I know it's hard for some people to grasp here, but combos DO make the difference between winning and losing. I had not been approached with such an anti-combo sentiment until recently, and it's since snowballed into claims that are obviously false. If two equally skilled opponents take on each other, it'll be the one that can optimize their damage dealing opportunities that will be the victor. Footsies and zoning are very important, and it's very possible to win with just doing c.MK -> Fireball as Ryu. Although that in itself is a combo anyway.

When I whiff a HP Shoryuken, I feel pretty dumb. I'm anticipating the hurt, but when someone just walks up and throws me I get pissed. Not because they threw me per say, but because they weren't smart enough to capitalize on that blatant opportunity to deal damage to me. Weren't smart enough, simple as that. If you deny the use of combos you simply aren't smart, I said it. You might not want to put in the time and practice to do the big dealers, the flashy double FADC combos, and you can debate those all you want. But this is in itself your inadequacy and not my f'ing problem. Combos work, whether you choose to accept it or not.

Now I FADC in my combos pretty liberally, so let me hit this point pretty quick. EightBitWarrior brings up a perfectly valid point in that why would I burn that meter to get 40 more damage or whatever -- and that's simply a difference in standpoints. He thinks it's neglegable enough to where it means nothing, and I say that an extra 40 damage at the right time will win the match. Some people may be more conservative like him, and I'm fine with that. He's not opposed to combos at all, but at the same time he might as well get used to it since it only gets crazier from here (at least from me).

This was not a response to him, but if you think about the other uses of Akuma's EX Meter, the only thing I adore is the EX Tatsu. I don't care about super, I don't even care about EX Air Fireballs. The EX Demonflip is good for predicting fireballs, but those are all very situational. If I have the opportunity to cancel my LP SRK into an HP Red Fireball, I'm going to. Simple as that.

Here's an example of a game-winning combo that burned Momochi's entire Super Meter. Starts at 3:55 - ish. Demon Flip Palm Reset, c.MK -> Fireball -> FADC, s.HP(c) -> LK Tatsu, LP Shoryuken -> FADC, HP Shakunetsu
 

I know it's hard for some people to grasp here, but combos DO make the difference between winning and losing. I had not been approached with such an anti-combo sentiment until recently, and it's since snowballed into claims that are obviously false. If two equally skilled opponents take on each other, it'll be the one that can optimize their damage dealing opportunities that will be the victor. Footsies and zoning are very important, and it's very possible to win with just doing c.MK -> Fireball as Ryu. Although that in itself is a combo anyway.

When I whiff a HP Shoryuken, I feel pretty dumb. I'm anticipating the hurt, but when someone just walks up and throws me I get pissed. Not because they threw me per say, but because they weren't smart enough to capitalize on that blatant opportunity to deal damage to me. Weren't smart enough, simple as that. If you deny the use of combos you simply aren't smart, I said it. You might not want to put in the time and practice to do the big dealers, the flashy double FADC combos, and you can debate those all you want. But this is in itself your inadequacy and not my f'ing problem. Combos work, whether you choose to accept it or not.

Now I FADC in my combos pretty liberally, so let me hit this point pretty quick. EightBitWarrior brings up a perfectly valid point in that why would I burn that meter to get 40 more damage or whatever -- and that's simply a difference in standpoints. He thinks it's neglegable enough to where it means nothing, and I say that an extra 40 damage at the right time will win the match. Some people may be more conservative like him, and I'm fine with that. He's not opposed to combos at all, but at the same time he might as well get used to it since it only gets crazier from here (at least from me).

This was not a response to him, but if you think about the other uses of Akuma's EX Meter, the only thing I adore is the EX Tatsu. I don't care about super, I don't even care about EX Air Fireballs. The EX Demonflip is good for predicting fireballs, but those are all very situational. If I have the opportunity to cancel my LP SRK into an HP Red Fireball, I'm going to. Simple as that.

Here's an example of a game-winning combo that burned Momochi's entire Super Meter. Starts at 3:55 - ish. Demon Flip Palm Reset, c.MK -> Fireball -> FADC, s.HP(c) -> LK Tatsu, LP Shoryuken -> FADC, HP Shakunetsu
 

Pulling off 14 hit combos every other second makes you look like you're trying to prove something way too hard. Combos win you the match? Sure they help, but wit, experience, and last but not least reflexes play a much, much larger role.

Although that fight was pretty fucking boring, that last Akuma combo was sick. It looked pretty, but I will stick to the smaller, more accessible combos. Trying combos that complicated will result in my face in the asphalt, no exceptions.

Speaking strictly as a mediocre-to-poor old school Street Fighter gamer, I think the best are the ones that use only the tools needed for the job.  The joy of Street Fighter IV is in its options - a player may not need combos, but they exist and are there to help change up the game.  The strongest players are either not going to follow set patterns, or set up their opponent to believe that they follow a set pattern and then sucker them into something completely different.  I think it helps to learn both sides - heavy, short combos and lighter multi-hit combos.

Hell, half the time against a shitty opponent like me, all you'd basically have to do is mash a button while I continually walk right into you.  Hah!

blasphemy.

I think that while combos ARE important, knowing your situation is the most important of them all.  What EightBit might not be understanding is that combos do more than just damage in the game.  They will easily frustrate and fluster the opponent because they keep happening, which in turn throws them off their guard and make them play sloppier.  There's a much greater mind-game to all of this than just "combos win the match" or "instinct wins the match".  There are a LOT of things that go all together to win the match.

I am smart enough to know I should do a big fancy combo at every chance, I'm just not good enough to do so, so instead of risking that I'll do a throw or maybe an EX Hurricane kick or a simple combo.

I just pray Yun never gets added to SF4.

" @Scooper said:

I am smart enough to know I should do a big fancy combo at every chance, I'm just not good enough to do so, so instead of risking that I'll do a throw or maybe an EX Hurricane kick or a simple combo.

I can totally relate.  Yes, if somebody misses a move or if I find some kind of opening, I would LIKE to give him some kind of crazy juggle combo or something, but the fact is is that I'm far more confident in my ability to just throw the guy or give him some other simple knockdown combo that does solid damage and get back on the defensive.  I'm sure it means I'll never be elevating my game past its current "serviceable" level, but I just can't do long combo strings. "

I will say one thing though, loltima:  the general tone that you are using is all wrong for a "tutorial" and "learning" vibe.  Very hostile, man.  Just because you don't like the OTHER side of thought as much as you like yours, that doesn't mean you should flat-out say "well, you just aren't smart" and generally talk down to people who are playing a game because, well, they just like to play it.  Not everyone wants to be pro.  Some just want to have fun.  If you are making the videos as a general way to say "look what I can do, I'm better than you, fuck off"...then it seems you are going on the right track...which sucks.  Hopefully, you'll be using this video series as something more constructive for those that want to watch it.

There's nothing wrong with using combos at all, as long as you don't rely on them to win you the matches.  Instead you have to be good at knowing the timing of most or all of a certain char.'s who you prefer using to be able to overcome another person's offense, and if some of those situations lead to a combo you have in mind then, by all means, don't hold back.  However by relying on a certain combo you've practiced over and over to win your matches for you, then as soon as your opponent finds out your strategy you're essentially useless for the rest of that fight.

This blog is a rant because of all the hostile remarks I've gotten about combos in the first place. The fact that EightBitWarrior is even taking hostility to this is a little odd, because I said he had fair points to begin with and the blog wasn't intended to signal to him.

Thanks for all the comments, all I'm saying is that combos are important. I apologize to any I've genuinely offended, I should rephrase that I'm referring to people that have the potential to do combos but at every opportunity choose not to do so. My videos are with the intention of getting better at street fighter. I'm actually pretty average at the game hence why I'm trying to get better.

As for EightBit's comment, hit-confirming is very real. I'd like you to give me an example where I do tons of hits unnecessary to a combo. Akuma's combos generally end in one of 3 ways or so, so the "long-winded" nature of his combos are in all of them -- regardless of hit-confirming. The only difference is the 3-4 hits in the beginning of one as opposed to the 1-2. I've never done a 15-hit combo legit without a stun or demon. Mike you're a good friend of mine so it is sort of a bummer that you feel this post was directed towards you.

And furthermore, I don't see what's wrong with wanting to have a good time doing combos. Even if they were completely superfluous I'd still probably do them because they're damn fun. You guys think it's fun playing casually, and this is my fun. No one thinks they're a pro here, I'm saying that I've watched a lot of major tournaments in the country for SFIV. Not SFII.

I only took a bit of offense because your post had a very offensive tone. You were all "LOOK, this is how it is. End of story!"... like there was absolutely no opinion possible, which isn't cool.

I've gotta' say, loltima (and this probably won't matter to you because I'm a bit player when it comes to Giant Bomb), I'm feeling the hostility that others have mentioned. You say that the reason you are so aggressive in your post is that you've received hostility from others in the past regarding your opinions on combos--wouldn't it make more sense to calmly, rationally explain why they are valuable tools as opposed to the angry, erudite fashion in which you presented your points? I think I would find it a lot easier to swallow the information you're presenting me with if I didn't feel like you were looking down your nose at me the whole time.

As a disclaimer, I'll just say that I'm an extremely mediocre SFIV player (just made it to G2 in Championship mode and am getting my ass kicked left and right) who mains Abel of all people and relies heavily on his "Change of Direction" move to win matches, since Abel's combos (at least to me) are fucking hard. I myself used to play Akuma and had some basic combos down, but moved on to Abel as I find him a generally more interesting character with a more challenging play-style (again, my opinion only).

To close this out, I think I would find your videos (and I assume the upcoming Theory Fighter series) more interesting if you varied your character selection a little. I understand you main Akuma and that that brings a lot of love for him, but I find it ends up looking less like how to play SFIV and more like how to play Akuma specifically. That being said, I will definitely give Theory Fighter a chance.

There you have it. End Boss's two cents.

Bah, I like this. ^^
You guys shouldn't be so freaking close-minded about things.

Good job Ultima!

Combo's help, but if you don't combo every single offensive attempt that is perfectly fine, damage scaling elimates then need of a combo over 6-8 hits anyways.

Look, loltima.  All I know is that I've started working on my Rufus.  So, give me a couple of weeks for training, and we'll meet back up for some matches!!!

The number of combos I use is inversely proportional to my winning percentage. I'm terrible at combos, maybe it's me, maybe it's the controller, so I concentrate on mind games and timing to win. Plus c.MK.

" @c0ncubine: No one is denying that fact, I generally always land 5-8 hit combos. If it goes longer than that isn't a detriment though, the damage increase may be silly and tiny, but it's still a damage increase nonetheless. "

"The number of combos I use is inversely proportional to my winning percentage. I'm terrible at combos, maybe it's me, maybe it's the controller, so I concentrate on mind games and timing to win. Plus c.MK."

I know I'm kind of bringing this discussion back from the dead, but after reading this conversation, it is clear that ultima has a far, far more informed opinion about this topic than all of you combined. If you dismiss hitconfirming jab/short strings or deny that they're crucial in making a medicore player into an intermediate or excellent player, then you are wrong. I like to quote Combofiend whenever this conversation is brought up; he said something along the lines of no matter how good a player is, a perfectly executed combo forced upon his tiny error will completely unfurl him. If your opponent knows that every time they make a mistake that you're landing a safely-confirmed, damaging combo on them, their entire mindset and gameplan will change. Landing a combo is about more than maximizing damage.

I've learnt that when I properly learn how to use combos in fighting games, I come to rely on them too much and use them repeatedly, which means I fall into some really obvious traps and make mistakes. I always try and make sure I'm mixing up my game to get the best results. But yes, combos are probably the most useful thing to learn in Street Fighter, in the same way you need to learn the juggles in Virtua Fighter.

Oh how I wish I was better at Street Fighter...

" I've learnt that when I properly learn how to use combos in fighting games, I come to rely on them too much and use them repeatedly, which means I fall into some really obvious traps and make mistakes. I always try and make sure I'm mixing up my game to get the best results. But yes, combos are probably the most useful thing to learn in Street Fighter, in the same way you need to learn the juggles in Virtua Fighter.Oh how I wish I was better at Street Fighter... "

MK Brutalities, now that was a mans combo.