Self-destruct
A self-destruct (abbreviated as SD) is when a character is KO'd without being hit by an opponent. This usually equates as jumping off the edge, but falls also count as SDs when the stage KOs someone. In time mode, self-destructs subtract one point by default from a player's score; this penalty can be changed to zero or two points only in Super Smash Bros. Melee. In bonus mode, the player's score is lowered by 500 points. If characters get defeated by their own item, they lose an additional point. Friendly fire also accounts for a loss of additional points.
Defeating a teammate counts as a self-destruct. In Super Smash Bros. however, the character that defeated the ally earns a point while the ally loses a point, similar to a regular KO.
In Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee, a fall counts as a SD if they are KO'd without anyone having been credited with the last hit on them, which can occur when:
- The character was standing on the ground, and went beyond a blast line, without being hit off the ground by anyone before the KO.
- The character was hit by a stage hazard and was KO'd, or failed to make it back on stage.
- The character is KO'd by their own item.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, however, a SD can only be attained if the KO'd character did not get hit by an opponent during the entire stock, as touching the ground after being hit does not reset their KO property. Therefore, a character can be hit by any attack and KO themselves, yet it does not count as a SD. Even performing a Footstool Jump (which deals no damage) will make it not count as a SD.
