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Sharking: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Sharking Meta Knight Halberd Brawl.gif|thumb|right|250px|{{SSBB|Meta Knight}} sharking {{SSBB|King Dedede}} on [[Halberd]] in ''Brawl''.]]
[[File:Sharking Meta Knight Halberd Brawl.gif|thumb|right|250px|{{SSBB|Meta Knight}} sharking {{SSBB|King Dedede}} on [[Halberd]] in ''Brawl''.]]
'''Sharking''' is the act of going underneath a stage to attack opponents from below. Its name directly references [[Wikipedia:Shark|sharks]], which swim close enough to the surface of the water so that their dorsal fins are seen overhead. It is best performed by characters with multiple jumps such as {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} and [[Kirby]], who will be able to recover after performing sharking. It can only be performed on stages containing either [[Platform #Semisoft platforms|semisoft platforms]] (those that can be traveled upward through, but not downward through), or thin [[Platform #Hard platforms|hard platforms]] (though the latter is more risky for the attacker). Notable examples of the former include [[Delfino Plaza]] and [[Halberd]], while examples of the latter include [[Jungle Japes]]. The principle behind sharking is that while underneath the stage, a character can attack and/or [[shield damage|damage shields]] relatively safely, while their opponent has few options to counterattack due to being unable to pass through the platform. However, an experienced player can perform a [[meteor smash]] on a sharker, which if timed accurately usually results in an immediate [[KO]].
'''Sharking''' is the act of going underneath a stage to attack opponents from below. While underneath the stage, a character can attack and/or [[shield damage|damage shields]] relatively safely, while their opponent has few options to counterattack, being unable to pass through the stage floor. However, an experienced player can perform a [[meteor smash]] on a sharker which, if timed correctly, will usually result in an immediate [[KO]].


Sharking has historically been a legitimate if risky strategy, as while it allows attack without much chance of counterattack, it is easy to make a mistake and [[self-destruct]]. This is more true in ''SSB64'' and ''Melee'', due to their faster physics and falling speed in general compared to other games. In ''Brawl'', Meta Knight in particular can shark with ease on many stages, thanks to a combination of a very fast and disjointed up aerial, plus a choice of four quick recovery moves. This for many has driven sharking into an area considered [[cheap]] or even [[broken]] on certain stages (though usually only when performed by Meta Knight, perhaps a testament to how some would consider the character himself broken). Sharking is commonly combined with [[planking]] to allow the sharking character to restore their jumps and be minimally vulnerable to attacks, though this latter technique is no longer possible in ''Smash 4'' due to its new [[edge]] mechanics eliminating the viability of planking.
Sharking can only be performed on stages containing either [[Platform #Semisoft platforms|semisoft platforms]], which can be travelled upward through, but not downward, such as [[Delfino Plaza]] and [[Halberd]], or thin [[Platform #Hard platforms|hard platforms]], such as [[Jungle Japes]]. It is best performed by characters with multiple jumps such as {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} and [[Kirby]], who are better able to recover after attacking.


The technique has been mentioned on the official website for ''SSB64'' under a name that can be translated as "mole tactics"<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/Lv09.html</ref>.
Sharking has historically been considered a legitimate but risky strategy, because it is easy to make a mistake and [[self-destruct]], specially on stages with hard platforms. Sharking is considered particularly risky in ''SSB64'' and ''Melee'', due to their faster physics and falling speed than in other games. In ''Brawl'', Meta Knight can shark with ease on many stages, thanks to his very fast and disjointed up aerial, as well having a choice of four quick recovery moves. For this reason, several players consider sharking to be [[cheap]] or [[broken]] on certain Brawl stages, although others limit this criticism to the Meta Knight character. Until ''Smash 4'', which largely eliminated [[planking]] through its new [[edge]] mechanics, it was common to see players combine sharking with planking, as a way to restore jumps and avoid vulnerability to attacks.
 
The term 'sharking' directly references [[Wikipedia:Shark|sharks]], which swim close enough to the surface of the water, so that only their dorsal fins are seen overhead. The technique has been mentioned on the official website for ''SSB64'' under a name that can be translated as "mole tactics".<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/Lv09.html</ref>.


==Characters that can notably perform sharking==
==Characters that can notably perform sharking==

Revision as of 11:04, November 23, 2020

Meta Knight attacking King Dedede from below the airborne platform on the Halberd.
Meta Knight sharking King Dedede on Halberd in Brawl.

Sharking is the act of going underneath a stage to attack opponents from below. While underneath the stage, a character can attack and/or damage shields relatively safely, while their opponent has few options to counterattack, being unable to pass through the stage floor. However, an experienced player can perform a meteor smash on a sharker which, if timed correctly, will usually result in an immediate KO.

Sharking can only be performed on stages containing either semisoft platforms, which can be travelled upward through, but not downward, such as Delfino Plaza and Halberd, or thin hard platforms, such as Jungle Japes. It is best performed by characters with multiple jumps such as Meta Knight and Kirby, who are better able to recover after attacking.

Sharking has historically been considered a legitimate but risky strategy, because it is easy to make a mistake and self-destruct, specially on stages with hard platforms. Sharking is considered particularly risky in SSB64 and Melee, due to their faster physics and falling speed than in other games. In Brawl, Meta Knight can shark with ease on many stages, thanks to his very fast and disjointed up aerial, as well having a choice of four quick recovery moves. For this reason, several players consider sharking to be cheap or broken on certain Brawl stages, although others limit this criticism to the Meta Knight character. Until Smash 4, which largely eliminated planking through its new edge mechanics, it was common to see players combine sharking with planking, as a way to restore jumps and avoid vulnerability to attacks.

The term 'sharking' directly references sharks, which swim close enough to the surface of the water, so that only their dorsal fins are seen overhead. The technique has been mentioned on the official website for SSB64 under a name that can be translated as "mole tactics".[1].

Characters that can notably perform sharking

Stages that allow sharking

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The editor who added this tag elaborates: There are probably more for Brawl, SSB4 and Ultimate

*Indicates that the stage has thin hard platforms instead of semisoft platforms

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References

  1. ^ http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/Lv09.html
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