Pikachu (SSB)/Down special

Overview

The hitbox of Pikachu's Thunder.

Pikachu will yell out "Pika!", calling down a bolt of lightning from above. Does 12% damage and vertical knockback if a opponent is hit by the lightning itself. If the opponent is close to Pikachu if the bolt hits it, it does 28% damage and massive horizontal knockback. The move, unlike its appearance in Melee and Brawl, has infinite vertical range. Pikachu players can then use a effective technique called "Thunder spiking", where it uses Thunder to easily KO opponents when they are near the upper blast line, helping it to KO at much lower damage percentages. Many Pikachu players try using this technique in combos, most notably after a up smash.

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