Counter (Fire Emblem)

Marth's Counter in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Counter is the down special move used by all but one of the Fire Emblem characters in the Super Smash Bros. series, used by Marth since Super Smash Bros. Melee, Roy in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Ike since Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Lucina in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. When used, each character enters a readied stance and automatically counterattacks whenever attacked.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Roy's Counter deals more damage, being a multiplier of the attack dealt by the opponent, while Marth's is faster and lasts longer, though only dealing a set amount of damage no matter the attack. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, both Marth's and Ike's counters deal a multiplier of the opponent's attack. Ike's counter deals grater damage and has a grater range, but like Roy's is slower than Marth's Counter. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Marth and Ike retain the properties of their Counters from the previous game, while Lucina's Counter operates identically to Marth's.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Counter is given two custom variants for each character with the exception of Roy, who has no custom special moves; Marth and Lucina share the same variants, while Ike is given different variants. The first variant for Marth and Lucina is Easy Counter, which deals less damage but allows the counter stance to last longer. Their second is Iai Counter (known as Rush Counter in the PAL region), which deals a faster attack that sends the opponent flying behind the player, but does not deal as much damage. Ike's first variant is Paralyzing Counter, in which the attack stuns enemies rather than damaging them. His second variant is Smash Counter, which is slower but deals increased damage and knockback.