- For information about the item, see Screw Attack.
The Screw Attack (スクリューアタック, Sukuryu Atakku) are Samus' and Dark Samus' Up Special Move. The move shoots her into the air, engulfing her in a blueish-tint electrical field (yellowish-tint in Melee), and spins her around and around, inflicting damage on any opponents that touch her.
Overview[]
In the first Super Smash Bros., the Screw Attack does cumulative damage and sucks opponents into the center. It is also often used to survive from a fall off the stage. This move can also be used as a Star KO when used from the ground on near-by enemies. It is one of two moves that Samus can use to send opponents upward. The first few frames after initiating the move are invincibility frames.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Screw Attack regains its ability to trap enemies seen in Super Smash Bros. (which was absent from Melee). A new and useful addition to this move is the increased knockback at the very end of the move, making this a somewhat useful getaway move to use on the ground to escape tough situations (similar to Bowser's Whirling Fortress), as the knockback provides enough time for counterattack.
In Super Smash Bros. 3DS/WII U, the screw attack is capable of KOing most fighters at about 143%-160%. This makes the Screw attack very useful when fighting someone in the air that has lots of damage.
Samus' recovery is very good. Screw Attack has very high priority, thus preventing opponents from trying to intercept her recovery, and has great ledge sweetspot range. She also has the longest tether recovery in the game, as well being able to wall jump, which further increases her recovery. Because of this, Samus is capable of gimping opponents and following them offstage to land Meteor Smashes and other attacks, and the safely returning to the platform. Screw Attack is also great for killing off the ceiling and as a combo finisher.
| Samus' Special Moves | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | Melee | Brawl | 3DS/Wii U | Ultimate | |
| Standard Special | Charge Shot | ||||
| Side Special | — | Missile | |||
| Up Special | Screw Attack | ||||
| Down Special | Bomb | ||||
| Final Smash | — | Zero Laser | |||
Custom Variations[]
In Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U, Samus' Screw Attack has two customizations.
Screw Rush[]
Screw Rush is Samus' Up Special Move which can be used via customization. Samus spins forward through the air, launching opponents sideways.
Strengths:
- Good for horizontal recovery
- Edge-guarding
- Kill move at the edge
- Combo finisher
Weaknesses:
- Poor for vertical recovery
- Worse as a kill move off the ceiling
The Screw Rush travels farther horizontally than the default variation, making it useful for horizontal recovery but poor for vertical recovery. As an attack the move is useful as a combo finisher and since it launches opponents sideways can be useful for edge-guarding. It is also a kill move at the edge between 120% and 130% on most characters, though it is worse at killing off the ceiling because of its horizontal launch.
Apex Screw Attack[]
Apex Screw Attack is Screw Attack's other customization. It hits at the start and peak of the jump. The force at the peak can launch foes.
Strengths:
- Kill move
- Combo finisher
- Out of shield option
- Fast recovery
Weaknesses:
- More difficult to hit opponents with
- Little horizontal influence
The Apex Screw Attack is a custom variation for players that want greater attack power from their Screw Attack. The move kills at just above 100% on most characters and is a combo finisher. It is difficult to land on an opponent since it only hits at the start and finish of the move, but opponents hit with the attack at the start of the move will be linked right into the second attack, making the move a good out of shield option. As a recovery it is very fast though has little horizontal influence, much like the default variation.
| Samus's Custom Special Moves | ||
|---|---|---|
| Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
| Standard Special | Dense Charge Shot | Melee Charge Shot |
| Side Special | Relentless Missile | Turbo Missile |
| Up Special | Screw Rush | Apex Screw Attack |
| Down Special | Slip Bomb | Mega Bomb |
Origin[]
The Screw Attack is an upgrade that Samus collects in nearly every Metroid game. It is usually one of the last special abilities Samus can learn. It constantly damages enemies during any spinning jump, dealing such massive damage it kills/destroys almost everything in its path on contact, as well as protecting her from all but the strongest attacks, and also continues to be active while she falls in the spinning motion.
In most Metroid games, Samus can combine the Screw Attack with the Space Jump upgrade (which allows infinite consecutive jumps, and even unlimited vertical movement in the 2D games) to chain multiple Screw Attacks together. In the Metroid Prime series, the Screw Attack is used after the normal jump and second Space Jump are used, allowing her to jump up to five additional times in order to cross large gaps, as well as wall jump. However, it has a height limitation, and as such, it is not able to take Samus higher than the top range of the Space Jump done at the top of a normal jump.