Want to get better at Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? Whether you're a new player or looking to step up your game, these essential tips will help you master the fundamentals and advance your skills. From basic movement techniques to advanced strategies, we'll cover everything you need to know to become a more formidable fighter.
1. Play More, Play Smart
The best way to improve at any fighting game is through consistent practice. In Super Smash Bros., each match teaches you something new about different characters, movement options, and combat scenarios. As a new player, consider squaring off against some low level CPUs to get a feel for the game. Eventually, you can take on real opponents in online matches or even your friends in a local match.
Remember that losing isn't a failure – it's an opportunity to learn and grow as a player.
2. Master the Practice Range
Training mode is your best friend when it comes to improving specific techniques. Here you can practice your smash attacks, perfect your aerial attacks, and work on advanced techniques without the pressure of a real match. Set up different scenarios with CPU fighters to practice edge guarding, recovery options, and combo strings. The more time you spend in training mode, the more natural these movements will become during actual matches.
(Credit: Nintendo)
3. Learn Characters and Movesets
Every fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has unique special moves and combat styles. While it's good to have a favorite character, understanding how different characters work helps you both play as and against them effectively. Take time to learn:
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Basic movement options and attack button combinations
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Special moves triggered with the b button
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Character-specific techniques (like Link's projectiles or Captain Falcon's powerful smash attacks)
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Counter mechanics and shield options
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Combos
Understanding the common play styles for characters will not only help you play them better, but also give you insight into your opponent's moves. It may be helpful to pick a few characters that you really like and stick with them for a while as you adjust to the fast-paced fighting of SSB.
4. Understanding Character Matchups
Every fighter has strengths and weaknesses against different characters. Learning these matchups is crucial for competitive play. Here's how to approach matchup knowledge:
Weight Classes Matter
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Heavyweight fighters can survive longer and hit harder but are more vulnerable to combos
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Lightweight fighters deal less damage but are harder to hit and can string together quick attacks. They also can be launched more easily, meaning you might die at a lower damage percentage than a heavyweight character.
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Middle-weight fighters offer balanced options for both offense and defense
Range and Speed Dynamics
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Keep track of which fighters have longer reach versus close-range fighters
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Understand how your character's attack speed matches up against opponents
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Know which characters can effectively zone with projectiles and how to counter them
Exploit Weaknesses
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Learn which recovery patterns are easy to edge guard
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Identify moves that can break through defensive options
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Recognize which characters struggle against your main's best tools
Practice Problem Matchups
Create a list of characters you struggle against and spend extra time in training mode learning:
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How to escape their most common combos
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Which of your moves are most effective against them
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Safe approach options that work specifically against their toolkit
5. Be Unpredictable
Predictable gameplay makes you an easy target. Mix up your approaches and strategies to keep your opponent guessing. Alternate between:
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Ground and aerial attacks
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Aggressive and defensive play
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Different types of recovery options
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Varied combo starters
In fact, using the same move over and over will actually cause the attack to do less damage over time.
6. Read Your Opponent
Success in Smash requires understanding what your opponent is likely to do next. Watch for patterns in their:
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Approach options
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Recovery habits
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Shield usage
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Favorite moves and techniques
Learning to read your opponent gives you a second chance at avoiding attacks and creates openings for dealing damage.
7. Use a Competitive Ruleset
Whether practicing on Final Destination or other stages, using competitive rules helps develop better fundamentals. This means:
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No items (including the home-run bat)
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Stock matches instead of time
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Tournament-legal stages
Mixing up your game modes and rules can be a lot of fun, so don't feel like you have to just stick with the competitive rules.
8. Study and Practice Advanced Techniques
To truly excel, master these essential advanced techniques:
Short Hops
Short hops are quick, low jumps that set up fast aerial attacks. To perform a short hop, quickly press and release the jump button - it should feel like a tap rather than a press. You can also press two jump buttons simultaneously or use the jump + attack shortcut. Start by practicing the raw short hop motion without attacks, then add in aerial moves once you're consistent. Aim to stay airborne for the minimum time possible while still executing your attack.
Perfect Shields
Perfect shields (or parrying) occur when you release the shield button just as an attack hits. To practice, start in training mode with a CPU set to repeatedly use a single move. Press the shield button, then release it right as the attack would connect. A successful perfect shield creates a distinctive visual and audio effect (that's extremely satisfying) and gives you a larger window to counterattack. Once you're comfortable with basic timing, practice against different attack speeds and patterns.
Ledge Guarding
Edge guarding requires controlling space near the stage's ledge to prevent recovery. Position yourself near the edge when your opponent is off-stage, then use these techniques:
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Hang on the ledge to prevent your opponent from grabbing it
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Drop down with an aerial attack to intercept recovery attempts
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Use projectiles or long-reaching attacks to apply pressure
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Mix up between aggressive edge guards and safer ledge-trapping Learn your character's best off-stage options and practice timing them against different recovery patterns.
Different characters are going to have different ledge guarding options and strengths. Practicing with each will set you up for success here.
Teching
Teching prevents you from bouncing off surfaces when hit. To tech, press the shield button just before hitting a wall, ceiling, or floor (within 20 frames). You can also influence the direction by holding left or right while teching. Practice these variations:
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Standard tech: Press shield just before impact
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Tech roll: Press shield and left/right to roll after teching
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Wall tech: Tech while hitting a vertical surface
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Tech in place: Tech without directional input
The timing here can be difficult, so keep practicing. This technique will help you recover faster when hitting the ground and keep you alive in many circumstances.
Fast Falling
Fast falling increases your falling speed for quicker landing and better aerial timing. To fast fall, press down on the control stick at the peak of your jump. You'll see a subtle visual effect when done correctly. Combine this with short hops and aerial attacks for faster, more unpredictable offense.
B-Reversing and Wavebouncing
These techniques change your momentum while using special moves. For a B-reverse, start the special move, then quickly flick the stick in the opposite direction. For a wavebounce, quickly flick the stick opposite your current direction before using the special move, then reverse it immediately after. These moves help mix up your approach and recovery options.
These techniques will take some time and practice to master, but they can certainly take your game to the next level.
9. Use Quality Equipment
Experienced Smash players know that your controller can make or break your performance. Many top players customize their controllers for optimal performance, particularly for techniques like short hop aerials and perfect shields. Using a high-quality controller with good button response and stick sensitivity is crucial for executing advanced techniques consistently.
For serious players looking to step up their game, Hand Held Legend offers the ProGCC, a competitive conversion kit for the Switch Pro Controller. In competitive play, just one moment of wireless lag or interference can be the difference between winning and losing. The ProGCC effectively eliminates 99% of input lag, giving you the edge over the competition.
Take Your Game to the Next Level with Hand Held Legend
Whether you're practicing in training mode or competing in tournaments, having reliable equipment that responds precisely to your inputs can give you the edge you need to improve. Check out our selection of competitive gaming gear to take your Smash Bros. journey to the next level.
Remember, becoming proficient at Super Smash Bros. takes time and dedication. Focus on mastering one technique at a time, and don't get discouraged by setbacks. With these tips and the right equipment, you'll be well on your way to becoming a more formidable fighter in the world of Smash.
