Master Core

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Master Core
File:SmashBrosSymbol.png Official artwork of Master Core in Super Smash Bros. 4
A boss in	SSB3DS
Universe	Super Smash Bros.

Master Core is a boss in at least the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. 4. It appears at the end of Classic Mode on Final Destination, fought after weakening Master Hand and Crazy Hand on higher difficulties. Its appearance can be described as a black mass of particles that take on varying forms depending on the difficulty level and battle progression. According to its trophy, the black particles are known as the "Swarm".

It only appears if the Intensity is set to 5.1 or higher and the player chooses to take the black path to fight both Master Hand and Crazy Hand at the end of Classic Mode; at intensity 9.0 (8.0 and above in the European version) there is no option to not fight it. The battle will begin as usual; however, once the Hands lose approximately 75 HP, Crazy Hand will leave the battle while Master Hand transforms into the Master Core entity. While Master Core has HP like other bosses, it is concealed from the player by a cloud of black particles (similar to the ones that form its "body") that covers the indicator on the bottom screen.

Forms

Master Core begins the fight in a given form based on the difficulty. Once a form is defeated, it progresses to the next one.

Note that all names for the forms are currently unofficial.

Sapien

File:Master Core Sapien.png

Master Core's Sapien form.

The Sapien form is a large humanoid creature. It appears as Master Core's starting form at Intensity 7.0 and up. It has the following attacks:

• Spawns two additional arms with glowing hands. These arms will sweep the stage, then merge back into its chest. If the player is grabbed by a glowing hand, it will be consumed by the "head", taking damage and ending with a downwards launch.
• Slashes the screen horizontally. The slash itself does nothing, but after a brief a delay another slash will appear across the stage, dealing damage.
• Creates 6 electric orbs that fly and wander around the top part of the stage. Master Core will then briefly lift the stage, to the level of the orbs.
• Master Core's head will split open, creating a vacuum effect around it. During this, large electric orbs will travels across the stage horizontally. If the player is caught by the head, it will be "swallowed", taking damage then being launched downwards.
• Master Core's head will transform, then attempts to headbutt the player. If this attack lands, the player will be buried. After the headbutt, 4 orbs are created in a random area, detonating after a delay, creating a cross-shaped explosion.
• Master Core will shout, creating Off-Wave-type particle effects. This will push the player back with immense force yet no damage, and is likely to push them off the stage.

Scorpion

The Scorpion form appears first on Intensity 6.0 to 6.9, or when the Sapien form is defeated. It has the following attacks.

• Jumps behind the stage, then bites the player. A rather quick attack.
• Leaps high off the screen, then comes back down with a body slam. It will land on either corner of the stage, and the stage briefly shakes when it lands.
• Spawns spikes on its back, then a trail of shadows will crawl across the ground. When its vertical position matches the player's or if it reaches the corner, spikes will spawn at that location, dealing damage.
• Emanates lightning around itself. There is a brief start-up time, which shows it being struck by lightning.

Sabres

This form can be encountered first on Intensity 5.1 to 5.9, or when the Scorpion form is defeated. It appears as a group of five swords, one larger than the others. It appears that any of the swords can be damaged equivalently. It has the following attacks:

• Launches two projectiles twice that boomerangs back to the Master Core. These projectiles can be absorbed with PSI Magnet.
• Similar to above, but launches two larger projectiles once instead.
• The swords space itself encompassing a large part of the stage. The four smaller swords will slash across the stage in a set pattern, then the large sword slams the ground, tracking the player.
• All five swords deal multiple slashes, ending with a big slash that knocks back the player. This attack has a very large radius, but each slash deals little damage and shield damage.

Simulacrum

In the penultimate phase, Master Core forms a copy of the player's character. This form can be defeated either by depleting its stamina or by KO'ing it as with any normal character; it begins at a notably larger size than the player's character, but gradually shrinks as its health drops. It is encountered after defeating the Sabres form.

Source

Once the Simulacrum is defeated, the Core itself appears in the center of the stage as an object similar to a Smash Ball, and its percentage is now visible (starting at 0%). The player must now simply rack up its damage to KO it; there appears to be no challenge in doing so, as it has no attacks and the clock is stopped. If the knockback of an attack does not KO the Core directly, it simply returns to the center of the stage. If the player fails to knock it out within a set amount of time, the Core will float to the center of the stage, and unleash a wave that instantly KOs the character (similar to Tabuu's Off Waves). If the player still has another life, the Core will continue to use this attack (it will use it five times) before it self-destructs. However, the wave can be avoided by either roll or sidestep with accurate timing.

Gallery

• 

  Master Hand transforming into Master Core

• Master Core Scorpion.png

  Scorpion form

• 

  Sabres form

• Master Core Kirby Simulacrum.png

  Simulacrum form fighting Kirby

• 

  Source form

• 

  Master Core being defeated

• 

  Source form's attack if the player fails to finish it

• Master Core Trophy.png

  Master Core's Trophy in Smash for 3DS

Trivia

• The way that the Master Core is a black mass that changes shape has similarities to the final boss of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, the Shadow Nightmares.
• The background music during the battle contains a segment where the music cuts out and a series of beeps play. These beeps are Morse code and spell out "Master Core".
• Master Core's Simulacrum form is similar to the false characters from Brawl's The Subspace Emissary, in that both involve particles of darkness taking on the form of a character in the game.
• The black mass of particles that make up the Master Core appear similar to the Chaos Kin when burned into ashes from Kid Icarus: Uprising, another game that Masahiro Sakurai was a part in.