My concept of Chrom is a character all about mobility, mix-ups, and combos. Chrom has never been the most elegant royal, and that reflects in his fighting style. Chrom is a fighter with average run speed, above average weight, a high initial jump and a poor double jump. Chrom is a fast-faller.
Before we begin, I should note Chrom has a special feature: "Rightful King" is a passive quality unique to this fighter. Every successful strike to an enemy empowers his sword, gaining the trademark blue glow. At maximum power, his portrait is bordered with blue flame. While at full power, Chrom gains a small but noticeable increase to both movement and attack speed. Receiving damage or inactivity causes Rightful King to fade.
Specials
Javelin
Chrom draws a javelin in his other hand, which functions as a unique weapon item and is aesthetically similar
of that seen in Awakening. Pressing B again while it's in hand throws the javelin, and you can hold B for extra power/distance. You can also throw it with Z just like any other weapon item, and while it's not as strong this way (just flips around in the air like any other thrown weapon), can be thrown in all directions. His jab prods the lance, forward tilt brandishes it across, and forward smash results in a strong thrust with so much impact that it shatters the javelin.
If other fighters pick it up, they just swing it around like any other weapon, nowhere near as effective. Chrom can only have three javelins on screen at a given time.
Rout
This move causes Chrom to sheathe his sword and dash forward similar to Fox Illusion, but leaving a blue trail. What happens next is where this differs vastly.
Press A at the start will transist the move into a sliding kick. This stops Chrom on impact, pops the enemy upwards, and has little lag on hit.
Press B at the start to expend the Rightful King effect and cut enemies on his path. Those caught en route don't take much damage, but enemies at the end suffer a blow of immense strength. If Rightful King is at full power, this attack has vertical launch power akin to other lethal moves, like Luigi's Fire Jump Punch or Jigglypuff's Rest.
Lastly, you can press R to fake out, creating a blue trail but Chrom merely reappears at his point of origin.
Should no action be taken, Chrom will merely pass through enemies. This doesn't have much delay, but the blue trail sticks to Chrom for few seconds, and Rout cannot be used again until it's gone.
Counter
The trademark Counter mechanic breathes the spirit of Fire Emblem into Smash Bros! But this one is different. Countering while a Javelin is in hand will cause Chrom to throw it at full charge and at immense speed. If he is empty-handed, he instead tries to grab the attacker, with bonus reach compared to his normal grab.
Exalted Aether
Chrom flips into the air with sword extended, much like in
the cutscene. It doesn't have much height, but a lot of lateral distance. Pressing B while flipping will end the move early and cancel it into a downward sword plant.
Aerial
A corkscrew 360° swish of the sword that combos into itself rather well.
(forward)
Readies his sword before delivering a horizontal cut. A bit of wind-up, but a lot of power.
(backward)
A backward kick followed by a horizontal sword slice.
Sheathes his sword and faces downwards before delivering a fast and deadly arcing slash below for a meteor smash.
Swishes his sword above before slashing in an arc. Multi-hit attack that lacks launch power, but has decent damage.
Ground
Delivers rapid horizontal slashes. Like other jab attacks, it automatically leads to an ender. In Chrom's case, it ends with a shoulder check.
(tilt)
Diagonal downward cut followed by an upward slash in quick succession.
(tilt)
Hand planted on the ground, he delivers a low horizontal cut with good reach.
(tilt)
Two quick arcing slashes above.
(smash)
Leans back before stepping forward and delivering a fierce thrust. Has immense reach.
(smash)
Does a fierce spin slash. It's not ideal for hitting low or rolling foes that are small in size.
(smash)
Hops while performing a front-flip sword slash with a large area of effect, but long landing lag.
(dash)
Vanishes and re-emerges a short distance ahead, cutting down those in his way.
Throws
Hooks his foes with the hilt of hos sword.
(forward)
Kicks them away and follows it up with a slash
(backward)
Grabs them by the arm, spins them around once before letting loose.
Stomps the enemy into the ground, leaps into the air off-screen before coming down on them with his sword as they try to stand up. The best throw for damage.
Holds them up-high and delivers a sword thrust to send them upwards. Good for vertical kills.
