I'm gonna go out on a limb here....

[APImagine]

And flat out admit that I'm not that great at this game right now (in comparison to Tourney-level style). If you had to classify it, you could say I'm an upper-level scrub, at best. BUT, I'm not putting myself down, I'm realizing this, and I wish to get better at the game. I practice wavedashing, shffling and l-canceling, for example, but my problem is, like many casual players, I have lots of trouble thinking ahead, and setting up proper moves.

Not only that, but even though I practice advanced techniques at home, when the time comes to apply them (sadly, in the worst environment, at work, on break, 4 players, 1 stock because they're horribly impatient), I choke, and can't end up playing like anything other than the typical scrub.

Are there any tips you guys could give to a semi-budding Sheik player? Am I playing the wrong kind of matches at work for the things I want to achieve? Are there certain workarounds or obstacles for particular advanced moves, like shffling? (I read another one of my topics, someone mentioning that shffling is tougher with Sheik) What about frame of mind, that MUST be important.

I'll also take a look at Sheik vids when I can to see how they play. Any help you guys give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CmRoddy]

There are TONS of topics on giving advice on these boards for Sheik. Just read some of the threads. And also, read Plank's Sheik Guide. It's very useful.

 

[xelad1]

AP the problem you are having is one that plagues many people who begin encorporating advanced techniques into your game. Chances are that you aren't at a level yet where things like l cancelling wavedashing and shffling are second nature to you and so you are focusing on them too much when you play. When pros, or even experienced players play this game they don't have to THINK about anything they are doing, playing with advanced tactics should become like second nature and the only way to achieve this is through more practice.

Yes your environment is not optimal but you shouldn't be choking nonetheless, unfortuneatly 1 on 1s with tournament rules are the only way to really test your skill... and 1 stock wtf ? Things that will make you own your opponents though are not necessarily just advanced techs, yes all that stuff is super important, it makes you much faster and able to string combos together and it is quite frankly impossible to succeed without them, however you should also focus on things like proper spacing and noticing your opponents habits. A scrub with advanced techs is just a faster scrub, but if you rush in blindly hoping to overwhelm your opponent you will get owned by any semi experienced player and probably by a scrub who outspaces you with spammed smash attacks.

It also doesn't hurt to watch how the pros play and pay attention to the habits they have, doing this won't make you play like them but it will give you an idea of what and what not to do.

 

[APImagine]

I know. 1 stock. Crazy. I find the overall setup of their matches to be too fluke-y. Kinda hard to do what you want in a match when you can get juggled around back and forth in a free-for-all, then having the other guys claim they AREN'T ganging up on anyone.

EDIT: Am I possibly expecting too much, too quickly? Does it take a LONG time to get to where competitive players are?

 

[Takumaru]

Learn your stuff against level 1 computers doing infinite timed matches. It may sound tedious but it really helps you develope your speed to an extent. Also the C-stick (and this is just personal preference) makes for much faster and easier to control aerials. I'd check out the regional boards and see if there are any people from smashboards near you. You learn more from actualy meeting and playing people than from reading a message on the internet.

And progress is relative to each persons ability to pick up on things. It took me about 1 month to get the technical stuff down but that was after being given some useless advice. Also you might notice that you seem to be worse for a period of time while you focus on all the technical stuff, that's normal.

 

[FalseFalco]

I know. 1 stock. Crazy. I find the overall setup of their matches to be too fluke-y. Kinda hard to do what you want in a match when you can get juggled around back and forth in a free-for-all, then having the other guys claim they AREN'T ganging up on anyone.

EDIT: Am I possibly expecting too much, too quickly? Does it take a LONG time to get to where competitive players are?

Play against other people more. But if you want to leave scrubland the first step is to not play scrub rules which is unfortunately what you're unable to do.

The more exposure you get to playing the less you will choke, and if you can play people better than you (there are many good players in Quebec) frequently you'll eventually get to their level.

 

[APImagine]

Well, if things work out, I'll find a group of serious and positive smashers near the Montreal area who'll help me improve, and will be willing to help, too.

EDIT: Oh, I thought of something. How plausible would it be to practice a couple of advanced moves like CRAZY, followed by playing matches until those few moves are fully implemented into your game? THEN, once those moves are second nature, learn another few moves, and then practice until THOSE are implemented into your fighting style as well. How well would that work?

 

[Ophelius]

Yup. Now you're getting it. HE'S MY NOOB, NOONE TOUCH HIM!!!

 

[0m3n5150]

A scrub with advanced techs is just a faster scrub, but if you rush in blindly hoping to overwhelm your opponent you will get owned by any semi experienced player and probably by a scrub who outspaces you with spammed smash attacks.

omg thats me =P
cept i do fairly well against semi-exp players...
i get owned by noobs o.O

anyways... the best way to get better is to play 1on1 matches with players who are far better than you. doesnt matter if you win or lose, just see how many stocks you can take then go home and practice adv techs on your own, and play a lvl 1 comp on inf time and constantly implement those techs. iv been doing that for about a month and my play has drastically improved.

 

[T0MMY]

omg thats me =P
cept i do fairly well against semi-exp players...
i get owned by noobs o.O

anyways... the best way to get better is to play 1on1 matches with players who are far better than you. doesnt matter if you win or lose, just see how many stocks you can take then go home and practice adv techs on your own, and play a lvl 1 comp on inf time and constantly implement those techs. iv been doing that for about a month and my play has drastically improved.

I have to say, you've been improving well the times we get together and play. Still, you have to be comfortable with all the advanced techniques and movement in general, and there's a lot to improve on with that, even after playing the game for years.

 

[Ophelius]

Yup. Ya have to think!

 

[0m3n5150]

tommy are you stalking me? =P
wherever i am, you or timmy are almost always there lol

but yes, i still need to work on application ^.^

 

[APImagine]

Uh, so in regards to my last post, what should I do?

 

[Takumaru]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I did. I think I focused on wavedashing first, then short hopping, then SHFFLing and now I'm focusing on needles and mix-ups. Practicing these things against a level one computer helped me develope a more natural feel for them, just remember that real people won't just stand there and take it like a stupid computer...

 

[Ophelius]

Here's what I did.

Wavedashing with Luigi
L-canceling with Boozer
SHFFL with Falco
Needles with Kirby. JK

 

[Takumaru]

We all know kirby does needles better anyway. Needles kirby > Needle Kirby, stupid spike ball...

I suppose I should insert a /endsarcasm here...

 

[einthesuperdog]

This may be hard to do while playing in free for all and still learning the advanced techs, but try to keep your eye on your opponent. As has been stated, in the ideal situation you'll have all your advanced techs down so that you don't really need to think; you'll just need to practice to accomplish this. Once you get to this point you'll want to watch what you're opponents are doing. Watching your opponent and playing smart is really key.

That being said, one of the simplest things to do is watch where they tech. If you can tech chase your noob friends well it'll really frustrate them.