Assist Storage Glitch
Assist Storage Glitch refers to the assist mechanic's abnormal behavior under specific circumstances. When used, the assist character will attack sooner than normal. HP assists and LV2 Assist Change also cost one assist gauge instead of two.
Due to its situational requirements, it is not commonly seen in competitive play. However, the glitch can provide a substantial benefit to its user, such as more reliable whiff punishment on reaction, previously unavailable assist combos and making LV2 Assist Change even more powerful. Because this involves a universal gameplay mechanic, every character and assist can benefit from it.
The name is derived from its overarching nature for the assist mechanic as a whole, and how it influences the next action for the mechanic. It may be informally referred to as one of its distinct features, such as "quick assist" or "fast assist".
How to do
The main principle for setting up Assist Storage Glitch is interrupting an assist call slowdown. This can be done with EX Revenge or EX Burst. It must be done when the assist sphere is visible, but before the assist character can do anything. After that, the player who called the assist will have their next assist affected by the storage glitch.
- Example scenario (EX Revenge)
- Squall wall rushes the opponent with Beat Fang and calls assist (BRV)
- The opponent uses EX Revenge before the assist character is visible
- EX Revenge ends
- Squall calls assist (BRV) again, and now assist will attack much earlier.
Please note, that this will only be in effect once. After the storage glitch has been used, it must be set up again by interrupting assist call slowdown.
- Example scenario (EX Burst)
- Cloud uses Omnislash ver. 5 during EX Mode.
- Cloud calls assist right before EX Burst prompt appears and activates EX Burst immediately
- EX Burst ends
- Cloud calls assist (BRV), and now assist will attack much earlier.
Just like with the EX Revenge method, the glitch is only in effect once. The EX Burst method works similarly, but can be more difficult to time. However, it activates the glitch independently from the opponent, which can be effective for creating momentum.
Cancelling the glitch
The assist storage glitch will be cancelled out, if the player who used assist before EX Revenge uses assist again to cancel out EX Revenge.
- Example scenario (cancelled storage glitch)
- Squall wall rushes the opponent with Beat Fang and calls assist (BRV)
- The opponent uses EX Revenge before the assist character is visible
- Squall uses LV1 Assist Change to cancel EX Revenge and avoid damage.
- Squall no longer has the assist storage glitch active.
After the glitch is "stored", it is unaffected by the opponent's EX Mode activation. Activating it just means the player with the storage glitch must fill the assist gauge again before taking advantage of the glitch.
Behavior
The glitch affects multiple aspects of assist. It will only be in effect for the next assist action (assist attack or assist change). Once the assist action has been done, the glitch is no longer in effect. In order to use it again, the same setup process must be followed.
Fast Assist Call
This is what players may usually see when storage glitch is active. The assist character will attack immediately instead of waiting for the assist sphere to disappear. Fast assist call affects both bravery and HP assist attacks. The attack itself happens at normal speed, and the assist call slowdown duration is the same as before.
Fast assist call does not make the assist character invincible. However, a quick attack such as Tidus's Hop Step can provide Assist Chase before the opponent even has a chance to use assist themselves. Only one assist call can happen at a time, whether it is for an attack or Assist Change. So if anything happens to an opponent during the assist call slowdown, they cannot retaliate immediately with their own assist.
If the storage glitch is set up with an EX Burst, the timing for fast assist call can change. It can be slower compared to if it was set up with EX Revenge.
HP Attacks
Assist HP attacks are affected in a couple ways. Fast assist call affects them, just like with bravery assists. In addition, it only costs one assist gauge instead of two. That means HP attacks are temporarily easier to use, with their usual drawbacks mitigated.
LV1 Assist Change
When LV1 Change is used, the state is completed earlier and the player character moves out of the way faster as a result.
LV2 Assist Change
LV2 Assist Change functions at normal speed, but it costs one assist gauge instead of two. This makes an already powerful defensive mechanic even more powerful. For example, a LV2 Change stagger can be followed up with assist.
Applications
Assist Storage Glitch has useful applications, but they're always single-use. That being said, they can help at a later point in a match where fewer interactions are required to win.
Combos
The faster assist startup enables conversions that are normally impossible. Attacks with long knockback and chase benefit greatly from this. Since the assist attacks sooner, the opponent has less time to move away. Slower assists can also combo off of wall rush more easily.
- Examples
- Squall's Solid Barrel combos into Kuja air BRV without wall
- Tifa's Moonsault Kick combos into Kuja air BRV without wall
- The Emperor's Blue Flare can act as an assist combo starter
- Kuja Strike Energy (close finish) combos into Kefka air HP without chase
- Jecht's Ultimate Jecht Shot (wall rush) combos into Ultimecia ground BRV
Whiff punishment
Faster startup also means reacting with an assist punish is easier. Since this applies to all assist attacks, most assists may benefit from this to some extent. Attacks that are normally easier to whiff punish with Tidus assist can be whiff punished with Kuja assist more reliably, and so on. Fast HP attacks such as Yuna's Diamond Dust and Zidane's Free Energy have an easier time hitting the opponent as well.
LV2 Assist Change Counters
The defensive mechanic with Block Highest priority naturally benefits from the reduced meter cost. Having some meter to use afterwards helps keep the player afloat with the evergreen assist resource.
Staggering with the LV2 Change also makes the following retaliations more powerful as well. Since assist gauge isn't disabled after using LV2 Change, EXP to Assist and Side by Side influx fill the gauge as they normally would. That means characters such as Squall and Zidane can counter with an HP and follow up with an assist at reduced meter deficit.
As LV2 Change leaves 1 assist gauge filled, players can stagger with LV2 Change and then call their assist for a quick, reliable combo. Characters who normally can't land HP attacks off of LV2 Change stagger can benefit from this, such as Yuna, Prishe and Ultimecia. It is even possible to use another assist call in tandem with the player's own attack to increase its tracking (e.g. Prishe's Banishga).
Drawbacks
At first, the fast assist call can be disorienting due to a potentially long interval between the glitch setup and the next assist call. This can be overcome with adequate practice.
Other drawbacks aren't as negligible. Because this glitch requires using one of the two EX mechanics, characters with Side by Side 
equipped cannot activate this glitch with EX Burst. As EX gauge is typically filled and used once in a match, the glitch can be expensive to use, relatively speaking.
EX Revenge is also a factor here. Taking a full EX Revenge combo can cause a notable setback, especially against Garland. But not all characters have very high damaging combos during EX Revenge, and the available health and bravery can mitigate damage taken. Being a defensive mechanic, EX Revenge is more likely to be used early if a situation calls for it. When activating this glitch, players are more likely to assess the risk and reward for opponent's EX Revenge specifically.
References