How well can low-tiers compensate?

[Saikyoshi]

This is more of a general fighting game question than any, but this is where the expertise is here.

If one feels comfortable with low-tier characters, how does one compensate for their natural disadvantage? Is it even possible to?

 

[rawrimamonster]

Gimmicks mostly, it's all a lot of them have. I think Yoshi is like the cut off point for a few things, but even he has extreme trouble with any of the actual good characters.

 

[Saikyoshi]

Gimmicks mostly, it's all a lot of them have. I think Yoshi is like the cut off point for a few things, but even he has extreme trouble with any of the actual good characters.

Yeah, I'm well-aware they're lower-G upper-F tier, which is why in a Melee or Brawl setup, I'm in trouble. (And why I'm glad he's been buffed in every way for SSB4, if early reports are to be believed.)

However, I have heard that some players like AMSA have done interesting things with them. I'm a relative newcomer, so can someone tell me the deal with that?

 

[rawrimamonster]

Using mid to low tiers at a high level is pretty much exploiting all your available options (or Gimmicks) at the right time while trying not to get hit, because with a lot of them (unless it's pikachu and sometimes mewtwo) when they're off the ledge they're ****ed. That may sound like a really generic explanation but it's a lot deeper than that. If you're really looking to dedicate to low tier I'd suggest going to their specific character board and look through help threads and guides.

Also go to the facebook Melee group and ask to find players in your area, that's the best way to get good quicker. Or if you cant get in there go to regional zones here. Facebook groups are usually faster nowadays.

 

[Jedisupersonic]

It also depends on the players, if you really know your character despite the tiers you can get some upsets, but generally you have to be extremely careful if you are up against someone on the higher up with a higher tiered character,. But I find sometimes the lower tiers have the advantage of surprise and underestimation.

 

[Saikyoshi]

Using mid to low tiers at a high level is pretty much exploiting all your available options (or Gimmicks) at the right time while trying not to get hit, because with a lot of them (unless it's pikachu and sometimes mewtwo) when they're off the ledge they're ****ed. That may sound like a really generic explanation but it's a lot deeper than that. If you're really looking to dedicate to low tier I'd suggest going to their specific character board and look through help threads and guides.

It also depends on the players, if you really know your character despite the tiers you can get some upsets, but generally you have to be extremely careful if you are up against someone on the higher up with a higher tiered character,. But I find sometimes the lower tiers have the advantage of surprise and underestimation.

I see.
So basically, if I'm understanding this right, defensive hit and run's generally the way to start while figuring out ways to maximize a character's few individual strengths to the point of becoming a specialist in neglected niches.

That sounds like it takes a lot of resourcefulness, but if I don't have that, what business have I competing at all? I think I can stand up to the challenge, at least for a while.

 

[rawrimamonster]

I see.
So basically, if I'm understanding this right, defensive hit and run's generally the way to start while figuring out ways to maximize a character's few individual strengths to the point of becoming a specialist in neglected niches.

That sounds like it takes a lot of resourcefulness, but if I don't have that, what business have I competing at all? I think I can stand up to the challenge, at least for a while.

Pretty much, your mistake punishment game has to be absolutely tight as well because lower tiered chars cannot create openings as well as higher tiers because they lack those options.

 

[Jedisupersonic]

I see.
So basically, if I'm understanding this right, defensive hit and run's generally the way to start while figuring out ways to maximize a character's few individual strengths to the point of becoming a specialist in neglected niches.

That sounds like it takes a lot of resourcefulness, but if I don't have that, what business have I competing at all? I think I can stand up to the challenge, at least for a while.

I'm going to be starting competitive on an awkward foot myself at apex. My mains rank all over the place in various games.

In melee my main is Link who does have some reliable options but if I screw up I'll be getting tossed around for a little bit by faster characters like Fox and Falcon

 

[Elyssa Xey Hexen]

My thought of attempting to play a character that lacks tools is to play the person and not really the character. By all means use your guaranteed stuff on Fox, but when getting around say a Marth when you are pichu sort of means you have to rely more upon the other person messing up.