If you're a Super Smash Bros. fan or a fan of the fighting genre in general, there's probably one move that always gets your heart pumping - the Final Smash. It can be devastating, risky, flashy, whatever you want. Its use is always circumstantial and the best players know how to maximize its potential.
Fortunately, it is accessible to everyone, from novices to expert players.
How to use a final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Before you can use the Final Smash ability, you need to unlock it. It's quite similar to any other arcade style fighting game.
But, unlike other titles of this genre, in Super Smash Bros Ultimate you can unlock your strongest move in two ways.
The classic method is to perform moves until you fill the meter.
However, you also have an alternative. Any stage of the game can give you a Smash Ball. If you break the item, you can unlock your Final Smash, regardless of how much meter you have already filled.
Once one of the conditions is met, press the B Button (or whatever else you've assigned to the move) to perform your Final Smash.
To recap:
- Fill the meter or crush the ball.
- Watch the character to display a blue glow.
- Press the button assigned to that special move (B is the default key).
Pro tip – During some final flashes, you'll want to avoid using the directional pad while performing the move. Inviting the character to move while pressing B will cancel your Final Smash.
A list of final smashes
Over the years, game mechanics have been improved and rosters updated with new talents. At the moment, Super Smash Bros Ultimate features an impressive collection of over 80 playable characters (including DLC additions).
While some character animations may look similar after a while, the same can't be said for Final Smash.
Each fighter has their own signature move. Why is it important to remember this? This is because landing the Final Smash can be different from character to character.
With few exceptions, all characters only have one Final Smash.
Keep in mind that distance matters. Some characters in the game can perform their Final Smash moves from afar.
On the other hand, others have to stand close to their opponent to activate them and make them count. Donkey Kong is an example.
It's also worth noting that Final Smashes fall into one of four categories:
- Directional
- Concentrate
- Stage-wide
- Trapping
Here is a list of all Final Smash by category.
Directional
| Character | final smash |
| chrome | Awakening Ether |
| were shadow | Staff of the Dark Pit |
| black samus | Laser Phazon |
| Dr. Mario | final doctor |
| Ganondorf | Beast Ganon |
| Idea | killer howl |
| Connect | ancient bow and arrow |
| Lucario | Aura Storm |
| Fairy lights | Critical Strike |
| Mario | end mario |
| Marthe | Critical Strike |
| Mewtwo | Psychic Strike |
| Mii Gunner | Full speed |
| Mii Swordsman | Final table |
| M. Game & Watch | Poulpe |
| ROB | Guided robotic beam |
| Ry | Shinku Hadoken |
| Samus | Zero Laser |
| Wii Fit trainer | Wii Fit |
Concentrate
| Character | final smash |
| Marguerite | daisy flower |
| jigglypuff | Swell |
| Ken | Shinryuken |
| Fishing | peach blossom |
| Roy | Critical Strike |
The whole scene
| Character | final smash |
| Bowser | Punch Giga Bowser |
| Bowser Jr. | Mario Shadow Painting |
| Diddy kong | Hyper Rocket Cannon |
| Donkey Kong | Jungle Rush |
| Ice climbers | Iceberg |
| Lucas | PK Starstorm |
| Ness | PK Starstorm |
| olimar | End of the day |
| Pac-Man | super pac man |
| piranha flower | petey piranha |
| Pit | lightning chariot |
| Rosalina & Luma | big star |
| Serpent | cover the fire |
| Sonique | super sonic |
| Zero Suit Samus | Zero Laser |
Trapping
| Character | final smash |
| Banjo & Kazooie | The Mighty Jinjonator |
| Bayonetta | Hellish climax |
| Byleth | The progenitor god broke the sky |
| Captain Falcon | blue falcon |
| Cloud | Multiple slash |
| Corrin | Torrential Roar |
| Diddy the king | Hyper Rocket Cannon |
| Duck hunting | NES Zapper Possession |
| Falco | Star Fox Team |
| Fox | Star Fox Team |
| greninja | Secret ninja attack |
| hero | Gigaslash |
| Incinerate | Max Malicious Moonsault |
| Ike | Great Ether |
| Buckskin | Dream Town Hall |
| Joker | Any attack on |
| Ken | Shippu Jinraikyaku |
| Whip DaDiDou | grandpa-rush |
| Roi K. Rool | Blast-O-Matic |
| Kirby | Ultra Sword |
| Little Mac | Giga Mac Rush |
| Luigi | Poltergust G-00 |
| mega man | Mega Legends |
| meta knight | Illusion of Darkness |
| Brawler Thousand | Omega Blitz |
| Oh dear | Rush WEAPONS |
| Mythra | Sacred Arrow |
| Palutena | black hole laser |
| Pichu | Tacle Volt |
| Pikachu | Tacle Volt |
| Pokémon Trainer | Triple finish |
| Richter | Grand Cross |
| Ridley | Plasma Scream |
| Robin | Join |
| Roy | Critical Strike |
| Ry | Shin Shoryuken |
| Sépiroth | Supernova |
| Sheikh | Danse Sheikah |
| Shulk | Chain attack |
| Simon | Grand Cross |
| Steve | Boom House |
| Terry | triple wolf |
| cartoon link | Triforce slice |
| Villager | Dream house |
| Wario | Wario-Man |
| Wolf | Team Star Wolf |
| Yoshi | Stampede! |
| young link | Failures of the Triforce |
| Zelda | Triforce of Wisdom |
Note that while some signature move names repeat, the animations are different. And some characters have Final Smashes that fall into two categories; thus, they can accomplish two goals in one match.
FAQ sur Super Smash Bros Ultimate Final Smash
What is a directional final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?
A Directional Final Smash is a signature move from a distance. It usually doesn't have a high damage output, but it makes up for that with extra range. The directional aspect allows the player to aim the movement.
What is a trap final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?
This is an AOE signature move. A trapping Final Smash will target an area, grab the character, and hit them multiple times.
Usually, this AOE move can only be executed close to the defender. The reward for risking closing distance is high attack power.
What is a stage-wide final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?
A stage-wide Final Smash is an attack that affects the entire stage. Defenders cannot find hiding places. However, the larger the stage, the less devastating the attack.
Hence the importance of character selection, depending on the arena.
What is a targeted final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?
Similar to Final Smash trapping, target moves must be made close to the opponent. But, one of the benefits of the targeted attacking style is that it can catch defenders sitting in front or behind the attacker.
It's best to use characters with targeted Final Smashes on smaller stages to limit evasion opportunities.
Final smashes, finally improved
If you've played previous games in the franchise, you're probably familiar with some of the issues, complaints, and more.
It looks like Super Smash Bros Ultimate has finally fixed some issues. Removing most player-controlled moves from the game made Final Smashes more visually appealing. Cinematic elements speed up the game.
Additionally, the reduced knockout potential allows for longer matches and allows players to be more creative in building counters, using special moves, and controlling the stage.
These are still some of the most powerful moves in the game and can change the outcome of a match when used correctly. But, with less damage and limited player control, their integration is much smoother.
What's your favorite way to use a Final Smash? Are you the type to amass the counter until you're sure you can deliver a cinematic knockout? Or do you like to use your signature cooldown?
Tell us about your favorite Final Smash strategies and styles in the comments section below.
