Editing Falcon Punch

{{ArticleIcons|ssb=y|melee=y|brawl=y|ssb4=y|ultimate=y}}

|image=[[File:FalconPunchSSB4.png|400px]]

|caption=Captain Falcon charges a Falcon Punch in ''Smash 4''

|universe={{uv|Super Smash Bros.}}<br>{{uv|F-Zero}}

==Description==

[[File:Falcon 180 punch.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Captain Falcon's reverse Falcon Punch]]

Throughout the ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series, the Falcon Punch has consistently been one of the most powerful special attacks. With the exception of ''Smash 4'' and excluding the [[Blue Falcon]], it also possesses the highest [[knockback]] of Captain Falcon's moveset (including charged [[smash attack|smashes]]). Its power is counterbalanced by its predictability, due to its slow start-up time, along with Captain Falcon loudly announcing "Falcon...PUNCH!" every time he uses it.

Aesthetically, the move will cause Captain Falcon to kneel downward, charge up power during the delay, before punching forward while crouching. In ''SSB64'', Captain Falcon will shake his fist above his head while charging (if in midair, he cowers away from his orientation instead). In ''Melee'', Captain Falcon's stance is straightened, with his arms lowered and his left hand out (in midair, he will also do a recovering inward turn after the punch). In ''Brawl'' and ''Smash 4'', the animation is somewhat similar, but Captain Falcon punches his right fist into his left before charging, and his pose is slightly exaggerated as a result of animation improvements.  

The charging is accompanied by visible shockwaves in ''Smash 64'', and fiery effects surrounding Captain Falcon's fist in every other installment. Each future game also improves the visuals of the move, starting from a simple sprite in ''Smash 64'', to a full 3D model in ''Melee'', and ending with realistic fire effects from ''Brawl'' onwards.

In ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', this move is one of the few attacks in the game that is more powerful than the [[Home-Run Bat]] at high damages, especially in the former game due to its upward trajectory. Thus, it is common for a Falcon Punch to be used in place of the Home-Run Bat for a finisher while attempting [[Home-Run Contest]] world records, especially since Captain Falcon's own unique forward smash attack with any battering weapon (only in ''Melee'') renders it impractical to use for this scenario.

From ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' onward, Captain Falcon can turn around during the start-up of the punch to perform a '''Reverse Falcon Punch'''. This slightly increases its already high damage and knockback, at the cost of slightly more start-up time. Uses of the reverse Falcon Punch include [[mindgame|mindgaming]] opponents, catching rolls, or simply making an offstage punish even more powerful.

Although the move can be reversed in ''Melee'' like all neutral special moves, this is only aesthetic.

The Falcon Punch in ''Super Smash Bros.'' is the fastest version in the series, due to having much less [[start-up]] and [[ending lag]] than in the subsequent games. As a result of its speed, along with the game's lack of [[air dodge|air dodging]], high hitstun, and opponents only being able to affect it with [[SDI]], it is easier to combo with than in every other game. Falcon Punch can also be used for [[recovery]] when Falcon is recovering high, as it gives additional horizontal distance as well as minor vertical distance when angled up.

It is generally used as a combo finisher; common tactics include forward throw → Falcon Punch (48-72% on fast-fallers using various jump heights) and up aerial → Falcon Punch. The '''Tapion Combo''', a down aerial → Falcon Punch named after a Smasher that landed it consistently, is also possible that works at specific percents.

[[File:Sacred Combo.gif|200px|thumb|right|Captain Falcon performing the Sacred Combo.]]

In ''Melee'', the Falcon Punch was made much slower, which removes its use as a recovery and combo-finishing option. Due to Captain Falcon's down aerial being much slower than in ''Smash 64'' along with the lowered effectiveness of [[L-cancel]]ing and the introduction of DI, the Tapion Combo was made more unreliable and very uncommon in competitive play, although other combos exist as a result of gameplay changes.

One of the most famous combos is the '''Sacred Combo''', which involves following up a [[Knee Smash]] into an aerial Falcon Punch by chasing the opponent offstage. If performed successfully, this combo results in a [[KO]] in almost all cases, although by performing this combo, Captain Falcon may fail to recover back if he jumps too far off the edge. Additionally, the only reliable way to connect the two moves is if the opponent poorly [[DI]]s towards Captain Falcon. Regardless, KOing an opponent with the Sacred Combo is widely regarded as being one of the most stylish ways to do so.

The '''G-Regulate combo''', named after {{Sm|G-regulate}}, is another combo that allows Captain Falcon to combo an L-canceled down aerial into a Falcon Punch against some characters at specific percents. It can be avoided with DI.

Alongside the introduction of the "Reverse Falcon Punch", the Falcon Punch was buffed, being slightly faster, though it retains its slow startup from ''Melee''. It also has slightly lower knockback growth, though this is minuscule and still allows the move to KO as low as 60% from center-stage.

While retaining its ability to be reversed, Falcon Punch was nerfed from ''Brawl'', having significantly lower base knockback, slightly less knockback growth, a smaller hitbox and more ending lag, causing it to be unsafe on hit at 0% and making it weaker than his fully-charged forward smash. However, the move now deals more consistent damage throughout: a standard grounded punch deals 25% damage through its duration, while a reversed punch deals 28%, with neither varient having any sourspots (although the maximum damage output of the standard punch was reduced by 2%).

Compared to ''Brawl'', Falcon Punch sees a little bit more utility due to air dodges having landing lag like in ''Melee''. It should also be noted that when used in the air, the Falcon Punch deals 3% less damage, but if it is charged in the air and activates on the ground, this penalty does not apply.

{{CustomSet|Falcon|Neutral|name1=Falcon Punch|desc1=Charge up for a moment, then strike. The direction can be changed while charging.|name2=Falcon Dash Punch|desc2=Dash forward and punch. Slightly weaker, and you're vulnerable before striking.|name3=Mighty Falcon Punch|desc3=A bigger, more powerful Falcon Punch, but the buildup leaves you more open than ever.}}

# '''Falcon Punch''': Default.

# '''Falcon Dash Punch''': After startup, Falcon dashes forward, dealing less damage than default.

# '''Mighty Falcon Punch''': Has a bigger, lasting hitbox, but has even longer startup. Contrary to its name and description, its damage and knockback are actually weaker than the default, while its later hitboxes deal much lower knockback.

[[File:Falcon Punch Origin.gif|thumb|The Falcon Punch as seen in the ''F-Zero'' animated series. Note that the giant explosion caused was not caused by the punch but rather by a reactor's simultaneous destruction.]]

The move originated in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series and is generally considered part of the ''[[Super Smash Bros. (universe)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' universe, as well as simply being part of his falcon motif. However, after ''Melee'''s release, Captain Falcon famously performed a Falcon Punch in the ''F-Zero'' animated series, ''F-Zero: GP Legend'', where he uses it to defeat Black Shadow (see [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CJn69FgEko|this video]). It has become quite memetic, as the clip makes it appear that the Falcon Punch causes an explosion that can be seen from outside the Milky Way Galaxy (in reality, Captain Falcon is using the Falcon Punch to prevent Black Shadow from escaping said explosion). Outside of the ''Smash Bros.'' series, the Falcon Punch is often used to describe or add humor to powerful punch-based events as an imitation of its power in said clip and within the ''Smash Bros.'' games, with voice clips inserted (though special effects are not necessary).

The above mentioned meme is somewhat referenced in a Subspace Emissary cutscene, when Captain Falcon performs a Falcon Punch on a giant R.O.B. in a very similar fashion to the clip from the animated series. The meme has crossed all the way back to ''Super Smash Bros.'' and is referenced in [[Snake's Smash Taunt#Captain Falcon|Captain Falcon's codec with Snake]] ([[Otacon]] in this case, coincidentally sharing the same Japanese voice actor that voiced Falcon in the said animated series). Additionally, the crowd cheer for Captain Falcon is repeated chants of "Falcoooooon Punch!" in the English version of ''Smash Super Bros. 4''.

As a testament to the move's popularity, it seems to have come full circle and crossed back over into ''F-Zero'' canon: it is mentioned in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq9mipSqeC4 ''F-Zero GX''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> ending song], specifically in the line "When myopic confusion threatens your lunch / Falcon will be unleashing a Falcon Punch."

Falcon Punch SSBM.jpg|Falcon Punch in ''Melee''.

Kirby Falcon Punch.jpg|Kirby [[Inhale (Kirby)|copying]] Falcon Punch in ''Brawl'', and the difference between the two punches.

*There is a glitch in which if a player uses a Reverse Falcon Punch on [[Pit (SSBB)|Pit]], and Pit pulls out the [[Mirror Shield]] at the correct moment, Captain Falcon will be sent backwards a long way, longer than many stages. An example can be seen [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT-UhI3UFEg here]. The same can be done with Mario's [[Cape]] and Ganondorf's [[Warlock Punch]].

*In ''Brawl'', if {{SSBB|Kirby}} uses the Falcon Punch immediately after a jump, he will get a large boost upward. This is most noticeable with his footstool jump, which goes nearly twice as high as normal. This is sometimes known as a footstool punch.

*Captain Falcon always uses his right fist to perform the Falcon Punch. However, he uses his left fist during his appearance in the reveal trailer [[List_of_Super_Smash_Bros._4_character_trailers#Robin and Lucina|"By Book, Blade, and Crest of Flame"]], while Kirby will use either hand depending on his facing direction (since he always faces the screen).