POW Block

POW Block
Artwork of POW Block from New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
Universe	Mario
Appears in	SSB4 Ultimate
Item class	Throwing
Article on Super Mario Wiki	POW Block

The POW Block (POWブロック, POW Block) is an item from the Mario series.

Origin

The POW Block as it originally appeared in Mario Bros.

The POW Block made its debut in Mario Bros. and has become a recurring item in later Mario games. It is a black block with a blue-colored shell with the word "POW" written in the center.

In Mario Bros., the POW Block turns the enemies upside-down when struck, but gets smaller after each hit. After three hits, the POW Block disappears for the rest of the game. In Super Mario Bros. 2, the POW Block reappears as a single-use item which can be picked up and thrown. Once thrown, it will create powerful shockwaves upon impact that can defeat all enemies on-screen.

Overview

Mario near a POW Block in SSB.

The Mario Bros. stage. The POW Block is in the middle of the lowest floor.

As a stage element

In Super Smash Bros., POW Blocks appear in intervals in the Mushroom Kingdom stage. When attacked, it shakes the screen and deals 20% damage and considerable upwards knockback to every character currently touching the ground or a platform, often KO'ing characters over 100%. Unlike in the original Mario Bros. game, it can only be hit once before disappearing, although it will respawn again after a short time.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the POW Block appears at the bottom of the Mario Bros. stage, based on its use in the game of the same name. In this stage, it deals no damage, but causes grounded characters to bounce upwards (which interrupts charging smash attacks and the like) when struck. It also lands a hit on every grounded enemy on the stage. After getting hit three times, it will disappear, but returns to the stage after a while.

As an item

The POW Block as it appears in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

The POW Block debuts as a throwing item in Super Smash Bros. 4.

The POW Block can be picked up and thrown, or struck by an attack, dealing 10% damage and causing strong knockback to opponents and items on the ground when it lands. If it deals damage to a Cucco or Bee Hive, the summoned Cuccos/bees will target the player whom activated the POW Block. It can be used three times, shrinking after each use until it disappears after the third use. If it is dropped, it will be tossed forward instead, but not activate; instead, it will just come to a rest. It KOs at about 120%. When used, a second must pass before it can be picked up again.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, setting off a POW Block will now also activate any other POW Blocks on the stage, with the damage and knockback stacking with the more blocks involved. If the maximum of eight POW Blocks are on a stage at once, activating one will cause all grounded opponents to take 80% damage and huge knockback.

Damage output

Action	Damage
Quake	10%
Throw	14%
Forward tilt throw	14%
Up tilt throw	14%
Down tilt throw	14-15%
Forward smash throw	14%
Up smash throw	15%
Down smash throw	14%
Drop	11-14%
Air throw	14%
Air forward tilt throw	14%
Air up tilt throw	14%
Air down tilt throw	14-15%
Air forward smash throw	14%
Air up smash throw	14%
Air down smash	14-15%

In Smash Tour

The POW Block appears as a blue trophy item: when used, it makes all opponents drop some characters, which fall near to them on the board and can then be picked up by any player.

Trophy

The POW Block trophy appears in both versions of Super Smash Bros. 4. In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, it is part of the Mario Bros. Trophy Box.

POW Block's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

POW Block's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

POW Block

This special block first appeared way back in Mario Bros. Hitting it will send enemies flying into the air. You can avoid the shock waves by shielding at the right time or jumping into the air. After being triggered three times, a POW Block will vanish into thin air—don't waste it!

Arcade: Mario Bros. (1983)

: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (12/2009)

These blocks first appeared in Mario Bros. Hit one to make the whole area shake and knock opponents off their feet if they're on the ground. If someone looks like they're about to hit a POW Block, try to jump or put your shield up to avoid the shock wave. They can be hit three times before disappearing entirely.

Arcade: Mario Bros. (09/1986)

: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (11/2009)

Gallery

• 

  Mega Man surrounded by POW Blocks in different states of use; the middle one has not been activated yet.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	POWブロック	POW Block
English	POW Block	—
French	Bloc POW	POW Block
German	POW-Block	—
Spanish	Bloque POW	POW Block
Italian	Blocco POW	POW Block
Chinese (Simplified)	POW砖块	POW Brick
Chinese (Traditional)	POW磚塊	POW Brick
Korean	POW블록	POW Block
Dutch	POW-blok	POW Block
Russian	Блок «POW»	POW Block

Trivia

• The POW Block is one of only two items to have appeared as an obstacle before becoming an item, the only other being Barrel Cannon. Out of the two, the POW Block is the only one to have appeared in more than one distinct stage beforehand.
• Despite appearing as a stage hazard on Mushroom Kingdom, the POW Block never appears in Super Mario Bros., the game that stage is based on.