Optimal button-mashing configuration

[luxingo]

From what I read, K-Prime's method for button mashing (setting the d-pad to other inputs, rolling the d-pad, and making use of dual-stick mechanics) is the best way to button mash. Correct me if I'm wrong. However, even with that information, what is the optimal configuration?

To explain, if you hold down an attack input and press another button that is assigned to an attack input, nothing happens. Normally, if you input a grab when you're in the air, you do an air-dodge from the shield input, but if you hold shield, you will do an aerial when you input a grab.

Also, will a grab input count as two inputs in regards to button mashing then?

With these two points in consideration, what is the optimal configuration?

 

[infiniteV115]

The main principle behind K-Prime's button mashing technique is that it takes advantage of dual-stick mechanics: You can find information about this elsewhere on SWF but the basic gist is that if you're holding one direction on the analog and then you hit the C-stick (assuming it's set to smash) in a different direction, the C-stick input overrides the analog input for one frame, and then the analog input is read on the next frame.

So holding left on analog, hitting C-stick up once = left, up + attack, left = 4 inputs registered
Holding left on analog, hitting C-stick up four times = 4(left, up + attack), left = 13 inputs registered

Assigning controls to the D-pad isn't necessary and I found it rather hard when I used it to mash (I don't anymore cause it's just too awkward), but if you're going to use it then make sure that no adjacent directions involve the same inputs. When I used it, I had up set to grab, side set to jump, and down set to shield (in hindsight it's better to set this to grab as well). This way, if you're circling the d-pad with your thumb, no input gets 'held'.

Yes, grab counts as two inputs.

No I don't think there's an 'optimal configuration' for mashing, as long as every button you're pressing contains a non-taunt input and you can figure out a way to mash without hitting two buttons at the same time that include the same input (like your shield/Z example). I suppose if there are any buttons you don't use, setting them to grab would be ideal.

But really I think you're reading too much into it. ESAM and Reflex are both well-known for their extremely good mashing abilities and I don't believe either of them even use the K-Prime mashing technique. Successful mashing has more to do with your personal technical abilities than button configurations.