This week, I continued my tourney Prep in both Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Let’s start with the N64 game. Night One I continued the drills from Nate L’s Advanced Technique video. I played Level 7 Captain Falcon and was able to defeat him after a second try. Mainly by gimping his recoveries with the Thunder Jolt. On Night Two I took on a Level 8 Falcon after my drills. was able to defeat him. Took on a Level 9, was able to defeat him as well. On Night Three didn’t have time to play. On Night Four, ran the drills then played Yoshi CPU up to Level 8. Was able to beat Level 6 and 7 CPUs pretty easily, but struggled more with Level 8. First round my son hit the reset button on the last stock. The second match I just lost.
On Night Five I watched the second video of Nate L’s Advanced Smash 64 techniques. I tried to practice them but had a lot of trouble with them. Then I went into VS and was able to defeat Level 8, then Level 9 CPU Yoshi.
On Night Six, I tried the techniques from the second video again. This time I did much better at pivoting and z-canceling. I need to keep practicing until I get it down more.
Then I went a played against Kirby CPUs. Was able to beat Levels, 6, 7, 8, and 9 all on the first try.
On Night Seven, my son and I played a quick friendly and then I started having all sorts of issues with my monitor. I’m using an old CRT TV/Monitor for Smash 64 practice. I could play it on one of my LCD HDTVs but than there are obvious issues with potential lag. Hopefully, it will resolve itself for next week.
In Ultimate, I continued to follow the path laid out by Smash Bros. Cast a Smash Bros. Podcast. On Night One I spent a half-hour just practicing movement. Then I played Level 3 CPU and tried to avoid getting hit just by movement and shielding. Then I upped it to 4, then 5, and then 6. I was never able to keep all 3 Stocks for a full seven-minute match.
On Night Two I once again practiced against CPUs Level 3, 4, and 5 just trying to avoid getting hit. On Level 3 I was able to last a full seven-minute match. The Levels 4 and 5 CPUs were able to defeat me before the time limit.
Didn’t have time on Night Three or Night Four to play Ultimate.
On Night Five, I practice against Level 3-5 CPUs, just trying to avoid getting hit. Was able to make it to the end only for Level 3 again. Then I went into Online Quickplay. Decided to start playing the amount of matches I would in a tourney, so double elimination using best of 3 sets. I went 1-5 this night, so it was pretty quick.
On Night Six, I had time to practice movement and jumping for 15 minutes,not 30. Then I practiced not getting hit against levels 3-5 CPUs one more time. Then, I went online and went 2-4 before being eliminated.
I’ve decided to prepare for a tournament, I need to rematch every one I face unless there’s a lag issue. The tournaments are Best of 3 Sets, so I have to get used to adjusting between matches.
This week, I feel like I’m finally starting to see my Smash Bros. skills improving. It feels more noticeable in 64. I’ve gone from not being able to beat a Level 9 CPU at all, to being able to defeat one on the first try. In Ultimate the improvement isn’t as noticeable, but I don’t feel like I’m completely lost and just flailing online as much. And perhaps if I was only measuring myself against the CPU in Ultimate the progression would be as or move obvious.
Next week, the plan is to continue prep on both games and see if I can put in more time.