Arcing-fireball attack

The arcing-fireball attack is an attack used by Proteus Ridley at the end of Metroid: Samus Returns. From the air, he will fire a spreading arc of five blue fire balls at Samus, which cause severe damage if they hit her. He always takes a moment to charge fire energy in his mouth before releasing it, which is a telegraph to Samus that he will use the attack.

It is used in the first and second phases of the battle, and often after or before Ridley stabs at Samus with his tail. When on the ground, Ridley will also fire straight fireballs. In the final phase, Proteus Ridley switches to the fireball shockwave, which can be distinguished from the arcing-fireball attack as he will fly above and begin to charge a blast with his mouth pointed to the ground. He does not do this when he is about to shoot fireballs in an arc.

Metroid: Samus Returns Official Guide

 * Page 214:"Proteus Ridley has two new attacks to watch out for: the fireball shockwave and the hyper claw slash. You know the fireball shockwave is coming when Proteus Ridley flies overhead and his mouth fills with those familiar purple flames. His mouth points to the ground, which is how you differentiate this new attack from his arcing-fireball attack. When you spot the tell, start Space Jumping away from him. He shoots the fireball straight to the ground, creating a shockwave that ignites most of the ground space visible on your screen."