Poll: Tournament Play + 3 Character Variation Locking

[Ninj]

There are few things that appear to be 100% locked in place in the game, but the 3 variations of each appears to be a set in stone feature.

That said, we should begin discussion as a community about how the winner of a match is locked in tournament. The way I see it, we have two options:

1) Character Lock. If the Loser of a match decides to repick their character, the Winner can pick any of the 3 variations of the character they won with.

2) Variation Lock. If the Loser of a match decides to repick their character, the Winner must stay with the variation of the character they picked.

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I'm voting for Character Lock. I think that, while counterpicking is a legitimate strategy in fighting games, it would be more hype if the winner could show extensive knowledge of all 3 character variations by picking a variation that combats their opponent's new pick. More hype = more required knowledge of all matchups.

The flaw I see in this is that someone has to pick first, so counterpicking could still happen...unless NRS implements an intelligent way to hide cursors, which I suspect they will, so that the winner could hide which variation they pick. That would be rather hype.

I encourage everyone to share their opinions in a respectful way. Reasoning behind opinions are also wanted.

EDIT: After hearing from SSFIV's point of view, I could also get behind character lock where the winner has to pick first.

@Skkra @AK L0rdoftheFLY @AK Pig Of The Hut @Eddy Wang @RedRaptor10 @deathblooms2k4 @GGA 16 Bit @GGA Dizzy @R.E.O. @CD jr @Tom Brady @Zyphox @UsedForGlue @PND i2 Gaug3 @PND_Ketchup @PND_Mustard @AK RM Blake @Goldy @Under_The_Mayo @Qwark28

 

[Chaosphere]

I think it should be variation lock, first to 3

 

[Peckapowa]

if you win, play the same variation and character, this thread shouldn't really exist, its common sense imo.

 

[RiBBz22]

I don't think you should have variation lock at all...and especially at this point... I think we need to stop being so obsessed with rules like this....so early when the game is far away from release......

 

[Goldi]

Hmm good question. I won't have a strong opinion until the game comes out but damn do I feel special making stacked tag list

 

[Under_The_Mayo]

Appreciate the tag, brother. Reserving judgement until release, like on every other issue involving the game.

 

[deathblooms2k4]

I've always thought winning a match by counter picking to be kind of lame. Rather than forcing a player to adapt it just emphasizes the need to win your first match so you are ahead on the counter picking rotation in a first to three. As such I don't think a variation lock is a good idea as it still encourages the counter picking battle. As opposed to playing Jade and getting counter picked by Kenshi but then having the ability to choose the version of Jade that has a better matchup vs. Kenshi. I also really like the notion of being able to use one character for the whole tournament. A character lock could be interesting. All of that said it's far to early to tell how much of an impact the different versions will have on character matchups and what those matchups even are.

 

[TheTetraSpirit]

If Street Fighter has Ultra locks, then this will have Variation locks.

 

[AK L0rdoftheFLY]

No tag? Damn....jk!!

I don't know. I like what character lock does...it gives the winner some flexibility. But I guess it's hard to tell yet. If there is a hard counter to a characters 3 styles then it defeats the purpose but something tells me variation lock will be standard.

Man....the possibilities are endless!

 

[SkaGoogle]

lol the game comes out next year and you are already discussing tournament standard? haha

 

[FrothyOmen]

If Street Fighter has Ultra locks, then this will have Variation locks.

I thought you were able to change ultras in SF? I must be mistaken

 

[Ninj]

@AK L0rdoftheFLY I tagged you! Get outta town.

I'm just saying it might be worth discussing it intelligently and being ahead of the game so, in a year, we can all hit the ground fucking flying into tournaments as we grind the hell out of MKX. I'm not saying we should make a decision right now, just starting a discussion.

 

[Faded Dreams V]

Really, really depends on how dramatically variations change the movesets of each character.

Personally, I say variation locked.

I like the notion of "maining" a single variation of a character, but counterpicking with either another variation or another character. The thought that some players will be better with one variation than other players who main the same character, and vice-versa, is very exciting cause there can be more than one best ____ player in the world.

 

[Salad Petresky]

If Street Fighter has Ultra locks, then this will have Variation locks.

Idk where you get this from, you can change ultra even if you win. Marvel however, you can not change because assists change the game way too much.

 

[TheTetraSpirit]

Idk where you get this from, you can change ultra even if you win. Marvel however, you can not change because assists change the game way too much.

Everywhere I've seen, you're locked to Ultras.

 

[AK L0rdoftheFLY]

@AK L0rdoftheFLY I tagged you! Get outta town.

I'm just saying it might be worth discussing it intelligently and being ahead of the game so, in a year, we can all hit the ground fucking flying into tournaments as we grind the hell out of MKX. I'm not saying we should make a decision right now, just starting a discussion.

It never notified me. Lol nvm.

 

[Salad Petresky]

Everywhere I've seen, you're locked to Ultras.

Ultra Street Fighter 4 on XBOX 360. Ceo Rules 2014

• Game Settings:Versus Mode, 99 seconds, 2/3 rounds 2/3 Games, Edition Select OFF, No Handicap
• All Matches are 2/3 including Winners and Losers Finals, Grand Finals are 3/5
• Winner may change Ultra(Only if opponent changes characters), but has to pick ultra first after loser picks character
• If Final Match to Decide the outcome of a match ends in a Draw with both players being awarded a win then the match must be replayed

Im not sure what you are talking about, maybe you should do some research before posting. Of course, winner can not change unless the loser also changes. If this is the case then MK shouldnt be able to change considering 2-3 differences in special can make a whole different character, an ultry doesnt change how characters are fundamentally played (ryu, akuma, ken would all play the same), (subzero with ice clone and without ice clone change the game COMPLETELY)

 

[TheTetraSpirit]

Ultra Street Fighter 4 on XBOX 360. Ceo Rules 2014

• Game Settings:Versus Mode, 99 seconds, 2/3 rounds 2/3 Games, Edition Select OFF, No Handicap
• All Matches are 2/3 including Winners and Losers Finals, Grand Finals are 3/5
• Winner may change Ultra(Only if opponent changes characters), but has to pick ultra first after loser picks character
• If Final Match to Decide the outcome of a match ends in a Draw with both players being awarded a win then the match must be replayed

Im not sure what you are talking about, maybe you should do some research before posting. Of course, winner can not change unless the loser also changes. If this is the case then MK shouldnt be able to change considering 2-3 differences in special can make a whole different character, an ultry doesnt change how characters are fundamentally played (ryu, akuma, ken would all play the same), (subzero with ice clone and without ice clone change the game COMPLETELY)

Considering my research comes from people who've actually entered SF tournies and Big E's rules for his, I think I know precisely what I'm talking about.

But I digress.
I feel like Variation lock will, and should, be standard. If it turns out how it's looking so far, it can essentially end up being like picking a different character.

 

[Rabbit]

Variation lock.

Someone being able to counter-pick after barely wining a match would be anti-hype as a spectator and annoying as a player.

 

[FOXSOLID]

What's the point in variations if you're just going to lock characters to one? If one variation isn't working then you gotta stick with it? No man, might as well play MK9 then. These variations are meant for the sake of matching up your opponent if you're being out played.

 

[Art]

OK, I think if you win with a character then you get locked into that character, BUT you can change his variation to help you cope with match-ups. This way people have to know how to play all 3 types of one character in order to do well.

 

[ryublaze]

imo variation lock but ft3. If they did ft3 then u would have a chance to use each style once.

 

[Salad Petresky]

Considering my research comes from people who've actually entered SF tournies and Big E's rules for his, I think I know precisely what I'm talking about.

But I digress.
I feel like Variation lock will, and should, be standard. If it turns out how it's looking so far, it can essentially end up being like picking a different character.

OF COURSE YOU KNOW what youre talking about, please do your research before spreading wrong information. EVO Standard rules

ULTRA STREET FIGHTER IV

• Game version: US Xbox 360
• Game Settings: Versus Mode, 99 Seconds, 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games, Edition Select=Off, No Handicap
• The top 8 competitors will play 3/5 Matches.
• If the players do not agree on a stage within 15 seconds, the match will be random stage select.
• Winner may change ultra (only if opponent changes characters), but has to pick ultra first after loser picks character.

 

[Onilordasmodeus]

Ultra Street Fighter 4 on XBOX 360. Ceo Rules 2014

• Game Settings:Versus Mode, 99 seconds, 2/3 rounds 2/3 Games, Edition Select OFF, No Handicap
• All Matches are 2/3 including Winners and Losers Finals, Grand Finals are 3/5
• Winner may change Ultra(Only if opponent changes characters), but has to pick ultra first after loser picks character
• If Final Match to Decide the outcome of a match ends in a Draw with both players being awarded a win then the match must be replayed

Im not sure what you are talking about, maybe you should do some research before posting. Of course, winner can not change unless the loser also changes. If this is the case then MK shouldnt be able to change considering 2-3 differences in special can make a whole different character, an ultry doesnt change how characters are fundamentally played (ryu, akuma, ken would all play the same), (subzero with ice clone and without ice clone change the game COMPLETELY)

I agree with all that you are saying, but I'm not entirely sure which one you are for.

Variation lock seems like the logical way to play, but if SF4 allows for switching ultras (with some caveats), then I don't see a problem.

If player A wins, and player B chooses to make a change, then it should be fine for player A to also make a change (only to their variation) as long as they choose first. Player B can still counter pick; they will still technically have the advantage.

If that caveat isn't in place then variation lock is a must. If it is in place then I think character lock is just fine.

 

[Ninj]

I agree with all that you are saying, but I'm not entirely sure which one you are for.

Variation lock seems like the logical way to play, but if SF4 allows for switching ultras (with some caveat) I don't see a problem.

If player A wins, and player B chooses to make a change, then it might be fine for player A to also make a change (only to their variation) as long as they choose first. Player B can still counter pick; they will still technically have the advantage.

If that caveat isn't in place then variation lock is a must. If it is then is say just character lock.

This makes sense to me as well. Character lock where the winner must pick first.