Score Attack mode sucks

[Mistress Spitfire]

No matter what I do, I can't break the 52000 score mark for Gal's S rank. I'm crushing almost every single enemy, but then come the crowds and from that point on it just becomes luck on if the enemies group together or not. The closest I've ever gotten is 51990 and it wasn't even a good run, no idea how the score even got that high. Why is the scoring system so confusing? Why is the AI such ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥t? How is it even possible to get the S rank without getting insanely lucky in grouping all of the enemies together in one big pile?

[Video-Brains!]

Try holding forward while attacking and Gal with move forward with each hit, making grouping easier. Also use the jump D+A to stun enemies and then group them. Also the flying knee (F,F+A) is great for knocking over a group so you can attack as they get back up.

More or less, the 52K is perfecly doable, all you just need to get round to understanding how Gals moves works and how each enemy AI behaves. There is actually very little RNG to get a good score on Score Attack, It's mostly about being in the right place at the right time.

Also, because you asked, the score system works by giving you 2 medals (200pts) for killing a enemy, or 3 medals (300pts) for killing a enemy with a single combo, so combine that with the 500 for exploding and that is a potential 800 per enemy, not including the 10pts per hit.

[Mistress Spitfire]

If it’s not luck, why did I get 51990 on a run where I didn’t feel I did as well as usual? There’s no ‘Feel’ to the scoring system, and it feels random. If I have to restart half of my runs at the very beginning because the rats won’t group together quick enough, that’s bad RNG.

[Video-Brains!]

Originally posted by Mistress Spitfire:

If it’s not luck, why did I get 51990 on a run where I didn’t feel I did as well as usual? There’s no ‘Feel’ to the scoring system, and it feels random. If I have to restart half of my runs at the very beginning because the rats won’t group together quick enough, that’s bad RNG.

You dont need to group the first set of rat's before the electricats, just kill them ASAP, then start grouping enemies after that, as they usually get spawned out in groups from then on in (3 cats, sets of 2 rat bikers, 2 pig trains then groups of wolves.)

If anything, that first set of rats can actually be skipped if you just want the 52K. Im getting 59K with Gal nowadays, and thats more or less a perfect run by missing no parries, and making sure I use the right knockdown attacks at the right time, and making sure I'm getting 900+ points from each enemy.

Again about the score system, It really is a case of KILL in ONE combo to get 300, and if they are knocked down, you will only get 200 from the medals. Exploding them gives you 500, and hits give 10, so try go for as many hits as possible.

[Mistress Spitfire]

It’s still a stupid game mode though, none of the scoring techniques apply to arcade mode at all asides from the crush mechanic. I can do everything else in the game just fine asides from this stupid mode. For no reason in the main game would you need to awkwardly dance around a crowd to get them all perfectly lined up so you can get them all at once, considering some enemies are grab immune, have anti-airs, the ability to block, etcetera. To even get the enemies where you need them is straight up luck, there’s no skill to that. I can guarantee you you won’t be able to match your Highscore every single time you play, because luck plays a part in it. It’s a lame game mode, and to lock character costumes behind a mode that’s heavily luck reliant is a really crappy move.

[Aries]

I don't know if this was discussed already, but I reccomend, when playing Gal, to learn her infinite combo which is basically 3 jabs into combo throw (any direction), run cancel jump into Down Air and then Standard Air. Keep holding either Left+Down on your D-pad or Right+Down when doing the Down air to Standard air, because it helps you break momentum and land fast enough to start a juggle combo.

Then it's just a matter of maintaining the combo and throwing into other enemies.

Also, abuse that SP meter. Seriously. When fighting the rats, just abuse it to kill them.

And remember where the enemies spawn. 3/4ths of the rats at the beginning all spawn in the same location, as do the Cats. The Biker Rats, that's a different story (I hate that part).

When the wave of pigs arrive, I suggest starting your combo with a special attack. If you don't have SP, parry the first pig and then special, followed by a combo. It should be enough to crush all of them. The next wave of pigs (the armored ones), it's the same strategy if you don't have SP, and then after you start with a special, DO ANOTHER FORWARD SPECIAL and then finish the combo normally. (maybe do 3 specials just in case).

As for the rest of the mode, I really do suggest you learn how to use Gal's infinite combo. That whole problem you have with grouping enemies becomes really easy once you can maintain the Jab Jab Jab, Throw, Run cancel Jump, Down Air, Standard Air, jab jab jab, throw, Run cancel Jump, you get the point.

[Rigolax]

The second rat group is important to crush most if not all of them when you get to the wolves parry and constantly use her combo while holding forward and ending it with her forward special and rinse and repeat. If you're going to get hit while comboing the wolves use the forward special and or parry. Either that or use her infinite that some people use. It's possible on 52k it was 55k. Gal's sore is rather unique because 2 people can abuse the hell out of her infinite which caused her score to become the highest out of everyone. Having done it myself I do agree that it does take some luck without the infinite and its hard to find consistency unlike norris or richardo best of luck to you.

[Video-Brains!]

Originally posted by Rigolax:

Gal's sore is rather unique because 2 people can abuse the hell out of her infinite which caused her score to become the highest out of everyone.

For the record, I abused Gal's standing A,A,A Dash, Grab, A,A,A into A,A,A,A,A which would then explode, or Jump, D+A to A,A,A Dash, Grab, A,A,A, to A,A,A,A.

That nets you 910 points per enemy, if you dont screw it up. That is what gets me my average of 56-58K. Getting 59K involve doing that all the way up to the bike stage with more than half health & having around 55K, and does require a little luck with the 2 rat waves at the start, but the score isnt 59K, its 52K, so its not really too relevant, is it?

Also, for the pigs, I'd Jump+D+A to knock them down, so they are neatly piled up, then I do A,A,A,A, F+S, A,A,A,A,A which gets you a whopping 60 hits, which is 600 points + 700 per guy if the medals are scooped up. I cant remember if this can be done to both pig trains, or if the first one explodes after the walkover kick.

It really is just the 2 rat waves, and sometimes losing my cool when I do get to Tracy and Tiger on a good run that screws me over for getting over 60K, I'd hope.

[Rigolax]

The easy way for the waves of pigs is to jump kick the first wave for the knockdown then combo all of them and use forward special to make sure the explode. For the second wave jump kick them then use regular combo then revular combo again with forward special. While this is easiear to crush them it takes valuable time. Alternatively you parry 1 or 2 pigs combo forward special this will outright crush the first wave of pigs second wave will need at leat 2 combos with gal and a special or 2 to make sure they are crushed. The wolf waves are particularly dangerous for gal because of her short reach and crushing most if not all of them is crucial. As for the tracy tiger rat wave focus on grouping rats and crush the asap both tiger and tracy can easily ruin the score but if it works out they can end up in your combo while you're attacking the rats which saves you some time. The big thing with gal is making sure you do enough damage to crush them. I rarely use her anti air because it takes a lot of time and enemies tend to drop out of it if you use it after her combo.

[Mistress Spitfire]

You guys are missing the point of this entire thread. The score attack mode is counter-intuitive to teaching the player how to play the game, making them rework their entire playstyle to compensate for it by teaching them scoring techniques that, for the most part don't apply to arcade mode at all.

Take the time attack mode, for example. I S ranked that with Gal on my second try. An actual fair mode that has very little room for randomisation in timing. I've just gotten the S rank now with Gal, and it wasn't satisfying, nor did it feel like I earned a win. It didn't feel like any skill was involved at all. Score Attack is a bad mode.

[Video-Brains!]

Originally posted by Mistress Spitfire:

You guys are missing the point of this entire thread. The score attack mode is counter-intuitive to teaching the player how to play the game, making them rework their entire playstyle to compensate for it by teaching them scoring techniques that, for the most part don't apply to arcade mode at all.

Take the time attack mode, for example. I S ranked that with Gal on my second try. An actual fair mode that has very little room for randomisation in timing. I've just gotten the S rank now with Gal, and it wasn't satisfying, nor did it feel like I earned a win. It didn't feel like any skill was involved at all. Score Attack is a bad mode.

No, you have missed the entire point of score attack. It's meant to be a fun little mode for you to play with the enemies you have unlocked, and have some fun, but apparently, most people cant seem to enjoy themselves if there are Gal costumes up for grabs. Heaven forbid.

It's not as cheap as you claim, as all enemies come out at specified points, so if you are quick enough, There is very little RNG apart from enemy movement, which is the EXACT same deal as time attack. (By the way, Time Attack makes you spam S moves if you want to get a good time. so it makes you rework your entire playstyle, yet I dont see you cry about this.)

[Mistress Spitfire]

That's funny, I got my S rank time without burning my entire healthbar like you claim I was supposed to be doing. There's no 'Spam' to time attack mode. It's no different to playing the arcade mode, when you get to the boss and your healthbar isn't green for doing the stage without being hit, you burn your healthbar to get extra hits in on the boss. There is no different playstyle to offer, it's just kill the enemies as fast as you can, which is usually how arcade mode ends up. The longer you take, the more likely you are to make mistakes.

[Video-Brains!]

Originally posted by Mistress Spitfire:

That's funny, I got my S rank time without burning my entire healthbar like you claim I was supposed to be doing. There's no 'Spam' to time attack mode.

This statement only applies to S ranking Gal, though. For getting below 1:50 times with her, you want to spam F+S as much as possible in combos, save the SP orb until you fight Servant, and then do your best SP orb combos until they die, which is hard due to hoping you can pile everyone on to exploding motorbikes. Gal has it worst on this mode, unlike in score attack where some combos get her big points.

My 1:24 Ricardo time & 1:33 Norris time is based on S spammage. Gal just has to get stuck in there and use her combos. Any other character goes for S moves for good times, apart from a few characters who are just incapable of getting below 1:30

As for taking longer in Arcade, that can be vital to progressing in Insane/Unfair for Gal at times, such as taking on the Muai Thai Birds on death island, although that fight more expects you to pile them up then control them, I'd reckon

But hey, I guess you are right about the scoring rules being different on all 3 modes, but isnt that the point of a good subgame? I've been enjoying getting insane times with Booky the Monkey (38 seconds) using his S kick alone, which isnt even remotely possible in score attack due to zapping all his health too quickly.

[Mistress Spitfire]

But S Ranking in score attack mode is the goal to reach, going any further is a self imposed challenge. For someone as clearly obsessed as you with scoring, Score Attack mode might be right up your alley, but I think the amount you score is inconsistent and there’s no sense of ‘Yeah, I did this really difficult thing’. If it was a mode more about getting your combo number as high as you can while dealing with different enemies, I wouldn’t mind it so much. In Arcade mode you’ll never feel inclined to finish off an enemy in one single combo unless you’re really, REALLY desperate. It makes more logical sense to stop a combo to take care of an incoming threat. That’s why I think score attack is a bad mode.

[Video-Brains!]

Originally posted by Mistress Spitfire:

But S Ranking in score attack mode is the goal to reach, going any further is a self imposed challenge. For someone as clearly obsessed as you with scoring, Score Attack mode might be right up your alley, but I think the amount you score is inconsistent and there’s no sense of ‘Yeah, I did this really difficult thing’. If it was a mode more about getting your combo number as high as you can while dealing with different enemies, I wouldn’t mind it so much. In Arcade mode you’ll never feel inclined to finish off an enemy in one single combo unless you’re really, REALLY desperate. It makes more logical sense to stop a combo to take care of an incoming threat. That’s why I think score attack is a bad mode.

Im not going to lie, score mode IS by far the limpest of the extra modes, but is a good place to hone skills & combos. Time attack is a much more consistant, and respawning after being killed adds a layer of comfort that can sometimes help with some of the harder times, making it funner to mess about in.

You can stop combo's here and there to re-arrange on score attack (F,F+A with Gal is good for low dmg knockdown, Jump + A for everyone else), but it isnt exactly a needed technique, as you say. Handy, but not needed.

I think a nice, simple survival mode would be a great middle ground to these rule heavy game modes, so I hope thats something SEBA could implement in the future.

[Mistress Spitfire]

I'm glad you can agree. A survival mode would be great to see, but in all fairness, I doubt many people can even clear insane difficulty even if they tried. It's a tough enough endurance test as it is. A proper training mode to practice combos in with varying enemy weight classes would be at the top of my wishlist. I've always wanted to learn optimal combos for each boss for each character.