Captain Falcon (SSB)

Captain Falcon in Super Smash Bros.
Captain Falcon
Universe	F-Zero
Other playable appearances	in Melee in Brawl
Availability	Unlockable
Tier	B (4)

Captain Falcon (キャプテン・ファルコン, Kyaputen Farukon), whose full name is Captain Douglas Jay Falcon, or Doug by the smash 64 community, appears in Super Smash Bros. as one of the four unlockable characters. His appearance is based on his incarnation from F-Zero X for the Nintendo 64.

Captain Falcon is currently ranked 4th (being the highest unlockable character on the Tier list) overall in the tier list for his high speed and combo ability, as well as a great air game with an extremely versatile up aerial. His famous Falcon Punch is one of the most powerful moves in the game and its not as slow compared to succeeding games, and is deadly in the hands of a master. However, he is heavy and a fast faller, making him an easy target for combos. In addition, he lacks a projectile, and his recovery is short and predictable, and can't attack players hanging on a ledge.

Unlock criteria

Beat 1P Game in under 20 minutes and with no continues. The battle takes place in Planet Zebes, because Captain Falcon does not have a home stage.

Attributes

File:Captainfalconending.jpg

Captain Falcon's ending picture in Super Smash Bros.

Captain Falcon's most notorious attributes are his incredible speed (the fastest dash and falling speed) and combo ability. He also has the best dash dance in the game, and he also has great combo ability and a great air game. His up aerial is a very versatile move that is on par with Pikachu's up aerial for the best aerial in the game. Depending on where it hits, it can send the opponent in different directions. The most notable use of the move is to hit opponents straight up by hitting with the heel - this allows Falcon to chain the move into more up aerials, and finish with a Falcon Dive for a KO. Another notable use of the move is its ability to hit opponents back on a semi-spike trajectory (by hitting with the mid-section of the leg while it's moving backwards) - this is useful for edgeguarding. He has a powerful meteor smash in his down aerial, which can be combo'd into. His other three aerials are also powerful and can be used in combos. Some of Falcon's attacks also have great reach, notably his up aerial and forward smash. He also has among the best short hops in the game, and amazing vertical endurance.

Falcon, however, has limited effective ground options (his most notable ground options are his jabs, throws, forward smash, and up smash). He also lacks a projectile and ways to avoid them, which can give him trouble against characters like Fox on larger stages. Falcon's two most major weaknesses are his recovery and how vulnerable he is to combos. His high weight, moderately large hurtbox, and very fast falling speed makes it easy to combo him. Having the fastest falling speed also makes him vulnerable to spikes and hinders his recovery. Falcon Dive, his main recovery move, is very predictable and does not travel much distance, especially horizontally. It also cannot grab edgehogging opponents.

Falcon is known on a competitive level as being one of the top characters on Dream Land and the only character outside of Fox on Hyrule Castle to have a virtually even matchup with Pikachu. However, Falcon struggles with Fox on Hyrule, and Kirby on any stage.

In Doubles

Falcon is considered to be one of the better characters in doubles due to an incredibly easy use of combos. Falcon due to his speed is also one of the better characters at helping teammates while his grabs can lead into partner combos as well. This can be combined with that fact that Fox is worse in teams, meaning that Falcon is usually considered the 3rd best character in teams, after Pikachu and Kirby. Falcon's main issue is his recovery, so in competitive play, he is usually paired with someone who can keep up with him and help him with combos such as Mario or Pikachu.

Moveset

Captain Falcon's aerial attacks

The three u-air hitboxes, the arrows demonstrate where the smallest hitbox (near the elbow) would send an opponent

		Name	Damage	Description
Neutral attack		{{{neutralname}}}	2-3% then 3-4%	{{{neutraldesc}}}
			2-4%
			1% per punch
Forward tilt		Side Kick	13%	Kicks to his side. Like most forward tilts, this one can be angled. A good defensive or spacing move. Rarely used in combos outside of Hyrule's "tent".
Up tilt		Axe Kick	23% if both hits connect	Puts his leg high and drops it like an axe, doing 4-9%, then 6-14% (two hits). This attack is unique because it can hit from behind, and at the start of the move, above Captain Falcon. The move in general is somewhat long, though. This move is often used with his wall combos because of its range and damage (such as back throw, up tilt, regrab, etc.).
Down tilt		Crouch Kick	11%	Does a quick kick while crouching. Slightly disjointed hitbox but has a good amount of ending lag. This attack sends the opponent at a low trajectory, and can be used against foes hanging on a ledge or vs. foes recovering from below such as Fox, Kirby, or Jigglypuff. Not full recommended for this purpose vs. people who can Smash DI into ledges. Can rarely combo as well off walls such as the tent on Hyrule.
Dash attack		Shoulder Tackle	12%	Does a shoulder tackle. Decent knockback, can follow into itself on heavy characters or into grabs potentially. Heavy lag and generally is highly punishable however.
Forward smash		Flaming Kick	19%	Does a flaming forward kick. Somewhat resembles his Falcon Kick in terms of effects. Minor start-up and ending lag for this good finishing attack, though still not considered a fast KO move. Is a somewhat reliable spacing tool.
Up smash		Upward Punch	17%	An upwards punch. This is Captain Falcon's main combo starter outside of forward throw or aerials. The attack sends the opponent straight up, but with low knockback and high hitstun. It is also trifled with unusually short range, for an up smash. It is the weakest up smash in the game, but one of Falcon's most useful moves for its combo potential. The hitbox is Falcon's body and the small area above his raised fist. It can combo into itself up to 3 times depending on the weight of the opponent's character.
Down smash		Down Spin Kick	16%	A "down spin kick". If the attack connects closer to the body, the opponent will be sent upwards. If it connects with the tip, the opponent will be sent in a more horizontal direction. Somewhat short duration, for a move of this criteria, but an awkward move for one of C. Falcon's. Does not combo well as is generally not recommended too much.
Neutral aerial		Midair Kick	16% maximum	A sex kick. Like most sex kicks, this attack loses power with time. Very powerful when it first comes out and a good defensive move. Not exactly the most useful combo move but is sometimes thrown out as a KO move or a finisher vs. lighter opponents after a fair.
Forward aerial		Combo Kick	22% if both hits connect	Does two kicks in front for him. This attack is similar to Captain Falcon's Melee and Brawl nair, though without the horizontal movement, and is better at chasing foes and KOing. It is also possible to link only 1 of these aerials into a d-air, u-air or a grab leading to further combos, a n-air for kills, or at certain percents a d-air to spke. The two hits can lead to a down b off stage as well as another f-air or throw depending on opponent's weight and percents. Very useful vs floatier characters as a spacing tool. At max horizontal spacing, this is one of the only moves that is safe on block.
Back aerial		Backward Fist	16%	Extends his fist behind him. A basic edgeguarding move with good power and no sweetspot. Strongest bair in the game. Can combo into another bair or potentially a reverse uair.
Up aerial		Flip Kick	16%	Flips in the air. Many consider this attack to be Captain Falcon's most versatile attack as well the best u-air (along with Pikachu's). Depending on what part of the hitbox connects with the opponent, it can send the opponent in various directions. A view of the hitboxes can be seen in one of the images to the right.
Down aerial		Air Stomp	14%	A stomp attack. Stomps below him, though has a hitbox above his feet. A very long duration. 14% damage. This attack is a spike. The hitbox exists on the legs and chest, and if the opponent connects with the chest, he/she will be sent down at a slight angle. If the opponent is already on the ground, it will, depending on their damage percentage, keep the opponent in place or send him/her up at a very slight angle, leading into another aerial such as a second dair to spike offstage, a Falcon Punch for a KO, a grab, or a quick u-smash (depending on the percentage and opponent's reaction).
Grab			—
Forward throw		Slam Throw	11%	Slams the opponent down in front of him. Having very low knockback for a grab, this can be used to start aerial chains. This throw would become his down throw in later Smash Bros. installments. His other main combo starter along with u-smash.
Back throw		Kick Back	16%	He kicks the opponent back, causing 16%. This throw has much more knockback than his forward throw but is generally not used for combos outside of in Hyrule's "Tent." Can KO Link at 0% if Link is next to the ledge, as he won't be able to make it back if Falcon edgeguards.
Forward roll Back roll		—	—
Techs		—	—
Floor attack (front) Floor getups (front)			6%	Similar to Samus's floor attack, kicks on both sides at the same time and gets up. A bit quicker and safer than most.
Floor attack (back) Floor getups (back)			6%	Similar to Samus's floor attack, kicks on both sides at the same time and gets up. A bit quicker and safer than most.
Edge attack (fast) Edge getups (fast)			6%	Gets up and kicks in a similar fashion to his d-tilt.
Edge attack (slow) Edge getups (slow)			4%	Slowly rises and swats. Low range and damage. Not recommended due to its low range.
Neutral special		Falcon Punch	24%	Throws a powerful punch, with his fists engulfed in a flaming falcon shape. It is much faster than in Melee and Brawl. Can be a finisher in combos, and can be comboed into from moves such as uair and dair. Gives him some horizontal distance when recovering.
Up special		Falcon Dive	20%	Does a leap into the air. If he grabs an opponent, he launches them diagonally upwards powerfully, making it hard to DI. If it hits the opponent, it lets Falcon use the move again, otherwise he will become helpless. Recovery move, but it cannot grab onto edgehoggers, making Falcon easy to edgeguard. A string of multiple uair's into a Falcon Dive is commonly referred to as an "SSB 64 Combo", as it is a very common combo in Smash 64 competitive play.
Down special		Falcon Kick	15%	Performs a blazing kick while rushing forward. If used in midair, he moves at a diagonal angle down. This does not happen if he does it off a platform.

Taunt

• Turns to his right, keeping his left hand curled into a fist which he puts on his hip, he touches his forehead with his right fist then straightens his hand out to do a salute while saying "Show me your moves!".

In Competitive play

Matchups

Super Smash Bros. (N64) Character Matchups

Avg.

Notable players

• Isai
• SuPeRbOoMfAn

Description

A regular pilot in the great galactic race F-ZERO Grand Prix, Captain Falcon is skilled at collecting prize money. Much about his past remains hidden in shadow, but it's clear that many a villain hold a powerful grudge against him. Works:

• F-ZERO (SNES)
• F-ZERO X (N64)

Costumes

File:Alt-cfalcon.jpg

Captain Falcon's changeable clothing in SSB

Trivia

• Captain Falcon is the only playable character that doesn't use his own head for his stock life icon. Instead, he uses a Falcon.
• Captain Falcon has the most usable costumes in the game, with six. Most characters have four or five. Yoshi has six as well, but only four are usable outside of hacking (The dark blue and pink swaps only appear in the single player mode.)
• Captain Falcon has a gun, but he never uses it as an attack.
• Captain Falcon's "Congratulations!" screen is the only one to use a pre-existing image from an original game, in this case, the first unlockable title screen from F-Zero X.
• His up tilt is considered the strongest tilt attack in the entire game, having a maximum 23%.
• Captain Falcon shares various attack animations with Samus; their up tilt, however her version has one hitbox and isn't as strong, their dash attacks, even having the same sound effects, but Falcon makes a grunt when using it (Samus is silent, as she is throughout the game), and their down smash (where, again, Falcon grunts and Samus is silent).
• Captain Falcon, along with Samus, is the only character to have a blue costume that is only usable if Falcon is on the blue team in VS Mode.