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Question - Warlock How much do you use the rune with Warlock?

Lokheit

Lokheit

Noob
I've been playing with Warlock for a while now and there is something that I've been wondering if I'm doing it wrong.

I almost never use the ground rune with Warlock.

When I'm fighting at range, the portal kick and portal grab tend to be more effective as they're faster and even safer on whiff or block. In top of that they're easier to input as they track the opponent. Warlock is like the zoners-killer with those moves so normally I just use those 2 along with the air skull.

When I'm in close combat, I know the advantages of the EX rune, how it's super good on block to make anything safe and in the corner it has the best damage potential, but then, if you're picking Warlock, you're supposed to be saving meter for either the armored wakeup (which is also good for fast mixups combos) and the EX portal sword for more combo opportunities. I know the rune combos, but I almost never use them with Warlock.

So I wanted to know if other Warlock players are using the rune more in their game plan and opinions on the matter as I think I might be missing something by almost never using the rune.
 
Lokheit

Lokheit

Noob
Big_Marcus said:
Rune is necessary to keep movement in check. F3 is faster and grab is about the same startup as rune, but any forward movement will cause a whiff of both. Use it in a predictive manner until they get in (if they are rushdown), and use F3 for counter zoning.
Click to expand...
You're right I used to throw one of the long reaching attacks for that but the rune can do the job from a longer distance.

Anything on the EX rune in combos? It makes any string super safe but I feel like I should burn all my meter on the Warlock exclusives.
 
QUAN-FUSION

QUAN-FUSION

Crotch-puncher
Seriously? You are leaving out one of his most useful tools?

Use it in conjunction with portal kick and mb it while zoning to keep the opponent guessing.

I rarely use portal grab unless it's a full screen punish.. It just whiffs way too much.
And I also rarely metre burn it because you can do the same kinda resets without it.
I mainly just play this variation for the mb scoop wake up against rushdown heavy characters.
 
TamedLizard

TamedLizard

Buff George
Most of the Warlocks I've played hardly use it enough.

Make a habit of tossing it in here and there to mix up your options. It's really a great tool. Portal Grab and Kick can become predictable, especially against someone like Reptile who can maneuver through space very quickly and close gaps without even using energy.

Against Summoner and Sorcerer, I always respect the rune. But Warlocks fancy themselves that EX Scoop, which, I can't knock them for.
 
STB Shujinkydink

STB Shujinkydink

Burning down in flames for kicks
I rarely use it honestly. Most of my meter is saved for scoop. I use it as a zoning tool to push them back full screen
 
Rude

Rude

You will serve me in The Netherrealm
You should always use it. It's guaranteed after a blocked skull full screen. Which while Portal Kick and grab can be as well, a simple run will negate those options.

Regular runes stop running. Also, projectiles are not as - from full screen so even if they block a rune you're safe.

Once they stop running for fear of the rune check, that's when you do skulls or delay your portal kicks, etc.

Rune is great across all three variations.
 
STRYKIE

STRYKIE

Are ya' ready for MK11 kids?!
Isn't part of the fear of rune your option to meter burn it though? In the grand scheme of things, in Warlock, you'd rather have it for EX Scoop/Stab, or to make a B2 mixup safe post-restand.

So to answer your question, I don't use rune much with Warlock either, and I don't think that's a bad thing. I think it's worth checking with here and there when you have the life lead though. Unlike Summoner and Sorcerer, you can jail with the business kick after a blocked MB rune where as a follow up regular rune may still be snuffed out by long range armor reversals.
 
bdizzle2700

bdizzle2700

gotta stay sharp!
I use it alot haha. Mix it up at full screen with f3, skull, rune. I never use portal grab outside of combos. Just wiffs all the time. Also fighting up close its nice to use runes to keep going with your pressure bad be plus
 
michaelangelo

michaelangelo

LK4D4
Lokheit said:
I've been playing with Warlock for a while now and there is something that I've been wondering if I'm doing it wrong.

I almost never use the ground rune with Warlock.

When I'm fighting at range, the portal kick and portal grab tend to be more effective as they're faster and even safer on whiff or block. In top of that they're easier to input as they track the opponent. Warlock is like the zoners-killer with those moves so normally I just use those 2 along with the air skull.

When I'm in close combat, I know the advantages of the EX rune, how it's super good on block to make anything safe and in the corner it has the best damage potential, but then, if you're picking Warlock, you're supposed to be saving meter for either the armored wakeup (which is also good for fast mixups combos) and the EX portal sword for more combo opportunities. I know the rune combos, but I almost never use them with Warlock.

So I wanted to know if other Warlock players are using the rune more in their game plan and opinions on the matter as I think I might be missing something by almost never using the rune.
Click to expand...
I actually don't use the rune in warlock as much as I would in another variation.
 
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