Competitive For Beginners

[Fuzzywobbles]

This is my first time posting and what better way to get involved than to create a discussion concerning the competitive scene.

I have been a long time Smash Bros player dating back to the N64 days and have recently discovered that there was/is a competitive scene. My question is simply how do you prepare yourself in the competitive format, especially now that the full 3DS version will be released soon? The only practice I had when facing friends and family members was to battle level 9 characters as much as possible, but I've heard that's not the best way to go about it in competitive since it forces you to use cheap tactics which can easily be countered by experienced players.

Also, I should note that I main with Pikachu due to the long history I've had with him as a fighter and my love for the Pokemon franchise. Any useful tips for playing Pikachu would be much appreciated. As far as strategies go I tend to keep a safe distance between myself and others and come in when I see an opportunity to strike and use various combos and smash attacks.

 

[KaZe_DaRKWIND]

This should probably go in the Pikachu subforum.
Edit: http://smashboards.com/forums/pikachu.399/

 

[Fuzzywobbles]

This should probably go in the Pikachu subforum.

Oh my apologies, I'll head over there now. Thanks for helping me out.

 

[GeNo-BreaKer]

• Try to play against people as much as possible.
• Practice practice practice.
• Focus on only one or two characters.
• Find local tourneys with this:http://smashboards.com/forums/tournament-listings.51/
• Most importantly, have fun!

 

[Fuzzywobbles]

Thanks for the advice, I hope to start practicing against more people once the full version is released and I can play For Glory. I know the rules may differ once I play in tournaments, but it doesn't hurt to try it out. Also I don't see any tournaments in my area that will be playing the new version of Smash, but hopefully that will change as the weeks progress.

 

[Reila]

Playing For Glory and playing local tournaments are totally different things, though. I think you should first decide what is your priority.

 

[Artonkn]

Playing For Glory and playing local tournaments are totally different things, though. I think you should first decide what is your priority.

What is For Glory?

 

[KaZe_DaRKWIND]

What is For Glory?

There are 2 online modes for the game. For Fun and For Glory one is as it says for fun and the other is for people who are competitive. You can look up the rest of the differences.

 

[Reila]

What is For Glory?

Online matches.

'd

 

[Artonkn]

Online matches.

'd

There are 2 online modes for the game. For Fun and For Glory one is as it says for fun and the other is for people who are competitive. You can look up the rest of the differences.

Thanks. Sounds good.

 

[Raijinken]

Thanks for the advice, I hope to start practicing against more people once the full version is released and I can play For Glory. I know the rules may differ once I play in tournaments, but it doesn't hurt to try it out. Also I don't see any tournaments in my area that will be playing the new version of Smash, but hopefully that will change as the weeks progress.

Currently, some tournaments have been imitating or approximating the For Glory ruleset (2s 5m), which can make that a decent way of practicing once the full game is out.

 

[Fuzzywobbles]

Playing For Glory and playing local tournaments are totally different things, though. I think you should first decide what is your priority.

I think I will do online mode for awhile just to get some practice in and go from there. Especially since the chances of there being a tourney in my area by end of this year are slim.

Currently, some tournaments have been imitating or approximating the For Glory ruleset (2s 5m), which can make that a decent way of practicing once the full game is out.

I've seen a tournament or two on the Smash_24 stream using the same guidelines as the For Glory format. Whether or not they will continue to do so remains to be seen.

 

[Raijinken]

I think I will do online mode for awhile just to get some practice in and go from there. Especially since the chances of there being a tourney in my area by end of this year are slim.


I've seen a tournament or two on the Smash_24 stream using the same guidelines as the For Glory format. Whether or not they will continue to do so remains to be seen.

Indeed, but whether or not the format matches, online is still a decent way to play against a variety of players. Better than facing AI, especially if the matchmaking ends up reliable with regards to equal fights.

 

[RascalTheCharizard]

Best way to prepare is to play the way closest to what you can expect from tournaments. Rulesets are pretty unstable right now, unfortunately but setting the rules to 2 or 3 stocks, no items, with Battlefield, Final Destination and Yoshi's Island on seems like a good place to start.

Other than that, just doing your research helps. Check out the Pikachu subforum and have a read-around (don't be afraid to ask questions and/or introduce yourself, for that matter). SSBWiki is also a great site for learning techniques and mechanics. If you've heard of it, there'll probably be a page for it on SSBWiki.

Edit: Oh yeah and as you said, playing against humans when possible is always best.

 

[Fuzzywobbles]

Indeed, but whether or not the format matches, online is still a decent way to play against a variety of players. Better than facing AI, especially if the matchmaking ends up reliable with regards to equal fights.

Good point, I will most likely battle online. Atleast until next year anyways. That way I'll be prepared for when I do decide to participate in a tourney, thanks.

Best way to prepare is to play the way closest to what you can expect from tournaments. Rulesets are pretty unstable right now, unfortunately but setting the rules to 2 or 3 stocks, no items, with Battlefield, Final Destination and Yoshi's Island on seems like a good place to start.

Other than that, just doing your research helps. Check out the Pikachu subforum and have a read-around (don't be afraid to ask questions and/or introduce yourself, for that matter). SSBWiki is also a great site for learning techniques and mechanics. If you've heard of it, there'll probably be a page for it on SSBWiki.

Edit: Oh yeah and as you said, playing against as humans when possible is always best.

I haven't done much research into Pikachu yet, but I'll be sure to check the subforums. I've noticed a lot of experienced players don't use him which has me wondering why, but oh well.