This is my first post here (just registered because I want to discuss Brawl+), but I've been following this project since MAD was made. Thus, I have a pretty good grasp of the codes so far. So, hello everyone.
Now, on the topic of shields, I have a slightly unorthodox suggestion regarding powershielding. I've heard complaints of how easy powershielding is, and how it often happens by luck, when all we're trying to do is shield. Now, I know part of this is because the window for powershielding is huge, and indeed, it is easy enough that one can consistently do it, especially against projectiles, if one wishes to do so. However, the fact that it happens so often without actually meaning to do it is rather annoying, and further makes shields overpowered, and on top of that, adds an element of randomness and luck.
So, in order to correct this, why not divorce the powershield from the normal shield input?
Now, hear me out. I've heard people here compare powershielding to Street Fighter 3's parry system, and that gave me an idea. We could disable powershielding completely from the normal shield, and instead assign powershielding to another input, much how you block in SF3 by pressing back, and parry by pressing forward/down on a certain window.
In a similar way, you could shield by pressing R, and powershield by pressing L on a certain window. If an attack does not hit your character's hitbox during that frame, nothing happens. But if it does, you powershield. This window would, of course, be smaller than it currently is, though perhaps not as small as it is in Melee.
By doing this, powershielding would be completely independent of the normal shield, and thus eliminate the element of randomness inherent in powershielding. That, and it increases the risk associated with attempting a powershield, as unlike the current system, where shielding too early only brings up the normal shield, making the biggest risk occur if you shield too late, pressing L too early or too late puts you at risk of attack. You would then have a clear choice of either playing it safe and bringing up the normal shield, or truly risk an attack and opt to powershield to counter-attack.
The only problems I can think of, however, is if this would fly with some players, considering how some have inputs other than shield assigned to L, and of course, the code space, which is running low at the moment. I'm sure some would also say that this is too radical a change, that Brawl+ is about small but nevertheless significant changes to the existing engine, and that in light of this, a complete change to the way the shielding game works would be unacceptable.
But nevertheless, I felt I should throw this out there, because it sounds like a great idea, at least on paper.
) They're good quality.
