Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Samus

The suited bounty hunter returns with her limitless arsenal of energy shots and missiles, no longer tied to her suitless persona. Samus is a character with a strong emphasis on projectile zoning, with multiple projectiles that rack up damage, punish and even KO, making Samus a dangerous contender at long range. Even though projectiles are where Samus shines, her melee attacks are nothing to scoff at either, letting her hold her own at close-range combat. However, Samus does have a range of problems that prevent her from becoming a dominant threat. Her unique jump physics can hinder more than it helps when projectile zoning. Samus also has limited reliable KO options, which can make her predictable when trying to get a KO. Nevertheless, Samus is still an all-around solid character that suits defensive and patient players. Whether you're attempting a war of attrition or a careful physical fight, Samus has the tools to help her come out on top.

Basic Attributes

Samus's metal power suit makes her quite heavy, being at the upper end of the weight spectrum. Her ground speed and air speed are slightly below average, to compensate for her strong defensive kit. Samus has pretty bad rolls. While they carry her a fair distance, it forces her to enter and exit Morph Ball form whenever she rolls, making it easy to intercept and counter. Samus is well known for her floatiness, an odd trait for such a heavy character. Last but not least, Samus has a useful wall jump to help out with her recovery.

Moveset Analysis

Standard Attacks

Control			Attack	Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller	Wii Remote + Nunchuk	Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller	GameCube Controller	Nintendo 3DS
(+)	(+)	(+)	Two-Hit Strike	Samus punches forward, then swings down with her arm cannon. On opponents with low percents, both hits of this combo chain into each other poorly by design. This move is one of Samus's more disappointing features. While the first hit is fast and the whole combo does good damage, the inability to reliably get both hits in hampers Samus when fighting healthy foes. Since the first hit is quite weak, does next to no knockback and stun, and cannot combo into the second hit consistently, you can get punished for a successful strike, as your opponent can either retaliate immediately or shield the second hit then strike back. This gives Samus a disadvantage in close-range, as she has no other moves that are as quick to use in grounded melee battles.
(+)	(+)	(+)
( or )+	( or )+	( or )+	Power Suit Roundhouse	Samus performs a roundhouse kick. The attack can be angled up or down using the control stick.
( or )+	( or )+	( or )+
+	+	+	Axe Kick	Samus lifts her legs up and slams it down, meteor smashing nearby opponents.
+	+	+
+	+	+	Ground Blast	Samus aims at the ground and causes an explosion with her arm cannon.
+	+	+
while dashing	while dashing	while dashing	Shinespark Tackle	Samus charges forward and strikes with her whole body.
while dashing	while dashing	while dashing
while hanging	while hanging	while hanging		Samus flips up and swings a leg down to attack.
while hanging	while hanging	while hanging

Smash Attacks

Control			Attack	Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller	Wii Remote + Nunchuk	Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller	GameCube Controller	Nintendo 3DS
Smash ( or )+	Smash ( or )+	( or )++	Arm Cannon Smash	Samus punches with her arm cannon hand, while letting out a close-range blast. The attack is strongest at the tip of the cannon where the explosion occurs.
Smash ( or )+	Smash ( or )+	Smash ( or )+
Smash +	Smash +	++	Cover Fire	Samus fires explosions in an arc over her.
Smash +	Smash +	Smash +
Smash +	Smash +	++	Breakdance Sweep	Samus swings one leg in a circle around her.
Smash +	Smash +	Smash +

Air Attacks

Control			Attack	Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller	Wii Remote + Nunchuk	Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller	GameCube Controller	Nintendo 3DS
			Two-Sided Kick	Samus kicks forward, then backward.
+	+	+	Attack Fire	Samus launches explosions while swinging her arm cannon down.
+	+	+
+	+	+	Rear Roundhouse	Samus kicks backward, with the tip of her foot hitting with most force.
+	+	+
+	+	+	Falling Drill	Samus performs a drill kick upward.
+	+	+
+	+	+	Cannon Meteor	Samus swings her arm cannon below her, causing a meteor smash.
+	+	+

Throws

Control			Attack	Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller	Wii Remote + Nunchuk	Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller	GameCube Controller	Nintendo 3DS
( or )	+		Grapple Beam	Samus fires a blue energy beam forward to grab foes. This move is a tether grab, so it has more reach than most other characters' grabs. However, this means it has more endlag, leaving you vulnerable if you miss, although it's not as bad as in past games. When used in the air, it's a conventional attack that is stronger at the tip. This move is faster than Samus's projectiles and has no landing lag, so it is a solid mid-range zoning tool. It is also a tether recovery with very long range, so it's the recommended recovery option if you're level with the ledge.
( or )
after grab	after grab	after grab	Quick Chop	Samus strikes the grabbed opponent with the side of her hand. Samus's Grab Attack is one of the fastest of its kind in the game. It doesn't do a lot of damage, but you can rack up good damage off of a grab due to its sheer speed. As with all Grab Attacks, feel free to use it whenever you get a grab at mid-high percents.
after grab	after grab	after grab
after grab	after grab	after grab	Beam Fling	Samus swings the grabbed opponent forward. This is a pretty conventional sideways throw. It is Samus's most damaging throw, tied with Up Throw. Like any other sideways throw, you can use it to get foes offstage to begin an edgeguard scenario or simply to create some distance for projectile zoning.
after grab	after grab	after grab
after grab	after grab	after grab	Backward Beam Fling	Samus swings the grabbed opponent backward. Like Forward Throw, Back Throw is pretty standard and uninteresting. It is practically as strong as Forward Throw and shares its uses. It is the better throw for getting foes offstage when your back is to the ledge, and it can also be used to swing your target into a comfortable position for your projectile play.
after grab	after grab	after grab
after grab	after grab	after grab	Beam Shock	Samus zaps the grabbed opponent with the Grapple Beam, launching them upward. This throw is decent, but like many characters' Up Throws, it is usually overshadowed by Down Throw. While it launches foes vertically and is the most damaging throw Samus has, Down Throw comes with better follow-ups that enable you to rack up more damage more reliably. It also doesn't have enough power to serve as a KO move, so it is rarely used.
after grab	after grab	after grab
after grab	after grab	after grab	Beam Slam	Samus swings the grabbed opponent into the ground. This move is Samus's combo throw. It's weak and has a vertical angle, which lets you combo smoothly into air attacks, usually Up Air Attacks, at low percentages. Even at higher percentages, it leaves you in an advantageous position for follow-ups relative to the thrown opponent, so it's definitely recommended then if you intend to continue a close-range spar.
after grab	after grab	after grab

Special Attacks

Control			Attack	Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller	Wii Remote + Nunchuk	Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller	GameCube Controller	Nintendo 3DS
			Charge Shot	Samus fires a ball of energy that travels straight ahead. The shot can be charged to increase its power and size, but only on the ground; using it in the air will automatically fire the projectile at its current power. Samus can store the charge by shielding or with a roll.
			Dense Charge Shot	Samus fires a denser ball of energy that is stronger, but charges longer and moves significantly slower.
			Melee Charge Shot	Samus fires a close to mid-ranged blast of energy that is very quick to charge up. This move is not a projectile.
( or )+	( or )+	( or )+	Missile	Samus fires either a Missile or a Super Missile depending on the input. If the control stick is tilted, she fires a heat-seeking missile that homes in on the nearest target to a limited degree. Smash the control stick and she will fire a Super Missile, which is faster and stronger but has no tracking capabilities.
( or )+	( or )+	( or )+
			Relentless Missile	Samus's normal Missiles move slower but homes in on opponents very accurately. Her Super Missiles still don't home in and loses speed as they travel forward.
			Turbo Missile	Samus's normal Missiles rotate to track the opponent then shoots toward their chosen direction in a straight line. Super Missiles have a delay before flying forward but are faster.
+	+	+	Screw Attack	Samus jumps up while spinning, damaging nearby foes with the rotating motion.
+	+	+
			Screw Rush	Samus does a forward leap while spinning, sacrificing height for horizontal distance. It launches foes sideways instead of upward at the end.
			Apex Screw Attack	Samus's Screw Attack only harms foes at the beginning and the end of the move, but has more KO power.
+	+	+	Bomb	Samus drops a time bomb that explodes after a short delay. If she is close to the explosion, she will receive a weak upward thrust while briefly becoming the Morph Ball.
+	+	+
			Slip Bomb	Samus's time bombs are weak, but they can trip grounded foes and meteor smash aerial enemies.
			Mega Bomb	Samus drops a large time bomb that is stronger and has a wider blast radius. Only one Mega Bomb from each player can be on the field at any time.

Taunts

Control			Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller	Wii Remote + Nunchuk	Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller	GameCube Controller	Nintendo 3DS
		+	Samus does a rigid salute.
( or )	+		Samus operates her arm cannon.
( or )	( or )	( or )
		+	Samus checks on both sides of her with her arm cannon ready.

Final Smash - Zero Laser

Samus unleashes a massive laser that slowly travels the length of the screen. Any enemies caught in the beam will be trapped and receive rapid instances of damage, culminating in a final blow that blasts foes away. Zero Laser is undoubtedly one of the most well-known Final Smashes in the game, due to its spectacular range and ease of use. It can be used well by even the most inexperienced novices. Simply point at the direction with the most enemies and let loose. You can direct the beam up or down with the control stick to catch any stragglers. The power of Zero Laser is average for a Final Smash, but you will have a better chance of KOing opponents closer to you, as they will be trapped by the beam first and take more damage.