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Ryu in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Ryu, the iconic martial artist from the Street Fighter series, makes his return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a formidable fighter with unique mechanics that set him apart from the rest of the cast. With his traditional moveset and deep combo potential, Ryu is a character that rewards precision and skill.

Strengths

1. Strong Normals and Specials

Ryu's normals and special moves are powerful and have great utility:

• Normals: Ryu has strong tilts and aerials, with his forward tilt (a two-hit combo) and up tilt being particularly notable for their combo potential.
• Specials: His Hadoken, Shoryuken, and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku are versatile tools. The Shoryuken, in particular, is a potent kill move.

2. Unique Input System

Ryu retains his special move inputs from the Street Fighter games, allowing for enhanced versions of his specials:

• Hadoken: Traditional input (↓↘→ + attack) increases speed and damage.
• Shoryuken: Traditional input (→↓↘ + attack) deals more damage and has invincibility frames.
• Tatsumaki Senpukyaku: Traditional input (↓↙← + attack) travels further and hits harder.

3. High Damage Output

Ryu can dish out significant damage with his combos and powerful specials. His ability to cancel moves into each other using his unique input system allows for creative and damaging strings.

4. Strong Edge Guarding

Ryu's aerials, particularly his forward and down aerials, are effective tools for edge guarding. His powerful Shoryuken can also punish opponents trying to recover too closely.

Weaknesses

1. Limited Mobility

Ryu's ground speed is average, and his air speed is relatively slow, which can make him susceptible to zoning characters and those with superior mobility.

2. Linear Recovery

Ryu's recovery options are somewhat predictable. While the Tatsumaki Senpukyaku can be used for horizontal recovery, the Shoryuken is his primary vertical recovery tool and can be easily intercepted if not used carefully.

3. Execution-Heavy

To fully utilize Ryu's potential, players must master his input mechanics. This learning curve can be daunting for newcomers, as precise execution is required for optimal performance.

Effective Playstyle

Neutral Game

In the neutral game, Ryu players should focus on spacing with Hadoken and well-timed tilts. Controlling the space with Hadoken can force opponents to approach, opening up opportunities for punishes.

Combos and Kill Confirms

Ryu excels in close combat with his combo potential. Use tilts and aerials to start combos, and look for opportunities to confirm into Shoryuken for kills. Mastering his input specials is crucial for maximizing damage output.

Edge Guarding and Recovery

Utilize Ryu's aerials to edge guard effectively, and be mindful of your recovery routes. Mix up your recovery options to avoid becoming predictable.

Matchups

Favorable Matchups

• Heavyweights (e.g., Bowser, Donkey Kong): Ryu's high damage output and ability to combo heavyweights make these matchups favorable. He can rack up damage quickly and secure early kills.
• Close-Range Fighters (e.g., Little Mac): Ryu's superior aerials and specials give him an edge against characters reliant on ground combat.

Unfavorable Matchups

• Zoners (e.g., Samus, Mega Man): Ryu struggles against characters that can effectively zone him out due to his limited mobility. Closing the distance is key to overcoming these matchups.
• Fast Characters (e.g., Sonic, Sheik): Speedy characters can outmaneuver Ryu, making it challenging to land hits and execute combos.

Conclusion

Ryu is a rewarding character for players who appreciate technical gameplay and high damage potential. Mastering his unique input mechanics and understanding his strengths and weaknesses are essential for success. With practice, Ryu can handle a variety of matchups and become a formidable force on the battlefield.