Hero’s 21 Spells in Smash Ultimate

Hero from the Dragon Quest series brings a unique magical arsenal to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate through his Down Special, Command Selection. This mechanic summons a menu of four randomly selected spells from a pool of 21 options, each costing MP (Magic Points) that regenerates over time. Players must strategically choose spells for offense, defense, recovery, or buffs, adapting to the random draws. Understanding each spell’s properties is essential for maximizing Hero’s potential in competitive play.

Understanding Command Selection Mechanics

Activating Command Selection pauses Hero in a thinking pose, displaying four spells. Spells won’t repeat in the same menu or consecutively, and certain combinations are excluded to balance options. MP costs range from 1 to 37, shown next to each spell name and on the MP bar. Spells fire in the direction Hero faces by default, but holding left or right tilts the angle, enabling surprise attacks from behind. Cancel by shielding to reroll the menu, ideal for fishing specific spells during safe moments like edgeguarding.

In modes like Home-Run Contest, the menu fixes to Sizzle, Kaboom, Flame Slash, and Hatchet Man. During Sudden Death, Whack’s appearance rate drops by 0.2x, while Bounce halves Oomph and Acceleratle’s odds. Zoom’s probability triples near blast zones (within 40 units), aiding recovery. Sizzle and Kaboom appear most frequently, while Hocus Pocus is rarest.

Offensive Fire Spells: Frizz Family and Explosives

Hero’s fire-based attacks dominate his projectile game, offering zoning and burst damage.

• Sizzle (イオ, Io): Costs 9 MP. Fires a small explosive flame forward at slow speed. Explodes on contact or after distance with a lingering small radius. Decent knockback, KOs vertically around 130%.
• Kaboom (イオナズン, Ionazun): 37 MP powerhouse. Fast projectile explodes with large radius on contact or distance, pulling foes in pre-blast. High knockback, KOs ~85% vertically off the top.

Lightning and Wind Projectiles for Coverage

These provide faster, multi-hit options for interrupting approaches.

Wind spells like Woosh scale in power, offering air control.

Critical Hit Enablers: Whack, Thwack, and Hatchet Man

Hero’s instant-KO potential shines here, with success tied to foe damage.

• Whack (ザキ, Zaki): 10 MP. Slow purple projectile with OHKO chance. Formula: 1 + 200×(t-20)/280 + 20×(u/300), where t=foe % (20-300), u=user %. 1% at <20%, up to 100% near 160%, +20% max if user at 300%. Flinch otherwise.
• Thwack: Higher tier instant-KO, appears with critical setups.
• Hatchet Man: Axe throw with escalating damage multipliers on repeated hits, great for shielded foes.

Melee Slashes: Flame Slash and Beyond

Close-range options for punishes.

• Flame Slash: Fiery sword swing, multi-hit with burn.
• Kacrackle Slash: Ice variant for freezing.

Defensive and Utility Buffs

Buffs transform Hero’s neutral game.

• Oomph (バイキルト, Baikiruto): 16 MP, 10s duration. 1.6x attack, 1.1x knockback given, but 1.2x damage taken. Pairs with Psyche Up for shield-breaking smashes, throws KO midweights ~100-120%.
• Acceleratle (ピオリム, Piorimu): 13 MP, 10s. Boosts speed like Lightweight, 1.1x launch rate, Sonic-fast run, massive jumps.
• Psyche Up: Copies foe’s next move buffs, synergizes with Oomph.
• Bounce: Reflects projectiles.

Recovery and Mobility: Zoom and Air Slashes

Hero’s recovery relies on these.

• Zoom (ルーラ, Rūra): 8 MP. Vertical leap past camera, random stage landing. I-frames on ascent, restores double jump, actionable on descent. Ceiling bump allows follow-ups. Triple odds near blast.

Status Effects: Sleep, Freeze, and Heal

• Snooze: Puts foes to sleep for setups.
• Kaclang: 6 MP, freezes Hero invincibly (except to Metal Slash).
• Metal Slash: 6 MP, OHKOs Kaclang’d foes.
• Heal: 7 MP, restores health.

High-Risk, High-Reward: Hocus Pocus and Kamikazee

• Hocus Pocus: 4 MP, random effect—could heal, buff, or explode self.
• Kamikazee: 1 MP, massive explosion but self-destructs.
• Magic Burst: AoE finale.

Spell Synergies and Matchup Tips

Combine buffs: Oomph + Psyche Up yields broken damage. Use Acceleratle for chase-downs. Whack/Thwack for stocks at high %. Kaboom for edgeguards. In teams, Bounce reflects campers. Against fast foes, prioritize zoning with Sizzle/Bang. MP management is key—regen slowly, so cancel unused menus.

Advanced Frame Data and Probabilities

Command Selection startup is slow, best at range. Whack reflects use new owner’s %. No Zoom in Classic Bonus. Community tiers rank Kaboom/Whack top.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Hero’s MP system?

MP bar fills over time, spent on spells. Starts full, regen slows at high usage.

Can I control spell order?

No, random with exclusions. Reroll by canceling.

Best spells for beginners?

Sizzle, Zoom, Heal—reliable damage, recovery, sustain.

How does Whack’s OHKO work exactly?

Percent-based formula caps at 120%+ reliability.

Hero vs. top tiers?

Buffs counter speedsters; projectiles zone heavies.