Standard Attack

A Standing Attack is the most basic of attacks in the Super Smash Bros. series, used by all characters. It is performed by pressing the attack button while not pressing in an upward, forward, backward or downward direction. A Standing Attack can be used as a starter for a combo of other more powerful attacks. Some characters' Standing Attacks involve multiple hits.

Samus's Standing Attack has remained consistent throughout the series. It involves two hits: a quick jab with her Arm Cannon, followed by a forearm club-like Cannon swipe. In Super Smash Bros. and all subsequent games, the first hit deals 3% damage, and the second 7%. It is easy for Samus's opponent(s) to shield or shield grab the second hit, making it harder for Samus to connect both hits. The attack is best used to short-stop close opponents. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the knockback of the second hit is slightly higher. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, the second hit deals 1 more percentage point of damage, at 8%. However, the first hit now has decreased hitstun and increased knockback growth. This allows opponents to use their shield against the second hit or even causes them to be launched out of range before the second hit can land, rendering it pointless. The competitive Smash community considers Samus's Standing Attack to be overall mediocre, with very little potential to KO opponents. Dark Samus's Standing Attack is likely the same.

Zero Suit Samus's Standing Attack has also remained the same for all of her appearances since Brawl. It is a three-hit combo of punching attacks in quick succession: a knifehand strike, a pistol whip, and 12-6 elbow strike. The first hit is one of the fastest moves in the game, and holding down A will cause Zero Suit Samus to rapidly repeat the strike. The first two hits deal 2% damage, and the third 3%. In for 3DS and Wii U, the speed of the 12-6 strike functions as an unexpected setup into her Boost Kick attack when her opponents are at medium to high damage percentages. It can also interrupt incoming attacks. The first two hits were slightly nerfed in for 3DS and Wii U, now dealing a half percentage less damage (2% → 1.5%), however, they do have increased fixed knockback, which allows the hits to connect together more easily, and decreases the possibility of opponents overpowering Zero Suit Samus.

Ridley's Standing Attack is also a trio of jabs with his right, left and right talons. Ridley torques as he makes each jab. If the third connects with an opponent, he will rapidly jab them with his tail, which causes heavy damage if used.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Prima Official Game Guide

 * Samus:Damage 3%, 8%
 * "A jab that goes into a downward swing of her arm cannon that pushes opponents back."


 * Zero Suit Samus:Damage 1.5%, 1.5%, 3%
 * "An extremely quick jab attack leading into two additional hits that combo and ending with a blow."