Any advice for a narrow specialist?

[Lobelia Prime]

In most of the fighting games that I play(the exception being the 3D Mortal Kombat games), I'm extremely narrow in my skills, often finding myself able to use only one of the game's characters, or two if I'm lucky. I want to broaden my horizons and widen my area of expertise.
For example, in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, as if my avatar and signature didn't give it away, I play as Sindel exclusively. I've dabbled in other characters, such as Kitana, Jade, Sonya, and Kung Lao, but none of them appealed to me as much as Sindel did, so I decided to go pure Sindel. However, seeing high-level UMK3 play has gotten me wondering whether one-character players can compete at high level. In that light, I was wondering if you guys had any advice for me regarding the easiest way to learn multiple characters at once. I did it in World of Warcraft, so I'm sure that I can do it here, despite this game taking much, much more effort.

 

[MaDWaK]

Well, one thing I like about this game is theres no real character specific play styles or character specific matchups. This game is unlike SF(2) where you can almost automatically determine how your opponent is going to play a certain character. (Guile being a turtle, Fei Long being a rushdown, etc..) UMK3, if anything, Is basically determining your opponents play style rather than determining a characters play style. In this case, after experience you would be able to learn a broad range of characters without narrowing down to Sindel because she really isn't much different from Kabal, who isn't much different from Liu Kang, who isn't much different from Kitana, etc... This game is much about mastering your own style versus mastering a character.

that make sense?

 

[oBryant]

Well, one thing I like about this game is theres no real character specific play styles or character specific matchups. This game is unlike SF(2) where you can almost automatically determine how your opponent is going to play a certain character. (Guile being a turtle, Fei Long being a rushdown, etc..) UMK3, if anything, Is basically determining your opponents play style rather than determining a characters play style. In this case, after experience you would be able to learn a broad range of characters without narrowing down to Sindel because she really isn't much different from Kabal, who isn't much different from Liu Kang, who isn't much different from Kitana, etc... This game is much about mastering your own style versus mastering a character.

that make sense?

much sense...

Pretty much you just have to master your own play style then adapt it to a cirtain character. my play style is.

Stay on the ground, sweep like a clean freak, do wake up as if its your job, and RH the shit out of jumpers and follow it up with a projectile. and always do combos that start with LK or HK when rushing down an apponent

 

[Lobelia Prime]

Well, one thing I like about this game is theres no real character specific play styles or character specific matchups. This game is unlike SF(2) where you can almost automatically determine how your opponent is going to play a certain character. (Guile being a turtle, Fei Long being a rushdown, etc..) UMK3, if anything, Is basically determining your opponents play style rather than determining a characters play style. In this case, after experience you would be able to learn a broad range of characters without narrowing down to Sindel because she really isn't much different from Kabal, who isn't much different from Liu Kang, who isn't much different from Kitana, etc... This game is much about mastering your own style versus mastering a character.

that make sense?

Yeah, that makes sense. I'll probably end up learning Kitana, Sonya, and Jade once my Sindel execution has gotten good enough. Execution has always been a barrier for me.

 

[oBryant]

Execution has always been a barrier for me.

Remember that Direction input commands can be done while blocking.
In example: [Blocking]Back Back,[Let go of block] HP+LP. This will exicute reptiles slow force bals.

This is also usefull to hide you'r movement to surprise your apponent. and it is helpfull for the moves that involve pressing up like invisible moves and shang tsungs night wolf morph. lobelia lets play umk3 again ill show you some shit.

 

[HAYRON]

These guys are right it's all about how you play each character.

Although, each character does have certain properties that lend themselves to certain types of play. For example if you're good with Sindel, it may be that you are better with characters with containment/freeze moves. Sub-zero is probably the closest to playing as Sindel. Moderate pressure in addition to baiting them into a freeze/clone.

Obviously spear characters have containment, and so does Kabal, but Sub-zero is probably the easiest to picke up.

 

[oBryant]

These guys are right it's all about how you play each character.

Although, each character does have certain properties that lend themselves to certain types of play. For example if you're good with Sindel, it may be that you are better with characters with containment/freeze moves. Sub-zero is probably the closest to playing as Sindel. Moderate pressure in addition to baiting them into a freeze/clone.

Obviously spear characters have containment, and so does Kabal, but Sub-zero is probably the easiest to picke up.

lol picke..

 

[Tim Static]

Press U+Start and try to win.
/thread

word.

quarters up.

 

[Houzi]

Press U+Start and try to win.
/thread

I think everyone would agree on this.

 

[Shock]

In example: [Blocking]Back Back,[Let go of block] HP+LP. This will exicute reptiles slow force bals.

Also remember for Reptile and Kitana, Sonya's leg grab, all slides etc, you can hold buttons and then press the other.

Say you're in the corner, do a ground combo and want to add that extra slide without it ever not working, it can be done with holding LP+LK+B, then press BL when you want to do it. This of course can be done like that at anytime.

Same goes for Reptile, HP, HP, D+LP(Hold LP) F,F, HP, and there's no way you will mess up the FB. I myself don't always do this but it is helpful to those who oftentimes get just a HP after a pop up with him.

 

[Not II ROFL II RIP]

Press U+Start and try to win.
/thread

I agree

 

[oBryant]

Also remember for Reptile and Kitana, Sonya's leg grab, all slides etc, you can hold buttons and then press the other.

Say you're in the corner, do a ground combo and want to add that extra slide without it ever not working, it can be done with holding LP+LK+B, then press BL when you want to do it. This of course can be done like that at anytime.

Same goes for Reptile, HP, HP, D+LP(Hold LP) F,F, HP, and there's no way you will mess up the FB. I myself don't always do this but it is helpful to those who oftentimes get just a HP after a pop up with him.

i actually never use this.. and i can finally do 4 volleys with reptile every other time i try it.

 

[Tim Static]

I'd rather play long series of Random than anything on any MK game.

 

[oBryant]

lol, you can negative rep me all you want for posting my last post in this topic but doing random select and playing seriously is one of the best ways to learn.

One of the main reasons it takes so long for a lot of ppl to learn this game is because there are a lot of character specific combos and juggles (not necessarily Sindel though). Most people find a character that gives good damage and stick to them because they start to see the practice pay off a little and get stuck in a 1 character rut.

If you play as all of the characters you will know how to play against them far better than just trying to protect yourself from them and hoping shit turns out okay.

lobelia he has a really good point. and this is exactly what i should start doing. im getting tired of resorting to kung lao

 

[Br0ken]

scheiss is right, random is the best way to learn everyone..it may seen hard at first but the longer you try it the more you will slowly learn each character.

 

[Onewhite1Gold]

Scheisse's advice was prob the only answer to this question. Unless you want to go pick every character one at a time learning them. I'd say learn everyones basic moves, and high damage combos, jump on XBL and every time you find someome

Up + Start.


I sucked when I got certain characters doing this, but after a while I think I can fight well with each character now.

I think you should've accepted his comment as advice.