Neutral attack: Difference between revisions

[[File:Roy Screen-2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|{{SSB4|Roy}}'s neutral attack in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Wii U]]''.]]

[[File:Mario AAA Combo SSBM.gif|thumb|right|250px|{{SSBM|Mario}}'s standard neutral combo in ''[[Melee]].'']]

[[File:Smash 4 - Fox's finishing jab.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|The final hit of {{SSB4|Fox}}'s neutral infinite in ''[[Smash 4]].'']]

The neutral infinite ends once the attack button is released. Prior to ''[[Smash 4]]'', this causes the character to simply stop attacking – however, from ''Smash 4'' onwards, neutral infinites have a final hit known as a '''finisher''' that is designed to launch opponents away, and is used once the attack button is released. Since no new button input is made to activate this final hit, it is not its own stage of the natural combo.

Characters like [[Kirby]], [[Fox]], [[Sheik]] and [[Bowser Jr.]] are known for possessing neutral infinites. [[Meta Knight]] is unique for having ''only'' a neutral infinite, and no standard neutral attack beforehand. Instead, his [[forward tilt]] is a three-part attack.

[[File:GentlemanSSB4.jpg |thumb|right|250px|{{SSB4|Captain Falcon}}'s [[Gentleman]] in ''Smash 4''.]]

A '''choosable''' neutral attack is one that can end either in a standard final hit ''or'' in a neutral infinite (which, in the context of a choosable, may be referred to as a [[Gentleman]]). The infinite is chosen by repeatedly pressing the attack button during the nonfinal hits of the combo – once it is launched, it functions identically to the typical neutral infinite. Likewise, the Gentleman is chosen by pressing the attack button less frequently, or by simply holding it once the first hit connects with an opponent.

|[[Bayonetta]]||4||Unique||{{n|16}}||Performs three pistol whips, then leans forwards and rapidly thrusts her guns forwards before throwing a downwards gun-spinning punch for a final hit. Unlike most neutral infinites, it ends automatically after a set number of hits.

|[[Bowser]]||2||Standard||{{n|16}}|| Throws an open hand strike the opponent and then follows up with a punch.

|[[Bowser Jr.]]||3||Infinite||{{y|16}}||Deploys a second mechanical arm from the Koopa Clown Car, then uses them to throw a jab, a cross, and then a flurry of rapid punches ending in an uppercut.

|[[Diddy Kong]]||3||{{GameIcon|SSBB}}{{GameIcon|SSB4}} Choosable<br/>{{GameIcon|SSBU}} Standard||{{GameIcon|SSBB}}{{GameIcon|SSB4}} {{n|16}}<br/>{{GameIcon|SSBU}} {{y|16}}||{{GameIcon|SSBB}}{{GameIcon|SSB4}} Slaps twice, then either kicks forward or rapidly flicks his tail around in front of himself.<br/>{{GameIcon|SSBU}} Slaps twice, then throws a side kick.

|[[Ridley]]||3||Choosable||{{n|16}}||Slashes inwards with both claws, then either bites in front of himself or performs a high-speed flurry of tail stabs.

*[[Pikachu]], [[Pichu]], [[Isabelle]] and [[Steve]] all have incredibly fast neutral attacks that hit once and, from ''[[Brawl]]'' onwards, are consecutive. Each one is easily capable of chaining into itself, especially at low damage percentages. This may lead to the false conception that they are neutral infinites. [[Villager]]'s neutral attack in ''[[SSB4]]'' also had a similar effect, over two hits instead of one, but it was changed to a true neutral infinite in Ultimate.

*[[Meta Knight]] is the only character with no "normal" neutral attacks before he begins the infinite. Even pressing the attack button once causes him to commit to at least one full cycle of the attack, leading an in-game [[tip]] to humorously state that Meta Knight "doesn't do 'standard attacks'." In ''Brawl'', it is also one of only two neutral attacks in the series to hit all around the character instead of just in front of them.

*[[Ike]]'s neutral attack in ''Brawl'' is notable for being used for combos by only using the first and second part via crouch-cancelling the third. This allows for easy damage multipliers and combos. The attack also has a powerful knockback at high percent which will KO characters around 170%.

*[[Mega Man]]'s neutral attack is the only one that is a [[projectile]]. It also flows freely with his near-identical forward tilt and neutral aerial, effectively allowing Mega Man to fire his Mega Buster while walking and jumping without interruption.

*The first hit of [[Wii Fit Trainer]]'s neutral attack combines a spear hand with a back kick for an attack that hits on both sides of their body, being one of only two neutral attacks to do so alongside Meta Knight's in ''Brawl''. Also unique to Wii Fit Trainer's neutral attack is that the third hit, when sweetspotted at the foot, can [[bury]] opponents. It is the only neutral attack capable of burying or inflicting any movement-inhibiting effect for that matter.

*Both [[Robin]]'s standard finisher and neutral infinite involve the use of tomes, and thereby have the unique ability both to affect their special moves and be affected by them. [[Arcfire]] and Robin's standard finisher ender draw from the same durability meter, as do [[Elwind]] and their infinite. The longer the infinite is held, the more durability will be sapped from Elwind. If one or both of these tomes is broken, the relevant neutral attack part will have no hitbox until it respawns.

*[[Ryu]] has two different attacks which can be achieved through a neutral attack input; in ''Ultimate'', he and his new echo fighter [[Ken]] each have three. For both characters, quickly pressing the attack button instead of holding it results in a three-stage combo. However, the second and third stages can only be accessed upon a successful hit. Otherwise, repeatedly tapping the button will simply cause the first hit to be used repeatedly, in a modified form of consecutiveness. Both of these properties are unique to Ryu and Ken. Holding the button results in a different attack altogether, which is not a natural combo. In ''Ultimate'', Ryu and Ken are also the only fighters to have proximity normals, of which their neutral attacks are an example. Holding the attack button while close to opponents results in them performing an attack similar to their held [[up tilt]], but with virtually no knockback.

*[[Inkling]]'s neutral infinite covers opponents in [[ink]]. If Inkling runs out of ink, it can still be used, but it will possess no hitboxes.

*Particularly in ''[[SSB4]]'', [[Villager]]'s neutral attack functions quite unlike any other in the series. It is a two-hit [[natural combo]] whose second hit can be canceled back into the first hit, allowing for an endless volley of repeating punches. It is also a consecutive move that uniquely repeats both hits instead of just the first one. Both of these factors may lead players to the conclusion that it is an infinite, but this is inaccurate, as it lacks a finishing hit. Its nature as a repeating and consecutive natural combo also means the time between hits can be shortened by rapidly pressing the attack button instead of holding it, which cannot be done for any true neutral infinite. In ''[[Ultimate]]'', a true infinite was added as a third stage of the natural combo, giving it a proper final hit, but its unique two-hit consecutiveness remains.

*In all games, there is only one character with a four-stage neutral attack: [[Captain Falcon]] prior to ''SSB4'', and [[Bayonetta]] from ''SSB4'' onwards. Both are unique in other ways, as well.

**Particularly in ''[[Melee]]'', the third hit of Captain Falcon's neutral attack—a knee strike—is quick, safe, highly damaging, and overall an excellent way to end close-range strings. However, on the NTSC version of the game, it is notoriously difficult to trigger this attack without also using the notoriously slow and ineffective infinite that follows it. Because of the difficulty in utilizing this attack, combined with its importance in Captain Falcon's moveset, this portion of the attack became well-known enough to garner its own nickname, the [[Gentleman]].

**Bayonetta's neutral infinite is the only one in the series that cannot be held indefinitely. After being held for sufficiently long, even if it is not hitting anything, the final hit will come out with no input from the player, and the attack will end.