Marth's Counter

[Chris Lionheart]

Just wondering... how do you use this technique to its highest potential?

This special has already found its way as one of my favorite moves because I see it as a viable defensive staple. Plus its pretty annoying to your enemy when they get hit by their own attack x110%.

But I find that, atleast 30% of the time, I end up getting punished right after the actual working part of the counter ends. Another 20% of the time, I just don't get hit at all.


When should this move be best used to get the counter hit (or atleast the block) out?


Also the wiki says that counter has a minimum damage of 8%, but I find that this isn't true. I have had several cases of 7% return and even a case of 6% return before.

 

[phi1ny3]

It's also a bit of a set-up/spacer. Just watch, you'd be surprised with what can lead after it.

 

[xMiMix]

Yeah, I returned 7 too, but mostly its 8 though. Maybe there is a tipper on the counter as well?
I mainly use it when someone is trying to gimp / spike me with their fairs or w.e.
Too many times I had wolfs fly at me with their dairs and I just countered them and grabbed the edge.
If a strong attack is being charged up, lets say someone just randomly threw a falcon punch, its your time to get that percentage into their face.
Another thing is projectiles. Sheiks full charged needles do like 18% or so. But if you counter the 1st one needle, the rest just fly though you. Same thing with TL's arrows, you can counter them since they are so slow, and it takes about 5 arrows to be thrown at you at the same speed consistently for them to out speed your counter. But again watch the arrow cancel.
Sometimes you throw in a counter to keep your opponent guessing too.
OR you can always send that next to a ledge. Someone is using their A attack to get back on, hoping to hit you and get their spacing back, you just press counter and whoop they are already in the air.
Generally just for mind games, sometimes for damage, rarely for me though.

 

[BacklashMarth]

Counter is helpful since it can be used instead of blocking. Throw it out after you recover from a whiffed laggy attack and expect to be punished for it. Wait for a strong attack to come (samus charge shot, falcon pawnch, warlock punch, donkey fist, etc.) then feel free to spam the counter a little from a safe distance. Projectiles should be countered a medium range so you stay safe in case you counter and they don't use it. Powerful melee attacks should be pressured up close. The safest time to counter is in the air when your opponent jumps at you. To prevent certain recoveries you can hop off the ledge then counter.

 

[Nodrak]

Try this. Start a match against a CPU or a friend (cpu's dont get bored as easily though), set the stock high, 10, 15, 20 is ok. Fight as you normally would but anytime you shield, counter instead. You'll quickly learn when it's most useful, when it can be punished and how you can attack out or even into it.

 

[TKD+ITA+Mar=]

The counter has diminishing returns, so that's probably why it gives lower damage. I am curious of whether or not it has a tip though.

 

[SwordMaster_]

The only time I use the counter when I jump off the ledge or when I am recovering. Countering is really good when jumping off the ledge because most people charge their smash attack. When your counter hits there smash attack it will hit about 50% or more!

 

[1170]

Ike's Fsmash can be pretty much coutered on reaction.

I use counter against really slow people and or people that seem to be stuck in a mindset (for instance, an offensive player should fail against your counter; it forces them to think or slow down).

I wouldn't recommend countering projectiles, though. It's much easier to spot-dodge or power shield them, and they both have less lag. It could work in the right situation, but there are almost always better options.

 

[FishkeeperTimmay!]

Against Ness/Lucas' PK Thunder Tackles, you can shield, drop the shield, and still Counter the move. =P

It is pure LOLZ when you do it.