Melee is a tough game full of little nuances
Aim to ask yourself questions that center around “why” and “how” Why am I getting hit?
Why am I stuck in shield? Why am I cornered?
How can I continue the combo? How can I cover more options How can I get the kill?
The Early Days
As you play better players, they will form a
punish/take control 3-5 seconds before they get their hit.
Aim to work gameplans to control your opponent before you get your checkmate
Chess not Checkers
Gameplans
Grabs
Low % Mid % High %
Stages? Position, Platforms
As you become more proficient, think of the nuances
Sheik vs. Falco
Sheik
At low %s, Sheik wants grabs tech chases
At high %s, Grab throw offstage Strong Aerials
Can be set up via tilt
Falco
At low %s, Falco wants shines combos
At high %s, Falco wants setups into a strong aerial (up tilt, shine, bair)
Neutral
1. What should I be looking for in a raw neutral position?2. What’s the game state (Stocks, time, %s)?
Macro Decisions Horizontal Zoning Falco’s goals are to laser, so you’re in lock.
Watch his SH running aerial distances
Sheik vs. Falco
Approximate Distance
Approximate Distance
8 97
4
1 2 3
6
Zoning for success,Understand what areas that your character is strong inFalco can
threaten with dair and better aerials, if sheik is directly below
The best move is for Sheik to move left and compete with “bair” if Falco drops
Tech Chasing
1. When you get a grab, ask yourself - What is my opponent’s % - Where on the stage did I get the grab? - Can they get a platform/go offstage?
2. Start the D-Throw- Pay attention to the DI- Position yourself to
react easier with as few movements as possible
Tech Chasing
3. If you positioned correctly, look for the following indicators:- If you see green off the ground, that means he didn’t tech:
If he didn’t tech, check %- Low, go for jab reset- Mid/high
- Double Jab- Jab Ftilt- U tilt
- Note how they DI for future reference
- Really High- Ftilt/Dsmash- (50/50 mixup for a kill)
Tech Chasing
4. If no green stuff hits the ground, then he/she teched, which means one 3 things:
Tech in PlaceTech LeftTech Right
PREP for the Tech in Place, REACT to the roll.
Teching in place has shorter animation and a harder reaction window
5. As they are higher %s, opt to switch to Launchers to get a finishing move
(ex. If they tech roll, use dash attack into fair)
(ex. If they tech in place, opt for ftilt fair)
PAY ATTENTION: to their DI. If they are DI-ing your dash attack away, do run up down-smash as a mixup
Tech Chasing