Back Slash

 Back Slash is one of Shulk's physical Arts in Xenoblade Chronicles, which appears as his side special move in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. On use, Shulk leaps and slashes in front of him with the Monado, dealing moderate damage and knockback to whichever opponent he hits. As the name suggests, the move's damage and knockback increases significantly if he hits an opponent from behind. The move cannot be cancelled once it is used (unless Shulk is hit during the attack), and does not end until Shulk hits the ground. Due to the short distance covered by the leap, Back Slash can be used as a recovery move, albeit limitedly.

The move has two variants: Back Slash Leap and Back Slash Charge. Back Slash Leap has Shulk jump high into the air before slashing down, giving Shulk a much-higer vertical distance while limiting his horizontal distance. Back Slash Charge causes Shulk to leap much farther when attacking, making him immune to knockback, but he does much less damage if he does not strike the opponent's back.