- This article is about Officer Howard's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Infinite. For other uses, see Officer Howard.
| “ | Smash Infinite flavor text | ” |
| —Description from the Super Smash Blog. | ||
Officer Howard is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Infinite. They were officially revealed during Nintendo's E3 direct on (date) along with Dr. Eggman. As with other characters in the same vein, both male and female versions of Officer Howard are available. Officer Howard is classified as Fighter #95.
Aleks Le and Brianna Knickerbocker, who voice provided the male and female versions respectively of Officer Howard in Astral Chain reprise their role in the overseas versions of Super Smash Bros. Infinite. Nobunaga Shimazaki and Chika Anzai also continue their portrayals of both male and female Officer Howard for the Japanese version.
Attributes[]
Officer Howard is a slower character with focuses on trapping, stage control, and movement. This reflects much of the player's traits in Astral Chain, where the player must effectively control crowds of enemies and move quickly along the ground and air to anticipate attacks. Officer Howard's weapon of choice is the X-Baton, of which its three modes offer a wide variety of uses. The standard Baton mode that is featured in many of their moves is quick and deals decent damage. The Blaster mode offers much greater range and speed at the cost of raw damage, while the Gladius sacrifices speed and leaves Officer Howard wide open in return for great power and knockback.
However, perhaps Officer Howard's greatest weapon is their Legion. The variety in Legions allow for Officer Howard to have a wide array of options for movement, recover, defense and offense. It is through these Legions that Officer Howard becomes a character that is highly mobile with a variable range that can be used towards the player's advantage. The ability for Officer Howard to control their Legion with almost no limitations allows for effective crowd control during Free-for-All and Team matches and strategic gameplay during 1 versus 1 matches.
Like all characters, Officer Howard is not without their weaknesses. As a heavier character, they are prone to being trapped in combos themselves by smaller, faster characters. Additionally, overreliance on the Legion may leave Officer Howard defenseless, as running the cooldown leads to inability to use the Legion for a longer amount of time. Likewise, the Legion is not an invincible wall that would protect Officer Howard at every second - its ability to be attacked leads to the cooldown dropping faster. As such, effectively using Officer Howard in gameplay means managing the Legion's Limiter Gauge, managing which Legion is out, as well as effectively using all movement options available to avoid being heavily damaged by combos.
Gimmick: Legion[]
Officer Howard has near limitless control over a living weapon called a Legion. These Legions are like the player's second body in Astral Chain, providing methods of offense and support for the player. Similarly to Astral Chain, Officer Howard has access to five different types of Legion, all of which with their own options. They are able to switch between each type of Legion freely by tapping the special button while holding the shield button. They can also select the Legion directly from a menu by holding both buttons and then tilting the stick in the direction of their preferred Legion, similar to Shulk's Monado Arts. The menu will always be in the same order, with the Sword, Arrow, Arm, Beast and Axe Legion in this order clockwise. Cycling through by tapping will also always be in this order. While the Legion is out, it will automatically attack anything that comes near it, though the attacks have much ending lag. Additionally, it can be moved freely by holding the special button, allowing Officer Howard to set it up wherever they like, though the Legion cannot attack while being moved. Each Legion, as long as it is selected, changes Officer Howard's Side and Down specials, thus giving a wide array of options for Officer Howard depending on the current situation.
However, the Legion is not without its downsides. The Legion can only be out a certain amount of time, which is indicated by a Limiter Gauge on Officer Howard's damage display. The Limiter Gauge determines when and how long a Legion stays out, as Officer Howard requires at least a third of the Gauge to be filled in order to call the Legion. While the Legion is active, save for special circumstances, the Gauge will automatically deplete. The Gauge will also deplete if the Legion is attacked. It takes 8 seconds for the Gauge to be completely depleted at maximum and the Gauge will be refilled at a rate of a sixth a second. However, if Officer Howard lets the Gauge run out completely, the Gauge will take 12 seconds to be completely refill, which will leave Officer Howard much more open to being attacked. The Legion's range is also finite, as it is limited by the Astral Chain's length of about a third of Final Destination. It is unable to jump and if it is called in the air, it will slowly descend.
Summary[]
Moveset[]
Tilts, Smashes, Aerials & Throws[]
| Normals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab | Baton Strike Baton Combo |
Damage 3% 3.8% (Gohei) .4% (Rapid Jab) | |||
| Based on the default attack animation, Officer Howard swings the X-Baton to strike the opponent. A quick attack. Holding or rapidly tapping the attack button will cause Officer Howard to rapidly swing at the opponent with their X-Baton in Baton mode based on the Chain Bind to Sync Attack combo with the Sword Legion. | |||||
| Dash | Assault Attack (Gladius) | Damage 12% | |||
| Officer Howard will run forward, brandishing the Gladius. Does a decent amount of knockback. Based on the ↓↑ command input for the Gladius. | |||||
| Forward Tilt | Assault Attack (Baton) | Damage 6.8% | |||
| Officer Howard will jump a small distance forward while kicking and swing the baton at the same time. Based on the ↓↑ command input for the Baton. | |||||
| Up Tilt | Somersault | Damage 8% | |||
| Does a somersault that launches upwards. Based on the somersault attack performed next to stunned enemies. | |||||
| Down Tilt | Officer Blast | Damage 2% per hit | |||
| Officer Howard aims their X-Baton in a downward direction and shoots 3 blasts. Does good damage against shields. | |||||
| Smash Attacks | |||||
| Forward Smash | Gladius | Damage: 14% 20% | |||
| Officer Howard uses the Gladius mode of the X-Baton to deal a powerful strike. They make a quick leap and then slash downwards. Based on the final strike of the Gladius combo. | |||||
| Up Smash | Beast Tornado | Damage: 2% 4.5% 12% 18% | |||
| Officer Howard will call the Beast Legion, which spins around in place above the officer. This will deal light damage initially, however, a large Tornado a bit smaller than Palutena’s Up Smash will then engulf the pair, dealing heavy knockback. Does not decrease the Legion Limiter Gauge. | |||||
| Down Smash | Axe Sweep | Damage: 13.3% 21% | |||
| Officer Howard will call the Axe Legion, which spins its Axe across the ground. Based on the 360 command input for the Axe Legion. Does not decrease the Legion Limiter Gauge. | |||||
| Aerial Attacks | |||||
| Neutral Aerial | Spin Attack (Blaster) | Damage: 1.2% (per hit) | |||
| Officer Howard will do a flip and use their X-Baton in Blaster mode. They will shoot a round of energy shots, similar to Joker’s spinning gunshots. | |||||
| Forward Aerial | Midair Combo (Baton) | Damage 9% (initial hit) 4% (subsequent hits) | |||
| A downward slash with the Baton. If the player continues to mash the attack button, the attack will chain into 4 more strikes (one per button press), finishing with a swing of the Baton. Difficult to land the final 4 hits, as the combo is not true. | |||||
| Back Aerial | Delay Attack (Baton) | Damage 8.4% | |||
| A quick strike of the Baton. Does considerable knockback. Based on the Delay input of ZR (delay) ZR | |||||
| Up Aerial | Charge Attack (Blaster) | Damage 7.2% | |||
| Officer Howard fires a charged energy shot upwards. Based on the Charge input for the Blaster. | |||||
| Down Aerial | Gladius Swing | Damage 11.1% 14.3% (sweetspot) | |||
| Officer Howard swings the Gladius in an arc downwards. If the sweetspot is hit (near the beginning of the swing, at the hilt), it will cause a meteor spike) | |||||
| Throws | |||||
| Grab | Chain Bind | Damage 0% | |||
| Officer Howard sends the Sword Legion outwards, where it will loop around the enemy. If successful, the enemy is trapped in a chain bind. The Legion will disappear. Does not decrease the Legion Limiter Gauge. | |||||
| Pummel | Baton | Damage 1.2% | |||
| Officer Howard hits the opponent with the end of the baton. | |||||
| Forward Throw | Charge Attack (Baton) | Damage 9.5% | |||
| Officer Howard swipes once with the Baton, throws it, catches it, and then does a more powerful strike with the Baton. | |||||
| Back Throw | Perfect Call Sync Attack (Arrow Legion) | Damage 13.6% | |||
| Officer Howard throws the opponent backwards a short distance, then calls the Arrow Legion at the right moment to fire a powerful charged shot backwards. A kill throw. Based on a Sync Attack after calling the Arrow Legion right before an enemy’s attack. | |||||
| Up Throw | Sword Assault | Damage 7.9% | |||
| Officer Howard summons the Sword Legion, which does an uppercut with both of its arms. Based on the ↓↑ input for the Sword Legion. | |||||
| Down Throw | Perfect Call Sync Attack (Arm Legion) | Damage 5% | |||
| Officer Howard calls the Arm Legion at the right moment, where it slams a fist into the opponent, driving them into the ground. Buries. Based on a Sync Attack after calling the Arm Legion right before an enemy’s attack. | |||||
| Misc Attacks | |||||
| Floor Attack | X-Baton | Damage 6% | |||
| Officer Howard swipes the X-Baton at the opponent’s feet at the ledge. | |||||
| Ledge Attack | Blaster | Damage 6% | |||
| Officer Howard fires a few short blasts in both directions from the Blaster. | |||||
Special Moves[]
| Officer Howard’s Special Moves | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Special | Summon Legion/Send Legion/Dismiss Legion | ||
| Lightly tapping the special button will call the Legion. The Limiter Gauge will begin to decrease. If the Legion is called in the air, it will fall along with Officer Howard. It can be moved as it is falling. Holding the button while moving the move button will move the Legion. The Legion is free to move on the ground while holding the button, though it cannot exceed the distance of the Astral Chain. Lightly tapping the special button again will dismiss the Legion. The Limiter Gauge will stop decreasing and begin to recharge. | |||
| Side Special | Legion Action | ||
| The current active Legion will perform its Legion Action. Every action will call it towards Officer Howard. Using this move without a Legion active will summon it to use the action and dismiss it right after. See the Legion section for actions. | |||
| Up Special | Chain Jump | ||
| Officer Howard will send the Sword Legion out (regardless of which Legion is active or selected) and throw it a set distance. After it is thrown, it will pull Officer Howard towards it, Officer Howard dealing light damage as they fly towards their Legion. If used offstage, it will become a Tether Recovery. | |||
| Down Special | Legion Skill | ||
| The current active Legion will perform a set skill. Each action will decrease the Limiter Gauge by one bar, unless stated otherwise. Using this move without a Legion active will summon it to use the skill and dismiss it right after. See the Legion section for specific skills. | |||
| Shield Special | Legion Switch | ||
| Officer Howard will switch Legions. Legions can be switched while active. Functions similarly to Monado Arts, where the player can either continuously tap the button for the Legion they want, or hold to choose Legion. The order will be Sword -> Arrow -> Arm -> Beast -> Axe. The selection menu will have that order clockwise. The currently selected Legion will have its icon displayed in the damage display. This selected Legion will be the one to be sent out if no Legion is currently active. | |||
| Final Smash | Legion Sync Attack Finish | ||
| Officer Howard begins by riding the Beast Legion a short distance with the Gladius equipped. Anyone hit by this hitbox will be sent into the cutscene, based on the final combo against the true final boss of the game, though sped up to decrease time taken. It begins with Officer Howard dragging the opponent on the ground with the Gladius while the Beast Legion dashes forward, then the opponent is launched into the air, where Officer Howard summons and wears the Arm Legion to do a rapid flurry of punches. As the opponent is suspended in the air, the Arrow Legion fires a charged shot at the opponent. Officer Howard calls the Axe Legion to jump up and bring the enemy downwards with a slash. As the opponent is on the ground, Officer Howard and the Sword Legion perform a Chain Bind. This part will deviate from the cutscene and FILE 10 SPOILER Officer Howard will tear out the Legatus core and implant it into their heart, fusing officer and Legion and performing a final attack which ends the cutscene and launches the enemy. | |||
Taunts[]
- Up Taunt: Officer Horward breifly unleashes the Legion who then slashes forward. If the Legion is out, it does a dramatic slash. He will say "Come forth, Legion!"
- Down Taunt: Officer Howard pulls out a comically oversized avalanche special ice cream and drops it, then looks at the spilled ice cream longingly.it references an ice cream minigame.
- Right Taunt: A phone call symbol appears in front of Officer Howard who then says "Meh, I will take it later.
- Left Taunt: Lappy appears and does two fist bumps into the air before leaving. Officer Horward says "Hey, it's Lappy!"
On-Screen Appearance[]
- Officer Howard shows up on a motorcycle like in the first few moments of the game, then in stark contrast with Wario, does an amazing and graceful flip jump off of it before landing on the ground and taking out the X-Baton.
Idle Poses[]
- Shuffles his/her feet.
- Runs his/her hand through his/her hair.
Victory Poses[]
- Officer Horward lands from above and then takes their batons and slashes three times before posing.
- Summons the Sword Legion as they perform a spinning slash attack together.
- Appears along with their twin sibling and they both perform a pose together while brandishing their batons.
In competitive play[]
To be added
Classic Mode: Legion Assault[]
Opponents are based on enemies found in AstralChain; in particular Chimeras. Stages are also based techno/sci-fi themes.
| Round | Opponent | Stage | Music | Notes | References | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |    
|
Mario Galaxy | Ark Mall | Steve, Alex, and the Villagers represents the humans encountered as enemies in the game. | ||||
| 2 | Dark  
|
Lylat Cruise | nvaders from Another World | Dark Link and Dark Samus represents the Aberration, corrupted beings who used to be human. | ||||
| 3 | Red 
|
Brinstar | Legion Assault | Hero represents the foot soldier, HUM-C-84DF5-00. | ||||
| 4 | Black  Tiny 
|
Midgard | Awakening | Mewtwo represents the named Chimera known as Eris who uses four satellite units. | ||||
| 5 | Giant 
|
Space Frigate Orpheon | Homonculas B | Ridley is based on the appearance to Homunculus α along with the stage. | ||||
| 6 | Red  or 
|
Astral Plane | Dark Hero | The alt will be the different gender to what was initially chosen. The Male version or Female version depends on which alt was chosen. | Officer Howard references the Akira-Legion Fusion | |||
| BONUS | Break the Targets! | |||||||
| FINAL | Rathalos | Rathalos Boss Arena | Savior | Rathalos looks like a Chimera and is red. | ||||
Palette Swaps[]
| Blue | Based on Officer Howard's original appearance in Astral Chain. |
|---|---|
| Blue | Based on Officer Howard's original appearance in Astral Chain. |
| Black | Based on the Raven Armor outfit. |
| Black | Based on the Raven Armor outfit. |
| Yellow | Based on the Lappy costume. |
| Yellow | Based on the Lappy costume. |
| Red | Based on the Drab Civies outfit. |
| Teal | Based on the ARI Medical Gear outfit colors. |
| Brown | Based on the character Joseph Calvert. |
| White | Based on the character Olivia Espinoza. |
| Orange | Possibly based on the character Kyle Merkulov |
| Purple | Based on the character Jena Anderson. |
External links[]
Please include:
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
