Flame Choke



Flame Choke replaces Gerudo Dragon as Ganondorf's Side Special Move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. When used, Ganondorf charges at his opponent, similarly to Gerudo Dragon, but he grabs the opponent by the head and attacks them with a dark pulse, before slamming them into the ground. Once he makes the grab, he cannot be knocked out of it (he has super armor while he has an opponent in his grip). It can be quickly followed up by a quick attack, such as Standard A and Down Tilt.

When the move is used mid-air, both Ganondorf and the grabbed foe are launched directly towards to the ground (which can cause Ganoncide). If Ganondorf performs this move in the air while going through a soft platform (half body above platform and half below) then he will grab the opponent also performing a Ganoncide (however, he hasn't knockback resistance in the air). This makes it difficult to chase him off the edge, because as a last resort, he takes the opponent down with him, which can be beneficial particularly if Ganondorf is a stock/point up. Also, when Ganondorf does the move in the air, he can slightly alter it's path, slamming the foe more to the left, or more to the right.

If this is used while on the ground with the opponent near the edge of the stage, it can spike the opponent straight down off of the edge, often resulting in a KO. However, if the edge can be grabbed, the victim will grab it, avoiding the KO.

Being a grab move, this move works through shields and counters, and Ganondorf has knockback resistance in mid-grab. This allows Ganondorf to, for example, snag a passing Wario off his motorcycle.

Unlike Captain Falcon's Raptor Boost, this move does not cause Ganondorf to trip and fall if he misses on the ground. It does, however, still put him into a helpless state if he uses it in the air.

If Ganondorf is too close to an edge when he uses the move on the ground, he will instantly go into a helpless state and fall, the same as Captain Falcon's Raptor Boost. However, unlike Captain Falcon, Ganondorf has a chance to move towards the ledge and grab it (if it can be grabbed) before he falls to his death.

In Brawl's Home Run Contest, if used on the Sandbag, the move will fail. Ganondorf will pass through the sandbag just like any other grab-related special on any other item.

Origin
Ganondorf performs a similar rushing move in Twilight Princess that kills one of the sages who impaled him, though lacking the dark flames. In the GameCube version of Twilight Princess, Ganondorf uses his right hand, which is inscribed with the Triforce of Power, whereas in Brawl he uses his left hand. Ganondorf's slight ambidextrous capabilities in Brawl are likely due to the mirrored Wii version of Twilight Princess. Ganondorf also similarly held Tetra up by her throat in Wind Waker, though this move also lacked the dark flames.

Ganondorf kills the Water Sage

Trivia

 * Unlike some other side special grabs such as Force Palm you can't escape from Flame Choke even if the victim is giant, neither the grounded or air version.
 * Depending which stage it's used on, the aerial variation may have different effects. On Norfair, Ganondorf can bounce in the lava but the trapped opponent doesn't bounce on it on the first hit. On certain portions of Port Town Aero Dive, it's possible to have Ganondorf survive while the other character is dragged off the screen. On other stages, both characters or neither may be KOd.