Part 22

Explore Olimar's unique Pikmin-based attacks, aerials, grabs, and special moves in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Learn how to effectively utilize each Pikmin type for maximum damage and control.

This section details the moveset of Olimar in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, focusing on his unique Pikmin mechanics.

Pikmin Types: Olimar can have up to six Pikmin following him, each with distinct properties:

• Red Pikmin: Fire Pikmin, offer some resistance to fire attacks.
• Yellow Pikmin: Electric Pikmin, offer some resistance to electric attacks.
• White Pikmin: Poison Pikmin, deal more damage when latched but have low vitality.
• Blue Pikmin: Have greater range on attacks and are immune to water damage.
• Purple Pikmin: Deal more damage and knockback with reduced range.

Pikmin are invincible when closely following Olimar and not in use. While mastering Pikmin colors is beneficial, Olimar's inherent range, power, and small size make him potent even without precise color selection.

Ground Attacks:

• Tilts: Quick but weak attacks that don't use Pikmin.
  • Down Tilt: Short-range, pops opponents into the air, useful for setting up aerials.
  • Forward Tilt: Knocks opponents away, generally outclassed by other options.
  • Up Tilt: Decent damage racking, pops opponents up, but often outshone by up smash.
• Jab Combo & Running Attack: Average, don't use Pikmin. Running attack pops opponents up.
• Smashes: Utilize Pikmin and are key offensive tools.
  • Forward Smash: Hurls a Pikmin a set distance. Slow but has huge range, especially effective with blue Pikmin.
  • Up Smash: Quick upward Pikmin toss. Good damage, sets up for aerials, and can KO at higher percentages. Use frequently.
  • Down Smash: Sends Pikmin forward along the ground and then behind. Useful for unpredictable movement and has good power. Use frequently. Caution: can cause Pikmin to be lost near pits.

Aerial Attacks: Olimar's aerials are considered top-notch.

• Neutral Aerial: Decent damage racking, hits all around. Lacks Pikmin, so has poor range and is generally not great.
• Forward Aerial: Quick swing with a Pikmin. Great damage and very good priority.
• Back Aerial: Quick swing with a Pikmin. Great damage and very good priority. Both forward and back aerials are about a Pikmin's length wide and effective with purple Pikmin.
• Down Aerial: Short-range swing straight down. An effective spike, great for edge-guarding.
• Up Aerial: More of a damage racking move with less KO power than other aerials. Has good range and priority due to being a Pikmin move. Useful for chasing opponents upward.

Grabs and Throws: Olimar's grab game is incredible.

• Grab: A Pikmin toss with the speed of a standard grab and the range of a tether grab. Spectacular and provides a great out-of-shield option. Range is enhanced with blue Pikmin.
• Down Throw: Can set up for aerials, especially with blue Pikmin.
• Back Throw: Can be used for kills, especially with blue Pikmin at high percentages.

Olimar should use his shield liberally, as his grab is fast and safe even if it misses. His up smash is also a strong out-of-shield option.

Special Moves:

• Pikmin Pluck: Olimar's source of new Pikmin. Should be used at safe moments on the ground to maintain up to six Pikmin.
• Pikmin Throw: A projectile that throws the next Pikmin in line. If not purple, it latches on, causing residual damage. White Pikmin deal greater residual damage. Purple Pikmin cause opponents to stagger on hit, useful for clearing ledges.
• Pikmin Order: Summons Pikmin to Olimar. The first use arranges them: red, yellow, blue, white, purple. Subsequent uses cycle the order.