Final Cutter
| Final Cutter | |
|---|---|
 Final Cutter inUltimate. | |
| User | Kirby |
| Universe | Kirby |
| Article on WiKirby | Final Cutter |
Final Cutter (ファイナルカッター,Final Cutter) isKirby'sup special move.
Overview[edit]
Kirby draws a silver blade similar to a scimitar (a blue cutter-styled blade inSmash 64), slashes upwards a bit less than the height ofFalco's full jump, before slashing downwards, releasing a blue "wave"projectile forward if he lands on a solid surface, travelling the distance of aFalco Phantasm. This attack is somewhat similar toIke'sAether. The move can be moved much further horizontally when used on the ground as opposed to in the air.
Due to its slow startup and relatively weak knockback in every game, Final Cutter is not effective as anout of shield option nor for KOing. However, it does have niche uses as a space-creating option thanks to its projectile, which allows Kirby to block approaches of slower characters, or evenedgeguard certain recoveries that do not snap to the ledge.
The descent of the move delivers a heavymeteor smash. InSmash 64 andMelee, the meteor hitbox only briefly appears when Kirby starts falling, although future games allow the downwards slash to meteor smash through its entire duration. This meteor smash allows the move to edgeguard opponents at the ledge; if Kirby hits an opponent with the downwards slash when their ledge invincibility ends, they will be meteor smashed and likely KO'd. It can also be used to perform asacrificial KO when the opponent is trying to recover, at the cost of Kirby's stock. However, the meteor smash is significantly weaker than other similar moves such as Aether, which risks Kirby being KO'd first or failing to KO opponents with strong recoveries.
This is Kirby's sole recovery move withoutCopy Abilities. However, every iteration of the move is either unable to grab ledges before the downwards slash begins, or has a very specific ledge sweet spot (usually at the peak of the upward slash), making it very easy to interrupt. It is therefore a last-resort option when Kirby burns his multiple midair jumps.
Unlike most other recovery moves, Final Cutter does not send Kirby intohelplessness, as the downwards slash will not end unless Kirby lands. However, if Kirby lands at the edge of a platform and ispushed off in any way while he is still in his ground-slam animation, Kirby will be forced into his helpless form.
InSuper Smash Bros. andSuper Smash Bros. Melee, players using this move lose all of their jumps if knocked out of it.
Bigger Kirby glitch[edit]
InSmash 64, Final Cutter can be used in the air to trigger a unusual bug known as the Bigger Kirby glitch. After performing his up special in the air, Kirby will become slightly bigger. This size increase is slightly more pronounced in the international versions than in the Japanese one, though the final size is the same in all versions, and lasts until Kirby is KO'd. This effect is not purely aesthetic but increases Kirby's range, notably allowing him to hit below platforms with certain attacks, at the cost of making him a bigger target, especially when crouching.
Instructional quote[edit]
 instruction booklet |  | Soar into the sky, then dive down with this cutting move that unleashes a shock wave. |
 instruction booklet |  | Swoop up and down while attacking with a blade. On landing, the blade emits a wave that does additional damage. |
 case foldout |  | Strike up and down. Sends out a shock wave. |
 Move List |  | Jumps high into the air, striking on the way up and on the way down. Creates a shock wave when landing. |
InThe Subspace Emissary[edit]
In the story,Kirby uses the move to cut downKing Dedede's stolenCargo and secure a pair oftrophies, eitherMario andPit's orLink andYoshi's, depending on which princess Kirby rescued fromPetey Piranha.
Customization[edit]
Special Move customization was added inSuper Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:
| 1. Final Cutter | 2. Wave Cutter | 3. Upper Cutter |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 "Jump high into the air, striking on the way up and down. Creates a shock wave when landing."
| "Jump high into the air, and then slam down to the ground, sending rocks flying."
| "Strike powerfully as you rise through the air. You can't attack on the way down."
|
- Final Cutter: Default.
- Wave Cutter: The blade deals no damage, but upon landing creates a rock wave with more power and range than the normal shockwave. Has fasterstart-up. If used high enough in the air, the move will be weaker. The wave of rocks can bereflected.Main article:Kirby (SSB4)/Up special/Custom 1
- Upper Cutter: The attack only involves the first slash, losing both the second slash's meteor smash and shockwave. Puts Kirby into hishelpless state on the way down. There is noticeably more vertical momentum after the attack ends, and the attack comes out faster, does more damage and travels higher, making it an effective combo finisher. Resembles the Sword Upper from the Sword ability.Main article:Kirby (SSB4)/Up special/Custom 2
Wave Cutter inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Upper Cutter inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Origin[edit]
The Final Cutter first appeared as a move of theCutter ability (which itself debuted inKirby's Adventure) inKirby Super Star, appearing as the final hit animation of the move "Nonstop cutter attack", simply known as "Nonstop Cutter" inKirby Super Star Ultra. When Kirby had the Cutter ability and was close enough to the enemy while attacking, the normally ranged Cutter technique would become a rapid slashing combo attack starting with the Cleaving Cutter (an inward chop, then a turning inward-upward 180 slash akin to his "Cutter Dash" move), ending in the Final Cutter.
Contrary to the Final Cutter move originally using the sharp boomerang for the attack, theSmash Bros. games give Kirby a long, silver scimitar, which is an element unique to the series; the same blade appears in theSmash ability's moveset in theKirby games.
In later games, such asKirby & The Amazing Mirror andKirby: Squeak Squad, a very similar move called "Final Sword" appears as part of theSword ability's moveset, functioning exactly like how the Final Cutter works inSmash Bros. The Smash Bros. ability, which appears inAmazing Mirror,Kirby's Dream Collection, andKirby: Planet Robobot, also includes Final Cutter with itsSmash Bros. functionality, even featuring the same blade design.
Gallery[edit]
The Final Cutter's projectile inSuper Smash Bros.
Kirby's Final Cutter inSmash 64.
Artwork of Final Cutter in theSuper Smash Bros. 64 instruction manual.
Kirby's Final Cutter inMelee.
Another image of Kirby's Final Cutter inMelee.
Early photo of Kirby using Final Cutter inBrawl.
Kirby meteor smashing Pikachu with Final Cutter inSmash 64.
The projectile wave.
Prerelease shot of Final Cutter inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Final Cutter inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Final Cutter as shown by theMove List inUltimate.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
 Japanese | ファイナルカッター,Final Cutter |
 English | Final Cutter |
 French | Super tranche |
 German | Final Cutter |
 Spanish | Corte final |
 Italian | Sciabolata |
 Chinese (Simplified) | 最终弯刀 |
 Chinese (Traditional) | 最終彎刀 |
 Korean | 파이널 커터,Final Cutter |
 Dutch | Doorkliever |
 Russian | Последный разрез |
 Portuguese | Golpe Cortante |
Trivia[edit]
- This is Kirby's only way to becomehelpless by default, if he is pushed off an edge during the landing animation of Final Cutter. His helpless animation is based on theDive Attack, an ability in theKirby games that allows Kirby to land and safely deal damage on enemies after falling a sufficient distance.
- Unlike the games, Kirby cannot deal damage using this helpless animation.
- In prerelease versions ofSmash 4, Kirby still had a neutral expression while using this move, like previous games.
