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Lock

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Sonic performing a neutral air, footstool into a jab lock combo on R.O.B.; then allowing a reset while simultaneously finishing with a forward smash.
Mewtwo performing a down throw into jab reset then down smash on Fox.
"Lock" redirects here. For the Italian smasher, see Smasher:Lock.

A lock is a technique in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. 4, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate where a character can use low knockback attacks to combo an opponent on the floor that is "prone"; aka "lying down". An animation of the victim briefly bouncing off the ground signifies a lock. Some moves that lock are fast enough to be repeated, while others cannot be repeated fast enough to keep the opponent in the locked position, or have knockback scaling that causes the opponent to be launched at higher percents. Some moves will move a character across the stage farther than others, causing less damage buildup overall.

The reset was first introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and was then incorporated into the locking mechanic as the only wake-up option that can be used afterwards, allowing for a punish as the opponent stands up. The character will stand up in an identical animation of a standard neutral get-up, with intangibility frames at the beginning.

Trying to perform a lock in Melee merely results in a reset, which the opponent can avoid altogether with ASDI. In Brawl, a reset can occur only after locking has ceased, which can result in zero-to-death combos. In Smash 4, it functions in the same way, but locking can now only be performed a maximum of three times before an automatic reset occurs[1] (except in rare circumstances, see below). In Ultimate, this has been reduced to two times before an automatic reset; additionally, the reset no longer forces the opponent to use a neutral get-up (effectively resulting in a tech-chase). This can be considered a blend of the former locking and reset mechanics, respectively.

Percentages, weight, and angles are the most noteworthy properties in determining if a move will successfully lock or reset. Some moves only do so in very specific circumstances, while others almost always do. The listings below do not take any of these parameters into account, and only extremely character-specific or unwieldy locks are not to be listed. In every Smash game, including Smash 64, an instant getup with a grounded flinch will occur in any low-knockback situation a lock or reset cannot.

How to perform[edit]

Lucas performing a lock combo on Lucario with down air after an untechable footstool.

Starting a lock or reset is often the most difficult part, as many skilled players will tech or DI away before hitting the ground, and will also get up as soon as possible to avoid it. Surprise or fast attacks causing a character to fall quickly on the ground can work, as well as taking advantage of various situations in which a tech cannot be performed. For example, in Brawl and SSB4, footstooling an airborne opponent will prevent them from being able to tech in any way while in tumble, though the upward momentum can cause the footstooler to be unable to follow up with a lock depending on their character. Learning to perform a shorthop footstool aides in this. For some characters, it is possible to fast fall an aerial with lock properties to cause a single bounce, then follow up with a jab lock or reset.

Types of locks[edit]

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Jab lock[edit]

The most common type of lock is the jab lock, which can be performed by multiple characters. As the name states, it is done by hitting a fallen character with a jab, stepping forward, and hitting them again. The locked player can be moved to the end of the stage in Brawl, where the active player generally hits them with a charged smash attack as they stand up. Generally, it is done with only the first hit of the jab, but some characters can do it with the second hit as well. If one attacks too soon after each bounce, or use a move without lock properties, the character will snap to a standing position. Some jabs will only lock with certain hitboxes. An example of this is with Mario, where he cannot jab lock with the first hit of his jab if he hits them with the front of his fist, so he must be close to his opponent when he jab locks them. In SSB4, the jab lock only works up to three times. In Ultimate, a jab lock only works up to two times, although a change from previous games is that almost every character in the game is capable of jab locking except for characters with unique jabs such as Ganondorf and Roy.

Aerial move locks[edit]

Another common move that can lock are aerials, especially the weak hits of sex kicks. Because of the minimal endlag of the type of kick, these are easily followed up with strong moves.

Projectile lock[edit]

Falco performing a laser lock on Snake.

A commonly used lock is Falco's laser lock, which, unlike other locks, has enough range to hit and lock characters on level ground with Falco regardless of distance (assuming tournament legal maps). Larger stages like Bridge of Eldin can cause a character to move far enough away that Falco's lasers cannot reach them. There are many follow up options that Falco can use, such as his BDACUS. The easiest and most effective way to set up a Laser Lock is to land a down throw or grounded down aerial and immediately buffer the first hit of Falco's jab. Falco cannot always follow up with a KO move because of distance, reducing the effectiveness of the laser lock to damage building only. It should also be noted that the laser lock only works at percentages equal to or exceeding 80% as Falco's moves will not cause a tumbling animation until said percentage.

Not all characters can be laser locked, due to the height of their character model while lying down. For other characters, it is dependent on which way they fall, since the height of the hitbox can change if they fall on their face or on their back.

Kirby using Falco's lasers will shoot them lower, allowing him to lock more characters than Falco can.

In Ultimate, Falco's lasers do not travel as far as they do in Brawl, and he can only lock opponents twice with them before they reset due to the altered locking mechanics.

Burial lock[edit]

Two Donkey Kongs performing an infinite lock on Pac-Man

Most moves with a burial effect are able to lock an opponent indefinitely past the three hit limit in Smash 4 (one notable example being Villager's down smash), giving the possibility of 0-death combos in team battles. It is important to note, however, that a lock cannot be started using a burying move, as the opponent will reset before the lock is able to be continued. Burial moves cannot lock opponents in Brawl.

Throw lock[edit]

Many throws have a hitbox that collaterally damages nearby opponents. With proper positioning and timing, some of these throws are able to lock other opponents.

Other grounded move locks[edit]

Various special moves, tilts, and even weak parts of smash attacks can lock or reset opponents.

List of locking attacks[edit]

An icon for denoting incomplete things.

In Brawl[edit]

Character Move(s) Notes
Bowser Down tilt The first hit only works at extremely low percents. The second hit works for slightly longer.
Neutral aerial
Charizard Neutral attack Only the front hitbox of the first hit. Works regardless of percent.
Neutral aerial
Back aerial Sourspot of the second hit.
Donkey Kong Neutral attack Only certain hitboxes of the first hit and does not work at higher percents
Forward tilt
Down tilt
Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Giant Punch Requires to be uncharged to lock.
Diddy Kong Neutral attack Only locks at a certain part of the first hit's hitbox behind him making it extremely difficult to connect. Works regardless of percent.
Forward tilt
Forward aerial
Peanut Popgun
Fox Neutral aerial
Forward tilt
Forward smash
Up smash Late hit.
Back aerial Sourspot only.
Ganondorf Neutral attack Only the sweetspot, works at extremely low percents and it cannot lock smaller characters due to jab's high hitbox.
Ice Climbers Ice Shot It is capable of locking infinitely if the Ice Climbers are desynched properly.
Jigglypuff Neutral attack Both hits can lock. Is not effective at very high damage.
Forward tilt
Forward smash
Down smash
Neutral aerial
Forward aerial Late hit.
Back aerial
King Dedede Neutral attack Only the first hit locks. Works regardless of damage.
Kirby Neutral attack Does not work at very low percents or percents far beyond Sudden Death percents and only the first hit locks.
Down tilt
Neutral aerial
Forward tilt
Back aerial
Inhale Any copy ability that can lock (except for Link Hero's Bow).
Link Neutral attack Only the first hit locks. Does not work at very high damage.
Lucas Down tilt
Luigi Forward tilt Angled down, can lock indefinitely
Mario Neutral attack Only the front hitbox of the first hit locks and all three hits can lock at low percents. The first and second hits lock regardless of percent.
Forward tilt
Forward aerial Only sourspot works.
Back aerial
Neutral aerial
Fireball
Marth Neutral attack Only a specific part of the hitbox and both hits can lock. Does not work at very high percents.
Meta Knight Neutral attack Works best against a wall. Only stops working at percents far above 300%.
Forward tilt Certain hitboxes of the first hit.
Down tilt
Neutral aerial
Ness Neutral attack Only the first hit locks. Does not work at very high percents.
Forward tilt
Neutral aerial
Forward aerial
Back aerial
Down tilt Locks against a vertical wall only.
Olimar Neutral attack The second hit only works at very low percents. The first hit works regardless of percent.
Peach Neutral attack Only the second hit.
Dash attack Only the first hit.
Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Up aerial Certain hitboxes.
Pikachu Neutral attack Does not work at low percents.
Down tilt
Neutral aerial
Forward tilt
Down aerial
Thunder Jolt
Quick Attack Can be repeated with Quick Attack Cancel, known as QAC lock.
R.O.B. Neutral attack Only the front hitbox of the first hit. Does not work at very high percents.
Forward tilt
Forward aerial
Down tilt Effective against a vertical wall only.
Samus Neutral attack The second hit only works at very low percents. The first hit stops working at higher percents.
Sheik Back aerial
Neutral aerial
Needle Storm
Chain
Snake Neutral attack Only certain hitboxes and the first and second hits can lock regardless of percent.
Sonic Neutral attack Both the first and second hits can lock regardless of percent.
Squirtle Neutral attack Both the first and second hits can lock regardless of percent.
Forward tilt
Forward smash
Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Wolf Down tilt
Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Yoshi neutral attack Only the second hit can lock and it stops locking at higher percents.
Neutral aerial
Forward aerial Only the sourspot is capable of locking.
Zelda Neutral attack The first two hits work regardless of percent but the third hit only works at lower percents. Only works on larger characters due to jab's high hitbox.
Zero Suit Samus Dash attack
Forward tilt
Forward aerial First hit.
Down aerial Aerial hit.
Paralyser

In SSB4[edit]

Jab Locks are still possible in SSB4. However, in most cases, the opponent can only be hit three times before being freed. Moves that bury opponents are exceptions to this rule as most of them can lock infinitely. Moves that "lock" must hit the opponent within 25 frames of hitting the ground.

Character Move(s) Notes
Bayonetta Down smash First hit
Back aerial
Bullet Climax
Bowser Down tilt
Forward smash Sourspot
Down aerial
Up throw
Down throw
Whirling Fortress Excluding the last hit
Bowser Jr. Neutral attack
Forward tilt
Neutral aerial Sourspot
Back aerial Sourspot
Down aerial Hits 2-6
Forward throw
Down throw
Captain Falcon Forward tilt
Down smash Second hit
Forward aerial Sourspot
Back aerial Sourspot
Down aerial
Falcon Punch
Charizard Neutral attack
Up smash Back of the first hit
Neutral aerial Sourspot
Down aerial Sweetspot
Cloud Forward tilt
Back aerial
Cross Slash Top part
Corrin Neutral attack Rapid jab back hitbox
Pummel
Dark Pit Forward tilt
Forward aerial Last hit
Up aerial Hits 1-4
Down aerial Meteor hitbox
Forward throw
Up throw
Diddy Kong Forward tilt
Forward aerial
Back aerial
Down aerial
Donkey Kong Neutral attack
Forward tilt
Down tilt
Neutral aerial Late hit
Back aerial
Giant Punch Up to five swings
Headbutt
Spinning Kong Grounded, hits 3-6
Hand Slap Aerial, second hit
Dr. Mario Neutral attack Hit 3
Forward tilt
Neutral aerial
Forward aerial
Megavitamins
Duck Hunt Neutral attack Rapid jap sourspot
Forward tilt
Neutral aerial
Down aerial First hit, sourspot
Falco Forward tilt
Up tilt Tip of the back hitbox, first hit
Forward smash Sourspot
Forward aerial First three hits
Back aerial
Down aerial Sourspot
Blaster
Fire Bird
Reflector
Fox Forward tilt
Forward smash
Neutral aerial
Down aerial All but the last hit.
Ganondorf Neutral attack
Forward aerial
Up aerial Only sourspot.
Down aerial
Neutral aerial Second hit
Greninja Forward tilt
Back aerial All but the last hit.
Down aerial
Ike Forward tilt
Down aerial
Forward throw
Back throw
Up throw
Down throw
Jigglypuff Dash attack
Forward tilt
Forward smash
Down smash
Neutral aerial Sweetspot only.
Forward aerial
Down aerial All but the last hit.
King Dedede Neutral attack
Forward tilt Tip of the hammer, all but the last hit.
Forward aerial
Down aerial
Forward throw
Back throw
Gordo Throw Without the Gordo.
Super Dedede Jump
Kirby Forward tilt
Down tilt
Back aerial
Down aerial Last hit
Down throw
Inhale Any copy ability that can lock (except for Link Hero's Bow).
Stone If aerial, must be sourspotted.
Link Neutral attack
Neutral aerial
Hero's Bow
Spin Attack Grounded, only last hitbox.
Little Mac Down Aerial
Lucario Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Aura Sphere
Lucas Forward tilt
Down tilt Sourspot
Down smash Excluding the first hit
Neutral aerial Hits 1-4, only while rising through a platform
Forward aerial Sourspot
Back aerial
Down aerial For hits 1-3, sourspot and only while rising through a platform. For hit 4, sweetspot.
Lucina Down aerial Meteor hitbox
Dolphin Slash Sourspot
Luigi Forward tilt
Down tilt
Forward aerial
Back aerial
Down aerial
Back throw
Fireball
Green Missile
Mario Neutral attack
Forward tilt
Neutral aerial
Forward aerial
Back aerial
Down aerial Landing hit
Fireball
Marth Dash attack Untippered
Forward Tilt Untippered
Forward aerial Untippered
Down aerial Meteor hitbox
Shield Breaker Sourspot
Dolphin Slash
Mega Man Neutral attack
Forward tilt
Forward smash
Neutral aerial Late hit
Forward aerial Late hit
Back aerial First hit
Down aerial
Leaf Shield
Mewtwo Forward tilt
Up smash Directly beneath the opponent, excluding the final hit
Back aerial
Shadow Ball
Meta Knight Down tilt
Forward aerial First two hits
Down throw
Drill Rush
Mii Brawler Forward tilt
Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Head-On Assault
Mii Gunner Forward tilt
Up smash Multi-hit from below
Back aerial
Down aerial Sourspot
Back throw
Charge Blast
Gunner Missile
Mii Swordfighter Forward tilt
Back aerial
Down aerial Excluding last hit
Down throw
Ness Neutral attack
Dash attack First hit
Forward tilt
Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Down aerial
Down throw
PK Thunder Tail hitbox
Olimar Neutral attack
Neutral aerial Top of the first hit
Forward aerial
Pac-Man Neutral attack
Forward tilt
Forward smash Late hit
Neutral aerial
Forward aerial
Back aerial
Pummel
Down throw
Bonus Fruit Bell, dropped
Palutena Back aerial
Autoreticle
Peach Neutral attack Second hit
Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Down throw
Vegetable Mr. Saturn
Pikachu Neutral attack
Forward tilt
Down tilt
Neutral aerial Sweetspot
Forward aerial Top hitbox
Down aerial
Thunder Jolt
Skull Bash
Pit Forward aerial Last hit
Up aerial Hits 1-4
Down aerial Meteor hitbox
Forward throw
Up throw
R.O.B. Forward tilt
Down tilt
Forward aerial
Up aerial First 4 hits
Down aerial Sourspot
Arm Rotor
Robin Levin Sword Thrown
All tomes
Thunder First stage
Elwind First hit, meteor hitbox
Rosalina & Luma Forward tilt No Luma
Neutral aerial No Luma
Back aerial Sourspot
Down aerial No Luma
Roy Forward tilt Sourspot
Forward smash Sourspot
Down smash Sourspot
Back aerial
Ryu Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Pummel
Hadoken Standard or input
Samus Neutral attack
Forward tilt
Up tilt
Forward smash Sourspot
Forward aerial Top of the first hit
Up aerial Tip of the first hit
Back aerial Sourspot
Down aerial
Homing Missile
Bomb
Sheik Dash attack Late
Up tilt First hit
Neutral aerial
Back aerial
Down aerial
Bouncing Fish
Sonic Neutral attack
Dash attack First three hits
Down tilt
Forward aerial Excluding the last hit
Spring Jump Projectile
Shulk Forward tilt Sourspot if not in Buster
Forward aerial Buster
Back aerial Sourspot if not in Buster
Down aerial Buster, second hit
Forward throw
Back throw
Up throw
Down throw
Back Slash
Toon Link Forward tilt
Down tilt
Neutral aerial
Down aerial
Hero's Bow
Spin Attack Grounded, excluding the last hit
Villager Forward tilt
Down smash
Neutral aerial
Forward aerial Sourspot
Back aerial Sourspot
Down aerial 3 turnips
Wario Dash attack Late
Forward tilt
Forward aerial
Back aerial
Down throw
Wario Bike Thrown
Wii Fit Trainer Neutral attack Hit 3
Forward aerial Meteor hitbox
Back aerial
Header Meteor hitbox
Super Hoop
Yoshi Neutral aerial Sourspot
Forward aerial
Down aerial Excluding the last hit
Zelda Neutral attack First and third hit
Forward aerial Sourspot
Back aerial Sourspot
Down aerial
Phantom Slash Stages one and two
Zero Suit Samus Forward tilt
Down throw
Paralyzer

Videos[edit]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]