What's up, Brawlers? This month on Brawl Tactics, I will be continuing our three part series on the Pokemon Trainer with his second Pokemon, Ivysaur!
Ivysaur is a medium-sized Brawler that doesn't move too terribly fast. You wouldn't, either, if you had a plant that was almost half your size growing out of your back, so don't be too hard on it. Its jump is not too impressive, either, but it packs a decent punch for a second evolution Pokemon.
Ivysaur's Standard Special is Bullet Seed. In the Pokemon series, it's a basic grass-type move that deals up to five attacks in a single turn. Here, you only get one round of seeds, but it's a quick, solid attack. I would recommend using it several times in a row on an opponent who is above you (as that's the only way this attack can shoot), to get a good combo in with one of your standard attacks. If you can figure out a good rhythm with Ivysaur and the B button, you can get a pretty steady flow of seeds going.
Ivysaur's Side Special is Razor Leaf. In the Pokemon series, this is one move every grass-starter learns as it is leveling up, and it is a good move to learn. In Brawl, however, it's slow and a little lame. And you only get one leaf. What's up with that? Anyways, I suggest using this move after you've pulled your foe close and pummelled them using your other moves. Otherwise, they will be able to get away from your attack.
Ivysaur's Up Special is Vine Whip. This is a special move because it can also be used as a grapple for a third jump. When you're near the edge of the stage, try this move and Ivysaur will grab the ledge, and you will be able to pull yourself back up. In the Pokemon series, this move is also a grass-starter move, and a good one at that. When you are using it as an attack, you can whip your opponent senseless. Get them with the end of the vine. That hurts. It always hurt more when someone hits you with the tip of a whip. The long reach of this attack makes it a good one to use if you're trying not to get too close to your opponent but you still want to take a crack at them.
Ivysaur's Down Special is Pokemon Change. It's just like Squirtle's. You will call Ivysaur back and Charizard will come out. Like Squirtle, Ivysaur gets temporary invincibility when it is using this move, but it won't last, so don't get cocky.
Ivysaur contributes to the Triple Finish Final Smash that all three Pokemon share. It fires a continuous SolarBeam on opponents, which can be incredibly hard to get away from, so don't get caught up in it or you will regret it. It pulls you in and you will be stuck. So aim carefully when you are using Triple Finish.
That's all for me this month, Brawlers! Tune in next month for another edition of BRAWL TACTICS!