Master D.
Noob
I have devised a basic point system that showcases how well Kabal can utilize his main pressuring tools against certain characters. The system only takes in to account three moves f+3, b+1, and 2 because they have the potential of doing the most damage to your opponent. There are other moves you can add to pressure with and in some cases you will have to, but being able to use the three before mentioned moves makes winning a lot easier.
The point system is:
1 – Only f+3 variations can be used to pressure.
2 – f+3 and b+1 variations can be used to pressure.
2.5 - f+3 and b+1 can used to pressure. 2 can be used, but slight delay required after a NDC.
3 - f+3 variation, b+1 variation, and 2 can be used to pressure. However, connecting consecutive 2's doesn't work.
4 - f+3 variation, b+1 variation, and 2 can be used to pressure. Plus, connecting consecutive 2's does work.
Keep in mind that you can still use all three moves after a JIP to start pressuring, but after the initial move you might not be able to use b+1 or 2 to continue pressuring. This is mostly due to certain characters having lower hitboxes, so b+1 and 2 doesn't hit them. Also, after f+4 in juggles, b+1 and 2 will hit everyone and can be used initially to start pressuring.
Scorpion – 4
Liu Kang – 4
Kung Lao – 2
Sub-Zero – 2
Sindel – 4
Ermac – 2.5
Reptile – 2
Kitana – 2
Johnny Cage – 2
Jade – 4
Mileena – 1
Nightwolf – 3
Cyrax – 3
Noob – 4
Smoke – 2.5
Sektor – 1
Sonya – 2.5
Jax – 1
Kano – 4
Stryker – 4
Shang Tsung – 4
Baraka – 4
Kabal - 2
Raiden – 4
Cyber Sub-Zero – 3
Quan Chi – 2
Sheeva – 4
Skarlet – 2
Kenshi – 4
Rain – 4
Freddy Krueger – 4
Personally, I feel a lot more comfortable playing a character that has a rating of 3 or 4 because it opens up many ways to pressure and become less predictable. Also, based on the system it seems like the lower the rating the harder the match-up becomes with a couple of minor exceptions.
Kabal can zone very well, so in some matches you don’t have to bother knowing some of this stuff. Nonetheless, having a complete game is important to fully mastering Kabal, which is why I made a point system to show how you might pressure each character. When playing, I take a couple of things into consideration; the point system above, the opposing characters offensive tools, the opposing characters defensive tools, and any anti-zoning a character might have. Then, I simply adjust my game based on those factors. For example, Raiden has a rating of 4, average offensive tools, average defense, and very good anti-zoning strategy. This means I should rush the crap out of him. In some matches you will be better off zoning and in some matches you will be better off rushing down.
Discuss and provide suggestions if possible.
EDIT: Added a rating of 2.5 for a couple of characters.
EDIT#2: Added a rating of 4 and updated rating of 3.
The point system is:
1 – Only f+3 variations can be used to pressure.
2 – f+3 and b+1 variations can be used to pressure.
2.5 - f+3 and b+1 can used to pressure. 2 can be used, but slight delay required after a NDC.
3 - f+3 variation, b+1 variation, and 2 can be used to pressure. However, connecting consecutive 2's doesn't work.
4 - f+3 variation, b+1 variation, and 2 can be used to pressure. Plus, connecting consecutive 2's does work.
Keep in mind that you can still use all three moves after a JIP to start pressuring, but after the initial move you might not be able to use b+1 or 2 to continue pressuring. This is mostly due to certain characters having lower hitboxes, so b+1 and 2 doesn't hit them. Also, after f+4 in juggles, b+1 and 2 will hit everyone and can be used initially to start pressuring.
Scorpion – 4
Liu Kang – 4
Kung Lao – 2
Sub-Zero – 2
Sindel – 4
Ermac – 2.5
Reptile – 2
Kitana – 2
Johnny Cage – 2
Jade – 4
Mileena – 1
Nightwolf – 3
Cyrax – 3
Noob – 4
Smoke – 2.5
Sektor – 1
Sonya – 2.5
Jax – 1
Kano – 4
Stryker – 4
Shang Tsung – 4
Baraka – 4
Kabal - 2
Raiden – 4
Cyber Sub-Zero – 3
Quan Chi – 2
Sheeva – 4
Skarlet – 2
Kenshi – 4
Rain – 4
Freddy Krueger – 4
Personally, I feel a lot more comfortable playing a character that has a rating of 3 or 4 because it opens up many ways to pressure and become less predictable. Also, based on the system it seems like the lower the rating the harder the match-up becomes with a couple of minor exceptions.
Kabal can zone very well, so in some matches you don’t have to bother knowing some of this stuff. Nonetheless, having a complete game is important to fully mastering Kabal, which is why I made a point system to show how you might pressure each character. When playing, I take a couple of things into consideration; the point system above, the opposing characters offensive tools, the opposing characters defensive tools, and any anti-zoning a character might have. Then, I simply adjust my game based on those factors. For example, Raiden has a rating of 4, average offensive tools, average defense, and very good anti-zoning strategy. This means I should rush the crap out of him. In some matches you will be better off zoning and in some matches you will be better off rushing down.
Discuss and provide suggestions if possible.
EDIT: Added a rating of 2.5 for a couple of characters.
EDIT#2: Added a rating of 4 and updated rating of 3.