Falcon Punch: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Special Move

|name=Falcon Punch

'''Falcon Punch''' ({{ja|ファルコンパンチ|Farukon Panchi}}, ''Falcon Punch'') is [[Captain Falcon]]'s [[neutral special move]].

==Overview==

Falcon Punch consists of Captain Falcon performing his iconic move: a slow but powerful punch wreathed in falcon-shaped [[flame]]s.

Aesthetically, the move will cause Captain Falcon to kneel downward, charge up power during the delay, before punching forward while crouching. In ''Smash 64'', Captain Falcon will shake his fist above his head while charging (if in midair, he cowers away from his orientation instead). In ''Melee'', Captain Falcon's stance is straightened, with his arms lowered and his left hand out (in midair, he will also do a recovering inward turn after the punch). In ''Brawl'', ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'', the animation is somewhat similar, but Captain Falcon punches his right fist into his left before charging, and his pose is slightly exaggerated as a result of animation improvements.  

The charging is accompanied by visible shockwaves in ''Smash 64'', and fiery effects surrounding Captain Falcon's fist in every other installment. Each future game also improves the visuals of the move, starting from a simple fire falcon sprite in ''Smash 64'', to a full 3D model in ''Melee'', and from ''Brawl'' onward, realistic effects that form an enormous fiery falcon.

===In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''===

[[File:SSB64 Falcon Punch Combo.gif|thumb|A {{SSB|Captain Falcon}} combo, with a Falcon Punch being used as the combo finisher after an up aerial.]]

The Falcon Punch in ''Super Smash Bros.'' is the fastest version in the series, due to having much less [[start-up]] and [[ending lag]] than in the subsequent games. As a result of its speed, along with the game's lack of [[air dodge|air dodging]], high hitstun, and opponents only being able to affect it with [[SDI]], it is easier to combo with than in every other game. Falcon Punch can also be used for [[recovery]] when Falcon is recovering from high up, as it gives additional horizontal distance as well as minor vertical distance when angled up.

===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''===

In ''Melee'', the Falcon Punch was made much slower, which removes its use as a recovery and combo-finishing option. Due to Captain Falcon's down aerial being much slower than in ''Smash 64'', along with the lowered effectiveness of [[L-cancel]]ing and the introduction of DI, the Tapion Combo was made more unreliable and very uncommon in competitive play, although other combos exist as a result of gameplay changes. The move has also seen a reduction to its knockback scaling, making it weaker despite its sweetspot dealing more damage.

===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''===

[[File:Falcon Punch SSBB.jpg|thumb|Falcon Punch in ''Brawl''.]]

Besides the introduction of the "Reverse Falcon Punch", the Falcon Punch was nerfed (particularly the aerial version, which is now weaker than the grounded version). Falcon Punch has slightly lower knockback scaling, though this does not have a huge impact on the move since it can still KO as low as 55% from center-stage.

===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''===

While retaining its ability to be reversed, Falcon Punch was nerfed from ''Brawl'', having significantly lower base knockback, slightly less knockback scaling, a smaller hitbox and more ending lag, causing it to be unsafe on hit at 0% and making it weaker than his fully-charged forward smash. However, the move now deals more consistent damage throughout: a standard grounded punch deals 25% damage through its duration, while a reversed punch deals 28%, with neither variant having any sourspots (although the maximum damage output of the standard punch was reduced by 2%).

===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''===

Falcon Punch is significantly stronger than in ''Smash 4'', now being able to KO at around 60%, and being the safest version on hit at 0%. The non-reversed version also has slightly lower ending lag. However, the punch doesn't move Captain Falcon forward as much as before, hindering its range. Like many slow and powerful attacks, Falcon Punch causes [[Special Zoom]] if it lands.

==Customization==

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

# '''Falcon Punch''': Default Punch.

# '''Falcon Dash Punch''': After startup, Falcon dashes forward, dealing less damage than default punch. :{{Main|Captain Falcon (SSB4)/Neutral special/Custom 1}}

The move would once again be referenced in ''F-Zero'' with ''{{s|fzerowiki|F-Zero GX}}''{{'}}s [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq9mipSqeC4 ending song], specifically in the line "When myopic confusion threatens your lunch / Falcon will be unleashing a Falcon Punch."

==Gallery==

==Trivia==

*In ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', if a Falcon Punch is performed, the echoing sound of a falcon screeching can be heard.

*In ''Brawl'', the falcon-shaped flames appear after the first hitbox, whereas in ''SSB64'' and ''Melee'' they appear at the same time.

*Captain Falcon always uses his right fist to perform the Falcon Punch. However, he uses his left fist during his appearance in the reveal trailer "[[List_of_Super_Smash_Bros._4_character_trailers#Robin and Lucina|By Book, Blade, and Crest of Flame]]", while Kirby will use either hand depending on what direction he is facing (since he always faces the screen).

==See also==

*[[Warlock Punch]]

==External links==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlGM0BFv3JU The Sacred Combo performed in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''].

{{Special Moves|char=Captain Falcon}}

[[Category:F-Zero universe]]

[[Category:Neutral special moves]]

[[Category:Captain Falcon]]

[[Category:Captain Falcon (SSB4)]]

[[Category:Captain Falcon (SSBU)]]