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Shadow Ball: Difference between revisions

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{{ArticleIcons|melee=yes}}
{{ArticleIcons|melee=y|ssb4=y|ultimate=y}}
{{Infobox Special Move
{{Infobox Special Move
|name=Shadow Ball
|name=Shadow Ball
|image=[[File:Mewtwo's Shadow Ball.jpg|250px|Shadow Ball]]
|image=[[File:Mewtwo Neutral B SSBU.gif|300px]]
|caption=Shadow Ball.
|caption=Releasing Shadow Ball in ''Ultimate''.
|user=[[Mewtwo]]
|user=[[Mewtwo]]
|universe=[[Pokémon (universe)|''Pokémon'']]
|universe={{uv|Pokémon}}
|art-bulbapedia=Shadow Ball (move)}}
|interwiki=bulbapedia
|interwikiname=Bulbapedia
|interwikipage=Shadow Ball (move)
}}


'''Shadow Ball''' is [[Mewtwo (SSBM)|Mewtwo]]'s [[neutral special move]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. The move itself consists of Mewtwo concentrating shadow energy into a round ball to toss at opponents. It is its strongest attack. In order to use it, press the [[B button|B]] to charge the attack, and B again to release the attack. The player can save the charge by pushing the [[shield]] button or left or right on the [[control stick]]. Mewtwo can even charge this in the air, and even when it's fully charged, Mewtwo will still continue to 'charge' it until the player releases it or moves. The charge does electric damage an traps an opponent upon contact. Once fired, the ball will travel in an erratic fashion, which may cause it to miss its target entirely. A fully charged Shadow Ball does 25% damage, deals great [[knockback]], and it explodes on contact with a surface.
'''Shadow Ball''' ({{ja|シャドーボール|Shadō Bōru}}, ''Shadow Ball'') is [[Mewtwo]]'s [[neutral special move]].


The move has a considerable amount of recoil, especially when used in mid-air, so one must be careful not to use it too close to the [[edge]]. The recoil causes Mewtwo to slide back about half the length of [[Flat Zone]] when it performs this move in midair but lands before the animation is complete.
==Overview==
When the special button is pressed, the Shadow Ball will begin charging. It can be fired at any time by pressing the special button again while charging. It will deal gradually more [[damage]] and [[knockback]] the bigger it gets. The player can cancel the move and save the charge by [[shield]]ing,  [[roll]]ing, [[spot dodge|spot dodging]], or, to cancel with no additional action, by lightly tapping the shield button. Mewtwo can also charge the move in the air, where canceling it will make Mewtwo stop its charging animation normally as opposed to shielding or rolling.


==Forward Throw==
When a full charge is saved, both of Mewtwo's hands will constantly glow with dark power. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', only Mewtwo's left hand glows.
Mewtwo's forward throw also involves Shadow Balls. Mewtwo will telekinetically [[Throw]] its opponent forward, then hit them with multiple small Shadow Balls. This throw will at minimum deal 9% damage, but in certain situations, the move can deal up to 18% damage. These Shadow Balls can be [[SDI]]'d., [[Reflector|reflected]] or absorbed.
 
Unlike most auto-charge moves, even when Shadow Ball is fully charged, Mewtwo will continue to hold it until the player releases it or cancels. In ''Melee'', a charging Shadow Ball does [[electric]] damage and traps an opponent upon contact; from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' onward, it no longer has a hitbox while charging. Once fired, the ball will travel in a wave-like path, which can make it hard to aim but equally difficult to avoid. A fully charged Shadow Ball does heavy damage and knockback, and if shielded, it will damage a shield by about half health. It explodes on contact with a surface, though the explosion is aesthetic only and lacks a [[hitbox]].
 
The move has a considerable amount of recoil when used in mid-air, and as of ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', it will push Mewtwo back about a quarter of the length of [[Final Destination]], so one must be careful not to use it too close to the [[edge]]. However, this can help with [[recovery]] if Mewtwo is facing in the opposite direction of the edge.
 
===Forward throw===
Mewtwo's forward throw also involves Shadow Balls. Mewtwo will telekinetically [[throw]] its opponent forward, then hit them with five small Shadow Balls. Unlike the standard version, these travel very fast and in a straight line. They can hit other opponents in addition to the one thrown and can be [[SDI]]'d, [[reflection|reflected]], or [[absorption|absorbed]]. They do not vary based on the charge of the special move, and do not consume its charge.
 
===B-reversing===
[[File:Shadowballdc.gif|thumb|Mewtwo starting to charge Shadow Ball to change direction midair in ''Melee''.]]
There are two ways of [[B-reversing]] with Shadow Ball, depending on if it is full-charged or not.
*Fully charged: to throw a fully charged Shadow Ball quickly in the opposite direction, press the special button and immediately tap the direction to face (but not at the same time, as that would result in using [[Confusion]] instead). In the air, it works the same way. This can be used as a [[recovery]] technique, as it will turn Mewtwo around to face the other direction so the recoil can send it towards the stage.
*Not full-charged (or not at all): as with all neutral specials, Shadow Ball can be used to change direction in the air. For this, use the aforementioned inputs in the reverse order: first tap the target direction to face, and then press the special button immediately. Combined with its ability to be quickly canceled with a shield button, this technique allows Mewtwo to be even more mobile in the air.
{{clr}}
 
===Shadow glitch===
[[File:Shadow glitch catch.jpg|thumb|150px|A closeup of {{SSBM|Fox}} holding a shadow ball from the glitch.]]
The shadow glitch is a glitch exclusive to version 1.0 of ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''. It was discovered by {{sm|INF8}}, {{sm|Veg}}, and {{sm|Simna ibn Sind}}; it allows the Shadow Balls in {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}'s forward throw to be caught as items. This requires three characters: one Mewtwo, one character to catch the Shadow Ball, and one other character to be thrown.
 
The player must have Mewtwo grab and forward throw another player (this works well with {{SSBM|Bowser}}). Then, they need to make the third character jump and [[air dodge]] into the resulting stream of Shadow Balls and press the grab button to catch one. This will not make the normal item-catching sound effect, so the player must look at the character's hands afterward to determine if the attempt was successful.
 
If the Shadow Ball is thrown, it will freeze the game unless it is quickly recaught.
{{clr}}
 
==Instructional quote==
{{InstructionalQuotes
|ssbmtrophychar=Mewtwo
|ssbmtrophydesc=Shadow Ball traces a jagged path once released; the longer Mewtwo holds it, the more powerful it becomes.
|ssbuchar=Mewtwo
|ssbudesc=Fires an energy projectile. Charging it for longer increases its damage and launch power.
}}
 
==Customization==
Special Move customization was added in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. These are the variations:
{{CustomSet/Single|Mewtwo|name=Shadow Ball|desc={{Flag|North America}} Fire an energy projectile. Charging it for longer increases destructive power but also recoil.<br/>{{Flag|Europe}} Fires an energy projectile. Charging it for longer increases destructive power, but also recoil.}}
# '''Shadow Ball''': Default.
Like the other DLC characters, Mewtwo lacks custom move variations (aside from the glitch ones in 1.0.6).


==Origin==
==Origin==
Shadow Ball is a Ghost-type attack in the Pokémon games first introduced in Mewtwo Strikes Back, and  introduced as a usable attack in the Generation II video games. It is learned by many Ghost-type Pokémon at somewhat high levels. Since it is also a TM, many Pokémon of other types can also learn Shadow Ball. In battle, Shadow Ball is a strong attack with a base power of 80, 100% accurcy and 0 priority. It has 15 PP, so it can be used 15 times before becoming unavailable. It also has a 20% chance of lowering the opponent's Special Defense by one stage. Shadow Ball is known for being the second strongest Ghost-type attack in the games, surpassed only by Shadow Force, an attack with 120 power that only Giratina can learn. While Mewtwo is not capable of learning it naturally, it can learn it via a Technical Machine.
[[File:MewtwoShadowBallGSC.gif|thumb|{{iw|bulbapedia|Shadow Ball|move}} being used by Mewtwo in ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Gold}}''.]]
Shadow Ball is a Ghost-type attack in the ''Pokémon'' games. While it was introduced as an attack in the {{iw|bulbapedia|Generation II}} games, its first appearance in any form of ''Pokémon'' media was in the movie ''[[bulbapedia:M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', where it was used by {{iw|bulbapedia|Mewtwo|M01}}. However, its animation in ''Melee'' is distinctly reminiscent of the animation in Generation II, such as in its trajectory and coloration. It was available as {{iw|bulbapedia|TM30}} from its introduction up to ''Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon'', after which it became {{iw|bulbapedia|TM43}} in ''Let's Go Pikachu & Let's Go Eevee'' and {{iw|bulbapedia|TR33}} in ''Sword & Shield.'' It can be taught to a large variety of Pokémon, including Mewtwo and several other Psychic-types.


==Trivia==
<gallery>
*[[Lucario (SSBB)|Lucario]]'s [[Aura Sphere]] is very similar to Mewtwo's Shadow Ball with the difference is that the Aura Sphere grows stronger with the more damage Lucario has and has a straight flight path when fully charged.
Mewtwo Shadow Ball.png|Mewtwo using a Shadow Ball in ''Mewtwo Strikes Back''.
*It is also interesting to note that when playing in Tiny Melee, Mewtwo's Shadow Ball will completely cover its body, making a sort electric force-field that can only be broken through via an attack that has greater reach than that of the Shadow Ball.
Shadow Ball Alpha Sapphire.png|Shadow Ball in  Generation VI.
</gallery>
{{clr}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Mewtwo2.jpg|Mewtwo dashing with a charged Shadow Ball.
Mewtwo's Shadow Ball.jpg|Mewtwo firing a Shadow Ball in ''Melee''.
File:Shadow_Ball_3.png|Mewtwo charging a Shadow Ball.
Mewtwo2.jpg|Mewtwo dashing with a charged Shadow Ball in ''Melee''.
Shadow_Ball_3.png|Mewtwo charging a Shadow Ball in ''Melee''.
Mewtwo Kirby.png|100png|Kirby’s Shadow Ball in ''Melee''.
ShadowBall3DS.jpg|Shadow Ball in {{for3ds}}.
Shadow_Ball_Charge_SSB4.jpeg|Charging Shadow Ball in {{forwiiu}}.
Shadow Ball SSB4.jpg|Shadow Ball in {{forwiiu}}.
Mewtwo SSBU Skill Preview Neutral Special.png|Shadow Ball as shown by the [[Move List]] in ''Ultimate''.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Names in other languages==
{{langtable
|ja={{ja|シャドーボール|Shadō Bōru}}, ''Shadow Ball''
|en=Shadow Ball
|fr=Ball'Ombre
|es=Bola Sombra
|de=Spukball
|it=Palla Ombra
|nl=Schaduwbal
|ru={{rollover|Шар Тьмы|Shar Tmy|?}}
|ko={{rollover|섀도볼|Syaedobol|?}}, ''Shadow Ball''
|zh={{rollover|暗影球|Ànyǐng Qiú|?}}
}}
==Trivia==
<!--Do not add that Jigglypuff can be hit by the move despite being immune to it in the Pokémon games. Pokémon type matchups are not relevant to Smash-->
*{{SSBB|Lucario}}'s [[Aura Sphere]] is very similar in operation to Mewtwo's Shadow Ball, although Aura Sphere follows a straight path while Shadow Ball keeps an erratic pattern, and Lucario must be at about 150% damage for Aura Sphere to deal similar knockback and damage at full charge. In ''SSB4'', the charge no longer damages opponents (along with their hand-cupping positions being switched around), further distinguishing the move.
**[[Lucario]] too is able to learn Shadow Ball in the Pokémon games, though only via {{iw|bulbapedia|TM30}} or {{iw|bulbapedia|TR33}} like several other Pokémon (including Mewtwo). Similarly, Mewtwo can naturally learn Aura Sphere via level up.
*When playing in Tiny Melee, a charging Shadow Ball will completely cover Mewtwo's body, making a sort of electric force-field that can only be broken through via an attack that has greater reach than that of the Shadow Ball.


{{Special Moves|char=Mewtwo}}
{{Special Moves|char=Mewtwo}}
[[Category:Attacks]]
 
[[Category:Special Attacks]]
[[Category:Pokémon universe]]
[[Category:Pokémon universe]]
[[Category:Neutral Special Moves]]
[[Category:Neutral special moves]]
[[Category:Projectiles]]
[[Category:Mewtwo]]
[[Category:Mewtwo (SSBM)]]
[[Category:Mewtwo (SSB4)]]
[[Category:Mewtwo (SSBU)]]
[[es:Bola Sombra]]

Latest revision as of 02:25, May 5, 2024

Shadow Ball
Mewtwo Neutral B SSBU.gif
Releasing Shadow Ball in Ultimate.
User Mewtwo
Universe Pokémon
Article on Bulbapedia Shadow Ball (move)

Shadow Ball (シャドーボール, Shadow Ball) is Mewtwo's neutral special move.

Overview[edit]

When the special button is pressed, the Shadow Ball will begin charging. It can be fired at any time by pressing the special button again while charging. It will deal gradually more damage and knockback the bigger it gets. The player can cancel the move and save the charge by shielding, rolling, spot dodging, or, to cancel with no additional action, by lightly tapping the shield button. Mewtwo can also charge the move in the air, where canceling it will make Mewtwo stop its charging animation normally as opposed to shielding or rolling.

When a full charge is saved, both of Mewtwo's hands will constantly glow with dark power. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, only Mewtwo's left hand glows.

Unlike most auto-charge moves, even when Shadow Ball is fully charged, Mewtwo will continue to hold it until the player releases it or cancels. In Melee, a charging Shadow Ball does electric damage and traps an opponent upon contact; from Super Smash Bros. 4 onward, it no longer has a hitbox while charging. Once fired, the ball will travel in a wave-like path, which can make it hard to aim but equally difficult to avoid. A fully charged Shadow Ball does heavy damage and knockback, and if shielded, it will damage a shield by about half health. It explodes on contact with a surface, though the explosion is aesthetic only and lacks a hitbox.

The move has a considerable amount of recoil when used in mid-air, and as of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it will push Mewtwo back about a quarter of the length of Final Destination, so one must be careful not to use it too close to the edge. However, this can help with recovery if Mewtwo is facing in the opposite direction of the edge.

Forward throw[edit]

Mewtwo's forward throw also involves Shadow Balls. Mewtwo will telekinetically throw its opponent forward, then hit them with five small Shadow Balls. Unlike the standard version, these travel very fast and in a straight line. They can hit other opponents in addition to the one thrown and can be SDI'd, reflected, or absorbed. They do not vary based on the charge of the special move, and do not consume its charge.

B-reversing[edit]

Mewtwo starting to charge Shadow Ball to change direction midair in Melee.

There are two ways of B-reversing with Shadow Ball, depending on if it is full-charged or not.

  • Fully charged: to throw a fully charged Shadow Ball quickly in the opposite direction, press the special button and immediately tap the direction to face (but not at the same time, as that would result in using Confusion instead). In the air, it works the same way. This can be used as a recovery technique, as it will turn Mewtwo around to face the other direction so the recoil can send it towards the stage.
  • Not full-charged (or not at all): as with all neutral specials, Shadow Ball can be used to change direction in the air. For this, use the aforementioned inputs in the reverse order: first tap the target direction to face, and then press the special button immediately. Combined with its ability to be quickly canceled with a shield button, this technique allows Mewtwo to be even more mobile in the air.

Shadow glitch[edit]

A closeup of Fox holding a shadow ball from the glitch.

The shadow glitch is a glitch exclusive to version 1.0 of Super Smash Bros. Melee. It was discovered by INF8, Veg, and Simna ibn Sind; it allows the Shadow Balls in Mewtwo's forward throw to be caught as items. This requires three characters: one Mewtwo, one character to catch the Shadow Ball, and one other character to be thrown.

The player must have Mewtwo grab and forward throw another player (this works well with Bowser). Then, they need to make the third character jump and air dodge into the resulting stream of Shadow Balls and press the grab button to catch one. This will not make the normal item-catching sound effect, so the player must look at the character's hands afterward to determine if the attempt was successful.

If the Shadow Ball is thrown, it will freeze the game unless it is quickly recaught.

Instructional quote[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Melee trophy description MewtwoHeadSSBM.png Shadow Ball traces a jagged path once released; the longer Mewtwo holds it, the more powerful it becomes.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Move List MewtwoHeadSSBU.png Fires an energy projectile. Charging it for longer increases its damage and launch power.

Customization[edit]

Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:

1. Shadow Ball
MewtwoNeutral1-SSB4.png
"North America Fire an energy projectile. Charging it for longer increases destructive power but also recoil.
Europe Fires an energy projectile. Charging it for longer increases destructive power, but also recoil."
  1. Shadow Ball: Default.

Like the other DLC characters, Mewtwo lacks custom move variations (aside from the glitch ones in 1.0.6).

Origin[edit]

Shadow Ball being used by Mewtwo in Pokémon Gold.

Shadow Ball is a Ghost-type attack in the Pokémon games. While it was introduced as an attack in the Generation II games, its first appearance in any form of Pokémon media was in the movie Mewtwo Strikes Back, where it was used by Mewtwo. However, its animation in Melee is distinctly reminiscent of the animation in Generation II, such as in its trajectory and coloration. It was available as TM30 from its introduction up to Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, after which it became TM43 in Let's Go Pikachu & Let's Go Eevee and TR33 in Sword & Shield. It can be taught to a large variety of Pokémon, including Mewtwo and several other Psychic-types.

  • Mewtwo using a Shadow Ball in Mewtwo Strikes Back.

    Mewtwo using a Shadow Ball in Mewtwo Strikes Back.

  • Shadow Ball in Generation VI.

    Shadow Ball in Generation VI.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name
Japan Japanese シャドーボール, Shadow Ball
UK English Shadow Ball
France French Ball'Ombre
Germany German Spukball
Spain Spanish Bola Sombra
Italy Italian Palla Ombra
China Chinese 暗影球
South Korea Korean 섀도볼, Shadow Ball
Netherlands Dutch Schaduwbal
Russia Russian Шар Тьмы

Trivia[edit]

  • Lucario's Aura Sphere is very similar in operation to Mewtwo's Shadow Ball, although Aura Sphere follows a straight path while Shadow Ball keeps an erratic pattern, and Lucario must be at about 150% damage for Aura Sphere to deal similar knockback and damage at full charge. In SSB4, the charge no longer damages opponents (along with their hand-cupping positions being switched around), further distinguishing the move.
    • Lucario too is able to learn Shadow Ball in the Pokémon games, though only via TM30 or TR33 like several other Pokémon (including Mewtwo). Similarly, Mewtwo can naturally learn Aura Sphere via level up.
  • When playing in Tiny Melee, a charging Shadow Ball will completely cover Mewtwo's body, making a sort of electric force-field that can only be broken through via an attack that has greater reach than that of the Shadow Ball.
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