Squirtle (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)


 * This article is about Squirtle's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. For other uses, see Squirtle.  Also, for information about Squirtle in regards to Pokémon Trainer, see Pokémon Trainer, Ivysaur, and Charizard.

Squirtle, also known as Zenigame (, Zenigamē) in Japan, is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is one of three Pokémon that can be played when Pokémon Trainer is selected from the game's character select screen, the other two being Ivysaur and Charizard.

Role in The Subspace Emissary
When introduced, Pokémon Trainer's only Pokémon is Squirtle, and thus, is his main Pokémon for much of the story until Ivysaur and Charizard are later found in the ruins. Despite this, Squirtle only appears in the very first cutscene Pokémon Trainer is introduced in. Stamina doesn't apply in Adventure mode as it does in normal play.

Pros:

 * Fast overall movement.
 * Fast attacks with decent damage and knockback.
 * Small target.
 * Can wall cling.
 * Can crawl.
 * Water Gun can be used to hamper horizontal recoveries and doubles as an attack. You can also DI during the charge in midair.
 * Large disjointed hitbox on Waterfall, which makes it hard to interrupt.
 * Can Pokémon Change with two other Pokémon.
 * Good aerial game.
 * Side Special move offers protection against most attacks.
 * Down aerial has good horizontal knockback on the final hit.
 * Pivot actually gives it a speed boost as opposed to slowing it.
 * Capable of shellshifting.
 * Up Special can score multiple hits if executed properly.
 * Up Smash hits a large area and kills 80-100% if uncharged.
 * Can swim for long amounts of time.

Cons:

 * Pokémon Change is punishable and mandatory, due to the Stamina Mechanic and coming back as the next one in the cycle.
 * Very light and can be easily KO'd. (3rd lightest)
 * Water Gun has small range if used uncharged and as an attack, and charged does no damage.
 * Most attacks are fairly weak.
 * Low range.
 * Speed and direction of Side Special can be changed if hit with a strong attack, possibly causing Squirtle to slide off the edge, KOing itself.

Ground Attacks

 * Dashing attack - Squirtle runs, turns around while jumping, and hits with the back of its shell.
 * Standard attack - Squirtle punches once, then jumps forward and slaps with the tail, then flips forward and hits with the tail again.
 * Up tilt - Squirtle hops up onto its tail, thrusting upwards. Very quick.
 * Forward tilt - Squirtle gets on all fours and slaps forward with its tail. Also very quick.
 * Down tilt - Squirtle gets on its belly and withdraws its arms and legs, then spins forward, sweeping with its tail.
 * Down Smash - Squirtle withdraws into its shell and spins, shooting water out of both sides.
 * Up Smash - Squirtle jumps and water raises up around it to the height it is jumping, hitting a fairly large area. Colloquially known as Hydro Pump because of high strength. (Hydro Pump is one of the most powerful Water type attacks in the Pokémon games.)
 * Forward Smash - Squirtle withdraws into its shell and launches forward.

Aerial Attacks

 * Neutral Air - Withdraws into shell and spins in midair, releasing water from all sides
 * Up Air - Small-radius flip kick.
 * Down Air - Thrusts the tail downward and spins it, hitting multiple times. Similar to Mario's Mario Tornado but with less range.
 * Forward Air - Thrusts both legs forward, hitting quickly. Fairly long duration, decent knockback
 * Back Air - Thrusts its tail backwards, hitting quickly. Fairly long duration, decent knockback. Both forward and back air have Axe Kick properties.

Grabs and Throws

 * Forward Throw - Puts its opponent in front of it, and then kicks them.
 * Back Throw - Puts its opponent behind it, and kicks their back.
 * Down Throw - Throws its opponent on the ground and slams on top of them.
 * Up Throw - Throws its opponent upwards and tackles them while in its shell.
 * Pummel - Headbutts them.

Stickers
Keep in mind that all three of Pokémon Trainer's Pokémon share the same trophy base. If you wish to power up Squirtle specifically, use a large [Water] damage boost and supplement the rest of its attacks with [Body], [Spin] and [Tail] attack boosts.

Strategies & Tips
Use Squirtle's good aerial game.

A good finisher is Squirtle's up smash.

Squirtle's F-tilt is quick and can be chained to its jab combo.

Taunts
Up: Backflips, spreads out its arms and opens its mouth.

Side: Spins on its tail and squirts out water.

Down: Goes into its shell and hops while spinning.

On-Screen Appearance
Release from a Poké Ball.

Victory Pose
Victory Theme: Pokemon Red/Blue Main Theme
 * Squirts water in three directions, does a backflip, then poses.
 * Does some poses, spins around doing a "breakdance" move, and ends on its bottom scratching its head.
 * Pokémon Trainer kneels down and pets Squirtle.

Wii Remote Choice
A Poké Ball release sound is heard, and the Pokémon Trainer says, "Go for it!"

Credits Music

 * Road to Viridian City (From Pallet Town/Pewter City)

Trivia

 * Surprisingly, Squirtle actually carries crates and barrels faster than Charizard/Ivysaur.
 * As strange as it is, the Super Smash Bros. Brawl Prima Official Strategy Guide states that Squirtle, despite its small size, is actually a middleweight, while Ivysaur is a lightweight.
 * When Squirtle knocks into another character using Withdraw, it makes the same sound as a Green Shell.
 * Despite being a Water-type Pokémon and a turtle, Squirtle can drown.
 * The Squirtle in Brawl is noticably bigger than the Squirtles found in Pokemon games