Tripping
Prat Falling (also called "tripping", "stumbling", or various other names) is a new occurrence in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Whenever the Control Stick is Smashed, there is a very small chance that the character will trip, fall over, and sit down in a prone state. While apparently intended to stop excessive dashing and pivoting, characters can also trip when they intend to use a forward smash or side special move. A related technique is the trip cancel; when turning around, before tripping, an attack can be used to cancel the trip. The game keeps track of the total number of Prat Falls each character or name has experienced in Group Brawls.
Interestingly, the sound effect for tripping (when not induced by an opponent or item) changes depending on whether the character tripping is from a cartoon-ish or realistic universe: the realistic characters make unimpressive falling-down noises, while cartoon-ish characters (that is, most of the cast) make a distinctive timpani noise.
While sitting down, a character has the same options as if they are lying down.
Causes for Prat Falling
- Smashing the stick left or right. (it doesn't happen all the time)
- Constant dashing in a short time period. (less possible on smaller stages or with many small platforms)
- Surfaces with a lack of traction (such as ice), particularly when quickly changing directions.
- Getting hit with certain attacks (most Down tilts and other low attacks are designed to trip opponents).
- An uncharged Wario Waft will cause tripping (if it's not Wario-Man).
- Being hit with/stepping on a Banana Peel.
- When Tingle rains down banana peels (note these are 2D sprites, not actual Banana Peels), it causes constant Prat Falls to all opponents until he leaves the screen.
- The Negative Zone can cause incessant tripping.
- Some Meteor Smashes that hit ground opponents on low % can also cause tripping.
