Mewtwo

Lore & Background

Mewtwo was engineered in a sterile laboratory by cloning the cellular structure of Mew, one of the most ancient and mysterious Pokémon in existence. The scientists who created him intended to produce a weapon of unmatched psychic power, a living instrument of destruction. But the moment Mewtwo opened his eyes and perceived the world around him, the project became something far more dangerous than a weapon: it became a mind. A thinking, feeling, furious mind that looked at its makers and saw only arrogance. In the cinematic story, Mewtwo's awakening led to a catastrophic confrontation with his creators, who attempted to control or destroy him. He shattered their lab, tore through the sky on a trail of violet psychic energy, and declared himself the supreme being of the world. His rage was not blind—it was precise, intellectual, and absolute. He did not want to rule; he wanted to be acknowledged as something more than a product. That distinction made him infinitely more dangerous. In the Pokémon games, Mewtwo resides within the Pokémon Tower in Ecruteak City, a place steeped in spiritual energy. He is a solitary, brooding presence who rarely engages with trainers, and when he does, it is with the cold patience of a being who has already calculated every possible outcome. The two share a genetic bond that neither fully understands or desires.

Reader's Guide

Name: Mewtwo Source Franchise: Pokémon Role in Smash: Playable Fighter (Melee, Brawl) / Assist Trophy (Ultimate)

As a Playable Fighter (Melee & Brawl): Mewtwo is a heavyweight with a slow, deliberate pace offset by enormous damage output and a unique recovery kit. His neutral attack is a sweeping claw strike, and his special move is Psychic—a sustained beam of violet energy that can be aimed in any direction, making it a powerful zoning and recovery tool. His aerials include a forward-flipping kick and a downward smash that slams the opponent into the ground. His up-smash is a slow, telekinetic burst that launches opponents high. His grab leads into a short-range throw that shoves the opponent away. Mewtwo's recovery is his defining quirk: he can use Psychic mid-air to propel himself back toward the stage, though the beam has a limited range and a noticeable cooldown, making it a high-risk, high-reward option. His side-special in some entries is a telekinetic push that can be used as a short-range boost. He is a character built around patience, spacing, and punishing opponents who get too greedy.

As an Assist Trophy (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate): Mewtwo materializes above the stage in a swirling column of purple energy. He hovers briefly, then fires a single, powerful Psychic beam directly at the nearest opponent. The beam is a thick, sustained pulse of violet light that travels in a straight line and deals significant damage on contact. After the beam is fired, Mewtwo's form dissolves into particles of psychic energy and he vanishes. His active duration is short—roughly a few seconds from appearance to disappearance—making timing of the Assist Trophy item critical. He does not interact with the stage beyond the beam; he is a one-shot, high-impact tool best used to punish opponents who are recovering or to break through a defensive setup. He cannot be hit during his brief appearance in most cases, and his beam can be dodged with a well-timed shield or dodge. He is not a sustained presence; he is a thunderclap, not a storm.

Did You Know?

• Mewtwo's entire existence in Smash Bros. began as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Melee, making him one of the earliest Pokémon to appear as a full character in the series.
• In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mewtwo's role shifts from a full fighter to an Assist Trophy, a notable change that reflects the game's expanded roster structure.
• Mewtwo's design in the Pokémon games and films emphasizes his psychic type and his origin as a clone of Mew, a connection that is central to his identity across every medium.