Kazuya (Smash Plus)

Kazuya is a playable character in Super Smash Brothers Plus for the Nintendo Switch Plus. Representing the Tekken universe, he is listed as Fighter #92 in Smash's modified numbering system and is classified as a heavyweight fighter. He is hidden at the start of the game, but can be unlocked through random encounters in Versus Mode or by scoring 10 KOs on the Mishima Dojo stage in a single match.
Kazuya ranks as perhaps the most complicated fighter in Super Smash Brothers, possessing more basic attacks than any other fighter due to the addition of directional tilt attacks to his arsenal. This makes Kazuya a combo racking machine, able to chain together long strings of moves together to confuse and frustrate opponents. Unlike other combo heavy fighters, Kazuya is not lacking in KO options either. He also possesses a Rage comeback ability that greatly enhances his damage output for a limited time. However, his Achilles heel lies in his attack speed, as it ranks in the bottom third of the Smash roster. His recovery and aerial options also leave a lot to be desired. Kazuya is definitely a ground and pound fighter, but one with a very high technical learning curve. While some other characters (such as Terry and to a lesser extent Ryu, Ken and Scorpion) possess command inputs, Kazuya has three command inputs that start from a unique crouching dash option, in addition to his myriad of tilt combo attacks. However, if you can master Kazuya's button combinations and get the rhythm of the match in your favor, there are few who can stand toe to toe with the Iron Fist of Kazuya Mishima. He has two normal jumps and no additional movement options.
==Moveset==
===Basic Attacks===
*Special Gimmick: Rage- Kazuya has a special comeback mechanic known as Rage. When he receives over 100% of damage (or has less than 25% of starting health in a stamina match), he will begin to glow red. This mode gives him an automatic 1.1x boost to his damage output, as well as a 0.6x output on his knockback for Smash Attacks. The Rage Boost also grants him access to the Rage Drive, which is a boosted version of his Down Special attack (though can be accessed with grab or with a command Input version, with this third option doing the most damage.) Using the Rage Drive will end the Rage Mode. Rage has no set time limit, however if Kazuya is dealt roughly 40% of damage while in Rage mode, it will automatically end. It will also end if he fails to connect on a Rage Drive grab multiple times.
*Special Gimmick: Tilt Attacks- Kazuya possesses the most tilt attacks in the base game, with several different directional outputs. They are listed by type below.
*Neutral Jab- Tapping the button three times will result in a thre-punch combo, consiting of two left jabs followed by a stronger right hook. Holding the attack button down launches Kazuya into his ten-hit combo, which despite the name is often easy to escape and/or get knocked out of at higher damages.
*Forward Tilt- Kazuya performs a forward thrust kick at medium range that knocks foes away.
*Back Tilt- Kazuya hits a back spinning roundhouse kic at a high angle.
*Up Tilt- Kazuya hits two uppercuts in quick succession, with the second hit having launch power.
*Down Tilt- Kazuya steps forward and kneels down, hitting a sweeping backhand punch in front of himself.
*Up-forward Tilt- Kazuya hits a jumping roundhouse kick that can lead to a combo of two more crouching sweep kicks followed by a standing roundhouse to knock foes away.
*Down-forward Tilt- Kazuya hits a high kick that can combo into an axe kick to knock foes away.
*Down-back Tilt- Kazuya performs a low angled front kick right in front of him that has a high probability of tripping foes.
*Up-back Tilt- Kazuya jumps backwards slightly and performs a high thrust kick.
*Crouch Attack- When Kazuya is fully crouching, he will perform a simple jab. If used while uncrouching, he will perform an electrified version of the jab that has significantly more power.
*Crouch Forward Attack- Kazuya rolls forward slightly while performing a powerful kick. Has significant lag.
*Crouch Back Attack- Kazuya performs a sweeping low kick while spinning in the crouching position.
*Dash Attack- Kazuya leaps forward and performs a powerful front kick.
*Grab & Pummel- Kazuya grabs with both hands. He pummels with a slow punch to the sternum of the opponent.
*Forward Kick- Kazuya holds the opponent, kicks them once and then hits a back heel kick to knock them away.
*Back Throw- Kazuya lifts the opponent onto his shoulder and then slams them onto the ground behind him.
*Up Throw- Kazuya throws the opponent into the air, transforms into his demon form and then shoots them with a beam at an upward angle to knock them away.
*Down Throw- Kazuya performs a headbutt that pops the opponent up into the air for further combos.
*Neutral Air- Kazuya performs a diagonal downward facing jab with a lingering hitbox.
*Forward Air- Kazuya performs an aerial sidekick that does more damage when it begins.
*Back Air- Kazuya performs an aerial kick directly behind him that has a sweetspot on the end of Kazuya's foot right as the attack begins.
*Up Air- Kazuya hits a high leg kick that hits opponents into a near straight vertical motion.
*Down Air- Kazuya performs a somersault and then slams himself downward, his leg extended to knock foes away as he lands.
===Smash Attacks===
*Side Smash- Kazuya changes to his devil form and delivers a powerful straight punch. Has high power and will break most shields when fully charged, but is easily punished on a whiff.
*Up Smash- Kazuya changes to his devil form and performs a powerful uppercut straight in front of himself. Has great reach, even breaking through some platforms, but like side smash has high endlag.
*Down Smash- Kazuya changes to his devil form and performs a downward knifehand jab straight in front of himself. Can meteor if it sweetspots, but is the weakest of Kazuya's Smash Attacks by a large margin.
===Special Moves===
*Special Gimmick: Command Input Moves- Kazuya has four moves that are mapped to a command input. By pressing → ↓ ↘, Kazuya will perform a Crouch Dash forward that grants him limited invincibility while moving. This button combination is also input to use his 4 Command Input moves.
**Using the Crouch Dash and a Grab will cause Kazuya to use Gates of Hell, where he breaks the opponents back over his knee and then kicks them away.
**Using the Crouch Dash and pressing the attack button will cause Kazuya to use the Wind God Fist, where Kazuya dashes forward and performs an uppercut. If the input is frame perfect, the attack will be electrified and do much more damage, in particular to shields.
**Using the Crouch Dash and pressing the special button will cause Kazuya to use the Spinning Demon Kick, where he performs a low sweeping kick followed by a hook punch from his left hand.
**Using the Crouch Dash and pressing both the attack and special buttons simultaneously will cause Kazuya to use a Dragon Uppercut, where Kazuya hits an electrified jumping uppercut while rushing forward.
*Neutral Special: Devil Blaster- Kazuya assumes his devil form and then fires an energy beam from his forehead. The laser covers a good distance and can go through opponents, though damage is reduced the more opponents it goes through. Players can also aim the beam up or down based on directional input. Can only be used once in air, and will cause Kazuya to stall his fall briefly.
*Side Special: Devil Fist- Kazuya turns into a devil and lunges forward with a single punch. If used in close quarters, it will cause enemies hit by it to crumple, otherwise it will launch them vertically. While it doesn't render Kazuya helpless if used in the air, it nullifies Devil Wings, making it a poor recovery move. It doesn't pass through shields, making it easy to punish if missed or blocked.
*Up Special: Devil Wings- Kazuya assumes his devil form and flies upward at a slight angle. If he hits an opponent with his wings, it will do damage, though the attack is strongest at the beginning. Using in midair doesn't cause Kazuya to enter Freefall, but it does nullify him using Devil Fist until he lands.
*Down Special: Heaven's Door- Kazuya performs an uppercut in front of him. If he hits an opponent he will launch into a command grab where he turns into a devil, flies up into the air and then slams the opponent down into the ground. It can be used as a sacrificial KO. If Rage mode is active, then Kazuya will use a more powerful version called Rage Drive. This will consume the Rage state.
*Final Smash: Final Blaster- Changed from the version in Smash Ultimate, Kazuya fires his Devil Blaster forward, as well as several lasers in a circle around himself. The smaller lasers do damage to nearby opponents, but the first opponent hit by the main Devil Blaster will be taken to a cinematic where Kazuya attacks them with a 10 Hit Combo, finishing by breaking their back over his knee and then tossing them over the edge of a cliff into a volcano. If this brings the opponent above 100% of damage (or if they had that much entering the cinematic), they will automatically be KO'ed.
===Miscellaneous===
*Entry Animation- Kazuya appears from a puff of smoke in his Devil Form, then assumes his normal form for the fight.
*Idle Animation 1- Kazuya assumes a defensive posture briefly before returning to normal.
*Idle Animation 2- Kazuya briefly waves his hands in a circular motion in front of himself.
*Side Taunt- Kazuya performs several kicks in front of himself. These kicks can damage opponents, having good knockback and damage output.
*Up Taunt- Kazuya crosses his arms and grins while grunting.
*Down Taunt- Kazuya assumes his devil form and roars before transforming back.
*Victory Animation 1- Kazuya crosses his arms and then looks off to the side.
*Victory Animation 2- Kazuya performs two roundhouse kicks and then stomps his foot, turning into his devil form before assuming a defensive posture.
*Victory Animation 3- Kazuya flies into frame with a kick, before punching towards the screen in his devil form and then turning back to normal.
==How to Unlock==
Kazuya 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.
*Score at least 10 KOs on Mishima Dojo stage in a single match.
*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