Your C-Stick and You: An Exhaustive Examination of C-Stick Functionality
In Melee, the C-Stick was an incredibly helpful tool, and in Brawl, it is no less helpful. In Brawl, we are given the option of using our C-Stick in many different ways, and increased attention has been given lately to what other options the C-Stick offers. In Brawl, you can change the function of the C-Stick to be any 1 of 6 different things: Smash Attacks, Grab, Shield, Jump, Special Attacks, and Tilt Attacks. I'm going to explore, in-depth, each of those various options.
Before I begin, I want to note that I am aware that a majority of this information can be found scattered in various other threads, but I am seeking to create a unified guide that encompasses all things C-Stick-related, that can cover any question that might be asked about the C-Stick. A lot of topics related to C-Sticking have been popping up lately, and I hope this thread can serve to prevent some of those questions.
Also, as a disclaimer, I take no credit for any of the terms or techniques mentioned here, particularly in the C-Stick Specials section, nor do I intend to suggest that the names used are either official or final. I chose the names I did based on the various names the community gives to the techniques, which is why some moves have more than one possible name. If you feel any of the terms I use are incorrect and should be changed, let me know.
C-Stick General Mechanics, Melee/Brawl Differences, and Problems
In Brawl, the manner in which the C-Stick is registered is slightly different than in Melee. Many users complain about a lack of sensitivity on the part of their C-Sticks when they play Brawl, and some have even gone as far as to buy new controllers. While this may not be 100% the cause of these problems, it has been found that if you do not allow your C-Stick to return to the neutral position after a move, any additional moves you input will not be registered.
As a consequence of this change, holding both Shield and a direction with the C-Stick will only register one input--one roll or spot dodge. In Melee, however, doing this would result in repeated rolling in a continued direction. Also, in Melee, Shield + Up on the C-Stick would result in a Jump. In Brawl, that is only the case with C-Stick set to Special. With the C-Stick set to Smashes or Tilts, Shield + Up on the C-Stick will produce a grab.
Furthermore, there is a certain quirk that affects all three of the configurations that perform attacks, Smashes, Tilts, and Specials. When hanging on a ledge, if you are no longer invincible, and you press any upwards direction (Back-Up, Up, Forward-Up), you will perform a ledge hop, not an attack. Any of the other 5 directions will result in an attack, though. Additionally, there are a few particular frames during the ledge invincibility that react this way as well, but it is worth noting that not all every frame does. Some will result in a jump, some will result in an attack. In general, if you're going to attempt to use the C-Stick for ledge attacks, be sure not to press Up.
With the C-Stick set to Smash, Special, or Tilts, it is possible to perform a forced shorthop. This works ONLY with Tap Jump on. If you press Up on the Control Stick and any non-upwards direction on the C-Stick (Back, Back-Down, Down, Forward-Down, Forward) at the same time, you will perform a short hop followed by the corresponding aerial executed at the first possible frame. For the Smash setup, it is not possible to perform neutrals.
Additionally, in the Smash and Special setups, any C-Stick press is automatically perceived as the equivalent of Smashing the Control Stick, regardless of actual pressure, which is why C-Stick down in the air will cause a fastfall in the Smash setup. The Attack setup, however, automatically perceives every C-Stick movement as if you were performing a tilt with the Control Stick, which will not result in a fastfall'd Dair. Also a result of this phenomenon, in Smash or Special setup, the C-Stick will throw a grabbed opponent in the indicated direction, but in the Attack setup, all C-Stick directions will perform a Grab Attack instead.
Smash DI
It is possible to SDI, perform a DI "teleport" in the indicated direction during a multi-hit attack, using the C-Stick by repeatedly tapping the C-Stick in the desired direction, however this can ONLY be done with the C-Stick set to Smash or Special. C-Stick Tilts will NOT result in SDI.
C-Stick - Smash (default)
As everyone knows, this is the default configuration, and for good reason, as it provides the most immediately apparent variety of uses, and most Melee players are accustomed to it.
On the ground, the C-Stick will perform quick, uncharged Smash Attacks in the direction inputted. While dashing, if the C-Stick is pressed in 5 out of 8 directions (Forward, Forward-Down, Down, Back-Down, Back) a forwards dash attack will be performed. If the C-Stick is pressed in the remaining 3 directions (Forward-Up, Up, Back-Up) an Up-Smash Attack will be performed.
Additionally, if the Control Stick and C-Stick are both pressed either up or down, an Utilt or Dtilt, respectively, will occur. It is possible to perform Ftilts in a similar, though not identical manner. Pressing both sticks Forward will not perform a Ftilt, but pressing both sticks Forward and either Up or Down will. It is somewhat more difficult to do on-command than the Utilt or Dtilt equivalents. For characters who can perform angled Tilts, these will result in the expected Angled Ftilts, not a normal Ftilt.
Furthermore, the C-Stick can also be used to perform Angled Smashes, for characters that are capable, by pressing the Control Stick up or down and the C-Stick to the side. For Angled Smashes, any upward position (Forward-Up, Up, Back-Up) can be used, and any downward position can be used.
For characters that can crawl, however, there is one further peculiarity with C-Stick tilts. If Control Stick is held at either downward angle, and the character is crouched, every one of the 8 positions on the C-Stick will result in a Dtilt.
Through yet another quirk, it
is possible to perform a jab, or Neutral A, with the C-Stick in the Smash setup. If the Control Stick is held Up or Down, and the C-Stick is pressed Back-Up or Back-Down respectively, a jab will be performed. This, however, is not a true C-Stick neutral, which the Smash setup still seems unable to perform.
What the C-Stick - Smash setup lacks in its ability to perform neutrals, it makes up for in a few other odd quirks. For one, it is possible to perform directional specials by pressing the C-Stick in a direction at the same time you press B. This is not possible in the Attack (Tilt) setup.
In the air, the C-Stick can be used to perform aerial attacks in the direction indicated. Unlike in Melee, however, pressing the C-Stick down after the peak of a jump will cause your character to perform a fast-falled Dair. However, similarly to the ability to perform Tilts on the ground, it is possible to perform a not-fast fall'd Dair if you gently tilt the Control Stick down and press the C-Stick down, just as if you were trying to perform a Dtilt this way on the ground. Additionally, Nair attacks cannot be performed in this setup.
Another odd quirk that characterizes only the Smash setup, it is possible to influence your movement using the C-Stick if you gently tilt the C-Stick to the side immediately after pressing jump. This ability to exert aerial control over your character is a somewhat difficult-to-perform quirk that does not seem to have practical application.
C-Stick - Grab
This setup has few particularly notable uses, and is not likely used by many, if any, players.
On the ground, each of the 8 directions will cause a forward grab in this setup. A turnaround grab while dashing can still be executed with Back on Control Stick + any direction on C-Stick, but a turnaround grab can no longer be performed with L/R/Z + Back on C-Stick while dashing.
In the Air, the C-Stick functions exactly like any other grab button, each of the 8 directions executes an Air Dodge. As a final note, C-Stick neutrals are possible in this setup, but they merely result in an Air Dodge, as expected.
C-Stick - Shield
This setup also has no unusual reactions, and is not likely to be used by many players.
On the ground, each of the 8 directions results in a Shield, no different than pressing L or R in the default configuration. The C-Stick alone cannot be used to move your shield, as might be expected, however you can still move your shield by holding any direction on the C-Stick and tilting the Control Stick. Pressing the Control Stick fully in any direction while holding any direction on the C-Stick will result in a Roll, Sidestep, or Jump as appropriate. (Note, if tap jump is off, then the Control Stick Up will obviously not result in a Jump)
In the air, the C-Stick functions exactly like a normal Shield Button. Each of the 8 directions results in an Air Dodge. Like C-Stick Grab, C-Stick neutrals are possible in this setup, but simply result in an Air Dodge, anyway.
C-Stick - Jump
Nothing notable here, either.
On the ground, all directions execute a normal first jump. Shield + any direction will result in a jump, as expected.
In the air, all directions result in a normal jump in the air. It is worth noting that, as described in the General Mechanics section, the C-Stick must return to neutral before another input can be registered. Like Grab and Shield, neutrals are possible, and result in Jump as expected.
C-Stick - Special
Finally, onto the most useful part of this guide, an investigation of all the new maneuvers recently found possible with C-Stick set to Specials. I will note that, in general, the practice of setting the C-Stick to Special Attacks is often referred to as "B-Sticking" for obvious reasons. Note first that it is not possible to charge moves that require keeping the Special button depressed using the C-Stick alone, however once you initiate the attack, if you quickly press and hold another Special Button, you can charge them.
For moves like Samus's Side-B, that have a different effect depending on whether the move is a smash or a tilt, the C-Stick alone will produce a Smash B only, regardless of the amount of pressure applied to the C-Stick or the amount of time the C-Stick is held. It is still possible to perform tilt B's, however, by pressing the C-Stick and the Control Stick in the same direction (Forward or Back). This is particularly notable because, as you will recall from the Smashes section, performing Ftilts could not be done using this method in the Smash setup.
Also of note in this section are C-Stick Neutrals, which have not yet been explained. In some configurations, it is possible to perform neutral moves with the C-Stick, in others it is not. To perform a C-Stick neutral, you simple press the C-Stick very slightly in any of the four diagonal directions. Moving the C-Stick completely in said direction will most often result in a Side, Up, or Down B move, but pressing it only slightly makes it possible to perform a Neutral B.
On the ground, and Auto "Reverse Aerial Rush," or Auto-RAR.
On the ground, while not moving, pressing the C-Stick in any forward direction will result in the expected Special in the forwards direction, and pressing the C-Stick in any backwards direction will result in the corresponding turnaround B move. For example, Back-Up results in a turnaround Up+B, and Back-Down results in a turnaround Down-B. Neutral B's are also possible while stationary on the ground.
While dashing, it is possible to perform an Auto-RAR, which will reverse your direction and make you jump, setting you up for a Bair. This can be either full hopped or short hopped, depending on how long the C-Stick is held. To do this, simply press any of the 3 backwards directions (Back-Up, Back, Back-Down) while dashing. This cannot be done while walking.
In the air, and "Recoil Specials," "Retreating Special," or "Wavebouncing"
In the air, with the Control Stick neutral, directional inputs produce results similar to the corresponding results while stationary on the ground. Moves directed backwards will result in a turnaround B, those directed forwards will perform the attack forwards, as normal. In both cases, momentum is preserved.
In the air, with the control stick directed forwards, moves directed forwards will react as above, with momentum preserved. However, moves directed backwards will result in a technique that currently has all 3 names listed in the section title. This technique results in your character performing the desired move, facing the current direction, but will result in varying amounts of backwards momentum being applied to your character, allowing for a "Retreating Special." In order for these to be performed, the Control Stick must be held forwards while the C-Stick is pressed in one of the various backwards directions.
B-Reversal
I will take a moment here to discuss a technique temporarily known as a B-Reversal now, in order to explain exactly what is occurring during a Retreating Special. If you initiate a Special attack in one direction, and then quickly press the Control Stick Back before the move begins, your character will reverse both their direction AND their momentum before performing the indicated Special attack. This is unique from the turnaround B, which was present in Melee, in that the turnaround B reverses only direction, but preserves momentum. The B-Reversal can also be used on the ground, even out of a dash, which further separates it from the turnaround B.
Recoil Specials can be performed without B-Sticking, as well. They are a combination of the turnaround B and the B-Reversal. To do so, you first initiate a turnaround B by pressing Back on the Control Stick, then B. Next, before the move executes, you press forward again, performing a B-Reversal. This combination of these techniques results in your direction being reversed twice, leaving you facing the direction you originally were, and your momentum being reversed once, which is quite plainly a Recoil Special. The reasons why B-Sticking Backwards in the air results in a Recoil Special are a little unclear, but this is what is actually going on. B-Sticking provides an easier way to perform the Recoil Special, and offers more pronounced results in some cases.
Not every move gains backwards momentum with this technique. Eventually, I will compile a list of every move that experiences backwards momentum with the Recoil Special. Here is a list created by 3GOD that may not be 100% accurate, but does appear to be:
http://smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=166774
C-Stick - Attack
The final C-Stick option, setting the C-Stick to perform Tilts. This style has some merit, though it also has its own peculiarities. This option may appeal to players who have difficulty performing Tilt attacks any other way, though the advantages it offers are considerably less than offered by C-Stick Smashes or C-Stick Specials.
On the ground, pressing the C-Stick in any forward direction, up, or down will result in the corresponding Tilt attack. Pressing any backwards direction, however (Back-Up, Back, Back-Down) will result in a Neutral A. Neutral A's can also be performed in the usual manner, by pressing slightly in any angled direction.
The Utilt, however, has some peculiarities. It is necessary to return the C-Stick to Neutral before input is read again, as with many styles, but if the C-Stick is rapidly given up inputs (Back-Up, Up, Forward-Up), your character may jump instead of performing the respective attack.
Similar to the Smash setup, with characters capable of crawling, if the Control Stick is held at a downwards angle, Back-Down or Forward-Down, and the character is crouched, all 8 directions on the C-Stick will result in a Dtilt.
Lastly, unlike in others attacking setups, where directional C-Stick movements will throw a grabbed opponent, in this setup, the C-Stick will perform a grab-attack. It will not throw an enemy.
In the air, the 8 directions perform aerial attacks identically to the C-Stick - Smash setup, with the exception that C-Stick neutrals are possible. For information on performing C-Stick neutrals, see the C-Stick Specials section. Also of note, since the C-Stick registers the equivalent to a tilted Control Stick in the Attack setup, it is impossible to Fastfall with the C-Stick in this setup.
In closing, I'd like to add that if you have any information I failed to mention, or if you find any errors in my data, please inform me. Additionally, if you feel you weren't credited for a technique you feel you contributed towards the investigation of, let me know, and preferably refer me to a thread where I can verify your involvement. I apologize for any credits I've left out, I compiled them quickly, and hope to be notified of additional contributors, so I don't have to search the entire forum for related posts.
Credits:
SamuraiPanda and EpicProportions, investigation into C-Stick neutrals, Auto-RAR, and Recoil Specials.
http://smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=152409
Jewdo, Drack, and willtheshadow, investigation into B-Reversal
http://smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=155369
Zero9teen and Qinopio, thorough documentation of Recoil Specials.
http://smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=152815
3GOD, compilation of moves that can be used with B-Reversal
http://smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=166774
Corrections and Additional Contributors
T_Bird, scotu, mugwhump, Wyvern, MysticKenji, ducky285
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