Volt Tackle

Volt Tackle is Pikachu's Final Smash attack in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. When Pikachu uses this attack, it temporarily turns into a gigantic ball of light. The ball of light 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 between 10% to 20% damage, depending on how much of the attack hits the opponent and how fast Pikachu is moving. The move has little knockback, barely stunning the opponent, but can rack up a lot of damage. The move can deliver significant knockback when the attack button is pressed. This also puts a massive damage boost on the attack. The Final Smash lasts around 10 seconds. The Final Smash is generally accepted as extremely powerful by fans, but its short length causes it to be severely less useful. Interestingly, when a direction is chosen, Volt Tackle will move on a somewhat "set path" and go back and forth until a new direction is chosen. When the attack is about to end, its appearance alters ever so slightly and is easier to control due to it moving slower. During this stage of easier control, Pikachu cannot pass through walls.

Pikachu's manner of its cry is the same as whenever Pikachu uses its signature move Thunderbolt, in the anime.

Origins

When a Pikachu or Raichu is holding a Light Ball, all of its offspring Pichus 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 that is as powerful as Thunder (slightly stronger, due to Pikachu's stats) and far more accurate (100% compared to Thunder's 70%); however the user receives significant recoil damage. The attack takes the form of a lightning-charged body slam.

This move in Pokémon is a direct reference to 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, as opposed to the single ramming attack from the Pokémon anime.

Trophy Description

File:Volt Tackle Trophy.jpg

Volt Tackle 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.

Trivia

• Pikachu's Volt Tackle can have an added visual effect if a Smoke Ball is attached to it while using its Final Smash. With it, the ball of electricity looks as if it's emitting smoke. This is best known as a "Smoking Final Smash".

• The Volt Tackle is easier to control if the control stick or D-pad is used very lightly.

• Pikachu's Volt Tackle is said to be able to be powerful and difficult to escape if mastered correctly. Under great skill and precision with the aiming and sparks, it is possible to do 100% damage in less than 4 hits.

• The fact that Pikachu knows Volt Tackle helps perpetuate the idea that Pikachu is the evolved Pichu from Melee, because in the Pokémon series Pichu is the only Pokémon able to learn it; Pikachu is unable to learn it on its own. Of course, chances are that no continuity between the games was intended.

• The game will lag if the pause camera is zoomed into an active Volt Tackle, especially during the spark.

• Since Volt Tackle is an attack in the Pokémon series, this would mean Pikachu knows 5 attacks which is impossible in the Pokémon games.

External Links

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