Dimensional Cape
| Dimensional Cape | |
|---|---|
 Dimensional Cape in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. | |
| User | Meta Knight |
| Universe | Kirby |
Dimensional Cape (ディメンジョンマント, Dimension Mantle) is Meta Knight's down special move. It seems to have debuted in the first trailer, when Meta Knight avoided Pit's Palutena Arrow. It is apparently different or toned down from the trailer appearance, much like the Wario Waft. When describing down special moves, Dojo!! states that "Many of these do unusual things, like reflect enemy attacks," suggesting that the Dimensional Cape has such a property, especially from what the trailer showed. This is not true as no hitbox of the move can reflect.
The slash attack done just after the Dimensional Cape is done by holding down either attack button during the initial frames of the move, and does around 14% of damage as well as some knockback. Many players disregard the cape due to its very poor offensive abilities, but it is a very useful recovery option in many situations. After using this move, Meta Knight will enter helpless state.
It actually makes Meta Knight teleport for a short distance in any direction; When the player uses the technique, moving the control stick in any direction the player wishes to move, along with the aforementioned slash. However, Meta Knight, while using this move, is invisible, but not invincible, and can be hit by any attack during the teleport, a fact CPUs often exploit (which is exacerbated by the fact that they often exhibit frame-perfect reactions).
Meta Knight will slash in the opposite direction in which he moved while using the attack (moved left, he will slash to his right side - moved right, will slash to his left side). If the player performs the move downward while on the ground, Meta Knight will stay in the same spot he was in, and will slash in the opposite direction he was facing before using the attack. This downward directional can be used as a sort counter move if timed correctly.
In Super Smash Bros. 4, the move was heavily buffed, dealing slightly more damage and significantly more knockback. Because of its knockback buff, it is now one of Meta Knight's finishing moves, and has more utility compared to the version in Brawl. It can also can benefit from the new edge stealing mechanic, acting as a suprise recovery as it now has very slight invincibility frames. It is overall Meta Knight's most buffed move from Brawl to Smash 4 in terms of knockback.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the known variations:
- Shield Piercer: Becomes an unblockable attack, but deals reduced normal damage and has increased ending lag.
- Stealth Smasher: Travel distance and damage of the move increased, but the move no longer makes Meta Knight invincible to projectiles and attacks, as he is a visible blur during the move's duration.
Shield Piercer being used in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Shield Piercer's strike.
Stealth Smasher being used in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
The visible blur during Stealth Smasher.
Stealth Smasher's strike.
Ledge techniques
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The Dimensional Cape can be used for edgeguarding in a number of ways. A few of these are listed here:
Dashing Dimensional edgehog: Dash toward the edge and use the Dimensional Cape. If the player is at the right distance, Meta Knight will fall over the edge and grab it. The player has a very small DI influence, so they can lean toward the edge slightly if they are about to SD. Doing this technique at the wrong distance will result in either an SD or not reaching the edge. It is used to reach the edge quicker for edgehogging.
Dimensional edgestall: By pressing down on the control stick/d-pad and the special move button, Meta Knight will perform the Dimensional Cape while falling slightly off the edge. Quickly tap the control stick/d-pad upward, then return it to its neutral position. If done correctly, Meta Knight will reappear right on the edge, and will grab it. This can be used to create an endless edgestall. The player can also use the cape without tapping the stick downward or moving it after the player initates the move, resulting in disappearing and reappearing in place. If done wrongly however, this will usually result in an SD.
Dimensional edgeguard punish: By performing the first part of the first Dimensional Edgestall method above, but by keeping hold of the special move button and keeping the control stick/d-pad pointed upwards, Meta Knight will reappear right next to the edge and perform the slash, punishing edgeguarders. the player can move slightly to the left and right by holding the stick/pad diagonally upward.
Infinite
It is possible to do an Infinite Dimensional Cape where Meta Knight can be invisible for periods of time. This technique is banned from tournaments due to its potential to stall matches. This technique is performed by holding down on the analog stick and very quickly using the u-smash repeatedly after the activation of the move.
Description from the Brawl Instruction Booklet
Vanish with a flourish of his cape. If you hold down the A Button, Meta Knight will attack upon reappearing.
Description from the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Foldout
Warp in any direction. Hold 
to perform an additional attack.
Origin
This move is likely based on Meta Knight's ability to teleport using his cape in the Kirby games. Usually, after he is defeated in the games, his mask falls off, and after realising this, he wraps himself in his cape and jumps, disappearing. It is not too much of a stretch to suggest Meta Knight could use this technique as a sneak attack. However, Meta Knight prides on honorable fighting.
He is also seen doing this move in Kirby Super Star to destroy the platform he is standing on and make a dramatic entrance.
Trivia
- This is the only down special move to put its user into a helpless state if it is used in midair.
- Meta Knight is one of the few characters to actually speak when using his down special move (some others are Lucario, Ike, Snake, Sonic, and Pit). In this move, just as he initiates it, he growls "Fool!" before vanishing, though many may mistake this sound for "fworp" or "for". In the Japanese version, he says "amai na!" ("weak!").
- If the player pauses and zooms in on Meta Knight just as he's about to vanish, and twist the camera, it moves in slow motion.
- The area around Meta Knight becomes blurry just as he is about to vanish. This also affects items around Meta Knight.
Gallery
Meta Knight teleports behind Pit.
DC can also be used to attack by surprise.
Meta Knight about to disappear.
Dimensional Cape being used in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Dimensional Cape's strike in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
