Protagonist_1
Noob
=Dear TYM, matchup discussion is horrible and needs to change
One of the most common things I hear whether on stream or in chats is that fighting games are like chess. While this couldn’t be more wrong (and that’s an argument for later), fighting games sure as hell are NOT broken down like chess games.
To put this into perspective, when chess matches are broken down, they start with the opening game, a middle game, and then an end game. Each opening by either white or black has its own unique success rate, which has been analyzed through thousands of tournament matches that are recorded in a database based of win, loss, or draw percentage. Every possible move, trap, and possible blunder is analyzed in great detail, up to three to four moves ahead.
When it comes to matchup discussion, especially on TYM, this is definitely NOT the case. Matchup discussion, for the most part, is general, based off at best a few 100 matches from playing with a few select friends or top players, basically discussing a general gameplan. If you go into any matchup discussion thread, the lack of detail for a matchup is jarring, considering the immense amount of situations you need to be familiar with and all the variations after a specific move is done, all starting from the moment that commentator says begin.
To put this into perspective, think of any random character matchup (not including a character you use). If you wanted to find info on this matchup, you would have to dig through a matchup discussion thread, and pray that someone has discussed it in detail. More than likely, you won’t and although the response time on TYM is quick, you will get the most generic aspects of the match. The response will more likely be devoid of things like:
-what are batman’s best openers
-What are the best counters vs. Batman’s openers (against j2, f2, b2, etc.)
-What range should I stay at in this matchup? If I have the life lead? If I have a life deficit?
-Trade situations (this is another topic on it’s own and does not only come down to damage)
-damage vs. damage (bnb’s to projectiles)
-common/most used pressure strings by batman and when to interrupt
-best option after batman’s d1
-Oki vs. Batman
-normals/hitboxes
-etc.
…and these only scratch the surface.
This is not to blame TYM, it’s mods, or it’s members nor to call anyone out. Just case and point: matchup discussion as of current is terrible and needs to be more detailed. This is a competitive website for crying out loud! So what needs to change?
There needs to be [more] individual threads on individual matchups:
If you’re a tournament player, and you’re not analyzing every one of your matchups with as much detail as shown in this thread, you’re slipping up.
I made this thread because TYM is a first and foremost, competitive gaming website. And from what I’ve seen, matchup discussion, from a competitive standpoint, has been lackluster. Here’s hoping this thread will change that.
TL;DR: Matchup discussion sucks, so make detailed individual matchup threads in your individual character forums. If you need an example of where to start, feel free to check out the link below and use it as a template:
https://testyourmight.com/threads/matchup-discussion-cyborg-vs-dr-fate-living-guide.64698/#post-2304722
One of the most common things I hear whether on stream or in chats is that fighting games are like chess. While this couldn’t be more wrong (and that’s an argument for later), fighting games sure as hell are NOT broken down like chess games.
To put this into perspective, when chess matches are broken down, they start with the opening game, a middle game, and then an end game. Each opening by either white or black has its own unique success rate, which has been analyzed through thousands of tournament matches that are recorded in a database based of win, loss, or draw percentage. Every possible move, trap, and possible blunder is analyzed in great detail, up to three to four moves ahead.
When it comes to matchup discussion, especially on TYM, this is definitely NOT the case. Matchup discussion, for the most part, is general, based off at best a few 100 matches from playing with a few select friends or top players, basically discussing a general gameplan. If you go into any matchup discussion thread, the lack of detail for a matchup is jarring, considering the immense amount of situations you need to be familiar with and all the variations after a specific move is done, all starting from the moment that commentator says begin.
To put this into perspective, think of any random character matchup (not including a character you use). If you wanted to find info on this matchup, you would have to dig through a matchup discussion thread, and pray that someone has discussed it in detail. More than likely, you won’t and although the response time on TYM is quick, you will get the most generic aspects of the match. The response will more likely be devoid of things like:
-what are batman’s best openers
-What are the best counters vs. Batman’s openers (against j2, f2, b2, etc.)
-What range should I stay at in this matchup? If I have the life lead? If I have a life deficit?
-Trade situations (this is another topic on it’s own and does not only come down to damage)
-damage vs. damage (bnb’s to projectiles)
-common/most used pressure strings by batman and when to interrupt
-best option after batman’s d1
-Oki vs. Batman
-normals/hitboxes
-etc.
…and these only scratch the surface.
This is not to blame TYM, it’s mods, or it’s members nor to call anyone out. Just case and point: matchup discussion as of current is terrible and needs to be more detailed. This is a competitive website for crying out loud! So what needs to change?
There needs to be [more] individual threads on individual matchups:
- Matchups are complex, but need to be organized and simplified. This is the complete opposite of a general matchup discussion thread, considering info is disorganized, can be pages long, and rarely updated after patches. This doesn’t mean general discussion needs to go, but for more detailed analysis on an individual matchup, a thread needs to be made for this, and continually updated after each patch (meaning that someone that is reliable and will actually be willing to update the thread should make it).
- My best suggestion, for each character forum, is to start with your worst matchups (which is subjective, I know), then work backwards. This is because chances are, you are more likely to lose to these characters.
- There needs to be footage of scenarios that commonly occur in the matchup, such as reversal situations, oki, punishers, etc. A high emphasis on straight facts, tools vs. tools, and video showing this.
- There also needs to be footage of people playing the matchup. If someone is having success in a matchup and you’re not, then request they show footage on how to play it, not just by word. The more footage on a specific matchup, the better a gameplan can be outlined for it.
- When you go into a matchup, you should already know what your goals need to be against your opponent (I need to build meter at all cost vs. Atrocitus for pushblock/I must push deadshot to the corner..etc). Outlining a gameplan, and working backwards on how to achieve said gameplan is essential to matchup discussion.
- All from getting the first hit, to making up the deficit and what to and what not to do need to be discussed in detail. This is also important because if your losing, it’s much easier to identify specific areas on were you deviated from the gameplan, failed to punish, or other errors.
If you’re a tournament player, and you’re not analyzing every one of your matchups with as much detail as shown in this thread, you’re slipping up.
I made this thread because TYM is a first and foremost, competitive gaming website. And from what I’ve seen, matchup discussion, from a competitive standpoint, has been lackluster. Here’s hoping this thread will change that.
TL;DR: Matchup discussion sucks, so make detailed individual matchup threads in your individual character forums. If you need an example of where to start, feel free to check out the link below and use it as a template:
https://testyourmight.com/threads/matchup-discussion-cyborg-vs-dr-fate-living-guide.64698/#post-2304722
Last edited: