Super Naruto: Clash of Ninja 4/Shikamaru

Summary

One of the most improved characters in the jump from Vanilla to Super, Shikamaru now augments his rangy normals and high damage with a variety of quality-of-life improvements, quicker super activations and more versatile and effective wisdom stance (4A). Shikamaru is known for his teleport attacks and one of the strongest oki tools in the game: his unblockable 2X shadow jutsu.

Unique Mechanics

Auto Dodge

Shikamaru is so lazy that sometimes, he will reflexively dodge incoming attacks instead of putting in the effort to block them. The dodge has a couple of unique animations that all take as long as the would-be blockstun of the attack, so the frame advantage is the same as if he did block it, but he does not suffer any guard gauge damage while dodging. Shikamaru does not dodge if he would block an attack that pushes or lifts on block, nor does he dodge if he is close to the stage's wall. He also cannot block projectiles. Aside from those restrictions, any blockable attack can be dodged, including moves that would otherwise instant guard break such as Zabuza's charged .

To complement this, Shikamaru also has the worst health guard bar in the game alongside this gimmick, meaning that getting cornered spells trouble for him very quickly, especially against characters that have potent blockstrings and guard damage like OTK Naruto and CS2 Sasuke. He also still receives chip damage when dodging, so it won't save him from checkmate scenarios and chip-out kills.

Wisdom Stance

Instead of having a traditional counter, Shikamaru's puts him into his wisdom stance that he's known for in the series. From the stance, he can use different buttons and directions to perform various teleport actions:

• teleports behind the enemy with a descending aerial dive.
• teleports behind the enemy on the ground with a running kunai slash.
  • can be held to reverse the direction of a teleport attack.
• teleports in front of the enemy with no attack.
• teleports behind the enemy with no attack.
• is also super-cancellable with or , allowing Shikamaru to combo into supers.
• cancels the stance.

Shikamaru's teleport attacks are powerful as they can track the opponent and can lead to combos, though he can be punished if the opponent avoids the attack by sidestepping or otherwise moving out of the way. If the enemy is avoiding teleport attacks, Shikamaru can mix them up by using his "empty" teleport, . If he has his back to the enemy, he can use instead. (stance cancel) helps Shikamaru quickly return to neutral while threatening a teleport attack and to bait his opponent's twitch reactions if they prematurely anticipate an attack.

Shikamaru
Health:	210
Guard Gauge:	1520
Backdash Type:	Normal

String List

String #	Inputs	Notes
01		Cancellable at ()
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
01		Switches sides with the first move.
02
03		Switches sides with the first move.
04
05		Switches sides with the first move.
06
07		Switches sides with the first move.
08
09		Switches sides with the first move.
10
11		Switches sides with the first move.
12
13		Switches sides with the first move.
14
15		Switches sides with the first move.
16
17
18		Switches sides.
19		Requires 100% meter to be used.
20		Requires 75% meter to be used.

Weak Attacks

5B

Nutcracker File:SCON4 Shikamaru 5B.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 5B hitbox.png

Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block 13 Mid 14 3 37 - - -3 -19 Can go into () on whiff. Furthest reaching in the game, though it has a long recovery. Taken on its own merits, likely the best mid jab in the game. Use this button worry-free since its mid property and low attack angle can't be crushed or low profiled, invalidating many of his opponents' mix-up and defensive options. Notably, it connects with squatting opponents (such as during jump landing) and is lengthy enough to catch normal backdash.

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6B

Slide File:SCON4 Shikamaru 6B.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 6B hitbox.png

Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block 17 Low 19 4 27 - - - -12 Sliding kick which high crushes and sweeps which is very good for tracking down backturned opponents and starting a combo. Can be used defensively to escape from attackers behind Shikamaru, while simultaneously mashing for a throw break. 6B is safe on block against most characters. When blocked, 6BB and 6BBA function as high crushing, string mix-ups to punish an enemy rebuttal, though both follow-ups have worse frame advantage and may be unsafe. Convert to a full combo with Flag Data High Crush frames 12~34

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2B

Sweep File:SCON4 Shikamaru 2B.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 2B hitbox.png

Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block 13 Low 20 4 28 - - - -13 Sweeps with his foot. Decent high crush neutral poke which is safe against most opponents. Slower but has better range and recovery than . Has on whiff. Good combo starter, especially for backturned hits, and leads to high damage combo filler: Flag Data High Crush frames 11~37

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4B

Guard Frame Kick File:SCON4 Shikamaru 4B.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 4B hitbox.png

Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block 16 Mid 31 2 - - - -3 to +9 (stagger) -11 Rears back and kicks. Mediocre guard frames but has a high crush right before the hitbox comes out. Staggers on hit and leads to stance. Teleport string follow-ups allow Shikamaru to win duels after a clash. At center stage, most other 4B strings whiff if used to guard an attack which pushes on block. Shika's 4B teleport strings may allow him to punish certain strings or at least reposition behind the opponent. Flag Data High Crush frames 19~27

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8B

Uppercut File:SCON4 Shikamaru 8B.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 8B hitbox.png

Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block 15 Mid 16 6 25 - - - -19 Shikamaru leaps upwards striking with his arm. Fast high crush (frame 8), causes the spinning launch effect and combos into and . Can combo directly to 2X if the opponent is juggled high in the air. Due to its high launch, can be used as a front sub setup. BB (-6) to 8B (f8 high crush) can punish enemies with slower, high jabs who attempt to take back their turn and conveniently may also catch a sidestep anticipating BB(B/A). 8B can cross up a jumping defender. This comes up more often at the wall where the opponent cannot jump back. While unsafe, Shika can protect himself by threatening the A follow-up (up shuriken). The sequence of 8B recovery to 8A startup is throwable, so Shika may need to mash for a throw break. Flag Data High Crush frames 8~15 Low Crush frames 16~40

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Running B

File:SCON4 Shikamaru runB.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru runB hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - +23 -3 Running overhead kick. Leads to stance. Staggers on hit. Good for chasing down running, backturned opponents. Not a great option for attacking front-facing opponents due to its long wind up. Stop and jab instead or cross them up with a teleport.
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j.B

Divekick File:SCON4 Shikamaru jB.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru jB hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - - -4 Slow but damaging divekick. Spinning launch. Leads to stance. Like other slow divekicks, can potentially be used backturned to avoid and punish an incoming attack from the rear.
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Strong Attacks

5A

Shuriken File:SCON4 Shikamaru 5A.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 5A hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - +4 (point-blank) - A normal shuriken throw and one of the weakest in the game due to a long recovery and low damage. Charged throws a horizontal shuriken spread, potentially catching sidesteps.
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6A

Skullcrusher File:SCON4 Shikamaru 6A.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 6A hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - - -13 Lunging kunai overhead. Groundbounces. Too slow to use in most scenarios. Can usually be used as a high damage, auto-timed 2X follow-up, though it leaves the opponent the ability to tech roll recovery before a combo can be started.
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2A

Ankle Shank File:SCON4 Shikamaru 2A.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 2A hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - - -14 High crushes and sweeps but inferior to , and in almost every way.
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4A

Wisdom Stance File:SCON4 Shikamaru 4A.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 4A hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - - - Shikamaru enters his thinking stance. See description above.
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8A

Up Shuriken File:SCON4 Shikamaru 8A.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 8A hitbox.png

Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - -3 (point-blank) -20 Standard up-shuriken. A fast anti-air which may convert into a combo, especially when used to call out jumps in backturned situations. Its quickness can protect Shikamaru against a tall, attacking opponent on the ground, though he will be at frame disadvantage even on hit.

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Running A

File:SCON4 Shikamaru runA.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru runA hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - - -20 Running kunai slash. Launches on hit and leads to stance.
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j.A

Air shuriken File:SCON4 Shikamaru jA.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru jA hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block - - - - - - - - - Standard air shanks. A great "universal" tool which can punish many blockstrings which lift the defender in the air.
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Throws

5Y

File:SCON4 Shikamaru 5Y.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block 20 - 1 1 48 - - - - Standard Throw

Special

5X

File:SCON4 Shikamaru 5X.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 5X hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block 5, 70 - - - - - - - - Requires 100% meter Can be done from stance.
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2X

File:SCON4 Shikamaru 2X.png File:SCON4 Shikamaru 2X hitbox.png	Damage Hit Level Startup Active Frames Recovery Guard Damage Blockstun Advantage on Hit Advantage on Block 32 - - - - - - - - Requires 75% meter. Can be done from stance. Unblockable, resets the combo counter and disables KNJ until the victim lands or is hit. Shikamaru recovers more quickly when further from the opponent.
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Strategy

Strengths

Between his rangy normals, mid jab and high crushes, Shikamaru is highly effective at mid-range and can be difficult to approach.

• Some of the longest ranging normal attacks in the game (notably and ).
• is a mid and hits close to the ground, snuffing out high crushes and low profiles.
• Several good high crushes:
  • : Quickest (crushes on frame 8) and can be used to break up slow strings or delayed string pressure.
  • : Lower commitment because Shikamaru sweeps his foot away from his body. Used as a poke in neutral.
  • : Long range attack which can whiff punish or surprise an unsuspecting opponent.
• can also be used when Shikamaru is backturned to quickly slide away from the opponent. Be aware that many characters can punish this if they anticipate it.
• Shikamaru hits hard. is one of the better combo filler loops in the game and is a great whiff punish starter.
• Stance teleports, most often , can be used to punish substitutions.
• punishes jump back.
• Grounded and can "checkmate" the opponent, catching them even if they ground KNJ (see the chart to the side for which characters can substitute against ).
• links to combos, primarily with and . It can also cross-up if Shikamaru manages to get under a jumping opponent.
• Shikamaru has a unique mechanic when blocking. He will dodge physical attacks when on the ground and not next to the wall and not take guard damage, though he still takes chip damage.
  • Shikamaru can dodge auto-guard breaks such as Might Guy , CS2 Sasuke and Zabuza .

Weaknesses

• Shikamaru does not threaten opponents on block due to low guard damage and the escapability of his strings.
  • (-6) is his only safe blockstring. (-13) and (-12) may be safe depending on the opposing character.
  • Poor continuations make Shikamaru's block strings predictable and easy for the opponent to take back their turn or punish.
• A near-complete lack of strings which can be performed on whiff make his buttons high commitment and his whiffs easier to punish as compared to characters which can continue strings on whiff.
• Teleport attacks can be sidestepped, jumped or otherwise avoided and punished.
• Shikamaru is a low health, low guard character. His dodge mechanic does not work when he is in the vicinity of the wall, so his guard may be broken easily.
• His slow , slow and lack of a true reversal make him vulnerable to guard pressure from certain characters, especially when is ineffective.
• His only button/string starters which can be -cancelled in combos are and the very situational .

2X Usage

Chart showing which opponents can ground KNJ out of Shikamaru's
, assuming their KNJ starts after 2X does.

is a powerful oki option. While it loses to wake-up-kick (WUK), when properly spaced it is unavoidable and leads to a combo.

• Common ways to land the super include:
  • Combos: or up to about 7 or 8 hits.
  • directly into (at the total cost of 100% chakra) to access from other combo points or at higher combo counts.
  • Throw > is guaranteed.
  • Backdash or walk backwards at the end of a combo to space outside of WUK range.
  • to avoid a WUK- an immediate should catch the opponent before they can jump.
  • If a recovery roll is predicted, Shikamaru can run forward to chase the roll and .
  • In some situations close to the wall, Shikamaru can move backwards while staying close enough to regardless of whether the opponent tech rolls or not.
• After being captured by , the victim cannot KNJ until landing or being hit.
• resets the combo counter. Landing a leads to a punish mix as the opponent will need to sub if Shikamaru commits to a combo.
• The opponent will very often have enough chakra to KNJ after a so Shikamaru should put thought into his follow-up as to not be punished with a KNJ at low chakra.
• Shikamaru has several options for his follow-up attack to :
  • : The most common follow-up at short range. Decent damage, quick recovery and threatens a combo.
  • : The easiest button to time and can be -cancelled. has a quick recovery.
  • : On the safer side for a Shikamaru string. Can be used as a lower committal way to score extra damage and build chakra.
  • : Most damage in a single hit and can potentially combo to , but the opponent can tech roll recovery the bounce.
• The amount of time Shikamaru has between the animation and the victim reappearing will depend on the distance from the opponent. If Shikamaru is farther away, he may have time for one of:
  • , and : Strong attacks which threaten an extended combo.
  • : If the opponent does not have enough chakra to KnJ.

Other Notes

• punishes all of Sasuke's options after blocking his . This can also work against CS2 Sasuke, though loses to his .
• low profiles Shino's
• covers Itachi's strike/throw mix after and beats .

Colors

Default ()

Chunin Exams ()

Shippuden ()

Shikadai ()

Changes from Vanilla

• HP increased from 200 to 210
• Grabbable Moves: 8A, JA
• 5BB(A): launches with more lift, one frame less on the hitbox
• has faster action and high crushes at frame 6; can super cancel into 5X and 2X
• now teleports Shikamaru behind the enemy, instead of in front
• SB(B) more lift on hit
• SBB(B) replaced with SABB(B)
• SABB(B) deals more damage
• SA(A) now staggers
• SAA(A) replaced with 8A
• can be held to reverse teleport attack directions
• added
• added
• sped up
• Teleport strings are now true combos, instead of being side-steppable with a fast mash on hit (due to the stagger effect)
• replaced with modified from Vanilla; 8BA follow up after landing
• sweeps instead of a grounded hit; less lift
• 6B(B) has more lift
• 2BBB(B) ends sooner and has more lift
• RB: starts up three frames later
• sped up by four frames
• has less super freeze and comes out faster, can move faster when hitting from further away than right next to the opponent, opponent falls slower, opponent cannot sub until they hit the ground or are hit; resets combo counter
• is now possible
• is now subbable after the enemy hits the ground or is hit

Resources

Guides and Info

• Boocock's Shikamaru fundies introduction
• Clemente's written Shikamaru guide
• Shikamaru defensive tech in SCON4

Gameplay footage

• Clemente vs FlareHazard (2x), CopyCatNinja, & Paradise 12/28/20‎ (vs Tenten, Iruka, Kakashi, Jiraiya)
• Clemente vs HebrewHammer (Bi-weekly 6 GF) (vs Ino‎
• Clemente vs HebrewHammer 4/27/21 (Casuals) (vs Neji, Anko, Ino)
• Clemente vs Hebrew Hammer 5/15/21 (Casuals) (vs Tsunade, Ino, Neji)
• Clemente vs Underscore 6/17/21 (Casuals) (vs Tenten)
• NA Biweekly 26: Kyuubi vs Cozy (vs OTK Naruto, Haku)
• NA Biweekly 28: Kyuubi vs. Jakyi2x (vs Sakura), Clemente vs. Ninshi (vs Kakashi), and Clemente vs. HebrewHammer (vs Kidomaru)
• NA Biweekly 30: Clemente vs Renz0 (vs Anko), vs HebrewHammer (vs Kidomaru, Ino), vs FlareHazard I (vs Tenten), vs Ricky Ant (vs Kimimaro, Itachi) and vs FlareHazard II (vs Tenten)
• Clemente vs Snover (Summer Clash) (vs Tenten)
• Clemente vs Malex BlueMageWhen SCON Weekly #2 (10/4/22) (vs Kisame, Tsunade)