Pikachu (SSB)/Down special

Overview

The hitbox of Pikachu's Thunder.

The move's name is called Thunder. When used, Pikachu will yell out "Pika!", calling down a bolt of lightning from above. The lightning itself does 12% damage and vertical knockback; when the bolt reaches Pikachu, the contact will inflict a further 14% damage (for a total of 28% if the opponent was close to Pikachu) and massive horizontal knockback. The move, unlike its appearance in later games, has infinite vertical range. Pikachu players can then use a effective technique called "thunderspiking", where it uses Thunder to easily KO opponents when they are near the upper blast line, helping it to KO at much lower damage percentages. Many Pikachu players try using this technique in combos, most notably after a up smash. The move can additionally be used after an edge drop → jump, to cover the area around the edge as an edgeguarding technique, though this cannot be performed quickly, and Pikachu is mostly better off using its aerials.

The move was buffed in the PAL versions of the game; with both the thunderbolt and shockwave dealing 2% more damage (dealing 32% damage if both hits connect). This makes thunderspiking even more effective in the PAL versions as well as making the shockwave KO considerably earlier.

Hitboxes

This article or section may require additional technical data. The editor who added this tag elaborates: Thunderbolt hitboxes may be incorrect. You can discuss this issue on the talk page or edit this page to improve it.

NTSC-J/NTSC-U

ID	Part	Damage	SD	Angle	BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			Clang	Effect	G	A	Sound
Thunderbolt
0	0	12%	1		80	50	0	200	0	0	0	0					Shock
Shockwave
0	0	16%	2		100	60	0	350	0	0	300	0					Shock

PAL

ID	Part	Damage	SD	Angle	BK	KS	FKV	Radius	Bone	Offset			Clang	Effect	G	A	Sound
Thunderbolt
0	0	14%	1		80	50	0	200	0	0	0	0					Shock
Shockwave
0	0	18%	2		100	60	0	350	0	0	300	0					Shock

Summary

• Thunderbolt damage (12% → 14%).
• Shockwave damage (16% → 18%).

Timing

Thunderbolt

Hitboxes	24-
Animation length	78

Shockwave

Hitboxes	1-9
Animation length	66

Legend (1 square = 1 frame)

Lag time

Hitbox

Pikachu's moveset

Neutral attack · 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 · Forward throw · Back throw
Floor attack (front) · Floor attack (back) · Edge attack (fast) · Edge attack (slow)
Neutral special · Up special · Down special