Pikachu (SSB4): Difference between revisions

|ranking = 15

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The competitive community's overall opinion of Pikachu has been volatile since ''SSB4''{{'}}s release. Initially, it was widely seen as an average character, but after a number of impressive tournament showings by ESAM, including his brief period of retirement having added to the "mystery" of Pikachu's potential, it was seen as a top 3 character by players like {{Sm|ZeRo}} and ESAM himself. Incidentally, this perception was further cemented after ZeRo and ESAM competed against each other in an extremely close Winners' Finals set at [[Super Smash Con]].

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

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.

*{{change|Pikachu's design has changed. It has thicker arms; a thinner torso; slightly larger cheek spots; a slightly smaller nose; and slightly thinner ears. Additionally, the black portions of Pikachu's ears are more subdued. Lastly, the aesthetic used in ''SSB4'' has resulted in Pikachu having a sleeker design, and the yellow, red, and brown portions of its fur being significantly more vibrant. Altogether, these changes make Pikachu appear virtually identical to its appearance in ''{{s|bulbapedia|Pokédex 3D Pro}}''.}}

*{{change|Pikachu has regained its party hat [[alternate costume]]. It has also received three new alternate costumes. The first costume is based on {{s|bulbapedia|Ethan}}'s hat in [[bulbapedia:Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|''Pokémon HeartGold'' and ''SoulSilver Versions'']]. The second costume is based on Pikachu's [[bulbapedia:Shiny Pokémon|shiny coloration]] and the {{s|bulbapedia|Choice Band}}. Lastly, the third costume is based on Pikachu's official artwork coloration, and {{s|bulbapedia|Calem}}'s [[bulbapedia:Clothing|Red Outdoors Cap and Wide-Frame Glasses]].}}

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

*{{change|Down [[taunt]]'s animation has slightly changed. Pikachu now keeps its eyes open, instead of closing them.}}

===Attributes===

*{{buff|Pikachu [[dash]]es faster (1.765 → 1.85325).}}

*{{change|Pikachu [[Falling speed|falls]] faster (1.5 → 1.55). This slightly improves its vertical endurance, but makes it slightly more susceptible to combos.}}

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

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

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

===Ground attacks===

*[[Neutral aerial]]:

**{{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).}}

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

*[[Forward aerial]]:

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

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

===Special moves===

*{{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|The grounded version of the shockwave has more ending lag (FAF 38 → 42).}}

**{{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|The removal of [[edge momentum shifting]] slightly hinders its utility.}}

*[[Volt Tackle]]:

''' {{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.6]]'''

''' {{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.0]]'''

==Moveset==

*Pikachu can [[Crawling|crawl]] and [[wall jump]].

{{MovesetTable

|game=SSB4

|fsdesc=Performs [[bulbapedia:Volt Tackle (move)|Volt Tackle]], its evolutionary line's {{s|bulbapedia|signature move}}. Pikachu surrounds itself in a sphere of electricity and flies around the stage, charging through opponents. Pressing the attack button will cause the sphere to discharge electricity, which deals significantly more damage and has more knockback. Unlike in ''Brawl'', Volt Tackle now emits a small, whitish violet spark of electricity that is analogous to a cursor, which makes it easier to aim its trajectory.

}}

====[[On-screen appearance]]====

|char=Pikachu}}

===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===

{{OfficialCustomMoves

|set10=1321

}}

''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.''

==In [[Event Match]]es==

*When Pikachu is [[stun]]ned, its eyes appear as swirls. This is a reference to the ''Pokémon'' anime, in which Pokémon typically display the same expression after {{s|bulbapedia|fainting}}.

**It is also the second character to have this unique detail. The first was [[Kirby]] [[Kirby (SSB)|in ''SSB'']].

==References==