Neutral attack

A neutral attack (弱攻撃), often referred to as a jab (and officially standard attack or weak attack before Super Smash Bros. Ultimate), is the most basic attack a character can perform. It is performed by pressing the attack button while standing on the ground, with no input from the control stick. Typically, neutral attacks are fast, short-ranged, weak attacks meant for easy close-range punishes or escaping pressure.

Almost all neutral attacks in the series are natural combos: a type of attack with multiple stages which lead directly into each other. Just after the first attack is thrown, pressing the attack button again – regardless of whether the first attack connected – will result in an immediate follow-up attack. Certain natural combos also have a third stage, with a few that have a fourth stage. Mario's iconic neutral attack, a simple punch-punch-kick combo, is a well-known example of a three-stage neutral attack.

From Brawl onwards, holding the attack button instead of pressing it for the first hit of certain neutral attacks will cause the character to continually perform the first attack at a very high speed until it hits an opponent. This property is known as consecutiveness, and can be a helpful way to ensure an opponent will be hit by one without requiring strict timing. Additionally, when a neutral attack connects, regardless of whether it possesses consecutiveness, the next stages can be activated by simply holding the button, rather than pressing it repeatedly like in the previous games.

Types of neutral attacks

Since generally all nonfinal stages of a natural combo have the simple purpose of leading into the final one, most neutral attacks are defined by the nature of their final stage. To this end, there are three types of enders:

Standard

File:Mario AAA Combo SSBM.gif

Template:SSBM's standard neutral combo in Melee.

Characters like Mario, Sonic, Cloud Strife, and Ness have neutral attacks that end with a simple final hit, launching opponents away. Certain characters with one-hit neutral attacks that are not natural combos, such as Pikachu, Ganondorf, and Roy, fall into this category as well. Because this is by far the most common type of neutral attack, there is not a universally accepted term for it.

Infinite

File:Smash 4 - Fox's finishing jab.jpeg

The final hit of Template:SSB4's neutral infinite in Smash 4.

A neutral infinite (often called a rapid jab, and officially known as a flurry attack in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) is a constantly-looping flurry of incredibly fast and weak attacks that link into each other. Once this attack is launched, it can be indefinitely looped by pressing the attack button repeatedly in SSB and Melee, or by simply holding it from Brawl onward. Despite their indefinite nature, neutral infinites can be escaped relatively quickly with proper DI and SDI, especially prior to Smash 4. Later games mitigate this by speeding up their hit rate and lowering their SDI multipliers (as well as weakening SDI itself), as well as slightly pushing the attacker back each hit after landing a certain number of hits.

The neutral infinite ends once the attack button is released. Prior to Smash 4, this causes the character to simply stop attacking – however, from Smash 4 onwards, neutral infinites have a final hit known as a finisher that is designed to launch opponents away, and is used once the attack button is released. Since no new button input is made to activate this final hit, it is not its own stage of the natural combo.

Characters like Kirby, Fox, Sheik and Bowser Jr. are known for possessing neutral infinites. Meta Knight is unique for having only a neutral infinite, and no standard neutral attack beforehand. Instead, his forward tilt is a three-part attack.

Choosables

File:GentlemanSSB4.jpg

Template:SSB4's Gentleman in Smash 4.

A choosable neutral attack is one that can end either in a neutral infinite or in a standard final hit (which, in the context of a choosable, may be referred to as a Gentleman). The infinite is chosen by repeatedly pressing the attack button during the nonfinal hits of the combo – once it is launched, it functions identically to the typical neutral infinite. Likewise, the Gentleman is chosen by pressing the attack button less frequently, or by simply holding it once the first hit connects with an opponent.

While choosables appear in every installment, they are much more common in Smash 4 and Ultimate. Characters like Captain Falcon, Young Link, Pit, Little Mac, and Corrin are known for possessing choosables.

List of neutral attacks

Veterans

Consecutiveness only applies from Brawl onward, as the feature did not exist in previous games.

Character	Stages	Last stage	Cons.	Description
Banjo & Kazooie	3	Choosable	N	Banjo swipes his claws forward twice, then either uppercuts a third time or crouches while Kazooie does the Rat-a-tat Rap, where she jabs her beak repetitively.
Bayonetta	4	Unique	N	Performs three pistol whips, then leans forwards and rapidly thrusts her guns forwards before throwing a downwards gun-spinning punch for a final hit. Unlike most neutral infinites, it ends automatically after a set number of hits. Hits 1-3 and the infinite finisher can be extended with Bullet Arts, while holding attack button during the multi-hit as opposed to mashing will use Bullet Arts to deal more damage.
Bowser	2	Standard	N	Throws an open hand strike the opponent and then follows up with a punch.
Bowser Jr.	3	Infinite	Y	Deploys a pair of boxing gloves from the Koopa Clown Car, then uses them to throw a jab, a cross, and then a flurry of rapid punches ending in an uppercut.
Byleth	3	Choosable	Y	A knife-hand strike, followed by a roundhouse kick, and finally either a side kick, or a flurry attack with the whip-sword.
Captain Falcon	4 3	Infinite Choosable	Y	Jabs twice, strikes with his knee, and then performs a series of one-handed jabs. Jabs twice, then either strikes with his knee or performs a series of one-handed jabs ending in an uppercut.
Charizard	3	Standard	N	Throws alternating swipes with its claws, then slashes its wing upwards and inwards.
Chrom	1	Standard	N	Slashes upwards in front of himself.
Cloud	3	Standard	Y	Throws two kicks, then slashes outwards with the Buster Sword.
Corrin	3	Choosable	N	Stabs forwards with a draconic spear arm, slashes with Omega Yato, and then either strikes forwards with Omega Yato again or leans forwards and performs a rapid series of bites with an arm-mounted draconic mouth.
Daisy	2	Standard	N	Slaps twice.
Dark Pit	3	Choosable	N	Slashes twice, then either uppercuts with one of his blades or repeatedly attacks with both of them.
Dark Samus	2	Standard	N	Jabs, then clubs downwards with her Arm Cannon.
Diddy Kong	3	Choosable Standard	N Y	Slaps twice, then either kicks forward or rapidly flicks his tail around in front of himself. Slaps twice, then throws a side kick.
Donkey Kong	2	Standard	N	Punches forwards, then uppercuts.
Dr. Mario	3	Standard	Y	Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Duck Hunt	3	Choosable	N	The dog performs a paw swipe, then a headbutt, and then either throws a two-footed kick or lays down while the duck rapidly pecks forwards.
Falco	3	Infinite	N	Throws two punches, then a series of kicks with incredible speed. Slashes inwards and then outwards with his wing, then leans forwards while spinning with both wings outstretched to perform a tornado-like series of rapid strikes before finishing with a final slash /heel kick .
Fox	3	Infinite	Y	Throws two punches, then a series of kicks with incredible speed.
Ganondorf	1	Standard	N	Strikes straight forwards with his hand.
Greninja	3	Choosable	N	Performs two alternating palm strikes, then either explodes a burst of water from both of its palms or performs a rapid series of watery slashes.
Hero	3	Standard	N	Swings his sword straight upward, then straight downward, and then inward.
Ice Climbers	2	Standard	N	Swing their hammers outwards, then upwards and inwards.
Ike	3	Standard	Y	Throws a jab, then a stepping-forwards kick, and then slams Ragnell downwards onto the ground.
Incineroar	3	Standard	N	Throws a straight spearhand, then a knee jab, and then a leaning-forwards elbow bash.
Inkling	3	Choosable	Y	Performs a finger jab, a roundhouse kick, and then either a side kick or a series of close-ranged Splattershot blasts.
Isabelle	1	Standard	Y	Swings a toy hammer downwards for a very fast and weak single hit.
Ivysaur	3	Infinite	N Y	Whips forwards with one vine, then another, and then performs a rapid storm of vine slaps forwards.
Jigglypuff	2	Standard	Y	Throws two alternating punches.
Joker	3	Standard	N	Slashes inwards, stabs forwards in reverse grip, and then slashes outwards.
Kazuya	Flash Punch Combo: 3 10-Hit Combo: 10	Unique	N	Flash Punch Combo: Throws two punches, then a straight punch. 10-Hit Combo: Does a 10 hit combo, comboing with a series of punches and kicks, finishing with a bursting uppercut.
Ken	Tapped: 3 Held: 1	Standard	Y	Tapped: Throws a straight jab, then a short-straight punch, and then a hook. Held (far): Swings his leg upwards and then brings it back down for a swift axe kick. Held (close): Throws an uppercut.
King Dedede	3	Infinite	N	Swipes inwards with his hammer, then upwards, and then thrusts it forward while spinning its head like a drill for several hits.
King K. Rool	3	Standard	Y	Strikes forwards with his palm, slashes inwards with his claws, then kicks straight forwards.
Kirby	3	Infinite	Y	Jabs twice, then throws a very fast series of punches.
Link	3	Choosable Standard	N	Slashes twice with the Master Sword, then either stabs forwards a single time or performs a very fast series of forwards stabs. Slashes twice with the Master Sword, then leans into a final forwards strike.
Little Mac	3	Choosable	Y	Throws a jab, then a hook, and then either a leaning uppercut or a barrage of high-speed punches.
Lucario	3	Standard	N	Performs a downwards paw swing, a forward palm thrust, and then a high kick.
Lucas	3	Standard	Y	Throws a quick combo of three kicks.
Lucina	2	Standard	N	Performs a pair of upwards swings with Parallel Falchion.
Luigi	3	Standard	N Y	Throws two punches, then a straight kick. Throws two punches, then performs a jumping hip check.
Mario	3	Standard	Y	Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Marth	2	Standard	N	Performs a pair of upwards swings with Falchion.
Mega Man	3	Standard	N	Fires the Mega Buster straight ahead up to three times in a row.
Meta Knight	1	Infinite	N	Unleashes a storm of slashes to cover his entire body. Performs several very fast slashes in front of himself before ending with a backflipping slash.
Mewtwo	2	Infinite	N	Performs a dark-powered palm thrust, then leans further forwards to release a stream of dark smoke from that same palm for rapid hits.
Mii Brawler	3	Infinite	Y	Throws two jabs, then a barrage of quick punches ending in a swift back kick.
Mii Gunner	3	Standard	N Y	Performs a pair of bludgeons with the arm cannon, then thrusts it straight forwards accompanied by a near-immediate flame blast. Throws a jab, then a side kick, and then thrusts the arm cannon straight forwards accompanied by a near-immediate flame blast.
Mii Swordfighter	3	Standard	N	Slashes inwards, outwards, and then upwards.
Min Min	3	Choosable	N	Kicks forwards, then does a leg sweep, then a series of kicks with incredible speed, finishing off with a straight kick. Similar to Ryu and Ken, if the button is held rather than tapped, Min Min does a forward tilt instead of a neutral attack.
Mr. Game & Watch	2	Infinite	N	Pumps insecticide forwards, then begins to pump it much more rapidly.
Mythra	3	Choosable	Y	Throws a knifehand strike followed by a sword slash then either a second upwards slash or repeated magic blasts.
Ness	3	Standard	Y	Throws two jabs, then a side kick.
Olimar	2	Standard	N	Performs a pair of headbutts. Throws two leaning punches.
Pac-Man	3	Standard	Y	Throws two jabs, then performs a backflipping kick.
Palutena	2	Infinite	N	Thrusts her staff forwards at hip level, then keeps it there while releasing a rapidly-hitting blast of light from it.
Peach	2	Standard	N	Slaps twice.
Pichu	1	Standard	Y	Performs a very fast and weak headbutt.
Pikachu	1	Standard	Y	Performs a very fast and weak headbutt.
Piranha Plant	3	Choosable	Y	Throws a leaf jab, then a cross, and then either headbutts straight forwards or performs a furious storm of bites.
Pit	3	Choosable	N	Slashes twice, then either uppercuts with one of his blades or repeatedly attacks with both of them.
Pyra	3	Choosable	Y	Throws a knifehand strike followed by a sword slash then either a second upwards slash or repeated fiery blasts.
R.O.B.	2	Standard	N Y	Throws two alternating hooks.
Richter	3	Infinite	N	Holds a short length of the Vampire Killer in his hands to strike twice with its tip, then rapidly swirls it around in front of himself for multiple hits.
Ridley	3	Choosable	N	Slashes inwards with both claws, then either bites in front of himself or performs a high-speed flurry of tail stabs.
Robin	3	Choosable	N	Slashes upwards, then downwards with a bronze sword, then either opens up a fire tome to cast an exploding fireball or rapidly flits through pages in a wind tome to create a whirling storm of magic wind slashes.
Rosalina & Luma	3	Choosable	N	Rosalina: Swings her wand forwards twice, then either casts a small burst of stardust from the wand or twirls it in a circle for several hits. Luma: Throws a jab, then kicks, and then either performs a backflipping kick or leans forwards while rapidly spinning for several hits, ending with a headbutt.
Roy	1	Standard	N	Slashes upwards in front of himself.
Ryu	Tapped: 3 Held: 1	Standard	Y	Tapped: Throws a straight jab, then a short-straight punch, and then a hook. Held (far): Performs a strong, upwards-angled roundhouse kick. Held (close): Throws an uppercut. (only exists in )
Samus	2	Standard	N	Jabs, then clubs downwards with her Arm Cannon.
Sephiroth	3	Standard	N	A roundhouse kick, followed by a side kick and finally a hilt thrust.
Sheik	3	Infinite	N	Throws two knifehands, then a series of spearhand thrusts.
Shulk	3	Standard	Y	Throws a jab and a side kick, then slashes upwards with the Monado.
Simon	3	Infinite	N	Holds a short length of the Vampire Killer in his hands to strike twice with its tip, then rapidly swirls it around in front of himself for multiple hits.
Snake	3	Standard	N	Throws two jabs and then performs a spinning roundhouse kick.
Sonic	3	Standard	Y	Throws two jabs, then a kick.
Sora	3	Standard	Y	A 3 hit combo consisting of a downward swing, a forward jab, and a rightward 360° swing.
Squirtle	3	Standard	Y	Throws a jab, performs an inwards tail whip, and flips forwards for a downwards tail drop. Throws a jab, performs a jumping kick, and then spins its tail in a modified roundhouse.
Steve	1	Standard	Y	A forward swipe of a sword.
Terry	3	Standard	Y	A high jab, followed by a hit to the body, and ending with a high kick launcher.
Toon Link	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then stabs straight forwards.
Villager	2 3	Standard Infinite	Y	Throw a pair of alternating hooks. Throws a pair of alternating hooks, then begins to throw a faster chain of hooks ending with a straight punch.
Wario	2	Standard	N	Throws a pair of alternating hooks.
Wii Fit Trainer	3	Standard	Y	Throws a forwards spearhand while simultaneously striking backwards with a back kick, then performs a knee thrust, and finally lunges forwards with a stomp that can bury.
Wolf	3	Standard	Y	Performs two claw slashes, then leans forwards for a final blow.
Yoshi	2	Standard	N	Throws two simple kicks.
Young Link	3	Choosable	N	Slashes twice with the Kokiri Sword, then either stabs forwards a single time or performs a very fast series of strikes.
Zelda	1 2	Standard Infinite	N	Releases three magic sparks from her outstretched palm. Releases two magic sparks from her palm, then braces herself slightly as she unleashes a larger surge of magic for several hits.
Zero Suit Samus	3	Standard	Y	Throws a jab, strikes inwards with the Paralyzer, and then thrusts her elbow forwards.

Newcomers

Debuting Outside Super Smash Bros. PHAILURE

First playable appearance in the series

Character	Stages	Last stage	Cons.	Description
Cuphead	3	Standard	N	Throws a jab, then a side kick, and then thrusts his right hand straight forwards accompanied by a near-immediate flame blast.
Dark Bowser	2	Standard	N	Throws an open hand strike, then a punch.
Dark Link	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then leans into a final forwards strike.
Eggman	3	Infinite	Y	Deploys a pair of boxing gloves from the Eggmobile, then uses them to throw a jab, a cross, and then a flurry of rapid punches ending in an uppercut.
Goemon	3	Standard	N	Clubs three times with his kiseru.
Knuckles	3	Standard	N	Throws two jabs, then an uppercut.
Kratos (Tales series)	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then leans into a final forwards strike.
Lloyd	3	Choosable	N	Slashes twice, then either uppercuts with one of his blades or performs Sword Rain.
Purple Pikmin	2	Standard	N	Performs a pair of headbutts.
Riku	3	Standard	Y	A 3 hit combo consisting of a downward swing, a forward jab, and a rightward 360° swing.
Rouge	3	Standard	Y	Throws a quick combo of three kicks.
Sans	3	Standard	N	Throws a jab, then a side kick, and then thrusts the arm cannon straight forwards accompanied by a near-immediate flame blast.
Shadow	3	Standard	Y	Throws two jabs, then a kick.
Tails	1	Standard	N	Spins his tails.
Vault Boy	3	Standard	N	Throws a jab, then a side kick, and then thrusts his gun straight forwards accompanied by a near-immediate flame blast.
White Pikmin	2	Standard	N	Performs a pair of headbutts.
X	3	Standard	N	Fires the X Buster straight ahead up to three times in a row.
Zero	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then performs an overhead slash.

First appearance in the series

Character	Stages	Last stage	Cons.	Description
Adam Lyon	2	Standard	N	Performs a pair of headbutts.
Andy Johnson	2	Standard	N	Performs a pair of headbutts.
Battler	2	Standard	N	Punches forwards, then uppercuts.
Beatrice	2	Standard	N	Slaps twice.
Brian	3	Standard	N	Throws two jabs and then performs a spinning roundhouse kick.
Conker	3	Standard	N	Throws two punches, then performs a jumping hip check.
Crash Bandicoot	3	Standard	N	Throws two punches, then performs a jumping hip check.
Erika Furudo	2	Standard	N	Slaps twice.
Goku	3	Choosable	N	Does an energy pulse with a hand, punches with the other hand, and then throws either a spinning back kick or a flurry of rapid kicks.
w:c:gta:Police Officer:GTA Officer	2	Standard	N	Throws two punches.
Ichigo	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then performs an overhead slash.
Jason Henerey	4	Infinite	Y	Jabs twice, strikes with his knee, and then performs a series of one-handed jabs.
Jakob Henerey	3	Standard	N	Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Justin Henerey	1	Stanard	N	Performs a backhand.
Kip	2	Standard	N	Slaps twice.
Kratos (God of War)	4	Standard	N	Throws his chains four times.
Lincoln Loud	2	Infinite	N	Swings his yo-yo.
Lucy Loud	2	Standard	N	Slaps twice.
Luffy	3	Standard	N	Throws two straight punches, then a leaning double punch.
Maria	2	Standard	N	Slaps twice.
May Belle	2	Standard	N	Slaps twice, then puts both hands on the ground.
Naruto	3	Standard	N	Throws a jab, a straight kick, and then a spinning back kick.
Neneko	1	Standard	N	Swings a 765kg hammer downwards for a slow and strong single hit.
Pecorine	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then stabs straight forwards.
Phillip Haynes	1	Standard	N	Yells "Goddamn it".
Ronove	3	Choosable	N	Throws two knifehands, then either a jab or a series of spearhand thrusts.
Sanic	3	Infinite	N	Slaps twice, then rapidly kicks.
SpongeBob	3	Standard	N	Throws two straight punches, then a leaning double punch.
Spyro	3	Standard	N	Throws alternating swipes with his claws, then slashes his wing upwards and inwards.
Vegeta	2	Standard	N	Base/Super Saiyan: Does an energy pulse with a hand, then punches with the other hand. Oozaru: Punches forwards, then uppercuts.
Willard	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then stabs straight forwards.
Yuuki	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then stabs straight forwards.
Zuri	3	Standard	N	Throws two jabs and then performs a spinning roundhouse kick.

Debuting in Super Smash Bros. PHAILURE

Character	Stages	Last stage	Cons.	Description
3430's Jakob	1	Standard	Y	Pees.
Ario	3	Standard	Y	Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Brawl Captain Falcon	4	Infinite	Y	Jabs twice, strikes with his knee, and then performs a series of one-handed jabs.
Brawl Diddy Kong	3	Choosable	N	Slaps twice, then either kicks forward or rapidly flicks his tail around in front of himself.
Brawl Donkey Kong	2	Standard	N	Punches forwards, then uppercuts.
Brawl Mario	3	Infinite	N	Throws two punches, then the Fire Breath.
Brawl Samus	2	Standard	N	Jabs, then clubs downwards with her Arm Cannon.
Brawl Sonic	2	Standard	N	Jabs, then clubs downwards with his left arm.
Brawl Zero Suit Samus	3	Infinite	N	Palm strike, pistol whip, then a series of ankle kicks.
Chaos Luigi	3	Standard	Y	Throws two punches, then performs a jumping hip check.
Clown Mario	3	Standard	Y	Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Dark Jigglypuff	2	Standard	Y	Throws two alternating punches.
Dark Luigi	1	Standard	N	Delivers one strong jab with his right hand.
Dark Ness	1	Standard	N	Slashes with a knife.
Dark Olimar	2	Standard	N	Throws two leaning punches.
Drinkp	3	Choosable	N	Slashes twice with the Master Sword, then either stabs forwards a single time or performs a very fast series of forwards stabs.
Eatpoo	3	Choosable	N	Slashes twice with the Master Sword, then either stabs forwards a single time or performs a very fast series of forwards stabs.
Eatpoo2	3	Choosable	N	Slashes twice with the Master Sword, then either stabs forwards a single time or performs a very fast series of forwards stabs.
Melee Captain Falcon	4	Infinite	N	Jabs twice, strikes with his knee, and then performs a series of one-handed jabs.
Melee Luigi	3	Standard	N	Throws two punches, then performs a jumping hip check.
Melee Mario	3	Standard	N	Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Super Smash Blast Kirby	1	Infinite	Y	Swallows.
Super Smash Blast Mario	3	Standard	Y	Throws two punches, then a straight kick.
Super Smash Blast Roll	2	Standard	N	Throws two punches.
Super Smash Blast X	3	Standard	N	Fires the X Buster straight ahead up to three times in a row.
Super Smash Blast Zero	3	Standard	N	Slashes twice, then performs an overhead slash.
Sonic Worldnic	1	Standard	N	Swings leg around and comes back in the same position.	Tinkeegee Winkeegee	1	Standard	N	Uses Tinkeegee Winkeegee Punch.

Attacks
Standard ground attacks	Neutral attack - Dash attack
Tilt attacks	Forward tilt - Up tilt - Down tilt
Smash attacks	Forward smash - Up smash - Down smash
Aerial attacks	Neutral aerial - Forward aerial - Back aerial - Up aerial - Down aerial - Grab aerial - Glide attack
Throws	Grab - Pummel - Forward throw - Back throw - Up throw - Down throw
Get-up attacks	Floor attack - Edge attack
Special Moves	Neutral special move - Side special move - Up special move - Down special move - Final Smash - Final Bash