Dancing Blade: Difference between revisions

'''Dancing Blade''' ({{ja|マーベラスコンビネーション|Māberasu Konbinēshon}}, ''Marvelous Combination'') is [[Marth]] and [[Lucina]]'s [[side special move]].

When used, the user performs a sideways slash, which can be followed by up to three more hits with further presses of the [[special]] button. Tilting the [[control stick]] in a specific direction during the execution of any slash but the first changes its trajectory and properties: the second hit can be tilted forward or up, while the third and fourth hit can be tilted up, forward or down. Counting all hits, there is a total of 18 possible combinations.

:{{Main|Marth (SSBM)/Side special}}

[[File:Dancingblade.png|thumb|Dancing Blade in ''Melee''.|left]]

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[[File:Dancingblade.jpg|thumb|Dancing Blade in ''Brawl''.]]

Dancing Blade has seen quite a few changes since ''Melee''. Unlike in ''Melee'', Marth doesn't glow anymore when using this attack: the attacks simply change the motion trail of his sword. The colors are more coordinated, with Red always representing neutral, Blue always representing up, and Green always representing down. Secondly, the timing no longer matters, so it can be performed easily. If the first hit connects, it is nearly impossible to escape the rest of the combo when the timing is fast enough. The knockback on the third strike is decreased, allowing for better combos. The final can either be 2 [[KO]] moves at high percentages (Up can KO at 118% tipped, 142% base. Forward can KO at 140% tipped, 179% base) or a quick damage racker (Down can KO at 213% [[Tipper|tipped]], 305% base), while the upward final strike has a brand new animation (a turning upward flick as opposed to a turning slam-slash in ''Melee'').

The third hit is still a [[meteor smash]], but only if not sweetspotted. However, the move aids Marth's recovery less than the previous game. The damages for the first hit is 3% (4% tipped), both the second hits are also 3% (4% tipped), all the third hits are 4% (5% tipped) and the last up and forward hits are both 6% (8% tipped) while the total of the multiple down hits are 11% (13% tipped).

In ''Brawl'', Marth's Dancing Blade can be reversed by tapping the control stick in the opposite direction a few frames after the side special move has been activated. There is no increase to damage, knockback and has no reverse animation, this makes reversing only useful if it is used to attack behind Marth. Although since Dancing Blade is so quick, it looks like there is a slight animation of Marth turning around, it is actually the start of the animation of a normal Dancing Blade that continues on the other side when Marth turns around.

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Dancing Blade returns in ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' as {{SSB4|Marth}}'s side special move, as well as that of his [[clone]], {{SSB4|Lucina}}. Visually, the [[tipper|tip]] of the sword in Marth's version glows more brightly than the rest of the trail, while Lucina's is a full bright white blur all along her blade, indicating the move's consistent damage across the entire blade much like most of her other sword attacks. The attack generally deals more damage when angled downward, but has more ending lag, and the downward-angled third hit no longer meteor smashes. Additionally, it is much easier to escape out of, due to the move's lowered hitstun, less interruptibility, and its tendency to throw opponents out of the move even if the first hit connects. Overall, the move is now less effective than in ''Brawl'', although the changes to the move's knockback angles in the [[1.1.3]] update made the attack easier to chain together, making it more effective than how it was initially.

Dancing Blade returns in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' as {{SSBU|Marth}} and {{SSBU|Lucina}}'s side special move, and has again received some significant changes. Each swing transitions significantly faster than before and can thus be [[buffer]]ed, making the move easier to connect with every hit. Every swing has an altered animation. However, the user does not step forward as much after each swing, reducing the move's effective range, and the first swing has slightly longer startup.