VF5FS Goh Start Guide #1

Hi, I'm Midi, a Goh player from Hachiōji, Tokyo. Thanks for checking out this blog post. When you buy a new game do you read the manual? I sure don't. I just can't wait to start playing. If you're like me, then this is the blog for you. Here you'll learn how to beat the CPU in Arcade mode for starters, and then beat players of the same rank and experience.

I'll introduce the basic moves and strats for beginners in another post, so for players who have a general grasp of VF's system should look there. For starters, there's 3 things I'd like to discuss:

• Know your combos!
• Opponents who stand and guard? Throw them!
• Tactics!

Do all of this and you'll starting winning games right off the bat.

Know your combos!(top)

Goh is an assassin, right? Use combos to murder your opponents. I'll go over 4 combos for all you fledgling assassins out there.

Many combos require hit-checking (seeing if your attack successfully connects before following up). This requires a lot of practice and repetition, but when you get the hang of it your game will improve immensely. I'll go into detail for the beginners but players who know the game can skip over those parts.

1. , ,
The first attack is speedy, and the rest is Goh's standard, basic combo; a combo you'll be seeing a lot of when playing as him. At the first timing the second to hit may be tricky. can be hard to get used to, practice this in the dojo until it becomes second nature. Before executing the last , make sure you return the input direction to neutral (let go of the directional buttons or stick) and then enter and at the same time.

2. , , and , ,
Both of these combos start by launching the opponent and finish like the combo mentioned above. Use whichever launcher you like, but for those interested here's comparison of the two:

3. CH or crouch hit, ,
This is a combo off . If the initial counter hits or hits a croucher use the follow-up to launch them. Hit check , if it counter hits you'll see a yellow flash, that's your cue to follow with . This is quite a damaging combo, it also carries well so you can use it to take opponents to the wall or go for a ringout.

4. CH, , ,
A combo off a counter-hit knee, an excellent move to begin with. This combo will strip opponents of nearly half their health. Looks hard to hit but it isn't, really. Amongst beginners you can hit this a lot, so don't be shy trying it. As soon as that counter hits (look for the yellow flash) follow with . That's probably the hardest part because if you're not quick enough you'll drop the combo right there. Train yourself to hit check, and master this move. This combo's destructive power is awesome. If you're having trouble telling the difference between normal and counter hits just go to after hits for the time being.

Online, latency can really screw with your CH, attempts. If that's the case, use CH, or CH, // (Goh's crouch throws).

Using combos to whittle away your opponent's health bar is an important element to winning games. The console versions of VF5FS have great training modes for this. Go to Dojo> Free Training and set the CPU to Guard/Normal hit, Guard/Counter hit or Normal hit/Counter hit to practice your hit checking. Then, play through the Arcade mode and practice. Whatever you do, just make sure you're having fun practicing!

Opponents who stand and guard? Throw them!(top)

Goh is an assassin well-versed in Judo. As such, the damage and effectiveness of his throws are top class. Once your opponents become wary of the combos I introduced they'll start to guard more, and this is where Goh's throws come in.

- This is Goh's most damaging throw. Tricky at first, just make sure you complete the full range of motion from to . You'll get the hang of it. Practice makes perfect.

- Goh's second most damaging throw. Not that much damage difference to the above. Goh drives his knee into his opponent's stomach and flings them behind him, a very Judo-esque kind of move. Same as above, make sure you complete the full range of motion from to to execute it.

, , , - The 2 throws I mentioned above are tough to do at first, so use these if you're still having trouble.

and are very cool wall throws that can only be performed when the opponent is backed up against one. They are also the most damaging but trying to do them too often will get you punished. These moves are so cool that when you hit one of them you should just sit back and bask in the glory.

You may be asking yourself, "What about and throws from Tsukami?"
The short story; you don't need them at this point. By the time you've beaten 100 people or so with throws alone you'll naturally know where they fit in your game. I'll go over those in a later post though.

Tactics!(top)

Once you've mastered combo and throw basics you'll be ready to really take the fight to the opponent. As a beginner, don't worry too much about throw escapes and evading. They take time to use well so if you focus too much on them in the early stages of your devepment you'll just end up eating uneccessary damage and missing other opportunities. Once you understand how your character works and you're used to the game's mechanics it'll be much easier to implement them.

At close distances(top)

Use and a lot! If either connects, show off your combo skills! Diverting their attention with a fast move like , or before trying and can work wonders. When they start guarding more, go for throws.

If you think there's a chance the opponent's attack may beat out yours, guard. As you're guarding, always look out for chances to punish your opponent's moves. If you're unsure, when you guard a move that looks slow, or has a slow recovery, I recommend retaliating with fast strike. Generally speaking:

• Your attacks hit- Your opponent likes to abare. Go to work with your striking attacks to suppress and defeat them, but don't try to throw them because you'll get hit.
• Your attacks get guarded- Your opponent favors a stiff defence. The next time you see them lock up, throw them.
• Your attacks get evaded- Watch out. Your opponent is no beginner, and could be quite dangerous. Try to see patterns in their movement and act accordingly.

At middle distances(top)

The distance that you start the round from, if not a little farther. Use , and a lot! Be careful that you don't whiff, though. If you don't want the opponent getting too close use . If you think they'll attack, guard. Remember to watch for your chance to counter attack! This is very important.

At long distances(top)

A distance where neither player's attacks will connect. Don't just throw out attacks you know won't connect. If you're at a distance you can hit , use that to get in close. You can also just guard as your opponent approaches or dash in yourself. Just get close enough so your attacks have a chance of connecting.

Additional Q&A(top)

Q.　What should I do if my combo is guarded?
A.　They'll most probably try to attack or throw you. If you think the opponent will try to attack, just guard. If you think they'll throw, abare with a fast attack to beat them. Remember that VF is all about playing rock-scissors-paper, guard defeats strikes, throws defeat guard, and strikes defeat throws.

Q.　I eat attacks as I'm walking towards the opponent. What should I do?
A.　Basically, you should be dashing to approach your opponent. You'll get killed if you just stroll towards them. Goh has attacks that advance toward the opponent too, use them.

Q.　I got completely blown up by a character I'm not familiar with. Damn!
A.　This will happen when you're starting out, and is a road we all have to take. Don't give up, and adopt a 'kill or be killed' approach.

Q.　I want to use a particular move more, is that a bad thing?
A.　Of course not. Use moves you like as much as you like! Thinking about how to use the moves you like and how to include them in strings is the real thrill of fighting games.

And now you're ready to fight the CPU, and then take the fight online where you can start your conquest!

From the author(top)

There's a lot that needs to be covered when writing a blog like this. Basic skills and strategy at frame advantage/disadvantage coming soon! I'm on XBL so if you see 'Midi117' hit me up for some games!

Midi

Source: Midi's VF5FS Beginner's Blog post
Author: Midi
Translator: Modelah