Counter


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

Counter is the name of a move belonging to several characters in the Super Smash Bros. series, namely, the characters from the Fire Emblem series.

Super Smash Bros. Melee
Counter is Marth and Roy's Down B move in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Marth or Roy will strike a pose and a small, metallic "chink" sound will be heard. For about a second, any attack that Marth and Roy is struck by other than a grab will turn them invincible for the duration of their retaliating swing. Marth's Counter deals up to 7% damage regardless of the attack, while Roy's deals 1.5 times the original attack's damage. 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's 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 damage, that is).

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.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Ike also has this attack as his Down B move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Ike's Counter is not as fast as Marth's, but reflects back x1.2 damage, with the minimum damage being 10%. Marth's Counter reflects back x1.1 damage with a minimum damage of 8%.Since Ike's counter is slow, it cannot be used for immediate countering. The amount of knockback on Counter is equal to the knockback on the move it is countering; this goes for both Ike and Marth's versions of the attack. There are several other moves similar to Counter, they are Double Team, Toad, and to a lesser extent, Wolf's Reflector.

Marth's counter was also voted one of the best Down Specials in the game, even surpassing Ike.