Tekken 9 How To Apply Offensive Pressure

Tekken 9 How to Apply Offensive Pressure

Alright, let’s dive into the exciting world of Tekken 9 and talk about offense! Applying pressure is super important if you want to win matches. It’s not just about hitting buttons randomly; it’s about being smart, strategic, and keeping your opponent on their toes. Think of it like being a chef in the kitchen – you need to know your ingredients (your character’s moves) and how to combine them to create something amazing (a successful offense!). This section will guide you through various techniques and concepts that will take your offense to the next level in Tekken 9. Let’s get started!

Understanding the Basics of Pressure

Before we start throwing out fancy combos, we need to understand what pressure actually means in Tekken 9. It’s not just about attacking; it’s about controlling the flow of the match and forcing your opponent to react to you. Good pressure makes your opponent nervous and more likely to make mistakes.

Frame Data: The Foundation of Offense

Frame data might sound scary, but it’s actually pretty simple. Every move in Tekken takes a certain number of frames (like tiny slices of a second) to start up, hit, and recover. If a move is fast, it has fewer startup frames. If a move is slow, it has more. Knowing which of your character’s moves are fast and which are slow is the first step in applying smart pressure. Fast moves are great for starting offense because they are harder to interrupt. Consider these factors:

• Startup Frames: How long it takes for a move to begin hitting.
• Active Frames: How long a move is capable of hitting.
• Recovery Frames: How long it takes for you to return to a neutral position after a move.
• On Block Advantage/Disadvantage: If the move hits or gets blocked, are you faster or slower than your opponent afterward? This is extremely crucial for keeping up your pressure.

Moves with good frame data allow you to start your offense before your opponent can even react sometimes. This means you get to keep hitting them, making it harder for them to fight back.

The Importance of Mix-ups

Mix-ups are the heart of a strong offense. They are all about keeping your opponent guessing. If you just use the same attacks over and over, your opponent will quickly figure out how to block them. Mix-ups involve using different types of attacks (high, mid, low) that your opponent has to block in different ways.

• High Attacks: These are usually fast, but can be blocked by standing.
• Mid Attacks: These must be blocked while standing. They’re good for catching people who are ducking to avoid highs.
• Low Attacks: You have to block these by crouching. Low attacks are good for hitting people who are blocking high and mid attacks.

The goal is to make your opponent unsure about what’s coming next. If they don’t know whether you will go high, mid or low, they have to guess, and if they guess wrong you get a free hit.

Spacing and Movement

Offensive pressure isn’t just about hitting your opponent; it also involves controlling the space between you and your opponent. Proper spacing can give you an advantage. If you are too close, you may leave yourself vulnerable to grabs or quick counters. If you are too far away, it may be difficult to apply pressure. Good movement is key to setting up attacks, creating openings, and staying safe.

• Back Dashes: These can create space or to punish whiffs (missed moves) from your opponent.
• Side Steps/Walks: These can be useful to avoid linear attacks, like a straight punch, and to reposition yourself for attack.
• Forward Dashes/Walks: These can be used to get close to your opponent to apply the pressure.

Remember, your goal is to keep moving, keep your opponent guessing, and find opportunities to attack. You are the one who is leading the dance of the fight.

Techniques for Applying Offensive Pressure

Now that we understand the basics, let’s look at some specific techniques you can use to keep your opponent on their toes and apply effective pressure.

Jab Pressure

Jabs, or quick punches (usually your 1 button), are your bread and butter. They are fast, safe, and great for interrupting your opponent’s attacks. Using jabs correctly is all about timing and control, not just mashing the button. Here’s how to utilize jabs effectively:

• Jab Strings: Don’t just throw one jab at a time. Instead use jab strings, which are two or three quick jabs in a row. This forces your opponent to respect your offense.
• Interrupting Opponent Offense: Use fast jabs to stop slow attacks from your opponent.
• Checking Opponents: Using jabs can discourage your opponent from using unsafe moves or running in without caution.

Mastering the art of the jab is essential for controlling the pace of the match and setting up stronger attacks.

Using Plus-on-Block Moves

Moves that are “plus on block” are the secret weapon of pressure. When your move is blocked and you are “plus”, it means that your character recovers faster than your opponent. So even if your move is blocked, you’re in a better position to keep attacking. This gives you a slight advantage for continuing your offense. Here’s what to consider:

• Identifying Plus Frames: Knowing which of your character’s moves are plus on block is crucial. Take time to examine your move list.
• Continuing Pressure: After a plus-on-block move, you can use a quick move like a jab to interrupt your opponent if they try to do something else.
• Frame Traps: Set up what is called ‘frame traps’ with moves that are plus on block. These force your opponent to try and press a button and get hit.

The Power of Command Grabs

Command grabs are special throws that cannot be blocked by traditional means. They often have a short range, but they are essential for mix-ups and opening up opponents who are focused on blocking high, mid, and low. Here’s how you can integrate them into your game plan:

• Punishing Turtles: If your opponent is blocking a lot, a command grab is the perfect way to open them up.
• Varying Offense: Mix command grabs with your regular attacks, keeping your opponent unsure of what to expect.
• Command Grab Follow-ups: Some command grabs will give you good follow up opportunities after landing them, make sure to know them so you can make good use of it.

Punishing Opponent Whiffs

A whiff is when your opponent uses a move that misses you. Punishing whiffs is a very important part of Tekken offense. When your opponent misses, it’s your opportunity to get a free hit. This is where your knowledge of frame data is very useful!

• Recognizing Whiffs: The first step is to identify when your opponent misses. Good spacing and movement help to create whiffing situations.
• Fast Punishers: Use fast moves with good range to punish whiffs. If your move is too slow you will miss your chance to punish them.
• Heavy Damage Punishers: After a whiff, land a big combo to capitalize on their mistake.

String and Combo Pressure

String and combo pressure involves using multiple attacks in a row to overwhelm your opponent. It is more than just pressing buttons randomly, it is about timing and connecting moves fluidly.

• Understanding Strings: Strings are a series of attacks that can be chained together. Some strings can be interrupted easily. Make sure to learn which of your strings are best.
• Combo Extensions: Learn how to use launchers and follow up with combos. Launchers are moves that will lift your opponent up in the air, setting up a longer combo.
• Varying String Enders: Change how you end your strings so that your opponent doesn’t know what’s coming. This is another great way of applying pressure.

The key here is to vary your strings so your opponent cannot predict them.

Mind Games and Psychological Warfare

Tekken isn’t just about button pressing. It’s a battle of the minds! A huge part of applying pressure is understanding how your opponent thinks and what they are likely to do, and then using this to your advantage.

Conditioning Your Opponent

Conditioning is about making your opponent expect certain moves and then doing something different. It is all about changing up your patterns and keeping them guessing.

• Repetition: Start by doing one move over and over again. For example, a mid attack.
• Switch It Up: Once they start blocking your mid attack often, switch to using a low attack. This is a very common way to get free damage.
• Predictable Unpredictability: Try using a mix of predictable and unpredictable moves to keep your opponent on edge.

Reading Opponent Tendencies

Pay attention to what your opponent is doing. Are they always pressing a button after blocking? Do they like to use a certain move? By understanding their habits, you can anticipate their moves and counter them effectively.

• Analyzing Behavior: Observe how your opponent reacts under pressure.
• Adapting: Adjust your strategy based on their tendencies.
• Exploiting Weaknesses: Once you identify their patterns, exploit those openings to your advantage.

Playing Patiently

While aggression is very important, sometimes you need to slow things down. If you keep attacking without a plan, you become predictable and easy to counter. Sometimes patience will bring more opportunities to attack.

• Waiting for Openings: You have to learn how to wait for your opponent to make a mistake.
• Defensive Strategies: Good defense will help you make your opponent try harder, increasing the chance of them making a mistake.
• Counter-Poking: Use your knowledge of frame data to ‘poke’ and counter any of your opponents slow moves.

Character-Specific Offense

Remember that every character in Tekken 9 plays differently. What works for one character may not work for another. Learning the strengths and weaknesses of your character is a must.

Utilizing Unique Tools

Every character has special moves or strings. It’s important that you learn the ins and outs of your character and how they apply pressure. Some characters might have stronger mid attacks, while others might rely on lows or command throws. Play your character based on their strengths.

• Understanding Strengths: Learn which moves are your character’s best for pressure.
• Utilizing Unique Moves: Learn any special moves your character has that are good for offense.
• Practice in Training Mode: Experiment with your character’s moves to find new ways to create pressure.

Combos and Optimal Damage

Learning your character’s best combos will help you capitalize on any opportunities you create. The more damage you do in one opening, the less opportunities you need to win. Find your character’s biggest and most optimal combos to do the most amount of damage.

• Combo Routes: Study different ways to extend your combos to maximize your damage.
• Wall Carry: Learn how to utilize the wall to get more damaging combos.
• Consistent Practice: Practice your combos in training mode to ensure you don’t mess up when the time comes.

By combining frame data knowledge, mix-ups, proper spacing, movement, mind games, and character-specific strategies, you can become a force to be reckoned with in Tekken 9.