Thunder

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Thunder is Pikachu and Pichu's Down Special Move.

In Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, only Pikachu has this move. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, both Pikachu and Pichu have it.

In Super Smash Bros., this move has infinite vertical range and thus can be used to score KO's when an opponent is near the upper Blast line. This is called thunderspiking, and can lead to much lower damage kills. As a result, Pikachu players try to integrate it into their combos as often as they can, typically after an up-smash.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Pikachu/Pichu call out and a cloud appears high above them, a lightning bolt then strikes down from it, hitting either the first platform or Pikachu/Pichu themselves. If Pikachu/Pichu are hit an extra explosion of electrical energy is created that can do extra damage. Pichu incurs 3% damage if the bolt strikes it, making it the only special Pichu has that might not damage it and only pichu can use thunder and then combo into it(only on fast fallers)

While it may seem that this move does not have a cloud, it does, but it is not very apparent unless on stages such as Hyrule Temple.

In Brawl and Melee, the thunder portion of the attack is considered a projectile and can be reflected back at Pikachu or absorbed for health. The explosion can not however. Also in Brawl, Thunder can pass through platforms that are close enough to the cloud. This is best seen in Hyrule Temple if Pikachu uses Thunder on the bottom portion of the stage. Also in Brawl and Melee, the off screen cloud portion of the thunder attack can be used as a KO hit if the player being hit is high enough in the air. Pikachu is helpless while initiating Thunder.

An interesting property of this is that if this attack connects with Pikachu in mid-air, Pikachu will bounce upwards a bit. Due to its startup time, it won't aid much in recovery, but is useful to Guard Break, especially against spikers. If used near the edge of a stage, the Thunder can create a wall of electricity to prevent a recovering opponent (especially if Thunder Jolts are sent out beforehand), best if they try to go for the ledge.

Pichu's Thunder deals more hits and has slightly more vertical knockback than Melee Pikachu's Thunder.

[edit] Origin

The move is based on a similar move in the Pokémon games that is known for its high damage, but somewhat low accuracy. However, if it is raining it becomes 100% accurate and even has a 30% chance to break through the move "Protect." Even without rain, the move is capable of hitting double damage on an opponent that is in the flying stage. (After you use the move "Fly" or "Bounce" but before it strikes.) Another advantage over the generally better Thunderbolt is its 30% chance of paralysis. In the anime, all Pokémon using Thunder sends a single, powerful explosion-like blast away from the user, as opposed to a lightning bolt towards the user.

Pikachu's Special Moves
Standard Special Move:	Thunder Jolt
Side Special Move1:	Skull Bash
Up Special Move:	Quick Attack
Down Special Move:	Thunder
Final Smash2:	Volt Tackle
1: In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl only. 2: In Super Smash Bros. Brawl only.

Pichu's Special Moves
Standard Special Move:	Thunder Jolt
Side Special Move:	Skull Bash
Up Special Move:	Agility
Down Special Move:	Thunder