Stale move negation

Stale move negation (or staling) is a mechanic that is present in all Super Smash Bros. games. Essentially, when a move is used over and over again, it will get weaker in damage and knockback until it reaches a certain limit.

In Smash, there is a staleness cue that includes the last nine moves that hit an opponent. For example, if a Mario player started the match with two up tilts, the second up tilt will be slightly weaker. If ten or more up tilts are used in a row without Mario hitting any other moves, they will all have the same damage and knockback as the ninth. Since no other moves have been used, they are considered (fresh). If Mario then does nine moves that are not up tilts, then when he uses an up tilt again, it will return to full power.

The following moves are affected by staling.


 * Tilts
 * Jabs
 * Aerials
 * Most special moves
 * Pummels
 * Throws
 * Smash attacks

However, moves that involve an item that can be carried, such as Toon Link's bombs, can never get stale. They are also not affected by rage.