Shield dropping

[MT_]

I've seen this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQA7vbttZkQ

However, it doesn't get into the exact mechanics that is shield dropping itself. How exactly does it work? I have been practicing it and getting it only like 50% of the time. I am familiar with the "feel" of what a good shield drop should be, but what are the exact mechanics?

For example: if you push down on the control stick too fast you'll do a spot dodge. If you don't push down fast enough you'll simply angle your shield down. What are the boundaries that define the in between, which (I think) results in shield dropping?

Also, does the size of your shield matter at all? Will light shielding make the shield drop easier, or will an overly used shield make the shield dropping harder?

I can't really get a good grasp on the mechanics for shield dropping. The touch is so delicate and precise and is sometimes frustrating haha. Can anyone give some input or maybe make a comprehensive everything to shield dropping?

 

[BBQ°]

dashdancedan is amazing

 

[X1-12]

I'm about 95% sure shield size makes no difference, nor does light shielding

From both testing and experience I would say the easiest way to do it is press the stick slowly all the way to the side (your shield will move, that's fine) then roll it along to the bottom. This greatly reduces your chances of accidentally spotdodging and you should fall through as soon as the stick reaches half way between side and down (45 degrees)

 

[Metal Reeper]

I usually just put my control stick to a 45 degree SouthEast kinda direction, but...Listen to X1-12

 

[Fortress | Sveet]

yep its the 45degree angle afaik. Thats what i used when practicing shield drops from dash dance. Like X1-12 said, you can roll your control stick around the outside of the control stick rail and you will shield drop if you hit the right spot. Its not about "speed" as much as a precise position.

As for the actual process of shield dropping and why it works, its because thats how the game was intended to be. Shield dropping was the primary method of traveling through platforms in ssb64. There was no spot dodging so it was much easier, too.

 

[MT_]

When you say 45 degree angle, do you mean like so the control stick is downleft (or downright) or do you mean it's halfway between the neutral position and down? I have been practicing and have been getting a small consistency in shield dropping without moving the stick to the side at all, simply going down slightly.

I was thinking to utilize shield dropping to attack OOS on a platform against some form of pressure; if I wanted to do this, then I think moving to the side then down would be a little too slow. Does the horizontal positioning of your shield even make a difference for shield dropping?

I can see that "speed" isn't completely the issue, as if you can hit the right spot then you will shield drop. At the same time, I don't think "speed" can be neglected because it's possible to angle your shield in such a fashion that your control stick is completely down if you angle it slow enough. I was hoping someone with AR or a better comprehension of the different possible inputs of the control stick (varying levels of tilts and etc?) would be able to uncover all the intricacies of shield dropping.

Most of the ATs that we've discovered are explainable and the exact mechanism as to how they work are understood. However, I don't think we've reached that level of comprehension when it comes to shield dropping (or maybe someone has but hasn't shared yet or something).

 

[X1-12]

When you say 45 degree angle, do you mean like so the control stick is downleft (or downright) or do you mean it's halfway between the neutral position and down? I have been practicing and have been getting a small consistency in shield dropping without moving the stick to the side at all, simply going down slightly.

All the way to the edge, 45 degrees between side and down.

I was thinking to utilize shield dropping to attack OOS on a platform against some form of pressure; if I wanted to do this, then I think moving to the side then down would be a little too slow. Does the horizontal positioning of your shield even make a difference for shield dropping?

I believe so, I've spent ages trying to shielddrop without pushing shield to the side and with no success. If you are being pressured angle the shield towards them, even before they hit you then while in shield stun roll the stick down. You should buffer a shielddrop.

I can see that "speed" isn't completely the issue, as if you can hit the right spot then you will shield drop. At the same time, I don't think "speed" can be neglected because it's possible to angle your shield in such a fashion that your control stick is completely down if you angle it slow enough. I was hoping someone with AR or a better comprehension of the different possible inputs of the control stick (varying levels of tilts and etc?) would be able to uncover all the intricacies of shield dropping.

Most of the ATs that we've discovered are explainable and the exact mechanism as to how they work are understood. However, I don't think we've reached that level of comprehension when it comes to shield dropping (or maybe someone has but hasn't shared yet or something).

I think this is the case, but I reckon we know enough about it, we know how to do it with 100% consistency

 

[Jonas]

I mean is this really that usefull? Regular shield dropping (where you drop through the platform while you are already shielding) seems far more useful since that gives you another way to get out of your shield besides rolling and jumping, but it's also a little harder to do.

 

[dashdancedan]

It doesn't have to be all the way to the either side as long as it's halfway between neutral and the bottom.

The most I've seen someone use shield drop is to bait an attack and the drop through the platform. (Lucien did this) As far as the out of shieldstun option, it's so hard it's hardly useful, and besides, OOS options aren't very good anyways. Being in shield is pretty bad nowadays.

 

[BBQ°]

I've been experimenting with shield dropping, and I've found it's just useful for overall movement. I think it's really important for marth because he requires dat spacing.

I was able to combo across battlefield and shield drop to dair finish. I think shield dropping was the only way to move from the air through the platform fast enough to land the dair.

 

[Nø Ca$h]

i just press down slowly. i can do it pretty consistantly

 

[TheZhuKeeper]

This is probably one of my favorite things. I use it when opponent is near edge / run away from opponent who just came back from invincibility / etc. Adding fast fall is really good too. With spacies, I like to Shai Drop -> shine -> waveland back onto platform if the shine doesn't hit. ionno why but I've always felt like this is the new / metagame changing AT but I guess people are less eager to learn this / apply it cause its applications aren't entirely obvious.

 

[Lovage]

yeah **** scrubs

tell em zew

 

[dashdancedan]

shai drop shain

 

[BBQ°]

shai drop shain

LOL

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