Richter (Life & Death)

Richter (リヒター, Richter) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Life or Death.
Unlike a typical vampire hunter, Richter boasts peak human physiology, thanks to the Belmont Clan's centuries-old training regimen and the magical blood of Sypha Belnades, a powerful witch who married Richter's distant ancestor, Trevor Belmont, after they defeated Dracula. Like Juste, Richter is also able to utilize the magical capabilities he inherited from Sypha. In Richter's case, he is able to use an Item Crash, which unleashes the hidden power of a sub-weapon, such as the Hydro Storm of Holy Water and the Grand Cross of a Cross. Unlike Juste, he is able to do it naturally instead of having to rely on a combination of spellbooks and sub-weapons. In Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, Richter's story begins as he is training with the Belmont Clan's heirloom, a holy whip known as the Vampire Killer, and studying a map of Dracula's Castle. However, his training is interrupted when he sees smoke rising in the direction of Aljiba, the hometown of his fiancée Annette. Rushing there on horseback and fighting briefly against Death, Richter finds Aljiba in flames and Annette kidnapped by the newly resurrected Dracula and his army of monsters.
Richter is voiced in the Western versions of Life or Death by David Vincent, his recurring voice actor from Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles onward. He is voiced in Japanese by Kiyoyuki Yanada, his voice actor from Symphony of the Night onward. 
==How to Unlock==
*???
*???
*Get him to join your party in the Kiss of Death.
With the exception of the final task, completing one of the above will lead to Richter challenging the player on Dracula's Castle. Defeating him unlocks him for regular gameplay.
==Moveset==
* Richter's whip, the Vampire Killer, possesses a sweetspot at the tip of the chain where the spiked ball is.
* Richter'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.
* Richter 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 Richter to rapidly spin the whip to damage opponents, with a final uppercut that sends opponents away. If not done quickly enough, Richter will cancel the first two hits, ending the attack and leaving him vulnerable. This move is Richter's fastest option up close.
If the attack button is held down instead, Richter will hold out the Vampire Killer, and it can then be manually twirled around. This attack is based on Simon's Whip Twirl from Super Castlevania IV (and was also used by Richter himself in Symphony of the Night), 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, Richter will continue dangling the whip, and can be moved left and right through the air while simultaneously controlling it.
Forward Tilt 	N/A 	The iconic whip strike from the original Castlevania. It has high range for its speed, and 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, Richter will transition into the Whip Twirl, identical to his held 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 Richter's head, along with his arm. Provides excellent coverage above Richter, granting it good pressuring capabilities against aerial opponents. It can also potentially chain into itself more than once at low 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 his Slide and Jumping Slide abilities from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The first hit is incapable of KOing even at 999%, but if the button is pressed again, Richter 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 Richter to slide under projectiles or high hitboxes. The second hit can KO beginning at 140% from the edge of Final Destination.
Dash Attack 	N/A 	A dashing attack while twirling the Vampire Killer beside himself. Based on his 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. The move is also one of the few attacks that can still cross-up in Ultimate.
Forward Smash 	N/A 	The iconic whip strike from the original Castlevania. Rears back before performing a long-ranged whip crack while taking a step forward. Can be angled. Has tremendous reach, being the longest non-projectile forward smash in the game (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, is safe on shield due to its sheer distance, and deals respectable damage to shields. The rest of the move is punishable on shield, 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. It has immense vertical range, but its hitbox is incapable of hitting anyone directly beside Richter or the chain. Due to its high ending lag, this makes the move suited solely for aerial targets. While hard to hit, the sweetspot can KO as early as 67% on Final Destination. It can combo from up throw at 0-30%, though opponents can DI away from this.
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 sweetspotted, the move is punishable.
Neutral Aerial 	N/A 	Twirls the Vampire Killer around his body. Lacks the range of his usual moves, but deals multiple hits and can protect Richter from being pursued aerially. Has slightly deceptive range due to the twirling graphic, and only covers one character length around him. The looping hits send at the autolink angle, allowing a falling neutral aerial to combo into a grab, neutral attack, or other moves.
Forward Aerial 	N/A 	The aerial whip strike. Rears back and performs a long-ranged whip crack. 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, requiring precise use. Has low ending lag, allowing Richter 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 Richter has no horizontal recovery options otherwise. The sweetspot can KO from 125% at the edge of Final Destination.
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, Richter can double jump and perform another aerial if done from a short hop, and it also acts as a tether recovery. Has more knockback growth despite the similar damage, with the sweetspot KOing from 110% at the edge of Final Destination.
Up Aerial 	N/A 	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, Richter 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 early frames being a meteor smash. If hit, Richter 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.
Grab 	N/A 	Reaches with his left arm. Notably, while Richter can use his whip as a tether recovery, he does not use it to grab opponents.
Pummel 	N/A 	Knees the opponent.
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. Richter'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 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 Richter, 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 Richter can catch it upon returning. This is generally Richter's main stage-control tool to interrupt approaches and initiate combos. Richter may say "Go!" when performing the attack.
Up Special 	Uppercut 	A rising uppercut with the Vampire Killer in hand. Richter's main recovery move, though its poor height and Richter'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 Richter'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 blue 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 Richter. It can also be reflected or perfect shielded to affect the Richter 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. Richter will say "Take this!" when performing the move unlike Simon who simply grunts.
This is the only functionally different attack Richter has compared to Simon's; Richter's version does not deal flame damage, which is due to it using blue "fire" particles as opposed to Simon's red ones. Instead, it deals aura damage, but its damage output does not scale with Richter's damage percentage unlike any of Lucario's aura-based moves.
Final Smash 	Grand Cross	Summons a large coffin in front of him, which traps opponents that touch it the moment it appears. If successful, Richter 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 crosses made of light, 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 	Raises his hand in the air with an open palm, referencing his Grand Cross in the opening of Rondo of Blood, leading into the pose from his render while saying "It's time!" 	
Taunt 2 	Pulls out his whip and straightens the chain, a reference to a piece of artwork shown in the official guide for Rondo of Blood. This pose is also used as Juste Belmont's official artwork for Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance. 	
Taunt 3 	Tightens his glove while saying "Prepare yourself!". 	
Star KO 	 	
Screen KO 	 	
Character Selection Screen	 	
Crowd Chant 	Rich - ter Bel - mont! 	
Victory Pose 1 	Whilst spinning, Richter swings the Vampire Killer around himself while saying "You don't belong in this world!" ("ここはお前の住む世界ではない！", This world is not yours to live in!) before striking the ground with an overhead swing and pulling the chain taut. This line is taken from the beginning of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 	
Victory Pose 2 	Jumps and whips the ground. Just before he lands, he spins in a brief clockwise manner. Upon landing, he assumes a pose identical to his official render from Ultimate. 	
Victory Pose 3 	While facing away from the camera, he pulls back and rolls up the Vampire Killer, putting it on his side. He then, with his back still facing the camera, turns around, similarly to his idle stance in Symphony of the Night, and makes a parting gesture saying "Farewell!"("じゃあな", See you.). This is from the cutscene where he rescues Tera in Rondo of Blood. 	
==Role in Classic Mode==
Like all other fighters, Richter appears in Classic Mode. Richter's Mini-Boss is unknown. 
===Richter Ending===
==Role in The Kiss of Death==
==Alternate Costumes==
Image	Number	Color 	Notes 	Unlockable?
 	01 	Navy 	Based on his appearance from Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. 	Default
 	02 	Red 	Resembles Juste Belmont as he appears in Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance and Christopher Belmont as he appears in Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth. 	Default
 	03 	Purple	Resembles the Dark Priest Shaft as he appears in-game in both Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 	Default
 	04 	Green 	Resembles the "Curse" status-effect from Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and Castlevania: Dracula X. Also resembles the color scheme of Nathan Graves from Castlevania: Circle of the Moon.	Default
 	05 	Yellow	Resembles artwork for John Morris for Castlevania: Bloodlines. Also resembles Julius Belmont as he appears in Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. 	Default
 	06 	Blue 	Resembles his design in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and his design in Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. 	Default
 	07 	Black 	Resembles Alucard as he appears in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 	Default
 	08 	White 	Resembles Leon Belmont as he appears in Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. 	Default
 	09 	 	 	Unlockable
 	10 	 	 	Unlockable
 	11 	 	 	Unlockable
 	12 	 	 	Unlockable
 	13 	 	 	Unlockable
 	14 	 	 	Unlockable
==Smash Taunts==
===Palutena's Guidance===
===Snake's Codecs===
==Fighter Spirits==
Richter's Fighter Spirit can be obtained by completing Classic Mode. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 500 coins. Unlocking Richter 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:RichterNew.png
File:Richter belmont crosses over into death battle by spidermang10-dclc0cg.png
==Trivia==
Category:Fighters in Super Smash Bros. Life or Death