Rolling

From SmashWiki, the Super Smash Bros. wiki

For other uses, see Roll (disambiguation).

Rolling is a maneuver that moves the character left or right and renders him invincible for a short period of time. It is performed by pressing the control stick left or right while holding a shield button, who are L and R for Melee and Brawl, and Z for Smash Bros.

Characters experience invincibility frames while rolling, though the amount, duration and timing of these frames varies from character to character.

[edit] Rolling vs. Wavedashing (SSBM)

Many casual players believe that rolling and wavedashing play the same role and that the wavedash is just a superior version of the roll. This misconception exists because professional players wavedash in most situations in which casual players would roll (or vice versa). In fact, rolling and wavedashing play very different roles. A roll is used when the player needs both horizontal ground movement and invincibility frames at the same time (example: getting past an opponent who is using a close range attack). The wavedash is most commonly used when quick horizontal movement is needed (and invincibility frames are not needed) such as dodging an attack (rather than passing through it) or when a standing attack is needed with horizontal movement. If the wavedash did not exist, upper level Smashers would replace the wavedash with a dash than the roll in most situations.