Duke Bell is destroying me...

[trias]

Beat everyone else in the first or second match, but I've probably fought him 15-20 times and haven't taken a round off him.

One big issue I'm having is that my hands constantly get stuck near my head. Really sucks for blocking. I'm guessing this is an issue with my samsung odyssey and its controllers (sucks at tracking above and behind the headset.) I'll put my hands out to block his hooks which I see coming, but I rarely actually block them.

Little bit frustrating, not gonna lie. But I'll keep trying!

[Jargous]

Duke has heavy hands with a sturdy chin. So taking one really good hit will put you down (and possibly out). If the tracking is that bad on the headset, consider turning towards the side of where the punch is coming from to be in a better position to block.

[Ian (Sealost)]

The WMR headsets do have problems with tracking the controllers close to your headset or when held up to the sides as hooks. You'll probably need to rely more on evading hits than keeping a tight guard.

Try to keep your head a moving target as much as possible, and move in harder-to-predict circular motions instead of straight lines. If you've got the room for it, you may want to try to keep him at a distance, try to bait swings you're prepared to slip, and step in for a combo when you have the opportunity.

[trias]

Thanks for the responses! Once I'm in better shape I'm sure this will get easier as well. Right now I get pretty tired after a round or two and stop moving as much. Motivating to keep working out and improve!

[Vandil]

I use a WMR headset(O+) and I use a old style bareknuckle stance or a muay thai stance with a little distance to compensate. You can't peek-a-boo and guard the head well on WMR. On duke I shuffle left and hook to body with the right. A few shots to liver and those hands drop and the chin gets ripe.

[Smirks]

Same here. Beat everyone on Normal. Now working my way through on Endurance. It's been tough, but when I got to Duke Bell I wasn't just struggling, I was surprised.

He knocked me down in one hit, in the first round, with my guard up. I'm consistently getting TKO'd on 2nd round. I keep trying to focus on blocking and not just swinging wildly, and I keep getting knocked out anyway.

It's just such a sudden jump in difficulty. Any other tips? Have I been relying too much on blocking and not enough on dodging?

[Ian (Sealost)]

Originally posted by Smirks:

Same here. Beat everyone on Normal. Now working my way through on Endurance. It's been tough, but when I got to Duke Bell I wasn't just struggling, I was surprised.

He knocked me down in one hit, in the first round, with my guard up. I'm consistently getting TKO'd on 2nd round. I keep trying to focus on blocking and not just swinging wildly, and I keep getting knocked out anyway.

It's just such a sudden jump in difficulty. Any other tips? Have I been relying too much on blocking and not enough on dodging?

With Duke, it really helps to focus on being proactive instead of reactive, as trying to dodge or block reactively is risky in the event you take a hit from him. Keep your head a moving target so he has a harder time landing punches. Try to keep him out with your jabs so he has less options to swing at you with, bait swings at range, and try to step in to counter while he's open before getting back out. Keep your guard high and tight at all times to limit his available targets and for safety while trying to slip his swings. Keep in mind that he's going to try to be swinging where you're not guarding.

[trias]

Well I've made it to endurance, and now up to the last guy. Moneymaker? He's insane on endurance.

Only chance I have is going 90% offense and hoping I can just stop him from attacking too often.

I'm in much better shape than I used to be but I'm not sure how I could go 5 rounds at the pace I'll need to to beat him. Do real boxers usually train cardio on bike? Might need to get a gym membership just to beat Moneymaker lol.

Fundamentally WMR in small space is just not a very good way to play the game. Really fun and great work out still, but it makes me regret my WMR purchase somewhat.

I realized this post comes off as kind of whiny. I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ love this game and thanks dev for making it. It's fantastic.

[Jargous]

Originally posted by trias:

Well I've made it to endurance, and now up to the last guy. Moneymaker? He's insane on endurance.

Only chance I have is going 90% offense and hoping I can just stop him from attacking too often.

I'm in much better shape than I used to be but I'm not sure how I could go 5 rounds at the pace I'll need to to beat him. Do real boxers usually train cardio on bike? Might need to get a gym membership just to beat Moneymaker lol.

Fundamentally WMR in small space is just not a very good way to play the game. Really fun and great work out still, but it makes me regret my WMR purchase somewhat.

I realized this post comes off as kind of whiny. I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ love this game and thanks dev for making it. It's fantastic.

Notice that Moneymaker dodges in a similar fashion to Vega. Sways to your left then eventually to the right. If you know how to knock down Vega as it sways in a direction where you are comfortable with your hook, you should consider that option. Else, you are better off considering body shots and overreaching shots. Looping hooks work best especially if you know how to get around the guard.

[trias]

Finally beat endurance moneymaker on my 10th attempt today at the end of a 1.5 hour session. Lightheaded and totally exhausted.

5 rounds, won first 4 10-9, then got knocked down once in 5th to finish 48-46.

One of the best highs I've ever had from a gaming experience in 30 years of gaming, if not the highest. Thanks for all the advice in this thread and for dev for making this great game.

[Lazarus {FATE}]

Your endurance and movement with is the key with Duke and it only gets worse past normal difficulty.
It's easy to gas out trying to take him out quickly, you'll also pay for any openings in your guard, he can take you out in one punch!
I've had to throw in excess of 170 punches in the first rounds just to keep him off me in outclassed and have any hope in the later rounds.

Moneymaker is a whole other ballgame though.... Think Luis,Vega and Duke on steroids.

[Swoops]

Try keep throwing shots to his body and through rounds he will gas out than attack the head and he will go down quite quick