King K. Rool (SSBU)/Forward throw

King K. Rool forward throw hurtbox visualization

Overview

King K. Rool's forward throw is the source of his main bread and butter combo at 0%, that being forward throw into dash attack. In addition, this combo is always true due to forward throw not sending into tumble until 10.9% (tested on Mario), and throws cannot be SDI'd either, making it impossible to escape. Once it sends into tumble however, the combo can be escaped by DI-ing up and away. If opponents don't know how to DI this confirm post-tumble, getting a grab confirm with pre-tumble forward aerial before going into the combo leads to heavy damage. Crownerang makes a good followup instead in these scenarios.

Forward throw can also be used for platform tech situations at around 30% (considering Battlefield as the example), allowing for a virtually guaranteed forward aerial, Blunderbuss Kannonball or Crownerang. This can be used for further play extensions thereafter, although it is risky and not always true. If opponents DI in and K. Rool remains close, down aerial is a difficult but possible follow-up.

Once the throw's followups are exhausted, forward throw is usually used for advancing game state and building momentum. This is done through okizeme-style techniques just after dash attack stops working, particularly with Crownerang. If opponents don't jump, it can lead into high-pressure situations that usually end in K. Rool's favor. Simply dashing at opponents afraid of the threat of this and catching their jumps with up aerial is also a solid mixup.

Forward throw is also used for positioning when near the ledge, for setting up ledgetrap situations. However, after ~60%, down throw to neutral attack is preferred for more damage. The DI mixup is very useful for confirming back aerial meteor smashes however, which is true if opponents DI in at around 25%, although it is extremely difficult to pull off.

Forward throw also has a collateral damage hitbox for multiple opponents; this allows it to hit both of the Ice Climbers, Luma and Olimar's Pikmin. This hitbox uses the opponent's hurtbox during the throw, and uses the actual throw's statistics. In doubles this can be very useful for lock combos at lower percentages, and for kill confirms at higher ones.

Forward throw does have flaws, however. Very few of the move's followups are actually true combos, due to the angle opponents are sent: K. Rool's moves don't connect into it very well. Forward throw into dash attack is by far its biggest saving grace. The damage dealt by non-true interactions are also generally worse than up throw's, meaning that outside of dash attack range, forward throw plays are seen as suboptimal outside of advancing game state by K. Rool's playerbase.

Throw Data

Kind	ID	Damage	Angle	Angle type	BK	KS	FKV	H×	Effect	Type	Sound
Throw
Throw	0	10%		Forward	60	55	0	0.0×			None
Throw Release
Throw	0	3%		Forward	60	100	0	0.0×			None

Timing

Throw Release	28
Interruptible	40
Animation length	68

Throw Release

Throw Invincibility

Legend (1 square = 1 frame)

Lag time

Vulnerable

Invincible

Throw point

Interruptible

King K. Rool's moveset

Neutral attack (1 · 2 · 3) · 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 · Side special · Up special · Down special · Final Smash