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Small step forward smash: Difference between revisions

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(if I'm not mistaken, this works with varying degrees of effectiveness in all three games)
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[[File:Small_step_fsmash_cr.png|thumb|right|Left: small step fsmash, right: standing fsmash]]
[[File:Small_step_fsmash_cr.png|thumb|right|Left: small step f-smash, right: standing f-smash]]
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.
The '''small step forward smash''' is a technique 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.


For the button combination "backward on control stick" + A/C, there is only 1 tolerance frame (instead of 3) during which the character is still turning around. Thus, this technique cannot be used for backward dashes at all.
In Melee, there is only 1 frame available to delay instead of 3 when doing a fowrard smash in the opposite direction, making it pointless.


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. [[Pivoting]] can be used in a similar, yet more universal way, but it's much harder to do and also takes one frame longer.
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's much harder to do and also takes one frame longer.

Revision as of 10:32, June 4, 2013

Illustration of small step fsmash's increased range
Left: small step f-smash, right: standing f-smash

The small step forward smash is a technique 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.

In Melee, there is only 1 frame available to delay instead of 3 when doing a fowrard smash in the opposite direction, making it pointless.

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's much harder to do and also takes one frame longer.