For a great Tekken 9 beginner friendly character recommendation, try using Paul Phoenix. His simple moves and powerful attacks make him an excellent choice for newcomers.
So, you’re diving into the world of Tekken 9 and feel a bit overwhelmed by the roster? You aren’t alone. Finding the right character can seriously affect your initial experience.
Choosing a good fit early on can make the learning process more enjoyable. The key is starting with a character who is easy to understand. We will help you with a Tekken 9 beginner friendly character recommendation.
Tekken 9 Beginner Friendly Character Recommendation
Okay, so you’re jumping into the world of Tekken 9! That’s awesome! It can look a little scary at first with all the characters and their moves. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you find the perfect fighter to start your Tekken journey. Picking the right character at the beginning can make learning the game so much easier and way more fun. We’re going to talk about some fighters who are known to be really good for beginners. These characters have moves that are easy to learn but still allow you to do some cool combos and win matches. Let’s dive in and find your first Tekken 9 main!
Why Choosing the Right Character Matters
When you start playing Tekken 9, it might seem tempting to just pick the coolest-looking character, but that’s not always the best plan. Some characters have really hard-to-learn moves, crazy long combos, or tricky strategies that aren’t great for beginners. If you pick a hard character right away, you might get frustrated and give up. Instead, choosing a character that is straightforward and easy to understand will let you focus on learning the basic moves of the game, like movement, blocking, and simple attacks. This will make you a better Tekken player faster and give you a stronger foundation to try other characters later. Think of it like learning to ride a bike. You wouldn’t start on a unicycle, right? You’d begin with a bike that has training wheels. That’s what these beginner-friendly characters are – your Tekken training wheels!
Key Traits of a Beginner Friendly Character
So, what makes a character good for beginners? Let’s break down some things you should look for:
- Easy to Learn Move List: A good beginner character will have a move list that isn’t overwhelming. You won’t have to spend hours trying to figure out how to do just one attack. The moves will be simple and easy to remember.
- Straightforward Game Plan: Some characters require complex strategies to win. A beginner-friendly character should have a clear and simple plan. For example, they might excel in close-range fighting, which is often easier to grasp than long-range tactics.
- Good Punishers: Punishing is when you attack your opponent after they make a mistake. Characters that have easy and reliable punishes will help you win more matches because you’ll be able to take advantage of their slip-ups.
- Decent Range: While you don’t need a character that can hit someone from across the stage, having some moves that have good range is very helpful. It lets you poke at your opponents and control the pace of the fight.
- Strong Fundamentals: The best beginner characters teach you the basic skills of Tekken. They help you learn about movement, blocking, and simple attack strings (a series of attacks that combo together).
Having these qualities will not only help you win more at the start but also help you understand the game better overall.
Top Beginner Friendly Characters in Tekken 9
Alright, let’s get to the main event! Here are some of the best characters in Tekken 9 for new players. We will go over each character in detail, talk about what makes them good for beginners, and give some tips on how to play them.
Lars Alexandersson
Lars is a great all-around character. He’s not too complicated, and his moves are pretty easy to pick up. He’s got good poking attacks and a couple of powerful launchers (moves that pop your opponent up in the air so you can do a combo). Lars is very straightforward and that’s why he’s perfect for learning the basic mechanics of Tekken. Lars relies on solid fundamentals and doesn’t have many overly complicated mechanics, which makes him an excellent learning tool. He’s quick and can apply pressure, and he has access to a stance called “Silent Entry,” that opens up some cool offensive mix-ups, but it’s not necessary to learn this right away. Stick with the basics, and you’ll be doing well.
Lars’ Strengths for Beginners:
- Simple Move List: Lars has basic attacks and combos that are easy to learn.
- Good Pokes: He has solid pokes that help control the fight’s pace.
- Strong Launchers: His launchers are easy to execute, letting you do easy and simple combos.
- Good Movement: Lars has excellent mobility, which helps him get in and out of range quickly.
Basic Lars Gameplan:
Focus on using Lars’ fast jabs and kicks to poke and create openings. Learn his key launchers, like his ‘f+3’ (Forward + Triangle), to start combos. Use his movement to stay out of trouble and create space. And of course, practice, practice, practice!
Paul Phoenix
Paul is known for his hard-hitting moves and his easy-to-learn game plan. He’s the perfect pick if you want to feel powerful right away. His main strength is his ‘Death Fist’, a devastating punch that can take a big chunk of your opponent’s health. While not always safe to use, it’s a very impactful move. Paul doesn’t rely on tricky combos or fancy setups. He’s all about simple but effective attacks and punishing his opponents. This straightforward playstyle is perfect for beginners who are still learning the game. He has good movement and can quickly close the gap to land his massive strikes.
Paul’s Strengths for Beginners:
- Powerful Attacks: Paul’s moves are hard-hitting and easy to connect with.
- Easy Combos: His combos are not complicated, which makes them easy to learn and execute.
- Strong Punishes: Paul has some powerful moves to punish opponents when they make mistakes.
- Easy Gameplan: His strategy of hitting hard and punishing mistakes is straightforward.
Basic Paul Gameplan:
Use Paul’s good pokes and strong punches to wear down your opponent’s health. Learn how to use the ‘Death Fist’ effectively, but don’t overuse it, because it’s punishable if you use it at wrong time. Focus on punishing mistakes made by your opponent and closing the gap to land his powerful blows. Simple and effective is how Paul plays.
Asuka Kazama
Asuka is another great pick for beginners because she has a good mix of offense and defense. She can frustrate opponents with her evasive moves and punish them with counter attacks. Asuka has very good movement and lots of ways to avoid attacks. She has moves that can also shut down the enemy’s offense. She’s a great choice if you want to play a character that’s easy to learn but is still versatile. Asuka might not have the raw power of characters like Paul, but she makes up for it with excellent tools and effective options, making her a great starting point to learn fundamentals.
Asuka’s Strengths for Beginners:
- Good Defensive Moves: She has many moves to avoid attacks.
- Solid Counter Attacks: She can punish her opponents effectively when they miss or are reckless.
- Good Range: Her attacks have good reach which lets her keep her distance from opponents.
- Easy to Learn Combos: Her combos are easy to pick up for beginners.
Basic Asuka Gameplan:
Use Asuka’s defensive tools to avoid attacks and find openings. Use her fast pokes to create space and land her counter attacks. Don’t be afraid to stay patient and wait for your opponent to make mistakes that you can exploit. Focus on movement and don’t be afraid to poke and keep your opponent guessing.
Claudio Serafino
Claudio is a bit of an elegant fighter with simple but effective moves. He uses a lot of fast, linear attacks that are easy to understand. Claudio also has a unique mechanic involving a starburst that can enhance certain moves. But, you don’t need to worry about that when starting out. Just focus on his basic pokes and combos first. He’s easy to learn and play, and that’s why he is a great choice if you want a character that is balanced, strong and simple to play. Claudio’s game plan is not very complex making him perfect for beginners.
Claudio’s Strengths for Beginners:
- Simple Linear Attacks: His moves are straightforward and easy to use.
- Good Pokes: Claudio has great pokes that can control the pace of the fight.
- Easy Combos: He has a few simple but effective combos you can learn quickly.
- Balanced Offense: Claudio doesn’t lean heavily into either offense or defense, making him a well-rounded pick for learning.
Basic Claudio Gameplan:
Focus on using his fast, linear moves to poke and interrupt your opponent. Practice his simple but effective combos and keep your opponent at a distance where they can’t land blows on you. Don’t worry about his starburst mechanic at the beginning, and instead focus on his fundamentals. Use the basics, and Claudio will make you a very good Tekken player.
Things to Keep in Mind
No matter which character you pick, here are some important things to remember:
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t expect to be a pro right away. Like learning anything new, it takes time and practice. Spend time in training mode learning your chosen character’s moves and combos.
- Focus on Fundamentals: Tekken is all about movement, spacing, and timing. Don’t just focus on learning combos, make sure you spend some time getting the basics down. Learn to move around the stage, block attacks and punish your opponent. These things will make you a better Tekken player in the long run.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Lose: Losing is a part of learning. Don’t get discouraged if you lose a lot in the beginning. Just keep practicing and having fun. It’s all part of the process of getting better.
- Experiment: You don’t have to stick to one character forever. Once you feel comfortable with the basics, feel free to experiment with other characters to find a playstyle you enjoy!
Moving Beyond Beginner Characters
After you’ve gotten familiar with the game using one of these beginner friendly characters, you can branch out and try some other more complex characters. Some of the characters that are harder to pick up might have some cool things that match your playstyle better. The skills you learn with the easy characters will still be useful even when you play a more challenging character. By learning with a good starter character, you can set yourself up for success when trying new more complicated characters.
Choosing a beginner-friendly character is your first step to victory in Tekken 9. These characters help you get a hang of the basics and feel comfortable with the game. So, pick one of these characters, get in the training mode, and start your Tekken journey! Have fun and don’t give up if things get tough. Remember everyone starts somewhere and with practice you will get better and better! The key is to choose a character that you find fun to play with, and you will surely have a lot of enjoyment in the process!
Which Character Should a Tekken Newcomer Pick?
Final Thoughts
For new players, characters like Jin Kazama offer a balanced approach, with straightforward combos and solid fundamentals. Beginners can grasp his movement and basic attacks easily. He provides a good entry point to the complexities of the game.
Similarly, Paul Phoenix’s heavy hitting style and relatively simple command list make him another great pick. His damage output is high and allows beginners to experience powerful attacks. These two are excellent choices for initial gameplay.
Ultimately, Jin or Paul provide an excellent introduction to the game. These two are recommended as your ‘Tekken 9 beginner friendly character recommendation’ due to their ease of use and effective movesets. They let new players focus on learning the game rather than complex executions.
