*Game runs at 60 frames per second*
Current Tier list position: 13th
Traits: Longest wavedash in game/low traction, very good aerials, good combos, good KO moves, crappy aerial mobility, crappy SHFFL.
Updated 7/3/15
Luigi is a pretty underutilized and technical character. He is best known for having the longest wavedash in the game. Luigi's grounded movement is one of his best elements. Eddy Mexico and Abate are the two highest placing Luigi mains, so watch their gameplay if you want to improve. First off, I'll tell a bit about some Luigi AT's.
Wavedash
Usefulness: Very Useful
Luigi's wavedash notably has the greatest distance out of all the characters in Melee (by a long shot). The wavedash can be angled if you change the angle of the control stick. So instead of using a 45 degree angle, try using a 30 degree angle for your wavedash. Having different length wavedashes is important for positioning yourself. A large chunk of your grounded movement will probably be wavedashing.
Luigi can also Tech Chase using his fast and long wavedash.
Vududash
Usefulness: Useful
A Vududash is a technique named after the Luigi player "Vudujin." It basically gives you a momentum boost after sliding off a platform. To perform the technique, perform a wavedash towards the edge of the stage or a platform. Press B right before you slide off the platform, and you have performed the Vududash. ACTUALLY, the Vududash isn't giving you a momentum boost. Normally when you slide off of a platform, you lose your ground momentum. The Vududash just preserves your normal ground momentum.
Luigi Cyclone
8% on first hit, second hit deals 12%. When both hit, stale move negation will bump it down to 18% total.
Usefulness: Useful
The Luigi cyclone is a move that can allow you to recover, and sometimes approach. In order to use it to gain aerial height, you must use it on the ground once. Then, you can use it in the air once, before you have to repeat the process. This is called "Charging" the Luigi Cyclone. The rising requires insane mashing of the B button though.
I use my thumbnail to mash the B button, and you should too.
- Fewer than 5 presses results in a height loss.
- 5–7 presses will keep Luigi at the same height, though it can still be useful for horizontal recovery.
- 8–10 presses gives half of the maximum height.
- 12–13 presses gives 2/3 of the maximum height.
- 14 or more presses will give the maximum height.
Luigi Cyclone gives you extreme grounded mobility. One underutilized use of this, is using it to get in on characters that have a projectile that clanks with Luigi Cyclone. I will test out which projectiles it can clank with. It can also be used for cheesy tech-chases for a small reward.
Now, on to the overview of ALL of Luigi's moves.
Jab
Jab 1
1%-3%
Animation is 15 frames
Frame 3-25 activate Jab 2
Usefulness: Useful
Jab 2
1%-3%
Animation is 18 frames
Frame 2-25 activate Jab 3
Usefulness: Useful
Jab 3
2%-5%
Animation is 30 frames, IASA is 23
Usefulness: Useful
I find Jab 3 to be useful because it is extremely fast. It can set up tech-chase situations, and has a very small amount of end lag. However, in some situations, the earlier jabs are better options.
Luigi Players, when not opting for jab 3, often "Jab cancel", which is when you interrupt your jab combo with an action such as a crouch. This allows you to start from Jab 1 again. This is because the Window to input the next jab can be after the IASA, and so an option like crouching will interrupt the jab combo.
Usefulness of this includes that since Jab 1's animation stops on frame 15, but you have until 25 to use jab 2, you could hold down after using the first hit of the jab, canceling the attack as early as frame 16. You can perform a jab-cancel with any character that has a multi-hit jab.
F-Tilt
Angled upwards
Angled normally
Angled downwards
5%-10%
Animation lasts 32 frames
Usefulness: Useful
Luigi's F-tilt is used to push the opponent away, and can be angled. If you don't know how to angle, all you have to do is perform a side tilt, but with the Control stick at less than 45 degrees, but more then 0. When angled downwards, it has slightly lower damage output, but usually is better for edgeguarding downwards recoveries. When angled upwards, it has slightly higher damage output, and is better for clipping aerial opponents or recoveries. This poking move doesn't even have to be used from close up, because the wavedash can cover so much ground, so use the FTilt with your wavedashes.
D-Tilt
4%-9%
Animation lasts 34 frames
Usefulness: Very Situational
Luigi's D-tilt is considered very situational, as it is laggy and low knockback at the same time. It pops the opponent at an upwards angle. It would probably be more useful if it had less lag.
U-Tilt
4%-9%
Animation lasts 29 frames
Usefulness: Useful
Luigi's U-Tilt is a good juggling move, and a good move to stop aerial opponents. It can also just be good for stopping opponents that can't shield. Luigi's wavedash allows him to move around a stage and then clip an opponent with an Up Tilt.
Stuff I need to add
-Other specials
-Grabs
-Dash Attack
-Smash attacks
-Matchup Guide
