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What type of Smasher are You?

kirbykid

BRoomer
BRoomer
Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Messages
486
Location
Texas
Competitive smashers have sucked the fun out of the game by reducing smash to 1v1 no item battles on Final Destination only. These self proclaimed Pro smashers are only good at the way THEY play the game. All Casual smashers think that playing with items on very high on Temple is a deep and enriching gameplay experience. Hardcore Smashers spend all of their time finding glitches so they can exploit and break the “real way” to play smash. People who don’t play smash are worthless.

If you’ve been outside the smashboards for more than 17 seconds, you have probably heard some of these stereotypes. Good thing none of them are true (except maybe that last one).
<p align="center"><img src="http://smashboards.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/what-kind-are-you.jpg" /></p>
It’s time to set some things straight. I believe it would do us all good to try to work out some definitions so that we can work out our differences.


<p align="center"><strong>Non-smasher:</strong> A person who doesn’t play smash.</p>
Though the definition seems clear enough, I must add that in order to qualify as a non-smasher, you have to either have never played any of the Smash Bros. games or explicitly state a refusal to play them. Basically, these people are mainly gamers who have never owned an N64 or a Nintendo Gamecube. It’s important to remember that there’s nothing wrong with these people. Most of the people in the world are these people. We need them to power our livelihood. Also, before you got your hands on Smash, you were one. Never forget where you’ve come from.
<p align="center"><strong>Casual Smasher:</strong> A person who plays smash as a recreational activity. These gamers play smash as a pastime, diversion, or as a resource for relaxation and enjoyment.</p>
Ultimately for these gamers, Smash is all about having fun in any style. Winning a losing matches is secondary to creating exciting experiences. This is why playing with items appeals to these players so much. What’s more exciting than throwing a bunch of pokeballs all over the place and running around as chaos commences?

As soon as someone gets upset or angry (at losing perhaps) the situation would have then gone too far for the Casual Smasher. Because everyone is just trying to have fun, there’s no need to get upset and throw your controller across the room. Though Smash has rules and clear objectives, they’re of a lesser priority for these players. They encourage people to try and win, but not at the expense of anyone else’s fun.
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<p align="center"><strong>Competitive Smasher:</strong> These gamers are serious about getting better at smash.</p>
The rules of the game are important because they create structures and yield gameplay that can’t be found anywhere else. Because the point of playing a game is to win, these Smashers do exactly that. These gamers will analyze their game to discover weaknesses and attempt to correct them. They’ll discover or acquire a technique and practice until it’s second nature. These smashers would never say “you’re taking the game too seriously” because they know, like anything in life (sports, music, school), taking it seriously is the best way to live. Only when you work for things do they truly become worth it; they truly become a part of you.

Though these gamers may not always have the time, it’s important to keep in mind that the only thing that differentiates a competitive smasher and a casual smasher is their respective attitudes. It has nothing to do with skill level. Those who simply have to desire to get better are competitive smashers, even if they never have any one else to play with for real competition.
<p align="center"><strong>Pro Smasher:</strong> A pro smasher is an expert player.</p>
There are many definitions of what makes a professional. Some define being a professional as being able to earn a living by, in this case, playing smash. I didn’t like this definition because earning a living is still quite difficult for professional gamers. After all, gaming in general is relatively new to the professional world of competition.

The only way to prove yourself in smash is to compete. Participating in tournaments is an easy way to compete and potentially establish yourself as an expert player by placing high. With Melee, competition was usually your friends, unless you were tapped into some kind of community. I grew up on smashboards, and I owe my allegiance to those boards. Through this community, I found out about tournaments, players, and techniques, and have been traveling all over Texas for the last 5 years or so just to compete.

Just because you win a local tournament doesn’t make you pro either. It’s important to get a sense of the overall evolution of competitive smash play. Thanks to youtube, smashers everywhere have an easy way to post and share videos. When someone is good, like <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=nOKyMf_sa7U">Bombsoldier</a> for example, the world can know about him and the new level of skill to reach.

There are certainly other kinds of experts in the smash universe. Some people aren’t good at mind games or pushing buttons fast enough. For these people, they might enjoy doing research about smash.You can also be an expert by holding the high scores in any of the single player modes (Break the Targets, Home Run Contest, Adventure Mode, Challenge Mode, Multiman Melee).

What’s important to remember about the pro smasher is they still have fun. Because fun can be thought of in many different ways, and come from a variety of experiences, we must be careful to accept other people’s preferences and methods for having fun. Some people really like applying themselves. I am one of these people. I enjoy experimenting and finding completely new ways to play. I don’t believe any pro smasher would continually go to tournaments if they weren’t having fun or being satisfied in some way. Nobody is forcing them to go. Because they choose to go, then there’s a good chance they enjoy it.

Every competitive player has their own personal line that they draw between doing everything it takes to win, and still having fun. I know I drew the line at “I must play Kirby.” For me, it was all about Kirby, and I didn’t care about any other character. This is probably the worst decision I could have made for my Melee “career.” I’ve suffered so much because of Kirby’s weakness. But even when I lost hard, I was still having fun. As long as I played Kirby, I was on the fun side of the line. Ultimately, it was my choice, and I went down fighting for what I believed in.
<p align="center"><strong>Hardcore Smasher:</strong> a player who will stick with Smash no matter what happens to the game.</p>
If L-canceling is out, if wave-dashing is out, if Marth is out, if Fox is nerfed, if there are no more original stages for target test, if the Brawl is not online, the Hardcore smasher will shrug and quickly move on. I know some may think that being hardcore is wining and nitpicking over the smallest details, but this is a misconception. The primary definition for “hardcore” is being “unswervingly committed”. This means, not matter what you’re sticking with Smash.

I fall under this definition of hardcore. I’ve written literally hundreds of pages about smash. I have owned the game since day 1 on the N64. And I’m planning my college schedule light next semester so my academic career isn’t flushed. I’ve set aside money so that I’ll be sure to be able to afford Brawl when it hits. Plus, I have two reservations for the game just in case a delivery truck tips over, or one of my friends foolishly forgets to reserve a copy. This is what it means to be hardcore. Not necessary all the specifics, but simply being committed.

I can hear some of you saying, “But wait a minute. I thought you said you were a Pro smasher. How can you be a hardcore smasher too?” I’m so glad you asked.

Being a Casual/Competitive/Hardcore smasher is all about your attitude. It’s very possibly to be a Hardcore-Casual Smasher. And for all you competitive/pro smashers reading this, inside us all there is a little casual smasher sitting around just goofing of on pokefloats with items on high. It’s good to recognize that.

Notice how none of these definitions have anything to do with “items on or off” “final destination only” or “must play tiers.” It’s all about who each individual smasher is and the choices they make. Everyone is different. Respecting these differences is how we’ll all get along when Brawl rolls around.
 

konoha107

Smash Apprentice
Joined
May 31, 2007
Messages
154
I think I can sum up what I think about this when I thought (in exact quote), "Frankly, I agree with everything he just said".
 

quithas

Smash Cadet
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
68
Casual-Hardcore Smasher

I consider mky self the casual-hardcore smasher I love to play because its fun I also like to play competivly but still enjoy. If Smahs Brothers Brawl didnt have Sonic or online I would still buy it and play it because I love the series so much the gameplay and beating up other Nintendo characters in a free for all is awesome that is why I consider myself a casual-hardcore Smasher.
 

NinjaRooster

Smash Cadet
Joined
Jul 22, 2007
Messages
53
Location
Southern California
Brilliance. Sheer Brilliance. You've hit the nail right on the head. Everything you said was spot on and you clearly stated your points without any attempt to insult anyone or tell everyone else that they are wrong. Pretty cool. I applaud you.
 

kirbykid

BRoomer
BRoomer
Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Messages
486
Location
Texas
Brilliance. Sheer Brilliance. You've hit the nail right on the head. Everything you said was spot on and you clearly stated your points without any attempt to insult anyone or tell everyone else that they are wrong. Pretty cool. I applaud you.
What about those non-smashers? Aren't they worthless? ;) *wink* ;) *wink*.

:lick: lick my eye? (I don't know what this one is used for)

But seriously, Thanks for all the compliments.
 

Silent_X

Smash Apprentice
Joined
Oct 5, 2007
Messages
198
Casual-Hardcore.

I have no interest in being the best at smash,
but I love the game and I have played hours upon hours of the game.
The Idea of having a bunch of video game characters fight each is just pure genius in my mind.

Although I do try to play the best I can(which isn't that great due to my shoty hand-eye coordination)
 

Brentos4o8

Smash Ace
Joined
Jul 14, 2006
Messages
518
Location
Livermore, CA
This is very precise. Haha. People could fall into these categories or a combination of them.
Me? I fall under Hardcore/Competitive. :)
 

Blackadder

Smash Master
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
3,164
Location
Purple
Brilliant.

I wish everyone on SWF would sit down and read that short page you've written up there KK.

Awesome stuff, and all very very true.
I've had a bit of a think on it, and I guess I'm a mix between Competitive Smasher and Hardcore Smasher.

Competitive because I'm hell-bent on being the best I can be, and hard-core because I'm getting Brawl. Instantly. And I care not for the lack of L-cancel and WD and such... :p

I'm going to guess many people wil be "Casual-Hardcore" or "Competitive Hardcore" on the board. Or at least most people that post on this.
 

Sariku

Smash Master
Joined
May 24, 2007
Messages
4,384
Location
Biloxi, Mississippi
THIS ISN'T FAIR.

Nah, just messing with you Kirbykid. You really rock, and this was the best definition I've seen to date.

I'd have to be a Competative Smasher. Hardcore too, but I have limitations. Being 14 only lets you do so much without parental permission. It sucks, so I don't know if I can say I'm hardcore. Though if having close to 2000 Posts in just a few months is hardcore, I am. I'm not sure really, xD.

When are you guys gonna do the next SmashCast?
 

GOTM

Smash Champion
Joined
Feb 4, 2007
Messages
2,776
Location
West Chester, PA
yea i would have to classify myself as a competetive/hardcore as well, as probably most of the people on smashboards probably are as well
 

kirbykid

BRoomer
BRoomer
Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Messages
486
Location
Texas
When are you guys gonna do the next SmashCast?
We're trying to get that up and running again.

Let me just say it's very difficult. Scav works (like a real grown up and everything). And I'm in college working hard. I'm uber busy, but I try to clear time on the weekends for podcasting and stuff. Mic lives in another country so syncing up the times is very difficult.

I discuss Brawl everyday, and I'm tempted to just record those conversations and just release them on the cast.

What do you want in the cast that's not in the blog?
 

Patinator

Smash Champion
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
2,194
Location
Decatur, Tennessee.
Quite a good multi-paragraph of interesting knowledge! I'd say I would rank as... Casual-Hardcore. Hmm, seems a very popular self-description, doesn't it...?
 

crush_T_asain

Smash Apprentice
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
147
Location
Canada
casual-hardcore smasher

lets see in melee my fav is modes are only warpstars and very high FD or only bomboms on very high FD or ffa FD with 1-2 comps (thats with my friend tom) ok i can wd(i dont use that much tho) kinda waveland, di, l-cancel tech and stuff my shffl isnt that great,and fox trot i think thats it... i like samus and jiggs

but 64 was prob my best since i was like around 8-9 when i played it hours on end and i would get up early to play some more NESS woo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!he was a disapointment in brawl :( PK thunder is lame in brawl :(
 

Sariku

Smash Master
Joined
May 24, 2007
Messages
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Biloxi, Mississippi
We're trying to get that up and running again.

Let me just say it's very difficult. Scav works (like a real grown up and everything). And I'm in college working hard. I'm uber busy, but I try to clear time on the weekends for podcasting and stuff. Mic lives in another country so syncing up the times is very difficult.

I discuss Brawl everyday, and I'm tempted to just record those conversations and just release them on the cast.

What do you want in the cast that's not in the blog?
Accually I'm not sure. Just getting you with another person who is somewhat experienced in Smash talking about some stuff would be nice. Infact, it doesn't even have to be with Scav and Mic and them...

YOUKO. You NEED Youko in your thing... Or you in their thing. Talk to Youko about the Roundtable. I'd LOVE that...
 

Red_Maniac

Smash Lord
Joined
May 30, 2006
Messages
1,377
NNID
SeeJayC
I'm in between casual and competitive.

I love playing Smash and play it for fun, but sometimes I take it more seriously. I also usually play without items if I'm bored.
 

MetalMetaKnight

Smash Journeyman
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
230
Location
In the Halbeard...Ready to fight &gt;:D
I usually just play for fun with my friends, no Advasnce techs or anything. I will use an advance technique eventually if im losing because one of my friends is an insane fox player. Then i can also get serious at times. Depends on my mood, hahaha
 

Pitbuller26

Smash Lord
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
1,020
Location
Monrovia, California
Hmm a very precise list, I like it. I fall under half casual and half competitive as I like seriously playing WITH items. What can i say?, I like bomb-ombs(sp?) randomly appearing.:laugh:
 

Maricalistaro

Smash Journeyman
Joined
Aug 29, 2007
Messages
208
Location
Augusta, GA
I like the thoughtfulness in this post, very intelligent observations.

Heh guess that makes me pretty much an hardcore-casual.
 

Homelessvagrant

Smash Lord
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right here...at smashboards
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Nice article Kirby kid

I'd say I'm a hardcore-competeive smasher with casual attributes (I want to win but I won't be arrogant about or for that matter lower anyones self esteem).
 

EarthboundMun

Smash Cadet
Joined
Sep 16, 2003
Messages
58
Location
Florida
Casual-Competitive, here.

I know where to draw the line between casual play for fun/relaxation and competitive play to improve myself. When I'm playing competitively, I pick Ness or Ganondorf. When I'm playing casually, I pick... just about anyone else on the roster. Though I don't really have the means or the mode to enter the actual tournament scene, that will change come 2008 and I focus on Brawl (like pretty much everyone else) and can hone my skills online against other human players.
 

Johnknight1

Upward and Forward, Positive and Persistent
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This is very precise. Haha. People could fall into these categories or a combination of them.
Me? I fall under Hardcore/Competitive. :)
As do I. I am a Hardcore/Competitive. I don't have the skills to be anywhere near pro level. Definitely.

I wish everyone on SWF would sit down and read that short page you've written up there KK.

Awesome stuff, and all very very true.
I've had a bit of a think on it, and I guess I'm a mix between Competitive Smasher and Hardcore Smasher.

Competitive because I'm hell-bent on being the best I can be, and hard-core because I'm getting Brawl. Instantly. And I care not for the lack of L-cancel and WD and such... :p

I'm going to guess many people wil be "Casual-Hardcore" or "Competitive Hardcore" on the board. Or at least most people that post on this.
^ EXACTLY! kirbykid, you win again! :)

We're trying to get that up and running again.

Let me just say it's very difficult. Scav works (like a real grown up and everything). And I'm in college working hard. I'm uber busy, but I try to clear time on the weekends for podcasting and stuff. Mic lives in another country so syncing up the times is very difficult.

I discuss Brawl everyday, and I'm tempted to just record those conversations and just release them on the cast.

What do you want in the cast that's not in the blog?
^ Doing a sample of youko's roundtable trials, I know this all to well. He spent like 4 hours trying to sync me and Colbusman for diffrent segments, and we lived at a very close distance compared to working the distance from someone in Australia. But at least it turned out good. :)

And voice is better. Definitely.
 

orintemple

Smash Lord
Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
1,237
Location
Chicago, IL
I would say competitive hardcore. I used to be casual but I eventually become very serious about winning and being good. And of course I will always be hardcore, SMASH FOR LIFE! :)
 

TyrantX

Smash Apprentice
Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Messages
76
Location
Sylvan Lake, AB/CANADA
I am definetly a hardcore smasher through and through. I have pro skills and there is some casual in me of course but I have remained faithful to Smash even when everyone around me became sick of it and stopped playing. I have also owned the game from day one on the 64 and I will get Brawl and love it because I already know it's going to be the best game there is!
 

Bassoonist

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I'm a casual smasher. Definitely. I have more important things (to me, anyways.) to do with my life other than play Super Smash Bros.
 

kirbykid

BRoomer
BRoomer
Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Messages
486
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Texas
I'm a casual smasher. Definitely. I have more important things (to me, anyways.) to do with my life other than play Super Smash Bros.
The important things to you are all that matters (to you). Wasn't trying to make a joke, but it sounds pretty funny.

What I'm trying to say is, there's no shame in prioritizing your life. Good luck.
 

mario-man

Smash Lord
Joined
Feb 6, 2007
Messages
1,840
I also agree that everyone on smashboards should read this!! This needs
STICKIED!!!

I personally am a Hardcore-Competitive smasher. Honestly for me, it's going to be tough giving up all the things I've spent hours on end trying to perfect, but recently, I've been realizing that it's all gonna be ok. It's still Smash and it will still be the best game ever!!!
 

Crooked Crow

drank from lakes of sorrow
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
2,248
In between Casual and Competitive. Leaning more towards Casual..
because I don't have anyone good to play against anymore because I moved recently
and have no transportation or money for tournaments..
I learned a lot of the advanced techniques though, and it's fun to play knowing how to use them.
I play with family and friends for fun and sandbag a LOT. Still fun playing though.
 

Smooth Criminal

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A part of me really wants to say "Casual-Hardcore," but that would be contradicting to my competitive spirit. I view gaming in a very laissez-faire manner; it's so much uncaring as it is lucidity. I care about winning and being great, but it's not a fiery passion. I accept wins when I get them and I accept losses when I get them. No big hairy deal either way, even if money is at stake. It's like the lottery: If you put money down, hey, that's cool. If you lose, that's your ***. You took the gamble and you lost. It's just part of the consequences. So, I guess I could fall under the "Competitive-Hardcore" archetype---to a point. Like Andrew, games don't consume my life in the way that they did years ago---I'm a family man and got oodles of responsibility.

However, I strive to be great at any game that I pick up. Smash is definitely no exception to this. I went to tournaments frequently in my prime, when time and responsibility were malleable to my whims. I played and played and played each installment of the franchise (ESPECIALLY Melee; that's where my tourney experience comes from). There are times when I just wanna say "**** it!" and burn that crucial twenty dollars on a local tourney here in Atlanta. But I can't. However, it doesn't diminish my love for the franchise in the least. Smash has been great since its inception and Brawl is shaping up very, very well.

Props to Kirby Kid, by the way. This is a wonderful thread.

Smooth Criminal
 

kirbykid

BRoomer
BRoomer
Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Messages
486
Location
Texas
I also agree that everyone on smashboards should read this!! This needs
STICKIED!!!
I think it does need to be stickied.... either in every gaming thread on the internet...or permanently in our hearts.

In between Casual and Competitive. Leaning more towards Casual..
because I don't have anyone good to play against anymore because I moved recently
and have no transportation or money for tournaments..
I learned a lot of the advanced techniques though, and it's fun to play knowing how to use them.
I play with family and friends for fun and sandbag a LOT. Still fun playing though.
Soon we will play.

A part of me really wants to say "Casual-Hardcore," but that would be contradicting to my competitive spirit. I view gaming in a very laissez-faire manner; it's so much uncaring as it is lucidity. I care about winning and being great, but it's not a fiery passion. I accept wins when I get them and I accept losses when I get them. No big hairy deal either way, even if money is at stake. It's like the lottery: If you put money down, hey, that's cool. If you lose, that's your ***. You took the gamble and you lost. It's just part of the consequences. So, I guess I could fall under the "Competitive-Hardcore" archetype---to a point. Like Andrew, games don't consume my life in the way that they did years ago---I'm a family man and got oodles of responsibility.

However, I strive to be great at any game that I pick up. Smash is definitely no exception to this. I went to tournaments frequently in my prime, when time and responsibility were malleable to my whims. I played and played and played each installment of the franchise (ESPECIALLY Melee; that's where my tourney experience comes from). There are times when I just wanna say "**** it!" and burn that crucial twenty dollars on a local tourney here in Atlanta. But I can't. However, it doesn't diminish my love for the franchise in the least. Smash has been great since its inception and Brawl is shaping up very, very well.

Props to Kirby Kid, by the way. This is a wonderful thread.

Smooth Criminal
Your story was moving. In the end, it's all about finding out how to live... and how to live with others.
 

Darkfur

Abbey Recorder
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Nov 22, 2001
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sneaking low to the ground, ready to pounce
Absolutely great article kirbykid. I agree with every bit of it. I'm a Competitive-Hardcore myself, having been working on getting better for a while now. I remember just a couple of days ago I felt like improving something about myself in Smash so I practiced spiking with Marth's down air for about three hours. I found it very fun seeing myself get better. Thanks again for the article. ^_^ I'd like to refer several people to this in the future.
 

Konpaku

Smash Journeyman
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
250
Location
Hesperia CA
I tend to be both Casual Smasher and Competitive Smasher.
Should have a poll on this, im sure most would be casual. =]
 

adumbrodeus

Smash Legend
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
11,322
Location
Tri-state area
Casual

But I disagree with a lot of what you said about enjoyment.


Sure, items are pretty, but once the novelty wears off, there's nothing less fun then an exploding barrel falling into your downsmash, or a beam sword spawning while you're off the edge.


I'm sorry, but winning is fun, and if it makes me better at winning I have no issue with adding in some advanced techs as long as it doesn't interfere with my fun (and I do not include picking up a secondary that I can practicing shuffling with as interfering).


I'm definately casual, because it's all about fun, yet at the same time I find your definition about what makes it fun lacking for both me and a lot of other casual players.
 

PilotEvan

Smash Journeyman
Joined
Dec 18, 2005
Messages
219
Location
Los Angeles, California
A very good article. Though, I can't say anything new that someone hasn't said already, I'm just very glad that you treated the lower rungs with as much respect as you did. Many people could learn from this article, though whether it actually sinks into them is questionable... :ohwell:
 

Tajem

Smash Apprentice
Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
127
Location
Louisiana
I'd say I'm Competitive-Hardcore.

I've played Melee since it came out early in the decade. Yet, I never started playing on a very serious level until just recently. Now I'm getting steadily better because, hell, Smash is the shiznit.
 
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