Mastering Lucario in Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Jamal Habib
Mastering Lucario in Super Smash Bros Ultimate: Strategies, Strengths, and Matchups
Lucario, the Aura Pokémon, stands out as a unique fighter in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, offering a blend of mystical aura-based attacks and a fighting style that rewards players for strategic gameplay. Understanding Lucario’s mechanics, strengths, and weaknesses is crucial for players looking to harness the true power of this character. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the world of Lucario, exploring everything from his aura mechanics and advanced techniques like b-reversing to his matchups and overall gameplay strategy.
The Power of Aura
At the core of Lucario’s gameplay is his Aura mechanic. Unlike other fighters, Lucario becomes stronger as he takes more damage. This is reflected in both the range and the damage output of his attacks. At high percentages, Lucario can turn the tide of battle with a few well-placed hits, making comebacks a real threat to opponents. This mechanic encourages Lucario players to play cautiously, picking the right moments to strike to maximize damage while minimizing risks.
Advanced Techniques
Lucario players must master a few key techniques to fully utilize his potential. One such technique is b-reversing, which allows Lucario to change the direction he’s facing while performing a special move. This is particularly useful for mixing up landings and maintaining momentum, making Lucario’s movements unpredictable and difficult to counter. Another important technique is wave-bouncing, which combines b-reversing and a momentum shift to enhance Lucario’s aerial mobility, crucial for both offensive and defensive maneuvers.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Lucario’s strengths lie in his versatility and comeback potential. His aura mechanic makes him a constant threat, and his mobility allows him to engage and disengage at will. Additionally, Lucario has a solid recovery, with his Extreme Speed move providing great distance and some unpredictability in direction.
However, Lucario is not without weaknesses. His reliance on aura means that at low percentages, his damage output and knockback are relatively low, making it difficult to secure early KOs. Lucario also struggles against characters with strong edge-guarding capabilities, as his recovery, while versatile, can be predictable and thus susceptible to interception.
Matchups
Lucario’s matchups in Super Smash Bros Ultimate can be quite polarizing. He tends to struggle against characters who can exert constant pressure and deny him the space to utilize his aura effectively. Fast, aggressive characters like Fox or Pikachu can give Lucario a hard time, as they can overwhelm him before he builds up significant aura. Additionally, characters with strong offstage presence can exploit Lucario’s predictable recovery.
Conversely, Lucario has an advantage over heavier, slower characters. His ability to survive longer due to his weight class and comeback mechanic means he can outlast opponents like Ganondorf or King Dedede, securing KOs with aura-boosted attacks before they can do the same to him. Characters that rely on zoning but lack close-quarters options may also find it difficult to keep a high-aura Lucario at bay.
Conclusion
Lucario offers a unique playstyle in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, blending risk and reward with a deep technical skillset. Mastering Lucario requires patience, strategic thinking, and a good understanding of his mechanics and matchups. By leveraging his strengths and mitigating his weaknesses, players can unlock the true potential of this aura-powered fighter, making every match an opportunity for a stunning comeback. Whether you’re a seasoned Lucario main or looking to add him to your roster, remember that with great risk comes great reward. Harness the power of aura and let Lucario’s versatility and resilience guide you to victory.
