Palutena (SSB4)/Neutral aerial

Hitbox visualization showing Palutena's neutral aerial.

Overview

Palutena spins her staff one and a half times in front of her, trapping the opponent. This is one of her most commonly used moves in the air. This move can combo into other aerial moves at low percentages due to its low ending lag, particularly into itself or a forward, back or up aerial. It is also a common followup from a down throw. On the other hand, the last hit's low base knockback and immense knockback scaling makes it a gimmicky move for comboing at very low percents, but render it impractical for following up past mid-low percents. However, it also means it can be used at higher percents for edge-guarding very effectively. It is especially deadly when ledge-cancelling Warp, then fast-falling while using it to efficiently interrupt most recoveries.

It can also be used for catching the opponent out of an air dodge, or pressuring the opponent on a platform or in the air. However, it should not be used as an approach option due to its low range (which is only limited to her).

Interestingly enough, despite having magic as a type and sound effect, it uses the normal effect.

Update history

1.1.0

• Loop hit hitbox sizes (3.0u → 3.4u)

1.1.5

• Loop hits damage (1.5% → 1.7%)
• Last hit damage (4% → 5%)

Hitboxes

ID	Part	Rehit rate	Damage	SD	Angle		BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			SDIx	H×	T%	Clang	Rebound	Type	Effect	G	A	Sound	Direct	Hit bits	Blockable	Reflectable	Absorbable	Piercing	Heedless	No GFX	Flinchless	Stretch
Loop hit
0	0	5	1.7%	+1		Standard	0	100	20	3.4	1000	0.0	6.0	0.0	0.3x	1.0x	0%							Magic		63								—
1	0	5	1.7%	+1		Standard	0	100	20	3.4	1000	0.0	-6.0	0.0	0.3x	1.0x	0%							Magic		63								—
2	0	5	1.7%	+1		Standard	0	100	20	3.4	1000	0.0	6.0	0.0	0.3x	1.0x	0%							Magic		63								—
3	0	5	1.7%	+1		Standard	0	100	20	3.4	1000	0.0	6.0	0.0	0.3x	1.0x	0%							Magic		63								—
Last hit
0	0	0	5%	+3		Standard	30	180	0	11.0	1000	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0x	2.0x	0%							Magic		63								—

Timing

Attack

Initial autocancel	1-3
Looping hits	5-27
Final hit	31-32
Ending autocancel	40
Interruptible	52
Animation length	54

Landing lag

Animation length	20

Legend (1 square = 1 frame)

Lag time

Hitbox

Autocancel

Interruptible

Palutena's moveset

Neutral attack (1 · inf) · Forward tilt · Up tilt · Down tilt · Dash attack · Forward smash · Up smash · Down smash
Neutral aerial · Forward aerial · Back aerial · Up aerial · Down aerial
Grab · Pummel · Forward throw · Back throw · Up throw · Down throw
Floor attack (front) · Floor attack (back) · Floor attack (trip) · Edge attack
Neutral special (def · c1 · c2) · Side special (def · c1 · c2) · Up special (def · c1 · c2) · Down special (def · c1 · c2) · Final Smash