Skull Bash
Skull Bash
Pikachu using Skull Bash in Brawl.
Users Pikachu
Pichu
Universe Pokémon

Skull Bash is Pikachu and Pichu's side special move in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It is similar to Luigi's Green Missile, only without the chance of a misfire and neither Pikachu or Pichu can hold the charge infinitely. The move can be charged up to increase the damage and range of the attack. Pichu can charge for longer, but hurts itself upon releasing (1%); the distance covered and the knockback when fully charged is tremendous, dealing almost 40% and nearly covering the length of Final Destination. It is used in most Home Run Contest strategies in lieu of the bat (fully-charged, Skull Bash is nearly a one-hit KO from Pichu). Pichu's Skull Bash is dangerous because if he fully charged this attack very close to the edge and misses, he will self destruct.

In Brawl, Skull Bash charges much faster than in Melee, and is an excellent move to recover with as Pikachu does not enter a helpless state after using it in midair. When fully charged, Pikachu will go about as far as the size of Final Destination. Though, unlike the Green Missile, Pikachu will shoot forward. Even with its great distance, it's not used too often as Pikachu falls at a quick speed and the move itself is predictable. In Melee, Skull Bash has an electric effect when it hits, but not in Brawl.

This move is similar in appearance to Green Missile.

Origin

Skull Bash is based on a move with the same name in the Pokémon video games. It is a Normal-type attack introduced in Generation I. In the games, Skull Bash is a two-turn attack. On the first turn, the Pokemon using the move tucks its head in to prepare the attack and raise its Defense stat. On the second turn, the Pokemon launches forward to ram the foe with its head. The attack deals 100 damage, making it a very powerful attack, and has 100% accuracy with 0 priority.

Gallery

Trivia

  • In the Pokémon RPG's, Skull Bash is a Normal-type attack; In the games, it states that Pichu can only hurt itself by using Electric-type attacks. The same error goes with Agility. However, both attacks have been upgraded with electrical effects in the Smash Bros. series, which could explain this.