Many of you have heard of this tech, for those who haven't the best way for me to explain it is for you to watch this video made from My Smash Corner. It is essentially a really advanced and confusing way to perform perfectly timed attacks and do things you couldn't normally do with a traditional button layout. This tech looks scary, as it has a ton of unique options it opens up for tons of characters. If someone is able to bring this to a competitive scene, the movement options someone has increases exponentially. No person not using this could compete. If they are able to always be frame perfect, they are going to be insane. The approach options that this allows are even more insane. Just the possibilities that are given by this tech is just going to completely alter the game if someone performs them.
But no one will.
This is a completely hypothetical tech. No human is going to be able to be frame perfectly continue to perform this tech. It is simply unrealistic to assume someone is going to be able to do this. The controls would probably have destroyed your fingers by time you are able to perform these techs reliably. The controls are awkward and not going to just take a little time to get use to. It is a very radical change to go from the normal controls and way you hold your hand to how you would need to in order to perform the Bidou tech. Now, some of these things have potential of being implemented into the top tier players' game play, but most of what was shown isn't practical.
I may sound pessimistic, but the human mind can't do all of the things that are required in order to perform this tech. I really wish it was something simple such as wave dashing that could still alter the game, but our tech is just too hard to be conceivable to pull off in tournaments reliably, especially if you plan on playing for years.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Character Analysis - Zero Suit Samus - Patch 1.1.5
Zero Suit Samus (ZSS) has been on of the reigning champions of the top tier since the games release. Her grab combos, ability to paralyze, and early kill options made her very deadly. But recently, as of patch 1.1.5, she isn't looking like she is going to be as deadly, here you can check out all the changes she got.
ZZS main issue from this patch is the changing of her play style. She was a high risk high reward character so to speak, that put everything on the line to connect her grab, down throw into tons of aerials and possibly a boost kick (Up special) to finish a stock. These grab combos were honestly ridiculous when pulled off by a skilled player such as Nairo. Now this combo is much more underwhelming, performing much less damage, and not being able to set up into the up special boost kick kill as successfully. Her grab just simply isn't smart to do anymore. She has one of the longest durations of grab animation in the game, and her tether grab now has a shorter length that it can reach making it harder to land. She is going to have to adapt to remain in the top tiers.
I suggest that ZSS begin playing more in the air. She has great spacing and aerial moves, that tack on damage and can lead into early kills with her paralyze gun to down b combo. Her aerial moves still combo very well and utilizing just these make the character scary. She has great aerial mobility and combo game, amazing recovery, and early kill options. I believe fully that Zero Suit still is able to compete even after all the nerfs she received this patch. It is going to be allmost as if she is a new character though. She won't rely on grab as much, only using it in very safe situations, she won't be able to get as many early kills off of boost kick, and will ultimately have to play more of the neutral since she can not extend her combos as long. I feel that she is still a very fun character to play, but many people are going to discontinue playing her after these changes that happened to her.
Now, I want to address the change. Did I feel a nerf was needed for ZSS? No. Not really. But, that being said, I still do completely understand why she was nerfed. Nairo performed exceptionally well with her at a major event that Sakurai was attending, and he did not like what he saw. When played at a high level, a skilled ZSS player was very scary and probably the best character in the game. However, at low levels she was not nearly as scary, and it hurt many people that were playing her. I do sympathize with the people who were affected, but I feel they need to move on from her or face the facts and adapt.
ZZS main issue from this patch is the changing of her play style. She was a high risk high reward character so to speak, that put everything on the line to connect her grab, down throw into tons of aerials and possibly a boost kick (Up special) to finish a stock. These grab combos were honestly ridiculous when pulled off by a skilled player such as Nairo. Now this combo is much more underwhelming, performing much less damage, and not being able to set up into the up special boost kick kill as successfully. Her grab just simply isn't smart to do anymore. She has one of the longest durations of grab animation in the game, and her tether grab now has a shorter length that it can reach making it harder to land. She is going to have to adapt to remain in the top tiers.
I suggest that ZSS begin playing more in the air. She has great spacing and aerial moves, that tack on damage and can lead into early kills with her paralyze gun to down b combo. Her aerial moves still combo very well and utilizing just these make the character scary. She has great aerial mobility and combo game, amazing recovery, and early kill options. I believe fully that Zero Suit still is able to compete even after all the nerfs she received this patch. It is going to be allmost as if she is a new character though. She won't rely on grab as much, only using it in very safe situations, she won't be able to get as many early kills off of boost kick, and will ultimately have to play more of the neutral since she can not extend her combos as long. I feel that she is still a very fun character to play, but many people are going to discontinue playing her after these changes that happened to her.
Now, I want to address the change. Did I feel a nerf was needed for ZSS? No. Not really. But, that being said, I still do completely understand why she was nerfed. Nairo performed exceptionally well with her at a major event that Sakurai was attending, and he did not like what he saw. When played at a high level, a skilled ZSS player was very scary and probably the best character in the game. However, at low levels she was not nearly as scary, and it hurt many people that were playing her. I do sympathize with the people who were affected, but I feel they need to move on from her or face the facts and adapt.
Patch 1.1.5 Analysis
Not too long ago we were surprised with a patch that we were unaware of. Smash 4 has apparently stopped development on the game, yet we are still receiving some balancing patches to make sure everything is okay for the final form of the game. Pretty much the top tier characters changed a ton, and a bunch of the low tiers received greatly needed buffs. To check out a full compilation of all the changes, take a look here.
My favorite change that happened included all the buffs that Charizard received. Many of his aerial attacks now have less end lag, his back air now kills earlier and does 1% more damage, he is now one unit heavier, and most importantly, he now has better air mobility. Overall, the changes didn't do a ton but anything helps when you're living as a low tier main.
Another awesome change that happened was everything that Ganondorf had changed. He now has better mobility, weight, damage output, combos, you name it. Tons of things were changed about Ganon, and he looks and feels a ton better now post patch.
Mewtwo had a weight buff and speed buff making him combo better and live longer. These changes really helped him out and are making him look very dangerous in the meta.
Sheik was nerfed greatly, she no longer has any kill confirm options, and she doesn't have as great of a combo games. Mainly, the removal of her down throw up air or vanish kill confirm caused her to lose her ability to kill. I have actually started playing sheik now post patch 1.1.5, however strange it may be now that she is the worst she has ever been in smash bros.
One of the more detrimental changes happened to Zero Suit Samus. She had many of her grab follow ups removed, damage decreased on her nair up air and throws, hit box reductions, and knock back growth increased on her combo moves. Altogether, these changes really hurt her and have knocked her from being second or third best to maybe even out of the top ten.
My favorite change that happened included all the buffs that Charizard received. Many of his aerial attacks now have less end lag, his back air now kills earlier and does 1% more damage, he is now one unit heavier, and most importantly, he now has better air mobility. Overall, the changes didn't do a ton but anything helps when you're living as a low tier main.
Another awesome change that happened was everything that Ganondorf had changed. He now has better mobility, weight, damage output, combos, you name it. Tons of things were changed about Ganon, and he looks and feels a ton better now post patch.
Mewtwo had a weight buff and speed buff making him combo better and live longer. These changes really helped him out and are making him look very dangerous in the meta.
Sheik was nerfed greatly, she no longer has any kill confirm options, and she doesn't have as great of a combo games. Mainly, the removal of her down throw up air or vanish kill confirm caused her to lose her ability to kill. I have actually started playing sheik now post patch 1.1.5, however strange it may be now that she is the worst she has ever been in smash bros.
One of the more detrimental changes happened to Zero Suit Samus. She had many of her grab follow ups removed, damage decreased on her nair up air and throws, hit box reductions, and knock back growth increased on her combo moves. Altogether, these changes really hurt her and have knocked her from being second or third best to maybe even out of the top ten.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Character Analysis - Sonic
Sonic the Hedgehog, one of the coolest characters we got in this game is a very strong character as many will agree. He came over to Nintendo in Brawl, as he is originally from Sega, and made a return to the Smash Bros. series in the Wii u./ 3ds version. Over the past week or so I have been playing Sonic, and I just wanted to share my opinion on him.
Sonic has a lot of good things going for him, he is the 7th fastest walker, and by far the fastest runner in the game. His run speed makes him be able to punish his opponent from almost anywhere. He is so fast that it is noticeable just how much faster he is than even the second fastest character. His speed is probably his most deadly tool, as it is just amazing how fast he is compared to someone even like Shiek, who you expect to be very fast. Sonic has a great combo game, he can do side special into many attacks like up air, Nair, Dair, Fair, and Bair, or even a footstool that could lead to tech chase situations or a jab reset. Sonic has a ton of range on his forward smash, a deadly jump cancel up smash, and then a mediocre down smash. His aerials all combo fairly well, and can be used out of his up b. This can set up early kills. His up b is also is able to gimp people off the edge as it falls out from under Sonic after he uses it. Sonic has a strong grab game as he has a good grab speed, range, and is able to get in quickly on his opponents. He has quite a few follow ups to his up throw, depending on percent, and his back throw kills rather. His up throw can combo super easily because he is able to attack out of his up B. But, Sonic is very linear, and can easily be countered by top level players. He is very good for rewarding your reactions, or punishing people with slow reactions. Overall, I think that he has earned his spot as a top tier, but isn't a fun character because of how linear he is.
Sonic has a lot of good things going for him, he is the 7th fastest walker, and by far the fastest runner in the game. His run speed makes him be able to punish his opponent from almost anywhere. He is so fast that it is noticeable just how much faster he is than even the second fastest character. His speed is probably his most deadly tool, as it is just amazing how fast he is compared to someone even like Shiek, who you expect to be very fast. Sonic has a great combo game, he can do side special into many attacks like up air, Nair, Dair, Fair, and Bair, or even a footstool that could lead to tech chase situations or a jab reset. Sonic has a ton of range on his forward smash, a deadly jump cancel up smash, and then a mediocre down smash. His aerials all combo fairly well, and can be used out of his up b. This can set up early kills. His up b is also is able to gimp people off the edge as it falls out from under Sonic after he uses it. Sonic has a strong grab game as he has a good grab speed, range, and is able to get in quickly on his opponents. He has quite a few follow ups to his up throw, depending on percent, and his back throw kills rather. His up throw can combo super easily because he is able to attack out of his up B. But, Sonic is very linear, and can easily be countered by top level players. He is very good for rewarding your reactions, or punishing people with slow reactions. Overall, I think that he has earned his spot as a top tier, but isn't a fun character because of how linear he is.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The Curse of Low Tier Mains
This is a discussion about how people treat certain players who decide to main characters lower on the tier list. I am a believer that most of the characters are able to be played at a very high level, high enough to win any of our current national events, if played properly. In the future this will change as there are characters who are definitively better than some others. Like a Shiek will be better that a Mii Swordsfighter, it just will happen as both characters have maximum levels they can be played at, and Shiek's frame data allows for her cap to be higher. But I feel we currently treat people developing the game play of low teir characters unfairly. I heard someone say once, I believe it was Esam, but I am not positive, say that if you decide to play a low tier character, you aren't actually competitive. He claimed you didn't want to be successful in the game, you just wanted to be the best as that character maybe, but not the best in the game. Now I feel that this is false. Some people can see certain things in characters that the general public does or didn't see until they brought it to light. And to this I will give the example of Hyuga, the best Mexican Smash 4 player there is, who plays none other than Toon Link. Hyuga really showed the world what a competitive Toon link can do, and I feel that if there weren't people such as Hyuga, the game wouldn't develop to it's true potential. There are many characters that are able to be played at high levels, even those that we consider currently to be low tiers. I think that currently, low tier mains are just as deadly as an equally skilled high tier main. For this I will site my own situation. I currently main Charizard, just about the bottom of the bottom on the tier list. My brother and best friend, main Cloud and Zero Suit Samus. We are all fairly equal in skill level, we all have our own unique strengths amongst each other, I have superior tech skill, my brother is better at getting reads and reactions, my friend is really great at turning from offensive to defensive, but we pretty much go back and forth, despite me using a character that is thought to be much worse. Like I said previously, characters aren't everything when we talk about how successful the character can be, its the players who pick them.
The Misconception Surrounding the Phrase "Match Up"
Many people in the community like to refer to character match up statistics, or how likely one character is to beat another character, as something like a proven statistic. Which it's not. People refer to these "MU" statistics like they are set in stone and that if you play a certain two characters against each other, the favored will win x amount of times out of 10. This is blatantly wrong in the current game of Smash for Wii U. The idea behind this misconception does have some truth. Some characters struggle against other characters. Like a character that has a hard time recovering, such as Little Mac, would struggle against some other character that is able to get people off the stage easily and gimp them. This doesn't mean that the match up is fixed though. The most important thing in any match of any Super Smash Bros. game is the player. The player's skill level is incredibly important, as they are better with their character, take less hits, make better moves, and overall play very well. Their knowledge is important, such as if they know Luigi has a frame 2 Nair, they will shield in between a combo to block the nair, then re grab. Character knowledge is important for every character too. If you don't know that Ness has an insane back throw, chances are you're going to lose a stock pretty early to it when you play against a Ness player. A players fundamentals are important too. Any player could have insane combo knowledge, but if they lack fundamentals such as teching, mixing up, shielding projectiles on the move, and other basic things that don't have anything to do with the character that you are playing, they are going to lose to someone who just maybe does one hit at a time, and doesn't combo at all, but has really good fundamental skills. Now, returning to this idea of a Match up, people refer to things such as , oh Ryu has a 40/60 match up against Pikachu. So, they are saying he has a slight disadvantage against Pikachu, fair enough, but the fact that they refer to the match up as a statistic baffles me. How do you know that the Ryu doesn't just practice all day against his brother who plays Pikachu, or that the Pikachu hasn't played against many Ryu players. The idea that there is a rate that the character should win and lose is very poorly designed and should be something we as a community strive to get rid of. Any character could beat any other character, even at high level play, and it doesn't matter what these statistics say. Who actually sat down and calculated these stats anyways?
Character Analysis - Charizard (Part 2)
In my last post we explored some of his kill options, now we're going to talk about him as a character and where I see him in the game. Charizard is big, can live long, can kill early, can have grab comboes, is fast, and has a lot of heavy/super armor moves that allow him to attack through being hurt. He has a lot of things going for him. But, he is big. I mean BIG. Look at him compared to someone like Pikachu, or Olimar, and you will see just how massive he is. He is super easy to combo since he is so large, and he is very easy rack up damage on. He lacks good frame data, meaning his moves don't come out as fast as some other character's moves. So obviously he has some really good positives, and some blatant negatives.
Now that those have been addressed, I want to say where I see him. I think of him as a mid tier, or maybe even low tier. The character himself is not great. Although, he is good if you are a good player. He can showcase your fundamentals very well, with many tools for edge guarding, able to live long, he is able to kill a lot easier than most characters, and can get in to punish your opponent quickly because he is so fast. His punish game is fairly strong, if your opponent hits the ground you can hit him from across the stage almost with your side special, dealing 19% and potentially killing. He can punish your opponent landing on the side of the stage with his forward and down smashes covering teching left , neutral, or right.
Charizard struggles making it to the ground, and is very easily juggled in the air because of his size, poor air dodge, and slow fall speed. Charizard however is very fun, kills very early, and is an awesome character.
Charizard struggles making it to the ground, and is very easily juggled in the air because of his size, poor air dodge, and slow fall speed. Charizard however is very fun, kills very early, and is an awesome character.
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