Standard attack

The first hit of Mario's standard attack in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Standard Attack, (also reffered to as "neutral attack", jab, and neutral combo), is an attack performed by pressing the A button while one's character is standing, and the control stick or Wiimote directional pad is in a neutral position. Jabs are typically fast, short-ranged, weak hits that are useful for starting combos, or breaking opponents'. Many jabs, such as Mario's, form natural standard combos of two or three hits, the final hit usually inflicting the most damage and knockback, while others, such as Fox's, initiate rapid, continuous, multi-hit attacks that opponents must often DI out of.

The speed at which each hit in the sequence of a neutral combo is executed can be controlled through the timing of a player's button taps. In Melee and Brawl, neutral combos may be interrupted by crouching or shielding, in order to restart them, or to perform other moves quickly after canceling them.

In Super Smash Bros.

In the original Super Smash Bros, standard attacks consisting of consecutive hits, which form neutral combos, are executed by tapping A the appropriate number of times. Characters who possess a rapid jab are able to repeat it steadily and indefinitely if a player repeatedly taps A once the rapid jab is initiated. The Standard attack is usually a physical attack that must be used up close.

Character	Standard Combo	Rapid jab
Captain Falcon	3 hits	launches after 3rd hit
Donkey Kong	2 hits	N
Fox	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Jigglypuff	2 hits	N
Kirby	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Link	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Luigi	3 hits	N
Mario	3 hits	N
Ness	3 hits	N
Pikachu	1 hit	N
Samus	2 hits	N
Yoshi	2 hits	N

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

Similarly to the original Super Smash Bros., in Melee, standard attacks that form neutral combos are executed by tapping A the appropriate number of times, and characters who possess a rapid jab are able to repeat it steadily and indefinitely if a player repeatedly taps A once the rapid jab is initiated. Many CPUs use this attack often.

Fighter	Standard Combo	Rapid Jab
Bowser	2 hits	N
Captain Falcon	3 hits	launches after 3rd hit
Doctor Mario	3 hits	N
Donkey Kong	2 hits	N
Falco	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Fox	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Ganondorf	1 hit	N
Ice Climbers	2 hits	N
Jigglypuff	2 hits	N
Kirby	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Link	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Luigi	3 hits	N
Mario	3 hits	N
Marth	2 hits	N
Mewtwo	1 hit	launches after 1st hit
Mr. Game & Watch	1 hit	launches after 1st hit
Ness	3 hits	N
Peach	2 hits	N
Pichu	1 hit	N
Pikachu	1 hit	N
Roy	1 hit	N
Samus	2 hits	N
Sheik	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Yoshi	2 hits	N
Young Link	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Zelda	1 hit	N

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In Brawl, holding the A button has several uses when performing standard attacks. Standard attacks consisting of consecutive hits that form neutral combos may be executed either by tapping A the appropriate number of times, or by holding A when one of the attacks connects with an opponent. Characters who possess a rapid jab are able to repeat it steadily and indefinitely if a player holds A once the rapid jab is initiated, however, tapping A repeatedly also works. Additionally, if the A button is held without attacking an opponent, some characters are able to repeat the first hit of their jab continuously until it does connect, after which their standard combo will follow, a technique called consecutive jabbing. It should be noted that different characters' consecutive jabs repeat at different paces, with Fox and Snake possessing very fast consecutive jabs, and Ike and Sonic very slow ones.

Fighter	Consecutive Jab	Standard Combo	Rapid Jab
Bowser	N	2 hits	N
Captain Falcon	Y	3 hits	launches after 3rd hit
Charizard	N	3 hits	N
Diddy Kong	N	3 hits	launches after 3rd hit
Donkey Kong	N	2 hits	N
Falco	N	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Fox	Y	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Ganondorf	N	1 hit	N
Ice Climbers	N	2 hits	N
Ike	Y	3 hits	N
Ivysaur	N	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Jigglypuff	Y	2 hits	N
King Dedede	N	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Kirby	Y	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Link	N	3 hits	N
Lucario	N	3 hits	N
Lucas	Y	3 hits	N
Luigi	N	3 hits	N
Mario	Y	3 hits	N
Marth	N	2 hits	N
Meta Knight*	N	N	Launches instantly
Mr. Game & Watch	N	1 hit	Launches after the first hit
Ness	Y	3 hits	N
Olimar	N	2 hits	N
Peach	N	2 hits	N
Pikachu	Y	1 hit	N
Pit**	N	3 hits	Can launch after the second hit
R.O.B	N	2 hits	N
Samus	N	2 hits	N
Sheik	N	2 hits	Launches after the second hit
Snake	Y	3 hits	N
Sonic	Y	3 hits	N
Squirtle	Y	3 hits	N
Toon Link	N	3 hits	N
Wario	N	2 hits	N
Wolf	Y	3 hits	N
Yoshi	N	2 hits	N
Zelda	N	1 hit	N
Zero Suit Samus	Y	3 hits	N

*Meta Knight's neutral attack is unique, as it is the only jab that functions as a rapid attack, but can't function as a single hit attack. When A is pressed, a rapid attack is immediately launched and may be continued indefinitely. However, even if A is not held, Meta Knight will slash several times before the move ends.
**Pit's neutral attack can function as either a three-hit combo, or a two-hit combo that launches into a rapid attack, depending on the player's input. If the attack is held during the second hit, Pit performs the three-hit combo, but if the attack button is mashed, the rapid attack initiates and continues for as long as the attack button is held afterwards. Pit is the only character who possesses two different types of jabs.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

New to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, all rapid jabs now end with a stronger finishing hit that launches the opponent away from them after enough time in the jab. These finishers have slightly longer range than rapid jabs, allowing the attacker to safely end the move and knock away opponents if they escape. The attacker will also be gradually pushed backwards as they land more hits. All this serves a dual purpose, to both remove infinite combos and give jabbing fighters the ability to knock their opponent away when they are done with them. Additionally, rapid jabs themselves seem to have been sped up.

Fighter	Consecutive Jab	Standard Combo	Rapid Jab
Bayonetta**	N	3 hits	launches after 3rd hit
Bowser	N	2 hits	N
Bowser Jr.	Y	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Captain Falcon	Y	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Charizard	N	3 hits	N
Cloud	Y	3 hits	N
Corrin	N	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Dark Pit	N	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Diddy Kong	N	3 hits	launches after 3rd hit
Donkey Kong	N	2 hits	N
Dr. Mario	Y	3 hits	N
Duck Hunt	N	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Falco	N	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Fox	Y	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Ganondorf	N	1 hit	N
Greninja	N	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Ike	Y	3 hits	N
Jigglypuff	Y	2 hits	N
King Dedede	N	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Kirby	Y	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Link	N	3 hits	N
Little Mac	Y	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit*
Lucario	N	3 hits	N
Lucas	Y	3 hits	N
Lucina	N	2 hits	N
Luigi	N	3 hits	N
Mario	Y	3 hits	N
Marth	N	2 hits	N
Mega Man	N	up to 3 shots	N
Meta Knight	N	N	launches immediately
Mewtwo	N	1 hit	launches after 1st hit
Mii Brawler	Y	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Mii Gunner	N	3 hits	N
Mii Swordfighter	N	3 hits	N
Mr. Game & Watch	N	1 hit	launches after 1st hit
Ness	Y	3 hits	N
Olimar	N	2 hits	N
Pac-Man	Y	3 hits	N
Palutena	N	1 hit	launches after 1st hit
Peach	N	2 hits	N
Pikachu	Y	1 hit	N
Pit	N	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
R.O.B	N	2 hits	N
Robin	N	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Rosalina & Luma	N	3 hits	can launch after 2nd hit
Roy	N	1 hit	N
Ryu	N	3 hits (tapped); 1 hit (held)	N
Samus	N	2 hits	N
Sheik	N	2 hits	launches after 2nd hit
Shulk	Y	3 hits	N
Sonic	Y	3 hits	N
Toon Link	N	3 hits	N
Villager	Y (both hits used)	2 hits	N
Wario	N	2 hits	N
Wii Fit Trainer	Y	3 hits	N
Yoshi	N	2 hits	N
Zelda	N	1 hit	N
Zero Suit Samus	Y	3 hits	N

*Little Mac's can only initiate his rapid jab if the attack button is pressed rapidly after connecting the second hit near an opponent. He's the only character to have this distinction.
**Bayonetta's rapid jab is unique as she cannot attack infinitely if the attack button is held or rapidly pressed. Instead, she will automatically transition into her finishing jab after at least a second passes in her rapid jab animation.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Fighter	Description
Bayonetta	Punches forth once, then a second time, and then does a backhand punch and uppercut. Rapidly pressing the attack button during the third strike results in a close-quarters flurry of strikes that finishes with a single strong strike.
Bowser	Punches forth once, and then punches forth with the opposite fist.
Bowser Jr./Koopalings	Performs a one-two combo followed by a flurry of punches that finishes with an uppercut via a pair of boxing gloves.
Captain Falcon	Punches forth once, then a second time, and finishes with a knee jab; if the button is pressed quickly enough, he will unleash a flurry of quick punches that finishes with a final strong punch.
Charizard	Swipes with its right hand, then its left hand, followed by its right wing.
Chrom	Performs an upward slash ending at the shoulder.
Cloud	Kicks forward once, and then kicks with his other leg, finishing with a sword swing forwards.
Corrin	Quick strike from left arm, transformed into Dragon Fang spike. Follows with upward sword strike. Can finish with quick dragon bite with knockback or midlevel sword slash that pops foes up.
Diddy Kong	Two slaps and a kick followed by a rapid tail attack that culminates with a tail flick.
Donkey Kong	Performs a hooking punch, followed by an uppercut.
Duck Hunt	The dog performs a paw swipe, followed by a headbutt, followed by a double-footed side kick performed from the baby freeze. If button mashed, the duck pecks repeatedly at alternating angles, and then thrusts its wings and beak forward.
Falco	Swipes forth with one arm, then the other, and then enter a wild spinning maneuver in which he rapidly swings his arms, the infinite jab then finishes with an axe kick.
Fox	Punches with an arm, then the other, and then unleashes a series of rapid kicks, which ends with a stronger one.
Ganondorf	Strikes forth with one hand.
Greninja	Three quick jabs, followed by rapid jabs multiple times with kunais of water, then finishes with a strong double palm strike with a blast of water.
Ice Climbers	Both swings hammers.
Ike	Fast jab with kick; finishes the combo with overhead sword swing.
Incineroar	A throat thrust, followed by a knee strike, and ending with an uppercut with the forearm.
Inkling	Punches forth, then throws out a kick, and then fires several ink projectiles from his/her Splattershot.
Isabelle	Swings a toy hammer.
Ivysaur	Whips a vine, and then another, then extends the range for repeated vine slaps.
Jigglypuff	Slaps forward once, then a second time.
Joker	Inward slash, backhanded stab, then an outward slash.
Kazuya	10-Hit Combo: Rapidly pressing the button or holding it results in a barrage of ten consecutive attacks while moving forwards. Flash Punch Combo: Pressing the button twice, then pressing it again after a delay results in two quick left-handed punches, followed by a lunging right punch.
Ken	Quick forward punch. Combos into a three-hit combo that knocks foes to the ground. Must be up close to land all four combo shots. Long-press results in Inazuma Kick, a double hitting axe kick.
King Dedede	Two swing hammer attack; third strike culminates into a spinning hammer attack.
King K. Rool	A palm strike, then a claw swipe, and then a kick.
Kirby	Throws a jab, and then a second jab with the other hand, and finally unleashes a flurry of punches that end in a stronger one.
Link	Slashes the sword forwards, then a second time, and then finishes with a vertical swipe.
Little Mac	Jab followed by a right hook; can culminate in either a quick punch with uppercut or simply an uppercut.
Lucario	Slaps downward with one paw, then throws a punch, and finally a kick.
Lucas	Kicks forth once, then a second time, then kicks a third time.
Luigi	Punches forth once, then a second time, and then turns and thrusts his buttocks outwards.
Mario/Dr. Mario	Punches forth twice and then throws a kick forwards.
Marth/Lucina	Slashes in an upward arc above himself/herself, and then slashes a second time.
Mega Man	Punch, plus fire with Mega Buster up to three times.
Meta Knight	Sword flurry.
Mewtwo	Pulse attack; combos into multiple energy strike with claw slash.
Mii Brawler	Quick strike; third strike in combo results in a set of fast strikes. Combo ends with a kick.
Mii Swordfighter	Triple-swing sword attack.
Mii Gunner	Slow two-hit combo that results in strike from cannon arm.
Mr. Game & Watch	Sprays insecticide repeatedly and links to a finisher.
Ness	Throws a punch, then a second punch, and then finishes with a kick.
Olimar/Alph	One-two punch.
Pac-Man	Lunge forward to deliver a double hit, then flip back.
Palutena	Thrusts her staff forward. If it connects, traps opponents in a multi-hit burst before launching them with a stronger burst.
Peach/Daisy	Two alternating slaps.
Pit/Dark Pit	Alternating sword strikes with both hands, culminates in either a launch or stab combo.
Pichu/Pikachu	Delivers a quick headbutt.
Piranha Plant	Bites forward once.
Ridley	Swipes with his left claw, then with his right, then swings his head to right to bite his opponent. Alternately, it can continue into a rapid jab where he continuously stabs his tail into the opponent.
R.O.B.	Double punch with knockback.
Robin	Swings the bronze sword in front of himself/herself twice, and then uses an Arcfire tome to cause an explosion in front of himself/herself.
Roy	Slashes one time while holding the blade with a reverse grip.
Ryu	Quick forward punch. Combos into a three-hit combo that knocks foes to the ground. Must be up close to land all four combo shots. Long-press results in a roundhouse kick at high level.
Samus/Dark Samus	Throws a jab, then swings her arm cannon in a downwards arc in front of herself.
Simon/Richter	Two strikes with the whip coiled followed by a flurry of whip strikes and an upward finisher with the whip held lengthwise with both hands. If the button is held, he will perform the whip twirl from Super Castlevania IV.
Sheik	Swipes forth with one arm, and then the other arm; she then enters a rapid flurry of arm jabs, finishing with one powerful one.
Shulk	Quick jab, roundhouse kick, then upward slash with Monado.
Snake	Punches forth once, then a second time, and then does a spinning hook kick.
Sonic	One-two punch followed by a kick.
Sora	A downwards slash, a lunging thrust, and a side swipe.
Squirtle	Punches forward, then jumps forward and slaps with the tail, then flips forward and hits with the tail again.
Toon Link	Overhead slash that launches foes up and away.
Villager
Wario	A cross punch followed by an uppercut.
Wii Fit Trainer	Quick attack with forward arm stretch and backward leg extension; culminates in a stunning knee lunge.
Wolf
Yoshi	Kicks once, and then kicks a second.
Young Link	Double sword slash that culminates in either a sword thrust or flurry and upward sword slash.
Zelda	Thrusts a hand forwards, with several magical sparks appearing in front of her; a final, larger spark launches the opponent.
Zero Suit Samus	Very quick chop-punch-elbow combo with knockback; fastest jab among all fighters.

Gallery

The first hit of Mario's jab. The second hit of Mario's jab. The third hit of Mario's jab. The first hit of Luigi's jab. The second hit of Luigi's jab. The third hit of Luigi's jab. Peach's jab. The first hit of Bowser's jab. The second hit of Bowser's jab. The first hit of Yoshi's jab. The second hit of Yoshi's jab. Rosalina's infinite jab, a quick flurry of wand-waves; can easily trap opponents if Luma is next to Rosalina and the two jab in tandem. The third hit of Rosalina's jab. Note the white sparkle effects that are created by it. Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings' jab. The second hit of Wario's jab. The second hit of Donkey Kong's jab. The third hit of Diddy Kong's jab, links right into a series of tail slaps. The infinite part of Diddy's Jab; finishes with a backwards kick. Mr. Game and Watch's jab. Little Mac's jab; is the fastest jab in the game. The first hit of Link's jab. The second hit of Link's jab. The third hit of Link's jab. Zelda's jab The last hit of Sheik's jab when infinite jab is not activated. Sheik's infinite jab. Ganondorf's jab. The third hit of Toon Link's jab. The second hit of Samus's jab. The third hit of Zero Suit Samus's jab. The first hit of Zero Suit Samus's jab; second fastest jab in the game, right after Little Mac's. The third hit of Pit's jab. Pit's infinite jab. Palutena's jab. The first hit of Marth's jab; looks similar to his forward tilt. The second hit of Marth's jab. The first hit of Ike's jab; comes out fast. The third hit of Ike's jab; great launch power for a jab, good kill move esp. in Sudden Death. The third hit of Robin's regular jab. The explosion uses up some of his Arcfire Tome. Robin's infinite jab; traps opponents effectively. The wind uses up some of his Elwind Tome. Robin's inifinite jab finisher; good kill move, has lots of launch. Kirby's jab. The second hit of King Dedede's jab; using the first and second jab with good timing can trap opponents effectively. Meta Knight's jab. King Dedede's infinite jab. Fox's infinite jab; very fast, great trapping move. The infinite part of Falco's jab. Pikachu's jab; only one hit, is pretty fast. The third hit of Charizard's jab. The third hit of Lucario's jab. Jigglypuff's jab. The third hit of Greninja's jab. Greninja's infinite jab. The third hit of Duck Hunt's jab. Duck Hunt's infinite jab. R.O.B.'s jab. The third hit of Ness's jab. The third hit of Captain Falcon's jab. Villager's jab. The second hit of Olimar's jab. The third hit of Wii Fit Trainer's jab. The third hit of Dr. Mario's jab; exactly like Mario's. Dark Pit's infinite. The third hit of Dark Pit's jab. The second hit of Lucina's jab. The third hit of Shulk's jab. The third hit of Pac Man's jab. Mega Man's jab. The third hit of Sonic's jab. Mii Brawler's infinite jab. The finisher of Mii Brawler's infinite jab. The third hit of Mii Swordfighter's jab. The third hit of Mii Gunner's jab. The infinite part of Mewtwo's jab. The third hit of Lucas's jab. Roy's jab. The first hit of the light varition of Ryu's jab; the light variation will go into three hits if the first hit connects. The heavy variation of Ryu's jab; consists of only one hit; is slow, but good for spacing. The first hit of Cloud's jab. The last hit of Cloud's jab. The third hit of Corrin's jab. The infinite variation of Corrin's jab. The infinite variation of Bayonetta's jab. The third hit of Bayonetta's jab extended using Bullet Arts. The first hit of Bayonetta's jab extended with Bullet Arts. The second hit of Bayonetta's jab extended with Bullet Arts. The finisher of Bayonetta's infinite jab extended with Bullet Arts.

See also

• Jab Fake
• Jab Lock