Snake (SSBU)/Dash attack

Hitbox visualization showing Snake's dash attack.

Overview

Snake does a somersault forwards and strikes the opponent. It has very fast startup at frame 5, grants Snake arm intangibility throughout the entire hitbox duration, and has high damage and base knockback, making it an extremely effective burst option. It is one of Snake's most useful approaching options, as it propels him a good distance forward and allows him to contest with and beat out options used by the opponent. If dash attack connects with its early hit, it can cross-up shields, making it difficult for the opponent to punish, and its high base knockback and low angle lets it setup edgeguards. Finally, it is a potential KO option near the ledge at very high percents, and it can used to allow Snake to go into his crouching position at the end of the move, making him capable of low profiling certain attacks including grabs and potential out of shield options.

In spite of its immense utility, the move does have a few downsides. It can be called out by opponents if they dash back and punish its ending lag and despite its ability to cross-up shields, it is extremely unsafe on shield if it is misspaced, as its late hit often leaves Snake in a very vulnerable position if it fails to cross-up. Its frequent use in neutral also makes it susceptible to overuse, allowing opponents to evade and punish the attack if they catch on to the user's pattern of use.

In the end, Snake's dash attack is one of the best of its kind due to its speed, intangibility, high power, cross-up potential, and ability to set up edgeguards. It is one of the most reliable burst options in the game, allowing Snake to quickly launch the opponent away if they manage to close the distance on him. However, players must remain unpredictable when using it to avoid punishment by the opponent. Nonetheless, it is an invaluable tool in Snake's moveset.

Hitboxes

ID	Part	Rehit rate	Damage	SD	Angle	Angle type	BK	KS	FKV	Set weight	Radius	Bone	Offset			H×	SDI×	T%	Clang	Rebound	Effect	Type	G	A	Sound	Direct	Hit bits	Hit part	Blockable	Reflectable	Absorbable	Flinchless	No GFX	Heedless
Clean hit
0	0	0	11.0%	1.0		Standard	95	45	0		4.5	neck	1.9	-0.6	0.0	1.0×	1.0×	0%							Punch		All	All
1	0	0	9.0%	1.0		Standard	95	45	0		3.0	top	0.0	5.0	4.0	1.0×	1.0×	0%							Punch		All	All
Late hit
0	0	0	8.0%	1.0		Standard	40	75	0		4.5	neck	1.9	-0.6	0.0	1.0×	1.0×	0%							Punch		All	All
1	0	0	6.0%	1.0		Standard	40	75	0		3.0	top	0.0	5.0	4.0	1.0×	1.0×	0%							Punch		All	All

Timing

Arms intangible	5-12
Clean hit	5-8
Late hit	9-12
Interruptible	42
Animation length	55

Legend (1 square = 1 frame)

Lag time

Hitbox

Hitbox change

Vulnerable

Intangible

Interruptible

Snake's moveset

Neutral attack (1 · 2 · 3) · Forward tilt (1 · 2) · Up tilt · Down tilt · Dash attack · Forward smash · Up smash · Down smash
Neutral aerial · Forward aerial · Back aerial · Up aerial · Down aerial
Grab · Pummel · Forward throw · Back throw · Up throw · Down throw
Forward roll · Back roll · Spot dodge · Air dodge · Techs
Floor attack (front) · Floor getups (front) · Floor attack (back) · Floor getups (back) · Floor attack (trip) · Floor getups (trip)
Edge attack · Edge getups
Neutral special · Side special · Up special · Down special · Final Smash
Up taunt · Side taunt · Down taunt