Volt Tackle

Volt Tackle is Pikachu's Final Smash attack in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. When Pikachu uses this attack, it temporarily turns into a gigantic ball of light. The ball of light will then fly around the stage at great speeds, and the direction Pikachu goes during this move can be controlled by the player. When an opponent is hit, they take between 10% to 20% damage, depending on how much of the attack hits the opponent and how fast Pikachu is moving. The move has little knockback, barely stunning the opponent, but can rack up a lot of damage. The move can deliver significant knockback when the attack button is pressed. This also puts a massive damage boost on the attack. When the special button is hit, Pikachu releases an electric attack that extends a decent distance in all directions. After doing this, the ball of electricity darkens and the spark cannot be used again until the ball of light returns to its normal color. This Final Smash lasts around 10 seconds. The Final Smash is generally accepted as extremely powerful by fans, but its short length causes it to be severely less useful. Interestingly, when a direction is chosen, Volt Tackle will move on a somewhat "set path" and go back and forth until a new direction is chosen. When the attack is about to end, its appearance alters ever so slightly and is easier to control due to it moving slower. During this stage of easier control, Pikachu cannot pass through walls. Pikachu also has to ride around the player point in the middle of the circle he goes in.

Origins
When a Pikachu or Raichu is holding a Light Ball, all of its offspring Pichus will instinctively know Volt Tackle. This is the only way the move can be "learned"; this makes it a kind of signature move for the Pikachu evolutionary line. Volt Tackle is a physical Electric-type move that is as powerful as Thunder (slightly stronger, due to Pikachu's stats) and far more accurate (100% compared to Thunder's 70%); however, the user receives one-third of the damage inflicted as recoil damage.

Also, the Volt Tackle in Pokémon was not actually a sphere of blue lightning and speeding in all directions. Instead, the user with Volt Tackle will simply run at high velocity, as if performing a Quick Attack, and then generate an energy of yellow sparks before ramming against the foe.

This move in Pokémon is a direct reference to the "Volteccer", the signature move of the titular character of a Genesis/Mega Drive game called Pulseman made by Game Freak (the same developer that made Pokémon). The move also primarily involved the character transforming into a power ball of electrical energy, before ricocheting through the stage like a pinball. The move's look and controls in Brawl are also direct references to the move's look and controls from Pulseman.

Trophy Description


''Pikachu, transformed into a ball of light that can slam into foes. It can also fly to chase down those who try to jump out of range. Sparks get stronger when you press the attack button. However, its increased inertia makes midair movement tough. If you get carried away flying, the effect will end, and you'll destroy yourself. Be careful it doesn't happen to you.''

Trivia

 * Pikachu's Volt Tackle can have an added visual effect if a Smoke Ball is attached to it while using its Final Smash. With it, the ball of electricity looks as if it's emitting smoke. This is best known as a "Smoking Final Smash".


 * The Volt Tackle is easier to control if the control stick or D-pad is used very lightly.


 * The game will lag if the pause camera is zoomed into an active Volt Tackle, especially during the spark.


 * If Volt Tackle is used in training while the camera is zoomed in for the entire duration of the move, the game will suffer extreme lag, and when the move is finished while the camera is still zoomed in, the game will temporarily speed up slightly faster than 1.5x speed. This is because the game has to catch up with the actions.


 * In Pokémon, Volt Tackle was an actual attack for Pikachu, where he gets covered in electricity and rams the opponent's pokémon.