How to get better at Melee (and Smash in general)?

[SideSmash13]

I recently downloaded Nintendont and an ISO of Melee for my Wii, and it's fun to play and all, but what I hate is losing to level 5 CPU's. After watching videos of competitive play, I am dumbstruck as to how they even do all that. I started playing Smash about a year and a half ago on Sm4sh for a while, but I like Melee better (obviously). So let's face it. In your eyes, if you watched me play, I'd be labeled as a "noob" or a "scrub". I am and I accept that. I still tap-jump. I don't know anything about any technical stuff about Smash. I don't know any advanced techniques. None. I can't wavedash, short hop, L-cancel, edge hop, tech, dash dance... You name it, I can't do it. I just don't know HOW to get better from my skill level.

I'm just not sure what I can do. I don't know if any of you have ever been in this position, feeling very discouraged as a newbie and losing to computer players and knowing nothing about the advanced side of smash.

What would you guys recommend for me? I'm willing to do anything to get better.

 

[Ezlo]

Don't worry! Everyone feels this when they start -- no one starts out amazing. All it takes to get better is a crapton of smart practicing. The most important things to start are getting used to how the game feels, and learning tech skill.

So first, getting used to how it feels. This is to give you as much control as you can get, and to speed up your gameplay. If you haven't played much, even just running around in training mode with Fox (who I'm assuming is your main) and getting used to his jump and double jump can help immensely. You'll also want to start using X and/or Y to jump here, and start using the C-stick a bit for smash attacks and aerials. All of this will help you get used to how the controller feels and how the character feels for the most basic movement. (Don't skip this step, please. It honestly helps, especially if you're using tap jump.)

Next, you can start learning tech skill. There's a lot of guides out there, but I personally like EvenMatchupGaming's series. It talks about both Melee and Project M (recorded in Project M, but the techniques are the same), and will help you learn the basic techniques that work for all characters. Unfortunately, it's cut short, but it covers all the stuff you'll need to learn first (and maybe a little more). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGS5eT68P-8&list=PL7EcSDUpgrOmM3pjPbX1e5D22EVL32f1g
You don't necessarily have to practice this in order, but you should definitely work on what is shown in the first two episodes before everything else. This stuff is hard, and will take a lot of practice, but with some dedicated practice and a bit of time you'll have it down. Remember, everyone went through this same thing. I personally would also recommend getting the 20XX training hack pack to help you learn some of these techniques better (I'll DM you an ISO if you want.)

One last thing to note is that using these techniques won't automatically make you a better player. For almost everything, you have to learn when to use it, and what you can use it for. (except L-cancelling. There is no time in which L-cancelling will not help you).

Remember, practicing these things takes a lot of time. Everyone struggles with it at first, but if you stick with it, most of this will become second nature. Eventually, you'll get to a point where all these techniques feel easy, and you won't even remember what it felt like to have trouble with it.
Good luck, and happy smashing!

 

[SideSmash13]

Don't worry! Everyone feels this when they start -- no one starts out amazing. All it takes to get better is a crapton of smart practicing. The most important things to start are getting used to how the game feels, and learning tech skill.

So first, getting used to how it feels. This is to give you as much control as you can get, and to speed up your gameplay. If you haven't played much, even just running around in training mode with Fox (who I'm assuming is your main) and getting used to his jump and double jump can help immensely. You'll also want to start using X and/or Y to jump here, and start using the C-stick a bit for smash attacks and aerials. All of this will help you get used to how the controller feels and how the character feels for the most basic movement. (Don't skip this step, please. It honestly helps, especially if you're using tap jump.)

Next, you can start learning tech skill. There's a lot of guides out there, but I personally like EvenMatchupGaming's series. It talks about both Melee and Project M (recorded in Project M, but the techniques are the same), and will help you learn the basic techniques that work for all characters. Unfortunately, it's cut short, but it covers all the stuff you'll need to learn first (and maybe a little more). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGS5eT68P-8&list=PL7EcSDUpgrOmM3pjPbX1e5D22EVL32f1g
You don't necessarily have to practice this in order, but you should definitely work on what is shown in the first two episodes before everything else. This stuff is hard, and will take a lot of practice, but with some dedicated practice and a bit of time you'll have it down. Remember, everyone went through this same thing. I personally would also recommend getting the 20XX training hack pack to help you learn some of these techniques better (I'll DM you an ISO if you want.)

One last thing to note is that using these techniques won't automatically make you a better player. For almost everything, you have to learn when to use it, and what you can use it for. (except L-cancelling. There is no time in which L-cancelling will not help you).

Remember, practicing these things takes a lot of time. Everyone struggles with it at first, but if you stick with it, most of this will become second nature. Eventually, you'll get to a point where all these techniques feel easy, and you won't even remember what it felt like to have trouble with it.
Good luck, and happy smashing!

I see. First thing I'll definitely do is get used to using X and Y to jump and using the C stick for aerials. I'd really appreciate a link to the 20XX ISO . Another thing that deters me a little is that I'm in high school and I don't have a whole bunch of free time. I'll practice when I can, and I'll watch the tech videos as well.

Thanks!

 

[Ezlo]

Hey dude, don't worry! I'll hook you up with 20XX asap. Also, being in high school isn't a problem -- I'm in my senior year of high school, myself. Just put some time aside that you might normally use to watch shows or mess around on the internet. Use the time to practice or watch good matches. Doesn't have to be ages, just enough to see improvement.

 

[DutchCG]

Everyone has been there man, just take it a step at a time. I

started with just dash dancing. It's easy to start learning but very hard to master.
Simply taping left and right.
I play Marth but he is great to learn it with. try to make it look like he is skating and you can get the timing that way.

I moved to wave dashing afterwards. Start with Samus or Luigi and get comfortable just jumping a short hop by running forward and tapping y(or x). I found it MUCH EASIER to learn short hopping while running. Ganon is GREAT to learn short hopping with. Move to tighter timing when you are comfortable.
Eventually adding in the airdodge will teach you the wave dash.


Your best option, set a goal!

"I'm gonna get 5 short hops in a row."
"I'm gonna get 10 now that I got 5."
"I'm gonna have 3 good wave-dashes in 30 seconds."

Start small and when you find something is no longer hard, add in a level 5 CP on just the regular game where the CPs aren't good.
YOU CAN DO IT!

 

[MajinBuu272]

#1 Rule to git gud - Play a top tier

but really, getting in plenty of practice and learning proper tech is probably the foundation of improving.