Tekken 9 beginner friendly tips include focusing on learning basic movement, understanding a few key attacks for your chosen character, and practicing consistently against the AI to build familiarity.
So, you’re eager to jump into the world of Tekken 9? It’s a fantastic fighting game with a lot to offer, but the depth can seem overwhelming at first. We understand. Tekken 9 beginner friendly tips are essential for new players wanting to make a solid start.
Many newcomers feel intimidated by the advanced techniques they see online. But don’t worry. The path to improvement begins with solid basics. It’s better to learn the fundamentals well first.
Tekken 9 Beginner Friendly Tips
So, you’re diving into the world of Tekken 9? That’s fantastic! It’s a super fun fighting game, but it can feel a little overwhelming at first. Don’t worry, though. This guide is here to help you get a solid start without feeling like you’re trying to read a secret code. We’ll break down everything you need to know, making it easier to learn the game step-by-step. Let’s get you throwing those punches and kicks like a pro in no time!
Understanding the Basics
Before you start thinking about complex combos, it’s vital to understand the core of Tekken. Tekken is not like those games where you can just mash buttons and win. It is a 3D fighter game, which means you have a whole lot of room to move around. Here are the first things you should know:
Movement is Key
Unlike 2D fighting games, Tekken allows you to move in three dimensions: forward, backward, and sideways. You can sidestep to avoid your opponent’s attacks, or to circle around them and get a better angle for your offense. The better you learn movement, the more you will win the matches. Try these movements:
- Forward Movement: Move toward your opponent to get closer and get within attack range.
- Backward Movement: Move away from your opponent to create some space.
- Sidestep Left/Right: Very important for avoiding linear attacks and creating opportunities for counter-attacks.
Basic Attacks
Every character has various kinds of attacks. You should try to learn some basic attacks first, because knowing your character’s basic moves helps in the beginning of the game. These attacks will be your bread and butter as you start out.
- Punches: Usually mapped to the square and triangle buttons on PlayStation controllers (or X and Y on Xbox), punches are fast but don’t have a long range.
- Kicks: Usually mapped to the cross and circle buttons on PlayStation controllers (or A and B on Xbox), kicks often have longer range than punches.
- Low Attacks: Hitting low is essential for opening up your opponent’s guard.
- Mid Attacks: These are your regular attacks, usually standing.
- High Attacks: These are attacks aimed at the upper body and head, and can be ducked by opponents.
The Guard Button
Holding the “back” or directional button away from your opponent is how you block attacks. You can guard from mid and high attacks while standing. However, you cannot guard low attacks. For low attacks, you need to duck. Learning when to block and when to duck is a fundamental skill in Tekken.
The Importance of Practice
The best way to improve in Tekken is to practice the basic movements, attacks, and guards. Spend time in training mode trying out the different moves and getting used to the way the game feels. The more you practice these things, the more natural they will feel.
Choosing Your First Character
Tekken 9 has a large cast of characters, each with their own unique fighting styles and moves. Starting with a character that’s easy to pick up can make your initial journey less frustrating. Here are some characters that are known for being beginner-friendly, with some detail:
Lars Alexandersson
Lars is considered a great starting character because his moves are pretty straightforward. He has a good mix of punches and kicks, and his combos are easy to understand and execute. He’s known for his aggressive style. He can move quickly and do a good amount of damage. Lars is a perfect choice to learn the fundamental parts of the game.
Paul Phoenix
If you like big hits, Paul is the man. His moves are very powerful and easy to do. His “death fist” is an amazing move, which is not hard to learn. His moves are quite simple, but learning to play with Paul is extremely rewarding, and he is a strong character in the game. Paul is one of the most popular characters for beginners to use, due to his very easy moves.
Asuka Kazama
Asuka is known for her defensive style. She’s good at avoiding attacks and has some simple, effective counter-moves. Asuka can really mess with the opponents using her counter attacks. She is considered a great character for learning how to handle offense-minded players.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Character
When selecting your first character, do not go with the harder ones. Choose someone based on how well they match with your playing style. Here are few things to keep in mind:
- Ease of Use: Look for a character with moves that are simple to execute and understand.
- Personal Preference: Pick a character that you think looks cool and fits your style. You’ll be more motivated to play with them.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Switch: If you don’t like the first character, it’s completely fine to try someone else.
Learning Basic Combos
Once you get familiar with the fundamental moves, it’s time to learn simple combos. Combos are sequences of attacks that, when performed together, create more damage and keep your opponent off balance. Don’t feel pressured to learn advanced combos right away. Start with basic ones, and then add more complexity later. Here is how you start:
Understanding Notation
Tekken uses a standard notation system to represent moves. Here’s a quick guide:
- 1: Left Punch
- 2: Right Punch
- 3: Left Kick
- 4: Right Kick
- f: Forward
- b: Back
- d: Down
- u: Up
- n: Neutral (no direction)
- +: Combine inputs at the same time
- ,: Input a sequence
So, a combo like “1,2,4” means “left punch, then right punch, then right kick.”
Simple Combo Examples
Here are few basic combo examples, which are very easy to do in the start.
- Lars: 1, 2, 3
- Paul: 1, 2, 4
- Asuka: 2, 1, 3
Every character has different combos, so go into training mode and try them out. Start slow, and try to learn the timing of each move.
Practice Combos Repeatedly
Practicing combos is about building muscle memory. Repeat the same combos over and over. Once you get them down, they will become more natural and you can use them in matches. The more you practice, the faster and better you’ll be at performing combos.
Essential Tekken Techniques
Now that you know how to move, attack, and combine a few moves, let’s talk about some important Tekken skills. These skills are going to help you a lot when you play with more experienced people.
The Art of Blocking and Ducking
Blocking and ducking are not just about avoiding damage. It is about creating opportunities to counter your opponent. If you keep blocking all attacks, you are simply waiting to get hit by low attacks. If you keep ducking, your opponent can easily hit you with mid attacks. The key is to mix blocking and ducking.
- High/Mid Block: Hold back to block most standing attacks.
- Low Duck: Tap down to avoid high attacks, and also for attacking your opponent with a low attack.
Punishing Opponent’s Mistakes
Tekken is about knowing the timing of your attacks. Whenever someone does a move which takes a long time to complete, you should punish them with attacks. A lot of moves, when blocked, leave an opening for you to strike back. When you learn to see these chances, you become a better player.
- Block and Strike: Block a punishable attack and then use quick attacks to retaliate.
- Move After Recovery: If your opponent misses an attack, move forward and take the opportunity to attack.
Spacing and Movement
Spacing is about keeping the perfect distance between you and your opponent. If you’re too close, you risk getting hit by their attacks. If you’re too far, your own attacks won’t reach. Good movement is not just about dodging, it’s also about being in the right position to attack.
- Backing Away: To create distance and avoid getting pressured.
- Moving Forward: To close gaps and go on the offense.
- Sidestepping: To move out of the way of straight attacks.
Using these movements will allow you to fight better in any match. When you use these movements wisely, the opponent will find it hard to defeat you.
Training Mode is Your Friend
Training mode is where you can test and try your moves. Do not ignore it. It’s a great place to practice all the techniques you are learning. Spend time in training mode, it is vital to improving your gameplay. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Experiment With Moves
In training mode, you can try any move of your character without pressure. You can see which move works best against your opponent. When you learn the moves, you will understand the properties of that move better. For example, you will know the speed of your move and its range.
Practice Combos
Training mode is the perfect place to practice your combos without worrying about losing a match. You can repeat the combos again and again until it becomes second nature.
Record Opponent Actions
You can record the movements of your opponent, and then play them. After that you will learn how to attack them. You can record moves like low attacks, then practice how to punish it.
Use the Dummy Opponent
In training mode, you can set the dummy opponent to do different things. For example, you can make him do guard and low attacks. After that, you can try to punish them.
Playing Against Others
Once you get a hang of the basics and spend some time in the training mode, it is time to test your skills against other people. Here are a few ways you can start playing against others.
Online Matches
Online matches are one of the best ways to improve your Tekken skills. When you play against different players, you will learn different kinds of attacks. You can face people who use very different characters, and from that you will improve your game.
Local Play
Playing with a friend or family member is always the best. You can easily share tips, and learn from each other. You can create a fun environment, and learn the game at the same time.
Don’t Get Discouraged
When you play with other people, you will lose matches. But losing is part of learning. Do not get discouraged and try to learn from your mistakes. Think about why you lost, and think about how you can do better next time. You will improve with each match that you play.
Advanced Tips (For When You Are Ready)
Once you feel comfortable with the basics, you might want to dig into some advanced techniques. But remember, do not try to learn everything at once. The game becomes more fun and easy when you learn slowly.
Frame Data
Frame data is about how many frames an attack takes, and how many frames it takes to recover. When you know about frame data, it will improve your game. Understanding frame data can help you see which moves are safe and which are not. This also helps you punish opponent’s mistakes more effectively.
Character-Specific Knowledge
Every character in Tekken has their own unique moves. Knowing each character will allow you to understand what they might do next. This helps you defend and punish their moves. Learning about other characters also allows you to choose your next main.
Matchups
Matchups are about how different characters perform against each other. Some characters have an advantage against some other characters. Understanding this will help you a lot in Tekken. If you lose, it will give you an idea about why you lost.
Watching Pro Players
Watching some famous Tekken pros can give you an idea about how to play certain characters. Watch how they move and how they plan their strategy. When you watch them carefully, you will learn more advanced techniques to apply in your matches.
Tekken 9 can seem challenging at first, but it’s very fun once you learn the basic mechanics. Be patient, practice consistently, and don’t be afraid to learn from your mistakes. Every Tekken player, from beginners to pros, has been where you are now. Remember, the journey of improving is what makes the game enjoyable. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to becoming a skilled Tekken player. Keep practicing, have fun, and welcome to the world of Tekken!
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Final Thoughts
So, focus on movement basics, practice simple combos, and learn a few key moves for your character. Don’t get overwhelmed by the complexity initially.
Remember to block often and learn to punish predictable attacks from opponents. These basics will form a solid foundation. These Tekken 9 beginner friendly tips are key for success.
Take your time, be patient and enjoy the journey while you learn. Focus on improving gradually.
