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Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Wii U Falco.png
  • 3DS unlock conditions: Clear Classic Mode without using any continues or play 20 Vs. Matches, then defeat Falco on Corneria.
  • Wii U unlock conditions: Clear Classic Mode on any intensity or play 10 Vs. Matches, then defeat Falco on Orbital Gate Assault.

Star Fox's ace space pilot returns with some big changes. As Fox's wingman, Falco shares several moves with his team captain, but plays very different from Fox. While Fox relies on his blindingly high speed and strong offense, Falco's strengths lie in his strong aerial combat capabilities and well-rounded moveset. With a decent projectile, nice combos and good KO moves, Falco is a solid, all-around character. Falco's main weakness is his lack of mobility due to his poor ground and air speeds. While he is not nearly as strong as any of his past iterations, Falco is still very much a strong and capable fighter.

Basic attributes[edit]

Falco's weight is on the lighter end of the spectrum, around the level of Sheik but heavier than Fox. His dash speed is a far cry from Fox's, getting outrun by the likes of Ike and Samus. His lateral air speed is also below average, but he makes up for it with his impressive jumps, one of the highest, if not the highest jumper in the game. Like Fox, Falco can wall jump.


Moveset Analysis[edit]

Standard Attacks

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
A button(+A buttonA buttonA button) A button(+A buttonA buttonA button) 2 button(+2 button2 button2 button) Wing Turbine Falco slashes two times with his wings, then spins around with his limbs extended indefinitely. Upon releasing the button, he will finish with a strong wing swipe. Like many Standard Attacks, this move is fantastic for poking or interrupting moves at close range. It starts fast and ends fast, making it a pretty safe move in general. The hits don't combo too well together, so you should end the repeating attack as soon as possible. The first two hits can combo into Falco's other attacks, sometimes even KO moves!
A button(+A buttonA buttonA button) A button(+A buttonA buttonA button) A button(+A buttonA buttonA button)
(Left lstick or Right lstick)+A button (Left nunchuk or Right nunchuk)+A button (Left dpad or Right dpad)+2 button Steel Boot Falco kicks forward. This attack can be angled up or down with the control stick. This move is a decent spacing tool while on the ground. It is very fast and has more range than your Standard Attack, making it a useful attack to poke at foes from mid-range. Its knockback is pretty good, but the animation is a bit long which limits it to being used defensively. Use the attack's angling feature to strike foes coming from the air, or even those hanging off the ledge.
(Left lstick or Right lstick)+A button (Left control or Right control)+A button (Left cpad or Right cpad)+A button
Up lstick+A button Up nunchuk+A button Up dpad+2 button Wing Blades Falco slashes twice above him with his wings. This move starts really quickly, but its duration is a bit too long, making it easy to punish if you use it carelessly. However, it is still a useful move due to its reach. Falco's wings move in an arched manner, and the initial hit can strike grounded foes very quickly, launching them airborne. It also has great vertical range, letting it fulfill the role of an anti-air. Since it does moderate upward knockback, you can often combo this move into your aerial attacks.
Up lstick+A button Up control+A button Up cpad+A button
Down lstick+A button Down nunchuk+A button Down dpad+2 button Tail Slash Falco sweeps low with his tail. This move doesn't have as much range as the rest of Falco's ground moves, but it is both strong and very quick. The attack launches enemies upward when hit, dealing more knockback when you're closer to your target. At low percents, its upward knockback can combo into Falco's aerial moves. It also deals enough knockback to serve as a KO move at high percents, but it shouldn't be an option you rely on due to its iffy range.
Down lstick+A button Down control+A button Down cpad+A button
A button while dashing A button while dashing 2 button while dashing Avian Lunge Falco charges forward and kicks. This move is a standard Dash Attack. It is decently fast, shifts Falco's position quickly and launches foes forward at an angle. It suffers from a common flaw of dash attacks, that is, it can easily be punished if you hit a shielded opponent, so you'd want to use it for your own punishes or to catch foes trying to land. It is also a simple combo followup that sends foes airborne, which can lead to subsequent followups as well.
A button while dashing A button while dashing A button while dashing
A button while hanging A button while hanging 2 button while hanging Falco climbs up and sweeps with both legs.
A button while hanging A button while hanging A button while hanging

Smash Attacks

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
Smash (Left lstick or Right lstick)+A button Smash (Left nunchuk or Right nunchuk)+A button (Left dpad or Right dpad)+1 button+2 button Wing Guillotine Falco slashes with both wings down. This move is Falco's strongest smash attack, but its power decreases dramatically if you strike during the later half of the move. This move is brutal if you land its sweetspot, capable of KOing quite early if you do it near the ledge. Unfortunately, it has some significant windup before the attack hits which lets opponents shield or dodge on reaction, after which you'll be open to punishes. Save it for a raw punish of your own, particularly if your foe has just overshot the ledge by recovering too high.
Smash (Left lstick or Right lstick)+A button Smash (Left control or Right control)+A button Smash (Left cpad or Right cpad)+A button
Smash Up lstick+A button Smash Up nunchuk+A button Up dpad+1 button+2 button Two-Strike Flip Falco performs a flip kick. While they share similar animations, Falco's Up Smash is a far cry from Fox's lightning fast finisher. It is much weaker than Falco's Side Smash, and it consists of two separate hits that usually chain into each other: the initial weak hit at the front which sets up for the full power strike at the end. It can be used as a KO move, but due to its nice reach it is also used as an anti-air or a damaging combo follow-up. Due to how the hitboxes are arranged on this move, you are more likely to land a strong hit on an opponent behind you than with other similar flip kick smashes.
Smash Up lstick+A button Smash Up control+A button Smash Up cpad+A button
Smash Down lstick+A button Smash Down nunchuk+A button Down dpad+1 button+2 button Split Strike Falco performs a split kick. This move is Falco's fastest smash attack. While it does not have as much KO potential as your other smash attacks, its strength lies in its amazing knockback trajectory, specifically when you hit foes with your feet. The move launches foes at a nearly flat horizontal trajectory, which often knocks them offstage and can be really difficult to recover from for some characters. Its low hitboxes also lets it hit foes hanging from the ledge, making it an effective edgeguarding tool.
Smash Down lstick+A button Smash Down control+A button Smash Down cpad+A button

Air Attacks

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png 2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Feather Twister Falco spins around with his wings out. This move is Falco's fastest air attack and covers a nice area around Falco, so it is a decent defensive move to use while airborne. The multiple hits don't chain into each other very well, and they deal little damage, so they aren't really useful on offense. You can sometimes followup with grabs or ground attacks if you land during a Neutral Air due to its relatively low landing lag.
A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png
Right lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Right nunchuk+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Right dpad+2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Beak Drill Falco spins around with his beak pointing outwards. Although its plagued by significant landing lag and is awkward to use, Falco's Forward Air makes up a pretty big part of his playstyle. While it is not the most damaging move he has, Forward Air's multiple hits will trap opponents, dragging them along with you, before launching them away. This trapping ability makes it amazing for edgeguarding, since you can use it offstage, drag a foe down with Forward Air and knock them further away from the ledge. It is also a good combo follow-up.
Right lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Right control+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Right cpad+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png
Left lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Left nunchuk+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Left dpad+2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Boot Smash Falco kicks backward. This is Falco's bread-and-butter attack. It is fast, has good range and does great knockback. It is a reliable follow-up from most combo starters, and it can be used to space opponents out due to how spammable it is. Its knockback serves to stuff enemy approaches, and also makes it a valuable tool when edgeguarding. It even has some KO potential at high percents, giving you a fast and safe desperation KO move when the match drags on for too long.
Left lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Left control+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Left cpad+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png
Up lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Up nunchuk+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Up dpad+2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Avian Flip Falco performs an airborne flip kick. This move is a great juggling tool. While it's not comparable to Mario or Captain Falcon's flip kicks, it still has a nice arc and mild vertical knockback that sets up potential followups. Its horizontal reach is decent, enough to be used as an airborne vertical launcher. Furthermore, it can even be used to KO at high percents, especially when you land a hit near the top of the screen.
Up lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Up control+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Up cpad+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png
Down lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Down nunchuk+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Down dpad+2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Spin Stomp Falco winds up and kicks downward. Falco's notorious meteor smash is heavily toned down in terms of speed, so it is much harder to land this attack than in previous games. However, he still keeps the move's power, giving him a very strong meteor smash. Its long windup and landing lag makes it inadvisable to use too much during normal combat, but it is possible to insert it during a combo to knock foes up. Offstage, landing the meteor smash all but guarantees a KO, and even hitting with the late hit knocks foes further away from the stage.
Down lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Down control+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Down cpad+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png

Throws

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
A button after grab A button after grab 2 button after grab Bird's Knees Falco knees the grabbed opponent. This grab attack does low damage but is quite quick. Like all grab attacks, you'll be using this attack only to rack on extra damage off of a grab.
A button after grab A button after grab A button after grab
Right lstick after grab Right nunchuk after grab Right dpad after grab Wing Smack Falco slaps the grabbed opponent forward. This is a standard sideways throw and is used in a pretty generic manner. It does moderate sideways knockback, so it is suitable for repositioning yourself or launching foes offstage for an edgeguard. However, it is overshadowed most of the time by Down Throw, which not only sends foes at a similar angle but has lower knockback to allow for combos. Forward Throw is the most damaging throw you have, so it can also be used to rack up raw damage at higher percents.
Right lstick after grab Right control after grab Right cpad after grab
Left lstick after grab Left nunchuk after grab Left dpad after grab Laser Cluster Falco tosses the grabbed opponent backward and fires a volley of shots at them. This throw is very similar in function to forward throw and might even be the better choice due to its greater knockback. It sends foes quite a distance even at low percents so you have an easier time launching them offstage, setting up an edgeguard. It is the second most damaging throw Falco has and is a good alternative when your back is to the ledge.
Left lstick after grab Left control after grab Left cpad after grab
Up lstick after grab Up nunchuk after grab Up dpad after grab Sky Scattershot Falco tosses the grabbed opponent upward and fires a volley of shots up at them. For many characters, this throw would usually be useless, since it does too much knockback for KOs and too little knockback for combos. However, this is not necessarily the case for Falco. Since he can jump so high, Up Throw can actually combo into some of Falco's aerials. Down Throw is still often the better option, but the occasional Up Throw can catch your enemies by surprise.
Up lstick after grab Up control after grab Up cpad after grab
Down lstick after grab Down nunchuk after grab Down dpad after grab Blaster Rain Falco slams the grabbed opponent on the ground and fires blaster shots into them. This is Falco's primary throw and his main combo starter. It deals low knockback and sends foes at a diagonal trajectory, letting you follow up with a variety of attacks both grounded and airborne. It does the least damage out of any of Falco's throws, but makes up for it with the reliable damage you can add on with follow-ups.
Down lstick after grab Down control after grab Down cpad after grab

Special Attacks[edit]

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
B button B button 1 button Blaster Falco fires fast-moving shots with his blaster. The shots are weak but cause flinching. What was once one of the most annoying projectiles in the game is now merely a shell of its former self. Unlike previous games, Falco cannot cancel the move's ending animation, which greatly reduces the move's spammability and leaves him open to attack if an opponent gets close. The blaster's slow firing rate keeps it from walling out characters, so it is not a good zoning tool. Nevertheless, it is still fast and can't be canceled out by other projectiles. Most of the time, it is used simply to disrupt foes, particularly for interrupting charge moves.
B button B button B button
Explosive Blaster Falco's blaster has a lower firing rate and range, but explodes at max range. The shot does pushback before it explodes. This variant is a single-shot projectile, so its use is naturally more deliberate. Its ending animation is significantly long, so you'll likely eat a punish if you miss and an opponent is close. The range of the projectile is constant, so learn to space it precisely if you insist on using it. The explosion tends to launch foes opponents toward you, letting you follow-up with attacks, even KO moves.
Burst Blaster Falco's blaster behaves more like Fox's, gaining a faster firing rate but no longer flinching foes. Compared to Fox's Blaster, it has less range, damage and fire rate but ends quicker. It has no stopping power, but it is much more usable due to its faster speed. It is great for forcing approaches and just generally racking up damage, but you should only use it from a distance so the move ends before your enemies get too close.
(Left lstick or Right lstick)+B button (Left nunchuk or Right nunchuk)+B button (Left dpad or Right dpad)+1 button Falco Phantasm Falco zips forward, attacking with his afterimage. Unlike Fox Illusion, Falco Phantasm meteor smashes airborne foes. This move should be Falco's primary recovery move, since Fire Bird is always a worse option when you are above or level with the ledge. Even though Falco can be hit out of the move at any time, he moves so incredibly fast that he is virtually impossible to hit. An improvement over his previous iterations is that Falco no longer enters helpless freefall after using Falco Phantasm, letting him further extend his recovery with Fire Bird. As an attack, it's weak and doesn't lead into anything. The meteor smash can cause unexpected edgeguards if you hit a foe with a poor recovery offstage though.
(Left lstick or Right lstick)+B button (Left control or Right control)+B button (Left cpad or Right cpad)+B button
Falco Phase Falco zips forward while invincible, but the move cannot harm enemies. It also travels a slightly shorter distance and takes longer before you can act out of it. Even though its distance is decreased, Falco Phase is still obviously specialized for recovery. Having complete invulnerability as you zip through the air guarantees that you will be completely safe from being edgeguarded. Unfortunately, its lower distance and long ending state makes it worse when you're launched very far horizontally, since if Falco Phase misses the ledge you'll be forced to use your Up Special much lower than with the default. Its total invincibility is also useful against heavy projectile spam, letting you zip past your foe's defenses without fail.
Falco Charge Falco shoots forward, striking with greater force at the cost of distance. The move's sweetspot is located at the start of the attack, gaining increased knockback and launching foes at a lower angle. This special move is practically useless. It is obviously worse as a recovery due to its reduced speed and distance. However, it's not a good attack either. The only worthwhile hit is at the very beginning of the move, and the windup is too long for you to hit it realistically. It doesn't even have as much KO potential as other, safer moves, giving this custom move no redeeming qualities.
Up lstick+B button Up nunchuk+B button Up dpad+1 button Fire Bird Falco surrounds himself in fire and lunges in the chosen direction. Unlike Fox, Falco's Up Special has less distance and doesn't harm foes while Falco is still charging. This is Falco's vertical and diagonal recovery move, but it's not a very good one. Its distance is mediocre compared to other recovery moves in the game, and leaves Falco completely vulnerable to attacks during the lengthy charging period. Therefore, you should try to limit your use of Fire Bird, saving it only when you're too low for Falco Phantasm.
Up lstick+B button Up control+B button Up cpad+B button
Fast Fire Bird Falco launches in the chosen direction almost instantly, but the distance is decreased. Fast Fire Bird cripples Falco's recovery, traveling roughly as much distance as Little Mac's Up Special. However, its main draw is not as a recovery move, but as an attack. Fast Fire Bird is basically an offensive Falco Phantasm. It starts sooner and quickly propels Falco in your chosen direction, letting you close the distance with your foes in a blink of an eye. Fast Fire Bird is also a dangerous onstage movement option. When angled correctly, Falco will slide a fair distance after the move, which is useful for quick escapes, or land in a neutral state where he can instantly use any attack, making it a deadly surprise maneuver.
Distant Fire Bird Falco takes longer to charge up the move, but can fly further than Fox's default Fire Fox. Distant Fire Bird fixes all of Fire Bird's problems with negligible drawbacks of its own. Its increased distance gives Falco legendary recovery distance when combined with his high jumps and Falco Phantasm. Its long charge time is less of a problem as well, because it is riskier and takes longer to reach and attack Falco when you use this move far from the stage. The increased recovery lets you be more daring offstage, complementing Falco's strong aerial game excellently.
Down lstick+B button Down nunchuk+B button Down dpad+1 button Reflector Falco kicks a hexagonal energy barrier forward, reflecting projectiles as well as attacking foes from a distance. The reflected projectiles are faster and stronger. Falco's Reflector is very unique in that it has a fairly strict reflection window, but the move can be used as a ranged attack. As a reflector, the move's function is pretty self-explanatory, although it is easier to reflect things when the barrier is moving away from Falco than when its retracting due to the nature of projectiles. As an attack, it is fast and has great range albeit with low knockback. This move tends to trip foes at low percents, giving you an opportunity to start a combo.
Down lstick+B button Down control+B button Down cpad+B button
Accele-Reflector Falco's reflector is weaker and only reflects while it is travelling away from Falco, but reflected projectiles are greatly enhanced in speed. The in-game description of the move is a bit misleading: it only amplifies the speed of the projectile; the projectile's power is unchanged and weaker than one reflected by the default Reflector. This custom move is pretty terrible, as it sacrifices too many perks for a minor benefit. The increased speed of the reflected projectiles lets them hit their original users before they can shield or dodge, but the normal Reflector already does this consistently. The smaller reflection window forces you to react faster, and the direct attack is both slower and weaker, making this variant overall a poor substitute of the default.
Reflector Void Falco's reflector destroys energy projectiles instead, while doing greater damage and knockback to foes. Oddly, while it completely nullifies most energy projectiles, it can still reflect physical projectiles like Samus's missiles, albeit in a weakened state. The direct attack is of course the main draw of this move. While it is slower than the default, it still boasts the range of the normal Reflector, but now it can actually launch foes. This increased power makes it worse for combos, but in return provides Falco with a strong ranged move.

Taunts

Control Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
Up dpad 1 button Up dpad+A button Falco kicks his reflector behind and over him two times while saying "Piece of cake."
Up dpad Up dpad Up dpad
(Left dpad or Right dpad) 1 button+2 button A button Falco holds his wing up high and says "Get some."
(Left dpad or Right dpad) (Left dpad or Right dpad) (Left dpad or Right dpad)
Down dpad 2 button Down dpad+A button Falco spins around and poses, saying "Hands off my prey!"
Down dpad Down dpad Down dpad

Final Smash - Landmaster[edit]

Falco jumps up and enters his own Landmaster. Like Fox, Falco's Landmaster can harm foes just by running into them, perform barrel rolls, fly, and unleash powerful cannon shots. It is weaker than Fox's Landmaster in many aspects, such as taking longer to turn around and having a weaker cannon shot. However, it is modified for aerial combat, with more powerful jets that give Falco better aerial mobility.

For the most part, you should use Falco's Landmaster as if it were Fox's. Use your massive frame to ram into foes and enemies, then fire your cannon to target distant opponents. Your Landmaster's improved jets also give you a new and effective tactic. Whenever you find a foe standing on top of the Landmaster, you can quickly ascend to the top of the screen, KOing them off the top regardless of damage. Enemies will inevitably end up on your huge body, and if you can rise up before they run off, you can get some easy KOs.