Robin Guide: Matchup Chart and Combos

This is a guide to using Robin in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Robin's bread and butter combos, how to unlock, frame data, alt costumes and skins, as well as Robin's matchups, counters, and tier list placement can all be found here.

Robin Tier and Overview

Stats and General Info

Robin
Game Series	Fire Emblem
Smash Bros. Debut	Super Smash Bros. for WiiU/3DS
Fighter Number	56
Unlock Order	53
Number of Jumps	2
Weight	95 Units (44/87)
Dash Speed	1.265 (88/87)
Air Speed	1.05 (43/87)
Fast Fall Speed	2.4 (57/87)
Special Attributes	None

Tier List Placement

Tier

A fighter with powerful ranged magic

Smash Ultimate Robin excels in zoning out opponents through use of their neutral and side specials, which can keep opponents from getting in too close. Robin's Levin sword is also quite powerful, giving Robin access to combos and KO options. Their unique property lies in the fact that their weapons have durability and will be discarded after running out. When this happens, the weapons can be caught and used as items (meaning thrown at the opponent or comboed from).

Robin's main weakness is their poor mobility, with one of the slowest dash speeds in the game. They have poor out of shield options, meaning that they are unable to punish characters with decent frame data who attack their shield. Their recovery is also limitedーthey can be edgeguarded somewhat easily, and they will be in big trouble if it runs out. Robin players need to zone their opponents out for the most part, and only move in when a good opportunity presents itself.

See Our Tier List Here!

Robin's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths	・Excellent range on their neutral special ・Very powerful aerial attacks ・Can KO confirm easily from their side B
Weaknesses	・Limited recovery and easily edgeguarded ・Rather low damage output ・Weak grab game ・Extremely poor mobility

Robin Matchup Chart

Matchup Chart

-2
-1
0
+1
+2

Notes About Matchup Chart

1. -2 = Disadvantage. -1 = Slight Disadvantage or Even. 0 = Even. +1 = Slight Advantage or Even. +2 = Advantage.
2. The matchup chart was based around both the opinions of professional players of each character, as well as our own experience through playing Robin.
3. Characters within each tier are unordered
4. Pokemon Trainer's individual Pokemon (Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard) as well as Echo fighters with no significant difference than their regular counterpart are not shown.
5. For other characters who are not shown here, we are still investigating the matchup.

Robin Combos

Combo List
Up Tilt┳Up Tilt（20%~70%） 　　 ┗Up Smash（20%~90%）
Fair┳Dash Attack（0%~30%） 　　┗ Fair（0%~20%）
Bair ━ Dash Attack (0%~20%）
Up Air┳Up Tilt（0%~30%, Levin 0%~10%） 　 ┣Down Smash（%~20%, Levin 0%~10%) 　 ┣ Nair（0%~80%, Levin 0%~50%） 　┗Up Air（0%~90%,Levin 0%~50%）
Side Special┳Fair━Fair（0%~10%） 　 ┣Up Smash 　 ┣Jump Side Special━Up Air 　 ┗Jump Down Special
Down Throw ┳ Up Tilt（0%~10%） 　　　┗ Nair (Up Air) (20%~60%）

Combo Explanation 1

Combo Explanation 2

Robin Frame Data and Moveset

Best Out of Shield Options

Move	Frames
Up B	8 Frames
Neutral Air	10 Frames
Item Throw (Forward)	10 Frames
Shield Grab	11 Frames
Up Smash	12 Frames
Back Air	12 Frames

Robin's lack of good out of shield options could be considered one of their main weaknesses. Their up special is a somewhat quick out of shield tool, but it needs to be angled behind Robin in order to hit an opponent in front of them, and it will also leave them in helplessness and put them in disadvantage, making it a big committment. With an item (such as a tome or sword) in hand, they can throw forward in just 10 frames. Generally neutral air is the go-to out of shield option, although at 10 frames, it's not exactly the quickest OOS option out there.

About the Levin Sword and Tomes

Levin Sword

Used during smash attacks and aerials Very high damage and knockback Can be used eight times before breaking Cannot be used for 10 seconds after breaking After breaking, it can be caught and used as a throwable item While the Levin Sword is broken, using smash attacks and aerials will allow it to recharge quicker While broken, KOing an opponent will refill half of the gauge After getting KO'ed, Robin will be able to use the Levin Sword again right away Robin will use the bronze sword for jabs, tilts, and dash attack (even if the Levin Sword is available)

Tomes

Can use Thunder, Arcfire, Elwind, and Nosferatu Tomes Neutral Special uses the Thunder Tome The 3rd hit of Jab and Side Special use the Arcfire Tome Jab Jab and Up Special use the Elwind Tome Down Special uses the Nosferatu Tome Thunder can be used 20 / 7 / 4 / 3 Times (depending on charge), and takes 12 seconds to recharge Arcfire can be used 12 / 6 Times (for jab / side special respectively), and takes 12 seconds to recharge Elwind can be used 5 times, and takes 6 seconds to recharge Nosferatu can be used 3 times, and takes 30 seconds to recharge After breaking, tomes can be caught and used as throwable items While broken, KOing an opponent will refill half of the gauge After getting KO'ed, Robin will be able to use all Tomes again right away

Jab (Neutral Attack)

	1v1 Damage (%)	Startup Frames
Jab 1 (A)	2.4	4
Jab 2	3.0	5
Jab 3	6.0	6
Rapid Jab (Multi-Hit)	0.84	4
Rapid Jab (Finisher)	2.4	5

Jab

Robin's jab has a quick startup, so it's used as a close-range get-off-me tool. Additionally, the third hit of the jab will use the Arcfire Tome when the attack button is held, and the rapid jab variant uses the Elwind Tome if the attack button is mashed. Since Elwind is also used for Robin's recovery, be careful not to overuse the rapid jab.

Dash Attack / Tilts

	1v1 Damage (%)	Startup Frames
Dash Attack (Dash ＋ A)	12.0	8
Dash Attack - Late	7.2	11
Forward Tilt (← or → + A)	9.0	9
Up Tilt (↑ + A)	9.0	6
Down Tilt (↓ + A)	7.2	7

Dash Attack

Robin's dash attack has a quick startup and great range. It's mainly used as an approach tool or for catching your opponent's landings.

Forward Tilt

Robin's forward tilt has a quick startup. You can use it to turn around from a dash as a quick punish.

Up Tilt

Robin's up tilt also has a quick startup. It work great as a quick anti-air attack.

Down Tilt

Robin's down tilt has pretty quick startup and little endlag, but poor range, so in most cases, jab will be a better option.

Smash Attacks

	1v1 Damage (%)	Startup Frames
Forward Smash - Levin (Smash ← or → + A)	19.2	16
Forward Smash - Levin, Late	12.0	19
Forward Smash - Bronze	11.52	16
Up Smash - Levin (Smash ↑ + A)	-	12
Up Smash - Levin, Close	18.0	13
Up Smash - Levin, Far	12.0	17
Up Smash - Bronze	10.8	12
Down Smash - Levin (Smash ↓ + A)	18.0	16
Down Smash - Levin, Late	14.4	19
Down Smash - Levin, Sparks	12.0	23
Down Smash - Bronze	9.6	16

Forward Smash

Robin's forward smash has a powerful knockback. While the Levin Sword variant is extremely powerful, aerials using the Levin Sword are also very strong attacks that are easier to land, so this move typically doesn't see much use.

Up Smash

Robin's up smash similarly has a powerful knockback. Both the Levin and Bronze swords have a strong knockback in the upward direction, so use it to catch an opponent's landing, or punish their jump.

Down Smash

Robin's down smash has good knockback. Using the Levin sword will increase the knockback and range of the attack. When using the Levin Sword, the attack sends a low blast outward on both sides of Robin, which can be used to prevent opponents from grabbing the ledge.

Aerials

	1v1 Damage (%)	Startup Frames
Neutral Air - Levin Hit 1 (A + no direction while airborne)	13.8	7
Neutral Air - Levin Hit 2	13.8	20
Neutral Air - Levin, Late	6.0	24
Neutral Air - Bronze Hit 1	8.28	7
Neutral Air - Bronze Hit 2	8.28	20
Forward Air - Levin (Hold ← or → in the direction you are facing + A while airborne)	15.0	12
Forward Air - Levin, Late	6.0	16
Forward Air - Bronze	9.0	12
Back Air - Levin (← or → Opposite of the direction you are facing + A while airborne)	18.0	9
Back Air - Levin, Late	6.0	11
Back Air - Bronze	10.8	9
Up Air - Levin (↑ + A While Airborne)	15.6	10
Up Air - Levin, Late	6.0	14
Up Air - Bronze	9.36	10
Down Air - Levin Start (↓ + A While Airborne)	13.2	13
Down Air - Levin	14.4	16
Down Air - Levin, Late	9.6	18
Down Air - Bronze	8.64	13
Down Air - Bronze, Late	7.2	18

Neutral Air

Robin's Nair has pretty quick startup. It's mainly used as a poking tool due to its short landing lag. While it doesn't have a ton of knockback, it can KO at higher percents (especially when using the Levin Sword).

Forward Air

Robin's Fair deals excellent damage. Using the Levin sword, the knockback is increased, making it a very viable KO move.

Back Air

Robin's Bair has a quick startup, as well as great damage and knockback. While the hitbox is quite narrow, it's one of Robin's primary KO moves due to the strong knockback provided by the Levin sword.

Up Air

Robin's up air deals excellent damage. The wide attack range makes it suitable for juggling opponents in disadvantage.

Down Air

Robin's down air with the Levin sword can meteor smash opponents While the range is somewhat narrow, it is a powerful hitbox, and great for spiking opponents who recover from under the stage with predictable recovery routes.

Specials

	1v1 Damage (%)	Startup Frames
Neutral Special - Thunder (B)	6.6	8
Neutral Special - Elthunder	13.2	8
Neutral Special - Arcthunder	-	8
Neutral Special - Arcthunder, Hit 1	7.2	1
Neutral Special - Arcthunder, Vortex Hit 2-5	-	4
Neutral Special - Arcthunder, Vortex Hit 6	9.6	17
Neutral Special - Thoron	3.12	23/27/31//35/39/43/47
Side Special Hit 1 (← or → + B)	2.4	17
Side Special - Multi-Hit	1.56	?
Side Special - Final	6.0	61
Up Special Hit 1-2 (↑ + B)	8.4	8/28
Up Special Hit 1-2 - Late	6.0	13/33
Down Special (↓ + B)	?	15

Neutral Special (Thunder)

Attack Stage	Durability	Features
Thunder	1	・Projectile speed is fast ・Weakest damage dealt ・Short range
Elthunder	3	・Regular projectile speedt ・Not powerful ・Decent range
Arcthunder	5	・Gradually increasing projectile speedt ・Powerful on shield ・Decent range
Thoron	8	・Fast projectile speedt ・Extremely powerful ・Long range

Robin uses his Thunder tome to cast Thunder magic. Robin's neutral special can be charged to increase damage, speed, and range. The charge can be cancelled by rolling left or right, shielding, jumping, or pressing the special button again to release it.

The uncharged neutral special is Thunder, which is its weakest but fastest attack, which makes it useful as a poking tool.

Charging to the first stage releases Elthunder. It's slower but stronger than Thunder, and allows you to build up damage from a decent range. Additionally, Elthunder can be used as a KO move if the opponent's at a high percentage, so try and hit offstage opponents with it.

Charging to the second stage releases Arcthunder. While slower than previous stages, it does powerful damage on shield. You can condition opponents to shield by using a smash attack with the Levin Sword, and then unleash a charged Arcthunder to break their shield and turn the tides of battle.

Fully charging the special releases Thoron. It has excellent speed, power, and range, and can also be used as a KO move. However, note that it has a very slow startup, so it is much easier for opponents to shield it than previous stages.

Side Special (Arcfire)

Robin's side special will shoot a fall of fire in front of them. When the fireball hits the opponent, it creates a fire pillar that momentarily burns the opponent. While the opponent is caught in the flame, Robin is free to follow up with another powerful attack, such as a Levin Sword aerial, or another arcfire. It functions somewhat similar to Ness's PK Fire.

Up Special (Elwind)

Robin uses the Elwind tome to launch themself high into the air. Elwind has a hitbox on it, and the first hit can Meteor smash. Each shot consumes durability, so if you don't keep an eye on the tome's durability, you may only get one boost, or a very small boost if the tome is broken.

Down Special (Nosferatu)

Robin uses dark magic to steal the opponent's health. This special functions as a command grab, so it can't be shielded, but the opponent can get out quickly by mashing. The amount of recovery increases when Robin's damage is higher than their opponent's. If there is no difference in damage, it recovers 9.6% when used from the front and 12% when used from behind an opponent.

Additionally, the down special can be used mid-air, so it can be utilized as an aerial mixup option.

Grab / Throws

	1v1 Damage (%)	Startup Frames
Pummel	1.8	1
Grab (Normal)	-	7
Dash Grab	-	10
Pivot Grab	-	11
Forward Throw (Throw) (← or → While Grabbing)	9.6	16
Back Throw (Throw) (← or → While Grabbing)	13.2	25
Up Throw (Throw) (↑ While Grabbing)	10.8	15
Down Throw (Throw) (↓ While Grabbing)	7.2	16

Forward Throw

Robin's forward throw shoves their opponent in front of them. It can't be used for combos, so use it when you want to get your opponent off the stage.

Back Throw

Robin's back throw puts their opponent behind them. It similarly can't be used for combos, but at high percents it can be used as a KO move when standing by the ledge.

Up Throw

Robin jabs their opponent upward with the hilt of their sword. It also can't be used for combos, so it is best used on opponents with poor disadvantage stage.

Down Throw

Robin jabs their opponent downward with the hilt of their sword. It can be comboed into a neutral air or up air to rack up damage.

Final Smash

Attack	How to Use	Effect
Pair Up	Press B after obtaining the Smash Ball	Robin summons Chrom to deal a dash attack. If Chrom's hit lands, the two pair up to attack and launch the opponent. Afterwards, the Levin Sword and each tome are fully charged.

Robin Balance Changes

Version 13.0.1 Balance Patch

	Change
Flurry Attack	Increased attack range. Increased power.
Flurry Attack to KO	Increased attack range.

Version 6.0.0 Balance Patch

	Change
Side Tilt Attack	Extended launch distance.
Neutral Air Attack	Increased attack speed.
Neutral Special	Shortened the time it takes to change to a more powerful spell.
Side Special	Extended the duration of the fireball. The duration of the pillar of fire is not affected.
Other	Increased the recharging effect smash attacks have on the Levin Sword.

Version 3.0.0 Balance Patch

	Change
Side Special	Reduced the power against shields.
Neutral Special	Reduced Thunder/Elthunder’s power against shields.

Version 2.0.0 Balance Patch

	Change
Up Special	Increased the speed of the backwards edge-grab range detection.

Major Changes From Smash 4

	Change
General	Movement Speed Increased
Neutral Special (B)	Arcthunder is now much more powerful. Buff.

How to Unlock Robin

Unlocking Via Smash Mode
53rd Fighter Unlocked After unlocking Mr. Game & Watch, let 10 minutes pass OR play another battle in smash after soft-resetting OR return to the menu from World of Light
Unlocking via Classic Mode
Clear Classing Mode 5 times using Kirby.
Unlocking via World of Light
Dracula's Castle

There are three ways to unlock Robin. Completing any of these, then defeating Robin when they appear in the “a New Challenger Appears” screen will allow you to use them afterward.

How to Unlock Characters Fast

Robin Alt Costumes and Skins

Robin Reveal Trailer

Smash Ultimate Character Guides

List of Fighters
Tier List	Unlocking Fighters

Character Stat Lists

Character Stats
Weights of All Characters	Run Speeds of All Characters
Air Speeds of All Characters	Fast Fall Speeds of All Characters