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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|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 one-way [[Platform#Semisoft platforms|semisoft platforms]] (which can only be passed through upwards), 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]], especially on stages with hard platforms. Sharking is considered particularly risky in ''Super Smash Bros.'' and ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', due to their faster physics and falling speed than in other games. In ''Super Smash Bros. 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 ''Super Smash Bros. 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 {{iw|wikipedia|shark}}s, 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 ''Smash 64'' 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==
*[[Kirby]]
*[[Jigglypuff]]
*[[Peach]]
*[[Peach]]
*[[Daisy]]
*[[Meta Knight]]
*[[Meta Knight]]
*[[Pit]]
*[[Pit]]
*{{SSB4|Dark Pit}}
*[[Dark Pit]]
*[[Kirby]]
*[[Jigglypuff]]
*[[King Dedede]]
*[[King Dedede]]
*[[R.O.B.]]
*[[R.O.B.]]
*[[Sephiroth]]


==Stages that allow sharking==
==Stages that allow sharking==
{{incomplete|There are probably more for Brawl and SSB4}}
<nowiki/>*Indicates that the stage has thin hard platforms instead of semisoft platforms
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Indicates that the stage has thin hard platforms instead of semisoft platforms
===''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''===
===''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''===
*[[Kongo Jungle]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Kongo Jungle]]*
*[[Planet Zebes]]
*[[Planet Zebes]]


===''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''===
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''===
*[[Brinstar]]
*[[Brinstar]]
*[[Great Bay]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Great Bay]]*
*[[Jungle Japes]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Jungle Japes]]*
*{{SSBM|Kongo Jungle}}<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*{{SSBM|Kongo Jungle}}*
*{{SSBM|Mute City}}
*{{SSBM|Mute City}}
*[[Rainbow Cruise]]
*[[Rainbow Cruise]]
*[[Kongo Jungle N64]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Kongo Jungle N64]]*
*[[Battlefield]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Battlefield]]*


===''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''===
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''===
Line 40: Line 43:
*[[Distant Planet]]
*[[Distant Planet]]
*[[Halberd]]
*[[Halberd]]
*[[Jungle Japes]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Jungle Japes]]*
*[[Mario Bros.]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Mario Bros.]]*
*[[New Pork City]] (breakable platform)
*[[New Pork City]] (breakable platform)
*[[Norfair]]
*[[Port Town Aero Dive]]
*[[Port Town Aero Dive]]
*[[Rainbow Cruise]]
*[[Rainbow Cruise]]
*[[Rumble Falls]] (beginning platform, after first cycle)
*[[Rumble Falls]] (beginning platform, after first cycle)
*[[Skyworld]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Skyworld]]*


===''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''===
===''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''===
*[[75m]]
*[[75m]]
*[[Balloon Fight]]
*[[Brinstar]]
*[[Brinstar]]
*[[Delfino Plaza]]
*[[Delfino Plaza]]
*[[Distant Planet]]
*[[Distant Planet]]
*[[Halberd]]
*[[Halberd]]
*[[Jungle Japes]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Jungle Japes]]*
*[[Kongo Jungle 64]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Kongo Jungle 64]]*
*[[Magicant]]
*{{SSB4|Mario Circuit}}
*[[Norfair]]
*[[Pac-Maze]]
*[[Pac-Maze]]
*[[Pilotwings]]
*[[Pilotwings]]
*[[Port Town Aero Dive]]
*[[Port Town Aero Dive]]
*[[Prism Tower]]
*[[Prism Tower]]
*[[Skyworld]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>
*[[Skyloft]]
*[[Skyworld]]*
*[[Suzaku Castle]] (bottom left platform)
*[[Tortimer Island]] (long boating dock, unbroken)
*[[Wuhu Island]]
 
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''===
*[[75m]]
*[[Balloon Fight]]
*[[Brinstar]]
*[[Delfino Plaza]]
*[[Distant Planet]]
*[[Halberd]]
*[[Jungle Japes]]*
*[[Kongo Jungle 64]]*
*[[Magicant]]
*[[Mario Bros.]]*
*{{SSB4|Mario Circuit}}
*[[New Donk City]]
*[[New Pork City]] (breakable platform)
*[[Norfair]]
*[[Pilotwings]]
*[[Port Town Aero Dive]]
*[[Prism Tower]]
*[[Rainbow Cruise]]
*[[Skyloft]]
*[[Skyworld]]*
*[[Suzaku Castle]] (bottom left platform)
*[[Suzaku Castle]] (bottom left platform)
*[[Tortimer Island]] (long boating dock, unbroken)
*[[Tortimer Island]] (long boating dock, unbroken)
*[[Wuhu Island]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 10:38, April 12, 2023

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 one-way semisoft platforms (which can only be passed through upwards), 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, especially on stages with hard platforms. Sharking is considered particularly risky in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee, due to their faster physics and falling speed than in other games. In Super Smash Bros. 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 Super Smash Bros. 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 Smash 64 under a name that can be translated as "mole tactics".[1]

Characters that can notably perform sharking[edit]

Stages that allow sharking[edit]

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

Super Smash Bros.[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Super Smash Bros. 4[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

References[edit]

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