This Tekken 8 combo tutorial for beginners introduces the basic moves and button inputs required to perform simple, effective combinations.
So, you’re ready to enter the King of Iron Fist Tournament but feel lost with all the buttons? Don’t worry! This Tekken 8 combo tutorial for beginners will get you started. We’ll break down the very first steps to stringing together attacks.
Forget complex juggles for now. We’ll focus on learning a few basic inputs that lead into powerful hits. This will give you a solid foundation to start winning matches in Tekken 8.
Tekken 8 Combo Tutorial for Beginners
Alright, you’ve jumped into the exciting world of Tekken 8, and you’re ready to start laying down some serious damage! But those fancy combos you see the pros pulling off seem like magic, right? Don’t worry, we’re here to break it all down for you, step-by-step. This guide is all about helping beginners like you learn how to perform combos in Tekken 8, making you a force to be reckoned with in no time. We’ll start with the basics and work our way up, so grab your controller and let’s get to it!
Understanding Tekken 8’s Control Scheme
Before we dive into combos, it’s super important to understand how Tekken 8 handles its controls. Unlike some fighting games that use complex button combinations, Tekken 8 uses a relatively simple system. Here’s a quick rundown:
Left Punch (1): Usually mapped to the square or X button on your controller. This is your go-to for quick jabs and pokes.
Right Punch (2): Typically the triangle or Y button. Often used for stronger strikes and launchers.
Left Kick (3): Usually the cross or A button. These can be used for quick attacks, low pokes, or to trip your opponent.
Right Kick (4): Mapped to the circle or B button. Similar to right punches, they are generally more powerful.
Directional Buttons (D-Pad or Analog Stick): Used for moving your character around the arena, ducking, and jumping. You’ll also use them in combination with buttons for specific moves.
Understanding these basic controls will form the foundation for everything we do, because those combos need button presses. It’s like learning the alphabet before you can write a sentence! Take some time to get familiar with them. Practice just walking around, trying out the different punches and kicks. Knowing what button does what is half the battle!
Basic Movement Techniques
Before we start hitting buttons together for combos, let’s quickly cover movement. Movement in Tekken 8 is vital to getting close enough to hit, or getting away to not be hit. You’ll want to master the following basic moves:
Walking: Gently push the D-pad or analog stick in the direction you want to move.
Running: Double tap the D-pad or analog stick forward to start a run. This will let you close the gap quicker.
Back-dashing: Tap backwards quickly two times. This can help you get out of the way of incoming attacks.
Sidestepping: Tap up or down lightly, then hold to sidestep around your opponent. This move will be your friend in avoiding linear attacks and finding the best angle to strike from.
Movement is your defense and offense, so practice this as much as possible. You’d be surprised how far good movement can get you.
The Concept of a “String”
Okay, now for the good stuff: combos! In Tekken 8, combos are usually called “strings”. These are preset sequences of moves that flow together. They are predesigned to link together so that the opponent has a hard time getting away. For the most part, the buttons you press for these are going to be the same every time you do it. Think of strings like a recipe, you have to use the right ingredients in the right order to make something tasty. The same is true for strings, you have to press the right buttons, in the right order.
Some strings are simple, only 2 or 3 hits. Others are much longer and involve complex button combinations. For beginners, focusing on short and simple strings is the most effective way to learn. Remember, consistency is key. It’s better to hit a simple string reliably than try to learn a hard one you can’t repeat.
Simple Beginner Strings
Let’s learn some beginner strings that work well for almost all characters. These are easy to learn and will get you dealing damage in no time:
1, 2 String
This is probably the most basic string in Tekken. Press the left punch button (1) followed quickly by the right punch button (2). It’s a fast, safe string for poking at your opponent, or as the start to a longer string. Practice the timing to make sure they connect properly. Most characters have something similar to a 1,2.
1, 1 String
Similar to the 1,2 string, except this one uses the left punch button (1) twice in a row. Sometimes this will open the door to another string. For example, some characters will do a low kick after two left punches. This string is a great way to find openings.
2, 1 String
This is another basic string. Press the right punch (2) followed by the left punch (1). It’s fast, simple, and you can work off this to learn other strings. You’ll be surprised how much damage a 2,1 can do if you use it correctly.
Low Kick, 1
This string starts with a low kick, usually button (3), followed by a left punch (1). The low kick is meant to cause your opponent to block low, and the punch is meant to catch them if they don’t. This can be useful to mix up your attacks, and make them guess what you are going to do next.
Practice Makes Perfect
Take these strings and hit the practice arena. If you don’t practice, you won’t be able to do any of these when you’re playing for real. Focus on being accurate and consistent. Don’t worry about trying to hit them fast, just learn the motions. Once you can hit them consistently, speed will come naturally.
Understanding Launchers
Now, let’s add a little more power to your combos with launchers. Launchers are moves that, when they hit, send your opponent flying into the air. This lets you follow up with another attack or string of attacks for massive damage. You might have seen these in pro tournaments, and thought they were impossible. But, they are easier than they seem!
Common Launcher Moves
Here are a couple of common launcher types to know:
Uppercuts: Many characters have uppercut moves, usually performed by pressing forward and a punch button at the same time (like forward + 2). These are excellent launchers.
Sweeps: Some characters have low sweeps that can launch an opponent that is not blocking low. A character-specific low sweep could be down + kick button. They can be hard to react to.
The specific button combination to do a launcher will vary between characters, so head to the practice arena and check the moves list for your character to find what move will launch your opponent.
Following Up a Launch
After you successfully launch an opponent, you have a small window to continue your attack. These next attacks are part of the combo you’re doing. Remember the string we talked about before? Well now we can add them after the launcher! Most people will use an attack that pushes the opponent forward. This will allow them to keep hitting the enemy without them falling down,
For example, if you launch with an uppercut and your character has a 1,2 string that moves forward, you can follow up the launcher with that 1,2 string. There is a small window of opportunity to get this right, so keep practicing!
The Importance of Practice Mode
The practice mode in Tekken 8 is your best friend. It’s the place to try out new moves, practice combos, and really get a feel for your chosen character. You can slow down the action, see what inputs you need, and even practice against an opponent.
Here are some reasons why you should spend a lot of time in practice mode:
Learning Characters: Take the time to learn the moves of each character, especially your main character. Knowing what buttons and button combinations to press is key to being a good player.
Trying out new combinations: When you have a new string you want to try, practice mode will let you test it out and practice the timing before going into a real match. This is vital to developing combos that work for you.
Perfecting execution: Sometimes you will need to practice a string 100 times, or even 1000 times before it feels natural. That’s okay! Consistent practice will make you a better player.
Understanding frame data: While not as essential for beginners, practice mode allows you to see frame data, which is how quickly a move starts and recovers. It’s something to learn later when you are more experienced, but it’s important.
Practice makes perfect. In order to get good at Tekken 8, you are going to have to spend some time in this mode.
Learning Character-Specific Combos
While the general concepts apply to all characters, each character has their own unique strings and launchers. The best way to find these is to look at your character’s move list in practice mode, and experiment!
Here are the steps to learn character-specific combos:
- Check the move list: See what moves your character has, and which moves move forward. This is important when choosing which moves to string together.
- Start with simple strings: Start with those simple strings we talked about at the beginning, and add your character’s moves into the combo. Some characters may work better with one string, and others another.
- Find launchers: Look for moves that launch your opponent, and then think of what to do after that launch. That’s the most important part of getting a good, damaging combo.
- Practice timing: Tekken requires precision. It’s not just about pressing the buttons; it’s about pressing them with the right timing and speed. Use the practice mode to adjust to the timing.
- Watch other players: Watch how other players use your character. Pro players have spent hours figuring out the best combos for each character. See what they do, and steal some of their ideas!
There’s a big difference between what you can do in the practice mode, and what you can do when you are in an actual match. When you are playing against a human, they are going to move and try to block your attacks. Being good at Tekken is all about using all these things at once, and making good decisions.
Tips for Applying Combos in Matches
So, you’ve learned some combos in practice mode. Now it’s time to use them in real matches. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Don’t be predictable: If you do the same combo over and over, your opponent will figure it out. Make sure that you vary your approach, and use different options.
Look for openings: Don’t just throw out combos randomly. Wait for an opening, like when your opponent whiffs a move, and then attack. You also have to think about your spacing. If you are too far away you can’t hit them.
Don’t get greedy: Sometimes it’s better to do a small combo than try for a big one and get punished for it. It is better to get small hits that add up, than try to make some crazy 10 hit combo that never connects.
Mix in throws: Don’t forget about throws! They can help you open up your opponent. A good mix of striking and throwing will be hard to read.
Be patient: You won’t be a master overnight. It takes time and practice to learn combos and use them effectively in real matches. Be patient, keep practicing, and you’ll get there.
The most important thing to do is to keep playing and learning. The more you play, the better you’ll get at Tekken 8. This guide is a starting point to help you on your journey, and now it’s up to you to put in the work and learn the game.
Now, go get in there and start practicing those combos! You’ll be pulling off impressive strings and launchers in no time. Remember to be patient with yourself, and most of all, have fun. This game has a high skill ceiling, but anyone can learn to play and have a good time. The best way to learn is to just play and experiment, and find what works for you.
This guide gave you the foundation for doing combos in Tekken 8. Now, it’s time to put in the effort, and learn what works best for you. Remember, you have to put in the hours if you want to see improvements. Keep practicing, and keep playing, and you will do just fine.
How To Play Tekken 8: The Ultimate Beginner Guide
Final Thoughts
This Tekken 8 combo tutorial for beginners provides a starting point. Practice the basic strings and launcher moves. Consistent training will improve your timing and execution. This allows you to apply the combos in matches.
Beginners should focus on one or two characters. Learning their basic move set thoroughly helps. These foundational skills help build more complex combos. It is crucial to drill the timing on those moves.
This simple approach, which this ‘Tekken 8 combo tutorial for beginners’ emphasizes, is key. Applying this information is the path to improvement. Consistency is vital to see actual results in your matches.
