_Ganondorf_
The Demon King
Hi all!
I thought it would be a cool idea to create a thread solely for ideas to make Ganon a more unique character and perhaps a more viable one as well.
Note: This is not meant to completely overhaul Ganondorf (unless you want too), I love playing as PM's version of Ganondorf and I would only like it to see it improve where needed.
Now as a start I would like to show this: http://smashboards.com/threads/ganondorf-sword-mode-for-projectm.342640/
That is a mod for PM allowing Ganon to pull out his sword using the Down Taunt, the main focus of the mod is to create a balance between "Sword" mode and "Fist" mode. Its made by a member of the PMBR named Ashingda and it is quite balanced and its really fun, I recommend it to any Ganon player to try out.
Although that mod is great I still think Ganon should remain mostly the same but replace his more useless moves with better ones (some of which I'll borrow from the mod I posted)
1. Aerials:
These are without a doubt Ganon's "bread & butter" I think most Ganon mains know this and would not want to lose any of them. For myself though I think Nair is the weak link. Both in terms of play and of fitting the character of Ganon, by that I mean I could totally see Ganon preforming all his aerials in some form in a LOZ game but I cant see Nair, its too flashy and very nimble looking something I cant imagine Ganon doing.
Frankly I wouldn't mind it staying the same but I think a better option can be implemented.
Nair- Idea A: a sword swing (like in the video above). Whether Ganon is holding the sword at all times or he pulls it out of thin air (like Kirby's Hammer, Peach's Frying pan, tennis racket etc.) it would function the same, a nice mid range swing covering some of his front and bottom would make a very nice spacing move.
Nair- Idea B: Mewtwo's Nair, since the days of Melee I always thought that move totally fits Ganon. It reminds me of OOT Ganon so much and is just a great "wizardy" looking move, it could lead into combos or just be a good spacing move.
2. Specials:
These are a mixed bag, obviously Flame Choke is an amazing move and totally fits Ganon, Wizard's Foot is an amazing move but kinda of doesn't fit Ganon's character, Dark Dive is just a weird move to imagine Ganon preforming and Warlock punch is an atrocious abomination on all fronts and should burn in hell forever!
Now all kidding aside I think there are better alternatives to be had to some of these moves.
Dark Dive: In the video I posted Ganon's Up B has him swing his sword around him as he rises in almost a complete circle, this is great against edge guarding and something I think any Ganon player would like to have in his arsenal.
Wizard's Foot: an amazing move with no real problems except aesthetic ones. In the video shown above instead of his foot Ganon uses his sword in a thrusting motion in front of him. This would still function the same except now it has a longer reaching hitbox and is more fitting to the character. (Note: if the longer hitbox is a problem, Ganon could be made to hold the sword closer to his body with only some of it sticking out in front of him).
Warlock Punch: sigh..... such a horrible move, This needs to go! Unfortunately the PMBR stated no projectiles can be added to a character that doesn't posses an article for one. The best idea I saw was in the video above as fake projectile that gets weaker the further it gets and is followed by an optional sword swing. I'm sure many of you have great ideas for other replacements and I would love to read them.
3. Neutral A & Tilts:
Not many problems with these moves but there are a few better alternatives.
Jab: I personally like his Jab, but I cant deny how much better the Jab in the mod/video I posted is. Its a forward arching swing of his sword that covers more distance and is a better spacing move, Either way ill be happy with both.
Forward Tilt: Amazing move and it should never ever change!
Up Tilt: The new Up tilt PMBR gave him was a very welcomed change and I use it often enough, but the video above showed a better alternative. Its a fake projectile moving in an upwards arch covering some of Ganon's front and is head, great for juggling and setting up combos. I'll be happy with either one.
Down Tilt: Nothing wrong with it but nothing too great, on the other hand the down tilt in the mod/video is a great set up move and can be used as a nice juggle, taking inspiration from OOT this move fits great for Ganon and would make a very good move in Ganon's arsenal.
4. Smashes:
These are in my view are Ganon's biggest weaknesses, they don't fit his character whatsoever and are not good moves as well. If these moves were to change for the better I highly doubt many Ganon players would be upset.
Forward Smash: A short distance elbow strike that is hard to hit with and is punishable if missed, a better alternative is shown in the video/mod above its a forward thrust of his sword, it functions exactly the same as his elbow with also being able to be tilted in an angle up or down but gives it a much needed range increase.
Down Smash: Such a useless move too slow and it has horrible range, the video above makes it a slow 2 spin sword move that covers a good amount of space on both of Ganon's sides.
Up Smash: Although this move has a really nice DACUS its still extremely situation based and completely doesn't fit Ganon. The mod/video above taking inspiration form Skyward Sword has Ganon lift his sword up in a small arch and summoning lightning above him. the small arch in front of Ganon allows him to carry opponents into the real strike and the lightning above causes an extra hitbox for opponents to be hit by. Its not that powerful of move KOing usually above 130% but its a great tool to use.
5. Grab & Throws:
Since this thread is for ideas how to further De-clone Ganondorf I think just aesthetic changes to his throws are needed with maybe a greater KO potential. To this day it still looks horribly weird seeing Ganon throw his opponents like C. Falcon, so I think just more fitting animations will add a much needed flair and uniqueness.
BUT Ganon's grab range should most definitely be increased! With such long arms it boggles my mind how short his grab range is, and its almost impossible to grab out of shield with him. For such a slow and big character I think Ganon needs a longer grab range by default.
Thanks for reading all of this, and I hope it gave you some cool ideas of your own. On a different thread on the Ganondorf character discussion forum, a member of the PMBR named Shell stated quote; "Ganondorf is one of my priorities for next release, fyi. :>" this had me really excited and maybe this thread and our collective ideas can help give him and the PMBR some idea or at least a view point to what Ganon players would like to see. So post all your idea here and please lets have fun with this, post your dream move set or try and make it Project M viable. Either way have fun with this.
As a final question would you (if you want to see Ganon use a sword that is):
A- Prefer Ganon hold his sword out at all times but only use it for the applicable moves?
OR
B- Have Ganon pull out his sword form thin air (like Kirby's hammer, Peach's Fsmash, Diddy Kong's Peanut Gun etc.) and use it when applicable?
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