General/Other Ask Kratos Thread - Have a question about Kratos? Post it here!

[Komatose]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't connect on Kitana. after the JIP, I just buffer F42 (hold), so it should work. However, after the F4, the combo interrupts before Kratos do the ascension (so, if a Kitana player is holding block, it will not connect). I don't know if it is only Kitana or other characters are also recovering after the last F4.. I can connect it against several characters, but no Kitana.. I can end it with plain B2 (hold) after JIP, but I have to say that sometimes, out of being used to do the same combo, F42 comes out without thinking.

Other situations: corner combo:

F42, 11, Apollos Bow, 1, Head of Helios, F42 - 4. Depending on the character, the last F42 dos not connect either (F4 connects and then the combo ends before the 2)

That's weird. Kratos is such an underused and unexplored character that something like this hasn't come to light until now.

 

[huh]

Yeah, that's weird. About the corner combo I talked about, it only seems to connect with Sheeva. So, there are those annoying exceptions, that really don't make it any easier to play. It only happens with Kratos? I've never played MK before this year, and the first character I've picked (and the only one I know how to play) was him. So I don't know how it works for other characters.,

PS: I know its weird to only know how to play Kratos, but it was how my learning experience came out... I picked him by chance when I first got the game, and started to practice combos and play online with him. After a while, I realized Kratos strategy is completely different from most of the other characters, due to his slow normals, parry based counters, and high damage, playing patient and defensive, relying on the opportunities that arise by the occasion. Now I suck when I pick any other character, due to having to learn how to play in a completely different way how to chain pressure strings, and all this stuff that I've never worried about with Kratos (I'm not able to do the HDC pressuring game right now...)

 

[Komatose]

This might sound petty coming from me, but do you play online at all? Are you playing on the latest patch?

 

[huh]

This might sound petty coming from me, but do you play online at all? Are you playing on the latest patch?

Hey don't worry, I also want to get to the bottom of this.

Yes, I mostly play online, but in the Brazil room, since connections from outside here are very lagging.
I think I'm playing on the latest patch, I've updated it, but I'm really not sure. Perhaps you can later try to do the combo I told before against kitana, and then against any other char, like subzero (it works on SZ for me, and most of the others..,) and check if in your version it works differently for both.. I'm really curious. Just in case, I'll check the PS3 store again and see if there is any patch I have to install

 

[Komatose]

Yeah you're on the patched version. If you weren't, you wouldn't be able to go online. So yeah. That's pretty weird.

 

[Alien Substance]

What is the best when Kratos is cornered after a knockdown?

Depends on the character you're playing against. Generally, if they're trying to be in your face as you wakeup, you should try dash cancelling Hermes Rush for a Flash Parry (HFP = Hermes Flash Parry). The best option after an HFP is to quickly use an F+4,2, but I find that if the opponent is in the process of recovering from a poke, Divine Lift won't connect. In this case, alternatives are 1xxHelios (however, it hits high), and 3xxHelios (3 frames slower than an F+4).

Of course, you can try to be ballsy and HFP~jump out of the corner.
Options without the Head of Helios include:
D+4xxBow of Apollo.
D+4xxZeus' Rage.
D+1xxZeus' Rage.
(HFP is optional, but I haven't had the opportunity to try these without an HFP)
I find these options work if your opponent is quite eager to lay the smackdown upon you.

However, the last F42 not always connect (with Kitana, for instance) is there an alternative that can be used for all MUs to finish the combo?

F+4,2~1,1xxHelios~JIP, B+2(hold 2)4.

F+4,2~1xxBow~1xxHelios~JIP, B+2(hold 2)4.

The standing 1 attacks can be interchanged with standing 2, if it's more comfortable with you.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't connect on Kitana.

Kitana's specific hitbox allows her to land on the ground before Kratos' Divine Lift comes out, I assume. You see, F+4 kind of lifts the opponent off of the ground for a bit, and I think during an extended combo, this property causes the combo to drop when F+4 is used a second time in an extended combo.

Note that I believe this is hitbox-related issue because Sheeva has the biggest hitbox, and this "F+4 lift-interruption" does not occur with her.

I know its weird to only know how to play Kratos, but it was how my learning experience came out... I picked him by chance when I first got the game, and started to practice combos and play online with him. After a while, I realized Kratos strategy is completely different from most of the other characters, due to his slow normals, parry based counters, and high damage, playing patient and defensive, relying on the opportunities that arise by the occasion. Now I suck when I pick any other character, due to having to learn how to play in a completely different way how to chain pressure strings, and all this stuff that I've never worried about with Kratos (I'm not able to do the HDC pressuring game right now...)

That's a shame. Sorry to see that.

If done right with the correct guesses, Kratos can be a pretty good close-kombat fighter with his HDC Pressure game.

 

[huh]

That's a shame. Sorry to see that.

If done right with the correct guesses, Kratos can be a pretty good close-kombat fighter with his HDC Pressure game.

Thanks a lot Alien Substance! Yes, indeed I have to practice the HDC! Without it it's pretty much impossible to pressure properly, right?
I'm trying to practice 2,1,HDC untill I get it to come out naturally, and then add some mixups. The tricky part, for me, is to have the reaction to hit confirm a Helios, for instance, when 2,1, connects, instead of automatically string another HDC. But I'll keep trying.

I also seem to lack a lot of fundamentals, since I've never played a fighting game before, regarding control of space, moving, etc.. I really have to build a stronger basis, I think.

Another doubt I have is: Kratos seems to not have a low combo starter, right? I try to connect D4 with several specials/normals, without success. The solution for a stand blocking player is to use B4, or throw?

 

[Alien Substance]

Thanks a lot Alien Substance! Yes, indeed I have to practice the HDC! Without it it's pretty much impossible to pressure properly, right?
I'm trying to practice 2,1,HDC untill I get it to come out naturally, and then add some mixups. The tricky part, for me, is to have the reaction to hit confirm a Helios, for instance, when 2,1, connects, instead of automatically string another HDC. But I'll keep trying.

I also seem to lack a lot of fundamentals, since I've never played a fighting game before, regarding control of space, moving, etc.. I really have to build a stronger basis, I think.

Another doubt I have is: Kratos seems to not have a low combo starter, right? I try to connect D4 with several specials/normals, without success. The solution for a stand blocking player is to use B4, or throw?

No problem.
Yes, without it, Kratos is probably one of the weakest fighters up close.
2,1xxHDC is a kind of smooth input motion. I know I had trouble with HDCs too, until I got them down to muscle memory.
Even I have some issues with hit-confirming a Head of Helios, don't worry.

Yes, fundamentals are required for one such as Kratos.

He does not have a low combo starter. D+4 is not a proper starter, only a universal poke.
B+4, I feel is too slow. Throws are good, but be careful for when the opponent catches on techs them or crouches under your throws.

Kratos has great damage potential, breaking 38% damage from simple combos, he is a fighter meant to punish the opponent's mistakes.

 

[Axel_Redd]

they should definitely unban this character already.

 

[huh]

Hi guys, just wondering: Is there any difference between using standing 1 or 2 as an anti-air (canceling it to Helios)?

Both have the same execution frames (12), and I tested in the lab and it seems that both have exactly the same horizontal reach. It's hard to measure but it also seem that both hit at the same position/height, so having the same vertical reach (please, correct me if I'm wrong here).

Both do the same damage. I know that 1 has more advantage on block (0 against -1) and 2 has more advantage on hit (+5 against 0), but as an AA that doesn't matter much.

So, in that particular situation, as an AA, is it just a matter of choosing what is more comfortable, or there is any advantadge on using any of them?

 

[Alien Substance]

Hi guys, just wondering: Is there any difference between using standig 1 or 2 as an anti-air (canceling it to Helios)?

Go with what you feel is more comfortable, I suppose.

Personally, I feel more comfortable with standing 1 as a quick AA, so I can't really tell you much about using ST2. (standing 2)
I know ST1 has longer horizontal range than ST2. I'm not certain if ST2 has greater vertical reach, but Noob Saibot tells me it just might. I'll have to try some things out!

B+1 is actually Kratos' best AA, but it is also the slowest at 21 frames. It is an arcing, upwards swing. I like to buffer it with B+1, D,B,2, so that Head of Helios comes out if it B+1 hits, and if it doesn't, then B+1,2 will come out. It has a large hitbox too, but it is -20 on block.

By the way, I'm glad you're here so I don't feel lonely. ; - ;

 

[Axel_Redd]

b12 is unsafe on hit tho...u sh ould never use it

 

[Alien Substance]

b12 is unsafe on hit tho...u sh ould never use it

Of course. Though because Kratos is a very rarely-played character, I find my opponents let go of block before the second hit comes out.....as long as they've only seen B+1 beforehand. Hell, sometimes they don't even know how unsafe it is (-20) and just jump over Kratos, allowing me time to block or crossup Parry.

I recommend trying to hit-confirm B+1xxHelios (either when the opponent is hit, or because you know the opponent's jump arc will get them hit) instead of buffering B+1,D,B,2.

 

[Axel_Redd]

Of course. Though because Kratos is a very rarely-played character, I find my opponents let go of block before the second hit comes out.....as long as they've only seen B+1 beforehand. Hell, sometimes they don't even know how unsafe it is (-20) and just jump over Kratos, allowing me time to block or crossup Parry.

I recommend trying to hit-confirm B+1xxHelios (either when the opponent is hit, or because you know the opponent's jump arc will get them hit) instead of buffering B+1,D,B,2.

why not arrows instead of head?

 

[Alien Substance]

why not arrows instead of head?

Because both arrows tend to miss if the opponent is at certain height and distance away; the cost of having a large hitbox on B+1.

 

[Axel_Redd]

still would prevent them from moving in.


also, im still not sure if arrows are a frame trap at a certain distance when involving stuff like zeus rage.

someone should confirm this, cuz i know freddy's glove toss is -5 on block and is a full screen frame trap with his spikes.....With arrows being only -1 on block i wonder just how much advantage u have at certain distances.

 

[Alien Substance]

still would prevent them from moving in.

also, im still not sure if arrows are a frame trap at a certain distance when involving stuff like zeus rage.

someone should confirm this, cuz i know freddy's glove toss is -5 on block and is a full screen frame trap with his spikes.....With arrows being only -1 on block i wonder just how much advantage u have at certain distances.

Using the Bow of Apollo has a chance of missing the opponent entirely, and if it does hit, the guaranteed 1/2xxHelios~combo deals less damage than the B+1xxHelios AA BnB, if I'm not mistaken.

Every single frame the arrows take to hit the opponent is one frame of advantage. I'm sure an unblocked F+2,2xxBow(arrows blocked)~Zeus' Rage is a real frame trap. I catch people with that, even before they can jump out after the blocked arrows, but that kind of requires precisional inputs.

 

[Axel_Redd]

i guess. i just don't like b12, lol. if it was safe on hit maybe.

 

[Alien Substance]

i guess. i just don't like b12, lol. if it was safe on hit maybe.

You don't have to like B+1,2, only the hitbox sexiness called B+1.

 

[Axel_Redd]

You don't have to like B+1,2, only the hitbox sexiness called B+1.

b1 by itsself is fine.

 

[Shadow316]

Tried to ask this in a private message to Alien Substance but it wouldn't let me view the profile, so I guess I'll ask it here.

Is there a glitch with Kratos' arrows? Was playing against him earlier and it isn't the first time it's happened, but sometimes when he shoots his arrows the second one doesn't 'come out' but will hit you at a random time (or what I believe to be random). For me, it hit when Kratos did a jump back kick, I was about sweep distance and I don't believe the kick hit, but I was hit with something and lost the round. My character was in the knockback animation that happens when hit with an arrow.

 

[xInfra Deadx]

Tried to ask this in a private message to Alien Substance but it wouldn't let me view the profile, so I guess I'll ask it here.

Is there a glitch with Kratos' arrows? Was playing against him earlier and it isn't the first time it's happened, but sometimes when he shoots his arrows the second one doesn't 'come out' but will hit you at a random time (or what I believe to be random). For me, it hit when Kratos did a jump back kick, I was about sweep distance and I don't believe the kick hit, but I was hit with something and lost the round. My character was in the knockback animation that happens when hit with an arrow.

There is an invisible arrow glitch, yes.

 

[Shadow316]

There is an invisible arrow glitch, yes.

Any explanation on it?

 

[xInfra Deadx]

Any explanation on it?

No idea other than it randomly does it to me.

 

[Shadow316]

No idea other than it randomly does it to me.

Thanks for the reply !