Flying Slam

Flying Slam (Japanese: Diving Press - ダイビングプレス, Daibingu Puresu) is Bowser's Side Special Move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, replacing the Koopa Klaw. Flying Slam is essentially the same move as Koopa Klaw, with one fundamental difference: while Bowser claws at his opponent as before, if he connects, he'll perform a flying suplex, rather than biting his opponent.

Overview

Bowser's air movement can be controlled greatly during this move. This move can be used to easily cause a Suicide KO (commonly known as "Bowsercide"), even while in the air, which is particularly useful against edgeguarders performing a "Wall of Pain" style edgeguard.

A technique in Time Mode Bowser can use at 0% is to attack the opponent, then use Flying Slam to fall into the pit. The game marks Bowser's death an SD, but the opponent will be marked as a KO for Bowser, putting the opponent behind one point.

The victim isn't entirely at Bowser's mercy, though, as they can also alter Bowser's horizontal trajectory - whoever has the lower % will have more control over Bowser's movement. On rare occasions, if the Bowser player and another player are falling off stage it may connect, and can be used as a recovery move. Additionally, when he is in the higher control port, Bowser's death after the Bowsercide can be stalled by mashing the jump button while holding the control stick in one side-direction. This will cause him to perform a second jump, not unlike the motion of a Klawhop. This can be extended further by using Whirling Fortress, and can be used to survive a Bowsercide on stages like Castle Siege (when the stage is about to change) and Norfair (when the lava is at its lowest point).

Interestingly, the DOJO!! has stated that if one uses this move to do a Suicide KO while both are on their last stock, the game would be called in Bowser's favor. However, outside of the PAL edition, this only happens when Bowser's controller port is lower (such as Bowser is player 1 and the opponent is player 2). If Bowser's port is higher, Sudden Death occurs. In the PAL version, and by tournament rules, Bowser is always declared the winner.

Since foes in the Subspace Emissary cannot be grabbed by special moves, Bowser does not actually perform the Flying Slam; he merely inflicts damage with his claws.

Giga Bowser can also use this move in mostly the same way.

Bowser catches his victim...

...then leaps very high while spinning...

...then falls on top of his opponent.

But there is no floor...

Bowser using Flying Slam in SSB4.

Bowser using Flying Slam in SSB4.

Bowser's Special Moves
	Melee	Brawl	3DS/Wii U	Ultimate
Standard Special	Fire Breath
Side Special	Koopa Klaw	Flying Slam
Up Special	Whirling Fortress
Down Special	Bowser Bomb
Final Smash	—	Giga Bowser		Giga Bowser Punch

Custom Variations

Dash Slam

Dash Slam is one of Bowser's Side Special Moves that can be used through customization. Bowser will dash forward to grab an opponent, however the jump isn't as high. On the plus side, horizontal movement during the jump is increased.

Bowser's Custom Special Moves
	Custom 1	Custom 2
Standard Special	Fire Shot	Fire Roar
Side Special	Dash Slam	Dash Slash
Up Special	Flying Fortress	Sliding Fortress
Down Special	Turbulent Bomb	Slip Bomb

Dash Slash

Dash Slash is one of Bowser's Side Special Moves that can be used via customization. Bowser charges forward and slashes with his claws. The move doesn't grab, and has low power, but a large amount of knockback. This move is a bit similar to Koopa Claw, Bowser's Side Special Move in Melee.

Bowser's Custom Special Moves
	Custom 1	Custom 2
Standard Special	Fire Shot	Fire Roar
Side Special	Dash Slam	Dash Slash
Up Special	Flying Fortress	Sliding Fortress
Down Special	Turbulent Bomb	Slip Bomb

Koopa Hopping

Koopa Hopping is a technique in Brawl that allows Bowser to jump continuously from platforms without the delay of landing. This is achieved by jumping during a Flying Slam just before touching the ground. Hopping somewhat increases Bowser's airborne mobility, among other benefits. Using this, one could perform a long string of aerial attacks, or simply negate punishment from a failed Flying Slam. Giga Bowser can also Koopa Hop.

Various other names for the technique include:
"Klaw Canceling" by KevinM on Smash World Forums.
"Claw Hopping" by Kagato on VGDistict.
"Gimpyfishing", after the professional Bowser mainer Gimpyfish.
"The Turtle Hurdle" by StealthKiller and Phate of Smash World Forums.

External links

• A Player Performing Koopa Hopping