Help Me Get Better!

[Seretar]

Hi folks!

I've never spent any serious time trying to learn a fighting game, and this one is really the first one I've played in years. I've spent a lot of time learning basic things like how the mechanics work, how to link strings together, and how to cancel into specials, and I've got to the point where I can do a few combos in practice mode and can beat people who are not any good very consistently (I play Superman mainly because I find him easier than lots of the others). The threads on these forums and the streams you all link to have been very useful - I've learnt a lot from you and from consistent practice, so thanks!

But...

I feel like I've hit a wall and it's pissing me off. The sorts of people I'm being matched with now are just on a different level: they can execute a wide range of combos flawlessly every time, while I still panic and drop almost everything in a real fight. They seem to know when to move in and when to retreat, which I don't really. They have a fluidity to their game which I really envy: I still think "Oooh I hope I can get a combo in there!" and then whiff and get destroyed.

So...

Since everyone has been really helpful every time I've asked for advice, I'd love some help now getting over this bump. Here are some specific things which would help me out:

1. A better understanding of how to punish. I'm getting much better at blocking strings, and I feel confident I can read an opponent after a while when they keep doing similar things. But I can never seem to retaliate effectively after I block something. How do I practice this?
2. Some advice regarding overcoming nerves during a match. I can do things in practice consistently I have never been able to replicate in an actual match. I just hit the wrong buttons and go a bit crazy =P. How do people deal with that?
3. Developing a more strategic sense of the game. I have a good sense of when it's useful to just stay back and zone, but I'm much less good at deciding hen to head in for a combo or what to do under intense pressure. For instance I played a great Flash yesterday who kept up this relentless pressure of mix-ups and it as quite glorious to see (but I was totally beaten every time!).
4. Any general tips to improve my manual dexterity. I still press the wrong inputs too often. I even bought a Razer Sabertooth to see if it was easier than the regular transformopad but at the moment it's actually more difficult! (sure I'll get used to it though =D)

I'd really like to get to a point where I'm reasonably proud of my playing, so I'd truly appreciate any assistance you might be able to provide. Thanks again for all the help in getting even this far!

 

[ColdBoreMK23]

If you are having trouble with inputs, have you ever tried playing on stick?

I had that problem with MK and decided to switch to stick for Injustice and got the battle edition and an EightArc fusion to force myself to learning after spending all of that coin.

It only took me two weeks to fully transition over and after tinkering with button layouts I couldn't be happier. I will never play pad again for a fighter. My movements are much smoother and I remarry drop a combo unless it was my own mistake and mistimed it.

Be warned though, my case of getting used to stick is an exception because I played in the arcades and think that the familiarity of playing stick was still embedded in my muscle memory.

Some people say it takes them a few months to switch over.

Madcatz is running a special on their sticks. I think their TE sticks are $100 right now and their cheaper models are on sale too.

Just a little advice if you can afford a stick.

 

[Seretar]

I actually have the Battle Edition stick and started with that, but moved to pad because one of the button on it broke. I now have a replacement which I could try, yes. Think it's worth it?

 

[ColdBoreMK23]

Definitely man. The nice thing about it is you can roll your stick like a circle for inputs and you can dedicate your right hand and fingers for buttons z I have mine setup where I can hit LT with the interior portion if my wrist/palm and throw interactables. The only thing I have to lift my hand up for is to do a super, but who does them anyway? Lol.

There was a thread on here by 9.95 about button layouts for a stick that was helpful.

There are also some helpful videos on YouTube about hand placement on the stick and finger placement.

It will take some getting used to but is is worth a shot.