Question - Covert Ops Confession Time! Lab time blanks out during match?!

[tactfulgamer]

(Long Post you've been warned) TLdR: Seeking advice in regards to lab time not coinciding in online matches.


I've been watching Daredevil on Netflix, so in a way, I was influenced to confess.

Before I get to that, I would like to provide a breakdown regarding the kind of player I am.

This past Wednesday was my first day going online with player matches. I ended up with 12 wins and 36 losses. (Total online record) I wasn't upset, because I knew I was still learning Covert Ops. (I spent the day prior in the lab only)

Honestly, I was surprised I won 12 matches. I've always been bad with fighting games, well, not bad, more like, good but sucky - if that makes sense.

I started getting serious with Injustice spending 6+ hours daily in the lab... Then I just stopped. Getting my ass kicked way to much with my main Lobo, too much effort with no fruition lead to me quitting. Then 2 years later or so, Killer Instinct releases, and same thing. Countless hours in the lab, which I did fair better in that game than Injustice with Thunder as my main, but I came to a plateau and was there for a long time. So again, too much practice not enough fruition... so eh, I quit. Now here I am again. That's the kind FGC gamer I am or have been. Maybe I will change now who knows. Doesn't matter.

So with that out of the way, let's get to the reason of this thread. Keep in mind, my total online record on my first day playing online {12 wins and 36 losses}

Now, here comes Thursday, my second day playing online. I end up with 62 wins and 42 losses. (Total online record) and this, this much improvement only a day later? I was happy. My lab work was paying off.

I am well aware there are many noobs still playing. Keep in mind though, I WAS that guy that use to get annihilated even by noobs! That said, I've played against many strong players as well. Whom elevated my thought process on how to advance during the entirety of the match and their records of 30/8, 22/6 (Or around there) reflected during the course of the match, those were earned victories - not attained.

So naturally, this leads to me feeling proud (not arrogant) and thinking to myself maybe I'm finally coming of age within the fighting genre. FINALLY I am competitive. But then again, I gotta be honest, especially with myself.

So here's my confession about Covert Ops...

I've spent 6 whole hours in the lab on Wednesday practicing two combos. Back to back all that time. The day before 10+ hours combined (I took the week off for MKX)

The next day (Thursday) same thing 3 hours I think or more. Same combos with some new ones. Locking them down. Doing them with my eyes closed.


But then....
I get online and I'm spamming the db4, spamming the diving air kick and some of the normals (f4) I've come to learn from my time in the lab.

I HATE that. I REALLY do.

I appreciate my wins. I've won some real good battles as I've mentioned. There were also others whom forced me to plant my feet and try to overcome their amazing turtling techniques of just sitting there with a block up and d2'ng the shit out of me every time I jumped in or got close (and somehow those shits still connected) but these are slow matches so I have time to plant.

My fear is that me spamming these same moves over and over will diminish my muscle memory of all the combos I've spent countless hours in the lab learning. That shit TERRIFIES me. Sometimes my opponent is crazy spamming so I end up doing the same because for some reason my practiced lab combos aren't precise as when I'm in the lab (due to the target moving about and spamming his go to's) Thus, I devolve along with them.

Also,
Why is everything I practice in the lab not coming out during my matches? Why do my fingers panic?

I have an INCREDIBLE hard time pulling off b332, db2 4, 21, 21u4 (which I do in my sleep in the lab)

But then, come a match, for no damn reason, even against weak players I devolve into spamming -- autopilot like a motherfucker. I really, really hate that.

I then start thinking to myself, keep it up, you're on your way to becoming a good spam bammer. (This is my fear)

It's great, I'm coming of age, but I DO NOT want to come of age and mold into that. And so, here I am, speaking to you guys. The ones whom have probably been through this when you came of age and evolved past it into something better. Like actually being able to pull of those wonderful combos during any scenario, any position, any awkward foot spacing. I seek knowledge from you guys.


QUESTIONS:

What helped you incorporate your lab time combos into live dynamic matches that are not static like the practice mode AI puppet?

How did you learn to plant your feet where they need to be, so when you input that string, even if it doesn't connect you are still safe?


*Small Rant*
Why does turtling opponents destroy my lab time practiced combo advance. Especially when it's soo easy to beat it. He's blocking low, (just siting there blocking low) "fuck yea" (b1 overhead) BUT... I don't know how close to get to land the overhead b1 it has a small range (so now that fear induces spacing panic) and my fingers say fuck it, db4 spam it is. *End Rant*

I don't want to be like this. Lmao! I really don't. I want to use what I've learned and been studying and manifest that into new, fresh, formats with the different aspects of stuff I've learned in the lab.


MORE QUESTIONS:
Help me understand why my lab time is not manifesting into the match.

Is it me?

Is this normal? (If it is normal, what makes it normal? Experience? Matchup? More muscle memory needed? And how can you tell when you are ascending past it?)

If it's psychological, what are the ways to beat this psychological grip that prevents people like myself from attaining next level match comprehension?

Thanks for reading this long ass exposé. But I want to get better, and where else, if not here.

 

[Deadly Torcher]

I went 0/8 in my 1st online matches, jip doesn't work, crossovers don't work & neither do wake ups. I can hit all of Ermacs & Scorpions combos in the lab, but when it comes to online, I just whiff everything. I've also came across too many players that spam projectiles, block low & wait on you trying to get close so they can D2 all day long. You're not alone mate, the game for me is directed at proper good players that focus on frame data & the like but I'm just a combo loving casual player that has no interest in all that & that's why I'm getting my ass handed to me online.

 

[TWOFACE_23]

Didn't read.

But practicing combos on a dummy is different than landing combos on a live match. After u can the combo consistently on training mode then start going for it on a real match. You won't land it right away but eventually you'll start getting it.

That applies to everything.

 

[tactfulgamer]

Thanks fellas. Much appreciated. I just hate devolving into spam after so much time spent learning different setups, combos, baits in the lab.

I've also came across too many players that spam projectiles, block low & wait on you trying to get close so they can D2 all day long. You're not alone mate

My GOD. So true. I've learned to over come them though. I lost 20 times a in a row to a Scorpian summoner on my first day. I kept rematching so I can learn how to over come it. He was happy getting wins that amounted to nothing and I was content absorbing the knowledge of how to break through. Until I eventually did. Took 20 losses to the same guy but well worth it.

Sure enough, day two. I was destroying Scorpian Summoner's doing that same tactic.Requires patience but it's doable. Covert Ops is extremely fast.

But yes you described them to T! Projectile, to block, so when you get close they d2. Scorpian Summoner players. These dudes are a classic with that strategy. Most of them that I've come across that's all they do.

 

[TheGabStandard]

I used to have that problem a lot in older games. One thing that helped (long winded though) was taking one or two combos or one setup and running through arcade mode in all difficulties just using those selected combos. I know AI is not the best but it gives some feeling of doing combos in the pressure of a live match as well as helping muscle memory

 

[Deadly Torcher]

I pick Scorp & I'm all out attack, just like I was on MK9, but on MKX, it seams to be all about punishing a jip with D2 or waiting until your opponent messes up a combo & you punish it. I just played against a Goro who jik me to death lol, I couldn't even teleport away properly. The games gonna take a lot of time to get decent at for me & so far I don't think I wanna put the effort in as everything I loved about MK9 has all but vanished in MKX.

 

[tactfulgamer]

I used to have that problem a lot in older games. One thing that helped (long winded though) was taking one or two combos or one setup and running through arcade mode in all difficulties just using those selected combos. I know AI is not the best but it gives some feeling of doing combos in the pressure of a live match as well as helping muscle memory

Wow!! My brother. Great minds think alike. Wow, I was pondering that a while ago but never followed through. Thanks for reminding me.

Yea. I'm DEFINITELY gonna do that now. Don't care how long winded. I want to get better and I can definitely see how this can create nimble fingers in regards to pulling it off anytime, anywhere. Fluidity is strong with this exercise.

 

[tactfulgamer]

I pick Scorp & I'm all out attack, just like I was on MK9, but on MKX, it seams to be all about punishing a jip with D2 or waiting until your opponent messes up a combo & you punish it. I just played against a Goro who jik me to death lol, I couldn't even teleport away properly. The games gonna take a lot of time to get decent at for me & so far I don't think I wanna put the effort in as everything I loved about MK9 has all but vanished in MKX.

Man. I'm sorry to hear that.

My experience is the opposite. It's the first fighting game I've done this good at. Im really loving the pacing so far. The advance feels chess like to me.

Man, I hope things get better for you. It's truly a wonderful game for me.

 

[Duck Nation]

I don't know why you had to make your formatting like that in your original post, but yes, Daredevil was excellent.

It's just grinding. Honestly? Spend less lab time and spend more time playing. I come at it from the opposite angle where I've never been a lab rat, and that costs me, but my fundamentals are fantastic. You build a game sense and you learn to understand things like footsies and reading your opponent by playing a tremendous number of matches. To be a truly great player, you definitely need to do both (my lack of dedication to lab time is definitely why I am not a great player myself), but the kind of thing you're talking about isn't practice mode stuff. Just remember to observe your own flaws, and any time you can get someone who beats you to break down why they were beating you, take advantage of it. When you lose, it's because other people were more cognizant of flaws in your ability than you yourself were.

 

[tactfulgamer]

I don't know why you had to make your formatting like that in your original post, but yes, Daredevil was excellent.

It's just grinding. Honestly? Spend less lab time and spend more time playing. I come at it from the opposite angle where I've never been a lab rat, and that costs me, but my fundamentals are fantastic. You build a game sense and you learn to understand things like footsies and reading your opponent by playing a tremendous number of matches. To be a truly great player, you definitely need to do both (my lack of dedication to lab time is definitely why I am not a great player myself), but the kind of thing you're talking about isn't practice mode stuff. Just remember to observe your own flaws, and any time you can get someone who beats you to break down why they were beating you, take advantage of it. When you lose, it's because other people were more cognizant of flaws in your ability than you yourself were.

This was excellent advice. I appreciate you taking the time to break it down. Thanks.

The formatting. I have no idea. I did it on my iPhone notes and it just copied and pasted that way. After I highlighted the areas I wanted you guys to be aware of and I posted it, then noticed it, I was like eff it. I'm too tired to fix it now.

 

[DaiHuu]

First I would like to say that no matter what against most online players, it's better to just fuck around and play their game of numbness thought if you wanna win. If they can't get around the projectiles it's their fault anyways. Also, you can't play a neutral game when the other person doesn't even know it exists and wants to teleport around.

How did you learn to plant your feet where they need to be, so when you input that string, even if it doesn't connect you are still safe?

This is where you need to learn the spacing of your moves. A good example I have would be playing Kano. Kano's d4 range is RIDICULOUS, and one of his advancing normals, f4, is like a tiny bit smaller than d4. If I use d4 at the most max range possible, like me hitting with just the sole of his boot, f4 won't be able to connect. In fact, because f4 doesn't connect, I'm left to be heavily punished because I didn't space it correctly. It literally just says to the opponent. "HEY, I DON'T LIKE HAVING LIFE, HIT ME NOW." Now if I did that d4 boot scenario thing again, instead of immediately throwing out f4 after my d4, I'll walk up a little and throw out f4. Bam, it (should) hit them and I'm safe!

Take the time in training mode to see how far your buttons actually go, see what's - on block, what's +, what leaves you at what distance. This will help you determine when you can plant your feet and when you can input shit.

 

[tactfulgamer]

First I would like to say that no matter what against most online players, it's better to just fuck around and play their game of numbness thought if you wanna win. If they can't get around the projectiles it's their fault anyways. Also, you can't play a neutral game when the other person doesn't even know it exists and wants to teleport around.



This is where you need to learn the spacing of your moves. A good example I have would be playing Kano. Kano's d4 range is RIDICULOUS, and one of his advancing normals, f4, is like a tiny bit smaller than d4. If I use d4 at the most max range possible, like me hitting with just the sole of his boot, f4 won't be able to connect. In fact, because f4 doesn't connect, I'm left to be heavily punished because I didn't space it correctly. It literally just says to the opponent. "HEY, I DON'T LIKE HAVING LIFE, HIT ME NOW." Now if I did that d4 boot scenario thing again, instead of immediately throwing out f4 after my d4, I'll walk up a little and throw out f4. Bam, it (should) hit them and I'm safe!

Take the time in training mode to see how far your buttons actually go, see what's - on block, what's +, what leaves you at what distance. This will help you determine when you can plant your feet and when you can input shit.

Ok, now this was great. You really got granular. Yea, spacing is a bitch! And I do NEED to acknowledge that training mode is more than just practicing combos.

I will definitely start putting the AI on block and connect with several strings to see which has good recovery.

I just wish there was a way of having the AI attack back with a *normal* AFTER he blocks my attack. The only options they seem to have for attack back after block (reversal on) is special moves, throws, dashes. If I can have them attack back with their fastest normal or bnb, I would really be able to discern which of my starting combo strings give me enough time to block even on attack.

I get caught badly when I try Sonya's b332.

 

[Chrishaspads]

Wow!! My brother. Great minds think alike. Wow, I was pondering that a while ago but never followed through. Thanks for reminding me.

Yea. I'm DEFINITELY gonna do that now. Don't care how long winded. I want to get better and I can definitely see how this can create nimble fingers in regards to pulling it off anytime, anywhere. Fluidity is strong with this exercise.

This ^ in injustice, I had a hard ass time doing flash combos online , but I just kept playing the computer and worked on making sure I would fully combo off of a starter. Really helped with getting combos consistently on injustice. But in MK, the net code isn't as good as Injustice, so don't be too hard on yourself if you drop combos online. As long as you are attempting and not getting nervous to try them.

 

[tactfulgamer]

As long as you are attempting and not getting nervous to try them.

And there lies my problem (nervous) it happens all the time so *subconsciously* I guess, I say eff it and start doing the spammy of the moves I'm familiar with. Yea, I will definitely choose two or three combos and those will be the only fighting options I will use for the single player story tower.

 

[Zyphox]

take this from me, a player who went to Fighting game scrub lord, to a top 3 placer at a major, its all about attitude and confidence. first, do not hate the fact that you spam. if i found one move that worked on my opponent every time and won the match i would abuse the shit out of it. top players do it all the time. have you ever seen sonicfox play batgirl and just beat someone doing cartwheels? its not that it was broken, but the fact that the opponent did not adapt, so why do something else? you have to play fighting games like chess but at a faster pace. you almost never want to show you hand, unless you are going for intimidation (which works a lot against mid level players).

2nd, with your lab time. you've only been practicing 3 days. it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill according to some people. if you told me you spent the next year in the lab, then played a match and could not land a combo i would say you had a problem. nothing beats experience to help this out. you also have to know your limitations. some people are naturally gifted at certain things, some have to work very hard to achieve the same that someone else might be able to do without batting an eye lash. find out who you are and stick with it.

next brush up on fundamentals. spacing, punishing, anti airs, footsies and MU's. so you had trouble with people spamming projectiles and then d2'ing when you are close? spend lab time figuring a way around it. record kano throwing knives in cybernetic variations and get around it without endangering yourself i.e Jumping, teleporting, doing something unsafe, and yes jumping is unsafe unless you time it right.

a personal favorite is thinking about what your opponent react with when you do something. figuring out what your opponent likes to do is as important as what you are going to do in a situation. so lets say you are withing sweep distance. you opponent has been zoning you out, you KNOW he does not want you pressuring him and letting you dictate the match, what do you do? use the knowledge you have acquired in your experience as a fighting game player, against your opponent, tendencies that character most likely will use in that situation. break it down fast.

so lets say it was kano you were playing and he's been chucking knives the entire round. this person likes to jump as soon as you get into range, but he also has options. during your matches how often did he switch up his tactic? did he do something different like jump back air ball as you approached? did he dash in and try to open you up as you approached? did he use a specific normal? now figure out a way to beat it and fast. being smart is not about what you know, but about making the right decision when it counts (yes that was a stick quote, loved daredevil, sorry if you haven't watch that episode yet.)

i could write a book on this shit, but the basic thing you need to do at this point is play. instead of going into training mode tomorrow, just play player matches. try to find an opponent that is good. ask people in here and if your on PS4 you can add me, my PSN is Emperor_Zyphox. don't get discouraged if you don't know what to do, because at this point not a lot of people know either the game is brand new. also don't get frustrated mid match, it will fuck you up, make you think irrationally and make you do dumb things. hope this helped.

 

[HGTV Soapboxfan]

I used to have a similar problem when I first started as well. Everyone else is giving great advice to help ease you into it and I totally think you should try everything they said. However, here is the truth about it. Eventually, you're going to have to go for it in a real match and if you keep pushing yourself maybe in a tournament match. If you want to be successful you need to be able to do a BnB, that's just how it works. So consciously go for it. Are you going to lose because you dropped the combo or maybe even you landed it but you were so focused on it you didn't do anything else? ABSOLUTELY. ESPECIALLY ONLINE. But honestly, who cares? You're supposed to lose while you learn, and you should be learning all the time. No one cares about your online record, so go out there, put your mind to it, lose, and get better.

 

[tactfulgamer]

take this from me, a player who went to Fighting game scrub lord, to a top 3 placer at a major, its all about attitude and confidence. first, do not hate the fact that you spam. if i found one move that worked on my opponent every time and won the match i would abuse the shit out of it. top players do it all the time. have you ever seen sonicfox play batgirl and just beat someone doing cartwheels? its not that it was broken, but the fact that the opponent did not adapt, so why do something else? you have to play fighting games like chess but at a faster pace. you almost never want to show you hand, unless you are going for intimidation (which works a lot against mid level players).

2nd, with your lab time. you've only been practicing 3 days. it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill according to some people. if you told me you spent the next year in the lab, then played a match and could not land a combo i would say you had a problem. nothing beats experience to help this out. you also have to know your limitations. some people are naturally gifted at certain things, some have to work very hard to achieve the same that someone else might be able to do without batting an eye lash. find out who you are and stick with it.

next brush up on fundamentals. spacing, punishing, anti airs, footsies and MU's. so you had trouble with people spamming projectiles and then d2'ing when you are close? spend lab time figuring a way around it. record kano throwing knives in cybernetic variations and get around it without endangering yourself i.e Jumping, teleporting, doing something unsafe, and yes jumping is unsafe unless you time it right.

a personal favorite is thinking about what your opponent react with when you do something. figuring out what your opponent likes to do is as important as what you are going to do in a situation. so lets say you are withing sweep distance. you opponent has been zoning you out, you KNOW he does not want you pressuring him and letting you dictate the match, what do you do? use the knowledge you have acquired in your experience as a fighting game player, against your opponent, tendencies that character most likely will use in that situation. break it down fast.

so lets say it was kano you were playing and he's been chucking knives the entire round. this person likes to jump as soon as you get into range, but he also has options. during your matches how often did he switch up his tactic? did he do something different like jump back air ball as you approached? did he dash in and try to open you up as you approached? did he use a specific normal? now figure out a way to beat it and fast. being smart is not about what you know, but about making the right decision when it counts (yes that was a stick quote, loved daredevil, sorry if you haven't watch that episode yet.)

i could write a book on this shit, but the basic thing you need to do at this point is play. instead of going into training mode tomorrow, just play player matches. try to find an opponent that is good. ask people in here and if your on PS4 you can add me, my PSN is Emperor_Zyphox. don't get discouraged if you don't know what to do, because at this point not a lot of people know either the game is brand new. also don't get frustrated mid match, it will fuck you up, make you think irrationally and make you do dumb things. hope this helped.

If I had a PS4 I would had definitely added you. I'm on XB1.

This is absolutely what one would call godlike advice, very well written. I've seen your name before, not sure where, but I've semi followed tournaments in the past with injustice so I think somewhere along those channels.

I truly appreciate and am EXTREMELY grateful you took the time, effort to write out such an indepth synopsis. The fact you are a pro player (top 3 at that) and was able to come down to my level and break bread, truly humbles me and speaks in volumes on multiple radials that you genuinely want to uplift your community. Bravo to you sir! You've just created a fan. You've really spoken to me with this advice and awakened my thought to these nuances.

Very true, that is a scientific fact if I recall correctly. It takes around 10,000 hours (or somewhere within there) to become a master of a skill. I think read that a long time ago on New Scientist Daily.

I will copy and save this along with the other great advice I received on here, especially using 2 or 3 combos during single player and putting the AI on block to test what I have safe and what is not.

Man, awhile back, this site was horrible. I remember seeing noobs catch heat seeking help when I use to come here during Injustice days. Site has definitely matured or Mods have been on their job cleaning house. Lol. Kudos to all of you. Not even one bit of immaturity here. Every one stepped up to help the fng.


One last question to anybody who may answer.

Is there a way to set the AI dummy to attack back with a normal *after* they block your attack? (Can I specifically choose which one of his/hers normals I would like them to use?) So far all I see is dash, special moves but no normals. Am I in the wrong area? (Reversal)

 

[Zyphox]

If I had a PS4 I would had definitely added you. I'm on XB1.

This is absolutely what one would call godlike advice, very well written. I've seen your name before, not sure where, but I've semi followed tournaments in the past with injustice so I think somewhere along those channels.

I truly appreciate and am EXTREMELY grateful you took the time, effort to write out such an indepth synopsis. The fact you are a pro player (top 3 at that) and was able to come down to my level and break bread, truly humbles me and speaks in volumes on multiple radials that you genuinely want to uplift your community. Bravo to you sir! You've just created a fan. You've really spoken to me with this advice and awakened my thought to these nuances.

Very true, that is a scientific fact if I recall correctly. It takes around 10,000 hours (or somewhere within there) to become a master of a skill. I think read that a long time ago on New Scientist Daily.

I will copy and save this along with the other great advice I received on here, especially using 2 or 3 combos during single player and putting the AI on block to test what I have safe and what is not.

Man, awhile back, this site was horrible. I remember seeing noobs catch heat seeking help when I use to come here during Injustice days. Site has definitely matured or Mods have been on their job cleaning house. Lol. Kudos to all of you. Not even one bit of immaturity here. Every one stepped up to help the fng.


One last question to anybody who may answer.

Is there a way to set the AI dummy to attack back with a normal *after* they block your attack? (Can I specifically choose which one of his/hers normals I would like them to use?) So far all I see is dash, special moves but no normals. Am I in the wrong area? (Reversal)

oh im not a top 3 player, that would get me crucified on here by certain members hehe. i did place 3rd at a major in 2013 beating some of the best players in injustice along the way only losing to the only 2 evo champions at Injustice (prop fishing). and no for training mode there is no way to get the CPU to reversal with a normal but you can record yourself doing a move, then have the CPU play back the recording and you can try to either defend it yourself, or if you testing to set if something is punishable, try to punish your recorded move. for example record yourself doing b332, have CPU play back. sonya will now do that move and see if takeda and punish by using takeda and trying out his moves, or something similar (these are just examples btw).

 

[tactfulgamer]

oh im not a top 3 player, that would get me crucified on here by certain members hehe. i did place 3rd at a major in 2013 beating some of the best players in injustice along the way only losing to the only 2 evo champions at Injustice (prop fishing). and no for training mode there is no way to get the CPU to reversal with a normal but you can record yourself doing a move, then have the CPU play back the recording and you can try to either defend it yourself, or if you testing to set if something is punishable, try to punish your recorded move. for example record yourself doing b332, have CPU play back. sonya will now do that move and see if takeda and punish by using takeda and trying out his moves, or something similar (these are just examples btw).

Oh yea! I didn't think of that.

Shit, with your knowledge, I doubt you won't be in the top 3 or top somewhere, someday. Either way, I'm cheering for you. Thanks again!

 

[The Farmer]

Just stick with it no matter the results. If you get hung up on win loss it becomes less fun. I basically use ranked as a training ground. I don't care if I lose I just focus on getting timing getting my reactions down for situation. I just started online play last night for the first time with this game and I think I was like 1 and 11, but I was happy with myself after a few games when I started to get some set ups working. I get all my garbage time out of the way early in a games life in ranked and then move on to playing sets with players I know in player vs player. FYI the struggle is real with gunslinger lol, but I feel his zoning is really potent if it gets mastered, just difficult to learn with implementing all of the stance cancels.

 

[Deadly Torcher]

I'm in the same boat as yourself, nothing seems to be working for me during an online match, it just takes the opponent to move half a step back/forward & that's my jip whiffed & punished which is what I rely on most of all to get the combos started. I also find myself using ex moves to get myself out of bother only to find me either being hit out of it or it just not coming out at all due to the very strict timing. Playing mk9 for so long & getting used to the combos so much, has really messed me up for this game, I still find myself doing mk9 moves & combo starters that simply do not work for mix.

I also think that mkx has gone in the direction of injustice & I thought that game was pretty poor & seemed very chunky to me. All in all I will keep trying with my Scorp & Ermac until I at least get up to the level that some1 who turtles all day & D2's constantly will be free.

 

[tactfulgamer]

Just stick with it no matter the results. If you get hung up on win loss it becomes less fun. I basically use ranked as a training ground. I don't care if I lose I just focus on getting timing getting my reactions down for situation. I just started online play last night for the first time with this game and I think I was like 1 and 11, but I was happy with myself after a few games when I started to get some set ups working. I get all my garbage time out of the way early in a games life in ranked and then move on to playing sets with players I know in player vs player. FYI the struggle is real with gunslinger lol, but I feel his zoning is really potent if it gets mastered, just difficult to learn with implementing all of the stance cancels.

Agreed! about playing for wins. That's true, and a VERY stressful mindset to be in. I don't have the character for that.

On my first day online I went 20 losses with only 3 wins with this one guy. I kept rematching back to back all 23 times. He was using Scorpian Summoner. I kept rematching him to learn how to overcome his ground grab spam and demon sky throw thing spam. Best time spent, I learned so much from those matches.

Where I lack heavily is where you excel in gracefully - planting my feet and working on those setups. My other flaw, if months go by and I see no improvement, that's when I usually leave. Lol.

Regarding Erron Black,
I don't know, I faced off against a real good Erron Black. Don't know which variation, but, he had the rifle. Jesus that thing does damage. He zoned me out good for a min. Eventually I won, but it was a very strong fight.

 

[KH_Seraph]

It's all about lab time and player matches. Lab time teaches you about the characters tools, player matches shows you how to apply them.

I spent a couple hours in the lab with Sonya, and then like an entire night playing offline casuals with friends...

Now my record in ranked is currently 30-1, because people don't know how to outfootsie in this game or even neutral for that matter, and eat 30% combos every time.

Also, at full screen Sonya's projectile beats out errons rifle. Just spam that and you'll interrupt his animations every time.

 

[tactfulgamer]

I'm in the same boat as yourself, nothing seems to be working for me during an online match, it just takes the opponent to move half a step back/forward & that's my jip whiffed & punished which is what I rely on most of all to get the combos started. I also find myself using ex moves to get myself out of bother only to find me either being hit out of it or it just not coming out at all due to the very strict timing. Playing mk9 for so long & getting used to the combos so much, has really messed me up for this game, I still find myself doing mk9 moves & combo starters that simply do not work for mix.

I also think that mkx has gone in the direction of injustice & I thought that game was pretty poor & seemed very chunky to me. All in all I will keep trying with my Scorp & Ermac until I at least get up to the level that some1 who turtles all day & D2's constantly will be free.

True, I can't wait to get to that level.

I never played MK9 with a serious fervor. I only played it's story mode. But with MKX, I honestly thought you MK9 vets would come in here beasting. So it's day & night difference between the two from what I'm gathering.

 

[Deadly Torcher]

Completely different game to me, the only thing that's keeping me going is the fact that I started off pretty poor in mk9 & with plenty of practise & beatings from better players, it made me into the decent-ish player that I became. That & the fact that Predator is coming soon.