Recovery


 * For information about recovery frames, see Ending lag.

A recovery is the attempt to return back to the stage after being launched or falling off. Some tools to achieve this end are the midair jump and the recovery move (usually an up special move), also known as a "third jump." Some recovery moves only go nearly straight up, while others travel greater horizontal distances. Due to slower average falling speeds and increased ease of edge sweet spotting, recoveries are generally more powerful in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and later games than they are in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

For many characters, recovery can be augmented by moves other than the standard second jump and up special, such as other special moves that provide boosts to momentum, or a tether recovery. This page documents the maximum recovery potential of each character. In the case that a character has multiple recovery options for maximizing horizontal or vertical movement, both are listed.

List of recoveries in Super Smash Bros. Melee
In Melee, the presence of directional air dodging slightly improves the recovery potential of every character, but inflicts helplessness making it negligible if the character in question has an up special recovery.

List of recoveries in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The return of directional air dodging from Melee once again improves the recovery potential of every character, to an even greater extent; directional air dodges no longer halt momentum, and while air dodging now has very high ending lag, it does not inflict helplessness. Most characters also have increased airspeed.

With the exception of the s, character customization does not return from Smash 4, so characters who had custom special moves that improved their recovery no longer have access to them.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U digital manual description
"Even if you've been launched away from the stage, you can use your jumps and other moves to try to return. Never give up!"

Trivia

 * Meta Knight is the only character to have all 4 of their special moves grant some form of recovery momentum.
 * Yoshi's Egg Throw in SSB64 and Melee and Jigglypuff's Sing in all games are the only examples of an up special with absolutely no recovery usage whatsoever.