Smash is like Basketball?

[L33thal]

Is this a good way to think about Smash? I've been thinking, both Smash and bball are races to get more points/stocks than your opponent within a certain amount of time. Anyone can take stocks, it's just about taking them more efficiently than the other team.

Anything goes. In the NBA, people can sink half-court shots and in Smash people can tipper a random F-smash. Some people can even beat good players by using a lot of F-smashes (e.g. Drephen). But, these plays are uncommon and sometimes it's better to set-up good, calculated plays.

No move or playstyle is perfect. If you try to 'wall of pain/priority' another player, you might have an advantage in terms of them not being able to get in on you easily and that you can outspace them. But every move in the game is punishable. If you play the exact same way every time, people can pick up on it and counter your playstyle.

So one thing I've been thinking is that mindgames are like ball movement. Sure some players might use characters that have greater speed and whatnot to have an easier time setting up plays, but that can be countered.

And if you're really good at mindgames/reading your opponent, then it doesn't matter how fast and technical they are. Smash is a race and you're mentally running laps around your opponent.

Any advice/opinions?

 

[kys]

Not really.

You can make sweeping generalizations about a lot of competitive things by saying, "So and so are the same, because mindgames exist," or "It's just like smash because you need to space well."

Basketball and smash are nothing alike when we dig deeper and specifically apply winning strategies. Apples and oranges, man.

 

[Landry]

Smash is more like tennis, honestly. But in general all of these comparisons will be flawed at some point.

 

[Flippy Flippersen]

Everyone knows smash is more like Nascar, you're not moving your body, have to have good reflexes and if you don't read your opponent you'll crash and burn. (it is also faster than basketball)

 

[Bones0]

I want to combine Smash and basketball into a brand new sport... I will call it...






Smash Ball

 

[Fortress | Sveet]

I compare smash more to boxing. Dash dancing/zoning is like bobbing: you're threatening your opponent while watching/reacting to their actions. And just like in boxing, in smash you don't really have time to think about your attacks: something goes off in the instincts section of your brain that tells you "its good to attack now". Also, I'm sure boxing has some stage control factors (center of the ring vs on the ropes).

 

[Acryte]

To add to what Sveet said then it would be more like MMA or something because submission stuff is like chars with good tech chasing ability vs chars without. Of course, one should expect a fighting game to include and emphasize practical elements of competitive fighting.

 

[d z]

Some of what you say about basketball isn't really true anyways. The Bulls use a very well defined defensive strategy every play, every game. The offense knows how the defense will react to everything they do but you can't really counter it, they just count on the Bulls eventually messing up or overwhelming them with offensive skill.

 

[Twinkles]

You can make comparisons to Melee with almost anything, just because I think it's natural for the human brain to make connections. There might be some things that connect better, but most of it is perception, so if you think Melee = basketball is the best connection you can make, I see no reason why to not just let it be.

Just make sure that you constantly re-evaluate the connection though, because as you get better at Melee, there is a very good chance your perceptions may change.