The Super Star (or more simply known as the Star) is a comeback item that grants both invincibility and a speed boost for a short duration, all while turning its user into a steering hitbox.
Easily one of the most powerful items in the game, the Star lets you take off-road cuts with ease thanks to its speed boost, oppress other players with your sheer presence, and even gives you full protection from any other items in the game, all while having a broad range of places at which you can roll it within a race.
This item, alongside the Thunder Bolt, is one of the key reasons why 2 Player VS is avoided for tournament play, since its very existence skew the balance of the game in favour of the losing player.
Gameplay
Probabilities
Mode
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
2 Player GP
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5%
10%
15%
15%
20%
30%
30%
3 Player VS
///
5%
15%
///
4 Player VS
///
5%
10%
20%
///
Battle
20%
Overview
Strengths
Weaknesses
Comeback Pool: If you aren't in 1st place already, you have a chance that can range from as low as a twentieth (in 2nd place) to a fifth (at 4th place in 4P VS), up to almost a third (at the two bottom places of GP), which effectively makes this item at least expected to be collected by one of the players as a result of it.
Battle Pool: Surprisingly enough, you have one chance out of five to get a Star in Battle Mode, which makes it a constant threat in this format as a result of it.
Invincibility Install: Having access to an item that effectively renders you immune to literally (almost) anything can make for a big difference between winning or losing a race.
Incredible Duration: With a timer that goes into the double digits, the Super Star of this game has by far the longest duration of the entire series, which makes it capable of taking even better leverage out of its unique strengths than it usually would.
Speed Boost: While under the effects of the Star, the user will benefit from having higher potential for velocity and full imperviousness to off-road, which makes it ideal for gaining time on your competition.
Collision Damage: Colliding with an opponent will cause the target to harshly bounce into the sky, which not only makes it harder for them to recoup through Triple Tapping as a result of it, but also forces them to respect your sheer presence, as this item basically turns you into a living obstacle.
Touch of Death: In Battle Mode, approaching an opponent with a Star means you can easily take off a balloon, which can then amount to a potentially inescapable ToD if executed correctly, thus making this item the strongest available in this format by a long shot. One shall however note that its ability to cut three ballons in one fell swoop is harder to execute than with Triple Greens.
Very Close Range: Stars can only deal damage by colliding with other players, which makes it surprisingly easy to avoid, though it is quite a meagre weakness when taking its wealth of strengths to make up for it.
Wall Weakness: Taking damage from a wall collision will cause the Star's effect to prematurely end, though this can be easily avoided by simply driving competently.
Thunder Lock: This item can't be used when the user is under the effects of the Thunder Bolt.
Movelist
Star Activation
● Grants a temporary install-like effect to the user for a period of around 10.13 seconds. ● Converts the user's hurtbox into an active hitbox that acts similarly to that of a Red Shell, which pairs well with the larger internal size that Bowser and Wario both possesses. ● Gives complete immunity for its entire duration, which makes it an ideal counter against items with perfect accuracy, such as Thunder Bolts or Blue Shells. ● Speed boost equates to approximately an additional third of the driver's velocity. This is further exemplified with lightweight drivers, such as Yoshi for an example. ● Speed reduction from the off-road is completely ignored. ● Acceleration is also increased to a level that would be considered akin to that of a Triple Tap. ● The install will end prematurely if the user takes damage from a wall collision.
