Ridley (Smash Plus)

Ridley is a playable character in Super Smash Brothers Plus for the Nintendo Switch Plus. Representing the Metroid Universe, he is listed as Fighter #26 in Smash's modified numbering system and is classified as a Super Heavyweight Fighter. He is hidden at the start of the game, but can be unlocked through random encounters in Versus Mode or by Defeating Mother Brain in Boss Rush mode.
Ridley is unique in that, despite being a super heavyweight, he has far more mobility than many in his weight class, owing to his multiple midair jumps and rather quick dash speed. Combined with his superior range, Ridley's best traits are his ability to press the advantage and maintain distance from up close fighters. However these strengths lend themselves to some weaknesses as well. The extra mobility has lessened his weight, meaning that despite being classified as a Super Heavyweight, Ridley is less durable than others in his weight class. Furthermore, he has the disadvantage of having the tallest hitbox in the game, making him especially susceptible to aerial juggles and combos from speedier characters. The key to mastering Ridley is learning how all of his attacks work, learning where to space yourself to take advantage of the raw power he possesses while also utilizing his speed when necessary to avoid a disadvantaged state. Ridley has four normal jumps and no additional movement options.
==Moveset==
===Basic Attacks===
*Neutral Jab- Ridley performs a three hit combo consisting of two rapid claw swipes and a bite to launch foes away. Alternatively, the claw swipes can combo into a rapid jab with his tail, with a final tail stab to knock foes away.
*Side Tilt- Ridley thrusts his tail forward a short distance. The attack can be angled up or down depending on directional input, with this also effecting the launch angle.
*Up Tilt- Ridley swipes one wing above his head in an arc from back to front.
*Down Tilt- Ridley sweeps his tail in front of himself at a low angle. Can potentially trip foes at medium range percentages.
*Dash Attack- Ridley leans forward with a powerful bite attack that has more launch power than damage potential.
*Grab & Pummel- Ridley has a long range grab with a single hand and pummels by biting down on his foes.
*Forward Throw- Ridley tosses the opponent forward over his head. Only has limited KO potential.
*Back Throw- Ridley turns around and tosses the opponent behind himself with an underhand toss.
*Up Throw- Ridley positions the opponent overhead and then stabs them with his tail, knocking them straight up into the air.
*Down Throw- Ridley slams the opponent into the ground, popping them back up for further attacks.
*Neutral Air- Ridley performs a somersault in midair, extending his tail around himself and hitting on all sides, launching on contact.
*Forward Air- Ridley stabs with his tail forward in three quick successive strikes, with the third hit having launch power.
*Back Air- Ridley performs a hook kick behind himself. Has a slight amount of endlag, but also has the most power of Ridley's aerial attacks.
*Up Air- Ridley thrusts the shoulder end of his wings straight above himself in a pseudo-headbutt attack.
*Down Air- Ridley stomps down with both of his feet, falling down quickly with the attack.
===Smash Attacks===
*Side Smash- Ridley rears back and then detonates an explosion of plasma right in front of himself. It has the shortest range of all of Ridley's Smash Attacks, but has strong launch power, particularly right as the explosion happens.
*Up Smash- Ridley somersaults in place and executes a front-flip kick, knocking foes straight upwards with the launch angle. The attack is strongest as an anti-air attack, given the intangibility frames that it generates and the range that it covers.
*Down Smash- Ridley jumps up and then slams down on the ground, his wings extended to give greater horizontal coverage to the attack. Has two active hitboxes, with the body hitbox doing more damage than the hitbox attached to the wings. Either way, the weakest of Ridley's Smash Attacks.
===Special Moves===
*Neutral Special: Plasma Breath- Ridley fires a single plasma fireball from his mouth forward. The fireball travels in a sine wave arc across the stage, doing decent damage but very little knockback. Holding the special button will cause Ridley to charge the attack. At full charge, he will fire 5 fireballs that are larger and travel slightly further, as well as dealing a fair bit more damage. However the charge cannot be stored, and he is fully vulnerable during the short charge time to make the attack worth while.
*Side Special: Space Pirate Rush- Ridley will rush forward to grab an opponent. If he hits one, he will initiate a command grab, dragging them across the stage before underhandedly tossing them forward and letting out a roar. The initial dash covers a decent amount of distance, but can be interrupted by a powerful enough attack. Players can mash out of the move, however doing so is difficult, and failure to do so will slightly increase the damage Ridley's throw does at the end of the move. Using the attack in midair doesn't incur freefall, allowing it to be used as supplemental recovery.
*Up Special: Wing Blitz- Ridley will pause in midair, gathering energy, before launching forward in a chosen direction with a tackle attack, wings first. The initial hit does more damage than the eventual landing hit. Has a lot of startup time and only goes a short distance, making it more of a last ditch recovery effort. Furthermore, if Ridley hits a wall, he will bounce off and enter freefall, making some angled approaches difficult.
*Down Special: Skewer- Ridley brings his tail back and then stabs it forward as it sparkles briefly. If the tip of the tail hits an enemy at the right frame, then the attack will do a massive amount of damage and leave the downed opponent to crumble, allowing for follow up attacks if players are quick enough. However the window for this sweetspot is very small, and missing with the attack (or hitting outside the window, which only does small flinching damage) will leave Ridley wide-open for counter attack. Learning the spacing and timing of this attack is crucial.
*Final Smash: Plasma Scream- Ridley lets out a roar and dashes forward. The first opponent he hits is sent to a cutscene in space, where Ridley slams them against the hull of Samus' spaceship. He then backs away and shoots a powerful beam of plasma at the ship, causing an explosion. As the FS ends and we return to the stage, the opponent is launched a fair amount of distance. However if the enemy attains over 100% of damage during the FS, they will be automatically KO'ed. Aesthetically, Samus' ship can be seen crashing in the background following the Final Smash cinematic.
===Miscellaneous===
*Entry Animation- Ridley swoops down at an angle and lands, letting out a roar as he does so.
*Idle Animation 1- Ridley spreads out his wings and shakes himself briefly.
*Idle Animation 2- Ridley strokes his chin while licking his lips, snarling briefly.
*Side Taunt- Ridley spins around in a circle quickly, ending on a taunting pose.
*Up Taunt- Ridley flaps his wings a few times while rearing back, letting out a fearsome roar.
*Down Taunt- Ridley stands up straight while slightly smiling.
*Victory Animation 1- Ridley flies into the scene, lands haphazardly on the ground and finishes on a pose as he turns to the camera.
*Victory Animation 2- Ridley flies into the air, somersaulting, before landing and letting out an earpiercing screech.
*Victory Animation 3- Ridley has his back turned to the camera, clawing at the ground, before he looks over his shoulder and grins ferociously.
==How to Unlock==
Ridley can be unlocked any of the following ways:
*Play Versus Matches until he randomly shows up as a "Challenger Approaching" fight. Defeat him to unlock him.
*Defeat Mother Brain in Boss Rush mode.
*Unlock him in the Finale of World of Light by defeating him.
*Pay 1,000 gold in a shop, where he can randomly show up (though rarely.)
Category:Super Smash Bros. Characters
Category:Super Smash Bros. (series)
Category:Smash Plus Characters