The Fire Fox is Fox's Up Special Move in the Super Smash Bros. series. It involves Fox charging the move, and then going in the direction inputted on the control stick. The move has a Fire element throughout its entire duration. Falco and Wolf have similar moves being named Fire Bird and Fire Wolf, respectively.
Overview[]
Fox uses this attack as his primary recovery move, and is used mostly for vertical recovery, with Fox Illusion being used for horizontal recovery, though it is also good horizontally if it isn't expected to be used. There are 180 different angles the attack can be used in. When used in midair, Fox remains stationary during the charging. The attack can deal around 28% damage, provided the opponent is hit by both the charge-up and recovery. Fire Fox covers the most distance out of all three of the Star Fox Up specials. Fire Fox only hits opponents once, not including any charge-up hits. It is highly likely to return to the ledge of the stage by using Fire Fox to recover, due to its long traveling distance.
In Super Smash Bros., Fire Fox was notably different from Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl; instead of being surrounded by fire, Fox charged the move without flame, was pulled down by gravity at a reduced rate, and then propelled himself with an explosion, similar to PK Thunder. The charging did not inflict damage.
| Fox's Special Moves | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | Melee | Brawl | 3DS/Wii U | Ultimate | |
| Standard Special | Blaster | ||||
| Side Special | — | Fox Illusion | |||
| Up Special | Fire Fox | ||||
| Down Special | Reflector | ||||
| Final Smash | — | Landmaster | Team Star Fox | ||
Custom Variations[]
Flying Fox[]
Flying Fox is one of Fox's Up Special Moves that can be used through customization. The move sends Fox high into the air at high speed, but deals no damage. However, players will have to react quickly to change the direction that Fox travels in during his flight.
Strengths
- Increased recovery
- Can be used to glide around the stage if aimed diagonally
- Charges up and moves faster
Weaknesses
- Deals no damage
- Left vulnerable during recovery due to the move not being able to deal damage
Twisting Fox[]
Twisting Fox is one of Fox's Up Special Moves that can be used through customization. Fox spins to pull opponents in, then rises into the air, hitting multiple times on the way. This is similar to Fire Wolf.
Strengths
- Very powerful K.O move
- Useful for edge-guarding
- Sucks in opponents to deal multiple hits
- Can carry opponents in the air or on ground during lift-off
Weaknesses
- Travels slower
- Doesn't deal damage during the first few frames of the animation
- Doesn't travel as high
- Difficult to control the angle
- Deals less damage afterwards
| Fox's Custom Special Moves | ||
|---|---|---|
| Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
| Standard Special | Impact Blaster | Charge Blaster |
| Side Special | Fox Burst | Wolf Flash |
| Up Special | Flying Fox | Twisting Fox |
| Down Special | Big Reflector | Amplifying Reflector |
Trivia[]
- The name of the move is often parodied with the internet navigator Mozilla Firefox.
- Interestingly, the author of the Prima strategy guide was apparently unaware that Fire Fox can be aimed. Even though the move has been aimable throughout the entire series, he suggests that its only use is attacking players from beneath.
- It’s the only special move Fox does not use in a cutscene of the Subspace Emissary, likewise for Falco and his Fire Bird attack.