Attack

An attack is simply any move that a character can perform. This can include grabs, throws, special moves, and projectile attacks. There are many types of attacks in the Smash Bros. series.

Attack is also a CPU Mode available in Practice Mode in SSBM and SSBB. It causes the character to behave like a normal CPU opponent. In Debug Mode, it is known as NORMAL.

Types of Attacks

Ground Attacks

Ground attacks are basic moves performed while on the ground. These moves often do little damage, and are solely for the purpose of racking up damage or spacing.

Neutral Attack

This is activated by pressing only the attack button (usually A). Pressing it again will cause the character to attack again, often resulting in a combo. Some characters were capable of attacking an infinite amount of times if the attack button was held until it was disabled in Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U. Neutral attacks are often very weak and their main purpose is mostly to accumulate your opponent's damage.

Dash Attack

When your character is running, pressing the attack button will activate their dash attack. The dash attack is usually weak, but it is good for approach.

Ledge Recovery Attack

The Ledge Recovery allows characters to attack while climbing up a ledge in order to put distance between themselves and edgeguarders. It is done by pressing the attack button while hanging on a ledge. Characters have two different ledge attacks, one used when they are under 100% damage and one when they are over 100%.

Floor Attack

A Floor attack is used by a character that is lying on the ground, either due to landing after tumbling or being helpless or tripping. By pressing the attack button, the character will do one of three attacks to create space, depending on whether they were lying face up, lying face down, or sitting after tripping.

Strong Attacks

Strong attacks are attacks that are quicker and do more damage than a standard ground attack. These are good for racking up damage and can sometimes KO at high percentages. The type of attack and the location it is used is determined by the direction the control stick is held.

Forward Tilt

This is activated by pressing the attack button while tilting the control stick left or right. This is a quicker and more powerful version of a neutral attack.

Up Tilt

This is activated by pressing the attack button while tilting the control stick upwards. This allows the user to quickly attack opponents above them (in most cases) while dealing a fair amount of damage.

Down Tilt

This is activated by pressing the attack button while tilting the control stick downwards. This move is good for quickly attacking opponents at low angles, although most Down Tilts often only hit in one direction.

Smash Attacks

Smash attacks are some of the characters' most powerful moves. A more powerful version of tilt attacks, they can be charged. Charged Smash attacks do a lot of damage and are often used as finishing moves.

Forward Smash

This is done by holding the attack button while holding the control stick left or right. The attack often has a wide hitbox in the direction the character is facing, and is often a powerful attack which is used as a finisher.

Up Smash

This is done by holding the attack button while holding the control stick upwards. This allows the character to unleash a strong attack above them, making this move useful for juggling and KOing opponents in the upper blast line.

Down Smash

The Down Smash is a strong attack that is often aimed toward the ground, and often has hitboxes on both sides of the character using it. It is done by holding the attack button and holding the control stick downwards.

Throws

Throws are used after grabbing an opponent to launch them in an indicated direction. Depending on the throw and the opponent's percentage, the throw can sometimes KO the opponent.

Grab

A Grab is a move that causes the character to grab an opponent in front of them by pressing Z, rendering them immobile. Grabs do not do damage, but instead enable the character to pummel or throw the opponent. Some characters can grab opponents from far away, such as Link's Clawshot.

Pummel

A Pummel is a weak attack the grabber can inflict on the opponent they have grabbed by pressing the attack button during the grab animation. This can enable the character to throw their opponent farther. If the character pummels their opponent for too long, the opponent will be released from the grab.

Forward Throw

A Forward Throw is a type of throw, where the character presses tilts the control stick in the direction they are facing. The character will throw the opponent in the direction they are facing. In some cases, this can be used for a Chain Grab.

Back Throw

A Back Throw is similar to a Forward Throw, but the character will throw the opponent in the opposite direction. Back Throws are often more powerful than Forward Throws.

Up Throw

An Up Throw is when the character throws the opponent upwards. It is the most useful throw for KOing opponents, especially when near the upper blast line. Up Throws can be used to set up juggling combos.

Down Throw

A Down Throw is when the character throws the opponent toward the ground. While this move usually has the least knockback of all the throws, it can be used for combos.

Aerial Attacks

Aerial Attacks are attacks which are performed in the air using the attack button.

Neutral Aerial

A Neutral Aerial is used by pressing only the attack button in the air. While not very powerful, this move is predominately used for spacing. Also, many Neutral Aerials are stronger during the initial phase of the attack and weaker afterwards. This is referred to as a Sex Kick.

Forward Aerial

A Forward Aerial is used by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick in the direction the character is facing while in the air. This is a direct attack often used to KO other airborne opponents.

Back Aerial

A Back Aerial is used by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick in the direction opposite the direction the character is facing while in the air. This can be used for a surprise attack and for spacing. Some Back Aerials are also Sex Kicks.

Up Aerial

An Up Aerial is used by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick upwards while in the air. This is good for KOing other airborne opponents and for juggling combos.

Down Aerial

A Down Aerial is used by pressing the attack button and tilting the control stick downwards while in the air. This is good for attacking grounded opponents and preventing them from juggling you.