BlazBlue!

[Indigo]

When I start going crazy with air dashes like that is actually my awakening and being quick as the wind. That's when I start playing more evasive trying to bait you and cross you up... Like Bang really should be doing most of the time.

[Deleted]

Dec 17, 2014 2:10:42 GMT Indigo said:

When I start going crazy with air dashes like that is actually my awakening and being quick as the wind. That's when I start playing more evasive trying to bait you and cross you up... Like Bang really should be doing most of the time.

Yeah I really do have no idea how to answer to you when that happens. Other than 6a I guess.

EDIT: FISTPUMP! I thought I'd lost for a few seconds there!

Ok, here's my biggest flaw. I know 2D doesn't connect from 5D, WHY DO I KEEP DOING IT!

[Deleted]

I meant to do a chain super rather than an astral.

[Deleted]

Great games, however it's 3am and I need to sleep. I'll talk more about them in the morning.

[Indigo]

Dec 17, 2014 1:42:33 GMT Stove said:

a lot

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to say. At first you were saying it was freaking out and losing your cool, and now... It's not panic, or something you can explain. You're basically saying that we're not always at our max potential... Which is true. But I don't think you can generalize it. We rarely play games at our full potential unless there's something on the line, I don't think it really has anything to do with a panic mode. When I start, I just fight, probably somewhat unconsciously. But as a battle goes on, the closer it is, I get more heated up, and excited. I don't panic or get anxious while Al is doing his 20-curb stomp combos and has me on the ropes... I'm just sitting there, well...

4 seconds in, now on the verge of defeat
Can this overwhelming lead be overthrown?
Strengthen your guard, take the chance
Calmly process the situation -- your opponent is pathetic!
Somehow, it seems that giving up is impossible
You must create your own victory -- stand back up, no matter how many times it takes!

Otherwise I just sort of play for fun until things start getting climactic. I really don't think there's something clogging my potential except for how much concentration I feel like exerting myself. Which is actually rather ironic when I think about how my two mains both have build-up gimmicks. Bang achieves Burning Soul for Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan, and Bullet has Heat Up levels which powers up her attacks and opens up her big combos.

But I know this because I know I used to be like that. I know my gameplay used to be hindered by not thinking properly, whether from the start, or freaking out when stuck in combos, getting frustrated when I lose... But I've trained myself over the years and I know I have an open mind and conscience of my actions, and keep a good equilibrium. But I know I'm only at my best when I'm pumped up enough to do my best. I mean, much as I joke about Meikyo Shisui, I actually am quite fond of the belief in general, in having a clear and transient mindset, and I've made endeavors for such.

But I do have my own comeback mechanic.



Aaand about our matches... We played nearly four hours I think. I can't stress enough that you need to block. With Bullet I hit you with the same combo over and over carrying you across the stage because you never block on wake-up. I don't think you did a single time in those hours of playing. And that's a problem because you're always at a frame disadvantage on wake-up, someone getting up will never beat an offensive except for DPs or most supers.

But you have improved with blocking in neutral, you blocked a lot of my Bang blockstrings so I had to start using overheads... But Bullet not so much, you always stopped blocking low for some reason. Bullet only has an overhead that can't be used in blockstrings (it's a 6A), so just block low for everything. She has another overhead with her lock-on, but it's slow and laggy. A low one, too, but those unsafe lock-ons are her only mixup (and lower her heat if they miss or get blocked).

Aside from that... Your Terumi's offensive is really ferocious. Those blockstrings go on forever just like Relius... And you also make good use of his distortions and rapids. Your Relius took a dive though.

But this may not matter soon as I'll be alone again on Blazblue.

[Deleted]

Claxus when winning: Shonen Bang

When losing: Zen

Al when winning: I ACTUALLY DID IT!

Al when losing: WHAT AM I DOING?

I think there's a pretty huge difference in mindset here, but I do feel something buried under all the panic. Like how I need to time Terumi's command grab on wake up better, how I need to control his meter and overdrive more efficiently, how I need to practice more with his inputs in general, and how I need to practice his basic meter gain combo more. I kept going straight from 5D into 2D (that long attack where a snake dives through the floor) because I'm trying to do Snakebite immediately after 5D- the input for which is 236D, so when I'm panicking, I'll be pressing too many buttons as I glide over 2D to execute snakebite. I might try 6D as a followup, the timing for the following snakebite is extremely tight, but it might be worth it if I'm not using 2D. It feels like I'm not getting as many hits as I should be on his 22C curbstomp attack, I'm mashing those buttons as hard as I can!

But yeah I do need to block more, and low. It's nice to know that Bullet doesn't have a threatening overhead. I'm pretty sure Terumi's 5C is an overhead and I use it all the time in combos, but I'll have to check. Otherwise I don't think his blockstrings are as scary as Relius or (theoretically if a better player than me uses her) Kokonoe. The problem with Relius is that I'm an offensive player, and with Relius, while at my best I have an extremely dominating neutral game (214A is my baby) his damage output feels too low, and learning complex combos will break Ignis. Ignis in general feels like a limitation, when I need to back off pressure and stop combos to de-summon her. On top of that, in my game play his rapid cancels and Distortions don't mix at all, so I'm always doing about 2500 damage a combo, which simply isn't enough. Terumi can do that much damage with his most basic combo, and he has some great reversal, counter, and basic wake up options that can do nearly 3K just on virtue of those alone. Get him going, and Terumi's damage output is insane. And of course, I don't have to worry about an Ignis holding me back, I just need to use heat as soon as possible so that I'm not wasting it, since his meter gain is so high. 90% of the time, following the command grab I can immediately follow it up with a distortion. I look forward to the day that I'm finally able to land a chain super, but it requires 100 heat.

[Deleted]

I knew the menu cursor rapidly moving on its own immediately before the battle was a bad omen. I think there's something wrong with my controller, it felt worse than usual to control this game this evening, which was a pain, because after the first two matches I was feeling more confident, and I was pulling off basic combos more efficiently.

But it was awful. Just awful. It just wouldn't respond at all the wrong moments, sometimes it wouldn't even let me run when I wanted it to. I might start practicing with the D-Pad. Good games regardless, you made fantastic use of Bang's movement nails.

EDIT: Not trying to make excuses, a lot of it was me sucking and whiffing, and about 90% of the time I felt as though I was in control, and was I was panicking less and feeling more confident than last night. But 10% is still a huge percentage, and I'm really starting to question if I'm playing this game using my preferred control scheme, I don't have the best time even when I feel as though the controller is working perfectly.

[Indigo]

I think I'm just gonna forget Bang's IAD combos... He can actually rack up about the same damage off easier combo routes, which aren't frame-perfect stuff. I felt like I did much better today just focusing on his neutral and normal combos and ping pong nail tags. I really want to learn some of his crazy Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan stuff though.

Anyway, I know what you mean. It's also that there's a bit of lag, which while barely there, does make a difference. Good luck with the D-pad. I wanted to use it but my controller came with a kinda jalopy one. Controllers are perfectly viable though, and Grover is proof of that... But I think the 360's controller is way better. With a nice smooth indent and a more controllable size, while the PS3's seems huge and protruding. Thankfully there exists cross-breeds... I'm thinking about getting something like this or this.

But if that random spazz you had on the character select wasn't you, you really have to replace that ASAP...

Anyway, I was proud of you. You started out blocking most of my attacks, and even long streams of Bullet's blockstrings. But then you stopped blocking on wake-up half the time. Still far better. I'm also learning that 2D isn't quite a blockstring at all... And I figured out Bang can easily use his drive to counter on reaction, and Bullet can do her low roll attack to avoid and counter. You were a bit SLICE AND DICE happy sometimes even when you had low meter... But overall you really improved your offensive and defensive especially. Couldn't quite beat you with Amane anymore... And when I did it was barely a win.

[Deleted]

Yeah, it's interesting to fight Amane but you really need to practice with him if you're interested in him.

SLICE AND DICE (6C) is a move like 2D that I hate using but always end up using anyway. I can control it better than 2D, but it's still a pain since I'm usually trying to use 5C or something.

The random spaz on the character select would be what happens when you hover over random. Nothing to do with the controller, I was just contemplating going random for a sec.

I'm really glad that I was able to start blocking stuff. Improved in one area at least! But I might actually pick up one of those cheap hybrid controllers, since I too preferred the 360 controller, right from the word go. For fighting games I prefer the position of the analogue stick. It felt like I always had to shift my inputs starting somewhere slightly to the left. When I first turned on Chrono Phantasama and tried controlling Relius, I could barely pull off 214A (which would actually mean that I had to shift slightly to the right for that particular input), it took me a long time to adjust and in some small way, I still think it bites me in the but. Sometimes notice how, when playing Relius, instead of following up with 236C, I'll sometimes through a gear off screen? 22C. I blame my controller.

Also, do you have it set so that every match automatically records? Unless you watch back literally every fight we ever have, you might want to go into the options menu and turn that off.

[Indigo]

They're cheap but have pretty good reviews... The red one has cheat buttons though.

I enjoyed your gear distortion whiffs. I was able to hero run for the finish there. Oh, and those evil Relius grabs were evil... Grabbing me out of my counter-teleports. But it's about time you learned how to deal with me abusing that off Ignis, I suppose.

Amane's not much of a combo character, so he can function fairly well without them. All his big damage comes from drilling everything, and his main playstyle is zoning... His big combos are wall stuff, and trying to break your barrier. If you normal block his level 3 drill, the damage is insane. He's a little too sissy for me to seriously consider playing him, but I love those drills. The problem with him that the vs. Terumi matchup is hit-or-miss. Amane has absolutely no anti-pressure tools, even his distortions have no invincibility, and pressure is Terumi's game... But once I swat you away I can give you a hard time.

I do have replay saving on though. Can't say I watch our matches... So that's why the victory quotes always last so long?

[Deleted]

Yeah, I always skip the victory quotes and wait about 10 seconds for you to get back to the room.

But yeah when I get caught by Amane's ground drill it was my impression that you're supposed to drop a second drill on my head while I'm busy blocking. You tried this once, but missed, and the ground drill was ending anyway. Spacing is never more important in this game than when Amane is in the battle.

[Indigo]

The ground drills are about his best setup, but they take forever to use, and have three very specific placements. It's like a two second process, which doesn't sound like a lot but fighting games are counted in microseconds. That's why most times I set one right in front of myself, because they take so long you can already be up and in the air by then so I just hope you land on it (and get punished nearly every time).

And the drill drop is also a rather slow move, and has a lot of endlag. But it's amazing because you can hold it as long as you want, so it's insta max drill level if it does hit. Otherwise when he has little breathing room, it's best to just throw out those massive drill normals. A simple level 3 drive attack (5D) does as much as a full combo and does like half of that to non-barrier block.

Still, Amane has many tools I'm not using. He has that amazing move where a hand comes out across the screen, slamming you back down if you jump. The hand only goes as far as the map, so it can keep you slammed in a corner, and it's a big part of his wall combos.

Amane's yet another character who has a power/level-up mechanic, go figure.

Makes me kinda sad Ken doesn't have one. Labrys does, go figure. And in hindsight Yosuke even has his own Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan...

[Deleted]

If you're looking for power up mechanics, go Junpei.

[Indigo]

Can't say I'm very fond of his style or character, even though he even starts glowing gold.

[Deleted]

Yup, my controller is broken. I went into the training mode today and flicking down left or down right causes Terumi to do a high double jump. Sometimes, he'll stay in a loop if I do nothing, jumping endlessly... time to get this thing fixed.

EDIT: My attempts to fix the thing haven't worked... While Terumi no longer jumps when holding down back or down right, he now jumps/cursors move up if I go to the right. I've also managed to do something to the triggers. They still work as well as they did before, but they've lost a lot of the tactile feedback. Will be going shopping to buy a new controller tomorrow.

Chrono Phantasama extend

[Indigo]

Guilty Gear Xrd is really the epitome of anime fighters...



I'm not sure if I'm getting it at this point, but wow.

The last Blazblue needs to have this new 3D format to end with a bang. Like... Bang's Astral Heat with this style. I'm not sure how they do it but their 3D just looks like incredible anime graphics. It's really quite... Revolutionary.

[Deleted]

It's not really revolutionary. 3D graphics have been made to look anime styled for at least a decade, fighting games not least among them. Ever played Marvel Vs Capcom for 3D anime graphics and dynamic camera angles or even Injustice if you're looking for overblown finishers? Yeah. Personally I find them distracting, especially since if you use a dust attack or a super the camera angle will change, obstructing your vision. Xrd also annoys me because it's missing more than half the cast from the last GG game, many of which I liked using. None of the new characters look interesting to me, and I've always preferred the feel of BlazBlue and Persona 4 Arena too.

But I'm not here to be negative. It's still Guilty Gear, and Guilty Gear is Guilty Gear, GG.

PERSONA 4 ULTIMAX! I love this game! Got some time to tinker around with the new characters. Not a huge amount of time, actually, but I've found myself gravitating towards Adachi and Marie. Mostly Marie, I don't think I've ever clicked with a fighting game character so fast. I can't wait to see how good I get with her after some more practice. Adachi's good and fun to use, and I'm better with him than a lot of members of the cast, but he can be difficult sometimes. I didn't like how Ken controlled at all, Koromaru feels much more stiff to control than Ignis. Rise was pretty fun, but I usually find myself going insane with projectiles rather than actually trying to form combos. Golden Arena mode is really fun too, it's like Abyss but I like it more, because it feels more like a Persona RPG with the themed stat ups and skills.

[Indigo]

Xrd has a special charm to it. You can't tell me it looks like other games before it... Yeah, I played UNvC3, and some of the Naruto games. They're... 3D. They look great and anime, but 3D. Xrd pulls something off with graphics where I literally thought it was an anime cutscene, before realizing it's all in-game cinematics. It's like an OVA.

Part of why I may miss out on Xrd is the lacking roster...it's missing a lot of the good classics. But it's understandable, since it's a brand new direction for the series.

Anyway, get ready later. We're gonna face ourselves later today pro-day-1-combos style.

[Deleted]

Technically day 2 for me but...

[Deleted]

The DDoS attacks on Sony appear to have affected me and I can't log onto the PSN. I'll keep trying throughout the evening but I might not be able to make it on today. We're dealing with a modern-day Grinch right here.

EDIT: Finally online. I'll be waiting for you in the Tartarus, Priestess lobby.