Greninja (Super Smash Bros.)

Greninja is a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series, being introduced in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U as one of the Pokémon fighters, representing Generation VI in particular.
==Appearances==
===Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U===
Greninja was confirmed from the April Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct Trailer as a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Though for some reason, almost everyone who saw the trailer thought Greninja was Mewtwo. Other people thought it might have been Lucario (slightly resembled its Aura), Takumaru (because it was a Shuriken), someone thought it was Squirtle (because it was a Water move), and someone thought it was Swift (because it looked like a Star). But a few things: one, the figure was charging Water Shuriken and almost everyone saw Shadow Ball. Two, the figure was upside-down on a tree branch, which Mewtwo has never been shown to do. And three, the figure performed a hand symbol before charging Water Shuriken, which Greninja does in several of its poses. However, there was some things missing. The webbing in between Greninja's fingers was not present until after done charging Water Shuriken . And two, its chest was shaped more like Mewtwo's then what its chest is normally shaped like. Plus, both Pokémon have three fingers each. This is most likely why everyone saw Mewtwo. It is possible that Mashahiro Sakurai did this on purpose to fool his audience. However, Mewtwo does make an appearance in the game as DLC. Greninja is a starter character and it mainly attacks using ninja-like moves.
Unsurprisingly for a character with a ninja aesthetic, fits into the "hit-and-run" archetype. Its smash attacks have decent power and have moderate range and its boasts remarkable movement speed, as it is the sixth fastest dasher in the game and its walking speed is the fourth fastest in the game. Although somewhat predictable and telegraphed, Water Shuriken deals respectable damage and functions well for both zoning and edge-guarding. Shadow Sneak is an excellent way to play mindgames with opponents while also functioning either as a way to aid its recovery or as a KOing option at high percents. It has a useful counter in Substitute that enables it to retaliate from various angles; however, it is considered the worst counter move in the game due to the fact that can be attacked out of it. Lastly, Hydro Pump is a long-distanced and unpredictable move that can easily enable it to return to the stage. However, is not without its flaws. In most of its attacks, both damage and knockback power are somewhat limited, sometimes leaving it with limited options to KO outside of reads and edge-guarding. While its attacks have fast start-up, they have among the longest ending lag in SSB4, particularly its aerials, which effectively forces players to use them wisely. Surprisingly for a humanoid frog, 's wall jump is situational at best due to it having the shortest height in the game. 's excellent speed does not translate to it having a good combo game, as its moves sometimes have trouble linking into each other. As a result, it tends to be overly reliant on throws to set up combos. Aside from Shadow Sneak, 's out of shield options are also very lacking (possessing one of the slowest standing grabs in the entire game), leaving it at a disadvantage against characters who have powerful spacing options against shield. Finally, the overall short range of its attacks leaves it at a disadvantage to zoning-oriented characters.
====Special moveset====
*Neutral Special: Water Shuriken: Horizontally throws a chargeable shuriken made of water. Gains power but loses speed and range the more it is charged. Hits multiple times when fully charged.
**Custom Neutral Special 1: Stagnant Shuriken: The thrown shuriken stays in place, but deals less damage at varying charges.
**Custom Neutral Special 2: Shifting Shuriken Uncharged shurikens have strong upwards knockback, while charged ones go through opponents.
*Side Special: Shadow Sneak: Silently prepares to teleport to a moving shadow, which activates when the button is released. If the shadow is in front of the opponent, Greninja attacks with a handstand-initiated backflip kick. If the shadow is behind the opponent, Greninja dropkicks them instead. The latter strike is slightly stronger than the former.
**Custom Side Special 1: Shadow Strike: The shadow moves slower and farther while the attack is stronger. Additionally, Greninja takes longer to reappear.
**Custom Side Special 2: Shadow Dash: Teleports a fixed distance instantly, though it is weaker than normal.
*Up Special: Hydro Pump: Shoots two streams of water from one of its hands in the opposite direction of travel, propelling Greninja in the input directions. Functions similarly to Pikachu's Quick Attack.
**Custom Up Special 1: High-Capacity Pump: The water streams are more controllable, but they deal no damage.
**Custom Up Special 2: Single-Shot Pump: Only one water stream is fired, though it is slightly more powerful.
*Down Special: Substitute: Greninja enters a defensive stance. If attacked, it disappears with a Substitute doll or a log taking its place before countering with a flying kick upon reappearing. The kick's direction can be input while Greninja has vanished. The latter portion of the move can act either as a semi-spike or even as a meteor smash.
**Custom Down Special 1: Exploding Attack: Instead of counterattacking, Greninja vanishes and reappears with an explosion around itself.
**Custom Down Special 2: Substitute Ambush: Greninja disappears for a longer amount of time and performs a stronger counterattack upon reappearing.
*Final Smash: Secret Ninja Attack: Greninja launches opponents into the air with Mat Block, before it proceeds to slash them several times in midair while a moonlit backdrop appears and then finally spikes them down to the stage with a downward knifehand strike.
====Palutena's Guidance====
Palutena's Guidance is featured in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and is similar to Snake's Codec in Brawl. Pit holds a special conversation with Palutena and Viridi to comment on one of Pit's opponents, giving him helpful tips about their strengths and weaknesses. This feature is based on the numerous chapter dialogue in Kid Icarus: Uprising.
Pit: What is that? Some kind of ninja frog?
Palutena: That's the Pokémon Greninja. It's strengths are agility and speed. What looks like a scarf is actually his tongue.
Viridi: As a defensive measure, I suggest rubbing spicy peppers all over yourself.
Pit: How can Greninja taste anything with its tongue hanging out like that?
Palutena: It could be one of those rare ninjas that just eats very slowly.
Pit: What?! But that makes no sense! ...Anyway, just tell me how to win!
Palutena: Greninja creates throwing stars out of compressed water and unleashes them at high speed. This attack is called Water Shuriken. If Greninja starts to charge up its Water Shuriken, be prepared to reflect it back!
===Super Smash Bros. Ultimate===
Greninja returns as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This time, he is officially a male, due to the confirmation his Ash-Greninja form as part of his Final Smash move.https://www.theouterhaven.net/2018/10/ash-greninja-to-appear-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate/ Greninja also received an amiibo figure in 2015. The figure was only distributed at Toys "R" Us in the United States,https://ign.com/nintendo-amiibo-wii-u/88237/news/youll-only-be-able-to-get-greninja-amiibo-at-one-retailer with stock quickly selling out following his release.https://www.gamespot.com/articles/greninja-amiibo-sells-out-in-under-an-hour/1100-6426382/
==References==
Category:Super Smash Bros.
Category:Playable characters