Fire Fox

Fire Fox
	; Fox's Fire Fox charging up in SSB4.
User	Fox
Universe	Star Fox

For info on Falco and Wolf's similar moves, see Fire Bird and Fire Wolf

Fire Fox (ファイアフォックス, Fire Fox) is Fox's up special move. When he uses it, Fox charges the move while being surrounded by flames (Melee onward), and then he flies in the direction inputted on the control stick or d-pad. The move has a fire effect throughout the entire move. Falco and Wolf have similar moves, Fire Bird and Fire Wolf, respectively, though, while the word "Fire" is in its name, Wolf's version has no fire.

Fire Fox is Fox's primary vertical recovery move. The attack can deal around 28% damage, provided the opponent is hit by both the charge-up and recovery, being the most damaging up special move in the game. Fire Fox, out of all the Star Fox characters' recoveries, covers the greatest distance. However, unlike Wolf and Falco's versions, Fox's Fire Fox only hits opponents once, not having many multiple hits during charge-up or after being executed. It is highly likely to return to the ledge of the stage by using Fire Fox to recover, due to its long traveling distance. Additionally, if Fox hits the ground before the attack ends, Fox will slide on the ground in a wavedash like manner, cancelling any endlag from the attack.

In the original Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64, Fire Fox was notably different from Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Instead of being surrounded by fire, Fox charges the move without flames around him (and was pulled down by gravity at a reduced rate), and then propelled himself with an explosion, similar to PK Thunder 2. The charging does not inflict damage.

Interestingly, the author of the Prima strategy guide was apparently unaware that the attack can be aimed, even though the move has been aimable throughout the entire series; he suggests that its only use is attacking players from beneath.

Description from the Melee Instruction Booklet

Charge up power, then blast off. Also use it to get back to the stage.

Description from the Brawl Instruction Booklet

Charge up and fly in the direction you tilt the Control Stick, covering long distances.

Description from the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Foldout

Tackle while engulfed in flames.

Origin

While Fire Fox (and clones thereof) is unique to Smash Bros, the way Fox is surrounded by flames while executing the move is similar to how a spaceship enters a planet's atmosphere. As Fox hails from Star Fox, a video game series about spaceships, this would make plenty of sense.

There have also been connections made between Fox's use of this move and a certain Japanese mythical creature, which also explains Fox Illusion.

Firedashing

Firedashing is a nearly useless Fox technique discovered by Hylian that involves using Fire Fox to bounce off of the stage and edgehog. The technique is present in both Super Smash Bros. Melee and Brawl.

To perform the technique, the player stands on the stage, facing the target ledge. They then jump and use Firefox diagonally into the stage, heading towards the ledge. Upon collision, Fox will bounce off the stage and, if spaced properly, fall right to the edge. If the player holds the control stick/d-pad back (towards the edge) as Fox falls past it, he will grab onto the edge, thus edgehogging.

However, given that the technique requires incredibly precise spacing, anyone who can aim Firefox that well could just as easily use it directly to the ledge, because Fox/Falco's up special moves will grab onto the edge from any direction as long as the control stick/d-pad is tilted towards the ledge when they encounter its sweetspot radius.

Customization

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

Flying Fox: The startup is significantly quicker, but it loses all damage capabilities.
Twisting Fox: Hits multiple times, dealing 13% damage if all hits connect, and the final hit has significantly stronger knockback and KO potential, reminiscient of Fire Wolf. Has a very slight decrease in distance to compensate.