Skull Bash

Skull Bash
Pikachu using Skull Bash in SSB4.
Users	Pikachu Pichu
Universe	Pokémon
Article on Bulbapedia	Skull Bash

Skull Bash (ロケットずつき Rokettozutsuki, Rocket Headbutt) is Pikachu and Pichu's side special move in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It is similar in appearance to Luigi's Green Missile, only without the chance of a misfire and neither Pikachu nor Pichu can hold the charge infinitely (in Melee, however, Green Missile cannot be held too, and it uses similar sound effects). The move can be charged up to increase the damage and range of the attack. In Pikachu's case, an uncharged Skull Bash deals 8% damage, while a fully charged one can deal up to 29%. Pichu can charge for longer, but hurts itself upon releasing (1%); the distance covered and the knockback when fully charged is tremendous, dealing almost 40% and nearly covering the length of Final Destination. It is used in most Home Run Contest strategies in lieu of the bat (fully-charged, Skull Bash is nearly a one-hit KO from Pichu). Pichu's Skull Bash is dangerous because if it fully charged this attack very close to the edge and misses, it will self destruct.

In Brawl, Skull Bash charges much faster than in Melee, and is an excellent move to recover with as Pikachu does not enter a helpless state after using it in midair. When fully charged, Pikachu will go about as far as the size of Final Destination. Though, unlike the Green Missile, Pikachu will shoot forward. Even with its great distance, it's not used too often as Pikachu falls at a quick speed and the move itself is predictable.

Origin

File:SkullBash.png

Skull Bash in Generation IV Pokémon games.

Skull Bash is based on a move with the same name in the Pokémon video games. It is a Normal-type attack introduced in Generation I. In the games, Skull Bash is a two-turn attack. On the first turn, the Pokémon using the move tucks its head in to prepare the attack and raise its Defense stat by one stage. On the second turn, the Pokémon launches forward to ram the foe with its head. The attack has a base power of 100, making it a powerful attack, and has 100% accuracy. The move used to not raise the user's defense on the turn that it was selected in Generation I, which is carried over to the Smash Bros. games, where weight and damage resistance remain uncharged while charging Skull Bash. The move is a technical machine (TM) and it was TM40 only in Generation I and could be learned by Pikachu then, but not in any subsequent games. It can, however, still have the move in Generation II games (the generation Melee was closest to), as they allow to trade Pokémon from Generation I games.

Instruction booklet descriptions

Melee

Hold File:GCN BButton.png to charge up for a high-powered attack.

Brawl

Boost this attack's speed and power by holding the B Button before letting go of the button.

Gallery

• 

  Pikachu's Skull Bash in Melee.

• 

  Pichu's Skull Bash in Melee.

• 

  Pikachu's Skull Bash in Brawl.

Trivia

• In the Pokémon RPG's, Skull Bash is a Normal-type attack. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, however, both Pichu's and Pikachu's Skull Bashes have electrical properties.
  • This is fixed in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, as Pikachu's Skull Bash has a neutral effect here. Also, it produces a small explosion behind Pikachu when used, similar to the explosive animation used for Skull Bash in the Pokémon games.
• Pichu cannot legitimately learn Skull Bash in Pokémon RPGs, along with Agility .
  • However, Pikachu can learn Skull Bash via TM40 in Generation I, and Pikachu will retain the move if transferred into Generation II, which Melee was closest to. However, from Generation III onwards, Pikachu cannot learn Skull Bash at all.
• In Melee, CPU Pikachus and Pichus will not use Skull Bash to recover. They will use Quick Attack and Agility, respectively, but they may use Skull Bash only on Player Pikachus and Pichus.
• As an AI flaw seen in Melee, CPU Pikachus and Pichus will never charge Skull Bash. This also applies for many other attacks that require button holding, such as smash attacks.

Pikachu's special moves

Neutral special	Thunder Jolt
Side special	—	Skull Bash
Up special	Quick Attack
Down special	Thunder
Final Smash	—		Volt Tackle

Pichu's special moves

Neutral special	Thunder Jolt
Side special	Skull Bash
Up special	Agility
Down special	Thunder

Video of a Skull Bash technique

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See also

• Pikachu's side special in Melee
• Pikachu's side special in Brawl
• Pichu's side special