I feel like my fingers aren't fast enough. Help.

[Earthboundy]

This is probably a dumb issue, but I feel like I can predict my opponent, but can't react fast enough with my fingers. I've already put 22 hours in with my main, and have gotten better but I still need help with this.

 

[Firedemon0]

Practice is basically all you can do. Go into training mode and practice your inputs.

 

[Jebus244]

What are you using as a reference? For Glory? If so, don't worry. For glory is a bad example. I played a Mario/Falcon main last night and couldn't take a single game off him, even though we had similar play styles and I was making good reads, I was trying some heavy inputs that weren't registering correctly in the game, even though I have no problem doing them in practice. Like dash dancing, reversing my foxtrot, foxtrot reverse fsmash (kept doing ftilt), I don't even try perfect pivot on FG anymore, unless I know I'm better. He did have a better edge game, but I had a better ground game. Edge game wins, but I should have been able to take a few games if it weren't for the input lag.

 

[Earthboundy]

What are you using as a reference? For Glory? If so, don't worry. For glory is a bad example. I played a Mario/Falcon main last night and couldn't take a single game off him, even though we had similar play styles and I was making good reads, I was trying some heavy inputs that weren't registering correctly in the game, even though I have no problem doing them in practice. Like dash dancing, reversing my foxtrot, foxtrot reverse fsmash (kept doing ftilt), I don't even try perfect pivot on FG anymore, unless I know I'm better. He did have a better edge game, but I had a better ground game. Edge game wins, but I should have been able to take a few games if it weren't for the input lag.

I've been using smash ladder

 

[Spinosaurus]

Yeah if it's online, you really can't escape input lag. Not much you can do about it, unfortunately.

 

[Raijinken]

That said, even outside of lag, sometimes it's very hard to noticeably improve your own reaction speeds. Just keep playing and it will slowly improve.

 

[DavemanCozy]

I got a LAN adapter for my Wii U a few weeks ago, it's been making online a much better experience since I don't have to share the wireless with my roommates anymore. I might just try Anther's ladder with it.

This is probably the best tip I can give you to improve online. The LAN adapter cost me around $15, nothing more than pizza money.

 

[digiholic]

I know what helped me improve in League of Legends was playing rhythm games like Osu!. Osu! was good for League because it also improved mouse control, which isn't really relevant in Smash, but it does help you see things and react to them quicker.

 

[GhostUrsa]

Developing muscle memory is slower in this game when trying to apply pressure for newer players because of the sheer number of match ups you have to be able to adapt to, in my opinion. I can relate to your issue, as it is something most players who are stuck between the for fun only players and the competent level required for Competitive play have experienced.

The best thing I can recommend is to practice against a particular MU for a while to get your practice before moving on to another. The issue with For Glory is that your opponent is random, so you'll never know who your opponent is next. This is great for simulating a tournament environment, but terrible when trying to learn how to adapt during a particular matchup. If you know of a smashboards player that has a character you're stuck on, have them meet up with you and do some friendlies for experience. If you are only able to access For Glory, once you find someone with the matchup you need experience against stay with them for a while.

In either case, keep your head cool and keep your analytical skills going during the match. With practice you'll find that the gap between you seeing a punish and you executing on the punish will get smaller. It will never completely go away, but what you'll find instead is that you'll start recognizing the opponent's fighting style and be able to 'read' what they'll do next and it won't matter.

It's the problem with seeing what you need to do but can't react to it. You are 'reacting' to their work instead of being 'proactive' in your fight. Some characters can be reactive, but most need to have a gameplan to successfully win. You'll find with time and practice, that you'll do less reacting and more setups.

TL:DR, Don't give up and keep at it. We've all been there at some point.

 

[Wintropy]

Physical therapy does wonders for this sort of thing. Even when you're attending work or on the bus, just set yourself tiny exercises that you can perform regularly and routinely. Experiment with reacting to certain stimuli, like every time you see a red car pass by, tap your fingers together and see how long it takes you to react, or time yourself for a minute and see how many times you can tap your fingers together before running out the clock.

It's the little things that will gradually make a big difference. You'll never notice it consciously, but if you practice often and clearly, you will improve, I promise!

 

[PixelPerfect]

The only thing that I can recommend is to get practice. Get someone to come over or someone on the boards and practice against them. With practice muscle memory will begin to develop and faster inputs will become easier. It's not going to come that easy though. I put around 80 hours in with my main before I could win with him consistently and I still need to improve.