Editing Edge

{{disambig2|the stage element referred to as edges|for other uses of the name '''Edge'''|Edge (disambiguation)}}

[[File:BTLFD-PLATF-SSBM.png|thumb|''[[Melee]]''{{'}}s {{SSBM|Battlefield}} showing platforms. Edges (grabbable platforms) are denoted with red.]]

[[File:Ledge Grab.png|250px|thumb|{{SSBB|Marth}} grabbing the ledge of {{SSBB|Final Destination}} in ''[[Brawl]]''.]]

[[File:Edge grab SSB4.jpg|250px|thumb|{{SSB4|Link}} stealing a ledge from {{SSB4|Mario}} in {{forwiiu}}.]]

In the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', a character cannot grab the edge if facing the opposite direction, with some exceptions, such as when using [[Falcon Dive]] and [[Spinning Kong]] in ''Melee''. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', characters can grab an edge behind them, but with a range of 40% less than in front. Characters will automatically grab a nearby edge while in the air unless the player is actively holding down on the [[control stick]] or [[D-pad]]. Multiple characters cannot hold onto an edge at the same time, with the exception of the [[Ice Climbers]] in ''Brawl'' and ''Ultimate'', where both climbers belonging to one player can grab the same edge.  

When a character grabs an edge, they will briefly become [[intangible]]. The amount of intangibility gained depends on the game and if certain conditions are met. In ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', if a character lets go of the ledge, they will keep their intangibility. This is the basis of [[ledgestall]]ing (see that article for more detailed analysis of how edge-grabbing works in ''Melee''). This ledge intangibility could also be carried over with regular ledge options. If the intangibility of a ledge option ends but the player still has carried over ledge intangibility, they will stay intangible until the ledge intangibility ends. This is mainly relevant with ledge attacks and ledge jumps, allowing players to stay intangible for a longer period of time if they ledge attack/jump as early as possible after grabbing an edge. However, in ''Smash 64'', ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'', the intangibility immediately ends once a player lets go of the ledge by pressing down or back on the control stick, preventing characters from having indefinite ledge intangibility. The intangibility from ledge options also completely overrides ledge intangibility in these games.

 

In ''Ultimate'', grabbing an edge consecutively without landing or taking hitstun decreases the intangibility frames of subsequent edge recovery options, with a reduction factor of 0.8× for the second edge grab, 0.5× for the third one, and no intangibility at all from the fourth one onward. Additionally, in the same vein as Ike's [[Aether]] in previous games, characters can only grab an edge up to six times under these conditions; subsequent attempts will still show the visual effect for an edge grab if the character comes in contact, but without it actually happening. These mechanics further reduce the effectiveness of planking strategies.

[[File:Edge Recovery.png|thumb|left|A chart showing different ways for a character to edge recover in ''[[Brawl]]''.]]

Prior to ''Super Smash Bros. 4'', when a character's [[damage]] is lower than 100%, the character is considered "fresh", and is able to climb back onto the stage from the edge rather quickly. However, at percentages of 100% and above, the character can be considered "tired", and climbing becomes a harder task. As a result, all edge actions aside from letting go have two possible animations: one with the character performing the action in a fluent and fast manner, and another with the character doing so in a clumsy and slow manner. The fast and slow animations are often noticeably different in execution, such as a quick flip kick versus a slow trip kick, or a quick roll versus a slow crawl.

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The amount of [[intangibility]] gained upon grabbing an edge differs between games, but is generally a fixed value. This changes starting in ''Smash 4'', where both air time and percentage have an effect.

!Value

!Notes

|(plus the duration of the edge-grabbing animation, which is 3 frames, excluding {{SSB|Yoshi}}, {{SSB|Mario}}, and {{SSB|Luigi}}, for which it's 7 frames)

|(plus the duration of the edge-grabbing animation, which is 7 frames, excluding {{SSBM|Link}}, for which it's 3 frames)

|(plus the duration of the edge-grabbing animation, which is 23 frames, excluding {{SSBB|Pikachu}}, for which it's 11 frames)

!SSB4<br>SSBU

|(60 * (a / 300)) + (44 - (p / 120 * 44)) frames

|(plus the duration of the edge-grabbing animation, which is 19 frames)<br/>(a = airtime in frames with max 300, p = percentage with max 120)<br/>(minimum 23 frames, maximum 123 frames)

The following behaviors arise from the system in ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'':

*Players with low damage and low airtime are intangible for 63 frames (~1 second).

*Players with high damage and high airtime can be intangible for up to 79 frames (~1.333 seconds). As a result, fresh players that grab the edge are about even with highly-damaged players trying to recover.

*Players with high damage and low airtime are only intangible for 23 frames (0.4 seconds), so it does no good to grab the edge multiple times when recovering.

*Players with low damage and high airtime can be intangible for up to 123 frames (~2 seconds), much more than any other game. However, this is difficult to achieve, as the required airtime is 5 seconds.

===Grounded actionable ledge intangibility===

!''SSB4'' and ''SSBU''

|rowspan=2|6.5 seconds

Ledgetrapping is the act of limiting only six options to leave the ledge and granting coverage of them: regular getup, [[getup attack]], ledgeroll, ledge jump, drop down ledge attack, or staying on the ledge. This is an effective strategy for players who are trying to read their option by using a move that covers most of their choices. A simple way of ledgetrapping for all characters is shielding at the ledge as it covers four out of the six ledge options, two of which must be reacted upon (regular getup, getup attack, ledge roll, and jump). If the ledgetrapper shielding gets one of the options, they can grab the opponent and send them back past the ledge for them to try again.

*{{SSBU|Mario}}: Up smash covers ledge jump, getup attack, and roll. His neutral air's lingering hitbox also covers ledge jump and getup attack.

*{{SSBU|Pikachu}}: Thunder Jolt covers roll, regular getup, getup attack, and staying on the ledge because it travels under the ledge. He can also do back airs out of shield to force a reaction and can shield poke the regular getup.

*{{SSBU|Ness}}: PK Fire is effective at catching some reckless options, including jump, regular getup, and getup attack. Ness also can use yo-yo at the ledge to cover jump, roll, and staying on the ledge, especially.

*{{SSBU|Captain Falcon}}: Holding shield a few steps from ledge while facing away from it can cover any option. Reacting to getup attack or jump from ledge with a parry or using up special out of shield, reacting to jump with a Full Hop back air or up special out of shield, reacting to normal getup with up special out of shield, and reacting to ledge roll with grab.

*{{SSBU|Dr. Mario}}: Megavitamins have a tricky trajectory and bounce and if it covers an option, he can confirm into any aerial. Dr. Tornado is also effective at ledge and it covers jump if mashed, regular getup, getup attack if the heavy armor is initiated on startup, and staying on the ledge as an edgeguarding tool. Just like Mario, up smash covers the same options.

*{{SSBU|Marth}} and {{SSBU|Lucina}}: Neutral air and forward air's hitbox covers all getup options with the large arc.

*{{SSBU|Ganondorf}}: Neutral air covers regular getup, getup attack, and jump. Forward and up smash are notoriously powerful for calling out opponents' option at the ledge.

*{{SSBU|Mewtwo}}: Shadow Ball covers regular getup, getup attack, jump, and roll. However a fully charged Shadow Ball can hit opponents who are hanging on the edge for too long.

*{{SSBU|Roy}} and {{SSBU|Chrom}}: Their jab can hit below the ledge and also covers all the options. Chrom, in particular, can up special out of shield to react to opponent's options. Roy, on the other hand, can side special at the ledge to call out poor options.

*{{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}}: Chef at the ledge is very effective as the distance the food travels can be controlled. Up smash and down smash can read rolls and jumps for the invincible latter.

*{{SSBU|Wario}}: Chomp at ledge is very useful and is also a command grab as it covers regular getup and jump.

*{{SSBU|Snake}}: Snake's Grenades, up smash, and C4 at ledge provide every coverage and it only recovers the opponent's timing. However, it is a long setup.

*{{SSBU|Ike}}: Aether and Eruption cover large areas, and the latter can hit the ledge.

*{{SSBU|R.O.B.}}: Gyro at ledge can create setups, neutral air has a wide hitbox that covers all getup options, and Arm Rotor is very useful as a ledge guarding tool.

*{{SSBU|Wolf}}: Neutral air covers a wide hitbox and down smash covers roll, regular getup, and getup attack.

*{{SSBU|Palutena}}: Down tilt covers hanging on the ledge, Explosive Flame is effective at getup attack and jump.

*{{SSBU|Cloud}}: Neutral air and forward air is good at getup options and up special out of shield is good at reacting.

*{{SSBU|Inkling}}: They can throw a splat bomb to cover regular getup, getup attack, and jump.

*{{SSBU|Simon}} and {{SSBU|Richter}}: Holy Water at the ledge covers all options except staying on ledge and it can confirm into a forward smash.

*{{SSBU|Hero}}: Zapple and Kazap are effective at covering all options and Kazap has super armor so it invalidates getup attack but not staying on ledge.

*{{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}}: Rear Egg's slow movement can be tricky to exploit due to its angle and egg firing is effective at denying different getups.

*{{SSBU|Byleth}}: Down smash and down tilt cover all options except jumping. Up smash, neutral aerial, and Sword of the Creator can be used out of shield to react to the opponent's options.

A two frame punish is a mechanic introduced in ''Smash 4'' that allows a potential edge guarder to attack an opponent attempting to recover without even leaving the stage or hardly coming off. When a character grabs the ledge, there are two [[frames]] (or 1/30th of a second) of tangibility directly before they grab the ledge. This was most likely added to compensate for the removal of edge-hogging, as it still allows players to be punished for going for a ledge grab, even though it is more difficult and less consistent than edge-hogging. The two frames of punish time don't appear if the character recovering grabs the ledge not by coming up, but by going past the ledge and grabbing it on the way back down, or just jumping and not using their up special, though both can lead to punishment regardless. If the recovering character uses a teleport recovery (like [[Sheik]]'s [[Vanish]]) starting from above the ledge, the two vulnerable frames don't apply and there will be no room for punishment.

 

Tilts and Z-Dropped items are generally the best tactics to make use of the frames. Any attack that goes below the ledge will work, but they're the least punishable. The downward half of [[Ike]]'s [[Aether]] and [[Mii Brawler]]'s [[Mii Brawler (SSBU)/Up special|Soaring Axe Kick]] can act as an extremely powerful [[meteor smash]] or [[sacrificial KO]] if landed during this period.

 

Any move that '''pierces''' the ledge goes all the way through it to the other side (at least 8 units below ground level). While these can of course two-frame, doing so is unnecessary, as they reach low enough to hit fighters attempting a recovery before they even have the chance to grab the edge. Moves such as [[R.O.B. (SSBU)/Down aerial|R.O.B.'s down aerial]], or [[Pyra (SSBU)/Down aerial|Pyra's down aerial]], pierce the ledge.

Typically, when attempting a recovery, it is more useful to aim up special moves for the ledge in an attempt to sweetspot the ledge (if possible), rather than recovering to the stage, as grabbing the ledge offers brief intangibility and multiple getup options which will give the opponent a harder time with [[edgeguarding]]. The edges on {{SSBM|Battlefield}} in ''Melee'' are quite infamous for being difficult to grab on to.