Hello fellow Pit's,
I wanted to share with you a few things that I do in smash that I find useful but don't see mentioned often or at all. I don't believe any of these are game-changers but I find them effective. Some of you could possibly benefit from them and possibly add your own. That being said many of them are just spacing and zoning techniques. Someone may have already said a few of these so I apologize in advance for not memorizing an entire subforum.
* When approaching with an aerial, specifically short-hopped N-Air and Reverse D-Airs. While doing so use your upwards movement to approach and space out and enemy and then on the fall (You can use fast falling of course, but this does work without) retreating somewhat. This alone is a decent little mind game but it's real utilization is buffering a ground attack on the way down, preferably F-smash, D-smash, F-tilt, D-tilt, and Jab. This seems to often trick foes because several of the ground attacks out range or otherwise fill a different hitbox, while buffering the attack ensures it comes out quickly. This may just be me, but I also feel like the way the camera zooms in and out during this it somewhat obscures the start of the ground attack. Could just be tunnel vision though.
*Quick Mid-Air Jumps follow with D-Air: Situational and possible to escape from, I like the technique of rising D-airs. It can chain together and earn kills, and if you input the buttons quick enough it's a pretty quick ascent of pure wall'o'blades. When I first started playing this game I found this technique tough to use, but over time I have seen it's uses. If my explanation isn't the best I believe I have seen Pink Fresh use this technique if you'd like to see it's application.
*Pivot Grabs, Side-B's, and F-Tilts.: I saw @
Conda had pivot side-b's specifically mentioned in a video a few days ago but I figure I should mention that doing this with grabs and F-tilts and possibly other moves is effective as well. In F-tilt's case it seems as if Pit has some extended range and if I remember correctly Brawl had a similar mechanic. Somethings of a mind game but it has many applications such as after short-hops, out of shield, after a few jabs, it seems to throw off opponents if mixed in properly. Also for anyone playing with a GC controller out there, I believe there is a mechanic where you can use both F-tilt and Grab with the Z-button on default controls based on the timing input, I actually can't explain how it works, but it sort of has a fluid feel that makes this technique feel quite fluid.
*Grabbing a foe on the edge and just letting him go: This has some other applications as well but the one I want to discuss is when you grab a foe near the edge just pummel him or hold him for a minute and just let them go. Most times people will opt into just dropping below the edge and jumping up to snatch it. Because of this predictable pattern, as Pit you can run right off the edge and fast fall a B-Air or a Reverse Side-B and at the right angles D-air. This can sometimes lead to stage spike and/or gimp. Really just running off the edge and fast falling aerials as Pit is a great strategy on it's own, but I find the grab and let-go often disorients opponents and sets them into the perfect position for this follow-up.
*Guardian Orbitars to Reflect Moves: I'm sure everyone knows that the GO's reflect projectiles, and many may know about the wind effect, but I don't see much talk about the uses of this effect. Personally I've used it to reflect many characters recovery and is especially useful when a foe over shoots by just a small bit or aims specifically at the very edge of the stage you can use this with the right timing and throw a character right into the void while in fall special. I have a video of me doing this with a Shiek that honestly looks like it actually reflects the attack and doesn't just push her, but I could be wrong. I'm too lazy too look and see if someone else has answered this yet or not (Back in the day Mirror Shield worked like this so it could be the case).
*Upperdash Usage: Not really a technique but since I myself am still skeptical of its overall effectiveness I figured this application of Side-B should be noted. After juggling an opponent in mid-air, it is common for them to DI of a bit to the left or right making traditional follow-ups a little tough. Now if read correctly you can follow up your aerial with a side-b and connect with the Upperdash at fairly high part of the stage helping acquire low percent kills. Fairly simple, but it does work pretty consistently with some experience. It does carry moderate risk due to the lag after Side-B, but if spaced correctly the risk can be minimized. This is probably not news to any vets, but for newer folks this is one of the only uses I recommend for Side-B until you are used to the moves nuances (Such as the lag cancels with aerials, which I won't detail here since I believe it has been detailed somewhat thoroughly elsewhere). Can be used in combinations with the Rising D-Air's from above.
*Shooting arrows straight up and Bending: It's common knowledge that you can shoot your arrow straight up, but what I never see mentioned is the unique applications shooting upwards has. If a foe is thrown high it is possible to kill him with an upwards area if he is close to a blast zone. Arrows also seem easier to curve and can cover a larger area when shot upwards, almost, to the point of curving in a "U" shape. Didn't deserve a specific entry but quickly curving an arrow up and then down again a few times, the arrows goes along a curvy sin wive that actually covers more square footage than a regular arrow, limiting foe's approach and attack options somewhat. I believe you can see this in one of Pink Fresh's videos as well, for reference.
*Not a technique but something I observed the other night, as I was in the super armor frames off Side-B I was hit with a spike. Of course, I didn't budge, but the foe dive bombed straight into the abyss. I'm like 75% sure that person just Fast-Falled themselves to death thinking they had spiked me, but even in the replay it doesn't seem clear. If anyone knows more, I'd be glad to hear it.
This list by no means comprehensive as I know I have a few more myself but at the moment I cant think of them (Much easier when I have freshly had the controller in my hands) but if you have any little tricks that don't quite fit anywhere else feel free to add to or comment on mine.
when he runs to grab you, run towards him and dash attack or grab him instead of waiting lol, might work due to surprise factor.
