Counterattack

Mario about to counterattack a Spiny.

Counterattack is a type of attack in the Mario & Luigi series. When some enemies attack, it can be countered by jumping on or hammering the enemy. This move is in all of the Mario & Luigi series. Almost every enemy as a hint of which character it is going to attack. Counterattack power is the same as a failed attack on the player's turn. Mario and Luigi counterattack moves are using their Hammers and their jump ability; in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Bowser's counterattack moves are punching and ducking in his shell. When there is a Giant Bowser battle, Bowser's counterattacks are punches, as with his normal form, and fireballs. If the player has someone's attack powered up, it will also boost their counterattack's power.

Trivia

• In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, there is also a move somewhat like counterattacking that is called Superguarding. It also does damage to the enemy.
• Also in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a status effect called Payback that can deal half the amount of damage to the enemy attacking Mario.
• In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, there is a badge called the Counter Badge that raises counterattack power.