New to fighting games, advice?

[Mirage]

I've always had some interest in fighting games, but there was never one that really appealed to me.

Tekken, Mortal combat, Injustice.. no connection to those, but as i'm really into Dragonball this seems perfect.

But I was wondering if there are some core things I should know or just things that would just help me get into it.

I assume it's best to use a controller, is the default control scheme fine to use, should find main characters to use etc, and advice is appreciated.

[Worsel]

Use whatever you are comfortable playing with. I grew up playing games in the arcade so I am much better using my fightstick vs a controller.

The biggest thing when playing a fighting game is learning how to play it, "no duh" I know, but that means going into the practice mode and learning what works, what the moves are, doing the tutorials, etc. I have been playing fighting games since the original Street Fighter and I do this for every new game I pick up and play. I also suggest playing the Arcade or Story mode as this will also allow you to confirm what you have been practicing while dealing with a slowly increasing difficulty level as you progress.

When you feel comfortable enough to play against others online just realize that YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE. A lot. Dont get discouraged though! Take any losses as a learning opportunity and think about WHY you lost and how you can adapt and overcome it. Very few people are able to pick up a game and master it right away and fighting games are some of the most complex games one can play. If you are looking for some basic or more detailed information about characters in this game I would suggest looking up Maximilian Dood on youtube or check out his Twitch stream sometime, he tends to keep it simple and positive.

My final piece of advice is that in the end you may not like this game, it happens sometimes, but dont give up. I love the Street Fighter series but I cant stand SF5 so I just dont play that one. I find Tekken 7 a lot of fun but am not really a fan of the King of Fighters series. Try some other games that may spark your interest or even some older ones that can be played via emulation, you never know what you may find.

Good luck and remember that it's just a game so have fun!

[Unrighteous]

Fully expect to get destroyed when playing online, but don't take it too seriously. It's all for fun in the end.

[eddieeez]

Learn fundamentals first to know what people mean when they explain things to you. Learn how to block. Try to be unpredictable and mix your fighting styles and variety of hitting your opponent. Learn a few combos that you can easily do. Learn the mechanics of the game. Learn how to counter moves.

[Mirage]

Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it.

Can't say i'm looking forward to getting destroyed, I'm usually pretty good when i'm getting into new games but this new territory for sure.

[Chokes]

http://www.sirlin.net/ptw-book/introducingthe-scrub
This should be a good read for you.

Also, look up resources online (as you are doing right now). The internet is your friend.
How about some starter combos that are more optimized than auto combos?
https://youtube.com/watch?v=xp9sFyXViSk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYmaCnSgqGA

Honestly, I'm struggling to come up with any advice Worsel hasn't already given. But I would like to emphasize the point that you will lose a lot, don't let it get to you. Especially against the CPU. The CPU literally cheats.

[Chokes]

Actually, let me add some more into this.

Watch match videos. Save your replays. Examine why you were getting screwed over and try to work around it. Do you get hit by Super Rush a lot? Try crouching Heavy, it's invincible to aerial attacks and will launch the opponent flying at you.
Watching videos is especially good for learning character tech. I've learned a LOT about Cell and Vegeta from watching Fame96!

Watch your opponent's habits. This ties into the above advice. You'll only counter their Super Rush if you know they're going to Super Rush. Don't just play on autopilot, make a conscious effort to study your opponent.

Be patient. Block a lot. Many people will just be mashing light over and over and you'll get hit if you try a reversal that's too slow. Wait for the right opportunity, maybe even reflect them out.

Practice, practice, practice. Fighting games are hard! Really hard. You could spend an hour in training mode just learning a combo, getting it down into your muscle memory, and you'll still be trash. An hour and you're barely rewarded. So be patient. You're not gonna get better overnight.

[Mirage]

In what way is the CPU cheating then?

[Peelsepuuppi]

The CPU reads you button inputs and gets better stats than you at higher difficulties.

[Juken]

I would suggest this video, as it helps make you aware of notations for combos people will share, and it also tells you of useful advanced techniques and counterS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_KXl1HWqL4

Also you get a feel for the controls
Then you find a team that has good synergy and feels fun for you to use
Then you master combos for the individual characters on that team
Then you master team combos with assists and supers

The important stuff like understanding spacing and reacting to or punishing attacks should develop naturally as you play. You can also learn a lot of combos or ways to punish things from watching experienced players in replays or watching high leevel Twitch tournaments and streams. How will you learn combos just by seeing them? Once you have learned your character's moveset, you'll know the buttons just by seeing the animations, although it'd help if it was a replay where you could keep looking back at it while practicing said combos.

[Chokes]

Originally posted by Mirage:

In what way is the CPU cheating then?

Originally posted by ToveriJuri:

The CPU reads you button inputs and gets better stats than you at higher difficulties.

Yup. The CPU knows what you're going to do and lands perfect counters to whatever it was you had planned. You can't play mindgames against a robot.

Also, I compiled a couple informative videos under a YouTube playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9jyJQEJqtzuluAt3QcaIq4Zz9JCaeNC

[Hayatemaru]

Originally posted by Chokes:

You can't play mindgames against a robot.

According to Lythero, this is true, but also that abusing the dash worked for him against the AI. In his words "just be stupid about it" and abuse the one flaw the AI has when you find it.

[Chokes]

Originally posted by Shizuku:

Originally posted by Chokes:

You can't play mindgames against a robot.

According to Lythero, this is true, but also that abusing the dash worked for him against the AI. In his words "just be stupid about it" and abuse the one flaw the AI has when you find it.

I mean... I guess? That's not really mindgames, though, and it can land you a nasty habit of constantly Super Rushing while you're away.
But hey, easy Arcade and/or Story fights, woo.

[Mirage]

Originally posted by Chokes:

Also, I compiled a couple informative videos under a YouTube playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9jyJQEJqtzuluAt3QcaIq4Zz9JCaeNC

Thanks mate, appreciate it.

Originally posted by Juken:

I would suggest this video, as it helps make you aware of notations for combos people will share, and it also tells you of useful advanced techniques and counterS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_KXl1HWqL4

Also you get a feel for the controls
Then you find a team that has good synergy and feels fun for you to use
Then you master combos for the individual characters on that team
Then you master team combos with assists and supers

The important stuff like understanding spacing and reacting to or punishing attacks should develop naturally as you play. You can also learn a lot of combos or ways to punish things from watching experienced players in replays or watching high leevel Twitch tournaments and streams. How will you learn combos just by seeing them? Once you have learned your character's moveset, you'll know the buttons just by seeing the animations, although it'd help if it was a replay where you could keep looking back at it while practicing said combos.

I definitely feel I should just be playing a lot and playing around a lot before I catch on to all of those things, master or atleast understand all the basics and go from there.

[Hayatemaru]

Originally posted by Chokes:

Originally posted by Shizuku:

According to Lythero, this is true, but also that abusing the dash worked for him against the AI. In his words "just be stupid about it" and abuse the one flaw the AI has when you find it.

I mean... I guess? That's not really mindgames, though, and it can land you a nasty habit of constantly Super Rushing while you're away.
But hey, easy Arcade and/or Story fights, woo.

I never said it was mindgames and I never said it pushed good habits. I said it was abusing a flaw in the AI's programming. Please don't put words in my mouth.

[Worsel]

Originally posted by ToveriJuri:

The CPU reads you button inputs and gets better stats than you at higher difficulties.

I own a Neo Geo 2 Slot MVS arcade machine, the very definition of "Input read" ;)