Help when close but not in throw range..

[Nintendoid]

Hi

Just started playing Smash so please excuse my terminology...

When I get players close to me it seems that all I can do is tap A... I cant grab as I'm not in range to do that, so I try and do a yo-yo or bat and due to start up frames I just get hit by the other character.

What do you suggest I do in this situation?

Also found some characters (Greninja) even though I use PK flame they still can hit me while on fire to stop the grab?!?

 

[Manbeartigerphoenix]

Ness' ground game is mediocre at best. Generally you should be performing aerials and specials more, but Ness' jab and ftilt are nice quick options when you're a tad out of grab range. When your opponent is a tad further away Ness' other okay options are a dash attack or dash grab, but be careful since they can both be countered by defensive options. Both dash attack and dash grab have the bonus of setting up foes in the air, where Ness wants them to be.

 

[Uffe]

Some attacks out range the dash attack, however, like Peach's forward smash, which sucks. At least I found myself getting hit by it, even though I was at a good distance allowing the sparks to fly towards her. As for the situation with Greninja in PK Fire, if he's jabbing while he's set ablaze, feel free to space yourself a tad from his neutral attacks and pivot another PK Fire.

 

[Earthbound360]

Usmash and ftilt come out relatively fast and outrange a standing grab.
If possible, dash attack and dash grab are better setups though.

If someone rapid jabs you out of PKF, back up and hit em with another one. Repeat until they learn their lesson >=]

 

[Manbeartigerphoenix]

You can also jump and do a falling aerial onto them if they get predictable with the jabs out of PKF.