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The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Online: Best Setups and Strategies

The question on every Mario Kart 8 Deluxe player’s mind is: what is the best setup for online play? The truth is, there isn’t one single, definitive answer, as the “best” setup often depends on personal preference and driving style. However, certain combinations consistently outperform others, providing a competitive edge. Based on meta-analysis, top player preferences, and stat evaluations, a highly recommended setup for online domination is Waluigi, the Biddybuggy, Roller Wheels, and the Paper Glider.

This combination provides an excellent balance of acceleration, handling, and mini-turbo, making it incredibly versatile and forgiving for various tracks. It’s not the fastest in terms of raw speed, but its ability to quickly recover from mistakes and maintain momentum makes it a formidable contender in the competitive online arena.

Why This Specific Combination Works

Let’s break down why each component of this setup is so effective:

Waluigi: As a heavyweight character, Waluigi provides a substantial speed advantage and is less prone to being bumped around by other racers. This is crucial for maintaining position in the chaotic online environment. He also offers a good balance of stats, making him a consistent choice. While Wario is often cited as the top heavyweight, Waluigi has a great mix that often gets slightly better overall performance due to handling and acceleration.
Biddybuggy: This kart body is renowned for its exceptional acceleration and handling. It allows players to quickly recover from item hits or missteps, a common occurrence in online races. While it might lack in top speed compared to others, the ability to build and maintain boosts via mini-turbos makes it a very powerful option. Its small profile also makes it harder to hit.
Roller Wheels: These wheels are a staple of competitive builds, known for their significant boosts to handling, acceleration, and mini-turbo stats. They complement the Biddybuggy’s strengths, creating a setup that excels in cornering and gaining quick bursts of speed from drifts.
Paper Glider: This glider enhances the build’s already strong acceleration and handling, creating even more of an advantage in those areas. While it doesn’t have any unique special traits, it simply improves the build in stats that work well with it.

The Importance of a Balanced Build

While maximizing speed might seem like the ultimate goal, it’s important to remember that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just about straight-line speed. The game rewards players who can navigate tight corners, execute drifts effectively, and recover quickly from setbacks. A balanced build, like the one mentioned above, provides these advantages, making it more reliable and consistent across a variety of tracks and online situations.

Additional Powerful Combinations

While the Waluigi/Biddybuggy combo is highly recommended, there are other competitive combinations worth exploring:

Iggy, Inkstriker, Rollers, & Paper Glider: This combination is a strong contender, known for its potent combination of mini-turbo boost and strong all-around stats. It’s a great alternative for players who want a slightly faster, more aggressive setup.
Yoshi, Inkstriker, Rollers, & Clouds: This is a very popular option, known for its strong acceleration and good handling. The Cloud glider enhances its cornering abilities.
Rosalina, Teddy Buggy, Rollers, & Paper Glider: The Teddy Buggy provides similar attributes to the Biddybuggy with a slightly different visual style. Rosalina provides a balance of stats, making it a strong choice for many players.
Dry Bones, Biddybuggy, Azure Rollers, & Paper Glider: This is a strong setup that shares a lot in common with the Waluigi, Biddybuggy, Paper Glider setup. Dry Bones is a lighter option than Waluigi, making for a different feel, but the Biddybuggy and Paper Glider keep the core benefits.
Luigi, Streetle, Rollers, & Parachute: A great alternative for those who want a slightly more weighted feel with a bit more speed. The streetle gives a small boost to speed with very slight reduction to acceleration.

Mastering Driving Techniques is Key

Even with the perfect setup, success in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online requires mastery of fundamental driving techniques:

Drifting: This is the foundation of fast driving. Mastering drift timing and mini-turbo boosts is crucial for gaining and maintaining speed around corners.
Slipstreaming: Tailing behind other racers provides a boost of speed. Use this strategically to overtake opponents or close the gap.
Item Management: Learn which items to hold onto and when to use them. Efficient use of items can often make the difference between winning and losing.
Track Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with the track layouts, shortcuts, and optimal racing lines. This can give you a massive advantage over your opponents.
Stunt Boosting: Pressing “R” right before jumping or doing stunts can net you a quick speed boost and a small mini-turbo boost when you land.

Pure Speed Builds

If you’re looking for pure speed over everything else, some combinations excel in that area:

Dry Bowser, B-Dasher, Slick Wheels, Super Glider: This build prioritizes raw speed, but it’s less forgiving to drive, and doesn’t have the best handling and mini-turbo. Only use it if you have extremely precise driving skills.
Morton, Circuit Special, Slick Tires, Plane Glider: This is another combination that prioritizes the raw speed stat, but much like the B-Dasher combination, it sacrifices handling and acceleration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does character weight matter in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

Yes, character weight significantly affects how much you get knocked around by other racers and how far you drift when power sliding. Lighter characters are more easily bumped around, while heavier characters drift further off course.

2. How do I get better at drifting in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

Practice is key! Focus on initiating drifts early, holding the drift button while turning, and releasing it at the right moment for a mini-turbo boost. Experiment with different timing to find what works best for you.

3. What is the max VR (Versus Rating) in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online?

The maximum VR (Versus Rating) you can achieve in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online is 99,999.

4. How do I unlock 200cc?

You can unlock 200cc by having at least version 4.1 of the game installed and completing at least one Grand Prix. After unlocking it in Grand Prix you can then select 200cc in VS Race, Online Custom Room, Friend Lobby, and Tournament Settings.

5. Why am I slow in Mario Kart 8 online?

Being slow online is often due to inconsistent driving technique, not mastering drifting or item management, and choosing builds with low acceleration/handling. Poor internet connectivity or a difficult playing surface can also impact your performance.

6. What is the fastest build in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

The “fastest” build is subjective, but the Dry Bowser, B-Dasher, Slick Wheels, and Super Glider is geared towards sheer speed. However, it sacrifices handling and acceleration.

7. How do I get a boost at the start of a race?

Hold the ‘A’ button right when the number ‘2’ appears during the countdown to achieve a boost start.

8. How do I do stunts for a speed boost?

Press the ‘R’ button when going off jumps or bumps to perform a stunt in the air and gain a slight boost.

9. Are there any cheats for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

There aren’t traditional “cheats,” but there are techniques like boost starts and stunt boosts that can enhance your speed.

10. Which is better: acceleration or speed in Mario Kart 8?

It depends on your preference. Acceleration helps you quickly recover from errors and maintain momentum, while speed offers higher top-end velocity. In online races, acceleration is often preferred.

11. How does handling affect my kart?

Handling determines how closely your kart sticks to a corner when turning. A higher handling stat means tighter, more responsive turns, which is essential for track control.

12. What is the best character for beginners?

Mario is a great all-around character that serves as a good starting point. However, many players may find heavier characters like Waluigi more forgiving to play as beginners.

13. Is it better to hold or trail when you are in first place?

It is often better to hold the lead and use items defensively. Trailing behind other racers opens you up to hazards, but this may vary situationally.

14. What are the best kart parts to aim for?

Biddybuggy, Streetle, Inkstriker, Roller Wheels, and the Paper Glider and Cloud Glider are among the best kart parts due to their strong contributions to important stats.

15. Is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe really pay-to-win?

No, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe does not have microtransactions that can provide an advantage in the game, and all content is available for all players to unlock, making the playing field equal for all players.

What is the best setup for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online?