Tekken 8 how to use aerial attacks involves initiating them with specific jump inputs followed by attack buttons, often requiring precise timing and situational awareness.
Want to dominate in Tekken 8? A key aspect of victory lies in understanding how to use aerial attacks effectively. These moves can open up opponents, create mix-ups and extend combos.
Proper execution of jump attacks gives you a real edge. It’s not just about randomly jumping; it’s about precise timing and knowing when to take to the air. This knowledge allows you to punish opponent’s mistakes and pressure them.
Tekken 8 How to Use Aerial Attacks
Welcome, fight fans! Get ready to take your game to the next level. Aerial attacks in Tekken 8 are not just about looking cool; they are vital tools to control the pace of a fight, confuse your opponent, and land some serious damage. This guide will help you understand how to use these attacks like a pro. We’ll break down the different types of aerial moves, when to use them, and how to practice them effectively. Get ready to soar!
Understanding Aerial Attacks in Tekken 8
Before we dive into the details, it’s essential to understand what aerial attacks are and why they’re so important. In Tekken 8, aerial attacks are moves that get your character off the ground, whether it’s a small hop or a full-fledged jump. These attacks can provide unique advantages, letting you bypass low attacks, create mix-ups, and apply pressure from unexpected angles. They also play a key role in extending combos and maximizing damage potential. However, these attacks often come with the risk of being countered if you don’t use them at the right time. The key here is to learn to read your opponent and know when to take to the air!
Types of Aerial Attacks
Let’s explore the different kinds of aerial moves you’ll encounter:
- Jumping Attacks: These are your basic jump punches and kicks. They are often quick and cover decent distance. Characters generally use forward jump attacks which usually consist of a punch or kick which makes them good tools for closing in on your opponent.
- Hop Kicks: These are small hops followed by a kick. They can evade low attacks and set up combo opportunities when they hit. These kicks usually provide a good amount of range and a decent amount of damage, making them a favorite amongst many Tekken players.
- Leap Attacks: These attacks are bigger, covering more ground and sometimes involve a longer animation. Leap attacks can cross up the opponent and provide a greater damage potential, but are usually punishable when they don’t hit.
- Special Aerial Moves: Many characters have unique aerial attacks specific to their move set. These are usually variations of the attacks mentioned above, but have special attributes, like increased damage, specific tracking, or combo extensions. For example, Kazuya’s Demon God Fist, which involves a leap into the air and a downward punch which is a vital component to his move set.
When to Use Aerial Attacks
Knowing when to use aerial attacks is just as important as knowing how to perform them. Here are a few key situations to try them:
Punishing Low Attacks
If your opponent uses a lot of low attacks, jumping attacks and hop kicks can be an effective way to punish them. Many low attacks leave your opponent vulnerable during their animation recovery, giving you an opportunity to get air and hit them from above, while simultaneously avoiding their attack, leading to punish combos.
Creating Mix-Ups
Mix-ups are when you force your opponent to guess. By alternating between aerial attacks, throws, and grounded attacks, you make it harder for your opponent to predict your moves. This is very important in Tekken 8 because it makes you less predictable and makes it harder for the opponent to react to your moves. For example, after a few grounded hits, you could jump or hop kick, or simply grab them, forcing them to make a reaction, giving you the advantage.
Extending Combos
Many combos in Tekken 8 involve a launch followed by aerial attacks to extend the combo further. For example, after a successful launch, you may want to use a hop kick to juggle the opponent, and then follow with a special move to end the combo. Many combos consist of these juggle mechanics, making aerials a necessary component to master in Tekken 8.
Applying Pressure
Using aerial attacks can apply pressure to your opponent, forcing them to block and react, instead of giving them the opportunity to counter-attack. This can help you gain the initiative and make your opponent feel overwhelmed. Some characters have special moves in the air that allow them to maintain momentum, such as a forward moving attack. By using these moves correctly, you can continuously apply pressure to your opponent, never giving them the opportunity to breathe.
Closing the Distance
Some characters possess the ability to leap forward with a move, making it easier to close the distance and continue the attack on the opponent. These moves also provide a greater level of mobility, allowing you to navigate the stage and reposition yourself. This is extremely important in Tekken 8 because certain characters are weak when you get close, so closing the distance can give you the advantage.
How to Execute Aerial Attacks
Now, let’s get into the specifics of performing these attacks. Execution can vary slightly from character to character, but the general principles apply to all:
Basic Jumping Attacks
To perform a simple jumping attack, press forward on the directional pad, followed by a button input for a punch or kick. This command is usually listed in the character’s move list. Practice the timing to get the feel for your character’s moves. Different characters can have different attacks that they can perform after the initial jump. For example, some characters can follow a jump with a kick, and then a punch, allowing you to chain together different attacks.
Performing Hop Kicks
Hop kicks usually involve a quick tap of the up directional input, or a forward tap and then a kick. You must be precise with your timing for the hop kick to successfully land. The command inputs can also vary between characters, so make sure to consult your character’s move list. Hop kicks are very useful to punish low attacks and set up juggle opportunities.
Advanced Aerial Moves
Advanced aerial moves often have more complex inputs, sometimes involving quarter circle motions or directional inputs with multiple button presses. Make sure to carefully go through your character’s move list, and find different variations of attacks that can be performed in the air. For example, some characters have mid-air command grabs. Each character has unique moves, making it vital to take the time to go through their specific list, so you can become familiar with all of the moves that they are able to perform.
Practice Makes Perfect
No one becomes an aerial master overnight. Here are some tips to practice your aerial moves effectively:
Training Mode
Training mode is your best friend. Practice executing aerial attacks repeatedly until you can perform them consistently. Some moves have very specific inputs and timings, requiring a lot of repetitions in order to master them. You should also experiment with different attack variations after a successful jump, to see which combinations you can come up with.
Character-Specific Drills
Each character has unique aerial moves and combo variations. Spend time learning what is special about your chosen fighter. For example, if you chose Kazuya, you will need to spend some time learning how to do his Devil transformation. It’s very character-specific, requiring dedicated practice. Certain characters can also perform moves mid-air, making their aerial game significantly different than other characters.
Combos
Practice linking aerial attacks into your combos. Learn which attacks can juggle the opponent and which moves will allow you to follow up with more damage. This will also help you understand the different timings that exist in Tekken 8. Combo timings vary between different character and moves, and they also vary based on your opponent’s character. This is very important to practice in training mode.
Record and Analyze
Record yourself playing and analyze when your aerial attacks were effective and when they were not. This can help you refine your strategy and timing. You may notice that certain timings don’t work, and that certain moves are very effective when you apply them in a specific fashion. Every attack in Tekken has certain strengths and weaknesses. Learning when to use each move can be very important.
Advanced Tips for Aerial Combat
Once you have the basics down, here are some advanced tips to make your aerial combat even better:
Vary Your Timing
Don’t always perform aerial attacks at the same timing. Sometimes delay your attacks slightly, or use feints to throw off your opponent. You can hop and jump, but not attack, or use an attack that can cancel it’s animation, or you can try and make your attack a little bit slower, by delaying the input. By varying your timing, you can make your moves more unpredictable, giving you a significant advantage over your opponent.
Use Air Movement
Tekken 8 has very precise movement in the air. Learn how to control your character’s movements while in the air, making you more difficult to predict. You can vary your height and how long you spend in the air by slightly changing the timing of your jumps. This is very important when you want to mix up your approach and become a more dynamic fighter. Some characters can also change directions mid-air, making their approach even more difficult to predict.
Be Aware of Vulnerabilities
Aerial attacks can leave you vulnerable if your opponent reads you. Be mindful of characters with good anti-air moves and avoid predictable attack patterns. Some characters can launch you out of the air with a counter, giving them the advantage. This is why it is vital to mix up your moveset, so that your opponent can’t rely on your patterns.
Watch Pro Players
Watch how experienced Tekken players use aerial attacks in high-level matches. You can gain a lot of inspiration from watching how pros apply their attacks in a specific context. Many pro players have created some very unique and dynamic move patterns, which can give you ideas to explore in your own game. They also know how to move very precisely, using the game mechanics to their advantage.
Experiment!
The best way to get better at Tekken is to experiment. Don’t be afraid to try out new aerial attacks and see what works best for you and your character. By trying out all the possibilities that Tekken 8 has to offer, you can master the game mechanics, and apply it in your match game. Tekken 8 has a high ceiling of mastery, and the only way to reach that potential is to explore and experiment all the possibilities.
Aerial attacks are a fantastic component of the Tekken 8 combat system. They add an extra layer of strategy and variety that allows you to make dynamic and engaging combats. By taking the time to understand the different types of moves, you’ll be well on your way to winning some of your matches. So get out there, jump into practice mode, and start making your opponents afraid of your moves!
Tekken Tips – The Most Important Wake Up Option
Final Thoughts
Effectively using aerial attacks requires practice and timing. Learn specific character launchers and follow up with proper juggles. Remember that opponents can interrupt your air game.
Knowing when to jump and choosing correct attack string will give you the advantage. Also understand frames and recovery time during your Tekken 8 how to use aerial attacks. This will greatly improve your overall gameplay.
Experiment with different air combos to find what works best for your playstyle. Proper usage of air attacks is essential for higher level play in Tekken 8 how to use aerial attacks.
