Wavedashing in Super Smash Bros. Melee is one of the earliest techniques a player will learn when diving into competitive play. It’s a must-learn for maximizing a character’s movement in this fast-paced game.
One character, however, has access to a “super wavedash,” a tool that is much more situational, but covers significantly more distance than a standard wavedash. You may not see a super wavedash in competitive play often, but players who main this character will bust out this move whenever they can.
What Is A Super Wavedash?
A super wavedash (or SWD for short) is a technique specific to Samus in SSBM. The SWD is a frame-perfect maneuver that allows Samus to slide an incredible distance; roughly the length of Final Destination.
Because the SWD can be tricky to set up and pull off, it’s not a go-to technique in competitive play. However, players do find uses for it, and the sheer distance it covers makes it a move that players will do to simply show off their technical prowess.
How Do You Do The Super Wavedash?
The SWD is a difficult maneuver to pull off due to the frame-perfect inputs required. The most consistent way to set up the timing for the SWD is to drop a bomb while standing as Samus. On the first frame that Samus hits the ground, the player should hit in the opposite direction that they want to SWD, and then on the very next frame, they should hit in the direction they wish to SWD.
In terms of frame data with this setup, this means that the player will hit the control stick in the opposite direction on the 41st frame, and then hit the control stick in the intended direction on the 42nd frame. If done correctly, Samus will slide a considerable distance across the stage.
The timing for a super wavedash is difficult, and will vary on Samus’ position, such as if she’s crouching when she drops the bomb or if one tries to do a SWD when falling from the air. Additionally, it’s important to release the control stick after performing the SWD; continuing to hold the stick in the intended direction will cause the move to cover less distance.
While the difficulty of a super wavedash makes it a niche trick, it still has uses; the speed and distance of the technique allows Samus to cover a large amount of ground quickly, which can either surprise opponents waiting on the other side of the stage, or put Samus in a position to edgeguard an enemy she’s knocked across the screen.
The super wavedash won’t be a silver bullet to succeeding as a Samus player, but it’s a technique worth learning for its select uses, as well as testing your technical skill.
This video by Smash Bros. Legacy will help provide visuals and a guide to performing the SWD.
Credit to SmashWiki for their breakdown of the Super Wavedash.
