I want to improve my playstyle.

[JasonZero]

In my opinion, I am an ok player. I main Sheik and play a ton with my friends. I usually focus on aerial attacks and roll effectively while on the ground.

I have been reading threads and watching videos on many different techniques that interest me, yet I cannot practice them well enough to put them to good use while playing. The tactics that interest me the most are Teching, Dash-Dancing, DI, and Mind Games. I know these are probably simple techniques to other players but I want to learn these to improve my play. I also notice that many people use X or Y (on a GC controller) to jump but I use the Analog Stick and push up to jump. Is this preferred or mandatory for using Advanced Techniques?

What are some tactics I should start with and how can I practice them to the extent where I can use them easily and usefully? Also, what can I do to train my mind to use the X or Y button to jump if it is mandatory to learn for Advanced Techniques?

Thanks in advance! ~JZ

 

[nightSN]

learn them slowly, that how we all learned them. just try not to learn a whole chunk at a time. first thing you should learn is the DI which is easy.

 

[ThaRoy]

Ok, Brawl is not about AT's, it is about playing. Learn to trust your instincts, train your hands to be fast and move as you think. To practice this I often freeze my hands in ice and numb them so I lose all feeling and then I play off complete instinct. Do not look for tactics, let the tactics look for you. Do not be like "This is good...Ima use it." Rather, sit down and think to yourself "how do I use this character to the best?"

For Sheik, you must find out what she is best with. Her dash attack is great, her smashes are good, her darts are quick and effective, her grabs are great, but what is her true strength? Her flow. She can blend and flow her moves like water. Learn this and practice it. Be able to throw yourself into any situation and use every one of her moves in a different way every time to get out of it. Never stop with your hands, lose all feeling and control Sheik, do not let her control you. Learn to simply make everything go together like a poem, where one technique ends you start the other. Your mind does not stop, your subconcious taking over. It should be on instinct, and once this is mastered, your strategical mindset will kick in and allow you to use your instincts and plan. Learn to improvise and act on the spot, that is how Sheik works. Sit down and find out what your strengths are and what her strengths are, then lose all grip and go to work.

 

[WoodHaven The Cat]

Tha Roy, you get the award for corniest post of the day. To OP, teching, DI, and short hops are some of the most important universal techs.

 

[Lucan Desmond]

........... To practice this I often freeze my hands in ice and numb them so I lose all feeling and then I play off complete instinct.....

Are you serious?!? That's ****ing insane man! I love this game to death too... I play for hours on end, but seriously.... I think you need help. Professional help.

To OP: Just play man. Have fun and keep playing and practicing all you want and you'll get better. If you're worried about learning ATs than just set aside a little time, not even that much, and go into training mode and practice one thing at a time.

 

[NessOnett]

Also, what can I do to train my mind to use the X or Y button to jump if it is mandatory to learn for Advanced Techniques?

turn tap-jump off in your control scheme so you are forced to used x/y. it will feel more natural in time, but you can't learn something unless you force yourself to. Dash dancing isn't as useful as it used to be, mindgames are not so much a tactic as a playstyle(control your opponent through tactics). Teching and DI...just time correctly and don't forget they exist...not much you can do to train these, just keep em in mind and let em work themselves into your game.

 

[tense]

Wish there was a sticky for tactical advice for people who mainly play CPU's and equally low-level friends. Anyone out there who would be interested in making a guide notsomuch for n00bs as for people who just want to take there game to a better place?

 

[tense]

To practice this I often freeze my hands in ice and numb them so I lose all feeling and then I play off complete instinct.

Personally, I like to practice training with my feet instead of my hands, then when I play with my hands, I'm amazing.

 

[Frey]

Wish there was a sticky for tactical advice for people who mainly play CPU's and equally low-level friends. Anyone out there who would be interested in making a guide notsomuch for n00bs as for people who just want to take there game to a better place?

Heres your guide!

Wait for them to come to you, hold shield down when they advance, grab, then throw, wash rinse and repeat.

 

[VideoGamerJ]

I've found that to learn Teching, play in a stage where you bounce around a lot. Hyrule Temple toned my Melee teching nicely. In Brawl, I'm finding out that custom stages do the trick. Just keep in mind that you need variety when it comes to levels. The more you play every stage, the more of an advantage you will have (hold aside those yet to be banned stages like Rumble Falls imo).

Stick jumping is a big no. I have friends who do it (and have done it in Melee). It was eaiser to justify using the buttons in Melee because of Wavedashing, but I can't tell you how much easier it is to do up tilt attacks and such. Just convert to the button, you can do it. You're on the right track.

I used to main Sheik in Melee, she is a wonderful character. A lot has been changed though, so you have to relearn her and that intuitive play style that you may have had in Melee has to be relearned as well. Combos seem a lot easier, but you don't have the added bonus of chaingrabs, fairs, etc. Learn to short hop and learn it well. This is a big reason why you need to get used to the X/Y buttons. Once you can short hop effectively while doing attacks (and fast falling) you will unlock a good skill to use in battle.

Also, I can't stress it enough. If you want to improve your game, not only would I advise in chosing someone close to your level to play with you and try to learn the same things (like a mentor, or a trainee); but you must also teach your other friends things that they do not know. This will raise the bar of local competition and is very important.

 

[eyestrain92]

LEARNING DI? >_> People playing the game for the first time do it instinctively. All it is is pressing the D-stick in a specific way in the air.