How do I fight?

[Emperor Enigma]

I've liked Mortal Kombat for a long time. However, it wasn't until recently, after watching numerous competitive tournaments like EVO and purchasing this game, that I became interested in fighting games as competitive sport.

I'm vaguely aware of the elements of fighting games like the terminology. However, I'm still in the button-mashing tier where I'm absolutely clueless. I also want to read this game like an encyclopedia, know about the fundamentals and stuff. I want to get better and become a competitive player. Where can I find resources that would help me achieve this? Simply playing more isn't an option because I essentially do not know what to do, I'm in the weird level between a complete novice and a competitive player. I plan to eventually branch out to other fighting games as well but at present, I want to focus on MK which is why I want an explanation of the fighting game system, but mainly from this game's perspective.

As is evident from my profile picture, I intend to main Quan Chi. So it would be great if there's valuable information pertaining to him as well.

 

[Emperor Enigma]

bump

 

[GAV]

The first thing you need to embrace is patience. Add one thing at a time. If you try to master all things, you won't know what to do when.

Establish something that they have to deal with. Then, play off of punishing the things you know they have to do. This is the beginning of your gameplan. As it progresses, you will evolve.

 

[Emperor Enigma]

The first thing you need to embrace is patience. Add one thing at a time. If you try to master all things, you won't know what to do when.

Establish something that they have to deal with. Then, play off of punishing the things you know they have to do. This is the beginning of your gameplan. As it progresses, you will evolve.

Yeah, patience isn't my strong suit.

That is valuable advice, but I'm mostly looking for concrete explanations of the game. Like a tutorial for competitive players.

 

[RYX]

reduce the enemy's life bar to zero

???

win

 

[Gesture Required Ahead]

1)Learn the game's mechanics
2)Learn the meta
3)Learn your character's basics
4)Learn how your character plays the meta
5)Learn how your character can play the meta best or how to break the meta
6)Learn how to read player tendencies
7)Learn player tendencies
8)Exploit player tendencies
9)Master getting the most damage out of every single situation in the realm of possibility (conversions)
10)Be able to do steps 1-9 without thinking about it (acquired by experience)

You now have acquired the tools to become a good Fighting Game player. Take note that those steps aren't necessarily in order but you do need some of the early ones to be able to do the later ones ie. you can't master conversions if you don't know how to play your character. And note 2: step 10 is very important and can take months if not years of playing and watching other people play. Fortunately, NRS games are pretty easy to pick up so it can only take you a week to understand the basics of a character.

 

[GAV]

Big J Gleez has a lot of videos geared towards this. Check out his YouTube Channel: Gaming with Gleez.

Here's an example -->

Beyond this, if you're going Quan Chi - you need to learn his vortex. A lot of players mistime it - and, then, its not a vortex.

Ketchup broke it down for us early on -->

 

[Emperor Enigma]

1)Learn the game's mechanics
2)Learn the meta
3)Learn your character's basics
4)Learn how your character plays the meta
5)Learn how your character can play the meta best or how to break the meta
6)Learn how to read player tendencies
7)Learn player tendencies
8)Exploit player tendencies
9)Master getting the most damage out of every single situation in the realm of possibility (conversions)
10)Be able to do steps 1-9 without thinking about it (acquired by experience)

You now have acquired the tools to become a good Fighting Game player. Take note that those steps aren't necessarily in order but you do need some of the early ones to be able to do the later ones ie. you can't master conversions if you don't know how to play your character. And note 2: step 10 is very important and can take months if not years of playing and watching other people play. Fortunately, NRS games are pretty easy to pick up so it can only take you a week to understand the basics of a character.

Can you elaborate on the meta? I would also appreciate if you linked a resource which explains the game's mechanics.

 

[Farpafraf]

In my opinion Quan Chi isn't the most ideal character to learn the game basics, if you don't mind I'd suggest you to start playing with CT Kano, BJ Kung Jin or venomous D'Vorah.
Here's a pretty good tutorial made by a member of TYM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcp44d4gW0U

 

[_xFriction]

Emperor just got the gates wide open eh?

 

[Chaosphere]

1. Learn your combos. You can look them up on the sub forum for whichever character you're learning.

2. Learn and understand frame data. Learn what it means. Learn what startup means. Learn what recovery on block and recovery on hit mean. You can watch Pig of the Hut's armory videos for an explanation of this. Or there's tons of explanations of frame data for other games that should apply to this one as well.

3. Training mode training mode training mode. It sounds boring, but playing by yourself is the #1 way to go from a beginner to at least intermediate.

4. Watch tournaments. Watch what the players are doing. Good commentators will explain what's going on to you. This is how I learn how different characters play at the current highest level.

These 4 steps should get you started.

 

[Emperor Enigma]

In my opinion Quan Chi isn't the most ideal character to learn the game basics, if you don't mind I'd suggest you to start playing with CT Kano, BJ Kung Jin or venomous D'Vorah.
Here's a pretty good tutorial made by a member of TYM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcp44d4gW0U

What about Kenshi? Also interested in him. I basically like characters oriented around zoning. I would rather get in someone's mind than his face.

 

[jaepeso170]

Training mode is your friend. Learn a string, combo or mix up and repeat it for about 30 minutes and you will see how easily you will pull it off. Stay away from button mashing....MK X requires a little more finesse than Marvel. Also try looking for fellow TYM members to spar with so you can learn match ups and strategies

 

[Wigy]

The advice i would give myself years ago.
Learn your characters strengths, what moves are fast and lead to good damage for punishes etc.
Learn which is your best poke and the situation to use it.
Learn the matchups for other characters, what is + and - on block and what options they have for each situation.
Practice practice practice, long sets with somebody of equal skill will help you level up massively. One game with a random online will do nothing for you!
Check up your frame data, learn how to use frame data if you haven't already
It isn't a case of just theory, you need to play and things will just start to click, but make sure you're focusing on what you're doing wrong and figuring out ways to fix it
Watch competitive matches and learn from the pros
If you're on PSN i will play with you at some point i can point out areas of improvement.
Everybody has to start somewhere, the community here is good. Good luck have fun..

 

[Gesture Required Ahead]

Can you elaborate on the meta? I would also appreciate if you linked a resource which explains the game's mechanics.

The game is early the so the meta can change. But as of now, to my understanding: Get in the opponent's face, get them to the corner, mix them up to death.

Here's a system guide by Tom Brady: http://testyourmight.com/threads/mkx-system-guide.49846/

 

[Farpafraf]

Kenjutsu is not conceptually hard to play but requires a decent execution for some of his links so I'd go with balanced.
The player you should search for to see some good competitive footage is definitely Pig of the hut.
Try to play against better players who will punish hard the bad habits you might develop.

 

[KIllaByte]

Be assertive.
When you block, you give the opponent meter, take chip damage, and open yourself up to mixups.

 

[PANDEMlC]

If you're trying to understand how to comprehend an actual match that you're playing in my best advice to you is to learn when it's your turn and when it's your opponents turn. What I mean by that is that certain moves will leave you at negative frames which most the time will give your opponent his turn to apply his own pressure. Assume most moves allow you to hit a button once they're done. Some characters of course have frame traps(things that actually leave them at an advantage to hit you with something else after which catches you trying to take your turn). But generally after a blocked special or string you can either punish or start your own pressure. This aspect of the game is incredibly important because it allows you to understand when you can actually hit buttons and then learn which buttons you can hit and whether you should incorporate a jump, backdash, etc as well.

Now that is purely defensive, and allows you to understand when it's your turn but you also need to learn what to do fullscreen and midscreen. This is strictly a character by character basis. Find what your character excels at(good zoning, great footsies, vortex, 50/50s, etc) and find what your options are and how well those options work against different characters. Some characters you might be able to compete with mid range but others you may not, some characters might zone better than you, others may be incredibly susceptible to zoning. Think to yourself where your strengths are and try and get better at those things. Eventually you will understand your own gameplan to win and then be able to factor in your opponents own gameplan and that's where the skill and mind games come in. How will he react to you? How will you react to him? Will your options beat out his and in what range? Start thinking about these things and you'll get much better.

To me understanding the flow of the game and these basic concepts will help you grasp fighting games as a whole much better. Keep asking questions if you need help, record yourself playing even, would help others be able to pinpoint your issues and help you better.

 

[MK_Al]

Just to start somewhere, check out the Quan forums to find some usefull combos. Learn them in practice mode, but start with maybe only one or two. Play the computer on an easy level to learn to apply your combos on an moving oponent and to get a feeling for the game. Once you feel comfortable, add another combo or maybe a setup and repeat. Find people who play offline. If you keep doing this; you'll have the basics in no time.

If you lose, try to analyze why you lost and try to find ways to beat the most critical strategies.

Make yourself familiar with universal fighting game theory. James chen has an excelent show called "first attack" which can be found on youtube. James playes mostly SF, but the concepts work for (almost) any fighting game. He also has some first attack MKX vids, but I haven't watch them yet.

Also a must read for every FG player: The footsie handbook:
http://sonichurricane.com/?page_id=1702
Again the focus is on SF, but again the concept is universal

If you really want to be good, this stuff is most important. The pros don't just land combos accidentaly. It's all about the right spacing, the whiff punishing / punishing, frame advantage and so on.

And, even more important,
have fun

 

[RelentlessOhio]

In MKX the game is about cornering and big damage. You HAVE to be aggressive, or you will get your ass blown up real quick.

Notice for example Sonic Fox. He blocks less than almost anyone, yet just stomps pros left and right. Because he's good at corner carry combos and knows the crazy pressure strings that force you to guess constantly. He just doesn't give you time to think and breathe.

IMO that's the name of the game, at least for MKX. Zoning doesn't cut it in this game like it did in IGAU.

I know I'm kinda off your question, but it's good advice, especially since you are just starting.

 

[PANDEMlC]

In MKX the game is about cornering and big damage. You HAVE to be aggressive, or you will get your ass blown up real quick.

Notice for example Sonic Fox. He blocks less than almost anyone, yet just stomps pros left and right. Because he's good at corner carry combos and knows the crazy pressure strings that force you to guess constantly. He just doesn't give you time to think and breathe.

IMO that's the name of the game, at least for MKX. Zoning doesn't cut it in this game like it did in IGAU.

I know I'm kinda off your question, but it's good advice, especially since you are just starting.

Seems like Kenshi and Quan can zone just fine, don't rule it out completely.

 

[RelentlessOhio]

Seems like Kenshi and Quan can zone just fine, don't rule it out completely.

Maybe if there was no run mechanic. But I have no trouble getting in on Quan or Kenshi. Between my DK, Teleport and run, not a threat.

 

[HOTFriedNoodles]

Fighting game fundamentals do not develop overnight.
They take time to learn and experience to practice using them efficiently.
If you actually are in the Emperor clan they should be helping you.

 

[PANDEMlC]

Maybe if there was no run mechanic. But I have no trouble getting in on Quan or Kenshi. Between my DK, Teleport and run, not a threat.

Well you are playing KL he's one of the main characters that give those characters real trouble. But for the most part zoning is viable. Running is all well and good but with both Kenshi and Quan you have tools for it.

 

[RelentlessOhio]

Well you are playing KL he's one of the main characters that give those characters real trouble. But for the most part zoning is viable. Running is all well and good but with both Kenshi and Quan you have tools for it.

Point taken. I play Cassie against Quan/Kenshi some just for fun and it's a whole different story compared to KL. Especially since her combos almost always require stamina.