Tekken 9 How To Counter Unblockables

To counter unblockables in Tekken 9, you must either sidestep, jump, or interrupt them with a faster attack.

Facing the frustration of unavoidable attacks in Tekken 9? We all know that feeling. These seemingly unstoppable moves can easily decide the outcome of a match. Therefore, understanding Tekken 9 how to counter unblockables becomes essential for any serious player.

Luckily, there are effective methods to deal with those dreaded unblockable attacks. You can use side stepping movement to avoid them, and jumps are a viable option to evade these attacks. Also, throwing out a quick attack can stop an unblockable before it hits.

Tekken 9 How to Counter Unblockables

Alright, Tekken fighters! We all know that sinking feeling when an unblockable attack comes flying our way in Tekken 9. It’s like watching a train barreling down the tracks, and you’re just standing there, hoping it somehow misses you. But guess what? You’re not helpless! This guide is all about learning how to deal with those tricky, seemingly unavoidable attacks in Tekken 9. We’re going to break down what unblockables are, why they’re so powerful, and most importantly, how you can stop them from ruining your game plan. Prepare to turn the tables and make those unblockable spammers think twice!

Understanding Unblockables in Tekken 9

First things first, let’s talk about what exactly makes an unblockable attack… well, unblockable. In Tekken 9, most attacks can be blocked by holding back or down-back. This is how we normally defend ourselves. However, some special moves are designed to bypass this regular defense. These are the unblockables. They often come with a visual cue, like a character glowing or having a unique animation. These moves are slow to come out, but if they connect they deal a lot of damage and may lead to a combo. These moves can change the tide of any match. These attacks aren’t just powerful; they are also meant to force a reaction and sometimes that reaction can be a mistake, that’s what your opponents are hoping for.

Why Are Unblockables So Powerful?

Unblockables pack a serious punch for a few key reasons. Because you can’t simply block them, they force you to react in other ways. This can throw off your rhythm and put you in a bad spot if you’re not ready. The high damage they inflict makes them dangerous. Successfully landing an unblockable can easily drain a good chunk of your opponent’s health bar, sometimes even guaranteeing a KO. These powerful moves are designed to break through your opponent’s defense and get the momentum in your favor.

Common Unblockable Scenarios

Let’s look at some situations where you are more likely to see unblockables. Some characters have unblockables as part of their main gameplan. They might use unblockables to open up defensive players. Additionally, you’ll see them after knockdowns or during wall carry situations. Understanding when they are most common is essential in knowing how to defend against them.

Identifying Visual Cues

Tekken 9’s developers aren’t totally cruel. Usually, unblockable attacks come with certain visual clues. These clues might include:

Character’s stance changing drastically
A glow or aura around the character’s body
Specific sound effects indicating a charged attack
A unique animation that deviates from normal attacks

Keep your eyes peeled for these tells. The earlier you spot them, the more time you have to react. It is very important to remember that every character has a different tell. You need to keep playing and practicing with every character to recognize their unblockable tell.

The Golden Rules of Countering Unblockables

Now, for the good stuff – how to actually stop these moves. There isn’t one single way to counter unblockables, you will have to adapt your game plan depending on the situation and your opponent. But here are the most effective methods.

Movement Is Key

One of the most effective ways to deal with unblockables is using movement. The best movement to deal with unblockables depends on the type of unblockable that the enemy is throwing out. Many unblockable are slow and come from specific directions, so using your sidestep to avoid those moves will greatly improve your defense.

Here are some ways you can incorporate movement into your game:

Backdashing: Creating distance can allow you to avoid most unblockables.
It’s often your safest option if you are uncertain of which direction the attack will come.
Sidestepping: Many unblockables track forward but have weaknesses to sidesteps.
Sidestepping is a very effective way to make the enemy whiff their attack and leave them open for a punish.
Jumping: Some unblockables can be jumped over, but this requires precise timing and understanding of your opponent’s moves.

Mastering movement in Tekken 9 will benefit you not only in countering unblockables but in overall gameplay. It makes you less predictable and hard to read.

Interrupt with Fast Attacks

Because many unblockables are slow to start, you can interrupt them with quick attacks. It may seem counter intuitive to attack while your opponent is charging, but many unblockables can be stuffed if you are quick enough. Here are some tips:

Use Quick Jabs and Punches: Fast jabs and punches can cut through an unblockable start-up. This is a good method when you are playing aggressively and are up close to the enemy.
Utilize Low Pokes: Low pokes can catch opponents off-guard while they are attempting slow attacks. Because many unblockables need an input that make the enemy stand tall, a low poke is a perfect answer to those attacks.

Punishing Whiffs

If you’ve managed to dodge an unblockable with movement, don’t just stand there! This is the perfect opportunity to punish your opponent for missing. Unblockables are very risky, and if they miss, it makes the player extremely vulnerable. Here’s how:

Launch Punishes: If they miss an unblockable, and you are in range, you should be able to start a big combo with a launch attack.
Using Specific Punishes: Some characters have special moves designed to punish whiffed attacks that will greatly damage the enemy and turn the tides of the battle.

Remember, playing Tekken 9 well is about reading your opponent. If they keep throwing out unblockables, try to understand when they use them and what their tendencies are. Once you recognize a pattern, you can react accordingly.

Specific Character Considerations

Each character in Tekken 9 has their own unique set of moves and unblockables. Some characters are known for spamming unblockables while others use them more sparingly. Knowing the common unblockables and move sets of each character will be very useful in predicting what kind of attack they will throw. Here are some examples:

Characters with common unblockables

Certain characters have more unblockables than others, and many people use them often. These include:

Jack-8: Jack has many unblockables and some of them are used in combos as well. Learning the timing and tells of Jack’s unblockables will be very useful for defense against him.
Bryan Fury: Many of Bryan’s unblockables are hard to react to, but knowing what to look for will help you improve your gameplay against him.
Lili De Rochefort: Lili has some unblockable options that can be useful in a mix-up. Understanding how she likes to use them is key to defending against her.

It’s essential to spend time practicing against these characters specifically.

Adapting Your Strategy

Not every character can deal with unblockables the same way. Some are more mobile, while others have better interrupt options. You must adapt your approach to each matchup. Here are some ways to adapt your game:

Mobile Characters: Characters with fast movement options like Jin or Hwoarang can use their movement to dodge unblockables more easily.
Aggressive Characters: Characters like Paul or King can use their fast offense to interrupt unblockables and quickly start a damaging combo.

Experiment with different strategies in training mode to find what works best with your favorite characters.

Practice Makes Perfect

Reading about how to counter unblockables is a good start, but the most important step is practicing. Here’s how you can get better:

Training Mode Drills

Spend time in training mode getting familiar with different unblockables. Record your opponent performing the unblockable and then practice defending against it.

Record Opponent Actions: Record your opponent using unblockables and practice countering them.
This is useful to develop your own timings and habits.
Focus on Visual Cues: Specifically train your eyes to recognize those unique tells of an unblockable attack.
Repetition: Practice until your responses become second nature. Repetition is key for this.

Match Play Practice

Playing against real opponents will show you how they use their unblockable moves. Playing matches is the best way to learn how players use them.

Focus on Defending: Don’t always try to win. Practice blocking and moving out of the way of the opponent’s attacks.
Analyze Your Losses: If you lose, watch the replay and see how you could have reacted to your opponent’s attacks.

Fighting game skills don’t come overnight. Practice is essential, so keep at it! Playing against a variety of opponents will allow you to understand the most common ways that players use unblockables.

So, there you have it – a breakdown on how to fight back against the dreaded unblockables in Tekken 9. Remember, they’re not impossible to deal with. By understanding their nature, using movement, punishing whiffs, and putting in some dedicated practice, you’ll be able to turn these match-ups in your favor. The next time your opponent tries to use an unblockable on you, be ready. You’re in charge now.

Tekken 8 – 1 hit KOs and unblockables

Final Thoughts

Successfully countering unblockables in Tekken 9 requires practice and timing. Pay attention to character animations to predict these attacks. Sidestepping or jumping often avoids these moves, giving you an opening.

Understanding frame data assists in anticipating them, a must for competitive play. Remember, practice makes perfect in executing these defensive actions. Knowing the specific move properties greatly helps with ‘Tekken 9 how to counter unblockables’.