Gimp
Agimp in the context of theSuper Smash Bros. series is the action ofKOing arecovering opponent by interrupting their recovery, often with a weak or non-damaging action or even an action that does not directly affect the opponent at all. The term has been used in many gaming communities over the years to describe the act of intentionally crippling another player's abilities and options, its usage most likely deriving from the word's derogatory definition of struggling to perform daily tasks because of a physical disability.
Traditionally, gimps tend to involve hitting an opponent off the stage followed by interrupting their recovery, capable of resulting in early KOs only possible in that specific scenario; simply interrupting a recovery that is otherwise sure to succeed can also be considered a gimp. As gimps result in a KO by definition, a successful gimp can completely change the momentum of a match due to a player quickly and unexpectedly losing astock. Sometimes the term "gimp" is used to describe accidentalSDs due to failed recoveries.
Gimping is related to and sometimes confused withedge guarding. The major difference between the two concepts is developer intent. Edgeguarding involves continued and/or powerful hits that stop the opponent's recovery and possibly KO them, which is more or less how the game is supposed to be played. Gimping is more opportunistic and "fluky", involving a perfect set of circumstances not always possible in every match. For example,Ganondorf hitting an opponent at 125% offstage with a sweetspottedup aerial and outright KOing them would not be considered a gimp, but simply successful edge guarding. However, Ganondorf hitting that opponent at 50% with a reverse up aerial, semi-spiking them and knocking them back so their recover will not go far enough to reach the ledge would be considered a gimp.
There are some other secondary effects caused by a successful gimp. As the result of a gimp is a player helplessly falling, the opponent will have ample time to position themselves or do any other chores needed for the next engagement. The victim could get frustrated and make rash decisions like rushing back in on the enemy despite better options being available, only to get gimped again. A gimp can even be used as an unconventional form of stalling, as the time to fall into theblast line could be enough to make winning for the victim impossible due to factors like stocks and percentage with the amount of time left in a match.
Common examples of gimps include:
- Interrupting thedouble jump of a character that needs it to recover (e.g.Yoshi); this can prove especially deadly when interrupting at the beginning of the jump.
- Blocking haltable recoveries such as Ness'sPK Thunder orIke'sQuick Draw.
- Edgehogging characters withtether recoveries (Brawl).
- Using non-flinching attacks such asF.L.U.D.D. orWater Gun to push an opponent using their recovery farther away from the stage, therefore not granting them another use of their recovery.
- Reversing the opponent's direction with a move such asCape orSuper Sheet, possibly ruining their recovery.
- Using thegrab release glitch to deprive characters includingSnake,Sonic,Mr. Game & Watch, andPit of their recoveries (Brawl).
- Using an aerial attack to knock an opponent underneath the stage or into astage spike.
- Hitting a recovering opponent with asemi-spike ormeteor smash that is not strong enough to outright KO them, but causes their recovery to fail.
- Hitting afast-faller with a weak attack off the edge of a stage with a high bottomblast line, causing them to plummet before they can react.
- Using projectiles such as Sonic'sspring to interrupt the opponent's recovery.
- Hitting a recovering opponent out of any recovery special move that they cannot use again before landing should they ever get hit out of such a move. Examples includePit'sWings of Icarus inBrawl andLittle Mac'sJolt Haymaker inUltimate.
- Footstooling a recovering opponent, which due to the brief moment of tumbling down, can potentially cause them not to be able to make it back on stage.
- Using someGust Bellows to blow an opponent away during their recovery move.
Abonus somewhat related to gimping exists inMelee called Shameful Fall; it is granted by being at 50% or less and being KOed by an opponent with 100% or more. The bonus penalizes 1500 points.
