Counter


 * ''This article is about the move. Counter can also be used to describe a match-up that strongly favors one character.

Counter (カウンター, Kauntā) is the name of a move belonging to several characters in the Super Smash Bros. series, namely, the characters from the Fire Emblem series.

Overview
The character will strike a pose and a small, metallic "chink" sound will be heard. For about a second, any attack they are struck by (other than a grab) will turn them invincible for the duration of their retaliating swing. If the attack is a projectile (such as Samus' Missile), it will simply be deflected behind them and upwards at about a 30 degree angle. It is worth noting explosive projectiles can still explode and will still do damage if they are struck when the invincibility ceases. If the attack is a Smash Attack, then the attacker will be knocked back at a 90 degree angle. If used in conjunction with Mr. Game and Watch's Oil Panic, it is the most powerful non-charged attack in Melee, if Oil Panic has absorbed the most possible amount of damage, which is 250% damage and delivers an OHKO. It can be countered again for even more damage.

Marth
Marth's Counter deals up to 7% damage, regardless of the attack. Marth's Counter has a faster start-up time and lasts slightly longer than Roy's Counter, which makes Marth's Counter more effective but less damaging.

In Brawl, Marth's Counter reflects back x1.1 damage, with a minimum damage of 8%.

Lucina
Lucina also has this attack as her Down Special Moves in Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS.

Custom Variations (Marth & Lucina)
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, with the introducion of Custom Moves, Marth and Lucina has 2 variations of Counter.

Easy Counter
Easy Counter is one of Marth and Lucina's Down Special Moves that can be used via customizations. The counterattack stance lasts longer, but the launch power is decreased.

Iai Counter
Iai Counter is one of Marth and Lucina's Down Special Moves that can be used via customizations. When they do the counterattack, they can knock opponents behind them. The damage is decreased.

Roy
Roy's deals 1.5 times the original attack's damage. Roy's Counter has a slower start-up time, and lasts slightly less than Marth's Counter.

Ike
Ike also has this attack as his Down Special Move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Ike's Counter is not as fast as Marth's (counter frames start roughly 6 frames after Marth's), but reflects back x1.2 damage, with the minimum damage being 10%.

Since Ike's Counter is a bit slower, it cannot be used for immediate countering. However, he makes up for this by having more knockback and greater range. Although Marth and Ike both have the same duration of counter frames, Ike has less vulnerability after the counter frames end, due to the slightly slower activation of his. Both Counters last the same amount of time from start (initiating the command) to finish (when the player is free to move again); Marth's simply activates faster, but his counter frames end 6 frames before Ike's. Marth's Counter leaves him vulnerable at the end of the attack while Ike's counter leaves him vulnerable at the beginning. If Marth or Ike counter a large hitbox such as Mr. Game and Watch's Oil Panic (after absorbing three strong enough projectiles that does 60% damage), it will One-hit KO anyone who is very close to Marth or Ike.

Custom Variations (Ike)
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, with the introducion of Custom Moves, Ike has 2 variations of Counter.

Paralyzing Counter
Paralyzing Counter is one of Ike's Down Special Move that can be used via customizations. It's a counter that paralyzes enemies instead of dealing damage.

Smash Counter
Smash Counter is one of Ike's Down Special Move that can be used via customizations. The move delivers a slower, more powerful attack when countering.

Palutena
Palutena also has this attack as one of her Down Special Moves in Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS.

Mii Swordfighter
The Mii Swordfighter also has this attack as one of their Down Special Moves in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. It's referred to as Blade Counter

Similar Moves
There are several other moves similar to Counter: Double Team, Toad, Slip Counter, Substitute, Vision, Interception Arm, and (to a lesser extent) Wolf's Reflector.

Origin
This move seems to be based on the fact that, in the Fire Emblem games, characters can counterattack when an enemy attacks them. However, starting from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, a battle skill of the same name was made. In Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn the skill inflicts half the damage dealt to the user back at the attacker. In Awakening, Counter inflicts the same amount damage to the attacker that the user receives as long as the user is not killed.

Trivia

 * Marth's Counter can be used on Kirby's Inhale attack in Brawl or any other Vacuum created by an attack.
 * If three or more Marths are playing, it is possible to repeatedly Counter to huge amounts of damage. For this to work with Ike or Roy, who have slower counter strikes and slower counter activations than Marth, it is recommended to have four players play as Ike or Roy.
 * Marth can use Counter on the tides of lava and acid on Norfair and Brinstar. When the stage-wide wave of lava appears on Norfair, Marth can stand outside of the Capsule and time Counter correctly to avoid the damage.