With the impending release of SSFIV, I've decided to jump headlong back into good old vanilla SFIV. The results have been mixed.
A few intensely frustrating nights have passed and i think that I'm starting to return to my previous skill level, mediocre. I've been playing a good bit with my usual main, Abel, and also trying to learn a few new characters, primarily Balrog. This has been particularly interesting because the move to a charge character is a more significant one than to another quarter-circle type character. It's sort of a revelation when you realize that you are basically supposed to ALWAYS be holding down-back.
As as aside, i've noticed something interesting about the game's online user base. If you use matchmaking to find a ranked match, many of the players are mediocre at best. This is where you see the most Kens, Akumas, and Ryus. I'm not trying to say that these are crappy characters or anything like that, I just feel like a certain type of player gravitates to those characters in addition to the players who actually know these characters well, if that makes sense. Also, i'm not trying to insinuate that I always win against these guys, because I certainly don't. Alot of times, these players will use tactics that I intellectually know how to deal with, but in the heat of the match my frustration and tension works against me
On the other hand, you have player matches. This is by far where the majority of the highly skilled SF players reside, in my experience. Almost every loss against one of these players is a learning experience for me. They beat me soundly, often with characters that I rarely go up against and with tactics that I am unfamiliar with. As a result, these player matches are where I am spending most of my time in the game. I'm curious to hear if you guys feel the same way.
Will
Street Fighter IV
Game » consists of 9 releases. Released Jul 18, 2008
After nearly a decade in hiatus, Capcom's signature mainline fighting game series resurfaces with its fourth main installment, combining the traditional 2D gameplay with modern fully-3D graphics.
Playing SFIV again...
With the impending release of SSFIV, I've decided to jump headlong back into good old vanilla SFIV. The results have been mixed.
A few intensely frustrating nights have passed and i think that I'm starting to return to my previous skill level, mediocre. I've been playing a good bit with my usual main, Abel, and also trying to learn a few new characters, primarily Balrog. This has been particularly interesting because the move to a charge character is a more significant one than to another quarter-circle type character. It's sort of a revelation when you realize that you are basically supposed to ALWAYS be holding down-back.
As as aside, i've noticed something interesting about the game's online user base. If you use matchmaking to find a ranked match, many of the players are mediocre at best. This is where you see the most Kens, Akumas, and Ryus. I'm not trying to say that these are crappy characters or anything like that, I just feel like a certain type of player gravitates to those characters in addition to the players who actually know these characters well, if that makes sense. Also, i'm not trying to insinuate that I always win against these guys, because I certainly don't. Alot of times, these players will use tactics that I intellectually know how to deal with, but in the heat of the match my frustration and tension works against me
On the other hand, you have player matches. This is by far where the majority of the highly skilled SF players reside, in my experience. Almost every loss against one of these players is a learning experience for me. They beat me soundly, often with characters that I rarely go up against and with tactics that I am unfamiliar with. As a result, these player matches are where I am spending most of my time in the game. I'm curious to hear if you guys feel the same way.
Will
I play Championship exclusively, but the way you dropped Player Matches makes me want to try it some time. I no longer get learning experiences from shoto characters (it's just the dp that you 'learn' from). Sometimes, I do find some gem fights where I feel like I lost for the right reasons (as opposed to shotos).
Also, I am terrible at charge characters. Every time I charge for too long, my 'dont-be-a-pussy' instinct kicks in and I decide to let moves go when I should've waited =/
I can't wait for SSF4's lobbies =D
I haven't really tried any player matches, Will. Maybe I should give them a shot. I've been playing Championship mode for the most part. The skill level of the people varies widely, so I don't necessarily learn anything. I tend to either breeze through matches, or get hit so hard by combos that I'm wiped out in a matter of seconds.
Interesting that you both mention championship matches as your main source of competition. I like the champion match system, but i've had an enormously difficult time finding champion matches this past week. That being said the matchmaking in general in the game is horrible. Maybe I'll give it a try in the coming week.
@skrutop: I totally know what you mean about playing matches with players of WIDELY differing abilities. I honestly feel like that is one of the biggest failures of the matchmaking in that game. I'm fortunate enough to have a few people that I play with who are at my abilities or better, so it isn't a huge deal for me, but I can see it being a pain for many players.
@Icil: I think Balrog is a good charge character to learn for the very reasons that you just described. He has a ton of really good normal moves, and even a bunch of good normals while crouching, which is basically how you play your matches. Also, you learn how to start charging way early so that you almost always have a charge ready. A good example of this is Balrog's bread and butter combo: j.RK, c.LP, c.LP, c.LK, headbutt, ultra. I start charging down-back instantly after jumping forward in the air so that I can let the headbutt loose whenever I need to.
Oh man, i got my ass kicked 17 times in a row online today. So if you ever feel like kicking the crap out of someone look no further haha. Maybe i should retire with the old SFIV :(
Anyways, I still have not found out which person i want to main yet! Is that a bad thing? Because i have had the game for a while now, and i suck with everyone :P
I have not tried Able, and El Fuerte or whatever his name is seems really fast and thats what i like.
" If you want to play some time I promise I won't hold down back. Unless you pick Fuerte. Fuck that guy. "Never friend me, Stang.
I tried some player matches tonight, and I realize that blind-picking is why I play Championship mode. Fucking everyone counterpicks El Fuerte with a charge character.
I've been doing the exact same thing. I've been able to get back into somewhat of a fighting shape playing Championship online as well as playing at the arcade across the street from my school. It's been up and down, but I did beat up on a solid 'Gief at the arcade that's energized me.
Probably will pick up the playing closer to release date, but it doesn't hurt to start training now.
I stick to championship mode because I like that it does not show your opponent's character selection. Creating a match works better cause you can kick people with lousy internet connection.
"With the impending release of SSFIV, I've decided to jump headlong back into good old vanilla SFIV. The results have been mixed.
A few intensely frustrating nights have passed and i think that I'm starting to return to my previous skill level, mediocre. I've been playing a good bit with my usual main, Abel, and also trying to learn a few new characters, primarily Balrog. This has been particularly interesting because the move to a charge character is a more significant one than to another quarter-circle type character. It's sort of a revelation when you realize that you are basically supposed to ALWAYS be holding down-back.
As as aside, i've noticed something interesting about the game's online user base. If you use matchmaking to find a ranked match, many of the players are mediocre at best. This is where you see the most Kens, Akumas, and Ryus. I'm not trying to say that these are crappy characters or anything like that, I just feel like a certain type of player gravitates to those characters in addition to the players who actually know these characters well, if that makes sense. Also, i'm not trying to insinuate that I always win against these guys, because I certainly don't. Alot of times, these players will use tactics that I intellectually know how to deal with, but in the heat of the match my frustration and tension works against me
On the other hand, you have player matches. This is by far where the majority of the highly skilled SF players reside, in my experience. Almost every loss against one of these players is a learning experience for me. They beat me soundly, often with characters that I rarely go up against and with tactics that I am unfamiliar with. As a result, these player matches are where I am spending most of my time in the game. I'm curious to hear if you guys feel the same way. Will "
I'm basically the same as you, except I play Akuma, so I must suck. Kidding.
I usually go with Championship, where usually the first battle will be against some sucker, and i may lose. But the next to battles are always highly entertaining and instructive to me.
I'll give Player matches a go though if thats what works for you.
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