Wave Dash Gameplay and Strategies

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Wave dash is a fundamental movement in many games, allowing players to quickly move across the screen and navigate through levels. It's essential to master the wave dash to progress through the game.

To perform a wave dash, players need to time their movement perfectly, as it requires a precise combination of speed and timing. This technique is often used in platformers and action games.

The key to a successful wave dash is to maintain a steady speed while approaching the edge of a platform. If done correctly, players can cover a significant distance and reach new areas.

In wave dash gameplay, players must also be mindful of their momentum and adjust their speed accordingly. This is crucial for avoiding obstacles and making sharp turns.

For more insights, see: Speed Dash

What is Wave Dash?

Wave Dash is a movement technique used in various video games, particularly in the Super Smash Bros. series. It's a fast and stylish way to move around the stage.

Credit: youtube.com, Rocket League Wavedash Tutorial

In the context of Super Smash Bros., a Wave Dash is a type of dash that allows players to move quickly while performing a wave motion with their character's arm. This technique is often used to close the distance between characters or to quickly reposition on the stage.

The Wave Dash is typically performed by holding down the dash button while tilting the control stick or directional input in a specific direction. This motion will cause the character to perform a wave-like motion with their arm, while also moving forward at high speed.

Wave Dashing can be a powerful tool in the right situations, but it can also leave players vulnerable to attacks if not executed correctly.

Executing a Dash

To execute a dash, you need to air dodge towards the ground immediately after jumping. This is the foundation of wavedashing, and it's a technique that can be mastered with practice.

The key to a successful dash is to delay the input, as this leads to a shorter and more efficient wavedash. You can think of it like a slanting axis, where further tilts land faster.

Credit: youtube.com, How To Wavedash (SSBM Movement Guide Part 1) - Melee From Scratch

Here are some general tips to keep in mind:

  • The traction of the character affects the wavedash, so choose a character with good traction for optimal performance.
  • The position of the character in the air and the position of the control stick also play a role in the wavedash.

Remember, the speed of a character's jump impacts the timing of their wavedash, so adjust your timing accordingly. With practice and patience, you'll be executing dashes like a pro in no time.

Executing a Dash in Rocket League

To execute a dash in Rocket League, you need to jump, tilt your car back, and then cling to your front flip until the back two wheels have already made contact with the ground.

Exaggerating your backward tilt can help you execute faster dashes. Aim your nose upward by 60-70 degrees, and your back wheels will touch the ground earlier.

Shorter jumps can augment a dash's speed and efficiency. Shorter jumps also reduce your failure rate, giving you about a second and a half before your flip timer expires.

To practice short hops, aim for lightning-fast taps on your jump button, faster than humanly possible. Then try to tap even softer.

On a similar theme: Aim Mxl Dash

Credit: youtube.com, The BEST WAY to Wavedash! (2024 Tutorial)

Aim for a nose-down position through the early stages of your dash to burn a small spurt of boost, 5-10 boost is plenty. This will help negate the natural floatiness of a jump.

To reorient your vehicle nimbly, adjust your car until the back two wheels still smash into the ground first. This is your golden opportunity to dash.

Here are some key factors to consider when executing a dash:

  • The traction of your car
  • The position of your car in the air (how far away from the ground you are)
  • The position of the control stick

By mastering the dash, you'll be able to move quickly and efficiently around the field, giving you an edge in competition.

Functionality

Wavedashes are a quick way to get a boost of speed in the game. They can be used to throw the player forward, making them especially useful in more difficult maps.

The traction of the character plays a role in how well a wavedash works. The position of the character in the air, and how far they are from the ground, also affects the outcome.

Credit: youtube.com, Learn about the Callback first if you are starting to learn Dash Plotly

To perform a wavedash, you need to air dodge towards the ground immediately after jumping. Delaying the input can lead to a shorter wavedash.

Wavedashes give the player less height than a normal jump, about 3/5 of a normal jump. This means they can still be used even if there are spikes close to the player's head.

Wavedashes are functionally the same as hyperdashes, except they make regaining your dash easier. This is because the dash cooldown of 15 frames is usually lower when landing a wavedash than when performing a hyper.

Step 1: Requirements

To execute a dash, you'll need a few essential tools. First, you'll need a copy of Rivals of Aether, which can be purchased on Steam for $15 in its early access stage.

Rivals is available on PC and Xbox One, and you can also practice wavedashing in Super Smash Bros. Melee if you have the game.

A controller is also a must-have. You can choose from several options, including a keyboard, which comes with the game, but is arguably the hardest way to play.

Readers also liked: Mad Dash Game

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Another option is an Xbox 360 controller, which can be used on PC by changing the controller setting to XINPUT in the options.

If you have an Xbox One, you can use the Xbox One Controller, which is a pretty straightforward choice.

I find that a Gamecube controller is actually the easiest to wavedash with, and it's compatible with Rivals of Aether and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Advanced Techniques

Wave dashing is a fundamental technique in many games, but it's the advanced techniques that truly take it to the next level. A string of rapid-fire wavedashes may sound swift, but they're strictly worse than a speed flip because you're surrendering your wavedash's natural fluidity to conduct a chain.

To execute a wavedash, you'll want to jump, tilt your car back, and then cling to your front flip until the back two wheels have already made contact with the ground. This is especially true in Rocket League, where you can execute faster wavedashes by exaggerating your backward tilt.

Credit: youtube.com, Wavedash - Super Smash Academy

Advanced wavedashes serve two functions: high-level fakes and flexing flashy top-tier mechanical skills on unsuspecting victims. The sonic flip, for example, bears inspirational roots and is a powerful tool in the right hands.

Here are some advanced wavedash techniques to try:

By mastering these advanced techniques, you'll be able to extend combos, perform high-level fakes, and take your gameplay to new heights.

Dash Origin

Wavedashing was first noticed during the development of Melee by Masahiro Sakurai, who chose not to remove the tactic from the game.

The first recorded mention of wavedashing in Melee was in a Smashboard thread published on January 24th, 2002 by a player named rob1out, using an alternate account named "Ultimate Melee".

The term "mad dash" was initially used to describe this technique, but it was later replaced with "wavedash".

The name "wavedash" actually stemmed from the Tekken fighting game series, where a similar tactic was used by characters like Kazuya Mishima.

Credit: youtube.com, The Technique That Defined A Genre - History of Wavedashing

Tekken style wavedashing involves a rapid, crouching slide, allowing characters to quickly pursue attackers and safely parry low attacks.

Here's a brief rundown of key figures in the discovery and popularization of wavedashing:

  • rob1out: First recorded mention of wavedashing in Melee (January 24th, 2002)
  • Toadbanjoconker: Alleged discovery of the technique in spring 2002, but this rumor may be unfounded
  • MasonRL: Helped popularize boost consumption in early wavedashes
  • Double-X2-Points: Discovered the infinidash
  • SquishyMuffinz: Discovered the waddle dash and chain dash
  • Sebadam: Fine-tuned the wall dash
  • Fieldz: Uncovered the 180 dash cancel
  • Evample: Paved the road for modern flicks that utilize wavedashes
  • Helvetia Gaming: Discovered the triple dash and Hel-Jump
  • Wejrox: Identified the Ceiling Shuffle on Reddit

Advanced Techniques

A wavedash's natural fluidity is sacrificed when attempting to chain multiple wavedashes together, resulting in slower movement and less control.

To execute a wavedash, jump and immediately press the air dodge button, ideally sliding without leaving the ground. This technique is a staple for competitive players and requires nimbleness of fingers and knowledge of high-level play.

The speed of a character's jump impacts the timing of their wavedash, with faster jumps requiring a shorter time interval between the jump and air dodge.

For a successful wavedash, it's essential to practice short hops, which augment speed and efficiency. Aim for lightning-fast taps on the jump button, and try to tap even softer for better results.

Wavedashing can be done in various directions, including backwards while facing forwards. This allows for standing attacks while moving both backwards and forwards, making it a helpful technique for mindgames.

A different take: Ori Air Dash

Credit: youtube.com, 7 Advanced Techniques You Can Use Today! - Smash Ultimate

To perform a reverse wavedash, jump, turn your car 180 degrees, and tilt the nose of your vehicle toward the ground. Don't forget to drive in reverse to maintain momentum.

Some players prefer to train themselves by wavedashing directly from a crouching position, which can be slow and not optimal for battle. However, this method allows for the opportunity to wavedash only by pressing the jump and air dodge buttons, without timing a control stick movement.

Here's a list of wavedash variations:

  • 180 Reverse Wavedash (into half-flip): A wavedash performed while facing the opposite direction, followed by a half-flip.
  • Extended Hyper: A wavedash performed from a higher height, requiring more precision and muscle memory.
  • Evample Dash Flick: A wavedash flick that involves holding the ball on your car after a sideways wavedash, then instantly flicking it away.

These advanced techniques require practice and patience to master, but can greatly improve your gameplay and provide a competitive edge.

The Ceiling

Mastering the ceiling in Rocket League requires some finesse, but it's a game-changer for freestylers.

Ceiling wavedashes are a great way to speed up the action of falling off the ceiling, allowing for more agile ceiling shots. They're most effective when done with standard forward-facing dashes, no extra bells or whistles.

Credit: youtube.com, How-To Layout A Suspended Ceiling- Advanced

The transparent nature of the ceiling adds an extra layer of challenge, making it tricky to guess when two of your wheels have landed on a translucent surface. This requires substantial aerial car control and A+ boost throttling skills.

A ceiling shuffle is a mechanic that glues a car onto the ceiling without falling off, and it doesn't require any boost. This is achieved by waddling to the other side until the wheels on the opposite side of the car latch on.

To initiate a ceiling shuffle, you need to approach the wall with a gentle speed, as too much speed causes your car to pogo straight off the surface or latch onto the ceiling with no opportunity to bounce.

Cars with fully exposed wheels make this mechanic easier to manage, but it's 100% a visibility preference among freestylers.

Here's an interesting read: Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Controlled Dash

Disadvantages

Wavedashing requires considerable startup, leaving you vulnerable and unable to attack for 10 frames after landing. This lag can be a major issue in close quarters battles.

Credit: youtube.com, Limitation & Disadvantages of Ultrasonic Method in advanced Techniques !

A character is considered standing during a wavedash, which means they're unable to dash or perform a dash attack. This is especially problematic in games like Ultimate, where dash attacks have been buffed to be among the fastest and strongest attacks in most fighters' movesets.

Accidental air dodges can be detrimental to your gameplay, leaving you vulnerable to combos and other attacks. This can happen even when you're not trying to air dodge, and it's especially frustrating when it occurs near the ledge.

An Azendash, named after professional player Azen, occurs when you air dodge off the stage, beyond the range of the edge sweet spot. This can be a game-ender, unless you're playing as Samus, Young Link, or Link, who can use their wall grappling techniques to survive.

Shielding

Shielding is a defensive technique that can be used to block enemy threats. It's a safe way to travel, especially when combined with wavedashing.

Credit: youtube.com, Electromagnetic shielding material design and advanced manufacturing methods

A player can shield right after wavedashing, a technique known as waveshielding. This is a result of not quickly removing the finger from the L or R button, a common mistake for beginners.

Waveshielding is an excellent way to set up an opponent for a shield-grab, especially when using a SHFFL'ing technique.

To avoid enemy projectiles and attacks, characters can sidestep and roll during their wavedash. This allows them to move without forfeiting their defensive movements.

Here are some benefits of waveshielding:

  • Blocks most enemy threats
  • Allows for safe travel
  • Can be used to set up opponents for a shield-grab

Jump-canceling from a shield into another wavedash is also a useful technique. This allows players to move long distances with their shield up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the wave dash symbol?

The wave dash symbol is a character used in Japanese encoding, primarily as a dash and chōonpu. It's often confused with the tilde character, but has a distinct meaning.

Where did the term wave dash come from?

The term "wavedash" originated from the Tekken fighting game series, specifically in Tekken Tag Tournament. It refers to a rapid, crouching slide move that offers various benefits in gameplay.

Erik Willems

Senior Writer

Erik Willems is a seasoned writer with years of experience in the field. He has always held a passion for writing, which led him to pursue a degree in English literature. Erik is known for his ability to tell engaging stories that captivate readers and keep them coming back for more.

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