Beginner tips

[FatalTragedy]

111

 

[BigFred1371]

Does anyone have a guide for different terminology for fighting games. For example what exactly does the 3's mean (Attack: Down + 3) i'm assuming its for a certain button but I don't know which buttons the number represent.

 

[HugeMcBigLarge]

@BigFred1371

PS4:
Square = 1
Triangle = 2
X = 3
O = 4

XBOX:
X = 1
Y = 2
A = 3
B = 4

These are reminiscent from arcade games that literally just had buttons on them, and the controls remain universal cross platform.

Often there will be a d/b/u/f in front of it, meaning down, back, up, forward (directional input for this). For example, Sonya's Leg grab is back forward O (on PS4) or back forward B (on XBOX). So we have a universal language of db4 to express this instead.

 

[BigFred1371]

@HugeMcBigLarge Awesome thanks so much bud really helped a lot.

 

[callMEcrazy]

As everyone has said already, practice !! Take a few days to try out as many characters as you can and then pick your favorites. It's important to stick to just 1 or 2 characters (or in the case of MKX, variations). If you keep playing with a lot characters chances are you wouldn't get very good with any. So it's best to invest all your time on just a couple of characters. Go to the practice mode, find their movelists, and try to understand how each move works. Playing against other (good) players will speed up your development.

 

[HugeMcBigLarge]

I want to throw in my $.02 here on what a valuable way to learn a character is and what my thought process is in evaluating a character. This is a slower start up, so you have to be a little patient and understand that it takes some work to put together good execution and reliable performance, but putting in a good basis of fundamentals has been a way better way for me to play than try to address bad habits I develop from just jumping into a character before I have a plan.

1. Try to understand their strengths and play style, and see if it is a fit for you.
This is normally best done by watching game play or seeing how other people are using them. If you are in a day 1 situation (HERE WE GO!), look at their special moves. If they have nothing but projectiles, likely they are going to playing keep away and zoning. If there are lots of pop ups/high damage finishers, the character will be more combo heavy, whereas if you have lots of armor/multi-hit specials, they will likely have more pressure/oki-based gameplay.

2. Understand which strings are going to be viable.
I almost immediately look at the frame data for characters. I don't think it's that advanced of a concept that people seriously trying to level up won't get. What I look for here is for strings that provide mix up options (low, overhead starters, or strings that alternate). These are going to be the strings that your BnB's are based off of, and likely a source of most of your pressure game. You want to use the strings that will create opportunities for you to convert into big damage, while still providing a safe/high reward option. Also look for strings that end in a pop-up, as these will be perfect for combo starters, and really are how combo's are built.

3. Practice mode!
I tend to sit with a character once I think they're viable in practice mode for a long time. I practice all of their strings that I think are viable, learn where I can end strings early/cancel into other specials and start trying to think up pressure options. If I can do something like 121 -> military stance cartwheel (Sonya Blade), that is a solid combo opener. I also have options such as just hitting 12 and ending the string (after blocking the combo a few times, players will anticipate that you will finish the entire string) OR 121 -> military stance Grab/Low hit. There are a lot of different pressure options once I start rolling that I can mix characters up.

4. Footsies
All of this so far has just been solo grinding in the lab. Learn characters, learn strings, learn combos. However there's really no subsitute for learning how to space, position, create openings, and initiate pressure aside from playing against other people. Initially, you will probably be loosely putting together your combos and dropping 60% of everything. You'll slowly shore up your execution over time, but learning against a living human being when you can poke, what strings actually create openings, what traps you can employ, and when to utilize different tools is the best way to put together your hard work in the lab.

 

[Zachbram]

Big thanks to everyone for giving your tips and advices on gettin into MK! Im taking in everything and on friday Im ready to start!

 

[chemicalNova]

It's preference but people use pad(controller) because it's how NRS designs the layout and works really well, even though stick is normally the best for 2d.

Do you have a source for that? Its VERY hard to do Kung Laos 11212 string on a pad in MKX.. but a breeze with stick.

 

[Montanx]

I'll share a personal thought process. It's one of the worst habits and should be killed in fire but it's hard to escape in this day and age with so much info. The mindset is as follows...Watching too many pro matches and getting discouraged when you can't do what they are doing. I know, silly right? But the thoughts creep in the head sometimes. Something like "dammit I'm not as good as MIT at scorpion on day 1 this sucks.". We watch so much footage of pros who have grinded for years to lay the groundwork of their game it's hard to empathize as a newbie. Kill it with fire! Play your own game, don't try to play like the top .01 percent of players.

 

[Beamspex]

I played about 5 hours of Takeda just now and I got to say wow. This is hard. After deciphering your written-combo-language I tried to practice some. I found out I can't do them at all, so I dumbed them down to 18-22% and that was something I could manage (5-6 different button presses maybe). So next logical step I tried these combos in hourly tower and what seemed so easy in practice turned in to a button-mash (with some moments of greatness) against a moving opponent. I finished the tower 3 or 4 times no worries but man were these some ugly fights.

All said should I continue with this Takeda or is there anything easier to get the hang of and practice. I don't care about tiers or OP-ness and I know these are babysteps yet but maybe not all fingers are meant for this type crazy pressure - makes all these FPS-s and RPG-s look like Candy Crush.

 

[Desperdicio]

Do you have a source for that? Its VERY hard to do Kung Laos 11212 string on a pad in MKX.. but a breeze with stick.

I don't have any trouble doing that. Anyway, you're right, it's still personal preference. I have played with pad since I started playing videogames as a little kid, while others went to the arcades.

@Beamspex : It's not easy for anyone. There's no easy way. Just keep on practicing, and practice the combos that you couldn't pull out; don't get less damage for laziness. My first BnBs in MK9 took me several long hours of practicing, and I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be that way when you want to do some pro stuff for the first time.

@Montanx : Instead of getting discouraged, you should practice more.

 

[The_Polarpop]

When in training mode practice using the pinning option so you can see the combos without having to check the menu everytime. Do that until it becomes muscle memory then try it without the combo pins. Also work on footsies and getting used to abilities/normals before trying full juggles because when you start tryin to do juggles without footsies... uwehagh.

What the hell is footsies ?

 

[Alucard]

What the hell is footsies ?

Footsies is spacing youself from the opponent in a way that you can pressure them from a distance or cause them to wiff moves which you can punish with certain abilities as long as you know their range. Of course this also helps when playing defensively and offensively.

 

[buMf00d]

@Zachbram what system are you on, I'm also interested in learning the game so it's good to learn together I think

 

[Zachbram]

what system are you on, I'm also interested in learning the game so it's good to learn together I think

Im on ps4, but I have the EU version - its regionlocked aint it?

One question, now that I have had the chance to play around with the characters - done the story and so on, I have singled down some characters that I do like the feel of - both movement and also design. My question is - which one of these are the most beginnerfriendly - Kenshi, Kano, Kung Lao, Jax, Raiden, D'Vorah and sub-zero?

 

[Alucard]

kung lao and kenshi probably. Depends on how beginner you are.

 

[Zachbram]

kung lao and kenshi probably. Depends on how beginner you are.

Well, I know the basic - I can get some simple strings together(havent really started practice yet - today i start) Kenshi was my frst pick - so maybe good to take him for a ride?

 

[Alucard]

Well, I know the basic - I can get some simple strings together(havent really started practice yet - today i start) Kenshi was my frst pick - so maybe good to take him for a ride?

yeah go for it, just as long as you can zone. Idk which variation is the best for ya tho.

 

[Zachbram]

yeah go for it, just as long as you can zone. Idk which variation is the best for ya tho.

Meaning? kenjutsu seems to be the favorite.