Short/Full-hopping aerials: when to use which?

[Brinzy]

Hey there,

I play both of the Earthbounders, and I pretty much know which aerial works best for what I want with Ness. When it comes to Lucas, however, I find myself approaching with... well, all of them but uair. I read the guide, but I'm basically looking for times when it'd be best to approach with a bair, or a dair, or whatever the case.

The opponent doesn't really matter to me, but if I need to specify them, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[TechnoMonster]

Approaching with FH whatever to U-air is pretty neat. N-air is your best if you're clear to approach.

 

[Tyr_03]

I only approach with Nairs, Bairs and very occasionally full hopped or double jumped Dairs. Fairs are risky on grounded opponents unless the opponent is in lag or not expecting it.

 

[ParanoidDrone]

I'm fond of dairs, though I probably spam them too much for my own good, but it's still great for damage. Just don't short hop them. Nair is a sort of "GTFO" move, given its speed and lack of lag. Fair's risky imo, but it's useable, I guess. =/ Bair's better since it covers most of Lucas's back. Only really works as an approach if you're good at RARing, though.

 

[NessFire]

I've actually found that Fairs are more efficient and easier to hit with than Bairs. The Bair takes too much time to bring out, while the Fair is quick and hits decently hard.

 

[ParanoidDrone]

It's faster, yes, but bair's arcing hitbox protects you more, I've found. Risk/reward, I guess. (EDIT: And you don't have to aim as much.)

That, and if you manage to spike them into the ground they may/may not be able to react in time for a follow-up move. IDK for sure, I haven't pulled this off yet.

 

[Tyr_03]

Fairs are by nature more risky than Bairs. Fairs do not autocancel so they have more lag than bairs. They also cover a much smaller area which leaves Lucas entirely unproteceted whereas Bairs create a strong barrier in between you and the opponent. Fair doesn't really have that much better knockback than Bairs either. You should not be using Fairs on a grounded opponent unless they are in lag or have made some other mistake. THEY WILL PUNISH YOU. Just watch some more current Lucas vids carefully. Almost everytime Fair is used on a grounded opponent it gets shielded and/or punished. In the air is an entirely different story though and it can be used really effectively due to its speed.