Leaf Shield
| Leaf Shield | |
|---|---|
 Mega Man with his Leaf Shield. | |
| User | Mega Man |
| Universe | Mega Man |
| “ | Leaves will protect you from attacks and can be fired with  .
|
” |
| —Smash for 3DS's foldout | ||
The Leaf Shield (リーフシールド, Leaf Shield) is Mega Man's down special move in Super Smash Bros. 4.
Overview
In this move, Mega Man activates a moving shield, consisting of four leaves circling around him. These leaves act as one-use damaging barriers, damaging enemies/items and blocking projectiles it comes in contact with at the cost of one leaf, making for a short-term damaging protection around Mega Man. While orbiting Mega Man, leaves may occasionally reverse an opponent, creating an unexpected opening. The move can also be thrown directly forwards as a potentially long-range attack (it may disappear before the maximum distance is traveled). The Leaf Shield will last either 3 seconds or until all 4 leaves are used up. Unlike the game of its origin, Mega Man can move around with the shield intact; however, it does change all of his Attack/Special inputs to be "throw Shield". An exception is made when Megaman is holding an item (like his own Metal Blade), as he can still throw the item or the Leaf Shield first before throwing the other.
Due to the, albeit small, spaces between leaves leaving undefended areas and being only able to use Throw Shield, Grab, Pummel, and Shield while the Leaf Shield is active, there may be unexpected risk when using this move. Although only useful for extra damage while grabbing and protecting from projectiles, Leaf Shield can also be used as an unusual gimping move.
If Mega Man is Star or Screen KO'd with any variant of Leaf Shield activated, the shield will appear circling alongside him.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:
| 1. Leaf Shield | 2. Skull Barrier | 3. Plant Barrier |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| "Wood Man's rotating shield. It hurts foes who get close. Press again to fire the leaves." | "Skull Man's weapon. A rotating barrier of skulls that reflects enemy projectiles." | "Plant Man's weapon. The deadly petals provide great protection but don't travel far when fired." |
- Leaf Shield: Default.
- Skull Barrier: Summons skulls to surround Mega Man, which reflect projectiles but do not deal direct damage and the shield disappears much quicker. The thrown shield still does damage, but only deals 2% per hit. Significantly better as an anti-projectile tool due to the skulls not disappearing upon hit and its relatively quick startup.
- Plant Barrier: Summons spotted leaves to surround Mega Man, which deal more damage and do not disappear on hit. However, startup is increased and the thrown shield travels more slowly with less distance. Higher damage output compared to the Leaf Shield if used in conjunction with a grab.
The Skull Barrier variation of the move.
Plant Barrier in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Origin
The Leaf Shield first appeared in Mega Man 2, as the special weapon of Wood Man. These "leaves" are actually shaped pieces of ceratanium, which have been sharpened around the edges. They are able to levitate due to electromagnetism. In Mega Man 2, Mega Man would have to stay still to use this weapon. When staying still, the shield will not leave Mega Man, and will protect him from all attacks. When Mega Man does move, the shield flies off in which ever direction Mega Man started walking in. The Leaf Shield also serves as Air Man's weakness by clogging his fan with the leaves generated. When used on any other boss besides Air Man, the leaves will do 0 damage.
One of the move's variations, Plant Barrier, first appeared in Mega Man 6, as the power of Plant Man. The "flower petals" are created from condensed energy to protect Mega Man from attacks. It vanishes when hit, but unlike some shield-based powers, it cannot be thrown. It does not vanish if it hits an invulnerable or shielded enemy; however, it can bypass shields and inflict damage. Plant Barrier is the weakness of Tomahawk Man.
The other variation, Skull Barrier, first appeared in Mega Man 4, as the power of Skull Man. The energy shield, which takes the shape of skulls, shuts off when hit. Mega Man can move while the Skull Barrier is active, but he cannot throw this shield. Skull Barrier is the weakness of Dive Man.
Gallery
The Leaf Shield being fired.
The Leaf Shield hits the opponent multiple times.
Mega Man's pose when Leaf Shield is activated on the ground.
The Leaf Shield blocking Luigi's Fireball.
Plant Barrier.
Leaf Shield in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
