Galactica Phantom

Galactica Phantom is Ralf Jones's signature Super Special Move, first appearing in The King of Fighters '97.

Description
Ralf leans back and rears his back arm, then flings himself forward for an incredibly powerful, explosive haymaker/lariat.

Strategy
Galactica Phantom can be useful as a counter, frametrap, or tricking an unprepared opponent in the corner. Has autoguard in the version, and may potentially one-hit-kill as a  counter!

However, while this attack is unblockable, it's generally rather slow. Its charge-up time before the actual strike makes it ridiculously easy to read and counter. It can also be countered or parried...namely by high/mid Atemi Nage.

Trivia

 * This move is erroneously miscalled as "Galactic Phantom" in the English dub of The King of Fighters XII.


 * Interestingly, Galactica Phantom is a Special Move in The King of Fighters 2002: Challenge to Ultimate Battle, The King of Fighters Neowave and The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match. Its appearance in The King of Fighters 2003 and The King of Fighters XI was listed as a Leader Super Special Move, and then back to a Super Special Move starting with The King of Fighters XII.


 * For balancing reasons, when the move became a mere special move, the range of the move was shortened in some games; even then, it introduced severe balance issues, as it inflicts too much damage for a special move.


 * The name Galactica Phantom is taken from manga series Ring ni Kakero as Jun Kenzaki's ultimate left handed punch, while the animation of the Galactica Phantom is based on Kaoru Hanayama's Destructive Force punch used against Baki Hanma from the manga/anime series Baki the Grappler.
 * In some games, Ralf yells "Hakai Ryoku!", the original name of Hanayama's technique.

Similar Attacks

 * Final Impact - A similar charging-style punch used by Yashiro Nanakase.