Hammer (move)

Hammer
	; Hammer Flip at full charge in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
User	Kirby
Universe	Kirby
Article on WiKirby	Hammer

This article is about Kirby's side special move, Hammer. For other uses, see Hammer (disambiguation).

Hammer (ハンマー Hanmā), known as Hammer Flip (鬼ごろし火炎ハンマー, Oni-Slaying Flame Hammer) in Super Smash Bros. 4, is Kirby's side special move, introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee. When used, Kirby takes hold of a hammer and horizontally swings it forwards, dealing a strong blow to enemies at medium range.

Overview

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

When used on the ground, the hammer has a very punishable sourspot.

When used in the air, the attack takes on a new form, where Kirby swings the hammer in a vertical forward-somersaulting circle. This version of the attack strikes multiple times and can be used to slow Kirby's fall. Not only that, said midair version can be used to rack up decent damage via its wide hitbox after moves like Kirby's forward throw, regardless if it misses or not.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

The sourspot from Melee's grounded version has been strengthened and is now harder to hit with. Overall, the move is one of Kirby's best KO moves.

When used in the air, Kirby swings the hammer horizontally twice, with the first hit being stronger with diagonal knockback and the second hit being a semi-spike. This version of the attack is useful against bosses, as it can deal a total of 32% damage when both hits connect, and it can be used multiple times in one jump. It also decreases Kirby's falling speed, and can aid Kirby's horizontal recovery by a small distance. However, it does not provide any distance when used without moving horizontally.

The non-bouncing Kirby glitch is a glitch that prevents Kirby from bouncing on springs. It is accomplished by using Hammer just before landing on any non-item spring.

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Kirby's Hammer, now the "Hammer Flip" (a different move usable by Hammer Kirby in the Kirby series that is his Up+ attack in games that it is in), is confirmed to retain its function in Smash 4. It can also be charged with functionality like Jet Hammer, allowing Kirby to move around while charging the move. Also like the Jet Hammer, Kirby will receive recoil damage if the move is charged for too long, though this damage is not inflicted if Kirby's damage reaches or is above 100%. The move now uses a flame effect. When fully charged, it can reliably KO at 40%. It has less knockback when used in the air, but Kirby still swings twice if the attack is not fully charged.

The way Kirby moves while charging the move is similar to unused animations found in the files for the character in Brawl, suggesting that Hammer Flip was intended for inclusion in Brawl.

Customization

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

Hammer Bash: Nearly identical to Hammer in Brawl.
Giant Hammer: The hammer is giant, making it much slower, but also much stronger.

Origin

Hammer is one of Kirby's many copied abilities from his various adventures. It is often one of the most powerful ones, dealing massive damage to enemies. The hammer is almost identical in appearance to King Dedede's. The way Kirby swings his hammer is almost similar to the Hammer Flip move from the said ability (where Kirby swings upward/inwards with a flaming hammer), rather than swinging downward from above his head, like it the Kirby series. His midair version of the attack in Melee resembles the midair attack done with the ability, Giant Hammer Swing, though Kirby would only swing the hammer once in midair.

In Smash 4, the Hammer Flip is based on the move of the same name in the Kirby series, which deals the most damage of any move gained from a standard copy ability.