PSI Magnet
| PSI Magnet | |
|---|---|
 Ness defending himself with PSI Magnet. | |
| Users | Ness Lucas |
| Universe | Mother/Earthbound |
| Article on WikiBound | PSI Magnet |
PSI Magnet (Japanese: サイマグネット, Saimagunetto; called Psychic-Magnet in Super Smash Bros.) is the down special move for Ness and Lucas. It absorbs certain projectile attacks (mostly energy type). Upon absorption, the attack lowers the user's percent (or replenishes their health in Stamina Mode). The user cannot be healed to a percent lower than zero or higher than their starting HP, usually 150HP (Stamina Mode). The move also differs slightly between the two characters that use it.
Characters
Ness
Ness' PSI Magnet is formed centered around his body, covering his entire body with it. When released, Ness's Magnet pushes enemies and some items (such as Snake's Grenades) away from his body. In Super Smash Bros. 64, the move has very high starting lag, making it nearly useless. In Melee and Brawl, it has changed appearance and is much faster, making it reliable.
Lucas
Lucas' PSI Magnet is formed centered around his outstretched hand, and thus the magnet doesn't fully cover the area behind him. However, Lucas will instantly turn around when hit from the back, which means the magnet essentially covers his whole body as well. It should be noted that a similar attack, Mr. Game & Watch's Oil Panic, allows the player to turn around while holding the absorber in place. Lucas's version of this attack has a hitbox when released, which deals 9% damage and horizontal knockback. Additionally, Lucas recovers slightly more percentage than Ness when he absorbs a projectile, but not significantly.
Tactical uses
When used in the air, this move will cancel any vertical/falling momentum temporarily. This allows for this move to be used as a pseudo-SHFFL if used immediately after a jump, or a pseudo-wavedash if the player activates the move at a downward diagonal angle. Using C-sticking special moves control scheme for the Gamecube Controller, this move, used right after PK Fire for Lucas, will allow the wavedash to work much more easily.
When a projectile is absorbed, if the player taps the control stick/pad (depending on controller) in a direction, Lucas or Ness will either roll in that direction, sidestepping, or jumping without having to release the attack first.
Origin
PSI Magnet first appeared in Mother and has appeared in later Mother games since. However, in the Mother series, neither Ness nor Lucas learn the move. In all three of the Mother games, the move involved the player absorbing an enemy's Psychic Points (or PP) and adding it to that player's PP. There was also a move in the Mother games called "Lifeup", which was a psychic move that Ness and Lucas could use to recover a player's Health Points (or HP). Also, PSI Magnet can absorb energy projectiles from other players in the Super Smash Bros. games, but since Ness and Lucas don't have limited PP in the Super Smash Bros. games, it instead recovers a small amount of health. PSI Magnet recovering damage could also be a reference to Lifeup. [1]
Description from the Melee instruction booklet
Absorb enemy energy attacks and recover health.
Description from the Brawl instruction booklet
Absorb projectiles to reduce Lucas's damage percentage a corresponding amount.
Gallery
Ness absorbing Master Hand's Bullets with PSI Magnet in SSB
Ness using PSI Magnet in Melee.
Trivia
- In the original Super Smash Bros., level 5 and above CPUs will almost never use the Fire Flower against Ness, because he can absorb the fire with PSI Magnet. Instead, they will throw the flower at him. This also applies to Fox, who can deflect the fire with his Reflector.
- The attack can be put to incredible use on the Corneria stage, by absorbing the Great Fox's lasers. However, if Ness or Lucas touch the cannons while they are "charging", it's almost guaranteed to KO them. Only the actual laser shots can be absorbed.
- Ness's PSI Magnet changed color throughout all three games, from green, to blue, and finally purple.
