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{{ArticleIcons|series=y}}
{{ArticleIcons|series=y}}
{{redirect|Fall|the article about a character's descent in midair|falling speed}}
{{redirect|Fall|the article about a character's descent in midair|falling speed}}
[[File:KO Brawl.png|thumb|250px|{{SSBB|Mario}} gets KO'd by {{SSBB|Link}}.]]
{{For|KOs that the victim fly through the background and away from the stage|Star KO}}
A '''KO''', short for '''knock-out''' or '''knock-off''', commonly known as a '''death''' or a '''kill''' or even a '''finishing blow''' by [[Stamina Mode]], is the term used to describe the situation where a player is [[knockback|launched]] beyond the [[stage]]'s [[blast line]]s by the opponent's actions. The KO'd player is sent to a [[revival platform]] to re-enter the match. Losing all [[HP]] in [[Stamina Mode]] results in a KO without crossing a blast line, and some attacks and hazards can cause [[instant KO]]s without the target crossing the blast line or being launched at all.
{{For|KOs that the victim hit the screen before falling|Screen KO}}
[[File:KO Brawl.png|thumb|250px|{{SSBB|Mario}} gets KO'd by {{SSBB|Link}} in ''Brawl''.]]
A '''KO''', short for '''knock-out''' or '''knock-off''', commonly known as a '''death''' or a '''kill''' or even a '''finishing blow''' by [[Stamina Mode]], occurs when a player is [[knockback|launched]] beyond the [[stage]]'s [[blast line]]s by the opponent's actions used in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series. The KO'd player is sent to a [[revival platform]] to re-enter the match. Losing all [[HP]] in [[Stamina Mode]] results in a KO without crossing a blast line, and some attacks and hazards can cause [[instant KO]]s without the target crossing the blast line or being launched at all.


All characters have the same KO explosion, namely a gigantic colorful blast that extends in the direction the victim was KO'd, in the color of the player's [[port]]: Player One's explosion is red, Player Two's is blue, [[CPU]]s are grey, and so on. Only two characters have slightly different KO explosions, {{SSB4|Mega Man}} and [[Luma]]: Mega Man will split up into orbs the color of his costume (alongside the normal explosion), like he does when he dies in the ''Mega Man'' series (they will sometimes not appear if many Mega Mans are KO'd at the same time), while Luma's explosion is smaller and creates colorful stars. A [[One-hit KO]] occurs when the target suffers a KO even when their damage is at 0%.
All characters have the same KO explosion, namely, a gigantic colorful blast that extends in the direction the victim was KO'd, in the color of the player's port. Only two characters have slightly different KO explosions, [[Mega Man]] and [[Luma]]: Mega Man will split up into orbs the color of his costume (alongside the normal explosion), like he does when he dies in the ''Mega Man'' series (they will sometimes not appear if many Mega Mans are KO'd at the same time), while Luma's explosion is smaller and creates colorful stars. A [[one-hit KO]] occurs when the target suffers a KO even when their damage is at 0%, while an instant KO completely bypasses knockback and damage.


Once KO'd, the following may then happen depending on the type of match:
Once KO'd, the following may then happen depending on the type of match:
*In a [[Time]] match, the KO'd player loses a point, while the player who made the KO gains a point.
*In a [[Time]] match, the KO'd player loses a point, while the player who made the KO gains a point.
**In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', the score indicators are present in both Timed and Stock matches, but are meaningless in the latter. In later games, the indicators are absent for Stock matches.
**In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', the score indicators are present in both Time and Stock matches but are meaningless in the latter. In other games, the indicators are absent for Stock matches.
*In a [[Stock]] match, the KO'd player loses a stock. If a players lose all their stock, they will receive the following:
*In a [[Stock]] match, the KO'd player loses a stock. If players lose all their stocks, they will receive the following:
**Single-player: A [[Continue]] or a Game Over (the latter if the player doesn't have enough [[coins (collectable)|coins]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' or chooses not to continue).
**Single-player: A [[Continue]] or a Game Over (the latter if the player doesn't have enough {{b|coin|collectable}}s in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' or chooses not to continue).
**Multiplayer: Removal from the rest of the match. In a team match, the player can [[Share Stock|"borrow" a stock from an ally]].
**Multiplayer: Removal from the rest of the match. In a team match, the player can [[Share Stock|"borrow" a stock from an ally]].
*In a [[Coin Battle]], KO'd players lose half their [[Smash Coins and Bills|smash coins]], rounded down. [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl|''Brawl'']] prevents a player from losing more than 100 smash coins at once. The lost coinage flies into play if the KO was made off the side.
*In a [[Coin Battle]], KO'd players lose half their [[Smash Coins and Bills|smash coins]], rounded down. ''Brawl'' prevents a player from losing more than 100 smash coins at once. The lost coinage flies into play if the KO was made off the side.
*In a [[Bonus (mode)|Bonus]] match (''[[Melee]]'' only), a KO will earn the player 500 [[bonus points|points]], while a fall will subtract 500 points.
*In a {{b|Bonus|mode}} match (''Melee'' only), a KO will earn the player 500 [[bonus points|points]], while a fall will subtract 500 points.
*In the [[Subspace Emissary]], the next character in the lineup is loaded and teleported into play without a revival platform. One stock is also lost.
*In the [[Subspace Emissary]], the next character in the lineup is loaded and teleported into play without a revival platform. One stock is also lost.
**Characters can also be KO'd in the Subspace Emissary if they are [[crush]]ed by moving walls, ceilings, or floors.
**Characters can also be KO'd in the Subspace Emissary if they are [[crush]]ed by moving walls, ceilings, or floors.
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In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and ''Melee'', each character has a "KO property" which starts out empty. When characters are hit by any attack (be it a physical attack, a projectile, an item, etc.), their KO property is set to match whoever made the hit. Stage elements do not change the KO property. The KO property is reset once a character lands on the ground and is no longer moving as a result of the attack's [[knockback]]. When the character is KO'd, the KO goes to whoever matches the KO property. If the property is empty, the KO counts as a [[self-destruct]]. In simple terms, it goes to whoever made the last hit.
In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and ''Melee'', each character has a "KO property" which starts out empty. When characters are hit by any attack (be it a physical attack, a projectile, an item, etc.), their KO property is set to match whoever made the hit. Stage elements do not change the KO property. The KO property is reset once a character lands on the ground and is no longer moving as a result of the attack's [[knockback]]. When the character is KO'd, the KO goes to whoever matches the KO property. If the property is empty, the KO counts as a [[self-destruct]]. In simple terms, it goes to whoever made the last hit.


However, this format was altered for ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''. In ''Brawl'', a character's KO property is only reset 3 minutes after landing on the ground. This essentially means that a character must refrain from being hit for 3 minutes for a self-destruct to actually count as such; otherwise a self-destruct will be credited as another player's KO. While this was possibly implemented to avoid griefing in online matches (by self-destructing simply to deprive other players of points), in reality its main effect is giving other players illegitimate points, as it's clear that jumping off the edge a few seconds after successfully recovering is not a KO.
However, this format was altered for ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''. In ''Brawl'', a character's KO property is only reset 3 minutes after landing on the ground. This essentially means that a character must refrain from being hit for 3 minutes for a self-destruct to actually count as such; otherwise, a self-destruct will be credited as another player's KO. While this was possibly implemented to avoid griefing in online matches (by self-destructing simply to deprive other players of points), in reality, its main effect is giving other players illegitimate points, as it's clear that jumping off the edge a few seconds after successfully recovering is not a KO.


There are exceptions, however, particularly during most Final Smashes. If players jump off the stage during a Final Smash such as {{b|Zero Laser|Samus}}, then, unless someone else hit them before landing, it will count towards the user of the Final Smash, instead of the last one to hit them (Samus in this case). Moreover, getting KO'd during the usage of certain Final Smashes such as {{b|Giga Bowser|Final Smash}} will result in a self-destruct instead of a KO, even if players have been damaged by opponents previously. Characters with invincibility from a {{b|Starman|item}} will also self-destruct instead of being KO'd.
There are exceptions, however, particularly during most Final Smashes. If players jump off the stage during a Final Smash such as {{b|Zero Laser|Samus}}, then, unless someone else hit them before landing, it will count towards the user of the Final Smash, instead of the last one to hit them (Samus in this case). Moreover, getting KO'd during the usage of certain Final Smashes such as {{b|Giga Bowser|Final Smash}} will result in a self-destruct instead of a KO, even if players have been damaged by opponents previously. Characters with invincibility from a {{b|Starman|item}} will also self-destruct instead of being KO'd.


''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' appears to retain the ''Brawl'' system, but with one notable change: in matches of two players, any self-destructs are also credited as KOs for the opponent. For example, if a player has been KO'd once and has one self-destruct, the opponent will be credited with two KOs. This change only affects KO-based statistics; it has no real effect on who wins the match. A [[cannon]] resets the KO property as well. For example, if a player got knocked into a cannon on a custom stage and dies, because the cannon shoots them past the blast line, it will count as an SD.
''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' appears to retain the ''Brawl'' system, but with one notable change: in matches of two players, any self-destructs are also credited as KOs for the opponent. For example, if a player has been KO'd once and has one self-destruct, the opponent will be credited with two KOs. This change only affects KO-based statistics; it has no real effect on who wins the match. (This carried onto Smash Bros. Ultimate as well.) A [[Barrel Cannon|cannon]] resets the KO property as well. For example, if a player got knocked into a cannon on a custom stage and dies because the cannon shoots them past the blast line, it will count as an SD.
 
In ''Super Smash Bros. 4'', [[grab]]s do not count towards the KO property. However it does so in Ultimate.


==KO sounds==
==KO sounds==
In addition to the colorful KO blast, every fighter makes a loud, distinct vocal sound upon being KO'd, though there are some exceptions who are silent due to lacking voice lines. Throughout the series, these exceptions are [[Samus]] (''Brawl'' onwards), [[Mr. Game and Watch]] (not in ''Melee''), [[Olimar]], [[Duck Hunt]], [[Mega Man]] (excluding "8-bit explosion" sound effects), [[Pac-Man]], [[Villager]] and the [[Mii Fighter]]s.
In addition to the colorful KO blast, every fighter makes a loud, distinct vocal sound upon being KO'd, though there are some exceptions who are silent due to lacking voice lines. Throughout the series, these exceptions are:
*[[Piranha Plant]]
*[[Steve]]
*[[Samus]] (''Brawl'' onwards; has a Star KO sound effect)
*[[Dark Samus]] (has a Star KO sound effect)
*[[Mr. Game & Watch]] (not in ''Melee'' or ''Ultimate''; Star KO sound effect is still present in ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4'')
*[[Olimar]]
*[[Villager]]
*[[Isabelle]]
*[[Little Mac]] (when using Wire-Frame Mac costumes)
*[[Duck Hunt]] (has a Star KO sound effect)
*[[Mega Man]] (excluding "8-bit explosion" sound effects)
*[[Pac-Man]]
*[[Mii Fighter]]s (not in ''Ultimate'' if voice clips are set).


Every fighter in ''Brawl'', ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'' possesses two KO sounds, with the second being rarer and often a short phrase or line. In ''SSB4'', there are a handful of characters with only one KO scream, which are {{SSBU|Jigglypuff}} (has two in Japanese), {{SSB4|Roy}}, {{SSB4|Mewtwo}} and {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}. [[StreetSmash]] gives Pac-Man a KO sound not heard normally. Unlike previous games, in ''Ultimate'', if a character is on their last stock and is KO'd, their KO voice clip will not play (though some characters' KO voice clips will very briefly play, such as [[Peach]]'s, [[Wario]]'s and [[Incineroar]]'s.
Every fighter in ''Brawl'', ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'' possesses two KO sounds, with the second being rarer and often a short phrase or line (the second KO voice clip has a 1 in 6 chance of playing). However, there are a handful of characters with only one KO scream, which are:
*[[Jigglypuff]] (due to the English voice being recycled from ''Smash 64'' and ''Melee'' in all games; the German and French voice clips also follow this trait, but has two in Japanese)
*[[Mewtwo]] (as a possible callback to ''Melee'')
*[[Roy]] (as a possible callback to ''Melee'')
*{{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}} in ''Ultimate''
*The {{SSBU|Mii Fighter}}s with voice clips set in ''Ultimate''  
*[[Bayonetta]]
*[[Ridley]]
*[[Sephiroth]]


===List of unique secondary KO lines===
[[StreetSmash]] gives Pac-Man a KO sound not heard normally: the original "lose a life" sound from ''Pac-Man''.
{{head|Chrom|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Chrom:''' ''"Sorry!"''


{{head|Cloud|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Cloud:''' ''"{{ja|ミスった|Misutta...}}..."'' (''Missed it...'')
Notably, both of [[Ganondorf]]'s KO voice lines in ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4'', female [[Corrin]]'s and female [[Inkling]]'s secondary KO voice lines are much longer than most other characters. ''Ultimate''{{'}}s [[Stamina Mode]] also uses one of these sounds for almost all characters except for {{SSBU|Mario}}, {{SSBU|Dr. Mario}}, {{SSBU|Hero}}, {{SSBU|Terry}}, {{SSBU|Byleth}}, {{SSBU|Min Min}}, {{SSBU|Sephiroth}}, {{SSBU|Pyra}}, {{SSBU|Mythra}}, {{SSBU|Kazuya}}, and {{SSBU|Sora}} who instead use their heavy knockback cries, and {{SSBU|Joker}} and {{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}}, who use a unique voice clip. An [[instant KO]] from Hero's [[Command Selection|Kamikazee]] also always uses the primary KO voice clip. Another peculiarity specific to ''Ultimate'' is that, should a fighter be sent flying during their last stock and the current match ends, their KO scream usually not play or play only very briefly.


{{head|Corrin|g=SSBU|s=20px}}{{head|Corrin|cl=Female|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Corrin:''' ''"How... can this..."'' (Female Corrin drags the line for much longer compared to Male Corrin.)
===List of unique KO lines===
While most characters simply emit pain sounds of various kinds when KO'd, from ''Brawl'' onward, a few such as [[Pit]] and [[Robin]] can speak phrases. All of these are used as secondary KO clips, except for Zelda, whose main KO line is spoken in Japanese.


{{head|Dark Pit|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Dark Pit:''' ''"It's not over...!"'' ("{{ja|まだ終わらんぞ....!|Mada owaran zo....!}}", ''It's not over yet....!'')
{{head|Byleth|s=20px}} '''Byleth (Male):''' ''"Not my best!"'' ("{{ja|不覚...!|Fukaku...!}}", ''I was careless...!'')


{{head|Daisy|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Daisy''': ''"Ow!"''
{{head|Byleth|g=SSBU|cl=Female|l=Byleth|s=20px}} '''Byleth (Female):''' ''"Forgive me!"'' ("{{ja|やられた...!|Yarareta...!}}", ''I've got hurt...!'')


{{head|Lucina|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Lucina''': ''"{{ja|こんなところで...?|Kon'na tokorode...?}}"'' (''Must I fall here...?'') (only in Japanese version)
{{head|Chrom|s=20px}} '''Chrom:''' ''"Sorry!"'' ("{{ja|しまっ...!|Shima...!}}", ''Darn...!'')


{{head|Luigi|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Luigi''': ''"Oooohhhh...."''
{{head|Cloud|s=20px}} '''Cloud:''' ''"{{ja|ミスった...|Misutta...}}"'' (''Missed it...'')


{{head|Mario|g=SSBU|s=20px}} {{head|Dr. Mario|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Mario/Dr. Mario''' ''"Uhoo-leh"'' (Can be hard to hear in normal gameplay)
{{head|Corrin|s=20px}}{{head|Corrin|g=SSBU|cl=Female|l=Corrin|s=20px}} '''Corrin:''' ''"How... can this...?"'' ("{{ja|こんなことって...|Konna koto-tte...}}", ''How can this...'') (Female Corrin drags the line for much longer compared to Male Corrin.)


{{head|Ness|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Ness:''' ''"Ouch!"''
{{head|Dark Pit|s=20px}} '''Dark Pit:''' ''"It's not over...!"'' ("{{ja|まだ終わらんぞ....!|Mada owaran zo....!}}", ''It's not over yet....!'')


{{head|Palutena|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Palutena:''' ''"Oh no!"''
{{head|Joker|s=20px}} '''Joker:''' ''"What?!"'' ("{{ja|すまない...!|Sumanai...!}}", ''Sorry...!'')


{{head|Pit|g=SSBB|s=20px}} '''Pit (SSBB):''' ''"I'm done for..."'' ("{{ja|やられちゃった...|Yararechatta...}}", ''I got hurt...'')
{{head|Lucina|s=20px}} '''Lucina:''' ''"{{ja|こんなところで...!|Kon'na tokorode...!}}"'' (''Must I fall here...?!'') (only in Japanese version)


{{head|Pit|g=SSB4|s=20px}} {{head|Pit|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Pit (SSB4)/(SSBU):''' ''"I'm finished..."'' ("{{ja|やられちゃった...|Yararechatta...}}", ''I got hurt...'')
{{head|Mythra|s=20px}} '''Mythra:''' ''"Seriously?"'' (in a deadpan tone.) ("{{ja|やられた|Yarareta}}", ''I've been finished...'')


{{head|Richter|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Richter:''' ''"Why?!"''
{{head|Ness|s=20px}} '''Ness:''' ''"Ouch!"'' {{GameIcon|Brawl}}{{GameIcon|SSB4}}{{GameIcon|Ultimate}}


{{head|Robin|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Robin (Male):''' ''"Reckless fool...!"''  
{{head|Palutena|s=20px}} '''Palutena:''' ''"Oh no!"'' ("{{ja|あら...|Ara...}}", ''Oh dear...'')


{{head|Robin|cl=Female|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Robin (Female):''' ''"I was careless...!"'' ("{{ja|被弾しました！|Hidan shimashita!}}", ''I've been hit...!'')
{{head|Pit|s=20px}} '''Pit:''' ''"I'm done for..."'' {{GameIcon|Brawl}} / ''"I'm finished..."'' {{GameIcon|SSB4}}{{GameIcon|Ultimate}} ("{{ja|やられちゃった...|Yararechatta...}}", ''I got hurt...'')


{{head|Ryu|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Ryu:''' ''"What?"'' ({{ja|何？|Nani?}}, ''What?'')
{{head|Pokémon Trainer|s=20px}}{{head|Pokémon Trainer|g=SSBU|cl=Red|l=Pokémon Trainer|s=20px}} '''Pokémon Trainer:''' ''"Dang it!"'' (♂: "{{ja|くそっ...!|Kuso...!}}", ''Dang it...!''; ♀: "{{ja|いやぁっ!|Iyaa!}}", ''No...!'') {{GameIcon|Ultimate}}


{{head|Shulk|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Shulk:''' ''"Not good!"'' ("{{ja|不味いね!|Mazui ne!}}")
{{head|Pyra|s=20px}} '''Pyra:''' ''"I'm sorry...!"'' ({{ja|やられました...|Yarare mashita...}}, ''I've been finished...'')


{{head|Simon|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Simon:''' ''"Curses!"''
{{head|Richter|s=20px}} '''Richter:''' ''"Why?!"'' ("{{ja|しまった...!|Shimatta...!}}", ''Dang it!'')


{{head|Wario|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Wario:''' ''"Aieee..."''
{{head|Robin|s=20px}} '''Robin (Male):''' ''"Reckless fool...!"'' ("{{ja|油断した...|Yudan shita...}}", ''I was careless...!'')


{{head|Wii Fit Trainer|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Wii Fit Trainer (Female):''' ''"Oops!"''
{{head|Robin|g=SSBU|cl=Female|l=Robin|s=20px}} '''Robin (Female):''' ''"I was careless...!"'' ("{{ja|油断しました...!|Yudan shimashita...!}}", ''I was careless...!'')


{{head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Pikachu''': ''"Kaaaaaaa!"''
{{head|Ryu|s=20px}} '''Ryu:''' ''"What?"'' ({{ja|何？|Nani?}}, ''What?'')


{{head|Lucas|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Lucas''': ''"Yow!"''
{{head|Shulk|s=20px}} '''Shulk:''' ''"Not good!"'' ("{{ja|不味いね!|Mazui ne!}}", ''Not good!'')


{{head|Meta Knight|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Meta Knight''': ''"Whoa!"''
{{head|Simon|s=20px}} '''Simon:''' ''"Curses!"'' ("{{ja|しまった...|Shimatta...}}", ''Dang it...!'')


{{head|Zelda|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Zelda''': ''"Yoowwww!"''
{{head|Sonic|s=20px}} '''Sonic:''' ''"Ouch...!"'' (only in Japanese version)


{{head|Link|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Link''': ''"Geehhhh!"''
{{head|Sora|s=20px}} '''Sora:''' ''"Noooo!"'' ("{{ja|そんな...|Son'na...}}", ''Oh no...!'')


{{head|Toon Link|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Toon Link''': ''"Yah!"''
{{head|Terry|s=20px}} '''Terry:''' ''"Ouch!"''


{{head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px}} '''Zero Suit Samus''': ''"No!"''
{{head|Wii Fit Trainer|s=20px}} '''Wii Fit Trainer (Female):''' ''"Oops!"'' ("{{ja|あら？|Ara?}}", ''What?'') {{NTSC}} / ''"Wha-!?"'' {{PAL}}
 
{{head|Zelda|s=20px}} '''Zelda: ''' ''"{{ja|いやぁっ!|Iyaa!}}"'' (''Nooo!'') (Uniquely is Zelda's default KO line.)


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*In ''Super Smash Bros.'', the sound effect that plays for the blast KO uses the same "[[ping]]!" sound effect from certain moves or items, albeit slowed down significantly.
*In ''Super Smash Bros.'', the sound effect that plays for the blast KO uses the same "[[ping]]!" sound effect from certain moves or items, albeit slowed down significantly.
*In ''SSB4'', should a fighter be sent flying when extremely damaged (such as at 999%), their KO scream may not play and will be replaced by one of the fighter's "hurt" voice lines or nothing at all. This happens more frequently if the fighter is [[frozen]], or if a character is hit right by a blast line. This carried over to ''Ultimate''.
*In ''SSB4'' and ''Ultimate'', should a fighter be sent flying when extremely damaged (such as at 999%), their KO scream may not play and will be replaced by one of the fighter's "hurt" voice lines or nothing at all. This happens more frequently if the fighter is [[frozen]], or if a character is hit right by a blast line.
*In ''Ultimate'', while the [[Screen KO]] uses the Blast KO effect at the end of the animation, Mega Man will not split up into orbs.
*In ''Ultimate'', while the [[Screen KO]] uses the Blast KO effect at the end of the animation, Mega Man will not split up into orbs.


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*[[Instant KO]]
*[[Instant KO]]
*[[One-hit KO]]
*[[One-hit KO]]
*[[Category:Gameplay]]
*[[Sacrificial KO]]
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]

Latest revision as of 21:39, September 13, 2024

"Fall" redirects here. For the article about a character's descent in midair, see falling speed.
For KOs that the victim fly through the background and away from the stage, see Star KO.
For KOs that the victim hit the screen before falling, see Screen KO.
Mario gets KO'd by Link in Brawl.

A KO, short for knock-out or knock-off, commonly known as a death or a kill or even a finishing blow by Stamina Mode, occurs when a player is launched beyond the stage's blast lines by the opponent's actions used in the Super Smash Bros. series. The KO'd player is sent to a revival platform to re-enter the match. Losing all HP in Stamina Mode results in a KO without crossing a blast line, and some attacks and hazards can cause instant KOs without the target crossing the blast line or being launched at all.

All characters have the same KO explosion, namely, a gigantic colorful blast that extends in the direction the victim was KO'd, in the color of the player's port. Only two characters have slightly different KO explosions, Mega Man and Luma: Mega Man will split up into orbs the color of his costume (alongside the normal explosion), like he does when he dies in the Mega Man series (they will sometimes not appear if many Mega Mans are KO'd at the same time), while Luma's explosion is smaller and creates colorful stars. A one-hit KO occurs when the target suffers a KO even when their damage is at 0%, while an instant KO completely bypasses knockback and damage.

Once KO'd, the following may then happen depending on the type of match:

  • In a Time match, the KO'd player loses a point, while the player who made the KO gains a point.
  • In a Stock match, the KO'd player loses a stock. If players lose all their stocks, they will receive the following:
  • In a Coin Battle, KO'd players lose half their smash coins, rounded down. Brawl prevents a player from losing more than 100 smash coins at once. The lost coinage flies into play if the KO was made off the side.
  • In a Bonus match (Melee only), a KO will earn the player 500 points, while a fall will subtract 500 points.
  • In the Subspace Emissary, the next character in the lineup is loaded and teleported into play without a revival platform. One stock is also lost.
    • Characters can also be KO'd in the Subspace Emissary if they are crushed by moving walls, ceilings, or floors.

KO property[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. and Melee, each character has a "KO property" which starts out empty. When characters are hit by any attack (be it a physical attack, a projectile, an item, etc.), their KO property is set to match whoever made the hit. Stage elements do not change the KO property. The KO property is reset once a character lands on the ground and is no longer moving as a result of the attack's knockback. When the character is KO'd, the KO goes to whoever matches the KO property. If the property is empty, the KO counts as a self-destruct. In simple terms, it goes to whoever made the last hit.

However, this format was altered for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In Brawl, a character's KO property is only reset 3 minutes after landing on the ground. This essentially means that a character must refrain from being hit for 3 minutes for a self-destruct to actually count as such; otherwise, a self-destruct will be credited as another player's KO. While this was possibly implemented to avoid griefing in online matches (by self-destructing simply to deprive other players of points), in reality, its main effect is giving other players illegitimate points, as it's clear that jumping off the edge a few seconds after successfully recovering is not a KO.

There are exceptions, however, particularly during most Final Smashes. If players jump off the stage during a Final Smash such as Zero Laser, then, unless someone else hit them before landing, it will count towards the user of the Final Smash, instead of the last one to hit them (Samus in this case). Moreover, getting KO'd during the usage of certain Final Smashes such as Giga Bowser will result in a self-destruct instead of a KO, even if players have been damaged by opponents previously. Characters with invincibility from a Starman will also self-destruct instead of being KO'd.

Super Smash Bros. 4 appears to retain the Brawl system, but with one notable change: in matches of two players, any self-destructs are also credited as KOs for the opponent. For example, if a player has been KO'd once and has one self-destruct, the opponent will be credited with two KOs. This change only affects KO-based statistics; it has no real effect on who wins the match. (This carried onto Smash Bros. Ultimate as well.) A cannon resets the KO property as well. For example, if a player got knocked into a cannon on a custom stage and dies because the cannon shoots them past the blast line, it will count as an SD.

In Super Smash Bros. 4, grabs do not count towards the KO property. However it does so in Ultimate.

KO sounds[edit]

In addition to the colorful KO blast, every fighter makes a loud, distinct vocal sound upon being KO'd, though there are some exceptions who are silent due to lacking voice lines. Throughout the series, these exceptions are:

Every fighter in Brawl, Smash 4 and Ultimate possesses two KO sounds, with the second being rarer and often a short phrase or line (the second KO voice clip has a 1 in 6 chance of playing). However, there are a handful of characters with only one KO scream, which are:

  • Jigglypuff (due to the English voice being recycled from Smash 64 and Melee in all games; the German and French voice clips also follow this trait, but has two in Japanese)
  • Mewtwo (as a possible callback to Melee)
  • Roy (as a possible callback to Melee)
  • Mr. Game & Watch in Ultimate
  • The Mii Fighters with voice clips set in Ultimate
  • Bayonetta
  • Ridley
  • Sephiroth

StreetSmash gives Pac-Man a KO sound not heard normally: the original "lose a life" sound from Pac-Man.

Notably, both of Ganondorf's KO voice lines in Brawl and SSB4, female Corrin's and female Inkling's secondary KO voice lines are much longer than most other characters. Ultimate's Stamina Mode also uses one of these sounds for almost all characters except for Mario, Dr. Mario, Hero, Terry, Byleth, Min Min, Sephiroth, Pyra, Mythra, Kazuya, and Sora who instead use their heavy knockback cries, and Joker and Banjo & Kazooie, who use a unique voice clip. An instant KO from Hero's Kamikazee also always uses the primary KO voice clip. Another peculiarity specific to Ultimate is that, should a fighter be sent flying during their last stock and the current match ends, their KO scream usually not play or play only very briefly.

List of unique KO lines[edit]

While most characters simply emit pain sounds of various kinds when KO'd, from Brawl onward, a few such as Pit and Robin can speak phrases. All of these are used as secondary KO clips, except for Zelda, whose main KO line is spoken in Japanese.

Byleth Byleth (Male): "Not my best!" ("不覚...!", I was careless...!)

Byleth Byleth (Female): "Forgive me!" ("やられた...!", I've got hurt...!)

Chrom Chrom: "Sorry!" ("しまっ...!", Darn...!)

Cloud Cloud: "ミスった..." (Missed it...)

CorrinCorrin Corrin: "How... can this...?" ("こんなことって...", How can this...) (Female Corrin drags the line for much longer compared to Male Corrin.)

Dark Pit Dark Pit: "It's not over...!" ("まだ終わらんぞ....!", It's not over yet....!)

Joker Joker: "What?!" ("すまない...!", Sorry...!)

Lucina Lucina: "こんなところで...!" (Must I fall here...?!) (only in Japanese version)

Mythra Mythra: "Seriously?" (in a deadpan tone.) ("やられた", I've been finished...)

Ness Ness: "Ouch!" Super Smash Bros. BrawlSuper Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Palutena Palutena: "Oh no!" ("あら...", Oh dear...)

Pit Pit: "I'm done for..." Super Smash Bros. Brawl / "I'm finished..." Super Smash Bros. 4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ("やられちゃった...", I got hurt...)

Pokémon TrainerPokémon Trainer Pokémon Trainer: "Dang it!" (♂: "くそっ...!", Dang it...!; ♀: "いやぁっ!", No...!) Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Pyra Pyra: "I'm sorry...!" (やられました..., I've been finished...)

Richter Richter: "Why?!" ("しまった...!", Dang it!)

Robin Robin (Male): "Reckless fool...!" ("油断した...", I was careless...!)

Robin Robin (Female): "I was careless...!" ("油断しました...!", I was careless...!)

Ryu Ryu: "What?" (何？, What?)

Shulk Shulk: "Not good!" ("不味いね!", Not good!)

Simon Simon: "Curses!" ("しまった...", Dang it...!)

Sonic Sonic: "Ouch...!" (only in Japanese version)

Sora Sora: "Noooo!" ("そんな...", Oh no...!)

Terry Terry: "Ouch!"

Wii Fit Trainer Wii Fit Trainer (Female): "Oops!" ("あら？", What?) NTSC / "Wha-!?" PAL

Zelda Zelda: "いやぁっ!" (Nooo!) (Uniquely is Zelda's default KO line.)

Trivia[edit]

  • In Super Smash Bros., the sound effect that plays for the blast KO uses the same "ping!" sound effect from certain moves or items, albeit slowed down significantly.
  • In SSB4 and Ultimate, should a fighter be sent flying when extremely damaged (such as at 999%), their KO scream may not play and will be replaced by one of the fighter's "hurt" voice lines or nothing at all. This happens more frequently if the fighter is frozen, or if a character is hit right by a blast line.
  • In Ultimate, while the Screen KO uses the Blast KO effect at the end of the animation, Mega Man will not split up into orbs.

See also[edit]

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