A Polar Bear
Smash Apprentice
Speaking with as much experience as someone who doesn't actually own a Wii-U but mooches off a friend's frequently and goes to local tourneys as often as possible could expound, I believe at the moment one of the biggest things a Lucas player can do to make themselves more deadly is to master the d-tilt -> grab. While it is universally agreed that Lucas, despite having probably the most tantalizing rewards out of a throws, has a pretty bad grab (Rope Snake you've failed us again), some of the inherent risk can be alleviated by d-tilting first.
The logic is simple enough: d-tilt has a 3 frame start up, and when it successfully connects with one of the closer hitboxes, leads safely into a grab (among other things like f-tilt, jab, maybe even f-smash). If the opponent shields the d-tilt, the minute shield stun and a fast input from you gives you a pretty good chance to still get the grab. If the opponent is exceptionally close to you, it is possible to do two or three d-tilts in a row and still be able to lead into the grab, which can be somewhat helpful if they manage to perfect shield the first hit. If the opponent spot-dodges, the follow up grab will connect.
There are quirks, of course. It only works when connecting with the hitbox(es?) close to Lucas, not the one at the tip of his foot (I cannot confirm this with absolute certainty, JosePollo probably could). This, incidentally, is also the range that most of the non-tether cast's grab lies in. Shielding the d-tilt hit, especially if perfect shielded, still gives the other character a tiny window to perform a move to escape or even punish Lucas, perhaps a counter grab if their grab range is long enough, or an exceptionally fast move like a jab or even a KO move like Shoryuken. But the window for that is truly small, so unless your d-tilt to grab option is very telegraphed, it is still safe and viable to go for it without fear, not many of the cast have moves fast enough to throw out right after shield to deter your incoming grab aside from weak ground attacks. Rolling from the attack (specifically rolling behind Lucas) presents the biggest possible problem, and is also where having a fast reaction time benefits the most. If you manage process the roll fast enough, you can stop yourself from automatically throwing out the grab afterward.
It is also not a suitable replacement for dash grabbing or pivot grabbing. At all. It only works and is specifically deadly when boxing at close range, maybe even as an out-of-shield option, where a laggy tether is not reliable enough. D-tilt to grab only works at this specific interval, and it does it well, giving Lucas a fast grab option when he most needs it, at close range.
But the biggest, biggest hurdle for incorporating this into regular play, is the mental wall. D-tilt to grab is nowhere near as natural an input as a throwing out a grab. Every opportunity to grab is a premeditated action, from getting to in range and spacing correctly for a successful d-tilt to the immediate grab follow up, to knowing the perplexing possible punishes and making sure to react fast enough should the d-tilt fail. Keep in mind that this is not a complete replacement for regular grab, and the after-lag of tethers still work here. It becomes even more challenging when differentiating between planning for a d-tilt grab or going for a straight grab. As short as Lucas' tether is, there are still times when it offers an advantage, like catching landing opponents, or when d-tilt simply isn't an option, like pivot grabbing. It will take effort to ingrain this option into your play, but it is also important to not give up on it if it seems too difficult to master at first. It is a reliable and proven Lucas tech that will help immensely in situations that require it.
From how I see the character to be designed, I don't see Lucas' grab being significantly changed in any upcoming patches, so it is important to find ways to make with what we have, especially since Lucas probably has the most useful throw set, like, in existence. It took a long time for me to ingrain the specific options of grabbing in my head, limiting myself to only try for a grab when the opponent specifically falls under certain situations. Much better than throwing the Rope Snake out there and fishing for it. D-tilt to grab. Try it out.
Tell me what you think. I'd love more advice on this myself.
The logic is simple enough: d-tilt has a 3 frame start up, and when it successfully connects with one of the closer hitboxes, leads safely into a grab (among other things like f-tilt, jab, maybe even f-smash). If the opponent shields the d-tilt, the minute shield stun and a fast input from you gives you a pretty good chance to still get the grab. If the opponent is exceptionally close to you, it is possible to do two or three d-tilts in a row and still be able to lead into the grab, which can be somewhat helpful if they manage to perfect shield the first hit. If the opponent spot-dodges, the follow up grab will connect.
There are quirks, of course. It only works when connecting with the hitbox(es?) close to Lucas, not the one at the tip of his foot (I cannot confirm this with absolute certainty, JosePollo probably could). This, incidentally, is also the range that most of the non-tether cast's grab lies in. Shielding the d-tilt hit, especially if perfect shielded, still gives the other character a tiny window to perform a move to escape or even punish Lucas, perhaps a counter grab if their grab range is long enough, or an exceptionally fast move like a jab or even a KO move like Shoryuken. But the window for that is truly small, so unless your d-tilt to grab option is very telegraphed, it is still safe and viable to go for it without fear, not many of the cast have moves fast enough to throw out right after shield to deter your incoming grab aside from weak ground attacks. Rolling from the attack (specifically rolling behind Lucas) presents the biggest possible problem, and is also where having a fast reaction time benefits the most. If you manage process the roll fast enough, you can stop yourself from automatically throwing out the grab afterward.
It is also not a suitable replacement for dash grabbing or pivot grabbing. At all. It only works and is specifically deadly when boxing at close range, maybe even as an out-of-shield option, where a laggy tether is not reliable enough. D-tilt to grab only works at this specific interval, and it does it well, giving Lucas a fast grab option when he most needs it, at close range.
But the biggest, biggest hurdle for incorporating this into regular play, is the mental wall. D-tilt to grab is nowhere near as natural an input as a throwing out a grab. Every opportunity to grab is a premeditated action, from getting to in range and spacing correctly for a successful d-tilt to the immediate grab follow up, to knowing the perplexing possible punishes and making sure to react fast enough should the d-tilt fail. Keep in mind that this is not a complete replacement for regular grab, and the after-lag of tethers still work here. It becomes even more challenging when differentiating between planning for a d-tilt grab or going for a straight grab. As short as Lucas' tether is, there are still times when it offers an advantage, like catching landing opponents, or when d-tilt simply isn't an option, like pivot grabbing. It will take effort to ingrain this option into your play, but it is also important to not give up on it if it seems too difficult to master at first. It is a reliable and proven Lucas tech that will help immensely in situations that require it.
From how I see the character to be designed, I don't see Lucas' grab being significantly changed in any upcoming patches, so it is important to find ways to make with what we have, especially since Lucas probably has the most useful throw set, like, in existence. It took a long time for me to ingrain the specific options of grabbing in my head, limiting myself to only try for a grab when the opponent specifically falls under certain situations. Much better than throwing the Rope Snake out there and fishing for it. D-tilt to grab. Try it out.
Tell me what you think. I'd love more advice on this myself.
