Jolt Haymaker
| Jolt Haymaker | |
|---|---|
 Jolt Haymaker | |
| User | Little Mac |
| Universe | Punch-Out!! |
Jolt Haymaker (ジョルトブロー, Jolt Blow) is Little Mac's side special move in Super Smash Bros. 4.
Overview
Little Mac leaps forward and performs a downward hook at the end of the move. The punch can be thrown early during the jump by pressing the special button. If the move is used on the ground, Little Mac will be briefly invincible as he leaps, allowing him to avoid projectiles (as shown in Mac's intro trailer where he jumps through Mega Man's Charge Shot). Like many of Little Mac's ground moves, Jolt Haymaker has high knockback scaling, and can KO at 105%-- this applies to the aerial version as well. By way of a short hop, this move can then be used to hit opponents near the edge of the stage, and can be used to edgehog in a way by punching an opponent against the edge should they lose their edge invincibility. This move can also be used as a recovery if Mac is close to the stage, although the move gains more distance if used on the ground than in the air and grants mediocre horizontal distance at best. As Jolt Haymaker does not stop at the edge and Little Mac keeps all his forward momentum even if he swings his fist during the first few frames, the move's total distance cannot be changed. This makes it extremely risky to use on small platforms or near edges, as players can easily underestimate the distance Little Mac jumps, easily sending him flying offstage with no way to recover as the move renders him helpless.
As of the 1.0.4 update, the Jolt Haymaker has even less horizontal reach when used in midair [1].
Customization
Jolt Haymaker, like all other special moves in Super Smash Bros. 4, has two variations:
- Grounding Blow: Causes Little Mac to jump higher and bury opponents, but the ending punch sends Little Mac downward, and there are no invincibility frames.
- Guard Breaker: Has reduced distance, start-up, and speed, but also has knockback resistance, is much more powerful, and is unblockable. Pressing B a second time won't throw the punch quicker. This move has an unusual property where it gives no horizontal distance if used immediately out of knockback. In other words, if Little Mac gets knocked off the stage and then tries to use this move to recover while he is still moving backwards, he will not move forward at all and will most likely fall to his death.
Origin
The Jolt Haymaker has no direct origin in Little Mac's abilities in the Punch-Out!! games. However, one of the series' recurring opponents, Von Kaiser, uses a similar jumping overhead punch in his Title Defense match in Punch-Out!! on Wii, which would knock out Little Mac in one hit if not dodged.
