Hidden MeleeGive feedback
| Hidden Melee | |
|---|---|
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| Tech Type: | Universal Tech |
| Difficulty: | Basic Mechanics |
| Character Dependent: | Yes |
| Inputs: | Use an ability then buffer a Heavy Melee |
A Hidden Melee is a Heavy Melee whose animations are hidden/obscured using abilities. Certain animations tied to abilities have a higher "priority" than the Heavy Melee animation, overriding it and therefore "hiding" the melee animation.
Hidden Melees makes parrying harder, since there is less visual tells on screen. However, a person can still parry based off the sound and flame effects around your fist.
A Hidden Melee only hides the animation with another animation; a common misconception is that some Hidden Melees also obscures sound and particle effects. These are not Hidden Melees: they are client-sided only and enemies can still hear the sound and particle effects.
Hidden Melees can be either hidden or obscured:
- When a Hidden Melee is hidden, the melee animation is fully hidden and no part of it can be seen.
- When a Hidden Melee is obscured, the melee animation can still be partially seen.
The execution depends on the character and their abilities; they are typically performed by using an ability then buffering a Heavy Melee afterwards. The timing can vary; for example, Viscous' Hidden Melee can be executed quite easily, at any point during his animation. Seven's Hidden Melee is a three tick window and is considerably harder.
Characters That Can Perform a Hidden Melee
| Character | Ability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bebop | Exploding Uppercut | Animation hidden. Buffer Heavy Melee when using Exploding Uppercut. Heavy Melee is much shorter. |
| Grey Talon | Charged Shot | Animation hidden. Buffer Heavy Melee when using Charged Shot. |
| Holliday | Bounce Pad | Animation hidden. Buffer when landing (only when stomping, can only occur once per pad). |
| Kelvin | Ice Path | Animation hidden. Heavy Melee, then cast Ice Path. |
| Frozen Shelter | Animation hidden. Heavy Melee while casting Ice Dome or cast then Heavy Melee. | |
| Lash | Grapple | Animation hidden. Can Hidden Melee during Grapple for ~3 seconds after initial Grapple. |
| Flog | Animation hidden. Cast Flog and buffer Heavy Melee. | |
| Ground Strike | Animation hidden. Cast Ground Strike and buffer Heavy Melee. | |
| Mina | Nox Nostra | Animation hidden. During the entirety of the ult. |
| Mo & Krill | Sand Blast | Animation hidden. After throwing Sand Blast, Heavy Melee. |
| Seven | Lightning Ball | Animation hidden. Cast Lightning Ball and buffer Heavy Melee. |
| Static Charge | Animation hidden. Cast Static Charge and buffer Heavy Melee. | |
| Shiv | Killing Blow | Animation hidden. Buffer Heavy Melee after casting Killing Blow. |
| Viscous | Puddle Punch | Animation obscured. While Puddle Punch is emerging, Heavy Melee. |
| Vyper | Screwjab Dagger | Animation hidden. Cast Screwjab and buffer Heavy Melee. |
| Petrifying Bola | Animation hidden. Cast Petrifying Bola and buffer Heavy Melee. | |
| Yamato | Shadow Transformation | Animation hidden. Buffer Heavy Melee after casting Shadow Form. |