SSBU/Shulk

Overview
{{Overview
 * overview= {{StockIcon|SSBU|Shulk}} is a midrange focused stance character that is defined by extreme strengths and weaknesses. His Monado Arts ({{clr|special|Neutral-B}}) allows him to boost one of five stats to an extreme. He is the only character in the game to be able to decide on the spot if he wants to be able to kill ridiculously early, gain excellent damage, recover from anywhere offstage, become the fastest character in the game, or be able to stop himself from having a chance of dying at all from the opponent's next kill confirm/punish, even if far beyond death percent. On top of that, his sword is among the longest in the game and outranges most characters, allowing him to force approaches with ease. This range gives Shulk a lot of moves capable of hitting below the ledge (notably {{clr|smash|Fsmash}}, {{clr|aerial|Fair}} and {{clr|special|Up-B}}), as well as very strong edgeguard options that can kill very early.

However, Shulk's ground game and close range options leaves a lot to be desired, which makes him reliant on his aerials, which are some of the slowest in the game. This can make Shulk's neutral rather linear neutral that is vulnerable to parries and rising aerials, as he relies on walling his opponents out with falling aerials. Without {{clr|special|Monado Speed}}, punishing on reaction becomes very hard for Shulk, since he cannot cover as much speed as when {{clr|special|Monado}} is active. Furthermore, Shulk's juggle game is somewhat underwhelming for a sword character, and landing can become quite challenging.

Overall, perhaps more so than any other character, success with Shulk comes down to maximizing his strengths while mitigating his weaknesses. Clever positioning, spacing and, mix-ups can make it difficult for the opponent to exploit his neutral without hard committing, which Shulk can capitalize on well.

3-21F intangible (Directional)
 * summary= is a polarizing midrange sword character who uses Monado Arts to change his abilities to suit the situation.
 * pros=
 * Extreme Versatility: Shulk's {{clr|special|Neutral-B}} lets him change his stats to an extreme on a whim. While these changes have drawbacks, they are mitigated by simply disabling them.
 * Gigantic Range: All of Shulk's attacks (besides his {{clr|tilt|Jab}}) boasts both huge range and safety on shield. Only {{StockIcon|SSBU|Sephiroth}} and {{StockIcon|SSBU|Min Min}} can compete.
 * Ledgetrap Menace: Shulk's range allows him to stay threatening at the ledge while remaining safe (with huge reward if Monado Buster or Monado Smash are active). He can also easily hit below the ledge.
 * Great Edgeguarding: Shulk's {{clr|aerial|Fair}}, {{clr|aerial|Dair}} and {{clr|aerial|Up-B}} (if used from the ledge) allows Shulk to safely edgeguard most recoveries.
 * cons=
 * Flawed Ground Game: Shulk's tilts generally have high endlag, low reward, awkward hitboxes, or a combination of the three.
 * Prone to Parry: As good as Shulk's neutral is, the lack of multi-hits combined with his aerials' startup makes him very easy to parry in neutral.
 * Weak Juggle Game: Shulk's juggle options, while decent on their own right, are quite lackluster compared to other sword characters' juggle options.
 * Often Shaky Disadvantage: Shulk has difficulty to reset neutral, even with {{clr|special|Monado Shield}}. On top of that, he is one of the easier characters to {{term|twoframe}}.
 * weight = 97
 * spotDodge = 25F (1-17F intangible)
 * airDodge = 3-30F intangible (Neutral)
 * fastestOOS = {{clr|special|Up-B}} (10F)

Shulk's Neutral B is a move that gives 5 different modes: Jump, Shield, Speed, Buster and Smash. There are two ways to select {{clr|special|Monado Arts}}. By rapidly pressing special, Shulk cycles between each art, with its corresponding symbol appearing behind him. After not pressing special for some time, the art will activate. Shulk can also select arts using the dial, accessed by holding down the special button for at least 11 frames. In order to select each Art, you move your left control stick to the desired art, before letting go of special.
 * unique_mechanic1_name= Monado Arts
 * unique_mechanic1=

Each {{clr|special|Monado Art} has its own cooldown timer and duration, and gives Shulk different buffs. However, they also come with their own debuffs.

Below is a table explaining the buffs and debuffs, but you can also go to SSBWiki for exact stats 

{{Ambox + Increased jump height, air speed and {{clr|special|Air Slash}} Height
 * image={{clr|grab|Jump}}
 * border=green
 * type= 

+/- Increased falling and fast fall speed.

- Increased damage taken }}

{{Ambox + Increased ground speed and air speed
 * image={{clr|aerial|Speed}}
 * border=blue
 * type= 

+/- Increased gravity and traction

- Decreased damage output and jump height }}

{{Ambox + Decreased knockback taken, damage taken, and increased shield HP
 * image={{clr|tilt|Shield}}
 * border=yellow
 * type= 

- Decreased jump height, air speed, movement speed, and damage and knockback output }}

{{Ambox + Increased damage output
 * image= Buster
 * border=purple
 * type= 

+/- Decreased knockback output

- Increased damage taken

}}

{{Ambox + Increased knockback output
 * image={{clr|smash|Smash}}
 * border=red
 * type= 

- Decreased damage taken and increased knockback taken }}

}}

/ +

+

+

while dashing or running

/ +

+

+

Airborne

Airborne +

Airborne +

Airborne +

Airborne +

(Hold OK)

/ +

+

+

After grabbing,

After grabbing,

After grabbing,

After grabbing,

Ledge Attack
while holding the ledge

Getup Attack
after getting knocked down

Trip Attack
after tripping