Greninja is one of the newest fighters and comes from the most recent game, Pokémon X and Y. Just like in Pokémon, Greninja is very fast. He can jump around the battlefield and knock people out in a flash.
His special customizations can also power up his attacks to do more damage at the cost of speed. Which variant is best for Greninja? It depends on the situation and I’m here to explain each one to you.
This guide will cover all of Greninja’s Special variants including:
- Specials List – Every special variant and what they do.
- Tips – What each variant is good for and which situation to use each in.
Greninja Specials
Neutral – Water Shuriken
- Water Shuriken – Fires a shuriken of water straight ahead. Charge it to make it bigger.
- Stagnant Shuriken – Fires a water shuriken that hovers in place wherever it is created.
- Shifting Shuriken – Two different types of shurikens are available, depending on whether you tap or hold the button.
Water Shuriken Tips
- The Water Shuriken is best if you want the most range. When fully charged, it goes farther and hits multiple times.
- Stagnant Shuriken is best used in close combat fights. If you don’t care about range, this one will hover in place and hit multiple times. Also great as a trap and keeping someone away from the edge.
- Shifting Shuriken doesn’t charge up, instead it either knocks the opponent straight up in the air if you tap the button, or to the side if you hold it. Tapping it can set the opponent up for air attacks. Great for aerial fighters.
Side – Shadow Sneak
- Shadow Sneak – Sends a shadow on the ground, Release the button to warp to that point with an attack.
- Shadow Strike – Slower, more powerful version of Shadow Sneak.
- Shadow Dash – Instantly warp a set distance. Faster than a normal Shadow Sneak.
Shadow Sneak Tips
- Shadow Sneak is best when you want to move fast, but still want to control where you go.
- Shadow Strike is the way to go when you want the strongest version of the attack. It will slow you down for sure, but the power is much higher. Pick this when you going for a high damage build.
- If you just want to take advantage of Greninja’s speed, Shadow Dash is for you. You can’t control how far you go, but you can instantly warp around the battlefield, tripping opponents up.
Up – Hydro Pump
- Hydro Pump – Fires a powerful water jet, propelling you whichever direction you have pressed.
- High-Capacity Pump – Fires two jets for a bigger boost. Slower than Hydro Pump, but easier to control.
- Single-Shot Pump – Rocket skyward with a single short blast. Travels high, but you can’t change direction.
Hydro Pump Tips
- Hydro Pump is similar to Pikachu’s default Quick Attack. You can move quickly twice in whichever direction you choose. Best for the most speed while still having control.
- High-Capacity Pump is best for having the most control and travelling the farthest. Even though it is slower, it offers the best recovery when knocked far from the stage.
- Choose Single-Shot Pump when all you want is the height. This will save you when you need to get back up to the stage in an instant.
Down – Substitute
- Substitute – Evade an incoming attack by summoning a substitute, and then counterattack.
- Exploding Attack – Vanish momentarily, and then reappear with a powerful explosion. Not a counterattack.
- Substitute Ambush – Slower, more powerful version of Substitute.
Substitute Tips
- Use Substitute when you want to counter people quickly.
- Exploding Attack is a great alternative to counter. This lets you have an extra attack on Greninja, without waiting to counter.
- Substitute Ambush is for the all-out attack Greninja fighter. Even though it is slower, it hits hard.
Recommended Build
- Stagnant Shuriken/Shifting Shuriken
- Shadow Strike
- High-Capacity Pump
- Substitute Ambush
I put equips that raise Greninja’s Speed, but keep my attack and defense positive. Greninja’s already fast, but the extra Speed makes up for the slow versions of his specials that I use.
This gives me more attack power without sacrificing too much speed. I use either Stagnant or Shifting depending on the situation.
If I plan on staying close to the fighter, I use Stagnant to keep constant hits and to help keep people from jumping up to the ledge when they are underneath.
I use Shifting when I want a more aerial approach and plan on knocking them up in the air more often. This also goe well with equips that increase aerial damage.
That’s it for my Greninja Specials Customization Guide. I’d love to hear what your builds for Greninja are! Be sure to check out my Smash Run Info and Tips to help unlock all the specials.
