By Shulk was announced as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. today, and following the reveal, director Masahiro Sakurai took to Miiverse to post some detailed facts about how he plays.
“From Xenoblade Chronicles, Shulk joins the battle!! He’s not the type of character that would usually appear in the Smash Bros. series, but we worked really hard to make it happen,” Sakurai wrote. “We’re very happy with how he turned out. This stage is Gaur Plain.”
“Shulk’s sword, the Monado, slashes enemies with a beam when activated, so it can strike from long range,” Sakurai explained in a follow-up comment.
“What really makes this weapon unique is that when the Monado Arts are activated, it can change Shulk’s features and abilities! Emerge victorious in battle by changing your abilities strategically!!”
Sakurai then went on to provide a rundown of what each Monado art does.
[List of Monado Arts]
翔 (Jump): higher jumps, lower defense.
疾 (Speed): faster movement, weaker attacks.
盾(Shield): higher defense, slower movement.
斬(Buster): stronger attacks, weaker launch ability.
撃(Smash): Stronger launch ability, weaker attacks, lower defense against launching.
Super Smash Bros. will be released for Nintendo 3DS on October 3rd. The Wii U version of the game will be released this Holiday.
