Lucario: Offensive or Defensive?

OverlordCrono · Jul 26, 2008

Heya Lucario boards, I come here with a question to you all.

My journey to find my last main has brought me to your favorite Aura-wielding Pokemon, and as I am figuring out how he works to see if I can main him, I must ask: Is Lucario's style based more on defense or offense? Can he be both? If I can get a idea of how I should be using him, I can improve much more.

And if its not too much to ask, whats the general match up between Lucario vs. Pikachu? I just need the answer "good" or "bad". >_>

Rapid_Assassin · Jul 26, 2008

I've seen both styles but i have a tendency to run out timers... >_>

DanGR · Jul 26, 2008

The scary thing about lucario is that he can either play defensively or offensively. He's got the tools for both.

LP4Life666 · Jul 26, 2008

DanGR said:
The scary thing about lucario is that he can either play defensively or offensively. He's got the tools for both.

We've had a similar thread to this one already, but yes DanGR is right. Yeah boring answer, but Lucario can be considered both.

MetallicFalcon · Jul 26, 2008

DanGR said:
The scary thing about lucario is that he can either play defensively or offensively. He's got the tools for both.

i say that lucario is best played as a defensive character. cause if he is played as a off character he can easily be predicted and dodged. i mean he is pretty slow

null55 · Jul 26, 2008

I think the best users can switch on a dime.

My favorite thing about Lucario is that everyone plays him differently, but understating the shift between offensive and defensive play makes him a great character, so it's pretty much necessary.

Kitamerby · Jul 26, 2008

MetallicFalcon said:
i say that lucario is best played as a defensive character. cause if he is played as a off character he can easily be predicted and dodged. i mean he is pretty slow

I have a single word which disproves your argument.

Azen.

Col. Stauffenberg · Jul 26, 2008

Yes, Lucario can be played in a lot of ways. Personally, however, I think his play lends itself better to defensive style, focusing on keeping your opponent at the optimum distance a la Marth and staying alive as long as possible at high %s. Doesn't mean you shouldn't go offensive if the need (or the opportunity) arises, however.

Lucario is slow and easy to predict? Where the heck did that come from?

Lucario vs Pikachu isn't really either "good" or "bad." both characters have their advantages in this match-up. The winner will be the one who exploits his better.

Timbers · Jul 26, 2008

His makeup leans more towards a defensive style than an offensive one. He can do both very well. I think you'll be playing defense more than you are offense, though.

Pikachu vs Luc is pretty neutral. Pikachu covers the ground very well, but he's severely lacking against your own airgame. On the ground I'd say it's Pikachu's match. The air would be Lucario's.

OverLade · Jul 26, 2008

I think Lucario is best defensive, but Lucario can switch to a nice Offensive style when necessary. Camping Fairs, and cancelling fast falled nairs into smash attacks is what Azen does when he's playing defensively and waiting for an opening. Lucario is a GREAT punsihment character, so playing defensively and waiting for mistakes is a good strategy.

Timbers · Jul 26, 2008

REDHALBERD said:
Lucario is a GREAT punsihment character

nonononono

Trela · Jul 27, 2008

I'm not a Lucario pro, but here's my opinion:

Lucario could be both. He's like the best at doing combos, and he's one of the heaviest characters in the game.*
I perfer Defence though ^^

*EDIT: Oh, I know what you mean Ted; I just know it takes sometime to take him down XD

tedward2000 · Jul 27, 2008

Lucario is a great COMEBACK character. The aura boost helps out with this.
-t2

edit*
Lucario is not one of the heaviest in the game. I dont know the exact weight line, but lucario is kinda in the middle of that totem pole.

XavantTheEnigma · Jul 27, 2008

Blow em' up with... AURA SPHERE. Cast all of your hatred anger and rage into a single attack!

Col. Stauffenberg · Jul 27, 2008

Lucci's slightly above average in weight. Which is about right, unlike Mr. I'm a 270 pound featherweight, Mewtwo.

Azen Zagenite · Jul 27, 2008

=^_^=

Playing offensive is funner!

D. Disciple · Jul 27, 2008

Funner isn't a word Azen X3

Milln · Jul 27, 2008

Offensive is great. Defensive is great. Milln switches between the two styles all day.

indianunit · Jul 27, 2008

In my opinion Lucario will have a hard time against pikachu. i was playing a pro pikachu user yesterday (i think his alias was spaz) he was really good with it I lost many times against him with Lucario. Pikachus quick attack cancel into thunder and thunder jolt is really hard to avoid and his spot dodge into downsmash is just god like. I think playing defensively with Lucario is really the best way to go against pikachu.

Tallen · Jul 27, 2008

I play defensive. dodging and punishing is one of my favorite tactics. I don't usually play offensive but my air game is pretty nice.

tedward2000 · Jul 27, 2008

Wow, I just realized how to sum up how I play Lucario.
I play Lucario like a Really Evasive Angry Squirrel.
In the offensive, but I try not to get hit.

Heh, that was just like....hmmm,how do I....I got it!! (types what you see now)
-t2

Milln · Jul 27, 2008

indianunit said:
In my opinion Lucario will have a hard time against pikachu. i was playing a pro pikachu user yesterday (i think his alias was spaz) he was really good with it I lost many times against him with Lucario. Pikachus quick attack cancel into thunder and thunder jolt is really hard to avoid and his spot dodge into downsmash is just god like. I think playing defensively with Lucario is really the best way to go against pikachu.

GUYS I CAN'T BEAT THIS PIKACHU PLAYER NO MATTER WHAT I DO.

This obviously means Pikachu is a counter to Lucario.

And doesn't mean that the Pikachu player could be simply better than you are, at all.

DKKountry · Jul 27, 2008

Infi-tan said:
And doesn't mean that the Pikachu player could be simply better than you are, at all.

Ludicrous. Simply ludicrous.

indianunit · Jul 27, 2008

Infi-tan said:
GUYS I CAN'T BEAT THIS PIKACHU PLAYER NO MATTER WHAT I DO.

This obviously means Pikachu is a counter to Lucario.

And doesn't mean that the Pikachu player could be simply better than you are, at all.

NNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! he's not better than me.....he just has a good pikachu is all.

jerk

No please don't hurt me!!!!!

Holy sh*t post count=69 best number ever!!!

dr00 · Jul 27, 2008

indianunit said:
NNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! he's not better than me.....he just has a good pikachu is all.

jerk

No please don't hurt me!!!!!

Holy sh*t post count=69 best number ever!!!

:|

10 :| faces

betterthanbonds9 · Jul 27, 2008

To answer OP: I never understand the idea of a huge distinction between defense and offense in this game. In my mind i see the difference as defense being baiting them into an attack and proceding with a counter, a la: attacking with an opening/beatable move. Offense is in my mind making an opening on your own and continuing through it.

Naturally the difference is a very miniscule one and that's where i find lucario to have an advantage. He can switch his style in an instant and switch it back soon after. He won't overpower you, he'll gradually beat you up and finish you off with one of his imaginary hitboxes.

CUsmasher2011 · Jul 27, 2008

I play a defensive Lucario now, because I'm still getting used to playing Lucario and learning how to utilize his aerial game more (expect for using dair 99% of the time). But I think for some, the more you get used to playing as Lucario, the more offensive-minded you may become.

Teczer0 · Jul 27, 2008

Azen Zagenite said:
Playing offensive is funner!

Your Lucario is so fawken amazing. Your the only player I can watch in brawl.

And I guess m2k too... >_>

I play offensive Lucario now too... although my spacing isn't as good but it definitely is "funner" XD

The Halloween Captain · Jul 27, 2008

Azen Zagenite said:
Playing offensive is funner!

It just occured to me; Azen, when would you use a defencive Lucario?

Since your style is considered by most offencive, you would probably only play defencively when it is necesary to win, situations in which offence simply does not work. So when it's not possible for you to win offencively in a situation, it is very unlikely that any other Lucario would be able to win in that manner either.

dj_pwn1423 · Jul 28, 2008

I herd he likes teh fsmash, so he probably goes defensive as well?

Azen Zagenite · Jul 28, 2008

=^_^=

I think its best to have a good combination of both Offense and Defense; dunno how to really explain it, but when attacking just don't blindly rush in without thinking. Spacing is basically the most important part of playing Offensively and Defensively at the same time, because you're attacking while staying safely out of their range.

GI Josh · Jul 28, 2008

just use whatever style that works best for you

The Halloween Captain · Jul 28, 2008

Azen Zagenite said:
I think its best to have a good combination of both Offense and Defense; dunno how to really explain it, but when attacking just don't blindly rush in without thinking. Spacing is basically the most important part of playing Offensively and Defensively at the same time, because you're attacking while staying safely out of their range.

I actually understand that perfectly. By attacking, you're actually protecting yourself from damage, because your offencive game is better at defending you from attacks than your defencive game, correct?

Azen Zagenite · Jul 29, 2008

=^_^=

about right lolz. I try to play balanced like that, spacing with every character even if the character has only short ranged moves.

dj_pwn1423 · Jul 29, 2008

just like TL. mrite timbers?

psike · Jul 29, 2008

I played a Luc at a tourney this weekend with my Zelda and my Diddy, and he is most definitely a better defensive character. He was trying to be offensive the first round, and I beat him badly with my offensive Zelda. Then, he started camping the second two rounds, and he timed out both of my matches. I was chasing him around the stage the whole time and he would just run and projectile. It was very frustrating to lose to someone that never even took all my stocks in a single match : (

The Halloween Captain · Jul 29, 2008

It varies from person to person. Some people find the most effective way to increase a persons damage without taking damage yourself is to be defencive, others find the only way to do it is to be offencive.

Also, I'm a pretty good spammer, where were you and what character did you play that made it impossible to beat Lucampio?

Black Mantis · Jul 29, 2008

DanGR said:
The scary thing about lucario is that he can either play defensively or offensively. He's got the tools for both.

I have to agree with you on that. Lucario can be a nightmare to people who are overly offensive with his down b and his attack power goes up with his damage.

Kitamerby · Jul 29, 2008

Purple Mantis said:
I have to agree with you on that. Lucario can be a nightmare to people who are overly offensive with his down b and his attack power goes up with his damage.

His down B sucks as a counter. He usually has better options, but I'm not sure if he's really a "nightmare" to offensive players. >>

ComradeSAL · Jul 29, 2008

Kitamerby said:
His down B sucks as a counter. He usually has better options, but I'm not sure if he's really a "nightmare" to offensive players. >>

It's definitely not a spammable move, but I've been having pretty good success using it as a finisher when both me and my opponent are above 100%. At that stage a lot of opponents just go into roll + smash mode, and down b is obviously very good at punishing that. I doubt I use it more than once every other match on average but it's not a move to forget by any means.

As for whether he's a "nightmare" to offensive players, I think a Lucario properly spacing fsmashes can be pretty difficult to approach. Maybe not the most difficult, but with his projectile he's up there.

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