I can't start to explain how frustrated I am with this game!
Start playing for fun, not for ego. Every loss is a chance to better understand your mistakes. Analyse the reasons for your loss. Did you get anti aired permanently? Did you run into combos? Problems with getting in? Can't block the enemys strings proper? Dropped your combos? Problems with certain tactics?...
seems like EVERYONE is only out for the easy win
There is no easy win. There are tools and tactics, and there are ways to counter them. When you eat the same trick 20 times in a row, why should your opponent stop using it? Everyone plays to win. Find ways around those tactics!
but first things first...
I can know all the combos in the world and still not be able to use them effectively in the game
Step 1:
Start with one, maybe two characters you like to play. Become an expert on those. It's useless to learn 10 characters if you can't even master one. Join the character forum for further help.
Step 2:
Go into practise mode and learn two combos. Don't waste your time in learning more until you master these two. Mastering means if I was to wake you up at 4 in the morning you get 9 out of 10 combos done. Play the computer on a low level. Aim at using these combos, so you'll get used to throw them out in a "real" match. Play the computer on a higher level. Aim at using these combos, you'll get used to throw them out when there's more pressure on you. Stay relaxed, the more tensed you are the more combos will be dropped. Learn to hitconfirm!
Step 3:
Learn setups! Again, one or two, until you master them. Play the computer for practise, but beware, the AI won't react to mindgames... There are tons of setups in the character forums.
Step 4:
Stop jumping and learn to anti air. Play the computer and concentrate on anti airing to get used to it. Every time you eat a JIP, its your fault. You either can't anti air properly, shooting projectiles from an unsafe distance, or doing other unsafe stuff.
Step 5:
Learn to punish proper. Learn your punish or whiffpunish combos, find out when and how to use it best. Again, start simple and master them before going for the 105% cyrax punish
Step 6:
Completely know the properties of your moves and strings! Are they safe on block? Do they leave you open for counter attempts? At what distance do they leave your opponent on hit and on block? Can you combo afterwards? Do they start low, high, overhead? How fast do they start? At what distance do you have to start them? Remember, you don't always need to be in your opponents face to hit him! As a rule of thumb, the faster the move the shorter it's range. After most strings there's a way to follow up, depending on how you opponent might react. Go to practise mode and think it through.
Step 7:
Learn frame data. Not all of them, but startup frames for 1,2,3,4, d1, d4, as well as block and hit advantage for your favourite strings. Its not your opponents fault when you get hit trying to combo out of frame disadvantage.
Step 8:
Try to find people to play offline. Online is a different game. Also, people are willing to share a lot of knowledge. You'll improve greatly, i promise.
Step 9:
Analyse your opponent, find his weakness and exploit it. Does he jump a lot? Anti air him. Does he anti air you? Stop jumping or use jump kicks. Does he like to block low? Try more overheads. Does he like to block high? Use low starters. Does he seem to block everything, go for throws. Does he outzone you? Learn to blockdash. Does he pressure you? Poke out. Condition him. Play it smart! Provoke jump ins by keeping jump distance, provoke projektiles by keeping far distance. Dont hold on to tactics that dont work! You get punished permanently for shooting projectiles? Stop using them. You get punished for certain strings? You are using them wrong.
Good luck!
