Are we gonna try triples/4v4 again?

[Pippin (Peregrin Took)]

I really like the fact that in this smash bros you can have more than 4 players; On launch day I went to a party and it was great that we were able to get more people playing. On top of this, I really like the extra stage possibilities this mode brings and the sense of team play that so many other esports have but Smash doesn't.

I posted an article about a week ago regarding the Gauntlet format, which is basically 4v4 Team Deathmatch (Time) for 5 minutes. I know some of the people involved are a little bit questionable in regards to our community, and I don't agree with it fully, especially that team play should become the established norm. Nevertheless, it does seem like this could be something that could coexist with Singles and Doubles and bring some strong team elements that haven't been done with Smash before.

Has anybody else tried a triple or quad format to see what it's like? Do you think we should stick with stock or does this "similar to fps" idea sound intriguing? Do you think we will ever have a format with more players that sticks, or is it just too much?

 

[sjb.dario]

In all honesty, I would love to see this again. 4v4 is a very interesting format that I think that hasn't been explored enough. It's a shame some people put it off as only a gimmick.

 

[Big-Cat]

I've never tried it, but I believe one of the things holding it back is just the logistics of it all. You try huddling up 8 people around a 21 inch screen.

 

[Pippin (Peregrin Took)]

I've never tried it, but I believe one of the things holding it back is just the logistics of it all. You try huddling up 8 people around a 21 inch screen.

Agreed. I do have one friend who's bringing an hdmi splitter but still...

 

[Eugene Wang]

Triples have been a bit of an issue, since the big stages one gets are also ripe for circle camping. My general suggestion is to have tiebreakers happen on a smaller stage to discourage this. I used to say to have each big stage have a corresponding small stage for tiebreakers, but it's probably simpler to have the leading team choose from a set of small stages for the tiebreaker.

 

[RosalinA]

The 3v3's and the 4v4's are things that are unique to smash 4, and I actually find them fun to watch. It can just be hard to keep track of your character sometimes, especially on a stage like kongo jungle.

 

[san.]

My region did triples for over a year until this past January. It works well, especially with the stages that have hazards turned off when more than 4 people are in a game. 3 v 3 is just enough not to be too chaotic, but have interesting synergy and team play.

 

[zzmorg82]

I just feel that some these stages are too small for 3v3/4v4s, competitively that is.

 

[Asdioh]

Triples have been a bit of an issue, since the big stages one gets are also ripe for circle camping. My general suggestion is to have tiebreakers happen on a smaller stage to discourage this. I used to say to have each big stage have a corresponding small stage for tiebreakers, but it's probably simpler to have the leading team choose from a set of small stages for the tiebreaker.

I always thought Time mode was perfect for 3v3, because it prevents this very problem. That said, I'd love to see more 3v3 tourneys.

 

[Masonomace]

I too think that 3v3 Triples is fun & very doable for an event. 4v4 however has been tried several times at my nearby events & it's just hectic to the point that I just pick Shulk to stall in Jump art until I see grounded openings for a punish. Shield art for stock tanking, unless I choose Lucario because Lucario is way too good in Trips & Quads.

 

[SionReaver]

Agreed. It's much easier on the commentators as well. Though I feel its a format that needs decent commentators more then anything else. I've seen them happen so its not impossible though an issue I saw in some streams where people hopped and went "This sucks, this is stupid." And proceed to talk over it. I rather have no one commentate then that. It's fine if someone doesn't like something but please, out of respect of those who do even if you think its a small minority, stay off the mic.

 

[Yangguizi]

Just started a thread about a different team format if anybody here would be interested.
I am all about promoting team smash.
http://smashboards.com/threads/team-format-proposal-mvp.437081/

 

[Respect38]

I enjoyed watching the Protect VIP 3v3 matches at Combo Breaker, but does anyone happen to know what the benefits are to it? I don't really like how it could be problematic if both VIPs dies near the same time [since we're not relying on the normal results screen to determine victor] as well as the fact that share stock is an automatic DQ. Perhaps not permitting share stocks could result in better matches though; I don't know.

[Not to mention that circle-camping seems to be the status quo strategy for the VIPs... which is annoying, in my opinion]

If Prot3ct VIP were to become the main way to run 3s, is that a change for the better?

 

[SionReaver]

I'm honestly not sure, I can see the merits of normal 3v3 and the VIP thing so I suppose its in part in prefence what the community wants, assuming it ever takes off in any form. It is a interesting point circle camping still can be a thing when I remember that being brought up before with normal triples but personally I never saw it. Granted 3v3's online recorded are rare, so many of the matches never recorded might be different.

 

[Pippin (Peregrin Took)]

Circle camping is mostly a stage dependent thing; I didn't get a chance to see the stagelist for combo breakers 3v3 (The Gauntlet 4v4 was ridiculous with the stages; definitely hoping they tone it down). As I've been looking into it I've found that some stages are better for 6 and some are better for 8.

For 3v3, I'd probably go with Midgar, Norfair, and Pokemon Stadium 2, along with a couple others. They're too small for 4v4 though. On the other hand, Big Battlefield, Hyrule Castle, Windy Hill and even Pyrosphere seem optimal for 4v4 but too big for 3v3

 

[Sleek Media]

Very disappointing that this never became a thing. It's such a great feature.

 

[SionReaver]

Circle camping is mostly a stage dependent thing; I didn't get a chance to see the stagelist for combo breakers 3v3 (The Gauntlet 4v4 was ridiculous with the stages; definitely hoping they tone it down). As I've been looking into it I've found that some stages are better for 6 and some are better for 8.

For 3v3, I'd probably go with Midgar, Norfair, and Pokemon Stadium 2, along with a couple others. They're too small for 4v4 though. On the other hand, Big Battlefield, Hyrule Castle, Windy Hill and even Pyrosphere seem optimal for 4v4 but too big for 3v3

I used to think stuff like Stadium and such would too small for 3v3's but its actually a perfect size once you get used to it. While I do sometimes have to rewatch once or twice to catch everything. It's a treat seeing good players not only avoid accidentally hitting each other, but coordinate with a high amount of stage awareness. I don't think I could personally do it as well at this point. In my experience three people who are good at dubs and work together often tend to adapt to it the fastest.

Not sure what the stances on Omega Stages are for it, if nothing else for a change of pace background and music wise.

 

[Respect38]

I'm honestly not sure about whether or not BB, HC, WHZ, or Pyrosphere are too large. Are there any recorded sets that demonstrate problems with them?

In all cases, maybe run away camping could become a problem. Even then, it's only critical in 1v1 cases, which become much more rare in 3v3 than in 2v2. [except in Prot3ct VIP, where one of the players always has some incentive to run away rather than fight]

Other than that, there is no problem. There's always an incentive to find the fight and join it in 3s, so I don't see how that could be a problem; in fact, these stages' size makes them a counterpick away from the chaos of the smaller 3s stages.

And in the 1v2 and 1v3 cases, I don't believe that there's any point where the solo player could permanently run away from his opponents. That equation changes in 1v1, obviously, but that's the risk of not closing out a match with your numbers advantage if a player on the other team can permanently run away from you.

 

[TheBuzzSaw]

I love love love 4v4 matches. I totally understand why it cannot become a competitive staple, but I still hope that communities play them, record them, and upload them. I want more of them. It's fine if it never rises to a major tournament with a $10,000 pot bonus. DO IT ANYWAY!