Fast fall
- Not to be confused with falling speed, which measures how fast a character falls naturally.
Fast falling is the act of falling quicker than usual in mid-air. It is performed by tapping down on the control stick while falling. The character will continue to fast fall until landing on the platform or taking a hit. Gravity is ignored once a fast fall is begun; the character's downward velocity is simply set to their fast falling speed without accelerating. Fast falling is a technique commonly used to speed up a character's game, especially after a short hop. It is a part of SHFFL'ing, an advanced technique.
Stall-then-fall aerials have an effect similar to fastfalling, though the move is an attack, and most of the time cannot be stopped or slowed.
If players press down while hanging from a ledge, their character will begin to fast fall, whereas if pressed in the opposite direction of the ledge, the character will merely let go of the ledge. This also works with down + B attacks, except for ones that slow down falling or gain height. (An example is Fox's Reflector or Luigi's Luigi Cyclone.)
In Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. 4[1], the character will flash and a white star will appear at his or her torso when fast-falling (in Smash 4, the stars can appear in several places, but all are still located near the fast-falling character's midsection). In Super Smash Bros. Melee, a "whoosh" sound will be heard when fast falling, but there is no visual indicator, making it harder to pick up on, especially with other surrounding sound effects. There is no indicator in Super Smash Bros. Brawl whatsoever.
In Super Smash Bros. 4, characters can cancel a fastfall by using an aerial attack. This will set their falling speed to the normal maximum.
Fast falling speeds in SSB
JPN
| Rank | Character | Regular Falling Speed | Fast Falling Speed | Speed Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Link | 64 | 102 | 59.375% |
| 2 | Captain Falcon | 60 | 100 | 66.7% |
| 3 | Fox | 60 | 96 | 60.0% |
| 4 | Donkey Kong | 56 | 89 | 58.9% |
| 5 | Ness | 55 | 88.25 | 60.45% |
| 6 | Yoshi | 55 | 88 | 60.0% |
| 7 | Pikachu | 52 | 83 | 59.6% |
| 8 | Kirby | 48 | 79 | 64.583% |
| 9 | Mario | 44 | 70 | 59.09% |
| 10 | Luigi | 42 | 67.5 | 60.7% |
| 11 | Samus | 42 | 67 | 59.5% |
| 12 | Jigglypuff | 38 | 60 | 57.9% |
NTSC
| Rank | Character | Regular Falling Speed | Fast Falling Speed | Speed Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Link | 64 | 102 | 59.375% |
| 2 | Captain Falcon | 66 | 100 | 51.51% |
| 3 | Fox | 60 | 96 | 60.0% |
| 4 | Donkey Kong | 56 | 89 | 58.9% |
| 5 | Ness | 55 | 88.25 | 60.45% |
| 6 | Yoshi | 58 | 88 | 51.72% |
| 7 | Pikachu | 52 | 83 | 59.6% |
| 8 | Kirby | 48 | 76 | 58.3% |
| 9 | Mario | 44 | 70 | 59.09% |
| 10 | Luigi | 42 | 67.5 | 60.7% |
| 11 | Samus | 42 | 67 | 59.5% |
| 12 | Jigglypuff | 38 | 60.5 | 59.21% |
Notes
- Oddly enough, Metal Mario's fast falling speed (70) is lower than his regular falling speed (100). This means that he would actually slow down by fastfalling, though he would probably then quickly re-accelerate to his regular falling speed.
- Giant Donkey Kong's fall speed and fast falling speeds are 72 and 100, respectively.
Fast falling speeds in Melee
| Rank | Character | Regular Falling Speed | Fast Falling Speed | Speed Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Falco | 3.1 | 3.5 | 12.9% |
| 1-2 | Captain Falcon | 2.9 | 3.5 | 20.7% |
| 3 | Fox | 2.8 | 3.4 | 21.4% |
| 4-5 | Link | 2.13 | 3 | 40.8% |
| 4-5 | Sheik | 2.13 | 3 | 40.8% |
| 6 | Donkey Kong | 2.4 | 2.96 | 23.3% |
| 7 | Yoshi | 1.93 | 2.93 | 51.8% |
| 8 | Roy | 2.4 | 2.9 | 20.8% |
| 9 | Pikachu | 1.9 | 2.7 | 42.1% |
| 10 | Ganondorf | 2 | 2.6 | 30.0% |
| 11-12 | Pichu | 1.9 | 2.5 | 31.6% |
| 11-12 | Marth | 2.2 | 2.5 | 13.6% |
| 13 | Bowser | 1.9 | 2.4 | 26.3% |
| 14-18 | Mario | 1.7 | 2.3 | 35.3% |
| 14-18 | Dr. Mario | 1.7 | 2.3 | 35.3% |
| 14-18 | Samus | 1.4 | 2.3 | 64.3% |
| 14-18 | Mewtwo | 1.5 | 2.3 | 53.3% |
| 14-18 | Mr. Game & Watch | 1.7 | 2.3 | 35.3% |
| 19-20 | Young Link | 2.13 | 2.2 | 3.3% |
| 19-20 | Ness | 1.83 | 2.2 | 20.2% |
| 21-24 | Luigi | 1.6 | 2 | 25.0% |
| 21-24 | Peach | 1.5 | 2 | 33.3% |
| 21-24 | Kirby | 1.6 | 2 | 25.0% |
| 21-24 | Ice Climbers | 1.6 | 2 | 25.0% |
| 25 | Zelda | 1.4 | 1.85 | 32.1% |
| 26 | Jigglypuff | 1.3 | 1.6 | 23.1% |
Notes
- Giga Bowser and Wireframes have fast falling speeds that equal their regular falling speeds. Because of this, fast falling with them does not have any effect except for slightly increasing how fast they reach their regular falling speed.
- Not only is Young Link's unusually low speed change the lowest in Melee, but also the entire series. It is the only change lower than 10%, other than Wolf in Brawl.
Fast falling speeds in Brawl
| Rank | Character | Regular Falling Speed | Fast Falling Speed | Speed Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Dedede | 1.95 | 2.73 | 40.0% |
| 2 | Link | 1.6 | 2.666 | 66.625% |
| 3 | Captain Falcon | 1.837 | 2.5718 | 40.0% |
| 4 | Fox | 1.831 | 2.5634 | 40.0% |
| 5 | Snake | 1.73 | 2.422 | 40.0% |
| 6 | Falco | 1.708 | 2.3912 | 40.0% |
| 7 | Pikachu | 1.5 | 2.379 | 58.6% |
| 8-9 | Ganondorf | 1.65 | 2.31 | 40.0% |
| 8-9 | Ike | 1.65 | 2.31 | 40.0% |
| 10-11 | Donkey Kong | 1.58 | 2.212 | 40.0% |
| 10-11 | Sheik | 1.58 | 2.212 | 40.0% |
| 12-13 | Squirtle | 1.3 | 2.1 | 61.5% |
| 12-13 | Marth | 1.5 | 2.1 | 40.0% |
| 14-15 | Diddy Kong | 1.43 | 2.002 | 40.0% |
| 14-15 | Zero Suit Samus | 1.43 | 2.002 | 40.0% |
| 16 | Sonic | 1.45 | 2 | 37.9% |
| 17 | Pit | 1.42 | 1.988 | 40.0% |
| 18 | Wario | 1.4 | 1.96 | 40.0% |
| 19-20 | Bowser | 1.39 | 1.946 | 40.0% |
| 19-20 | Meta Knight | 1.39 | 1.946 | 40.0% |
| 21 | Lucas | 1.37 | 1.918 | 40.0% |
| 22-24 | Kirby | 1.2 | 1.9 | 58.3% |
| 22-24 | Toon Link | 1.28 | 1.9 | 48.4375% |
| 22-24 | Wolf | 1.8 | 1.9 | 5.556% |
| 25-26 | Ivysaur | 1.35 | 1.89 | 40.0% |
| 25-26 | Charizard | 1.35 | 1.89 | 40.0% |
| 27 | Ness | 1.31 | 1.834 | 40.0% |
| 28 | Olimar | 1.3 | 1.82 | 40.0% |
| 29 | Yoshi | 1.29 | 1.806 | 40.0% |
| 30 | Mario | 1.28 | 1.792 | 40.0% |
| 31 | Mr. Game & Watch | 1.24 | 1.736 | 40.0% |
| 32 | Luigi | 1.22 | 1.708 | 40.0% |
| 33-35 | Lucario | 1.2 | 1.68 | 40.0% |
| 33-35 | Ice Climbers | 1.2 | 1.68 | 40.0% |
| 33-35 | R.O.B. | 1.2 | 1.68 | 40.0% |
| 36 | Zelda | 1.13 | 1.582 | 40.0% |
| 37 | Samus | 1.07 | 1.498 | 40.0% |
| 38 | Peach | 1.05 | 1.47 | 40.0% |
| 39 | Jigglypuff | 0.98 | 1.372 | 40.0% |
Notes
- Most characters in Brawl have a 40% speed increase ratio. The only characters not to have this are Wolf, Sonic, Toon Link, Kirby, Pikachu, Squirtle, and Link.
Fast falling speeds in SSB4
| Rank | Character | Regular Falling Speed | Fast Falling Speed | Speed Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox | 2.05 | 3.28 | 60% |
| 2 | King Dedede | 1.95 | 3.12 | 60% |
| 3 | Link | 1.6 | 3.04 | 90% |
| 4 | Greninja | 1.85 | 2.96 | 60% |
| 5 | Captain Falcon | 1.837 | 2.9392 | 60% |
| 6-9 | Falco | 1.8 | 2.88 | 60% |
| 6-9 | Little Mac | 1.8 | 2.88 | 60% |
| 6-9 | Mega Man | 1.8 | 2.88 | 60% |
| 6-9 | Roy | 1.8 | 2.88 | 60% |
| 10-11 | Sheik | 1.75 | 2.8 | 60% |
| 10-11 | Diddy Kong | 1.75 | 2.8 | 60% |
| 12 | Zero Suit Samus | 1.7 | 2.72 | 60% |
| n/a | Mii Brawler | 1.7 | 2.72 | 60% |
| 13 | Meta Knight | 1.66 | 2.656 | 60% |
| 14-17 | Bowser Jr. | 1.65 | 2.64 | 60% |
| 14-17 | Ganondorf | 1.65 | 2.64 | 60% |
| 14-17 | Ike | 1.65 | 2.64 | 60% |
| 14-17 | Duck Hunt | 1.65 | 2.64 | 60% |
| 18 | Donkey Kong | 1.63 | 2.608 | 60% |
| 19 | Wario | 1.61 | 2.576 | 60% |
| 20 | R.O.B. | 1.6 | 2.56 | 60% |
| n/a | Mii Swordfighter | 1.6 | 2.56 | 60% |
| 21-22 | Marth | 1.58 | 2.528 | 60% |
| 21-22 | Lucina | 1.58 | 2.528 | 60% |
| 23 | Lucario | 1.56 | 2.496 | 60% |
| 24 | Pikachu | 1.55 | 2.48 | 60% |
| 25-29 | Mario | 1.5 | 2.4 | 60% |
| 25-29 | Dr. Mario | 1.5 | 2.4 | 60% |
| 25-29 | Mewtwo | 1.5 | 2.4 | 60% |
| 25-29 | Robin | 1.5 | 2.4 | 60% |
| 25-29 | Shulk | 1.5 | 2.4 | 60% |
| 30-31 | Pit | 1.48 | 2.368 | 60% |
| 30-31 | Dark Pit | 1.48 | 2.368 | 60% |
| 32 | Sonic | 1.45 | 2.32 | 60% |
| n/a | Mii Gunner | 1.45 | 2.32 | 60% |
| 33-35 | Charizard | 1.4 | 2.24 | 60% |
| 33-35 | Palutena | 1.4 | 2.24 | 60% |
| 33-35 | Ryu | 1.6 | 2.24 | 40% |
| 36 | Bowser | 1.39 | 2.224 | 60% |
| 37 | Lucas | 1.37 | 2.192 | 60% |
| 38-40 | Zelda | 1.35 | 2.16 | 60% |
| 38-40 | Olimar | 1.35 | 2.16 | 60% |
| 38-40 | Pac-Man | 1.35 | 2.16 | 60% |
| 41 | Villager | 1.32 | 2.112 | 60% |
| 42 | Ness | 1.31 | 2.096 | 60% |
| 43 | Wii Fit Trainer | 1.3 | 2.08 | 60% |
| 44 | Yoshi | 1.29 | 2.064 | 60% |
| 45 | Toon Link | 1.28 | 2.048 | 60% |
| 46-47 | Luigi | 1.25 | 2.0 | 60% |
| 46-47 | Samus | 1.25 | 2.0 | 60% |
| 48 | Mr. Game & Watch | 1.24 | 1.984 | 60% |
| 49 | Kirby | 1.23 | 1.968 | 60% |
| 50 | Rosalina | 1.2 | 1.92 | 60% |
| 51 | Peach | 1.15 | 1.84 | 60% |
| 52 | Jigglypuff | 0.98 | 1.568 | 60% |
Notes
- Ryu is the only character in SSB4 to have a fast-fall increase lower than 60%, with 40%. Similarly, Link is the only character with a higher fast-fall increase, with 90%.
