Super Smash Bros. 4
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Counter (Palutena)

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For the variant used by the Fire Emblem series representatives, see Counter.
Counter
Palutena Counter SSB4.jpeg
The counterstrike of Palutena's counter.
User Palutena
Universe Kid Icarus
Article on Icaruspedia Counter
Defend with a shield, and then counter an attack.
Smash for 3DS's foldout
Counters physical attacks...
—First half of the Counter/Reflect Barrier description from Ultimate's Move List

Counter (カウンター, Counter) is Palutena's down special move in Super Smash Bros. 4, and part of her down special in Ultimate.

Overview

Palutena uses her shield to catch an opponent's attack. If an attack connects, the shield will defend Palutena while she forcefully thrusts her staff out to retaliate. Upon guarding, Palutena's shield emits a blue ring of light and a blue wave resembling a heartbeat appears behind her, much like other counterattacks in Smash 4. This counterattack deals 1.3x the damage of the countered attack, with a 10% damage minimum and a 50% damage maximum cap. Dealing the maximum damage with this move (which would require countering an attack dealing at least ~38.5% damage) is a one-hit KO.

Unfortunately, this move has one of the longest start-up durations of all Counter moves, with the counter window not being active until frame 10. It also suffers from high ending lag, which leaves Palutena highly vulnerable to punishment after the counter window is no longer active; the entire animation takes 75 frames to play. The counterattack itself suffers from low knockback statistics, especially at the sourspot, and as a result, is one of the weakest counterattacks in the game.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, its functionality has been combined with Reflect Barrier, her previous side special. If she counters a projectile, she pulls out the Reflect Barrier to reflect it, without performing the normal attack.

Customization

Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:

1. Counter 2. Lightweight 3. Celestial Firework
PalutenaDown1-SSB4.png
Lightweight
Celestial Firework
"Prepare for an opponent's attack, and strike back when struck." "Makes you lighter and significantly faster, but you'll also be easier to launch as a result." "Shoot a firework into the air. The firework explodes when hit or after a short time."

Origin

Counter is a stat-based power that Pit or a fighter can wield in Kid Icarus: Uprising. Using that power, the user will be under its effect temporarily. During the time the power is active, any attack that lands will be retaliated. This power also prevents knockback.

Gallery

Palutena's special moves
Super Smash Bros. 4 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Neutral special Autoreticle Explosive Flame Heavenly Light Autoreticle
Side special Reflect Barrier Angelic Missile Super Speed Explosive Flame
Up special Warp Jump Glide Rocket Jump Warp
Down special Counter Lightweight Celestial Firework Counter / Reflect Barrier
Final Smash Black Hole Laser