How do you do your aerials?

[Frandango]

I'm trying to see if better players tend to use the second analog for their aerials or to see if inputting a direction then pressing A can stand in a tense match.

 

[KaptenFullkorn]

i used to do my aerials with a and a direction with my stick, but i've started playing with the second analogstick now instead, i just feel that i get more control (except on the pro controllers i still get neutral air sometimes by accident... gotta get a gc controller)

 

[pershona]

Most players use C-stick, and you should use it over the other option.

 

[Thor]

PPMD does the majority of his aerials with A, c-sticking a few of his uairs, and he won Melee Apex 2015 [and 2014, and various other major events over time]. Contrary to the poster above me, just do what's comfortable.

Incidentally, many find SH uair and run-off uair easier with the cstick [same for run off bair]. If the c-stick doesn't induce fastfalling when not rising [it doesn't induce fastfalling when one is falling in Melee but does in Brawl unless you do it as you're rising early in a jump], then it's an easier way to do runoff dair without accidentally fastfalling and dying.

C-sticking aerials is also the only way one can do a fair while ONLY fading backwards, and vice versa. That said, those are limited applications, you achieve almost the same effect with precise inputs using A, and RARing aerials can also keep momentum for bairs and fairs backwards [retreating fair as Marth, for instance].

I'd say learning to SH uair using A is valuable [it's like doing utilt, but in air], but at the same time, there's no reason to make things harder if you aren't good at those, and c-sticking aerials, once it becomes natural, can allow for uairs without having to use a (sort of) quarter-circle motion [or reset to neutral and pushing up some]. If you want to use A, use A. If you want to cstick them, cstick them. If you're unsure, try both, and see what works best in terms of consistency and in terms of speed.

However, to answer your question, using directions and A is very workable in very high-stakes matches, although most players do use the c-stick., as pershona stated

 

[Raijinken]

I c-stick all of them unless I'm using one in my direction of travel. I've found that, since I moved jump to A and attack to X/Y, it's easier to hit pretty much anything out of a jump.

 

[Teh Sandwich]

I do both. It's situational really.
If I'm in the air for longer, say I'm edge guarding or baiting an air dodge, I'll use c-stick for more control. If I have to rip out an arial right away, maybe after spin dash with sonic, or with links Bair. I'll use direction + A. That way I can just roll my finger from X to A for the fastest input.

 

[Dark Phazon]

I use the C stick but i find it alot easier to cancel landing lag by fast falling after you done your aerials by doing them normally
Input direction then (A)

 

[DavemanCozy]

If I'm jumping and moving forward, and my goal is to do a Forward air, I might as well just:

Same goes if I'm fastfalling and want to do a Dair for some reason, etc. No need to overcomplicate if you're already moving in that direction.


But otherwise:

All day

 

[TimSin]

I use both. I mainly use the 3DS controller, but when I use GC, I primarily use the c-stick, unless I need to do a Nair or something.

 

[HoboJoe]

It honestly depends on the character with me. With yoshi, you usually have to be very strict on spacing his Fairs so I use the C-stick so I can still move back while using Fair to avoid being shield grabbed. With other characters I just use the stick + A

 

[Drarky]

I always ignore the C-Stick even when I try to use it. It's a problem that I have since my most played Smash game was 64 and Brawl with Nunchuck so... I'm just used to do aerials/smash with the analog each and every time.

 

[LunarWingCloud]

Depends on the situation. Overreliance on either kinda makes you lose sight of all your options.

 

[Purin a.k.a. José]

I always "stick" to the A button. Got it? "Stick" to the A Button? I'm a genius.

 

[TastyCarcass]

i used to do my aerials with a and a direction with my stick, but i've started playing with the second analogstick now instead, i just feel that i get more control (except on the pro controllers i still get neutral air sometimes by accident... gotta get a gc controller)

It's a Smash 4 thing. The Gamecube controller has the same issue. Probably still worth doing though

 

[ronniem3]

Never used the c-stick, but sounds like maybe I should be giving that a try...

 

[Fluorescent]

Regarding I only have the old 3DS, I use the analog stick to do my aerials and inputs in the air for SSB4.

However, when I'm playing things like Melee or Project M (something with a gamecube controller) then I mostly use the c-stick since I can still affect my DI with the analog stick and still attack without having the DI of said Fair, Bair, etc.

 

[DaRkJaWs]

Using a direction plus a or r or whatever worked for everyone in smash 64, the c stick is only useful if you find that moving backward while doing forward or back air is something you do or need to do often given your character. And actually using the analog plus a for smash attacks is better in this game out of shield because the potential to accidentally spot dodge, god I hate that change they made. But I made the change, no big deal.

 

[Nexin]

I mainly input a direction and press a. It is honestly just easier for me to do, especially since I like using tap jump instead of the x or y buttons whenever I want to use aerials.

 

[danzibr]

Wow, 23 to 23.

I usually use the A button. Especially on the GCC, short hopping with the A button right there...

 

[Shrokatii]

I'm used to 3ds so when I use gc controller I don't use the c-stick out of habit. But for certain characters if I want to poke a bit, I'll use the c-stick

 

[Cool]

Many people use the c-stick for aerials. While I suppose using the c-stick is objectively better, some players prefer using a because it is more comfortable for them. I find that forcing yourself to play a certain way actually hurts your play and that you should stick to whatever feels most comfortable for you.

I think the strongest reasons for using the c-stick for aerials are for performing retreating fairs and bairs, and easier fast fall aerials. These are fairly important, especially for certain characters. I suggest trying both extensively and getting a feel for which you prefer. Considering the fact that it looks like you play Falcon, I do suggest giving the c-stick a good use as I feel it is very important for his play, especially fast falling.

All things considered, I feel it is more subjective than anything. Some people hate using the c-stick in the air, while others find that using a is inconvenient. Personally, in all honesty I use them both in different situations. Anyway, I'm rambling now. That's a really great question OP, hope I could help.

 

[derpcube]

I really only use the c stick for fast falls or spikes, as well as for using a fair going backwards.

 

[Cool]

I really only use the c stick for fast falls or spikes, as well as for using a fair going backwards.

Yeah, it's definitely useful for Ness' and Jiggs' aerials.

 

[Daybreak]

C-Stick is useful if you want to retain backwards momentum while doing a F-air or B-air while traveling forwards. It helps keep the aerials independent from the actual movement of the character made from the analog stick. It is very useful and should most often be used as it will skyrocket your control( literal momentum) of the character.

 

[Weeman]

I mix both, it's easier to do aerials instantly out of a shoirt hop with the regular input, for example Dair auto cancels if you short hop it, but this doesn't work as well if you use the c stcik because it takes more time for your finger to reach the c stick.
But on the other hand the c stick allows you to an aerial wihout losing momentum, so for example, i can doBair while moving foward for the sake of spacing.
Use them according to the situation.

 

[Solo Popo]

I'd recommend using both. I normally use the c-stick only for follow-up arials, not the initial arial, with the exeption being down-airs. Down arials are auto fast fallen if executed with the c-stick, so long as your jump has fully finished. I find this useful with Link, and particularly captain falcon, who can travel a great horizontal distance while down-airing; therefore it is beneficial to continue holding forward, instead of interrupting your horizontal momentum by holding down-A. The C stick can also be used to nail some pretty wonky knees with Falcon that would not be possible otherwise, for example, you can throw out a knee while holding backwards, which isn't possible without the C stick. But the C stick is a farther reach than the a button, which makes it not ideal for every scenario.

 

[Sucumbio]

Situational but cstick more often than not.

 

[1FC0]

In the air.

 

[Frandango]

What about when you successfully juggled them and took their second jump. Will you continue to juggle them with inputting a direction then pressing a or c-stick?

 

[FooltheFlames]

Umm... I actually use both... for when the situation suits it best.
There should be an option in the voting for people who user both- Or am just the only weird one who does?
I mainly use "input direction and A", since I have been playing Smash since I was a kid back in 1999 with the 64; it's just become my favored habit I guess~
But C-stick is still needed for retreating fairs and approaching bairs

 

[Purple_Anteater]

I use both as well. I Dair almost 100% of the time with the c-stick, and for retreating Fairs, or repeated up air or down air strings (MK) or if i just want to neutral jump aerial. Other than that i mostly use directional + A.