Emblem Lord
The Legendary Lord
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- Aug 11, 2005
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The topic of this thread is an area of difficulty for many Marth players. How exactly are you supposed to get past all those lasers? And how are you supposed to deal with his deadly approach? After speaking with Cactuar, Mew2king, and Lord Knight I have compiled a list of tactics to use in order to fight against Falco's onslaught. This thread is to spread knowledge, share ideas and spark intelligent discussion among the Marth community. I tried to post the most reliable methods of dealing with Falco's lasers/approach as well as the most common methods. I also posted a few tricks that many players may not have even considered.
1) Dash Attack
Probably the first method Marth players learn in order to combat Falco's use of lasers. The dash attack animation has Marth ducking very low to the ground as he slashes. Good against Falco's that don't shoot low lasers or don't shoot low lasers that much.
2) Use Platforms
Another way of dealing with lasers that all players discover early on. This method is quite obvious, but still effective. Marth uses the platforms to avoid lasers while closing the distance betwen Falco and himself. Use wavelanding to speed Marth's movement on the platforms. And make sure to watch Falco carefully so you can react if he tries to attack you.
3) Power Shielding
There seems to be quite a bit of controversy over this technique. Some question it's viability, saying it's too difficult to do consistently so it shouldn't be relied on too much. Others argue that it's not all that difficult to become proficient at and it's the best way to deal with lasers. Personally I think that unless you can power shield 6 out of 10 lasers that are shot at you, then you shouldn't make a big deal about power shielding. Theoretically speaking, someone who mastered this technique could completely shut down Falco's approach. To perform this technique simply hit L or R the moment the laser would strike your body and it will be reflected back at Falco, if you did it correctly. Still, don't get cocky if you did power shield correctly. Remember Falco can shine his own laser or power shield it right back. He could even just take the hit and go right back to lasering. So take advantage of a power shield if you pull it off.
4) Jumping over lasers
A somewhat risky approach because Marth is vulnerable while in the air. Marth must be very careful and watch Falco's movements while doing this. You'll usually want to come down with a fair. Most Falco's will try to roll away so they can shoot more lasers. Predict this and chase him down with a grab or a dash attack. Then chain throw or combo from there. Remember that if they shield the fair, Marth has his usual shield trap guessing games that I discussed in my Approaching with Marth thread.
5) Dash into Shield
This is a nice surprise tactic. Use it if Falco is getting up from the ground or there is a little distance between the two of you. The method is to dash up to Falco and then put up your shield right in his face. If he shot a laser, it will more then likely be power shielded and you can get a grab. If nothing else they may be caught off guard by Marth suddenly getting in thier face. If not you can always roll away.
6) Wavedash from Shield
A more defensive technique used to close the distance between Marth and Falco. You shield, JC the shield and then wavedash. From there you can shield again or do w/e. But if you don't shield again you will more then likely take a hit from another laser.
7) Shield Grab
Marth players learn very early that trying to shield grab Falco would just get them comboed across the stage. Even though it is very risky, the reward is great if you can pull it off. You just have to know what you're doing and what type of Falco you are playing against. If you are playing against a pillar happy Falco then you really shouldn't attempt a shield grab. If you are facing a Falco that tries to grab after lasering, dairing, or shining then you can attempt a shield grab. Watch the Falco closely so you know when it's the best time to grab. Anytime Falco tries to grab after a move, a shield grab will come out faster, but only if you can predict him correctly. You can also grab Falco after he does a Dair that hits your shield as he is rising while short hopping. This leaves him more vulnerable.
8) JC SH Fair out of Shield
Jump Cancel Short Hop Fair out of Shield. One of the more reliable strategies. While falco is approaching with lasers, jump out of your shield with a short hop and Fair him. You should time your jump so that it comes out the moment his laser touches your shield so your attack is less likely to be interrupted by his. If he takes the hit come down with another Fair. Then you can go into Marth's shield trap guessing games if he shielded. If he took the hit then you get a free grab.
9) Counter
Marth has the ability to counter Falco's lasers. This tactic really isn't hard to utilize and it's a good way to catch Falco off guard. When Falco approaches with lasers, counter them when he is in range. then you can tech chase or do a dash into shield. Marth can also JC counter out of his shield. He can dash in counter as well.
10) Light Shielding
This is a strategy I don't see enough of. When someone light shields and they are attacked, they will recieve more knock back and slide along the ground. How far they slide depends on how light the shield is. This gives Marth another way to get out of pillaring. And thanks to his great range you don't have to really worry about how far he slides. If Falco hits your light shield with a Dair or a shine, Marth will slide away. You should immediately grab, JC fair or JC nair. If you feel like you have slid too far then just wavedash form your shield into a grab. Ideally you want to slide just enough so you can grab Falco without being in danger of getting hit by a Dair or a shine. If you have to wavedash from your shield it gives Falco more time to react. One trick you can try is to wave dash out of a light shield and then counter. This is perfect if he was going to attack as you wavedashed from your light shield.
11) Rolling
A basic effective maneuver. Roll out of your shield when Falco approaches with lasers or tries to pillar your shield. If you roll behind him you can put up your shield and use Marth's shield techniques. You could also try countering as soon as you get out of the roll if Falco is close enough and he is pressuring you.
As you can see Marth has quite a few ways of dealing with the bird that everyone hates. Remember to mix it up and stay unpredictable. Watch Falco carefully and capitalize on his patterns and mistakes. Please feel free to comment on anything or bring up other ways of dealing with Falco's approach.
So everyone, please discuss and share your thoughts.
1) Dash Attack
Probably the first method Marth players learn in order to combat Falco's use of lasers. The dash attack animation has Marth ducking very low to the ground as he slashes. Good against Falco's that don't shoot low lasers or don't shoot low lasers that much.
2) Use Platforms
Another way of dealing with lasers that all players discover early on. This method is quite obvious, but still effective. Marth uses the platforms to avoid lasers while closing the distance betwen Falco and himself. Use wavelanding to speed Marth's movement on the platforms. And make sure to watch Falco carefully so you can react if he tries to attack you.
3) Power Shielding
There seems to be quite a bit of controversy over this technique. Some question it's viability, saying it's too difficult to do consistently so it shouldn't be relied on too much. Others argue that it's not all that difficult to become proficient at and it's the best way to deal with lasers. Personally I think that unless you can power shield 6 out of 10 lasers that are shot at you, then you shouldn't make a big deal about power shielding. Theoretically speaking, someone who mastered this technique could completely shut down Falco's approach. To perform this technique simply hit L or R the moment the laser would strike your body and it will be reflected back at Falco, if you did it correctly. Still, don't get cocky if you did power shield correctly. Remember Falco can shine his own laser or power shield it right back. He could even just take the hit and go right back to lasering. So take advantage of a power shield if you pull it off.
4) Jumping over lasers
A somewhat risky approach because Marth is vulnerable while in the air. Marth must be very careful and watch Falco's movements while doing this. You'll usually want to come down with a fair. Most Falco's will try to roll away so they can shoot more lasers. Predict this and chase him down with a grab or a dash attack. Then chain throw or combo from there. Remember that if they shield the fair, Marth has his usual shield trap guessing games that I discussed in my Approaching with Marth thread.
5) Dash into Shield
This is a nice surprise tactic. Use it if Falco is getting up from the ground or there is a little distance between the two of you. The method is to dash up to Falco and then put up your shield right in his face. If he shot a laser, it will more then likely be power shielded and you can get a grab. If nothing else they may be caught off guard by Marth suddenly getting in thier face. If not you can always roll away.
6) Wavedash from Shield
A more defensive technique used to close the distance between Marth and Falco. You shield, JC the shield and then wavedash. From there you can shield again or do w/e. But if you don't shield again you will more then likely take a hit from another laser.
7) Shield Grab
Marth players learn very early that trying to shield grab Falco would just get them comboed across the stage. Even though it is very risky, the reward is great if you can pull it off. You just have to know what you're doing and what type of Falco you are playing against. If you are playing against a pillar happy Falco then you really shouldn't attempt a shield grab. If you are facing a Falco that tries to grab after lasering, dairing, or shining then you can attempt a shield grab. Watch the Falco closely so you know when it's the best time to grab. Anytime Falco tries to grab after a move, a shield grab will come out faster, but only if you can predict him correctly. You can also grab Falco after he does a Dair that hits your shield as he is rising while short hopping. This leaves him more vulnerable.
8) JC SH Fair out of Shield
Jump Cancel Short Hop Fair out of Shield. One of the more reliable strategies. While falco is approaching with lasers, jump out of your shield with a short hop and Fair him. You should time your jump so that it comes out the moment his laser touches your shield so your attack is less likely to be interrupted by his. If he takes the hit come down with another Fair. Then you can go into Marth's shield trap guessing games if he shielded. If he took the hit then you get a free grab.
9) Counter
Marth has the ability to counter Falco's lasers. This tactic really isn't hard to utilize and it's a good way to catch Falco off guard. When Falco approaches with lasers, counter them when he is in range. then you can tech chase or do a dash into shield. Marth can also JC counter out of his shield. He can dash in counter as well.
10) Light Shielding
This is a strategy I don't see enough of. When someone light shields and they are attacked, they will recieve more knock back and slide along the ground. How far they slide depends on how light the shield is. This gives Marth another way to get out of pillaring. And thanks to his great range you don't have to really worry about how far he slides. If Falco hits your light shield with a Dair or a shine, Marth will slide away. You should immediately grab, JC fair or JC nair. If you feel like you have slid too far then just wavedash form your shield into a grab. Ideally you want to slide just enough so you can grab Falco without being in danger of getting hit by a Dair or a shine. If you have to wavedash from your shield it gives Falco more time to react. One trick you can try is to wave dash out of a light shield and then counter. This is perfect if he was going to attack as you wavedashed from your light shield.
11) Rolling
A basic effective maneuver. Roll out of your shield when Falco approaches with lasers or tries to pillar your shield. If you roll behind him you can put up your shield and use Marth's shield techniques. You could also try countering as soon as you get out of the roll if Falco is close enough and he is pressuring you.
As you can see Marth has quite a few ways of dealing with the bird that everyone hates. Remember to mix it up and stay unpredictable. Watch Falco carefully and capitalize on his patterns and mistakes. Please feel free to comment on anything or bring up other ways of dealing with Falco's approach.
So everyone, please discuss and share your thoughts.