Skull Bash

Pikachu using Skull Bash in Brawl

Pichu's Skull Bash

Skull Bash is Pikachu and Pichu's Smash B move in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It is similar to Luigi's Green Missile, only without the chance of a misfire and neither Pikachu or Pichu can hold the charge infinitely. The move can be charged up to increase the damage and range of the attack. Pichu can charge for longer, but hurts itself upon releasing (1%); the distance covered and the knockback when fully charged is tremendous, dealing almost 40% and nearly covering the length of Final Destination. It is used in most Home Run Contest strategies in lieu of the bat (fully-charged, Skull Bash is nearly a one-hit KO from Pichu).

In Brawl, Skull Bash charges much faster than in Melee, and is an excellent move to recover with as Pikachu does not enter a helpless state after using it in midair. When fully charged, Pikachu will go about as far as the size of Final Destination. Though, unlike the Green Missile, you can't hold the charge, and when fully charged, Pikachu will shoot forward. Even with its great distance, it's not used too often as Pikachu falls at a quick speed and the move itself is predictable. In Melee, Skull Bash has an electric effect when it hits, but not in Brawl.

Origin

Skull Bash is based on a move with the same name in the Pokémon video games. In the games, when a Pokémon uses Skull Bash, on the first turn it lowers its head, raising its defense, and on the second turn it launches at the foe.

Trivia

• In the Pokémon RPG's, Skull Bash is a Normal-type attack; In the games, it states that Pichu can only hurt itself by using Electric-type attacks. The same error goes with Agility. However, both attacks have been upgraded with electrical effects in the Smash Bros. series, which could explain this.

Pikachu's Special Moves
	64	Melee	Brawl	3DS/Wii U	Ultimate
Standard Special	Thunder Jolt
Side Special	—	Skull Bash
Up Special	Quick Attack
Down Special	Thunder
Final Smash	—		Volt Tackle

Pichu's Special Moves
	Melee	Ultimate
Standard Special	Thunder Jolt
Side Special	Skull Bash
Up Special	Agility
Down Special	Thunder
Final Smash	—	Volt Tackle