The neutral and zoning tips

[Geng4r]

Hey I've been practicing different tech a lot lately and I'm getting most of it down. Fluent waved ash/landing/ledge grabs/shielding, shffls, dash dancing, Oos options and so on. I just got into learning how to shield drop. And well I feel like shield dropping requires more knowledge about things besides tech. i notice my over all movement is choppy and I'm shaky on consistent speed. Along with this my positioning is a little messy and can only go as far as getting the job done at best. I wanna know how ways to practice movement, stage control, stage awareness, and other zoning type aspects. I understand this requires a lot of practice with another player but what tips would you give practicing on your own?

 

[EPsilon933]

Play a fighting game online to learn how to space against an opponent. It's kind of how you learn why to do certain options

Don't always try to hit with the tip of your attacks. That'll create a clear pattern of your approach options. Also, if you do that, your opponent could retreat a little, let you miss, and punish you for it. When you think you should, be a little brave and attack later in your approach to catch your opponent if they try to retreat a little from you. But if they predict this, they just pre-emptively hit you while you're getting close to them defenselessly

Keep track of what your opponent tends to do and do things that are likely to counter their next moves that they'll do

Stay neutral so you can respond sooner to things your opponent does

 

[Geng4r]

Alright that's an interesting aspect

 

[Sudoi]

These colored names are driving me crazy. But yeah what Epsilon said. Naturally Mix up your attack lengths. Make sure you don't visible prepare for a tipper. Don't keep it completely Improvisational, but don't lead your opponent to seeing your pattern.

 

[Geng4r]

So basically have a pattern be good at hiding it and if your pattern becomes exposed prepared for a change of pattern temporarily if nessisary

 

[Sudoi]

Not a prepared pattern, but rather an improvised one. Think of basic chains ex Shulk Sm4sh: Dtilt Nair Fair Fsmash. Put these in subconsciously, but don't force them, but keep it fresh too. Switch em around slightly so that if they try to avoid those hits, they get caught in the trap.

 

[Sudoi]

It's pretty hard to explain, but easier for me in practice. Like switch fair and Nair, Dtilt with Utilt

 

[Geng4r]

Ok I Think I'm understanding, alright I'm a Mario main in melee, often times I fade away fair for a defensive pop up or tech chase, and approach with nair pokes and Dsmash when l canceled, say they may have caught on, so I started approaching with fair and became defensive with backward wave dash into Dsmash or nair when I'm in hitstun? Not that those would work all the time but just for a small example

 

[Sudoi]

... I follow the threads I can answer. I mainly help people when it comes to mind games. I actually don't play melee so I didn't understand some of that tech. Being a Sm4sh player there isn't much I could help you there.

But from what I could understand, yes that's probably what I meant.

 

[Geng4r]

Ok understood, I understand the difference from melee and sm4sh were as melee'a neutral can't only be a Rock Paper Scissors due to all the out of shield, tech and offensive pressure. As to were sm4sh's neutral is just the Rock Paper Scissors but the mind games on it are just as complicated

 

[Sudoi]

Yeah, thanks for understanding. I do my best to help others, whether they play 64, Brawl, Melee, or 4. PM I don't really touch because welp, so much tech

 

[Geng4r]

Hahaha yeah hence why I chose Mario fox has way too much dedication. I'm dedicated but I don't want hand problems..