Getting back into Melee...

[Kirby the Hedgie]

Hey guys, Kirby here. Before EVO 2014, I wasn't really a competitive player when it came to Melee, I kept my competitive spirit for Brawl. When I played Melee, I was more on the casual side, but then after EVO, after watching those Melee matches, I decided to go back to Melee but now I want to become a competitive player instead of a casual. But since I'm used to having Tap Jump turned off in Brawl, it's really hard for me to preform dash dances and such since that's what I'm used to. Could anyone give me ANY advice on how to become a good Melee player, (besides the basic techs such as wavedashing, but I would like to know how to use it effectively) or maybe even coach me if possible?

 

[imrai]

Hey guys, Kirby here. Before EVO 2014, I wasn't really a competitive player when it came to Melee, I kept my competitive spirit for Brawl. When I played Melee, I was more on the casual side, but then after EVO, after watching those Melee matches, I decided to go back to Melee but now I want to become a competitive player instead of a casual. But since I'm used to having Tap Jump turned off in Brawl, it's really hard for me to dash dances and such since that's what I'm used to. Could anyone give me ANY advice on how to become a good Melee player, (besides the basic techs such as wavedashing, but I would like to know how to use it effectively) or maybe even coach me if possible?

The honest truth? Practice. Practice, practice, practice, practice. I've only been playing Melee for about two months but I practice about 30-40 hours a week (usually more) and it shows. Wavedashing is trivial, as is short hop double lasering. I can waveshine enough to be functional, my short hop aerials are consistent enough to matter, and my jump cancel grabs are actually quite nice. Other than that, Kadano's melee mechanics videos, smashlounge, and the wikis are your best friend. Oh, and these forums of course.

Just play as many friendlies as you can, and go to as many tournaments as you can... and when you can't... keep playing anyway. Especially if you play a space animal in Melee. Or marth or the like

 

[Kirby the Hedgie]

The honest truth? Practice. Practice, practice, practice, practice. I've only been playing Melee for about two months but I practice about 30-40 hours a week (usually more) and it shows. Wavedashing is trivial, as is short hop double lasering. I can waveshine enough to be functional, my short hop aerials are consistent enough to matter, and my jump cancel grabs are actually quite nice. Other than that, Kadano's melee mechanics videos, smashlounge, and the wikis are your best friend. Oh, and these forums of course.

Just play as many friendlies as you can, and go to as many tournaments as you can... and when you can't... keep playing anyway. Especially if you play a space animal in Melee. Or marth or the like

Thanks for the reply :D
I will practice, but I won't enter any tourneys until I'm ready for sure because currently, if I were to enter a tourney I would get wrecked. I'll wait for more replies and use the combined knowledge to help me train.

 

[imrai]

Thanks for the reply :D
I will practice, but I won't enter any tourneys until I'm ready for sure because currently, if I were to enter a tourney I would get wrecked. I'll wait for more replies and use the combined knowledge to help me train.

I wouldn't suggest waiting. Just enter. Go and play, who cares if you get wrecked. You go and play for the friendlies. You play with good players if you want to get better. Good players go to tournaments. There Is an amazing and helpful community out there. When You become a part of it, that's when the game truly becomes great. not because of whether or not you made it out of pools, or got top 8.

 

[Kirby the Hedgie]

I wouldn't suggest waiting. Just enter. Go and play, who cares if you get wrecked. You go and play for the friendlies. You play with good players if you want to get better. Good players go to tournaments. There Is an amazing and helpful community out there. When You become a part of it, that's when the game truly becomes great. not because of whether or not you made it out of pools, or got top 8.

I see, thanks for the motivation. That lightened me up, I'll start to attend tourneys and Smash Fests as soon as possible(if I can find any).

 

[EPsilon933]

Play the game with friends and at tournaments

Choose a top 8 character

strategy > ability

All you really need to do

 

[Kirby the Hedgie]

Play the game with friends and at tournaments

Choose a top 8 character

strategy > ability

All you really need to do

Well, I am pretty good with Fox when it comes to casual, but he's used a lot in competitive play like Marth, Falco, and Sheik.

 

[imrai]

Well, I am pretty good with Fox when it comes to casual, but he's used a lot in competitive play like Marth, Falco, and Sheik.

High tiers are the way to go in melee, because they are versatile, which means you can develop your own playstyle. Fox and Marth are the best examples of this. Contrast Hax, Mango, SilentWolf, and Lucky. Or M2Ks marth to PPMD's. But know this. Tech skill alone won't get you by in the end.
I have been playing for two months and I have more tech skill than some players I've met that have played for years. And a lot of them beat me anyway. The game is so multidimensional, but if you practice your execution and develop a winning strategy and mindset you will see results. Welcome back, and I look forward to seeing you at a major some day.