Ganondorf (SSBB)/Side special

Hitbox visualization showing Ganondorf's grounded side special, Flame Choke.

Hitbox visualization showing Ganondorf's aerial side special, Flame Choke.

Hitbox visualization showing Ganondorf's successful grounded Flame Choke.

Overview

Ganondorf using Flame Choke against Link in Brawl.

Ganondorf's side special in Brawl is Flame Choke. Ganondorf boosts forward with one dark magic-infused hand outstretched and grabs an opponent by the face before dropping them to the ground. As it is a command grab, Flame Choke cannot be shielded. The grab comes out slowly and it has deceptively poor range, which can make it hard to land. If Ganondorf does grab the opponent, however, it is fairly rewarding. The opponent is put into a wakeup situation that cannot be avoided with a tech, and when used on the ground, Ganondorf has the frame advantage against his opponent. Ganondorf has a +9 to +12 frame advantage against most characters, giving him guaranteed followups, including dash attack or forward tilt for a KO confirm against over half the cast (and characters vulnerable to forward tilt must be wary of Ganondorf mixing up their DI). If Ganondorf cannot follow up or if he wants to go for a more powerful followup, he can tech chase the opponent where he can either land one of his stronger moves (such as down aerial or a smash attack) or he can Flame Choke again to reset the situation.

If used in the air, Ganondorf will forcefully slam the opponent down to the ground. This is not as useful on stage as it has considerably more ending lag than the grounded version, giving Ganondorf no guaranteed followups. If used offstage, unless there is a moving platform that prevents them from reaching the blast zone, he and the opponent will plummet downwards and will result in both players being KOed. This tactic is called the Ganoncide. However, unlike in Smash 4, where this tactic will always result in victory for Ganondorf, in Brawl, using Ganoncide is unpredictable and can result in a win, a loss, or even Sudden Death.

Hitboxes

Grabboxes (Grounded)

ID	Radius	Bone	Offset			G	A
0	5.0	0	0.0	8.0	4.5
1	1.0	0	0.0	8.0	4.2

ID	Damage	Angle		BK	KS	FKV	Bone	SDIx	FFx	T%	Type	Effect	Sound
1	4%		Forwards	100	10	0	0	1.0x	None	0%			Kick

Grabboxes (Aerial)

ID	Radius	Bone	Offset			G	A
0	5.0	0	0.0	6.0	6.5
1	5.0	0	0.0	11.0	6.5

ID	Damage	Angle		BK	KS	FKV	Bone	SDIx	FFx	T%	Type	Effect	Sound
1	4%		Forwards	100	10	0	0	1.0x	None	0%			Kick

Subspace Emissary enemy only hitboxes

ID	Part	Rehit rate	Damage	SD	Angle		BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			SDIx	H×	T%	Clang	Rebound	Type	Effect	G	A	Sound	Direct	Blockable	Reflectable	Absorbable	Flinchless	Heedless	Piercing	Undodgeable	Strechy	No GFX	Unscaled	?5	Hit Bits
2	0	0	12%	0		Forwards	60	100	0	6.0	0	0.0	10.0	7.0	1.0x	1.0x	0%							Punch													11110000000010
3	0	0	12%	0		Forwards	60	100	0	4.8	31	6.0	0.0	0.0	1.0x	1.0x	0%							Punch													11110000000010
The Subspace Emissary hitboxes are present in both the grounded and aerial versions of the move and have the same lifetime as the grabboxes.

Throw Data

Grounded

ID	Damage	Angle		BK	KS	FKV	Bone	SDIx	FFx	T%	Type	Effect	Sound
0	9%		Standard	60	90	0	0	1.0x	None	0%			Explosion
1	4%		Forwards	100	10	0	0	1.0x	None	0%			Kick

Aerial

ID	Damage	Angle		BK	KS	FKV	Bone	SDIx	FFx	T%	Type	Effect	Sound
0	12%		Standard	40	82	0	0	1.0x	None	0%			Explosion
1	4%		Forwards	100	10	0	0	1.0x	None	0%			Kick

Timing

Grounded

Grab	16-30
Animation length	59

Grounded Throw

Super Armor	17-40
Throw Release	31
Animation length	60