Q&A The 'Mains' Advice Thread

[Puff-Senpai]

See, I just main (Blue and I go Lazuli, Black and I go Berserker) but I also play and as I like her character, similar to playing They're so good to play as, I have a lot of fun with it, making choices of how to play as best I can, I really just go in and practice when I can. I'm kind of just having a good time but I do wanna attempt practicing and getting good.

 

[DJBor]

@above What?

It's about time I go solo Villager, because Lucas isn't my playstyle. I love the character, but he's losing me some important games because I can't play defensive with him. I'm still nasty at doubles, in my most recent outing I was 8-4 across multiple partners. In singles? 1-6. My only win was Villager over Link. (this is games not sets) Other characters I chose were Lucas, Ike, Greninja, and Donkey Kong.
What are Villager's bad matchups, so that I can pick my secondary? I've got a massive list of pockets to pick from, so all I need is matchup knowledge.
Characters I will not play are my previously listed top 10, you can find it on Page 66

 

[KniteBlargh]

DJBor I feel like the biggest issues for Villager are , , and funnily enough . Sometimes as well, but not quite as much as the others. Of course, don't get me wrong, I do feel Villager can actually meet his/her greatest challenges pretty well, but those are the ones I'd say can be a pain.

Characters who, at least in my opinion, do pretty well against those four without being among your top ten are , , , and (Lucina's forward smash set-ups/traps in particular can work wonders with patience). I haven't had enough experience with to say either way as a friend of mine mains him (generally try to avoid stepping on anyone's toes), but I feel like swords in general do pretty well against Cloud in particular. He certainly has some edge-guarding goodness, but as to how hard it'd be to get those characters off of the stage using Ike, really have no idea.

Hope this helps, anyway.

I've been working on myself lately to see if I'd like him to be my backup plan. Also been having fun with Sheik again, but I'm not fond of the character, and like you, I honestly don't want to play someone who's all the way at the top, even if I do well with them... Personal conflict is the roughest when deciding.

 

[Nice_FZPSC.42]

@above What?

It's about time I go solo Villager, because Lucas isn't my playstyle. I love the character, but he's losing me some important games because I can't play defensive with him. I'm still nasty at doubles, in my most recent outing I was 8-4 across multiple partners. In singles? 1-6. My only win was Villager over Link. (this is games not sets) Other characters I chose were Lucas, Ike, Greninja, and Donkey Kong.
What are Villager's bad matchups, so that I can pick my secondary? I've got a massive list of pockets to pick from, so all I need is matchup knowledge.
Characters I will not play are my previously listed top 10, you can find it on Page 66

Villager can in theory take on anyone, similar to lots of other high and top tiers but for sure the worst matchups are gonna be and others in not sure about. If you're good at edge guarding then don't worry about cloud, but rosa and sheik will for sure give you trouble so I'd suggest going with . Other great options are .

Also the Puff-Senpai did you have a question or what?

For me my biggest fear is . He beats pika 60:40 and goes even with Roy. That's scary. Because all it takes if for the ness to not struggle against Roy and I loose. Other fears are As they go even or beat my duo. So a third is very much wanted. . How coukf each of them benefit my ? I appreciate the help.

 

[Green Zelda]

Villager can in theory take on anyone, similar to lots of other high and top tiers but for sure the worst matchups are gonna be and others in not sure about. If you're good at edge guarding then don't worry about cloud, but rosa and sheik will for sure give you trouble so I'd suggest going with . Other great options are .

Also the Puff-Senpai did you have a question or what?

For me my biggest fear is . He beats pika 60:40 and goes even with Roy. That's scary. Because all it takes if for the ness to not struggle against Roy and I loose. Other fears are As they go even or beat my duo. So a third is very much wanted. . How coukf each of them benefit my ? I appreciate the help.

HATES disjoints. Seriously, the corrin/cloud vs ness matchups are legit 70:30 because of them (and other things like clouds mobility, and corrin's instapin, etc). So, looking at that (and the other characters that scare you), or would probs be your best bet. Sheik beats all of the characters you listed, and marth beats/goes even with all except and .

I'd help tell you about and , but I don't know anything about 'em.

EDIT: beats , slightly beats/goes even with , very slightly loses to (imo) , and loses to and . Finally, completely destroys 's viability, easily winning 80:20

 

[Puff-Senpai]

Heh, of course I didn't, I just like talking about my mains.

 

[Kamdy]

Hello, I'm new to Smashboards and I need advice on picking a main. With such a large amount of characters to chose from it is hard to pick but the kind of characters that I would like to play should probably have at least a few of these characteristics. I do't want to sound picky or anything its just that I feel like these characteristics fit into my play style.

1. Versatility in their move set.(As in not have to rely on a certain move)
2. OK attack and movement speed, air speed, etc.
3. Good kill power. Not having to work hard for those kills. Having consistent kills and kill power.
4. Has a lot of good match-ups or at least having more good match-ups than bad.
5. Not so much lag on their moves. (I can't stand doing an attack and waiting so long to do another)
6. Good recovery
7. More offensive than defensive(I play more aggressively than defensively)
8. I know #7 said the character should be more aggressive than defensive but a character that can at least play both would be nice.

 

[Puff-Senpai]

Hello, I'm new to Smashboards and I need advice on picking a main. With such a large amount of characters to chose from it is hard to pick but the kind of characters that I would like to play should probably have at least a few of these characteristics. I do't want to sound picky or anything its just that I feel like these characteristics fit into my play style.

1. Versatility in their move set.(As in not have to rely on a certain move)
2. OK attack and movement speed, air speed, etc.
3. Good kill power. Not having to work hard for those kills. Having consistent kills and kill power.
4. Has a lot of good match-ups or at least having more good match-ups than bad.
5. Not so much lag on their moves. (I can't stand doing an attack and waiting so long to do another)
6. Good recovery
7. More offensive than defensive(I play more aggressively than defensively)
8. I know #7 said the character should be more aggressive than defensive but a character that can at least play both would be nice.

My problem reading this is seeing "not having to work hard for those kills" because if you don't want to put in the effort to get a kill than why really play? I think, to start off, a good place to go is Cloud, or Mario.

 

[Kamdy]

Well the thing is that I'm willing to work hard for those kills. The things I capitalize on are:

1. Versatility in their move set.
2. Good kill power.(More like decent)
3. Not so much lag on their moves.
4. Good recovery(More like OK recovery)
5. More offensive than defensive

 

[Nice_FZPSC.42]

Hello, I'm new to Smashboards and I need advice on picking a main. With such a large amount of characters to chose from it is hard to pick but the kind of characters that I would like to play should probably have at least a few of these characteristics. I do't want to sound picky or anything its just that I feel like these characteristics fit into my play style.

1. Versatility in their move set.(As in not have to rely on a certain move)
2. OK attack and movement speed, air speed, etc.
3. Good kill power. Not having to work hard for those kills. Having consistent kills and kill power.
4. Has a lot of good match-ups or at least having more good match-ups than bad.
5. Not so much lag on their moves. (I can't stand doing an attack and waiting so long to do another)
6. Good recovery
7. More offensive than defensive(I play more aggressively than defensively)
8. I know #7 said the character should be more aggressive than defensive but a character that can at least play both would be nice.

I'd say try out

 

[DarkAuraful]

Kamdy I'm no expert on this particular character but I think and would fit your expectations? They should have moveset versatility, good recovery. I definitely remember them not being too laggy when I played Pit, they should have good kill power and from what I've heard you can play them on a offensive and defensive play style.

They're my best guess for now at least.

 

[Kamdy]

I'd say try out

Thank you

 

[Kamdy]

Kamdy I'm no expert on this particular character but I think and would fit your expectations? They should have moveset versatility, good recovery. I definitely remember them not being too laggy when I played Pit, they should have good kill power and from what I've heard you can play them on a offensive and defensive play style.

They're my best guess for now at least.

And thank you

 

[DJBor]

1. Versatility in their move set.(As in not have to rely on a certain move)
2. OK attack and movement speed, air speed, etc.
3. Good kill power. Not having to work hard for those kills. Having consistent kills and kill power.
4. Has a lot of good match-ups or at least having more good match-ups than bad.
5. Not so much lag on their moves. (I can't stand doing an attack and waiting so long to do another)
6. Good recovery
7. More offensive than defensive(I play more aggressively than defensively)
8. I know #7 said the character should be more aggressive than defensive but a character that can at least play both would be nice.

A different perspective. My opinion is fit the best, also if you are up to the challenge
Concept number 1 is making me go against the previously mentioned (corrin's lunge, diddy's down tilt & banana, mario's cape & grab)
I think is mostly defensive and has low KO power, but that's only one opinion, I may be wrong

 

[Kamdy]

A different perspective. My opinion is fit the best, also if you are up to the challenge
Concept number 1 is making me go against the previously mentioned (corrin's lunge, diddy's down tilt & banana, mario's cape & grab)
I think is mostly defensive and has low KO power, but that's only one opinion, I may be wrong

Thank you

 

[LRodC]

What characters that aren't Cloud cover Mewtwo's bad MUs and the ditto well?

 

[The Goldenbrawler]

Who do you struggle against? That will help you decide. And yes is a good thing since are both good and can handle things.

I'm not really sure tbh. I'd have to go through and see honestly.

 

[Nice_FZPSC.42]

So I'm having the most luck with and as my 3rd. (For &). Can someone tell me how each one would benefit me as my secondary? It'd be greatly appreciated.

 

[DJBor]

Here we go again...
from Roy's perspective is just a slower, long-range Roy with stronger neutral and safer moves
I thought you already went with him? Don't think you need to be told anything here.
Well this is new. Yoshi covers Pikachu's worst matchups (Mario, Ness, Game & Watch, Sonic?) very well. Try him out, get used to the airspeed. Maybe you've finally reached your completed roster.

Nice to see you again LRodC. Though I have dropped Mewtwo since the patch, the only thing I still use him for is the ditto.
I don't know how the matchup chart has changed, who are you having trouble with?

 

[Nice_FZPSC.42]

Here we go again...
from Roy's perspective is just a slower, long-range Roy with stronger neutral and safer moves
I thought you already went with him? Don't think you need to be told anything here.
Well this is new. Yoshi covers Pikachu's worst matchups (Mario, Ness, Game & Watch, Sonic?) very well. Try him out, get used to the airspeed. Maybe you've finally reached your completed roster.

Nice to see you again LRodC. Though I have dropped Mewtwo since the patch, the only thing I still use him for is the ditto.
I don't know how the matchup chart has changed, who are you having trouble with?

Thanks. Sorry for the repetitive stuff. I had but had a moment of desperate change, but after a bit I think I could take him back, if he's best. Who out of the three would you recommend the least?

 

[TheBeggingBard ~~JoMo~~]

There may be something wrong with me but I do so much better with low tiers....
I recently picked up as my secondary and as my trimary. The one thing that I've noticed is that I cannot beat characters like and as I can't seem to approach due to them being able to space me out with their projectiles. Any tips or should I replace with a different character? Also considered having or as a surprise pocket

 

[Kamdy]

Hello, I'm new to Smashboards and I need advice on picking a main. With such a large amount of characters to chose from it is hard to pick but the kind of characters that I would like to play should probably have at least a few of these characteristics. I do't want to sound picky or anything its just that I feel like these characteristics fit into my play style.

1. Versatility in their move set.(As in not have to rely on a certain move)
2. OK attack and movement speed, air speed, etc.
3. Good kill power. Not having to work hard for those kills. Having consistent kills and kill power.
4. Has a lot of good match-ups or at least having more good match-ups than bad.
5. Not so much lag on their moves. (I can't stand doing an attack and waiting so long to do another)
6. Good recovery
7. More offensive than defensive(I play more aggressively than defensively)
8. I know #7 said the character should be more aggressive than defensive but a character that can at least play both would be nice.

For those of you have have seen my previous posts, and for those of you who haven't you can go check them out, how well would and be?

Edit: What about I see a lot of people main him and he seems fun

 

[DJBor]

@Begging Bard is top tier as heck.
Kamdy has very defined copy-paste combos compared to , and trades a good recovery for even higher KO power.
is a great choice, loaded with super armor and high-powered moves.
is... Totally broken Also right on target.

 

[TheBeggingBard ~~JoMo~~]

Kamdy Bowser is great. Although he messes up on 4 and 6 due to him being a heavyweight and Smash does not like heavyweights and his recovery is very mediocore but it can be good if you know how to use it. Also he plays an "agrofensive" style.

 

[Kamdy]

@Begging Bard is top tier as heck.
Kamdy has very defined copy-paste combos compared to , and trades a good recovery for even higher KO power.
is a great choice, loaded with super armor and high-powered moves.
is... Totally broken Also right on target.

OK thanks I will try them out.

 

[TheBeggingBard ~~JoMo~~]

DJBor I picked Mario just to have that pocket that has a low learning curve to counter Sheik.

 

[Kamdy]

Kamdy Bowser is great. Although he messes up on 4 and 6 due to him being a heavyweight and Smash does not like heavyweights and his recovery is very mediocore but it can be good if you know how to use it. Also he plays an "agrofensive" style.

And thank you for that knowledge.

 

[Nice_FZPSC.42]

DJBor I picked Mario just to have that pocket that has a low learning curve to counter Sheik.

Try to learn the Corrin and Greninja matchups. Idk about Greninja but keep pressuring Corrin. Don't let him zone you out.

I think is great. Watch out for Corrin and Ryu though

 

[Kamdy]

Try to learn the Corrin and Greninja matchups. Idk about Greninja but keep pressuring Corrin. Don't let him zone you out.

I think is great. Watch out for Corrin and Ryu though

Who is better/more viable. is powerful but gets KO'ed early. may be less powerful but can probably survive longer at a cost of probably being not be as good, as in may have to much counters. (I'm not too sure. I don't even know what I'm talking about :/)

Edit: Or at least fits the description better
Edit 2: What about

Edit 3: What about /

 

[TheBeggingBard ~~JoMo~~]

Kamdy how about you give us a list of who you would like to main? It may help us or Nice can walk you through his process. Just a couple of ideas to help you out

 

[DarkAuraful]

Still going on your expectations Kamdy ? Because let's see the candidates based on those

Well the thing is that I'm willing to work hard for those kills. The things I capitalize on are:

1. Versatility in their move set.
2. Good kill power.(More like decent)
3. Not so much lag on their moves.
4. Good recovery(More like OK recovery)
5. More offensive than defensive

wouldn't really fit any of those. He has good kill power. He might have moveset versatility, but he's laggy, has a meh recovery (imo) and his slow mobility would prevent offensive play (imo again). The ones I've seen play more defensively with him and rely on reads.
I would recommend to you for:

• 1 for Monado Arts I guess.
• 2 for Smash Monado. Buster for racking up damage.
• 4 for Jump Monado. Though I'm not sure about that for a gimped case scenario in activating it in time.
• 5 for Speed Monado. This is personal experience, but I've seen good players use his Speed Monado to help his mobility and pressure with nairs.

But he has too much lag. I believe he has a Monado Art Landing Lag Cancel technique that would fix this problem (except his smash end lags) but it's up to you if you want to learn that.

I'd say has good kill power, versatility, no lag and you can play him more offensively than defensively. I'm not sure if you can play him defensively; maybe for punish and baits? His recovery is also pretty meh and hard to play as (not that I think it would matter but it's there).

I'm not an expert on , but he'd probably be good for you in terms of kill power, good frame data, recovery and offensive play.

My suggestions may be wrong, but they'll all I have for you. I can't really speak for the others either since I don't know them enough.

 

[Kamdy]

Kamdy how about you give us a list of who you would like to main? It may help us or Nice can walk you through his process. Just a couple of ideas to help you out

A list of characters would be:

/

 

[Nice_FZPSC.42]

A list of characters would be:

/

aggresive mostly, can be defensive for a little bit, beat up or get beat up
Mecha koopa combos make him tag team a bit like Rosa but more offensive.
a grappler with great down through follow ups, but combo
can play any playstyle though they are more grapplee than anything. Can do anything good but not great
If you can live to see it, Rageicario is super deadly at 20%, but thats if you live to see it. Mix up and play safe.
Pelet zoning game is amazing and can go aggresive with the metal blade combos, but he's really hard to use.
Grappler. Copy paste combos and crazy kill power but if you're not good at recovering you loose too every character... except...R.I.P.
If you've got a good eye for keeping track of which pikmin are next up, you'll be hard to track for your opponent, but keeping track is really hard.
Hit and run master. You shoot in, combo a lot, shoot out, make them approach or leave an opening, shoot in. Rinse and repeat. Also edge guarding is nice.
Gyro combos. But you're also combo food. also get used to hearing beep boop.
Does not play defensive. Play defensive and you loose. You can't be scared. You get in their face and dominate them. Be relentless.
"Monando" is a jack of all trades thing and if you can handle really bad frame data your mix ups can give you the match.
Aggresively defensive. Projectile frenzie to the face and bomb combos make him very hard to beat, but don't rely on getting grabs much.
If you can handle tricky set ups and small characters you'll win every mu. He's so good.
Similar to roy but safer and can pace and be defensive.
Grappler who hates projectiles but hits you in the face really hard.
Since you were already able to point out Ness and Mewtwo above the others, I say go Mewtwo. He can play both playstyles and win any matchup. Just make sure you kill first.

 

[Kamdy]

aggresive mostly, can be defensive for a little bit, beat up or get beat up
Mecha koopa combos make him tag team a bit like Rosa but more offensive.
a grappler with great down through follow ups, but combo
can play any playstyle though they are more grapplee than anything. Can do anything good but not great
If you can live to see it, Rageicario is super deadly at 20%, but thats if you live to see it. Mix up and play safe.
Pelet zoning game is amazing and can go aggresive with the metal blade combos, but he's really hard to use.
Grappler. Copy paste combos and crazy kill power but if you're not good at recovering you loose too every character... except...R.I.P.
If you've got a good eye for keeping track of which pikmin are next up, you'll be hard to track for your opponent, but keeping track is really hard.
Hit and run master. You shoot in, combo a lot, shoot out, make them approach or leave an opening, shoot in. Rinse and repeat. Also edge guarding is nice.
Gyro combos. But you're also combo food. also get used to hearing beep boop.
Does not play defensive. Play defensive and you loose. You can't be scared. You get in their face and dominate them. Be relentless.
"Monando" is a jack of all trades thing and if you can handle really bad frame data your mix ups can give you the match.
Aggresively defensive. Projectile frenzie to the face and bomb combos make him very hard to beat, but don't rely on getting grabs much.
If you can handle tricky set ups and small characters you'll win every mu. He's so good.
Similar to roy but safer and can pace and be defensive.
Grappler who hates projectiles but hits you in the face really hard.
Since you were already able to point out Ness and Mewtwo above the others, I say go Mewtwo. He can play both playstyles and win any matchup. Just make sure you kill first.

Thank you for all this. :D This will make my decision a lot easier.

 

[Kamdy]

seems to be better but I do better with

 

[Nice_FZPSC.42]

seems to be better but I do better with

Then go with ness. Also try to avoid double posting. Just edit the previous one

 

[DJBor]

I feel like is Meta Knight crossed with Little Mac with the moveset of Marth. If you get what I'm saying.
Instead of making a thanks post, like the post. That equals a thanks.
My villager secondary is still undecided, so if you feel like swaying me in a direction please do so. I must warn you it probably won't work

 

[Nice_FZPSC.42]

I feel like is Meta Knight crossed with Little Mac with the moveset of Marth. If you get what I'm saying.
Instead of making a thanks post, like the post. That equals a thanks.
My villager secondary is still undecided, so if you feel like swaying me in a direction please do so. I must warn you it probably won't work

. Goodbye . Or I guess .
I kinda agree with you on what is like. Except the littke Mac thing. I do think he's got the style of , move set of , and is to like is too . Faster and more combo strings but less power, yet still kills just as good.

 

[Kamdy]

aggresive mostly, can be defensive for a little bit, beat up or get beat up
Mecha koopa combos make him tag team a bit like Rosa but more offensive.
a grappler with great down through follow ups, but combo
can play any playstyle though they are more grapplee than anything. Can do anything good but not great
If you can live to see it, Rageicario is super deadly at 20%, but thats if you live to see it. Mix up and play safe.
Pelet zoning game is amazing and can go aggresive with the metal blade combos, but he's really hard to use.
Grappler. Copy paste combos and crazy kill power but if you're not good at recovering you loose too every character... except...R.I.P.
If you've got a good eye for keeping track of which pikmin are next up, you'll be hard to track for your opponent, but keeping track is really hard.
Hit and run master. You shoot in, combo a lot, shoot out, make them approach or leave an opening, shoot in. Rinse and repeat. Also edge guarding is nice.
Gyro combos. But you're also combo food. also get used to hearing beep boop.
Does not play defensive. Play defensive and you loose. You can't be scared. You get in their face and dominate them. Be relentless.
"Monando" is a jack of all trades thing and if you can handle really bad frame data your mix ups can give you the match.
Aggresively defensive. Projectile frenzie to the face and bomb combos make him very hard to beat, but don't rely on getting grabs much.
If you can handle tricky set ups and small characters you'll win every mu. He's so good.
Similar to roy but safer and can pace and be defensive.
Grappler who hates projectiles but hits you in the face really hard.
Since you were already able to point out Ness and Mewtwo above the others, I say go Mewtwo. He can play both playstyles and win any matchup. Just make sure you kill first.

Great character but seems a bit to slow for my liking and has to play very defensive in the beginning and is based on hard reads.
Another great character but it also seems like you have to play defensive in the beginning and wait for an opening.
I wouldn't say he is one of my better characters but he is still fun and for this I will keep him on the list.
/ One of the better characters I tried. They are still on the list of who I should main.
Another one of the better characters I've tried and is very fun. He is still on the list.
Megaman is fun. He just seems like has to play very defensive in the beginning and should wait for an opening.
Ness Is also very fun and one of the better characters I've used. He is still on the the list of who I should main.
Olimar is fun but seems more like a zoner and should stay far away. He can be aggressive but just seems more on the defensive side.
Pikachu is one of the better characters, Not much I can say about him though. But I will sill keep him on the list.
I don't know what to say about R.O.B. It seems like he has to play defensively but when he has the gyro he can go on the offensive. I will still keep him on the list.
Very fun to use but he just can't play defensively and I have to constantly be going in. Which at times I may want to go on the defensive at times.
Very fun and can be very versatile because of his different arts. I will keep him on the list.
Like you said. Aggressively defensive. He is meant to stay far away to deal damage with projectiles which isn't really my playstyle.
One of my better characters. He is very fun and versatile and I will keep him on the list.
Also another one of my better characters. He takes some getting used to but I will still keep him on the list.
Hes also fun. I wouldn't say he is one of my better characters but not one of my worst. I will still keep him of the list

Final results

Staying
---------------------------------
/

Booted off
---------------------------------


I will continue to further experiment with these characters to find a main.

The journey continues!

 

[DJBor]

It's gotta be . The only reason I dropped him in the first place was having to rely on the roof combo, but looking back I was in my prime as a Meta Knight main. The playstyle, though it lacks a meteor, is pretty solid for what I do. I used to do jab locks, hard reads, comebacks, the whole 9. And there's no better time to go back than when I pick Villager as my main.

But I also think using in singles can't hurt once in a while. It's not often that one finds a good Palu. Yes, of course I think she needs some fixes here and there, but they are pretty miniscule and won't affect my current playstyle... and I'm already sick with her in doubles.