Super Smash Bros. series

Forward smash

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Mario using his forward smash in Melee
Mario using his forward smash in Brawl.

A forward smash, abbreviated f-smash and officially known as a side smash attack (横スマッシュ攻撃), is a smash attack that any character can perform by tapping the control stick in a horizontal direction and pressing the attack button immediately afterward or simultaneously, or by tilting the C-Stick in a horizontal direction (except in Melee's single-player modes). Starting in Melee, forward smashes can be charged for a maximum of one second (or 60 frames), resulting in up to 1.4× the damage and knockback. In Ultimate, they can be held for an additional two seconds (120 frames) upon reaching full charge.

After tapping the control stick forwards, there is a 3-frame window wherein a forward smash can be performed. If the attack button is pressed too late, a dash attack will be performed instead. Pressing the attack button on the last possible frame results in a small step forward smash. In all games except Super Smash Bros. Brawl, forward smashes can be pivoted.

Like forward tilts, certain forward smashes can be angled in up to 3 directions; a select few forward smashes in Smash 64, however, can be angled in up to 5 directions. In Smash 64 and Melee, the control stick or c-stick must be tapped in the desired angle at the start of the move to angle it. From Brawl onwards, however, the attack can be angled by holding the control stick or C-stick in the desired angle as the move's charging period ends.

List of forward smashes

Character Description Angled
Banjo & Kazooie Performs the Breegull Bash, where Banjo grabs Kazooie and slams her on the ground in front of him. No
Bayonetta Creates a portal just behind her to summon the massive fist of Madama Butterfly for a forwards punch. Super Smash Bros. 4 No
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Yes
Bowser Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. Brawl Rears back and then swings his head downwards, horns-first.
Super Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Jumps and performs a huge two-footed dropkick.
No
Bowser Jr. Deploys two drills from the Koopa Clown Car and closes them in on the area in front of himself, hitting several times. Yes
Captain Falcon Super Smash Bros. Throws a flaming side kick.
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4 Leans into a forward elbow thrust.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Assumes a wide stance and slams his forearm forwards.
Yes
Charizard Performs a powerful swinging headbutt. No
Chrom Powerfully slashes downwards inwards with both hands. No
Cloud Performs a lightning-fast series of three Buster Sword slashes. No
Corrin Performs a long-ranged forwards stab with a draconic spear hand. Yes
Daisy Swings upwards and inwards with either a golf club, tennis racket, or frying pan. No
Dark Pit Performs a simple two-hitting combo of slashes. No
Dark Samus Thrusts her arm cannon forwards alongside a burst of phazon. Yes
Diddy Kong Throws a pair of spinning backhands, one immediately after the other. No
Donkey Kong Super Smash Bros. Reels his hand back and thrusts it forward.
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Leans forwards and claps his hands together.
Super Smash Bros. Yes
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate No
Dr. Mario Thrusts his palm forwards and unleashes an electric explosion. Yes
Duck Hunt The unseen gunman fires off three consecutive shots of increasing distance from the dog and duck. No
Falco Super Smash Bros. Melee Throws a jumping cartwheel kick.
Super Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Swipes downwards with both wings.
No
Fox Super Smash Bros. Jumps forwards while performing a spinning dropkick.
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Throws a jumping cartwheel kick.
No
Ganondorf Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4 Leans into a forward elbow thrust.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Pulls out his sword and slams it onto the ground in front of himself.
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4 Yes
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate No
Greninja Performs an inwards reverse-grip slash with a watery blade. No
Hero Slams his sword downwards onto the ground with both hands. No
Ice Climbers Slam their hammers on the ground. No
Ike Lifts Ragnell over himself and slams it onto the ground. No
Incineroar Performs an inwards swinging one-footed dropkick. No
Inkling Swings an Inkbrush forwards. No
Isabelle Cracks a party popper, causing an explosion of confetti in front of herself. No
Ivysaur Plants its vines onto the ground and uses them to vault itself forwards for a full-body tackle. Yes
Jigglypuff Throws a jumping-forward side kick. No
Joker Swings his knife downwards in front of himself while leaning forwards. If active, Arsene swings both his arms downwards in an X-shaped slash. No
Ken Performs an inwards roundhouse kick. No
King Dedede Lifts his hammer up and slams it onto the ground in front of himself. No
King K. Rool Dons a boxing glove and punches straight forwards with it. Yes
Kirby Throws a jumping-forward side kick. Super Smash Bros. No
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Yes
Link Super Smash Bros. Swings the Master Sword straight downwards to the ground.
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Swings the Master Sword inward with both hands, then outward with one. A two-hit natural combo.
No
Little Mac Throws either a straight jab, a downwards body blow, or a wide-angled uppercut, depending on the angle. Yes
Lucario Leans forwards and performs a double palm thrust, blasting aura outwards alongside it. No
Lucas Swings inwards with a stick. No
Lucina Swings Parallel Falchion straight downwards in a wide arc from behind her onto the ground in front of her. No
Luigi Super Smash Bros. Throws an enormous punch, inflating his fist.
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Throws a straight horizontal spearhand.
Yes
Mario Super Smash Bros. Throws an enormous punch, inflating his fist.
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Thrusts his palm forwards and unleashes a fiery explosion.
Yes
Marth Swings Falchion straight downwards in a wide arc from behind him onto the ground in front of him. No
Mega Man Grips his Mega Buster, then charges and fires a shot from it. No
Meta Knight Draws Galaxia in, then performs a near-instantaneous outward slash with it. No
Mewtwo Unleashes a blast of darkness from its outstretched palms. Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. 4 No
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Yes
Mii Brawler Unleashes a powerful straight punch. Yes
Mii Gunner Rapidly fires a stream of shots from the arm cannon. No
Mii Swordfighter Slashes downwards and inwards with their sword. No
Mr. Game & Watch Swings downwards with a flaming torch. No
Ness Swings inwards with a baseball bat. No
Olimar Commands his leading Pikmin to perform a spinning, leaping full-body tackle. No
Pac-Man Swings his palm forwards, summoning Blinky to perform a tackle. No
Palutena Summons a pair of ethereal wings and claps them together in front of herself. No
Peach Swings upwards and inwards with either a golf club, tennis racket, or frying pan. No
Pichu Unleashes a multi-hitting electric spark from its cheeks. No
Pikachu Unleashes an electric spark from its cheeks. No
Piranha Plant Transforms its head into that of a Prickly Piranha Plant and performs an inwards-swinging headbutt. No
Pit Performs a simple two-hitting combo of slashes. No
R.O.B. Fires off a scorching laser blast from his eyes. Yes
Richter Leans far forwards and performs a tremendously long-ranged whip crack with the full length of the Vampire Killer. Yes
Ridley Leans forwards and explodes a ball of plasma in his open mouth. No
Robin Slashes upwards, ending with their blade in a forwards position. No
Rosalina & Luma Rosalina: Leans forwards and unleashes a small galactic blast from her wand.
Luma: Delivers a strong straight punch.
Yes
Roy Super Smash Bros. Melee Swings the Binding Blade straight downwards in a wide arc from behind him onto the ground in front of him.
Super Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Powerfully slashes downwards inwards with both hands.
No
Ryu Steps forwards and performs a powerful back kick. No
Samus Super Smash Bros.Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. Brawl Thrusts her arm cannon forwards.
Super Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Thrusts her arm cannon forwards alongside a burst of flame.
Yes
Sheik Performs two quick jumping kicks, moving slightly forwards. No
Shulk Stabs forwards with the Monado, then opens up its physical blade to stab a second time with the light beam hidden within it. Yes
Simon Leans far forwards and performs a tremendously long-ranged whip crack with the full length of the Vampire Killer. Yes
Snake Deploys an RPG-7, aims it at the ground in front of himself, and then detonates a rocket at his feet. No
Sonic Rears back and then delivers a powerful straight punch. Yes
Squirtle Super Smash Bros. Brawl Retreats into its shell and performs a jumping tackle.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Swings its head inwards while spitting a jet of water to strengthen the blow.
Yes
Toon Link Super Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4 Swings the Master Sword inward with both hands, then outward with one. A two-hit natural combo.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Leans forwards and slashes upwards in reverse grip.
No
Villager Leans forwards while holding a large bowling ball, then drops it to strike the area beneath. No
Wario Super Smash Bros. Brawl Bashes the area just in front of himself with his shoulder.
Super Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Performs a dramatic fist-inflating backhanded punch.
No
Wii Fit Trainer Steps forwards, assuming the warrior pose to strike with a spearhand. No
Wolf Super Smash Bros. Brawl Charges forwards amidst a claw thrust, then abruptly stops while twisting his claws.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Plants his feet and performs a forward palm thrust.
No
Yoshi Rears his head back and then performs a powerful forwards headbutt. Yes
Young Link Swings the Kokiri Sword inward with both hands, then outward with one. A two-hit natural combo. No
Zelda Leans forwards and unleashes a sparkling burst of magic, striking many times. No
Zero Suit Samus Super Smash Bros. Brawl Swings her plasma whip forwards.
Super Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Throws a spinning side kick and immediately follows it up with a straight one.
Super Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4 No
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Yes

Notable forward smashes

  • From Super Smash Bros. Melee onwards, Link, Young Link, and Toon Link (except the latter in Ultimate) possess the only forward smashes that are natural combos.
    • Furthermore, the first hit of Link's forward smash in Ultimate is capable of launching a unique sword beam projectile when Link is at 0%. This projectile travels quickly over a long distance, and its size and damage output are greatly increased by charging the attack. It also substantially increases the damage output of the attack when used at close range.
  • Mega Man, Olimar, and Villager's forward smashes, as well as Link's aforementioned Ultimate sword beam, are the only four forward smashes which are projectiles. Of those two, Mega Man and Link's projectiles are the only projectiles to increase in hitbox size as the attack is charged. Villager's is one of the only projectiles that falls downwards instead of traveling forwards. Mii Gunner's forward smash may appear to be a projectile, but is technically not, as its shots do not act independently of the Mii Gunner.
  • Ness's forward smash is able to reflect projectiles. This property is shared with Lucas's very similar forward smash, as well. They are the only two non-special attacks with this property.
  • For her forward smash, Peach is capable of using three different weapons, each of which have different properties. In Melee and Brawl, it is entirely random which of the three is used for the attack. In Smash 4, the attack cycles from tennis racket to golf club to frying pan, making its use more consistent. In Ultimate, it was changed again to be angle-dependent (neutral for golf club, up for frying pan, down for tennis racket). Daisy, as her Echo Fighter, inherits those properties for her forward smash.
  • In Brawl, Wario's forward smash has both transcendent priority and super armor, a combination which makes it nearly impossible to intercept when combined with its high speed.
  • In addition to possessing three different variants based on angle, Little Mac's forward smash is the only other forward smash to possess super armor. The latter property is shared with all of his smash attacks.
  • Palutena's forward smash has a reasonably powerful windbox just beyond the reach of the main portion of the attack, allowing it potential usage for niche edge-guards and gimps.
  • While charging a forward smash, Corrin holds Omega Yato forwards to grind enemies at close range with its teeth for several potential weak hits. This makes it the only forward smash to have a hitbox while charging.
  • The pattern of the gunshots in Duck Hunt's forward smash, as well as the angles at which they launch, are slightly randomized. They will also become spaced further apart, and thereby reach further, if the attack is charged.

See also