Main/Co-Main Questions

[ThaRealEZ]

Hey guys!

Fairly new to the Smash community but no rookie to the smash games themselves. As far as picking a main and co-main I was just curious as to what I should have in mind when picking these characters. Your main is obviously a character you like/play well with/ win with but what about your co-main? I know they should cover each other's glaring weaknesses but how can i determine who is better at doing that?

An example that comes to mind immediately (and please don't get caught up on this if it is not entirely accurate- I'm only trying to give the best example I can to prove my point) would be:

Main- CF
Co-main- someone who is not a rush down, close range, pressure specific character but rather someone who has range (or mid-distance to long-distance zoning techs) to cover CF's attacking deficits.... say Link.

Keep in mind I am not really asking for a specific co-main to CF (he isn't my main anyways :DD) but rather what types of things should I have on my mind when choosing one.

Let me know what you think and I'll do my best to stay on top of the responses and direction of the convo :D

 

[Pyr]

Your Main should be someone within your comfort zone. Your Secondary should be someone who can deal with the characters that take you out of your comfort zone with your main. That's how I see it, at least.

 

[ThaRealEZ]

Your Main should be someone within your comfort zone. Your Secondary should be someone who can deal with the characters that take you out of your comfort zone with your main. That's how I see it, at least.

Yeah I see what you mean. That is definitely a good point- one that I was not thinking of. But as far as play-style goes what should be considered when selecting a co-main, besides personal comfort?

 

[ThaRealEZ]

With reference to zoning, rushdown, pressure etc.

 

[Pyr]

Yeah I see what you mean. That is definitely a good point- one that I was not thinking of. But as far as play-style goes what should be considered when selecting a co-main, besides personal comfort?

None, really. If you like to zone, both can be zone characters. If you like rushdown, both can be rushdown. Go with what you know. I like trap characters that can pressure when they're in, thus I pick characters that are a combo of them, or are specifically trap or pressure characters. In 2D fighters, I like zoning characters with offensive traits (and shotos).

Basically, your secondary character doesn't have to have a different playstyle, unless it's a different playstyle you can do well with and enjoy. As unhelpful as it may sound, play what you know, and learn what you don't. After you learn what you don't, play what makes you the strongest.

 

[ThaRealEZ]

Okay I see.. so co-mains dont need to cover playstyle differences? I just figured one would have a better chance at covering all characters with playstye differences the same way shielding beats attacks beats grabs beats shielding.. like rock paper scissors.

 

[Dre89]

Okay I see.. so co-mains dont need to cover playstyle differences? I just figured one would have a better chance at covering all characters with playstye differences the same way shielding beats attacks beats grabs beats shielding.. like rock paper scissors.

It depends on why you have a secondary. If you play a second character just because you really like them, then it doesn't matter what playstyles they have. If you're picking up a secondary for competitve purposes, you normally want a character who has a different playstyle to your main (eg. a zoner and a zonebreaker) or just one that covers the bad MUs of your main.

Competitive-oriented secondaries only really make sense if your main is a high tier character though. It doesn't make sense to main DK then have Diddy as secondary for competitive purposes because Diddy has better MUs against pretty much the entire cast.

 

[ThaRealEZ]

It depends on why you have a secondary. If you play a second character just because you really like them, then it doesn't matter what playstyles they have. If you're picking up a secondary for competitve purposes, you normally want a character who has a different playstyle to your main (eg. a zoner and a zonebreaker) or just one that covers the bad MUs of your main.

Competitive-oriented secondaries only really make sense if your main is a high tier character though. It doesn't make sense to main DK then have Diddy as secondary for competitive purposes because Diddy has better MUs against pretty much the entire cast.

Thanks a bunch Dre89. This was exactly what I was trying to get at. I never said anything about competitive purposes and I should have. I am not sure if there is a lack of material or if I have not looked in the right places but as far as characters are categorized.. is there some sort of informal list for that? Like these five characters are zone breakers, these 3 are zoners etc.? I am starting to think that the question I asked was not worded properly or rather I asked the wrong question initially lol..