Style makes an amiibo or why my Fox keeps getting rekt
Apr 26, 2016 17:03:38 GMT
Cloud and Elishima like this
Post by Havok on Apr 26, 2016 17:03:38 GMT
I have a theory on why certain amiibo thrive in the current tournament environment and others fail. Style, specifically training style vs character play style.
It has long been accepted that defensive is the best way to train your amiibo. Your amiibo should learn to block, preferably perfect shielding, counterattack, and throw. This works well for amiibo who have excellent options for counterattacks and throws, see the tier list if you have any doubts. I believe that this style doesn't work for all amiibo. Let me give you a few examples from my personal collection.
First, Fox. Throughout Smash Bros history, Fox has been a top tier character played by top tier players. His speed, recovery, and combo ability have made him a consistent pick. However, his amiibo is terrible. Why? Since Fox is a fast, combo-oriented character, he does not respond to defensive training very well. His throws are weak and his best smashes have terrible range. Fox needs to be trained the way his character is played, but even then, in the current environment, is that enough? If a Fox amiibo is trained by the best Fox player in the pros, I am not sure 1. if the amiibo will learn the playstyle properly and 2. be able to handle big, heavy hitters like Bowser or Gannondorf. It is noted that in the early days of amiibo, someone entered a Fox amiibo into a human tournament. I believe he got 3rd place.
Next, Mega Man. In human tournament play, Mega Man ranks about in the middle of the tier list. From my research, Mega Man is played in a rushdown style, however Mega Man has the tools to use the defensive training. He has great throws and great smashes. Shouldn't he then be a high tier character? Why isn't Mega Man up there? I believe this is because, as with Fox, Mega Man is determined to play differently. Mega Man has too much utility and is too complex for a simplified playstyle like defensive training. Don't get me wrong, Mega Man could be really good...with a boatload of training, but like Fox, something in the character playstyle doesn't respond well to defensive training.
Lastly, Gannondorf. In human tournament play, Gannondorf is nearly at the bottom. However, in the amiibo realm, he is a god. He has the power and the size to be one of the dominant forces in the amiibo metagame. Defensive training is tailor-made for him. Add to that his command grab, and you have one scary amiibo. Gannondorf has proved his place near the top of the amiibo tier list.
In summary, I believe this is why some amiibo are bad. They want to play differently. Cloud has documented his trials and tribulations with Pac-Man. Pac-Man falls mid tier among humans, but bottom among amiibo. Pac-Man is a better aerial fighter than a defensive fighter. Donkey Kong is also a typically terrible amiibo. Again, it ranks in the same spot with Mega Man and Pac-Man. Logically, Donkey Kong should respond to the defensive training, but, according to the ssbwiki, Donkey Kong's greatest asset is his speed, indicating to me that DK wants to play differently. Some way other than defensive at least.
Granted, this is a little broad. Maybe some amiibo are just dumb and some are just smart. However, it has been proven that a modified/different training method works with some amiibo, namely Marth. Marth's strength lies in his tippers and you have to teach it to the amiibo. Maybe this means that defensive training may be a good basis for some, but many need very specialized training.
Given these thoughts and the current amiibo meta, my predictions on the final 3.
Corrin - top tier potential - His smashes are devestating.
Cloud - middle tier likely - Cloud has some good moves, but needs that Limit Break charged up for serious damage. Most amiibo struggle when using charging moves and since Cloud is basically doing nothing while charging it, he's vulnerable to smashes and throws while charging it.
Bayonetta - low tier possible - Bayonetta falls in the complex character/aerial character mold. While she does possess some amazing potential, the amiibo may not pick up on it. I may be proved wrong here, but she may be like Fox, good in human hands, bad as an amiibo.
It has long been accepted that defensive is the best way to train your amiibo. Your amiibo should learn to block, preferably perfect shielding, counterattack, and throw. This works well for amiibo who have excellent options for counterattacks and throws, see the tier list if you have any doubts. I believe that this style doesn't work for all amiibo. Let me give you a few examples from my personal collection.
First, Fox. Throughout Smash Bros history, Fox has been a top tier character played by top tier players. His speed, recovery, and combo ability have made him a consistent pick. However, his amiibo is terrible. Why? Since Fox is a fast, combo-oriented character, he does not respond to defensive training very well. His throws are weak and his best smashes have terrible range. Fox needs to be trained the way his character is played, but even then, in the current environment, is that enough? If a Fox amiibo is trained by the best Fox player in the pros, I am not sure 1. if the amiibo will learn the playstyle properly and 2. be able to handle big, heavy hitters like Bowser or Gannondorf. It is noted that in the early days of amiibo, someone entered a Fox amiibo into a human tournament. I believe he got 3rd place.
Next, Mega Man. In human tournament play, Mega Man ranks about in the middle of the tier list. From my research, Mega Man is played in a rushdown style, however Mega Man has the tools to use the defensive training. He has great throws and great smashes. Shouldn't he then be a high tier character? Why isn't Mega Man up there? I believe this is because, as with Fox, Mega Man is determined to play differently. Mega Man has too much utility and is too complex for a simplified playstyle like defensive training. Don't get me wrong, Mega Man could be really good...with a boatload of training, but like Fox, something in the character playstyle doesn't respond well to defensive training.
Lastly, Gannondorf. In human tournament play, Gannondorf is nearly at the bottom. However, in the amiibo realm, he is a god. He has the power and the size to be one of the dominant forces in the amiibo metagame. Defensive training is tailor-made for him. Add to that his command grab, and you have one scary amiibo. Gannondorf has proved his place near the top of the amiibo tier list.
In summary, I believe this is why some amiibo are bad. They want to play differently. Cloud has documented his trials and tribulations with Pac-Man. Pac-Man falls mid tier among humans, but bottom among amiibo. Pac-Man is a better aerial fighter than a defensive fighter. Donkey Kong is also a typically terrible amiibo. Again, it ranks in the same spot with Mega Man and Pac-Man. Logically, Donkey Kong should respond to the defensive training, but, according to the ssbwiki, Donkey Kong's greatest asset is his speed, indicating to me that DK wants to play differently. Some way other than defensive at least.
Granted, this is a little broad. Maybe some amiibo are just dumb and some are just smart. However, it has been proven that a modified/different training method works with some amiibo, namely Marth. Marth's strength lies in his tippers and you have to teach it to the amiibo. Maybe this means that defensive training may be a good basis for some, but many need very specialized training.
Given these thoughts and the current amiibo meta, my predictions on the final 3.
Corrin - top tier potential - His smashes are devestating.
Cloud - middle tier likely - Cloud has some good moves, but needs that Limit Break charged up for serious damage. Most amiibo struggle when using charging moves and since Cloud is basically doing nothing while charging it, he's vulnerable to smashes and throws while charging it.
Bayonetta - low tier possible - Bayonetta falls in the complex character/aerial character mold. While she does possess some amazing potential, the amiibo may not pick up on it. I may be proved wrong here, but she may be like Fox, good in human hands, bad as an amiibo.
