Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Grabbing & Throwing

Master Grabbing & Throwing techniques in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Learn how to break shields, chain combos, and secure KOs by properly timing your grabs an.

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Grabbing & Throwing

Grabbing and throwing are fundamental techniques in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, offering crucial ways to break through an opponent's shield, set up combos, and launch them off the stage. Mastering these mechanics will significantly elevate your gameplay.

Performing a Grab

To initiate a grab, you have a few options depending on your controller setup:

  • Standard Grab: Press the Grab button (typically mapped to ZL or ZR on the Wii U GamePad, or L/R on a Pro Controller/GameCube Controller).
  • Shield Grab: While holding your shield, press the Attack button. This is an excellent defensive option to punish opponents who are pressuring your shield.
  • Dash Grab: While dashing, press the Grab button. This allows you to cover ground quickly and surprise opponents, but be aware that dash grabs have more startup lag than standing grabs.

Important Considerations:

  • Grabs have a short range. You need to be in close proximity to your opponent for it to connect.
  • If your grab misses, you'll be left vulnerable for a brief period, known as "grab lag." Opponents can easily punish a whiffed grab.
  • Grabs cannot connect with opponents who are currently attacking, in hitstun, or invincible.

Pummeling Your Opponent

Once you've successfully grabbed an opponent, you have a brief window to pummel them before throwing. Pummeling deals a small amount of damage and can increase the opponent's percentage, making subsequent throws more effective.

  • How to Pummel: Repeatedly press the Attack button (A button) while holding your opponent.
  • Strategy: The number of pummels you can land depends on your character and the opponent's damage. Characters like Donkey Kong can often land more pummels due to their stronger grabs. Be careful not to over-pummel, as your opponent can escape the grab if you take too long.

Throwing Your Opponent

After a grab (and optional pummels), you can throw your opponent in one of four directions: Up, Down, Forward, or Back. Each character has unique properties for their throws, making some more suitable for specific situations.

  • Up Throw: Push the control stick up while holding your opponent. Often used to launch opponents vertically, setting them up for aerial attacks or as a KO option at high percentages.
  • Down Throw: Push the control stick down while holding your opponent. Many characters have "combo throws" as their down throw, which can lead into follow-up aerials or other attacks. For example, Mario's down throw is a classic combo starter.
  • Forward Throw: Push the control stick forward (towards the opponent's original position) while holding them. Good for creating space or pushing opponents towards the edge of the stage.
  • Back Throw: Push the control stick back (away from the opponent's original position) while holding them. Excellent for turning the tables, sending opponents off the opposite side of the stage, or for characters like Ness, whose back throw (PK Thunder) can be a powerful KO move at higher percentages.

Grab Release and Teching

If you are the one being grabbed, you can attempt to escape by repeatedly mashing buttons and rotating the control stick. This is called "grab release" or "mashing out."

  • Teching a Throw: When you are thrown into a surface (like the ground or a wall), you can "tech" by pressing the Shield button just before impact. Successfully teching will allow you to quickly recover and avoid bouncing, giving you an advantage. This is crucial for surviving powerful down throws or stage spikes.

Advanced Grab & Throw Strategies

  • Grab Combos: Many characters have specific throws that lead into guaranteed or highly advantageous follow-up attacks. Research your main character's grab combos to maximize your damage output. For instance, Captain Falcon's down throw can often lead into a Knee of Justice at certain percentages.
  • Edge Guarding with Throws: Use forward or back throws to launch opponents off the stage, then follow up with an edge guard to prevent their recovery.
  • Punishing Shields: If an opponent is constantly shielding, a well-timed grab is your best option to break their defense and deal damage.
  • Reading Opponent Habits: Pay attention to how your opponent reacts to your pressure. If they shield often, go for grabs. If they attack out of shield, consider baiting their attack and punishing.