this actually sounds really fun, I'm glad people are experimenting with this sort of stuff. I'd be happy to help with anything you need, I just need to get that equipment first!
Thank you for being the first to actually give this a chance, just follow the steps and they're all yours, then you would need to equip them to any character you plan on using.
I'll post the exact locations here as I was about to update my original post again. Here's the Smooth Lander Brawn Badge people tend to use for their SL+HG mode, best use a Golden Hammer for instant access.
Here's the second badge to find, arguably the easiest out of the three.
& finally, the badge that can make a difference, slightly hard for those who have trouble beating one intense ticket, but there is no shame in using your most overpowered Custom set to complete that task.
Now, I'd like to explain myself on why I chose the two other equipment(not counting Smooth Lander) for this set. For one, there's not a lot of non-character specific equipment in the Challenge board, and the majority of them are equipment that will most likely stall matches, like Vampire or Perfect Shield Helper for example.
The Equipment "Desperate Specialist" really acts like X-Factor and/or Tekken Tag 2's Rage effect where it gives the user a buff in attack by 1.7x, takes damage by .33x, and increases speed & jump by 1.55x all for 20 seconds once they reach 100%, thats a total of 60 seconds in a 3 Stock match. This I'm in the minority in saying that not only do I like the Rage idea, I found rage in a normal Smash isn't that great of a comeback mechanic, unless you're using Lucario. I guess I could argue that you're not being punished for winning, but rather you're being punished for not killing your opponent below 100%. I should also point out that while your opponent activates that ability, you can keep attacking before they get the chance to strike, or long enough to wear off. When they do manage to comeback, they themselves might have to deal with you activating Desperate Specialist.
Desperate Specialist can be tested in practice mode using a bunch of Deku nuts on yourself, just be aware that knock back is set to 1.0x from the preferred 0.9x.
The other Equipment "No-Flinch Smasher" I'm not entirely sure how it'll work in a match with real players as the CPUs I've tested out with almost always counter my ability by grabbing, evading, or use their counter attack. The ability feels like Ultra Street Fighter 4's Red Focus, but it can only withstand attacks while in the charge. It's useful for Little Mac as it transitions to his Super Armor Smash Attacks when he unleashes it while King Dedede & Ike will have a harder time with their Forward Smash as the ability doesn't cover them lifting up their weapon for the charge. The user will also have to think on which smash attack to make better use of the ability as you might endure a hit or two, but whiff the counter because you chose the wrong Smash attack. Again, this ability in particular I need player input as the CPUs themselves don't often charge their Smash attacks, but at least charging as a better use in a 1v1 match & in my honest opinion, this ability simply makes sense as every smash attack a Character does looks like they're doing a Focus Attack(vice versa when I first saw SF4), but that's just me personally.
The two Equipment can really go hand in hand as you can charge around 90%, endure a hit, then counter with a Smash attack with Desperate Specialist activated. That may sound "overpowered" but if everyone does that, opponents can easily get around and counter that strategy. All that with the addition Smooth Lander which is essentially an auto L-Cancel, I believe this will make for a really unique Smash. Now this set I really didn't have in mind at first as I would much rather have different equipment with no random stats. Out of all the equipment found in challenges, I believe this set can work.
From time to time, I feel like my idea could of been either Sakurai's or the folks over at Bandai Namco if they truly wanted to make Smash 4 completely different from the rest of Smash. Instead, they locked it away for challenges. Just imagine how more chaotic 8-player smash would be if everyone has this set. 2v2s & even 4v4s could be more interesting to see.
I should point out that Desperate Specialist can activate on Stamina mode as well, but changes depending on how much HP you put on your character. On 250HP, it will trigger at 50HP or lower for example.
This has potential, but I still have yet to receive a response from the majority of the Smash Community throughout most of last month, probably due to them practicing for Apex, or the mere mention of the word "equipment". It can perfectly be tested online with Friends, as long as they have the same exact set like mine. It can also be transferred to the 3DS version and be used the exact same way as the Launch Rate option can be adjusted to 0.9x in that version too. It unfortunately just can't equip custom moves unless you plan sending in numbered sets like Mario's 2222 for example.
I'll admit that I'm a little intimidated showing off something like this to the Smash community. Any non-balance change is enough to turn people away. I've yet to see any footage of my idea & I don't have the ability to record matches or upload replays to youtube. I had to start somewhere so I was encouraged to post this to Smashboards. At worst, this could be only used for casual play only, side-tournament at the very best.
That's what I've been doing this past month, if anyone else is willing to give this a shot, let me know.
