Meta Temperature 1: The Variation System

[Espio]

Hello boys and girls, I figured I would chime in with a more constructive discussion as I read a post by @Tony at Home in regards to variations and the view of using all three. So my proposed query is to gauge how everyone is strategically approaching MKX and the variation system at present.

The poll provided has three choices so choose what answer best applies to you.

I understand that there are people who only use one variation of their chosen character, but also use secondaries for certain match ups so the one variation would be applicable for the purposes of this poll.


I will refrain from answering this question in the OP and will instead offer to post my view/experience in the thread a little bit later on so as not to offer any undue influence on results.

Also keep in mind this for competitive play only, using a variation for kicks/fun is different from using them when playing to win and going all in on a set.

If there's enough interest in this series, I'll probably do something like this for various game aspects during and after Kombat Pack 2 is going down/released .

Your opinions and feedback are important and appreciated, but please remember to vote in the poll as well!

Any questions, comments or criticism let me know!

 

[TarkatanDentist]

Well, in my case the answer would be 'depends on which character I'm using'.

With Kitana I try and use all three variations, though in practice Royal Storm and Mournful both get used a lot more than Assassin, since it's pretty rare for Assassin to be the best choice. It's a similar story with Jacqui (Shotgun and Full Auto are almost always better choices than High Tech) and Ferra/Torr (while I acknowledge Lackey can be a good choice sometimes, it feels like it's betraying the whole 'two in one' aspect of the character, so I stick with Ruthless and Vicious). For D'Vorah I mostly use Venomous and only rarely use Swarm Queen, and even more rarely Brood Mother. Cassie was the closest I ever got to trying to use all three variations equally, but even then I've diverged more towards Hollywood (f34 is too good).

In summary, I'd say I'm somewhere between the 'all three' and 'at least two' options listed in the poll. I try and make a proactive effort not to just use one variation exclusively.

 

[STRYKIE]

I use two variations for my main, and use one variation of other characters if the tools I'm looking for aren't covered by any of my main's variations, do I still fit into the two variations category?

 

[MrSunshine]

Hell yeah use all three for different match-ups. They really matter for Goro and Shinncock

 

[Espio]

I use two variations for my main, and use one variation of other characters if the tools I'm looking for aren't covered by any of my main's variations, do I still fit into the two variations category?

Then you'd apply for two variations as Quan is your main character.

Well, in my case the answer would be 'depends on which character I'm using'.

With Kitana I try and use all three variations, though in practice Royal Storm and Mournful both get used a lot more than Assassin, since it's pretty rare for Assassin to be the best choice. It's a similar story with Jacqui (Shotgun and Full Auto are almost always better choices than High Tech) and Ferra/Torr (while I acknowledge Lackey can be a good choice sometimes, it feels like it's betraying the whole 'two in one' aspect of the character, so I stick with Ruthless and Vicious). For D'Vorah I mostly use Venomous and only rarely use Swarm Queen, and even more rarely Brood Mother. Cassie was the closest I ever got to trying to use all three variations equally, but even then I've diverged more towards Hollywood (f34 is too good).

In summary, I'd say I'm somewhere between the 'all three' and 'at least two' options listed in the poll. I try and make a proactive effort not to just use one variation exclusively.

Well for example, I might use all three variations of Goro, but it doesn't mean I use all three for competitive play. Using all three only counts in the poll if you use all three for competitive matches (can be online or offline of course).

And also, this poll was intended for your serious main/secondary character more so than anything cause your casual characters (like my shitty Tanya won't see the light of day in competition lol).

 

[bdizzle2700]

I just play cyber kano. I like his tools. He fits my play style. Reasons why i dont use his other variations is mostly cause i cant consistently execute his command grabs in stressfull situAtions. It usually bites me later. I dont use cutthroat cause i dont like the feel of him. So im probably missing out but why change when im comfortable with what i know best

 

[Doombawkz]

I only use lackey

This is because I'm garbage and can't execute well enough to play the other 2.

 

[Afk Skinny]

Use 2 for my main, (Ethereal, Piercing), and 1 for my other 2 characters. (Draginata, and Mournful) it all depends what I feel like playing

 

[Espio]

I just play cyber kano. I like his tools. He fits my play style. Reasons why i dont use his other variations is mostly cause i cant consistently execute his command grabs in stressfull situAtions. It usually bites me later. I dont use cutthroat cause i dont like the feel of him. So im probably missing out but why change when im comfortable with what i know best

This is how I feel about Goro, I only use Dragon Fangs now. My time with Tigrar Fury wasn't a waste cause it taught me a lot about how I'd like to play Goro and how I think he should be played. Kuatan I've never enjoyed nor cared for overall.

I don't think you're necessarily missing out though, especially if you're doing well with Cybernetic and enjoy him/are comfortable with his style.

Some people do better playing all three variations whereas you and I seem to find our comfort zone variants and roll out with those. I almost find it easier to pick up a new character than to pick up a new variation if that makes sense.

 

[The Slaj Jazz]

All 3 with Jax and Jacqui

 

[Dankster Morgan]

It depends on the character imo. With sub there's not really a reason to add unbreakable to your arsenal. Cryo complements grandmaster, and is helpful for some matchups but typically you'll want to stick to grandmaster. My other character is johnny cage, and a-list is easily his best variant. Fisticuffs amounts to no variation. Stunt double is better for a few matchups like grandmaster but several characters deal with sub way better than stunt double so might as well stick with a list and use those other characters for those struggle matchups.

 

[Genei Jin]

I only use one variation per character seriously.

Learning new characters is just more fun overall. The variation switch doesn't make much of a difference for most characters when it comes to counter picking.

 

[TarkatanDentist]

And also, this poll was intended for your serious main/secondary character more so than anything cause your casual characters (like my shitty Tanya won't see the light of day in competition lol).

TBF, every character I mentioned except for Jacqui is a serious main/secondary of mine - I'm never satisfied with just one or two characters tbh (in games like Tekken I literally use 10 or more!)

Though I suppose with respect to this post of yours, the most accurate answer for me would be 'at least two' - there's usually that one variation I don't like too much lol.

 

[Espio]

I only use one variation per character seriously.

Learning new characters is just more fun overall. The variation switch doesn't make much of a difference for most characters when it comes to counter picking.

Thank you for your feedback, but be sure to vote in the poll as well please and thank you .

 

[chrisisnice]

I usually choose only one per character as there tends to be only one I feel comfortable with. The exception is Tanya where I play Pyro and a bit of Kobu.

Apart from that, I stick to one - Royal Storm, Piercing, Covert Ops, Thunder God, Bojitsu

 

[ETC AdmiralAugustus]

Well Yung Espio, my friend, let me give you my .02

With Jax, I know I should play all variations depending on what I need to achieve, but I don't usually play HW (shit hurts my hand after a few hours). Jax has enough to deal with almost every character, and fundamentally the same variationless.

With Kano, I feel like I should only be playing Cyber and Cutthroat. Commando, being my favorite variation, just doesn't accomplish much in competitive play (unless against heavy RC pressure I use it for parry).

I honestly think it depends on the character. With Quan or Jax, you have fully fledged characters with tools that cover a wide spread of matchups and obstacles, and then you got fools like KL who you only play Buzzsaw to counterpick Sonic Fox.

That being said, there is nothing wrong playing just one variation if you are comfortable and capable.

EDIT: I voted for the third option

 

[I GOT HANDS]

I pick one variation for my characters. I find swapping variations to be harder than swapping characters, i often try to set up clones when I play Cryomancer etc, but swapping variation completely puts you in a new mind state. Also, variations often call for different play styles, I find it easier to play characters a certain way, not variations. Plus, covering bad match ups is much easier done with a choice of like 85 variations instead of just 2

 

[shmatka]

Currently, of the characters I use, I really only use one variation per. It just happened to be whatever variation I found most appealing/satisfying/easy to use upon starting out with the character.

In the future, I absolutely plan to narrow down a couple of characters to devote to learning all three variations at a competitive level. I really envy players who can stick to one character and alter their variation to account for VASTLY different play styles.

 

[DDutchguy]

I mostly pick one variation per character because I find that one the most fun or most interesting. I'm trying to get to learn more of my main's variations (in my case TG and Master of Storms Raiden) to cover certain matchups.

 

[ETC AdmiralAugustus]

To add, I think the variation system is a great idea, but I wish it was as good for the whole cast as it is for some characters (Quan, Jax, etc)

Character loyalty and aesthetics would play a much bigger role in choosing a main and I like that idea.

 

[Undergroundepict]

This is how I feel about Goro, I only use Dragon Fangs now. My time with Tigrar Fury wasn't a waste cause it taught me a lot about how I'd like to play Goro and how I think he should be played. Kuatan I've never enjoyed nor cared for overall.

I don't think you're necessarily missing out though, especially if you're doing well with Cybernetic and enjoy him/are comfortable with his style.

Some people do better playing all three variations whereas you and I seem to find our comfort zone variants and roll out with those. I almost find it easier to pick up a new character than to pick up a new variation if that makes sense.

It makes perfect sense. I'm so used to Pumped Up that whenever I try Heavy Weapons or Wrestler, I constantly throw out random Ground Pounds, or burn a bar of meter on Ex GP thinking I have my OTG, and jump thinking I have Air GP as well.
With Heavy Weapons I always assume db2 is Energy Wave instead of the L.A.W.

When I play as other characters I don't attempt Jax's moves, so it definitely makes it easier.

Incidentally, I've been considering a temporary switch to Wrestler in order to get a grip on switching variations.

 

[Eddy Wang]

With Scorpion i use two variations, with lao and Sonya i only use one, but that doesn't have to do with the MU specific things in general, there are just some variations in MKX which i don't think it suits my playstyle or are way much harder to learn.

For example, i fail to see why Inferno Scorpion is a thing since day one, the only thing i see in that variation is damage, hardly has anything safe, hardly allows scorpion to apply pressure (he only has 2 safe strings, with short range both), it was supposed to be a Zoning variation, but even on that, the zoning isn't that safe, i can see playing in very specific MUs, still, i think Ninjutsu swords zone much better than Inferno himself. Ninjutsu and Hellfire are far more dinamic and both can apply safe pressure even when meterless.

As KL, i pick Hat Trick because i was pretty interested in the game design of the variation itself, and saw the advantages it could give right from the start, although its not 100% viable, i find hat trick very pratical in MU's where my opponent has to constantly be in my face to apply pressure, but extremely hard to use as a variation when you are matched against characters who benefits motly for keeping their distances, or have a teleport.

I like Sonya Special forces, but its kinda dificult to have that drone out most of the time without sacrificing your damage, besides, her real game begins the moment that drone gets out, but when she has no drone, she is like cassie when not in the corner.


Tried jaccqui a few times, but found her execution barrier (High tech) extremely hard to get consistent with with the current cancel design, she is probably the character with the hardest execution barrier in the game right now, it requires an insane muscle memory, 100% precision, and the reward for that is incredibly to little, maybe its because i don't play the character that much, but it definitely got me thinking that she is way harder to master than Kabal and Skarlet, probably nearly the same barrier as Kazuya from tekken. In fact this is a separatted topic for some other time.

 

[ETC AdmiralAugustus]

It makes perfect sense. I'm so used to Pumped Up that whenever I try Heavy Weapons or Wrestler, I constantly throw out random Ground Pounds, or burn a bar of meter on Ex GP thinking I have my OTG, and jump thinking I have Air GP as well.
With Heavy Weapons I always assume db2 is Energy Wave instead of the L.A.W.

When I play as other characters I don't attempt Jax's moves, so it definitely makes it easier.

Incidentally, I've been considering a temporary switch to Wrestler in order to get a grip on switching variations.

I honestly believe that if learnt thoroughly, Jax is character that has very few weaknesses.

 

[I GOT HANDS]

I think a lot of people sort of missed the mark when they say "switch variations to cover match ups"... There is very few characters that see significant match up numbers change between variations... Variations work well to help you refine the playstyle you want to use for a character, picking an aspect or areas of the character to give you bonuses in

 

[DelSchokoladenSaft]

Hmmm......
Kinda hard to pin down, really. For Kotal Kahn and Kano I use two variations (Sun God and Blood God, Commando and Cybernetics respectively) while I use Vicious for the very minute purpose to counteract the bane of my existance, ice klone.
I'm gunna try to get all three characters to all three variation level competence.