Advanced Piracy: Skewer Setups - A SSBU Ridley Guide by Vreyvus

Alright! It's been a while since last video. I've been preoccupied with other things lately, but not to worry: I always play smash and I don't ever intend to stop.
A lot of people have been requesting this topic, so I hope that the information will be of good use!
Despite what is shown in this video, I still believe there's more to learn about Skewer, here's hoping for new discoveries in the future!
EDIT:
*The window to land a skewer after a tech is 6 frames, not 7 frames. I wasn't aware that the shield is active 1 frame before its visualization!
*For some reason I messed up the color edit for G&W in the Rapid Jab punish chart in the video, this has been corrected in the link below.
*As of Patch 8.0.0 Down Throw Skewer setup has been nerfed. Skewer now suffers from a regrab penalty and will no longer knock down an opponent after a throw (and while the opponent is flashing yellow). The damage still applies however and important to note that Skewer in this scenario barely flinches the opponent, meaning that we can easily be punished afterwards.
You can follow me on Twitter for more Ridley related stuff!
MySmashCorner on C-Stick Macro Specials (Wavebounce)
• C-stick Macro Specials...
Rapid Jab Skewer Chart (special thanks to Adom for the information)
imgur.com/a/ZlMqGe3
Skewer Jab 1 Chart
imgur.com/a/WXFw14Q
► Twitter: / vreyvus
► Twitch: / vreyvus
Music used:
► Magmoor Caverns - Metroid Prime Guitar Cover / Arrangement by Forsaken Panda
► Super Metroid Remastered: Brinstar ~ Overgrown With Vegetation Area (TX85) by tenChux

[@sethstoll8525]

I seriously thought this was just gonna be 9 minutes of skewer reads lol

[@GoldGuard]

With the intro being over 2 minutes long I thought the same thing

[@toxicastigator]

I honestly still cannot believe that sweetspot Skewer doesn’t shieldbreak.

[@itachishisui7424]

It breaks k rool's belly armor most of the time

[@toxicastigator]

@@itachishisui7424 His belly armor is weaker than a normal shield so I don’t count it.

[@rainer9931]

It should since Ridley has great punishes and that's about all he has going for him

[@flamingpaper7751]

That would be OP since you could just straight up Skewer them, or kill them. Ridley is super strong, and I'm pretty sure that's why he has no good shield breaking tools. Ryu and Ken's Focus 3 has the same Crumple effect as Skewer, but have shield breaking tools, so Focus 2/3 doesn't crumple someone after getting their shield broken, so Ryu and Ken can't get a guaranteed 40+% off of a shield break, which they have many tools to do

[@rainer9931]

@@flamingpaper7751 I'm sorry bro Ridley sucks he kinda needs it

[@SlendyBoi-V]

RIP down throw skewer

[@duke0salt717]

Skewer should ho through shields

[@RainingFriends]

I love you Vreyvus, you're my favorite Ridley main and I've learned so much from your videos, thank you🖤

[@bastionunitb7388]

The ultimate read move

[@dolingmiphant9943]

every time I see a bamboo skewer in the kitchen I can't stop thinking of this video lol

[@zachmontminy]

I cannot wave bounce to save my life, but everything else here is helpful

[@x-celsius5905]

Same here. I can b reverse...sometimes, but wave bouncing is a different story.

[@venomsjunkmail]

Glad to see more from you Vreyvus. Sadly no matter how much I watch vids like this or play it still feels like I'm just hitting buttons until things happen. (or not happen)

[@EMANSMASH]

Right and all the time all the time a lot of my stuff miss somehow but on there end everything hits me.

[@dolingmiphant9943]

you should upload ridley vids more often they are SO helpful best ridley guide ever!

[@dasnoivern]

Great video! I'll definitely try to incorporate these setups into my game plan.

[@admirrad3777]

Do you plan on just releasing a video of unedited gameplay? I feel like watching your matches could help me and others learn a lot! Absolute masterpiece of a video by the way!

[@Vreyvus]

Yes I've had this on my mind and I certainly will do it at one point. Maybe if get a feel for it I will also start streaming again!

[@lmcnamara100]

Great video and fantastic editing, I love your style!

[@judsonhester1407]

You're one of the few channels I have the notification bell set to on :)

[@x-celsius5905]

Thanks for the guide Vreyvus!! I'm definitely hitting skewers more consistently now thanks to your tips! Also, I love Ridley's face when he hits the sweet spot skewer. Dude's reaction is perfect, like "DIE MORTAL!"

[@Zeta5]

I just recently started to wavebounce so this is very helpful 👍

[@lbomb25]

THE LEGEND HAS RETURNED

[@mechayoshi9250]

Missing the skewer but still hitting with the sourspot doesn’t leave you as vulnerable to punishes as it would if you missed completely

[@Iad83]

Good vid, learned a lot. Thanks :)

[@Mrhellslayerz]

Hawt DAYUM that skewer montage was glorious! btw, what are your thoughts on using wing blitz on-stage? I somehow manage to hit it almost every time when someone expects me to run up to them , if my opponent is being aggressive, or if they expect a side-b from a ledge hop.

[@Vreyvus]

It can be an interesting mix up, but its not something I recommend using often. It can beat out some projectiles though!

[@Mrhellslayerz]

@@Vreyvus Oh, for sure! I won a few matches by beating out projectiles with it.

[@JaketheJedi23]

Hell yeah dude Ridley is fun and that move helps in various situations. Really fun to do it online co op and just surprise everyone with it as they die very fast

[@ridleyrequiem3594]

I've been waiting for this something like this

[@human_ssb7143]

Awesome stuff !

[@echospace7347]

YOU MAKE IT LOOOKS SO EASYY

[@zebraboi_]

Is this a guide or a montage...? Cause this "intro" is going forever I'm not complaining tho :)

[@Vreyvus]

Its for educational purposes!

[@LoneNinja115]

0:10 I basically do a variation of this movement to get a skewer every time i take the first stock of my opponent and they spawn back in. Works roughly 60% to 70% of the time haha

[@flamingpaper7751]

It makes me sad that if you parry the last hit of Cloud's Cross Slash and input Skewer, it comes out 1 frame too late if they shield. Perfect spacing and it's would be so amazing if it hit

[@ProdTyraz]

YES LETS GO VREYVUS

[@MikaBowser]

Awesome video Vreyvus! Here's my 2 cents : 4:26 the 7th frame is not a vulnerable frame, Shield comes out frame 1 but the shield bubble is only visually appearing frame 2 7:50 (see the Edit at the bottom) I think the "frame tight" Jab 1 > Fsmash jablock punish needs a clarification there: It's only going to be true if you cancel your Jab 1 to Jab 2 transition window with a crouch for 1 single frame, then frame perfectly Fsmash the following frame, this is a 1 frame window that is almost (if not) impossible to execute in my opinion, so I wouldn't advise to go for it unless the opponent doesn't mash an option to get up Edit: I was proven wrong, you don't need to crouch cancel the transition window to Fsmash, and it's a 2 frame window!

[@Vreyvus]

Thanks! I was not aware of the shield actually being active 1 frame before its visualisation. I went into training mode to confirm this and yes you are correct. As for Jab 1 > F Smash. This is entirely true as I have practiced this in training mode on several occasions. This without crouch cancelling between the jabs. It is very tight, but it is very possible to perform. You can try this out for yourself in training mode using another controller to buffer get up!

[@MikaBowser]

@@Vreyvus Oh you're right, I learned something today! I thought that like most Jabs, the window to transition was wider than the actual Endlag of the move, but it's not (it is for Bowser for instance). That's a 2 frame window to punish then, I'll edit my post, thanks for the insights!

[@Vreyvus]

@@MikaBowser Likewise! :)

[@randymarsh902]

Absolutely godlike

[@flamingpaper7751]

If Skewer instakilled (think Thwack) if it connected with someone with 100% or more, would it be OP? I feel like it would be a really good psychological tool, since now your opponent knows they might just die instantly if they make a mistake, like GnW's 9 or a super strong bucket

[@Vreyvus]

I really dont wanna see this become a thing. In fact Skewer doesn't need any changes. But if i absolutely had to give it any changes then i'd make it deal more shield damage or be faster

[@flamingpaper7751]

@@Vreyvus If it was faster, it could actually land on characters after a parry. Like with the last hit of Cloud's Cross Slash, Cloud's Shiled comes up the exact frame Skewer if Ridley parries. Although parry to instant death would be super coop and funny. I mostly think Ridley really needs that super terrifying factor to him to make him feel like Ridley from Metroid games

[@toxicastigator]

I think it would honestly be pretty cool and really sell the idea of this attack being life threatening. You can see in Ridley’s reveal trailer when he skewers Link that maybe they had this same idea brewing in the back of their minds but for whatever reason they decided against it.

[@sarge8761]

@@toxicastigator Honestly I think that was just a stamina battle, but go ahead.

[@kyleb8672]

@@Vreyvus id give it super armour

[@Indigo_17.9]

While watching this I found a glitch where if you do down throw skewer on Isabelle it does the 62 precent but doesn't do the blue screen or the ripping out hit

[@echospace7347]

not a glitch that can happen with all characters its from the 8.00 update

[@ridleyrequiem3594]

This will help me

[@ridleyrequiem3594]

I struggle with skewer set ups

[@xdermadman532]

THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY TO SEE OH MY GOD 🥰

[@xshyuu]

i call it the ovary crusher

[@YoshiKirishima]

Amazing guide!! There are a lot more ways to setup skewer than I thought! Perhaps I should main Ridley after all xD The new patch is a real bummer though. Is it only Dthrow -> Immediate Skewer that got gutted? If they Directional Airdodge or attack out of Dthrow and you delay the Skewer slightly, will you be able to hit it or will the 60 frame regrab restriction be too long? Reading airdodges or whiffed attacks out of Dthrow was awesome, it's going to suck if those are all gone =/. I really wish the regrab restriction was closer to 45 frames, 60 frames to avoid chain grabs seems slightly unnecessarily long.

[@emeralddrummer7546]

I believe that most set ups that involve a bit of down time should work. However I have not tested any of this and i would recommend that you go into training mode to see what still works and what doesn’t work anymore. Though I must say that wave bouncing looks very promising (assuming you watched the linked video) for Plasma Breath as you could use wave bounce Plasma Breath to purposefully let the opponent rush forward, only to short hop back b-reverse Skewer. This could allow Ridley to semi-zone to an extent. Once again, I have not tested this. I am merely spitballing ideas.

[@infrastructure5015]

Oh yeah finally

[@ridleyrequiem3594]

YASSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@MrVegito]

VREYVUS, i think down thow down b doesnt work well after patch 8.0.0

[@Vreyvus]

Im aware.

[@bastionunitb7388]

F's in chat for the casual killer

[@ddrakgo]

MrVegito Seta rip down throw skewer 😔

[@hooplynshadow5396]

F

[@migweegwee2824]

I thought Ridley's grabs, command grab, and skewer all have some sort of 'timer' on them that prevents an opponent from getting skewered for a set amount of time; this means Dthrow to skewer is only true if the opponent does an option like spot doge, attempt to canel tumble with an attack, or neutral airdodge that cancels the timer by their action?? Im not sure if this is true or even a thing anymore

[@scrushkin6117]

The down throw still connects to skewer at early %’s it just doesn’t force the tumble, as well as the second hit doesn’t connect, still huge damage at around 50% from one grab!

[@ker7339]

@@scrushkin6117 Yeah, but it's pretty much a free punish for your opponent...

[@ItzRealPianoGuy]

@@ker7339 Its worth the punish unless you're at kill percent bc, unless ur playing a combo heavy character or another ridley, the reward outweighs the risk if the skewer connects.

[@hooplynshadow5396]

I think these might be reads if any thing but fireballs into down b can work sometimes and side b jump into down b can work on some people but I am not entirely sure about this but this was a really good video thank you sir

[@hooplynshadow5396]

I think the side b jump thing might be a early up b read or a jump read personally because of testing it out that seems to be the case

[@Vreyvus]

@@hooplynshadow5396 Side B into a Skewer seems too unlikely due to the knockback distance and endlag. But if you get one do upload it!

[@hooplynshadow5396]

I have the clip where I got it

[@hooplynshadow5396]

I can only post things on the shared content but look for Hooplyn and look for Ridley vs. Metaknight and that's where I got it

[@hooplynshadow5396]

Sorry that it's a bit obscure but there it is.

[@AeroplaneB29]

sick

[@3tailedfox706]

Yes yes yes Yes YES YES

[@dolingmiphant9943]

YES!

[@tobysion9509]

i love you

[@ProdTyraz]

Down throw > Skewer 😢😢

[@Idontevenwanachannel]

RIP

[@ker7339]

Still works, but does less damage and doesn't put opponent in a tech situation

[@ProdTyraz]

R Zyx yeah, but Ridley still has to finish the Skewer animation while the opponent doesn’t go into crumple, meaning they can punish him super easily

[@ker7339]

@@ProdTyraz Yep, I tried that and I saw it, the only way for it to be worth is them being scared and running away, but you'll most likely get punished. So yeah, this kinda sucks...

[@ProdTyraz]

R Zyx Ridley discord will probably find new set ups eventually

[@mayor2448]

What is at 1:32 ? Wavebounce skewer?

[@mannx2_495]

i wanna subscribe but the button isn’t working across any channel i come across... Will sub soon

[@ddrakgo]

Does Ridley have any 0>death or close to that combos?

[@shatterIguess838]

Take a shot everytime he gets a read

[@Vreyvus]

I'll join in!

[@myssledissle]

I always just wait for someone to do a semi laggy move or to tech chase with it. Still haven't managed a 2 Frame with it, if thats possible.

[@JJSquirtle]

skewer doesn't 2-frame anybody as far as I'm aware, would be sick if we could tho

[@kee960]

Great video! is jab 1 forward smash true?

[@Vreyvus]

Yes, but it is difficult to pull off.

[@EMANSMASH]

How you do a reverse nair? Is there an easy way to input it?

[@Vreyvus]

Its just a RAR neutral air. Hold joystick in the opposite direction of where you're running before inputting jump + A. Only works after the initial dash. If you want to do a reverse nair during the initial dash you have to attack cancel it.

[@EMANSMASH]

@@Vreyvus thank you

[@liladrian___]

vreyvus i love you but you said “shart” lol

[@Vreyvus]

The internet taught me English, give me a break! xD

[@liladrian___]

Vreyvus haha you’re english is great

[@Vreyvus]

@@liladrian___ your* >:)

[@liladrian___]

Vreyvus 😂can’t even be mad you got me

[@help5882]

Broken please nerf

[@2mini432]

no

[@solomon8692]

No it requires insane amounts of practice to land consistently and it’s easily punishable if whiffed. Would be OP if whole tail worked

[@_cripticon8004]

its actually extremely ballanced considering how risky of a move it is, having tons of endlag. its sweetspot is small. honestly it needs buffs to become viable