Hihi,
I was browsing the Sheik board today and I noticed no one has really addressed how ridiculous Sheik's recovery game is in this iteration of Smash.
I had trouble in Project M and Melee because Vanish had such a limited range though still had a good mix up potential.
Now with Bouncing Fish, Vanish's improved hitboxes and windboxes, and a impossible-not-to-grab ledge mechanic, Sheik is just like so great at getting back from just about anything from anywhere on the map.
Below is a screen I added in with a few examples.
Note that in the key:
- x = starting position away from the stage from a knockback
- bf = Bouncing Fish
- fair = forward aerial
- nair = neutral aerial
- bair = back air
- ff = fast fall
The aerials are simple examples of how to start up the neutral game back up on a possible enemy who is trying to still try your life. These are just examples so they don't apply in every situation.
Also you can guide a falling Sheik away from the stage, such as in the rightmost example, such that you can curve her out of the reach of most members from the cast, fall to the bottom corner of the map, and recover through stupid combinations of 1 jump, 1 long Bouncing Fish, and a Vanish right underneath the stage.
The reason for this post is to really highlight the advantages Sheik has off stage to new and returning players.
I would stress the importance of Sheik's ability to regain control even when she is in the disadvantage state of the game off stage.
There is so much more control now in the air for Sheik to turn the tides of battle.
Getting approached with a fair? Then fast fall, Bouncing Fish underneath them, and Vanish to safety.
Ness jocking on your game with PK Thunder? Aerial dodge, jump, Bouncing Fish onto him.
Ganon trying to bair you into oblivion? Jump, Bouncing Fish over him or Vanish through him.
The neat thing too is how dynamic Bouncing Fish can be with variable ranges.
You can reset the game so easily now by Bouncing Fish towards underneath the stage and closing the gap along the bottom edge of the stage with Vanish. Just don't get bair'd into the stage or you will have to tech immediately.
It is so stupid how many options you have in the air that she sits at the top of the recovery tier list along with Jiggs, Kirby, and Metaknight in my opinion.
Do not underestimate her range and test all sorts of combinations off stage -- her biggest merits are derived from the insane amount of options she has.
And as most of you probably know, you can even go underneath most Battle Field sized stages by fast falling from the ledge, long Bouncing Fish underneath, 1 jump, and one diagonal Vanish. You would be surprised at how many fake outs you can initiate with this and the amount of time it buys you. The only option your enemy has is to wait for you to get to the other side at which point you can rethink your game. Be careful as the ledge invulnerability frames might not have reset and a simple bair from some characters can send you straight down.
Anyways, that's all I would like to share and I welcome any new findings and opinions.
Bar none I believe this entire side of her game solidifies her placement in the Top Tier™.
I was browsing the Sheik board today and I noticed no one has really addressed how ridiculous Sheik's recovery game is in this iteration of Smash.
I had trouble in Project M and Melee because Vanish had such a limited range though still had a good mix up potential.
Now with Bouncing Fish, Vanish's improved hitboxes and windboxes, and a impossible-not-to-grab ledge mechanic, Sheik is just like so great at getting back from just about anything from anywhere on the map.
Below is a screen I added in with a few examples.
Note that in the key:
- x = starting position away from the stage from a knockback
- bf = Bouncing Fish
- fair = forward aerial
- nair = neutral aerial
- bair = back air
- ff = fast fall
The aerials are simple examples of how to start up the neutral game back up on a possible enemy who is trying to still try your life. These are just examples so they don't apply in every situation.
Also you can guide a falling Sheik away from the stage, such as in the rightmost example, such that you can curve her out of the reach of most members from the cast, fall to the bottom corner of the map, and recover through stupid combinations of 1 jump, 1 long Bouncing Fish, and a Vanish right underneath the stage.
The reason for this post is to really highlight the advantages Sheik has off stage to new and returning players.
I would stress the importance of Sheik's ability to regain control even when she is in the disadvantage state of the game off stage.
There is so much more control now in the air for Sheik to turn the tides of battle.
Getting approached with a fair? Then fast fall, Bouncing Fish underneath them, and Vanish to safety.
Ness jocking on your game with PK Thunder? Aerial dodge, jump, Bouncing Fish onto him.
Ganon trying to bair you into oblivion? Jump, Bouncing Fish over him or Vanish through him.
The neat thing too is how dynamic Bouncing Fish can be with variable ranges.
You can reset the game so easily now by Bouncing Fish towards underneath the stage and closing the gap along the bottom edge of the stage with Vanish. Just don't get bair'd into the stage or you will have to tech immediately.
It is so stupid how many options you have in the air that she sits at the top of the recovery tier list along with Jiggs, Kirby, and Metaknight in my opinion.
Do not underestimate her range and test all sorts of combinations off stage -- her biggest merits are derived from the insane amount of options she has.
And as most of you probably know, you can even go underneath most Battle Field sized stages by fast falling from the ledge, long Bouncing Fish underneath, 1 jump, and one diagonal Vanish. You would be surprised at how many fake outs you can initiate with this and the amount of time it buys you. The only option your enemy has is to wait for you to get to the other side at which point you can rethink your game. Be careful as the ledge invulnerability frames might not have reset and a simple bair from some characters can send you straight down.
Anyways, that's all I would like to share and I welcome any new findings and opinions.
Bar none I believe this entire side of her game solidifies her placement in the Top Tier™.
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