Getting better?

[Celeb]

Hey Guys,

I gotta admit, I am pretty frustrated with Smash at the moment. Even though I play a lot, I don't seem to get any better at all. I am really clueless what to do since I get destroyed in every match I play whether it is For Glory or with friends. That said, I think I am missing something very basic so do you have any tips where to start the practice?

Thanks in advance

 

[RBreadsticks]

Start practicing against level 7 or 8 CPUs until you feel "right" with a character. Once you understand all their moves it will be a lot easier to transfer that knowledge into an online match.

As far as for glory goes, save your replays if you lose and rewatch them. You'll be able to tell what you did wrong and what your opponent did right which will help you grow as a player.

Try to find your bad habits and curb them. Are you rolling too much and being punished for it? Are you missing moves and being punished for it? Are you doing unsafe moves on sheild and being punished for it? These are all important questions to ask yourself while trying to improve.

Overall don't let yourself get frustrated and keep practicing. No one gets good without practice and even top players will have a hard time winning if they're not in the right state of mind.

 

[Iceweasel]

Can you consistently win versus a Level 9 CPU? If not, work on that. It'll improve your reflexes, knowledge of the mechanics/engine, and character move knowledge.

If you can win vs. a L9 CPU, it's probably reading and mindgames. When you get punished for something consistently, you should try to recognize that and change your playstyle. Likewise, if your opponent is using a certain approach method a lot, or overuses certain moves, recognize and punish.

Learning new ATs never hurts either.

EDIT: If you can avoid it, don't get frustrated. Getting mad is the worst thing any player can do, because they just can't play when they're in Rage Mode IRL.

 

[_gold_]

You'll have to elaborate better for us to help you. Name something specific you're having trouble in.

 

[Celeb]

You'll have to elaborate better for us to help you. Name something specific you're having trouble in.

If I'd know my specific problem then I would name it, but my problem is, I don't know where my problem is. I'm starting to suspect it is state of mind, though. I can win against lvl 9 CPUs with 3 or 2 stocks (on a 3 stock match) easily, but when I am playing against real players I start making dumb moves (running into smashes, grenade instead of vanish) and once I get hit, I get comboed hard.

 

[_gold_]

If I'd know my specific problem then I would name it, but my problem is, I don't know where my problem is. I'm starting to suspect it is state of mind, though. I can win against lvl 9 CPUs with 3 or 2 stocks (on a 3 stock match) easily, but when I am playing against real players I start making dumb moves (running into smashes, grenade instead of vanish) and once I get hit, I get comboed hard.

Well that's the problem right there. Even though you are getting defeated by real people, you have to keep on practicing with them. CPU's play completely different than real people. Switching from one to another is difficult for anyone. See, in my case, I find CPU's often more difficult than real players. I just find them extremely difficult to read. But yeah, I'd recommend spending less time with CPU's. Grab a friend, either someone you know or someone from the boards, that will offer to help practice with you.

 

[redruM]

I'm in the same boat man. I'm trying to get better with Peach, I play every day but I'm still 50/50 with level 9 NPCs. The only character I can kill a level 9 npc with almost every time is Zelda, because I've been playing that character since Melee. My problem is I can't connect hits, I don't time anything properly, I'm too slow with hitting the buttons and get hit, or do a move with low priority which gets overridden by a more powerful move when I connect with the opponent.

Aside from playing all the time I have no idea how to fix these issues. I wish there was a step-by-step methodology - something more than "just play a lot," you know?

 

[K7Sniper]

I'm getting very annoyed with how some people play.