Looking for potential hints and tips for trying to main Bowser Jr/Koopalings. Alongside Wii Fit Trainer, he's the only character that I'm just plain awful with, and I'm looking to change that. In return, here's a couple hints that I've picked up when using Samus a bit:
Samus' projectile game can be pretty nasty at times. From what I've discovered from using her, the key is to never truly go running after your opponents. Don't get me wrong... I'm not saying to just run away the whole match and spam rockets, but when there is a fair amount of space between you and your opponent, firing a couple Green Missiles in their direction won't hurt. If your opponent has some sort of deflecting move and is capable of whacking the missiles right back in your general direction, then it's probably most wise to give them a rest for a while.
With Samus, keeping your distance from your opponent can be pretty helpful. For example, charging her Standard Special (Arm Cannon) whenever appropriate can be a real life-saver at times. The following situations are apt moments to charge up that laser:
- As soon as the match starts (Even if your opponent runs straight for you, you will still be able to get a second or two of charging in)
- When your opponent gets knocked off the stage and is trying to recover, as in my person experience, Samus' off-stage game isn't really all that great, so it can be a good time to charge up that Cannon (though it may just be me being awful)
- If there is a significant area of space between you and your opponent (Though you could use this time to fire Green/Large Rockets instead)
- Straight after you KO an opponent (This can be very helpful, as you can usually charge up the Arm Cannon fully before your opponent has a chance to disrupt it after they have respawned)
- Straight after launching an opponent (Again, you will be able to get a couple seconds of charging out of it)
As for when to use your full-charged Arm Cannon, make sure to use it when you are relatively close to your opponent. If moves somewhat slowly, and can be easily countered if shot from far-off. If your opponent is one that likes to do constant dodge-rolls, then it would be a good idea to try hitting them with a single regular attack first. I find hitting someone with Samus' forward+tilt regular attack, and then immediately following it up with the charged up shot usually catches the opponent off-guard, and most of the time will succeed in making contact.
Of course, it's NEVER a good idea to rush into using your charged shot, as the moment you have fully charged it, your opponent will be expecting it. It's usually a good idea to maybe pull off a few Missile Shots or Grabbing Combos before using it, as it is always best to try and nail it on your opponent when their guard is down.
Since Samus does indeed lose the charged shot if she gets KO'd, it's still never a good idea to force it... Even if you worry that you may well get KO'd and lose it, it's still wise to put your opponent in a position in which it is almost certain to make contact. After all, even if their Damage Percentage is relatively low, it's still good to and hit your opponent with it whenever you see fit, as it is pretty good at racking up the damage.
As her combos go, I've only really found one that has worked for me quite well. Samus has a very good Down+Throw combo that is usually pretty difficult to counter by an opponent. If you grab an opponent, hit them the appropriate amount of times before down+throwing them, then jump once to hit them with your up+air, then position yourself underneath them while still in midair (maybe using your second jump to position yourself correctly) to strike with Samus' Up+Special Screwattack. The Screwattack is a fast move and usually quite difficult to see coming, and is more than capable of KOing your opponents at relatively low/medium levels of damage. Hell, even character with somewhat nasty dair moves such as Link and Toon Link will be left mostly useless, as Samus' Screwattack usually overpowers their regular attacks, just as long as it's used relatively quickly.
Welp, as Samus goes, that's all I really know for her, but I've been having quite a bit of fun using her in tournaments as of late, definitely going to consider maining her a little more in the near future.
