Dxt XXII
Smash Journeyman
Well, the Lucas forums doesn't see much action and we need to fix that. So I did this:
1. Spacing
Lucas has a very good defensive game, which can rack up damage and then go in for the kill. For spacing there are two attacks you should prioritize: F-Tilt and Pk Fire. If you approach or go for a combo, such as a Nair approach, it's generally a good idea to finish with F-Tilt. This does damage and has enough knockback to let you retreat back safely. It can also be done out of a shield and to keep opponents away if they try to approach.
Pk fire gives you multiple options. It's best done short hopping. If you short hop you can DI forward while Pk Firing to keep people at a comfortable distance. If they approach, you can wavebounce backwards to make it way harder on your opponent's part. You can wavebounce by B-Sticking, or waveland by jumping backwards and PK Firing forwards (though B sticking is better if you don't mind giving up the option of smashing with the c-stick). PKT and Psi magnet are very situational here, but it's best to be ready for anything.
2. Approaching
Approaching can be a problem, but here Lucas also has many options. You can approach with Fair, but you would have to be very carefull as you can be sheild grabbed or jabbed. If you try a dash attack, most likely you will get punished. And please just forget about dashing and U-Smash. It can be so easily dodged and punished that you would be way better off just standing back (unless you get extremely lucky and they DI into your attack).
Nair approch can be very usefull, as it can lead into multiple combos. Just be carefull not to land right in front of the other person; either DI backwards or forwards after the first hit connects. Fast falled full hopped dair can knock the opponent into the ground and again, you should not land directly in front of them. A PK Fire or a grab approch, mostly the latter, will not work due to their predictability and the grab's lag.
3. Recovering
Most people underestimate Lucas' recovery. PK Thunder can be angled in a variety of ways, and is hard to predict. Zap jumping (second jump and PK Fire at the same time) is usefull, and can be used to recover from way off the screen or even from under the stage. Tether recovery can be used to prevent being spiked when you are close to the edge. If you are not close enough to tether, you should air dodge while jumping, which travels the same distance as his second jump but with invincibility frames, which allows you to recover safely.
If you are way off to the sides, you can pull out Psi Magnet to move you towards the stage a bit. Most importantly, be unpredictable.
4. Edge Guarding
Lucas is an awesome edge guarder, and don't let anyone tell you other wise. Pk Thunder can be used to chase opponents offstage. But this can get predictable, so instead aim where they are going to be or circle them. You can thunderslide off the stage by using Pkt while running. This can rack up damage, edgehog, or even KO if you are lucky. Since you have the rope snake, you can slide off and tether to edgehog. You can fight off stage with the odd Fair or U-Air, but it's better to go for the bair spike.
5. KOing
Theres not much to say here. Down throw kills at over 150%, and Back throw at around 130-140% near the edge. Fair kills near the edge at very high percentages.
And his smashes: D-smash is more defensive, mostly to stop people who roll alot, but can KO easily at about 120% from anywhere. F-Smash is probably Lucas' best KO move. It's fast, has good range, and kills at about 100%. U-Smash abuse will get you killed instead. It is very situational, since it has a ton of lag. You can pretty much KO with anything, but they are not even worth talking about (for example, PK fire kills at way over 200%).
It is always best to set up your smashes, such as with the dair->dtilt->fsmash combo.
So there you are. And here are another 5 things every Lucas should know:
1. Dair spike is extremely weak.
2. The stick is probably your best KO option.
3. U-Smash abuse will be punished.
4. You really should not play aggressively against MK.
5. Lucas' jab is on of the fastest attacks in the game, as is comes out on frame 2.
Edit: This is kinda outdated, as I made it before Tyr made his guide
1. Spacing
Lucas has a very good defensive game, which can rack up damage and then go in for the kill. For spacing there are two attacks you should prioritize: F-Tilt and Pk Fire. If you approach or go for a combo, such as a Nair approach, it's generally a good idea to finish with F-Tilt. This does damage and has enough knockback to let you retreat back safely. It can also be done out of a shield and to keep opponents away if they try to approach.
Pk fire gives you multiple options. It's best done short hopping. If you short hop you can DI forward while Pk Firing to keep people at a comfortable distance. If they approach, you can wavebounce backwards to make it way harder on your opponent's part. You can wavebounce by B-Sticking, or waveland by jumping backwards and PK Firing forwards (though B sticking is better if you don't mind giving up the option of smashing with the c-stick). PKT and Psi magnet are very situational here, but it's best to be ready for anything.
2. Approaching
Approaching can be a problem, but here Lucas also has many options. You can approach with Fair, but you would have to be very carefull as you can be sheild grabbed or jabbed. If you try a dash attack, most likely you will get punished. And please just forget about dashing and U-Smash. It can be so easily dodged and punished that you would be way better off just standing back (unless you get extremely lucky and they DI into your attack).
Nair approch can be very usefull, as it can lead into multiple combos. Just be carefull not to land right in front of the other person; either DI backwards or forwards after the first hit connects. Fast falled full hopped dair can knock the opponent into the ground and again, you should not land directly in front of them. A PK Fire or a grab approch, mostly the latter, will not work due to their predictability and the grab's lag.
3. Recovering
Most people underestimate Lucas' recovery. PK Thunder can be angled in a variety of ways, and is hard to predict. Zap jumping (second jump and PK Fire at the same time) is usefull, and can be used to recover from way off the screen or even from under the stage. Tether recovery can be used to prevent being spiked when you are close to the edge. If you are not close enough to tether, you should air dodge while jumping, which travels the same distance as his second jump but with invincibility frames, which allows you to recover safely.
If you are way off to the sides, you can pull out Psi Magnet to move you towards the stage a bit. Most importantly, be unpredictable.
4. Edge Guarding
Lucas is an awesome edge guarder, and don't let anyone tell you other wise. Pk Thunder can be used to chase opponents offstage. But this can get predictable, so instead aim where they are going to be or circle them. You can thunderslide off the stage by using Pkt while running. This can rack up damage, edgehog, or even KO if you are lucky. Since you have the rope snake, you can slide off and tether to edgehog. You can fight off stage with the odd Fair or U-Air, but it's better to go for the bair spike.
5. KOing
Theres not much to say here. Down throw kills at over 150%, and Back throw at around 130-140% near the edge. Fair kills near the edge at very high percentages.
And his smashes: D-smash is more defensive, mostly to stop people who roll alot, but can KO easily at about 120% from anywhere. F-Smash is probably Lucas' best KO move. It's fast, has good range, and kills at about 100%. U-Smash abuse will get you killed instead. It is very situational, since it has a ton of lag. You can pretty much KO with anything, but they are not even worth talking about (for example, PK fire kills at way over 200%).
It is always best to set up your smashes, such as with the dair->dtilt->fsmash combo.
So there you are. And here are another 5 things every Lucas should know:
1. Dair spike is extremely weak.
2. The stick is probably your best KO option.
3. U-Smash abuse will be punished.
4. You really should not play aggressively against MK.
5. Lucas' jab is on of the fastest attacks in the game, as is comes out on frame 2.
Edit: This is kinda outdated, as I made it before Tyr made his guide
