MKX: Flashy Combos or Stick to BnB?

[ermonski]

Hello.

I'm a newbie in the MK tournament scene coming from a Street Fighter background.

In Street Fighter, you can basically win by pokes, footsies, and basic 2 to 4-hit combos. That mentality of mine has carried over to other fighting games.

However in combo-oriented fighting games like MK9 and MKX, you will have to cash in on blockstrings, juggle launchers and others to maximize damage. However while practicing, I did my "flashy-est" combo and a meterless bread and butter combo. I noticed that due to damage scaling, it seems that the meterless BnB has 1% to 2% higher damage than the flashy one with the EX moves.

However I cannot do run cancel combos, as I only use the run mechanic to close in on opponents post-knockdown when they're far away and if they are trying to zone me out.

So are there any players here who don't do the flashiest stuff for bigger damage compared to doing the bells-and-whistles combos?

I admit I am a noob in this game, and I don't want my opponents to take advantage of that.

Thank you!

 

[The_Tile]

Hello.

I'm a newbie in the MK tournament scene coming from a Street Fighter background.

In Street Fighter, you can basically win by pokes, footsies, and basic 2 to 4-hit combos. That mentality of mine has carried over to other fighting games.

However in combo-oriented fighting games like MK9 and MKX, you will have to cash in on blockstrings, juggle launchers and others to maximize damage. However while practicing, I did my "flashy-est" combo and a meterless bread and butter combo. I noticed that due to damage scaling, it seems that the meterless BnB has 1% to 2% higher damage than the flashy one with the EX moves.

However I cannot do run cancel combos, as I only use the run mechanic to close in on opponents post-knockdown when they're far away and if they are trying to zone me out.

So are there any players here who don't do the flashiest stuff for bigger damage compared to doing the bells-and-whistles combos?

I admit I am a noob in this game, and I don't want my opponents to take advantage of that.

Thank you!

Stick to bnbs or max damage for the smallest amount of meter if you get comfortable enough. Consistency is the most important thing, especially in this game. Chances are if you drop a combo you're going to lose any oki or follow up pressure and possibly even get punished yourself which results in a huge amount of life being taken away from you. As long as you get the basics down and some meterless and one bar bnbs that you can do consistently you'll do much better than 9/10 people who play online.

 

[NYCj360]

To be honest it is totally up to your individual execution. If you are new to the engine and have always been used to doing basic combos, then stick to those combos.

A little background on my thought process.

I myself have the execution to do more than most. Most people would say that the combos i do or go for are not practical, however for me I've practiced them long enough that i have the ability to squeeze out that extra damage, so they are practical. I do double forceball, double slide, uppercut combos, combos that involve 3 runs and so forth in tournaments. If i lack the resources to do an optimized combo then i adjust it to maximize what resources i do have. I have faith in my execution and i have been a tournament player for 11 years so my mental conditioning for those situations is a bit more refined.

If you are fairly new to the scene and the engine, i suggest you stick with the consistent basics. If you feel like you can handle more then learn and practice even more advanced combos.

 

[GLoRToR]

Hello.

I'm a newbie in the MK tournament scene coming from a Street Fighter background.

In Street Fighter, you can basically win by pokes, footsies, and basic 2 to 4-hit combos. That mentality of mine has carried over to other fighting games.

However in combo-oriented fighting games like MK9 and MKX, you will have to cash in on blockstrings, juggle launchers and others to maximize damage. However while practicing, I did my "flashy-est" combo and a meterless bread and butter combo. I noticed that due to damage scaling, it seems that the meterless BnB has 1% to 2% higher damage than the flashy one with the EX moves.

However I cannot do run cancel combos, as I only use the run mechanic to close in on opponents post-knockdown when they're far away and if they are trying to zone me out.

So are there any players here who don't do the flashiest stuff for bigger damage compared to doing the bells-and-whistles combos?

I admit I am a noob in this game, and I don't want my opponents to take advantage of that.

Thank you!

You CAN win without any heavy combos if your fundamentals are solid and you understand your matchups.

For combos,
25% damage is decent.
33% damage is good.
42% damage is optimal.
50% damage is godlike.

On the other hand do mind that it is very likely that you will lose a match on 1% hp so every % you can squeeze out just helps you win.
You don't have to, because damage is nothing without fundamentals, but it helps.

 

[ermonski]

Thanks!

I can actually win a few rounds or so in tournaments but not matches, but I did have a few close calls in winning haha.

MKX is probably the second most matchup-specific game I've played second to USF4. However I find that the combos are easier in MKX than USF4.

What I try now is to use the high damage combos for real damage, and low damage attacks for pressure strings.

I still get envious of players who can do run cancel combos, it makes them look "pro". Much like FADCs in SF4.

 

[FinalBoss_FGC]

Do whatever you think you can land in tournament. Doing the flashiest combos in the world won't matter if you drop it when it matters

 

[xInfra Deadx]

Always follow the 10/10 rule.

Make sure you can land said combo every time. Last thing you want is a dropped combo and get out-right punished for it.

 

[MrProfDrPepper]

Um why in a tournament match would you use an unviable flashy combo? Flashy combos are for practice mode and showing off, bnbs are way better in every way

 

[Diego de Souza Costa]

is up to you m8... i'm also a Street Fighter player (KOF too) but, in this game (and in MK9) if i'm feeling confident, i just go for the swaggy combos, even if it does less dmg, but, if i'm down, and i need to make a comeback, well, easy to hit bnb's is the way to go.... but again, is up to you !!

 

[Amplified$hotz]

Do whatever you think you can land in tournament. Doing the flashiest combos in the world won't matter if you drop it when it matters

Unless you're Cyrax.

 

[Prinz]

You can watch top MKX dogs how they play they always use optimal bnb's. But there are also pricks like sonic fox who will even tea bag you if they feel they can .
Actually the more combos and conversions you are able to do the better. You never know when in a clutch situation you can blank out and miss your optimal solution, and if it's the only option you know you'll just lose the opportunity. A good example is when you need to go for unbreakable damage, where often enhanced moves give multiple unbreakable options. But Quan Chi is doing fine as is...

 

[ermonski]

Um why in a tournament match would you use an unviable flashy combo? Flashy combos are for practice mode and showing off, bnbs are way better in every way

I was just wondering, since I also want to combo like the pros.

You can watch top MKX dogs how they play they always use optimal bnb's. But there are also pricks like sonic fox who will even tea bag you if they feel they can .
Actually the more combos and conversions you are able to do the better. You never know when in a clutch situation you can blank out and miss your optimal solution, and if it's the only option you know you'll just lose the opportunity. A good example is when you need to go for unbreakable damage, where often enhanced moves give multiple unbreakable options. But Quan Chi is doing fine as is...

yeah I plan to stick to BnBs, no matter how noobish or repetitive they are, since it's all about reads and punishes.

 

[Braindead]

Unless you're Cyrax.

God I miss that broken yellow bastard.

 

[EntropicByDesign]

I do recommend learning to RC. It's REALLY not as bad as people think. Folks psyche themselves out and tbink they can't do it, but in reality, with daily practice you will get it. In many cases on many characters, RC combos aren't flashy. They are part of every day BnBs. Cassie, Jax. Etc.

But I am a huge advocate of reliable damage over flashy shit if the flashy shit is too difficult to get reliably. It all boils down to the players ability.

 

[Evil Canadian]

Always follow the 10/10 rule.

Make sure you can land said combo every time. Last thing you want is a dropped combo and get out-right punished for it.

This is exactly the answer. Whatever game, whatever character, do what you can land the most consistently. If you can get say, 34% everytime, but 40% only half the time, then stick with 34%.

That said, always attempt to practice the higher damage combos until you can get them consistently, but it is exactly that, consistency is king.