Learning Fox, and not having a great time

[RenoInMO]

So yesterday I started playing around with Fox, after thinking that I would learn someone new. I really enjoyed him right off the bat, I'm a big fan of fast, light characters. However, after reading up on the forums a bit and playing some FG, I'm getting completely bodied. I understand that he does have a bit of a learning curve, but I'm just getting destroyed all the time. I'm sure some of this has to do with my general game knowledge, but I also think I'm having issues with approaching my opponents. I almost always go for either a dash attack, grab (which I now know that I shouldn't use dash grabs since it's worse) or short hop n-air. Is there a better way of getting to my opponents? I'm trying to not be so predictable and it's proving rather difficult. Thanks for any help you guys can give.

 

[ZeroJanitor]

You could always try to go in and bait out a punish, or force an approach with lasers. Usually with Fox, if I can't create an opening, I try to play it safe up close until an opening shows up, then hit with a dash attack or up-tilt or whatever.

Honestly I'm not sure how I approach with Fox. I'm probably just getting lucky.

 

[DavemanCozy]

A lot of Fox's approaches are based on conditional situations that your opponents put themselves into. Look closely at what your opponents do, their habits, and pick them apart; Fox excels at playing bait and punish because of his speed letting him dash around and low startup moves.

So if you're getting your short hop aerials shielded, try just jumping, fastfalling and grabbing them when you land. Or if you land with your back towards them, you can pull an uptilt if you think they're going to release their shield. You can also hit them with Bair while crossing them up like this, it's safe on shield.

 

[-Cheeto]

When i play fox i generally try to make the opponent approach me using lasers or baiting them out by running at them and shielding and then my next move is based off of their approach. I think you might find this a bit easier than rushing them down.

 

[luke_atyeo]

I almost always go for either a dash attack, grab (which I now know that I shouldn't use dash grabs since it's worse).

running grabs with fox are amazing, people will shield against your approaches a lot as fox, and the running grab nets you setups that can them up into the air where you want them.
Running grabs wont work if you just keep running into attacks though.

Generally speaking, foxes approach game is kinda linear, if you just keep running at them in a straight line it wont work, keep that in mind always.
You shouldn't approach when you dont have to though.
The way I play which I've found a lot of success with, is weaving in and out.
Run at your opponent, stop before you get to them, keep running, move in and out and wait for them to swing, and then go in and hit them.

Imagine playing baseball, you throw the ball, the batter anticipates when the ball will reach him and swings early to hit it.
But what if the pitcher had the ability to make the ball instantly stop dead in its tracks for a second, and then instantly resume speed and course?
By changing the course and timing of the pitch from a set linear path to an unpredictable path, the batter will miss hitting the ball and leave himself wide open.

If you try to use the same idea in your approaches with fox you should have a lot more success.
Keep your movement up, dont stand still, keep an eye on the opponent, weave in and out and let your movement create openings for you.

 

[Tenretsujin10]

Spacing RAR (Reverse Aerial Rush) Backairs is great if your opponent is in shield a lot; if spaced correctly, it can't be shield grabbed.

Otherwise, Fox as a rushdown character is all about the mixups. Tomahawking/Empty shorthops are great for mixing up your approach option. Foxtrotting (lol) is also great since fox covers a lot of distance and you can bait out your opponents reactions and punish accordingly.

 

[PepaCorn]

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