How to Play Claw for Melee or Ultimate (Or Any Smash Game) - Tutorial 

we all know the best way to play is with the resident evil 4 chainsaw controller

If you wanna learn claw grip on a pro controller, I recommend rebinding X and Y to attack and special respectively and binding one of the Z buttons to jump. Makes it easier to do stuff for me

In breath of the wild, I'll sometimes shift my hand into the claw grip so that I can control the camera and sprint at the same time

Literally changed my life, always used it to do a double laser but I was a regular grip for a long time but never thought about a hybrid form that could help me feel more comfortable and play efficient at the same time, never again because with hax$ video about frame1 attacks, best results come from the grip I already do double lasers with!!

Wow, I had always thought lefty claw was a niche thing for me, but it's actually a real thing used by some players. I always grip controllers with my middle and index fingers resting on the top triggers and buttons, and since there was no left Z button, I started to use my index for the stick when playing Smash. It helped me be a lot more stable with horizontal movement like dashdancing and allowed me to push down with my index instead of pulling with my thumb.

I used this video a few months ago and I've fully learned claw. Thank you

One thing that might be worth adding about the differences between claw and standard grip is that you only have one finger on the right hand providing support/stability for the controller on the right side instead of three with the standard grip. Especially since it is the pinky finger, it is really important to make sure you have correct posture and hold the controller level instead of tilted up or down. I also recommend doing finger/tendon strength exercises to strengthen your fingers and be able to support the controller better. Keep up the good videos man

Claw feels natural to me. I used it in Mario Kart Wii when using the GameCube controller or Classic Controller pro because the trick button was the d-pad. For GameCube, I used middle finger on L, index on the analog stick and thumb on the d-pad. When playing SSBU, I did initially had a jump button on L (because tap jump off is optimal). However, I didn't like using the d-pad for shield if I wanted to shield tilt. Shield tilt was easier with it being on L+R so I ended using claw (the way you do it). I might just switch to Pro Controller for SSBU if I wanted another shoulder button.

Claw is something I've always found necessary in Melee. I don't understand how people can do drifting FC aerials as Peach or attacking from ledge with anyone else without it.

Wow you cover this topic very well. Thank you! You just got a sub my boi.

wow man, made my life... nice one, subscribed...keep'em comin...

I started using the claw grip back when I first played Dark Souls so I can run with circle and move the camera at the same time when I died in a level several times and wanted to just speedrun through it from frustration, so I was more used to it than most new Smashers. Still hurts the shit out of my index finger though.

thanks for guide ultimate will be my first smash/console game

Sold my wii u for my switch, and i haven't played smash in ober a year, i can't wait for ultimate and get back into comp

nice guide thanks for showing

finally taking the plunge. missing too many fox jc upsmashes. now to learn how to do everything else again

Jesus Christ dude. How does having that much of a gap between your pinkie and ring finger not kill your hand? I'm learning the same grip style as you, but I'm resting my controller on my leg so I can move my pinkie up.

I play Ult and melee and claw actually helps me kill 2 birds with one stone. I started as a smash 4 (competitively at least) player where I was able to customize my controls and used Z-jump so I could could have access to instant aerials by leaving my thumb on the C-Stick. When I started picking up melee I found the lack of custom controls rather hindering at first but once I picked up claw it not only gave the same functionality as my Ultimate controls, but it helps keep my muscle memory seperate for each game as I grip the controller different and I even use the same dedicated finger for my jump button despite it being a different button which made it feel very natural to pick up

My only concern would be short hopping with Y with my index finger positioned like that. I currently use standard grip and X for jump, sliding my thumb off the bottom of X to short hop really easily. Have you found short hopping with claw grip difficult?

I just tried it and damn Its way more convenient than the normal grip for melee/ultimate It avoids alor of miss imputs plus it allows for way more tight imputs. And it was my first time using this grip Plus I played Geometry Dash in a really serious matter, completing really hard levels, on mobile and on PC. So my right thumb and right index are used to make really precise clicks, but not at all to move around really quickly, leading me to alot of precise and quick button clicks, but alot of miss imputs during imput strings due to my thumb needing to travel quickly. Now this grip assigns fingers to a series of button instead of letting one thumb doing most of the job, which helps me waaay more. Thank you so much for the advice

I just set left trigger to jump and z to grab Not only does it help with doing faster aerials, but it also makes shorthopping easier FYI I’ve only played Sm4sh seriously so I’m used to being able to change my controls, not sure if you can change them in Melee

Time to begin my Smash Ultimate training arc.

Hey I don't know if you still look at the comments of old videos, but I wanted to ask if you use z for grab and R for shield with your grip and if yes, what do you use L for? And if I wouldnt be comfortable using your variation of the claw grip and use the 'standard grip' would u use the middle finger to press R to shield or just go with L? I hope u understand the question and can help me out. Cheers, great vid

Might try it. It's possible but hard to do instant aerials with standard but using different fingers for z and r they feel too weak

I prefer the standard grip but this video was still really intersting!

Guess that's one thing Brawl, PM, and Smash 4 have over Melee. Changing button configurations. A good amount of tech could be much easier on the hands if commands could be changed in Melee.

super informative.

I use a double claw grip (not sure if that's what you call it), meaning I use an index finger and a thumb for the left joystick.

I find it helpful to set B to attack and L to special and use tilt stick when using claw in smash 4. You only need to move from C stick to b to smash attack and specials can be done without moving your right hand at all

I've always found it slow to do a short hop a delayed aerial using stock grip.

Wow! I tried claw grip for the first time and I can’t believe how fast and easy it was for my character to move and tilt. This changed my smash bros sweating to whole new level. Thanks so much 🫡😂

Used claw sometimes in Dark Souls and Borderlands 2, turns out its great for my stupid baby hands when playing smash.

This is how I've been playing for a while because I could not get quick Ariel attacks out as fox but now my short hopping is inconsistent even though I've been playing like this forever qq

I really wanna try it, but I've never even used it like that. Would playing games like shooters in that form help me get comfortable faster? Also, would it be smart to let the thumb just cover C Stick and B, with my index controlling A instead?

i use a modified claw grip because my hands are smaller, my index finger, middle finger have their faces loosely resting on Y and Z; thumb for c-stick, A, B and L for shield

my brothers always thought it was weird that i held a gamecube/xbox controller like this. didnt know it was a common thing for melee

I L-cancel with Z button as well as grab on stock grip. If I were to claw, would i use my middle finger to l-cancel on Z?

Interesting stuff, but i have been paying "clawless" since ever. I use the left analog stick UP to cancel the shine or doing shinedash and stuff. .

I have tried to learn the claw grip several times but I fail every time because I can't do precise inputs with my index fingers sideways like that. How do you short hop like that ? I have the dexterity when using the pulp of my fingers (the "inside") but not the sides. Is it just training or am I doing something wrong ?

Is it at all possible to attach some kind of strap to the right hand wrist to help hold up the controller? I've found it to be difficult to hold up the right side with only the pinky.

Could be because I've never played high-level melee, but what is the benefit of using the c-stick for ariels rather than the control stick+A?

Claw is way to hard to get used to for me but i have to get it done some day

With the first thing you talk about ("instant" aerials) can't you just double stick? Does that not work the same in melee (cstick right after analog forces shorthop aerial even when doing fullhop input)?

Imma learn how to play claw on GameCube controller for Legend of Zelda ocarina of time and Majora’s mask

I ultimate i have left trigger as jump and right bumper and trigger as sheild and grab so i dont need x or y

I play with the atari 2600 controller. And idk why ppl call me weird or a hacker when they see me use it, cuz when I, for example, down throw and forward air, ppl get bamboozled and idek why. And then when I switch to claw grip they have a seizure and I win.

My hands are huge so I can place the second knuckle on my thumb on the C-stick and the first knuckle of my thumb between the A and B button and I can roll my thumb to the X and Y button. I love having huge hands

For any game that's not Melee, I find Z Jump to make a ton more sense than Claw Gripping the controller and is far more comfortable. In Melee, however, I basically have to go claw some times to pull certain shit off.. especially with my main Falcon. Also why bother with using your ring finger to shield using R-Trigger when your left index is free to L-Cancel, Shield and etc. with L-Trigger..?

How do you make the raised tape r trigger?

Kinda interesting because I just started a few weeks ago and played claw almost immediately. Natural for me I guess, moving thumb felt awkward.

It's going to be hard to adapt to claw... Although It'll be easier to access buttons though, right?

What do I preset to the c stick? I'm new to game cube controllers:)

I bought a scuf then learned to claw... R.I.P.

how do you fast hop consistently with claw that shit is so hard

Just learning claw for ultimate, finally turning off tap jump lol, my claw grip involves index on y, middle on z and ring on r, but then my pinkie has trouble supporting the right side of the controller. Any tips?

i like claw grip but i feel that my right index finger is still slower and weaker than my thumb

If you press the Z button in the air it does aerials. So I use Z to do instant aerials instead of using claw.

My only issue is getting used to my middle finger shielding, other than that though, it's great!

if you claw grip , how can you short hop ? i mean it is really difficult to control the power of your index finger while being sideways

How do you have the fire emblem logo on your controller?

I tried to claw but it's like I have relearn the entire game. I've played a modified stock grip for years. Any tips on how I could help this?

For anyone considering switching to claw for Melee, I'm going to provide some input that not a lot of people talk about! First of all, I recommend it. Here are some points of interest: 1. Is it harder to short-hop? Yes, especially at first, but also objectively overall. 3 frame jump squat characters like fox, sheik, icies, etc are going to be difficult at first. The index finger simply isn't as strong or fast as the massive muscle in your thumb. However, with proper practice, you will still be able to short hop consistently, so just keep at it. 2. Are instant short hop aerials faster? Not really. People don't think about it, but hitting a button with your index finger and then your thumb QUICKLY is arguably just as difficult as hitting both with your thumb. There are a lot of muscles in the hand that work on both of those inputs - they're not completely isolated. For instant fair short hop aerials, using A will still be faster than c-stick, even with the dedicated thumb. I find that instant full hop aerials are easier though, because you can keep your finger on the jump button while you hit the A/c-stick. 3. What about techniques like multi-shine/SHDL, can you do these with claw? Yes, but not as consistently unfortunately. Multishine is do-able using your index on jump and thumb on B, but doing many in row will be incredibly difficult because it uses way more muscles in your hand. You will find it more consistent to slide from jump to B for both multishine and SHDL. You can actually slide with your index finger from jump to B in much the same way you would do with your thumb. If your finger sticks too much and it feels difficult to slide, put some superglue on your index finger, let it dry, and it creates a super slippery coating that lets you get used to the motion. I will say that fox and falco get less of claw compared to other characters though, as they're really the only characters I can think of where there are tradeoffs. 4. Does this make playing Peach easier? Absolutely, instance float cancel up-air is so much more precise with claw. 5. Does this help with Marth short hop double fair? Yup, lets you drift back while doing it as well. 6. Can you still easily use your thumb on A while using claw grip? Yes, you don't even have to use the c-stick with claw grip. Of course I recommend using it in a lot of situations, but if you primarily prefer using A + analog for aerials/tilts, you can absolutely continue to use that with claw. It's nice because on the ground if you get stuck in lag and miss your jump, sometimes throwing out a tilt (using A + analog) is better than throwing out a smash attack (using c-stick). But that depends on the character and situation, and with practice you shouldn't be getting stuck in lag so much anyways. But not everybody plays at a super high level. 7. Will this make double jump up-airs easier (especially with Fox)? Yeah, makes it super easy to get the up air out fast while still giving you full control of drift. I think those are the main points. Claw is great! Not really any downsides unless you play Fox/Falco, and as long as you find it comfortable. Take it easy at first, as any new form can put strain on your hand if you're not used to it. I personally wouldn't even play this game if I couldn't do claw, just feels too awkward and uncomfortable with some characters, or I feel like I lack good control of drift.

My hand just defaulted to clawing in COD over time which led to me clawing for every game

Genuine question. If the instant fairs with marth or uairs with falcon or whatever is too hard with stock grip, why didn't you just start using tap jump

i been knew how to hold it i just typed it in for no resone

You only get hand pain at the beginning. After a while, your hands get used to the claw grip.

How good do you feel your ability to move between jump buttons is? Looks like the tutorial is assuming both are still jump buttons and you're just pressing your whole finger down on both, but idk. Smash4 Peach likes having Y shield for shorthop airdodge, so I do use both jump buttons

found this really helpful but I still have a question. in smash 4 if you’re using tilt stick, when do you use it to attack in comparison with the A button? Is the A button even useful anymore? In what scenarios? Thanks :)

it sucks but i really dont think i can do this because my hands are so big. but im not a melee player so Im hoping stock will be ok with ultimate.

Ive been playing claw since MW2 now I'm trying it on Melee

I put my thumb on the abxy buttons and my pointer finger on the c stick

Does this work for brawl?

My pinkie hurts any tips?

Does anyone else play like this? My left hand is completely normal but my index finger covers the right joystick and my middle finger and ring finger cover jump attack and specials

I learnd dual claw using brawl and wii remote + nunchuk ... It helps because you want to have a finger on both triggers of the nunchuk

How would you short hop with the claw grip?

So can you update on hand pain issues? Does years of playing claw wear on your hands?

For some reason this position came natural to me when I put my middle finger on z and my ring on r

I feel like short hopping with claw is super hard

How do you think the lefty claw should be used?

Did you make that marth sticker on your controller?!

Hey zenith what’s your opinion on buying a stock controller then buying custom buttons vs buying a totally custom controller? Also I don’t know if you remember me but I asked if you were Korean a while ago and you said like annyeong I think so hi again!

In your version of the claw grip the thumb uses A,B and C-stick. The index finger uses X and Y. The middle finger uses Z. The ring finger uses R-trigger.

How do I do a neutral air? It’s kinda weird.

I actually did claw for Dark Souls

Is it strange that I never use C-stick? Ive always used A, and it does have its downfalls but I suck at switching to something im not used to

Me while watching the video: Claw grip? this guy is insane. How can I ever get better at playing like that Me one week later with practice: I AM A GOD!!

Coming back to learn claw for Ultimate

How could u short hop consistently using this grip?

In your opinion, what 3rd party company do you think makes the best gc controller?

I play claw for Call of Duty lol

I find it so hard to short hop with my index finger :C

I wanna see claw gameplay lol

we wavedashin with L or R here

Instructions unclear, both my arms fell off

Why can't you just rely and use the A button instead of the cc stick?

how tf u press the y button? u snip ur fingers like scissors?

i'm curious, does it matter if i put my middle finger on z or what

I’m not even gonna lie, I claw on games like CoD when not engaging, but I can’t use my middle finger for triggers no matter how hard I try. It’s just so unnatural. This is gonna sound weird, but I do claw on smash, but not how you think. I claw the stick to fast fall, I don’t claw face buttons.

I think the first time I ever claw gripped a controller was for Tekken.