Moltres appears as a Poké Ball Pokémon in Melee. Moltres uses Sky Attack as its attack. Moltres remains in the middle of the screen for a few seconds then flies. Any character that makes contact with Moltres will take heavy damage, will be sent straight up and OHKO'd. There are some instances when touching Moltres in the air meteor smashes the player. These are the only instances where someone can survive touching Moltres under normal conditions. Moltres is a legendary Pokémon, so its appearance is rare. Moltres' attack does not harm the summoner.
As a trophy
Moltres features as a collectible trophy, unlocked as one of the 100+ trophies that can be collected randomly during normal play, such as in the Trophy Lottery and throughout the various Single-player Regular Matches. It reads as follows:
As tradition has it, the onset of spring heralds the return of this legendary Pokémon from its southern home. Its bright orange color and fiery aspect lends to its overwhelming appearance. Sky Attack, the strongest of flying moves, is a perfect fit for this burning phenom, but it obviously also excels at powerful Fire-type moves.
Moltres returns to Brawl from Melee, but with its attack detailed. One would think that with the exclusive moves of Articuno (Blizzard) and Zapdos (Thunder) from Melee, the motionless Moltres would simply use its burning body to perform Sky Attack, but the Dojo states that Moltres simply uses Fly. Either way, it performs the same move and notion as it did in Melee. The main body of Moltres, upon being touched by a character, meteor smashes them with intense force, while the wings of Moltres send a character flying upwards, again with intense force. Just like in Melee, Moltres can still OHKO. Moltres is the only original Legendary Bird to appear in Brawl. Moltres was slightly nerfed from Melee to Brawl due to its body meteor smashing the opponent while the wings are the ones who sent the opponent upwards, reducing the chance of hitting but only by a little, since Moltres is a large Pokémon.
Trophy Description
A Flame Pokémon. It's one of the legendary bird Pokémon. When Moltres appears in a town, it is said that spring will come earlier there than in other towns. If Moltres is injured, it apparently returns to a volcano to heal its wings with magma. Moltres spreads its wide, flame-covered wings and attacks opponents with the exciting and highly damaging Sky Attack.
Pokémon Red & Blue
Pokémon Diamond & Pearl
In Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS
As a Poké Ball Pokémon
Moltres makes a return in Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS, now as a Master Ball Pokémon and it was first revealed in the second match of the Quarter Finals from the Super Smash Bros. Wii U Invitational Tournament. Like in the previous two games, Melee and Brawl, it uses Sky Attack.
Trophy Description
This Fire/Flying-type Pokemon is one of three Legendary birds in the Kanto region. It will use Fly when called into a Smash Bros. battle, flapping its orange wings and sending fire out around it. Getting hit hurts and could launch you so far, you'd make Moltres jealous. That isn't a good thing...