Veril
Frame Savant
PK Flight: Drastically improving Lucas' Recovery with Magnet Pull and Zapjumping.
Because I'm tired of reading the same "help me" threads over and over again.
Because I'm tired of reading the same "help me" threads over and over again.
Some Edits:
• I do not recommend b-sticking. You are much better off learning to manually wavebounce since its applicable to the entire cast, NONE of whom really benifit from b-sticking. Everything is possible without b-sticking, just marginally more difficult.
•Timing the psi-m later on for a magnet pull reduces its length. Bad idea? Not if you would have gimmicked yourself into someone's spike!
Zapjumping FTW
What is Zapjumping and Why is it Important?
By using pk-fire immediately after a second jump, Lucas will dramatically increase the jumps height and speed while using pk-fire. The height, speed, and direction of a zapjump can be modified. Zapjumps can also be wavebounced and by using a magnet pull here, Lucas' recovery becomes truly absurd (aka Wavezaps, my favorite Lucas trick <3). This technique is extremely important for Lucas' recovery game and is critical in certain matchups.
It is a fast, long ranged, nearly ungimpable recovery option. Character's that rely on (or are just really good at) gimp kills will wreck Lucas if you only use PKT2 and his tether. Think about how many aerial moves beat the PKT1. Also important to keep in mind is that zapjumps do not leave you helpless, unlike PKT2. Zapjumping often catches opponents off guard, and can be used in extremely surprising ways (more on this below). It vastly expands Lucas' comfort zone and allows a lot more freedom offstage.
Also... Zapjumping looks really cool. You probably play Lucas cause he's cool, since HE SURE AS H*** ISN'T GOOD in vBrawl!
How is Zapjumping executed?
Short Answer: double jump and pkf at almost exactly the same time. The jump must come first. The timing is tricky at first but gets much easier with practice. Keep in mind that you can't immediately zapjump out of hitstun (it is a double jump first after all).
Long Answer: What you can do with zapjumps will depend on your control setup, especially whether you b-stick. The standard zapjump is simply double jump + a-stick forward + b (ie, pkf in the direction you face initially).
These attributes can be altered:
Direction of pkf:
-you can do a turnaround pkf, although that reduces the height and speed of the zapjump.
-you can b-reverse the pkf. This does not affect normal zapjumps (although it does effect wavezaps).
Height and Speed: The standard zapjump gives you the most vertical distance.
-turnarounds lower the height and speed of a zapjump.
-recoil momentum somewhat lowers the height of a zapjump. (b-stick required)
-b-reversals do not change the height or speed
--keep in mind that a wavezap is automatically a turnaround (and a b-reversal) (b-stick required)
Recoil and horizontal distance.
-wavebouncing creates the most recoil and horizontal movement. You can magnet pull off this.
-doing a "still" zapjump (no controller stick input) creates slight recoil, enough to wavebounce a pkf off of (more on that later).
- b-reversals do not affect recoil but can affect horizontal distance (see below).
-tapjump can create a sort of weakened recoil effect (I'll need to expand on this a bit).
--recoil opens up the possibility for additional effects such as a wavebounced pkf or magnet pull.
The shape of the Jump:
-normal zapjumps are essentially straight whereas wavezaps curve. Neutral b-sticked zapjumps curve to a lesser degree. (the obvious)
-b-reversing a wavezap allows you to jump backwards and recoil backwards. This is a distinctly different shape from a normal or turnaround wavezap. It also has the greatest horizontal distance (w/ a magnet pull its the longest recovery option lucas has).
*Keep in mind that if you aren't facing the way you want initially you can easily turn around using Psi-M.
What is the best controller setup for zapjumping? Do I have to B-stick?
Zapjumping can be done with a number of different controller setups. The best one to use is the one which best fits your playstyle. You don't actually have to change anything to zapjump.
B-sticking: You DO NOT have to b-stick to zapjump. I b-sticked for a long time. Then I got tired of using multiple control schemes and just settled on one which does not involved the b-stick. I find that setting one of the shoulder buttons as "special" helps immensely but it honestly is just a matter of preference. Wavezap + recovery claw = pain in the a** imo.
Tapjump: Tapjumping can be used for to zapjump if you b-stick. I used this setup for a while and do not recommend it as a primary method. It is required for "variable recoil" zapjumps but that isn’t super-important. It is highly recommended for meteor canceling.
Special set as z/L/R: this will make zapjumping much easier on the hands.
Most players use this:
The Recovery Claw: No changes need to be made. You curve your hand to hit y and b at roughly the same time. I hate it. It is usable and a lot of players are fine with it. You can only do the standard zapjump, which can be turned around or b-reversed (or both). Its pretty limited in terms of manipulation but most players don’t care (“tear”).
--switching jump to L/R/z makes the claw less painful (and... not a claw). I don't think there is any reason not to do this.
Zapjump vs. knockback
Zapjumping is a modified double jump so… airdodging and then zapjumping with DI will increase your survivability. I don’t have enough data on this to conclusively say that it is better than using a f-air to negate horizontal or d-air to negate vertical knockback, however I believe that a specific type of zapjump does improve horizontal survivability.
Performing a wavezap, facing the stage, and b-reversing, such that you jump backwards and also bounce back, should improve horizontal survivability. If anyone has data on this, please inform me. I have only attempted this a few times (friendlies), and I’ve always survived, but… maybe I would have anyway.
Its not practical, merely cool, much like Lucas...
Zapjump vs. Meteor Stun
You can meteor cancel with a zapjump in the same way you would cancel with a normal double jump. Its just... very difficult. That being said, a zapjump meteor cancel will cause your opponent to sh** their pants. Whereas after a normal meteor cancel (with lucas at least) you are still in a bad position, a zapjump can completely bypass an edgeguard and actually put you in a position to retaliate... bad***.
Wave-bounced zapjump meteor cancels are absurd... absolutely absurd. Snazzy!
Zapjump vs. magnet pull/pkf recoil
If you zapjump immediately after a wavebounced pkf or magnet pull it will not automatically become a wavezap, despite the momentum. This is due to the DJ canceling the recoil. In fact, if you try to wavezap, you will get reduced horizontal distance and increased vertical distance.
MAGNET PULLING
Q: How do I magnet Pull?
A: Immediately after wavebouncing a pkf, or shooting a pkf while moving in the opposite direction, you gain a burst of momentum: recoil. Using a psi-m immediately will create the magnet pull effect.
Q: Can you magnet pull from knockback momentum?
A: No
Q: Is magnet pulling a way of surviving horizontal knockback?
A: No
Q: What control do you have over magnet pulls?
A: You can control the direction traveled (by b-reversing) and the direction faced when the magnet pull starts and ends (control stick input).
Q: Is magnet pull a good attack?
A: I wouldn't make it a habit.
Q: It seems like b-sticking psi-m for magnet pull makes my magnet pull slightly shorter. Why?
A: If you maintain the Psi-M, say by holding b, the recoil of the magnet pull will create a wavebounced magnet pull effect automatically... which brings me to my next question.
Q: Can you wavebounce after a magnet pull?
A: Yes, right after a magnet pull you can wavebounce PKF (shoot opposite the direction of motion), a PsiM or a PK-freeze (why?). If you wavebounce a pkf you can follow up with another magnet pull. This is easier to perform if you b-stick.
Q: Is there an advantage to b-sticking in regards to magnet pulls?
A: No, lrn2techskill.
If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask.