diff --git a/common/src/comp/ability.rs b/common/src/comp/ability.rs
index dc293fbc6c..3e93926b3a 100644
--- a/common/src/comp/ability.rs
+++ b/common/src/comp/ability.rs
@@ -51,8 +51,7 @@ impl CharacterAbility {
                         .is_ok()
             },
             CharacterAbility::DashMelee { .. } => {
-                data.physics.on_ground
-                    && !data.physics.in_fluid
+                !data.physics.in_fluid
                     && update
                         .energy
                         .try_change_by(-300, EnergySource::Ability)
@@ -122,6 +121,7 @@ impl From<&CharacterAbility> for CharacterState {
                 recover_duration,
                 base_damage,
             } => CharacterState::DashMelee(dash_melee::Data {
+                initialize: true,
                 exhausted: false,
                 buildup_duration: *buildup_duration,
                 recover_duration: *recover_duration,
diff --git a/common/src/states/dash_melee.rs b/common/src/states/dash_melee.rs
index b72502d219..8697df41d6 100644
--- a/common/src/states/dash_melee.rs
+++ b/common/src/states/dash_melee.rs
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ pub struct Data {
     pub base_damage: u32,
     /// Whether the attack can deal more damage
     pub exhausted: bool,
+    pub initialize: bool,
 }
 
 impl CharacterBehavior for Data {
@@ -32,6 +33,10 @@ impl CharacterBehavior for Data {
             server_events: VecDeque::new(),
         };
 
+        if self.initialize {
+            update.vel.0 = data.inputs.look_dir * 20.0;
+        }
+
         if self.buildup_duration != Duration::default() && data.physics.touch_entity.is_none() {
             // Build up (this will move you forward)
             update.vel.0 = Vec3::new(0.0, 0.0, update.vel.0.z)
@@ -49,6 +54,7 @@ impl CharacterBehavior for Data {
                 recover_duration: self.recover_duration,
                 base_damage: self.base_damage,
                 exhausted: false,
+                initialize: false,
             });
         } else if !self.exhausted {
             // Hit attempt
@@ -64,6 +70,7 @@ impl CharacterBehavior for Data {
                 recover_duration: self.recover_duration,
                 base_damage: self.base_damage,
                 exhausted: true,
+                initialize: false,
             });
         } else if self.recover_duration != Duration::default() {
             // Recovery
@@ -75,6 +82,7 @@ impl CharacterBehavior for Data {
                     .unwrap_or_default(),
                 base_damage: self.base_damage,
                 exhausted: true,
+                initialize: false,
             });
         } else {
             // Done