Fireballs are small projectiles launched by Mario and Luigi as their Neutral Special Moves. Each travels a short distance, causing minor damage and flinching common to fire-based attacks. The ball's trajectory changes according to the stage's surface angle upon contact, though with different results for each character. Mario's ability to shoot fireballs provides the design justification for his other fire-based moves in the Super Smash Bros. series.
Fireballs were initially larger in Super Smash Bros., decreasing in size with Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Character Differences
Mario
Mario's Red Fireballs fall to the ground, losing momentum with each bounce. As such, they are more effective when fired from higher locations and toward downward slopes, traveling further. When firing at a wall or upward slope, the balls will bounce backward, a more defensive maneuver for brief protection from oncoming foes, perhaps in the air or from behind. Mario's Fireballs can be spammed, though with some difficulty, being fired at a slower rate of fire than Luigi's, but they are a decent approach tactic. The move can be more efficient when used in the air, falling to meet the enemy at ground level, while still moving, and negating lag.
Mario's Fireball is a good projectile move; though average in speed and only having a decent range, the move is useful for putting some damage on opponents as well as other uses. Fireball has good range and speed and can poke opponents to frustrate their movement. Mario can use the move in the air to toss the fireball onto an opponent from above or he can use it on the ground to force an approaching opponent into the air so that he can hit them with an aerial attack. The fireball can also gimp recovering opponents by using it at the edge. The move can be reversed by slightly inputting the opposite direction Mario is facing and then pressing the button; this can only be reversed in the air but is a good way to surprise opponents; just don't tilt it too far or Mario will use Cape instead, in SSBWU/3DS fireballs have become far more laggy and grow weaker as they travel making them less reliable despite being a little stronger initially.
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| Mario's Special Moves | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | Melee | Brawl | 3DS/Wii U | Ultimate | |
| Standard Special | Fireball | ||||
| Side Special | — | Cape | |||
| Up Special | Super Jump Punch | ||||
| Down Special | Mario Tornado | F.L.U.D.D. | |||
| Final Smash | — | Mario Finale | |||
Luigi
Luigi's Green Fireballs travel in a straight line and are unaffected by gravity, matching his floaty motif, and drift around in a circle, rather than rolling, like Mario's. Also, despite the fact Luigi's fireballs are green, they still make red-orange burn animations upon impact. They can be easily spammed, and can be fired at a slightly faster pace than Mario's, especially in the Negative Zone, Luigi's Final Smash. When firing at stage elements, the projectile's path will change based on the contact angle. As such, the move is more useful when used toward upward slopes, continuing on to foes. The move is more difficult to use on downward slopes, passing over enemies. Fireball approach is perhaps more difficult than with Mario, as the attack does not fall when used in the air. In general, Luigi's Fireballs are contextually less useful than Mario's, as they only travel in only one direction, where Mario's move in two. They also travel less distance, but deal slightly more damage than Mario's. However, in SSBWU/3DS, they have a bigger hitbox, better range, and can be followed up far earlier. This even allows Luigi to lock many characters who fall onto the ground with one to three fireballs and end with an Up Special.
Custom Variations
Mario
Fast Fireball
Fast Fireball is one of Mario's Neutral Special Moves that can be used via customizations. Throws a faster, slightly weaker fireball straight ahead. As well as longer range. Funnily, this move is closer to how Mario throws fireballs in the Mario series.
Strengths:
- Faster movement and firing rate
- Horizontal movement pattern
- More range
Weaknesses:
- Cannot attack grounded opponents from the air
- Deals slightly less damage
Due to its fast speed and firing rate, the Fast Fireball can quickly be used in rapid succession on an opponent to rack up damage quickly; the Fast Fireball deals less damage than the default Fireball but is able to put more damage on an opponent in a smaller amount of time. It moves horizontally rather than bouncing across the ground and as such will not fall down when used in the air; this can make it useful for integrating into aerial combos or edge-guarding opponents recovering higher, but Mario is also unable to drop the fireballs on opponents from above since they are not affected by gravity.
Fire Orb
Fire Orb is one of Mario's Neutral Special Moves that can be used via customizations. Throws a big ball of fire. Slow, but hits repeatedly before disappearing. The name is similar to the one used in Super Mario RPG.
Strengths:
- Deals more damage
- Obstacle on stage
- Stays on-stage for a while
- Larger size
Weaknesses:
- Slow movement
- Slow execution
- Less range
The Fire Orb, despite its severely decreased speed, range, and firing rate, can be quite useful when used effectively. Since it is large in size, it can be difficult for an opponent to maneuver around the projectile especially if Mario camps near it, attacking the opponent when they try to roll or jump around the fire orb. The orb stays on-stage for a long while, so Mario can put a fire orb out on stage and create an obstacle on the stage for the opponent. It deals more damage and can hit the opponent multiple times before vanishing, so Mario can throw opponents into it or place it near the edge to hit recovering opponents away from the stage.
Unused Custom Move
This Custom Move was found in the data files of the game. Like Luigi's Iceball, Mario launches a frozen ball that travels slowly. It can freeze opponents at higher percentages.
| Mario's Custom Special Moves | ||
|---|---|---|
| Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
| Standard Special | Fast Fireball | Fire Orb |
| Side Special | Shocking Cape | Gust Cape |
| Up Special | Super Jump | Explosive Punch |
| Down Special | Scalding F.L.U.D.D. | High-Pressure F.L.U.D.D. |
Luigi
Bouncing Fireball
Bouncing Fireball.
Bouncing Fireball is one of Luigi's Neutral Special Moves that can be used via customizations. Luigi launches a fireball that bounces on the ground like Mario's, but loses power with distance.
Strengths:
- Forces opponents into air.
- Can attack grounded opponents from the air.
- Has gimping/edge-guard ability.
- Greater range.
Weaknesses:
- Deals less damage the farther it goes out.
The Bouncing Fireball grants more versatility than the default neutral special for Luigi. Since gravity takes effect on the move, it can be used for gimping and edge-guarding opponents trying to recover low. On-stage, the move can force opponents to go into the air which can set up some aerial combos. Unlike the default Fireball that only moves forwards both in the air and ground, the Bouncing Fireball will fall in the air, so Luigi can attack opponents from above with this move. The move loses power the farther it gets from its origin point, so spacing the attack correctly can be helpful when trying to get the most damage out of it.
Iceball
Iceball.
Iceball is one of Luigi's Neutral Special Moves that can be used via customizations. Luigi launches a frozen ball that travels very slowly, but it can freeze opponents at higher percentages.
Strengths:
- Freezes opponents.
- Fast firing rate.
- More range.
Weaknesses:
- Only freezes above certain percents.
- Moves slowly.
The Iceball has a good firing rate, and covers more distance than the regular, but the projectile itself is quite slow. However, it can freeze opponents above a certain percent, though they vary between characters, so it is not always certain. Overall, the move's freezing ability can set up some good combos but Iceball is slow and the likelihood of hitting an opponent is unreliable.
| Luigi's Custom Special Moves | ||
|---|---|---|
| Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
| Standard Special | Bouncing Fireball | Iceball |
| Side Special | Floating Missile | Quick Missile |
| Up Special | Fiery Jump Punch | Burial Header |
| Down Special | Mach Cyclone | Clothesline Cyclone |