Editing Pivoting

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{{competitive expertise}}
 
[[File:Marth pivot fsmash.gif|thumb|250px|{{SSBM|Marth}} pivoting a forward smash in ''Melee''.]]
[[File:Marth pivot fsmash.gif|thumb|250px|{{SSBM|Marth}} pivoting a forward smash in ''Melee''.]]
{{Incomplete|Missing pivot distances for all characters in all applicable games.}}
'''Pivoting''', or '''DA Dashing''', is a [[technique]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' that lets a character use attacks out of a dash. The tactic was discovered originally in Melee by {{Sm|Philly Billy}}.
 
The technique makes use of the time frame at which a character turns during a dash; any normal ground options are available as if the character were standing still - [[smash attack]]s, [[grab]]s and [[tilt]]s can occur here without the [[lag]] that usually comes from using these attacks after a [[dash]]. Normal pivoting is primarily used so that a character can quickly change the direction they are facing whilst not suffering the usual [[turn]]-around lag that would occur when doing so. This can allow characters to improve the utility of various moves in certain situations.
 
One use of pivoting is to dash a short distance away from an [[approach]]ing opponent and then turn around to attack them with a forward tilt, forward smash or grab. This is particularly useful for characters with [[disjoint]]ed attacks or far-reaching grabs. Pivoting can also be used to punish [[roll]]s and [[tech]]s, as pictured.
 
In ''[[Smash 64]]'', pivoting off platforms makes it possible for characters to grab the ledge and proceed to edgeguard. This is known as a '''pivot ledgegrab'''. This is especially useful for {{SSB|Captain Falcon}} and {{SSB|Fox}} due to their long dash animations and fast falling speeds though other characters are also able to use this technique. Captain Falcon, and to an extent other characters, can also make use of pivots in combos by comboing a forward throw into a pivot {{mvsub|Captain Falcon|SSB|up aerial}} resulting in low percentage kills due to how powerful the [[semi-spike]] hitbox is. Outside of helping with combos, multiple characters have very useful pivots otherwise as part of their neutral game. A prime example of this is with {{SSB|Kirby}} where pivoting is used to fully exploit his {{mvsub|Kirby|SSB|up tilt}} hitbox.


'''Pivoting''' is a technique that cancels an initial [[dash]] into the standing animation, to use any attack or other options out of a dash.  
A similar technique in ''Smash 64'', the {{SSB|teleport}}, requires similar movement as pivoting.


Pivots are performed by dashing, and during the [[dashdance]] window, flicking the stick backwards for 1 frame (except in the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', where the stick can be flicked for up to 3 or 5 frames) and letting it reset to neutral on the next. The stick does not have to be "flicked" if the pivot is immediately cancelled into an attack, such as forward smash. Pivots that are not immediately cancelled into actions are called '''empty pivots'''.
It is also possible to perform a pivot without attacking, causing the character to simply stop and turn around without any lag. This is known among ''SSB4'' players as a '''perfect pivot'''. A perfect pivot is borderline frame-perfect, so it is extremely difficult to do, especially with the flat analog stick on the 3DS. However, if a player can perform perfect pivots with consistency, the perfect pivot has potential use as a spacing move in competitive play. By performing a perfect pivot, a character will end up having moved backwards while still facing the same direction, and being able to attack right out of the perfect pivot. The distance the character covers depends on the character being used.


By being able to use an attack right after a quick burst of movement in either direction, pivoting is a useful technique for catching approaching opponents with a retreating attack, positioning oneself to catch someone's option during a techchase (pictured), or performing combos not possible otherwise, such as {{SSBM|Marth}}'s forward throw into forward smash on {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}.
Pivoting in ''Smash 4'' is generally more forgiving than in ''64'' or ''Melee'', as pivoting can be done at any point during a dash in the former, whereas pivoting must be done during the initial dash animation in ''64'' and ''Melee''.


Pivots are easier to perform in ''SSB64'' than any other game, which makes them a more versatile part of the metagame as they are able to easily be used for raw movement.
In ''SSB4'', performing a [[pivot grab]] results in a grab with longer reach than usual. However pivot grabs also have more end lag. Such pivot grabs can also be performed in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', where pivoting is otherwise not possible.


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''==
==Pivoting Lengths==
[[File:SSB Falcon Pivot Ledgegrab.gif|thumb|250px|{{SSB|Captain Falcon}} performing a pivot ledgegrab.]]
{{Incomplete|Needs pivot lengths for Melee.}}
When dashing back during the [[dashdance]] window, there's a small turn state, treated as a stand state, that takes place before the dashback. Continuing to hold the dash input throughout the turn state will proceed into a backdash, but releasing the joystick to neutral before the dashback cancels into a regular standing state instead, and any action (such as jabs, grabs, tilts or smashes) can be taken immediately. This cancel out of the dash is the pivot, and the turn state is effectively the pivot window. Additionally, the turn state itself can be immediately cancelled into any action.


In ''SSB64'' the pivot window is 5 frames for all characters, except {{SSB|Samus}} and {{SSB|Captain Falcon}}, who uniquely have a 3 frame window. Because of this leniency, pivots are a ubiquitous movement and spacing option for all characters, and also the major way to use tilt attacks, forward/down smashes, and down specials out of a dash. A prime example of this is with {{SSB|Kirby}}, where pivoting is used to fully exploit his {{mvsub|Kirby|SSB|up tilt}}. Captain Falcon, and to an extent other characters, can also make use of pivots in combos, such as comboing a forward throw into a pivot {{mvsub|Captain Falcon|SSB|up aerial}} resulting in low percentage kills due to how powerful the [[semi-spike]] hitbox is.
===''SSB4''===
{{Incomplete|Needs perfect pivot lengths for Miis and DLC characters.}}


Additionally, pivoting off platforms makes it possible for characters to grab the ledge and proceed to edgeguard. This is known as a '''pivot ledgegrab''', and is especially useful for Captain Falcon and {{SSB|Fox}} due to their long dash animations and fast falling speeds.
The length of a character's pivot is dependent on both the length of their initial dash animation and their traction; the longer the initial dash and the lower the traction, the longer the pivot. Note: the pivot lengths are measured using the grass cubes on the omega version of [[Windy Hill Zone]].


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''==
Starting in ''Melee'' the pivot window was reduced to only 1 frame, which was likely done to make the game faster and more responsive. This change makes dashdancing faster and more useful than in ''SSB64'', but makes pivots harder to perform for raw movement. They see the most use when the pivot is immediately cancelled into an attacks, such as [[pivot grab]]s and pivot f-smash, which are typically faster than using the same moves out of a raw dash or [[wavedash]].


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center"
In ''Brawl'' the dashdance window was reduced, making pivots cover less distance and less effective overall, though using tilts out of a pivot is easier due to being able to set the [[C-stick]] to tilts. Pivot grabs were made effectively a separate mechanic due to being available at any point of the run, even when true pivots aren't possible.
!Rank!!Character!!Pivot length


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==
|-
Pivots in ''SSB4'' work similarly to how they do in ''Brawl'', but uniquely keep more momentum from the dash. This causes sliding pivots, called '''perfect pivots''', that are compared to wavedashing by {{Sm|Izaw}}. This makes it a strong quick burst of movement despite the small dashdance window lowering the variance in distance, and many attacks keep the momentum of the perfect pivot.
|'''1'''||{{SSB4|Captain Falcon}}||6
|-
|'''2-3'''||{{SSB4|Luigi}} & {{SSB4|Little Mac}}||5.5
|-
|'''3-6'''||{{SSB4|Fox}}, {{SSB4|Greninja}}, {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}, & {{SSB4|Sonic}}||5
|-
|'''7-11'''||{{SSB4|Dark Pit}}, {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}}, {{SSB4|Lucina}}, {{SSB4|Pikachu}}, & {{SSB4|Sheik}}||4.5
|-
|'''12-16'''||{{SSB4|Diddy Kong}}, {{SSB4|Mario}}, {{SSB4|Pit}}, {{SSB4|Yoshi}}, & {{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}}||4
|-
|'''17-27'''||{{SSB4|Donkey Kong}}, {{SSB4|Falco}}, {{SSB4|King Dedede}}, {{SSB4|Kirby}}, {{SSB4|Marth}}, {{SSB4|Palutena}}, {{SSB4|R.O.B}}, {{SSB4|Samus}}, {{SSB4|Toon Link}}, {{SSB4|Wii Fit Trainer}}, &{{SSB4|Zelda}} ||3.5
|-
|'''28-39'''||{{SSB4|Bowser}}, {{SSB4|Bowser Jr.}}, {{SSB4|Charizard}}, {{SSB4|Dr. Mario}}, {{SSB4|Ike}}, {{SSB4|Lucario}}, {{SSB4|Mega Man}}, {{SSB4|Mr. Game & Watch}}, {{SSB4|Ness}}, {{SSB4|Olimar}}, {{SSB4|Pac-Man}}, & {{SSB4|Peach}} ||3
|-
|'''40-43'''||{{SSB4|Ganondorf}}, {{SSB4|Robin}}, {{SSB4|Rosalina & Luma}}, & {{SSB4|Villager}}||2.5
|-
|'''44'''||{{SSB4|Jigglypuff}}||2
|}


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''==
Pivots were removed in ''Ultimate'' as a result of the overhauled dash system. Pivot grabs still exist as a separate mechanic.


==Resources==
==Example videos==
*[https://dignitas.gg/articles/blogs/smash/12051/implementing-pivots-in-melee In-depth explanation of pivoting by {{Sm|Rishi}}]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_aqH9sJnbU Pivoting in Melee by {{Sm|PewPewU}}]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_aqH9sJnbU Pivoting in Melee by {{Sm|PewPewU}}]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIMzY1UdyTo a demonstration of pivoting in smash 64]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIMzY1UdyTo a demonstration of pivoting in smash 64]
*[https://youtu.be/zJ_ZzAvSFis?si=Y8Qg8yUO2dkiT6_6 Izaw's video on ''SSB4'''s perfect pivot]


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