| Rock Smash | |
|---|---|
 Rock Smash in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. | |
| User | Charizard |
| Universe | Pokémon |
| Article on Bulbapedia | Rock Smash (move) |
| “ | Produce a boulder and headbutt it. The rock fragments damage foes. | ” |
| —Brawl's instruction manual | ||
| “ | Headbutt a rock, and send the shards flying. | ” |
| —Smash for 3DS's foldout | ||
Rock Smash (いわくだき, Rock Smash) is Charizard's side special move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and down special move in Super Smash Bros. 4, in which Charizard takes a large rock and headbutts it, shattering it into many pieces in the process. The force of the headbutt deals high knockback and 18% damage, and after this portion of the attack, the rock shatters into three smaller pieces that fly forward in a spread effect, dealing 5% damage each. The fragments can be reflected. If the headbutt and all rock fragments hit, it'll deal a massive 33% in damage, though this can only occur in normal matches when Rock Smash is landed point blank on a low-damage opponent. However, against bosses, Rock Smash is an extremely effective move, as their massive size and inability to flinch ensures they'll always get hit by all the rock fragments when hit with Rock Smash; this is so effective that Charizard can defeat all bosses faster than any other character in Brawl, and holds the world record time in Boss Battles. Rock Smash's massive damage potential also means it's one of the few moves that can break a full health Smash Ball in one hit.
In Smash 4, Rock Smash's power was nerfed. However, it now has launch resistance throughout most of its frames.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:
| 1. Rock Smash | 2. Sinking Skull | 3. Rock Hurl |
|---|---|---|
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| "Headbutt a rock to send fragments flying. Both the headbutt and the fragments can hurt rivals." | "Pound your opponent into the ground, where they'll be stuck for a little while." | "Similar to Rock Smash. The rocks fly higher, but they cause less damage." |
- Rock Smash: Default.
- Sinking Skull: Removes the rock, instead burying opponents, much like Headbutt. Forfeits Super Armor.
- Rock Hurl: The rock shards don't deal as much damage, but they fly higher.
- In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, this variation is a Challenge unlock, only obtainable by using Charizard to reach a score of 100m (328 ft.) in Home-Run Contest without the bat.
Challenge board unlock image for Rock Hurl.
Origin
Rock Smash, introduced in Generation II, is a physical Fighting-type attack in the Pokémon games. It has alternated between TM and HM status over time. In battle, it is a generally weak move with a 50% chance of lowering the target's defense; it can also be used to destroy rocks outside of battle, making it essential in completing many Pokémon games by clearing obstacles to the player's progression.
Charizard can learn Rock Smash by TM or HM in all games since the move's introduction.
Gallery
Charizard using Rock Smash in Brawl.
Rock Smash in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Trivia
- While performing Rock Smash, any attack that interrupts Charizard will cause it to visibly drop the boulder. However, any attack that actually goes through Rock Smash's attack frames will simply make the boulder itself disappear, after the visible hit-lag.
- This is the first special to have its directional input changed since the transition from Smash 64 to Melee.
External links
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|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral special | Flamethrower | ||
| Side special | Rock Smash | Flare Blitz | |
| Up special | Fly | ||
| Down special | (Pokémon Change) | Rock Smash | (Pokémon Change) |
| Final Smash | Fire Blast (of Triple Finish) | Mega Evolution | Fire Blast (of Triple Finish) |