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Zoning vs Rushdown

B Mur

Smash Rookie
Joined
Dec 6, 2014
Messages
2
I'm still new to the whole lingo to fighting games.
What does it mean for a character to a "zoning" character or a "rushdown"? Are there other classifications other than those two? I have an informal understanding of both of the two concepts but would like an explanation and examples of each type of character.
 

manisier

Smash Rookie
Joined
Dec 15, 2014
Messages
2
Every character can "zone" (keep an opponent in a certain amount of space) to some extent, but zoning characters are usually defined as those with spammable, reliable projectiles like Villager, Falco and Robin. Rushdown characters lack spammable projectiles, but are more mobile and proficient at closing gaps. Little Mac is the quintessential rushdown character, but Meta Knight, Sheik and Mii Brawler also count.
 

Raijinken

Smash Master
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
4,420
Location
Durham, NC
Manisier got it pretty well. Imagine an archer versus a knight (and imagine that the knight is very fast and agile). It's a matter of the character's comfort zone. Rushdown characters have the tools (normally speed, combo options, and so on) to be comfortable up close, but often struggle to deal with projectiles directly (though they may cope by getting too close for safe projectile use). Zoner/defensive/campy (terminology largely depends on how technical you're being and how much you dislike the playstyle, since it's often frustrating to deal with if you're not used to it) is the opposite. Though they may have good up-close options (like Robin's Levin Sword), they normally lack good ways to close the gap safely, preferring to pepper the opponent with projectiles until they're forced into a mistake or die from the projectiles. Note that zoning doesn't require projectiles. The following classifications are my personal views, and while aspects of it are generally accepted, others may just be my view on things.

Some examples of characters who are strongly rushdown oriented include:
:4falcon::4littlemac::4miibrawl::4wario2::4sonic::4metaknight::4jigglypuff::4shulk::4miibrawl::4fox:

While some that have strong rushdown options but can also play a middle-ground style would include:
:4diddy::4greninja::4sheik::4yoshi::4mario::4drmario::4luigi::4falco::4miisword::4pikachu::4darkpit::4pit::4bowser::4kirby::4ness:

Whereas characters who are somewhat zoning/defense oriented would be:
:4bowserjr::4peach::4pacman::4wiifit::4myfriends::4marth::rosalina::4lucario::4charizard::4dk::4ganondorf::4lucina:

And these are very defensively oriented:
:4dedede::4gaw::4link::4megaman::4miigun::4olimar::4palutena::4robinm::4rob::4samus::4tlink::4villager::4zelda::4duckhunt:

Of course, there are other ways you can classify characters. Melee (:4marth:) vs Ranged (:4megaman:) is an easy one. Floaty (:4samus:) versus Fast-faller (:4falcon:) is another, but that's largely related to combo-ability and aerial speeds, rather than a classification of over-all playstyle.

Generally, if you prefer aggressive play, stick to aggressive characters, while if you prefer more counter-attack or safe play, defensive characters may be better for you.
 

nyasper

Smash Rookie
Joined
Jul 6, 2020
Messages
1
I'm still new to the whole lingo to fighting games.
What does it mean for a character to a "zoning" character or a "rushdown"? Are there other classifications other than those two? I have an informal understanding of both of the two concepts but would like an explanation and examples of each type of character.
zoners are characters who need to stay away from the opponent and use its disjointed attacks or projectiles for hitting opponents from far away while rushdowns are characters who have mostly low range and high damage and exceptions like roy have sourspots that make the attack deal less damage and knockback when hitted from far away

zoners want to stay at a distance because most characters dont have the range they have and as such will not be able to challenge them at a distance
examples of zoners in smash: :ultminmin:ultness::ultmarth::ultsimon::ultbyleth::ultduckhunt:

rushdowns want to stay close because most of their attacks have low range making they get rewarded for being close to the opponent
examples of rushdowns in smash: :ultroy::ultbrawler::ultlittlemac::ultgreninja::ultfox::ultsheik:

some characters have the fundamentals of both and can be played in both ways (the playstyle is more matchup dependent than player dependent)
characters such as: :ultyounglink::ultsonic: :ultsnake::ultlucina::ultshulk:
 
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