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.

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 and Mii Gunner are the only characters who cannot charge cancel in midair, since Charge Shot and Charge Blast 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., Ultimate Uppercut and Gyro.
• Lucario- Aura Sphere
• Mario- F.L.U.D.D.
• Mewtwo- Shadow Ball
• Mii Brawler- Ultimate Uppercut
• Mii Gunner- Charge Blast
• 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