Hey Smash Bros. fans! Are you ready to dominate the battlefield with everyone's favorite plumber, Mario? This guide is your ultimate playbook for mastering Mario in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. We'll dive deep into his moveset, strategies, and techniques to help you KO your opponents and claim victory. Get ready to learn, level up, and become a true Mario master!

Mario's Core Strengths and Why You Should Play Him

Mario is a fantastic choice for any player looking for a well-rounded and versatile character in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. He's not just the face of Nintendo; he's also a force to be reckoned with in the arena. His balanced stats, simple yet effective moves, and excellent recovery make him accessible to beginners while offering a high skill ceiling for experienced players. Mario excels in several key areas, making him a consistent threat in various matchups. First off, Mario's neutral game is exceptional. His fireball projectiles allow him to control space and keep opponents at bay, while his forward air is a reliable tool for poking and approaching. The consistent, all-around utility makes him easy to pick up, while still being able to hold his own at high-level play. Plus, he boasts a powerful and reliable recovery, thanks to his Super Jump Punch and Fire Jump, making it difficult for opponents to edge-guard him effectively. His easy-to-understand play style makes him a great choice if you're just starting out, while his strong fundamentals allow for advanced strategies when you become more experienced.

He's also got a pretty great combo game. That means that once you land a hit, you can string together multiple attacks to rack up damage quickly. He is one of the more consistently strong characters across all versions of Smash Bros, and he is a great choice for picking up the game. Mario is also incredibly consistent across all the Smash Bros. games. You'll find his moves are mostly the same, allowing you to learn him once and be good at him in many Smash games. He's also relatively light, which can be seen as either a strength or weakness. Because of this, he is easy to KO if you get hit with a smash attack. Overall, if you want a character that is easy to understand, easy to use, has decent matchups, and is consistently strong, then you should consider maining Mario. Mario is a strong character pick for newcomers, but also offers depth to those looking to improve. Mario is known for having very few truly bad matchups, as well as a great set of tools. He excels at close-range combat and spacing attacks. Mario’s tools give him a lot of options in various situations. It allows Mario to dictate the pace of the match. Mario is an excellent all-around character with strong fundamentals, making him a safe and reliable choice for players of all skill levels.

Mastering Mario's Moveset: A Deep Dive

Alright, let's break down Mario's moveset, move by move. Understanding these attacks is the first step towards controlling the arena and sending your opponents flying. We will go over his basic attacks, his special attacks, and his aerial attacks. His ground attacks are the bread and butter of his offensive game.

• Neutral Attack: Mario's rapid punches are a quick and effective way to deal damage up close and apply pressure. Mastering this is the first step towards learning Mario.
• Forward Tilt: The classic fire punch. It is one of Mario's best tools for controlling space and dealing damage. Great for punishing opponents who are getting close.
• Up Tilt: A quick overhead kick that can combo into itself at lower percentages, or setup for an aerial attack at higher percentages.
• Down Tilt: A low kick that can trip opponents, opening them up for follow-up attacks.
• Forward Smash: Mario's powerful Fireball. This is Mario's primary KO move, dealing massive damage and launching opponents horizontally. It's best used when you are certain your opponent will run into it, like when they are getting back on the stage.
• Up Smash: A powerful upward punch that's great for punishing landings or opponents above him.
• Down Smash: A kick on both sides of Mario that can catch opponents off guard.

Now, let's explore Mario's Special Attacks which add to his versatility. He has a lot of options that are available to him.

• Neutral Special (Fireball): Mario's signature projectile, a bouncing fireball that's great for zoning and pressuring opponents. If you time the fireball correctly, you can hit opponents more than once. This is great for pressuring opponents or baiting them into a mistake.
• Side Special (Cape): Mario pulls out his cape, reflecting projectiles and turning opponents around. The cape is fantastic for punishing aggressive players who use projectiles or attack first.
• Up Special (Super Jump Punch): Mario jumps in the air with his fist out, dealing damage on the way up. It’s a good recovery move, but it's also a powerful attack if you can land it.
• Down Special (FLUDD): The Flash Liquidizing Ultra Dousing Device is a water-based attack that can push opponents away, and is fantastic for edge guarding.

Lastly, let's go over Mario's Aerial Attacks, which let him deal damage in the air.

• Neutral Air: A spinning attack that's useful for juggling opponents.
• Forward Air: The fire punch is quick and easy to combo with, and a great way to initiate your aerial combos.
• Back Air: A backwards kick that is good for KOing opponents.
• Up Air: Another juggling tool that can combo into itself or other aerials.
• Down Air: A downward kick that can spike opponents.

By mastering these moves, you'll be well on your way to dominating the stage as Mario. Remember to practice using them in different situations to develop your own unique playstyle. Remember, it takes a lot of practice to get good with any character.

Advanced Strategies: Combos, Reads, and Mind Games

Alright, now that you've got a handle on Mario's moveset, let's elevate your game with some advanced strategies. This is where you separate yourself from the casual players and start taking names. Advanced strategy will include combos, reads, and mind games.

Combos

Mario has some amazing combo potential. His ability to chain attacks together and quickly rack up damage is a huge part of what makes him effective. You'll want to focus on using a combination of fast attacks to keep your opponents locked down. Common combos include:

• Up Tilt > Up Air: A simple combo that can lead to some crazy aerial hits.
• Down Throw > Forward Air: At lower percentages, this can lead to a string of forward air attacks.
• Forward Air > Forward Air > Cape: Can lead to a string of hits.
• Grab > Down Throw > Fireball: A quick and easy way to start your combos.

Practice these combos in training mode, and experiment with others to find what works best for you. Learning and implementing combos will significantly increase your damage output and ability to KO opponents. These combos will greatly impact your gameplay and overall success with Mario. The combo system in Smash Bros. is really complex, so make sure to take your time and learn these combos slowly and carefully.

Reads

Knowing your opponent is key to any Smash Bros. game, and being able to read your opponent's actions will give you a massive advantage. You'll want to be able to anticipate their moves. This means predicting their movements, attacks, and how they will respond in different situations. Pay attention to your opponent's habits, their favorite moves, and how they react under pressure. For example, if they consistently try to recover high, you can punish them with an up smash. If they tend to roll away, predict where they'll roll to and punish them with a forward smash. Learning to predict your opponent is a crucial step to learning how to play the game in general.

Mind Games

Mind games are all about playing with your opponent's expectations. You can use mix-ups to keep them guessing, bait them into making mistakes, and ultimately control the flow of the match. Throw out a fireball and then immediately charge a smash attack to catch them off guard. Try different combos, and change your recovery patterns. By mixing up your attacks and strategies, you can prevent your opponent from getting comfortable and predictable. Be deceptive!

Stage Selection and Matchup Considerations

Stage selection and matchups are critical elements to success. Let's delve into some effective strategies and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different stages and opponents when playing Mario. Choosing the right stage is crucial for maximizing Mario's potential and exploiting his strengths. Mario thrives on stages with good platforming options and a balanced layout. Here's a breakdown of some of the best and worst stages for Mario:

Best Stages for Mario

• Battlefield: The platforms offer excellent opportunities for aerial combos and edge-guarding.
• Final Destination: A solid choice, as it removes platforming elements, forcing players into neutral exchanges.
• Smashville: Provides a good balance between ground and aerial combat.

Worst Stages for Mario

• Wily Castle: The small platforms make it easy for opponents to evade Mario's attacks.
• Duck Hunt: The stage hazards and unpredictable layout can disrupt Mario's game plan.

Matchup Considerations

Knowing your opponent is more than half the battle, so let's check out how Mario's matchups work. Mario generally performs well against characters who struggle to approach or have slow recovery options. Characters like Bowser or Ganondorf can struggle to approach Mario, and have a hard time if you can knock them off the stage. However, Mario can struggle against characters who can out-space him, apply heavy pressure, or have strong edge-guarding abilities.

• Good Matchups: Characters with poor recoveries, slower characters, or those reliant on predictable strategies.
• Challenging Matchups: Characters with longer reach, those who can camp easily, or those with very fast attacks.

Adapt your strategy based on the character you're fighting. Adjust your combos, use your projectiles to control space, and choose stage positions to help keep your opponents at bay.

Practice, Training, and Community Resources

Mario is a character who gets better the more you play him. You should always try to practice new techniques and strategies. The best way to improve is through dedicated practice and constant learning. Practice mode can help you perfect combos and test out strategies. Here's a look at how to approach improving your Mario play:

• Training Mode: Perfect your combos, practice your timing, and get a feel for Mario's movement. Use this mode to refine your tech skill and learn how to execute moves consistently.
• Online Matches: Test your skills against other players and learn from your mistakes.
• Watch Pro Players: Study the tactics of top Mario players to learn advanced techniques and strategies.

Community Resources

Join the Super Smash Bros. community. Here are some resources for information.

• Online Forums: Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share strategies with other players.
• YouTube: Learn from tutorials and watch high-level gameplay from experienced players.
• Discord Servers: Find communities to play with and learn from.

Conclusion: Your Path to Mario Mastery

Well, that's it for this guide! Congratulations, you've now got the tools you need to take your Mario game to the next level. Remember, becoming a master takes time, effort, and a genuine love for the game. Keep practicing, experimenting, and refining your techniques. Adapt your strategy, learn from your opponents, and don't be afraid to try new things. Most importantly, have fun! The Super Smash Bros. community is passionate and welcoming, and there is a lot to learn in the game. By combining these strategies with practice and dedication, you'll be well on your way to dominating the battlefield with Mario. Now go out there, show off your skills, and let the world know you're the best Mario player in the world!