Focus Attack
Focus Attack | |
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Focus Attack Focus Attack's preview icon in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. | |
User | Ryu |
Universe | Street Fighter |
Focus Attack (セービングアタック, Saving Attack) is Ryu's down special in Super Smash Bros. 4. When the special button is held, Ryu will emanate a black aura and begin charging up a powerful punch. After about one second or when the button is released, he throws out a concentrated black ink-trailed punch that deals 12% damage uncharged and 17% fully charged; opponents caught by a fully charged hit will crumple to the ground slowly, leaving them open for a followup attack. A fully-charged Focus Attack connecting with an opponent in the air will simply stun them for a few moments, although the stun duration is still long. An uncharged Focus attack only deals damage and knockback, and will not stun.
The direction of this attack can be changed by holding left or right after the special button is pressed, although the amount of damage done is not increased if the direction is changed, unlike moves such as the Falcon Punch. Ryu has super armor when charging this move that is seemingly infinite (with him shrugging off Ganondorf's Warlock Punch in his intro video), but can only withstand one hit; a second hit will affect him normally. As such, multi-hit attacks are an effective counter to this move.
Focus Attack can be cancelled by tapping left or right twice, making Ryu move a short distance in the direction pressed. This is noted by a flashing star similar to those made by fast falling fighters. As such, a player can use the move's starting armor to plow through attacks or projectiles, then cancel it immediately for a followup; this is especially useful on laggy attacks. This dash cancel can be used before the strike occurs or when the attack hits (including if it is blocked). If the strike is released, but fails to connect, the dash cancel cannot be used.
Origin
This attack originates from Street Fighter IV. Every fighter has a special Focus Attack that, when fully charged, stuns the opponent for a short time and is powerful. The black "aura" and ink-like trail Ryu's fist creates upon releasing the attack fits the style of said game as well, as most attacks make ink or paint trails while fighters attack.
The fighter is also given super armor for the duration of the charge-up. They can be disrupted by getting hit more than once by any move, or by getting hit once with an armor-breaking move, such as a Shoryuken.
Trivia
- The animation of each fighter slowly crumpling to the ground after getting hit by Focus Attack is unique: no other attack in the game makes characters use this animation. It may possibly be a slowed down version of a character losing all his stamina in a Stamina Match.