Inkling (Life & Death)

Inkling (インクリング, Inkling) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Life or Death.
Inklings are creatures that can transform between a squid form and a humanoid form, which act as the players' avatars in Splatoon, Splatoon 2 (the latter of which also allows players to choose Octolings if they have purchased and completed the Octo Expansion DLC) and Splatoon 3. Newborn Inklings initially only have their squid form and slowly go through a metamorphosis into their humanoid form, reaching maturity after about fourteen years. Turf War battles between teams of Inklings involve using a variety of weapons from multiple weapon classifications to cover the map with their team's colored ink - which they can swim in while in squid form - while disrupting the other team's attempt to do the same within the time limit of three minutes. Inklings are also very fashionable, as they can be seen wearing different outfits as well as sporting different hairstyles (though hairstyle options are only available in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3). Inklings are also colored based on ink battle teams from classic Splatoon. Unlike Ultimate and Galactic Battle, the pink and lime Inklings in their Splatoon 2 designs are available by default, whereas the Splatoon designs appear as costumes.
Both Female and Male Inklings are voiced by Yuki Tsadji in all versions of Life and Death. 
==How to Unlock==
Inkling is available from the start of a new game and doesn't need to be unlocked.
==Moveset==
* Inkling will transform into squid form while dashing, dodging or replenishing ink. This allows Inkling to avoid some projectiles and attacks while dashing because of a lower hurtbox for a few frames.
* Inkling can crawl and wall jump.
* Some of Inkling's attacks consume ink. Attacks that use ink each use a set amount of the Ink Tank. If Inkling does not have enough ink for a move, it will deal less damage and knockback, and certain moves will have no effect at all. The specifics of ink's mechanics are explained in detail after the moveset table.
* Some of Inkling's moves cover opponents in ink, increasing the damage they take from attacks for a time.
** The ink tank can be gradually replenished at any time by holding the special button while shielding, or when the ink tank is completely empty, via neutral special or down special. This lowers Inkling's hurtbox, but lacks any defensive options aside from canceling the charge (which is punishable). The ink tank is also fully restored when Inkling is KO'd.
** The ink tank is shown in Inkling's HUD and while replenishing ink. The red line on the tank indicates the minimum amount of ink needed to throw a Splat Bomb. Once Inkling runs out of ink, the ink tank will flash with a red "X" both in the HUD and on Inkling's model.
* Inkling continuously receives damage while swimming. This trait is shared with Charizard, Sonic, and Incineroar. This is a reference to Inklings dissolving instantly when they fall in water in the Splatoon series.
 	Name 	Description
Neutral Attack 	N/A 	A knifehand strike, followed by a mid-level roundhouse kick, followed by a side kick. If the button is mashed, the second hit is followed by rapid bursts of ink from the Splattershot that concludes with a single blast that launches the opponent. The neutral infinite covers opponents in ink. If the ink tank is empty, the neutral infinite and finisher do not inflict damage or knockback. The first hit can lock.
Forward Tilt 	N/A 	Swings the Splattershot downward.
Up Tilt 	N/A 	An outside crescent kick. Despite its animation, it has a blind spot directly behind Inkling, and is unable to hit prone opponents. Resembles the Inklings' victory animation while wielding a Dualie.
Down Tilt 	N/A 	A windmill. Hits twice.
Dash Attack 	N/A 	An elbow smash.
Forward Smash 	N/A 	Swings an Inkbrush outward, which covers opponents in ink.
Up Smash 	N/A 	Fires a Blaster upward, which covers opponents in ink. The Blaster itself has a hitbox that is active when Inkling thrusts it forward slightly before swinging it upward to fire the shot, which enables it to launch a nearby opponent into the shot.
Down Smash 	N/A 	Empties out a Slosher forward and then backward, which covers opponents in ink. The back hit deals less damage and knockback, and the attack also becomes weaker from afar.
Neutral Aerial 	N/A 	An aerial headspin.
Forward Aerial 	N/A 	A dropkick.
Back Aerial 	N/A 	Swings the Splattershot backward.
Up Aerial 	N/A 	A 540 kick.
Down Aerial 	N/A 	Briefly rears back before swinging the Splattershot downward.
Grab 	N/A 	Reaches out with her free hand.
Pummel 	N/A 	Stomps on the opponent's foot.
Forward Throw 	N/A 	Fires the Splattershot at point-blank range. Hits twice, with the second hit covering the opponent in ink. Without ink, the first hit deals no damage. Has very weak knockback and will never KO, even at Sudden Death and higher percentages. The collateral hit has set knockback and will not KO even at 999%, making it near useless in doubles matches.
Back Throw 	N/A 	Transforms into a squid to perform a giant swing.
Up Throw 	N/A 	Tosses the opponent upward and then transforms into a squid to perform an upward battering ram. Sends the opponent directly upwards.
Down Throw 	N/A 	A one-handed body slam.
Neutral Special	Splattershot	Rapidly fires the Splattershot, which covers opponents in ink at a fast pace. It only causes hitstun at very close range (3 character lengths), and slowly pushes opponents back at any further distance. Due to its high fire rate, it can lock opponents in shieldstun. It can be angled up and down, but the projectiles disappear after a set distance. If the ink tank goes below the labeled line, both the projectiles and the close-range hitbox will shorten and lose damage. If this move is used without any ink, she will begin charging ink.
Side Special 	Splat Roller	Wields a Splat Roller and begins to slide it forward. The Splat Roller spreads ink across the floor, with inked surfaces slowing opponents down. If Inkling and the opponent are grounded, it will bury them and cover them in ink, allowing for followups. The damage, bury duration and ink applied are determined by how fast Inkling is moving. If the target is already buried, Inkling is airborne, or the Roller is moving too slow, it will apply ink but knock the opponent upward instead of burying them. If the opponent is airborne, the Roller will not hit them. After rolling for a set distance, Inkling can cancel the move with the special or attack button, jump out of the animation, turn around by pressing back or maintain her speed by holding forward. Otherwise, the move will slow down until it no longer deals damage. In the air, the Splat Roller can be used only once before landing. However, jumping out of the move does not use up Inkling's double jump, which allows it to extend her recovery. If the Splat Roller is started without ink, Inkling will slowly walk forward with a dejected look, and cannot speed up or deal damage. If Inkling runs out of ink mid-Roller, the attack will deal damage if it is still traveling fast enough, but will not bury or apply ink.
Up Special 	Super Jump 	Performs a Super Jump. The move deals minor damage and knockback on startup, and also when Inkling lands, giving it some safety. It propels Inkling very high into the air, and can be angled left or right. However, the move is somewhat linear, and if Inkling does not grab the edge, the landing animation can be punished. In addition, the initial hitbox lasts only a few frames, whereas the rising and falling animations do not deal damage.
Down Special 	Splat Bomb 	Throws a Splat Bomb, which explodes on contact or after a fixed time, covering opponents in ink. The damage and amount of ink applied increase based on how long the player holds the special button. This also controls the bomb's trajectory: a toss upward if uncharged, or a long-distance fling forward if fully charged. If used uncharged, the Splat Bomb takes a short delay after contact with an enemy before exploding. Throwing a Splat Bomb will always consume one fifth of the ink tank capacity regardless of charge applied. Has multiple uses, including edgeguarding, setting traps, or KOing at high percentages. If this move is used without any ink, she will begin charging ink. If the ink tank is not empty but is below the labeled meter, Inkling will be incapable of throwing a Splat Bomb, and will instead look back at the ink tank, leaving her open for attack.
Final Smash 	Killer Wail 	Wields the Killer Wail to emit a stream of damaging sound waves, which after a short period of time, are replaced with ink. Although the sound waves can be angled similarly to Phazon Laser and Aura Storm, the player also retains full control of Inkling while it is active. The looping hits cover opponents in ink, but only the final hit has KO potential, KOing at around 60%.
=== Ink ===
Inkling has a unique fighter ability: a handful of attacks will cover opponents in ink. Characters affected by ink are shown being coated with varying amounts of brightly colored liquid (which varies depending on Inkling's choice of costume) and can be repeatedly inked until they are fully coated.
Inked opponents take additional damage proportional to the amount of ink covering them. The damage multiplier caps at 1.5× after the opponent is coated by roughly 60% of the maximum value; applying more ink only lengthens the duration of being coated, and has no further effect on damage. Attacks on inked targets inflict normal knockback but increased freeze frames. Ink gradually disappears over time, from around 5 seconds for the smallest application, to around 20 seconds for a completely coated character. Ink can also be applied to some Assist Trophies.
The ink mechanic affects:
* Neutral infinite. Without ink, the infinite's finisher will have no hitboxes at all, and therefore deal no damage or knockback.
* Forward throw. Without ink, the Splattershot's hitbox deals no damage and will not cover opponents in ink.
* All smash attacks. Without ink, all of them do significantly lower damage and knockback, but still feature ink splatter effects.
* Splattershot, Splat Roller, and Splat Bomb. Without ink, all of them are negatively affected in certain ways:
** Splattershot's damage output and range will gradually decrease once it passes the line of the ink tank. Without ink, it will not fire any streams of ink. Pressing the special button once this happens will cause Inkling to charge ink.
** Splat Roller will slowly lose speed once no ink remains, and is completely harmless if used with an empty tank. This will also cause her to walk forward slowly and dejectedly.
** Splat Bomb cannot be thrown if Inkling has less ink than the line of the ink tank. If attempted, Inkling will quickly look back at the ink tank, giving opponents a chance to attack freely.
=== Ink Tank ===
Once Inkling runs out of ink, the only ways to refill the ink tank are to be KO'd or manually refill it by holding the shield and special button at once (or via the special button with an empty tank). The refill animation also lowers Inkling's hurtbox enough to dodge grabs and projectiles. However, it can only be done on the ground, prevents her from dodging or moving, and has ending lag, making it punishable.
==Other Animations==
Animation 	Description 	Notes
On-Screen Appearance 	Lands with a splash of ink in squid form then transforms into humanoid form and flaps both arms excitedly before wielding the Splattershot. This is Agent 3's entrance animation in Octo Valley. 	
Taunt 1 	Raises the Splattershot several times into the air in a celebratory cheer. Based on the "C'mon!"/"This Way!" signal. 	
Taunt 2 	Fires the Splattershot into the air with one hand while smirking. Despite its appearance, it does not consume ink. 	
Taunt 3 	Jumps happily on the spot while smiling. Based on the "Booyah!" signal. 	
Star KO 	 	
Screen KO 	 	
Character Selection Screen	 	
Crowd Chant 	Staaaay fresh! 	
Victory Pose 1 	Hops happily twice, spins around, and poses with the Splattershot. Based on the victory animation when using a Shooter-type weapon in Splatoon 2. The initial animation is based on the male Inkling's animation with the weapon of the same type in Splatoon. This pose is altered for the male Inkling, looking similar to the artwork of the Blue Inkling from Splatoon. 	
All of Inkling's animations are based on the victory poses when using particular weapons in Splatoon and its sequels. The animations vary slightly between female costumes and the male costumes.
Victory Pose 2 	Sways the Splat Roller from side to side, before striking a pose while resting the Roller's handle against her shoulder. This victory pose combines the victory animations in Splatoon and Splatoon 2 when the Inkling uses a Roller-type weapon. The male Inkling rests his hand on his hip. 	
All of Inkling's animations are based on the victory poses when using particular weapons in Splatoon and its sequels. The animations vary slightly between female costumes and the male costumes.
Victory Pose 3 	Tosses the Slosher upward with their right arm and catches it in their left whilst spinning. They then toss it upwards a second time, posing with their left arm on their hip while the Slosher spins on their right index finger. Based on the female Inkling's victory animation when using a Slosher-type weapon in Splatoon. The male Inkling holds his head back slightly farther than the female does.	
All of Inkling's animations are based on the victory poses when using particular weapons in Splatoon and its sequels. The animations vary slightly between female costumes and the male costumes.
==Role in Classic Mode==
Like all other fighters, Inkling appears in Classic Mode. Inkling's Mini-Boss is unknown. Both Male and Female Inklings have endings as well as a secret ending for Agent 3 if the player used the costume for Classic Mode. 
===Inkling Girl Ending===
=== Inkling Boy Ending ===
=== Agent 3 Ending ===
==Role in The Kiss of Death==
==Alternate Costumes==
Image	Number	Color	Notes	Unlockable?
 	01 	 	 	Default
 	02 	 	 	Default
 	03 	 	 	Default
 	04 	 	 	Default
 	05 	 	 	Default
 	06 	 	 	Default
 	07 	 	 	Default
 	08 	 	 	Default
 	09 	 	 	Unlockable
 	10 	 	 	Unlockable
 	11 	 	 	Unlockable
 	12 	 	 	Unlockable
 	13 	 	 	Unlockable
 	14 	 	 	Unlockable
==Smash Taunts==
===Palutena's Guidance===
===Snake's Codecs===
==Fighter Spirits==
Inkling's Fighter Spirit can be obtained by completing Classic Mode. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 500 coins. Unlocking Inkling in The Kiss of Death allows the player to preview the first spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a Fighter Spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. Each Fighter Spirit has an alternate version that replaces them with their artwork in Life & Death.
File:Inkling girl Splatoon 2 design DSSB.png
File:Green Inkling - Splatoon 2.png
File:InklingFemaleSplatoon.png
File:InklingMaleSplatoon.png
==Trivia==
Category:Fighters in Super Smash Bros. Life or Death