Went to my first local, feel like giving up

[horizons889]

Ok, yeah I got 2-0'd. Yeah it was my first tournament... yeah.. what can you expect?

Everday I play smash for fun and enjoyment. To get away from **** and to just simply have fun. Today I finally decided to take a step further and attend a tournament. I am a dedicated diddy kong main but I'm afraid I cannot succeed in tournaments.. here's why:

There were 24 attendants I believe, some of them being the best in the region(maybe only like 1 or 2 there). My first opponent was a pretty solid player but I know I could of done BETTER and possibly taken the W. I kept missing my banana down B grabs. I kept doing stupid sloppy ****. And I don't know why.. it ended up being 1-1, then going to 2-1 taking my loss.

In losers I went up against someone even stronger than my first opponent. Why? Idk... Needless to say I lost.

Now you might be saying- well it's a learning experience. All you can do now is grow and come extra prepared.

But; heres the issue.. idk what it is.. I was very tired tonight (not much sleep) and I was also nervous and had no idea what to expect. When the matches started I know that was not my diddy. My diddy wouldn't play so ****, my diddy is more deserving than that. I'm not even trying to sound cocky. I just know that my tech skill and overall neutral game was down the drain. I was auto-pilot mcgee, still trying my hardest.

I can usually land some sick combos, d-tilt to f smash, d-tilt to back air, etc. Like a refined diddy main would. Idk what it is about tournaments but whenever I start getting ahead of someone I hear grunts or some audible sounds that my opponent is getting frustrated. For some reason, this gets to me and makes me play worse... it's like the littlest thing will make me play like ****.

I'm sorry for the TLDR but I could not have possibly made it any shorter. There is more info I can even add to this

Smash is a big part of my life. considering I don't even do anything right now, no job, no school and I'm 23. Smash is one of the few things I still enjoy in life. I want to succeed or at least win a set off someone. I know I'm not THAT BAD.. But after today... idk, as much as I love smash Idk if I can further my tournament career like this. I let other players emotions distract me and I autopilot I guess...

Not to mention: No one really gave me advice. I mean I didnt ask.. but some people weren't even asked and got advice. My opponents just said gg and that was it. Everyone else was socializing or playing friendlies in between sets while I just sat there like a jack ass.

I want to make a name for myself or at least show that my diddy is more than capable of not being a bottom of the barrel player. I just don't think I have the mindset for it.

 

[Daymaster]

Ok, yeah I got 2-0'd. Yeah it was my first tournament... yeah.. what can you expect?

Everday I play smash for fun and enjoyment. To get away from **** and to just simply have fun. Today I finally decided to take a step further and attend a tournament. I am a dedicated diddy kong main but I'm afraid I cannot succeed in tournaments.. here's why:

There were 24 attendants I believe, some of them being the best in the region(maybe only like 1 or 2 there). My first opponent was a pretty solid player but I know I could of done BETTER and possibly taken the W. I kept missing my banana down B grabs. I kept doing stupid sloppy ****. And I don't know why.. it ended up being 1-1, then going to 2-1 taking my loss.

In losers I went up against someone even stronger than my first opponent. Why? Idk... Needless to say I lost.

Now you might be saying- well it's a learning experience. All you can do now is grow and come extra prepared.

But; heres the issue.. idk what it is.. I was very tired tonight (not much sleep) and I was also nervous and had no idea what to expect. When the matches started I know that was not my diddy. My diddy wouldn't play so ****, my diddy is more deserving than that. I'm not even trying to sound cocky. I just know that my tech skill and overall neutral game was down the drain. I was auto-pilot mcgee, still trying my hardest.

I can usually land some sick combos, d-tilt to f smash, d-tilt to back air, etc. Like a refined diddy main would. Idk what it is about tournaments but whenever I start getting ahead of someone I hear grunts or some audible sounds that my opponent is getting frustrated. For some reason, this gets to me and makes me play worse... it's like the littlest thing will make me play like ****.

I'm sorry for the TLDR but I could not have possibly made it any shorter. There is more info I can even add to this

Smash is a big part of my life. considering I don't even do anything right now, no job, no school and I'm 23. Smash is one of the few things I still enjoy in life. I want to succeed or at least win a set off someone. I know I'm not THAT BAD.. But after today... idk, as much as I love smash Idk if I can further my tournament career like this. I let other players emotions distract me and I autopilot I guess...

Not to mention: No one really gave me advice. I mean I didnt ask.. but some people weren't even asked and got advice. My opponents just said gg and that was it. Everyone else was socializing or playing friendlies in between sets while I just sat there like a jack ***.

I want to make a name for myself or at least show that my diddy is more than capable of not being a bottom of the barrel player. I just don't think I have the mindset for it.

It sounds like it's really easy for an opponent to rattle you. Wear headphones or earbuds or something and listen to music to increase focus. If you are good outside of a tournament situation, you just need to focus more and not let pressure get to you. Music is great for that.

 

[horizons889]

It sounds like it's really easy for an opponent to rattle you. Wear headphones or earbuds or something and listen to music to increase focus. If you are good outside of a tournament situation, you just need to focus more and not let pressure get to you. Music is great for that.

Yeah, I feel like people took advantage of me. Everyone there has tournament experience and had been there before. If you win 1 set, you usually have to face off on some of the best who attend there. I just wish someone told me how to improve or something... both my opponents seemed detached to that subject. I feel like if I faced someone else it would of went better.

 

[Crystanium]

Oh, sorry that you had a poor experience. This isn't your time to give up, though. Unless you want to give up. That's honestly your choice. Take the time to read this. It has received 31 likes, so I figure it's been helpful.

Let me offer a bit more advice. I don't get to play Sm4sh very often. I get to play maybe once or twice a week because I don't own a Wii U, or Sm4sh, or a TV. Nevertheless, when it has come to my time to try playing, I've played on For Glory, whether I won or lost. Any opponent who felt difficult, I stuck around and hoped he or she would stick around, too. I've been able to play against my brother as well, and though he's been winning the majority of the time, I have been able to keep up with him, give him trouble, and even at times, two-stock him.

Everyone else who gets to play Sm4sh, everyone who has been playing longer than I have, is ahead of me. That doesn't stop me from trying to get to their level. It doesn't stop me from trying to be one of the best Samus'. I know she's a hindrance for my skill and I'd honestly be better off using Mario as my primary. I just know Samus better in terms of handling and fighting more than I do Mario. You need to take this loss and think about why you lost. It's not over. It's your first tournament. Don't make it your last. I recommend watching videos of ZeRo. You don't have to play exactly like him, but you can get ideas and implement them for your Diddy Kong.

 

[Baby_Sneak]

Bruh, there's a difference between playing at home vs playing at tournies. You're in a totally different environment you're not accustomed to, with living breathing people playing right next to you. Of course you're gonna feel nervous and rattled.

Just keep grinding and don't let it bother you. At home, just work on the lvl 3 CPUs and make sure to build stronger muscle memory. This is literally an experience thing. Don't get down in the dumps, it happens a to everyone (including me). You have to get used to the environment.

And socialize dude! This'll kill A LOT of your nervousness and make you more comfortable. Being to yourself and focusing entirely and worrying about how well you'll do at tournies will stress you out, and you don't want that. Relax, and get to know some folks at the tourney.

 

[|RK|]

Make it a point to ask for advice when you lose. I almost never get advice unless I ask. Secondly, yeah - you gotta fix your mindset. Here are some great tips for that:

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Finally... yeah, sometimes you'll play like trash. But if you want to win as badly as you say you do, you'll keep trying.

 

[PGH_Chrispy]

And socialize dude! This'll kill A LOT of your nervousness and make you more comfortable. Being to yourself and focusing entirely and worrying about how well you'll do at tournies will stress you out, and you don't want that. Relax, and get to know some folks at the tourney.

Pushing this point. I don't know if your end goal is to have fun at tournaments or get first every time, but the easiest step to both of these is getting to know your competition. How many people do you know from your scene? Do you know the mains of your top players? Do you know what playstyles people use? What do people like to so outside of tournaments? What is the fast food of choice? It all matters, because the more you know the more comfortable you'll be, and the more consistent you'll be.

 

[Flamegeyser]

I know you didn't ask for a counselor or anything, but here's two things that can help:
Don't expect to win, it's a common trap to set your goals high from the start but that makes it really easy to psyche yourself out when you don't, and besides you gotta realize that you're not meant to win for a while, but if you keep attending, just by sheer probability you should eventually, so long as you keep improving.
Second, try and keep yourself from getting too excited. Psychologically, in a difficult task such as smash, it's a bad idea to get too hype, or start becoming aggressive because you're losing or letting a better player get the best of you. Just keep doing the good grind and eventually you'll suck less.

 

[Jamurai]

The main goals of going to local tournaments aren't pride or glory, they are:

1. Play some of dat gud offline Smash
2. Improvement + evaluation
3. Have fun!!!

Don't put so much expectation into it. Really. Go there to have fun, socialise with fellow Smashers and make friends, play in a productive environment, and only take a good placing in bracket as a bonus.

Also, improving at Smash isn't just can I do X combo or play against Y playstyle, it's also about tournament experience; getting better at dealing with the psychological things and giving yourself a mental workout playing footsies and mindgames with people. When put under pressure your autopilot/go-to habits might come out, it's natural.

Stay positive, hardening yourself to external factors and not autopiloting become much easier with time. And when you play friendlies with someone equal to or better than you, simply explain that you want to improve and ask if they could look out for bad habits and things you could work on. Make sure you note them down in your phone or w/e too.

 

[Boostd]

Ok, yeah I got 2-0'd. Yeah it was my first tournament... yeah.. what can you expect?

This Saturday is my first competitive experience and I am expecting to get destroyed.
I get highly discouraged while playing serious sets with friends so if you don't mind if I use the advice given to you for myself.
Good luck out there. Lets make some changes.

 

[Murlough]

The reason the other players were given advice freely is probably because the people there were already familiar with each other.

You were new so that friendship hasn't really developed yet. Go for a month and you'll start meeting people. It took me a while too.

If you know you could have done better than all the more reason to go back and prove it. Also, if you want advice work on relaxing. Do some deep breathing between matches. If you need to step outside for a moment to catch your breath then do so (between sets of course).

What you experienced SOUNDS like social anxiety to me, which I also have. You gotta force yourself to fight it. Its gonna be hard but once you get past it you'll wish you had done it sooner.

Good luck!

 

[horizons889]

Welp, went my 2nd time. Lost the first set. Completely did not know what to do. I feel like when I play I get scared and never do the things I want to do. I just shield a ton and mess up my tech, etc. really sloppy stuff. My losers match I won; so yeah I won a match. I felt very relieved I must say after winning.. but at the same time I wasn't too happy considering I felt like I played like **** against the player... he wasn't the most spectacular player at the venue either. My next set, went to game 3, last stock last hit... I really thought I had it and SD'd... it was pretty disappointing to go out that way.

I DO want to keep going, I just, idk. Who knows if I'll get 2-0'd next time and then just go home feeling terrible. Who knows if I'll win 1 again, then just go home. I enjoy smash enough to go consistently, I really love the game that much and the community as well. Im looking for a job right now so i can attend as much as I can in the future..

But is there ever a point where it should end? I mean how many times should you get owned before giving up? Yeah, most of the regular attendees are some of the top in my state. I don't expect to win it, I just hope the progression continues. I don't know if playing by myself for hours at home really helps.. I mean what if I could be getting worse? I've actually heard that's a possibility if practicing smash the wrong way, you can get worse..

just so much to think about

 

[Swamp Sensei]

Welp, went my 2nd time. Lost the first set. Completely did not know what to do. I feel like when I play I get scared and never do the things I want to do. I just shield a ton and mess up my tech, etc. really sloppy stuff. My losers match I won; so yeah I won a match. I felt very relieved I must say after winning.. but at the same time I wasn't too happy considering I felt like I played like **** against the player... he wasn't the most spectacular player at the venue either. My next set, went to game 3, last stock last hit... I really thought I had it and SD'd... it was pretty disappointing to go out that way.

I DO want to keep going, I just, idk. Who knows if I'll get 2-0'd next time and then just go home feeling terrible. Who knows if I'll win 1 again, then just go home. I enjoy smash enough to go consistently, I really love the game that much and the community as well. Im looking for a job right now so i can attend as much as I can in the future..

But is there ever a point where it should end? I mean how many times should you get owned before giving up? Yeah, most of the regular attendees are some of the top in my state. I don't expect to win it, I just hope the progression continues. I don't know if playing by myself for hours at home really helps.. I mean what if I could be getting worse? I've actually heard that's a possibility if practicing smash the wrong way, you can get worse..

just so much to think about

Are you sticking around the play friendlies?

I know a lot of people have said it already, but it's so important.

It will help you feel better and ensure you get good practice in and make new friends.

Friendlies are how I got over my first time jitters.

 

[Flamegeyser]

Welp, went my 2nd time. Lost the first set. Completely did not know what to do. I feel like when I play I get scared and never do the things I want to do. I just shield a ton and mess up my tech, etc. really sloppy stuff. My losers match I won; so yeah I won a match. I felt very relieved I must say after winning.. but at the same time I wasn't too happy considering I felt like I played like **** against the player... he wasn't the most spectacular player at the venue either. My next set, went to game 3, last stock last hit... I really thought I had it and SD'd... it was pretty disappointing to go out that way.

I DO want to keep going, I just, idk. Who knows if I'll get 2-0'd next time and then just go home feeling terrible. Who knows if I'll win 1 again, then just go home. I enjoy smash enough to go consistently, I really love the game that much and the community as well. Im looking for a job right now so i can attend as much as I can in the future..

But is there ever a point where it should end? I mean how many times should you get owned before giving up? Yeah, most of the regular attendees are some of the top in my state. I don't expect to win it, I just hope the progression continues. I don't know if playing by myself for hours at home really helps.. I mean what if I could be getting worse? I've actually heard that's a possibility if practicing smash the wrong way, you can get worse..

just so much to think about

I'm glad you wanna keep going, but if you REALLY can't take losses even as you first start, no matter the circumstance or your frame of mind, maybe this game isn't for you competitively. I'm not even meming, do you think top players always feel good about the sets they lose? I'm sure a lot of them felt like giving up, but there will *always* be more chances and there's *always* some way to improve. If you can't deal with that, you're just a free win waiting to happen, so buck up.

 

[Jamurai]

Welp, went my 2nd time. Lost the first set. Completely did not know what to do. I feel like when I play I get scared and never do the things I want to do. I just shield a ton and mess up my tech, etc. really sloppy stuff. My losers match I won; so yeah I won a match. I felt very relieved I must say after winning.. but at the same time I wasn't too happy considering I felt like I played like **** against the player... he wasn't the most spectacular player at the venue either. My next set, went to game 3, last stock last hit... I really thought I had it and SD'd... it was pretty disappointing to go out that way.

I DO want to keep going, I just, idk. Who knows if I'll get 2-0'd next time and then just go home feeling terrible. Who knows if I'll win 1 again, then just go home. I enjoy smash enough to go consistently, I really love the game that much and the community as well. Im looking for a job right now so i can attend as much as I can in the future..

But is there ever a point where it should end? I mean how many times should you get owned before giving up? Yeah, most of the regular attendees are some of the top in my state. I don't expect to win it, I just hope the progression continues. I don't know if playing by myself for hours at home really helps.. I mean what if I could be getting worse? I've actually heard that's a possibility if practicing smash the wrong way, you can get worse..

just so much to think about

Your results have already improved. You should be happy.

You can't take losses this hard man. You have to lose a lot to get good at fighting games. It takes getting whooped repeatedly to learn what to do, generally and in each matchup. It's just a fact.
You don't lose anything by losing. In fact, if you take it from the position of trying to improve, you kinda gain more from losing than you do from winning; knowledge that there are things to work on, habits to quash, etc. and if you think about it and note things down after each set/friendlies session, you can then work on it in your own time and come back a better player.

The fact that you have a weekly with top players in your state in regular attendance makes you one of the lucky ones. Use this opportunity to improve faster than most can. A lot of people don't have weeklies nearby and have to travel many hours to even attend monthlies.

Also, never give up. As long as you're having fun why should it have to end?

 

[Dream Cancel]

Welp, went my 2nd time. Lost the first set. Completely did not know what to do. I feel like when I play I get scared and never do the things I want to do. I just shield a ton and mess up my tech, etc. really sloppy stuff. My losers match I won; so yeah I won a match. I felt very relieved I must say after winning.. but at the same time I wasn't too happy considering I felt like I played like **** against the player... he wasn't the most spectacular player at the venue either. My next set, went to game 3, last stock last hit... I really thought I had it and SD'd... it was pretty disappointing to go out that way.

I DO want to keep going, I just, idk. Who knows if I'll get 2-0'd next time and then just go home feeling terrible. Who knows if I'll win 1 again, then just go home. I enjoy smash enough to go consistently, I really love the game that much and the community as well. Im looking for a job right now so i can attend as much as I can in the future..

But is there ever a point where it should end? I mean how many times should you get owned before giving up? Yeah, most of the regular attendees are some of the top in my state. I don't expect to win it, I just hope the progression continues. I don't know if playing by myself for hours at home really helps.. I mean what if I could be getting worse? I've actually heard that's a possibility if practicing smash the wrong way, you can get worse..

just so much to think about

My tournament record is similar to yours:

1. Went 0-2 and 1-2 in games my first one. (0 wins 2 losses) Had a mid-life crisis after my Rosa and MK got bodied by a Roy player. (Before patches, I was pretty shook lol)
2. Had a competitive game against a top 20 player in my region, still lost 0-2 against him but it was close in Game 2. Won 1 set in Losers then got 2-0'd by a future top 20-30 player. (1 win 2 losses)
3. Played a tournament with pools with 6 players each. I went 2-3 in pools but still got 3rd in my pool because I managed to get a game in 2 of my losses. (6 games out of a possible 10) Should have been eliminated but they had a 3rd place-only bracket, my first game I got 2-0'd by a skilled Falco, and then lost a close set to a Sheik at or slightly above my level. (Overall 2 wins and 5 losses, but had 3 1-2's so I was happy)
4. Made Top 8 (7th of 28 or so) in an admittedly weaker tournament, losing to a Top 10 player and this ridiculously good Zelda lmao. (4 wins 2 losses)

Btw, I only played 4 tournaments in a year's time and did reasonably well. Your progression is normal, especially for your first two tournaments, so don't give up man. I'm sure you will improve quickly.

If I may add something, try to play as many friendlies as you can against people off-line. That's hands down the best practice you can get. Don't be afraid to try stupid stuff and push your character to the point of SDs, because that's how you find your limits. Or even try silly stuff against friends in casual games. I play like booty sometimes and SD with my not-so-stylish Robin, but occassionally I'll find something cheesy (or even legit) to throw at my opponents, and it feels pretty good when you cheese someone lmao. (I got the most dank of stage spikes on a Bayo, it was golden)

 

[Crosstails20]

I felt the same way in my second tournament, but I still went on to a monthly and got obliterated. and now I'm waiting for two things
1. To get a car.
2. To get better through for glory, going to smaller tournaments closer to me and have fun.

 

[outfoxd]

As someone who has been going 0-2 and 1-2 for two years, as long as you take little victories where you can and remember everyone's different and that you enjoy the game, you'll be fine.

By sheer time in i should be at least a PR hopeful but I'm still a potfiller. I just cling to the fact that i like the game and the people and the hope it'll all work out eventually.

 

[ShogunTBone]

Yeah I felt this a little when I went to my first tournament. I'm still ass but keeping at it is what counts my man. realizing tournaments are a completely different breed as people have said is pretty key, that and just friendlies with either randoms or your friends in addition to usual practice and for glory matches is what I recommend, it really helps you get comfortable with the setting and your characters

 

[Nemesis561]

As someone who has been going 0-2 and 1-2 for two years, as long as you take little victories where you can and remember everyone's different and that you enjoy the game, you'll be fine.

By sheer time in i should be at least a PR hopeful but I'm still a potfiller. I just cling to the fact that i like the game and the people and the hope it'll all work out eventually.

I happened to catch a set of yours on a recent tournament stream (like a week or two ago) and i knew it was you because I remembered your username on here and you played duck hunt (I know it's you because you have duck hunt in your avatar)

Anyways you played a top player (forget which one but I believe it was a Mewtwo) and you played really well. For a "potfiller" you seemed pretty good lol

 

[outfoxd]

I happened to catch a set of yours on a recent tournament stream (like a week or two ago) and i knew it was you because I remembered your username on here and you played duck hunt (I know it's you because you have duck hunt in your avatar)

Anyways you played a top player (forget which one but I believe it was a Mewtwo) and you played really well. For a "potfiller" you seemed pretty good lol

That was likely Z from Canada at Freezing Point. I played ok for me but i got merked the two sets after XD. I thank you for the shout out, though.