Fire Fox

From SmashWiki, the Super Smash Bros. wiki

For info on Falco and Wolf's similar moves, seeFire Bird andFire Wolf.

Fire Fox
Fire Fox inUltimate.
User	Fox
Universe	Star Fox

Fire Fox (ファイアフォックス,Fire Fox) isFox'sup special move.

Overview[edit]

When he uses Fire Fox, Fox charges the move while being surrounded by flames (Super Smash Bros. Melee onward), before flying in the direction inputted on thecontrol stick orD-pad. The move has afire effect throughout the entire move.Falco andWolf have similar moves, beingFire Bird andFire Wolf, respectively (although Wolf's version does not actually involve fire, despite its name).

Fire Fox is Fox's primary verticalrecovery move. The attack can deal around 28%damage, provided the opponent is hit by both the charge-up and recovery. Fire Fox, out of all the Star Fox characters' recoveries, covers the greatest distance. However, unlike Wolf and Falco's versions, Fox's Fire Fox only hits opponents once, not having many multiple hits during charge-up or after being executed. It is highly likely to return to the ledge of the stage by using Fire Fox to recover, due to its long traveling distance. Additionally, if Fox hits the ground before the attack ends, Fox will slide on the ground in awavedash-like manner, cancelling any endlag from the attack.

In the originalSuper Smash Bros. for theNintendo 64, Fire Fox was notably different fromSuper Smash Bros. Melee andSuper Smash Bros. Brawl. Fox charges the move with a large flame-shaped aura (and was pulled down by gravity at a reduced rate), and then propelled himself with an explosion, similar toPK Thunder 2. The charging does not inflict damage, fire or otherwise.

Interestingly, the author of thePrima strategy guide was apparently unaware that the attack can be aimed, even though the move has been aimable throughout the entire series; he suggests that its only use is attacking players from beneath.

Firedashing[edit]

Firedashing is a nearly uselessFox technique discovered byHylian that involves using Fire Fox to bounce off of thestage andedgehog. The technique is present in bothSuper Smash Bros. Melee andBrawl.

To perform the technique, the player stands on the stage, facing the target ledge. They then jump and use Fire Fox diagonally into the stage, heading towards the ledge. Upon collision, Fox will bounce off the stage and, if spaced properly, fall right to the edge. If the player holds thecontrol stick/d-pad back (towards the edge) as Fox falls past it, he will grab onto the edge, thus edgehogging.

However, given that the technique requires incredibly precise spacing, anyone who can aim Fire Fox that well could just as easily use it directly to the ledge, because Fox/Falco'sup special moves will grab onto the edge from any direction as long as thecontrol stick/d-pad is tilted towards the ledge when they encounter its sweetspot radius.

Instructional quotes[edit]

instruction booklet		Charge up power, then blast off. Also use it to get back to the stage.
instruction booklet		Charge up and fly in the direction you tilt the Control Stick, covering long distances.
case foldout		Tackle while engulfed in flames.
Move List		Rockets skyward while engulfed in flames. Can change the direction while charging.

Customization[edit]

Special Move customization was added inSuper Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:

1. Fire Fox	2. Flying Fox	3. Twisting Fox

"Engulf yourself in flames and rocket skyward. You can change the direction while charging." "Blasts you skyward, engulfed in flames. You can change the direction of flight while charging."	"Sends you high into the air at high speed, but deals no damage." "Sends you dashing through the air at high speed, but deals no damage."	"Spin to pull opponents in; then rise into the air, hitting multiple times on the way." "A drilling charge through the air that drags foes along, hitting multiple times on the way."

Fire Fox: Default.
Flying Fox: Thestartup is significantly quicker, but it loses all damage capabilities and doesn't fly as far. Has much higher landing lag.
Main article:Fox (SSB4)/Up special/Custom 1
Twisting Fox: Hits multiple times, dealing 13% damage if all hits connect, and the final hit has significantly stronger knockback and KO potential, reminiscent ofFire Wolf. Travels slower and has a very slight decrease in distance to compensate, as well as having a bit more landing lag. When Fox hits the ground, he'll instead move forward while on the ground.
Main article:Fox (SSB4)/Up special/Custom 2

Flying Fox being used inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Twisting Fox being used inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Twisting Fox being charged.

Origin[edit]

While Fire Fox (and clones thereof) is unique toSmash Bros, the way Fox is surrounded by flames while executing the move is similar to how a spaceship enters a planet's atmosphere. As Fox hails fromStar Fox, a video game series about spaceships, this would make plenty of sense. Alternatively, the move's fiery nature may be related to the powers of the fox-like creature of Japanese myth, thekitsune; Fox's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto,confirmed that Fox's creation was partially inspired by the foxes ofFushimi Inari-taisha.

InStar Fox 64 3D, an aesthetically similar power-up called Firebird exclusive to Battle Mode was introduced, over ten years after Fire Fox being featured inSuper Smash Bros. It is a very rare power-up that makes the Arwing surround itself by flames; it is extremely powerful, instantly destroying any opponent entering in contact with the user. However, it is unknown if the Firebird power-up was actually inspired from Fox and Falco's up special move from theSuper Smash Bros. series, or if it is just a coincidence.

Gallery[edit]

Fire Fox inSuper Smash Bros. 64.
Charging Fire Fox inSuper Smash Bros. 64.
Artwork of Fire Fox in theSuper Smash Bros. 64 instruction manual.
Charging Fire Fox inSuper Smash Bros. Melee.
Fire Fox inSuper Smash Bros. Melee.
Charging Fire Fox inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl.
Fire Fox inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl.
Fox using Fire Fox tostall a ledge inSuper Smash Bros. Melee.
Fox using Fire Fox inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Fire Fox inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Fire Fox charging up inSuper Smash. Bros. for Wii U.
Fire Fox as shown by theMove List inUltimate.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language	Name
Japanese	ファイアフォックス,Fire Fox
English	Fire Fox
French	Fusée Fox
German	Feuer-Fox
Spanish	Fox de fuego
Italian	Fuoco Fox
Chinese	火狐烈焰
Korean	파이어폭스,Fire Fox
Dutch	Vuur-Fox
Russian	Огненный лис
Portuguese	Fox Flamejante