Always Purplest Before the Dawn

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Always Purplest Before the Dawn was a Spirit Board event focused on purple-colored spirits. It ran from 6 a.m. on March 19, 2021 to 6 a.m. on March 22, 2021 (UTC). During the event, defeating spirits on the Spirit Board which were part of the event awarded more snacks than usual.

Description

North America

Spirits of purple-colored characters will be blotting out the Spirit Board!

Defeating them in battle will earn you extra snacks. Check them out!

PAL regions

Spirits of purple-coloured characters are blotting out the Spirit Board! Defeating them in battle will earn you extra snacks.

The Legend-class Calamity Ganon and Tabuu, plus the Ace-class Shantae will also appear at set times. Check them out!

Periodically appearing spirits

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Appearance times (UTC)
243		Calamity Ganon		★★★★	06:00, 18:00
1,296		Shantae		★★★	10:00, 22:00
1,100		Tabuu		★★★★	02:00, 14:00

Randomly appearing spirits

Spirit				Battle parameters
No.	Image	Name	Series	Enemy Fighter(s)	Type	Power	Stage	Rules	Conditions	Music
243		Calamity Ganon	The Legend of Zelda Series	•Giant Ganondorf •Ally: Zelda		13,900	Great Plateau Tower (Ω form)	•Sudden Damage	•You lose if your CPU ally is KO'd •You'll occasionally take sudden damage after a little while •The enemy is giant	Calamity Ganon Battle - Second Form
1,100		Tabuu	Super Smash Bros. Series	•Metal Bayonetta (150 HP)		13,900	Final Destination	•Sudden Damage	•Stamina battle •You'll occasionally take sudden damage after a little while •The enemy is metal	Boss Battle Song 2
35		Waluigi	Super Mario Series	•Luigi		9,200	Peach's Castle	•Assist Trophy Enemies (Waluigi)	•Hostile assist trophies will appear	Waluigi Pinball - Mario Kart DS
170		Karate Kong	Donkey Kong Jungle Beat	•Ryu (160 HP)		9,500	Kongo Falls (Ω form)	•Hard to Launch •Hazard: High Gravity	•The enemy's physical attacks have increased power •Timed stamina battle (1:30) •All fighters have reduced jump ability	Battle for Storm Hill
236		Hilda (The Legend of Zelda)	The Legend of Zelda Series	•Zelda •Bunny Young Link		9,100	Temple	•Assist Trophy Enemies (Nightmare)	•Hostile assist trophies will appear	Lorule Main Theme
372		Bonkers	Kirby Series	•Donkey Kong		8,400	Kongo Jungle	N/A	•The enemy starts the battle with a Hammer •The enemy can swing the Hammer for a long time	Forest Stage
537		Genesect	Pokémon Series	•R.O.B. Team ×4		9,300	Prism Tower	N/A	•The enemy favors neutral specials •Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Genesect) •The enemy has increased move speed	N's Castle
558		Lunala	Pokémon Series	•Gold Ridley (160 HP)		9,400	Luigi's Mansion (Battlefield form)	N/A	•Stamina battle •Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Lunala)	Battle! (Elite Four) / Battle! (Solgaleo/Lunala)
683		Camilla	Fire Emblem Series	•Corrin •Charizard		9,700	Spear Pillar (hazards off)	•Item: X Bomb •Hazard: Poison Cloud	•The stage is covered in a poisonous cloud	Lost in Thoughts All Alone (for 3DS / Wii U)
1,296		Shantae	Shantae Series	•Zero Suit Samus		9,400	Pirate Ship	•Item: Transforming Types	•The enemy's battering items have increased power •The enemy starts the battle with a Killing Edge	Mob Smash
44		Pidgit	Super Mario Series	•Peach		3,600	Mushroom Kingdom II	N/A	•The enemy starts the battle with a Rocket Belt •The enemy has increased jump power	Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 2
65		Big Urchin	Super Mario Series	•Giant Jigglypuff		3,800	Mushroom Kingdom U (Battlefield form)	•Item: Unira	•The enemy is giant •The enemy is easily distracted by items	Ground Theme / Underwater Theme - Super Mario 3D Land
74		Lubba	Super Mario Series	•Giant Kirby		4,100	Mario Galaxy	•Hazard: Low Gravity •Item: Super Launch Star	•Gravity is reduced •The enemy starts the battle with a Super Launch Star •The enemy is giant	The Starship Sails
111		Antasma	Mario & Luigi Series	•Robin		4,300	Peach's Castle (Battlefield form)	•Item: Food •Hazard: Slumber Floor	•The floor is sleep-inducing •The enemy becomes more powerful after eating •The enemy is easily distracted by items	The Grand Finale
124		Waluigi (Super Mario Strikers) Waluigi (Mario Strikers)	Super Mario Strikers Series Mario Strikers Series	•Luigi		3,600	Wuhu Island (Swordplay Colosseum)	•Item: Soccer Ball	•Take your strongest team into this no-frills battle	Country Field: Away Team
98		Vivian	Paper Mario Series	•Clear Mr. Game & Watch		3,600	Luigi's Mansion (Battlefield form)	N/A	•The enemy is invisible	Paper Mario Medley
212		Happy Mask Salesman	The Legend of Zelda Series	•Young Link		4,300	Umbra Clock Tower	•Attack Power ↑ •Move Speed ↑ •Jump Power ↑	•Timed battle (1:30) •All fighters have increased jump power •All fighters have increased move speed after a little while	Song of Storms
213		Kafei	The Legend of Zelda Series	•Bunny Young Link		4,600	Skyloft	N/A	•Timed battle (1:30) •The enemy tends to avoid conflict	Termina Field (Remix)
235		Ravio	The Legend of Zelda Series	•Bunny Young Link		4,000	Skyloft	N/A	•Timed battle (2:00) •The enemy favors special moves •The enemy is easily distracted by items	Hyrule Main Theme
371		Bugzzy	Kirby Series	•Ridley		3,700	Green Greens	•Item: Beetle	•The enemy's side special has increased power •The enemy has increased attack power	Forest/Nature Area
443		Gengar	Pokémon Series	•Donkey Kong		4,300	Luigi's Mansion (Battlefield form)	•Hazard: Slumber Floor	•The floor is sleep-inducing	Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue Medley
523		Chandelure	Pokémon Series	•Mr. Game & Watch		4,100	Luigi's Mansion (Battlefield form)	•Hazard: Lava Floor	•The floor is lava	Battle! (Reshiram / Zekrom)
603		Zoda	F-Zero Series	•Snake		3,600	Mute City SNES	•Item: Motion-Sensor Bomb	•The enemy starts the battle with a Lip's Stick	Sand Ocean (Original)
635		Medeus	Fire Emblem Series	•Ridley (140 HP)		3,600	Castle Siege (Underground Cavern)	•Giant	•The enemy is giant after a little while •Stamina battle	Lords-Showdown
793		Blaze the Cat	Sonic The Hedgehog Series	•Robin		4,100	Green Hill Zone (Battlefield form)	•Hazard: Lava Floor	•The floor is lava •The enemy's explosion and fire attacks have increased power •The enemy starts the battle with a Fire Flower	Reach for the Stars
807		Purple Pikmin	Pikmin Series	•Tiny Donkey Kong Team ×10 (20 HP)		3,500	Distant Planet	N/A	•Stamina battle •The enemy deals damage when falling •Reinforcements will appear after an enemy is KO'd	Forest of Hope
998		Gen	Street Fighter Series	•Lucario (140 HP)		3,600	New Pork City (Ω form)	•Jump Power ↓	•Lucario's Aura has increased power •Stamina battle •All fighters have reduced jump power	Fei Long Stage Type A
1,112		Shadow Bug	Super Smash Bros. Series	•Mr. Game & Watch Team ×4		4,300	Pokémon Stadium (Ω form)	•Hazard: Poison Cloud	•The stage is covered in a poisonous cloud	Step: Subspace
1,297		Risky Boots	Shantae Series	•Daisy		3,800	Pirate Ship	•Bob-omb Festival •Item: Exploding Types	•Bob-ombs will rain from the sky after a little while •The enemy is easily distracted by items	Molgera
1,352		T-Tetrimino	Tetris Series	•R.O.B.		4,400	Flat Zone X (Battlefield form)	•Assist Trophy Enemies (Hammer Bro) •Hazard: Screen Flip	•The screen will suddenly flip •Hostile assist trophies will appear •The enemy favors down smash attacks	Chill (Brawl)
115		Eggplant Man	Wrecking Crew Series	•Wario Team ×6		1,900	Wrecking Crew (Battlefield form)	•Item: Golden Hammer	•Defeat an army of fighters	Wrecking Crew Medley
87		Standard Bike	Mario Kart Series	•Wario ×4		2,100	Figure-8 Circuit	N/A	•The enemy's side special has increased power •The enemy has increased move speed	Mario Kart Stadium - Mario Kart 8
168		Kalypso	Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Donkey Kong: Jet Race	•Wendy Team ×4		1,800	Kongo Falls	N/A	•The enemy starts the battle with a Rocket Belt •The enemy has increased move speed	Boss 2 - DK: Jungle Climber
597		Baba	F-Zero Series	•Captain Falcon (120 HP)		1,900	Big Blue	N/A	•Stamina battle •The enemy has increased move speed	Dream Chaser
722		Pseudo-Palutena	Kid Icarus Series	•Palutena		1,900	Dracula's Castle	N/A	•Only certain Pokémon will emerge from Poké Balls (Ditto)	Destroyed Skyworld
747		Count Cannoli	Wario Land Series	•Wario		1,800	WarioWare, Inc. (hazards off)	•Item: Transforming Types	•Items will be pulled toward the enemy	Ashley's Song
1,074		Shaft	Castlevania Series	•Robin		1,700	Dracula's Castle (Ω form)	•Move Speed ↓ •Invisibility	•You have reduced move speed •The enemy is invisible	Dance of Gold
1,159		Akari Hayami	1080° Series	•Wii Fit Trainer		1,800	Summit	•Slippery Stage •Item: Freezie	•The stage's platforms are very slippery	Golden Forest
426		Arbok	Pokémon Series	•Ridley		2,200	Yoshi's Island (Melee)	•Attack Power ↓ •Hazard: Poison Floor	•The floor is poisonous •You have reduced attack power	Main Theme - Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue (Brawl)
448		Weezing	Pokémon Series	•Wario		2,200	Pokémon Stadium (hazards off)	•Hazard: Poison Cloud	•The stage is covered in a poisonous cloud	Main Theme - Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue (Brawl)
783		Big the Cat	Sonic The Hedgehog Series	•Giant Incineroar		2,600	Windy Hill Zone (Battlefield form)	•Hazard: Slumber Floor	•The floor is sleep-inducing •The enemy is giant	Open Your Heart
898		Napalm Man	Mega Man Series	•Snake ×3 (50 HP)		1,600	Wily Castle (hazards off)	N/A	•The enemy's explosion and fire attacks have increased power •Stamina battle •The enemy favors neutral specials	Napalm Man Stage
1,136		Eagle	Advance Wars Series	•Captain Falcon		1,800	Corneria	•Defense ↑ •Attack Power ↑ •Item: Shooting Types	•The enemy has increased attack power after a little while •The enemy has increased defense after a little while •The enemy starts the battle with a Staff	Garage
1,156		Girl from Hajimari no Mori	Hajimari no Mori	•Villager •Ness		2,300	Duck Hunt (Battlefield form)	•Hazard: Fog	•The stage is covered in fog •The enemy favors down specials	Yūyūki Medley
1,229		Idea	Soma Bringer	•Daisy (120 HP)		1,800	Reset Bomb Forest	•Health Recovery •Move Speed ↓ •Item: Timer	•You have reduced move speed when the enemy's at high damage •Stamina battle •The enemy is healed when the enemy's at high damage	Attack - Soma Bringer

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	夜に先立つ暮れの色 紫のスピリッツ	The color of the dusk before the night: Purple spirits
French	Triés sur le violet	Filtered with purple
German	Violettes Veilchenfest	Purple festival
Spanish	El morado está de moda	Purple is in fashion
Italian	Il viola è di moda	Purple is in fashion
Chinese (Simplified)	夜幕降临下的紫色命魂	Purple Spirits at Nightfall
Chinese (Traditional)	黑夜前的垂暮 紫色命魂	The Dusk Before Dark: Purple Spirits
Korean	여명의 보랏빛 스피릿	Purple Spirit of Dawn
Dutch	Paarse parade	Purple parade
Russian	Фиолетовый финал	Purple Finale

Trivia

• The event's English name is based on the proverb "it's always darkest before the dawn", derived from a similar phrase in Thomas Fuller's A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine.