Super Smash Bros. Fighters – EarthBound/Mother series – 02 Lucas
In the EarthBound/Mother series: Mother 3 (2006)
In the Super Smash Bros. series: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008)
Boxing Ring Title: Boy from Nowhere
Theme Song: Mother 3 Love Theme
Lucas is the main protagonist of Mother 3. He lives on the Nowhere Islands at Tazmily Village with his older twin brother Claus, his dog Boney, his mother Hinawa, and his father Flint. In addition to his PSI abilities, he also wields various kinds of sticks in his adventure. He also has access to two kinds of Yo-yos and - towards the end of the game - baseball bats.
At the beginning of the game's Prologue, Lucas, Claus, and Hinawa were visiting Hinawa's father, Alec, for a small vacation. (Lucas's father, Flint, stayed home to watch their sheep) It was the last day they were spending there, and soon they would head back home to Tazmily Village. When night fell, Lucas, Claus, and Hinawa left and began traveling down the familiar road through the Sunshine Forest. However, elsewhere in the forest, some mysterious men called the Pigmasks would arrive and set the forest ablaze to scare and capture some wild animals.
Not that it would matter, as a few seconds later, a villager named Bronson would soon arrive, who had found Hinawa. Informing Flint and the others of her grim fate, Flint completely shuts down. A kind woman named Tessie tries to console him, only for Flint to push her aside. He then grabs a log from the campfire and begins to swing it wildly in his anger and grief. Lucas and Claus then witness Flint attack another villager named Abbot before Tessie shielded their eyes from what was happening. Flint would attack two other villagers before his childhood friend, Lighter, snuck up behind him and knocked him out with his lumber, after which Flint is thrown into Tazmily's Jail.
The next day, Claus plans to get revenge on the Mecha-Drago that killed Hinawa. Lucas wanted to tag along, but Claus told him he wanted to do this himself. Thus, Lucas lets him and heads to Hinawa's funeral, where he spends most of his time crying there. When Flint eventually arrives, he and Alec wonder where Claus was. Upon questioning Lucas, he rather quickly - and accidentally - reveals where Claus went. Flint and Alec quickly try to chase Claus down, and end up confronting the Mecha-Drago themselves. While they managed to defeat it, they were unable to find Claus. Overcome with grief, Flint would spend the rest of his days searching the mountains for Claus.
One day, while taking his dog Boney for a small walk, Lucas hears a rumor that a bassist named Lucky from the band "Desperado Crash Mambo Combo" bears a close resemblance to Duster, who went missing during Chapter 2. After informing this news to Duster's father Wess, Lucas and Boney head off to Club Titiboo to investigate. Along the way, Lucas would learn how to perform the powerful PSI technique, PK Love, from a mysterious Magypsy named Ionia.
At Club Titiboo, Lucas would meet up with Kumatora, and together they would sneak through Club Titiboo's attic to get to the backstage room where Lucky is resting. While Lucky has no recollection of Lucas or Kumatora, he decides to tag along with them anyway, with blessings from his bandmates.
Finding out that it's headed to the garbage dump, Lucas and friends chase it down. After a couple of shenanigans, they manage to find the Clayman, but before they can grab the Hummingbird Egg, it attacks them! Once they defeat it, Lucky touches the Egg and recovers his memories, remembering that he is in fact Duster! Before the group can celebrate, a Pigmask arrives and - once again mistaking Lucas as their commander - takes them to the Thunder Tower.
Inside, they end up fighting fierce foes, such as the Fierce Pork Trooper, and a robot maid named Lil Miss Marshmallow, who is guarding the Pig King's "Friend's Yo-yo." At the very top, they fight against Mr. Genetor, who was responsible for throwing lightning bolts at Tazmily Village. Defeating it, they find out from Fassad that the Pigmask Army was intending to blow the building up anyway as it was of no use for them anymore. A Pork Ship arrives to pick Fassad up, only for Fassad to trip on his own banana peel and fall off the tower.
Duster takes advantage of the situation by using a Rope Snake, who clings onto the Pork Ship's ladder, allowing the others to safely escape the exploding tower. However, the weight of Lucas, Boney, Kumatora, and Duster proves to be too much for Rope Snake to handle, thus he eventually lets go, causing the group to fall to the ground below.
... And they end up falling into a haystack, which was bundled up by Lucas's grandpa Alec. Once Lucas comes too, Alec reveals he had dreamt that his daughter, Hinawa, told him to gather a bunch of hay and place it at a specific place, concluding that she told him so that her son would be safe from the fall.
Making their way to Osohe Castle, Ionia realizes she can't sense whether the heart of the person is good or evil. Realizing that Lucas and Boney have no idea what she's talking about, she explains to them that on the Nowhere Islands, there are Seven Needles. Those Needles keep a giant being known as the Dark Dragon sealed underneath the island. The needles can only be pulled by someone who knows PK Love. If someone with a kind heart pulls a majority of the needles, the Dark Dragon will be a friendly individual. If someone with an evil heart pulls a majority of the needles, the Dark Dragon will be wicked and cruel.
If someone who lacks a heart pulls a majority of the needles... who knows what'll happen!
A massive race against the Pigmask Army begins as Lucas tries to locate the other six needles before they do! During this, Lucas and Boney would reunite with Kumatora at Doria's home, and Duster at Mr. Saturn Valley. Lucas would also receive the somewhat dirty Courage Badge from his father, Flint. (Or rather, Lucas gets it from him indirectly, as Flint asks Nippolyte to give it to Lucas.) A Mr. Saturn that Lucas and the gang meet would take the Courage Badge and polish it, revealing that it's actually a Franklin Badge, capable of reflecting lightning! Additionally, Lucas and his friends would find out that a mysterious character known only as the Masked Man is the one pulling the needles for the Pigmask Army.
Lucas and friends were urged to go to the Movie Theater to see a film that King Porky wanted them to see. Said film stars a boy with a red hat, a blonde-haired girl, a blonde boy with glasses, and a tough-looking boy. While watching it, Lucas happened to stumble upon a stinkbug! Lucas's dog Boney chases it into a broken speaker that leads into the sewers. The speaker is too small for Lucas and friends to chase it, so they have to find another way in. Luckily, they find one at the Arcade. In the sewers, they manage to find Boney! Boney is happy to reunite with Lucas, then informs him that he found someone in the next room up ahead.
Long ago, there existed a massive world that had a lot of people on it. However, one day, the humans of the world brought it to its end. Just before the end of the world occurred, a few humans built something called a "White Ship" that would hopefully carry them to a better place. Said place was an island called the Nowhere Islands, a place that would be protected from the apocalypse thanks to a powerful dragon that slept beneath the island.
This dragon used to live peacefully with the humans in the distant past, but there came a day when it was no longer possible. Thus, the seven Magypsies sealed the dragon away using Seven Needles, and have guarded them ever since.
The people who came from the White Ship feared about creating another apocalypse. They felt that the world's destruction occurred due to the way they lived. After a long debate, they decided the best way to prevent it was to use the Hummingbird Egg to erase their memories, and start a new life with new rules and new roles to lead. However, they felt that someone needed to be aware of the old world to make sure that nothing would disrupt their new lives. Hence, Leder was picked because he stood out amongst everyone. And thus, Tazmily Village came to be.
Additionally, there used to be a kingdom on the Nowhere Islands long ago, but it seems that the people there left at some point. When boarding the ship, young infant Kumatora had just lost her parents. When everyone had arrived on the island, it was decided that Kumatora would be the "Princess" of the abandoned Osohe Castle, with the Magypsies serving as her caretakers while Wess and his son Duster served as her retainers.
The people also wanted to create myths and legends that would date back 100 or even 1000 years, but they were in such a rush to create their new fabricated lives that they never found the time. Regardless, things were going peacefully at the time. Lucas, his brother Claus, and the rest of the children would be born during this.
However, a time traveler named Porky Minch would soon discover the islands. As he was prevented from traveling to any other era, he decided to have the place become his personal toy box where he could do whatever he wanted. He had also kidnapped and brainwashed a large amount of people from many different eras to serve in his army.
Eventually, Porky would learn of the Seven Needles thanks to Locria, a Magypsy who decided to betray the other six Magypsies. Once they managed to find someone who could use the PSI ability, PK Love, to pull the needles - said person being the Masked Man - Porky began enacting his plan to awaken the dragon and bring the world - no, the universe - to an end.
After that long-winded speech, Leder urges Lucas and his friends to find and pull the last needle to foil Porky's plan. He suggests that they should start by storming the Empire Porky Building. But before that, Lucas and friends have to deal with Fassad, who has been rebuilt into a cyborg. They also have the option to fight the super-tough King Porky Statue as well.
Only for Porky to crash the party by announcing to everyone through the speakers to come to the top of the 100th floor of the building. With that, Lucas, Boney, Kumatora, and Duster decide to take Porky's challenge on.
Lucas and friends end going through many room in their quest to make it to the 100th floor. These rooms include the Hippo Pool room, Master Porky's fan room, a toilet dungeon (no I'm serious), Magyspie Locria's room, the Great Porky Swimming Bath area (which is under construction), and a techno area that hosts the "Nice Person Hot Springs". They then reach a room where they have to prove they're worthy enough to see King Porky by participating in three mini-games against the Mini-Porky Bot. Once they do, they have to face the fierce-some Natural Killer Cyborg.
Nope, turns out that he was a robot. And he wasn't the only one. The Mecha-Porky Bots begin to overwhelm Lucas and friends, but thanks to Duster's friends, the DCMC, the Mecha-Porky Bots are scrap metal! That's when Lucas's father Flint, Duster's dad Wess, and a few others show up.
Upon arriving, Flint insists on going ahead. Lucas and the others wait a little while before they decide to get moving as well. Fighting their way through the enemies, they find Flint, who gives Lucas some concerning news: the Masked Man who's been working for Porky is none other than Lucas's long-lost older twin brother, Claus! Flint tried to talk some sense into him, but Claus left him injured and continued onward. Despite this learning of this, Lucas and his friends trudged onward.
Once his machine has run out of power, Porky tells the group they haven't won. He then summons the Absolutely Safe Capsule, a machine that'll protect Porky from everything that the world can throw at him. Try as they might, Lucas and his friends can't lay a dent on it. On the flip-side, Porky can't harm them from inside it either. Thus, the battle is over.
And then the Masked Man fires an intense bolt of lightning at the group. Boney, Kumatora, and Duster are instantly knocked out. Lucas, however, is protected from it thanks to his Franklin Badge, which reflects the lightning back at the Masked Man. Lucas is now the only one left to fight his mind-controlled twin brother.
The battle begins, but Lucas can't bring himself to fight the Masked Man. The Masked Man, however, holds no qualms, blasting Lucas with his arm canon and slicing at him with his laser sword. The Masked Man even begins to blast Lucas with PK Love Ω (Omega), the strongest form of the PSI attack. All Lucas can do is try and guard against the Masked Man's barrage of attacks and use Lifeup to restore his stamina as it drops.
Eventually during the fight, a familiar voice speaks Lucas's name. The same voice later speaks Claus's name, causing Lucas to realize it's his mother, Hinawa, who is speaking to them from beyond. The Masked Man, on the other hand, seems disinterested, if he even heard Hinawa's voice. Hinawa tries to reach out to him again, telling him that he isn't Porky's slave, he's the son of her and Flint. This time, the Masked Man pauses for a second to look around, before going back to focusing on Lucas. The Masked Man begins to prepare another PK Love Ω...
After which he proceeds to fire another powerful blast of PK Love Ω directly at Flint, severely damaging him until he too falls to the ground.
As the fight continues, Hinawa's words slowly begin to reach Claus. Eventually, Claus manages to reach deep into his mind, where he finally begins to remember who he is! Although his memory has now returned, he still continues to battle Lucas... but now his attacks have gotten noticeably even weaker. He sometimes covers his ears, or even closes his eyes whenever he throws out an attack. He even simply gazes at Lucas. Meanwhile, Lucas has no idea what to do himself. He felt heartbroken and wanted to cry. Sometimes he'd even close his eyes whenever he tries to take a swing at Claus. Both brothers felt tired and exhausted.
"Claus... Claus... Claus... Come to your mother. You must be so exhausted. Come here, Claus."
Hearing his mother's voice more clearly than ever, Claus looked around. He then decides to remove his helmet.
With his friends standing by side, and knowing that his mother - and now his brother - are watching him from Heaven, Lucas gathers his courage and pulls the final needle, awakening the Dark Dragon.
Personality-wise, Lucas starts off as a kind and gentle individual who's a bit cautious, in contrast to his older brother Claus. While somewhat shy, that doesn't stop him from having fun with the other kids. However, after witnessing the death of his mother and his brother going missing, Lucas became a shut-in, rarely interacting with anyone in town. He also struggles with both sleep and survivor's guilt, wishing he tagged along with Claus to help him avenge their mom.
However, during the three year timeskip, Lucas slowly starts to grow more courageous, as well as pretty resourceful due to his father spending most of his time looking for Claus in the mountains. Upon meeting with Kumatora during Chapter 4, he expresses his desire to grow stronger to protect those he loves. As he journeys with Boney, Kumatora, and Duster, he bravely faces whatever challenge comes their way, no matter how daunting it may be.
While some of his shy moments still pop up now and then, Lucas still remains kind-hearted and empathetic.
In Super Smash Bros., Lucas utilizes his powerful PSI powers, Duster’s pal Rope Snake, and a stick as well for battle! Don’t underestimate him, Lucas has been through a lot.
Special Moves
Lucas fires off a white snowflake of psychic energy. It quickly flies upwards before falling towards the ground. As you hold the Special Button, its power and size increases. You can also change the direction its moving with the Control Stick.
Releasing the Special Button will have Lucas make the white snowflake of psychic energy explode, damaging anyone nearby and freezing them solid! The size of the attack varies depending on how long you charage it.
Inspired by the move, PSI Freeze, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. It has four levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), γ (Gamma), and Ω (Omega).
In “Mother 3”, PSI Freeze can only deal damage to one enemy, and how much damage it does depends on which version you use. It also has a small chance to freeze an enemy solid, which will prevent them from doing anything for a while.
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend Kumatora can!
Side Special: PK Fire
Lucas fires a lightning bolt forwards. If it hits the enemy, an eruption of flames will spawn and push the enemy away from him!
Inspired by the move PSI Fire, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. It has four levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), γ (Gamma), and Ω (Omega).
In all three installments of the series, PSI Fire involves the user using pyrokinesis to shoot fire at all of the enemies. In “Mother 3”, in addition to decreasing an enemy’s PSI Shield strength by 1, it can also set them on fire, which will deal additional damage.Lucas firing PK Fire as a Lightning Bolt may be inspired from Master Green's method of attack from the unrelated “Kirby’s Dream Land 2” game.
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend Kumatora can!
Lucas fires a small ball of lightning from his head. The player can control where the Lightning ball goes. It deals pretty decent damage and knockback, and can constantly hit the foe several times.
Depending on where PK Thunder hits him will determine where he goes flying. For example, if it hits him from underneath, he’ll go flying upwards, while if it hits him from above, he’ll go flying downward.
Inspired by the move, PSI Thunder, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. In that game, it only had three levels of strength: α (Alpha), β (Beta), and γ (Gamma). Starting in “EarthBound”, a fourth level of power, Ω (Omega), was added.
In “Mother 3”. PSI Thunder α hits only one foe and has a 15% chance of paralyzing the foe, β can hit two foes and has a 15% chance of paralyzing the foe, γ can hit three foes, and Ω can hit four foes. However, all of them have a small chance of missing the target.
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend Kumatora can!
Down Special: PSI Magnet
As you hold the Special Button, Lucas extends his hand and surrounds himself in a PSI Barrier. Any Energy Projectile that hits it – like Mario’s Fire Balls – will get absorbed and heal Lucas.
Inspired by the move, PSI Magnet, introduced in “EarthBound Beginnings”. In “EarthBound”, it has two levels of strength: α (Alpha) and Ω (Omega).
Both versions of PSI Magnet will have the user absorb some of the enemy’s PP (Psychic Points) to restore their own, but only if the foe has any. While the α version only targets one foe, the Ω version will target all available enemies. In addition, PSI Magnet can absorb anywhere between 2 to 8 PP.
As Super Smash Bros. doesn’t use PP for Lucas, its healing properties may be inspired by the move Lifeup, which can restore the user's or an allies HP. (Hit Points)
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend Kumatora can! Lucas can learn Lifeup, though.
Lucas crouches as Kumatora and Boney appear behind him.
Lucas then shouts “PK… Starstorm!!” as he and Kumatora summon meteors! The Meteors spawn at the far sides near the top of the stage, and aim where Lucas is standing. You can change where they are aiming them by tilting the Control Stick.
Inspired by the move, PSI Starstorm, introduced In “EarthBound”. PSI Starstorm will target all enemies and deal massive damage. It never misses, though it can be reflected if one has enough PSI Shields stacked.
In “Mother 3”, Lucas can’t learn this move, but his friend, Kumatora, can!
Additional Notes
Lucas’s Forward Smash can reflect projectiles back at the foe! It’s a bit easier to time this compared to Ness.
Lucas’s trophy in “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” states that Kumatora was the one that taught him how to use PK Fire, Pk Thunder, PSI Magnet, and PK Starstorm. I’m certain Lucas is grateful for this!
Even though Lucas’s game was only ever released in Japan, he is voiced by Lani Minella, an American Voice Actress. This is in contrast to Ness who’s game was released in America – and in Europe years later – and yet is voiced by the Japanese Voice Actress, Makiko Ōmoto. Kind of amusing and ironic, huh?
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| Left: Lucas's initial design for EarthBound 64. Right: Lucas's finalized design for EarthBound 64. | |
Back when Mother 3 was being made for the Nintendo 64 before it cancellation - where the game was under the name "EarthBound 64" - some early screenshots and promotional artwork reveal that Lucas looked quite different compared to how he looks today.
Had EarthBound 64 been released instead of being cancelled, Lucas would've replaced Ness as the EarthBound representative in "Super Smash Bros. Melee".
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