Snake (SSBU)/Down smash

Hitbox visualization showing Snake's down smash.

Overview

Snake performs a double sided kick. The first hit has fast startup at frame 8, making it Snake's fastest smash attack, and is a strong semi-spike that launches opponents at a direction that is very difficult to recover from. The back hit, while difficult to land at times, is much more powerful than the front and is relatively safe on shield (-14 on shield). In addition to this, both hits have great range as the disjointed hitbox reaches far beyond Snake's feet, giving the move reliable edgeguarding and 2-framing potential. Lastly, due to hitting on both sides, it can be used to punish rolls and provides good coverage to Snake's sides should his opponent become unpredictable.

Although it lacks any serious glaring flaws, it does have a few worth mentioning. While its back hit is difficult to punish on shield, its front hit is very unsafe and easily punishable if used on shield. Its back hit is also difficult to connect, while its front hit does not have reliable KO potential until high percents despite its edgeguarding potential. Thus, it is an overall situational and niche move that is best suited for reads when not used for edgeguards.

Hitboxes

ID	Part	Rehit rate	Damage	SD	Angle	Angle type	BK	KS	FKV	Set weight	Radius	Bone	Offset			H×	SDI×	T%	Clang	Rebound	Effect	Type	G	A	Sound	Direct	Hit bits	Hit part	Blockable	Reflectable	Absorbable	Flinchless	No GFX	Heedless
Hit 1
0	0	0	12.0%	0		Standard	30	87	0		4.0	kneel	8.0	0.0	0.0	1.0×	1.0×	0%							Kick		All	All
1	0	0	12.0%	0		Standard	30	87	0		3.3	legl	6.5	0.0	0.0	1.0×	1.0×	0%							Kick		All	All
Hit 2
0	0	0	14.0%	0		Standard	30	88	0		4.0	kneel	8.0	0.0	0.0	1.0×	1.0×	0%							Kick		All	All
1	0	0	14.0%	0		Standard	30	88	0		3.3	legl	6.5	0.0	0.0	1.0×	1.0×	0%							Kick		All	All

Timing

Charges between	5-6
Hit 1	8-10
Hit 2	20-22
Interruptible	45
Animation length	50

Legend (1 square = 1 frame)

Lag time

Charge interval

Hitbox

Interruptible

Snake's moveset

Neutral attack (1 · 2 · 3) · Forward tilt (1 · 2) · Up tilt · Down tilt · Dash attack · Forward smash · Up smash · Down smash
Neutral aerial · Forward aerial · Back aerial · Up aerial · Down aerial
Grab · Pummel · Forward throw · Back throw · Up throw · Down throw
Floor attack (front) · Floor attack (back) · Floor attack (trip) · Edge attack
Neutral special · Side special · Up special · Down special · Final Smash
Up taunt · Side taunt · Down taunt