well i know what DI is: Direction Influence
however, i know that this is not my best match, and the opponent was pretty sick of brawl there^^
btw. i don´t if you call it combo or pressure string, it might be correct, but if you take a look at the combo videos, how many things they pull of are COMBO´s? almost noone
ty for critic, but you didn´t say anything, that helps me to get a better player
Sorry Ill try to be nice they could get out of it because they had time to airdodge in many of the circumstances heck the computers did it and DIing can change the way move after getting hit aka it may take you slightly longer to reach them an in that time they could hit your or dodge or something. There are many ways out of them I can start pulling specifics if you like.
The reason I said pressure strings was because what you are doing is good and often times keeps the opponent on the defense and you in control of the game, which is good, but they can get out of it, but in most cases even if they get out of it counter attacks will be tricky for a least a few moments.
If you want to get to be a better player
I would try just playing a lot of different people 1 or 2 other people isn't going to be enough, and computers don't help trust me.
Get really good at moving around with ZSS. Like timing your aireals so you can hit crouching opponents consistently and stuff like that.
Over B and down smash are for fear, in other words place them between the oppenent and yourself to make their approach problematic.
They can also be used for counters and punishing.
I think there is a guide on how to play as ZSS a page back or 2 but its outdated but its still a nice place to start.
Specific help
Saw those ZSS vs Pika fights this is my most experienced matchup because my friend also mains pika.
First advice for the pikachu
standing thundershocks nooooo. The best thing I have seen is slowly retreating thundershocks. like shorthop thundershock, shorthop thundershock, short hop thunder shock, repeat all while running away.
Pikachus good approaches, forward air, down air (causes electric explosion on landing). and run up shield downsmash/grab. Learn to wavebounce thunder as well its pretty annoying and hard to recover when a pikachu is doing it.
Advice for ZSS
Pikachu is a tricky fellow for ZSS, use over B and d-smash more than normal, and just try to slowly approach pikachu.
Use the first hit of the over B to cancel out thundershock and second to hit him, this is pretty reliable in this fight.
This match is all about who gets off their killing move first. ZSS has three primary killing moves on pikachu u-air, back air and over B.
Pikachu has 3 thunder, and f-smash both are relatively slow *note not dsmash because if you DI up while in it you pop out of it way before it ends. The only really dangerous one is usmash this comes out fast and will kill you around 120%.
All three of your moves especially the u-air can easily connect and will kill Pikachu anywhere between 120-150% reliably, between this and punishing missed thunders and downsmashes with downsmashes of your own for free 40-50% damage, is the best way to win the match.
