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Downstack - A Primer

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Downstack - A Primer Empty Downstack - A Primer

Post  SirJeivus Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:13 pm

Definition of Downstack:

Simply put, the definition of downstack is to clear garbage and to get your field height to a safe level where standard attacks such as a TSD or a Tetris will not KO you. However, good downstack has the following elements:

Maintaining a very flat field with minimal parity issues
Setting up a funneled stack to prepare for any incoming attacks
Clearing down without obscuring future downstack
Clearing down while maintaining a sizeable attack

Each of the above key elements will be discussed in detail.

Point 1 - Maintaining a very flat field with minimal parity issues:

Flatness and elevation of your current stack is very important. The reason being is that when garbage is added to you, you don't know where the garbage hole (TFO/TOP) or the bomb (TB) will be. Maintaining a level and even stack ensures that you have equal opportunity to access the bombs.

Consider this case, in which your stack is level and flat. http://tinyurl.com/82phqeo

Notice how when someone Tetrises you, the fact that you have an even build means you can acess the garbage easier.

Now, consider this case, where you build a lopsided stack and you receive a Tetris: http://tinyurl.com/78mbz5d

Now, the garbage hole or bomb could be on the very right and you would be lucky. But, if it is underneath that large pile on the very left, you will have to spend more time clearing that away.

Addendum (Thanks to Hsing Liu): One could argue that the above could be a combo setup and everything will be fine. If the garbage is messy, you should clear down your lopsided stack immediately and tend to the messy garbage. http://tinyurl.com/75mbwfo

Summary of Point 1: A flat and even field makes garbage more accessible, as there are no "mountains" to dig through.

Point 2 - Setting up a funneled stack to prepare for any incoming attacks

Now this is more of a TFO/TOP issue. Keep in mind that in TOP and TFO E+ modes, garbage is added only if you do not place a piece that clears a line.

Consider this case, where stacking in this situation only allows a stick to go through. If you do not receive stick before the attack, you will be KO'd. http://tinyurl.com/77j2bx6

Instead, it would be smarter to do this with the same set of pieces: http://tinyurl.com/83ykqyp

Not only does it delay the add by one piece, you are simultaneously lowering your stack and lowering the incoming attacks.

Summary of Point 2: Setting up a funneled stack in anticipation for attacks allows partial cancellation of garbage and lowering of your field. It also delays the add so you can get to your stick faster. Structure your stack such that it can accomodate as many pieces as possible!

If you are not in a position of danger, it's good to setup a funneled stack anyway. You can still have a high attack (ie: Tetris), but then rebuild that funnel after the attack. That way, you are always in a position to defend if necessary. http://tinyurl.com/7bkhdlr

The example above shows how after the Tetris, I build for another Tetris but have that funnel just in case.

Point 3 - Clearing down without obscuring future downstack

I see a lot of people making T-spins and Tetrises by covering up bombs or garbage. DO NOT DO THIS. If your garbage or bombs are messy distribution, and your opponent has easy garbage (Free Tetris), do not give them a T-Spin double. It is not worth it, and they can easily return it to you while you are dsing.

I would probably not go for this T-Spin. This is because you are covering up the 2nd garbage hole from the top. This is bad playing: http://tinyurl.com/82d52k2

This would be a better alternative. This is because that stick placed flat does not obscure the 2nd garbage hole after the T spin, and you can do some nice mini-combos after for messy TB or TFO/TOP garbage, making it harder to ds for opponent. http://tinyurl.com/74x9xs4

If you don't feel like doing T-spins, clearing it regularly also works. Just keep in mind that you do not want to block pathways to other bombs or garbage. http://tinyurl.com/7u6fydc

Notice that the remainder of the green just stops your mini-combo. Stack away from garbage holes (Try to look 5 deep or better) so that you have some bulk to work with as you are dsing. This would be a little better: http://tinyurl.com/7u6afvh

Point 4 - Clearing down while maintaining a sizeable attack

This section will be discussed in three parts:
(1) Transitionals
(2) Combo Extensions
(3) Conversions

Transitionals

This is something Prince does really well. Upon clearing his stack, he proceeds to clear the garbage while maintaining a combo count. You are "transitioning" from your stack to the garbage while connecting combos.

Example of 3W transitional: http://tinyurl.com/7n8c59k

Notice how this 3W carries onto the garbage. This is why it's possible to have 25+ combos, even though the max screen height of TB is 20.

Me, of course, I prefer T-spin attacks, so I would do T-spin transitionals.

Example of TSD transitional: http://tinyurl.com/7w9es3n

Look closely how I set-up this TSD. The J on the far left, it does not obscure future ds. That way, after I TSD, I can access the garbage to continue my attack.

Combo Extensions

Combo extensions involve clever piece placing to extend your combo by an extra 1-2 combos, or even more! They often involve the use of all-spins, awkward piece placements, or placing pieces horizontally. Now, consider this:

If you have a 1 deep garbage hole, all pieces except the cube can clear a line: T,S,Z,L,J,I
If you have a 2 deep garbage hole (straight), only L, J and I can clear a line or better.
If you have a 2 deep funneled hole, only S/Z (depending on funnel face), L, J and I can clear it.
If you have a 3 deep funneled hole, one of L/J or a I can clear it
If you have a 3 or 4 deep garbage hole, only a stick can clear it.

Notice how your options decrease as the hole deepeness increases. This is why when dsing, you want to avoid any 2-deep heights so you can accomodate as many pieces as possible to extend your combo.

This DS combo is not very impressive: http://tinyurl.com/8x3gw8h
This DS combo is more impressive: http://tinyurl.com/74ncp49

Placing that L instead of performing a double extended the combo. Now, this depends on the situation. If you are just starting your combo this would not matter much. But if you are on your 6+ combo, doing this could add 4 more lines and could be the difference between KOing your opponent or not.

Conversions

Who says you have to use that clean garbage as a tetris? Depending on the situation, you can convert that free tetris into a 2w or 3w. Make sure you time this just right though, (ie: after you receive a second attack. You don't want your combo garbage to be cancelled out)

Tetris garbage converted to 2W with Tetris finish: http://tinyurl.com/845ls5d


SirJeivus
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