Pokemon: Close Combat/Poliwrath

Archetype:	Zoner/Mixup
Health:	31
Guard Health:	13
Walk Speed:	4.3/-3.0
Prejump Frames:	6
Fastest Attack:	5A (7f)

Stream-lined for combat.

Introduction

The Gen 1 amphibian wonder joins the roster as Fighter #11!

Being amphibious isn't just flavour; Poliwrath is well adapted for all the ebbs and flows of combat having offensive and defensive tools at every range.

Although its damage output and movement seem below average at first, like its pollywog cousins, it quickly develops into a fighter of frightening speed and power. Power-Up Punch strengthens all of its punching attacks every time it connects, and setting up a Whirlpool allows Poliwrath to Dive underwater and cross the stage at speeds that would make G.Zapdos dizzy!

If you're a more cautious type of player, you can choose to blow Bubbles and watch your opponent dash themselves against the rocks of your defense.

There's something for everyone here so we hope you give Poliwrath a spin!

Playstyle

Poliwrath is a tricky zoner that can use his strong space-control tools to set up advantageous positions for himself.

Pick if you like	Avoid if you dislike
Bubble Trouble: Poliwrath's 5B/4B are top-notch projectiles, lingering on screen for a long time and enabling approaches/conversions. Thoroughly Painful Throw: Poliwrath's Forward Throw can be C-Cancelled, enabling a very strong combo afterward. Rough Rapids: Hitting low multiple times and pulling the opponent towards him, Poliwrath's Whirlpool is a nightmare to deal with as a defender.	Anti-Air Issues: Poliwrath's grounded anti-airs are slow and do not yield high reward on hit. Poliwrath can alleviate this issue by going for air-to-airs, but that requires him to be preemptive. Cooking Time: Poliwrath's Power-Up mechanic leads to huge damage, but he starts each round with 0 stacks.

Normals

5A	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 1 0 Mid 5AA, Special - - Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 7 2 13 +1 [+3] - Total: 21 A quick slap, Poliwrath's main combo-starter and quickest button to challenge.
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5AA	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 1 1 Mid Special - - Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 4 3 19 +1 [-4] - Total: 25 Poliwrath slaps again, letting you hit confirm into specials.
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4A

Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 2+1 2+2 Mid C-Cancel (First-Hit) - Knockdown (Air Hit) Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 16 24 17 +10 [+5] - Total: 56 Poliwrath chops the space in front of him, knocking the opponent out of the sky. Extremely advantageous, allowing Poliwrath to continue pressure afterwards. Tons of active frames, hitting late into the animation will allow Poliwrath's frame data to skyrocket. Allows for a link into 2a in the corner.

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6A Duff City	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 2-6 1 Mid C-Cancel, Special - - Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 11 8 24 +6 [+1] - Total: 42 A powerful punch, Poliwrath's safest poke. Damage increases with each stock of Power-Up Punch. Very damaging combo ender when cancelled into Power-Up Punch.
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2A	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 1 0 Low Special, 2AA - - Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 8 5 12 +3 [+1] - Total: 24 A kick at the opponent's feet. Essential pressure button, very useful in strike-throw & preventing the opponent from holding up-back.
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2AA	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 1 1 Low - - Knockdown Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 16 12 33 +43 [-27] - Total: 60 Sweep follow-up to 2A. Builds a bar on hit, but very unsafe on block.
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3A	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 2 1 Low - - Knockdown Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 17 44 17 +27 [-43] - Total: 77 Poliwrath slips and slides on his belly nearly fullscreen. Builds a bar on hit, but very unsafe on block. Can be made safe on block by hitting with the tip of its range, or by placing a hazard behind the opponent.
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j5A Omni-Man Fortnite	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 2 0 High - - - Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 15 17 6 +20 [+11] - Total: 37 Standard jump-in, Poliwrath kicks forward midair. Frame data assumes hitting at lowest possible height. Juggles very well from air-to-air j.B. Can cross-up.
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j2A	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 2 0 High - - - Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 8 ∞ 16 +10 [+1] - Total: 60 Poliwrath cuts his air momentum and bellyflops towards the ground. Frame data assumes hitting at lowest possible height. Can cross up, easier than with j5A. Usually minus on block/unable to combo on hit, despite the frame data.
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44 ivan might go to hell for this one	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 1 q High - Throw Backdash Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 9 10 22 -9 [-7] - Total: 40 Poliwrath shoots water jets from his hands, propelling him backward. Antiairs surprisingly well, great way to protect yourself while running away midscreen. Punishable on hit and block when Poliwrath is cornered.
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Specials

Bubble Gun 5B	Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 1 1 Mid 426B, C-Cancel - Projectile Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 16 90(172);4 54 -5 [-14] - Total: 164 Poliwrath makes a finger gun and shoots a bubble. Advantage assumes done point blank. Can be input with 4B, which makes the projectile slower and last longer but not go full screen.

Power-Up Punch 6B

Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 3-7 2 Mid C-Cancel - Knockdown Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 19 21 25 +41 [-14] - Total: 64 Poliwrath lunges forward with a huge uppercut. Key combo ender, able to be combo'd from any of Poli's cancellable normals. Landing a hit of this special causes Poliwrath to flex, gaining a stock of Power-Up. Does more damage with more stocks of Power-Up. The post-move flex is not performed on block, or when Poliwrath is already at max stacks of Power-Up (4).

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Poli-Whirlpool 2B

Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 1x4 1x4 Low - - Pull Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 29 10;10;10;10 25 +41 [-14] - Total: 93 Poliwrath spins on the spot, summoning a whirlpool beneath him. Incredible pressure tool, with multiple low hits for the opponent to deal with. Pulls the opponent towards the origin of the whirlpool on hit. Adds damage to any grounded combo Poliwrath can manage to sneak it into.

River Dive 2B

Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property - - - 2BB Full (during swim) Teleport Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 47-80 - 28 - - Total: 74 Poliwrath dives into his whirlpool, swimming underneath the stage. Startup range is shortest to longest possible. Very solid get-out-of-jail option to escape bad positioning, but requires whirlpool to be up to utilize. Can be performed from the air, but will have increased startup due to additional time diving. Has some recovery post-teleport, making it easier for the opponent to challenge if done close-by.

River Dive (Punch) 2BB

Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 3-7 1 Mid - - Knockdown Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 54-87 15 53 - - Total: 121 Poliwrath breaches after diving with a massive uppercut. Startup range is shortest to longest possible. Damage increases with stacks of Power-Up. Can cross-up. Very unsafe on block, but a great surprise tool when your opponent attempts to check the teleport.

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Belly Bubble jB

Damage Endurance Damage Guard Cancel Invul Property 2 1 Mid - - Knockdown Startup Active Recovery Advantage Cost 11 39 22 +21 [+17] - Total: 71 Poliwrath bounces off a bubble he creates in mid-air. Changes Poliwrath's air momentum, making him stall and bounce forward. Poliwrath is fully actionable after recovery, allowing for further pressure. Huge hitbox, this move is a fantastic air-to-air and anti-air bait. Juggle afterwards enables easy combos into jA.

Colors

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  (A)

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  (B)