Shulk

Shulk (シュルク Shuruku) is the main protagonist of Xenoblade Chronicles appearing as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. He was officially confirmed on August 29th, 2014, during a Nintendo 3DS Direct. Shulk wields the Monado, an ancient sword that gives him various special abilities. His moveset revolves around the sword, attacking with beams that come from it and using its arts to power himself up; he can also use it to see the future.

Monado Arts
Monado Arts is Shulk's default neutral special move in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Pressing the button allows the player to cycle through several arts, shown as kanji behind him. Remaining on one causes Shulk's attributes to change, buffing one of his stats but decreasing others. After an art has been used, Shulk cannot use it again immediately after. The Monado arts are:


 * 翔 (Jump): Lets Shulk jump higher, but lowers his defense.
 * 疾 (Speed): Lets Shulk run faster, but weakens his attacks.
 * 盾 (Shield): Raises Shulk's defense, but causes him to move slower.
 * 斬 (Buster): Raises Shulk's attack power, but decreases his launching power.
 * 撃 (Smash): Raises Shulk's launching power, but decreases his attack and defense against launching.

Back Slash
Back Slash is Shulk's default side special attack. When used, Shulk leaps up and forward a short distance, swinging the Monado down on opponents with a red beam. The attack deals more damage when it strikes an opponents from behind.

Air Slash
Air Slash is Shulk's default up special move. Shulk rises into the air by swinging his sword up, lifting opponents up with them. If the player presses again while in midair, he attacks a second time.

Vision
Vision is Shulk's default down special attack. Shulk braces himself for an attack, after which he delivers a counterattack to the opponent, a counter similar to the Fire Emblem characters.

The first custom variant of this attack is Dash Vision, which allows Shulk to move through an enemy when counterattacking. The second variant is Power Vision, which delivers a more powerful counterattack, though it is less effective when used repeatedly.

Chain Attack
Chain Attack is Shulk's Final Smash. After collecting a Smash Ball, Shulk traps any nearby opponents, then calls Riki and Dunban to him. The three then start to repeatedly attack them until Shulk delivers the final attack, launching them.

Trivia

 * Months before Shulk's official reveal, his English voice actor, Adam Howden, stated on Twitter that he was doing voiceover work for a game, but couldn't reveal what it was at the time.