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How To Pick Your Main

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StealthyGunnar

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USE THIS MOSTLY AS A GUIDE!

Due to a recent thread post, I've decided to show everyone my formula for picking up a main. NOTE: This is not fool proof. Do not rely only on this. It's just a logical way to pick a main in any game.

C = Your Main
X = Potential Main
F = How fun that character is
W = How high on the tier list/ how "good" that character is

Formula: C = X(F)(E)

Example/Translation: Your main = Captain Falcon(Extremely fun)(High tier, pretty "good")

Whichever character scores the highest, being fun while not terrible so you don't lose a bunch, could be a good potential main. I'm not dissing low tier mains such as Taj or Axe. In fact, they are two of my favorite smashers. And I'm not saying you can't win tournies using low tier characters; you can.


NOTE: This is not fool proof. Do not rely only on this. It's just a logical way to pick a main in any game, particularly SSB. Use this mostly as a guide.

EDIT: JesiahTEG makes a fair point. You should pick your main based on your motive. If you want to win more, pick a higher tier char like Fox or sheik. If you want to have more fun and don't really care about winning, pick whoever you want. Remember, this is your descision! You do not need to use this formula!

Also, just try picking up different characters and playing around with them. See which ones you like and which ones you don't. You don't need to use this formula. Again, it's just logical.
 

INSANE CARZY GUY

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Really it epneds on how YOU play.I love playing as puff but How I play better is as pichu and his odd movement. also no one would ever play as ness from these rules
 

StealthyGunnar

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Really it epneds on how YOU play.I love playing as puff but How I play better is as pichu and his odd movement. also no one would ever play as ness from these rules
Actually, I think ness and his djc abilities make matches really fun. And you're right. It does depend on you, which is why I said to play around with characters and see which ones you like. This "formula" isn't fool proof. It's more just like a guide.
 

INSANE CARZY GUY

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you should come up with other ways to pick mains and why __________ can be useful pichu taught me all the tech skill I know and somehow I cna JC shine in real time matches after messing with it for maybe 3 minutes. marth teaches you edge gaurd, edge tech, movement, combos and junk
 

JesiahTEG

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There are so many different ways to pick mains, based off so many different motives. The only one I can comment on would be for a Smasher trying to place as high as they can in tournies. If that's their motive, then you have to choose your main based on which personally resonates with you, and makes you feel comfortable and gives you a competitive edge. Read Taj's thread on Mewtwo philosophy, he talks about why he picked Mewtwo and it's pretty insightful.
 

Jim Morrison

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I don't think basing character choice on a formula is a good idea. Just mess around with characters you like and figure out what works for you.

How did you determine how much each factor weighs in the decision of a main?

Extra EDIT: I think this is bull**** overall. It's fun that you tried, but checking how fun a potential main is and how good he is on the tier list doesn't require a forumula (which it actually isn't)
 

StealthyGunnar

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I don't think basing character choice on a formula is a good idea. Just mess around with characters you like and figure out what works for you.

How did you determine how much each factor weighs in the decision of a main?
I did put in the post that this formula wasn't fool proof, and I did say to fool around with all the characters.

I'm mostly basing this formula on A) how fun you are having with this character and B) how "good" that character is.

Again this formula is mostly a guide and shouldn't be used by itself.



EDIT: Jesiah makes a fair point which I shall add in the OP, to pick what your main will be based on motive.
 

Jim Morrison

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"Pick your main by checking how good he is and how fun he is and find a nice balance!"

Isn't that basically the condensed version of the OP?

Just saying, haven't seen anything new in this thread.
 

StealthyGunnar

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"Pick your main by checking how good he is and how fun he is and find a nice balance!"

Isn't that basically the condensed version of the OP?

Just saying, haven't seen anything new in this thread.
It's nothing entirely new. I've posted a "how to pick my main" thread before, and I've seen others do it too. I guess the point of this thread is to stop those people from making new ones and to decide for themselves.
 

CloneHat

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Your main equals your potential main squared over square root of how fun your character is to the power of how good your character is. With brackets.

Get it right
 

ranmaru

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OH WOW FINALLY I CAN PICK MY MAIN

caps

*I think I'll pick mario* *unlocks doctor mario* oh hey *Doc looks sexier*

yeah.
 

ranmaru

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Please don't troll my thread... >.>
I was kidding.

Your formula is fine. I would actually try to go for viable characters that are fun.

So for me: Captain Falcon, Ice Climbers, Jiggs, Falco, Shiek... Maybe Ganon...

Good job. : D

You deserve praise for your effort on the formula. PRAISE *waivers hand*

There. : ]]
 

StealthyGunnar

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I was kidding.

Your formula is fine. I would actually try to go for viable characters that are fun.

So for me: Captain Falcon, Ice Climbers, Jiggs, Falco, Shiek... Maybe Ganon...

Good job. : D

You deserve praise for your effort on the formula. PRAISE *waivers hand*

There. : ]]
If that was not sarcastic then thank you. If it was then idc lol...
 

hemlock

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something that is helpful is to watch video of top players with every character. I recently decided to main Peach because I watched some videos and thought all the floating/turnip insanity looked extra fun
 

INSANE CARZY GUY

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sorry but when you ask people not to troll what do you think is going to happen?

But really it's just comfort, liking them, or wanting to win that makes you pick your main
 

M@d-F!ghter

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hey cash, i have a new thread idea for you:

Titel: how to eat

A = the food
B = the potential food
C = how good the food tastes
D = how hungry you are

The formula: A = B (C)(D)

Example/Translation: The Food = Spaghetti (tastes amazing)(im **** hungry)

cool now i know what i will eat today thanx to this formula, im saved :D
 

Mario & Sonic Guy

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I pick my mains, based on the following elements...

Smash Attack Usage: How reliable the character's smash attacks are; how fast they are, and how effective they are at KOing enemies.

Grab Usage: How reliable the character's grab game is; grab range, strength of the throws, dash grab effectiveness, chain grab capabilities.

All of the Above: How effective the character can fight without abusing his/her smash attacks or grabs.

For a few examples...

----------------
Yoshi

Smash Attack Usage: Yoshi's smash attacks are rather quick, and they pack a punch as well. Elements like that make them quite useful for making KOs.

Grab Usage: Yoshi's grab game sucks (even his dash grab is close to useless), which always makes me wonder why a level 9 Yoshi always abuses them. In most cases I just use Egg Lay to grab enemies. Of course, depending on the situation, Yoshi's grabs can be used to set up a KO.

All of the Above: Yoshi does rely on his smash attacks a lot, but some of his aerial attacks can sure pack a punch at high damage levels. Even his eggs can slow down opponents trying to recover.
----------------
Mewtwo

Smash Attack Usage: Mewtwo's smash attacks aren't all that reliable. The u-smash does have its uses, but the other smash attacks are either slow, have low range, or require hard to hit sweet-spots to be effective.

Grab Usage: Mewtwo is at its best with its grab game. Strong grab and dash grab, powerful throws, no way would I neglect those strengths. Of course, it is lacking in the chain grab department.

All of the Above: Mewtwo relies too much on its grab game to win, considering that most of its attacks don't exactly have KO potential. Its full power Shadow Ball can be effective for making KOs and stopping recoveries though.
----------------
Ganondorf

Smash Attack Usage: Ganondorf's smash attacks are powerful, but they are rather slow as well. Don't use them much, due to that drawback.

Grab Usage: Ganondorf is no Captain Falcon, so his grab game is less effective; dash grab isn't very reliable, due to his slow speed. Of course, it can still lead to an effective KO in certain situations.

All of the Above: Ganondorf doesn't even need his smash attacks or grabs to win. All of his moves have KO potential, especially his deadly d-air attack.
----------------

Basically, I analyze each character's strong points and choose which ones suit my tastes. After all, when facing other human players, you may want to use someone who has good smash attacks, effective projectiles, and doesn't always have to abuse his/her grabs. A lot of the high tier fighters have effective smash attacks and projectiles anyway.

Of course, everyone plays differently with each character.
 

StealthyGunnar

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I'm having trouble dividing by "pretty good'.
?

C = X(F)(E) is just a guide.

Whatever your motive may be, to have fun, or to win, you should pick characters that are either more fun than others or higher tier. It's all based on your motive.

So you would expect that your potential main would be (normally) a higher tier if you want to win more; therefore, your potential main would have more "E" than "F".
 

Teczer0

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Okay, do we really need a guide to how pick characters?

Play the game, find one or a few you like playing and roll with it.

Motive for winning is nice and all but you should have fun playing above all. You can win and have fun you know, its all how you look at it.

/thread
 
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