Project M/Project+ Features

Overview

The ProjectM mode in HayBox includes specialized options to handle differences between Project M/Project+ and Melee mechanics, particularly around Z button behavior and movement options.

True Z Press Option

The Problem

Project M and Project+ handle Z button presses differently than Melee:

In Melee: Z press = Lightshield + A, which can be used for L-canceling without causing tech lockout
In PM/P+: Z press triggers a tech, causing unwanted tech lockouts if used to L-cancel

The Solution

HayBox provides the true_z_press option to control Z button behavior:

// ProjectM.cpp - Lines 26-31
if (_options.true_z_press || inputs.lt1) {
    outputs.buttonR = inputs.rf3;  // Send actual Z press
} else {
    outputs.a = inputs.rt1 || inputs.rf3;  // Send A press instead
}

Default (true_z_press = false)
True Z Press (true_z_press = true)

Behavior: Z button sends Lightshield + A macro

// When Z (rf3) is pressed:
outputs.a = inputs.rt1 || inputs.rf3;  // A button output

// Lightshield is added via trigger analog:
if (inputs.rf3 && !(inputs.lt1 || _options.true_z_press)) {
    outputs.triggerRAnalog = 49;  // Lightshield analog value
}

Advantages:

Safe L-canceling without tech lockout
Consistent behavior with Melee muscle memory
No need to change L-cancel timing

Limitations:

Cannot use tether/grapple attacks
Cannot grab items with Z
Cannot use Z for aerial grabbing

Behavior: Z button sends actual Z input to the game

outputs.buttonR = inputs.rf3;  // True Z press

Advantages:

Can use tether/grapple attacks (Link, Samus, Ivysaur, etc.)
Can grab items with Z
Full functionality of Z button

Limitations:

Using Z to L-cancel will cause tech lockout
Must use L or R for L-canceling instead

Mod X Override

Regardless of the true_z_press setting, you can always force a true Z press by holding Mod X + Z:

if (_options.true_z_press || inputs.lt1) {
    outputs.buttonR = inputs.rf3;
}

This allows you to use the safe L-cancel macro by default, but still access tether attacks when needed by holding Mod X.

Configuration

In config_defaults.hpp

const Config default_config = {
    // ...
    .project_m_options = {
        .true_z_press = true,  // Set to false for lightshield + A macro
        .disable_ledgedash_socd_override = false,
    },
    // ...
};

This setting in /HAL/pico/include/config_defaults.hpp controls the default behavior on plugin.Default value: true (actual Z press for full functionality)

Mode activation binding

GameModeConfig {
    .mode_id = MODE_PROJECT_M,
    .socd_pairs_count = 4,
    .socd_pairs = {
        SocdPair { .button_dir1 = BTN_LF3, .button_dir2 = BTN_LF1, .socd_type = SOCD_2IP_NO_REAC },
        SocdPair { .button_dir1 = BTN_LF2, .button_dir2 = BTN_RF4, .socd_type = SOCD_2IP_NO_REAC },
        SocdPair { .button_dir1 = BTN_RT3, .button_dir2 = BTN_RT5, .socd_type = SOCD_2IP_NO_REAC },
        SocdPair { .button_dir1 = BTN_RT2, .button_dir2 = BTN_RT4, .socd_type = SOCD_2IP_NO_REAC },
    },
    .button_remapping_count = 0,
    .activation_binding_count = 3,
    .activation_binding = { BTN_LT1, BTN_MB1, BTN_LF3 },  // Start + Mod X + Left
}

By default, hold Start + Mod X + Left on plugin or during runtime to activate Project M mode.

Ledgedash Maximum Jump Trajectory

Similar to Melee modes, ProjectM mode includes the ledgedash SOCD override:

// ProjectM.cpp - Lines 195-199
if (!_options.disable_ledgedash_socd_override && _horizontal_socd && !directions.vertical &&
    !shield_button_pressed) {
    outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * 100);  // 1.0 cardinal
}

How It Works

When left and right are both held (horizontal SOCD)
No vertical direction is held
No shield button is pressed
The stick outputs a perfect 1.0 cardinal (value 100 from center)

Purpose: Provides maximum horizontal jump trajectory for ledgedashing, regardless of modifiers held.

Note the difference from Melee: Project M’s ledgedash override uses coordinate value 100 (10000 in game units) compared to Melee’s 80 (8000). This is because PM/P+ uses extended stick range.

Configuration

The ledgedash_max_jump_traj option mentioned in the README controls whether this behavior is active:

.project_m_options = {
    .true_z_press = true,
    .disable_ledgedash_socd_override = false,  // Set to true to disable
}

If you change the SOCD mode to 2IP (with reactivation), you should set disable_ledgedash_socd_override = true for a smooth gameplay experience.

Project M Coordinate Ranges

Project M/P+ modes use extended coordinate ranges compared to Melee:

// ProjectM.cpp - Lines 3-5
#define ANALOG_STICK_MIN 28
#define ANALOG_STICK_NEUTRAL 128
#define ANALOG_STICK_MAX 228

Compare to Melee:

// Melee20Button.cpp - Lines 3-5
#define ANALOG_STICK_MIN 48
#define ANALOG_STICK_NEUTRAL 128
#define ANALOG_STICK_MAX 208

Ranges:

Melee: 48-128-208 (160 total range)
Project M: 28-128-228 (200 total range)

This extended range allows for more precise inputs and is used throughout the modifier system.

Modifier Coordinates

Mod X Modifiers

// ProjectM.cpp - Lines 84-137
if (inputs.lt1) {
    if (directions.horizontal) {
        outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * 70);  // 7000
    }
    if (directions.vertical) {
        outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 60);  // 6000
    }

    if (directions.diagonal) {
        // Default MX Diagonal
        outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * 70);  // 7000
        outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 34);  // 3400

        if (inputs.rf1) {  // B button
            outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * 85);
            outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 31);
        }

        if (inputs.rf5) {  // R button - Airdodge angle
            outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * 82);
            outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 35);
        }

        // C-stick modifiers for additional angles
        if (inputs.rt4) { outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 55); }
        if (inputs.rt2) { outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 36); }
        if (inputs.rt3) { outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 50); }
        if (inputs.rt5) { outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 61); }
    }
}

Mod Y Modifiers

// ProjectM.cpp - Lines 140-183
if (inputs.lt2) {
    if (directions.horizontal) {
        outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * 35);  // 3500
    }
    if (directions.vertical) {
        outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 70);  // 7000
    }

    if (directions.diagonal) {
        outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * 28);  // 2800
        outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 58);  // 5800

        // Various angle modifiers with B, R, and C-stick combinations
        // ...
    }
}

C-Stick ASDI Slideoff

Project M mode includes a special ASDI slideoff angle for C-stick down + left/right:

// ProjectM.cpp - Lines 189-193
if (directions.cx != 0 && directions.cy == -1) {
    // 3000 9875 = 30 78
    outputs.rightStickX = 128 + (directions.cx * 35);
    outputs.rightStickY = 128 + (directions.cy * 98);
}

Note that C-up + C-left/right does NOT trigger ASDI slideoff, in case you want to implement C-stick nair in the future.

Custom Airdodge Angles

Similar to Melee mode, Project M supports custom airdodge angles:

// ProjectM.cpp - Lines 108-115
if (inputs.rf5) {  // R button for airdodge
    if (_options.has_custom_airdodge) {
        outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * _options.custom_airdodge.x);
        outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * _options.custom_airdodge.y);
    } else {
        outputs.leftStickX = 128 + (directions.x * 82);
        outputs.leftStickY = 128 + (directions.y * 35);
    }
}

When to Use Each Configuration

true_z_press = false

Best for:

Characters without tether recovery
Players who want Melee-like L-cancel behavior
Avoiding tech lockout mistakes

Use Mod X + Z when you need tether/grab

true_z_press = true

Best for:

Tether characters (Link, Samus, Ivysaur, etc.)
Players comfortable L-canceling with L/R
Full Z button functionality

Remember to use L/R for L-canceling

Summary

Option	Default	Purpose
`true_z_press`	`true`	Send actual Z press vs lightshield + A macro
`disable_ledgedash_socd_override`	`false`	Enable 1.0 cardinal when L+R held
`has_custom_airdodge`	`false`	Use custom airdodge coordinates
Coordinate range	28-228	Extended range for precise inputs
Mod X override	Always available	Hold Mod X + Z for true Z press

Configuration

Creating Custom Modes

Input Sources

Mode-Specific Features

Project M/Project+ Features

Overview

True Z Press Option

The Problem

The Solution

Mod X Override

Configuration

Ledgedash Maximum Jump Trajectory

How It Works

Configuration

Project M Coordinate Ranges

Modifier Coordinates

Mod X Modifiers

Mod Y Modifiers

C-Stick ASDI Slideoff

Custom Airdodge Angles

When to Use Each Configuration

true_z_press = false

true_z_press = true

Summary

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Configuration

Creating Custom Modes

Input Sources

Mode-Specific Features

​Overview

​True Z Press Option

​The Problem

​The Solution

​Mod X Override

​Configuration

​Ledgedash Maximum Jump Trajectory

​How It Works

​Configuration

​Project M Coordinate Ranges

​Modifier Coordinates

​Mod X Modifiers

​Mod Y Modifiers

​C-Stick ASDI Slideoff

​Custom Airdodge Angles

​When to Use Each Configuration

true_z_press = false

true_z_press = true

​Summary

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Overview

True Z Press Option

The Problem

The Solution

Mod X Override

Configuration

Ledgedash Maximum Jump Trajectory

How It Works

Configuration

Project M Coordinate Ranges

Modifier Coordinates

Mod X Modifiers

Mod Y Modifiers

C-Stick ASDI Slideoff

Custom Airdodge Angles

When to Use Each Configuration

Summary