Mario using Focus to recover Star Power in Paper Mario.
Star Power (also known as SP) are the points used to perform Special Moves. It only appears in Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
Paper Mario[]
In Paper Mario, Star Power is introduced to the player once Eldstar is rescued. An SP gauge is then added to the HUD. A bar along with a star icon appears for each point of SP Mario can have at once. The amount of SP currently available is indicated by how many star icons are colored in.
One point of SP is recovered about every eight turns. Mario or his partner if the Group Focus badge is worn can use Focus to speed up the SP recovery process. This recovers half of a point of SP, or three to five quarters of one point if Mario focuses with one to three Deep Focus badges equipped.
Once filled, Mario can use the power of one of the Star Spirits he has rescued in battle. Some powers require more than one SP to use.
| Star Spirit | Name | SP Required |
|---|---|---|
| Eldstar | Refresh | 1 |
| Mamar | Lullaby | 1 |
| Skolar | Star Storm | 2 |
| Muskular | Chill Out | 2 |
| Misstar | Smooch | 3 |
| Klevar | Time Out | 2 |
| Kalmar | Up and Away | 2 |
| All | Star Beam | 0 |
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[]
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door uses the same SP system as the previous game, with some added features. Star Power is first gained after obtaining the Magical Map, and the maximum Star Power increases by one for each Crystal Star collected, meaning the maximum amount of power is eight instead of seven as in the previous game.
One of the biggest changes is that the Audience can now replenish SP, making the rate of Star Power regeneration more inconsistent. SP can be recovered by performing Stylish Moves or using Appeal. Having more members in the audience boosts the amount of Star Power recovered. Another way to replenish SP is through Bingo!; The player will have their entire gauge filled if the roulette stops on three stars or Shine Sprites.
Equipping the Super Appeal or Super Appeal P badge will increase the amount of Star Power received when Mario or his partner appeals respectively.
Mario starts out with the Sweet Treat special move when he acquires the Magical Map. As the Crystal Stars are collected, he gains the use of more special moves, each requiring the use of more than one SP to use.
| Crystal Star/Item | Name | SP Required |
|---|---|---|
| Magical Map | Sweet Treat | 1 |
| Diamond Star | Earth Tremor | 2 |
| Emerald Star | Clock Out | 2 |
| Gold Star | Power Lift | 3 |
| Ruby Star | Art Attack | 4 |
| Sapphire Star | Sweet Feast | 5 |
| Garnet Star | Showstopper | 2 |
| Crystal Star | Supernova | 6 |