The new forward air's applications?

[MERPIS]

So we all know the new fair isn't exactly as good as the old boxy one, but I noticed Maister uses it a lot, especially in neutral. He'll full hop forward air and then fade back. But its not like the opponent has to respect it you just have to hit him out of it, but that just begs the question, why does he do this so much?

 

[JMPG&W]

FAir can't be used as a forward striking attack such as anyone else kicks's forward air punches, etc. It can be used as a great spacing tool to keep opponents in front of you at a distance or to stop faster opponents trying to get close to you from different angles.

G&W's projectile/extensions of himself (Turtle Bridge, Greenhouse, Spitball Sparky, Chef, Bomb's Away, Oil Panic) do in fact deal damage, but they can also be used to keep opponents at bay and space out a battlefield to your advantage.

If in a team battle or melee the bombs can be dropped throughout he battlefield as you parachute down. And like Villager's bowling ball, it is also great for edge guarding.

 

[MERPIS]

FAir can't be used as a forward striking attack such as anyone else kicks's forward air punches, etc. It can be used as a great spacing tool to keep opponents in front of you at a distance or to stop faster opponents trying to get close to you from different angles.

G&W's projectile/extensions of himself (Turtle Bridge, Greenhouse, Spitball Sparky, Chef, Bomb's Away, Oil Panic) do in fact deal damage, but they can also be used to keep opponents at bay and space out a battlefield to your advantage.

If in a team battle or melee the bombs can be dropped throughout he battlefield as you parachute down. And like Villager's bowling ball, it is also great for edge guarding.

But the opponent can just, hit it

 

[JMPG&W]

But the opponent can just, hit it

This is true. Hence why you have to time it right for it to drop for the duration and then it detonates. It can be used in the air, falling to the ground, or falling a certain distance and then detonating on or around an opponent.

 

[MERPIS]

This is true. Hence why you have to time it right for it to drop for the duration and then it detonates. It can be used in the air, falling to the ground, or falling a certain distance and then detonating on or around an opponent.

So...Is it a good move?

 

[GhostM]

It depends on the spacing and timing of the attack. A poorly coordinated fair can easily get punished, and the bomb can get hit as well. It’s more of a defensive spacing tool rather than an offensive attack, although it can lead to combo strings such as up air and nair if you can read your opponents DI. It’s definitely weaker than G&W’s old fair, but it still has good uses. It’s overall not a bad move, but it could definitely be better.

 

[G3_Tavo]

But the opponent can just, hit it

If you are keeping the right distance, they can either hit the bomb or hit you, but it will be difficult to hit both. You just shouldn't spam it on close quarters.


I also find it really good to do cross ups. I jump towards a foe who puts his shield up, drop the bomb and the timing sometimes messes them up. They drop shield just in time for the explosion. Notice the explosion ALWAYS send them in the direction that GW was facing when dropping the bomb, so I can track their path and follow up (hopefully off stage with an Up B off stage).

The move is really situational, but it's not terrible.

 

[_nyne_]

So we all know the new fair isn't exactly as good as the old boxy one, but I noticed Maister uses it a lot, especially in neutral. He'll full hop forward air and then fade back. But its not like the opponent has to respect it you just have to hit him out of it, but that just begs the question, why does he do this so much?

I would say that its great for coming back to the ledge. If you dropdown from ledge-> jump fair, both hits will connect. its better as a mixup than a go to option but as a mixup it can get some free damage.