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List of armored attacks (SSBU)

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Snake's Cypher being hit by Pichu's neutral aerial, but armoring through thanks to damage-based armor.

Ultimate distributed armor to a wide range of the cast, particularly damage-based armor, and mostly to heavyweights such as Bowser. It also introduced Belly Super Armor to King K. Rool, furthering its presence in the game. It was also made more varied and fleshed out, with more forms of armor reducing damage or having different functions.

Damage-based Armor

Characters under the effect of Damage Based Armor will suffer hitlag and damage when hit, but not flinch or take knockback unless the attack deals enough percentage to go over a defined threshold. These are non-cumulative by default, meaning multiple weaker hits will not add up to reach the threshold and break the armor; if an attack's armor is cumulative, it'll be specified.

Character Move Active Armor Frames % Threshold Notes
Bowser Forward tilt 7-9 4% All active 3 frames before the first hitbox comes out, often leading to these being grouped under "tilt armor" by the Bowser playerbase. Lowest threshold in the game.
Up tilt 8-10
Down tilt 7-9
Forward smash 17-21 10% Feet become invincible on Frame 20-26, while the armor is active.
Up smash 11-15 8% Charge Hold being Frame 10 means the armor comes out immediately upon release. Shell becomes invincible from Frame 14-27.
Down smash 5-11 Charge Hold is Frame 5, but it's coded to hold back the armor should the smash attack be held.
Bowser Jr. Clown Kart Dash 20- 7% Only for the Clown Kart Hurtbox. Lasts until Jr either jumps or swerves.
Byleth Aymr 34-63 30% Does not apply in the air, unless Byleth touches the ground prior to Frame 34. Highest in the game.
Captain Falcon Raptor Boost 1-4 (Attack) 10% Proximity detection on Raptor Boost begins Frame 10, in which the armor can begin from that point so long as an opponent is in range.
Charizard Flare Blitz 23-53 15% Deals 5% in recoil damage, as well as an additional 5% on hit.
Dr. Mario Dr. Tornado 5-9 10% Active for 5 frames before the first hitbox is active. The armor will not start while Dr. Mario is airborne, it does so as soon as he touches the ground during the startup, and stays active even while rising up and becoming airborne again.
Hero Kazap 50-71 15% Requires 42 MP. Armor disappears at the same time as the last hit, leaving Hero extremely vulnerable if whiffed, as the FAF is 127.
Incineroar Alolan Whip 1-42 (Back Body Drop) 11.99% Active until the end of the animation itself, past the FAF.
1-58 (Lariat) Active past the FAF of 47, meaning that leaving the animation alone for a period of time can keep it active.
1-4 (Failure) No practical use.
Cross Chop 4-15 Given this can be used out of shield with no lockout, the armor allows Incineroar to "dodge" potential mixups involving weaker attacks.
Kazuya Forward smash 7-24 10% Applies upon charge release, allowing use on reaction.
Up smash 7-11 6%
Down smash 7-15 6%
Heaven's Door 5-14 10% Applies until the grab successfully executes.
King Dedede Jet Hammer 1-14 14% Applies on release of Jet Hammer regardless of charge, grounded only. However, as it is tied to the animation, it can be used offstage through windboxes.
King K. Rool Crownerang 6-63 12% Lasts until the FAF. This armor is "cumulative", using the following equation to determine breakage: (Base Damage of prior hits) * 1.2 + (Base Damage of the last hit) > 12%. Was 6% prior to version 8.0.0. Not to be confused with Belly Super Armor.
Kirby Stone 19-? 25% Can be cancelled early.
Ken Focus Attack 1-20 (Charge), 1-11 (On release) 14-28% Armor ends a frame later for Ken than Ryu. Armor threshold increases by 0.24% per frame before capping out. [1]
Little Mac Straight Lunge 1- (Charging) 8% Only move with damage-based armor that can be cancelled with shield. Armor being Frame 1 makes it a niche combo escape option.
1- (Attack) 14% Increased armor on release, ending at the same time as the hitbox. Also applies in the air.
Mii Brawler Suplex - 11.99% Begins as soon as the opponent is grabbed; ends when the opponent is launched.
Piranha Plant Long-Stem Strike 18-86 15% (Charging), 12% (Release, covers neck) Known as "Pot Armor" by the Piranha Plant playerbase. Can be released at any point, with a proximity detector from Frame 19. Hitbox comes out from Frame 1-2 (with intangibility on the head) once an opponent comes into range, or if B is pushed early. 0.8× damage received while armor is active. Upon release, the armor reduces to 12%.
Ridley Space Pirate Rush 22 (dragging)-release 9% Begins on frame 22 of the dragging animation. If Ridley is hit by an hitbox he can armor during this time, the damage will be reduced by x0.75. [2]
Ryu Focus Attack 1-20 (Charge), 1-10 (On release) 14-28% Armor lasts a frame shorter than Ken's overall. Armor threshold increases by 0.24% per frame before capping out. [3]
Sephiroth Forward smash 10-23 20% Applies only when in Winged Form.
Up smash 14-22
Down smash 10-20
Snake Cypher 7-94 8% Cypher can also be destroyed in Ultimate, having 13 HP. If it isn't destroyed, Cypher gains a hitbox dealing 6% until it goes off-screen. Snake does not become helpless in either case, but does suffer hitstun.
Terry Buster Wolf 1-15 8% Only usable from 100%+, or 30% of HP in Stamina.
Power Geyser 1-14 5%

Knockback-based Armor

These are attacks that have armor up to a certain knockback threshold. This means that armor can be more easily broken the more damaged the player is and is effectively non-existent against a strong enough attack.


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The editor who added this tag elaborates: Very sure more characters have the trait, just need the data.
Character Move Active Armor Frames KB Threshold Notes
Bowser Tough Guy Passive 19 KB Classified as a fighter ability. Tough Guy remains active at all times, even during attacks.
Diddy Kong Rocketbarrel Boost 8- (charging) 30 KB Active all throughout the charge, which starts on frame 8 and last for 60 frames before the first hitbox is active upon release. Activates regardless of whether Diddy Kong is in the air or on the ground.
Donkey Kong Kong Karry 1- 80 KB Starts frame 1 after the transition to Cargo and lasts until the opponent's release or the start of a Cargo throw. This armor also applies when Donkey Kong is carrying a large item like a crate or a barrel.
Kazuya Tough Body Passive 14 KB Classified as a fighter ability. Tough Body remains active at all times, even during attacks.
Steve Minecart 18- 60 KB Activates as soon as Steve enters the minecart, and remains until he leaves. The minecart has 7 HP and is destroyed when it's depleted, like Snake's Cypher. However, the minecart will not be destroyed if its HP is lowered to 0 during the first 17 frames of the move; it will operate as usual once Steve sits in it on frame 18, effectively staying active with 0 HP until something hits and destroys it.
Wario Wario Bike 1- 20 KB and 60 KB Moves dealing 20 KB or less won't make Wario flinch, but moves dealing under 60 KB won't launch him away, instead putting him in a forced dismount animation that lasts for 25 frames. Wario doesn't take any knockback during this animation, instead dropping straight down from where he was hit. The bike itself has 18 HP (unaffected by the 1v1 multiplier) and can act as protection against attempts to contest it. The bike explodes when the HP is depleted; if Wario is still on the bike when that happens, he is dealt damage by the explosion, which is a throw dealing 6% (7.2% in 1v1), bypassing his armor.
Yoshi Midair jump 1-44 120 KB Classified as a fighter ability. This unique armor has been dubbed "Subtractive Armor" by the Yoshi playerbase, since the knockback applied to Yoshi after breaking through the armor is significantly lowered, as the armor subtracts the KB needed to break it before letting the rest go to Yoshi. Technically, the hit that breaks the armor sees its total knockback reduced by up to 120 when applied to Yoshi. The minimum knockback an attack that breaks the armor can do is 60 KB.

Super Armor

Characters under the effect of Super Armor will suffer hitlag and damage when hit, but not flinch nor take knockback. Super Armor, by default, does not break, no amount of percentage or launch force is enough to beat it.


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The editor who added this tag elaborates: Highly likely there are a few that were missed out. Giga Bowser may be a Tough Guy variant given he can be launched.
Character Move Active Armor Frames Notes
All characters Home-Run Bat 41-56
Ore Club 13~ Lasts during charge and attack; ceases when the hitbox ends
Charizard Fly 4-15 It is active quickly and for 12 frames, covering part the the startup and lasting until the second set of hitboxes is active.
Chrom Soaring Slash 10-30 It is active for 21 frames, starts as soon as the first hitbox is active, and lasts until the start of the rise.
Donkey Kong Giant Punch (Fully Charged) 11-20 (Grounded), 17-20 (Aerial) It is active for 10 frames during both the startup and the active frames of the move. Landing during the startup of the move grants DK the armor frames of the grounded version.
Headbutt 5-14 It is active quickly and for 10 frames during startup, but then leaves a 5 frames gap with no armor before the first active frame.
Spinning Kong (Grounded) 5-17 It is active quickly and for 13 frames during startup, but then leaves a 1 frame gap with no armor before the first active frame. Arm intangibility frames 19-24.
Dark Pit Electroshock Arm (Dash) 11-26 The armor stops as soon as the move detects an opponent and transitions into the swing, which can happen starting frame 16 (Grounded), 19 (Aerial) of the move, cutting the armor frames short, and leaving 1 frame of vulnerability before the swing's first active hitbox.
Ganondorf Warlock Punch (Grounded) 11-67 (Default), 21-75 (Reverse) By default, it is active for 57 frames during startup, but then leaves a 2 frames gap with no armor before the first active frame. When reversed, it is active for 55 frames during startup, but then leaves a 4 frames gap with no armor before the first active frame. Landing during the startup of the move grants Ganondorf the armor frames of the grounded version, but landing on frame 11 (Grounded), 21 (Reversed) or after will not, Ganondorf has to land before the armor frames for them to appear.
Flame Choke (Grounded) 17-40 (successful grab) It is active for 24 frames, starting during the startup and stopping during the endlag, after the opponent's release.
Giga Bowser Passive --
Ike Eruption (Medium Charge and Fully Charged) 6-10 It is active quickly and for 5 frames before the first hitbox is active.
Aether 5-35 (Grounded), 15-35 (Aerial) The grounded version is active quickly and for 31 frames, it starts during the startup. The aerial version is active for 21 frames, and starts as soon as the first hitbox is active. Both last until the start of the rise.
Incineroar Revenge 3-27 It is active quickly and for 25 frames. Damage reduction multiplier of 0.4, meaning Incineroar will only be dealt 40% of a move's total damage while under the effect of that armor. Instead of having a Counterbox like most other counters, this armor acts as hit detection, transitioning into the counter attack on hit. Full Body Intangibility on frames 1-14 of the counter attack, leaving no vulnerable frames between the armor window and the counter attack's animation.
Kazuya Rage Drive 5-14 Applies until the grab successfully executes.
Joker Rebel's Guard 3 and lasting until release It is active all throughout the guard, which starts quickly on frame 3 and lasts until frames 19-79 depending on how long it is held. Damage reduction multiplier of 0.4, meaning Joker will only be dealt 40% of a move's total damage while under the effect of that armor. Instead of having a Counterbox like most other counters, this armor acts as hit detection, and allow transitioning into the counter attack on hit if Joker releases the input during or 20 frames after hitlag. Full Body Intangibility on frames 1-14 of the counter attack, leaving no vulnerable frames between the armor window and the counter attack's animation.
King Dedede Super Dedede Jump 22-34, 69-76 It is active for 13 frames during the rise, and then for 7 frames during the fall, leaving a 34 frames gap with no armor between the 1st and 2nd armor windows. Full Body Intangibility on frames 18-21, leaving no vulnerable frames between this and the first armor window, and Intangibility on the feet starting frame 69 and lasting until landing.
Kirby Hammer Flip (Grounded and Fully Charged) 11-17 Landing during the startup of the move grants Kirby the armor frames of the grounded version, but landing on frame 11 or after will not, Kirby has to land before the armor frames for them to appear. Full Body Intangibility on frames 2-10, leaving no vulnerable frames between the two windows. These i-frames will appear if Kirby lands during the startup of the move.
Little Mac Forward smash 8-15 (High/Mid angle), 9-15 (Low angle) 8 frames in total (7 for down angle), covers active hitbox. Charge Hold is frame 4. Activate a Critical Zoom effect upon tanking a hit.
Up smash 8-13 6 frames in total, covers active hitbox. Charge Hold is frame 6. Activate a Critical Zoom effect upon tanking a hit.
Down smash 7-10, 15-17 4 and 3 frames in total, only covers the first active frame of both hit. Charge Hold is frame 5. Activate a Critical Zoom effect upon tanking a hit.
KO Uppercut 8-9 It is active quickly and for 2 frames, starting during startup and covering the first active frame of the move.
Mii Brawler Exploding Side Kick 40-52 (Default), 34-46* (Reversed) It is active for 13 frames during both the startup and the active frames of the move. *Unlike similar Falcon Punch like moves that can only be reversed on a specific frame, Exploding Side Kick can be reversed at any point during frames 9-30. Doing so will begin the Reverse Exploding Side Kick animation, which has a fixed 43 frames of startup and armor on the frames 34-46, regardless of how long Mii Brawler waited to reverse the move. What that means is the first active frame of a Reversed Exploding Side Kick can be anywhere from frame 52 to 73, and the armor frames from 42-54 to 63-75.
Olimar Pikmin Order 2-7 It is active quickly and for 6 frames.
Pac-Man Power Pellet 1-8 It is active immediately upon eating the pellet and for 8 frames.
Pit Upperdash Arm (Dash) 11-26 The armor stops as soon as the move detects an opponent and transitions into the swing, which can happen starting frame 16 (Grounded), 19 (Aerial) of the move, cutting the armor frames short, and leaving 1 frame of vulnerability before the swing's first active hitbox.
Roy Blazer (Grounded) 4-10 It is quickly active for 6 frames, covering part the the startup and lasting until the second set of hitboxes is active. Full Body Intangibility on frame 9 while the first hitbox is active, technically replacing the armor during that singular frame. This single frame of Intangibility is also present in the Aerial version of the move.
Wario Wario Waft (Fully Charged) 4-13 It is active quickly and for 10 frames during both the startup and the active frames of the first hit of the move.

See also

References

  1. ^ https://rubendal.github.io/ssbu/#/Character/Ryu https://rubendal.github.io/ssbu/#/Character/Ken, Article SpecialLw
  2. ^ https://twitter.com/Meshima_/status/1389350854629617664
  3. ^ https://rubendal.github.io/ssbu/#/Character/Ryu https://rubendal.github.io/ssbu/#/Character/Ken, Article SpecialLw
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