Natural combo
A natural combo is a move designed to hit multiple times in multiple phases. After the first phase is activated, pressing the relevant button at the correct time will launch the next segment of the move, while not pressing the button will end the sequence. If an opponent is hit by the first phase, they cannot shield against the next phases. This is different from a standard combo as those require multiple attacks to pull off. The concept is largely derived from the rekka seen in traditional fighting games. Despite their name, natural combos are not always combos, as opponents can sometimes use techniques like SDI to escape the later hits and the first phase is not always an attack.
The term is sometimes used interchangeably with neutral attack, its most common type; most characters will perform multiple attacks (such as Mario's jab, cross, kick), with some following into a rapid attack. Some characters, such as Snake, Bayonetta and Link, have natural combos using their tilts, aerials, or smashes, and some special moves, like Dancing Blade and Cross Slash, are natural combos as well.
Natural combos are most useful in damaging the opponent quickly for relatively little effort, as they cannot shield against later phases and must take the damage. This is especially true for infinite attacks, as the player can simply hold the button down to perform the infinite most of the time. Natural combos can also act as tools to apply pressure. As mentioned before, natural combos can quickly damage opponents, forcing them to take more risks that may or may not work out. Natural combos also tend to do significant shield damage, forcing opponents into reacting or risk getting their shield broken.
List of natural combos
Neutral attacks
| Character | Phases | Game(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Banjo & Kazooie | 3 / 2+infinite | 
|
| Bayonetta | 5 | 
|
| Bowser | 2 |  
|
| Bowser Jr. | 2+infinite |
|
| Byleth | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Captain Falcon | 3+infinite | 
|
| 3 / 2+infinite |
| |
| Charizard | 3 |
|
| Cloud | 3 |
|
| Corrin | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Daisy | 2 |
|
| Dark Pit | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Dark Samus | 2 |
|
| Diddy Kong | 3+infinite |
|
| 3 |
| |
| Donkey Kong | 2 |
|
| Dr. Mario | 3 |
|
| Duck Hunt | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Falco | 2+infinite |
|
| Fox | 2+infinite |
|
| Greninja | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Hero | 3 |
|
| Ice Climbers | 2 |
|
| Ike | 3 |
|
| Incineroar | 3 |
|
| Inkling | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Ivysaur | 2+infinite |
|
| Jigglypuff | 2 |
|
| Joker | 3 |
|
| Ken | 3 |
|
| King Dedede | 2+infinite |
|
| King K. Rool | 3 |
|
| Kirby | 2+infinite |
|
| Link | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| 3 |
| |
| Little Mac | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Lucario | 3 |
|
| Lucas | 3 |
|
| Lucina | 2 |
|
| Luigi | 3 |
|
| Mario | 3 |
|
| Marth | 2 |
|
| Mega Man | 3[1] |
|
| Mewtwo | 1+infinite |
|
| Mii Brawler | 2+infinite |
|
| Mii Gunner | 3 |
|
| Mii Swordfighter | 3 |
|
| Min Min | 3 / 2+infinite[2] |
|
| Mr. Game & Watch | 1+infinite |
|
| Ness | 3 |
|
| Olimar | 2 |
|
| Pac-Man | 3 |
|
| Palutena | 1+infinite |
|
| Peach | 2 |
|
| Piranha Plant | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Pit | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| R.O.B. | 2 |
|
| Richter | 2+infinite |
|
| Ridley | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Robin | 3 / 2+infinite[3] |
|
| Rosalina & Luma | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Ryu | 3 |
|
| Samus | 2 |
|
| Sheik | 2+infinite |
|
| Shulk | 3 |
|
| Simon | 2+infinite |
|
| Snake | 3 |
|
| Sonic | 3 |
|
| Squirtle | 3 |
|
| Terry | 3 |
|
| Toon Link | 3 |
|
| Villager | 2[4] |
|
| 2+infinite |
| |
| Wario | 2 |
|
| Wii Fit Trainer | 3 |
|
| Wolf | 3 |
|
| Yoshi | 2 |
|
| Young Link | 3 / 2+infinite |
|
| Zelda | 1+infinite |
|
| Zero Suit Samus | 3 |
|
Other moves
| Character | Move(s) | Phases | Game(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayonetta | forward tilt | 3 |
|
| forward aerial | 3 | ||
| Chrom | Double-Edge Dance[5] | 4 |
|
| Cloud | Cross Slash[6] | 3 |
|
| Climhazzard | 2 | ||
| Hero | forward tilt | 2 |
|
| Link | forward smash | 2 |
|
| Lucina | Dancing Blade[5] | 4 |
|
| Marth | Dancing Blade[5] | 4 |
|
| Mega Man | forward tilt | 2[1] |
|
| neutral aerial | |||
| Meta Knight | forward tilt | 3 |
|
| Mii Brawler | Feint Jump | 2 |
|
| Soaring Axe Kick | 2 |
| |
| Min Min | Punch | 2[7] |
|
| Piranha Plant | forward tilt | 2 |
|
| Richter | down tilt | 2 |
|
| Roy | Double-Edge Dance[5] | 4 |
|
| Shulk | Air Slash | 2 |
|
| Simon | down tilt | 2 |
|
| Snake | forward tilt | 2 |
|
| Toon Link | forward smash | 2 |
|
| Young Link | forward smash | 2 |
|
| Zero Suit Samus | Flip Jump | 2 [8] |
|
Notes
- ^ a b Mega Man's neutral attack, forward tilt, and neutral aerial are all considered part of the same natural combo.
- ^ Can also be performed with the special-move button.
- ^ If the Elwind or Arcfire tomes are depleted, Robin will be unable to use the rapid jab or normal jab finisher, respectively.
- ^ Villager's jab has two distinct parts but can be performed indefinitely.
- ^ a b c d All hits after the first can be tilted up or down for different effects.
- ^ Cannot continue the combo if the move does not connect.
- ^ Can use both arms by tapping the attack button then the special-move button or vice versa, or both at once if A+B Smash is enabled.
- ^ In Smash 4 and Ultimate, Flip Jump will automatically activate the hit if the move ends on top of an opponent.
