PK Fire

PK Fire (called PSI Fire in the English version of Earthbound) is the side special move of both Ness and Lucas. When performed, the character fires a yellow, lightning-bolt shaped projectile, that travels in a straight line until it hits an enemy or destructible portion of a stage, at which point it explodes into flames. If it does not hit either of the aforementioned objects within a few feet or hits a wall, then it dissipates. The way the PK Fire explodes differs between the two characters.

Ness's PK Fire travels at more of an angle in the air.

Ness's PK Fire.

Lucas's PK Fire hitting Sonic in midair.

Ness

Ness' PK Fire has been the same through the entire Smash series. The angle at which Ness would shoot PK Fire would be horizontal, although angled down a bit, on the ground, while diagonally downwards if used in mid-air. If Ness' PK Fire hits, it explodes into a stationary pillar of fire that hits an enemy several times. In mid-air, however, it falls down slowly until it hits the ground or dissipates. DI is not very effective against it, allowing Ness to combo his opponent or use one of his finishers while the enemy is stunned. Ness can use this move in conjunction with his second jump to perform the PK Jump, which slightly boosts the air speed of his second jump at the expense of height, giving him a slightly better approach. The main difference is the damage within the games and the lag/speed of the move. It does overall the most damage in brawl, followed by smash 64, and then followed by melee.

Lucas

In Brawl, Lucas's PK Fire always travels horizontally, whether or not he is in the air or not. When the bolt hits an opponent, it explodes into a horizontal burst, hitting once, and dealing fair knockback to the enemy. The horizontal burst has good range, and can damage others in the way of the burst, although it does little-to-no knockback. Lucas' PK Fire has many interesting properties, such as pushing him back with a set force after shooting the bolt. Because of these Lucas can use his PK Fire to perform the Zapjump, the Wavebounce, or, an extension of the Wavebounce, the Magnet Pull, making this one of Lucas' most varied moves.

Origin

In EarthBound, the attack is actually not learned by Ness (something Paula's Trophy in Melee explains). It is described as a wave of fire shot from the fingers and is capable of damaging rows of enemies. Similarly, in Mother 3, Kumatora rather than Lucas possesses this move.

Trivia

• There is a Michigan pop-folk band named after this move.