Whether you can pause while dashing is an important consideration for many video game players. The ability to briefly halt your character’s rapid movement can provide a critical tactical advantage in some situations. In this article, we’ll take a close look at pausing during dashes across various popular games and provide a definitive answer to this question.
What is dashing?
First, let’s quickly review what dashing is in video games. A dash is essentially a burst of accelerated movement that propels your character forward very quickly, usually much faster than their normal running speed. Dashes are frequently executed by double-tapping a movement key or button, and they allow players to swiftly evade hazards, chase down enemies, or cross large gaps.
Dashes are often governed by a stamina meter or cooldown period, limiting how frequently they can be performed. Additionally, players usually cannot change direction while dashing – the character will continue moving linearly in whatever direction the dash was initiated. This contributes to the tactical considerations around dashing and whether pausing is possible.
Why would you want to pause during a dash?
Pausing while dashing can be advantageous for several reasons:
- Aim abilities/attacks: Pausing lets you take more precise aim during the dash.
- Avoid hazards: You can reactively halt to avoid dangers like traps or enemy attacks.
- Disorient opponents: Faking out pursuers by starting/stopping suddenly.
- Manage cooldowns: Pausing can optimize ability sequences between dashes.
- Precise positioning: Halt precisely where needed for cover or to flank.
The ability to briefly pause mid-dash expands your tactical options. However, this ability also has some potential drawbacks, like being exploitable by opponents. Game developers must carefully weigh these considerations when designing dash mechanics.
Can you pause while dashing in popular games?
Let’s look at some popular examples of whether pausing mid-dash is possible:
League of Legends
In League of Legends, most champion dash abilities do NOT allow pausing once initiated. For example, champions like Lucian and Ekko must complete the full dash distance when they use their abilities. However, there are a few exceptions – Ahri can briefly pause her Spirit Rush, giving her unique outplay potential.
Overwatch
Overwatch also disallows pausing during a dash in most cases. Heroes like Genji and Tracer cannot interrupt their dash abilities once activated. One exception is Sombra, who can halt her Translocator dash with another button press. This fits her infiltrator playstyle.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Smash Bros. grants more freedom to pause dashes. Many fighters can initiate a dash but then halt to perform tilts, smash attacks, or other moves. This makes dash-dancing an important skill. However, once committed to a dash attack, no pausing is allowed before the attack finishes.
Hollow Knight
The dash mechanic in Hollow Knight does not permit pausing once the dash begins. The Knight must follow through the entire swift lunge before being able to act again. Some power-ups like Crystal Heart do allow air dashing in any direction.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro’s dash move, known as the Grappling Hook Attack, cannot be interrupted. Once initiated, the dash carries Wolf rapidly forward through the air to strike the targeted enemy or surface. Pausing is not possible with this ability.
Fortnite
In Fortnite, sprinting can be started and stopped at any moment. However, once the player begins a proper dash move, such as a slide or shoulder bash, it cannot be paused. The exception is certain mythic superpower dashes that do enable mid-dash pauses.
Key factors developers consider
Based on the above examples, we can identify some key factors developers consider when designing dash mechanics:
- Game pace – Faster games favor non-interruptible dashes
- Tactical depth – Pausing enables more moves and mindgames
- Realism – Some games go for more lifelike accelerations
- Character abilities – Ties into gameplay identity and balance
- Level design – May dictate appropriate dash behaviors
Different priorities lead to different approaches. Slower games like MOBAs give more pause control, while fast shooters favor committed dashes. There are also exceptions based on individual character kits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ability to pause mid-dash varies greatly across different video games based on factors like gameplay speed, tactical considerations, and character design. While some games provide free ability to halt dashes for precise control, most do not allow interrupting a dash once initiated.
Knowing whether a dash can be paused is an important consideration when learning new games or characters. Try to pay close attention to the dash mechanics as you play – being able to start and stop on a dime provides excellent outplay potential! But expect that rapidly moving abilities must often be fully committed to once activated.