Super Smash Bros. 4
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Stone Scabbard

Revision as of 16:38, August 23, 2024 by 24.114.70.243 (talk) (→‎Overview: Added reference to Kirby's up special)
Stone Scabbard
Mii Swordfighter Up B SSBU.gif
Stone Scabbard in Ultimate
User Mii Swordfighter
Universe Super Smash Bros.

Stone Scabbard (ロケット下突き, Rocket Downstab), known as Back in the Stone in the PAL version of Super Smash Bros. 4, is one of three up special moves for the Mii Swordfighter.

Overview

Both of the move's official English names are a reference to the way the Mii's sword penetrates the ground upon impact, briefly holding the weapon in an unusable position.

When used, the Swordfighter slashes upward, knocking any enemy hit up while they also rise. Then, they hold the sword with the blade pointed down, and descend, meteor smashing enemies on the way down. The blade can pass through thin platforms, ambushing anyone underneath the platform the Swordfighter lands on. The Swordfighter is intangible during the initial frames of the attack. This move is very similar to other rise-then-fall specials, especially Pyra's Prominence Revolt.

The meteor smash can be used as a sacrificial KO if the opponent cannot recover from the attack, but is unlikely to send opponents towards the bottom blast zone quicker than Mii Swordfighter would reach the same place itself until higher percentages. For this reason, Mii Swordfighter should attempt to grab the ledge when possible after hitting an opponent, if the move is to be used for KO purposes.

During the transition to Ultimate, the move was heavily buffed. It now travels higher and the player can move the Swordfighter slightly to the left or right during the ascent, thus making it more useful for recovery. The move can also sweetspot ledges from behind and boasts a larger hitbox, and as of patch 12.0.0, the move has significant KO potential at percents above 100%, which combined with its starting invincibility makes it a decent out-of-shield option (though inferior to Hero's Spin). However, while its final hit has been strengthened in terms of damage output, its initial hit now deals less damage.

This works like Kirby's Final Cutter, however, it grants twice the height.

Instructional quotes

  case foldout   A high jump and downward thrust to launch foes.
  Move List   Jumps high and follows up with a firm downward strike.

Customization

Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4 and returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Mii Fighters. These are the variations:

Smash 4

1. Stone Scabbard 2. Skyward Slash Dash 3. Hero's Spin
 
"A high jump followed by a firm downward strike with your sword." "A flurry of slashes that sends you in the direction of your choice." "A spinning sword attack that sends you upward if used in the air."

Ultimate

1. Stone Scabbard 2. Skyward Slash Dash 3. Hero's Spin
"Jumps high and follows up with a firm downward strike." "Slashes with a flurry, launching in the direction the control stick is tilted." "Spins with a sword attack that rises upward if used in the air."

Origin

While the move itself is original to Smash, the name and the position the Mii is left in after using the move is a nod to the legend of King Arthur and the Excalibur, also known as the Sword in the Stone (hence the PAL version's name of this move). In the legend, the Excalibur is a powerful sword that is wedged in a stone, and can only be removed by the true heir to England. By removing the sword from the stone, Arthur proved his lineage.

Gallery

Names in other languages

Language Name
  Japanese ロケット下突き
  English Stone Scabbard
  French (NTSC) Plongée d'estoc
  German Gravitationshieb
  Spanish (NTSC) Estocada sideral
  Italian Ritorno nella roccia
  Chinese 火箭式下刺
  Korean 로켓 아래 찌르기
  Dutch Grondsteek
  Russian Каменные ножны
Mii Swordfighter's special moves
 
Neutral special Gale Strike Shuriken of Light Blurring Blade
Side special Airborne Assault Slash Launcher Chakram
Up special Stone Scabbard Skyward Slash Dash Hero's Spin
Down special Blade Counter Reversal Slash Power Thrust
Final Smash Final Edge
Mii Swordfighter's special moves
 
Neutral special Gale Strike Shuriken of Light Blurring Blade
Side special Airborne Assault Gale Stab Chakram
Up special Stone Scabbard Skyward Slash Dash Hero's Spin
Down special Blade Counter Reversal Slash Power Thrust
Final Smash Final Edge