Firebrand



The Firebrand is one of the two types of Hand Powers that is used by Mario in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and its remake, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, the other being the Thunderhand, which is used by Luigi. Mario is taught this power by Firebrand in the Fire Palace, and he is taught an advanced technique by the Jellyfish Sisters, allowing Mario to burn Luigi so he can charge ahead extremely quickly. This can be used to pass through fast-moving spiked barrels, as well as move cannonball-like objects and knock down Ankoopas (Big Koopa Troopas in the remake) blocking the path. To use this move, the player must have Mario as the lead brother, switch to the Firebrand command by using /, and hold down, which causes Mario to conjure up a fireball in his hand. After the player fully charges the move, releasing makes Mario create a fireball that can be used to light Torches.

In battle, the Firebrand can be used offensively against enemies. Using the Firebrand on red Oho Jees in the overworld causes them to go wild and attack Mario and Luigi, forcing them into a battle. When using it, the player must press when Mario fully charges the fireball to perform the move successfully. Failure in doing so results in Mario scorching himself and the move dealing less damage. Some enemies, such as Glurps and Spiky Snifits, have a weakness to the Firebrand, and in a few cases, they can be damaged only by it. Other enemies (such as Bowletta's normal form and Mom Piranha's red form) get healed by it instead.

Mario can also use the Fire Bros. Bros. Attack once he and Luigi learn the Dash technique, which involves him flinging fireballs at Luigi, who then launches them at the enemy with his hammer; in the remake, Mario rapidly tosses fireballs into the air to create a huge fireball before Luigi launches it towards a single enemy with his hammer. A more powerful variant is the Super Fire Bros., which uses up more Bros. Points in the remake. Here, Mario can create a huge fireball when Luigi hits smaller fireballs back at him, and once the attack ends, Mario bounces off Luigi to spike it at the enemy for more damage and possibly inflict the burn status; in the remake, Luigi hits the huge fireball upwards so Mario can spike it, and it also creates a shockwave that damages other enemies.

Also in the remake, the Firebrand can be used to perform a First Strike. If this is done, enemies may be burned at the start of the battle.

Names in other languages
Mano di Fuoco