Sub Zero is about mind games. Its about constantly attacking your opponent with safe strings and going again and again.
My most common attack and stategy is to to jump ins with jump2,2,1,4 and then either ice clone if blocked or ice slide if not. Does great chip damage and can be safe with ice clone. This is really fun against reptile if they insinctively do elbow dash.
If you play against a zoner. Forget ice clone. I does not exist. Just rush down. If they are on the floor start doing 224 and it usually catches them. Also remember that back 1,2,1 is very powerful. Not just because of the 20% damage but also because of the stagger. Their only option is to either eat your combo or a hefty chip damage followed by a safe ice clone.
Also as scary as Noob is and Kitana is with their fans. Remember that you can trade projectiles with them and maybe you will eat 8% but they will eat 20%+
This but, but know when to hold back at times and a few adjustments as have been discussed plenty here:
- most common strategy is to jump 2 2 1 4......jumping to much is not great, 2 2 4 is also better than 2 1 4 because you can hit confirm the 2 2 to ice ball if it lands and still do clone/slide cancels.
- just rushdown.....need to do this in a controlled manner. 2 2 4 while your opponent is on the ground - depends on the opponent and their wake up options. For example Noob would light you up with up kick and Sindel would eat you for breakfast for trying that all day.
- only B+1 2 1 from ground freeze combos......in open play it's punishable on block by full combo.
- Noob and kitana....know
WHEN to shoot - you cannot just throw projectiles with abandon. Wait for pauses in their spam, get off first, block and then shoot....etc. Spamming yourself and you will tend to loose vs those 2.
As for topic, I was discussing this with a friend last night actually and we both agree that Sub seems simple on first impressions and you watch Tom Brady use him and it all looks so straight forward, but as a character, he is high entry level in this game for sure. Spacing is massive to do well, screen control too. knowing your oponents options and your best punishes are also huge. Good defence and rushdown are vital and the ability to condition and execute a game plan are a must.....you basically cannot afford flaws in your game when using him or you will get exploited.
I'm getting to a stage now where I can see why Tom Brady has been saying he can live with any character in the game, but that's after 2 months solid play and there are still new things I am learning about matches i found hard, but are now becoming manageable......or even in my advantage! If you want entry level as easy, Ermac or Lui Kang are better places to start imo. You want good tools, but long term work, Sub and Scorpion are where to look.....notice these 2 have had no changes bar a small damage change - they are arguably the most balanced characters from day 1, good tools, but also have manageable weaknesses.
