To Up+B or not to Up+B...

[JiangWei23]

I've been watching some Olimar videos and am somewhat puzzled by the lack of Up+B as an offensive attack. To my experience it greatly extends Olimar's offensive range with the sheer distance to hit anybody 45 degrees above him, (particularly useful for nabbing the Final Smash, for instance) plus the interesting fact that was discovered that if you hit opponents with the tip, it does a respectable amount of knockback.

Is the norm not to use Up+B as an offensive move? Or have I just been watching the wrong videos?

Also, how does Olimar fare against Snake/Link? My Sonic does terribly against both, and I'm getting respectable results with Olimar vs. other characters, so I was wondering how the Captain ranks against them.

 

[RetroRhythm]

Lag man, lots of lag.

 

[JiangWei23]

Even on the ground?

 

[Fino]

It's a good move mind you, but the only time I find myself using it is when my opponent is at high percents and I know they will out range me in the air. If you hit the sweet spot it's fantastic, but like posted earlier, it leaves you pretty exposed.
To answer your other question Olimar does pretty well against Link and Snake. Can't say I've had too much trouble against either. Snake would be the more tricky one though, you just have to keep constant pressure on him.

~Fino

 

[scalpel]

Here are some videos of Olimar using Up+B offensively:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HQK7MvCoU3c (an extreme example of Olimar's Up+B as a KO move)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MMY8o70HxdI

http://youtube.com/watch?v=esfZyifWKSU

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6UNpXCQg0jU (Olimar uses Up+B as a GREAT edge-guarding tactic)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qJtWDfORAn4

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1zz_ljX4MjM

In general, Romo uses Up+B very offensively in many of his battles. If you watch some of these vidoes, you will see a trend. Up+B is extremely situational, but it's VERY effective in those brief situations. However, another trend you will see is that it's punishable. That's why, outside of those brief situations, Up+B can be dangerous to use because it makes Olimar vulnerable.

 

[Bodknocks]

Pros: Good on platform stages, good for edge guarding, it's got extraordinary range (with six pikmin) with a disjointed hitbox and it's his only attack on a diagonal. Cons: Poor damage and knockback, lots of lag, easily punishable of you over use it.

 

[Stiffmystirr]

When I first started Brawl, I immediately went for Olimar because I loved Pikmin. I used tether to kill because it had some good vertical send and it seemed fairly easy to hit. Over time, when my friends learned how to play better, I realized tether just might be his worst move. Not only does it suck at recovery because of sneaky hoggers, but if you attempt to use it in anything bigger than a 1v1, you will get punished hard.

I agree with the above post, though. In few situations the tether is still a good offensive tool. Even if you don't land the sweet spot, it still stuns + damages + sends. Imo don't use this against anyone too quick, or that has a strong landing strike. Like link, meta knight, sonic, G&W. Because an aerial dodge + a down a/b will open up a lot of combos, especially if you used it in the air.

 

[Blade Knight]

Hell I don't see the problem with lag on Oli's Up-B I use it offensively all the time and I've juggled my (human) opponents before as they tend to DI towards me and that allows to chain attack or juggle with it. Plus it is acctually a reliable killing move with a blue/purple pikmin on the end at 120% plus. This is of course on land. Mid-air it is terrible the only time it should be used at all is for recovery or KO-ing off the top.

 

[Rapid_Assassin]

Using Up b in the air as an offensive move

It does around 30 damage if timed properly, and I'm wondering why no one uses this trick. I think it would be fairly effective as a damage builder, especially if you short hop out of your shield and up b next your opponent while tilting left or right.

Seriously though, I've seen some good use out Olimar's up b as an offensive move. 2:56 of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNvCJ8MsV-c

 

[Blade Knight]

If I may Rapid...That was cool and sorry bout the nasty turnout for you it was a good match and man only at that angle would it spike like that. Man I was suprised I was dang Rapid gimped him 2 stocks that sucks and then I said OMG THAT WAS AWESOME. Well that's my oppinion anyway.

 

[Rapid_Assassin]

First kill I got on him was hardly a gimp. He was at 143% and didn't die from an edgeguard. 2nd kill, yeah that was mean.

 

[Fino]

That was a great video rapid... I really liked it.
I think I'll hang onto that for awhile for some future purposes lol

~Fino

 

[Rapid_Assassin]

Future purposes?

????

 

[scalpel]

Is the norm not to use Up+B as an offensive move? Or have I just been watching the wrong videos?

I think over time, more and more Olimar players will begin using Up+B offensively.

I believe part of the reason why Up+B was underestimated as an offensive attack, at first, is because of influential players like NC-Echo, who pioneered the first strategies for using Olimar. NC-Echo didn't use Up+B offensively, so people followed. However, now that people are exploring Olimar for themselves, expect to see more Up+B spiking.

Some more Up+B pleasure for you:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RsAnQz1vslw (2:32 and 5:28)

 

[fouxs2]

As everybody said, it's situational. First of all, only on 1vs1, or else you're screwed.
It's amazing to follow up air combos, or hit people trying to apprach, I can't say how many times I've used it to great effect, you only need to experiment.

 

[Blade Knight]

First kill I got on him was hardly a gimp. He was at 143% and didn't die from an edgeguard. 2nd kill, yeah that was mean.

No I mean for the last stock if he hadn't Up-B'd you you would have gimped him.

 

[scalpel]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lWTpQn-UMG8 (1:42)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YHMY4I1ixb4 (4:02)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=waWZfd4iA3M (1:11)

Somebody should make a montage out of these footages.

 

[Cpt_EJ]

Up b can be useful as an edgeguard, that is if your opponent decides to jump from the ledge. Yes, it does leave you vulnerable if you miss, which is why you shouldn't overuse it.