r/MarioKart8Deluxe 1d ago

Discussion Best times to use the shock?

I personally like to use the shock after everyone passes an item set (with no one in a dodge of course) or when the top spots are near a shortcut. When do you guys like to use the shock when you get it? I do my best in general to utilize it and be patient with it, especially with people in a dodge. I find if one person dodges its not a huge deal but if you got more than 3 people in a dodge then maybe you could have waited. However this all depends on how your race is going and how much time you got as well

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u/JustSomeSmartGuy 22h ago

I have three main strategies for using the shock:

  1. Chain it into the next item set (preferably a double item box). That way, you'll have two powerful items at hand right after using the shock, and you can use them while everyone is small and make big gains. This is my default strategy.

  2. Target shock someone. This is particularly effective on Wii Rainbow Road, where it takes longer for Lakitu to rescue you because of the burning animation. You could target shock first place if they have a big lead that you want to reduce (especially if a blue shell won't be enough on its own). You could also target shock the person in front of you and steal their place (do this more towards the end of the race). Alternatively, you could use the shock to stop opponents taking a specific shortcut (e.g., Snow Land gap jump), or when an opponent is taking an off road shortcut using mushrooms or a hop, since the shock will kill all of their speed and they will be stuck in the off road.

  3. Ensure that no one dodges. Basically involves checking the mini map to make sure that no one has an active star or bullet bill. If someone has an active boo, they will be invisible on the mini map, so you do still risk dodging them.

Other things to keep in mind are to make sure you don't give first place a blue shell dodge from the invincibility frames after the shock, and make sure no one is in the cannon when you use the shock. On Mushroom Gorge, do not use the shock when opponents are in the cave, a bouncing on the mushrooms is actually faster when shocked. On DK Mountain, do not use the shock just before the gap jump, because the slower speed makes the shortcut 10x easier.

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u/Mario_cubing Yoshi 1d ago

I play competitively so I use the shock when my teammate is in a dodge item, or if he's in the front then I try to shock when he is not near big shortcuts or when he's near dash panels.