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Foreseer of Disaster: Absol for (Long Shot) Sm4sh DLC!

Delzethin

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#359 - Absol
"Bearers of a power that lets them foresee disasters, Absol appear before people
to warn them of what the future holds. In the past, though, they were blamed for
the disasters they forewarned, seen as bringers of doom instead of guardians."


"Absol are rare and elusive, dwelling mainly in inhospitable mountains and jungles.
Many only venture into human lands when an impending disaster must be warned of."


Introduction

Absol is a Dark-type Pokémon that first appeared in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and has had presence in every new region since. Though the species does not evolve through normal means, it gained a Mega Evolution in Pokémon X and Y. Absol has remained a fan favorite, through a combination of design, backstory (Despite being an entire species!), usefulness in the games (and having its niche competitively as well), and from completely subverting the traits associated with most other Dark types.

And why there isn't been any talk of a Smash inclusion, especially with the Smash Ballot in full swing, is beyond me.


Making Our Case -- Why Absol?

There are a lot of factors that go toward viability. Some level of popularity has to be there, or at least the ability to recognize the character in question. The character needs to have enough to draw from to create a full moveset and all the different moves it entails, and the more moveset potential, the better. Most importantly, though, is uniqueness: with a roster of 51 characters and growing, the better a newcomer's ability to stand out and offer something completely new, the more interesting they'd be...and that goes especially with DLC characters, who'll have to be compelling enough to justify spending additional money on them.

For a lot of characters, that's one hell of a gauntlet to get through...but for Absol? Check, check, and check. As previously mentioned, Absol is a fan favorite from what happens to be Nintendo's second biggest franchise, whose debut generation has the spotlight thanks to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Pokémon characters in general tend to have high moveset potential since they're from an RPG series with a heavy focus on elemental powers, but Absol happens to have the single largest movepool of any non-legendary in the entire series!

Even that, though, pales in comparison to how completely unique Absol could be. A quadrupedal build would be only the second we've had in Smash, and with a more serious tone that'd be a contrast to the Looney Tunes-esque Duck Hunt duo. We've seen darkness-based attacks from Ganondorf and (sort of) Mewtwo before, and Greninja is part Dark despite leaning more on his Water affinity, but where Ganon is the King of Evil, Mewtwo is morally ambiguous, and Greninja is...ninja-y, Absol would be a wielder of darkness that is also outright altruistic. And with a power of foresight that takes a different form than Shulk's visions, Absol could be a true "oracle"-style character, foreseeing disastrous events that later come to pass in battle!

If any of this interests you...read onward.


Playstyle

Smash characters work best when they're true to their source games, no? So to figure out what role Absol would fit into, let's take a look at what they're like in the Pokémon games.

Most of the time, Absol is, basically, a glass cannon. With a monstrous Attack stat that can match even the strongest mons, Absol would be a powerhouse in Smash, scoring knockouts as early some of the strongest characters in the game! But with middling speed and poor defenses, Absol's mobility and weight would be below average, balancing out the ability to dish out early kills with subpar survivability and limited ability to approach or press an advantage.

But wait! Most of the attacks associated with Absol, and the ones trainers commonly have them run, are on the weaker-but-accurate side! This could mean that several of Absol's moves in Smash could actually be fairly fast! With strong and surprisingly quick attacks, Absol is starting to sound like a less combo heavy but much less gimpable Doc!

And here's where the oracle powers come in. You know how with most Pokémon characters we've had in Smash, their neutral special is either their signature move or one heavily associated with them? Absol doesn't have a signature move to work with, or a specific attack they're associated with. What are they most known for, though? Their ability to sense disasters before they happen! By using that ability in Smash, one or more of Absol's B moves could revolve around foreseeing some phenomenon that then happens a few seconds later! By foreseeing all kinds of natural disasters, Absol would gain the ability to set delayed, super-telegraphed, yet very powerful traps!

And while Absol's Special Attack isn't much to write home about, neither is Charizard's physical Attack, and yet almost every one of his moves in Smash are physical. Smash takes creative liberties sometimes, and it'd certainly work here!

What playstyle does this leave us with? A wholly unique zoner whose ability to essentially create stage hazards while still being dangerous up close makes it so opponents can never truly get comfortable--appropriately enough, just like the Pressure ability that Absol can have in the Pokémon games! By playing smart in neutral and using their abilities to limit where an opponent can safely be, players could overcome Absol's subpar mobility to gain the advantage, build damage quickly, and finish them off with one of a plethora of kill moves! With a moveset like this, Absol would even have a niche as an anti-metagame character, able to keep campier opponents from settling in while also having fast enough attacks to fend off rushdown specialists!

...At the cost of being handcuffed by characters who can stay at arm's length and take advantage of Absol's lack of midrange tools. Ironically enough, Shulk could be a very dangerous matchup.


Further Questions

Having second thoughts? Allow us to help answer your concerns as best we can.


Another Pokémon character? We already got Mewtwo. They won't add another one.

I've seen this brought up pretty often with a lot of characters. There's this prevailing idea that we'll only get one DLC character per franchise. It's treated as absolute truth by much of the fanbase, to the point where bringing up any character from a series that has a clear frontrunner leads to said character getting shot down.

Here's the thing, though...we have no reason to believe it's true. We've seen nothing saying there can't be multiple DLC characters from the same series, and if the support was there, why not? If Sakurai's word on how he wants to make as many fans happy as he can is anything to go by, getting two or more Pokémon characters wouldn't mean characters from other series would start being ruled out.

So don't worry. Mewtwo, Absol, and your favorite characters can all make it. No "slots" are being "stolen" here.


Absol, though? Not with so many other Pokémon characters already being voted for.

You're right on there being a lot of 'mons getting support. Sceptile is one of the fans' favorite Grass starters, would bring plant-based powers to a roster that has nothing of that kind since Ivysaur left, and would come from a generation that hasn't had a playable character in Smash yet. Squirtle and Ivysaur, cut along with character transformations, still have a steady fanbase and could be relatively easy to port from Brawl. Even Pichu has seen arguments that he'd be easy to implement by using his Melee code and Pikachu as a point of reference.

Here's the thing, though: that's what the situation is like right now. Any major events before the Smash Ballot closes--E3, Nintendo Directs, et cetera--could influence things. For all we know, by October, Absol could be a frontrunner in the way King K. Rool, Wolf, and Isaac currently are. All it'd take is spreading word far enough and in the right way...although something like, say, being confirmed for Pokkén would certainly help.

In fact, Absol has all the right characteristics to catalyze a campaign. All it'd take is enough of a push to get going. And even better, those same characteristics could win the developers over as well!

Which brings us to the next question...


Why would the powers that be care enough about Absol for there to even be a chance?

Do you remember the magazine interview after Robin was revealed? Sakurai anticipated there'd be backlash over Robin making it and not Chrom. In the interview, he explained that when his staff had the chance to play through Fire Emblem Awakening, they discussed Chrom and Robin both. Chrom was turned down pretty fast; found to have a fighting style too reminiscent of Marth and Ike to stand out. Meanwhile, Robin could do things no other character currently did, could represent Fire Emblem as a whole in ways the swordsmen so far weren't able to, and his/her moveset, as Sakurai said, "practically wrote itself". In a battle between Chrom's recognition and Robin's potential, the potential won out.

Now look at all the newcomers to Smash 4. While they're extremely varied, all of them bring new and interesting things to the games (except for the bonus clones, but they started as alts, anyway). Based on them and on what Sakurai has said, a character's potential is one of the biggest factors looked for in a newcomer.

Absol's moveset potential is rivaled only by its series' gods. There is so much there that the chance of the dev team turning Absol down if the support was there is lower than it might initially seem.

But what about getting the rights, though? What about Nintendo? Game Freak? Intermediary group The Pokémon Company? Would they be okay with it?

Actually, they seem pretty fond of Absol as well. After its debut in Gen 3, Absol has found a way into every main region created since. Said presence in the games also includes being the signature 'mon of Sidney of the Hoenn Elite Four, a part of Unova Elite Four member Grimsley's Challenge Mode team, and a centerpiece of the rival character's party in Pokémon X and Y, eventually becoming their signature Mega! Absol has also found its way into nearly every spinoff game! With a pedigree like that, it certainly seems like they'd be okay with letting Absol have the spotlight in Smash as well.

If signs point toward Absol being the kind of character the developers would move forward with and one supported by its source company, all it'd take is the right level of fan support. Nothing's for sure, though--we can't foresee what'll happen ourselves, now can we?


Our Chances?

As it stands, Absol's chances are low. The total lack of Smash Ballot presence all but kills any opportunity, and although Absol could technically get in as a developer pick outside of the ballot, the odds of that happening are a total crapshoot.

That said, Absol also has the ability to gain a greater chance. As a fan favorite character who has a unique thematic niche, abilities no one else can match, some of the highest moveset potential of any candidate, and signs that'd point toward getting the go-ahead from both the Smash team and its patron company if the stars aligned, if a support base could build, this crazy idea of Absol in Smash could become a reality.

So what do you say? Are you up for changing the future?
 
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Delzethin

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Movesets



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By N3ON and TheRealHeroOfWinds:


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Supporter List

(Coming Very Soon!)


Special Thanks

@N3ON and @TheRealHeroOfWinds - Signature Icon
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@LIQUID12A - Trailer-Style Splash Art
 
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Delzethin

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And as a taste of what's to come, here's the cornerstone of the moveset I have planned.

This is what Absol can bring to Smash:

(Disclaimer: I used a female Absol for this. Partially for convenience so I had pronouns other than "it" to use, but mainly because I used a female one in Alpha Sapphire and apparently old habits die hard. >_>)


Neutral Special: Forewarn
It was once said that wherever an Absol went, disaster followed. The realm of Smash Bros. is no exception, as this particular one has found a way to weaponize her power of foresight! Refuse to believe her at your own risk.

On use, Absol senses one of five different omens that will befall the stage, and three seconds later, disaster will strike where she first stood! You can cycle to the omen you want just like with Shulk's Monado Arts, and a glowing aura similar to that of a Final Smash surrounds Absol when selecting an omen, all the way up until the disaster she saw happens for real. Each omen has different properties and effects, and though they're heavily telegraphed, all of them are powerful!

Deluge
A sudden rainstorm appears out of nowhere to flood part of the stage! The rain spans the width of a Battlefield platform, with a vertical range of one-and-a-half times the distance between Battlefield's base and its low platforms. Anyone caught in it receives a flurry of weak hits and is slowly pushed down by the sheer force of the rain! No Skyloft waterfall here, though; the short stun from each hit means anyone caught in it offstage will get their up special back. The aura that appears when foreseeing Deluge is colored blue and light blue.

Corona
The sunlight suddenly turns harsh, as a section of the stage half the length of Battlefield and one-and-a-half platform heights tall is inundated in suffocating heat! Intense enough to make the air glow reddish-orange and distort the air in that one way that makes distant objects on hot days look all wavy, anyone stuck in the area for the next five seconds will take damage over time! Corona's aura is, predictably enough, red and orange.

Shockwave
Think being able to run around quickly will keep you safe? A lightning bolt suddenly appears where Absol stood, signaling its appearance with a loud boom of thunder! If it reaches solid ground or a platform, a wave of electricity fires off on both sides, only stopping when the shockwave reaches the platform's edge or travels a distance equal to 1/3 the length of Final Destination on each side! What's more, anyone caught in the attack is stunned for a moment before the knockback kicks in! The aura from foreseeing Shockwave is yellow and pale violet.

Hailstorm
A barrage of Poké Ball-sized hailstones falls from above in increasing angles where Absol initially stood, assailing a wide swath of the stage! Though this omen covers a wide area, opponents have less to fear from it than the others--the stones fall one at a time and with enough time in between that if they get caught in it, they'll only be hit a couple times and for less damage in comparison! Hailstorm's aura is ice blue and pale green.

Dust Devil
A spiraling twister of sand appears, one platform-height tall, and slowly travels forward one third the distance of Final Destination. Anyone who gets too close will be caught in the cyclone, taking steady damage as they're carried along, then thrown skyward as it dissipates! Think of it as a portable version of the whirlwinds on the old Hyrule Castle stage. The aura for Dust Devil is colored stone brown and gray.

With five vastly different, powerful omens (Around the strength of Thoron!...except for Shockwave and Hailstorm), Absol's playstyle would revolve around finding the best way to use them in any given situation. Show your foes just how dire their future is!


...By the way, did you know that among Absol's massive movepool are all four weather-summoning moves--one of very few non-legendaries that get all four--and Thunderbolt, Thunder, Thunder Wave, Shockwave, and Charge Beam?
 
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Skyblade12

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...By the way, did you know that among Absol's massive movepool are all four weather-summoning moves--one of very few non-legendaries that get all four--and Thunderbolt, Thunder, Thunder Wave, Shockwave, and Charge Beam?
He also knows Blizzard, Ice Beam, and Icy Wind. Getting access to both Blizzard and Hail is fairly unique for Pokémon who aren't Water or Ice Types.
 

Delzethin

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He also knows Blizzard, Ice Beam, and Icy Wind. Getting access to both Blizzard and Hail is fairly unique for Pokémon who aren't Water or Ice Types.
Indeed, as is having access to Sandstorm despite not being part Rock, Ground, Steel, or Normal.
 

Skyblade12

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Potential moves:

Knock Off - Forces the character hit to drop an item they might be holding, dealing double the usual knockback if they are holding one. Snag those Master Balls for yourself, Absol.

Sucker Punch - A unique counter move because it does not prevent damage. It strikes the opponent striking Absol first, and for hefty % damage, but Absol still has to take the hit.
 
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Delzethin

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Potential moves:

Knock Off - Forces the character hit to drop an item they might be holding, dealing double the usual knockback if they are holding one. Snag those Master Balls for yourself, Absol.

Sucker Punch - A unique counter move because it does not prevent damage. It strikes the opponent striking Absol first, and for hefty % damage, but Absol still has to take the hit.
And that just scratches the surface! Pursuit as an enemy-seeking move or one that hits harder if it strikes their back? Psycho Cut as a delayed, long distance projectile? Razor Wind? Perish Song? Detect? Me First? Feint? Swords Dance? Taunt? Variants left and right of Slash, Night Slash, Megahorn...

And how about the potential for a Final Smash? The three Megas we have so far all do different things, which only opens up the window further.

...Oh, and I think I have the image problems fixed. Fingers crossed.
 
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Absol Master Race.~
 

Aetheri

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That's a really neat effect for the Neutral Special, makes use of the weather effects in the pokemon games, sounds like a good trapping tool as well, similar to some of Snake's moves...
Possible Up B could be Razor Wind, literally a whirlwind that has a windbox effect that lifts Absol and anyone caught in it would be dealt damage as well, similarly to Megaman uair...it could be charged as well for greater damage and recovery distance...
 

Delzethin

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Possible Up B could be Razor Wind, literally a whirlwind that has a windbox effect that lifts Absol and anyone caught in it would be dealt damage as well, similarly to Megaman uair...it could be charged as well for greater damage and recovery distance...
I was actually just thinking of Razor Wind doing something similar earlier! Great minds think alike, I guess?

I could also see it as a potential down special with delayed activation, or even a neutral one if someone wanted a simpler moveset. That's one of Absol's key strengths as a DLC candidate: the sheer number of options there are.

A little like a certain tactician, actually.
 
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Delzethin

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A character's personality is something that...honestly, flies under the radar more than it should. The way they present themselves, the way they act and interact and show who they are is a key part of their identity, especially in a game with an ever-increasing roster. Even the Pokémon characters have personalities despite all of them except for Mewtwo representing entire species: Pikachu is hyperactive and playful, Charizard proud and boisterous, Lucario reserved but serious, Greninja...ninja-y. If we could give Absol a personality, it'd go that much further toward sparking the fans' imagination.

Going off the species' inherent need to warn others of what they foresee, Absol in the realm of Smash Bros. could act purposeful. Every movement, every action could have a sense of intent to it. From attack animations to idle animations to taunts and victory poses, there'd be an overarching sense of a greater mission that must be fulfilled.

I could even see a taunt that involved Absol staring intently into the distance for a moment as the wind blowed, then nodding silently and returning to position.
 

Delzethin

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...I can't say I'm surprised by the lack of activity. Actually, I think this ties into an important point.

The biggest obstacle Absol has...is a lack of recognition from the Smash fanbase. None of the common pitfalls so many other characters run across are here: no moveset issues, no chance of being a clone or feeling redundant next to a character already in, no potential third party hangups. Obscurity isn't a factor, either, going off how the Pokémon fans feel and from the sheer amount of fanart that in some respects is greater in number than most starters and legendaries!

For whatever reason, Absol just hasn't been on people's radars.

Fortunately, that's something we can work with over time. Better yet, there's another character who was in a similar situation a couple years ago. As Smash 4 speculation got under way, which Mario characters did everyone think had a chance? Bowser Jr. was considered a frontrunner. Toad had a following, as did Waluigi. Rosalina was more or less an afterthought, seen as Assist Trophy material and with a small support base...and yet Rosalina was the fourth newcomer revealed.

Remember how well received she was after her debut trailer dropped? Remember all the reactions by everyone--myself included--who had never considered her?

Sometimes all it takes is to spread an idea and have it reach people who had never thought about it before.

Anyone here, anyone who has an idea or an opinion to voice, say something. Speak up. The more we can spread (without being annoying, of course), the more momentum we can gain.

If you can offer your support, we just might be able to make this happen.
 
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Skyblade12

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Honestly, if Absol has a chance, it'd be through the ballot. There'd need to be enough votes to make it at least not be automatically discarded. I'm sure if Sakurai saw the idea, he'd run with it. Absol is the sort of character I think he'd love to make.
 

Altais

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Absol is definitely mine favourite Pokémon of all time, both for its appearance and the fact that its a misunderstood creature.

I've been wanting to post an Absol thread for years now, but was either too busy, too tired, or too lazy. Looks like someone finally beat me to it.
 

Delzethin

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It seems things have reached a lull. I guess it's only inevitable with a new thread, and even the bigger ones fall back a page or two. Though since we can't rely on someone checking in like they can, how about another idea?

A lot of the Pokémon characters in Smash reference the anime somehow. Well, in a special a while back, there was a trainer with an Absol that wore a necklace with an Absolite stone set in it. Something like that could be interesting, no?
 

Skyblade12

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It seems things have reached a lull. I guess it's only inevitable with a new thread, and even the bigger ones fall back a page or two. Though since we can't rely on someone checking in like they can, how about another idea?

A lot of the Pokémon characters in Smash reference the anime somehow. Well, in a special a while back, there was a trainer with an Absol that wore a necklace with an Absolite stone set in it. Something like that could be interesting, no?
Possibly an alt costume, the way Pikachu gets his goggles and such.

I think Absol's just such a long shot that it's hard to get hyped for him. I'd love another quadruped Pokemon, Ivysaur was a blast to play, but I don't think it's likely.
 

Delzethin

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So the day of reckoning has arrived. I'd have warned you all, but not only have we known the E3 presentation was coming for a long time, it's a good thing, not a disaster.

While it's very obvious we won't be seeing Absol revealed today (barring a complete miracle), today's events could give us the jump start we need. Any kind of prominent appearance or something to get Absol on people's radars (A Pokkén reveal, perhaps?) is the biggest thing we need.

Until then...let us watch this unfold.
 

Delzethin

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Well, it seems we're back where we were before. No Smash news for the rest of E3 means nothing that affects our plans or chances. Business as usual, I guess.

What we do have, though, is some splash art courtesy of @LIQUID12A!

 
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