Official Up-Smash and Grab Thread

[Aran]

Alright guys, this thread is to discuss in depth u-smash, her least useful move (at least in my game). I really would like to see some more use out of it, since it IS still Samus' second most damaging move at 23% (32% if fully charged). Setups, mind games, specific data, priority information, tips and tricks, pros and cons- all are welcome here. Let's find a use for that darn move.

 

[Tudor]

I use this move somewhat often...

Usually boost smash on big characters though... (especially when I see their shield is dying)

It might be good for edge guarding when you know someone is going to come on the stage, We should test this!

 

[0RLY]

It doesn't combo, and hard to setup with such a small initial hitbox. If Samus could dacus, then this would be extremely nifty. Otherwise, I'll stick with uair/fair which can combo and are easier to land. I pretty much only use usmash when I mess up my utilt, sometimes it works, sometimes I get punished.

In terms of priority, I know that...
:: air vs. air - range
:: ground vs. ground - priority
:: air vs. ground - no idea

Because usmash has very little vertical range, and it's horizontal range consists of a backwards moving hitbox above Samus... it's range won't be helping it land an attack on airborne foes. It IS disjointed though. As for ground vs. ground... well, it has less range than your jab.

 

[Hive]

usmash- I don't really use this move too much
only to punish people on platforms, and after dash attacks at around 60-90% ish maybe... because the knockback from it puts people right into usmash range....

 

[Dobs1007]

Under used move decent if get spacing down good against big characters do dash-slide upsmash if get timing down does around 22 damage I think. Useful if opponent is above on platform make sure hit with last part as that is what causes actually knock back kills around 160 I think have to test more. Move I do is fair from edge into sliding up smash around 40ish damage if can get timing down. If opponent behind you can do move and last hitbox with knockback should hit. The key is too learning hitboxes and spacing same thing with her bair.

 

[0RLY]

@ Hive: Then why not just uair/fair? This way you don't risk pushing them off the platform and letting them get a free fair/bair/fsmash/dsmash on you. Also, at that percent, dash attack would send them to uair range. Even then the uair is easily airdodged. You may be thinking of ~40%

@ Dobs1007: Pretty freaking sure you'll have better KO options than usmash in ANY given situation. The only big charas you'll be hitting are DK and Bowser. D3, ROB, Snake, and other assorted large characters will NEVER give you the opportunity to get that close. Ledgehop fair to running usmash is grabbait.

It seems like we're treating usmash as a situational move. I'd say this move is just plain bad, like Wolf's dash attack. Just because we have the move doesn't mean we HAVE to use it. It's much too situational to be useful.

 

[Hive]

@ Hive: Then why not just uair/fair? This way you don't risk pushing them off the platform and letting them get a free fair/bair/fsmash/dsmash on you. Also, at that percent, dash attack would send them to uair range. Even then the uair is easily airdodged. You may be thinking of ~40%.

hmmm.... well your right, uair and fair have priority.... screw attack too, with platforms...
I'm just saying that when I DO actually get around to using usmash these are the situations I'm most likely to use it in...
I don't have too much of a problem pushing them off platforms though...
40% is probably more correct... I was just guesstimating... I usually end dashes in screw attacks though at this percentage... unless the opponent starts airdodging... then usually uairi to homing missile or something.... but you can occasionally surprise someone with usmash...

 

[Aran]

D-air to u-smash is one combo I like to use a fair amount. It does a decent amount of dmg, but it only works in the mid-percentage range.

 

[0RLY]

Dair>Usmash does work, no denying that. As for me, I just prefer Dair>uair>zair. Just having more attacks in my string (cuz combos don exits) makes the game so much more fun for me. I'm pretty sure they both do about the same amount of damage. Also, Samus' uair and dash attack are just so good. They could be better, but those attacks are like universal combo moves I can always rely on. Her projectiles usually attract players to using her, but for me, it's her dash attack and uair. I don't really care if another character can do it also (Fox+champ combo), Samus is just too awesome! /fanboyism /bias

 

[Smash_Gigas]

I don't use Usmash too often, but I will bring it out once in a while. I try to use it when my opponent's diagonally angled above me (falling, or on a platform). I mostly use the reverse jump-cancelled Usmash. Since the hitbox moves backwards, I turn my character backwards so it moves forward, also considering the last "explosion" has the largest knock-back.

I can see this move putting me in a bad situation moreso than a good one, so I try to keep it minimal.

 

[Dobs1007]

@ Hive: Then why not just uair/fair? This way you don't risk pushing them off the platform and letting them get a free fair/bair/fsmash/dsmash on you. Also, at that percent, dash attack would send them to uair range. Even then the uair is easily airdodged. You may be thinking of ~40%

@ Dobs1007: Pretty freaking sure you'll have better KO options than usmash in ANY given situation. The only big charas you'll be hitting are DK and Bowser. D3, ROB, Snake, and other assorted large characters will NEVER give you the opportunity to get that close. Ledgehop fair to running usmash is grabbait.

It seems like we're treating usmash as a situational move. I'd say this move is just plain bad, like Wolf's dash attack. Just because we have the move doesn't mean we HAVE to use it. It's much too situational to be useful.

The question was asked to discuss move I agree that is not best ko option but I listed % to aid in discussion. I actually make move work for me it shield pokes and what not. I agree it is situational but I have found a room for it in my style of play.

 

[Gindler]

I just hate how if the final hit of the usmash doesn't send them away chances are you'll be gettin' punished.

 

[Eva01]

Usmash has always been the move to signify that I have missed an Utilt so I've never really cared for it. I will say that mixing a sliding Usmash every now and then on SHing approachers can be rewarding. I've found that the sliding animation+their forward momentum tends to force them into the sweet spot at the end. Even then, in every case I use this move I can think of two others that would or could have been more effective. Not to mention a wiff on this move almost always results in punishment, more so than just about any of her others attacks.

 

[Villi]

Hm, I find myself using a RAR and jump canceling an up smash sometimes so that I approach them sliding backwards into the strong hit box. It's not a great approach, but eh, pretty good chance to get the strong hitbox that way.

 

[__V]

Usmash is supposed to lift them up into the last hit, which is the only hit with actual knockback... Samus got so little attention that this move STILL hasn't been fixed. [/rant]

Utilt tends to be a lot more effective for me than Usmash ever is. If the top of the heel connects, they're dead. If it doesn't, I can chase with aerials.