Random Smash Tidbits
Volume 1 - Issue 1
Over the years I’ve come across many little kernels of knowledge that are of almost no use except as interesting tidbits of information, it could be a technique, a strategy, the mechanics of the game, you name it. Some of these bits of information are widely known, others though have rested deep in the water of forgotten Smash knowledge. My goal here is to present one or two of these tidbits every two weeks, thus helping broaden everyone knowledge of Smash. To the veterans these bits of information may already be known, so if you are already aware of one of the tidbits, please feel free to post any insight you have gained.
Tidbit #1: Shield Toggling
Why is this a RST: I was shown this technique by Iggy in November of 2006. Since then I haven’t run into anyone else who knows how to do it outside of a few Midwest players. After finding out about it I put it in the SSBM Compendium of Knowledge, but alas no one has discovered it in there. To my knowledge, this technique is virtually unknown on the West Coast, most of the East Coast (I’ve shown it to a handful of DC players), and South. I figure there is no better tidbit of information than one that both novice and veterans players alike are unaware of.
What it is: You can switch between full and light shielding instantaneously by holding down the A button and one of the shielding buttons (hold L/R all the way down). To toggle between the light and full shield simply press Z while you are holding down A and L/R.
Uses: Almost none that I can think of. I used the technique in one tournament match and the other player spent half a life trying to duplicate it to no avail, which resulted in me easily taking the stock and winning the match. I think this may help game and watch players keep up a larger shield by quickly switching between light and full shield. One of the problems of the technique is avoiding the shield grab animation (which you get from holding down L/R and A). To get around this I’ll usually wavedash into a shield toggle or I’ll perform it after a shuffled aerial.
Tidbit #2: Platform Shield Fall
Why is this a RST: Many players know how to do it and it has slowly gained popularity over the last year or so, but it is still seldom used in matches.
What it is: You can fall through a platform directly from your shield by lightly pressing down on the control stick. The timing and pressure is very sensitive, which makes this an incredibly difficult technique despite how simple it sounds. Think of it like short hopping, but downward.
Uses: There is less time between lowering your shield and dropping through the platform. You can also do this technique directly into an air attack, which, if it hits someone still on the platform, would mean your essentially doing a standing aerial (because your position will reset back onto the platform).
Volume 1 - Issue 1
Over the years I’ve come across many little kernels of knowledge that are of almost no use except as interesting tidbits of information, it could be a technique, a strategy, the mechanics of the game, you name it. Some of these bits of information are widely known, others though have rested deep in the water of forgotten Smash knowledge. My goal here is to present one or two of these tidbits every two weeks, thus helping broaden everyone knowledge of Smash. To the veterans these bits of information may already be known, so if you are already aware of one of the tidbits, please feel free to post any insight you have gained.
Tidbit #1: Shield Toggling
Why is this a RST: I was shown this technique by Iggy in November of 2006. Since then I haven’t run into anyone else who knows how to do it outside of a few Midwest players. After finding out about it I put it in the SSBM Compendium of Knowledge, but alas no one has discovered it in there. To my knowledge, this technique is virtually unknown on the West Coast, most of the East Coast (I’ve shown it to a handful of DC players), and South. I figure there is no better tidbit of information than one that both novice and veterans players alike are unaware of.
What it is: You can switch between full and light shielding instantaneously by holding down the A button and one of the shielding buttons (hold L/R all the way down). To toggle between the light and full shield simply press Z while you are holding down A and L/R.
Uses: Almost none that I can think of. I used the technique in one tournament match and the other player spent half a life trying to duplicate it to no avail, which resulted in me easily taking the stock and winning the match. I think this may help game and watch players keep up a larger shield by quickly switching between light and full shield. One of the problems of the technique is avoiding the shield grab animation (which you get from holding down L/R and A). To get around this I’ll usually wavedash into a shield toggle or I’ll perform it after a shuffled aerial.
Tidbit #2: Platform Shield Fall
Why is this a RST: Many players know how to do it and it has slowly gained popularity over the last year or so, but it is still seldom used in matches.
What it is: You can fall through a platform directly from your shield by lightly pressing down on the control stick. The timing and pressure is very sensitive, which makes this an incredibly difficult technique despite how simple it sounds. Think of it like short hopping, but downward.
Uses: There is less time between lowering your shield and dropping through the platform. You can also do this technique directly into an air attack, which, if it hits someone still on the platform, would mean your essentially doing a standing aerial (because your position will reset back onto the platform).
