Spot dodging.. how/when to best use it?

[Untamed]

Note: if there is a thread already made on this topic, I welcome a lock/redirect to that thread.


As I'm getting back into smash, I've been slowly but surely, polishing up my skills. I've learned teching, pivot grabbing, etc.. but my skillset is lacking with spot dodging. I don't know why, I just never think of incorporating it into my game. So my question is, what is the best way to get used to using it? When should I use it? Is there an ideal way to practice it? While it may be simple, I believe once I learn the best way to use it, it could help me go to the next level.


thanks in advance.

 

[NekuShikazu]

Personally, I only throw it out if my opponent isn't going to use a multi-hit attack, or one that stays out a long time; it's better to shield then go for the punish.
Though be careful if the move the opponent is using has low end lag/hasn't actually thrown out a move. Most common punishes are down smashes, and some are likely to throw it out as soon as you spot dodge.

 

[Abyssal Lagiacrus]

I always find it funny when people spot dodge after every missed attack and grab, even if they're across the stage. (Hint: don't do that)

 

[Donkeykong98123]

You can get better punishes. If you shield vs a move will a lot of shield pushback, you probably will not get a good punish. If you spot dodge it, you'll have more time to do a better punish.

 

[NGUY (guitarstage)]

you can get a good grab puncish for it

 

[DanishButrCookies]

When you're playing smash a lot, you'll eventually be using a power shield to block obvious hits or projectiles. It's usually never best to spot dodge a projectile, either jumping over it or air dodging would work better. Let's say the opponent threw a fireball with Mario, and followed it to you. If you power shielded the fireball, the opponent would be running into you with open arms. If you spot dodge the opponent, you'd experience lag after the spot dodge and would get punished after it ends.
The best time to spot dodge is simply: When the opponent tries to grab you.
This is all dependent on reading your opponent, and calculating their most reliable move, also basing it on the character their using. If they're using Falcon, you can safely assume they will run at you with a grab to down throw.
Another unique situation to spot dodge is when your opponent is using a move that has strong knockback, like a smash attack or a sweet spot attack. You don't want your shield breaking, and Shield-Knockback might mean you'll be too far away to punish your opponent for hitting your shield, assuming you can't perfect pivot dance back to them.
There's definitely more to say on this, I could go on and right an essay on it, but you should get the idea.

 

[Untamed]

When you're playing smash a lot, you'll eventually be using a power shield to block obvious hits or projectiles. It's usually never best to spot dodge a projectile, either jumping over it or air dodging would work better. Let's say the opponent threw a fireball with Mario, and followed it to you. If you power shielded the fireball, the opponent would be running into you with open arms. If you spot dodge the opponent, you'd experience lag after the spot dodge and would get punished after it ends.
The best time to spot dodge is simply: When the opponent tries to grab you.
This is all dependent on reading your opponent, and calculating their most reliable move, also basing it on the character their using. If they're using Falcon, you can safely assume they will run at you with a grab to down throw.
Another unique situation to spot dodge is when your opponent is using a move that has strong knockback, like a smash attack or a sweet spot attack. You don't want your shield breaking, and Shield-Knockback might mean you'll be too far away to punish your opponent for hitting your shield, assuming you can't perfect pivot dance back to them.
There's definitely more to say on this, I could go on and right an essay on it, but you should get the idea.

Thank you, that helped a lot.

 

[Deleted member 269706]

I've also been working on incorporating spotdodging into my play lately. What I can tell you is that I find it great to do either when a player is running right at you (because 90% of the time, they will either dash attack, dash grab, or approach with an aerial). Though it's hard to tell which they will do, properly spot-dodging tends to save you from all three. If you were to throw your shield up, you may get grabbed. If you roll you may get hit during start up or cool down if the attack was slightly delayed. Spot dodging is harder to punish because it's less common and people are less accustomed to dealing with it. Also, if you throw out a laggy attack or miss a grab, spot dodging afterwards isn't a bad move. At the end of the day, it's good to know, but don't expect to use it all too often. At least that's what I've learned.

 

[DanishButrCookies]

I've also been working on incorporating spotdodging into my play lately. What I can tell you is that I find it great to do either when a player is running right at you (because 90% of the time, they will either dash attack, dash grab, or approach with an aerial). Though it's hard to tell which they will do, properly spot-dodging tends to save you from all three. If you were to throw your shield up, you may get grabbed. If you roll you may get hit during start up or cool down if the attack was slightly delayed. Spot dodging is harder to punish because it's less common and people are less accustomed to dealing with it. Also, if you throw out a laggy attack or miss a grab, spot dodging afterwards isn't a bad move. At the end of the day, it's good to know, but don't expect to use it all too often. At least that's what I've learned.

I agree with the last part on spot dodging after a laggy move or a missed grab. I don't however, think that most people will run at you and dash attack, dash grab, or approach with an aerial. All of those can be countered with a short hop aerial (ie. Mario's back air) with a little bit of spacing. In this situation, a good opponent will have run up to you with his/her shield up and may either punish the cool down of the current spot dodge or wait for a second reaction. Another thing an opponent could do is run past you and pivot grab. This is common with Shulk, Sonic, Falcon, and some others. It can get even trickier if you're opponent is baiting out the spot dodge with a tomahawk or if he throws out aerials in front of you. It can get really tricky.

 

[Deleted member 269706]

I agree with the last part on spot dodging after a laggy move or a missed grab. I don't however, think that most people will run at you and dash attack, dash grab, or approach with an aerial. All of those can be countered with a short hop aerial (ie. Mario's back air) with a little bit of spacing. In this situation, a good opponent will have run up to you with his/her shield up and may either punish the cool down of the current spot dodge or wait for a second reaction. Another thing an opponent could do is run past you and pivot grab. This is common with Shulk, Sonic, Falcon, and some others. It can get even trickier if you're opponent is baiting out the spot dodge with a tomahawk or if he throws out aerials in front of you. It can get really tricky.

Absolutely agree with you, about it being tricky. When I made my post I had a For Glory mindset, and I really don't see many pivot grabs, RARs or even tomahawks for that matter when playing FG. Though maybe that's just me? But you're right, in actual tournament play, there will be much more variation and tricks that spot dodging won't be able to save you from near as much as in FG.

 

[DanishButrCookies]

Absolutely agree with you, about it being tricky. When I made my post I had a For Glory mindset, and I really don't see many pivot grabs, RARs or even tomahawks for that matter when playing FG. Though maybe that's just me? But you're right, in actual tournament play, there will be much more variation and tricks that spot dodging won't be able to save you from near as much as in FG.

You are absolutely correct. It is not present in for glory as much.

 

[Wintropy]

Smash is rock-paper-scissors. Spotdodge beats grab in this case.

Use it to avoid grabs or when rolling would put you in a compromised position. Mix it up to keep things fresh and make sure you aren't predictable with the timing of your dodge.