Simon (Life & Death)

Simon (シモン, Simon) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Life or Death.
A member of the legendary Belmont Clan, Simon is chronologically the fifth Belmont to assume the role of vampire hunter, and is "the most renowned of vampire hunters" during his tenure. Simon Belmont is widely considered to be an icon of gaming, as he was one of the earliest mascots for the Nintendo Entertainment System and among the most recognizable video game characters from that era. He shares this status alongside characters like Nintendo's Link and Samus Aran, and Capcom's Mega Man. His original barbarian-esque design and Vampire Killer are the most recognizable aspects out of all of his iterations, and the pioneering attributes of the Belmont Clan, such as the "Belmont strut", stilted jumping, delayed whip attacks, and immense knockback when taking damage all make his early home games among the most challenging in the console's library. His appearance has varied notably, often alternating between a rugged, blonde warrior clad in brown, barbarian-esque armor and a somewhat softer, redheaded design with darker clothing.
Simon is voiced by Keith Silverstein in the Western versions of Life or Death while Hideo Ishikawa voices him in the Japanese version of the game.
==How to Unlock==
Simon is available from the start of a new game and doesn't need to be unlocked.
==Moveset==
* Simon's whip, the Vampire Killer, possesses a sweetspot at the tip of the chain where the spiked ball is.
* Simon's forward aerial, back aerial, and up aerial all act as tether recoveries, allowing them to be used for recovery but also cancels the attacking part of the move while it is in progress.
* Unlike other disjointed weapons, the Vampire Killer's hitboxes cannot pass through solid terrain; hitting an obstacle will cause the move to deal no damage. This applies to every whip move except neutral attack, up tilt, down smash and neutral aerial.
* Simon can crawl.
 	Name 	Description
Neutral Attack 	N/A 	Swings the Vampire Killer twice while holding it lengthwise, with his left hand holding its chain. Mashing the attack button quickly will cause Simon to rapidly spin the whip to damage opponents, with a final uppercut that sends opponents away. If not done quickly enough, Simon will cancel the first two hits, ending the attack and leaving him vulnerable.
If the attack button is held down instead, Simon will hold out the Vampire Killer, and it can then be manually twirled around. This attack is based on his Whip Twirl from Super Castlevania IV, and it is functionally similar to Sheik's Chain in Melee and Brawl. The chain deals minor damage in this way, but can cancel very weak projectiles that collide with it. The spiked ball of the chain is its sweetspot, which deals more damage and sends opponents away. If pushed off a platform by a windbox while doing this, Simon will continue dangling the whip, and can be moved left and right through the air while simultaneously controlling it.
Forward Tilt 	N/A 	Simon's iconic whip strike, first introduced in the original Castlevania. It has high range for its speed, comes out on frame 12 and has low ending lag. This makes it useful for general spacing. However, only the initial whip lash deals damage, and opponents can crouch under it. The tip of the chain deals more damage, and can KO at around 120% at the edge of Final Destination. If the attack button is held, Simon will transition into the Whip Twirl, identical to his neutral attack.
Up Tilt 	N/A 	A quick whip twirl in a lasso-like fashion that covers above his head. Its hitbox is wide and covers above Simon's head, along with his arm. Provides excellent coverage above Simon, granting it good pressuring capabilities against aerial opponents. It can also potentially chain into itself more than once at low percents and can KO at very high percents. However, it has no grounded hitboxes beside him whatsoever, making it risky against grounded opponents. The move also has a very weak hitbox when the chain first comes out, though it has no typical use.
Down Tilt 	N/A 	A slide kick based on Richter Belmont's Slide and Jumping Slide from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The first hit is incapable of KOing even at 999%, but if the button is pressed again, Simon does a jumping kick that carries his momentum, comboing from the first hit. The jump deals less damage late, and is capable of jumping off platforms and edges. The first hit allows Simon to slide under projectiles or high hitboxes.
Dash Attack 	N/A 	A dashing attack while twirling the Vampire Killer beside himself. Based on Richter Belmont's Blade Dash from Symphony of the Night. The dash covers half of Final Destination. Capable of destroying weak projectiles, but extremely damaged opponents may be knocked out before the final hit. This move is also one of a handful of attacks that can cross-up in Ultimate.
Forward Smash 	N/A 	Simon's iconic whip strike, first introduced in the original Castlevania. Rears back before performing a long-ranged whip crack while taking a step forward. Can be angled. It has tremendous reach, being the second-longest non-projectile forward smash in the game (behind only Min Min), and outperforming Corrin, Mii Gunner, and Shulk. Deals the most damage at the tip of the chain, and less when up close. The sweetspot can KO as early as 57% from the edge of Final Destination, and if fully charged, can KO as early as 30% on lighter characters. It is safe on shield when sweetspotted due to its sheer distance, and deals respectable damage to shields. The rest of the move is punishable on shield due to its high lag overall, and opponents can crouch under the chain. If angled down, the sweetspot can hit ledge hanging opponents.
Up Smash 	N/A 	A vertical whip crack, similar to the way Simon can crack his whip in Super Castlevania IV. It has immense vertical range, being able to reach as high as the top platform of Battlefield, but its hitbox is strictly vertical, incapable of hitting anyone directly beside Simon or the chain, even if the opponent is practically touching him. The hitbox is also very narrow, making positioning important. Due to its high ending lag, this makes the move suited solely for aerial targets. While hard to hit, the sweetspot has extreme power, KOing as early as 67% on Final Destination.
Down Smash 	N/A 	Drags the Vampire Killer across the ground from forward to back. Impressive overall range like his other smash attacks, and also deals less damage up close in a similar fashion. Both hits do the same amount of damage, with the first hit being rather fast. The sweetspot KOs as early as 85% from the edge of Final Destination. If not sweet-spotted, the move is punishable.
Neutral Aerial 	N/A 	The aerial Whip Twirl from Super Castlevania IV. Twirls the Vampire Killer around his body. It's his fastest aerial in terms of startup, coming out on frame 8. Lacks the range of his usual moves, but deals multiple hits and can protect Simon from being pursued aerially. Has slightly deceptive range due to the twirling graphic, and only covers one character length around him. It has great combo potential, with the looping hits sending at the autolink angle, allowing a falling neutral aerial to combo into a grab, forward tilt, neutral attack, or several other moves. Can autocancel in a short hop.
Forward Aerial 	N/A 	Rears back and performs a long-ranged whip crack, similar to his jumping whip attack in the original Castlevania. It can be angled slightly upward and downward at roughly a 20 degree angle; if angled down, the move can hit grounded opponents. Excellent range, allowing it to hit distant targets easily. However, the hitboxes are slim and have a short duration, while the move has some startup (frame 14), requiring precise use. Has low ending lag, allowing Simon to double jump and perform another aerial if done from a short hop. Also can be used as a tether recovery, which is useful as Simon has no horizontal recovery options otherwise.
Back Aerial 	N/A 	Rears back and performs a long-ranged whip crack behind himself. Identical damage, properties and usage as forward aerial, and can also be aimed up and down. Like forward aerial, Simon can double jump and perform another aerial if done from a short hop, and it also acts as a tether recovery.
Up Aerial 	N/A 	An aerial vertical whip crack, similar to the way Simon can crack his whip in Super Castlevania IV. Rears back and performs a long-ranged whip crack directly above him. Functionally identical to forward and back aerials in all aspects apart from attack direction and the inability to be angled. Like forward and back aerials, Simon can double jump and perform another aerial if done from a short hop, and it also acts as a tether recovery, covering around the same distance as Uppercut. The sweetspot KOs from 100% while in the air.
Down Aerial 	N/A 	A stall-then-fall divekick, based on the ability both Simon and Richter can obtain in Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. Goes downward at a diagonal angle, with the first two frames being a meteor smash. Comes out on frame 13, which is rather fast in comparison to other meteor smashes. On hit, Simon will bounce back with a flourish, which can combo into other attacks: the early hit easily combos into forward or back aerials at medium percents, Uppercut at 100% or above as a KO combo, or even into itself at low percents. However, it is dangerous to use offstage, since Simon's recovery is very poor and the duration of the move will most likely lead to a self-destruct if used carelessly. The move's hitbox also does not completely cover Simon's outstretched leg hurtbox, meaning that opponents' attacks can easily trade with it or even completely snuff it out. It is also Simon's only aerial that cannot autocancel in a short hop.
Grab 	N/A 	Reaches with his left arm. Notably, while Simon can use his whip as a tether recovery, he does not use it to grab opponents; despite this, it is one of the slowest non-tether grabs in the game, additionally hampered by poor range. These traits make it a poor choice in most situations, especially when considering Simon's already slow mobility.
Pummel 	N/A 	Hits the opponent with his knee
Forward Throw 	N/A 	Spins once and flings the opponent forward.
Back Throw 	N/A 	Flings the opponent backwards with both arms.
Up Throw 	N/A 	Heaves the opponent into the air before lashing at them with the Vampire Killer.
Down Throw 	N/A 	A chokeslam.
Neutral Special	Axe 	Throws an axe projectile that travels at a high parabolic arc. The angle can be changed by holding forward or back before throwing. Simon's aerial momentum is stopped once he throws the axe. Extremely high startup lag, with the axe's angle making it ineffective to use conventionally. However, it deals high damage and knockback while also going through solid terrain, giving it powerful edgeguarding capabilities. Its high freeze frames also give it a useful, albeit very limited followup ability. The axe can KO grounded opponents from 140% on Final Destination.
Side Special 	Cross 	Flings a silver cross projectile that functions similarly to Boomerang, including the ability to be smash-thrown to fly further and deal more damage. Unlike Boomerang, the Cross makes no attempt to return to Simon, and only flies straight forward and back. The Cross reaches the edge of Final Destination if thrown from the middle, and will travel to the other edge if left uncaught. Only one Cross can be out, and Simon can catch it upon returning. This is generally Simon's main stage-control tool to interrupt approaches and initiate combos. Simon may occasionally say "Begone!"
Up Special 	Uppercut 	A rising uppercut with the Vampire Killer in hand. Simon's main recovery move, though its poor height and Simon's limited air mobility makes it difficult to use as a recovery. Functions better as an attack, as it starts up quickly, can punish aerial opponents, and combos reliably from down aerial. KOs rather late on the ground, though it can KO much earlier as an aerial combo finisher as early as 120%. However, it has significantly lower range compared to Simon's other attacks.
Down Special 	Holy Water 	Drops a flask of Holy Water diagonally downwards. Once it hits the ground or an opponent, the flask bursts and unleashes a pillar of red flames. Only one flask or pillar of flame can exist at one time. If the flask is caught, it will become an item that opponents can use against Simon. It can also be reflected, perfect shielded or hit back to affect the Simon who threw it. Has similar functionality as PK Fire, keeping opponents trapped within the projectile and in position for a followup, and lacks a final stronger hit. Rather infamous for being the setup to a forward smash at ledge.
Final Smash 	Grand Cross	Summons a large coffin in front of him, which traps opponents that touch it the moment it appears. If successful, Simon grabs the coffin with the Vampire Killer's chain, swings it in a wide arc and hauls it skywards, then unleashes the devastating Grand Cross technique while flexing, blasting the coffin with magical crosses and sending the victims flying. Extremely powerful, able to KO as early as 25%.
==Other Animations==
Animation 	Description 	Notes
On-Screen Appearance 	Appears onstage surrounded by rays of light, and cracks the Vampire Killer before coiling it. 	
Taunt 1 	Grunts and holds the Vampire Killer in the air, coiled up. 	
Taunt 2 	Holds the Vampire Killer lengthwise and spins it around himself twice. 	
Taunt 3 	Cracks the Vampire Killer on the ground next to him, saying "Come!" (来いっ!, Come!). 	
Star KO 	 	
Screen KO 	 	
Character Selection Screen	 	
Crowd Chant 	Si - mon Bel - mont! 	
Victory Pose 1 	Shouts "I vanquish the darkness!" ("闇を打つ！", Strike the darkness!) as he whips the ground around him twice, before holding the Vampire Killer taunt. This is a possible reference to Castlevania II: Simon's Quest during the end of nighttime, when the game will show a prompt stating "The morning sun has vanquished the horrible night.". 	Against villain characters (Ganondorf, Dark Samus, Ridley, Hel, Medusa, Aversa, Kazuya, Jin, Gruntilda, Black Shadow), or characters who use darkness but are not necessarily villain characters (Mewtwo, Bayonetta, Jeanne, Dark Pit, Tharja, Midna, Eir, Ashley), Simon may simply say, "To darkness!" ("闇に変わる！", Turn to darkness!).
Victory Pose 2 	Holds the coiled Vampire Killer in the air before lashing it out against the ground while spinning once. The ending pose appears similar to promotional art for Castlevania Chronicles. 	
Victory Pose 3 	Jumps up to grab a Magic Crystal then whips forward. Simon will then continuously whip and jump as the camera cuts to a side view, referencing a phenomenon when the A and B buttons are held after collecting an orb in the original Castlevania. 	
==Role in Classic Mode==
Like all other fighters, Simon appears in Classic Mode. Simon's Mini-Boss is unknown. 
===Simon Ending===
==Role in The Kiss of Death==
==Alternate Costumes==
Image	Number	Color 	Notes 	Unlockable?
 	01 	Brown 	Based on his appearance in the 1993 Sharp X68000 port of Castlevania. 	Default
 	02 	Red 	Based on his appearance in Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. 	Default
 	03 	Yellow	Resembles his appearance on the Western boxart for Super Castlevania IV. It also resembles Fake Trevor in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 	Default
 	04 	Black 	Resembles his appearance in the Arrange Mode of Castlevania Chronicles and his in-game appearance in Vampire Killer. Also resembles Christopher Belmont's appearance in artwork for Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge.	Default
 	05 	Blue 	Resembles his appearance on the Japanese boxart for Super Castlevania IV. 	Default
 	06 	Purple	Resembles Cornell from Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness. 	Default
 	07 	Orange	Resembles his in-game appearance in Castlevania. 	Default
 	08 	Indigo	Resembles Trevor Belmont's doppelganger from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. 	Default
 	09 	 	 	Unlockable
 	10 	 	 	Unlockable
 	11 	 	 	Unlockable
 	12 	 	 	Unlockable
 	13 	 	 	Unlockable
 	14 	 	 	Unlockable
==Smash Taunts==
===Palutena's Guidance===
===Snake's Codecs===
==Fighter Spirits==
Simon's Fighter Spirit can be obtained by completing Classic Mode. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 500 coins. Unlocking Simon 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:Simon Belmont HOD.png
File:Simon Belmont New.png
File:Simon belmont castlevania judgement by crisshion-d4ls6ba.png
File:Simon Belmont Chronicles.png
==Trivia==
Category:Fighters in Super Smash Bros. Life or Death