I need some help with Falco's spike

[Byakko Shockwave]

Whenever I do my Down-arial to spike someone, I always end up falling to fast to recover after I do it. In other words, they die, but then I die a split second later. I suppose this could be cool for a neat looking final KO, but I'd rather make it back to the stage and surive. Occasionally, when I spike them right near the edge, I just barely land on the edge, and they still get spiked. But the problem with that is that it usually just spikes them into the ground, and they don't get KOd. What am I doing wrong? I'm sure Falco's spike isn't an instant suicide, but I can't get it to work consistantly. Thanks in advance! :)

[mtbandy]

If you've just knocked you're opponent off the edge and you want to spike them on the way back, try short-hopping to the spike. It should be more deceptive, you save your second jump to help with the recovery, and it seems that if you start higher and have to fast-fall into the attack, you end up holding down too long (plunging to your death).

[Kyari]

Short-hop like mtbandy suggested, and use the C-Stick (press it downward) to do his spike. You shouldn't experience any fast falling problems this way. After you tap the C-Stick, do your second jump, and then repeatedly hold Up and press B. If you already used your second jump, skip it and just do the Up+B. You want to do your Up+B ASAP so you don't die.

[Blind]

If you can time it so you spike on the way up, you won't experience any difficulty whatsoever... your attack will be well ended before you need to even try to recover. This works best when you jump-cancel a shine (make sure it hits :P ) near the edge of the stage, because they really can't avoid it. It also works if they're trying to come in high, but most people won't do that. Another way I can think of is to jump off the stage and jump back, performing your spike right after the second jump. This way you will be below the edge, hop back up over it while spiking the opponent into the abyss, and land neatly on the stage. A little more risky if you aren't comfortable with Falco's double jump height, though. And try not to go too far out

[AWrulez]

Short hop at the edge and spike them into the abyss. By that I mean, you're above solid ground the whole time (though just barely, right at the edge), and the only jump you use is short hop. Many recoveries will just plow into your spike.
I don't see how doing that will spike the opponent to the ground, unless they go PAST you. Short hop, so that they'll hit you on the side facing the blast line, and they'll be sent downwards, at an angle usually.

[soberfox]

Rarely would I reccommend doing Falco's spike over the edge. As AWrulez just said, you can do it just as easily without going over it, and you can land on safe ground. Just position Falco as close the very edge of the stage as you can, and time it right. Even if they are going to grab it, with the right spacing the tip of Falco's feet will send them spiraling to death. Other times, they may just hit the side of Falco's legs, which sends them down fast and at a horrendous angle.

There is really no reason to jump out and do it, as that will always be risky with Falco because his recovery is so bad.

[Animal control]

You are maybe to close to the side and mite need to mave back a little.

[Shuriken]

I used to have this problem as well, though I haven't been playing long. Apart from what everyone has said already, I find that its easiest to avoid a suicide if you full jump at the edge and start your dair soon so that by the time you're done the spike you're only a bit below the edge. There's also a point in the spike that sends your opponent with a bit more horizontal than right at the bottom of it, so you can try that too.

[Jeyt]

What it sounds like to me is that you are to close to the ledge. As said before, back off about a foots width.

What I have found to be a TREMENDOUS help is after the throw/kick/smash them off the edge, blaster them once so that they fall below the edge then, they just u-b into my spike.

Now my friend plays as fox so I don't know how well this will work against Y/Link, that stupid sword and dodge-to-grapple

[ledjin]

check the Bombsoldier vid, or any Falco match, it's just timing. You should use it more [IMO] to edgeguard if u can't pull it without falling.

[Mann]

Honestly, another problem that I think you might have is accidently holding down too much. Doing that makes you fall faster, therefore no chance to recover. You could either use the c-stick to help you out here, or tap the down A and making sure you do not hold down.

[Ragnarok91]

You can short hop dair if they don't sweetspot. If they do, or you feel like jumping out to meet them, then remember to:
-use C-stick so you don't fastfall
-don't go too far, or else you can't make it back
-make sure they don't hit you, or else you're dead and they may survive
-use the dair as you're rising from your second jump (if you run off the side, double jump, and dair as you rise, you can DI and land on the stage without having to use up B)

[Zink]

Yes, your best bet is usually to stand on the edge, not jump out, although it depends on the situation as well. Try going to Training mode and knocking the CPU over the edge- they recover on their own and you can practice on them.

[Uncle Meat]

If you jump out to meet them with a spike, you're ****ed.

[Zink]

Here's an idea- shine the guy into the air before sending him over the edge, then spike them.