How Exactly Does the Extender Work?

[RadicalRat]

It's pretty much the only Samus tech I haven't been able to get down. I know you're supposed to like... wiggle the stick while you grab, but??? Help?

 

[Seal]

Press Z then press Up Down Up on the D-Pad and then press Z again. The next time you grab, you will use the extender. If I'm not mistaken these inputs must be entered while the beam is coming out. You keep the extender until you die and cannot revert to normal grab IIRC. The extender can target and follow people by pressing L or R as it extends. (You can actually grab people through certain platforms) Unlike the regular grab, you must press A or Z while the end is touching them to actually land the grab and the extender does not grab people in midair.

Good luck and happy EXTENDURRR-ing!

 

[343]

you can only home with extender by doing the digital (all-the-way-down) L press. R + A, analog L/R + A, and Z all don't home, but still have the same grab window as homing extender. There are 3 grab windows.

From http://smashboards.com/threads/samus-hitboxes-and-frame-data.320253/ , which you should read if you haven't already:

Extended grab

Total: 94
Grab: 18-41 or 42-57 or 59-94
You must press A during the grab window to start grabbing; the grab will continue the remainder of the grab window . The grab-box is larger until and including the last frame before a big flash in the beam (for the first grab window only)

 

[RadicalRat]

Ah, thanks a lot!
That helps a lot more than the other mentions I've seen around here.