[Bluewarwolf]

Pikachu Character Guide

He may be overused, but a lot of people who use him are underusing his abilities. In the right hands, Pikachu is a pillar of power. Here, I will post advanced strategies for using the most popular electric mouse.

Standard Attacks:
Pikachu's standard A attack is good for quick damage, but leaves him vulnerable if you're holding A and miss. When used in midair, the A attack just make him spin a few times for some small damage. His aerial attacks tend to be useful in certain situations.
Down+A in midair causes him do a small electric headbutt downwards, which in turn causes the opponent to stagger from electric damage. If he hits the ground, he will also cause sparks that will damage nearby foes. This attack will also take priority over most other attacks, but not all (i.e., sword attack from Link will stop this attack).
Forward+A aerial attack will make him spark and spin, causing electric damage again. Good for a quick aerial hit when you can't do Down+A.
Back+A causes Pikachu to spin his body backwards, inflicting multiple amounts of damage. Excellent attack when you're airbourne and facing away from your opponent.
Up+A aerial attack causes Pikachu to flip and hit the opponent with his tail. Slightly useless, but good if you want to start juggling your opponent. However, this is the only attack that allows you to do airbourne juggles..... the other aerials just send your opponent in different directions and leave you no room to follow up with a juggling attack.

Throws:
Pikachu's throws can lead to numerous opportunities to catch your opponent in a juggle or just flat-out deal KO attacks.
Forward throw causes him to throw the foe on Pikachu's back and shock him for decent damage, then send him flying a few feet. Great to follow-up by chasing and Up Smashing.
Down throw is great to follow-up with a Down Smash.
Backwards Throw causes him to do a few backflips and throw his opponent somewhere behind him. Follow-up with an Up Throw if you like.... there's not really much to follow-up with.
Up Throw just tosses his opponent in the air, but this creates an AWESOME opportunity to use Thunder. It will catch your opponent off guard. Great to use if they are high on damage.

B Attacks:
Regular B - Thunder Jolt, which is almost useless except for spamming. It's good for quick damage and to thwart and opponent's charge attack (i.e., Ike's Side+B), though. A good strategy is to jump, use Thunder Jolt in midair to cause your opponent to stagger, then do a quick follow-up with his Forward A aerial attack.
Up+B - recovery move, called Quick Attack. If you tilt the control stick in one direction and then quickly into another after the first, he will go in that direction as well, making this a 2-move recovery. Most people only use it for recovery, but if you use it on the stage to go past your opponent, not only will you catch them off guard but also cause electric damage. Great for Side Smash follow-up, if you're close enough.
Side+B - Skull Bash, which makes Pikachu fly at his foe with his head. If you hold Side+B for a minute, Pikachu will charge this attack, causing more damage if it hits. However, this move is easily thwarted, and best used for stage recovery or if your opponent if trying to recover.
Down+B - Thunder, a very powerful move that has a high KO potential. It takes a few seconds for the move to connect, which gives your opponent time to dodge and counter. However, if you used this as a follow-up move to his Up Throw or Up Smash, it has a higher chance of hitting. When the Thunder hits Pikachu, though, it causes sparks around his body that make him invulnerable to damage for a second, and the sparks will cause high damage to opponents and send them flying. Try to connect with this part, if possible.

Smash Attacks:
Pikachu may not be a heavy hitter in terms of regular attacks, but his Smash attacks are beyond par for a light-weight character.
Up Smash - Makes Pikachu flip backwards to kick his opponent skyward. Does moderate damage, and easily followed by Thunder or to start juggling.
Down Smash - Pikachu spins around on the floor and sparks, reeling in any nearby enemy and causing a good amount of electric damage. The opponent can't do anything while caught in this attack. Spam it as much as you can. Follow-up with a throw, if you can't Smash again without getting hit.
Side Smash - Pikachu sends a small jolt of electricity out of his cheeks, causing moderate damage. This attack is useful for edge guarding, but has a higher KO potential if you hit your opponent with the END of Pikachu's thunder jolt. Easily followed by Up Smash, or Up aerial attack.

Final Smash: Volt Tackle
Pikachu's Final Smash is his patented Volt Tackle. He turns into an electric ball that you can control and fly around the screen with. You can also hit the A button the cause sparks to fly out to hit nearby foes that you miss. This move is incredibly difficult to control, and is not recommended for people who haven't practiced using it. Has moderate KO potential.

Advanced Strategies:
Start the match off spamming Thunder Jolt, unless your opponent can Counter or absorb projectile attacks or have a Shield (Pit). When your opponent makes it past your Jolt barrage, then you can try to grab them into an Up Throw, and follow with Thunder. Now you may want to chase them, wherever they went, and use Forward Aerial attack for extra damage, or try juggling them with Up Aerial, your choice. If they attack you after your Thunder, you most likely have the time to dodge and counter with more Thunder Jolts. If they land back on the stage, try a Down Throw and follow with a Down Smash, then chase them for an Up Smash and maybe a Thunder if they don't move quick enough. If they're trying to recover, spam Thunder Jolt if they're down below the stage and trying to use their Up+B, or try a Side Smash if they recover too high. If they grab the edge, simply spam Thunder Jolt again to either make them fall or make them get back on the stage. (More advanced strats to come)