Bowser (SSBM)/Grab

Hitbox visualization showing Bowser's standing grab.

Hitbox visualization showing Bowser's dash grab.

Overview

Bowser grabs the opponent with his hands in the case of his shield or jump-canceled grab or, in the case of his dash or boost grab, seemingly grabs the opponent with his biceps. It can then be followed-up with a throw or pummel. However, it's punishable if it misses.

What sets the move apart from all other character's grabs in Melee is the unique property of giving Bowser a +10 frame advantage whenever a grab release occurs; all other characters' non-command grabs give 0 frames of advantage to either fighter in the event of a grab release. This is just barely enough for Bowser to regrab the opponent, thus allowing him to perform a pseudo-chain grab against the entire cast and pummel the opponent to deal damage. This can be escaped, however, if the victim performs an air release by holding up on the control stick before being released. Bowser will still have frame advantage, but he'll be unable to grab them.

Hitboxes

Standing grab

ID	Part	Damage	SD	Angle	BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			Clang	Rebound	Effect	G	A	Sound
0	0	0%	0		0	100	0	4.6872	0	0.0	9.765	21.0924						Kick
1	0	0%	0		0	100	0	3.5154	0	0.0	9.765	14.4522						Kick
2	0	0%	0		0	100	0	2.7342	0	0.0	9.765	7.812						Kick

Dash grab

ID	Part	Damage	SD	Angle	BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			Clang	Rebound	Effect	G	A	Sound
0	0	0%	0		0	100	0	4.6872	0	0.0	10.5462	24.9984						Kick
1	0	0%	0		0	100	0	3.5154	0	0.0	9.765	18.3582						Kick
2	0	0%	0		0	100	0	2.7342	0	0.0	10.5462	11.718						Kick

Timing

Standing grab

Grab	9-10
Animation length	40

Dash grab

Grab	10-12
Animation length	50

Legend (1 square = 1 frame)

Lag time

Grab

Bowser's moveset

Neutral attack (1 · 2) · Forward tilt · Up tilt · Down tilt · Dash attack · Forward smash · Up smash · Down smash
Neutral aerial · Forward aerial · Back aerial · Up aerial · Down aerial
Grab · Pummel · Forward throw · Back throw · Up throw · Down throw
Forward roll · Back roll · Spot dodge · Air dodge · Techs
Floor attack (front) · Floor getups (front) · Floor attack (back) · Floor getups (back)
Edge attack (fast) · Edge getups (fast) · Edge attack (slow) · Edge getups (slow)
Neutral special · Side special · Up special · Down special