PK Thunder

PK Thunder
Ness using PK Thunder.
Universe	EarthBound
User(s)	Template:Head
Effect	Ness summons a ball of electricity that can be moved freely, and it can be used to launch Ness outward.

PK Thunder (ＰＫサンダー) is Ness's up special move in Super Smash Flash 2.

Overview

When performed, Ness bends over and shouts "PK Thunder!" as he summons a ball of electricity from his head that travels straight up. Once summoned, the player loses control of Ness as he stands still or descends slowly down, and pressing any directional input will instead guide the ball of electricity in any direction. Additionally, pressing the shield input cancels the move and allows Ness to move freely while the projectile flies straight away. The projectile will disappear on its own and end the move after a certain period of time, or after hitting an opponent or platform. If the projectile hits an opponent, it deals 8% electric damage with weak knockback to the side. It can deal an additional 8% damage if the opponent is hit as Ness initially uses the move, which does not cause it to disappear.

PK Thunder 2

If the projectile is steered into Ness himself, he will use PK Thunder 2 (also called PK Rocket), which consists of him being launched in the direction opposite to where he is hit with electricity surrounding him, traveling a considerable distance, being left helpless after the move ends if he is in the air. Opponents that come into contact with Ness as he is using it are dealt 20% electric damage (25% if hit as he initially launches) with massive knockback. This is also his main recovery method, though aiming the projectile incorrectly can launch Ness in the wrong direction and lead to a self-destruct.

Origin

PSI Thunder β in Mother 3.

PK Thunder (localized as PSI Thunder in EarthBound) first appeared in EarthBound Beginnings and has appeared in all of the EarthBound games since. In all of them, the move involves using the character's psychic power to send lightning at the enemy. However, Ness could not learn the move in EarthBound; instead it is learned by his party members Paula and Poo.

The move's description in EarthBound states that the user could miss the target and not cause any damage to the enemy. The difficulty of using PK Thunder in SSF2 could be a reference to how PK Thunder can sometimes miss enemies in EarthBound. The move's recovery properties are somewhat similar to Teleport α, where the party's speed is increased greatly, to the point of being difficult to control, and explode if they hit a solid object before covering sufficient ground to warp.

Gallery

Screenshots

Ness using PK Thunder 2, on Saturn Valley.

Early designs

Ness about to use PK Thunder's first early design to hit himself with the ball of thunder.

Ness hitting Lloyd with the ball of thunder during PK Thunder 1.

Ness using PK Thunder 2's first early design to hit Lloyd.

Ness recovering using PK Thunder 2.

PK Thunder's second early design. Notice the glow around Ness.

Ness using PK Thunder 2's second early design to hit Naruto, on Phase 8.

PK Thunder's third early design.

The projectile of PK Thunder being aimed, on Saturn Valley.

Ness using PK Thunder in the air to hit himself with the projectile.

Ness using PK Thunder 2 diagonally upward.

Ness after hitting Sora with PK Thunder 2.

Ness after using PK Thunder 2.

Trivia

• Unlike in official Super Smash Bros. games, Ness will not enter a helpless state if the ball of electricity is destroyed or canceled. This was done to prevent his recovery from being too easily punished by opponents by intentionally getting hit by it or, in Chibi-Robo's case, taking it.