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Zelda's up aerial in Melee.
Link's up aerial in Brawl.

An up aerial (abbreviated as uair, UAir, or AUA, and referred to as AttackAirHi internally in Brawl files) is an aerial attack that is performed in midair by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick or d-pad upwards. It also gains a moderate boost in height if the character's attack is a backflip used just before the apex of the jump, but the user loses their second jump. Its official term varies between titles; it is known as an "up midair attack" in Melee, and an "up air attack" in Brawl. Many up aerials are circle kicks, which have large range and very slightly disjointed hitboxes. They can also send the opponent in diverse directions. A lot of up aerials can be used for air juggling.

A lot of up aerials in Brawl have a landing animation involving the character falling on their back and having to get back up.

List of up aerials in Super Smash Bros.

Character Description Damage
Captain Falcon Does a flip kick. Incredible hitstun and one of the most fearsome moves in the game due to its versatile uses in both combos and edgeguarding. Back of the hit is a very powerful semi-spike. 16%
Donkey Kong Slaps upward. Using platform cancels, this is DK's main combo move outside of wall combos. Combos into other up airs or up smash. 12%
Fox Flips then kicks. Has set low knockback with the first hit. Infinites if only the first hit hits. Second hit has great vertical knockback. 15% (total)
Jigglypuff Slaps upward. Part of Jigglypuff's basic combo of up throw, up smash, up throw, multiple up airs into Rest. 16%
Kirby Spins rapidly. A very different form of aerial, as it does 2 hits if it isn't Z-canceled and 1 hit if it is. Combos into down air at low percents. 10%
Link Thrusts his sword up. Good combo move but with poor range. Adequate knockback. 16%
Luigi Does a flip kick. Combos into the Super Jump Punch and the Luigi Cyclone. 12%
Mario Similar to Luigi’s but not as useful. Combos into f-air and up smash. The low damage hit of the move can also combo as well into back air. 12%
Ness Headbutts upward. Good for juggling and DJCing. 15%
Pikachu Flips and hits opponents with his tail. Its knockback depends on which area of the tail hits. A popular combo move and gimping tool. Has a large disjointed hitbox. 10%
Samus Does a spin kick upward. Not too useful outside of baiting overly aggressive opponents and reading it into a back air. 10%
Yoshi Flips while using his tail to do damage. A combo end move with low range preventing it from starting up combos. Incredibly useful out of up tilts against any heavy or medium character using DJC's. 15%

List of up aerials in Super Smash Bros. Melee

Character Description Damage
Bowser A savage upward hit with his head. Very high knockback, but one of Bowser's slower moves. It is the strongest up aerial and one of the strongest aerials in the game (stronger than Ganondorf's dair on grounded opponents). 9-17%
Captain Falcon A backflip in midair with his feet out. Knockback direction depends on what angle the move hits the foe, though strong nonetheless. Also good for juggling. 13%
Donkey Kong A headbutt upward, good for juggling fast-fallers. 14%
Dr. Mario A flip kick upwards, which is good for juggling fast -allers. 10%
Falco A kick up with his tail extended afterward. A two-hit move. If hit with the center of Falco's body, there is no knockback. 6% (hit 1)/9% (hit 2); 15% total
Fox A flip kick with extreme vertical knockback and high speed. 17% (two hits)
Ganondorf One of his most useful and fastest moves, and when used backwards, allows him to knock-out his opponents at low damage due to the semi-spike. 13%
Ice Climbers Both Ice Climbers point their hammers above their head. 17% (total)
Jigglypuff Waves its hand up in an arc. Not the best aerial KO move, though excellent for juggling. 17% (total)
Kirby A flip in midair, kicking upwards. Great knockback, possibly Kirby's best KO move. 15%
Link Stabs sword above him. Good for juggling or Star KO-ing at higher damages ~120%. Has some sex kick properties. 12-16%
Luigi A flip kick upward, similar to Mario's, although it doesn't offer the same juggling properties from the ground as Mario's. 13%
Mario A flip kick upward. Good move for juggling and for combos. 11%
Marth An aerial backflip slash. 13%
Mewtwo A flip in the air. 14%
Mr. Game & Watch Pumping an insecticide pump above him twice. The first hit has knockback growth, so at higher percentages, it rarely follows into the second, stronger hit. This attack cannot be L-canceled. 15%
Ness An upwards headbutt. It has good upwards knockback, allowing for juggling. 13%
Peach An eccentric kick upwards. 11% (sides)/12% (body)/14% (foot)
Pichu Similar to Pikachu’s. Can’t finish its foe, but can juggle and set up more aerial moves and grabs for fast fallers. If the player SHFFLs it, they can Wavedash at the end of the move. 4%
Pikachu An air flip, hitting with its tail. This does not inflict much damage, but if this lands at a certain point, it can semi-spike, so it's excellent for edge-guarding. 4%
Roy An upward backflip slash. Identical in function to Marth's, except weaker. 9%
Samus Brings her legs above her body and spins. Several hits. 10% (maximum)
Sheik An upward kick, similar to Samus’. Not only is it good for juggling, it can stand in as a finisher. 12%
Yoshi A somersault kick, hitting with his tail. 13%
Young Link Aims his sword upwards, similar to Link’s up aerial. Not good for KOing, but good for juggling. 15%
Zelda Holds up her hand to set off a magical explosion. 13%

List of up aerials in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Character Description Damage
Bowser A very strong upwards headbutt. A great KO move, one of the most powerful uairs in the game. 17%
Captain Falcon A quick circle kick. Acts as a semi-spike. Has almost no lag and is versatile in its knockback and damage, making it one of Falcon's best moves. 13%, 12%, 10%, 8%, or 6% depending on position and timing.
Charizard Quickly bites the area above him. Low knockback and sex kick-like properties. 10%
Diddy Kong A flip kick with good knockback. 11%
Donkey Kong Headbutts upwards. Powerful and can star KO at medium percentages. 14%
Falco An attack similar to Fox's, but with less power. 11%
Fox Whips his tail upwards, followed by a kick. Moderately fast with above-average knockback. 5% with the tail, 11% with the kick.
Ganondorf A very quick, powerful circle kick. Can semi-spike. 13%
Ice Climbers Point both hammers upwards. High knockback, disjointed hitbox. 5-17%
Ike Swings his sword in a circular motion above his head. Very powerful, lengthy duration. 14%
Ivysaur Pumps pollen out of its bulb upwards. High knockback, causes Ivysaur to fast fall. Can be used to reduce and negate vertical momentum. 16%
Jigglypuff Waves its arm upwards. Deceivingly long and large hitbox. 9%
King Dedede Spins his hammer upwards. Multiple hits with diverse knockback. 19% if all hits connect.
Kirby A flip kick with average power. Great combo potential when combined with his throws and up tilt. 10%
Link Points his sword upwards. Diverse diagonal knockback with a fairly long-lasting hitbox. 13-15%
Lucario A kick upwards. Similar to his forward aerial or Peach's up aerial. 7-14%
Lucas Moves slightly upwards and headbutts the area above him. Similar to Ness' uair, but with more ending lag. 13%
Luigi Identical in animation to Mario's flip kick, but slightly stronger. 13%
Mario A quick flip kick to the area above him. A decent juggler at low-medium percentages. 11%
Marth A simple upward slash. Average damage, combo ability, and knockback when tipped, below average when not. 11% untipped, 14% tipped
Meta Knight Slashes upwards at incredible speed; the fastest uair in the game. Can be used in tandem with multiple jumps for chaining, easily racking up 30% damage or more. 6%
Mr. Game & Watch Blows upwards. Opponents not hit with the attack are pushed upwards an extremely high distance. A distinct, useful attack that can set up for further combos. Has a large disjointed hitbox. 7% (hit 1)/9% (hit 2); 16% total
Ness Headbutts the area above him. Its high knockback scaling makes it effective for both juggling and KOing, depending on the opponents' damage percentage. 13%
Olimar Throws a Pikmin upwards. The Pikmin spins around. Multiple hits. Hardest to DI out of if the Pikmin is yellow. In fact, Olimar can be falling and this attack will still complete and keep hitting the opponent if a Yellow Pikmin is used. Red Pikmin can KO at high percentages. Red: 24%, Blue: 22%, Yellow: 16%, White: 9%, Purple: 22%.
Peach An odd kick upwards. One of her few KO moves at high percentages if used while floating (after her midair jump). Although very difficult to perform, it can chain into itself at low percentage for a devastating combo. 11% (body)/12% (leg)/13% (foot)
Pikachu Spins with its tail out for damage. Very low knockback, very low damage. Useful for aerial strings and combos. 6%
Pit Quickly spins his bow upwards. Diverse horizontal knockback with multiple hits. 12% (if all hits connect)
R.O.B. Waves his arms upwards. Multiple hits, varying knockback. 20% approx. (if all hits connect)
Samus Very much like Sheik's. However, the first hits suck the opponent in, while the last hit gives noticeable knockback. 11% (if all hits connect)
Sheik Spins her body around, with her feet pointing upwards. Sex kick-like properties. Not good for KOing, but a decent juggler. 6-11%
Snake A midair handstand. Similar properties to Charizard's, with higher knockback. 14%
Sonic A scissor kick. Average knockback. 9% (if both hits connect)
Squirtle Flips upwards, hitting opponents vertically with its tail. It is quick, but not very good at KOing. 11%
Toon Link An upwards sword thrust. Identical to Link's, except a very slight diagonal range and much higher knockback. 12-14%
Wario Claps upwards. Can be used to fly as Wario-Man. Very powerful and a great finisher. 17%
Wolf Slashes upwards at a high speed. Fairly low knockback, high stun, good for combos. 10%
Yoshi Flips over vertically, doing damage with his tail. High knockback, possibly Yoshi’s best KO move. 13%
Zelda Pulsates an explosion out of her hand. Large, disjointed hitbox, will KO off the top of the stage at low percentages (50% upwards). It is the strongest up aerial in the game and is one of the strongest aerials in the game. 15%
Zero Suit Samus A flip kick, and one of her best moves, when used with one of her jumps. It can KO lightweights around 90% if sweetspotted (the sweetspot is directly in front of her, when the move first comes out). However, it makes a slashing sound when it connects. 7-10%

List of up aerials in Super Smash Bros. 4

 
Character Description Damage
Bowser Bowser thrusts his head in a quick swiping motion. Much faster start-up than in Brawl, but less power to compensate. 15%
Bowser Jr. Bowser Jr. swings his hammer upwards 10%
Captain Falcon Captain Falcon kick flips with fast start-up and good all-around range (though not directly below him). 13%/12% (clean), 12%/10% (late)
Charizard Charizard headbutts upwards. Great KO potential. 13%
Dark Pit Spins his bow above him like helicopter blades. 2% per hit (5 hits per use)
Diddy Kong Diddy Kong performs an overhead flip kick. A strong move with fast start-up, and has a juggling ability. 6%
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong performs a quick and reliable headbutt. 13%
Dr. Mario Dr. Mario performs a somersault and kicks backwards. 8%
Duck Hunt The duck carries the dog, and pecks at the air multiple times. 4% per hit (3 hits per use)
Falco Falco does a forward flip kick into the air. Falco's high jumps allow it to be used from very high up near the upper blast line, where it can KO at around 120%. 11%
Fox Fox flips himself upwards for a tail whip and a follow-up kick. 16%
Ganondorf An overhead flip kick, covering a large arc above him. 13%
Greninja An upwards drill kick. 3% per hit (3 hits per use)
Ike Ike swings his sword around over his head. 11%
Jigglypuff Swings his hand in an arc form. 9%
King Dedede Dedede spins his hammer over his head 1% per hit, except for 8th hit, that does 5%
Kirby Does a flip kick in midair, similar to his up smash. 9%
Link Thrusts his sword above him. 15%
Little Mac A sweeping punch upwards 5%
Lucario An overhead kick, with a sweetspot directly above the foot. Damage and knockback scale with Aura. 11% clean, 6% late
Lucas Does a headbutt in the air. 13%
Lucina A forward to back upward sword slash in a delayed somersault. 9-10%
Luigi Luigi flips backwards, using his foot to do damage. 11%
Mario Mario flips backwards, using his foot to do damage. 7%
Marth Marth swings his sword over his head then does a backflip. 9-12%
Mega Man Mega Man launches a blue tornado upwards, doing many hits of damage. 2% damage per hit (5? hits per use)
Meta Knight Meta Knight swings his sword over his head. 5%
Mewtwo Flips in the air, striking opponents with its tail. 11% (near), 9% (mid), 7% (far)
Mii Brawler The Brawler kicks over their head. 9%*
Mii Gunner The Gunner shoots multiple shots directly in the air. 2% per hit, except for 5th hit that does 3%*
Mii Swordfighter The Swordfighter puts his/her sword in the air and spins. 16%*
Mr. Game & Watch Does a blowing animation upward similar in the game Spitball Sparky in the Game & Watch series. 7% first hit, 9% second hit
Ness Ness does a headbutt in the air. 13%
Olimar Olimar/Louie swings the first Pikmin in their party in the air. 10% red, 9% yellow, 9% blue, 12% purple, 8% white
Pac-Man Pac-Man does a backflip and kicks the air. 10%
Palutena Spins, and lifts her staff upward, hitting up to five times. Last hit has high knockback. One of her few KO moves at high percentage. 1% (loop hits), 5% (last hit)
Peach Summon a rainbow above her head, excellent juggler. 10% if both hits connect
Pikachu Pikachu swings his tail in the air, doing a flip. 5%
Pit Pit spins his bow over his head like a helicopter, doing many hits 2% per hit (5 hits per use)
R.O.B. R.O.B. swings his arms around and puts his hands up 1% first hit, 2% second, 3% third, 4% last hit
Robin Robin swings his/her sword over their head 7-8%
Rosalina & Luma Rosalina creates a ring over her head, Luma backflip kicks the air. Large disjointed hitbox. The most versatile up aerial in the game. Can juggle and has great KO potential. 10% Rosalina, 4% Luma
Samus Samus drill kicks the air. 3% first hit, 1% 2nd to 5th hit, 4% final hit
Roy Swings his sword over his head then does a backflip. 9% (base), 6% (tip)
Ryu Performs a short uppercut that hits twice. Despite its looks, it has a good vertical range, and is reliable at catching opponents above Ryu. Based off of Ryu's jumping medium punch in Street Fighter IV. 5% (hit 1), 6% (hit 2)
Sheik Sheik drill kicks the air then kicks. 1% per hit except for 4th hit that does 4%
Shulk Shulk activates the Monado into the air 5% first hit, 10% second
Sonic Sonic claps his heels in the air. 9% if both hits connect
Toon Link Toon Link thrusts his sword into the air. 14%
Villager Holds up 1-3 turnips above him. Three turnips cause great damage. one turnip 8%, two turnips 10%, three turnips 13%
Wario Wario claps in the air. 13%
Wii Fit Trainer Performs the Half-Moon pose. 10%
Yoshi Yoshi flips in the air and whips his tail in the air. 12%
Zelda Holds up her hand and summons a fiery explosion. Like in Brawl, it has ridiculously powerful knockback, especially considering the opponent of Zelda's must already be in the air. Easily KOs at around 90%. 15%
Zero Suit Samus Samus backflips and hits with her feet 8%

* This assumes the Mii is default height and weight.

Notable Up aerials

  • Fox's up aerial in Melee is known for its deadly power, and is often follow-uped after his Up throw.
  • Bowser's up aerial is the most powerful up aerial and one of the strongest aerials in Melee.
  • Zelda's up aerial is the most powerful up aerial and one of the strongest aerials in Brawl.
  • Captain Falcon's up aerial is known for having lots of utility. In Melee and Brawl, it is used as an aerial spacing tool because of its long range, and killing at fairly high percents. In Smash 64 and Smash 4, it is used as a juggling tool to string multiple up airs together and finish off with another move (most infamously Falcon Dive).
  • Ganondorf's up aerial is known for its speed, range, power, and utility.
  • Meta Knight's up aerial is known for its speed, range, and juggling ability. It is the fastest up aerial in the series.
  • Mega Man's up aerial is known for being able to push other smashers above the smash line at low percentages and for juggling