ResidentWaffle
Smash Lord
I'm writing this guide mainly because of how me and my partner got owned at my last doubles tourney. Some people are really good in singles but their doubles's skill, however, is severely lacking, and as doubles are getting more popular I think its important for us smashers not to just focus on singles but on doubles as well. This guide is also more of a collaborative guide so anyone can give tips, correct errors, etc. I will update this guide regularly and add information if deemed necessary. So here's my guide and feel post anything you know about doubles. 
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Table of Contents-A Guide To Competitive Doubles
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I. Basics
II. Combinations(To be added later)
III. Tactics(To be added later)
IV. Doubles Only Stuff(To be added/completed later)
I- Basics
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1. Rules Of Doubles
These are doubles only rule excerpts I took from MLGPRO.COM's rules page
2A)Introduction
This is where it all starts from the moment you pick up your controller to the moment the match ends you have opportunities to talk to your partner. I can't stress this enough this is one of the most important aspects of teams, while it may not matter against opponents who are just scrubs it will help give you the edge that may be needed to beat those other smashers. To better communicate you need to have a teammate that will listen to you, and respect your ideas. Why is communication important? It helps you and your partner know what each other are doing so you can better work together.
Before the match starts off let me say this it is preferable that you sit next to your partner so you can talk to him/her more easily. Now onto the next section...
2B)Pre-Game/In Between Games
What Character should I pick? What Character should my Teammate be? These are all common questions that are asked before the match starts. It is important that you and your partner decide on a team together and you both feel right about playing those characters. Maybe you don't feel a certain character combination will work, or maybe you feel that your teammate hasn't fully devolved the character he picked yet, these are all things you should let your partner know because if not you could end up starting the match already at a disadvantage.
Now if you can't agree on a character combination try to reason with your partner and if you cannot remember this: It is more important that you are comfortable with a character then one that makes a better combination or one you are more skilled with. Let me give you an example: If I'm Falcon and my friend is Marth but I'm not really feeling comfortable with my falcon and I SD like three times that would be worse then going with another character like Samus that you are more comfortable with but wouldn't be exactly as good combination as falcon would. Remember above all to make sure you and your partner enter the match with a combination you feel has the best chance not combinations that just look good on paper (e.g. Falcon/Marth, Sheik/Marth, Fox/Falco etc.).
Now you've decided your characters and the first game has already ended and you have lost. You and your partner need to decide on what to counter pick on your opponents. Always consider these factors before counter picking:
If you answered yes to all of these questions you are ready to select your counter pick but first ask your partner if he thinks its the stage is an okay idea and if a character change is needed let him know. If your partner comes up with an even better idea then go with it after all you are a team. If all turns out well you could end up winning the match, and if you did so because of your counter pick congratulations, you won because of thought not playing skill.
2C)During A Match ~To be Finished~
Why is communication important in the middle of a match? Well, unless your Isai whose just too good you may not be that aware of all that is going on around you. Instead of keeping track of one other player and yourself you need to keep track of three other players in addition to yourself this obviously is much harder. To help give your team an advantage you can talk to your partner so he/she can become better aware of their environment and so can you. Just a simple "help me" or "get this guy of my back" can help your partner realize you need help. Let me me put it to you like this; Usually when I'm fighting my opponent all I'm focusing on is me and my opponent and I don't even realize what my friend is doing but if he says "help me" I rush over to help him with what he needs whether its help recovering or help fighting an opponent I trust that my friend knows what he's saying and really needs my help.
Employing these simple ideas of communication can help you get better at doubles, however, it is not the only factor that makes a successful team as I will later discuss.
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II-Combinations
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1. Character Combinations
2. Stage Combinations
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III-Tactics
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1. Introduction
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IV- Doubles Only Stuff
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*Note Player A means you, Player B is your partner, Player C is one of your opponents and Player D is the other one.
1.General Stuff
Grab Invincibility: Many do not know this but when you grab someone you get a few frames of invincibility preventing the opponent from interrupting your grab.
2.2v2 Stuff
3. 2v1 Stuff ~To be Finished~
Ken&Isai Infinite- 0 To Death
I'm not sure the exact real name of this move but this move was made famous when Ken and Isai used it on Groomblue (Azen & Chillin) during the 2005 MLG Nationals. Heres how its done. Now lets assume you are the grabber. In order to do this infinite you must grab either player C or D(basically whoever is remaining) after this your partner must walk up and start jabbing(AAA) away at the opponent as much as he/she can without hitting you. The opponent is then unable to escape the grab and you are able to do as much damage to him/her as you like. This move should only usually be attempted when you are in a 2v1 situation in your favor because if not it can be easily interrupted and very punishable.
To be finished later
---------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents-A Guide To Competitive Doubles
---------------------------------------------------------------
I. Basics
1. Rules of Doubles
2 . Communication/Decision
2A. Introduction
2B. Pre-Game/In Between Games
2C. During A Match ~To be Finished~
2 . Communication/Decision
2A. Introduction
2B. Pre-Game/In Between Games
2C. During A Match ~To be Finished~
II. Combinations(To be added later)
1. Character Combinations
2 . Stage Combinations
2 . Stage Combinations
III. Tactics(To be added later)
1. 2v2 Stuff
2. 2v1 Stuff
2. 2v1 Stuff
IV. Doubles Only Stuff(To be added/completed later)
1. General Stuff
2.2v2 Stuff
3. 2v1 Stuff~To be Finished~
---------------------------------------------------------------2.2v2 Stuff
3. 2v1 Stuff~To be Finished~
I- Basics
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. Rules Of Doubles
These are doubles only rule excerpts I took from MLGPRO.COM's rules page
2 .Communication/DecisionMLGPRO.COM said:
2A)Introduction
This is where it all starts from the moment you pick up your controller to the moment the match ends you have opportunities to talk to your partner. I can't stress this enough this is one of the most important aspects of teams, while it may not matter against opponents who are just scrubs it will help give you the edge that may be needed to beat those other smashers. To better communicate you need to have a teammate that will listen to you, and respect your ideas. Why is communication important? It helps you and your partner know what each other are doing so you can better work together.
Before the match starts off let me say this it is preferable that you sit next to your partner so you can talk to him/her more easily. Now onto the next section...
2B)Pre-Game/In Between Games
What Character should I pick? What Character should my Teammate be? These are all common questions that are asked before the match starts. It is important that you and your partner decide on a team together and you both feel right about playing those characters. Maybe you don't feel a certain character combination will work, or maybe you feel that your teammate hasn't fully devolved the character he picked yet, these are all things you should let your partner know because if not you could end up starting the match already at a disadvantage.
Now if you can't agree on a character combination try to reason with your partner and if you cannot remember this: It is more important that you are comfortable with a character then one that makes a better combination or one you are more skilled with. Let me give you an example: If I'm Falcon and my friend is Marth but I'm not really feeling comfortable with my falcon and I SD like three times that would be worse then going with another character like Samus that you are more comfortable with but wouldn't be exactly as good combination as falcon would. Remember above all to make sure you and your partner enter the match with a combination you feel has the best chance not combinations that just look good on paper (e.g. Falcon/Marth, Sheik/Marth, Fox/Falco etc.).
Now you've decided your characters and the first game has already ended and you have lost. You and your partner need to decide on what to counter pick on your opponents. Always consider these factors before counter picking:
- Is it a stage me and my partner are comfortable with?
- Is it a stage that our next character combination will work well with?
- Will my opponents be at a disadvantage if we chose this stage?
- Will my opponents most likely not change characters if I pick this stage? If they do change am I still ready?
If you answered yes to all of these questions you are ready to select your counter pick but first ask your partner if he thinks its the stage is an okay idea and if a character change is needed let him know. If your partner comes up with an even better idea then go with it after all you are a team. If all turns out well you could end up winning the match, and if you did so because of your counter pick congratulations, you won because of thought not playing skill.
2C)During A Match ~To be Finished~
Why is communication important in the middle of a match? Well, unless your Isai whose just too good you may not be that aware of all that is going on around you. Instead of keeping track of one other player and yourself you need to keep track of three other players in addition to yourself this obviously is much harder. To help give your team an advantage you can talk to your partner so he/she can become better aware of their environment and so can you. Just a simple "help me" or "get this guy of my back" can help your partner realize you need help. Let me me put it to you like this; Usually when I'm fighting my opponent all I'm focusing on is me and my opponent and I don't even realize what my friend is doing but if he says "help me" I rush over to help him with what he needs whether its help recovering or help fighting an opponent I trust that my friend knows what he's saying and really needs my help.
Employing these simple ideas of communication can help you get better at doubles, however, it is not the only factor that makes a successful team as I will later discuss.
---------------------------------------------------------------
II-Combinations
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. Character Combinations
2. Stage Combinations
---------------------------------------------------------------
III-Tactics
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. Introduction
---------------------------------------------------------------
IV- Doubles Only Stuff
---------------------------------------------------------------
*Note Player A means you, Player B is your partner, Player C is one of your opponents and Player D is the other one.
1.General Stuff
Grab Invincibility: Many do not know this but when you grab someone you get a few frames of invincibility preventing the opponent from interrupting your grab.
2.2v2 Stuff
3. 2v1 Stuff ~To be Finished~
Ken&Isai Infinite- 0 To Death
I'm not sure the exact real name of this move but this move was made famous when Ken and Isai used it on Groomblue (Azen & Chillin) during the 2005 MLG Nationals. Heres how its done. Now lets assume you are the grabber. In order to do this infinite you must grab either player C or D(basically whoever is remaining) after this your partner must walk up and start jabbing(AAA) away at the opponent as much as he/she can without hitting you. The opponent is then unable to escape the grab and you are able to do as much damage to him/her as you like. This move should only usually be attempted when you are in a 2v1 situation in your favor because if not it can be easily interrupted and very punishable.
To be finished later
