Shielding Intelligence Problem

[Double Helix]

So my movement has drastically improved since the last time I created the improving movement thread. I still feel as though this is a movement problem because I am having trouble using all of my options well. As a reminder, I am a Ness main, so my best tool is WDing in my opinion. In any case, I have found that since I don't play people often, I find myself shielding a lot when I actually do. I wish this is the part where I upload a video and say, help me with some situations I shielded too much, but I don't have any. So: How do I get shield more intelligently to open up my movement options?

So far, it seems like when I move it is good, but when I shield, I cannot do anything (I need to learn how to shield drop and find a way to practice it). So I feel like in order to best use my movement options, I should shield less. Sometimes I shield where I should, but those moments never stick out because I shield too much.

 

[BTmoney]

If you have a bad habit of shielding too much try playing as if you can't shield. Don't ever shield before you need to. Adjust from there.
Also make WD and jumping OOS your go-to/2nd nature methods of moving out of your shield, don't roll unless you want to roll.

Lastly, for practical and movement purposes I would recommend learning how to dash shield drop first. It's easier and opens up more movement options. Ness could stand to have stronger movement. Standard shield dropping is just as good (better in some cases) but harder and if you're not getting your shield hit and you want to drop through a plat just do a dash drop rather than an a standard drop, since it's easier and does the exact same thing.

 

[Double Helix]

I actually don't roll that often. I end up WDing OoS or jumping as you say, but it is just too much shielding. How do you shield drop? I don't actually know how to do it even if I do end up getting my shield hit.

 

[Superspright]

WD OoS is the best option, or if you want to learn shielddropping there is an easy way. Crouch on a platform as fast as possible. If you fall through you messed up--if you crouch you did a perfect shield drop. For some reason the timings and pressure seems to be about the same. That's how I learn it, because you don't fall through and have to go back up to the platform to retry.

 

[BTmoney]

I actually don't roll that often. I end up WDing OoS or jumping as you say, but it is just too much shielding. How do you shield drop? I don't actually know how to do it even if I do end up getting my shield hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLu5972oPZc

(easier, more practical for purely moving, getting off a platform. It's the same mechanic but the notches in the controller help with this method)

http://www.smashboards.com/threads/shai-drop-update-detailed-guide-frame-data.322062/


Basically, shield dropping is very sensitive. Very, very sensitive. If you push too fast/hard/slow you'll either angle your shield down and sit on the platform or spot dodge. You want to get the sweet spot in between that. It's pretty hard to learn but it's not so hard repeating it once you get the feel for it, just like any other tech.
Personally I can dash shield drop just fine but standing shield drops work for me about 1/4th of the time. But I don't practice it.

 

[swanized]

to do a shield drop you basically just have to shield on a platform and tilt the stick down, not so down that you spotdodge but far enough that you drop through the platform. It's a pretty precise input so it takes a lot of practice to get it right. What I recommend is plugging a second controller so you don't have a computer bothering you and practice shield drops until you can do it consistently. Once you're consistent with the motion practice shield dropping out of shield stun. (what I do for this is that I take the second controller with one hand and, using fox, I full hop and nair the shield of my shield dropping character as I try to shield drop with my other hand on the other controller.)

also, dash shield drops are much easier and situationally useful: http://www.smashboards.com/threads/shai-drop-update-detailed-guide-frame-data.322062/

Shield dropping is super good so it's definitely worth practicing. On the topic of shielding too much there's not much I have to say other then keep working on your movement. As long as you outmaneuver and outspace your opponent you'll never need to have a shield up. You also probably give your opponent too much respect so as others have mentionned, it might be a good idea to play without shielding.

 

[Double Helix]

Well, after practicing for a far too short time, I have found it easier to shield drop when light shielding. Any idea why this would occur?

 

[AppleAppleAZ]

Shield dropping is OP. Learn to use it as your go to platform option.

Just tilt the control stick (shield di) to the right or left all the way. Then roll the stick down to the bottom when you want to shield drop.

Poof! Easy mode. It's less safe but its a lot easier to do consistently.

 

[swanized]

Well, after practicing for a far too short time, I have found it easier to shield drop when light shielding. Any idea why this would occur?

Dash shield drops are much easier when light shielding. For a normal shield drop light shielding shouldn't make a difference, shield dropping out of a light shield isn't that useful anyways because when you go for an aerial out of your drop you'll probably have slid too far away for it to connect.

Actually light shielding probably gets you in the mindset of having a gentle touch which is why you find the subtle movement of the control stick easier to do.

 

[Rob_Gambino]

From our matches a week ago or whenever, yes you shielded too much, especially vs spacies. Trust your zoning or evading maneuvers more. For zoning fair has a ton of priority, and bair is nice as well. Ness has a fairly quick dash for evading. Also look for where I'm landing, if I'm coming into you with a nair that will barely hit you, jump back and double jump cancel a dair as I'm landing. That's a money combo starter for ness, and when you weren't shielding and using moves you executed your combos fairly well. Don't be scared and trust yourself.

Also, you need to react faster out of your shield. I misspaced quite a few aerials and was right on top of you after hitting your shield, but I got away with it most of the time. Fastest way to punish is probably a short hop nair/bair. That's good for kill percents, but you can't really combo afterwards. Slightly slower way that can start your combos is to double jump cancel an u-air/nair.

Also, please learn to shield drop. I have a horrible habit of attacking every shield I see on a platform, and it really is as good as everyone's saying.