Dekar173
Justice Man
To begin with, there are two players per team, and in order for their team to work, they absolutely MUST figure out who's doing what.
There are two options-
To Carry
To Support/Assist the Carry
In general, the Carry is the player who will ultimately carry their team to victory, and this will only happen when the Support player does his part in making that work.
An awesome analogy a great smasher from New Mexico (GoldenGloves) once made as a sort of offhanded remark one day while playing doubles-
"You have to understand. Some players are Batmans, and some players are Robins. You're a Robin."
Some people are the Hero, and some people are the Sidekick.
In other words, some players are the Carry, and some players are the Supporter.
You CAN NOT have conflicting playstyles and win at upper levels of Doubles play. You must work together in order to find any sort of success. That's what teamwork's all about.
What are the defining characteristics a player/character can have in Doubles Play?
•The Carry:
In a 1v1, they crush their opponent, in 2v1s, they are the only ones who stand a fighting chance. What makes a good Carry? These are the characters that have enough options to win, regardless of the situation at hand. Generally, they have a good "gtfo out of there" move or characteristic (be it offensive or defensive) that allows them to fight 2v1s on their own terms. One thing that is ABSOLUTELY necessary for a Carry to have is a versatile recovery, you aren't going to be winning any 2v1s if your recovery is SO linear that the instant they get you offstage it's -1 stock, now will you?
Why is this beneficial to a team?
"Why wouldn't it be?" is a better question! A Carry is in general, the cream of the crop. These are the top-tier characters that can (in the right hands) completely shift the momentum of a set or match in your favor be it through completely dominating one of your opponents early-game, or absolutely clutching a 2v1.
These characters can psychologically shut down an opponent and make them feel hopeless in doubles.
Who is best suited to play as a Carry?
Being the Carry is highly reliant upon character selection, but even more so in a player's individual skill level. This is the person who without question deserves to share stock their teammate. This is the person who is, without question, the one better fit for a 2v1 or even a 1v1 in the end game of a doubles match.
Who will they naturally team best with?
The Carry can team with anyone. The most desirable teammates for a Carry though depend upon exactly where they excel, do they need that extra bit in kill power, or do they dread 2v1s and absolutely need that teammate alive in order to win the match? Think about that before deciding upon the Stock Tank, Punisher, or the DPS.
How do I Carry?
You either do, or you don't. It's not really something that can be taught, and for this, I apologize.
******The Carry player DOES NOT team with another Carry. The only time this will ever work is when you absolutely outclass all of the other teams in terms of individual skill (which is not very likely at top levels of play). Of course, M2K and Ally say hi, but their winning streak will be over soon enough.******
•The Stock Tank:
These are the characters that can survive for a LONG amount of time, through good DI, very good momentum canceling capabilities, good recoveries, and fast aerials, it is a pain in the neck to ledgeguard, and in general, to kill them.
Why is this beneficial to a team?
First off, if you consistently live FOREVER, your teammate has no need of worrying about being left alone in a 2v1, but more importantly, they can share stock you, ultimately leading to victory when otherwise the Stock Tank partner may not have clinched it alone.
On a psychological level, the Stock Tank is extremely frustrating to play against.
Who is best suited to play as a Stock Tank?
Defensive players, without a doubt. Remember, it isn't just your playstyle that effects this though. If you want all of the fame and glory for yourself (that's rather selfish, but realistic nonetheless) being the Stock Tank isn't your cup of tea.
Who will they naturally team best with?
The Stock Tank is a jack-of-all-trades in this respect, who doesn't want a teammate that doesn't require babysitting? In all honesty, this is someone that everyone wants to team with, but in the end, the Carry and the Punisher probably synergize best with the Stock Tank.
How do I Stock Tank?
Play defensively, and focus more upon defensive support than offensive support.
•Punisher:
This is the character that can get the low % kills with little or no set-up. With a good read/set-up they can quickly take a stock and turn the tides of a match with little to no punishment.
Why is this beneficial to a team?
Losing a stock early is the last thing any team wants to do. It can break team chemistry, as well as sway momentum completely in your favor. Plus, who's to say they aren't gonna be getting kills at that percent through out the whole set?
These characters, along with Carries are probably the best at psyching out the opponent. It may be frustrating when you can't kill your opponent, but it's even MORE frustrating when they kill you at 60% with perfect DI. Not to mention it makes their teammate feel absolutely let down.
Who is best suited to play as a Punisher?
This isn't so much a playstyle as it is a perk that comes along with choosing certain characters. The only thing you have to do is pay a lot of attention to what's going on, a punish accordingly, if you can do that, welcome aboard!
Who will they naturally team best with?
Without a doubt, the DPS. What's it like to go from 0-dead in a matter of seconds? I can tell you- it absolutely blows and makes your opponent want to cry.
How do I Punish effectively?
Pay more attention to your opponents than to your teammate. Openings galore will be presented to you.
•DPS:
Last but certainly not least, is the DPS (damage per second). This is the character that can make your opponent's fresh stock go from 0-80% within seconds. Their entire gameplan is to kill you faster than you kill them, and with their absurd damage racking capabilities and the right teammate, they do this job pretty **** well.
Why is this beneficial to a team?
Without damage, you don't kill! Enough said.
Psychologically, this guy will absolutely mess with his opponent's heads, making a relatively even match seem absolutely one-sided within seconds.
Who is best suited to play as the DPS?
Well, this is a character trait more than it's a player trait, so anyone who mains characters with absurd 0-XX% combos has it down.
Who will they naturally team best with?
It's already been said but needs repeating, the Punisher!
How do I efficiently play as the DPS?
This is the opposite of the Stock Tank, aggression is necessary in order to rack up that much needed damage. Stalk both of your opponents, and take any and all opportunities to tack onto their counters.
•Support/Assist:
This is probably the most abstract of all of the concepts, but it's definitely something that needs to be known about. First off, there are several ways of Supporting your teammate, be it through easy set-ups for fast kills (D3 comes to mind,) having the speed necessary to get your teammate out of a bind (Sonic of course!) or having the proper moveset/recovery to save your teammate from inevitable gimps.
There are 2 types of Support, they consist of
•Offensive Support: These are the characters who have active forms of setting up their teammate for quick kills, be it through forced tech chases, or moves that have fixed knockback.
•Defensive Support: Speed is of utmost importance for Defensive Supporters. They must not only react the instant their teammate is in trouble, but they must have the character mobility in order to actually do something about it.
These are not the only ways a character can interact with their teammate though, there is a third, much less desired, negative support effect:
•Interference: This is when one character's traits/moveset actively interfere with the way they and their teammate play together.
**Side Note**
Interference is NOT something that should curb one from teaming with said characters, it's more of a rating level for just how much of a learning curve there is for teaming with them.
There are two options-
To Carry
To Support/Assist the Carry
In general, the Carry is the player who will ultimately carry their team to victory, and this will only happen when the Support player does his part in making that work.
An awesome analogy a great smasher from New Mexico (GoldenGloves) once made as a sort of offhanded remark one day while playing doubles-
"You have to understand. Some players are Batmans, and some players are Robins. You're a Robin."
Some people are the Hero, and some people are the Sidekick.
In other words, some players are the Carry, and some players are the Supporter.
You CAN NOT have conflicting playstyles and win at upper levels of Doubles play. You must work together in order to find any sort of success. That's what teamwork's all about.
What are the defining characteristics a player/character can have in Doubles Play?
•The Carry:
In a 1v1, they crush their opponent, in 2v1s, they are the only ones who stand a fighting chance. What makes a good Carry? These are the characters that have enough options to win, regardless of the situation at hand. Generally, they have a good "gtfo out of there" move or characteristic (be it offensive or defensive) that allows them to fight 2v1s on their own terms. One thing that is ABSOLUTELY necessary for a Carry to have is a versatile recovery, you aren't going to be winning any 2v1s if your recovery is SO linear that the instant they get you offstage it's -1 stock, now will you?
Why is this beneficial to a team?
"Why wouldn't it be?" is a better question! A Carry is in general, the cream of the crop. These are the top-tier characters that can (in the right hands) completely shift the momentum of a set or match in your favor be it through completely dominating one of your opponents early-game, or absolutely clutching a 2v1.
These characters can psychologically shut down an opponent and make them feel hopeless in doubles.
Who is best suited to play as a Carry?
Being the Carry is highly reliant upon character selection, but even more so in a player's individual skill level. This is the person who without question deserves to share stock their teammate. This is the person who is, without question, the one better fit for a 2v1 or even a 1v1 in the end game of a doubles match.
Who will they naturally team best with?
The Carry can team with anyone. The most desirable teammates for a Carry though depend upon exactly where they excel, do they need that extra bit in kill power, or do they dread 2v1s and absolutely need that teammate alive in order to win the match? Think about that before deciding upon the Stock Tank, Punisher, or the DPS.
How do I Carry?
You either do, or you don't. It's not really something that can be taught, and for this, I apologize.
******The Carry player DOES NOT team with another Carry. The only time this will ever work is when you absolutely outclass all of the other teams in terms of individual skill (which is not very likely at top levels of play). Of course, M2K and Ally say hi, but their winning streak will be over soon enough.******
•The Stock Tank:
These are the characters that can survive for a LONG amount of time, through good DI, very good momentum canceling capabilities, good recoveries, and fast aerials, it is a pain in the neck to ledgeguard, and in general, to kill them.
Why is this beneficial to a team?
First off, if you consistently live FOREVER, your teammate has no need of worrying about being left alone in a 2v1, but more importantly, they can share stock you, ultimately leading to victory when otherwise the Stock Tank partner may not have clinched it alone.
On a psychological level, the Stock Tank is extremely frustrating to play against.
Who is best suited to play as a Stock Tank?
Defensive players, without a doubt. Remember, it isn't just your playstyle that effects this though. If you want all of the fame and glory for yourself (that's rather selfish, but realistic nonetheless) being the Stock Tank isn't your cup of tea.
Who will they naturally team best with?
The Stock Tank is a jack-of-all-trades in this respect, who doesn't want a teammate that doesn't require babysitting? In all honesty, this is someone that everyone wants to team with, but in the end, the Carry and the Punisher probably synergize best with the Stock Tank.
How do I Stock Tank?
Play defensively, and focus more upon defensive support than offensive support.
G&W can be an amazing stock tank with bucket braking and "planking" / running away. G&W can also dish out a lot of damage really really fast. Most, if not all, teams matches I've played, I have done more damage than my teammate. It really all depends on the playstyle the user chooses to have. If he keeps rushing in, he will get a huge DPS score, but not do so well at Stock Tanking. If he stays back, runs, and UpBs a lot, he'll manage to Stock Tank like none-other but won't do nearly as much damage as he could have.
•Punisher:
This is the character that can get the low % kills with little or no set-up. With a good read/set-up they can quickly take a stock and turn the tides of a match with little to no punishment.
Why is this beneficial to a team?
Losing a stock early is the last thing any team wants to do. It can break team chemistry, as well as sway momentum completely in your favor. Plus, who's to say they aren't gonna be getting kills at that percent through out the whole set?
These characters, along with Carries are probably the best at psyching out the opponent. It may be frustrating when you can't kill your opponent, but it's even MORE frustrating when they kill you at 60% with perfect DI. Not to mention it makes their teammate feel absolutely let down.
Who is best suited to play as a Punisher?
This isn't so much a playstyle as it is a perk that comes along with choosing certain characters. The only thing you have to do is pay a lot of attention to what's going on, a punish accordingly, if you can do that, welcome aboard!
Who will they naturally team best with?
Without a doubt, the DPS. What's it like to go from 0-dead in a matter of seconds? I can tell you- it absolutely blows and makes your opponent want to cry.
How do I Punish effectively?
Pay more attention to your opponents than to your teammate. Openings galore will be presented to you.
•DPS:
Last but certainly not least, is the DPS (damage per second). This is the character that can make your opponent's fresh stock go from 0-80% within seconds. Their entire gameplan is to kill you faster than you kill them, and with their absurd damage racking capabilities and the right teammate, they do this job pretty **** well.
Why is this beneficial to a team?
Without damage, you don't kill! Enough said.
Psychologically, this guy will absolutely mess with his opponent's heads, making a relatively even match seem absolutely one-sided within seconds.
Who is best suited to play as the DPS?
Well, this is a character trait more than it's a player trait, so anyone who mains characters with absurd 0-XX% combos has it down.
Who will they naturally team best with?
It's already been said but needs repeating, the Punisher!
How do I efficiently play as the DPS?
This is the opposite of the Stock Tank, aggression is necessary in order to rack up that much needed damage. Stalk both of your opponents, and take any and all opportunities to tack onto their counters.
•Support/Assist:
This is probably the most abstract of all of the concepts, but it's definitely something that needs to be known about. First off, there are several ways of Supporting your teammate, be it through easy set-ups for fast kills (D3 comes to mind,) having the speed necessary to get your teammate out of a bind (Sonic of course!) or having the proper moveset/recovery to save your teammate from inevitable gimps.
There are 2 types of Support, they consist of
•Offensive Support: These are the characters who have active forms of setting up their teammate for quick kills, be it through forced tech chases, or moves that have fixed knockback.
•Defensive Support: Speed is of utmost importance for Defensive Supporters. They must not only react the instant their teammate is in trouble, but they must have the character mobility in order to actually do something about it.
These are not the only ways a character can interact with their teammate though, there is a third, much less desired, negative support effect:
•Interference: This is when one character's traits/moveset actively interfere with the way they and their teammate play together.
**Side Note**
Interference is NOT something that should curb one from teaming with said characters, it's more of a rating level for just how much of a learning curve there is for teaming with them.