Volt Tackle

Volt Tackle (ボルテッカー Borutekkā, Volteccer) is Pikachu's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. When Pikachu uses this attack, it temporarily turns into a gigantic ball of electricity. Pikachu will then fly around the stage at great speeds, and the direction Pikachu goes during this move can be controlled by the player. When an opponent is hit, they take about 11% damage and minor knockback, depending on how much of the attack hits the opponent and how fast Pikachu is moving. The move can deliver significant knockback when the attack button is pressed, creating a large discharge. The Final Smash lasts around 10 seconds, and is generally accepted as extremely powerful by fans, though the difficulty of controlling it and its short length are major drawbacks.

The move has relatively unusual controls. The player cannot control Pikachu's movements directly, they instead control a sort of pivot point; Pikachu gravitates towards this point with elastic physics. The pivot point cannot pass through solid terrain, but Pikachu can. The move's elasticity is reduced in its final moments, which is why Pikachu then moves slower and cannot move through walls.

Origin

File:Volt Tackle HGSS.png

Pikachu using Volt Tackle in Generation IV of the Pokémon games.

Starting in Generation III, when a female Pikachu or Raichu is holding a Light Ball in the Pokémon games, all of its offspring Pichu will instinctively know Volt Tackle. This is the only way the move can be "learned"; this makes it a kind of signature move for the Pikachu evolutionary line. Volt Tackle is a physical Electric-type move since Generation IV that is as strong as Thunder (both have 120 power) and is far more accurate (100% compared to Thunder's 70%); however, the user receives one-third of the damage inflicted as recoil damage, and it has a lower chance of paralysis (10% compared to 30%).

This move in Pokémon is a direct reference to Voltteccer, the signature move of the titular character of a Genesis/Mega Drive game called Pulseman made by Game Freak (the same developer that made Pokémon). The move's look and controls in Brawl are also direct references to the move's look and controls from Pulseman.

Volt Tackle Trophy in Brawl

Description from the Instruction Booklet

Generate high-current electricity and use the Control Stick to zoom around the stage. Press the A Button to launch more sparks. Controlling this move requires patience.

Trophy

Pikachu, transformed into a ball of light that can slam into foes. It can also fly to chase down those who try to jump out of range. Sparks get stronger when you press the attack button. However, its increased inertia makes midair movement tough. If you get carried away flying, the effect will end, and you'll destroy yourself. Be careful it doesn't happen to you.

: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Trivia

• The game will lag if the pause camera is zoomed into an active Volt Tackle, especially during the spark.
• This Final Smash is the only one from the Pokémon universe that has the name of an actual move from the series.

External links

• [1] The Volt Tackle can be seen near the end of the clip.

Pikachu's special moves

Neutral special	Thunder Jolt
Side special	—	Skull Bash
Up special	Quick Attack
Down special	Thunder
Final Smash	—		Volt Tackle