PSI Magnet (Japanese: サイマグネット, Saimagunetto; called Psychic-Magnet in Super Smash Bros.) is a special attack that is performed by Ness and Lucas. It is done by pressing Down and B, and it absorbs certain projectile attacks (mostly energy type). Upon absorption, the attack lowers the user's percent (or replenishes their health in Stamina Mode). The user cannot be healed to a percent lower than zero, though. The move also differs slightly between the two characters that use it.
Ness
Ness's PSI Magnet is formed centered around his body, covering his entire body with it. When released, Ness's Magnet pushes enemies and some items (such as Snake's Grenades) away from his body. This move's function hasn't changed in the entire Smash Bros. series. However, visually, it has looked different in every game.
Lucas
Lucas's PSI Magnet is formed centered around his outstretched hand, and thus the magnet doesn't fully cover the area behind him. However, Lucas will instantly turn around when hit from the back, which means the magnet essentially covers his whole body as well. It should be noted that a similar attack, Mr. Game & Watch's Oil Panic, allows the player to turn around while holding the absorber in place. Lucas's version of this attack has a hitbox when released, which deals damage and has decent knockback, even enough to KO. Additionally, Lucas recovers slightly more percent than Ness when he absorbs a projectile, but not significantly.
Tactical Uses
When used in the air, this move will cancel any vertical/falling momentum temporarily. This allows for this move to be used as a pseudo-SHFFL if used immediately after a jump, or a pseudo-wavedash if you activate the move at a downward diagonal angle. Using C-sticking special moves control scheme for the Gamecube Controller, this move, used right after PK Fire for Lucas, will allow the wavedash to work much more easily.
When a projectile is absorbed, if the player taps the control stick/pad (depending on controller) in a direction, Lucas or Ness will either roll in that direction, sidestep, or jump without having to release the attack first.
PSI Magnet Absorption List
Here is a list of projectiles that can be absorbed by PSI Magnet.
SSB
- Fireball (both Mario's and Luigi's)
- Blaster
- PK Fire
- PK Thunder
- Final Cutter (Only the shockwave)
- Charge Shot
- Thunder Jolt
- Arwing Blaster
- Charizard
- Starmie
- Ray Gun
- Fire Flower
- Master Hand's bullets
SSBM
All attacks and hazards from SSBM that could be absorbed still apply.
- Fire Breath
- Blaster (Fox's and Falco's)
- PK Flash
- PK Fire
- PK Thunder
- Final Cutter (Only the shockwave)
- Ice Shot1
- Blizzard
- Thunder Jolt
- Din's Fire (explosion)
- Shadow Ball
- Megavitamins
- Great Fox Blaster
- Wolfen Blaster
- Staryu
- Charizard
- Starmie
- Cyndaquil
- Super Scope
- Fire Flower
- Master Hand's bullets
SSBB
All attacks and hazards from SSBB that could be absorbed still apply unless noted otherwise.
- Fireball (Mario and Luigi's)
- Flamethrower
- PK Freeze
- PK Flash
- PK Fire
- PK Thunder
- Fire Breath
- Thunder Jolt
- Blizzard
- Blaster (Fox, Falco, and Wolf)
- Charge Shot
- Paralyzer
- Aura Sphere
- Robo Beam
- Palutena's Arrow
- Final Cutter (Only the shockwave)
- Din's Fire (explosion)
- Force Palm (projectile, not grab)
- Waddle Doo's beam
- Duon's pink energy blasts (but not the blue lasers)
- Great Fox's laser.
- Arwing's lasers.
- Master Hand's bullets
- A Gamyga's lasers
- A Scope Primid's shots
- Curry Breath
- Super Scope
- Ray Gun
- Fire Flower
Origin
PSI Magnet is one of the many PSI moves used in the EarthBound series. In the Earthbound games, PSI Magnet did not absorb projectiles like it does in the Super Smash Bros. series. Instead, it absorbed what was called PP (Psychic Points), which replenished the user's own PP and the replenished PP could then be used to use more PSI attacks. PSI Magnet wasn't actually learned by either Ness or Lucas in their respective games.
Trivia
- In the original Super Smash Bros., level 5 and above CPUs will almost never use the Fire Flower against Ness, because he can absorb the fire with PSI Magnet. Instead, they will throw the flower at him. This also applies to Fox, who can deflect the fire with his Reflector.
- The attack can be put to incredible use on the Corneria stage, by absorbing the Great Fox's lasers. However, if Ness or Lucas touch the cannons while they are "charging", it's almost guaranteed to KO them. Only the actual laser shots can be absorbed.
- Ness's PSI Magnet changed color throughout all three games, from green, to blue, and finally purple.