New Mechanic: Victim doesn't turn direction on hit.

[LadyLuckHerself]

I was studying a few videos of Smash Ultimate gameplay and I noticed that characters seem to no longer turn around when they're hit from the opposite direction. So, if a character is hit while backwards, they'll remain backwards while in knockback instead of turning towards their opponent. Here, here, and here are some examples.

This is interesting, mostly because some characters (such as Shulk's side B) have moves that deal more damage when a character is backwards, now it will easier to set them up and keep them in that disadvantaged state. This is also scary, because now characters who are bair pressuring (like Cloud) can't be "flipped" around with a projectile or attack, so they can continue to bair pressure on their own terms. This is also interesting for Marth/Lucina, as their Bairs turn them forward, so they can flip their positioning more easily then most.

What do you guys think? Honestly I find it weird in this game. It'd be much more effective in Melee where you couldn't grab the ledge backwards >_>

 

[DaDavid]

Yeah I noticed this too and honestly the only thought that crossed my mind was that specific Shulk example. I'm sure it will have a bunch of little influences, but I don't know if there are any quite as dramatic as the ones you've mentioned though. It's a pretty subtle change.

 

[Crystanium]

I like it. It seems it'll make the matches more challenging. Characters with tether grabs might have it bad, however, unless the character is ZSS, who could just use side special.

 

[DonkaFjord]

I was studying a few videos of Smash Ultimate gameplay and I noticed that characters seem to no longer turn around when they're hit from the opposite direction. So, if a character is hit while backwards, they'll remain backwards while in knockback instead of turning towards their opponent. Here, here, and here are some examples.

This is interesting, mostly because some characters (such as Shulk's side B) have moves that deal more damage when a character is backwards, now it will easier to set them up and keep them in that disadvantaged state. This is also scary, because now characters who are bair pressuring (like Cloud) can't be "flipped" around with a projectile or attack, so they can continue to bair pressure on their own terms. This is also interesting for Marth/Lucina, as their Bairs turn them forward, so they can flip their positioning more easily then most.

What do you guys think? Honestly I find it weird in this game. It'd be much more effective in Melee where you couldn't grab the ledge backwards >_>

This just made me realize that a 1v1 match between Ryu and Shulk would mean that Shulk would never get the extra damage from his Back Slash, right?

 

[Deleted member 269706]

In my eyes this change is a very nice addition to the game and I believe it indirectly comes as a nerf to characters with obscenely good frame data. Imagine a scenario where you are comboing Mario across the stage. Should he be facing towards you, it's more than likely he'll buffer a nair in an attempt to interrupt the combo. Alternatively, say he's turned around- that nair doesn't have the same influence. Perhaps not the best example but it's the first that comes to mind.

 

[Peachach]

Good call, if you ask me. This change made me even wonder if it'd be interesting to be able to decide whether your character does this or not. Probably a crazy idea.