Tekken 8 Projectile Strategies Explained

Tekken 8 Projectile Strategies

Okay, Tekken fans! Let’s talk about something that can really shake up a fight in Tekken 8: projectiles! Now, not every character throws fireballs or lasers, but in Tekken terms, a projectile is any move that travels across the screen and hits from a distance. These aren’t just for show; they are actually powerful tools that can help you control the pace of the match, force your opponent to make mistakes, and even win rounds!

Understanding Projectiles in Tekken 8

First things first, let’s understand what we mean by projectiles in Tekken 8. In most fighting games, when we say projectile, we picture fireballs. Tekken works a little differently. Here are a few types of projectiles you might see:

• Standard Projectiles: These are your typical ranged attacks, like Raven’s throwing knives, or certain moves by characters like Leroy Smith. They travel across the screen, hitting opponents from afar. They’re usually used to keep distance or interrupt enemy attacks.
• Low Projectiles: These travel along the ground and can hit opponents who are standing. They are very useful for catching opponents off guard. Some characters have low projectiles which are very good to pressure the opponent
• Tracking Projectiles: Some projectiles can slightly change direction during flight. They are very useful in stopping the sidestepping. These types of projectiles are particularly dangerous for opponents who rely heavily on sidestepping
• Special Projectiles: Some projectiles are part of a character’s unique fighting style. Examples include Alisa’s chainsaws, and they can have special properties like hitting multiple times or having a unique hitbox.

It is important to know which character uses which type of projectile because they are not all the same. Some are fast but do less damage, and some are slower and powerful. Different projectiles also have different properties, such as whether they can be blocked high or low, or even if they can’t be blocked.

Why Use Projectiles?

Projectiles aren’t just for looking cool. They give a lot of strategic options in Tekken 8. Here are a few of them:

• Control Distance: Projectiles help you keep your opponent away. If your opponent likes to get in close, a well-timed projectile can stop them in their tracks.
• Poking and Harassment: Use projectiles to bother your opponent. You don’t always need to land a big hit. Sometimes, just making them block or move can create openings.
• Interrupt Opponent’s Attacks: If you see your opponent charging up a slow attack, a fast projectile can interrupt them.
• Mind Games: Sometimes, simply showing that you have a projectile will make your opponent change their strategy. This is called mind game.
• Setting Up Offensives: Some projectiles can make opponent duck or move forward, giving opportunities to attack.

Key Projectile Characters in Tekken 8

While almost every character has some move that travels, some are way better at projectile-based strategies. Here are a few characters who are well-known for projectiles:

Raven

Raven is a master of using long-range attacks. He has a variety of throwing knives that can be used in many different ways to attack your opponents. Raven has standard and slow knives, and he can mix them up to pressure the opponents. Raven’s projectile are very useful to make opponent approach them.

Leroy Smith

Leroy uses his cane to deliver quick low-to-mid ranged projectiles. His projectiles are hard to predict, and they’re often part of his offense. Leroy’s projectiles are very good at catching opponents when they try to attack or approach. Leroy projectiles allow him to control the pace of the match and force opponent to make mistakes.

Alisa Bosconovitch

Alisa’s Chainsaw is a unique projectile which can create various opportunities. This is an example of a special projectile with multiple hit properties and unique use cases. Alisa’s Chainsaw is a great tool to keep distance.

Other Notable Characters

Other characters with useful projectiles include but are not limited to:

• Akuma (Fireballs): Akuma’s fireballs are traditional Tekken projectiles. He can throw them fast or slow, high or low.
• Lars Alexandersson (Electric Projectiles): Lars uses electricity-based attacks which act like projectiles that help him pressure the opponent.
• Nina Williams (Guns): Nina uses her guns as a way to pressure the opponent and catch the opponent off guard.

These character are the most common example of projectile focused fighters, but every character has some move that act like projectile, so make sure to check them out in practice mode.

Effective Projectile Strategies

Now that we know about different types of projectiles, lets look at some ways you can use them effectively:

Poking and Zoning

Poking with projectile means using them to annoy the enemy and control the distance. By using projectiles, you can make your opponent to get near you to attack you. Here are some tips for using projectile for poking:

• Use them at the right distance: Not too close to get punished and not so far they become useless
• Vary the timing: Don’t throw the projectiles too fast or else it can be easily predicted, and use some gaps.

Pressure and Offense

Some projectiles can be used to pressure opponent or set up attacks. For pressure, you can spam the projectiles to make the opponent block or move. If the opponent is blocking projectiles, you can try to move closer to attack them when they are blocking.

Some projectiles may lead to a setup. For example, if an opponent is forced to block a low projectile, they may be vulnerable to high attack or grab.

Interrupting Opponent’s Attacks

A well-timed projectile can stop your opponent if they try to use a big attack. By interrupting, you can turn the tides. If you think your opponent is going to do a big move, throw a fast projectile to stop them. But if your opponent is going to do a quick attack, the projectiles may not be effective. This is why it is important to study opponent’s attack style.

Mind Games with Projectiles

Sometimes, just the threat of a projectile can make your opponent behave in a certain way. This is what we call mind games. For example, if you use a projectile in the match, the opponent may be scared to attack directly, and you can take this advantage. You can use the projectile to create a pattern then suddenly change the pattern.

Countering Projectiles

Projectiles are very useful in a fight, but they can also be countered. Here are some tips:

Blocking

The most basic way to deal with projectiles is to block. Most projectiles can be blocked high or low, but some may require special block. You should try to block more projectiles so that you can counterattack more easily.

Sidestepping

Sidestepping can help you avoid some projectiles. Some projectiles do not have good tracking, so you can use sidestepping to make them miss. But some projectiles have tracking and they can follow you, so make sure to understand the projectile before side stepping.

Jumping

Some projectiles can also be avoided by jumping. If you expect a low projectile, you can jump over them. But you have to be careful because opponent can also attack you while jumping.

Punishing

If you block projectile, you may have an opportunity to punish. Some projectiles leave the enemy open to attacks if they use them from up close. So, if you block the projectile, you may have a change to counter attack.

Projectiles

Another very good way to counter projectiles is with projectiles. If an opponent is using projectiles to annoy you, you can use projectile of your own to counter them. This way, you will be in better position and control the pace.

Practicing Projectiles

The best way to get better at projectiles is through practice. Here are a few things you can do:

• Practice Mode: Go to practice mode and try using projectiles of different characters. Learn how far they go, how fast they are and what they can do. Try some move combinations with them.
• Watch Pro Players: Watch how experienced players use projectiles. Learn from their techniques and strategies.
• Experiment: Try different projectiles with different characters to see what works best. There is no one way to use projectiles, so it is important to find the way that suits you the best.

Advanced Projectile Techniques

Once you get a good hold of the basics, you can start exploring some advanced techniques for projectile strategies. Here are a few of them:

Projectile Cancels

Some moves can be canceled after you throw a projectile. This lets you do things like attack after you throw a projectile to confuse the opponent. By understanding this you can make mix ups more unpredictable.

Projectile Feints

You can pretend to throw projectile to make opponent block or move. Then when they react, you can attack them. This can make opponent predict wrong and open them up to attack.

Setting Up Traps

Certain projectiles can be used to create traps. For example, you can throw a projectile that makes your opponent move forward into attack or trap. This requires understanding the game and opponent. This technique is difficult to use but very effective.

Projectile Properties: Data Analysis

Understanding the data of a projectile is important. Here are some of the properties to consider:

Speed

How fast the projectile travels can be used as an advantage. Some projectiles are very fast and can catch the opponents quickly, some are slow and they can be used for zoning and pressure.

Range

How far a projectile travels is also an important factor. Some projectiles have full screen range, some are mid range and some are very close range. You have to use them according to their range.

Damage

How much damage a projectile does is also important. Some projectiles do a lot of damage, and some do small damage. Projectiles that do big damage are slower and projectiles that do small damage are faster. You have to use them accordingly.

Hit Properties

Some projectiles hit high, some hit low and some have special hit properties. Some projectile knock down opponent, some stun and some are just for annoying the opponent. You have to use them according to situation.

Recovery

After you throw a projectile, you are in recovery. Some projectiles have fast recovery and some projectiles have slow recovery. Projectile with slow recovery are very easy to punish. So, use them wisely.

Adapt Your Strategy

The last thing you should remember is to always adapt to your opponent. If you are using a projectile strategy and it’s not working, you may need to try something different. Tekken is always about changing strategies in between. You should be flexible with your strategy.

Using projectiles in Tekken 8 can be a lot of fun and add another dimension to your gameplay. They are not just for beginners or expert players. Everyone can benefit from projectiles. The more you practice and try different strategies, the better you’ll get. Now, go and practice them in the training mode and start using them in your matches.