Beginner Wavedashing

[JimiMotive]

I've played Melee since 2002 or 2003, but only recently was introduced to the more competitive side of the game in college. Over the summer I plan to practice and try to get better, starting with practicing wavedashing. I understand the basics of wavedashing, but I wanted to know if anyone had any other pointers that would help me along, thanks!

(Long time lurker, first time poster)

 

[AuraBreak]

This isn't just wavedashing, but take a look at Wak's Advanced How to Play series (3 Parts) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4s5yB7ZkE

One other thing, after you learn how to wavedash (Jump, diagonally air dodge into the ground) make sure you don't hold the shield button after finishing.

 

[JimiMotive]

This isn't just wavedashing, but take a look at Wak's Advanced How to Play series (3 Parts) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4s5yB7ZkE

One other thing, after you learn how to wavedash (Jump, diagonally air dodge into the ground) make sure you don't hold the shield button after finishing.

Thank you very much for the link and the pointer. I feel the next "hurdle" for me would be the advanced techniques. I placed third in my university Melee tournament, only losing to people who were obviously very experienced with the advanced techniques, so I figured that's where I would head next. I started watching a little bit of the video and it seems very helpful thus far. When I've got a copy of Smash after finals, I'll put the work in on it. Thanks again!

 

[Bizzerk]

Learning the diagonal air dodge into the ground will help you with wavelanding, I was told wavedash,waveland, and shffling (short hop fast fall l canceling) moves are the basics of tech skill. There are threads to help you with each of them i assume. Then once you learn those you practice and implement it into real play. Once you got those down I'd look up character specific tech like (wave shine for space animals or captain falcons hax dash/moonwalk) Hope this helped. Oh also dash dancing is good for positioning/baiting mistakes for your opponent and it's relatively simple to perform.

 

[rikochet]

I just learned to wavedash im not super consistent during fights but its apart of the practice.

Easiest way hold down the joystick in the angle inbetween down and left or right depending which way so either for left or backwards or this way for right or backwards depening which way your facing. Then press x or y which ever you want and then press R or L whichever you want immediately after. The more you practice it the easier it becomes and all thats really left it to get the timing down depending on the character you want to use.

 

[JimiMotive]

Thank you all for your tips. I can't wait to sit down and give it all a whirl.

 

[BrahmenNoodles]

Make sure to try out all possible combinations of buttons; Both trigger buttons, X and Y for jump, and even experiment with using the stick for jumping to see if that might be your thing. Everyone will have their own preference of what button(s) to use, and you might already know yours, but trying or learning to do it another way can still be informative and useful.

For instance, I use the right trigger for wavedashing for the specific reason of keeping the left trigger available and 'free' for L-cancelling, and the Y button for the jump part (both for wavedashing and in general) because it's closer to B as opposed to X, which is useful for the sake of Fox lasers and other projectiles. However, I've made sure to learn to wavedash with other button combinations, just in case.

 

[Bizzerk]

I've always heard using control stick to jump is a bad habit, not 100% sure but I know I play alot better since picking up x to jump (y for short hop idk why it feels more consistent) maybe this is all placebo but that's what I've heard.

 

[BrahmenNoodles]

I've always heard using control stick to jump is a bad habit, not 100% sure but I know I play alot better since picking up x to jump (y for short hop idk why it feels more consistent) maybe this is all placebo but that's what I've heard.

Well, for wavedashing specifically, it certainly is harder, if nothing else.

For what it's worth, I think I recall PP saying he uses the stick to jump, which if true is likely a habit built specifically for Falco and shine spiking... but you know, "if the shoe fits, wear it," as they say. Also, I don't know if that holds true for PP's wavedashing, or just jumping otherwise.

Edit; Don't quote me on it but I think stick jumping is common among Jigglypuff players as well.

 

[Bizzerk]

Well, for wavedashing specifically, it certainly is harder, if nothing else.

For what it's worth, I think I recall PP saying he uses the stick to jump, which if true is likely a habit built specifically for Falco and shine spiking... but you know, "if the shoe fits, wear it," as they say. Also, I don't know if that holds true for PP's wavedashing, or just jumping otherwise.

Edit; Don't quote me on it but I think stick jumping is common among Jigglypuff players as well.

Don't quote me either but I think most jiggles don't require too much tech in comparison to falco or fox They're more about spacing bairs and landing those sweet rest combos.
I'd say it's easier muscle memory wise FOR ME personally to use x/y. It took about 1hour before it became consistent and not awkward feeling.
Either way do what you like, experiment with everything you can always ask for advice here on smashboards.

 

[Bones0]

Jumping with the stick can mess you up because it buffers. Sometimes that's good, like if you were spiked and are trying to jump as soon as your stun ends. However, doing it to get out of shield pressure can result in your attack not coming out because you attacked too soon.

 

[Xyzz]

It's useful to shield with one trigger and wd with the other (makes WD oos easier, but the other way is still fine).
You want to learn to get the full length wavedashes (airdodge the very frame you leave the ground and have the flattest angle on the controlstick that will still result in downward movement).
On some characters you want to learn to use shorter WDs by using a more downward angle (the ones with long wavedashes (e.g. Marth or Luigi). Else you can encounter situations where your WD takes you out harms way, but you retreated so far that you can't punish the whiffed attack)
You want to be able to WD in either direction (left or right) independently from where you are facing without accidentally turning around (so learn the proper order of inputs... jump. direction. shield)

 

[JimiMotive]

Alright, so it seems like a lot of this is going to be practice and feeling what works best for me. I'm correct in thinking it's essentially the same basic formula for each character?

 

[Xyzz]

They've got different timings, since you want to input the airdodge on the first airborne frame and the characters got different jumpsquat-lenghts (http://www.angelfire.com/games5/superdoodleman/frames.html has a list)... but other than that the motion is exactly the same (Peach being a slight exception, because of how her float can interfere with the wd if you are sloppy in the execution (you NEED to let go off the jump button, whereas with others you could theoretically keep holding it))

 

[JimiMotive]

Thank you very much Xyzz. I feel like I can't ask very good follow up questions right now as I haven't been able to experiment since I have asked the question, but I appreciate all of the help from everyone.