Knee Smash: Difference between revisions

The '''Knee Smash''', also well known as '''The Knee''' or the '''Knee of Justice''' (and a variety of other nicknames involving the term "knee") is [[Captain Falcon]]'s [[forward aerial]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. It is an extremely powerful low-trajectory KO move often used at the end of Falcon's combos and for edge-guarding. It deals up to 18% [[damage]] in ''Melee'' and 19% in ''Brawl'', and has [[electric]]al properties when [[sweetspot]]ted. The name of the move is confirmed from his "Red" Smash trophy description in ''Melee''.

The Knee Smash acts as a [[sex kick]], with two main [[hitbox]]es. The initial hitbox (often called the "hard knee"), which lasts only a few frames, is Captain Falcon's primary KO move and is accompanied by an [[electric]]al effect. The second hitbox (nicknamed the "soft knee") lasts much longer, but lacks the damage and knockback of the initial hitbox. The attack, however, acts as a semi-spike, albeit a weak one.

In ''Brawl'', the Knee Smash was [[nerf]]ed. The initial hitbox was nerfed such that it needs to actually sweet spot on the knee for the familiar electrical hit to occur, as the back hitbox simply has similar properties of [[NTSC]] ''Melee'''s late hit, while the late hit in ''Brawl'' acts like the [[PAL]] late hit in ''Melee'', being even weaker than the clean hit's sourspot. In addition, the initial hitbox as a whole now only lasts one frame; as a result, it is much harder to land a hard Knee Smash. Its [[freeze frame|hitlag]] has also been significantly increased, allowing for more [[directional influence|DI]] and [[smash directional influence|SDI]] from the opponent. On the upside, it can autocancel from a short hop, though on smaller characters, this trait can only be taken full advantage of if they aren't on the ground. Nonetheless, the Knee Smash remains among Falcon's strongest finishers, sometimes used in an aerial combo in place of his up aerial.

The Knee Smash was once again nerfed. The Knee Smash has significantly more landing lag (is now 30 frames, or half a second), aerial cool-down (IASA frame 40 → 46) and can no longer auto cancel in a short hop. As a result, it is no longer a practical approach option, and is somewhat riskier to use offstage. However, it does have much more base knockback with reduced scaling as a result, being safer to land a hard knee at lower percents and essentially acting as Ganondorf's forward aerial used to in previous installments.

Despite these nerfs, it is considered much more useful than in ''Brawl,'' largely thanks to the removal of hitstun cancelling and the immense buffs Falcon received in other areas. It's worth noting that, at mid-percentages, Falcon can true combo his down throw into a Knee Smash, KOing if done near the ledge. From mid- to high-percents, Falcon can hit a grounded opponent with his up aerial, launching them into the air and, due to the minimal landing lag on his up aerial, he has enough time to follow up with a Knee while they are still in hitstun. If an opponent air dodges in an attempt to escape a combo, Falcon can punish them with a well-timed Knee Smash.  

*The Knee Smash is the final move of the famous [[Wombo Combo]].