You dash towards an opponent and expect a spotdodge.

[Watchful_Eye]

What is usually most practical option to use? I can think about Pivots and running Up-Smashes.

Pivot Grabs/Tilts are quite tough to time consistently, since the spotdodge has to be over already (to me, at least), and Up-Smashes can be very hurtful if my bait is wrong. What is the most practical thing to do, besides character-dependent stuff?

(My question might sound stupid, but right now I try to reflect my game at the basic aspects.)

 

[Still~Wolf]

If you're expecting the opponent to dodge, there's a few options. Based off your profile, I'm assuming you're a Shulk, Mario, and Kirby main. Can't give you much advice on Kirby or Mario, but I can give you some Shulk pointers, possibly. I'm no pro.

If you baited correctly and are currently using the Smash art, I recommend using his f smash, as it will most likely KO him if he's at a high percent. This would work with Buster as well, if he's at a lower percentage. A more unsafe option would be backslash, but I don't think the opponent would expect you to throw that out, so you may get away with it.

Now, if you're not talking about a spot dodge and just a roll, backslash and f smash are also good options, depending on your spacing from him.

Generally, for spot dodges, the Up-smash is a good option I think. A grab is also a good option, if you use it at the right time. Sorry if I wasn't much help, but I'm not overly experienced with all characters

 

[Roukiske]

Well, the most practical option is to do something that is easier to hit your opponent with like a move with a lot of active frames so you don't miss the opportunity. You can also factor move safety into account in case you miss and don't wanna eat it.

The correct question to ask yourself is what is the smartest/optimal thing to do. This is situational.

• Opponent in KO range? Use a KO move.
• Opponent at low %? Use a move/grab that will give you an offensive advantage like combo moves
• Want your opponent offstage? Get them off stage.
• You are at very high %? Well... do something safe unless you want to risk it which is okay too.

It's pretty trivial when you think about it, but incorporating it into your game can be challenging. Good luck.

 

[Watchful_Eye]

Thank you for your answer. The point is that I assume that I dash towards him. So it has to be a Pivot smash, right? I realized that many opponents straight go for a spotdodge when I go for a dash attack or a dash grab, and that I do not punish that as consistently as I want to.

 

[sogeki]

Since you main shulk, I suggest just simply getting close and using a backslash/fsmash..

 

[Watchful_Eye]

Well, you cannot Fsmash while dashing.. and I thought it might be too slow and punishable to stop the dashing movement before you attack, since the character does not stop immediately and on point (especially not speed shulk). But maybe it is indeed that simple and I am wrong.

 

[Dream Cancel]

Don't underestimate the power of doing nothing

Seriously though, Dash up to them as if you were going to Dash attack or Dash grab, then do nothing. They'll spot dodge, giving you an opportunity to punish.

Just don't make this be your go-to strategy xD

 

[Dark Phazon]

Well, you cannot Fsmash while dashing.. and I thought it might be too slow and punishable to stop the dashing movement before you attack, since the character does not stop immediately and on point (especially not speed shulk). But maybe it is indeed that simple and I am wrong.

Ypu can Fsmash while dashing the otherway though.
Fsmash backwards.

 

[Watchful_Eye]

Yeah phazon, I know. It is called a pivot smash attack.

So you can say it is usually best to stop with slow chars (kirby) and to pivot with faster ones (speed shulk)? With some variation maybe..

 

[Spiralviper]

While I think it's a terrible idea to run up and F-Smash, you could Fox-trot up to them and do a Dash-Cancelled F-Smash.

It would be a much better idea to do a Pivot-Grab, or Dash up to them and shield, wait for them to dodge, and grab them.

 

[wingedarcher7]

It all depends on who you're using. Up smashes can be reliable, but any other attacks with plenty of frames can be useful too just to make sure you get some hits in as punishment. Pivot grabbing is great too and maybe one of the best choices at low percentages because then you have a chance of getting some kind of combo in.

 

[DavemanCozy]

With Mario, a Short-hop D-air (Mario tornado) has multiple hitboxes or empty short-hop -> fast-fall -> F-smash will cover the spotdodge, depending on when your opponent starts the spotdodge (ie, how far away you are while dashing at them).

 

[Gaylude]

Kirby - shorthop to FAir, Neut, DAir or SideB. Semi-radial attacks that last a while
Mario - shorthop to Neut, DAir drop from above (Pretty much solid in either case) or quick fireball to initiate their shield/spot dodge, then follow up with an aerial.
Shulk - shorthop to Neut, Backslash, or counter if you're fighting an offensive player.

Alternatively you could just stop right before if you know they're going to spot dodge then grab after they spot dodge.

 

[Rocket Raccoon]

Punish with a FSmash

 

[Muddyk]

sometimes i dash in, shield and use jabs since kirby's especially is good for punishing spot dodges though this isn't practical unless you can react if your jab gets shielded.