Super Smash Bros Ultimate - Piranha Plant Guide

No one could have predicted that Piranha Plant, the carnivorous flora native to the Mushroom Kingdom, would makes its way into Super Smash Bros Ultimate as a playable fighter. With the release of the Version 2.0.0 patch, however, this polka-dotted potted pugilist is ready to take on all comers. This handy beginners’ guide will give you the early ins and outs of this new fighter, including a few strategies that could really take a bite out of your opponents..

No Notable Normals

Piranha Plant’s basic moveset does not do much to separate it from the pack, as they are mostly pedestrian in practice. Its Neutral A will set off a three-hit combo on contact, but pressing the button again activates a barrage of bites that will eventually knock the opponent back. Up Tilt lacks horizontal range but could act as an anti-air move, while the Down Tilt leaf swipe reaches further than expected. Of its three Smash attacks Down Smash has the most versatility, swinging its pot in a circle around it, while the Up Smash bite attack can surprise a foe with its horizontal range. Side Smash activates quickly and covers a decent chunk of the stage, but its damage output when not fully charged makes it a less suitable option.

Aerial Plant Assault!

Piranha Plant is fairly adept in the air, which is doubly surprising because how often is a Piranha Plant up in the air to begin with?  Neutral Air is perfect for short hop attacks, as the plant turns itself into a leafy saw blade for multiple hits. Down Air will only work if the move is activated right next to an opponent, lest the meteor effect be lost in the later frames. Up Air’s headbutt could be effective when Plant is under an opponent’s platform but doesn’t connect well out in the open, while its Back Air produces an explosion with a fairly large hitbox. Save that move for a last-ditch surprise to really blow a foe away.

Special Delivery

Piranha Plant’s special attacks are where the strategy and nuance really come into play for this character, its abilities lending themselves to some interesting ideas. Its Neutral Special sees it produce a spiky ball that it keeps afloat with a gust of breath. By pressing a directional button I can fire the ball at my opponent, but the lower the ball is to the plant the farther it will travel when thrown. This is a key distinction, as beginning players will try to launch the ball from maximum height and have little success. Its Down Special leaves the most to be desired, an upward chomp that travels farther if it’s charged but lacks horizontal effectiveness. PP can tilt its pot while charging the move to change direction, but it still only attacks in one set direction. Up Special is a key recovery move, turning Piranha Plant into a small green helicopter and giving it fantastic vertical and horizontal distance with pretty good damage if you can catch an opponent in it.

The Side Special Is A Gas

However, it’s the Side Special that gets my strategic wheels a-turning. Piranha Plant charges up a noxious poison cloud in its mouth, with a quick flash letting me know when it’s at full charge. The cloud can be fired at will, and if Piranha Plant can keep its opponent inside the purple cloud for the entire duration of the attack it can inflict 50%+ damage in about three seconds. One move, three seconds to charge, and three seconds to cause more than half the damage needed to KO an opponent in no time. The setups involving this move this will require some tricky timing -- and perhaps a shield break or two -- but in the right hands this can make Piranha Plant very deadly.

If you keep these four points in mind when trying out Piranha Plant, you’ll have plenty of success. The Bloom of Doom has the tools for deep competitive runs, and we’re looking forward to seeing how much of an impact this chompy boy will make in the Smash Bros scene.

For more on Super Smash Bros Ultimate’s latest update, check out our look at the Version 2.0.0 patch notes, including reactions from around the Smash community.