This article is about the throw action seen in many Kirby titles. For the action performed in fighting games, see Grab. For the copy ability, see Throw.
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Throw one enemy into another. – Inhale an enemy with a Special Power, then press the L or R Button to lift the inhaled enemy. Next, press the B Button to throw that enemy into another enemy that has a Special Power.”
Kirby can throw his current Copy Ability or an enemy who yields a Copy Ability against another enemy who yields a Copy Ability to obtain a Power Combo. Alternatively, Kirby can throw an enemy as a projectile, most of them behaving in a different way when thrown. If the player presses the L or R button, Kirby will throw the object upwards; if the player presses the B button instead, Kirby will throw the object forwards.
Introduced in Kirby's Return to Dream Land are Carry items Kirby and friends can pick up and throw at enemies to deal slight damage. Keys can also be thrown at gates to unlock them.
When the throw button is held, Kirby will wind up his throw as he leans backwards, and when the button is released, he will throw the item forwards; the longer the button is held, the further Kirby will throw the object. Kirby will automatically throw the item if the button is held after the maximum charge.
If the player presses the throw button while holding Down, Kirby will set the item straight away. If done in mid-air, the move is instant; this is a much quicker way to discard items that are no longer needed. Maxim Tomato Boxes won't open if dropped this way, meaning Kirby can carry one into battle, place it on the ground temporarily then pick it up again when the coast is clear. Mastering the mid-air drop is essential for the very best times in the ItemChallenge and its EX version.
Starting from Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Kirby can angle the trajectory of his throw with the control stick; holding up will have Kirby angle upwards, holding towards the direction Kirby is facing will have him learn forwards in his angle, and holding in the opposite direction will turn Kirby around.
Setting items is also not quite as quick as it was in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, although it is still quicker than throwing the items. This is useful for activating Cracklers without throwing them, but also immediately activates a Gordo Ball, damaging the setter. Setting down a Remote Controller in Kirby: Plant Robobot will also deactivate the robot Kirby and is a much safer option to keep the item than throwing it.
Players can throw items and fallen players they are carrying at other players to deal extra damage. Carriable items in their respective modes need to be thrown at a certain object to win that mode such as throwing fuel at a rocket. In the 2D style of gameplay, an arrow will appear above Kirby's head when carrying an object; he can angle his throws upwards by pointing upwards with the Circle Pad. In the 3D top-down style of gameplay, this arrow does not appear.
During the tutorial of the game, Kirby has to carry and throw a tired Bandana Waddle Dee across pits of spiked vines to advance.
Press Y after the Gobble/Grab to Spit or Throw your target sideways!”
— Spit/Throw Tip • Kirby Fighters 2
In addition to throwing carry items, fighters can now Grab/Gobble other fighters to initiate a Throw/Spit. The holder can also turn around Spit/Throw the opponent the opposite direction. A Spit is used by fighters who "grab" opponents by putting them in their mouths; its range and function are the same as a Throw. By throwing or spitting another opponent, the thrower's buddy can hit the opponent before they recover from a throw to perform a Buddy Juggle. A Buddy Juggle only deals extra damage and launches the attacked opponent for an extended moment.
When a character grabs another fighter, the player can input a direction to throw said fighter in a certain disadvantageous direction. Each character has their own strength in how far the opponent is launched, as well as how much damage a throw deals. This stat is known the character's Throwing power introduced in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, however in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, this stat is referred to as Arms. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the spirit trait "Throw Attack ↑" is able to boost the power of a fighter's throw.
Throwing Opponents
Every character has a throw for each of four main directions: a forward throw, a back throw, an up throw, and a down throw. This does not technically mean an opponent is always launched in the respective direction of the throw, but rather in the way the opponent was thrown. These changes in launch angles allows many characters to follow up with a combo or KO opponents with stronger throws not meant for comboing. For example, Kirby’s forward throw may throw the opponent forwards, but the opponent will always be weakly launched at a directionally vertical angle allowing him to follow up with an aerial attack as opposed to King Dedede’s forward throw which sends opponents at a more straightforward horizontal angle where he cannot combo, but can KO at an earlier percent than Kirby's.
In Super Smash Bros., Kirby’s forward throw was repurposed as his up throw in later games
Back
Upward
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a hitbox was not present upon crashing back down for Kirby and Meta Knight
Down
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, King Dedede sat on an opponent instead
Throwing Items
When a fighter is holding an item such as the Star Rod, they can throw said item with three different methods:
Item drop: the item is lightly discarded by throwing it behind them by pressing the throw button when standing still
Aerial item drop: the item is passively dropped in midair as it falls straight down by pressing the shield button in midair
Smash throw: the item is thrown at a certain direction with intent force by throwing in the direction of the player's input
All of these throws are affected by different multipliers depending on the direction and fighter. The "Strong Throw" support spirit skill, such as the Bugzzy's spirit skill, is able to slightly enhance the power of thrown items.
Related Quotes
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L/R – Press a second time to THROW the lifted object into the air.”
When you throw an item, quickly press in the same direction as your throw. You'll throw it farther than usual that way.”
— Smash Throw Tip • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
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North America Drop items by pressing the grab button. Input a direction when you drop an item to throw the item in that direction.”
— Throwing Items Tip • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
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Trample (Downward Throw) – Your enemy will fly diagonally upward after this, so that's a good time to use a combo. If their damage is low, try a dash attack and then a front air attack.”
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Kirby's back throw was notorious for being able to backdrop off the stage, however opponents could easily mash out of it while Kirby would still continue the move, potentially KO'ing only himself if players reacted fast enough.
