Understanding the neutral game is one of the most fundamental concepts in Super Smash Bros. The neutral game is so important that players who have a better understanding of it will naturally perform at a higher level. Once understood, a player can adapt to so many different aspects of the game, such as: Character match-ups, advantages versus disadvantages, to even better utilizing their own character. Now, let’s focus on what exactly the neutral game means.

What is neutral?

Simply put, the neutral game is how one hits their opponent without getting hit. As this might seem obvious as a concept across all fighting games, the way in which this applies to a game like Smash Ultimate is a bit different. Beating an opponent in neutral ends up creating a follow-up phase, meaning edge guarding opportunities, a switch in playstyle, combos, etc. Now this concept can be broken into smaller aspects, but for the sake of this piece, the ones that will be focused on are: a character’s moveset, spacing, stage control, and conditioning.

Character Moveset

Understanding a character’s moveset is universal across video games in general, for having that knowledge allows you to properly game plan against different characters. So when picking up a character, it is probably best to have a quick run through of that character, whether it be through training, matches against CPUs, or even watching a guide online. Now in the case of learning a character’s neutral game, understanding hitboxes and frame data is essential in having a good understanding of how to properly utilize a character’s strengths.

Knowing hitboxes can give an idea as to how to space out opponents, but more details on that will be given later. But understanding the frame data associated which each move is perhaps just as important as the hitbox itself.

For example, a move like Captain Falcon’s “Falcon Punch” has great K.O. power and a pretty decent hitbox. However, the start-up of the move is so predictable that it can easily be avoided, for it comes out frame 53. That on top of the fact that the move has high end lag is pretty much why you rarely see this move used in competitive play. Using a move like Falcon Punch is not only too committal, but leaves you completely vulnerable to a follow-up by the opponent, which ultimately puts you at a disadvantage.

Understanding a character’s best tools to either properly rack up damage or set up for follow-ups is crucial in beginning to learn a character’s neutral game.

Spacing

Now spacing can be grouped together with a character’s moveset, but each character has different spacing tools that are typically unique to that character. For some characters, like zoners, spacing is something that is required in their playstyle, for if they do not properly space themselves, their moveset becomes far less effective.

This is where hitboxes become even more important to understand. Characters with large disjoints in their moves or just good overall range have to be given more respect. The best example of this would be sword fighters, for they naturally have the advantage against most opponents due to their longer ranged attacks.

A good example of a character who thrives on properly spacing their moves would be Cloud. Cloud has multiple moves that cover a lot of space, such as Forward-Air, Back-Air, Down-Tilt, and even Dash Attack. If one is not aware of how those moves come out and the amount of space that is required to not be hit by those moves, it can disrupt a player’s strategy or even lead to being punished by the Cloud player.

Having good spacing is also a good way to control the pace of a game, for if you know what moves cover the most ground or what moves your opponent might use to create space, you can then properly read what your win condition looks like.

Stage Control

So this one is probably the easiest on this list to understand. Ideally, you want to position yourself as close to center stage as possible at most percents, for being at the center gives you the most options in terms of hitting your opponent.

This logically makes sense, for if you are at the center, you have the most control of your own movement. For example, if you and your opponent are at relatively even percent and you have center stage, you have the option to use most of your moves without being punished too hard. What this essentially does is allow you to control the pace of the game, for you can then choose whether you want to play more aggressive or defensive. Since stages are only so big, your opponent either has to commit to a more aggressive option to get closer to center, or concede to their position and be forced to play defensive.

In some instances, you might find yourself more favorable being away from center, like if you are looking for a grab to throw opponents off-stage. In most cases, however, playing towards center stage is often the goal in winning the neutral game.

Conditioning

The easier it is to read your opponent’s movements, the easier it is to punish, plain and simple. Once a player begins to adapt to the other’s playstyle, they begin to move in a way that they feel is best to counter that. Since this is a rather subconscious thing players will do at, being able to condition your opponent into using certain options allow you to find an opening and ultimately punish them for adapting.

For example, if you begin to play aggressively and are constantly throwing out attacks, a player might begin to shield or spot dodge more often, for that is most likely their best option. Once you begin to see this pattern, you can then go for a grab or bait out their spot dodge and continue with your aggression.

If one does this, matches begin to become more of a mind game than that of actual inputs, which is really what playing neutral is all about. Getting in the other player’s head and having good mix-ups can often fluster players, for now you begin to seem less predictable and it forces players to respect all of the options that you might be used against them.

Conclusion

Smash Ultimate is more than just simply inputting attacks or knowing when to shield. Playing the neutral game is just as important. Once understanding how to play in neutral, it then becomes more of a mind game, for players have to adapt on the fly and be wary of what the other player might do to gain an advantage. The best way to have a better understanding of the neutral game is simply by playing more, but if you take these ideas and concepts and work on them as you play, one can begin to master the concept. Playing the neutral game at times can be even more important than the actual inputs and attacks themselves, and often is what separates good players from great ones.