Focus Attack

Focus Attack
Focus Attack's preview icon in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
User	Ryu
Universe	Street Fighter

“	Hitting an opponent with the fully charged version of this move will make them slowly crumple. Time for a follow-up attack!	”
—In-Game Tip

Focus Attack (セービングアタック, Saving Attack) is Ryu's down special in Super Smash Bros. 4. When the special button is held, Ryu will emanate a black aura and begin charging up a powerful punch. After about one second or when the button is released, he throws out a concentrated black ink-trailed punch that deals 12% damage uncharged and 17% fully charged; opponents caught by a fully charged hit will crumple to the ground slowly, leaving them open for a followup attack. A fully-charged Focus Attack connecting with an opponent in the air will simply paralyze them for a few moments, although the duration is still moderately long. A semi-charged Focus Attack can still crumple opponents (albeit for a shorter time), while an uncharged Focus Attack only deals low damage and knockback, and will not stun.

The direction of this attack can be changed by holding left or right after the special button is pressed, although the amount of damage done is not increased if the direction is changed, unlike moves such as the Falcon Punch. Ryu gains super armor when charging this move that is high, but not infinite (with him shrugging off Ganondorf's Warlock Punch in his intro video); he can only withstand one hit, however, as a second hit will affect him normally. As such, multi-hit attacks and grabs are an effective counter to this move. The move's super armor also cannot withstand immensely powerful attacks such as Final Smashes, making it useless for negating them.

Ryu hitting Ike, then Ganondorf through his Warlock Punch, showing off the move's super armor.

Focus Attack can be cancelled by tapping left or right twice, making Ryu move a short distance in the direction pressed. This is noted by a flashing star similar to those made by fast falling fighters. As such, a player can use the move's starting armor to plow through attacks or projectiles, then cancel it immediately for a followup; this is especially useful on laggy attacks. This dash cancel can be used before the strike occurs or when the attack hits (including if it is blocked). If the strike is released, but fails to connect, the dash cancel cannot be used.

Dash cancelling the Focus Attack even works in mid-air, giving Ryu a unique air dashing ability that improves his aerial maneuverability and adds to his recovery options.

Origin

Sakura executes a Focus Attack at Ken in Street Fighter IV

This attack originates from Street Fighter IV. Every fighter has a special Focus Attack that, when fully charged, stuns the opponent for a short time and is powerful. The black "aura" and ink-like trail Ryu's fist creates upon releasing the attack fits the style of said game as well, as most attacks make ink or paint trails while fighters attack. The fighter is also given super armor for the duration of the charge-up. They can be disrupted by getting hit more than once by any move, or by getting hit once with an armor-breaking move, such as a Shoryuken.

Trivia

• The animation of each fighter slowly crumpling to the ground after getting hit by Focus Attack is the same animation they use for being defeated in Stamina Mode if they are standing still and hit with a weak attack. No other attack in the series is able to force fighters into this animation.

Ryu's special moves

Neutral special	Hadoken
Side special	Tatsumaki Senpukyaku
Up special	Shoryuken
Down special	Focus Attack
Final Smash	Shin Shoryuken / Shinku Hadoken