Match-up Discussion MK2 Baraka VS Jax

[MKB]

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]

If you like to play as Baraka, you are in for a tough fight. General consensus here is that Jax dominates this matchup, and for good reason. This is probably a 7-3 match in favor of Jax. Aside from the obviousness that Jax is top tier and Baraka is low tier, Baraka's ability to zone is almost non-existent which forces him in close. This isn't entirely a bad thing though, as Baraka's basic moves, especially his jump kick, are among the best in the game.

1. What can Baraka do to make this a more fair fight?
2. What's the best way for Jax to keep this in his favor?
3. Who has the CQC advantage here?

 

[Dyzvhtynzal]

1) Baraka MUST be the aggressor.2) Player skill considered equal, Jax should maintain distance.3) Baraka. He has an assortment of CQC manuvers in his repertoire.An exceptional defensive Jax player should win this more often than Baraka. The ground pound charged move is too manipulative. If Baraka can't engage Jax, he cannot win. The trick is understanding a reliance on such a move.
In addition, Jax can be zoned quite easily. He has no majickal teleportation devices. He cannot rematerialize to a more comfortable locatiion.

 

[mortal_jason]

Baraka is underrated in my opinion. no he's not top tier, but many people lump him and Reptile together as being the 2 worst. this is not the case, as Baraka proves in this matchup. I love this match- Baraka is a favorite of mine, and I think he is one of the best picks against Jax.

1. Every character has to be aggressive against Jax to win. With Baraka's awesome sweep and JK, excellent CQC, and fast walk, getting in Jax's face shouldn't be too much trouble. Constantly pressure Jax by mixing up sweeps and JKs. Jax cannot HK Baraka out of JKs like he can most everyone else. Baraka's JP is even harder to anti-air, so mix that in as well (it's also great at getting over Jax's wave punch). Apply pressure with double kicks (HK in close), blade swipes, and crouch punches. Baraka has the best crouch punch in the game. you can rattle off 3-4 in about a second. Most likely a good Jax will never jump at you, but if he does, be ready with Baraka's blade fury, or an AA roundhouse.

2. Jax must stay away from Baraka to win this match. If he does keep distance, Baraka has little chance. There aren't many characters that can beat Jax from afar. A good Baraka will always be trying to get in. If you're far away and Baraka is coming at you, try to time ground pounds at the right moment Baraka lands on the ground while he's jumping towards you. Also a HK right after Baraka lands will often times hit him. Anticipate Baraka's jumps and backbreak him.

3. Baraka has some of the best CQC in the game, and he is able to punish Jax nicely up close. Advantage Baraka.

Overall, probably a 6-4 match in Jax's favor. I just played Scorpangel this week. He has the best Jax out there right now, but my Baraka was able to get him 2 out of 3. So it's definitely winnable.

 

[Dyzvhtynzal]

Can Baraka force a missed jump kick from Jax using a well-timed low kick? And, how effective is his crouching high kick against the same attack? Then reverse this scenario. I'd just like to see what people think since most players like myself lose to better players who know how to win the CQC game when energy meters are low or time is being provocative. Anyone? Thanks.Also, it would be interesting to see a Power Rating graphic that displays.......i don't know..... maybe CQC Quality for instance on a scale of 1-10......similar to maybe the Marvel cards of the 90's. Other abilities might be Combo Potential. A list of 5-7 perhaps. What's worth referencing? Energy Projection? Avoidance Capacity? Maybe I'm getting carried away.

 

[mortal_jason]

Not sure about the low kick, but Baraka's crouch kick is probably the worst in MK2- it's pretty useless. Jax's crouch kick is awesome though, and works well to keep people away. Rating each fighter's CQC etc would be difficult as not everyone would agree on stats.

 

[Wemfs]

Any vids showing the match up in action?

 

[Dyzvhtynzal]

Will a crouching high kick by Baraka always stop Jax's jump kick if timed well, or, can Jax overwhelm the kick? Throw a percentage at me. Also, does either character have the capability of knocking a jump kick out using a crounching punch? I like Baraka's crouching high kick. His low kick requires more research though it seems effective at disrupting sweeps and against low kicks if used properly. His crouching punch appears to have the most horizontal range however. It's lightning quick, can push low kicks, and is probably the best option of three crouching possibilities not considering the potential of the uppercut.

Who has a better uppercut by the way?

 

[MIKECALDWELL]

I'm gonna go on a mk9 thread one day and just start spouting off mk2 strategies.

 

[MKB]

I'm gonna go on a mk9 thread one day and just start spouting off mk2 strategies.

I know I shouldn't be endorsing this but.... LMAO

 

[mortal_jason]

Will a crouching high kick by Baraka always stop Jax's jump kick if timed well, or, can Jax overwhelm the kick? Throw a percentage at me. Also, does either character have the capability of knocking a jump kick out using a crounching punch? I like Baraka's crouching high kick. His low kick requires more research though it seems effective at disrupting sweeps and against low kicks if used properly. His crouching punch appears to have the most horizontal range however. It's lightning quick, can push low kicks, and is probably the best option of three crouching possibilities not considering the potential of the uppercut.

Who has a better uppercut by the way?

I don't think Baraka's crouch kick can stop Jax's JK. His crouch kick and low toe are both very weak. I'd say their uppercuts are both about equal- not the greatest, but still effective if you learn to time them right.

 

[Skylight1]

I believe Baraka's tools in this match would require a defensive Baraka player to utilize. Not saying that an offenseive player wouldn't be able to handle this matchup, just saying that an anti-air Blade swipe plus a sweep is enough to place the Baraka player in a better place. Of course wake up Ground pounds and the occasional Wave fireball might snuff Baraka's UP close potential, but it stills places baraka in a good sweep position with the blade slash.

 

[MIKECALDWELL]

I believe Baraka's tools in this match would require a defensive Baraka player to utilize. Not saying that an offenseive player wouldn't be able to handle this matchup, just saying that an anti-air Blade swipe plus a sweep is enough to place the Baraka player in a better place. Of course wake up Ground pounds and the occasional Wave fireball might snuff Baraka's UP close potential, but it stills places baraka in a good sweep position with the blade slash.

How can you justify a defensive strategy with Baraka when Jax can just ground pound him to death? Jax has no reason to jump at or chase Baraka in this matchup.

 

[Skylight1]

How can you justify a defensive strategy with Baraka when Jax can just ground pound him to death? Jax has no reason to jump at or chase Baraka in this matchup.

Well because if you'd look at the way Baraka was created in MK2 and see how he plays, maybe that adds a whole new dimension to him. He has several tools that can KEEPAWAY certain characters and don't forget one of the few characters who can walk fast *which is another defensive tool that adds to spacing*. His sweep is one of the best and he has a decent aaRH. I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to justify a stragetical defense for Baraka -- he surely deserves one with other powerhouses that if they had it could benefit from it *Johnny Cage, Reptile and Sub-Zero*

 

[MIKECALDWELL]

Well because if you'd look at the way Baraka was created in MK2 and see how he plays, maybe that adds a whole new dimension to him. He has several tools that can KEEPAWAY certain characters and don't forget one of the few characters who can walk fast *which is another defensive tool that adds to spacing*. His sweep is one of the best and he has a decent aaRH. I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to justify a stragetical defense for Baraka -- he surely deserves one with other powerhouses that if they had it could benefit from it *Johnny Cage, Reptile and Sub-Zero*

I'm not sure I understood your first post. It sounded like you were making a case for Baraka to play defensively against Jax. That just won't work. I agree that he has some great tools, but Baraka has no choice but to pressure Jax in this matchup.

 

[Skylight1]

I was making a case for Baraka in playing defensively with the post I made just above yours. Baraka can easily play mindgames with the tools he easily has. Think of the Sub-Zero v. Kung Lao match up, Sub may be outwitten by the teleport and the long range projectile *that takes a long as time to recover from*, but he has a good special that NEUTRALIZES Kung at ANY distance AWAY *so Sub can easily recover without the 50% 3-4 combo.

 

[MIKECALDWELL]

I was making a case for Baraka in playing defensively with the post I made just above yours. Baraka can easily play mindgames with the tools he easily has. Think of the Sub-Zero v. Kung Lao match up, Sub may be outwitten by the teleport and the long range projectile *that takes a long as time to recover from*, but he has a good special that NEUTRALIZES Kung at ANY distance AWAY *so Sub can easily recover without the 50% 3-4 combo.

I agree that Baraka has the tools to play defensively, but he can't take that route against Jax.

 

[Skylight1]

I agree that Baraka has the tools to play defensively, but he can't take that route against Jax.

Well the odds do seem not be in Baraka's favor when he tries to do something like that against Jax, in this match-up. But I wouldn't just abandon those options just to get a few hits in by going toward Jax, I'd bait him first then aaHK if he trys to jump or aaNJK

 

[mortal_jason]

if you play defensively vs Jax with Baraka, you lose.

END OF DISCUSSION. it's not up for argument, it's so silly to think Baraka could win staying back when Jax can throw wave punches and ground pound all day long.

 

[Skylight1]

End of discussion? That's not how one assess a situation in which someone is trying to understand from his or her perspective. I feel that is completely shooting down the overall message and the intention of the post.

 

[mortal_jason]

End of discussion? That's not how one assess a situation in which someone is trying to understand from his or her perspective. I feel that is completely shooting down the overall message and the intention of the post.

I was irritable lol. Discuss it all night long, that's what we're here for.

But when the best MK2 players around are telling you that Baraka cannot play defensively vs Jax, you should take notes.

 

[Sub0's-Icy-Balls]

I will bet anyone $1000 I can beat their defensive Baraka with Jax 10/10 matches!

 

[Skylight1]

I was irritable lol. Discuss it all night long, that's what we're here for.

But when the best MK2 players around are telling you that Baraka cannot play defensively vs Jax, you should take notes.

Best? Could you kindly define what players consider the "best"? In my eyes, we all have potential to be great at this 20+ year old game *but should we ignore people who CONTEST information that is considered "universal"?* I mean you could limit yourselves to playing only offensively against Jax, and you might lose or win some; I'll play with Baraka DEFENSIVELY and 9 times out of 10 might just be the victor. It all depends on overall skill as well.

 

[Sub0's-Icy-Balls]

Best? Could you kindly define what players consider the "best"? In my eyes, we all have potential to be great at this 20+ year old game *but should we ignore people who CONTEST information that is considered "universal"?* I mean you could limit yourselves to playing only offensively against Jax, and you might lose or win some; I'll play with Baraka DEFENSIVELY and 9 times out of 10 might just be the victor. It all depends on overall skill as well.

cool, add $1000 to Bill's paypal and I will do the same. I will tape our matches and you can walk away from my Jax all you want!

 

[mortal_jason]

Best? Could you kindly define what players consider the "best"? In my eyes, we all have potential to be great at this 20+ year old game *but should we ignore people who CONTEST information that is considered "universal"?* I mean you could limit yourselves to playing only offensively against Jax, and you might lose or win some; I'll play with Baraka DEFENSIVELY and 9 times out of 10 might just be the victor. It all depends on overall skill as well.

MIKECALDWELL and I have won the last 3 MK2 tournaments.
MIKE's awesome with every character, so he knows each match-up well.
If both of us say you need to be aggressive with Baraka to beat Jax, it holds some weight.

Also, I'm one of the only high-level players that mains Baraka.
Jax vs Baraka is my favorite match with Baraka in MK2. If you sit back with Baraka and don't attack, you allow Jax to ground pound all match long. From afar, all Baraka can do to pressure Jax is shoot blade sparks. Jax can easily time ground pounds underneath them.
So you need to get in close to Jax and apply jab with sweeps and all of Baraka's mad CQC resources.

By suggesting you can play defensive with Baraka and beat Jax, you're assuming Jax is going to be jumping at you so you can anti-air him.
But good Jax players will NEVER jump at Baraka. They want to stay as far away from his CQC as possible.