How do I know when to approach/retreat?

[iAmMatt]

I've been struggling with this for a while, and it's cost me 2 tournaments already. I see pro players dash dancing, but when they go in seems completely random to me unless the other person obviously flubbed. I also installed 20XX 4.05 recently and have been trying to develop some sort of system for my approaches/retreats, but to no avail. Does anyone have any advice on perfecting this technique?

 

[Dark Byte]

You have to watch what the other character is doing and wait for an opening. Try using the dash dance against someone who's definitely worse than you. This way, it will be easy to identify a mistake that they make and go in on them at the right moment.

For better players it will be harder because their neutral game will have less holes in it. In fact, if they are a lot better than you, you might not be able to identify any mistakes in their game at all! So you might have more luck improving this aspect of your game if you play someone close to your level. Gradually, you can get a feel for how to approach better players in a safer, less predictable way.

 

[iAmMatt]

You have to watch what the other character is doing and wait for an opening. Try using the dash dance against someone who's definitely worse than you. This way, it will be easy to identify a mistake that they make and go in on them at the right moment.

For better players it will be harder because their neutral game will have less holes in it. In fact, if they are a lot better than you, you might not be able to identify any mistakes in their game at all! So you might have more luck improving this aspect of your game if you play someone close to your level. Gradually, you can get a feel for how to approach better players in a safer, less predictable way.

Thanks for the advice! Another question I had was what should I do when my opponent comes off the respawn platform? I usually run to ledge then ledgedash back on, but this becomes readable. Should I continue going to the ledge and just mix up my attempts to get back on?

 

[ECHOnce]

I'd check out Tafo's zero to hero series. First season was done with Sheik mains in mind, teaching a Sheik player. Second season goes over more Marth-specific concepts, but even though you main Marth, you should probably watch through the season 1. I haven't watched all of it or gone on to seasons 2 or 3, but I'd imagine he doesn't repeat concepts he's already gone over, and he points out some really helpful spacing concepts from as early as episode 1.
http://www.meleeitonme.com/zero-to-hero-episodes-1-9/

 

[iAmMatt]

I'd check out Tafo's zero to hero series. First season was done with Sheik mains in mind, teaching a Sheik player. Second season goes over more Marth-specific concepts, but even though you main Marth, you should probably watch through the season 1. I haven't watched all of it or gone on to seasons 2 or 3, but I'd imagine he doesn't repeat concepts he's already gone over, and he points out some really helpful spacing concepts from as early as episode 1.
http://www.meleeitonme.com/zero-to-hero-episodes-1-9/

Thank you!

 

[Diosama]

In neutral, there are 3 things you can:

- attack
- wait for an attack
- take stage

stage < attack
attack < wait
wait < stage

Look at what your opponent is doing and choose the correct option