Who Has the Strongest Attacks in Smash? Unpacking Power in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Determining who has the absolute strongest attacks in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate isn’t as simple as pointing to one character. It’s a complex interplay of factors, including raw damage output, launch power, attack range, and even hitbox size. Instead of a single winner, we can identify several characters who excel in different aspects of raw strength and consider their most devastating moves.

Ultimately, the characters with the strongest attacks include:

• Ganondorf: Known for his immense power, Ganondorf boasts devastating smash attacks and aerials. His Warlock Punch is infamous for its knockout potential, and his forward smash is one of the strongest in the game. His neutral aerial, while not a smash, also delivers significant damage and knockback.
• Bowser: The King of Koopas has some of the most powerful raw damage dealing moves in the game, and his forward smash is a particular powerhouse. He’s also got the weight to back up his attacks, making him a tough opponent to send flying.
• Captain Falcon: The master of speed and raw power, Captain Falcon’s Falcon Punch is iconic for its almost instant kill potential. His other smash attacks also hit with significant force and send enemies flying.
• Sephiroth: This villain’s long range and powerful attacks are hard to deal with. While not as overtly strong with individual attacks as Bowser or Ganondorf, Sephiroth’s kit, when combined with his ability to store extra damage and his potential to hit for six-figure damage, makes him a contender for the absolute highest potential damage output.
• King Dedede: With his heavy attacks and impressive range, Dedede’s forward smash is a contender for the strongest in the game, both in terms of damage and knockback.
• Ike: His massive sword gives his attacks immense reach and power. Both his forward smash and his up smash can deal significant damage and knockout opponents quickly.

It’s important to note that “strongest” isn’t just about raw damage numbers. Moves that launch opponents farther, are harder to dodge, or have lingering hitboxes also contribute to their overall power. Furthermore, the most effective attack is often situational, depending on the opponent’s character, positioning, and current damage.

The Nuances of Powerful Attacks

Beyond Raw Damage: Factors of Strength

While characters like Ganondorf and Bowser are famous for their high damage numbers, other attributes contribute to a move’s perceived power:

• Launch Power: Some moves have high knockback, sending opponents flying off the screen even at lower percentages. Marth’s tippered forward smash is a prime example of a move with incredible launch power.
• Attack Range: A long-reaching attack can control space and keep opponents at bay. Sephiroth and Ike are prime examples with their swords, allowing them to apply pressure safely.
• Hitbox Size: Attacks with large hitboxes can be difficult to avoid, increasing the chance of connecting and dealing damage. Characters with wide arcs in their attacks, such as Ganondorf and Ike, often have better hitboxes.
• Speed and Startup: A powerful attack is less effective if it’s slow and easy to predict. Moves that come out quickly often give characters an advantage.

Tier Lists and Character Strength

The idea of “strongest” can also be influenced by character tier lists, which rank characters based on their overall competitive viability. Characters at the top of tier lists often have reliable kill options and powerful moves, but a character being higher on a tier list does not necessarily make them have the strongest single attack. Characters like Pikachu, Kirby, and Steve are often considered top-tier characters, but their strength comes more from their overall kits and versatility than possessing the single hardest-hitting move.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an F-Smash?

An F-Smash, or forward smash, is a powerful attack performed by quickly tilting the control stick to the side while pressing the attack button. These moves are often slower, but they deal significant damage and knockback.

2. Who has the highest damage output with a single hit?

While raw single hit damage will generally go to heavy hitting fighters, Sephiroth has the potential for the highest single-hit damage in the game by utilizing his ability to store up extra damage.

3. What makes Captain Falcon’s Falcon Punch so strong?

The Falcon Punch is powerful due to its high base damage, high launch power, and the fact that it can kill at very low percentages if it connects. It’s also iconic, making it a move feared by all opponents.

4. Are there characters that rely on combos instead of raw power?

Absolutely. Characters like Mario, Fox, and Pikachu rely on chaining attacks together to rack up damage instead of having singular, powerful knockout moves.

5. Does “strongest” mean “best” in competitive play?

Not necessarily. A move might be incredibly powerful but too slow or predictable to be reliable. A more versatile and faster move set with less power is often preferred in competitive play.

6. What is the strongest move overall in the game?

There is no one “strongest move”, but the combination of damage, range, hitbox, and overall power make attacks like Ganondorf’s forward smash and Bowser’s forward smash, alongside Sephiroth’s potential damage output, strong contenders.

7. How does a character’s weight affect their strength?

Heavier characters are generally harder to launch, which allows them to survive more powerful hits. However, they can also be easier to hit since they are often slower, but their survivability usually means they can afford to take more hits.

8. What characters are easy to learn but pack a punch?

Mario, Captain Falcon, and Ganondorf are often suggested for new players due to their straightforward playstyles and accessible power.

9. What’s the difference between launch power and damage?

Damage refers to the amount of health a character loses when hit, while launch power determines how far they get sent flying, a critical factor in securing KOs.

10. What is a “tipper” in regards to Marth’s attacks?

A tipper refers to hitting an enemy with the very tip of Marth’s sword. This significantly increases the damage and launch power of his attacks, making his forward smash deadly at its maximum range.

11. Are projectile attacks considered “strong”?

Projectiles can be incredibly strong for zoning, or controlling space, but generally do less damage and have less launch power compared to smash attacks.

12. Why is Steve considered overpowered in Smash Ultimate?

Steve has incredible stage control with his ability to place blocks. His strong defensive game, alongside gimping potential, and some hard hitting attacks, makes him extremely hard to fight against.

13. Who is considered the fastest character in Smash Ultimate?

Sonic is the fastest character in terms of running speed, however, speed and strength do not always go hand in hand.

14. Can you name a character with a devastating side special attack?

Captain Falcon’s Falcon Punch and Warlock Punch for Ganondorf are powerful side specials that can quickly KO opponents.

15. What’s the highest possible intensity setting in Smash Ultimate?

The highest intensity setting in World of Light mode is 9.9, and will increase with each win.

Understanding the nuances of “strength” in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate isn’t just about raw damage numbers. It’s about how those numbers are delivered, the reach of the attack, the speed, and the knockback. Ultimately, many factors contribute to how strong an attack is, and it depends on the character you’re playing. Mastering the ins and outs of various characters’ most devastating moves is key to dominating in the game.