Learn the essential controls for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, including movement, shielding, dodging, and various attacks on the ground and in the air. Improve your gameplay now!
This guide covers the basic controls and terminology for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. For practice, use the Training Mode (Games & More → Training) on the 'Training' stage, which features a grid background to help visualize attack reach and launch distance. Enabling the Trajectory Guide in the Pause Menu is also recommended. For fundamentals, watch the 'How to Play' movie (Vault → Movies → How to Play). The Tips section (Vault → Tips → Techniques) also explains techniques and terms.
The following outlines movement, defense, and attack controls:
Moving and Defending your Fighter
Moving on the ground
Quickly flicking the left stick left or right makes your fighter run. Gently tilting it makes them walk, with slower speeds for gentler tilts. You can quickly reverse direction while running, but your fighter will skid. To avoid this, release the stick briefly before pressing the opposite direction.
Moving in the air
Pressing X/Y or Up on the left stick makes your fighter jump. A light tap results in a small hop. You can control jump direction with the left stick and move left or right while falling. Greater tilt on the stick results in more momentum. Most fighters have one mid-air jump (double jump), with exceptions like Kirby and Jigglypuff having more. You can easily change direction with a double jump. Falling off the stage edge grants only one jump. You can also jump off opponents' heads up to four times, with each jump being shorter. Pressing down in the air makes you fall faster. As of version 2.0.0, pressing two jump inputs (X and Y for GameCube, A and X for Pro Controller) simultaneously performs a short hop. This trick does not work if 'Up' is set to jump on the left stick.
Shielding and Dodging
Shield: Pressing ZR (R for GameCube) on the ground deploys a shield that blocks damage. Holding the shield or taking damage shrinks it. A broken shield leaves you stunned and vulnerable. Opponents can grab you while shielding. Shields regenerate when not in use.
Rolling Dodge: While shielding on the ground, tilting the left stick left or right performs a roll dodge in that direction.
Spot Dodge: While shielding, pressing down performs a spot dodge, allowing a quicker counter-attack than other dodges.
Air Dodge: Pressing ZR (R for GameCube) in the air performs an air dodge. You are limited to one air dodge per action; you can air dodge again after taking damage or landing.
Directional Air Dodge: Holding a direction while performing an air dodge makes you move in that direction. This aids positioning but leaves you more vulnerable after the dodge. Air dodges can be used for recovery.
Spamming dodges slows your fighter and reduces invincibility frames, making you susceptible to attacks.
Attacks
On the ground
Smash Attacks: Pressing A and a direction on the left stick simultaneously performs a Smash Attack, which has high launch potential. Holding A charges the attack, increasing damage and launch distance. The right stick can also be used for Smash Attacks if configured.
Neutral Attack: Pressing A performs a neutral attack. Many fighters can perform combos by repeatedly tapping A, with the final hit often having the most launch power. Neutral attacks are effective for racking up damage at close range.
Forward Tilt: Tilting the left stick in your facing direction and pressing A performs a Forward Tilt. These attacks generally have better reach and more damage than neutral attacks but are slower.
Down Tilt: Pressing the left stick down and then A performs a low-hitting attack. Some fighters have unique effects, like King K. Rool burying opponents or Incineroar launching opponents for juggling.
Up Tilt: Tilting the left stick up and pressing A typically launches opponents upward, enabling combos with subsequent Up Tilts or aerial attacks.
Tilt attacks can be assigned to the right stick/C-Stick via Smash → Controls → [Your Name] → [Your Controller] → Right Stick/C-Stick (defaulted to Smash Attack) → Tilt Attack → Save. This helps prevent accidental Smash Attacks.
Dash Attack: While running, pressing A performs a Dash Attack. The opponent is sent in your running direction, but missing can leave you vulnerable.
Grab: Pressing R (Z for GameCube) initiates a grab. Tapping the button adds minor damage. Tilting the left stick in a direction throws the opponent. Holding the grab too long allows the opponent to escape. Grabs can be used on shielding opponents. Missing a grab incurs significant lag, leaving you open to counter-attack.
In the Air
Neutral Aerial: Pressing A in the air performs a Neutral Aerial attack. Many fighters can chain these attacks for combos, with the final hit often having strong launch power. Neutral Aerials are useful for accumulating damage at close range.
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