Roy's neutral attack inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Aneutral attack (弱攻撃,weak attack), often referred to as ajab (officiallystandard attack orweak attack beforeSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, and acombo in British promotional materials forSuper Smash Bros. Brawl^[1]), is the most basicattack a character can perform. It is performed by pressing the attack button while standing on the ground, with no input from thecontrol stick.

Almost all neutral attacks in the series arenatural combos, most often comprising three parts. Pressing the attack button again (or simply holding it fromBrawl onward) during a continuable window, typically in the short moment after the active frames, will directly transition into the next part before the normal interruptible frames.Mario's punch-punch-kick combo is a well-known example of a three-stage neutral attack.

FromBrawl onward, for certain neutral attacks, holding the attack button causes the character to loop the first attack (until it hits an opponent, where it will then transition into the following parts), a property known asconsecutiveness. Due to looping only an initial portion of the attack, compared to manually repeating it from the interruptible frames, the hitboxes repeat at a much faster rate and have improved coverage.

In most games, the initial parts of neutral attacks would generally launch opponents weakly upward for them to fall into the next hit. However, inUltimate, their launch angles have been reworked to be horizontal, with minimal knockback scaling. This gives most characters a consistent option forlocking andedge slipping set-ups across percentages, but also removes mostjab cancel combos. Furthermore, hitbox sizes for jabs have also been decreased across the board.

Of ground normals, neutral attacks are on average the fastest, but shortest-ranged move with the lowest power, making them the most suited for low-percent combo finishers, or for fast close-rangepunishes and counters topressure. Some characters also exploit their continuable windows for mix-up potential on shield, especially when the individual hits have good frame data. The majority of neutral attacks are mostly limited to these uses, but a select few have notable KO, combo and/or spacing potential that makes them unusually versatile moves.

Types of neutral attacks[edit]

Since generally all nonfinal stages of a natural combo have the simple purpose of leading into the final one, most neutral attacks are defined by the nature of their final stage. To this end, there are three types of finishers:

Standard[edit]

Wolf's standard neutral attack inBrawl.

The majority of characters, like Mario,Sonic,Cloud andNess have standard neutral attacks that end with a simple final hit, launching opponents away; however, certain characters with single-hit neutral attacks, such asPikachu,Ganondorf, andRoy, also fall into this umbrella. Due to being a default category, there is not a universally accepted term for it.

Infinite[edit]

The final hit ofFox's neutral infinite inSmash 4.

Aneutral infinite (often called arapid jab, and officially referred to as aflurry attack inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate) is an extremely rapid series of weak hits that loop into each other. Once initiated, the neutral infinite can be indefinitely looped by pressing the attack button repeatedly inSSB andMelee, or by simply holding it fromBrawl onward. Despite their indefinite nature, neutral infinites can be escaped relatively quickly with properDI andSDI, especially prior toSmash 4. Later games mitigate this by speeding up their hit rate and lowering theirSDI (through both engine changes and individual multipliers), as well as slightly pushing the attacker back each hit after landing a certain number of hits. FromSmash 4 onward, after blockstrings of 10+ hits, opponents can also dodge out of shield with a frame-1 intangibility, leaving the attacker highly punishable.

The neutral infinite ends once the attack button is released. Since no new button input is made to activate this final hit, it is not its own stage of the natural combo. Prior toSmash 4, this usually leaves the opponent close enough to punish the user—however, fromSmash 4 onward, neutral infinites have a final hit on release known as afinisher that is designed to strongly launch opponents away. While most finishers are designed to only launch a safe distance with low KO potential, a select few are quite strong, notablyBowser Jr.'s andBayonetta's.

Characters likeKirby,Fox, andSheik are known for possessing neutral infinites.Meta Knight is unique for his neutral attack being solely comprised of an infinite.

Choosables[edit]

Captain Falcon'sGentleman inSmash 4.

Achoosable neutral attack is one that can end either in a neutral infinite or in a standard final hit (which, in the context of a choosable, may be referred to as aGentleman). The infinite is chosen by repeatedly pressing the attack button during the nonfinal hits of the combo—once it is launched, it functions identically to the typical neutral infinite. Likewise, the Gentleman is chosen by pressing the attack button less frequently, or by simply holding it once the first hit connects with an opponent.

While choosables appear in every installment, they are much more common inSmash 4 andUltimate. Characters likeCaptain Falcon,Young Link,Pit,Little Mac, andCorrin are known for possessing choosables.

List of neutral attacks[edit]

Consecutiveness only applies fromBrawl onward, as the feature did not exist in previous games.

Character	Stages	Last stage	Cons.	Description
Banjo &Kazooie	3	Choosable		Banjo swipes his claws forward twice, then either uppercuts a third time or crouches while Kazooie does the Rat-a-tat Rap, where she jabs her beak repetitively.
Bayonetta	4	Unique		Performs three pistol whips, then leans forwards and rapidly thrusts her guns forwards before throwing a downwards gun-spinning punch for a final hit. Unlike most neutral infinites, it ends automatically after a set number of hits. Hits 1-3 and the infinite finisher can be extended with Bullet Arts, while holding attack button during the multi-hit as opposed to mashing will use Bullet Arts to deal more damage.
Bowser	2	Standard		Performs a left-handed claw swipe, followed by a second one with his right hand. Throws a left punch, followed by a right. Throws an open hand palm strike at the opponent and then follows up with a punch.
Bowser Jr.	3	Infinite		Deploys a pair of boxing gloves from the Koopa Clown Car, then uses them to throw a jab, a cross, and then a flurry of rapid punches ending in an uppercut.
Byleth	3	Choosable		A knife-hand strike, followed by a roundhouse kick, and finally either a side kick, or a flurry attack with the whip-sword.
Captain Falcon	4 3	Infinite Choosable		Jabs twice,strikes with his knee, and then performs a series of one-handed jabs. Jabs twice, then either strikes with his knee or performs a series of one-handed jabs ending in an uppercut.
Charizard	3	Standard		Throws alternating swipes with its claws, then slashes its wing upwards and inwards.
Chrom	1	Standard		Slashes upwards in front of himself.
Cloud	3	Standard		Throws two kicks, then slashes outwards with the Buster Sword.
Corrin	3	Choosable		Stabs forwards with a draconic spear arm, slashes with Omega Yato, and then either strikes forwards with Omega Yato again or leans forwards and performs a rapid series of bites with an arm-mounted draconic mouth.
Daisy	2	Standard		Slaps twice.
Dark Pit	3	Choosable		Slashes twice, then either uppercuts with one of his blades or repeatedly attacks with both of them.
Dark Samus	2	Standard		Jabs, then clubs downwards with her Arm Cannon.
Diddy Kong	4 3	Infinite Standard		Slaps twice, kicks forward and rapidly flicks his tail around in front of himself. InSmash 4, holding the button will not make Diddy peform the rapid jab. Slaps twice, then throws a side kick.
Donkey Kong	2	Standard		Punches forwards, then uppercuts.
Dr. Mario	3	Standard		Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Duck Hunt	3	Choosable		The dog performs a paw swipe, then a headbutt, and then either throws a two-footed kick or lays down while the duck rapidly pecks forwards.
Falco	3	Infinite		Throws two punches, then a series of kicks with incredible speed. Slashes inwards and then outwards with his wing, then leans forwards while spinning with both wings outstretched to perform a tornado-like series of rapid strikes before finishing with a final slash/heel kick.
Fox	3	Infinite		Throws two punches, then a series of kicks with incredible speed.
Ganondorf	1	Standard		Strikes straight forwards with his hand.
Greninja	3	Choosable		Performs two alternating palm strikes, then either explodes a burst of water from both of its palms or performs a rapid series of watery slashes.
Hero	3	Standard		Swings his sword straight upward, then straight downward, and then inward.
Ice Climbers	2	Standard		Swing their hammers outwards, then upwards and inwards.
Ike	3	Standard		Throws a jab, then a stepping-forwards kick, and then slams Ragnell downwards onto the ground.
Incineroar	3	Standard		Throws a straight spearhand, then a knee jab, and then a leaning-forwards elbow bash.
Inkling	3	Choosable		Performs a finger jab, a roundhouse kick, and then either a side kick or a series of close-ranged Splattershot blasts.
Isabelle	1	Standard		Swings a toy hammer downwards for a very fast and weak single hit.
Ivysaur	3	Infinite	[2]	Whips forwards with one vine, then another, and then performs a rapid storm of vine slaps forwards.
Jigglypuff	2	Standard		Throws two alternating punches.
Joker	3	Standard		Slashes inwards, stabs forwards in reverse grip, and then slashes outwards.
Kazuya	Flash Punch Combo: 3 10-Hit Combo: 10	Unique		Flash Punch Combo: Throws two punches, then a straight punch. 10-Hit Combo: Does a 10 hit combo, comboing with a series of punches and kicks, finishing with a bursting uppercut.
Ken	Tapped: 3 Held: 1	Standard	[3]	Tapped: Throws a straight jab, then a short-straight punch, and then a hook. Held (far): Swings his leg upwards and then brings it back down for a swift axe kick. Held (close): Throws an uppercut.
King Dedede	3	Infinite		Swipes inwards with his hammer, then upwards, and then thrusts it forward while spinning its head like a drill for several hits.
King K. Rool	3	Standard		Strikes forwards with his palm, slashes inwards with his claws, then kicks straight forwards.
Kirby	3	Infinite		Jabs twice, then throws a very fast series of punches.
Link	3	Choosable Standard		Slashes twice with the Master Sword, then either stabs forwards a single time or performs a very fast series of forwards stabs. Slashes twice with the Master Sword, then leans into a final forwards strike.
Little Mac	3	Choosable		Throws a jab, then a hook, and then either a leaning uppercut or a barrage of high-speed punches.
Lucario	3	Standard		Performs a downwards paw swing, a forward palm thrust, and then a high kick.
Lucas	3	Standard		Throws a quick combo of three kicks.
Lucina	2	Standard		Performs a pair of upwards swings with Parallel Falchion.
Luigi	3	Standard		Throws two punches, then a straight kick. Throws two punches, then performs a jumping hip check.
Mario	3	Standard		Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Marth	2	Standard		Performs a pair of upwards swings with Falchion.
Mega Man	3	Standard		Fires the Mega Buster straight ahead up to three times in a row.
Meta Knight	1	Infinite		Unleashes a storm of slashes to cover his entire body. Performs several very fast slashes in front of himself before ending with a backflipping slash.
Mewtwo	2	Infinite		Performs a dark-powered palm thrust, then leans further forwards to release a stream of dark smoke from that same palm for rapid hits.
Mii Brawler	3	Infinite		Throws two jabs, then a barrage of quick punches ending in a swift back kick.
Mii Gunner	3	Standard		Performs a pair of bludgeons with the arm cannon, then thrusts it straight forwards accompanied by a near-immediate flame blast. Throws a jab, then a side kick, and then thrusts the arm cannon straight forwards accompanied by a near-immediate flame blast.
Mii Swordfighter	3	Standard		Slashes inwards, outwards, and then upwards.
Min Min	3	Choosable		Kicks forwards, then does a leg sweep, then a series of kicks with incredible speed, finishing off with a straight kick. Similar to Ryu and Ken, if the button is held rather than tapped, Min Min does a forward tilt instead of a neutral attack.
Mr. Game & Watch	2	Infinite		Pumps insecticide forwards, then begins to pump it much more rapidly.
Mythra	3	Choosable		Throws a knifehand strike followed by a sword slash then either a second upwards slash or repeated magic blasts.
Ness	3	Standard		Throws two jabs, then a side kick.
Olimar	2	Standard		Performs a pair of headbutts. Throws two leaning punches.
Pac-Man	3	Standard		Throws two jabs, then performs a backflipping kick.
Palutena	2	Infinite		Thrusts her staff forwards at hip level, then releases a rapidly-hitting blast of light from it.
Peach	2	Standard		Slaps twice.
Pichu	1	Standard		Performs a very fast and weak headbutt.
Pikachu	1	Standard		Performs a very fast and weak headbutt.
Piranha Plant	3	Choosable		Throws a leaf jab, then a cross, and then either headbutts straight forwards or performs a furious storm of bites.
Pit	3	Choosable		Slashes twice, then either uppercuts with one of his blades or repeatedly attacks with both of them.
Pyra	3	Choosable		Throws a knifehand strike followed by a sword slash then either a second upwards slash or repeated fiery blasts.
R.O.B.	2	Standard		Throws two alternating hooks.
Richter	3	Infinite	[4]	Holds a short length of the Vampire Killer in his hands to strike twice with its tip, then rapidly swirls it around in front of himself for multiple hits.
Ridley	3	Choosable	[5]	Slashes inwards with both claws, then either bites in front of himself or performs a high-speed flurry of tail stabs.
Robin	3	Choosable		Slashes upwards, then downwards with a bronze sword, then either opens up a fire tome to cast an exploding fireball or rapidly flits through pages in a wind tome to create a whirling storm of magic wind slashes.
Rosalina &Luma	3	Choosable		Rosalina: Swings her wand forwards twice, then either casts a small burst of stardust from the wand or twirls it in a circle for several hits. Luma: Throws a jab, then kicks, and then either performs a backflipping kick or leans forwards while rapidly spinning for several hits, ending with a headbutt.
Roy	1	Standard		Slashes upwards in front of himself.
Ryu	Tapped: 3 Held: 1	Standard	[3]	Tapped: Throws a straight jab, then a short-straight punch, and then a hook. Held (far): Performs a strong, upwards-angled roundhouse kick. Held (close): Throws an uppercut.(only exists in)
Samus	2	Standard		Jabs, then clubs downwards with her Arm Cannon.
Sephiroth	3	Standard		A roundhouse kick, followed by a side kick and finally a hilt thrust.
Sheik	3	Infinite		Throws two knifehands, then a series of spearhand thrusts.
Shulk	3	Standard		Throws a jab and a side kick, then slashes upwards with the Monado.
Simon	3	Infinite	[4]	Holds a short length of the Vampire Killer in his hands to strike twice with its tip, then rapidly swirls it around in front of himself for multiple hits.
Snake	3	Standard		Throws two jabs and then performs a spinning roundhouse kick.
Sonic	3	Standard		Throws two jabs, then a kick.
Sora	3	Standard		A 3 hit combo consisting of a downward swing, a forward jab, and a rightward 360° swing.
Squirtle	3	Standard		Throws a jab, performs an inwards tail whip, and flips forwards for a downwards tail drop. Throws a jab, performs a jumping kick, and then spins its tail in a modified roundhouse.
Steve	1	Standard		A forward swipe of a sword.
Terry	3	Standard		A high jab, followed by a hit to the body, and ending with a high kick launcher.
Toon Link	3	Standard		Slashes twice, then stabs straight forwards.
Villager	2 3	Standard Infinite	[6]	Throw a pair of alternating hooks. Throws a pair of alternating hooks, then begins to throw a faster chain of hooks ending with a straight punch.
Wario	2	Standard		Throws a pair of alternating hooks.
Wii Fit Trainer	3	Standard		Throws a forwards spearhand while simultaneously striking backwards with a back kick, then performs a knee thrust, and finally lunges forwards with a stomp that canbury.
Wolf	3	Standard		Performs two claw slashes, then leans forwards for a final blow.
Yoshi	2	Standard		Throws two simple kicks.
Young Link	3	Choosable		Slashes twice with the Kokiri Sword, then either stabs forwards a single time or performs a very fast series of strikes.
Zelda	1 2	Standard Infinite		Releases three magic sparks from her outstretched palm. Releases two magic sparks from her palm, then braces herself slightly as she unleashes a larger surge of magic for several hits.
Zero Suit Samus	3	Standard		Throws a jab, strikes inwards with the Paralyzer, and then thrusts her elbow forwards.

Notable neutral attacks[edit]

Meta Knight's infinite inBrawl.

• Zero Suit Samus's andLittle Mac's come out on frame 1, with Little Mac's inSmash 4 also havinganti-rebounding priority.
• Pikachu andPichu have rapid single-hit neutral attacks (as opposed to an infinite), and fromBrawl onward, are consecutive. Both can hit very rapidly to accumulate large damage.
• Isabelle's is notorious for its extra hitstun modifier giving it highly disproportionate combo potential despite its minimal knockback, especially into itself when near a ledge, commonly known as the "Wobbelle".
• Steve's is also notorious for chaining into itself, especially on fast-fallers, across stage lengths and being able to set up edgeguards.
• Ganondorf,Zelda (prior toUltimate)Roy andChrom have the distinction of possessing single-part neutral attacks that are not designed to chain into themselves.
  • Ganondorf's was at its most effective inMelee where it had the fastest frame data.
  • Zelda's, except inUltimate, has the slowest startup in each game. However, especially inBrawl andSmash 4, it compensated by having a notable disjoint and very low cooldown, giving it high combo potential. InSmash 4 especially, it is an extremely rare grounded move game that is safe on shield across nearly the entire cast.
  • Roy's inSmash 4 and especiallyUltimate is widely considered one of the best in the game thanks to its low ending lag, KO confirms into back aerial, and ability to hit ledge. Chrom's version is generally considered better due to its consistency.
• Samus's is infamous for being shieldable or even punishable on hit between the first and second attacks. Rather than being a coding oversight, the in-gametips inSmash 4 andUltimate officially recommend to "just hit with the first attack and then flee".
• Meta Knight's is the only that solely consists of an infinite, which an in-game tip nods to by stating that Meta Knight "doesn't do 'standard attacks'."
• Olimar's inBrawl is the only neutral attack in the series to have a non-flinching damaging hitbox.
• Ike's inBrawl is one of the best due to its high range (especially the second hit), high knockback, and highjab cancel potential.
• Mega Man's is the only neutral attack that usesprojectiles, and has reflectable and absorbable hitboxes. It also flows freely with his near-identical forward tilt and neutral aerial, effectively allowing Mega Man to continue the move while walking and jumping.
• The first hit ofWii Fit Trainer's neutral attack is one of three neutral attacks to hit on both sides—the others beingNess' inMelee andMeta Knight's inBrawl.
  • Also unique to Wii Fit Trainer's is that it is the only neutral attack capable ofburying (with the third hit's sweetspot).
• BothRobin's standard finisher and neutral infinite use tomes, and thus has the unique ability to disable his special moves after depleting his durability meter(s).
• Ryu's has two different attacks depending on input; inUltimate, he andKen each have three, and are the only characters with proximity-based neutral attacks.
  • Quickly pressing the attack button results in a three-stage combo, but only on a successful hit. The first two hits can bespecial canceled for rewarding combos. Both these properties are unique to Ryu and Ken.
  • Holding the button results in a heavy kick that cannot be special-canceled.
  • InUltimate, holding the button while close to opponents results in a proximity neutral attack: its animation is identical to their heldup tilt, but with high damage and minimal knockback. This can be special-canceled for a KO confirm at any percent.
• Inkling's neutral infinite covers opponents inink. If Inkling runs out of ink, the attack will have no hitboxes.
• ForSimon andRichter's, holding the button will dangle the Vampire Killer with a hitbox in front of themselves, with the ability to twirl the whip in a held direction, similar to Sheik'sChain inMelee andBrawl.
• InSSB4,Villager's can unconventionally loop its second hit back into the first hit. Its nature as a repeating and consecutive natural combo also means the time between hits can be shortened by rapidly pressing the attack button instead of holding it.
• Bowser Jr.'s neutral infinite finisher is notable for having the most knockback of any neutral attack, able to KO at around 120% near the ledge. This is in addition to having a largedisjoint.
  • InUltimate,Bayonetta's neutral infinite finisher is similarly one of the strongest in the game as of update 12.0.0, but it is also one of the slowest neutral attacks in the game at frame 9.
• Terry's has notoriously high shield pressure potential, due to normally being largely unpunishable on its own, as well as having frame advantage for various block-strings and confirms when special-canceled.
• Kazuya's 10-Hit Combo has the most parts of any neutral attack in the series. It moves him forward a far total distance, and has the highest base damage total of 38%.
  • It is also the only one to have anunblockable hit.
  • Uniquely, it also has a second variation, where a delayed button press after the third hit leads into the Flash Punch Combo, which functions as a standard three-hit jab.

Gallery[edit]

• 

  Mario's standard neutral combo inMelee.

• 

  The first hit ofMario's neutral attack inBrawl.

• 

  Bowser Jr.'s neutral attack inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

See also[edit]

• Jab cancel
• Jab lock

• Game controls
• Neutral attacks
• Ground attacks