Pikachu (SSB4): Difference between revisions

'''Pikachu''' ({{ja|ピカチュウ|Pikachū}}, ''Pikachu'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Its return to the series was announced during the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] [[Nintendo Direct]] on June 11th, 2013.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13D1I5s236o Nintendo Direct@E3 2013]</ref> It was also among the first wave of [[amiibo]] that are compatible with ''SSB4''. Ikue Ōtani reprises her role as Pikachu's voice actress, albeit via recycled voice clips from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.

Pikachu is ranked 15th out of 54 on the [[tier list]], placing it in the B tier. This is a slight drop from its placement in ''Brawl'', where it was ranked 8th out of 38. Pikachu boasts fast overall speed, an excellent approach, good neutral and combo games, and an excellent recovery. However, it is burdened with poor endurance and very unimpressive KO potential. As a result, Pikachu has a high learning curve and minimal high-level representation compared to other high-tier characters, but it has nonetheless achieved notable tournament results, mostly thanks to {{Sm|ESAM}}.

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

Pikachu received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition to ''SSB4'' with its direct changes nerfing it overall. The changes to [[hitstun canceling]] grant it a few notable KO set-ups from its throws with up throw ({{b|Thunder|Pokémon}}) working at higher percents (although it is very difficult to perform). Some of Pikachu's moves also have increased KO potential including its up and forward smashes. As many of its moves deal electric damage, it benefits from the increased shieldstun and the weakening of [[SDI]] has also benefited Pikachu's multi hit moves. Pikachu's frame data has seen relatively few changes giving Pikachu greater frame data relative to the cast and most of its moves with altered frame data either saw only an extra frame or two added onto or cut off of its startup lag/duration or ending lag.

However, Pikachu has also received significant nerfs. Quick Attack canceling can no longer be used on the ground unless used off of a slope, making it less flexible as an approach option, forcing Pikachu to use its Quick Attack edge-cancel technique. Pikachu's grab game, one of its greatest strengths in ''Brawl'', has been heavily nerfed: its overall grab range is shorter, its up and down throws deal less damage, with the latter's increased knockback worsening its combo potential, and the removal of [[chain grab]]bing removed its forward and down throws' highly damaging chain grabs. While the changes to hitstun canceling have given it new combos, they are nonetheless inferior to its chain grabbing combos in ''Brawl'' and Pikachu also has worse [[lock]]ing potential not only due to the three hit lock limit but also because Quick Attack has lost its locking potential in exchange for combo potential and Pikachu's up aerial has much higher knockback making it less reliable at leading into a [[footstool]]. Pikachu's damage output has noticeably been reduced hindering its overall racking ability. Pikachu's overall range is also worse further exacerbating its already poor range especially when relative to the cast. Although the new edge mechanics supplement Pikachu's already impressive [[recovery]], they also hinder its edge-guarding potential, especially since the majority of its fellow veterans have improved recoveries. While some of Pikachu's moves have greater KO potential, others have reduced KO potential most notably down smash, neutral aerial and [[Thunder]]. Thunder has significantly less range and power making [[thunderspiking]] both harder and far less effective although Thunder has a new meteor smash hitbox on its Thundercloud which can lead into the shockwave. Lastly, the introduction to [[rage]] is a mixed bag: although it alleviates Pikachu's unimpressive KO potential, Pikachu's unimpressive endurance makes it difficult for it to utilize rage safely and the removal of [[momentum canceling]] has also further worsened Pikachu's already poor endurance.

 

Although Pikachu was universally agreed upon as being a high-tier character in ''Brawl'', its tier status in ''SSB4'' has been polarizing in comparison. Much like in ''Brawl'', Pikachu had a rather small playerbase in competitive play because of its very high learning curve and requiring a degree of technical skill in order to fully thrive, Pikachu is still considered a notable force in the metagame, thanks to players such as {{Sm|ESAM}}. However, Pikachu's current ranking on the tier list is still debatable among the ''SSB4'' competitive community, owing to its below average representation in comparison to other high-tier characters.

*{{change|Pikachu is more expressive. It now smiles more often or sports a stern look during certain moves; winces with one eye closed while being grabbed and while hanging on an edge; and sports swirly eyes while [[stun]]ned.}}

*{{change|[[Walk]]'s animation has slightly changed. Pikachu now walks in a more slanted motion.}}

*{{change|Pikachu's [[gravity]] is higher (0.087 → 0.095).}}

**{{nerf|As a result, its [[jump]]s are lower.}}

*{{buff|[[Roll]]s have less ending lag (FAF 32 → 27).}}

*{{nerf|Rolls have a shorter duration (frame 4-19 → 4-14).}}

*{{buff|[[Air dodge]] has less startup (frame 4 → 2) and ending lag (FAF 50 → 31).}}

*{{nerf|Air dodge has a shorter duration (frames 4-29 → 2-25).}}

*{{nerf|[[Spot dodge]] has a shorter duration (frames 2-20 → 2-15) and has more ending lag (FAF 23 → 25).}}

*{{nerf|Pikachu's [[ledge]] grab is much longer (8 frames → 20); now matching the rest of the cast. This means that Pikachu now has 12 extra frames of lag before it can perform any of its ledge options.}}

**{{nerf|Neutral attack deals less damage (2% → 1.4% (near)/1.2% (mid)/1% (far)) and has increased knockback (4 (base), 30 (scaling) → (10/9/8)/45), significantly hindering its damage racking ability. It also no longer has a bonus [[trip]] chance.}}

**{{buff|Neutral attack has slightly improved [[Lock#Jab lock|jab lock]] potential as it now has set knockback against grounded opponents giving it consistent jab lock potential at all percents.}}

*[[Forward tilt]]:

**{{nerf|Forward tilt has increased startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 5-10 → 6-8), and less range (4u/3.5u/3u → 3.5u/3u/2.5u).}}

**{{change|Up tilt deals consistent damage throughout its hitboxes (7% (near)/6% (mid)/5% (far) → 5%) and has decreased knockback scaling (124 → 120). These changes improve its combo potential but hinder its KO potential.}}

**{{nerf|Up tilt has increased ending lag (FAF 24 → 27), and the body hitbox is smaller (4.32u → 2u).}}

**{{change|Down tilt deals 1% less damage (7% → 6%), improving its combo potential, but hindering its gimping potential.}}

**{{nerf|Down tilt has decreased range and a shorter duration (frames 7-9 → 7-8).}}

**{{buff|Clean dash attack has more knockback compared to the previous hitbox (40 (base), 70 (scaling) → 70/90 (clean), 100/50 (late)), granting it KO potential.}}

**{{buff|Mid forward smash deals 1% more damage (17% → 18%) and more knockback (50 (base), 70 (scaling) → 60/75), improving its KO potential. The late hit has higher knockback scaling (60 → 102) and its angle was altered (70° → 45°), significantly improving its KO potential despite dealing less damage (14% → 12%). It also has decreased ending lag (FAF 50 → 49).}}

**{{nerf|Early forward smash deals less damage (20% → 15%), and its knockback wasn't fully compensated (70 (base), 60 (scaling) → 50/73). Forward smash also has less range.}}

**{{buff|Clean up smash deals more knockback (40 (base), 90 (scaling) → 50/89), improving its KO potential. Late up smash also has significantly increased base knockback (5 → 55) and its angle has been altered (40° → 80°), granting it combo potential at medium percents while also drastically increasing its KO ability.}}

**{{nerf|Up smash has slightly increased startup (frame 9 → 10) and ending lag (FAF 44 → 45).}}

**{{change|Up smash's animation has slightly changed. Pikachu now slightly curls in its tail at the very end of the backflip, instead of leaving it extended.}}

**{{buff|The weakening of [[Smash directional influence|SDI]] makes down smash significantly more difficult to escape from combined with the multi hit's lower SDI multiplier (1.2x → 0.8x). The 19% damage increase to [[shield]]s and the increase to [[shieldstun]] also significantly improve its shield pressuring potential.}}

**{{nerf|Due to consisting of six hits instead of seven, down smash deals 2% less damage (15% → 13%), and the final hit has less base knockback (70 → 55) and launches opponents at a lower angle (70° → 50°), hindering its KO potential and removing its ability to lead into {{b|Thunder|Pokémon}}. It also has increased startup lag (frame 6 → 8), more ending lag (FAF 55 → 66), and less range (5.76u (loop hits)/12u (final hit) → 4u/10u).}}

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial deals less damage (12% (clean)/6% (late) → 8.5%/5.5%), and the clean hit's knockback was not fully compensated (22 (base), 100 (scaling) → 30/104), hindering its KO and edgeguarding potential. It also has a shorter duration (frames 3-25 → 3-20).}}

**{{buff|Neutral aerial has decreased ending lag (FAF 40 → 39) and the late hit has more range (4u → 4.5u).}}

**{{change|Late neutral aerial has an altered angle (361° → 45°).}}

**{{nerf|Forward aerial's loop hits deal less damage (2% → 1.7%), which decreases its overall damage output (11% → 9.8%). It also has increased ending lag (FAF 40 → 42).}}

**{{buff|Due to the loop hits having altered hitbox placements and angles (74° → 74°/280°), forward aerial is now an [[unconventional meteor smash]], and when coupled with the weakening of SDI, the hits connect together better and it is much more difficult to escape from them. Additionally, its last hit has increased knockback (70 (base), 90 (scaling) → 50/150), improving its edgeguarding potential. Lastly, it autocancels earlier (frame 35 → 32).}}

**{{change|The last hit of forward aerial has an altered angle (50° → 48°).}}

**{{nerf|Back aerial's loop and last hits deal less damage (1% (loop)/4% (last) → 0.8%/3%), which decreases its overall damage output by 2.4% (11% → 8.6%). Its last hit also has a shorter duration (frames 32-37 → 32-33).}}

**{{buff|Back aerial has decreased ending lag (FAF 60 → 59) and autocancels earlier (frame 50 → 48). It also uses the [[autolink angle]], and when coupled with the weakening of SDI, it is significantly more difficult to escape from back aerial. Finally, the last hit (120 (scaling) → 180) and the landing hit have increased knockback (10 (base), 100 (scaling) → 50/80).}}

**{{nerf|Up aerial has increased startup lag with a shorter duration (frames 3-8 → 4-8) and has less range (4.8u/5.76u/4.5u → 4u/5u/4u). It also deals less damage (6%/5% (clean)/5%/4% (late) → 5% (clean)/4% (late)).}}

**{{change|Up aerial's angle has been altered (80° → 68°). Up aerial also has increased knockback (50/40/30 (base)/60 (scaling) → 50/113 (clean), 40/80 (late)), granting the clean hit KO potential at very high percents but significantly hindering up aerial's combo potential at higher percents.}}

**{{change|Down aerial's first hit has increased knockback scaling (80 → 84). This improves its edgeguarding and KO potential, but makes it more difficult to connect with its second hit.}}

**{{nerf|Down aerial and its landing hit have less range.}}

*{{buff|All grabs have decreased ending lag (FAF 30 → 28 (standing), FAF 39 → 35 (dash), FAF 36 → 33 (pivot)). Dash and pivot grabs also have decreased start-up lag (frame 9 → 8 (dash), frame 10 → 9 (pivot)).}}

**{{nerf|Pummel deals 0.1% less damage (2% → 1.9%).}}

**{{buff|Pummel's hitbox is larger.}}

**{{nerf|Forward throw has more base knockback (45 → 55) and when coupled with the removal of [[chain grab]]bing, this significantly hinders forward throw's damage racking potential.}}

**{{nerf|Up throw deals much less damage (5% (hit and throw) → 1% (hit), 3% (throw), 10% → 4% (total)).}}

**{{buff|Up throw's knockback was significantly increased (90 (base), 45 (scaling) → 48/150), now granting it KO potential at very high percents. When coupled the changes to hitstun canceling, these changes also grant it combo potential into Thunder at high percents.}}

**{{nerf|Down throw deals 2% less damage (5% → 3% (hit), 10% → 8% (total)) and has much higher knockback scaling (38 → 100). When coupled with the removal of chain grabbing, these changes significantly hinder its damage racking potential, despite the changes to hitstun cancelling still granting it combo potential at low to mid percents.}}

**{{nerf|Front floor attack has decreased knockback.}}

**{{buff|Back floor attack has increased knockback and range. It also has decreased start-up lag.}}

**{{nerf|Edge attack has more startup lag (frame 22 → 23) and sends opponents at a less favorable angle (361° → 45°).}}

**{{nerf|Aerial Thunder Jolt deals less damage (9% → 5%/4%/3%).}}

**{{nerf|Thunder Jolt deals less knockback (40/16 (base), 40 (scaling) → (25/13)/20).}}

*[[Skull Bash]]:

**{{nerf|Skull Bash deals less damage (7% (uncharged)/25% (fully charged) → 6%/22%), and knockback scaling (80 → 62). Skull Bash also has increased landing lag (38 frames → 44) and the removal of [[momentum canceling]] hinders its utility.}}

**{{nerf|Pikachu no longer halts its momentum when landing with Skull Bash. This makes it easier to punish and prevents Pikachu from auto-snapping the ledge shortly after it lands with Skull Bash.}}

**{{buff|Quick Attack's first hit now has [[Priority#Moves that cannot rebound|anti-rebounding priority]].}}

**{{change|Quick Attack's hits have had their damage swapped (3% (hit 1)/2% (hit 2) → 2%/3%).}}

**{{change|Quick Attack's knockback (5 (base), 40 (scaling) → 20/(50 (hit 1)/150 (hit 2)) and angle (0° → 70°) have been altered granting it combo potential but removing its ability to lock.}}

**{{nerf|Quick Attack covers less overall distance.}}

**{{nerf|[[Quick Attack cancel]]ing can no longer be used on flat surfaces, significantly hindering Pikachu's approach and air game.}}

*{{b|Thunder|Pokémon}}:

**{{buff|{{b|Thunder|Pokémon}} has received a hitbox near its thundercloud that deals 6% and is a meteor smash which can lead into the shockwave. The shockwave also has increased [[intangibility]] when landed on the ground (8 frames → 10).}}

**{{buff|The 19% damage increase to shields and the increase to shieldstun significantly improve Thunder's shield pressuring potential.}}

**{{nerf|Thunder deals less damage (10% (thunderbolt)/17% (shockwave) → 8%/15%) and deals less knockback (100 (base), 50 (scaling), → 74/60 (thunderbolt), 100/60 → 70/66 (shockwave)).}}

**{{nerf|Thunder has less range both in terms of the height of the thunderbolt and the hitboxes (7u (thunderbolt)/14.4u (shockwave) → 4u/13u) which when combined with its new meteor smash hitbox and the thunderbolt's significantly reduced range and power, makes [[Thunderspiking]] very difficult to perform and much less effective in general.}}

**{{buff|Volt Tackle is now accompanied by a small, whitish violet spark of electricity that is analogous to a cursor. This makes it easier to aim. It also has a longer duration.}}

**{{nerf|[[Volt Tackle]] deals less damage (13% (collision)/25% (discharge) → 1%-6%/8%-19%) and has decreased knockback, significantly hindering its KO potential. It is also slower.}}

*{{nerf|Edge grab is much slower (8 frames → 20), now matching the rest of the cast.}}

==In [[competitive play]]==

 

''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.''

''See also: [[:Category:Pikachu players (SSB4)]]''

*{{Sm|Captain L|Canada}} (#79) - The best Pikachu player in Canada. Placed 2nd at {{Trn|Arcane Tournaments 2018}}, 4th at {{Trn|Port Priority 2: Midwest Invasion}}, 9th at {{Trn|CEO 2018}}, and 13th at both {{Trn|2GGC: MkLeo Saga}} and {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 4}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|MkLeo}}, {{Sm|Tweek}}, {{Sm|Mr. R}}. Ranked 3rd on the [[British Columbia Power Rankings]].

*{{Sm|DM888|USA}} - The best Pikachu player in New England. Placed 13tb at {{Trn|GUMS 16}} and 17th at {{Trn|Overclocked}}, {{Trn|Overclocked III}}, and {{Trn|Overclocked IV}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Marss}}, {{Sm|Pugwest}}, and {{Sm|Raffi-X}}. Ranked 10th on the [[New England Power Rankings]]. Currently ranked 15th on the [[New England Power Rankings]].

*{{Sm|ESAM|USA}} (#17) - The best Pikachu player in the world. Placed 2nd at both {{Trn|Shine 2016}} and {{Trn|The Big House 8}}, 3rd at {{Trn|Low Tier City 6}}, 5th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 3}}, and 7th at {{Trn|EVO 2015}}.

*{{Sm|Kishiru|Japan}} - The best Pikachu player in Japan. Placed 13th at both {{Trn|Umebura 27}} and {{Trn|Sumabato Smash 4 Final}} as well as 17th at both {{Trn|Umebura 32}} and {{Trn|Umebura 33}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Ally}}, {{Sm|Kuro}}, and {{Sm|Umeki}}. Ranked 58th on the [[JAPAN Power Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Nero|USA}} - The best Pikachu player in the Midwest. Placed 7th at {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 5}}, 13th at both {{Trn|Endgame}} and {{Trn|Showdown: Battle Royale}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 8: North American Tour}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Ned}}, {{Sm|tyroy}}, and {{Sm|K9sbruce}}. Ranked 7th on the [[Michigan Power Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Rideae|USA}} - One of the best Pikachu players in the United States. Placed 5th at {{Trn|GatorLAN Fall 2018}}, 7th at {{Trn|Divided}}, 13th at {{Trn|CEO 2018}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2017}} and {{Trn|DreamHack Atlanta 2018}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Nairo}}, {{Sm|Tweek}}, and {{Sm|Marss}}. Ranked 3rd on the Tampa Power Rankings.

{{Trophy/Fighter

|desc-pal=Pikachu is famous worldwide as the face of the Pokémon series. There's a lot of electricity stored in those rosy cheeks, and in this game, that allows for some devastating attacks, like Thunder Jolt. Tip: Input another direction after using Quick Attack to get a second burst. It's top-notch for recoveries!

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=GB|game1=Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue|release1=09/1998|console2=GB|game2=Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition|release2=10/1999}}

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=GB|game1=Pokémon Red/Blue|release1=10/1999|console2=GB|game2=Pokémon Yellow|release2=06/2000}}

{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter

|name=Volt Tackle

|image=VoltTackleTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-ntsc=Pikachu's Final Smash turns its whole body into a powerful ball of electricity that darts around at high speed, tackling opponents. While Pikachu is charging around, press the attack button to unleash powerful sparks. There's also a little ball of light that flies ahead of Pikachu itself. Use that as a guide if Pikachu seems out of control!

|desc-pal=For Pikachu's Final Smash, it surrounds itself with a ball of electricity and darts around at high speed, tackling opponents. While it's charging around, press the attack button to unleash powerful sparks. You can also use the little ball of light that flies just ahead of Pikachu as a guide if it seems out of control!

|game=ssb4-wiiu

*Pikachu knows six official Pokémon {{s|bulbapedia|move}}s in ''SSB4'', all of which it can learn legally in the ''Pokémon'' {{s|bulbapedia|core series}}. In addition to {{iw|bulbapedia|Skull Bash|move}}, {{iw|bulbapedia|Quick Attack|move}}, {{iw|bulbapedia|Thunder|move}} and {{iw|bulbapedia|Volt Tackle|move}}, it can also use {{iw|bulbapedia|Thunder Wave|move}} and {{iw|bulbapedia|Thunder Shock|move}} as [[Character customization|custom moves]].

**One of its custom moves, Quick Feet, has the [[bulbapedia:Quick Feet (ability)|same name]] of an {{s|bulbapedia|ability}} instead of a move, similarly to [[Victini]]'s [[Poké Ball]] effect. However, Pikachu cannot legitimately have Quick Feet as an Ability.

*Pikachu's pose in its official artwork for ''SSB4'' is based on its [[bulbapedia:File:Spr_1y_025.png|front sprite]] from ''Pokémon Yellow'', albeit completely facing the screen.

[[Category:Pikachu (SSB4)| ]]