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How to air dodge in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Deftly avoid aerial attacks by learning how to air dodge in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Kevin Tucker

January 4, 2019 12:40 PM

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One of the most interesting components of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the game's surprisingly deep combat system. It has nuance that may not be immediately apparent to some players, particularly those who often see opponents make use of abilities and techniques they may not be familiar with. One of those deceptively simple techniques is the air dodge. Fortunately, learning how to air dodge in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate couldn't be more simple.

How to air dodge in Smash Ultimate

To perform an air dodge in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, press the shield button in mid-air while holding the left joystick in any direction. That's all there is to it. The setup is common and remarkably simple: if you see an opponent coming in for an attack while you're in the middle of a jump, tilt the joystick away from the enemy and press the shield button to perform an aerial dodge in that direction.

As can be seen in the video below provided via the official Super Smash Bros. website, the window of time available to perform an air dodge opens not long after an attack lands. This means that players can not only air dodge as a preemptive defense, they can also air dodge to end a chain of incoming attacks.

The air dodge might seem like an incredibly basic or even easy technique to use, but it requires training, practice, and a keen sense of shield discipline. A lot of Super Smash Bros. players, especially those new to the series, get crushed in online battles because they don't keep their guard up often enough. Meanwhile, their opponents are using short hops for surprise attacks and seem to have little trouble pulling off a perfect shield or parry.

As with many other fighting or brawling games, the air dodge is just one of the many basic techniques that should become familiar to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players. It's a small thing, but it's part of a much larger defensive strategy in general. Keep on top of other advanced techniques like this, learn about unlockable characters, or read in-depth fighter profiles by heading over to Shacknews' Super Smash Bros. Ultimate walkthrough and guide.

Kevin Tucker

Guides Editor

Kevin Tucker is a core component of Shacknews' powerful guide development team. For questions, concerns, tips, or to share constructive criticism, he can be reached on Twitter @dukeofgnar or through e-mail at kevin.tucker@shacknews.com.