Franklin Badge
A Franklin Badge pin that was packaged with the Deluxe Box forMother 3.
Universe	EarthBound
Appears in	Brawl SSB4 Ultimate
Item class	Gear
Article on WikiBound	Franklin Badge

TheFranklin Badge (フランクリンバッジ,Franklin Badge) is anitem inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl,Super Smash Bros. 4, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. It was revealed onSmash Bros. DOJO!! on August 10, 2007.^[1]

Origin[edit]

The Franklin Badge reflecting an electric attack inMother 3.

The Franklin Badge first appeared as an item inMother (later released outside of Japan asEarthBound Beginnings), in which it is given to the main protagonist,Ninten, after saving his friendPippi fromPseudoZombis in theSouth Cemetery. Another one is found in a box inDuncan's Factory. InEarthBound Beginnings it is used to reflectPK Beam γ, normally a one-hit knock-out attack, making certain fights easier. It is described as having been used byBenjamin Franklin during his experiments with lightning. It later appears an item inEarthBound whenPaula gives it toNess to protect him from the lightning attacks fromCarpainter. InEarthBound it instead reflects all thunder attacks, most commonlyPK Thunder. It once again appears inMother 3, where it first appears as the Courage Badge, which when cleaned by aMr. Saturn reveals it is actually the Franklin Badge. It serves the same purpose as inEarthBound where it reflects lightning-based attacks, and thus the Franklin Badge is a very important item in all threeEarthBound games. InSmash, the Franklin Badge reflects all projectiles, not just electric-based ones.

WhenMother was first released in Japan, an official strategy guide was also released, which contained a list of items that are in the game along with a picture of each item; the Franklin Badge was depicted with simply having a smiley. The strategy guide also contained a contest that involved the reader cutting out a seal and sending it to the publisher. Out of everybody who sent in a seal, two-hundred randomly selected people won a Franklin Badge pin. Franklin Badges were also packaged in the limited edition Deluxe Box ofMother 3. The Franklin Badge's design inSmash is based on the Franklin Badge pins that were handed out for the officialMother strategy guide contest and the Franklin Badge pins included in theMother 3 Deluxe Box.

Overview[edit]

Toon Link wears the Franklin Badge inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Different characters, likeKirby shown here, wear the Franklin Badge in different locations.

The player can put a Franklin Badge anywhere on their body, which will protect them from projectiles. When the Franklin Badge is equipped, the player can notice the badge emits light in a sparkling fashion, and it can be noticed by other players. However, the item will not stay on the player the entire match, so players must be sure to notice when it disappears from their character's body or if the sparkling light has vanished.^[1]

The Franklin Badge can't be broken like other reflectors; if a projectile overloads the Franklin Badge, it will simply either be absorbed or pass through the character.

The Franklin Badge can also be selected on theSpecial Brawl mode. When selected in this mode, the Badge remains for the entire duration of the match.

InSmash Tour[edit]

InSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U, the Franklin Badge is one of the items that can be found inSmash Tour and will give a player the ability to start one battle wearing a Franklin Badge when used.

Trophies[edit]

InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Franklin Badge's trophy inBrawl

Franklin Badge

A badge you can put on to gain the ability to reflect all projectiles. It has exactly the same effect as other reflectors in the game, like the one Fox uses. In EarthBound, it was used to counter Thunder attacks. The lightning bolt on the badge is proof of its capacity. Its importance and usefulness made a deep impression on players.

:EarthBound

:Mother 3 (Japan Only)

:EarthBound (Japan and US Only)

:Mother 3 (Japan Only)

InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]

Franklin Badge's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Franklin Badge's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U

Franklin Badge

While not the most flashy of accessories, the Franklin Badge is actually incredibly useful. When wearing it, any projectiles launched your way will be reflected harmlessly off you. There is no downside, so grab this as soon as it appears. Don't get too confident, though—the bonus doesn't last long.

:EarthBound (06/1995)

The Franklin Badge might not be flashy, but it's an impressive piece of kit. This tiny thing acts as a reflector shield for any projectiles fired your way. With no particular drawbacks to consider either, it's a real boon if you can snag it. It will run out, though, so don't get careless!

:EarthBound (1994 (JP))

:Mother 3 (2006 (JP))

Spirits[edit]

While the Franklin Badge itself does not have aspirit, the item appears as skill which equips the player with it at the start of a match.

Primary spirits[edit]

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Slots	Base	Max	Base	Max	Base	Max	Ability	Series
547		Mega Diancie		★★★★	3	4748	11871	1681	4202	2521	6304	Franklin Badge Equipped	Pokémon Series
1,018		Father Balder		★★★	2	3486	10487	1620	4873	1465	4408	Franklin Badge Equipped	Bayonetta Series

Support spirits[edit]

No.	Image	Name	Class	Cost	Ability	Series
350		Dark Mind	★★★	2	Franklin Badge Equipped	Kirby Series
566		Ana	★★★	2	Franklin Badge Equipped	EarthBound Series
1,079		Sebastian Tute	★★★	2	Franklin Badge Equipped	Wii Music
1,366		Athena Asamiya	★★★	2	Franklin Badge Equipped	Psycho Soldier

Gallery[edit]

• 

  The first Franklin Badge fromMother's strategy guide.

• 

  Artwork of the Franklin Badge from the EarthBound Player's Guide

• 

  Artwork of the Franklin Badge fromBrawl.

• 

  Artwork of the Franklin Badge fromUltimate.

• 

  Donkey Kong grabbing a Franklin Badge.

• 

  Donkey Kong wearing the badge.

• 

  Zero Suit Samus' Paralyzer does not affect DK due to the properties of the Badge.

• 

  Status effects, such as Paralysis, carry over when reflected.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	フランクリンバッジ	Franklin Badge
English	Franklin Badge	—
French	Badge Franklin	Franklin Badge
German	Franklin Badge	—
Spanish (PAL)	Broche Franklin	Franklin Brooch
Spanish (NTSC)	Insignia Franklin	Franklin Badge
Italian	Medaglia Franklin	Franklin Medal
Chinese	Franklin Badge	—
Korean	프랭클린 배지	Franklin Badge
Dutch	Franklin-badge	—
Russian	Значок Франклина	Franklin Badge
Portuguese	Crachá do Franklin	Franklin's Badge

References[edit]

v • d • e EarthBound (Mother) universe
Fighters	Ness (SSB ·SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU) ·Lucas (SSBB ·SSB4 ·SSBU)
Assist Trophies	Jeff ·Starman
Boss	Porky
Stages	Onett ·Fourside ·New Pork City ·Magicant
Items	Mr. Saturn ·Franklin Badge ·Ramblin' Evil Mushroom
Enemies	Devil Car ·Starman
Other	Boney ·Flying Man ·Kumatora ·Paula ·Poo ·Porky Statue ·Rope Snake ·Ultimate Chimera
Trophies,Stickers andSpirits	Trophies (SSBM ·SSBB ·SSB4) ·Stickers ·Spirits
Music	Brawl ·SSB4 ·Ultimate
Masterpiece	EarthBound
Related content	Home-Run Bat ·MEGALOVANIA

• Items (SSBB)
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