Quick Attack (でんこうせっか Denkō Sekka?, lit. "Lightning Speed") is Pikachu's Up Special Move. After a short delay, Pikachu moves in a straight line in the direction in which the control stick is tilted, or upwards if it is not tilted. A Tilt of the control stick in a different direction will cause another, similar burst.
Overview[]
General[]
The high speed of this move renders Pikachu nearly invulnerable, but it is exposed at the beginning, middle, and end moments, when it briefly holds still. Quick Attack requires much practice before players can effectively take advantage of its two-direction functionality.
In Super Smash Bros.[]
This attack cannot deals damage. However, it is by far one of the best recoveries overall. Pikachu is notable for having one of the most diverse recoveries as well. Pikachu has multiple invincibility frames during the beginning and middle of the move. It is possible to attack Pikachu only before and after the bursts. Because of this, Pikachu can ledge-stall indefinitely. The range of this move also allows Pikachu to go far out from the edge to edgeguard. It is also possible to travel with almost no change in direction between bursts. Pikachu can alternate between taunts and Quick Attack, each canceling the other. Finally, it can be used to escape situations and can go through a portion of the wall in Break the Targets.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee[]
Super Smash Bros Melee's Quick Attack is for the most part similar to the attack in Super Smash Bros. Unlike the SSB version, Melee's deals 1-3% damage per hit to characters Pikachu passes through. The attack has a huge range, but the second burst requires a minimum rotation of 38 degrees. Quick Attack in Melee has fewer invincibility frames than in Super Smash Bros. It can also be cancelled.
In Super Smash Bros Brawl[]
Pikachu can deal light damage to characters it passes through, being stronger in damage (5%, if hit twice by Pikachu pulling a 180°), but it has less range than in Melee. Thus, people often use Skull Bash as an additional recovery move. It has more invincibility frames by the edge, however.
Pikachu's Special Moves | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
64 | Melee | Brawl | 3DS/Wii U | Ultimate | |
Standard Special | Thunder Jolt | ||||
Side Special | — | Skull Bash | |||
Up Special | Quick Attack | ||||
Down Special | Thunder | ||||
Final Smash | — | Volt Tackle |
Custom Variations[]
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Quick Attack can be customized into Meteor Quick Attack or Quick Feet.
Meteor Quick Attack[]
Meteor Quick Attack doesn't bring Pikachu as high, but can meteor smash anyone it hits, especially at the start and when Pikachu changes direction.
Strengths
- Meteor smashes
Weaknesses
- Longer startup time
- Goes slightly less distance
Quick Feet[]
Quick Feet will only transport Pikachu in a single direction instead of two, but will take him very farther.
Strengths
- Goes farther
Weaknesses
- Only goes upwards once
Pikachu's Custom Special Moves | ||
---|---|---|
Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
Standard Special | Thunder Wave | Thunder Shock |
Side Special | Shocking Skull Bash | Heavy Skull Bash |
Up Special | Meteor Quick Attack | Quick Feet |
Down Special | Thunder Burst | Distant Thunder |
Quick Attack Cancel[]
Pikachu's quick attack can also be cancelled into the ground, in a maneuver known as Quick Attack Cancel (also called QAC'ing). This is a very useful technique, as it is seen as a main way for Pikachu to approach many characters. With practice, it can also lead into a well-placed aerial or special move. To perform a QAC, you must hold the control stick down right after you initiate the move. It requires precise timing, and can difficult to perform at first. If performed successfully, Pikachu will make the "bending" animation, but won't move at all.
Origin[]
Quick Attack is a popular move in the main series Pokémon games. It has a priority of +1, which means this move will always go first when used, unless the opponent uses a move with higher priority. It is a rather weak move with a base power of 40 and is a Normal-type attack.
Trivia[]
- If Pikachu takes a Poison Mushroom, or is shrinking from a Super Mushroom during the first step of Quick Attack, it will perform an extra-high jump. This is assumed to be a glitch and is known as the Size change Superjump. It can be seen here.