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An attack is any move a character can perform which affects other players, usually in the form of damage. This can include grabs, throws, special moves, and projectile attacks. There are many types of attacks in the Smash Bros. series. Strong attacks like Warlock Punch triggers a slow motion effect in 1-on-1 matches in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Types of Attacks[]

Ground Attacks[]

Main article: Ground attack

Ground attacks are basic moves performed while on the ground. These moves often do little damage, and are solely for the purpose of racking up damage or spacing.

Neutral Attack[]

Main article: Neutral attack

This is activated by pressing only the attack button (usually A). Pressing it again will cause the character to attack again, often resulting in a combo. Some characters were capable of attacking an infinite amount of times if the attack button was held after starting such infinite attacks. However, the ability to do so was disabled in Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U. Neutral attacks are often very weak and their main purpose is mostly to accumulate your opponent's damage.

Dash Attack[]

Main article: Dash attack

When your character is running, pressing the attack button will activate their dash attack. The dash attack is usually weak, but it is good for approach.

Ledge Recovery Attack[]

Main article: Ledge recovery

The Ledge Recovery allows characters to attack while climbing up a ledge in order to put distance between themselves and edgeguarders. It is done by pressing the attack button while hanging on a ledge. Characters have two different ledge attacks, one used when they are under 100% damage and one when they are over 100%. It can give you an advantage.

Floor Attack[]

Main article: Floor attack

A Floor attack is used by a character that is lying on the ground, either due to landing after tumbling or being helpless or tripping. By pressing the attack button, the character will do one of three attacks to create space, depending on whether they were lying face up, lying face down, or sitting after tripping.

Strong Attacks[]

Main article: Strong Attack

Strong attacks are attacks that are quicker and do more damage than a standard ground attack. These are good for racking up damage and can sometimes KO at high percentages. The type of attack and the location it is used is determined by the direction the control stick is held.

Forward Tilt[]

Main article: Forward tilt

This is activated by pressing the attack button while tilting the control stick left or right. This is a quicker and more powerful version of a neutral attack.

Up Tilt[]

Main article: Up tilt

This is activated by pressing the attack button while tilting the control stick upwards. This allows the user to quickly attack opponents above them (in most cases) while dealing a fair amount of damage. Some are good for racking up damage as well with some characters (such as Mario, Fox, or Kirby).

Down Tilt[]

Main article: Down tilt

This is activated by pressing the attack button while tilting the control stick downwards. This move is good for quickly attacking opponents at low angles, although most Down Tilts often only hit in one direction.

Smash Attacks[]

Main article: Smash Attack

Smash attacks are some of the characters' most powerful moves. A more powerful version of tilt attacks, they can be charged. Charged Smash attacks do a lot of damage and are often used as finishing moves.

Forward Smash[]

This is done by holding the attack button while holding the control stick left or right. The attack often has a wide hitbox in the direction the character is facing, and is often a powerful attack which is used as a finisher.

Up Smash[]

This is done by holding the attack button while holding the control stick upwards. This allows the character to unleash a strong attack above them, making this move useful for juggling and KOing opponents in the upper blast line.

Down Smash[]

Main article: Down Smash

The Down Smash is a strong attack that is often aimed toward the ground, and often has hitboxes on both sides of the character using it. It is done by holding the attack button and holding the control stick downwards.

Throws[]

Main article: Throw

Throws are used after grabbing an opponent to launch them in an indicated direction. Depending on the throw and the opponent's percentage, the throw can sometimes KO the opponent.

Grab[]

Main article: Grab

A Grab is a move that causes the character to grab an opponent in front of them by either pressing the attack and shield button at the same time, or an alternate, single button, depending on the controller and, in the case of the Wii Remote, orientation. Successfully grabbing the opponent renders them immobile. Grabs do not do damage, but instead enable the character to pummel or throw the opponent. Some characters can grab opponents from far away, such as Link's Clawshot.

Pummel[]

Main article: Pummel

A Pummel is a weak attack the player can inflict on the opponent they have grabbed by pressing the attack button during the grab animation. This can enable the character to throw their opponent farther. If the character pummels their opponent for too long, the opponent will be released from the grab.

Forward Throw[]

Main article: Forward throw

A Forward Throw is a type of throw, where the character tilts the control stick in the direction they are facing. The character will throw the opponent in the direction they are facing. In some cases, this can be used for a Chain Grab.

Donkey Kong has a special ability to throw an opponent onto his back and transport them to wherever he likes using the same input that would normally be his normal throw. Inputting the forward throw command again will make him throw the opponent forward.

Back Throw[]

Main article: Back throw

A Back Throw is similar to a Forward Throw, but the character will throw the opponent in the opposite direction. Back Throws are often more powerful than Forward Throws.

Up Throw[]

Main article: Up throw

An Up Throw is when the character throws the opponent upwards. It is the most useful throw for KOing opponents, especially when near the upper blast line. Up Throws can be used to set up juggling combos.

Down Throw[]

Main article: Down throw

A Down Throw is when the character throws the opponent toward the ground. While this move usually has the least knockback of all the throws, it can be used for combos.

Aerial Attacks[]

Main article: Aerial attack

Aerial Attacks are attacks which are performed in the air using the attack button.

Neutral Aerial[]

Main article: Neutral aerial

A Neutral Aerial is used by pressing only the attack button in the air. While not very powerful, this move is predominately used for spacing. Also, many Neutral Aerials are stronger during the initial phase of the attack and weaker afterwards. This is referred to as a Sex Kick.

Forward Aerial[]

Main article: Forward aerial

A Forward Aerial is used by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick in the direction the character is facing while in the air. This is a direct attack often used to KO other airborne opponents.

Back Aerial[]

Main article: Back aerial

A Back Aerial is used by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick in the direction opposite the direction the character is facing while in the air. This can be used for a surprise attack and for spacing. Some Back Aerials are also Sex Kicks.

Up Aerial[]

Main article: Up aerial

An Up Aerial is used by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick upwards while in the air. This is good for KOing other airborne opponents and for juggling combos.

Down Aerial[]

Main article: Down aerial

A Down Aerial is used by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick downwards while in the air. This is good for attacking grounded opponents and preventing them from juggling you.

Grab Aerial[]

Main article: Tether Recovery

A Grab Aerial, also known as a Tether Recovery, is a recovery that is most commonly executed in a similar way to a Grab. This attack can be executed by only certain characters, such as Link or Samus. There are some exceptions, however. In Brawl, Sheik can execute this attack using her Side Special as a Grab Aerial, and the Ice Climbers and Ivysaur can execute this using their Up Specials.

Glide Attack[]

A Glide Attack is an attack exclusive to Super Smash Bros. Brawl. This is able to be executed by only three characters in the game, Pit, Meta Knight, and Charizard. This attack can be executed when one of the above characters are in a Glide and press the attack button. This was taken out in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U due to the Glide Mechanic being removed, making it the first attack to be removed from the series.

Special Moves[]

Main article: Special Move

Special Moves are attacks used by pressing the special move button, which is usually B. A distinguishable aspect of Special Moves is the fact that they often represent the characters' series (although some are created for Smash), and they are unique to a single character (unless that character has a clone.) All Special Moves also have official names.

Neutral Special Move[]

Main article: Neutral Special Move

A Neutral Special Move is a Special Move used by pressing only the special move button. There are very many kinds of Neutral Special Moves, although many are weak attacks used to rack up damage.

Side Special Move[]

Main article: Side Special Move

A Side Special Move is a Special Move used by pressing the special move button while angling the control stick left or right. Again, types of Side Special Moves vary considerably, but a majority of them are projectiles or approach moves.

Up Special Move[]

Main article: Up Special Move

An Up Special Move is a Special Move used by pressing the special move button while angling the control stick upwards. Up Special Moves almost always function as a third jump, giving characters a last chance to get to the stage. Most Up Special Moves put the user into a helpless state afterwards.

Down Special Move[]

Main article: Down Special Move

A Down Special Move is a Special Move used by pressing the special move button while angling the control stick downwards. Down Specials are often melee attacks or moves that cause different effects, such as a shield.

Final Smash[]

Main article: Final Smash

A Final Smash is a Special Move that can only be used after breaking a Smash Ball and executed by pressing the special button, similarly to a neutral special move one is able to still execute there side, up, and down special moves, as well as normal attack. A Final Smash is usually stronger than a normal attack and are split into different classes, depending on the effect that the move has on the stage or the other fighters.

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