I made this thread as a response to the thread How to approuch with samus?, in which I was just going to point out the search results for "Approach" threads in the Samus boards, but I was suprised to see none existed. So while I'm certain this has been discussed, I decided to put down all my thoughts in one thread, with an easily-searched title, which didn't exist hitherto. I sequenced these approaches in increasing complexity / usefulness.
1) Dash attack
Samus' most basic and simple approach, like many characters, is a dash attack (running A). Samus has a very nice dash attack, but like any dash attack, it's a bad idea to do it if they're in their shield, since it will only get you shield-grabbed, up-smashed from shield, up-b'd from shield, or otherwise punished.
2) Dash forward, wavedash back
Also like every character, this is a staple mindgame approach. If they're used to you dash attacking, they're going to react, either by shielding, spot-dodging, or trying to attack your dash when you perform it, enabling you to punish them, such as by grabbing them if they are holding their shield, or smash them if they are trying to counter-attack where you were dashing.
3) Wavedash forward
Samus has a good overall wavedash, and it's certainly a good way to get around, including to move up to your foe. This is probably the most used approach for Samus in the game.
4) Crouch cancel a dash
Another general approach strategy, you can run at them, and crouch cancel (hold down) as you get near them so you'll be able to perform any move you want (such as a forward tilt, which has good speed, range, and priority). Very similar to wavedashing forward, only usually is much less expected by your foe.
5) Chase a missile
This is a more Samus-specific approach, but other characters with projectiles can execute this same overall strategy, which is effective. You want to missile cancel (fire a missile as you land on the ground to remove lag), and then run after it towards them. If they stand there, they will be hit by the missile. If they shield, you can grab them. If they jump, you can follow with an aerial (such as nair). If they spot-dodge, you can tilt/smash them. If they roll away, you can dash attack them. If they roll towards you, you can crouch-cancel your dash attack and smash them.
6) Super wavedash
This is a Samus-only approach, and it is considered more showy than effective, which is generally true. However, if you like super wavedashing, and are able to perform it often enough to make use of it, this can be useful for quick approaches against someone who isn't expecting it, or can't do anything about it - for instance, if you hit them to the other side of the level, and they are recovering. You can also use SWD to chase a missile at great distances.
7) Dash-dancing pivots
This is the best approach in the game, and any character can do it, yet this is probably the most difficult aspect of the game for any player to master. In order to master it, you must first be aware of its importance and how to do it, so you can practice and try to add it to your gave over time. For more information how how to dash-dance or pivot attack, read this: Official Terms and Techniques Thread
8) Make them come to you
Why approach when you have one of the most powerhouse ranged characters in the game? Knowing how to confidently and effectively engage your enemy is critical, but just because you can doesn't mean you should constantly be rushing at them, especially when Samus has so many excellent defensive strategies, such as:
• Charged blast
• Missile spam
• Screw attack (Up-B) from shield
• An excellent spot-dodge and the best crouch-cancel, either of which can brutally be combod just by down-smashing afterwards.
When used well in conjunction, these strategies often will frustrate or fluster your opponent into playing worse and more predictably.
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Samus definitely has other approaches, I've just tried to highlight the generalities of how to approach with Samus. If you'd like to post any other suggestions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to do so.
1) Dash attack
Samus' most basic and simple approach, like many characters, is a dash attack (running A). Samus has a very nice dash attack, but like any dash attack, it's a bad idea to do it if they're in their shield, since it will only get you shield-grabbed, up-smashed from shield, up-b'd from shield, or otherwise punished.
2) Dash forward, wavedash back
Also like every character, this is a staple mindgame approach. If they're used to you dash attacking, they're going to react, either by shielding, spot-dodging, or trying to attack your dash when you perform it, enabling you to punish them, such as by grabbing them if they are holding their shield, or smash them if they are trying to counter-attack where you were dashing.
3) Wavedash forward
Samus has a good overall wavedash, and it's certainly a good way to get around, including to move up to your foe. This is probably the most used approach for Samus in the game.
4) Crouch cancel a dash
Another general approach strategy, you can run at them, and crouch cancel (hold down) as you get near them so you'll be able to perform any move you want (such as a forward tilt, which has good speed, range, and priority). Very similar to wavedashing forward, only usually is much less expected by your foe.
5) Chase a missile
This is a more Samus-specific approach, but other characters with projectiles can execute this same overall strategy, which is effective. You want to missile cancel (fire a missile as you land on the ground to remove lag), and then run after it towards them. If they stand there, they will be hit by the missile. If they shield, you can grab them. If they jump, you can follow with an aerial (such as nair). If they spot-dodge, you can tilt/smash them. If they roll away, you can dash attack them. If they roll towards you, you can crouch-cancel your dash attack and smash them.
6) Super wavedash
This is a Samus-only approach, and it is considered more showy than effective, which is generally true. However, if you like super wavedashing, and are able to perform it often enough to make use of it, this can be useful for quick approaches against someone who isn't expecting it, or can't do anything about it - for instance, if you hit them to the other side of the level, and they are recovering. You can also use SWD to chase a missile at great distances.
7) Dash-dancing pivots
This is the best approach in the game, and any character can do it, yet this is probably the most difficult aspect of the game for any player to master. In order to master it, you must first be aware of its importance and how to do it, so you can practice and try to add it to your gave over time. For more information how how to dash-dance or pivot attack, read this: Official Terms and Techniques Thread
8) Make them come to you
Why approach when you have one of the most powerhouse ranged characters in the game? Knowing how to confidently and effectively engage your enemy is critical, but just because you can doesn't mean you should constantly be rushing at them, especially when Samus has so many excellent defensive strategies, such as:
• Charged blast
• Missile spam
• Screw attack (Up-B) from shield
• An excellent spot-dodge and the best crouch-cancel, either of which can brutally be combod just by down-smashing afterwards.
When used well in conjunction, these strategies often will frustrate or fluster your opponent into playing worse and more predictably.
________________________________
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Samus definitely has other approaches, I've just tried to highlight the generalities of how to approach with Samus. If you'd like to post any other suggestions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to do so.
