Port priority: Difference between revisions

In most cases, playing with the lowest controller port (closest to P1) is considered to be advantageous, as a lower port will allow a player to beat out their opponent if both attempt to grab each other or grab a ledge at the same time. Port priority allows the player with the lower port to hold the advantage in these specific situations, but these occur infrequently and are considered to have a miniscule effect on gameplay. Despite being advantageous, the lower port is generally not contested at the beginning of a set, as calling for port (or winning the rights to it, either by rock-paper-scissors or by scoring a higher number on [[Mr. Game & Watch]]'s [[Judge]]) requires the player to give up [[stage striking]] advantage to the opponent. The stage chosen tends to have far greater influence in the outcome of a match than port priority, so players are generally content to give up port priority to the opponent in favor of stage striking. In [[mirror match]]es, port priority becomes more contested, as the neutrality of the matchup nullifies stage advantage. Doubles sets arrange team players in a "1221" fashion (with one team using P1 and P4, while the other team uses P2 and P3) to balance out the effects of port priority. The throw hitstun interaction in ''Melee'' technically gives an advantage to the higher port instead, but this is such a little-known fact that it is generally ignored.

However, in ''Brawl'', due to the effects of FSA, port priority is of significant importance during competitive [[doubles]] matches, and singles matches that involve {{SSBB|Snake}}, since he can summon powerful self-detonating explosives. Faux super armor can be used to advantage, if a player launches a powerful attack at a teammate holding an lower-priority opponent in a grab; the attack will hit both players, but the higher-port teammate will survive with no knockback, while lower-port player will be launched, allowing for easy KO setups. This can be seen in the notorious "Omnigay" technique, where a Snake player (P1) can stick a C4 onto their ally {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} or {{SSBB|Kirby}} (P4), and detonate it during the partner's up throw, killing the opponent in port P2 or P3 at any percent. In addition, if a Snake player gets grabbed while holding a Grenade, the hitboxes of pummels and throws are often enough to detonate it, and at high percents, this could result in the lower-ported player being KO'ed, while the higher-ported player survives. This can be excaberated by Snake's immense survivability, as he can try the trick with little risk to himself at many percents.