How to Use Final Smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate

If you’re a Super Smash Bros fan or a fighting genre fan in general, there’s probably one move that always gets your heart rate up – the Final Smash. It can be devastating, risky, flashy, you name it. Its use is always circumstantial and the best players know how to maximize its potential.

Luckily pulling it off is available to everyone from novices to expert players.

How to Use a Final Smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Before you can use the Final Smash ability you have to unlock it. It’s pretty similar to any other arcade-style fighting game.

But, unlike other titles in this genre, in Super Smash Bros Ultimate you can unlock your most powerful move in two ways.

The classic method involves performing moves until you fill up the meter.

However, you also have an alternative. Any stage in the game can give you a Smash Ball. If you break open the item you can unlock your Final Smash, regardless of how much of the meter you’ve filled before.

Once either condition is met, press the B button (or whatever else you assigned for the move) to perform your Final Smash.

To recap:

1. Fill the meter or smash the ball.
   
2. Watch for the character to display a blue glow.
   
3. Press the button assigned to this special move (B is the default key).

Pro Tip – During some Final Flashes, you’ll want to avoid using the directional keypad at the same time as executing the move. Prompting the character to move while pressing B will cancel your Final Smash.

A List of Final Smashes

Over the years, the game’s mechanics have been improved and the rosters updated with new talent. As of right now, Super Smash Bros Ultimate features an impressive collection of over 80 playable characters (including DLC additions).

While some character animations may seem similar after some playtime, the same can’t be said about the Final Smashes.

Each fighter has their own signature move. Why is this important to remember? It’s because landing the Final Smash can be different from one character to another.

With a few exceptions, all characters have only one Final Smash.

Keep in mind that distance matters. Some characters in the game can land their Final Smash moves from far away.

On the other hand, others need to stand close to their opponent to activate and make it count. An example of this is Donkey Kong.

It’s also worth noting that the Final Smashes fit in one of four categories:

1. Directional
2. Focused
3. Stage-wide
4. Trapping
   

Here’s a list of all the Final Smashes by category.

Directional

Character	Final Smash
Chrom	Awakening Aether
Dark Pit	Dark Pit Staff
Dark Samus	Phazon Laser
Dr. Mario	Doctor Finale
Ganondorf	Beast Ganon
Inkling	Killer Wail
Link	Ancient Bow and Arrow
Lucario	Aura Storm
Lucina	Critical Hit
Mario	Mario Finale
Marth	Critical Hit
Mewtwo	Psystrike
Mii Gunner	Full Blast
Mii Swordfighter	Final Edge
Mr. Game & Watch	Octopus
R.O.B	Guided Robo Beam
Ryu	Shinku Hadoken
Samus	Zero Laser
Wii Fit Trainer	Wii Fit

Focused

Character	Final Smash
Daisy	Daisy Blossom
Jigglypuff	Puff Up
Ken	Shinryuken
Peach	Peach Blossom
Roy	Critical Hit

Stage-Wide

Character	Final Smash
Bowser	Giga Bowser Punch
Bowser Jr.	Shadow Mario Paint
Diddy Kong	Hyper Rocket Barrel
Donkey Kong	Jungle Rush
Ice Climbers	Iceberg
Lucas	PK Starstorm
Ness	PK Starstorm
Olimar	End of Day
Pac-Man	Super Pac-Man
Piranha Plant	Petey Piranha
Pit	Lightning Chariot
Rosalina & Luma	Grand Star
Snake	Covering Fire
Sonic	Super Sonic
Zero Suit Samus	Zero Laser

Trapping

Character	Final Smash
Banjo & Kazooie	The Mighty Jinjonator
Bayonetta	Infernal Climax
Byleth	Progenitor God Ruptured Heaven
Captain Falcon	Blue Falcon
Cloud	Omnislash
Corrin	Torrential Roar
Diddy King	Hyper Rocket Barrel
Duck Hunt	NES Zapper Posse
Falco	Team Star Fox
Fox	Team Star Fox
Greninja	Secret Ninja Attack
Hero	Gigaslash
Incineroar	Max Malicious Moonsault
Ike	Great Aether
Isabelle	Dream Town Hall
Joker	All-Out Attack
Ken	Shippu Jinraikyaku
King Dedede	Dede-rush
King K. Rool	Blast-O-Matic
Kirby	Ultra-Sword
Little Mac	Giga Mac Rush
Luigi	Poltergust G-00
Mega Man	Mega Legends
Meta Knight	Darkness Illusion
Mii Brawler	Omega Blitz
Min Min	ARMS Rush
Mythra	Sacred Arrow
Palutena	Black Hole Laser
Pichu	Volt Tackle
Pikachu	Volt Tackle
Pokemon Trainer	Triple Finish
Richter	Grand Cross
Ridley	Plasma Scream
Robin	Pair Up
Roy	Critical Hit
Ryu	Shin Shoryuken
Sepiroth	Supernova
Sheik	Sheikah Dance
Shulk	Chain Attack
Simon	Grand Cross
Steve	House of Boom
Terry	Triple Wolf
Toon Link	Triforce Slash
Villager	Dream home
Wario	Wario-Man
Wolf	Team Star Wolf
Yoshi	Stampede!
Young Link	Triforce Smash
Zelda	Triforce of Wisdom

Note that while some signature moves names repeat, the animations are different. And some characters have Final Smashes that fit into two categories; thus, they can accomplish two goals during a match.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Final Smash FAQs

What is a directional final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?

A directional Final Smash is a ranged signature move. It doesn’t usually have a high damage output but it compensates for that with extra range. The directional aspect allows the player to aim the move.

What is a trapping final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?

This is an AOE signature move. A trapping Final Smash will target an area, grab the character, and hit them multiple times.

Usually, this AOE move can only be executed when in close proximity to the defender. The reward for risking closing the distance is a high attack power.

What is a stage-wide final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?

A stage-wide Final Smash is an attack that affects the entire stage. Defenders can’t find hiding spots. However, the larger the stage, the less devastating the attack.

Hence why character selection matters, depending on the arena.

What is a focused final smash in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?

Similar to the trapping Final Smash, the focused moves need to be performed while close to the opponent. But, one advantage of the focused style of attack is that it can catch defenders sitting in front or behind the attacker.

It’s best to use characters with focused Final Smashes on smaller stages to limit the possibility of escape.

Final Smashes, Finally Improved

If you’ve played previous games in the franchise, you’re probably familiar with some of the glitches, complaints, and so on.

It looks like Super Smash Bros Ultimate finally addressed some issues. Removing most player-controlled moves from the game made the Final Smashes more visually appealing. The cinematic elements speed up the game.

Furthermore, reducing the KO potential allows for longer matches and enables players to get more creative with building meters, using special moves, and controlling the stage.

These are still some of the most powerful moves in the game and can change the outcome of a match when used correctly. But, with lower damage and limited player control, their integration is much smoother.

What’s your favorite way to use a Final Smash? Are you the type to hoard the meter until you’re certain you can deliver a cinematic KO? Or do you like using your signature move off cooldown?

Tell us about your preferred strategies and styles of Final Smashes in the comments section below.