Might be a bit behind everyone else on this one, but I really like what I'm hearing about how Nintendo is reworking certain aspects of the game.
There was a problem fetching the tweet
There was a problem fetching the tweet
There was a problem fetching the tweet
tl;dr:
- grabs are nerfed with more endlag (excluding fighters with tether grabs) Sheiks FAF on grab is now 37, previously 28
- spotdodges buffed (generally earlier FAF, Fox's on frame 19, previously 25)
- backrolls nerfed; higher FAF and fewer invincibility frames
- forward rolls largely unaffected
I think one of the biggest problems that Smash4 had was just how grab-heavy the meta was. (Oddly enough it was Bayonetta and Cloud who really challenged this). Grabs seemed to be some of the most powerful options across the board, and relatively low risk at the same time. From combo starters to kill set-ups, grabs were damn good. Now what's happening in Ultimate is 1) grabs are a higher risk option. Missing the grab is even more likely to result in being punished, and it was never difficult to punish in smash4. 2) the reward is generally lower. As reported by several players, there seem to be many less combo starters from grabs. It's less likely we'll see things like the hoo-hah as the balloon knockback will make fighters harder to catch at high percents. Moreover, kill throws aren't nearly as potent as they were in smash4. This is indicated primarily
through Ness and his backthrow.
Second point I wanted to make is that particular defensive options are still very good (shield and spotdodge), but the evasive options are the ones that are taking a hit (directional airdodge, backroll). This entails that taking the aggressive option (even when in a defensive position) is encouraged. Back-roll is looking to be the worst option in several scenarios, as it not only takes the most time, but also leaves you the most open (and this is before any added lag is taken into account). Whereas remaining close to the opponent and spotdodging gives you the most time to see out a proper punish. No more grab > spotdodge > grab shenanigans.
Despite this game looking even less combo oriented than Smash4, which wasn't anything to marvel at in that respect, it seems that being in the advantage state means much more than it previously did. Much as severely aggressive players have been punished in smash4, now the severely defensive players will be as well. I believe this game will allow for many more dynamic play-styles and force more creativity from the players.