Luffy (Super Smash Flash 2)

Luffy is a newcomer starter character for Super Smash Flash 2. He was revealed during the Day 4 stream at Super Smash Con 2016. His sprites are edited from the game for Game Boy Advance and the series. Certain animations are custom made, using his appearance based on the second part of One Piece. He has been confirmed as both the final manga and anime character and the final starter character on Beta's roster. Luffy was one of the most requested characters to be included for a number of years and was added to the game due to the massive popular demand despite the developers' initial refusal to add any more manga and anime characters.
Luffy ranks 23rd on the current tier list, placing him at B+ tier. Luffy's greatest attribute is the stretching of his body parts, giving him tremendous melee range. He also has strong finishers in his forward aerial, back aerial, and down aerial, forward smash, up smash, dash attack, and forward throw. Luffy can attack/grab from afar using most of his moves, most notably his neutral special move, side special move, and up special move. Luffy can also gimp recoveries with his down special move as it pushes opponents away.
However, Luffy's major flaw is how he can extend his hurtbox by using certain moves that allow him to stretch his body to various lengths, notably his side special, as it is very laggy, both during its start and its end. Alongside that, Gum-Gum Balloon loses its leaping distance after every usage in the air and Gum-Gum Snap only can grab ledges above its hitbox.
== Attributes ==
Luffy is a medium-weight character that is known for stretching his body to out-space opponents. A lot of his moves such as his up smash, forward smash, neutral special move, side special move, and forward tilt make use of this type of spacing, granting him medium to long range. Despite his average dashing speed, Luffy can space opponents in matches. Luffy is also equipped with a lot of edgeguarding options. His down aerial and forward aerial can meteor smash opponents, while his back aerial can kick opponents away from the stage.
His special moveset is also very useful. Gum-Gum Pistol and Gum-Gum Rocket are both command grab moves, meaning that shields cannot stop it. In case of the latter, this can help Luffy reach his opponents more easily, or, if he is in midair, help him recover horizontally, and in the case of the former, it leads to the opponent getting grabbed, and Luffy is able to use any of his throws on them. Additionally, Gum-Gum Snap possesses above-average reach for a tether recovery, and can give him an upward boost in midair. Finally, Luffy's down special, Gum-Gum Balloon, is a good "get off of me" option due to its windbox, and if it is used in the air, he can gain a vertical boost much like Gum-Gum Snap, further extending his recovery.
Despite these numerous strengths, Luffy has his fair share of weaknesses, one of which is his signature attribute. Despite his tremendous reach, whenever Luffy uses moves that stretch his body parts, he also stretches his hurtboxes as well, letting opponents easily disrupt the move by hitting his arm/hands with a simple jab or a projectile. This is especially true with his neutral and side special moves, and in the case of the latter, subjects him to a large amount of lag, allowing opponents to easily punish Luffy is he misses. This, coupled with Luffy's tall frame and weight, makes him very susceptible to characters with a camping-heavy or combo-oriented playstyle, as he has no reliable way to deal with projectiles, and is very easy to combo due to his height and weight.
His recovery options also worsen his offstage survivability. Gum-Gum Rocket can provide him with horizontal recovery, but this is only true if Luffy connects with a careless edgeguarder, making it a situational recovery. Additionally, while Gum-Gum Balloon can grant Luffy some vertical and horizontal distance and super armor, using this move again before landing on the ground will grant him less vertical distance than the first time he used it. Furthermore, though Gum-Gum Snap can also give Luffy a vertical boost, this can only happen if he has not used his midair jump, and doing so will count as him using it, giving Luffy almost no chance of returning to the stage if Gum-Gum Snap misses the ledge.
While Luffy is a character of potential, his extended hurtboxes, lackluster recovery, and a lack of KO options hold him back from the higher tiers, keeping him a low-tier character.
== Moveset ==
=== Ground attacks ===
Attack 	Description 	Damage
Neutral attack	Performs a quick punch, followed by a flurry of rapid punches and finishing with a long-ranged punch forward. The player can continue the flurry by repeatedly pressing or holding the attack button after the first hit. The punches cover a large range in front of Luffy and are disjointed. Based on Gum-Gum Gatling Gun ().	
Neutral attack	Performs a quick punch, followed by a flurry of rapid punches and finishing with a long-ranged punch forward. The player can continue the flurry by repeatedly pressing or holding the attack button after the first hit. The punches cover a large range in front of Luffy and are disjointed. Based on Gum-Gum Gatling Gun ().	
Neutral attack	Performs a quick punch, followed by a flurry of rapid punches and finishing with a long-ranged punch forward. The player can continue the flurry by repeatedly pressing or holding the attack button after the first hit. The punches cover a large range in front of Luffy and are disjointed. Based on Gum-Gum Gatling Gun ().	
Forward tilt 	Kicks forwards while stretching his leg. Long-ranged and launches opponents at a semi-spike angle, making it useful for forcing opponents off-stage, but has slow ending lag. Based on Gum-Gum Stamp (). 	12%
Up tilt 	Punches up diagonally as his arm stretches. Long-ranged but hits only at a particular angle. Can combo into itself, as well as up aerial or up smash. 	7%
Down tilt 	Slides across the ground while kicking. One of his few moves that does not use extended limbs, and thus useful for close-range combat. Good for approaching and setting up follow-ups. 	7%
Dash attack 	Punches downwards in an arc while running. Has high knockback but high startup lag and a small hitbox, making it a strong but situational KO move best used in mixups, tech chases, and jab locks. Based on Gum-Gum Bullet (). 	13%
Forward smash 	Rears his arm backwards and then punches forward. The range of his arm lengthens based on how long the move is charged for. Has strong knockback, sweetspotting at the fist, and fast startup for a smash attack, able to be comboed into from a neutral or down aerial. 	
Forward smash 	Rears his arm backwards and then punches forward. The range of his arm lengthens based on how long the move is charged for. Has strong knockback, sweetspotting at the fist, and fast startup for a smash attack, able to be comboed into from a neutral or down aerial. 	
Up smash 	Kicks his leg upward and extends it high up. His fastest smash attack, allowing it to be used for starting and extending combos in addition to launching opponents, although it is generally not a KO move until high percents. Based on Gum-Gum Battle Axe (), except it is not followed by a stomp. 	
Down smash 	Kicks close to the ground around himself, hitting on both sides. A fast KO move that can follow up various other moves and cover for rolling or downed opponents. Based on Gum-Gum Whip (). 	
=== Aerial attacks ===
Attack 	Description 	Damage
Neutral aerial	Stretches out his arms and legs, attacking with all at once. One of his best combo and approaching moves, having little startup and landing lag and impressive range around him, as well as dealing little knockback to opponents. 	10%
Forward aerial	Flips forward twice with his arms extended behind him and then performs a double axe handle. Has high startup lag but considerable range and meteor smashes opponents hit. Effective for edgeguarding and can follow up an aerial Gum-Gum Rocket. 	15%
Back aerial 	Stretches a foot to kick backwards while spinning. Has long range and high knockback, making it effective for edgeguarding and KOing. 	13%
Up aerial 	Headbutts upward, stretching his neck. Has decent range and low startup lag, making it useful for extending combos and juggling. 	11%
Down aerial 	Kicks downwards with both feet while stretching his legs out. A meteor smash with weak knockback but very long range, making it effective for spacing while landing, setting up into grounded follow-ups, and edgeguarding safely. Based on Gum-Gum Spear ().	8%
=== Grab and throws ===
Attack 	Description 	Damage
Grab 	Grabs the opponent. 	
Pummel 	Knees the opponent. 	2%
Forward throw	Stretches his neck very far backwards, then snaps his head back, headbutting the opponent. Has high knockback and KOs at high percents. Based on Gum-Gum Bell (). 	12%
Back throw 	Does a backflip while swinging the opponent backwards with his legs. It knocks the opponent to the ground, setting up for tech chases, and can combo into an aerial attack.	9%
Up throw 	Stretches his body to use his belly as a trampoline, knocking the opponent upwards. A strong combo throw. 	9%
Down throw 	Stretches his body above the opponent and then body slams them. His most effective and consistent combo throw. 	13%
=== Other attacks ===
Attack 	Description 	Damage
Floor attack	Kicks close to the ground on both sides. 	6%
Ledge attack	Similarly to his floor attack, kicks close to the ground on both sides.	7%
=== Special moves ===
Special move 	Name 	Description 	Damage
Neutral special move	Gum-Gum Pistol 	Hurls one of his arms forward. Upon making contact with an opponent, he will pull them toward him, grabbing them if grounded and letting go if airborne. If the forward input is pressed just as Luffy's hand grabs them while airborne, he will instead hurl himself forward towards the opponent. Can also tether onto ledges. 	
Side special move 	Gum-Gum Rocket 	Thrusts both of his arms forward. Upon making contact with an opponent, he will grab onto them and pull himself at high speed toward them, slamming into them. Resets Luffy's midair jump when successfully grabbing an opponent, allowing for follow-ups and even an infinite. However, its large hurtboxes and high ending lag if failed make it risky to use. Can also tether onto ledges.	10%
Up special move 	Gum-Gum Snap 	Thrusts his arm upwards. Upon making contact with an opponent, he will grab them and boost upwards, meteor smashing the opponent. Very fast and can be used to extend combos. Can also tether onto ledges, and extra height is gained when used while jumping. 	9%
Down special move 	Gum-Gum Balloon	Puffs himself up with air. He gains heavy armor while growing, and nearby opponents are pushed away. When used in midair, he momentarily stalls and rises upward while deflating, which can be used to recover. However, the amount of time he stalls and rises decreases each time the move is used before landing. 	
Final Smash 	King Kong Gun 	Enters Gear Fourth, paralyzing opponents in front of him, and then enlarges his fist to deliver a large, long-ranged punch as Japanese text appears. 	
Final Smash 	King Kong Gun 	Enters Gear Fourth, paralyzing opponents in front of him, and then enlarges his fist to deliver a large, long-ranged punch as Japanese text appears. 	
=== Misc. ===
Misc. 	Description 	Description 	Description
On-screen appearance	Falls in the battlefield while in a sitting position, then gets up and makes his stance pose. 	Falls in the battlefield while in a sitting position, then gets up and makes his stance pose. 	Falls in the battlefield while in a sitting position, then gets up and makes his stance pose.
Taunts 	Neutral 	Launches both hands upwards while saying "!" (which may translate to "Alrighty!"). 	
Taunts 	Side 	Punches his hand into palm while saying "!" (which may translate to Nice to meet you!.). 	
Taunts 	Down/Up 	Curls both arms into a coil and smiles at the camera, he then flexes his arms and poses. 	
Idle pose 	Puts his feet together and holds the top of his hat. 	Puts his feet together and holds the top of his hat. 	Puts his feet together and holds the top of his hat.
Victory theme 	A remix of his old eyecatcher used in the first part of the One Piece anime. 	A remix of his old eyecatcher used in the first part of the One Piece anime. 	A remix of his old eyecatcher used in the first part of the One Piece anime.
Victory pose 	Spins his straw hat on his finger then puts it back on his head while grinning at the screen as he poses.	Spins his straw hat on his finger then puts it back on his head while grinning at the screen as he poses.	Spins his straw hat on his finger then puts it back on his head while grinning at the screen as he poses.
== Changes and revisions ==
===Changes in v1.1.0 ===
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== In competitive play ==
=== Match ups ===
=== Notable players ===
==== Active ====
* Diaquz
==== Inactive ====
* Sorabotics
=== Tier placement history ===
== Gallery ==
=== Costumes ===
=== Screenshots ===
Luffy taunt.png|Luffy taunting near on Waiting Room.
Luffy 1.png|Luffy using Gum-Gum Rocket near , who is using his forward smash on .
Luffy 2.png|Luffy grabbing the ledge while taunts and stands still on Sector Z.
Luffy 3.png|Luffy taunting next to on Gangplank Galleon.
Ball - Luffy.png|Luffy's ball version.
=== Misc. ===
SSF2 - Classic mode - Luffy.png|Luffy's congratulations screen on Classic mode.
SSF2 - All-Star mode - Luffy.png|Luffy's congratulations screen on All-Star mode.
== Trivia ==
*Before his reveal as a playable character, Luffy was one of the most requested characters in SSF2. This led to many hoaxes pertaining to his reveal.
*Luffy was technically revealed years before his official introduction in a "faked" April Fools' Day image that actually showed off an earlier version of him before he was reworked.
*When electrocuted, instead of showing Luffy's skeleton, Luffy's body will show meat in his stomach.
*He is the only manga and anime character to not use his sprites from or .
*Luffy, along with , , and , are the only characters so far to wear their default costumes in Team Battle when they are on the red team.
*Luffy's render in SSF2 bears a strong resemblance to his appearances on the manga covers of One Piece Vol. 1 and Vol. 61.
**His stock icon also resembles the expression he made in his former bounty picture as well as his Impel Down mugshot.
*Although his up-smash is called "Gum-Gum Battle Axe", the move itself resembles another of Luffy's moves, "Gum-Gum Volcano" (), as his leg only shoots upwards.
*Luffy's crouching animation closely resembles the pose he strikes before activating Gear Second in One Piece.
*Luffy's down/up taunt is based on a pose he does during the Straw Hat Pirates fashion show in Episode of Luffy: Adventure on Hand Island. 
*Actor Iñaki Godoy stated he first discovered the character Luffy through Super Smash Flash 2, and years later would be cast as that character in the Netflix live action One Piece series. 
Category:Bonus characters
Category:Fourth-party characters
Category:Newcomer characters
Category:Starter characters
Category:Super Smash Flash 2
Category:Super Smash Flash series