Timer

Timer
The Timer artwork from Brawl.
Universe	Super Smash Bros.
Appears in	SSBB SSB4
Item class	Special

The Timer (タイマー, Timer) is an item in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. 4. It was previously referred to as Clock before the Item Encyclopedia update. When the Timer is grabbed, all characters except for the character who grabbed it will be slowed down to 1/4 speed. This presents a significant buff for any character not to be slowed down - slowed characters will have a difficult time landing hits; and become far easier to hit, even with charged smashes. However, the timer occasionally backfires, causing either only the player who grabbed the Timer to slow down, or each and every character to slow down. As with the Smash Ball, Lightning Bolt and Dragoon Parts, computer players will try to grab this item as soon as possible. Shadow uses Chaos Control to much the same effect, except that he never backfires and the effect lasts regardless if the opponent gets KO'd in that time. This item will slow down movement, hitstun, and falling, making it possible to trap enemies in hitstun with certain attacks. However, knockback is not slowed down. Anyone hit with a powerful attack will still be KO'd just as fast as if he or she was not under Timer influence.

Invincibility frames and counter frames are very long for the characters who are victim of the Timer, which gives them a very easy way to wait for the timer to stop and being hit less by the characters who are not slowed down. In addition, most projectiles are not affected either.

Interestingly, the slowdown seems to act more like a status effect, and any characters that are KO'd while slow will respawn at normal speed, even if the stopwatch "effect" is still on screen. That said, the effect will go away if all affected characters get KO'd.

In Smash 4, the Timer has a much more rounded design, compared to the dodecagon design of Brawl, due to the graphical upgrades of the games. Also, unlike Brawl, knockback is also slowed down.

Trophy description

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

The Timer trophy in Brawl.

An item that slows down time and your enemies' movements. Only the player who gets the item will move at normal speed. You should enjoy a huge advantage in both attacking enemies and snagging items that appear. If an enemy manages to get to a powerful item first, you'll be able to shield and dodge and keep any damage you take to a minimum.

: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Super Smash Bros. 4

The Timer trophy in for Wii U.

The Timer trophy in for 3DS.

Grabbing this will make time flow at a different pace around you. Everyone else will slow down, letting you grab all the items and get in some blows. Sometimes, though, this item backfires and slows you down too. Worst case, it may actually slow ONLY you. That's not so great...

Pick this up to make time move slowly for everyone but you! With the timer in hand, grabbing items and attacking gets much easier, so if someone else gets it, start defending yourself. Timers can be a little hit or miss, though. It might slow time down for everyone, or maybe just for you!

: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (03/2008)

: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Trivia

Timer in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

• As the Timer greatly increases hitlag for the afflicted character(s), and moves with electric effects multiply hitlag for the target even further, it is possible to use attacks such as Zelda Lightning Kick and Captain Falcon's Knee Smash repeatedly on the opponent before they are even able to move from the knockback of the first attack. Examples of this on YouTube can be found here and here.
• Most, but not all, Final Smashes will nullify the effect of a Timer.
• A glitch occurs when a timer is grabbed during the invincibility frames (after the throw but before the catch) of Ike's Aether. His sword will appear to spin around his head while he is still on the ground.
• When an enemy is under the effect of Timer, and another player does Footstool jump, Falcon Dive or Dark Dive, the player's character's animation will be slowed upon the move.
• In Smash 4, if one uses a Timer in Training Mode and proceeds to KO the CPU by using Flame Choke in midair, the effects given to the opponent (i.e., jumping, landing, electricity) are slowed down.