I see rank.

I gotta say that when online I definitely see my opponents rank and is really affects my play when the match starts. I realize it is completely psychosematic and rank more doesn't truly represent the skill level of the player. But let me explain.


When I see a player of higher rank, even before the match begins I have almost conceded that I am probably going to lose. Which in turn I find myself not playing confidently and in the event I end up winning I consider myself some what lucky.

In the event I am facing any sort of Kyu, I see the match as I have more than a good chance of winning the fight. Even after the match begins and my opponent obviously knows what there doing. I just play better when see the rank is lower than mine. Of course I don't think Kyu's are of a lower quality of player, and I absolutely lose to Kyu's all the time, but I find myself playing more confidently simply because of rank.

Anyone else find themselves doing this?

 

Welcome to VF... and just competition in general....

 

Fair enough. This is my first online game so it's all kind of new to me.

 

Always the chance that a Kyu is an experienced player that just picked the game up for Live recently, or the high Dan rank is a cord puller or someone using repetitive tactics that the majority of people haven't figured out how to beat yet.

In general just focus on watching what your opponent does, and fight your game. Don't worry about WHO the opponent is, just on what you need to do.

 

I still fight my fight but before the match even starts it's something I can't get out of my head. Just me.

 

I only play Player Match. Fuck rank.

 

Not sure if you've ever gone to a tourney, but if you try to associate player names with ranks, it could cost you big in the end. In this case, just always play your best and you'll rarely let yourself down.

In general (or for online), I'd say just play the way you want to play, whether that's playing to win, playing for fun, both etc. And you should get rid of the loser mentality thing, unnecessary mental block that hinders your fun and thinking.

 

Maybe instead of forgeting rank you can change your outlook. Don't think Higher Rank=Loss. Think Higher Rank=You gaining alot of points going towards a new rank for yourself when you beat them. You won't always no, but you'll have a better chance than letting it rattle you.

 

I think they did a good job or ranking in this game... Usually I can beat most Kyos (I'm 3d Dan) and then I have very intense battles with 1st dans - 4th dans... and then I get completely just beaten down like a little bitch by high dans. Like Akira 10th Dan guy from last night... WOW>.. I mean.. WOW... Or a 7th Dan Jacky... he beat the living bajesus out of me.

But anywho... I honestly don't think I'm a 3d Dan... I should still be in the Kyo ranks... not sure why it was so easy to get to 3d Dan, but I see myself staying there for a long long long time.

Ok, but back to the topic. Yes, I do the same thing... I see a 6th or higher Dan, and I know I'm in big trouble. But you know just cause someone is a high Dan doesn't mean that they have a lot of experiance with defending your specific character. To really be a VF Master I think you need to know all the characters pretty well so you know how to defend them. I know until I learn that Fei guy I'm always going to get creamed by him... I mean... WTF is that guy doing?! Looks like some martial arts sports illustrted issue.... Strike a pose! Then kick my ass /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

 

It's funny you say that CapnKill. Everyone of our top players have their kryptonite. Chibita from my understanding has an issue with Vanessa. But that's the kicker. These top players don't let themselves get beat down by a self-defeating prophesy just because someone plays a character they have issues with.

You can't expect to win them all, but you also can't just give up the ship at the first sign of a high ranking.

 

I started out feeling the same way. But after being utterly destroyed by a couple low kyu players (I remember a 1w-16l 9th kyu sarah completely shut me down at one point), and utterly destroying a few 5th+ dan players myself (I'm 3rd dan), I realized how meaningless rank really is.

Personally, I spent over two weeks as a 1st dan, cause I was only challenging the highest ranked players I could find, and never got around to fighting other 1st/2nd dans to rank up. I'm sure I gave a couple high ranked players a shock after killing them with a low rank and really high number of played games.

 

from what I've experienced online, your more likely to find competent players at 8th Dan upwards.
The higher you go the more the ranks will play out, and over time this trend should increase making it easier to choose your level of vs.

 

I have never truly given up the ship, in fact I have a decent amount of mayches from high ranking players. God there was this insanely good Akira that I was actually able to counter everything he put out. I even got a round off Juno, the only Master rank player I have met up with, at least I think I earned it.

The point of me starting the thread was to see if others saw ranks with certain stigmas or played any differntly when they saw them. Or was it just me.

 

Just when you think you actually won a real round against one of these master guys, they make it real clear real quick that they let you have it /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif Or that they were toying around. Point taken!

 

Well, like I said. To me, the rank of anyone I see becomes motivation. Anyone can floor you, from the lowliest kyu to the mightiest conquerer. Part of competitive gameplay is to just kick back and have fun. But ignore the records. Online they're meaningless. Instead, the offline play rankings are far more telling.

 

I like to use rank as a way to possibly size up an opponent I don't recognize right away. Normally it isn't the rank, but the win/loss percentage that usually prepares me for the skill of the player. Higher win percentage usually means either more competent player, or that a lag/puller is on my doorstep.

Rank matters to me if it is a significant difference. 3+ levels above usually means I need to buckle down and play ultra safe.