Editing Spiny Shell

{{ArticleIcons|ssb4=y|ssbu=y}}

| image        = [[File:Spiny Shell (Mario Kart 8).png|250px|center]]

| caption      = {{symbol|mario}}<br>The Spiny Shell as it appears in ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario Kart 8}}'' and ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario Kart 8 Deluxe}}''.

| series      = ''{{uv|Mario}}''

The '''Spiny Shell''' ({{ja|トゲゾーこうら|Togezō Kōra}}, ''Spiny Shell''), popularly known as the '''Blue Shell''', is an [[item]] from the ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart|series}}'' series that appears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. First seen in the April 2014 [[Nintendo Direct]], it functions as a thrown item which launches a delayed attack on the leading opponent of the thrower

[[File:SpinyShellMK8Deluxe1stPlaceRacer.jpg|left|thumb|The Spiny Shell in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', ready to hit the leading racer.]]

This item appears to be the most common variation of a {{s|mariowiki|Spiny Shell}} in {{uv|Mario}} spin-off games including the ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart|series}}'' series. It originates from ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario Kart 64}}'', where it appeared as an incredibly rare item from an {{s|mariowiki|Item Box}} that would tear through the track in pursuit of the racer in first place, to whom it would deliver a massive blow; it would also bash through any other racers and items that happened to be in the way. It is one of the most notorious items in the series, stalling the target for an extremely long time and being nearly impossible to avoid once thrown, even when predicted. Later games in the series gave the shell wings, so it flies straight to the leading racer without making contact with other racers, and a large explosion upon touching down on its target, with a blast radius large enough to catch surrounding racers as well. In modern games, it still explodes upon hitting the leading racer, but it lost its wings, and is thus able to hit racers that happen to be in its path like before. Its design in ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' is taken from its appearance since ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario Kart 7}}''.

Due to hitting the player in first place, the Spiny Shell is notorious for being one of the most, if not the most, dreaded items in the ''Mario Kart'' series. The only way to stop it is with the {{s|mariowiki|Super Horn}}, which was introduced in the ''Mario Kart 8''.

==Function==

When thrown, the Spiny Shell targets the current highest-ranking opponent of the thrower - the one with the most points in [[time|time matches]], the most [[stocks]] in stock matches, or the most [[coins]] in coin matches. If multiple opponents have equal standing, the one with the least [[damage]] is picked, and if multiple opponents also have equal damage, the one closest to the thrower is picked. The Spiny Shell flies to and hovers above its target, continuing to follow above them for five seconds, and then slams down onto said player. The Spiny Shell explodes upon hitting an opponent or other hurtbox during its attack, which deals 28% damage with sizeable knockback. The time it takes from falling on its target to exploding is randomized, which can potentially make the attack difficult to dodge.

==Trophy information==

[[File:SpinyShellTrophy3DS.png|thumb|100px|left|Trophy in {{for3ds}}.]]

[[File:SpinyShellTrophyWiiU.png|thumb|100px|Trophy in {{forwiiu}}.]]

:{{Flag|North America}} ''The devastating blue Spiny Shell that normally appears in the Mario Kart series. This shell seeks out the lead racer and ruins his or her day. In Smash Bros., it will hover above one of the fighters before crashing down and exploding. Avoiding the impact can be challenging.''

:{{Flag|Europe}} ''In the Mario Kart series, these blue shells play a big role, tearing down the track at a frightening speed before crashing down on whoever's in first place. When thrown, it'll hover around above a fighter's head, and after a short while drop down and blow up. If you find one targeting you, get ready to dodge that explosion!''

{{Trophy games|console1=N64|game1=Mario Kart 64 (02/1997)|console2=WiiU|game2=Mario Kart 8 (05/2014)}}

{{clear}}

File:SpinyShell-SSB4.jpg|{{SSB4|Lucario}} throwing the Spiny Shell in {{forwiiu}}.

File:SSBUSpinyShell.png|Artwork of the Spiny Shell from ''Ultimate''.

File:SSBUWebsiteBowser6.jpg|Bowser and a Spiny Shell in ''Ultimate''.