Thanks! I definitely will keep all this in mind. It’s my first tournament experience so I’m not expecting to win or anything but I’m also not expecting to do badly at all. I know I’m a good player and I know my Ness is hard to deal with which is why I want to make sure I set myself up to win in anyway possible
Let me give you a couple more tips then.
Tip #1: Never choose your character first.
When you sit down at the console, play on your phone, distract yourself, do whatever. It will be awkward. A lot of players will counter pick the first match if they see you are playing a certain character. If neither of you chooses a character (or they try to change characters after you pick yours), you can call for a double blind pick. You each wisper to a third party (or just write it down) which character you are going to play with. This prevents counter picking the first match.
Edit: Don't counter pick them. If you were going to start with Ness and they choose a character that is a bad MU for Ness, don't change. Don't be that person. But also, don't let them counter pick you.
Tip #2: Most players don't strike or ban stages.
Typically, when you and your opponent are choosing a stage, you just choose a stage to play on. Most of the time it's Smashville. If they say, "Hey, wanna play on BF?". Don't be afraid to say no. Then you can suggest FD, or whatever stage you prefer. If they decline, then start the actual striking process.
Tip #3: Use your bans only when you have too.
Let's say you win the first match. Winners get to ban one of the neutral/counter pick stages. Losers get to choose the next stage. Don't say anything about banning. If they pick Castle Seige, or a stage you really don't want to play, use your ban on that stage. Before choosing, they make ask what stage you want to ban. At this point you have to ban a stage. The reason for this is because people talk, especially if they lose. They'll tell their buddy who you play, habits and what stages you don't like. They do this to give their buddy an advantage when they play you.
Tip #4: Get plenty of sleep the night before.
Your nerves are going to make you do stupid things. Like SD. Like tilt when you meant to smash. You don't want to be tired and nervous.
Tip #5: Eat healthy. Don't eat a bunch of sugary junk food. This can slow your reaction times. Eat healthy and consume the right amount of caffeine for you. Too much may make you jittery, too little may not give you the focus you want. You know your body.
Tip #6: Make friends. Almost everyone I've interacted with at Smash tournaments have been really good guys.
Lastly, the most important tip...
Tip #6: Have fun!
You know those videos where people get really salty and pop off? They aren't there to have fun. They are there to win. When they don't win, they get salty and probably never go back to another tournament, because they "had a bad experience". Don't let the competitiveness of winning ruin your experience of playing a fun game with other people. Just have fun, and I promise you, you'll do better than if you are playing to win.
I hope these help.
