Jigglypuff is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The Super Smash Bros. series Jigglypuff amiibo was first released on May 29, 2015 as part of Wave 4.
In Super Smash Bros. 4
Jigglypuff is ranked in the D+ tier in Super Smash Bros. 4. Jigglypuff’s character design is rather polarizing, and can be seen as an opposite to Little Mac. Its menacing aerial capabilities are nearly unparalleled: its air attacks have extended hitboxes and immense general utility, while its back aerial is among the strongest of its kind. Unfortunately, these traits are impractical in the amiibo metagame – which focuses on defense and grounded play – and this forces Jigglypuff to rely on its subpar ground game. However, a select few of its grounded moves are just barely useful enough to uphold some semblance of viability within the character. Its forward and down tilt attacks are its safest neutral options; both lack range, but inflict decent damage and can potentially link into a forward smash at low percentages. Jigglypuff’s side special, Pound, is one of its defining attributes: with high Attack equipment investment, the move can shatter a full shield.
However, Jigglypuff is riddled with a slew of flaws. As the Balloon Pokémon, Jigglypuff was designed for aerial combat, which is where most of its strengths lie. The defensive nature of the amiibo metagame essentially invalidates these attributes, leaving it with an unreliable grounded moveset. Its strongest finishers – namely its forward and up smashes – suffer from high ending lag and short range, respectively. As a result, Jigglypuff often struggles to find an opportunity to KO its opponent. In theory, Rest is a decisive closer that could potentially correct this issue, but the AI never properly connects the attack. Jigglypuff is also lacking in defensive capabilities, as it possesses the weakest shield in the game; if its shield is broken, it is instantly KOed, which worsens its matchups against powerful fighters such as Bowser and Ganondorf.
As a result of these flaws, Jigglypuff has accumulated terrible tournament representation and results. No trainer was particularly successful with Jigglypuff and the character is not known to have ever won a tournament.
If you would like to read the Super Smash Bros. 4 Jigglypuff amiibo training guide, please refer to this post.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Jigglypuff was significantly buffed for its appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Changes to the game’s AI enable Jigglypuff to leave the stage and edgeguard opponents; although it does not have a meteor smash, its forward and neutral aerials can launch enemies far enough away to prevent their successful recovery. The AI is now capable of using Rest (which is now interruptible earlier); the Instadrop Spirit effect true combos into Rest at any percentage, allowing Jigglypuff to confirm a KO on every opponent so long as it is in the air. In terms of its base moveset, Jigglypuff’s smash attacks have increased KO potential and Pound has less ending lag.
However, Jigglypuff suffers from many flaws. In the Spirits metagame, it has a kill confirm in the form of Instadrop into Rest; however, in the vanilla metagame (which has since become standard), Jigglypuff must connect Rest without the aid of Instadrop. This makes its primary kill move much riskier; Rest often misses and leaves the character vulnerable. Though its smash attacks were made stronger, they are still slow; this leaves off-stage attacks as Jigglypuff’s primary finishers. Jigglypuff still struggles with its light weight and unique shield.
Jigglypuff’s rankings are rather polarizing; it is thought to be mid- to high-tier in the Spirits metagame (which has fallen out of favor) but low- to bottom-tier in the vanilla metagame. Without the aid of Instadrop, Jigglypuff is thought to be on par with its Smash 4 iteration in that it is non-viable in tournaments.
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