Heir to the Monado. Shulk General Discussion/Social Thread

[SmashChu]

Today, we are rating Shulk on how he could be unique. Can your knowledge of Xenoblade truly prove Shulk has all the skills to make him a unique fighter?
http://smashboards.com/threads/the-...ps-week-shulk-and-dr-kawashima.347531/page-21
If you would like to contribute to the thread, please do so. A response is very appreciated at the very least.

I might if I have time.

 

[FlareHabanero]

I'll try to contribute throughout today, but I'm typically not super great at piecing together entire movesets and stuff.

I wouldn't be too pressured about that, considering Shulk is one of those characters that can have different interpretations based around the fact his Monado is capable of varies abilities.

 

[BluePikmin11]

I might if I have time.

You got till tomorrow around the morning.

 

[foolssigma]

Looks like Shulk has moved into the 5th slot of most likely characters in the roster rating thread. (4th if you don't count Little Mac). Although this obviously has no impact on his real chances in the game, it's nice to see more universal support from the site.

I'm curious. How similar is Shulk's position at the moment to Isaac's pre brawl? I wasn't too active on this forum at the time (had a different username), but I think Shulk is in a better spot.

Also, unrelated comment: I love how Banjo Kazooie is in the most wanted characters panel.

 

[Deleted member]

I'm curious. How similar is Shulk's position at the moment to Isaac's pre brawl? I wasn't too active on this forum at the time (had a different username), but I think Shulk is in a better spot.

Also, unrelated comment: I love how Banjo Kazooie is in the most wanted characters panel.

Shulk now as around a 65%. That really impressed me!
Anyway, to answer your question on Isaac, according to this Rate Their Chances thread on GameFAQs during Brawl, Isaac's last rating garnered him a 54% in chance and a previous rating had him at 59% chance. So, Shulk is doing better here than Isaac did back then.
Personally, I believe Shulk is in a better position than Isaac, though I can see Isaac get on the roster with Shulk. If these two were to battle it out, I would give the edge to Shulk. There is so much going for him right now.

I'm also glad to see Banjo-Kazooie have a high want rating; it shows me that there is still love for these characters.

 

[BluePikmin11]

I was wondering if you guys fully agree with this moveset, I'll just leave it here as it is, I only focused on the gameplay aspect and picked moves that most likely Sakurai would pick:

SHULK: The Wielder of the Monado

Shulk relies on lots of moves and attacks he has to defeat opponents with his unique Talent Gauge Meter, similar to Little Mac's power meter, only it's used for many, different attacks. His talent gauge on the top left corner of Shulk's percentage bar, as shown below:

This gauge will slowly increase to white as you unleash many attacks to the opponent. It's important to know that you fill this bar so you can get access to even more powerful attacks. Getting hit by the opponent or being KOed does not reset the talent gauge. When the gauge is full, you gain access to the following moves by using the Activate Monado Move:

(Neutral-B) : Cancels out the Talent Move.
(Down-B) :Monado Shield: Gains a temporary 12 second shield that increases Shulk's defense by x 2.0.
(Side-B) : Monado Speed: Increases the speed of Shulk and his agility to roll dodge x2.0 farther with other dodge properties being able to be canceled.
(Up-B): Monado Purge: Is able to hit from a distance and cancel out any defensive properties. (Even for someone that has the Starman) This cannot help him recover however.

His regular Arts are these, these arts have a different charging time and there will be noticable signs when Shulk is ready to unleash the special moves (additional small art icons on top Shulk's percentage bar):
Neutral-B: Activate Monado.
Up-B: Air Slash: Sends Shulk into a slightly but relatively horizontal distance. Not the most useful recovery out of all characters.
Side-B: Shadow Eye: Increases Shulk's damage and turns him invisible.
Down-B: Light Heal: Heals Shulk with 15%.

By learning how to properly use him, players will be rewarded, that is the simple goal really. Try to dodge at the right times, as he is a heavyweight and pretty tall and has a horrible recovery.

Normal Attacks:
Jab: Shulk slashes the opponent from left to right slowly then ends with straightforward hit.
F-Tilt: Shulk unleashes his Slit Edge, which can stun the opponent and lower their defense a bit so you can attack for a combo.
D-Tilt: Shulk gracefully swings his sword to the bottom ground, not the most useful except for a Meteor Smash.
U-Tilt: Shulk air-punches his sword, doesn't do much except cancel small projectiles from above.
Dash: Shulk swiftly swings his sword sideways, can also cancel properties if done right.

Air Attacks:
Neutral Air: Shulk swings his Monado in a 360 turn, it's pretty slow, but relatively powerful.
F-Air: Shulk swings his sword to diagonally that has good KO potential.
B-Air: Shulk swiftly swings his Monado sideways back, slightly low KO potential.
D-Air: Shulk aggressively swings his sword downwards to hit the opponent, great KO potential.
U-Air: Shulk air-pumps his Monado to defend from upcoming projectiles.

Although his throws aren't the best grabs, but they can help you to lead to a combo. In general, all of his throws weak throws.

Smash Attacks:
F-Smash: Shulk activates his Back Slash: if hit from behind the damages increases to x1.5.
U-Smash: Shulk activates his Stream Edge, which springs out a short ranged upward attack to the opponent.
D-Smash: Shulk activates his Shaker Edge, which causes the opponent to trip if hit by it.

 

[foolssigma]

@ BluePikmin11 I really like the talent gauge idea. When you mention noticeable signs for the art specials, what did you have in mind? Additional gauges? Initially I thought he was going to be OP, but I think you gave him a good amount of drawbacks to counter the positives such as the recovery. Sounds like a real risk reward play style unlike anything currently in smash. I'm unsure about the invisibility part, although I understand how you got that from Xenoblade. I notice you gave him a few moves to counter projectiles, but would a character like MegaMan have a significant advantage when playing Shulk? I got the vibe he is a close range character with a lot of tricks to learn.

Do you think he will have any diagonal smashes like Little Mac?

All in all, great move set. I would be happy if it was real.

 

[BluePikmin11]

Well, I had thought that would be additional small art icons on top Shulk's percentage bar, or maybe Shulk has 3 special special sparkles (One up, down, and side) that indicate when the specials are ready. The former is much better to me.
A character like Megaman? Maybe if he tried to pummel hardcore on Shulk, he would have a hard time hitting. He's a close range fighter.
And I'm sure he'll have diagonal slashes.

And we don't really need the time mechanic, though I suppose when he's a slow powerful character, it could come out occasionally to save Shulk.
It might happen with every 20 attacks he successfully does.

 

[yoonb]

I don't know how I feel about Light Heal healing for 15%. Seems awfully strong, but if you want to base most of Shulk's versatility and kill potential on the Talent Artes, you could give him Battle Soul instead. Maybe giving him 5% but fills up the Talent Gauge.

These are my thoughts, though.

I would also switch Monado Speed for Monado Purge, but that's just me. Because we have Quick Attack and Extremespeed as recovery moves, I think Monado Speed makes sense. i don't want Shulk getting Yoshi'd, except still with a recovery.... hm. haha, oh well.

 

[Groose]

Shulk has recently shot up in terms of my wanted newcomers. Of all of the characters I'm hyped for, he's now number three.

I hope he gets in this game. I could see it go either way, truthfully.

 

[BluePikmin11]

He is a slow character, so knocking him off the stage is game over for him, I think the Light Heal is fair enough to me.
Monado Purge isn't suppose to help him recover, it's a risky powerful move just like the other Monado arts. I thought about have Battle Soul, but in the end the Light Heal was a much better option, and I couldn't fit ever move he has in the game.

 

[DaDavid]

I'm down with him having a percentage recovery option. 15% isn't too bad, and as long as it isn't instantaneous it really wouldn't be OP.

In general though I don't really care for how defensive/buff based his specials are, but I guess that's just not my preference. Personally I feel like attacks like Cyclone and Eater could have at least been implemented as Smashes, but considering your talent gauge gimmick they would have to be specials I guess.

 

[BluePikmin11]

I could've switched Purge for Cyclone, since I see it's used for recovery in alot of movesets I see. But I wanted to make sort of a risk reward character, so I still made his recovery horrible.

 

[DaDavid]

I could've switched Purge for Cyclone, since I see it's used for recovery in alot of movesets I see. But I wanted to make sort of a risk reward character, so I still made his recovery horrible.

I'm not really sure that a horrible moveset is all that inline with him being a risk/reward focused character. It sort of just makes him hopeless. In my opinion, he should have a decent recovery to allow the player a chance to make it back. If he's really all that slow, then edge-guarding him will be easy enough. Might as well give the Shulk player some opportunity to get back, especially since he doesn't actually seem all that deadly based on the moveset.

 

[DaDavid]

My ever changing own personal take on Shulk is pretty gimmick-less, except for some specifics of moves. I've yet to take the time to make up his tilts and airs, and some specifics aren't fully fleshed out yet, but it's what I have so far.

General Attributes

His smash attacks would be stronger than most other sword users, but not as heavy hitting as someone like Ike. He should be fairly quick on his feet. Faster than Link but slower than Marth, with his attack speed being somewhat below average because of the general nature of his attacks. He would have decent jumps, with his first jump gaining most of the height and his second jump being significantly less powerful. His weight I imagine would be around the middle, so he's fairly easy to knock off at lower percentages (85-100%) depending on the attack of course.

Standard Attacks

Jab: Not a jab combo, but rather one solid, diagonal slash meant to space more than anything.

Side Smash: Back Stab. A quick forward stab that does more knock back and damage (about 1.5 normal) on the backs of enemies. Reliable kill move at higher percentages, sends opponents at a straight horizontal trajectory.

Up Smash: Two handed stab at the air with the Monado. This is a good kill at all percentages, and charging it increases the range, not the power. The farther from the base however, the weaker the move.

Down Smash: Stream Edge. It is a low angled attack that trips if sweet spotted and knock opponents diagonally upwards if not. Combo starter at low percentages, decent kill move at higher percentages.

Specials

B: Monado Armour: A shield surrounds Shulk for 7.5 seconds, giving him flinch-resistance to weaker attacks for that time period. Stronger attacks will still affect Shulk, but not break the armour.

Side B: Monado Eater. Shulk blasts ether energy in front of him in a gaseous cloud, trapping enemies in in for low damage while inflicting the enemy with a bleed effect similar to White Pikmin which last for 5-10 seconds depending on how long the enemy stays in the cloud to begin with.

Down B: Monado Cyclone. Shulk charges before releasing ether particles which completely surround him. Very slow attack with a lot of cool down, but has incredible KO potential.

Up B: Monado Speed. Shulk darts quickly diagonally in the direction he is facing. The angle of recovery can only be made purely vertical, or purely horizontal by tilting the stick in either direction, but Shulk is entirely invincible during this time. However, pressing A will stop Shulk and cause him to do a quick spin attack.

 

[foolssigma]

For fear of being off topic in the rumor thread.

@ BluePikmin11 I'm still dying from the whole "shulk kong" leak. That's hilarious.

For those of you who don't know, he found a leak that listed shulk kong as an assist trophy then afterwards listed shulk twice more as an assist trophy.

 

[Scoliosis Jones]

It would be a nice surprise to see Shulk next month as the newcomer. Here's hoping.

 

[Deleted member]

It would be a nice surprise to see Shulk next month as the newcomer. Here's hoping.

Hopefully Monolith will show us some X footage next month along with a Shulk reveal. If Shulk is in the game, they are not going to reveal him unless Monolith shows something or at least has some participation with the Direct (like re-tweeting the Direct message).

 

[Scoliosis Jones]

That's probably true. Although Little Mac was revealed without anything for Punch-Out!!, so we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Deleted member]

That's probably true. Although Little Mac was revealed without anything for Punch-Out!!, so we'll have to wait and see.

While that is true, I heard Next Level Games, the creators of Punch Out!! for the Wii, re-Tweeted that Direct message and Little Mac was confirmed the next day. As long as Sakurai and Monolith re-Tweet that message, we could see Shulk.

 

[BluePikmin11]

Yeah, but it could potentially be just X footage again.
Though a Shulk reveal is what I like to see soon in a direct.

 

[DaDavid]

I still personally feel like Shulk isn't QUITE big enough to cause a huge splash with a Direct reveal and would more likely be shown off at E3 along with others to create an overall hype bubble. But it's of course not out of the question.

 

[foolssigma]

Good point, but Little Mac didn't exactly make a big splash in Japan from what I could gather. If Shulk is revealed next month it could have the opposite effect as Little Mac. Most of Japan is happy, meanwhile a lot of Americans wonder who the guy is.(edit: or just say wasted slot). I can see Shulk in the E3 line up though.

 

[DaDavid]

Good point, but Little Mac didn't exactly make a big splash in Japan from what I could gather. If Shulk is revealed next month it could have the opposite effect as Little Mac. Most of Japan is happy, meanwhile a lot of Americans wonder who the guy is.(edit: or just say wasted slot). I can see Shulk in the E3 line up though.

I suppose but I suppose I mean that Shulk isn't even that universally loved in Japan from what I know. It's obvious that he's requested among the Smash fanbase, but I just don't know how much that says about video game fans in general I guess, if that makes sense?

Like... I felt as if Little Mac is instantly recognizable in the West, and I just literally don't know if that's the case in Japan for Shulk. Regardless, you're certainly right that it would be the opposite of Little Mac to the Smash fanbase over there.

 

[DraginHikari]

I don't know how Little Mac compares to Shulk in regards to popularity. However I wouldn't be surprised if more people are aware of Shulk in the west compared to Little Mac in the east given the Punch-Out! games have seldomly made a splash in the Japan as far as I can tell.

 

[Staarih]

I always thought Takamaru was more of the "counterpart" for Little Mac when it comes to popularity, requests and recognizability when Japan and the west are compared. That said, I think Takamaru would probably create more hype via a Direct reveal than Shulk, if not only for the fact that he's a retro character and maybe become more recognizable during the years, while Shulk is still fairly new. The whole retro aspect sort of works as another point to counterpart Takamaru with Little Mac, even if Punch-Out may not be a retro title anymore.

I'm sure Shulk is popular, but I think a lot of people still don't know who he is. I'd definitely want him in the game, but I agree that an E3 reveal could probably work the best, or maybe even no reveal at all and he'll just be a secret character.

 

[Banjodorf]

Well, I've finally finished playing through Xenoblade Chronicles.

Honestly, I went in knowing it was going to be a pretty great game. But I didn't expect it to suddenly become my favorite game of all time. My god. Everything was right with that game, and it just kept blowing me away at every turn.

And then there's the ****ing soundtrack. I can't even HANDLE how good that is.

As of now, Shulk has now jumped up there with Palutena and Takamaru in terms of newcomers I absolutely need to see for me to love Smash 4. Obviously, it could go either way, given his potential one-shot status, but this game has been such an incredible hit, has spawned enormous fanbases of its own, and Shulk is one of the most wanted newcomers in Japan and elsewhere.

That, and the Monado powers would easily take him beyond your average sword user. (What exactly is an average sword user?)

I really hope Sakurai sees this potential, and wants to welcome Monolith Soft officially to Nintendo with an amazing Smash entrance. Something to cement them in greater Nintendo history, and I think that thing is playable Shulk.

Come on Sakurai, I know you have it in you!

 

[Sabrewulf238]

Shulk now as around a 65%. That really impressed me!
Anyway, to answer your question on Isaac, according to this Rate Their Chances thread on GameFAQs during Brawl, Isaac's last rating garnered him a 54% in chance and a previous rating had him at 59% chance. So, Shulk is doing better here than Isaac did back then.
Personally, I believe Shulk is in a better position than Isaac, though I can see Isaac get on the roster with Shulk. If these two were to battle it out, I would give the edge to Shulk. There is so much going for him right now.

I'm also glad to see Banjo-Kazooie have a high want rating; it shows me that there is still love for these characters.

Both Isaac and Shulk are in a better position than last time. You can't really compare Isaac pre-brawl to Shulk pre-sm4sh, a lot of the major competition was dealt with in brawl. Shulk doesn't have nearly as much to contend with.

 

[Deleted member]

I always thought Takamaru was more of the "counterpart" for Little Mac when it comes to popularity, requests and recognizability when Japan and the west are compared.

I see Takamaru has a counterpart to Little Mac, but they aren't direct counterparts. While Takamaru is the most requested retro, he isn't a part of Japan's Elite Four (Mega Man, King K. Rool, Palutena, and Shulk). Shulk is one of Japan's most wanted newcomers and Americans do know who he is, though casuals have absolutely no idea about him or Xenoblade.

Both Isaac and Shulk are in a better position than last time. You can't really compare Isaac pre-brawl to Shulk pre-sm4sh, a lot of the major competition was dealt with in brawl. Shulk doesn't have nearly as much to contend with.

I think of Shulk's lack of competition makes him a very strong competitor. As I've mentioned, I don't believe Shulk and Isaac are competing against each other and both can easily be added on the roster. I find Isaac to have a stronger chance now, but I am still doubtful.

I don't know how Little Mac compares to Shulk in regards to popularity.

Shulk is one of the most requested characters worldwide, but his support mainly comes from Japan. Little Mac has requests from other areas, but his popularity mainly came from the US.

 

[DustyPumpkin]

Out of my own personal wish list of Characters, I'd actually put Dillon the Armadillo as Rival and or Counterpart, Both are new but Shulk is from a popular game worldwide, While Dillon is relatively unknown.
Also they can properly fight seeing as Shulk could potentially cut through just about any other sword fighters sword, Dillon ain't having none of that

 

[Groose]

It's nearing the end of the new Direct's runtime. Although Sakurai has tweeted about it, we haven't seen any new Smash info so far. Iwata announces that there is one final trailer left, and after a classical "please take a look," the screen fades to black and the sound cuts out. After a brief pause, a lone, British voice begins narrating.

"There are many powerful swords in this world. Some have slain monsters of great renown..."
The screen cuts to a picture of Galaxia, then zooms out to reveal Meta Knight fighting with Dark Matter. After a few lightning-fast slashes, the screen changes again...

"...some have inspired kingdoms during of the darkest of wars..."
...this time to a closeup of the Falchion. When the scene zooms out, we see Marth in the midst of a battlefield, waving his troops on. The scene switches to...

"...and others have purged the land of all evil."
....something every Zelda fan is familiar with: the Master Sword sitting in its pedestal as Link reaches down to draw it.

"Yet no blade can compare to the majesty of the Monado because it is as powerful as I will it to be."
The scene shows the Xenoblade menu screen before zooming in on the Monado. Suddenly a hand appears on its hilt and draws it forth. The Monado crackles to life as the screen switches to...

Shulk Chooses to Fight!
The silence is broken by this song as Shulk mercilessly slaughters the vast majority of the cast, especially all of the swordusers. Monado Buster, Monado Cyclone, Shulk's premonitions, and more are shown before the trailer ends with the Smash logo and a release date.

 

[Deleted member]

"Yet no blade can compare to the majesty of the Monado because it is as powerful as I will it to be."
The scene shows the Xenoblade menu screen before zooming in on the Monado. Suddenly a hand appears on its hilt and draws it forth. The Monado crackles to life as the screen switches to...

Shulk Chooses to Fight!
The silence is broken by this song as Shulk mercilessly slaughters the vast majority of the cast, especially all of the swordusers. Monado Buster, Monado Cyclone, Shulk's premonitions, and more are shown before the trailer ends with the Smash logo and a release date.

To add on, Shulk should have a vision of Link, Marth, and Meta Knight attacking him all at once. Shulk then proceeds to use Monado Buster on them. Afterwards, Shulk should say, "And I have the power to change the future!"
I personally go with the phrase, Shulk Envisions the Battle!

Otherwise, that is a very good trailer idea! I would be hyped out of my mind if this was the trailer!

 

[The Curious Volnutt]

It's nearing the end of the new Direct's runtime. Although Sakurai has tweeted about it, we haven't seen any new Smash info so far. Iwata announces that there is one final trailer left, and after a classical "please take a look," the screen fades to black and the sound cuts out. After a brief pause, a lone, British voice begins narrating.

"There are many powerful swords in this world. Some have slain monsters of great renown..."
The screen cuts to a picture of Galaxia, then zooms out to reveal Meta Knight fighting with Dark Matter. After a few lightning-fast slashes, the screen changes again...

"...some have inspired kingdoms during of the darkest of wars..."
...this time to a closeup of the Falchion. When the scene zooms out, we see Marth in the midst of a battlefield, waving his troops on. The scene switches to...
"...and others have purged the land of all evil."
....something every Zelda fan is familiar with: the Master Sword sitting in its pedestal as Link reaches down to draw it.

"Yet no blade can compare to the majesty of the Monado because it is as powerful as I will it to be."
The scene shows the Xenoblade menu screen before zooming in on the Monado. Suddenly a hand appears on its hilt and draws it forth. The Monado crackles to life as the screen switches to...

Shulk Chooses to Fight!
The silence is broken by this song as Shulk mercilessly slaughters the vast majority of the cast, especially all of the swordusers. Monado Buster, Monado Cyclone, Shulk's premonitions, and more are shown before the trailer ends with the Smash logo and a release date.

You know that won't happen, pal. Sakurai is allergic to release dates.

 

[Pega-pony Princess]

You know that won't happen, pal. Sakurai is allergic to release dates.

Sssh. Don't crush our hopes son.

 

[DaDavid]

Shulk released along with a release date would be Smash heaven for me But I've pretty much decided to never expect either of those things in a Direct....

 

[Deleted member]

I was wondering, is there a texture hack so I can have Ike look like Shulk? I wanna use one for when I play Project M on my hackless Wii.

Shulk released along with a release date would be Smash heaven for me But I've pretty much decided to never expect either of those things in a Direct....

Agreed. I would be hyped out of my mind if this happened!
Alas... I don't think that this will happen... it could though, but chances are rather slim.

 

[DaDavid]

I was wondering, is there a texture hack so I can have Ike look like Shulk? I wanna use one for when I play Project M on my hackless Wii.

I'm pretty sure you could use the one in that vid from a few pages ago. Not sure where that would be though... Only place I ever knew was Brawl Vault

 

[Snagrio]

Just a thought, but everyone is expecting Palutena or Chrom next month. And we all know how Sakurai loves to do the unexpected. Wouldn't it be something if Shulk was the surprise reveal instead?

 

[Deleted member]

Just a thought, but everyone is expecting Palutena or Chrom next month. And we all know how Sakurai loves to do the unexpected. Wouldn't it be something if Shulk was the surprise reveal instead?

It would definitely be a surprise! Oh my god, I would love it if Shulk was confirmed!

I am expecting Palutena for the KI:U anniversary, Chrom for the FE anniversary, Takamaru for the Ninja Castle anniversary, Snake for Ground Zeroes, or Dixie Kong for Tropical Freeze next month.
I will start to expect Shulk if Monolith has something to show in the Nintendo Direct. If they don't, then I doubt that we could potentially get Shulk confirmed. Keep your eyes peeled on those ReTweets!

 

[Dinoman96]

It would definitely be a surprise! Oh my god, I would love it if Shulk was confirmed!

I am expecting Palutena for the KI:U anniversary

KI:U's anniversary was just the other day.