SuperUltraHyperOrochiPika
Smash Cadet
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2015
- Messages
- 63
There are quite a few things he needs that would improve his game play and overall combo game that he doesn't actually have.
Aerials-
FAir: Reduce the start up by 2-3 frames or give hitboxes 10-24 more hitstun to encourage L canceling the move early to follow up and or grab. Pikachu's FAir does similar things like Fox's and Mario's dair. However, Pikachu's fair has minimal hitstun which can also be CCed at any percent except the last hit. Or give it properties like Fox and Mario's Dair which prevent CC in the middle of the move.
Grabs-
Problem: Squirtle is the same height and size as Pikachu. Squirtle has what appears to be a worse grab range and hitbox placement. However for Squirtle its not an issue due to being able to slide into the opponent while grabbing which basically extends the range. Almost every player who uses a character with good grab combo or follow ups should or already uses JCG (Jump Cancel Grab) to do a standing grab while running to extend its range and to avoid the endlag a dash grab has. Pikachu has the 2nd worst grab range but has good grab follow ups. The issue with him is that his grab range is terrible. Dash grab reaches further but is slower and has longer endlag. Doing a JCG with Pikachu is the worst idea because of his good traction. This means he doesn't slide at all during some of his ground options. So doing JCG will not extend the range a bit by sliding some, but it will make you stop completely.
Solution(s) : Change his grab animation to something like Kirby's where he reaches out with the full length of his arm. Place the grab boxes properly to fit the new animation. I hate Smash 4 but thats where they at least did that right. This will make his JCG worth it even with the traction.
Physics-
Reduce his traction a bit. He's not wearing boots or any kind of high grip foot wear. Nor does he have claws to get any kind of traction. While I dont expect him to get Luigi level traction, He should at least slide more than he already doesn't. I can understand characters like Sonic, Falcon, and Fox having less traction and sliding a bit due to their speed, why doesn't Pikachu get this same kind of accommodation. Roy is slower than Pikachu but has a far better ability to slide around while wearing combat boots. While their gear shouldn't effect their actual character and thats more me just nit picking, Pikachu's high traction is something that does need to change. Pikachu even has slightly less traction in melee which is what I thought PMDT was going for in terms of mechanics and physics.
Aerials-
FAir: Reduce the start up by 2-3 frames or give hitboxes 10-24 more hitstun to encourage L canceling the move early to follow up and or grab. Pikachu's FAir does similar things like Fox's and Mario's dair. However, Pikachu's fair has minimal hitstun which can also be CCed at any percent except the last hit. Or give it properties like Fox and Mario's Dair which prevent CC in the middle of the move.
Grabs-
Problem: Squirtle is the same height and size as Pikachu. Squirtle has what appears to be a worse grab range and hitbox placement. However for Squirtle its not an issue due to being able to slide into the opponent while grabbing which basically extends the range. Almost every player who uses a character with good grab combo or follow ups should or already uses JCG (Jump Cancel Grab) to do a standing grab while running to extend its range and to avoid the endlag a dash grab has. Pikachu has the 2nd worst grab range but has good grab follow ups. The issue with him is that his grab range is terrible. Dash grab reaches further but is slower and has longer endlag. Doing a JCG with Pikachu is the worst idea because of his good traction. This means he doesn't slide at all during some of his ground options. So doing JCG will not extend the range a bit by sliding some, but it will make you stop completely.
Solution(s) : Change his grab animation to something like Kirby's where he reaches out with the full length of his arm. Place the grab boxes properly to fit the new animation. I hate Smash 4 but thats where they at least did that right. This will make his JCG worth it even with the traction.
Physics-
Reduce his traction a bit. He's not wearing boots or any kind of high grip foot wear. Nor does he have claws to get any kind of traction. While I dont expect him to get Luigi level traction, He should at least slide more than he already doesn't. I can understand characters like Sonic, Falcon, and Fox having less traction and sliding a bit due to their speed, why doesn't Pikachu get this same kind of accommodation. Roy is slower than Pikachu but has a far better ability to slide around while wearing combat boots. While their gear shouldn't effect their actual character and thats more me just nit picking, Pikachu's high traction is something that does need to change. Pikachu even has slightly less traction in melee which is what I thought PMDT was going for in terms of mechanics and physics.