Taunts used at top level play
Also this is quite old but a fun read.
[COLLAPSE="Sir 0rion's Church of Taunting"]ookie crumbs for the Star Wars reference in the title. I have brought this church back from the dark depths of the internet, but first I need to be sure that you know: This material in this topic is originally created by Sir 0rion, not myself. I have resurrected it because he did not (and thus, will close it if he so requests). So, take your vows of showboating a buckle up, because.... Sir 0rion's Church of taunting is back!
There is only one thing people should play Smash Bros. Brawl for: taunting. Sure, we all like the characters, winning matches, and learning new techniques, but really, this game is all about ridiculing other people mercilessly. But when is it appropriate to taunt? When are the best times to do so? What are the rules of etiquette when taunting other people, and how can you utilize your taunts to get the maximum desired effect? One of the Tauntology neophytes' most flawed assumption is that a taunt will always be equally effective in every situation. This is surprisingly not the case. Taunts are to be used for dramatic effect, as a measure to destroy someone's will and make them play Halo instead. There are a few unrecognized ground rules for taunting that need to be addressed:
Rule 1: NOT ALL TAUNTS ARE CREATED EQUAL.
This should go without saying, but it's true. Olimar might be an extremely effective character, but he's just too quiet and inconspicuous to be a legitimate taunter (making him bottom tier in the official listings). The best taunts are quick, noisy, and easy to spam. Game and Watch was given two bell taunts for a reason. Every time you can have Kirby yell "Hi!" or Yoshi shout "Yep! Yep!" is a wonderful opportunity to bait someone into chasing after you.
Rule 2: THE EFFECT OF EACH SUBSEQUENT TAUNT INCREASES EXPONENTIALLY.
Edgeguarding is fine and dandy, but what if you taunt four different times, and THEN successfully edgeguard someone? It doesn't get much better than that.
EXCEPTION: If a taunt is interrupted, the effect is reduced to zero. Think of it like pulling off a line of tricks on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. If you screw up the last one, the points you get for all of the previous ones are erased.
Rule 3: TAUNTING AFTER KO-ING SOMEONE IS A CLICHE.
This might come as a surprise to some, but it's true. Anyone can taunt when there's no danger of reprisal. It's expected. It has a better effect if you taunt after YOU die, believe it or not.
EXCEPTION: SUCCESSFULLY SUICIDE-KILLING WITH BOWSER OR KIRBY. See Rule 9.
Rule 4: CERTAIN MOVES QUALIFY AS TAUNTS WHEN USE CORRECTLY.
Good examples are resting and singing as Jigglypuff from across the screen. Want to laugh at someone? Duck repeatedly in rapid succession as Game and Watch. Of course, this should never be used in lieu of the mighty bell taunt.
Rule 5: TAUNTING A MARTH THAT INTENDS TO COUNTER IS A THING OF BEAUTY.
This needs no explanation.
Shigen, stepping in: This goes for Ike too, but it gets less honor. Unless you can taunt twice in the time of his counter, that is.
3shigen2
(Topic Creator)
Posted 1/5/2009 8:38:31 PM
Rule 6: IN AN ONLINE MATCH, DON'T ADD QUOTES TO YOUR TAUNTS.
"Really? Why not?" Because taunts should be contextual. Leave it open to interpretation. The more time they spend trying to figure out just what the hell you're trying to say with your taunt, the more time you can spend beating them up, or better yet, taunting some more.
Rule 7: A MATCH THAT CONSISTS ALMOST SOLELY OF TAUNTING IS ACCEPTABLE, GIVEN THE QUALITY OF THE TAUNT.
If you are playing a Kirby vs. Kirby match, the proper way to fight is to taunt each other until one person gets bored and makes the mistake of attacking. This is especially true during a free-for-all that comes down to two survivors. Make the people that made the mistake of dying (probably because they weren't taunting properly) wait as long as necessary. If you have a low-quality taunt set for your characters, however, taunt duels should be avoided. A Zelda vs. Olimar taunt match is just sad.
Rule 8: OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES DICTATE THAT IF SNAKE SUCCESSFULLY EDGE GUARDS SOMEONE WITH A TAUNT, HE WINS THE MATCH.
It's listed right after "No items."
Shigen, stepping in: This goes for Luigi as well, but to a slightly lesser extent.
Rule 9: LANDING CERTAIN MOVES REQUIRE YOU TO TAUNT AFTERWARDS.
Landing a Falcon Punch requires a taunt immediately after wards. Landing a Warlock Punch requires you to perform all three of Ganondorf's (or Kirby's) taunts afterwards. Landing a fully-charged Eruption requires no less than seven taunts throughout the course of the next person's life.
Rule 10: DON'T TAUNT ANY BEGINNER TRYING TO LEARN THE GAME.
It's like punching a toddler. There's no challenge in it. Of course, if they taunt you (probably after getting a KO), all bets are off.
Shigen's Rule 11: TAUNT-CANCELLING A FALCON PUNCH IS EXCELLENT.
If you are Luigi or Snake, and cancel a Falcon Punch with your taunt, your enemy should forfeit in shame. In fact, they should go and demean themselves by becoming travelling entertainers, or visiting 4Chan.
Shigen's Rule 12: FLOWING TAUNTS WORK BETTER.
If, when following Rule 2, you can get your taunts to chain together in a way where the end of one and the start of another are connected, you will feel even more sucess. If you do not understand what this means, go do Game and Watch's Side Taunt, then, while then taunt is going, repeatedly mash the Up Taunt until it begins. They will appear to be one long taunt in which Game and Watch moves the bell from a forward position to one above his head. Lucario is also good at this.
Shigen's Rule 13: IASA AND THE PAUNCH.
One final rule, to end on a number filled with superstition. Captain Falcon's "Show Your Moves" taunt contains a few IASA frames. You can utilize these frames, and interrupt your own taunt with a Falcon Punch, which, if sucessful, causes the Wii to instantly explode.
Live by these simple rules and the power for your taunts will be far greater than ever seen. This concludes our preliminary sermon. Can I get a "Show me your moves,"?[/COLLAPSE]
I'm certain I saw rule 8 somewhere in the Apex rule set.
