Six Ways to Up Your Smash Game and Why There’s More to Smash Than Game, by Chris Fabiszak

You’ve made the decision: you are going to be the next Smash superstar. Good on you. While the secret recipe for breaking into the top five really can’t be taught, a little discipline and a conscientious training schedule can set you up for success. Here are my top recommendations.

#6 – Play people near your skill level
I see players fight desperately to sit down with the best people they can find. But if you aren’t already placing at tournaments, getting time with Dr. PP won’t do you any good, I promise you that. Instead, find people who are 1-2 steps away from your skill level – up or down. You’ll be able to identify the gaps in your game much easier that way, and you can work on them more attentively when you have a practice partner.

#5 – Take breaks
You know how weight lifters take rest weeks? They’re on to something. Don’t just keep hammering away at Smash until you get better. Unless your last name is Zimmerman, this probably isn’t a winning strategy. Put the controller down for a week, or even two weeks. Perspective will take you farther than perspiration.

#4 – Simulate tournament scenarios when you practice
Your worth will likely be tested in a scenario that is much different than the one in which you practice. Firstly, instead of just playing match after match to no end, consider this: get a stack of dollar bills (or quarters if you’re broke), and play sets of three with your practice partner. Strike stages, counter pick characters, the whole deal. Loser throws money into the pot, and then at the end of your session, use the pot to buy dinner.

Secondly, and this may seem silly, try playing under adverse conditions you may find at a tournament. Turn the heat up. Sit awkwardly close to the TV. Have your roommate walk behind you and scream “I need Legend of Fire Hands. If Legend of Fire Hands doesn’t show up in TWO minutes, he will be DQ’d!!”

One day we’ll have the luxuries afforded to StarCraft players. Until then, be prepared for anything.

#3 – Don’t always play to win
It’s important to learn “how to win.” That takes practice. But equally important is expanding your arsenal, and that can be difficult when you are focused on four stocks at a time. Try playing 20-minute time matches with your practice partner, and see if you find yourself emboldened to try new things.

#2 – Value level 1 training
With a game like Smash, comfort level is of paramount importance. The first step to success is simply getting to know the basics of your character, to avoid things falling apart when you are under the spotlight. In the age of nightly streaming and a tournament every weekend, I worry that players are overlooking their level 1 training. It’s folly to simply watch amazing combos on Twitch, then try to reproduce them in-match.

So set the stock count to 99, pit yourself against a level 1 Fox, and invest the time. You can practice your combos or your interceptions, or you can simply dash dance around aimlessly – the time spent alone with your character is guaranteed to pay off.

#1 – Go to tournaments
I can’t entirely explain this one, but if only one thing in this article holds true, it is this: 1 hour at a tournament is worth 10 hours with your friends. It’s almost like learning through osmosis.

So don’t wait until you’re ready, get out to everything you can, even at the beginning.

We’ve seen good players, but we haven’t found our Jordan. I predict that our #23 hasn’t yet made an appearance on the scene.

But we have room in this community for far more than competitors. There are a variety of roles to be filled, and there is so much territory left entirely unexplored. The future is yours to write.

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Christopher “Wife” Fabiszak is a Melee enthusiast and author of Team Ben: A Year as a Professional Gamer