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Match-up Discussion MK2 Reptile VS Sub Zero

MKB

Forum General Emeritus
VS


Rules of this discussion:
  • You may contribute anything that will further the interest and understanding of the matchup. This includes strategies, videos, combos, etc.
  • Feel free to answer the default questions posed in the first reply, though you are not required to do so.
  • Please keep the discussion focused on the two characters in question.
 

MKB

Forum General Emeritus
This is a matchup featuring the lowest of the low. We finally get to spotlight both of these guys as both have a chance to make headlines at long last!

Sub Zero's strength is in his ability to play defensively. He can do that to an extent and force Reptile in close as neither character has an overpowering zoning game. If Reptile gets spam happy, Sub can simply toss a freeze out and get an easy JK, ground freeze, uppercut. Slides can also work well to evade spam and more importantly, find an invisible Reptile. Don't spam them or you will eat a free uppercut. Both players can easy aaRH counters on jump-ins.

Reptile's strength of course is his invisibility. Most Sub-Zero players will immediately either throw ice balls or attempt a slide to find Reptile. Reptile can easily anticipate this and punish with an uppercut as there is no fear of a teleport-like move. This is also probably the only match where Reptile's projectiles could play a big factor. Most Subby players will turtle and wait. This will allow time for Reptile to not only go invisible, but to get out the slow forceball then follow it up with some acid or allow a jump-in, slide, you name it.

Although Reptile does have more of a chance in this match than any other, he still is a slight underdog to Subby, 6-4.
  • Best way to go invisible as Reptile?
  • How often should slides be used here?
  • Who is better up close?
 
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mortal_jason

Kitana's Bodyguard
A lot of players, good and bad, feel that Sub-Zero absolutely owns this match. How many times do you pick Reptile, only to see your opponent quickly run to Sub-Zero as a counterpick? I love when that happens! Sub-Zero is the easiest match for me to win with Reptile, personally.

REPTILE
Invisibility + keep your distance = you control the match. From this position, Sub-Zero can only do a few things, and you can counter them all. You can duck under his freezes and instant acid spit (you won't ever get frozen if timed right). You can anticipate slides, block and punish. Or you can anti-air when Subby jumps in. Ninjas are all weak when it comes to CQC, but that's what makes it so much fun to play in close with them against each other. Especially if you're invisible, you can really toy with Sub-Zero up close. Forceball takes so long to get out, that it is risky against Sub-Zero. But throw some in when Subz is jumping away, or at other times when it appears he won't have time to freeze you. Slide gets under the freeze sometimes, but other times it doesn't. You don't want to be eating jump kick/ground freeze combos from Sub-Zero, so use caution with your slides.

SUB-ZERO
You definitely want to make this a match of traded projectiles. Getting hit by an acid spit, but in return freezing Reptile and scoring a jump kick/ground freeze/uppercut combo is a good trade-off. Up close Sub-Zero has the better CQC by means of his ground freeze. It is tempting to turtle with Sub-Zero in any match. But if Reptile goes invisible, it can spell real trouble for Subz. Try to be aggressive enough that he never goes invisible. Anti-air any jump ins with roundhouse of course. Also be prepared to block Reptile's slides and punish them.

Reptile has more options in this one. You know what you're gonna get from Sub-Zero, but Reptile can be hard to predict. Also Sub-Zero's projectiles do no chip damage if blocked, whereas Reptile's do. Still, Sub-Zero's freeze combos are massive compared to Reptiles, so he has a slight edge.
6-4 for Sub-Zero.
 

david_GEM

Banned
Love Reptile. Hate using him against Sub. I'd say use special move extremely cautiously. And keep moving forward, because if there's anything a Sub Zero likes doing, it's backing up. If you can get them in the corner, they might get flustered. This match-up is good for a challenge imo.
 

mortal_jason

Kitana's Bodyguard
Love Reptile. Hate using him against Sub. I'd say use special move extremely cautiously. And keep moving forward, because if there's anything a Sub Zero likes doing, it's backing up. If you can get them in the corner, they might get flustered. This match-up is good for a challenge imo.
I'm surprised a Reptile as good as yours hates this match! This is absolutely my favorite match for Reptile- he can jab Sub, and out-turtle him. Plus Reptile's projectiles do chip damage whereas Sub's don't. Get online so we can do some soon! I hate Sub, but we can alternate Sub/Rep.
 
Hey man. Yeah, I think I might play today. It's been really long. I think Sub is one of reptile's top 3 worst match ups. I would actually prefer to play against Jax rather than sub. Because both his projectiles can be countered with a freeze. But if Reptile can get close, he has a much better shot. If you're on, I'll play. :D Figured I might as well play in that new tournament, why not.
 

mortal_jason

Kitana's Bodyguard
Hey man. Yeah, I think I might play today. It's been really long. I think Sub is one of reptile's top 3 worst match ups. I would actually prefer to play against Jax rather than sub. Because both his projectiles can be countered with a freeze. But if Reptile can get close, he has a much better shot. If you're on, I'll play. :D Figured I might as well play in that new tournament, why not.
Oh jeez! Jax!?? That is a miserable match for poor Rep. Everything Jax does trumps Reptile.

Vs Sub, you just have to time your acid, forceball, and slides appropriately so you don't get froze.
Not always as easy as I make it sound, but I hardly ever lose this match as Reptile. That's why I'm looking forward to playing a Sub your level!
 
I'm not saying Jax is easier (not for everyone at least). But fighting Sub is much more frustrating for me. Slide interrupts Jax a bit more and takes some of his freedoms away.- same with force balls. But Sub kills both of those moves: you can get frozen while doing anything But I should note, I hate fighting sub in general.
 

mortal_jason

Kitana's Bodyguard
I'm not saying Jax is easier (not for everyone at least). But fighting Sub is much more frustrating for me. Slide interrupts Jax a bit more and takes some of his freedoms away.- same with force balls. But Sub kills both of those moves: you can get frozen while doing anything But I should note, I hate fighting sub in general.
Problem is Jax's GP interrupts Reptile's Forceball and Slide. The spit does hardly any damage. I think it's easier to jab Jax though- but still pretty easy to jab Sub as well. We had a good set tonight. Even though our Subs won more than our Reptiles in Sub vs Rep, all matches were pretty dead even. There's really nothing between them. A smart Reptile is hard for Sub to freeze. The key is to get invisible. If Reptile can stay invisible, Sub is in for some trouble.

I hate using Sub, but I do love fighting him. You use him in a pretty unique way, which is refreshing to see, especially after a lobbyfull of scrub Subs.
 

Konqrr

MK11 Kabal = MK9 Kitana
This is definitely difficult for Reptile. I hated playing this matchup back in the arcade days... my friend would always counterpick with either Sub or Shang... smh
 

mortal_jason

Kitana's Bodyguard
This is definitely difficult for Reptile. I hated playing this matchup back in the arcade days... my friend would always counterpick with either Sub or Shang... smh
When you look at how Reptile fares against Shang, Raiden, Kang, Lao, Mileena, Jax.... those characters all mangle Reptile.
Nearly every match is rough for Reptile, but Sub-Zero is very winnable.
Reptile invisible vs Sub means Rep is in control of the match. Plus Reptile can jab other male ninjas, so he can actually play aggressive vs Sub. What gives Sub the slight edge is his freeze combo is easier to score. But like I said before, a great Reptile is extremely hard to catch in a freeze.