Ganondorf (SSB4)/Down smash

Hitbox visualization showing Ganondorf's down smash.

Overview

Ganondorf performs a slow roundhouse kick, hitting to the front of him before hitting the back. While it is Ganondorf's fastest smash attack in terms of startup lag, it is also the weakest, although it is still one of the most powerful smash attacks in the game, KOing as early as 115%. The first hit links into the second hit, although it is possible for opponents to escape due to hitbox placement. The move can be used to punish rolls or even stage spike if positioned properly. However, there is a hitbox on the first kick's thigh that causes opponents to be sent away from Ganondorf, and away from the second kick, which makes it difficult to link and can be punished if used when the opponent is too close.

Olimar is particularly vulnerable to this move. If he fails to tech out of Ganondorf's Flame Choke, Ganondorf can use this move on him, which can lead to a certain KO in some cases. Unusually, Olimar is the only character that can be followed up with Ganondorf's down smash after Flame Choke.

Update History

This move was buffed throughout the course of Smash 4's updates. In update 1.1.0, it became much easier to link, making it much safer and more effective to use. Its KOing and spacing abilities were also slightly improved.
1.1.0

• Down smash knockback growth increased: 75 → 94
• Down smash's second hit's hitbox size increased: 5.5u → 6.5u.

1.1.3

• Down smash's second kick now sends shielding opponents at a different angle, now pushing opponents away rather than towards him.
• Down smash now flips opponents.

Hitboxes

ID	Part	Damage	SD	Angle	BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			SDIx	H×	T%	Clang	Rebound	Type	Effect	G	A	Sound	Direct
Hit 1
0	0	6%	0		0	100	70	4.6	8	7.0	0.0	0.0	0.0x	1.0x	0%							Kick
1	0	6%	0		0	100	80	4.6	8	6.0	0.0	0.0	0.0x	1.0x	0%							Kick
2	0	6%	0		0	100	108	4.6	9	7.0	0.0	0.0	0.0x	1.0x	0%							Kick
3	0	6%	0		0	100	80	4.6	3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0x	1.0x	0%							Kick
Hit 2
0	0	15%	0		60	94	0	6.5	8	3.5	0.0	0.0	1.0x	1.0x	0%							Kick
1	0	15%	0		60	94	0	6.5	9	6.0	0.0	0.0	1.0x	1.0x	0%							Kick
2	0	13%	0		60	94	0	6.5	0	0.0	11.0	-5.5	1.0x	1.0x	0%							Kick

Timing

Charges between	4-5
Hit 1	15-18
Hit 2	35-38
Interruptible	64
Animation length	74

Legend (1 square = 1 frame)

Lag time

Charge interval

Hitbox

Interruptible

Ganondorf's moveset

Neutral attack · Forward tilt · Up tilt · Down tilt · Dash attack · Forward smash · Up smash · Down smash
Neutral aerial · Forward aerial · Back aerial · Up aerial · Down aerial
Grab · Pummel · Forward throw · Back throw · Up throw · Down throw
Floor attack (front) · Floor attack (back) · Floor attack (trip) · Edge attack
Neutral special (def · c1 · c2) · Side special (def · c1 · c2) · Up special (def · c1 · c2) · Down special (def · c1 · c2) · Final Smash