How can I practice alone?

[AirFair]

I'm new to the more competitive techniques and aspects of melee, and whenever I practice, I go and play lvl 9 computers and just try and use those techniques during those matches. While it's true that I am getting a small amount of practice every day, I still think that I need someone else to practice with.

I have friends who are into smash, but we never really get together all the time. I don't really know what I can do about it.
Any answers?

 

[VegiLohrd]

You'll never really get true experience until you play a lot against other people. Also I suggest practicing against lvl 7 cpu's because their DI varies as opposed to lvl 9 who always do up and away to better practice combos. Also maybe look into netplay if you have a high end computer that can handle it

 

[Elyssa Xey Hexen]

There really is not anything you can do about not having anyone to play. While on your own its probably best to simply grind out your tech skill and worry about the strategy elements a bit later. When you people to play who make more mistakes than you do its best to focus on improving certain aspects of your game. for example, maximizing your punish for someone making a mistake.

 

[AirFair]

@ VegiLohrd any chance you can explain what netplay is? I know that it has to do with the internet over a computer, but will I need an emulator like Dolphin?

@ E Elyssa Xey Hexen Thanks for the advice, I think I will work on tech skill first

 

[VegiLohrd]

yeah you need an emulator like dolphin

 

[EPsilon933]

Play Street Fighter 3 3rd Strike online. It will teach you to find patterns and predict. It's also fun and has really good net code. Melee and Street Fighter are both fighting games focused on the neutral game. There's a lot of skill overlap between the 2

 

[SoCalFry]

I'm in the same situation. I don't get to play people often so I'll probably try Netplay

 

[JKJ]

I've got a video here that I made for just this problem!
Here's a Marth Trials video (stuff to learn with Marth that you can do by yourself)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IACW5mltqY&feature=kp

Hope that helps!

 

[lokt]

The first thing I would recommend is for you to develop your tech skill. Simple shffl aerials. The start working on your dash dance game(assuming you play marth). Watch Dr.PP or PPU's dash dance game and try to imitate it. This might seem tough for someone just getting into the game, but movement is one of the most important parts of the game. Start with small sections of video and see if you can emulate the exact combination of dashing and wavedashing that you see. Make sure that your wavedashes cover the maximum amount of horizontal distance .

After this, I would highly recommend the 20XX hackpack for training alone. Here us the thread: http://smashboards.com/threads/the-...2-action-toggles.351221/page-30#post-17037654

It has so many utilities and is amazing for self-improvement. It is used by top level players such as mango and leffen. Other people in this thread have talked about what cpu's to play to get the optimal di. Scratch that. The 20xx hackpack makes cpu's input random di and tech patterns. Cpu's will also jump out of hitstun, making you stay honest with your combos.

Make sure that you toggle color changes for hitstun and missed l cancels. Don't try to combo the cpu after they jump.

Here is a list of things you should work on(with 20xx hackpack mentioned above):
platform tech chases w/ up air
chain grabs(w/ pivots) see this thread for optimal chaingrab vs fox: http://smashboards.com/threads/compilation-of-matchup-guides.341532/
dealing with spacy shield pressure using an ingame toggle for pressure and infinite shield(know when you can wavedash or roll out of shield)
sdi vs fox up air

Additional options(harder, takes longer to get down):
powershielding falco's lasers
hax dashing
shield drops
pivots(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuCCmymFpMU&feature=youtu.be)

Make sure you play with actual people though, so you can apply your practiced techniques. Try and get a friend over, or go to a local tournament or smashfest. Use your local facebook match to connect with your local scene.

 

[meowth_]

Just play the game naturally and develop your own sense of it.