Falcon Punch refers to Captain Falcon's neutral B attack. It is one of most powerful moves in all three Super Smash Bros. games, with the highest knockback of any of Falcon's attacks (including charged smashes). This move is one of the few attacks in the game that is more powerful than the Home-run Bat at high damages (and since Captain Falcon's home-run attack has an upward trajectory, it is always more useful), and thus players use it in Captain Falcon's world record Home-run Contest strategies. Falcon Punch is also very slow, with a start-up time of 52 frames.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Captain Falcon can turn around during the start-up of the punch, increasing its damage. This is a Reverse Falcon Punch (see second picture).
Strategies
Double-jump facing away from the opponent and right before he falls, Reverse Falcon Punch. The character can then tilt the motion towards the opponent to reduce the time it takes to charge on the ground, strengthen the punch by reversing it, and use the attack just as he hits the ground. Best to use it on off-guard opponents that are expecting the player to flee.
One can also use it while running then RAR the Falcon Punch. In order to this one must, run, tilt the control stick back and jump at the same time. You'll jump while keeping your momentum forward, during this time, usually at the start of the jump, start the falcon punch and reverse it. Right when you land, you'll punch anything in front of you. Not only does this give you a powerful attack, but it just looks good as well. This technique also allows for more control over the distance traveled with the punch. For instance, when a normal Falcon Punch is done from a jump, the distance traveled depends on how high the jump was. In contrast the "RAR'd" Falcon Punch allows one to basically, move either further (because of the forward momentum made if the forward direction is held) or even slightly behind (if the stick is tilted backwards after the punch is reversed in the air, the momentum will pull Captain Falcon slightly backwards).
- Tip: It will take a couple tries to get used to, but when mastered, it will pay off.
The above method can also be applied when hanging on an edge, albeit much more dangerous because of the likelihood of an SD. When hanging from the edge, one must jump, then tilt away from the edge (this will not visibly make Captain Falcon turn, but he will be turned around in the game's registering), then reverse Falcon Punch. When done at the tip of the edge jump, the punch will be thrown a little bit off the ground, so if one wants the punch to activate on the ground, then start the Reverse Falcon Punch a little after the tip of the jump. The hardest parts are making sure the game still registers Captain Falcon as facing away when performing the reverse, and also making sure one has stopped tilting away from the edge when starting the Reverse Falcon Punch.
- Tip: This is slightly more difficult and a lot more frustrating when done incorrectly than the normal "RAR'd" Falcon Punch, but it can catch potential edgeguarders off guard.
If there's a fray happening without him involved, try throwing in a Falcon Punch, and it will have a good chance of hitting a least one person. To do this, he'll have to double-jump at the edge of the fray, not the middle, or the punch will most likely be interrupted. If done right, he can hit all of the opponents in the fray, off the edge.
Combos into Falcon Punch
Despite the slowness of Falcon Punch, there are a few situations where a launcher (namely, down aerial) can combo into Falcon Punch.
Tapion Punch Combo
Named after Tapion, this two-hit combo leads into Falcon Punch after an l-canceled down aerial. It works on Fox as low as 75% damage, Falco as low as 78%, and C. Falcon as low as 80%. It can be avoided with Directional Influence.
G-Regulate's Falcon Punch Combo
Named after G-Regulate, this combo works similarly to the Tapion Punch Combo, but uses a platform. Captain Falcon must l-cancel a down aerial onto a platform so that it hits an enemy below him. Against some characters at some damages (notably Marth at 65%), Falcon can combo his down aerial into Falcon Punch. It can be avoided with Directional Influence.
Trivia
- If used correctly, it can knock off all the bases of a Gamyga.
- Captain Falcon once had his own animé; in the end, he uses an extremely powerful Falcon Punch (see this video) to destroy Black Shadow and ends up dying.
- The Falcon Punch is a very popular internet meme, such as videos showing what would happen if two Falcon Punches collided, usually with exaggerated effects, such as a blue screen of death, a massive nuclear like explosion, or some other similar effect. It is also commonly stated in the memes to be the strongest thing in the world.
- Due to the fiery sound effects when Captain Falcon releases the punch, it would sound like if Captain Falcon were to say "Pawnch" when he releases the move. This is also one of the common features of the Falcon Punch meme.
- There is a glitch where if a player uses a Reverse Falcon Punch on Pit, and Pit pulls out the Mirror Shield at the correct moment, Captain Falcon will be sent backwards until he reaches the edge of the stage, or if there is no edge, off the stage (example can be seen here).