SSB64 Icon.png
SSBM Icon.png
SSBB Icon.png
SSB4 Icon.png
SSBU Icon.png

Small step forward smash: Difference between revisions

From SmashWiki, the Super Smash Bros. wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
(Created page)
 
m (Text replacement - "|thumb|right" to "|thumb")
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The small step forward smash is a technique in [[Super Smash Bros. Melee]] that is used to effectively extend fsmash's range by dashing for up to 3 frames before using it. To ensure players don't do a [[dash attack]] instead of a [[forward smash]], Melee reads the button combination "forward on control stick" + A or C left right as a forward smash even if they are up to 3 frames apart. The character already starts moving noticeably on the second frame of the dash, so as soon as A or C-stick is pressed to complete the forward smash input, the character has already done a small step.
{{ArticleIcons|ssb=y|ssbm=y|ssbb=y|ssb4=y|ssbu=y}}
[[File:Small_step_fsmash_cr.png|thumb|A demonstration of the small step forward smash in ''Melee''. Left: small step f-smash, right: standing f-smash]]
The '''small step forward smash''' is a technique in all ''Smash'' games that effectively extends the range of a [[forward smash]] by intentionally delaying a few frames between the [[control stick]] tap and the attack button press. As the game allows a specific window of time between the two inputs (3 frames in ''Melee'') in order to differentiate the combination from a [[dash attack]], this causes the character to dash forwards slightly before the forward smash begins, therefore increasing its range based on how far the character moves in their early dashing animation. This can also be used to intentionally decrease the range of a forward smash for small positioning advantages.


The small step forward smash is most useful for characters whose fsmash has low startup and high range. This is the case for Marth more than any other, making this technique good for him to hit opponents who stand just outside of his range.
In ''[[Melee]]'', there is only 1 frame available to delay instead of 3 when doing a forward smash in the opposite direction, making it pointless. On the other hand, in ''[[Smash 4]]'', the player can choose when to forward smash in the opposite direction. In ''[[Ultimate]]'', the window is 5 frames for both directions.
 
The small step forward smash is most useful for characters whose forward smash has low startup and high range (such as Marth), effectively increasing the range slightly further. [[Pivoting]] can be used in a similar, yet more universal way, but it is much harder to do and also takes one frame longer.
 
[[Category:Techniques (SSB)]]
[[Category:Techniques (SSBM)]]
[[Category:Techniques (SSBB)]]
[[Category:Techniques (SSB4)]]
[[Category:Techniques (SSBU)]]
[[Category:Advanced techniques]]

Latest revision as of 09:49, April 12, 2023

Illustration of small step fsmash's increased range
A demonstration of the small step forward smash in Melee. Left: small step f-smash, right: standing f-smash

The small step forward smash is a technique in all Smash games that effectively extends the range of a forward smash by intentionally delaying a few frames between the control stick tap and the attack button press. As the game allows a specific window of time between the two inputs (3 frames in Melee) in order to differentiate the combination from a dash attack, this causes the character to dash forwards slightly before the forward smash begins, therefore increasing its range based on how far the character moves in their early dashing animation. This can also be used to intentionally decrease the range of a forward smash for small positioning advantages.

In Melee, there is only 1 frame available to delay instead of 3 when doing a forward smash in the opposite direction, making it pointless. On the other hand, in Smash 4, the player can choose when to forward smash in the opposite direction. In Ultimate, the window is 5 frames for both directions.

The small step forward smash is most useful for characters whose forward smash has low startup and high range (such as Marth), effectively increasing the range slightly further. Pivoting can be used in a similar, yet more universal way, but it is much harder to do and also takes one frame longer.