become active, rather than as soon as he starts it. Due to its high startup lag, this makes forward smash harder to react to.}}

**{{buff|The changes to shields significantly benefit forward smash as the move is now safe (in terms of frames) against a sizeable portion of the cast.}}

**{{change|Forward smash's has an altered animation. Meta Knight now draws Galaxia farther back and slashes outward in a more pronounced motion, ending the slash behind himself and taking a while to re-adjust to his neutral stance.}}

**{{nerf|Forward smash has smaller hitboxes (7u/6u/6u/6u → 6.2u/5.2u), with the upper/lower hitboxes being removed. This significantly reduces forward smash's vertical range.}}  

**{{nerf|The near hitbox has been move further away from Meta Knight (z offset: 5 → 9), considerably reducing the move's range behind Meta Knight.}}

**{{change|Up smash's animation has slightly changed. Meta Knight now slashes upward at a slightly higher height.}}

**{{nerf|The upper hitbox has been moved close to Meta Knight (y offset: 22 (hit 1)/24 (hits 2 and 3) → 20 (all)), giving the move less range above Meta Knight.}}

**{{change|Down smash's has an altered animation where Meta Knight now slashes inward around himself while spinning once.}}  

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has an altered animation. Meta Knight now cartwheels, instead of somersaulting. This new animation is slightly longer (47 frames → 49), increasing the amount of time Meta Knight cannot grab ledges after performing the move.}}  

**{{nerf|The clean hit's body hitbox is smaller (8u → 7u).}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial now consists of one extended hitbox close to Meta Knight and one normal hitbox further away from him (with each having two separate sets of hitboxes for grounded and aerial opponents) rather than four normal hitboxes forming a square in front of him which hit both grounded and aerial opponents.}}  

***{{nerf|The far hitbox is positioned closer to Meta Knight (z offset: 15 (hits 1 and 2)/14 (hit 3) → 13 (all)) and its height is inbetween the previous set of hitboxes (y offset: 1/10 → 6 (hits 1 and 2)/2.5 (hit 3)).}}  

***{{buff|However, this does also give the third hit slightly more range below Meta Knight.}}  

**{{buff|The first two hits now use the auto-link angle against aerial opponents (80° → 366°) and they have higher set knockback (48/35/20 → 90). This makes them connect more reliably, as well as granting them edgeguarding and drag down setup potential.}}  

**{{nerf|Up aerial has much more ending lag (FAF 14 → 27). When combined with its higher startup lag, this greatly hinders up aerial's juggling and sharking potential.}}  

**{{nerf|Up aerial has smaller hitboxes (5.5u/5.5u/5u/5u → 3.5u/3u/3u) and they are now extended. This gives up aerial less range below Meta Knight as well as less range in front of him despite the right side hitbox being extended further away from Meta Knight (z offset: 8 → 9.5).}}  

**{{nerf|Down aerial auto-cancels later (frame 24 → 26).}}  

**{{nerf|The side hitboxes launches opponents at a much higher angle (23° → 50°), greatly hindering their edgeguarding potential.}}  

**{{nerf|Down throw's first 9 hits deal less damage (1% → 0.5%), reducing the throw's total damage output (11% → 7.5%).}}  

**{{nerf|The throw deals more damage (1% → 2%) and deals significantly more knockback (60 (base), 110 (scaling) → 50/170). This hinders its followup potential at higher percents while still being too weak to KO at realistic percents.}}  

**{{buff|The throw launches at a higher angle (50° → 60°), improving its followup potential.}}  

**{{buff|Floor attacks' second hits have less startup lag (frame 26 → 24).}}  

**{{buff|Floor attacks have less ending lag (FAF 50 → 46).}}  

**{{buff|As with other edge attacks, edge attack no longer has set knockback (110 (set), 100 (scaling) → 90 (base)/20).}}  

**{{nerf|Edge attack deals less damage (8% → 7%) and launches opponents at a less favorable angle (361° → 45°).}}  

**{{nerf|The loop hits now consists of one hitbox in the middle of Meta Knight, rather than one hitbox below him and two hitboxes on the side of him. The previous lower hitbox has been moved much higher up (y offset: -2 → 8) and the side hitboxes have been removed. This significantly reduces the move's range both horizontally and below Meta Knight despite the hitbox being larger (5u → 6u), and slightly extended.}}  

**{{nerf|The loop hits now deal hitlag. This not only makes the move slower to execute and easier to DI but this also greatly hinders the move's shield pressuring potential, as opponents can now act 3 frames before the next hit comes out (as opposed to the same frame as the next hit), giving every character an escape option on shield as well as allowing more characters to get a guaranteed punish, especially on power shield.}}

**{{buff|The grounded version's final hit has much higher knockback scaling (100/130 → 200), significantly improving its KO potential as well as no longer making it weaker than the aerial version.}}  

**{{buff|Shuttle Loop grants much more height.}}

**{{nerf|The grounded version no longer has intangibility on startup, significantly hindering its ability to stuff out approaches as well as hindering its use as an Out of Shield option, especially against multi hitting moves.}}

**{{change|The second hit launches opponents vertically unlike the previous clean hit (30° → 80°).}}  

**{{nerf|As mentioned earlier, Meta Knight now enters free fall when Shuttle Loop completes rather than gliding. This not only significantly hinder the move's horizontal recovery potential but this also makes the move drastically more punishable, immensely hindering its safety.}}  

**{{buff|The attack deals more damage when it is not performed backwards (14% → 15% (neutral)/16% (forwards/vertical)).}}  

**{{buff|The attack deals more knockback (20 (base), 85/95 (scaling) → 40/98), significantly improved its KO potential, especially when performed forwards or vertically.}}  

Meta Knight has been buffed via game updates. In updates [[1.0.4]] and [[1.0.8]], his damage outputs, knockback, range and attack speed were all improved. Update [[1.1.0]] reduced the number of Galaxia's trails on his moves to match his moves' hitboxes, considerably improving his accuracy. The specific buffs to his neutral attack, forward tilt, and neutral aerial have given him more options with which to relieve pressure, and the increased power of his neutral and back aerials have enhanced his KO and edge-guarding potential. Update [[1.1.1]]'s changes to shield mechanics have also been beneficial for Meta Knight: thanks to several of his attacks hitting multiple times and/or having high [[hitlag]] modifiers, most notably forward aerial, forward smash, and Shieldbreaker Drill, his neutral game was improved and his weakened [[out of shield]] options were generally compensated.

While these buffs do not make Meta Knight nearly as potent as he was in ''Brawl'', they are still helpful additions that have, over time, allowed him to recoup some of his initially weakened offensive potential. Furthermore, Meta Knight has achieved notable tournament success thanks to these buffs. However, update [[1.1.5]] nerfed Meta Knight. Although its decrease of forward aerial's landing lag made it into a new approach option, it altered up aerial's angle and increased its SDI multiplier, both of which make it much harder for up aerial to combo into itself for early vertical KOs on most characters. However, the same update and update [[1.1.6]] also brought significant nerfs to {{SSB4|Sheik}}, {{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}} and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}, who were some of his most challenging matchups prior to these updates. Overall, Meta Knight has improved since the initial release of ''SSB4''.  

*{{change|Forward tilt's last hit's angle altered|65°|361°. This improves its spacing and edge-guarding potential, but removes its set-up potential.}}  

|neutralname=Flurry Attack

|neutraldesc=An extremely fast series of slashes followed by a backflipping slash. It is notably the only neutral attack in the game that consists solely of a neutral infinite. This makes it one of Meta Knight's more reliable damage racking options, as it is able to consistently inflict 10%-15%, but it is punishable if missed. It appears to be based on the Meta Multithrust from ''Meta Knightmare Ultra'', while its finisher is a possible reference to the Uppercut from the Sword ability in ''Kirby Super Star'' and ''Kirby Super Star Ultra'', with the latter game naming it Meta Upper when it is used by Meta Knight.

==In competitive play==

===Notable players===

''Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the [[PGR 100]], which recognizes the official top 100 players in [[Super Smash Bros. 4]] of all time.''

*{{Sm|Abadango|Japan}} - One of the best Meta Knight players in the world. Placed 1st at [[Niconico Tokaigi 2016]] and [[Clutch City Clash]], 2nd at [[Battle of BC 2]], 3rd at [[Umebura Genesis Cup]], 5th at [[2GGC: Nairo Saga]], 7th at [[The Big House 5]] and [[Umebura Niconico Qualifiers]], and 9th at [[Umebura 21]].

*{{Sm|Armando|USA}} (#47) - The best active Meta Knight player in the world. Ranked 9th on the [[SoCal Power Rankings]] and 38th on the [[Panda Global Rankings|Panada Global Rankings v5]]. He has wins over {{Sm|MkLeo}}, {{Sm|Cosmos}}, {{Sm|Samsora}}, {{Sm|Raito}}, {{Sm|KEN}}, {{Sm|Kameme}}, {{Sm|NAKAT}}, and {{Sm|Ned}}.

*{{Sm|ANTi|USA}} - Master of diversity. 1st at [[CEO 2016]]. Has a win over {{Sm|Dabuz}}.

*{{Sm|BONK!|USA}} - Formerly ranked 7th on the [[Philadelphia Power Rankings]]. Placed 33rd at [[Smash 'N' Splash 4]] and 17th at [https://smash.gg/tournament/smashadelphia-01/events/wii-u-singles/standings Smashadelphia 01]. Has a win over {{Sm|Ally}}.

*{{Sm|Ito|USA}} - Placed 2nd at [[2GGT: Fatality Saga]], 4th at [[2GG: Pay It Forward]], and 17th at [[GENESIS 3]] and [[EVO 2016]].

*{{Sm|Jbandrew|Germany}}<!--Please do not change Jbandrew's flag to USA unless you have proof that he is not an official German resident. Flags should always represent the country they currently reside in.--> - Placed 1st at [[TGC 4]], 5th at [[PAX Arena]] and [[Syndicate 2016]], and 9th at [[Key to The PG House]]'s European qualifier. Formerly ranked 5th on the [[German Power Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Katakiri|USA}} - Placed 4th at [[FC Smash 15XR: Return]], 5th at [[Shuffle VII]], and 7th at [[Frostbite]] before switching to {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}.

*{{Sm|Lickey★|Japan}} - Placed 9th at [[Sumabato Tokaigi Qualifiers]] and [[Hirosuma Tokaigi Qualifiers]].

*{{Sm|Pandarian|USA}} - 13th at {{Trn|SoCal Regionals 2018}}, 17th at Port Priority 2 and [[Shine 2018]]. Has wins over {{Sm|Lima}}, {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}, {{Sm|SDX}}, {{Sm|Darkshad}}, {{Sm|Maister}}, {{Sm|Konga}} and {{Sm|Cacogen}}. Ranked 4th on the [[Washington Power Rankings#Super Smash Bros. for Wii U rankings|Washington Smash 4 Power Rankings]].

*{{Sm|MkLeo|Mexico}} (#3) - The best Meta Knight player in Mexico, and was widely considered the best Meta Knight player in the world before only playing him as a secondary. Placed 1st at [[2GG Championship]], [[Smash Factor 4]], [[Smash Factor 5]] and Battle of BC, and 5th at [[Get On My Level 2016]]. Ranked 1st on the [[Mexican Power Rankings]]. Has wins on {{Sm|ZeRo}}, {{Sm|Nairo}}, {{Sm|Dabuz}}, and {{Sm|Mr.R}}.

*{{Sm|Rags|USA}} (#87) - One of the best Meta Knight players in the world. Placed 5th at {{Trn|Glitch 4}}, 7th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 4}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Frostbite 2018}}. Has wins over {{Sm|Cosmos}}, {{Sm|CaptainZack}}, {{Sm|Raito}}, {{Sm|WaDi}}, {{Sm|Ally}}, {{Sm|Charlie}}, and {{Sm|Ned}}. Currently ranked 40th on the [[Panda Global Rankings|Panada Global Rankings v5]].  

*{{Sm|Seibrik|USA}} - Placed 2nd at [[Casino Royale 2]] and [[Tampa Never Sleeps 6]], 5th at [[Glitch (tournament)|Glitch]], and 33rd at [[Pound 2016]] before switching to {{SSB4|Cloud}}.

*{{Sm|S2H|USA}} - Placed 25th at The Big House 5. Formerly ranked 20th on the SoCal Power Rankings. He has wins over {{Sm|Nicko}}, {{Sm|Charliedaking}}, and {{Sm|False}}.

*{{Sm|Sho|USA}} (#96) - The best Meta Knight in Northern California. Currently ranked 2nd on the [[NorCal Power Rankings]]. He has wins over {{Sm|Dabuz}} and {{Sm|Ito}}.

*{{Sm|Tyrant|USA}} (#64) - One of the best Meta Knight players in the United States. Placed 1st at [[2GGT: The False Awakens]], 3rd at [[2GGT: Fresh Saga]] and [[2GG: Pay It Forward]], 7th at [[2GGT: Mexico Saga]] and [[2GGT: KTAR Saga]], 9th at [[Paragon Los Angeles 2015]], 13th at [[CEO 2015]], and 17th at [[EVO 2015]]. Ranked 16th on the SoCal Power Rankings.

*{{Sm|tyroy|USA}} (#55) - A {{SSB4|Bayonetta}} main with a strong Meta Knight secondary who has defeated players such as {{Sm|ESAM}}. Currently one of the best Meta Knight players. Ranked 4th on the [[Midwest Smash 4 Power Rankings]] and 39th on the [[Panda Global Rankings|Panda Global Rankings v5]].

==Trophies==

:'''Meta Knight'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Kirby's mysterious rival, this masked swordsman appears in several Kirby games. His cape transforms into wings to grant him flight. In Smash Bros., his quick sword skills and aerial agility set him apart. He can jump up to five times in a row, and he has a special move to soar higher.''

::{{flag|pal}} ''A mysterious masked swordsman from the Kirby series. His cape can turn into wings, which gives him the ability to fly. His swift swordplay and ability to stay in the air give him an edge in this game. He can combine five mid-air jumps with a special move to make recovering a cinch. If you use him, try to keep battle airborne.''

{{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Kirby's Adventure (05/1993)|console2=SNES|game2=Kirby Super Star (08/1996)}}

 

:'''Meta Knight (Alt.)'''

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Meta Knight's Dimensional Cape lets you teleport, changing where you'll reappear with directional inputs and attacking by holding the button! His Mach Tornado special can draw in and attack multiple opponents. Rise by pressing the button repeatedly, and press left or right to move.''

 

 

{{Trophy games|console1=NES|game1=Kirby's Adventure (05/1993)|console2=SNES|game2=Kirby Super Star (08/1996)}}

 

::{{flag|ntsc}} ''Meta Knight swings his cape to ensnare foes. Darkness falls, enveloping them in an empty void and then a giant sword slash cleaves the blackness. If the cape doesn't capture anyone, this Final Smash will fail. It has more range than you might think, though and you only have to catch one foe to deal damage to everyone!''

 

::{{flag|pal}} ''Meta Knight swings his cape to ensnare foes. Darkness falls, enveloping them in an empty void, and then a giant sword slash cleaves the blackness. If the cape doesn't capture anyone, the Final Smash will fail. It has more range than you might think, though, and as long as it catches at least one foe, everyone will take damage!''

 

MetaKnightTrophy3DS.png|Classic (3DS)