Action Command

An Action Command (also known as a Timed Hit or a Timed Attack) allows a character to do significantly more damage to an enemy than with a normal hit. Often, Action Commands occur when the player presses the "A" button right before the party member hits his opponent. Action Commands are also used for defense; If the player presses the Guard button at the moment an enemy's attack hits, the character receives less damage. In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, they were called Timed Hits, and are the key to success in the game. Although, in the Paper Mario series, and the Mario & Luigi series, the term "Action Command" is used.

In Paper Mario, Twink gives Mario the Lucky Star, a special pendant from Peach that allows the plumber to perform Action Commands. This artifact proves useful in the upcoming battle against a Magikoopa; a fight that occurs after Mario visits Shooting Star Summit for the first time.

In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Action Commands reappear, and Stylish Moves are introduced. These allow Mario to recharge his Star Power faster. They can be performed from the start of the game, but have no effect until the first time an audience appears to watch Mario's battles. While Action Commands are not used in Super Paper Mario, Stylish Moves do appear.

In the Mario & Luigi series only, Mario and Luigi can entirely avoid getting hit by enemy attacks by using the Action Command. They can jump over their enemies or hit them with hammers to prevent them from attacking. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time also has a special action command involving the babies in piggy-back mode.