POW Block

POW Block
Artwork of POW Block from New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
Universe	Mario
Appears in	SSB4 Ultimate
Article on Super Mario Wiki	POW Block

The POW Block (POWブロック, POW Block) is an item from the Mario series.

Origin

The POW Block as it originally appeared in Mario Bros.

The POW Block originates from Mario Bros., where, like in the game's stage version in Brawl, it turns every grounded enemy upside-down when struck and gets smaller after each hit disappearing after the third. It reappeared, with a different design, in Super Mario Bros. 2 as a single-use item that can be picked up and thrown, defeating all enemies on the screen, and returned much later in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and subsequent games of the New Super Mario Bros. series with the same function but returning to its original design, also used in the Super Smash Bros. games. The POW Block's behavior in Super Smash Bros. 4 is a combination of its version in the original Mario Bros., with its three uses, and its versions in later and contemporary games, where it can be picked up and thrown.

In Super Smash Bros.

Mario near a POW Block in SSB.

POW Blocks appear at intervals in certain locations on the Mushroom Kingdom stage. When attacked, it shakes the screen and deals 20% damage and considerable upwards knockback to every character currently touching the ground or a platform, often KO'ing characters over 100%. Like in the original Mario Bros. game, it can be hit three times before disappearing, respawning again after a short time.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

The Mario Bros. stage. The POW Block is in the middle of the lowest floor.

The POW Block returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the stage Mario Bros., based on its use in the game of the same name. This time around, the block deals no damage, but causes grounded characters to bounce upwards (which interrupts charging smash attacks and the like) when struck.

It also lands a hit on every grounded enemy on the stage, and disappears in three hits, returning after a while.

In Super Smash Bros. 4

As an item

Mega Man surrounded by POW Blocks in different states of use; the middle one has not been activated yet.

The POW Block appears as an item. It can be picked up and thrown, or struck by an attack, dealing 10 damage and causing strong knockback to opponents on the ground when it lands. It can be used 3 times, shrinking after each use, similar to in the original Mario Bros. If it is dropped, it will be tossed forward instead, but not activate; instead, it will just come to a rest. It KOs at about 120%. When used, a second must pass before it can be picked up again.

Damage

Action	Damage
Quake	10%
Throw	14%
Forward tilt throw	14%
Up tilt throw	14%
Down tilt throw	14-15%
Forward smash throw	14%
Up smash throw	15%
Down smash throw	14%
Drop	11-14%
Air throw	14%
Air forward tilt throw	14%
Air up tilt throw	14%
Air down tilt throw	14-15%
Air forward smash throw	14%
Air up smash throw	14%
Air down smash	14-15%

In Smash Tour

The POW Block appears as a blue item: when used, it makes all opponents drop some characters, which fall near to them on the board and can then be picked up by any player.

Trophy information

POW Block trophy in for 3DS.

POW Block trophy in for Wii U.

This special block first appeared way back in Mario Bros. Hitting it will send enemies flying into the air. You can avoid the shock waves by shielding at the right time or jumping into the air. After being triggered three times, a POW Block will vanish into thin air—don't waste it!

These blocks first appeared in Mario Bros. Hit one to make the whole area shake and knock opponents off their feet if they're on the ground. If someone looks like they're about tho hit a POW Block, try to jump or put your shield up to avoid the shock wave. They can be hit three times before disappearing entirely.

Mario Bros. (1983)

: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (12/2009)

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The POW Block appears on the Mushroom Kingdom and Mario Bros. stages with the same functionality as in SSB64 and Brawl, respectively. It also makes its return as an item, but with altered properties: setting off a POW Block will now also activate any other POW Blocks on the stage, with the damage and knockback stacking with the more blocks involved. If the maximum of eight POW Blocks are on a stage at once, activating one will cause all grounded opponents to take 96% damage and huge knockback.

Gallery

• 

  The POW Block as it appears in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Trivia

• The POW Block is one of only two items to have appeared as an obstacle before becoming an item, the only other being Barrel Cannon. Out of the two, the POW Block is the only one to have appeared in more than one distinct stage beforehand.
• Despite appearing as a stage hazard on Mushroom Kingdom, the POW Block never appears in Super Mario Bros., the game that stage is based on.