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Back throw

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Luigi's back throw in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Luigi's back throw in Brawl.

A back throw (後投げ, Rear/back throw) is a throw performed by pressing backwards on the control stick or D-pad after having grabbed an enemy. These throws rarely lead to combos, but typically have good knockback (often more than forward throws) and thus can be used to throw enemies off the edge to be edge-guarded. In Smash 64, all back throws have very high knockback and are viable KO moves. This trait is carried over to future games.

List of back throws in Super Smash Bros.

In Super Smash Bros., the best back throwers, similar to forward throws, are the characters with a good jab set up and virtually anyone who isn't a tether/extended reach grab. The majority of back throws have incredibly high knockback, being used next to ledges for gimp opportunities outside of Kirby who has an overall better forward throw. However, low knockback scaling requires them to be followed up by edgeguarding attacks to be used properly. Practically all back throws can be used to combo in the rapetent portion of Hyrule Castle.

Character Description Damage
Captain Falcon Kicks opponent behind him, Very high power and easy to set up. Used at high percents, as his forward throw is used for combos or a mid-percents by an edge. 16%
Donkey Kong With one hand, throws opponent very strongly behind him. Strongest backwards KO throw in Smash 64, and is also a very fast throw. Moderately easy to set up, usually done using Z-cancelled aerials. 18%
Fox Throws the opponent behind him by tumbling. Good power, can be followed up with a SHL. Very easy to set up, with a jab cancel, Blaster shot, down aerial, up tilt, etc. as well as a jab grab. 15%
Jigglypuff Back suplexes the opponent, similar to Kirby's. Moderately good power, moderately easy to set up, but forward throw is usually much more useful at lower percentages. 16%
Kirby Slams opponent onto the ground behind him. It is similar to Backdrop and the Big Suplex move from Super Star's Suplex. Considered a worse throw than the forward throw, as it is hard to followup from and also has a bit of ending lag. 16%
Link Kicks opponent behind him. Moderately high knockback. Moderately difficult to set up. 16%
Luigi Same as Mario's, but stronger in terms of knockback. More difficult to set up due to a inferior down aerial and jab. 12%
Mario Spins with the grabbed opponent some circles and throws them. Can KO at medium to high percentages. Can be set up with a down aerial, jab cancels, or a jab grab. 16%
Ness Using psychic power, lifts the foe in a mid-circle above him, then throws behind him. A very strong throw with high knockback but only moderate range. 16%
Pikachu Puts the foe on its back, zaps him and throws him back. Very high knockback, easily set up by up tilt, late neutral aerial, and jab grab. 18%
Samus Throws opponent behind her using her Grapple Beam. High power, can be set up by a fully charged Charge Shot (just before the opponent takes the knockback) or a down aerial. 18%
Yoshi Spits the enemy backwards. A moderately weak throw with low knockback compared to other throws. Difficult to set up. Considered the worst back throw in Smash 64. 16%

List of back throws in Super Smash Bros. Melee

Character Description Damage
Bowser Throws the opponent behind him. 10%
Captain Falcon Turns around and kicks the opponent. 7% (2 hits)
Donkey Kong Throws opponent behind him. 10%
Dr. Mario Same as Mario's, but stronger in terms of knockback, in fact being the second strongest back throw in the game. 12%
Falco Same as Fox, except that the shots can flinch and deal knockback to opponents. 7% total
Fox Throws the opponent behind him and blasts him/her three times. The shots lack the ability to flinch opponents, like his Blaster, and like the shots in his up throw, they can be reflected and absorbed. Throw does 3%, then a total of 7% with the shots
Ganondorf Same as Captain Falcon's. 7% (2 hits)
Ice Climbers With one hand, quickly throws opponent behind him/her. 7%
Jigglypuff Slams foe onto the ground behind it. Similar to Kirby's, except that it can't be escaped, nor can it allow Jigglypuff to go off the platform. Useful for setting up edgeguards. 9%
Kirby Does a backflip and slams opponent into the ground. Enemy can escape during the throw. 8%
Link Turns around and kicks the opponent. 6% (2 hits)
Luigi Same as Mario's, but weaker. 10%
Mario Spins around and throws the opponent. 12%
Marth Turns around and quickly throws opponent onto the ground. Can combo into a forward smash at very high percentages to KO. 4%
Mewtwo Like Ness's, but throws at an upper angle, and uses Psychic. 12%
Mr. Game & Watch Juggles opponent and tosses them backwards. 8%
Ness Uses PK powers to lift opponent 180 degrees above him and throws them behind. Strongest back throw in the game. 11%
Peach Turns around and hits the opponent with her hip. 11% (2 hits)
Pichu Like Pikachu's, but shorter in duration. Doesn't damage Pichu, despite doing electrical damage. 9%
Pikachu Uses Submission, rolling backwards three times and throwing the opponent. 9%
Roy Same as Marth's. 5%
Samus Throws the opponent behind her. 6%
Sheik Turns around and kicks the opponent. 6% (2 hits)
Yoshi Spits the opponent behind him. 6%
Young Link Same as Link's. 5% (2 hits)
Zelda Uses her magic to throw the enemy behind her. 11%

List of back throws in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Character Description Damage
Bowser Throws opponents behind him. 10%
Captain Falcon Lifts opponent up, then kicks them backward. 9%
Charizard Throws opponent backwards with its mouth. 10%
Diddy Kong Throws opponent behind him. Very similar animation to forward throw, but obviously in the opposite direction. Compared to forward throw, it has stronger knockback but does less damage. 10%
Donkey Kong Throws opponent behind him. A good KO throw, being one of the strongest throws. 11%
Falco Same as Fox's, but the shots can flinch and deal knockback to opponents. 9% total
Fox Shoots opponent behind him with Blaster. Damage depends on how many shots hits the opponent. 9% total
Ganondorf Kicks opponent behind him. 10% (2 hits)
Ice Climbers Throws opponent behind. Usable in a chaingrab. 6%
Ike Turns around and kicks the opponent away. 6% (2 hits)
Ivysaur Throws opponent behind it with its vines. 10%
Jigglypuff Back-suplexes the opponent. 10%
King Dedede Slams opponent behind him with his hammer. It is the most damaging throw in the game, and also has good KO potential. 16% (2 hits)
Kirby Slams opponent onto the ground behind him. 8%
Link Kicks opponent behind him. 7% (2 hits)
Lucario Slams opponent onto the ground behind him. 10%
Lucas Just like Ness, only it has much less KO potential; though still a powerful throw. 10%
Luigi Same as Mario's, but stronger in terms of knockback. 12%
Mario Spins with the grabbed opponent some circles and throws them. Can KO at high percentages. 12%
Marth Throws opponent behind him weakly. 4%
Meta Knight Slashes opponent behind him with sword. 10% (2 hits)
Mr. Game & Watch Juggles the opponent as a ball, then throws them backwards. 8%
Ness Throws opponent behind him with PSI powers. Has the highest KO potential of all throws. 11%
Olimar Slams opponent onto the ground behind him. It depends on the Pikmin how many damage it does. A great KO move when it's a Blue Pikmin. Red & White: 7%; Yellow & Purple: 9%; Blue: 14%.
Peach Hits opponent behind her with her hip. 11% (2 hits)
Pikachu Rolls backwards with the opponent several times, then throws. 9%.
Pit Slams opponent onto the ground behind him. 8%
R.O.B. Throws opponent behind him. Like forward throw, good for setting up an edgeguard. 10%
Samus Throws opponent behind her. 8%
Sheik Kicks opponent behind her. 7% (2 hits)
Snake Turns around and slams opponent on the ground. 9%
Sonic Jumps, tumbles with opponent, then slams them on the ground. 8%.
Squirtle Kicks opponent away behind it. 10% (2 hits)
Toon Link Lies onto the opponent. 7% (2 hits)
Wario Hits opponent behind him with his butt. 9% (2 hits)
Wolf Slashes opponent behind him with a claw. 7% (2 hits)
Yoshi Spits out opponent behind him. 7%
Zelda Throws opponent behind her. 11%
Zero Suit Samus Kicks opponent behind her. Weak and lacks followup options, meaning it isn't used very often. 6% (2 hits)

List of back throws in Super Smash Bros. 4

Character Description Damage
Bayonetta Jumps behind the opponent and kicks them away. 3% (kick), 6% (throw)
Bowser Throws opponent behind him with both arms. Can KO at high percentages. 12%
Bowser Jr. Spins around, then throws the foe. Can KO at high percentages. 12%
Captain Falcon Positions opponent behind him and kicks them away. 9% (2 hits)
Charizard Throws opponent behind it with its mouth. 10%
Cloud Cloud kicks the opponent forward while doing a backflip. Low knockback. 2 hits of 3% (6% total)
Corrin Places the opponent behind him and stabs them upwards with his transformed arm, knocking them away from him. Similar to forward throw, though with slightly more damage. 6% (first hit), 2% (throw)
Dark Pit Identical to Pit's. 8%
Diddy Kong Tosses opponent diagonally upward and back with both arms. 12%
Donkey Kong Tosses opponent back with one arm. One of the strongest throws in the game. 11%
Dr. Mario Spins thrice, then throws the opponent. Reliably KOs at high percentages. 12%
Duck Hunt Throws opponent behind it with its mouth. Fairly weak knockback. 9%
Falco Same as Fox's, but fires only one shot that creates knockback. Fairly decent knockback, just enough to KO some light and middle weights at about 150% near the edge. 6% (throw) 3% (shot)
Fox Throws opponent behind him and shoots 3 rapid shots at the opponent. Shots can miss. Weak throw overall. 2% (throw) 2% (per shot)
Ganondorf Similar to Captain Falcon's, but slightly stronger knockback. 10% (2 hits)
Greninja Tosses opponent behind it over its head. Fairly weak knockback. 8%
Ike Positions opponent behind him and kicks them away. Weak throw overall. 7%
Jigglypuff Slams opponent into the ground behind it, similar to Kirby. More damage than Kirby's throw, but less knockback. 10%
King Dedede Turns around with opponent in hand and then smacks them away with his hammer. Can KO at high percentages. 13% (2 hits)
Kirby Slams opponent into the ground behind him. Has high base knockback, and can KO at high percentages near edges. In most cases, Kirby can followup with a back aerial if his opponent is at or near 0% prior to the grab. 8%
Link Positions opponent behind him and kicks them away. Weak throw overall. 7% (2 hits)
Little Mac Positions opponent behind him and uppercuts them away. 9% (2 hits)
Lucario Hefts opponent over his shoulder, then throws them onto the ground. Unlike in Brawl, this move's knockback and damage now scale with Aura. 6% (0%) 9% (50%) 14% (150%) 17% (190%+)
Lucas Telekinetically tosses the opponent behind himself. His strongest throw, as well as the third strongest back throw in the game (behind Ness and Villager's back throws, respectively). 10%
Lucina Identical to Marth's. 4%
Luigi Same as Mario's, but goes faster and is stronger in terms of knockback. 10%
Mario Spins opponent around and throws the opponent. Can KO at high percentages. The grabbed opponent can damage any nearby opponents. 11%
Marth Tosses opponent aside, using one arm and his leg for support. Very weak throw. 4%
Mega Man Turns around and tosses the victim with the Super Arm. Can KO at high percentages. 11%
Meta Knight Teleports behind the foe and slashes them. 10% (2 hits)
Mewtwo Psychically tosses the opponent aside. 10%
Mii Brawler Places foe behind him/her, then roundhouse kicks them. Fairly weak knockback. 7%
Mii Gunner Throws opponent behind him/her, then shoots them. Similar to Falco's. Very weak throw. 2% (throw) 3% (shot)
Mii Swordfighter Back kicks the opponent behind him/her. 6%
Mr. Game & Watch Juggles opponent like a ball and throws them behind him. Weak knockback. 8%
Ness Grabs with PK power and throws diagonally up behind him. Very weak knockback at low percents, but incredibly strong knockback at high percents, making it one of the best throws in the game. 11%
Olimar Throws Pikmin holding the opponent behind him. Effect, damage and knockback depend on Pikmin used. (blue Pikmin deals greatest knockback) 8% (red) 10% (yellow) 16% (blue) 10% (purple) 10% (white)
Pac-Man Spins and then tosses opponent behind him. Can KO at high percentages. 11%
Palutena Sends the foe behind her with a 180-degree high kick. Can KO at high percentages. 10%
Peach Puts the opponent behind her and hits opponent with her butt. Can KO at high percentages. This is now her strongest throw. 11% (2 hits)
Pikachu Uses Submission on the enemy, rolling backwards then throwing them. 9%
Pit Tosses opponent into the ground behind him. Fairly weak knockback. 8%
R.O.B. Quickly turns and tosses opponent horizontally. 10%
Robin Turns around and magically tosses the foe backwards. Reliably KOs at high percentages. 11%
Rosalina & Luma Spins opponent around her and then throws backwards with high vertical distance. Rosalina does not turn during this move. 11%
Roy Flings the opponent over his shoulder and behind him. Has low base knockback and cannot KO even in Sudden Death. 5%
Ryu The Tomoe nage, a Judo throw. Heavy opponents can be knocked back onto their feet with a tapped down tilt, then thrown again. Based on his kick throw from Street Fighter II. 12%
Samus Forcefully tosses her opponent backwards as if throwing a ball. Fairly weak knockback. 8%
Sheik Positions opponent behind her and kicks them away. Very low knockback, and cannot KO even in Sudden Death. 7% (2 hits)
Shulk Positions opponent behind him, then stabs them with the Monado. One of the strongest throws in the game when Smash is active. 12% (Normal and Jump) 9% (Speed) 8% (Shield) 16% (Buster) 6% (Smash) (2 hits)
Sonic Performs a spinning suplex onto the ground behind him and tosses his opponent diagonally upward. 7%
Toon Link Falls onto his back, tossing his foe diagonally upward. Reliably KOs at high percentages. 7%
Villager Swings the net backward and tosses his/her opponent horizontally. The second strongest back throw in the game, behind Ness's back throw. 11%
Wario Spins his opponent then throws them behind him. Used to be his forward throw in Brawl. Fairly low knockback. 7%
Wii Fit Trainer Places opponent behind her/him, hops into the air, and then kicks out both legs diagonally downward into the opponent, sending them diagonally upward. 9% (2 hits)
Yoshi Spits out his opponent behind him. Fairly low knockback. 7%
Zelda Turns with opponent and then tosses them backward with her magic. Can KO at high percentages. 11%
Zero Suit Samus Positions opponent behind her then delivers a swift kick sending them backwards. Very low knockback, and cannot KO even in Sudden Death. 6% (2 hits)

Notable back throws

  • Ness's back throw has the highest knockback scaling of any throw in the series. It can KO reliably anywhere from 90-140%.
  • Mario's back throw mimics how he throws Bowser in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS.
  • In Smash 64, Pikachu, Donkey Kong, and Samus have the most damaging back throws in the series, dealing 18%.
  • In Melee, Mewtwo's back throw is very powerful, and is considered one of its best KO moves.
  • Kirby's back throw in Melee can be used for a Kirbycide. However, it is one of the only two throws in the game that can be escaped without receiving external knockback.
  • Dr. Mario's back throw in Melee is more powerful than Mewtwo's and can damage other enemies during the throw animation.
  • Luigi's back throw in Brawl is very powerful, similar to Dr. Mario's in Melee.
  • King Dedede's back throw is the most damaging throw in Brawl, dealing 16%.
  • Donkey Kong's back throw in Brawl is very powerful in terms of knockback, being not much weaker than Ness's back throw.
  • Shulk's back throw with the Hyper Smash Monado Art is the most powerful in the game, KOing Mario from the center of Final Destination at 113%, while Ness's KOs at 119%.