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Welcome to the first episode of SmashTV, Smashblog’s weekly “broadcast” of Smash-related videos shown every Saturday. This is your host, <strong>The Buzz Saw</strong>!
In our first episode, we will be analyzing the idea that <a href="http://www.smashwiki.com/wiki/Tires_don_exits">Tires Don Exits</a>. The most recent manifestation of this phenomenon is the fabled player Bum’s incredible performance at MLG with - gasp - <em>Donkey Kong</em>. The big monkey, while low on the tier list and thought to be no match in the competitive environment, proved to be quite powerful in pro play. Bum simply applied a number pro player disciplines (impeccable spacing, in particular) to demonstrate that DK can definitely play with the big boys. Below are some landmark matches.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuGMUzKIlnk">Bum (DK) vs Isai (CFalcon)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3vE_Ec0q5s">Bum (DK) vs Killafox (Fox)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-LJ7KAEy-k">Bum (DK) vs ChuDat (Ice Climbers)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCJx8MvBuPA">Bum (DK) vs PC Chris (Falco)</a>
Another low tier destiny child is the almighty Gimpyfish. He plays Bowser because he likes the character and for no other reason! Regardless, by dedicating his energy to one character so valiantly, he has proven that Bowser actually <em>can</em> compete with the big boys! Fox has nothing on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb8lhqyLL9Y">mad Bowser combos</a>. Here are some extraordinary Bowser performances.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76P9qV-gzMU">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs L (Sheik)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfhLEM-cHnw">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs Eggz (Marth)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odkm5RG6vdI">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs Hitsugaya (Peach)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=705YL5_wkDM">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs Tiep (Samus)</a>
Taj is another well-known low tier legend. After taking Mewtwo to a whole new level, players began rethinking the game. By taking advantage of moves in unconventional ways, low tier characters can be brought up to par with faster characters. For instance, Gimpyfish uses Bowser’s up-B often, and Taj uses forward-air SHFFLs. Why? They are fast moves stored inside rather slow characters.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLiRBAKWEeU">Taj (Mewtwo) vs Forward (Falco)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u89hqpmQwqE">Taj (Mewtwo) vs Omar (Sheik)</a>
And just for good measure, here are two low tier masters at work:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBNx9NjfYVg">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs Taj (Mewtwo)</a> - poor quality
So, how are these players able to take otherwise “bad” characters and defeat opponents they “should” stand no chance against? I narrow it down to one word: <strong>discipline</strong>. One particular method comes to mind when working with a low tier character - <strong>Restrain Your Compulsive Offense</strong> - If you know you will be punished for doing it, <em>why are you doing it???</em> It seems that no matter how much experience I gain, this one still kills me. Oftentimes, we as smashers see openings in our opponents’ defense but fail to weigh the consequences of using particular moves, only to be destroyed in return. If you know your opponent is going to shield grab your dash attack, why would you attempt a dash attack? Focus on using tactics that let you deal damage and escape! This is why, for example, you almost never see Gimpyfish use Bowser’s down-B (the butt bomb). Aside from using it to grab the ledge, the move has far too much lag upon landing, and good opponents know how to avoid and punish that. He thinks up new tricks for dealing with opponents who are below him.
So, what is the point? When Brawl hits the streets, I hope to high heavens that everyone does not rush out to establish a tier list and start focusing on only the “best” characters. Play characters you like, develop strategies for them, and show the world what <em>you</em> are made of, not your character.
In our first episode, we will be analyzing the idea that <a href="http://www.smashwiki.com/wiki/Tires_don_exits">Tires Don Exits</a>. The most recent manifestation of this phenomenon is the fabled player Bum’s incredible performance at MLG with - gasp - <em>Donkey Kong</em>. The big monkey, while low on the tier list and thought to be no match in the competitive environment, proved to be quite powerful in pro play. Bum simply applied a number pro player disciplines (impeccable spacing, in particular) to demonstrate that DK can definitely play with the big boys. Below are some landmark matches.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuGMUzKIlnk">Bum (DK) vs Isai (CFalcon)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3vE_Ec0q5s">Bum (DK) vs Killafox (Fox)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-LJ7KAEy-k">Bum (DK) vs ChuDat (Ice Climbers)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCJx8MvBuPA">Bum (DK) vs PC Chris (Falco)</a>
Another low tier destiny child is the almighty Gimpyfish. He plays Bowser because he likes the character and for no other reason! Regardless, by dedicating his energy to one character so valiantly, he has proven that Bowser actually <em>can</em> compete with the big boys! Fox has nothing on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb8lhqyLL9Y">mad Bowser combos</a>. Here are some extraordinary Bowser performances.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76P9qV-gzMU">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs L (Sheik)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfhLEM-cHnw">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs Eggz (Marth)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odkm5RG6vdI">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs Hitsugaya (Peach)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=705YL5_wkDM">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs Tiep (Samus)</a>
Taj is another well-known low tier legend. After taking Mewtwo to a whole new level, players began rethinking the game. By taking advantage of moves in unconventional ways, low tier characters can be brought up to par with faster characters. For instance, Gimpyfish uses Bowser’s up-B often, and Taj uses forward-air SHFFLs. Why? They are fast moves stored inside rather slow characters.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLiRBAKWEeU">Taj (Mewtwo) vs Forward (Falco)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u89hqpmQwqE">Taj (Mewtwo) vs Omar (Sheik)</a>
And just for good measure, here are two low tier masters at work:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBNx9NjfYVg">Gimpyfish (Bowser) vs Taj (Mewtwo)</a> - poor quality
So, how are these players able to take otherwise “bad” characters and defeat opponents they “should” stand no chance against? I narrow it down to one word: <strong>discipline</strong>. One particular method comes to mind when working with a low tier character - <strong>Restrain Your Compulsive Offense</strong> - If you know you will be punished for doing it, <em>why are you doing it???</em> It seems that no matter how much experience I gain, this one still kills me. Oftentimes, we as smashers see openings in our opponents’ defense but fail to weigh the consequences of using particular moves, only to be destroyed in return. If you know your opponent is going to shield grab your dash attack, why would you attempt a dash attack? Focus on using tactics that let you deal damage and escape! This is why, for example, you almost never see Gimpyfish use Bowser’s down-B (the butt bomb). Aside from using it to grab the ledge, the move has far too much lag upon landing, and good opponents know how to avoid and punish that. He thinks up new tricks for dealing with opponents who are below him.
So, what is the point? When Brawl hits the streets, I hope to high heavens that everyone does not rush out to establish a tier list and start focusing on only the “best” characters. Play characters you like, develop strategies for them, and show the world what <em>you</em> are made of, not your character.