Too Late to Join the Fun?

[VKatana]

So I've been following competitive Melee for around 2 years now, but I was never able to actually play the game. I tried playing Smash 4 competitively for a few months, but... I'm beginning to second guess it. It's gameplay rewards defensive and campy play, and I can't stand it. Is it too late to jump ship and become a Melee player? By 'too late', I suppose I mean is there still room for a completely new player to pick up the game and try to learn everything? Just looking for advice and guidance here. Any and all is appreciated.

 

[Duplighost]

I think there is still room for play. If it's the type of game you like, go for it, and try to enter some local tournaments.
Sorry for the brief answer. Best of luck!

 

[Now Disappear]

Excuse me for the rather badly written and short answer as I'm currently on mobile. Competitive Melee is and will always be open to new players, no matter what.

 

[kingPiano]

Definitely too late. We are ALLLLL full to capacity. Pls Sakurai no more Melee players.

 

[Xavix]

Do it! You want to join a community, then DO IT! No one is stopping you, so play the game you would prefer! (Just be ready, Melee IS the hardest to learn, but it is also the most rewarding)

 

[VKatana]

Do it! You want to join a community, then DO IT! No one is stopping you, so play the game you would prefer! (Just be ready, Melee IS the hardest to learn, but it is also the most rewarding)

Any general Melee guides I could print out that have all the fundamental techniques and advanced strategies in them (ie wavedashing)? couldn't find one here on the boards. I'm guessing the Wiki is my best bet?

 

[kingPiano]

Any general Melee guides I could print out that have all the fundamental techniques and advanced strategies in them (ie wavedashing)? couldn't find one here on the boards. I'm guessing the Wiki is my best bet?

There are some great videos on YT (just search "advanced melee techniques") as well as many guides by the pros: MacD has one for peach and Ken did one for Marth so on and so on. Look in the character specific forums for specific tech to your main(s)

Just a heads up it's going to take at least a year to get to the point where you can use all the tech comfortably, it has to basically be muscle memory to not be frustrating in usage. My advice is to just try and have the most fun with it while learning, set goals and just play people better than you, get your butt handed to you, learn why and if you can't figure it out ask them why. You may get lucky and some will teach you for free.

 

[TheCandyman]

Honestly now seems like the best time. 2014 was arguably the best year in Melee history and I'm joining right now and being quick learners while young it's kind of perfect

 

[EPsilon933]

Join the competitive scene you'll have the most fun playing the game in. Eventually, every player who tries will catch up to other players. You'll learn at your fastest at the beginning because there's everything to learn

 

[Dr. Krumm]

I picked it Melee about a year ago, I was terrbile back then. Best choice I ever made. I came from Brawl in the beginning and while that game will always have a place in my hearth, I must say.... Melee is so much more fun, rewarding and challenging. I too picked up Smash 4 on release, played it for about 2-3 months, quit and went right back to Melee.

The point I'm trying to make here is, is it too late?

NO NO NO NO NO NO

Melee is one of the best games ever made and I stronglgy promote anyone to pick it up, it doesn't matter who you are, how good you are or how old you are. Melee and its playerbase always welcomes you warmly. Go to an event and say that you're new and watch people going out of their way to help you. That happened to me. On my first tourney I sat the whole night practicing with Mike Haggar who gladly wanted to help me.

 

[The Prince L]

No.

(I think my answer is the best answer on this thread)

 

[Link24a]

It's not too late and it will never be. Find locals on this site and train there or something. You won't regret it

 

[AirFair]

It's not too late to join the scene. Melee is growing fast.

 

[B-Will]

Any general Melee guides I could print out that have all the fundamental techniques and advanced strategies in them (ie wavedashing)? couldn't find one here on the boards. I'm guessing the Wiki is my best bet?

A good page of guides and what not (keep in mind there are a few outdated things, including the tier list...)
http://smashboards.com/threads/2014-ssbm-compendium-of-knowledge-updated-1-2-14.339520/

Also, check out the facebook page associated with your area to find tournaments:
http://smashboards.com/threads/facebook-groups-links.325058/

You would be surprised as to how welcoming melee players are!

 

[Mwauthzyx]

It's never too late to join a community. In order to play Melee competitively, you have to put a lot of time into it. It takes practice to be able to consistently perform certain moves like wavedashing or techs but eventually you'll get really good. Find a character you like playing with and then practice with it and you'll see progress. Also, play with a friend who's about the same level as you. That way you'll have a human opponent and it will also improve their game.