Optimising Fair - ZSS's DEADLIEST Combo

An insanely detailed guide to ZSS's most lethal punish!
#Zedessess
Support me on Patreon: / oriosmash
Follow me on Twitter: / stawbs_orio
My Discord: Orio#9187
Join my Discord Server: / discord
Timestamps
Background: 0:00
tl;dr: 7:05
The Nair: 7:21
The Fair Window: 7:58
The Nair-Fair Overlap: 10:20
Characters: 12:52
The Fast Fall Window: 14:48
The Flip Kick: 17:14
Mispacing/timing: 17:29
Non-"true" combo: 18:15
Variations - Early Fair: 19:28
Variations - Late Fast Fall: 21:54
DI Mixups: 22:18
Credits: 24:33
Equinox's video on Neutral Air: • ZSS 101 - Comboing wit...
Meta of Smash's video on C-stick fast falling: • NEW TECH! C Stick Fast...
Special thanks to Frenzy Light for his help and thumbnail.
Sound mixing by Adrian Martin
Twitter: / adrianyogi
Instagram: / adrianmartinaudio
fiverr: fiverr.com/adrianyogi
Special thanks to my patrons: Wulfgang Keanu Ramsey, Reno Seyl, Kristof Miller, Roberto Contreras, Simon Wahlström, Jaysank, Ruben, Nava, Kyle and Jean-Christophe Archambault.
Original Orio artwork by Alex Frasca.
www.artstation.com/sanguine
/ snguine
Opening Ori animation, font likeness and sound effects game-captured from "Ori and the Blind Forest" by Moon Studios.
Visual Effects produced using Blender and Adobe After Effects, with VC Saber and VC Color Vibrance.
Music: "Foregone Destruction" - Unreal Tournament (Remix by by Necto Ulin)
Link to Necto Ulin's channel: / usekator
Dedicated to Frenzy Light, and as always to my dear friend, Micklebarrow.

[@FrenzyLight]

Masterpiece. That’s all that needs to be said

[@sealvain6810]

“Thats all that needs to be said” And Thats all that needs to be said, or this comment would not be the same ;0;

[@jj6148]

I’m gonna learn this and wreck people.

[@BernieTTV]

1.land Nair as close as possible 2.short hop very very slightly delay Fair 3.fast fall after first hit connects 4.flip kick spike (When landing Nair let go of the left stick to stop your forward momentum. I’ve found it to be more consistent that way.)

[@STAWBsOrio]

Some things worth pointing out for the sharper-eyed: 1) The “Nair Hitstun” axis in the frame graphs also does not include the startup of the forward air. I thought this way would be less confusing. 2) The demonstration on Bowser is at slightly higher % than stated. This is to show he still hits the ground before his hitstun is over at these percentages.

[@SallowDawn]

You are a godsend to noobs like myself attempting to learn ZSS. Could you please do a video on edge-guarding with her?

[@isaacmiller1481]

yes

[@NeonNebs]

Hey guys if you are struggling with the fast fall timing while trying to hit fair 2, I found a way I was able to consistently hit it. You can do it by inputting down on the left control stick as soon as you hear the first hit of fair 1. This works because of the use of c stick fast falling as explained in the video.

[@darkishnewt]

I do this as well

[@skytterbrain_]

Title: ZSS’s Deadliest Combo Actual Title: ZSS Bullies Marth for 25 Minutes ft. Some Other Characters No but awesome guide! You put a lot of effort into this, and it shows! Thanks for another great video!

[@Joeks0303]

Yessssssss! I’ve been waiting for content from you for ages, but I know whenever you post, it will be amazing quality and will be more than well worth the wait.

[@sealvain6810]

join the discord... shhh

[@qwerty1271780]

... Huh?! Oh, uh, of course I was taking notes.

[@nousername191]

Don't worry, there's a replay button if you wanna take more notes.

[@JLee-yc1jz]

I’ve recently began seriously improving my ZSS and I really appreciate the amount of information each of your videos contains, keep up the good work.

[@BaselardFE]

The sheer amount of effort you put into this is staggering! Amazing job!

[@STAWBsOrio]

😪

[@Edheldinasd]

Landed it during an arena match! awesone AF. thanks a bunch mate!

[@sealvain6810]

Wow Yogi’s mix does make it better O-O I thought i wouldn’t even notice but man it’s rlly amazing! Keep up the good work, and rlly thank Yogi!

[@omniboo1762]

Can't wait to practice the timings then fall victim to Nintendo online

[@jonathanhargraves2241]

Good grief. It feels like you aren't in control at all some times

[@jackswain742]

How lucky for me. Only just recently picked up zss, but working on making her the main after having so much fun. Your videos are incredibly thorough and well made. Really earning every sub

[@Naikou_i_guess]

Just this sweet and calm voice keeps me training my zss. (uwu)

[@odin5794]

Absolutely wonderful video. I’m already labbing. Keep up the good work and I hope your channel blows up

[@plumily4197]

Keep up the godlike videos, changing the ZSS meta. The ZSS community loves ya Orio

[@eboki1641]

thank you for the content you put out, it really makes playing smash more fun trying to learn new things like this

[@mondaiji679]

I just started picking up zss (honestly way to late if I think about it. I should have realized sooner how much I like this char) and your videos are a blessing tbh. I am definitely not the best smash player but improving is fun and while watching your videos I learned 1 or 2 more phrases I did not know until now. Keep up the awesome work!

[@Notgosling_]

Wow, this was a really cool video, never knew you could implement fair like this! I've always loved playing ZSS since Smash 4 and just recently got more comfortable with how she plays in this iteration, so I'll definitely be labbing this. Subbed and looking forward to more!

[@jj6148]

Wow! I used her since ssb4 too. I always knew fair was underrated but not by this much!

[@raspberry3189]

Great work as always! I always find myself learning something I didn't already know when I watch your vids :>

[@fordprefect5104]

Amazing video, as always.

[@artezac]

Yoooooo, loved the video mate, keep up the great content!

[@EDENSSBU]

Been waiting for this

[@joecripps8442]

Another sick video!

[@brb23960]

God damn this was a great video. It might be 3am but it was worth staying up on KZbin to find this channel

[@gracefulcharity8412]

I noticed this to. Mind you I never really took the time to actually lab it out. I figured it was just cuz of internet or something. So thank you for this confirmation and the how-to !!! Very good video as usual !!!

[@MetaOfSmash]

Ayeee!! Amazing video dude!! Also the shout out was hype!

[@DashKappei690]

You gave me motivation to lab today. Thank you Orio!

[@sosasmh9887]

I will be reviewing this for the next 4 days thank you

[@Mori-ej9lr]

Perfect video and great editing. I recently picked up ZSS my self!

[@jamesyoung4604]

Incredible video! Very informative and cool

[@heldemsilva4983]

Incredible video, congrats!

[@seolifpsb7924]

I have nothing to say, perfect as always

[@EthanGamble95]

I recently subbed to u, and got a notification about this when you first uploaded it, but I was busy at the time and never got around to watching it, but I'LL BE EARLY NEXT TIME! Here I am at least, lol. I'm still a Cloud main, gotta stay loyal to my spiky haired boi with a big sword, but I'm picking up ZSS as a secondary now. I've gotten pretty good playing as her. I know I've commented this on your other videos, but I can't reiterate this enough. I started watching these to give my girlfriend, a beginner at the game and ZSS main, tips. I started watching these to give SOMEONE ELSE tips, yet these are so in-depth, yet easy to understand, that I'm picking them up myself! Lol I really enjoy these! ZSS mains, honestly, get the best guides of any character I've seen so far, and it's all thanks to you!

[@STAWBsOrio]

One of us. One of us.

[@EthanGamble95]

@@STAWBsOrio I shouldn't have laughed so hard at this reply but I did LOL

[@adamyohan]

This was amazing.

[@Diddykong8775]

Thanks for this!!

[@Y3zzir]

The way you say Zss tickles me, nice voice and good video

[@maxdetni1381]

Great video my dude! My ZSS is on the grind again xD

[@shoutyshout1331]

An Orio video

[@sukmykrok3388]

Best Sexy Suit Samus video I've seen yet! Very helpful!

[@sir_ram3nd783]

The editing is very nice👍 and the vid too

[@bluyu]

The best ZSS combo tree yet

[@Bean_Burrito00]

omg i just finished and i just realized that u said my last name without butchering it finally someone said it right im so happy.

[@Isaac-mg1vh]

YEAH BABY, LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@MikeCornejo]

Maestro 🙌🏻

[@jaxsonfanta5420]

I absolutely love. LOVE!!! Seeing in my subscriptions that you made a ZSS video. You never disappoint sir. Seriously thank you so much.

[@rihalleo9229]

this is so difficult but at least i understand better how to do it now and i should be able to learn how to do it so thank you.

[@fridolinrinke9099]

Orio you magnificent bastard, you did it again! Great video. Now the only thing left is for Mitten to nitpick :)

[@TomberryGG]

Thank you.

[@darkdiamonds4337]

I saw ori and I’m instantly in love. Ori and Xbox are so Underated

[@Faber892]

i saw someone pull this off in a tournament and i couldnt help but think of it as the orio combo

[@darkishnewt]

This is amazing, I’ve used it on my friend

[@colmm7106]

god tier

[@Max-tq5fs]

Insane

[@Rikka584]

This combo was ngl really easy to learn and get used to

[@PenguinTr4sh]

I started playing primarily in ultimate, and I main joker because I like the persona series, but ZSS’s playstyle is so interesting and so fun that I can’t stop just choosing her when I want to practice, even though I suck with her LOL

[@bond3161]

I love you. I think you can explain this in 2 sentences rather than 25 mins. Get 2 hits of fair, delay the start of fair slightly, and fast fall after the first hit but such that the second hit hits close to the ground. Isn't that it

[@TheAxeliono]

I always knew in my heart zss had so much more depth and potential than people gave her credit for

[@Radical_Dreamers]

Thanks I can't wait to not being able to pull this off against actual players

[@gualberto1222]

Zeresez zeresez zeresez

[@MrBallsackMan]

does this still work because zss had some changes done to her in one of the updates

[@H4ri4n]

Good luck performing it now, the nair landing lag makes it very hard, 2 frames makes a big difference. Second good luck for nair, nair flipkick, that's very frame perfect.

[@perrygriffin8900]

wut in tarnation!

[@keithtestaverde3712]

How do you fast fall after hitting the 1st hit of fair? The game isn't letting me... it makes me finish the move...

[@dubspot3952]

for platform stages and at higher %, could you landing nair -> delayed shff uair -> fh+dj uair -> landing uair -> fh+dj uair -> boost kick?

[@STAWBsOrio]

Yes, but nair-> delayed up air ladder is very DI dependent.

[@matthewgreenewald9219]

You keep me playing zss and not dropping her for pika

[@joolian4763]

Lol I've tried going to Pika a few times but I always come back to sheik.

[@matthewgreenewald9219]

Mega Mecha I like pika but people give me shit for it you know.

[@willgoodwin9867]

I think eventually as the meta advances, ZSS could be #1 in the game, provided not being nerfed

[@CarlosSantos-qv6nc]

Same

[@skylargalbraith7121]

Yes stay with the badass don’t leave her for that annoying spamming thunder rat

[@c1iff0rd54]

Do you know exactly which characters the frame perfect version is required for? Sorry don't want to overwork you love the video :)

[@STAWBsOrio]

It’s hard to be exactly sure, because on characters the universal timing doesn’t work on the positioning starts to become important, but in my testing I was able to only get the frame perfect version on: Cloud, Samus/Dark Samus, Isabelle, Link, Ivysaur, Peach/Daisy, Toon Link, Villager, Wii Fit, Zelda

[@c1iff0rd54]

@@STAWBsOrio thank you so much!

[@edumacation4583]

Z S S = Zero F*cks given Oops, I zuck at spelling.

[@ethanvanetten7905]

Uh oh back to the lab again

[@SaiyanMedic]

I smell another nerf in the near future😫😭

[@bashtstyle7842]

Can this still be done? i noticed you're using the fast fall before the neutral air on a short hop, i cant do it.

[@yamsang0__0]

Zss’s nair got nerfed to have more landing lag. So this combo is harder now

[@audi_0648]

Any body have tips on how to make this work vs cpt falcon? I can do a bunch of characters no issue, but not cpt falcon

[@STAWBsOrio]

It pretty much never works as a true combo on Falcon, he just falls too fast and his tumble animation is weird.

[@audi_0648]

@@STAWBsOrio thank you Orio! Keep up the good work with your amazing videos!

[@VityaSF]

im not able to hit the down b any tips?

[@STAWBsOrio]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2GwaWp8p7Kmm8U

[@ducokniepstra8217]

I got this video recommended. Does anyone know if the combo is still true?

[@STAWBsOrio]

Yes it is. See the latest video on my channel about the nerfs.

[@JP-jd8wc]

the stare at 21:05 LOL

[@fakyuokay]

ZSS is the most deadliest character in the game, hands down

[@arusu6478]

I don't remember Orio having a semi-british accent in any of the Orio games.

[@joshdove2977]

I'm having an incredibly hard time pulling this off in patch 11.0. Used to be able to do this fluently.

[@joshdove2977]

its still possible but it feels so much tighter than it was before, crazy how an additional 2 frames of landing lag can make a combo like this that much harder to pull off.

[@FaMix_]

Yeah I've been trying for hours and it's incredibly tight, maybe frame perfect, I can't use it anymore honestly, it's just more frustrating than fun

[@dancarroll3945]

Yeah it's super situational now. Gotta condition your opponent to hold in or up on your nair Well spaced nair/bair does a good job at that However a good player will notice you not spacing your landing nair when going for this and treat the situation different... Super situational

[@sleepy_wendigo]

Its like you have a PhD in ZSS tech

[@ChrisPepper1989]

Orio what are you doing to me! I *just* bought fighter pack vol1 with the aim to learn Joker and now.... Well I think you know who's coming to the lab with me now

[@STAWBsOrio]

Guess the... joke’s on you 😏

[@jubernavarrete3807]

Is this still a true combo?

[@STAWBsOrio]

Yes

[@sirwilczek1813]

Zedessess sux, most of the cast would take two stocks from that smh

[@bloodydoll5897]

ngl your videos validate the way I pronounce z but they cause language distress at the same time which is like the more you know about language the worse you get at language EXCEPT IT'S LIKE ONLY FOR MY FIRST LANGUAGE?? LIKE THIS ISNT ME USING FRENCH WORDS IN NORWEGIAN THIS IS ME BEING DISTRESSED AT ENGLISH IN ENGLISH DKSKSKKSUDKFKFLSKJ

[@STAWBsOrio]

Zed gang 🙏

[@shiftymcnifty4]

is this still possible or am i trash?

[@shiftymcnifty4]

i just hit it nvm

[@shiftymcnifty4]

on 1/2 speed im trash

[@shiftymcnifty4]

just hit it full speed im a god anything is possible thanks orio

[@antoniodavid3794]

The landing lag of Nair is now frame 8 which wouldn’t make it a true combo any mor :(

[@paulmhessing]

Has Marss seen this?

[@STAWBsOrio]

Nope

[@panzerldr5724]

Watching a 25 minute video showing off a cool combo with ZSS fair just makes me really sad about Mii Brawler fair. For those unaware, Mii Brawler's fair is a lot like ZSS's except... it is literally 1 frame away from being able to auto cancel. So we can't really combo with it.

[@Bean_Burrito00]

maybe now i wont suck so much lol

[@haz9472]

25 mins on a 3 attack string

[@STAWBsOrio]

You got it.

[@liamcorder3812]

Yeah, Zss sucks I get it.

[@bestsnowboarderuknow]

When you guys call recovery frames lag the whole fgc cringes.

[@STAWBsOrio]

That must be really hard for you.

[@gualberto1222]

Very cringe

[@evelyie]

Imagine wasting your time.