Jab grab
The jab grab (abbreviated "JG") is a character-specific technique performable by Pikachu and Mario in Smash 64, done by abusing the shield stun of a jab. It is performed by jabbing, and then using a grab instantly afterwards. The jab cancel must be done fast enough so that when done, the opponent is unable to go out of their shield in time and prevent the grab. It is a simple form of shield pressure. Interestingly, level 8-9 computer opponents occasionally use this technique as well, especially with Mario. This technique is highly useful in competitive play and it is one of the main reasons why certain characters are considered so much better at pressuring, as not having this technique highly limits shield pressuring.
The technique requires different timings against certain characters due to their varying OoS options:
- This technique has to be inputted with perfect timing against Pikachu, or it will be able to use Quick Attack to escape, due to its invincibility frames.
- Similar to Pikachu, it is also quite hard to do this technique against Samus, as she can use Screw Attack OoS very quickly, though it doesn't have invincibility frames like Quick Attack does.
- It is somewhat hard to perform against Jigglypuff due to the timing having to be more precise, as Jigglypuff has a very large shield, though it is definitely easier than against Samus or Pikachu.
- It is easiest to do against Donkey Kong due to his slow and poor OoS options, followed by Link, Yoshi, and Captain Falcon for similar reasons.
Certain characters cannot perform this technique and must use other setups instead.
- Fox and Captain Falcon have potential to use this technique, as well as the characters who can perform it properly. However, this is not considered true shield pressure - rather, it is a mindgame, as a grab cannot be performed immediately after the jab, meaning the user must read the opponent in order to land the grab. It is a common technique used against Falcon (particularly in Falcon dittos) and Donkey Kong, Link, and Yoshi, for reasons mentioned above, though it is impossible for Fox and Falcon to use the technique against Pikachu and Samus, as explained above. Falcon sets up grabs otherwise with aerials, commonly with Z-cancelled back aerial, down aerial, and neutral aerial.
- The same idea applies to Jigglypuff, Luigi, Kirby, and Ness, but it is much less common due to their slow jabs and movement speed. These characters set up grabs instead with DJC aerial (Ness), neutral aerial (Jigglypuff/Kirby) and down air (all four.)
- Link has enough shield pressure to easily use this technique, but his grab is too slow. Instead, Link users set up grabs using aerials, especially forward aerial and down aerial, as well as Bombs and Boomerangs.
- DK cannot use this technique due to his jab being so slow (slowest in the game). DK instead sets up grabs with Z-cancelled aerials or cargo grab releases.
- Yoshi and Samus cannot perform this technique efficiently at all as they have incredibly slow grabs and bad jabs. This is commonly noted as one of the other main reasons why Yoshi is at the top of low tier and why Samus is stuck at the bottom of the tier list. Instead, Yoshi can setup grabs with DJC'd aerials while Samus can set up grabs with fully charged Charge Shots in very specific situations; this move is easily dodged by many characters.
