So, to all addicts....

to everyone preaching to me, tell me, how do I get better?

I didn't write a dissertation on this perhaps one of you could send me yours. I'm assuming I'd have to play in dojo mode and practice like every move in practically every situation to see how well it works

 

If it gets to the point where it feels like I'm studying for a test, then wtf

 

Depends how far you want to take it. You don't have to practice at all if but just don't be bitter if you can't beat the people you want to.

 

Sadly there's no win button for this game (if there is I haven't fount it yet)

Like most things, if you want to get good at something it takes time & effort

Not really sure what you were expecting...

 

No need to write a dissertation silly, just put on your iron shoes and iron shirt and run up and down a mountain for a couple of episodes then your power level will be over 9.000 /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

It's just like a sport. Can't just pickup basketball and expect to understand the game on the same level or be able to physically compete on the same level until you've put in the proper time.

 

Try things in Dojo and spend more time honing your skills in Player match.

 

In the temple there are three kinds of of men. Students, disciples, and masters. Development of the mind can be achieved only when the body has been disciplined. To accomplish this the
masters have taught us to imitate God's creatures.

From the crane we learn grace and self control.
The snake teaches us suppleness and rhythmic endurance.
The praying mantis teaches us speed and patience.
And from the tiger we learn tenacity and power.And from
the dragon, we learn to ride the wind.[/size]

Between the supple silence of the snake and the eagle's claws, there is only harmony.

Perceive the way of nature, and no force of man can harm you. Do not meet a wave head on. Avoid it. You do not have to stop force. It is easier to redirect it. See the way of VF as a stream. A man floats, and his way is smooth. The same man turning to fight upstream exhausts himself. To be one with the universe, each must find his true path, and follow it.

<span style='font-size: 17pt'>When a man has nothing, it is then he is most able to raise himself up. When we dream the things we wish for happen by magic. When we wake, we know without effort a man is less than nothing.[/size]
</span>

 

You really have to put in the time if you want to be better. I'm at a point where I know enough to enjoy moderate success but for me to advance as a player now I'll have to work harder at it than I have before.

Unfortunately I lack that drive. With offline competition for me being a rarity I don't have any real desire to get any better than I am.

Although, a couple of Glaswegian punters have said they would like to learn VF. Maybe if I show them the basics and try not to frighten them off I can create some sort of offline scene where I am.

It's the drive to get better that separates players, I can't just say " Work on ETEG" and expect you to improve. People learn things differently if you truly want to get better you will find what works for you.

I can however offer you one solid tip on self improvement...

Record your losses, especially the ones where you get completely stomped. Watch them back when you have some free time and put yourself in your opponent's shoes.

You cannot learn anything from a win.

 

read the wiki. twice.

 

Play people better than you and pay attention to what is happening. Try to reproduce what they do and look for info here and ask people about it. You can also ask the people you play if they did something that you dont understand.

Eventually you will get better.

 

My biggest advice, and it will improve your game is this: Watch your matches and play your matches with a solid understanding that the back bone of the game is mid attack/throw mixup vs disadvantages and advantages. Mid to punish duck or attack on disadvantage, throw to punish block at anytime. Sounds so simple, but this is the very center of the spiders web, the first stone in the ripple. Everything we do stems from this underlying guessing game. Realize, delays are used against an opponent who fuzzy's. pp strings are a quick hitting attack used to mixup mid attacks. Circulars are used to punish people who evade...it may seem hard to pin the game down to its core, but i garauntee if you decide to make the lynch pin of your offense "i will mid attack you, and i will throw you" and work on textbook defenses to ur disadvantages and u are on your way to developing something nasty. Also, it is a superb starting point to truly understanding ur characters moves with special properties. It is such a beautiful game.

 

This is the secret of secrets. Master how you lose, why you lose and when you lose, and the path to winning will take care of itself.

Wise words sifu Seidon

 

master po calm down with your leaping tiger, voodoo kung fu stuff, you can actually learn something from a match you won.

 

Where can I find this snake plz.

 

Yeah, you learn that you were actually better than someone or you were extremely lucky.

 

We learn this at Shaolin and Dojo Chiquanshu

Works in progress below. As we have time we will fill
them in.

http://www.chiquanshu.org/kung_fu/animal_styles.html
http://www.chiquanshu.org/images/animal/swim_dragon.gif

 

It's definitely important to learn from your losses (particularly in what NOT to do next time). Win or lose though, I try to learn from both. 'Course you got some folks with 10000+ under their belts and ain't learn a damn thing. Then you got guys like me with 3000+ and still have lots to learn. Only thing I'm gonna preach right now is using your strengths AND weaknesses to your advantage. Oh yeah, having a foundation is important too.

 

Only once you accept your weaknesses can you truly begin to conquer them.

/MasterPo

 

Not quite true. You can still observe how your opponent plays, what options he chooses and so on. It all depends on YOUR attitude toward playing. Are you trying to learn or just playing on autopilot.