How do you deal with Spammers (Fox, Falco,Pit,etc)

[Juan Lopez]

Lately I've been playing online in Super Smash Bros and while I'm not a seasoned player I'm not a new either I can use Diddy at a pretty good scale but I seem to have trouble against spammers namely Fox and Falco those players always rack up the most damage against me. What I want to know is what strategy should a Diddy Kong player do when fighting these spammers.

 

[Wintropy]

Define "spamming" first of all. I'm gonna be controversial here and say that, for some characters, incessantly launching projectiles to rack up damage is a legitimate tactic.

It's when they do nothing but the same few moves for the entire match that it becomes a problem. As a Pit and Palutena player, I know all too well that sometimes it's best to just stay back and fire at will 'til heat dies down in the battle~

 

[Reila]

Of course a Pit player will defend projectile spamming.

Even though I play Villager (who can spam fair/bair and lloid rocket), I can't say spamming projectiles is a good tactic.

 

[Wintropy]

Of course a Pit player will defend projectile spamming.

Even though I play Villager (who can spam fair/bair and lloid rocket), I can't say spamming projectiles is a good tactic.

Hold on now. I asked this nice gentleman to define what he means by "spamming" for a reason.

There is a marked difference between relentlessly launching projectiles for the entire match whilst doing little else and using such abilities to acquire a tactical advantage on the field. Certain characters, such as Pit, are essentially defensive in their playstyles, and being able to keep opponents at bay is a perfectly legitimate tactic in its own right. That's why every fighting game has rangers and zoners and why it exists to make up for their oftentimes poor defense and inability to approach safely.

The reason I ask why you specifically refer to them as "spammers" is because understanding the mentality behind the use of such tactics will allow you to better adapt to it. If they're just standing at the edge and launching projectiles for its own sake, then it's easily remedied by dodging and working your way towards them; if they're using it as a mixup tactic to keep you at bay, then you've got to be able to circumvent their strategies and exploit their reliance on zoning tools. As a Pit player, a fundamental part of my arsenal is the bow and its ability to make approaching difficult for opponents - as Pit lacks decent offensive capabilities compared to other, more self-evidently physical combat oriented characters, it is advisable to keep them at a distance and slowly but surely build up the damage until you can go in for the kill. If you're playing against, say, Link or Fox, you need to be more careful about how you approach them, because they are actually physically capable fighters and they will hurt you if you're not careful.

My experience with Diddy is limited, but from what I do understand of him, I know that he is agile and has good combo potential. Use that to your advantage: close the gap and whale away on 'em! If they're genuinely relying on projectiles to win the match, then quite simply, do your damnedest to ensure they can't hit you. Then you just strike back and hit 'em hard and fast! If you break through their wall of missiles and they panic, that's your moment to strike. Hit 'em hard and fast and remember to stay on your toes in case they surprise you with other moves!

 

[Juan Lopez]

What I mean is for example I've fought Fox players that close the distance and do these crazy combos and whatnot but others go far back in the stage and blast away and only stop at about 90% damage

 

[Wintropy]

What I mean is for example I've fought Fox players that close the distance and do these crazy combos and whatnot but others go far back in the stage and blast away and only stop at about 90% damage

Then you need to be able to counter that. It sounds ridiculously dull, but trust me, that's all there is to it. If they can get away with it and exploit you with that tactic, they will. You need to demonstrate that you're not going to fall for that. They'll then realise they have only two options left: keep spamming and get beaten down hard, or try something else. Either way, you succeed in getting them right where you want them.

How you do that is up to you to figure out. Go talk to the Diddy forum-goers, they'll definitely help you out!

 

[Antonykun]

A lot of spammers tend to block or roll when you're close and you just so happened to have the best move to beat them: Monkey Flip. Grab a banana and you get a nasty mixup/approach combo. The key to beat spammers is practice, learn where those moves are effective and capitalize when you're in a sub-optimal position for that move.

 

[SuaveChaser]

You gotta to close the distance and try to force them to fight. It is boring after awhile.

 

[genesis_SOC]

Learn to perfect shield better. For Fox, you can put pressure him as Diddy by doing what makes Diddy so good in this game. Down throw into whatever until you kill him. If they're just doing the same thing all the time then they're predictable and punishable.

 

[xPROFx]

For fox (especially if game is laggy), you can just dash through laser -> punish. Just keep medium range, as soon as fire start, dash. (I get punished that way from time to time... worth it though)

 

[Wintropy]

Did some amateur research. Hope this helps.

Shieding / rolling seldom seems to work against committed projectile spammers, since they'll usually just keep firing even after your shield is dropped and during the roll's recovery animation; try jumping and approaching from the air or using Monkey Flip to cover distance and punish with a grab. This is especially useful if they to to shield.

If they roll, punish. Learn their animations and hit them when they're getting back onto their feet.

Remember that you can't flinch from Fox's blaster. Falco's and Pit's projectiles will make you flinch, but they're also much slower and more difficult to fire repeatedly. Whereas Fox can keep firing indefinitely, Falco and Pit have to cool down before firing again. Spot-dodging between shots can actually work wonders when approaching.

As the above poster said, if you're feeling brave, just work up the guts to dash right through the shots. You may take some damage, but if you're not standing there and taking it, they won't be able to damage you for too long. Do your best to avoid being a target. If you do what you can to fight back against committed projectile spammers, they won't be able to exploit you and you can adapt to defeat 'em.

As I say, I play the likes of Pit, Palutena, R.O.B. and Ludwig, so if you need help sparring with projectile-based fighters, message me and we'll work it out!

 

[Freduardo]

How to beat projectile spammers:

With Fox. Use Reflect.

With Mario. Use Cape.

With Palutena. Use Reflect

With Villager. Use Pocket

With Pit. Use Reflect.

With Zelda. Show them Naryu's Love

With Ness. Use Absorb

With Game and Watch. Use Bucket.

With Marth/Shulk/Little Mac/Palutena (again)/Lucina/Ike: Use Counter.

With Falco. Use Reflect

With Rosalina. Use magnet. Let Rosalina take the hit.... Using Luma

With Duck Hunt. Spam back

With Link/Toon Link. Shield and Arrows.

With Samus.... how are you getting projectile spammed when you're Samus?

With Ike/Bowser/Dedede/Ganondorf/Little Mac. Ignore the little feeble projectiles from your girly man opponent and just hit him harder.

With Pac Man. throw a hydrant in front of it to soak the hit.

With Olimar/Alph. Throw a Pikmin in front of it to soak the hit.

With Sheik/Zero Suit Samus/Little Mac/Captain Falcon/Sonic. Use your blinding speed to get inside and hit them

With Wii Fit Trainer/Samus/and many many more. spam back.

I hope this helped.

 

[ConCeal12]

How to beat projectile spammers:

With Rosalina. Use magnet. Let Rosalina take the hit.

Yea... Actually I dont think we want that lol

 

[Freduardo]

Yea... Actually I dont think we want that lol

I do. I don't play Rosalina and the good ones are really difficult when they let Luma take the hit. Why would I want to advise someone to be a good Rosalina? So I can feel as dumb as when I told my brother he should use slide with Mega Man? Cause it was a lot easier before I did that.

I edited my post despite my self interest.