More tourney prep this week, though I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked.
Starting off with 64. On Night One I practiced pivoting, off-ledge options, short hops, and Z-cancels. Then I practiced against CPU Fox. Was able to defeat Levels 6 and 7 and then lost to Level 8. On Night Two started in Training mode drilling the same techniques again. Then I was able to defeat Level 8 and 9 Fox.
On Night Three I went right into fighting the CPU, playing Pikachu dittos. Defeated Level 6 and 7 but then lost against Level 8. On Night Four I only had time to continue practicing pivoting, off-ledge options, shorts hops, fast falls, and Z-Cancels. On Night Five I only had time to play against the CPU. Was able to beat Level 8 and Level 9 Pikachu after a few tries.
On Night Six I had time to continue practicing the advanced techniques and then I squared off against…Jigglypuff. Who, as any true Smash fan knows, seems like a joke but is actually really tough. Was able to eke out wins against Level 6 and 7 but lost to Level 8.
On Night Seven, I started out watching Part of 3 of Nate L’s Advanced Smash 64 techniques. I practiced them a bit, but not all of them applied to all characters. I don’t’ feel the need to practice Captain Falcon and Luigi specific moves.
Then I took on Jigglypuff Level 8 and was able to beat her on the second try. And then I took on Jigglypuff Level 9 and was able to win on the first attempt. And I almost 4-0’d it!
In Ultimate, I’m still following the path laid out by Smash Bros Cast. So, this week on Night One I just played some Online Quickplay (went 1-5 again) and saved my last loss. On Night Two didn’t have time to play. On Night Three I watched the video of my loss, looking for where I need to improve on. There were a number of things, but the thing that stands out the most was the PKThunder recovery. I lost my final stock of the match because I didn’t hit Ness with the PK Thunder wraparound and he just fell straight down. So, then I went into training and drilled only recovering off the ledge. On Night Four I didn’t have any time to play. On Night Five I drilled PKThunder ledge options for about 15 minutes. Then I went into online quickplay. I quickly went 0-4, which in a tournament, would have meant being double-eliminated. I was on-tilt afterward. I kept getting juggled in each match. I had real trouble with DIing (Directional input) out of attacks and kept air dodging off the stage. A really infuriating night.
On Night Six I practiced PKThunder recoveries again, but this time for only about five minutes. Then I went into Online Quickplay again. Once again I went 0-4, but the matches felt closer and were a lot less frustrating. I was able to roll out of danger a lot instead of air-dodging off the stage. Though I did do that once. And I know that rolling isn’t an ideal way out either, but what am I supposed to do? Also, had much more success with not getting juggled. A lot more mixing ups of air dodges, neutral and forward airs (down airs never seem to work when Ness is juggled), and forcing the opponent away with PKThunder. Though I still feel like I’m getting juggled pretty often and I’m not following up and juggling my opponents or punishing them when they land.
I didn’t have any time to practice Ultimate on Night Seven.
As you may be able to tell by reading these updates, I’m putting time in with 64 more consistently. I think that’s due to a few reasons. The daily amount of prep for 64 is just a smaller chunk. Usually around 15-30 minutes, instead of the 30-60 minutes for Ultimate. I feel like I’m picking up the advanced techniques in 64 faster, while I”m still struggling with the basics in Ultimate. I don’t have a PC that can run Super Smash Bros. emulation fast enough to enable Netplay (which is pretty funny that my laptop can’t’ run a 20-year-old game) so I can’t compete against actual human opponents.
When it comes down to it though, I’m fairly certain I’ll go 0-2 in both SSB and Ultimate. I’ve also got a much higher chance of facing off against season pros in 64, since the field will be so much smaller. So I guess my point measure you’re improvement against yourself?
Next week, I plan to continue my existing course in 64. In Ultimate, I’m going to have to change it up a bit. The current course I’m taking won’t prepare me in the next few weeks for actual competitive play.