Critical Hit

Template:Infobox Final Smash Critical Hit (必殺の一撃 Deadly Strike) is Marth's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl; it is by far the strongest Final Smash in Brawl, and its power and damage also make it one of the strongest attacks in all of the games. The animation is similar to that of Marth's critical hit animation from the first Fire Emblem game. It deals 62% damage. However, the percent generally does not matter, as this is one of the most powerful Final Smashes in the game, as the knockback from this attack is enough to KO any character at 0% under most normal circumstances, including Bowser (or multiple Bowsers at once). The power of this move is countered somewhat by its larger time frame in which to perform a dodge (the time during which Marth raises his sword), though it is still relatively fast. The best time to hit an opponent is when they have just recovered and are falling. If it hits, the Fire Emblem HP gauge from Marth's Super Famicom game is displayed with 52 hit points, and quickly drops to zero.

Until the attack animation completely ends, the entire sword carries the move's hitbox, meaning that the attack can also hit anyone directly behind Marth when Marth swings his sword. Rolling around Marth is not recommended. On the ground, the attack will follow the platform's contours, and the move will end without Marth swinging if he reaches the edge. Missing with this attack on the ground on a walk-off stage, or in the air without any intervening terrain, usually results in a self-destruct, as the dash Marth performs during the move is approximately the same distance as the width of the largest area available in the Stage Builder. However, this can be avoided by pressing an attack button, which will stop the dash and trigger the strike immediately.

Since the move is nothing more than a single hit, launch resistance such as that gained from using Aether can be used to survive, providing good timing. Of course, this will not stop the target from taking the move's full damage. Characters can also dodge this attack by sidestepping or using an air dodge; Marth will try to attack the dodging character but will miss.

Critical Hit has earned the reputation of being one of the most predictable and avoidable Final Smashes due to its slow startup time and introduction sequence, which gives all other players in range the chance to completely dodge the move.

This attack has such immense knockback that is possible to KO someone else by being knocked into them after being hit by the critical hit.

Critical Hit trophy in Brawl

Trophy Description

Marth's Final Smash. He thrusts his sword skyward, then rushes to meet his targeted enemy with furious speed. The blow he strikes is so powerful that his foe is instantly launched off the screen. As in Fire Emblem, a window appears that shows the character's hit points dropping rapidly to zero--but this is just for effect. Smash Bros. does not use a hit-point system.

Origin

The critical hit is a staple feature of the Fire Emblem game series, which inflicts three times the standard damage if performed, accompanied by a unique attack animation. The animation for this Final Smash was likely inspired by the critical hit animations of the various Lords in the series' past. The gauge that appears represents the Hit Point system used in the series, and it has a graphical style similar to those of Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn.

Trivia

• The health gauge shown has 60 HP units. The Fire Emblem games that starred Marth, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light and Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem, however, feature gauges that could only reach 52 HP at most. Enemies, however, could have up to 60 HP, and in the remakes of these games released after Brawl, normal units can have a maximum HP of 60.
• Marth's Final Smash is able to outrun the cars on Big Blue. However, due to the attack's ending lag, Marth will probably still SD using it.
• The dash speed of this attack is faster than Sonic wearing a bunny hood (who, coincidentally, can also outrun the cars on Big Blue).
• Unlike the Trophy, Marth actually does an attack that is similar to a stab. His sword hits in a V shape. He starts by running with his sword by his left shoulder then he swings down until the tip of his sword is level with his head, then he pulls it back.
• The trophy description states that Brawl doesn't use a hit-point system; while this is mostly true, with the use of Damage Percentages, Stamina Brawl does give combatants hit points.

Marth's special moves

Neutral special	Shield Breaker
Side special	Dancing Blade
Up special	Dolphin Slash
Down special	Counter
Final Smash	—	Critical Hit