How do I deal with overly defensive/evasive players?

[Mara]

Hello, I'm an avid casual smash player. I usually play smash with people in my dorm and occasionally attend small school tournaments for fun.

From time to time, I come across smashers who would dodge roll exceptionally frequently. Those people dodge roll too frequently to the extent that it is their primary movement. The opponent would roll across the ENTIRE stage and use their safe-high-damaging moves, rack up some damage and roll across to the other side of the stage to do the same thing.
I understand such behavior might be a playstyle/strategy, and please not that I am not trying to bash on people who play defensively.

I consider my skill level to be below average, and my playstyle is quite aggressive.
At first, I thought rolling a lot would severely limit his or her movement options and a common trait for non-competitive smashers thus making it extremely predictable.
However, trying to predict and punish the roll only makes it more frustrating because he or she simply rolls away over and over again.

Do you guys know a viable strategy on how to react to the excessive-rolling playstyle?
In general, what is the most appropriate approach to punish an anticipating roll? (For example, C. Falcon (Me) against Marth (Not me) at certain % situations)

 

[rpotts]

Dash dance grab them. Rolls are more punishable than you think, there's enough time to knee or stomp their rolls on reaction.

Watch your opponent on the screen, not your character.

 

[Teriko]

Basically what rpotts said. Watch your opponent closely.
Use dash dancing to bait them into attacking/rolling. If you don't think you have enough time to punish their first roll, make them roll a second time and THEN punish.

Have a buddy roll around and evade your attacks so you can practice this. Might help.

 

[shadrach kabango]

Punish harder than they do.

 

["YOLO"]

when You have 0 or few tech skill vs a defensive player , even if you both play smart, the defensive player will win, but if the agresive player has good tech skill, even if the defensive player has good techskill too and both play smart , i'd say the agressive player wins cuz he has tons of more options, except against spacies, they have 100000 options out of shield.
Lesson, earn good tech skill, and play smart (sad but true).

 

[Problem2]

Don't be preemptive. Look for what you do that triggers their evasion, then move in like you are going to do that again and then just follow where they roll. Players can't actually dodge moves on reaction unless the move is very slow, but if they know that you do something every time you get in their face, then can react to you simply getting close.

Alternatively, you can also pick up Falco and short-hop fast-fall laser in place. Make them approach you.

 

[-ShadowPhoenix-]

If youre not comfortable with dash dance grab baits, then the easy way to punish this is run up to them and fsmash them after they roll behind you...

 

[Varist]

rolling is mad op just roll back if you see them roll you start rolling ***** i abuse that **** all day. if they have invincibility coming down from the bubble thing i just spam roll in ******** directions works on the best of players

think about it, you're invincible + you're moving. who doesn't want to be invincible while they move around? cuz what its set intervals of movement? no one gives a **** dog pick mewtwo hes got a bomb ass roll

 

[TimeSmash]

If you can predict where they're going to roll, react accordingly. If they roll away, use a projectile or wait until they come back to you. If they roll toward you, use something fast like an FSmash or Dsmash to punish them.

 

[StKo]

You say you're an aggressive player, just how aggressive are you? My suggestion is to try and develop some patience. If you're overly aggressive you may end up making more mistakes instead of punishing your opponents'. Especially if you're playing casually it should be easy to read rolls and to punish appropriately

 

[SAUS]

Forward smash backwards.

 

[rpotts]

Backward smash forwards.

 

[Mara]

What do you guys think about dash attack? The opponent rolls away and I chase him or her then use a dash attack. Does it make the situation stickier?
I used to spam short hop N-Airs and hope to miraculously hit my opponent since N-Airs generally have long animations, but I guess F-Smash/D-Smash is a much safer approach.

I tried dash-dance grab (as C. Falcon), but I always seem to extend myself a little too much or the reach is a little too short and miss the punish opportunity. (I am assuming it is because of my lack of practice and experience.)
Also, I agree that I have to look at my opponent more carefully because I tend to focus on my character too much.

 

[the_CAM_factor]

captain falcon has a pretty bad dash attack =[ it basically garuntees no followup

 

[rpotts]

I wouldn't bother dash attacking until they're at atleast +70% and even then it's essentially never going to be the best option. I think you need to practice some basics of tech skill so you can open up your options and learn to hit them harder and more quickly.

Practice short hop aerials
L cancelling
fast falling
dash dancing
long jumping
wavedashing

Watch videos on youtube and search for stuff like "advanced how to play" "scars falcon trials" on Melee it on Me's twitch.tv, and search around the forum for good recommendations.

 

[Zodiac]

If they roll that much that means they are predictable, learn their pattern and then grab then after they come out of a roll, after that drop your controller and punch them in the face.

 

[xCardiac]

If youre not comfortable with dash dance grab baits, then the easy way to punish this is run up to them and fsmash them after they roll behind you...

Simple, yet effective. Although the opponent will catch on after a while. Try mixing up some other moves with it too.