4 Tips to Help Improve in Smash 4 for Wii U and 3DS

With Evo 2016 just around the corner, many fighting game fans are excited for the event. Participants in tournaments have been training to crown themselves champion. Super Smash Bros. is one of the most anticipated games of the convention, and the most recent installment has the largest participant count ever this year. So, if you want to improve your skills for Evo or just to get better, here’s a few tips to help you improve your Smash 4 game.

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Duck Hunt using one of                  Fox performing his Neutral 
his projectiles                                                 Attack

Figure out your playstyle

Do like getting in your opponent’s face to deal massive damage? Or do you prefer playing from a distance, dealing damage with projectiles? Figuring out your playstyle is a key part of improving — because once you learn how you like to play, you can figure out which character can benefit from your playstyle.

 
Pick a Main

For those who don’t know, a Main is, well, the main character you play in Smash. With 58 characters to choose from, you have many choices when it comes to picking a Main. Now that you have figured out your playstyle, you can pick a character that fits your playstyle.

If you prefer a rush down type of playstyle, characters you can consider include Captain Falcon, Fox, or Roy. If you like using projectiles or playing from a distance, characters you can consider include Duck Hunt, Olimar, or R.O.B. If you find yourself liking a mix of both playstyles, you can consider characters like Link, Sonic, or Marth.

Note: The first move in each of these sections are the default moves. The others are custom moves, which have been banned from competitive play. 

Know Your Main’s Move Set

Now that you’ve found the perfect character, you need to learn the character inside and out. Learn their special moves, tilts, aerial moves, smash attacks, and grabs.

For example, Roy’s Neutral B has the power to K.O your opponent and is practically lagless. While it is a good move, it’s pretty predictable — so use it only when the situation allows it. Roy’s aerial moves, specifically his neutral air, provide a lot of coverage to deal damage and are great combo starters.

These are the type of things you will want to know for your character because it will determine whether you win or lose a match.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

I cannot stress this enough. As with all activities, practice makes perfect. You now know your character inside and out and the time has come to test your skills. Whether it’s against CPUs, friends, or players online, play against others to practice your new moves. This will help you learn the best matchups, worst matchups, and even matchups against your character.

I hope you found these tips helpful. Good luck finding your Main and in your matches!

[Image sources: Header Image, Duck Hunt Wild Gunman, Fox Up Close and Personal, Character Selection Screen, Mario’s Moveset, Captain Falcon Meme from this video,  Gaming Icons Battle]