I’ve been playing ARMS non-stop since its launch yesterday and I’m addicted. Nintendo redesigned the fighting game control scheme, allowing some of us without millisecond fast reflex times to compete in a fun and engaging fighting games. It’s incredibly nuanced: every punch you throw or grab you miss matters just as much as your weapon choice or aim. It’s a game that doesn’t just slap a gimmick on an existing property – it creates a new way to play, yet even a casual can pick up.
I’m helping all fellow ARMS aficionados here, check out some tips and tricks.
Arms Elements
Fire- Sets your enemy ablaze, dealing more damage and knocking them down.
Ice- A chill moves down your spine, slowing your movement speed down heavily.
Wind- The enemy soars through the air, allowing a good player to strike with a follow up attack.
Electric- Zap your enemy, stunning them for a few seconds. They can’t attack, block or move, making combos easy to land.
Blind- Gunk appears on your enemy’s screen.
Explosive- A follow-up hit, which can damage both you and your opponent.
Stun- You immobilize the enemy for a brief period of time, with no guaranteed follow-up attack.
Arms Damage Tiers ( courtesy of 101leafy , aka definitely not LeafyIsHere)
Every Arm In The Game- from Ranked Boost
Standard Punch: Toaster – Sparky – Ballooner – Buff – Freezer
Curved Punch:Ramram – Chakram
Big Slow Punch: Gelgel – Megaton – Megawatt
Boomerang Punch: Boomerang – Iceedge
Dragon Laser Beam: Dragon – Reidra
Party Pooper Punch: Galaxy – Popper
Triple Punch (One After The Other): Retorcher – Revolver
Triple Vertical Punch: Triblast – Tribolt
Whip Punch: Orochi
Bird Punch: Phoenix – Thunderbird
Homing Punch: Homie – Chaser
Hammer Punch: Whammer
Triple Horizontal Punch (All At Once): Vertival
Shield Punch (Fast): Parasol
Shield Punch (Slow): Phalanx
Change To Alternate Costumes
For those of us that want a little variety in our wardrobe, Nintendo has added an alternate costume option to ARMS , though it isn’t easy to find. In the character select screen, hold down the left joystick and point in a direction. Press down A while the joystick is held down and you should see your fighter in brighter duds. If it doesn’t work, just point in a different direction and make sure you're holding that joystick down.
Can’t Get Into Ranked Play
In order to go into ranked play, you need to win a Grand Prix on level four difficulty or higher. Nintendo wants to make sure total newbies aren’t stepping foot into an ARM ageddon right after they beat the tutorial. I’m not stepping foot into ranked mode until I know I have the basic strategies down. Until then, it’s games of volleyball and lobbies.
Which Fighter Is Right For You?
Now that you’ve mastered the basic controls, which Arms are right to pick and how to change skins, it’s time to pick a main. Everyone knows that you should always pick the fighter you are going to pick for the rest of your ARMS carreer in the first few moments of play. There’s no way you’d need more time to develop a strategy or learn what fighter works best with your playing style, when you can just spend all your time with Mekanika because you like jet boosters.
(This paragraph has been brought to you by sarcasm and too much caffeine.)
