How do I start?

[Elbogen]

What's up, I'm basically brand new to smash series... I have played probably a total of 10-20 hours of the every previous version added, and I suck xD... But finally I decided I want to get into smash 4, and play competitively... I play occasionally with my friends who just destroyed me in brawl and it discouraged me from playing it to improve, so I want to beat them at some point...

I am a very competitive gamer, played alot of FPS, LoL, etc. One of my biggest concerns is that I won't learn efficiently and improve as fast as I can because this is a very different style of game than what I'm used to...

Anyway I have no clue where to start for learning how to play the game right. How do I practice? What should I play against to practice, what kind of things should I work on in games, where can I learn terms used in smash (like tech and fair?), Is there downsides to playing on wii u controller vs a gamecube controller(i dont have adapter atm, and never owned a gamecube xD), and should I just play online 1v1 and just keep playing?
Where can I watch pro's or very high level players?

tldr; Show me an efficient path to learning this game from step 1
Also, I like falcon and shiek

 

[TheCandyman]

Welcome!
Well where to start would be to check out the forums on Sheik and Falcon to find new techs up your game and really just to keep on playing. The best way to learn is through practice and online 1v1s are a pretty good way to practice

Controller wise most people you will see will use a Gamecube controller because it fits smash so well but just use which ever controller is most comfortable for you.

I would highly recommend VGBootcamp or other tournament hosts (Smash Studios, Clash, etc.) as they host and stream tournaments all the time and post them on their youtube channel later on.

If you have Smash 3ds I'd be more than willing to practice with you but since I don't have a Wii U yet I can't do that.

 

[Elbogen]

Thanks, so what is a tech exactly, I mean I've been checking them out for falcon, and also I would play but only have Wii U :/
Thanks for replying,

 

[Dr. James Rustles]

If you want a very general guide to competition, you can click here. You can look up specific stuff on the ssbwiki at ssbwiki.com.

I am a very competitive gamer, played alot of FPS, LoL, etc. One of my biggest concerns is that I won't learn efficiently and improve as fast as I can because this is a very different style of game than what I'm used to...

Anyway I have no clue where to start for learning how to play the game right. How do I practice?

I don't think there's an efficient way to learn per se, just that you are actually learning and moving forward. Anyway, you need to keep playing with your friends. It's good to play with like-skilled players and graduate to more difficult players and learn what they are doing differently. Learning how to play the game right takes a long time. You can play online, but depending on the latency it may not prepare you for the level of tight play needed for a real life match (which are the most significant).

Is there downsides to playing on wii u controller vs a gamecube controller(i dont have adapter atm, and never owned a gamecube xD), and should I just play online 1v1 and just keep playing?
Where can I watch pro's or very high level players?

I don't know much about the Wii U gamepad, and when playing the Wii U version I have only ever used the GameCube controller, which I have been using in other games since 2001 so I am really used to it. I recommend using the GameCube controller because every other post-64 game uses it, though.

There are several professional Smash Bros. stream on Twitch and if you want to jump right in, VGBootCamp has a YouTube channel that regularly uploads matches for each popular competitive game (Melee, PM, and Sm4sh).

 

[Elbogen]

I appreciate the help, that was the exact sort of thing I was looking for Almost finished reading its pretty helpful

 

[TheCandyman]

Thanks, so what is a tech exactly

A tech is just a technical skill. So for example L-Cancelling and Wave Dashing in Melee, Perfect Pivoting in Sm4sh. One of th most simple techs is simply called a, "tech" and is when you press the sheild button right before you hit the ground while in the Tumbling/falling animation and it reduced the time it takes to get back up significantly. It's also called "Breaking your fall" in WiiU tips and tricks thing.