Force Palm
| Force Palm | |
|---|---|
 Lucario using Force Palm in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. | |
| User | Lucario |
| Universe | Pokémon |
| Article on Bulbapedia | Force Palm (move) |
Force Palm (はっけい, Fa jin) is Lucario's side special move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. 4. When used, Lucario thrusts its paw in front of itself, briefly charges up aura, then unleashes it in a large area in front of its palm, which is even larger after Lucario has taken damage.
Overview
Force Palm bears some similarities to Lucario's forward smash, except that it exhibits more range and less knockback. If Force Palm is used when standing within grabbing range of an opponent, it changes to a grabbing attack with slightly more power. At later percentages it is a powerful vertical killer with an angled knockback. Force Palm's range also makes it a viable edge guarding move, but caution should be used if attempting to use Force Palm in the air, as Lucario cannot jump until it finishes attacking with it. Force Palm can also make a good chain grab like Lucario's up throw. Initial damage for close-range is 9%, long range is 7% if hit with bulk of the blast, and 5% if hit with tip. At 170% (where it caps), long range if hit with bulk is 14%, tip is 12%, and grab is 18%. This gives Lucario the most damaging throw at high percentages. It is possible for the opponent to break out of a close range Force Palm before the punch is administered.
Interestingly, Force Palm can be reflected and absorbed, much like Thunder, yet even at the closest out-of-grab range, it will never hurt the same Lucario that used it. Due to its range and connection with Lucario, it is more like a disjointed hit box; however, it is in fact a projectile, as it doesn't move with Lucario when falling or slipping on the ice.
Force Palm also causes light-bending graphics for a portion of its animation.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the known variations:
- Advancing Force Palm: Dashes forward while using Force Palm. It will leave the player open if it misses. It deals less damage.
- Long-Distance Force Palm: The projectile has more range, but deals less damage. The grab deals more knockback.
Advancing Force Palm being used in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Advancing Force Palm being charged.
Long-Distance Force Palm being used in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Long-Distance Force Palm being charged.
Description from the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Foldout
"A blast of aura energy. Will grab opponents if their [sic] close enough."
Origin
In the Pokémon games, Force Palm is a physical Fighting-type attack that was introduced in Generation IV. It has 60 power with 100% accuracy and 10 PP. It also has a 30% chance of paralyzing the opponent.
Lucario learns this move by leveling up in Generations IV-V. While Lucario no longer learns the move by leveling up in Generation VI, its pre-evolved form Riolu continues to do so, and Lucario can therefore retain the move from before it evolved.
Gallery
The grab portion in Brawl. Note the light-bending graphics.
Force Palm at a distance, being performed on R.O.B..
Force Palm grabbing onto Ike in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
- SSBU-forcepalmMega.jpg
Mega Lucario's Force Palm in Smash 4.
