How can I counter wavedashing?
I've recently begun playing Melee with players who use wavedashing as a core part of their strategy, using wavedashes not only to traverse entire stages very quickly, but also to steal ledges, attack unpredictably, and prevent recoveries.
My question is simple: how can I counter a wavedashing opponent?
Some preliminary strategies I've been using that seem to hold some promise:
Using projectiles, especially those with stopping power (eg Mario's Fireball, Falco's Blaster, etc.) to interrupt the wavedash
Aerial attacks - I find when I remain in the air, the wavedashing is effectively neutralized, since I cannot be attacked from the ground
- Wavedashing myself - this tends to throw my opponents off as well, but it does not seem like a sustainable strategy for countering wavedashing in general
Thus, what strategies exist to combat wavedashing? Am I missing some basic strategies used by the pros? Or is the only solution to add wavedashing to my own repertoire and use it as well?
Best Answer
Wavedashing is an "exploit" of the game's physics engine. It allows players to move faster and more precisely on the ground and still be able to attack/counterattack very quickly. It's a technique used by almost every professional Melee player that I know, and a lot of the more skilled players use this technique as well because it's extremely reliable once you've mastered it.
I don't think there are any explicit counters to wavedashing - if there were, I'd expect professional to have figured it out by now and used it to prevent their opponents from gaining the advantage.
Projectiles are an okay long-range choice against wavedashers, but because of the relatively short time it takes to react (compared to normal running/jumping), they can often just move far enough away so the projectile doesn't hit, or they can raise their shields before it hits. Aerial combat works pretty well against them since it forces them to leave the ground where wavedashing has the advantage... however, you can't stay in the air forever, and you'll eventually have to return to the ground.
In the end, the best way to "counter" wavedashing is to learn how to wavedash yourself. It's a great technique that hones your twitch reflexes and makes you a better player. Anyone can do it with pratice - don't let an opponent hold the advantage when you can hold the same power yourself!
Pictures about "How can I counter wavedashing?"
Quick Answer about "How can I counter wavedashing?"
Is Wavedashing a glitch?
"Contrary to some belief, wavedashing is not a glitch, but instead is completely explainable by the physics system in the game, despite being an unintended physics byproduct."Is Wavedashing easy?
The super wavedash (sometimes abbreviated as SWD) is a frame-perfect physics exploit in Super Smash Bros. Melee that can only be performed by Samus.For Honor | \
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Hanbo Wang, ELEVATE, RODNAE Productions, Yusef Wiley