How to Use Marth Effectively in Super Smash Bros Melee

Basics

• 1

  Most of his best attacks come from the A button. Go into training and familiarize yourself with all of his normal A button moves. This goes beyond just his smash attacks. You'll need to know how to use these moves both offensively, defensively and in the air as well.

• 2

  Learn how to use these moves to juggle your opponent. Most of his attacks knock the opponents around in the direction they hit in. You can use this to lead your opponents into items and across the stage for the final hit.

• 3

  Time your moves so they hit with the tip of the blade. This is the sweet spot; it's from the upper middle part of the blade and up. Marth does more damage and has greater knock back when he strikes his opponent with this section of his sword.

• 4

  Learn the properties of Marth's roll dodge. To roll dodge, block by holding L or R and press up, left right or down on the control stick on the ground or in the air. Marth has one of the best roll dodges in the game, but if you don't time it correctly you'll leave yourself open for attack.

• 5

  Separate and single out your opponents in larger bouts. If you have more than one other player on the field you won't be able to take them on more than one at a time due to Marth's lag time between moves. Marth does, however, excel at fighting one on one. Use that to your advantage.

Advanced Moves

• 6

  Marth's grabs may at first seem weak, but you can chain them together with his hits to create combos. The best combo starter is his up throw. From here, you can nail him with an attack, or if your opponent gets too froggy, you can keep grabbing him and throw him around a bit.

• 7

  Marth has the second best wavedash in the game. You can wavedash by using the dodge in the air angled towards the ground. You can use this to move much faster than normal, and attack very aggressively.

• 8

  Use the first part of his Dancing Blade combo attack (which is forward and B together on the controller) to float horizontally back on the stage. Be careful not to go too fast, or you'll lose momentum by accidentally doing more than the first stroke of the combo. Just keep a steady pace and repeat the first stroke until you get into a position to use the Dolphin Slash (up and B together) to get back into the fight.

• 9

  Learn how to use the Counter (down and B together) effectively. Don't spam it too much; while it'll interrupt nearly everything in the game, it leaves you wide open if you miss. It doesn't have near the power of Roy's counter, so use it to get out of sticky situations or break your opponent's rhythm.