Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Battle and Bros. Attacks: timing, BP and action levels
Compare the eight Bros. Attacks and learn the original action-command system.
Edition covered
Original Game Boy Advance adventure. The 3DS remake, Minion Quest and its altered battle balance are excluded.
Attack timing and defense both matter
Timed A and B presses increase damage. During enemy turns, jumping or releasing a held hammer can avoid damage and sometimes counterattack; watch the intended brother before pressing.
| Brother | Attack | General form |
|---|---|---|
| Mario | Splash Bros. | Combined jump attack |
| Mario | Chopper Bros. | Repeated hammer sequence |
| Mario | Fire Bros. | Fireball sequence |
| Mario | Swing Bros. | Secret scroll attack |
| Luigi | Bounce Bros. | Combined bounce attack |
| Luigi | Knockback Bros. | Hammer-driven combination |
| Luigi | Thunder Bros. | Electrical attack |
| Luigi | Cyclone Bros. | Secret scroll attack |
Bros. Attacks use three assistance levels
Level 1 supplies slow motion and prompts. Level 2 keeps prompts at normal speed. Level 3 removes both aids while reducing BP cost and sometimes improving damage.
| Element | Function | Useful response |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Survival | Heal before a dangerous enemy sequence |
| BP | Funds Bros. Attacks | Use syrup when special attacks run low |
| A / B | Mario / Luigi commands | Match the threatened brother |
| Hammer defense | Hold then release | Release at impact instead of holding forever |
| Action level 1 | Slow motion and prompts | Learn an unfamiliar sequence |
| Action level 3 | No visual prompts | Use after memorizing timing |
Use the correct basic attack for the enemy
Spiked targets punish a jump, while some airborne foes cannot be reached with a hammer. Firebrand and Thunderhand add elemental choices after the Oasis visit.
Advanced variants come from practice
Repeated successful use can reveal an Advanced command sequence. Learn the changed inputs rather than assuming the standard sequence remains correct after the branch.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Nintendo game information or original manual | www.nintendo.com |
| Super Mario Wiki game reference | www.mariowiki.com |