Ryu Hayabusa (Smash Plus)

Ryu Hayabusa is a playable character in Super Smash Brothers Plus for the Nintendo Switch Plus. Representing the Ninja Gaiden universe, he is listed as Fighter #105 in Smash's modified numbering system and is classified as a Lightweight fighter. He is hidden at the start of the game, but can be unlocked through random encounters in Versus Mode or by clearing Classic Mode with at least 25 different characters. He is also a new character, as this is his first appearance in a Smash game.
Ryu Hayabusa is a quickstrike fighter. His ground speed ranks among the highest in the game, allowing him to press his advantage with quick combo attacks and his various ninja magics to quickly damage foes. This speed doesn't end on the ground, as he has a high neutral jump, as well as quick air speed to close gaps quickly and followup against retreating opponents. Ryu needs to be constantly on the move, as he is not the most defensively capable fighter on the roster. His low defensive stats combined with his relatively light weight makes him easy to punish if he is caught off-guard. He also has trouble finishing off opponents with a lack of solid KO moves. Still, it can be easy to reestablish yourself in a dominant position with Hayabusa, given his high degree offensive output. Ryu has two normal jumps, and can also crawl, wall jump and wall cling.
==Moveset==
===Basic Attacks===
*Neutral Jab- Ryu performs a three hit combo cosisting of a palm thrust, followed by a knee strike followed by a roundhouse kick from the opposite leg. Alternatively this can combo into a rapid jab consisting of several attacks with Tonfa staffs, finishing with a roundhouse kick to launch foes forward.
*Side Tilt- Ryu performs a simple quick slash with the Dragon Sword that has a surprising amount of launch power and is the quickest of all his tilt attacks.
*Up Tilt- Ryu performs a standing high kick that knocks opponents straight up into the air.
*Down Tilt- Ryu performs a low to the ground slide kick that does little damage or knockback, but functions as a good getaway tool or combo starter from distance.
*Dash Attack- Ryu performs a jumping dive kick that has a lot of start up lag but has great range. However, players can press the attack button while Ryu is in the air and perform an attack with the Dragon Sword rather than the follow thru kick. This will cut the range in half, but it will also deal far more damage.
*Grab & Pummel- Ryu performs his grapple with his Kusari-Gama hook and chain, pulling in foes from range. It also functions as a tether grab. He pummels with a quick elbow strike.
*Forward Throw- Ryu flips over the opponent's head and then, using his momentum, flings them over his own head a good distance. Ryu's most powerful throw in terms of distance covered.
*Back Throw- Ryu jumps behind the opponent and then dropkicks them backwards.
*Up Throw- Ryu tosses the opponent up and then performs a standing high kick, similar to his up tilt (though with more power behind it.)
*Down Throw- Ryu tosses the opponent into the air, grapples with the Kusari-Gama and then slams them back down onto the ground. While this does pop them up for further combo attacks, it also has a bit of natural endlag.
*Neutral Air- Ryu performs a somersault in midair with his Dragon Sword extended, turning his entire body into a hitbox that launches on contact.
*Forward Air- Ryu performs three fast slashes with the Dragon Sword directly in front of himself. The first two hits combo into the second, which launches foes.
*Back Air- Ryu performs a very quick back roundhouse kick behind himself. One of his most reliable KO options if it connects early.
*Up Air- Ryu performs a backflip in midair, slashing with his Dragon Sword over his body from front to back.
*Down Air- Ryu swngs the Dragon Sword directly underneath himself, moving from front to back. This can spike midair foes if it connects at the start.
===Smash Attacks===
*Side Smash- Ryu pulls out his Lunar Staff and spins it around in front of himself like a propeller, dealing multiple hits of damage before launching with a final thrust attack. While the attack has decent range and hits multiple times, it also only deals a lot of damage if all those hits connect. It's also one of the weakest Forward Smash attacks in the game.
*Up Smash- Ryu pulls out his Eclipse Scythe and swings it in an overhead arc from front to back. This attack covers the entire area above Ryu's head, though the hitbox at the beginning of the move has much more launch power than the ones at the end of the move.
*Down Smash- Ryu uses his Falcon's Talons and performs a slashing attack on either side of himself while crouching. The forward facing attacks have more launch power than the rear attacks. It is also the slowest of Ryu's Smash attacks.
===Special Moves===
*Neutral Special: Windmill Shuriken- Ryu launches a single large shuriken projectile forward a short distance, before it flies backwards towards Ryu (disappearing in the spot where Ryu was standing when the shuriken was launched). The Shuriken will continually spin while in the air, hitting opponents multiple times but not launching them. This allows Ryu to close in and follow up with a more powerful attack. While the Shuriken deals decent damage, it is relatively easy to avoid from a distance, and only travels a short length across the stage. Only one Shuriken can be on stage at a time.
*Side Special: Phantom Strike- Ryu focuses momentarily and then launches a phantom clone of himself a short distance forward in a dash attack. The clone performs a powerful slash with a Phantom Dragon Sword. This attack doesn't launch foes, but instead stuns them in place if it connects, similar to Ryu and Ken's Focus Attack. The clone will disappear at the end of the dash attack. If grounded, however, players can press the attack or special button before the clone is disappeared to dash ahead themselves and deliver a second slash attack with the Dragon Sword. This secondary slash deals less damage, but has very good launch power. The idea then is to followup with the second slash on enemies that are hit stunned from the first slash. This secondary mode only works if Ryu and the opponent are grounded, though. And Ryu is wide open if he misses.
*Up Special: Art of the Wind Blades- Ryu activates his Ninpo and launches himself straight up into the air, leaving behind a whirlwind that remains stationary and will deal multi-hitting damage to opponents caught in it before launching on the final hit. The attack only can send Ryu straight up into the air, giving it virtually no horizontal recovery potential. It also has some start lag, but makes up for it with the ability to launch multiple opponents at once, if used correctly.
*Down Special: Ninpo- Ryu assumes a Ninja meditative stance and a small selector wheel appears above his head with three main choices (and a rare chance for a fourth), indicated by a fireball, an electric spark or an ice shard. Players can then choose which Ninpo power they wish to use. Each Ninpo has different effects. They can be used indefinitely, but they cannot be used consecutively (meaning you have to change which Ninpo you use every time you use the attack.) There is also a 4 second cooldown between Ninpo uses. Ryu is vulnerable during the selection phase, which can cancel the Ninpo if he is attacked. The three main choices, as well as the fourth rarer ninpo, are: 
**The Art of the Fire Wheels causes a spinning wheel of three fireballs to appear around Ryu for 6 seconds. These fireballs can reflect minor projectiles and can also damage opponents who get too close to him. Pressing Down Special while encased in fire will cause Ryu to launch the Fire Wheel as a projectile straight in front of him, which has decent launch power.
**The Art of the Ice Storm creates a small whirlwind of ice around Ryu briefly. It is the shortest lasting Ninpo and the one with the least amount of range, but it will automatically freeze any opponent who is hit by it. In addition it has a slightly higher hitbox than Ryu's body, giving it some utility as an anti-air tool.
**The Art of the Inazuma causes a bio-electric field to form around Ryu, creating a multi-hitting electric attack that damages opponents and launches on the final hit. While the field is active, it will also cancel most projectiles. However it has the most endlag of all the Ninpo powers.
**There is a 10% chance of one of the Ninpo choices being replaced with The Art of Divine Life. If this happens, the selection will have a red cross instead of the normal icon on the selector wheel. Using this Ninpo will instantly heal up to 30% of damage for Ryu, making it a very rare but very powerful tool. The Ninpo has a random chance to appear every time the attack is used, however can only be used once per stock. Afterwards, the chance to appear still occurs, but the Ninpo cannot be selected, eliminating one of your Ninpo powers at random during that time the attack is used.
*Final Smash: Art of the True Inferno- Ryu performs a quick dash attack forward, followed by a second dash attack backward. Any enemies hit are sent flying to the top of the stage, where Ryu follows up with several quick strikes with the Dragon Sword. He then creates a fiery image of a Dragon that flies across the screen damaging all of the trapped foes and launching them as the Final Smash ends.
===Miscellaneous===
*Entry Animation- Ryu appears in a tornado whirlwind on stage, sheathing his Dragon Sword and readying for battle.
*Idle Animation 1- Ryu rotates his arm in a 360 degree motion to keep loose.
*Idle Animation 2- Ryu clenches his fist and pulls it close to him, as if focusing his ki.
*Side Taunt- Ryu points the Dragon Sword straight ahead and says "Prepare."
*Up Taunt- Ryu stands straight up while crossing his arms, wind blowing by him as he says "You can't win."
*Down Taunt- Ryu performs several hand gestures while in a Ninja pose, as if summoning Ninpo.
*Victory Animation 1- Ryu runs into the screen while using whirlwinds as platforms, finsihing by jumping onto the stage and striking an attack pose.
*Victory Animation 2- Ryu performs several Ninpo gestures and finishes by conjuring the Art of the Flame Phoenix, causing three firebirds to fly around him in a swirl of flame as he finishes on a Victory Pose.
*Victory Animation 3- Ryu sheathes his sword and turns his back to the camera, saying "I still have much to do." before disappearing with a smoke bomb thrown at his feet.
==How to Unlock==
Ryu Hayabusa can be unlocked any of the following ways:
*Playing Versus Matches until he randomly shows up as a "Challenger Approaching" fight. Defeat him to unlock him.
*Clearing Classic Mode with at least 25 characters on any difficulty.
*Unlock him in the Finale of World of Light by defeating him.
*Pay 1,000 gold in a shop, where he can randomly appear (though rarely.)
Category:Super Smash Bros. Characters
Category:Super Smash Bros. (series)
Category:Smash Plus Characters