Clear

Kirby and Peach, cloaked

Clear is a transformation in the Super Smash Bros. series that debuted in Super Smash Bros. Melee and has appeared in every subsequent game. A character under the effect of clear has their model be completely transparent. They are invisible to the player, though this is only an aesthetic change and the characters otherwise function normally. Clear characters may occasionally have a distortion effect around them and certain visual effects are unaffected, giving away their location. Except in Super Smash Bros. Melee, if a clear fighter has a name, that name is not displayed.

An advantage to being invisible is that the opponent cannot see the character, removing the element of telegraphing entirely and allowing an element of stealth and surprise by the player who is unable to easily tell what the invisible character is doing. However, the player is also unable to see their own character, sometimes causing them to lose track of their own character which lead to accidental self-inflicted damage and a self-destruct at worst. Important visual elements being obscured can also cause issues if the player is not paying close attention, especially if they are tied to gameplay changes.

List of Causes

By characters

Character	Move(s)	Notes	Game(s)
Hero	Command Selection (Hocus Pocus)	One of several random effects of Hocus Pocus. Will turn Hero invisible for several seconds.

By Assist Trophies

Character	Notes	Game(s)
Skull Kid	Can turn all fighters invisible as one of three potential actions.
Nightmare	Turns all fighters invisible as he covers the stage with darkness.

By items

Item	Notes	Game(s)
Cloaking Device	Will turn user invisible, as well as negate all damage while active, but not hitstun or knockback.
Boo	Appears exclusively in Smash Tour, and allows the user to start a battle invisible.

By game modes

Mode	Notes	Game(s)
Invisible Melee	An option in Special Smash that turns all fighters invisible.
Clear Brawl
Clear Smash
Event match	Event 23: Slippy's Invention: Fox and Falco are invisible.
	Co-Op Event 6: Unwanted Suitors: Luigi and Captain Falcon are invisible.
Spirit Battle	Select battles have the conditions "Clear [enemy]", "You are invisible", and "All fighters are invisible."

Origin

The Cloaking Device in Melee

Invisibility is a common mechanic in video games, particular those with prominent stealth elements to get past enemies undetected. The Cloaking Device in particular hails from the Perfect Dark series. Its connection to a franchise Nintendo no longer had the rights to as of the release of Brawl (the series being owned by Rare Ltd., which was purchased by Microsoft in 2002) is likely the reason for its removal.

Trivia

• At the start of Melee's Event 23: Slippy's Invention, it is stated that Slippy Toad invented the Cloaking Device used in that match.
• The distortion effects that indicate a clear fighter's location bend around Mr. Game & Watch's unflattened 3D model, making it the only way of seeing him in an unflattened state in every game the status appears in.