When should I grab against Marth?

[DaSasQuach]

I feel like I should be using grabs more in this matchup as Falco, but I just can't find the right time to use grabs. Should I use grabs at all? I feel like I need to utilize them a lot more since I mix-ups are weak already. I know I can choose to pivot grab after landing an aerial attack behind then while they're in shield, but that's about it. Any suggestions on what I should do in this matchup, I know I need to have good spacing and not be too reckless.

 

[Thor]

Shine grab. If you shine his shield, a JC grab may be better instead of starting to do pillar cross-ups or jumping away.

If the Marth just sits in shield and tries to shieldgrab you, it may not be a bad idea to just run right at him and grab him (occasionally). Yes his grab outranges yours but if he expects dash attack and waits for it, you'll get the grab. Also, if you dash attack his shield close enough and he instinctively shieldgrabs, you'll actually be behind him and can pivot grab him then (or SH aerial or shine him).

If you [accidentally?] jump and he immediately puts up his shield, you can also just land without any aerials and grab him (tomahawking can let you get grabs).

You can also go for a grab after a correctly SHFF'd laser, or really just a laser close enough to the ground - it produces enough shieldstun to give you a frame advantage so he could not just shieldgrab you. You can also do laser -> shine -> JC grab if you really want to be fancy (and more importantly, that's also very safe on shield and it means if the shine hits you can start comboing, so it really is a very strong option, not just cool-looking).

I'm sure there are a lot more suggestions to be given, but this is just a little bit from me right off the bat. Hope it helps some.

 

[DaSasQuach]

Thanks, those actually helps a lot. I'll definitely keep those in mind.

 

[oats_]

Yeah, like buddy up there said, laser grab is good, shine grab is good, run up JC grab is good if they are just shielding.

What's more important is HOW you follow up on grabs, not how you get them. What do you usually do to a marth after you grab him? What throw do you use, and more importantly, do you choose the correct throw to maximize your punishing?

 

[menotyou135]

Jab>Grab works as well. Guy at my local scene does that to me a lot as both fox and falco

 

[DaSasQuach]

Yeah, like buddy up there said, laser grab is good, shine grab is good, run up JC grab is good if they are just shielding.

What's more important is HOW you follow up on grabs, not how you get them. What do you usually do to a marth after you grab him? What throw do you use, and more importantly, do you choose the correct throw to maximize your punishing?

I kinda use all types of throws, if I down throw, I try to connect it with a shine, sometimes I forward throw and try to connect it with a dair with a shine. I rarely use backthrow, but I would use it to throw my opponent off the stage. Upthrow I usually Uair or wait for a bit and then try shine->dair them. I'm not sure what's Falco best throw is, but I do think I should try mixing things up once in a while with my grabs.