Charge-cancel

Samus' Charge Shot being charge-canceled in Brawl.

Charge-canceling is the act of halting the charging of an auto-chargeable special move, such as Samus' Charge Shot. This allows the user to store a partial charge and resume charging the move later.

While charging such an attack on the ground, players can cancel/store the charge by shielding, performing a grab, or tapping left/right on the control stick or d-pad to immediately roll out of the charge. If they are in the air while in their charging state, cancelling it with a shield or grab button will make them cancel it with an air dodge instead.

Most of these attacks can also be charged and canceled in the air. To cancel a charge in the air, players can simply press the shield or grab button while charging. Due to its buffer system, charge-canceling Giant Punch in Brawl will result in Donkey Kong performing an air dodge if the input is entered late into the charge animation.

List of moves that can be charge-cancelled

Samus is the only character who cannot charge cancel in midair, since Charge Shot cannot be charged in midair. Both Mewtwo and Lucario's auto-charge specials are also the only ones who continue charging at max charge unless cancelled or fired during that period, as opposed to automatically stopping like everyone else.

• Donkey Kong- Giant Punch
• Kirby- can copy all moves listed here except F.L.U.D.D. and Gyro.
• Lucario- Aura Sphere
• Mario- F.L.U.D.D.
• Mewtwo- Shadow Ball
• Pac-Man- Bonus Fruit
• R.O.B.- Gyro
• Robin- Thunder
• Samus- Charge Shot
• Sheik- Needle Storm (button must be held to charge in Melee)
• Squirtle- Water Gun
• Wii Fit Trainer- Sun Salutation