COMBAT GUIDE
Not every enemy can be stomped, and some can't be defeated at all. Here's exactly what works — and what doesn't — for all 15 enemies in Super Mario Bros.
The easiest enemy in the game. One jump, one fireball, or one shell — any method works instantly.
1 jump = instant defeat
1 fireball
Any kicked shell
Run straight through
Stomp once to retract it into a shell, then kick the shell into other enemies for a chain.
Retracts into shell
1 fireball
Stomp first, then kick
Run straight through
One stomp removes its wings and turns it into a regular Koopa Troopa. Finish it with a second stomp or kick.
Removes wings → Koopa Troopa
1 fireball = instant defeat
Run straight through
After wings are removed
You cannot stomp it. Use a fireball or just wait for it to retreat into its pipe and run past.
Cannot be stomped
1 fireball while it's out
Kick into the pipe
Run past while invincible
Totally immune to fireballs. Stomp to retract, kick the shell. Fire Mario must use stomps only.
Retracts into shell
Completely immune to fire
Stomp then kick
Run straight through
The most dangerous non-boss enemy. Fire Mario at long range is the safest method — 2 fireballs, no jumping required.
Very hard — it jumps constantly
2 fireballs from max range
Kick into it
Run straight through
Kill Lakitu immediately — he is your top priority whenever he appears. One fireball does it. His cloud briefly lingers after death.
Jump on him if he flies low
1 fireball — easiest method
Hard to reach from above
Run under him
Its spiky shell makes stomping impossible. Use fireballs, kick a shell into it, or simply avoid it.
NEVER stomp — spikes hurt you
1 fireball
Kick a shell into it
Run straight through
Fireballs don't work underwater. Swim above them, hug the ceiling, or bump them from above to defeat them.
Swim into from above
Fireballs don't work underwater
Hug ceiling or floor
Swim straight through
Leaping ones follow a fixed arc — learn the rhythm and run between them. Fireballs pick them off mid-air.
On land / leaping versions
Shoot them mid-air
Run between their arcs
Run straight through
Always travels in a straight line — completely predictable. Duck under high ones, jump over low ones, or stomp them for points.
Jump on top of it mid-flight
1 fireball
Duck or jump over
Run straight through
Completely invincible — cannot be defeated by anything. Face it directly to freeze it, then route around it.
Completely invincible
Completely invincible
Freezes in place
Still invincible
Completely indestructible and even Starman won't save you. Count the rotation, find the gap, sprint through.
Indestructible
Indestructible
Sprint through the gap
Still damages you
The real Bowser requires 5 fireballs or reaching the axe behind him. Run under him when he jumps to reach the axe.
Cannot be stomped
5 direct hits defeats him
Reach the axe behind him
Does not affect Bowser
Reach the axe at the end of the bridge — the fastest and safest method every time. Fake Bowsers get faster each world.
Cannot be stomped
Reveals true form
Always the easiest method
Does not affect them
At a glance — what kills what
| Enemy | 👟 Stomp | 🔥 Fire | 🐚 Shell | ⭐ Star |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🍄 Goomba | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
🐢 Koopa Troopa | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
🪶 Koopa Paratroopa | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
🌿 Piranha Plant | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
🪲 Buzzy Beetle | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
🔨 Hammer Bro | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☁️ Lakitu | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
🔴 Spiny | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
🦑 Blooper | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
🐟 Cheep-Cheep | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
💣 Bullet Bill | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
👻 Boo | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
🔥 Firebar | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
👑 Bowser | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
🎭 Fake Bowser | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
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