Tekken 9 How To Create Combo Variations

Tekken 9 How to Create Combo Variations

Okay, so you’ve been playing Tekken 9, and you’re starting to get the hang of the basic moves. That’s awesome! But now, you’re seeing those amazing combos other players are doing, and you’re thinking, “How do I do that?” Well, you’ve come to the right place! Creating combo variations in Tekken 9 isn’t just about memorizing long strings of buttons. It’s about understanding how the game works, experimenting, and putting your own style into your fights. This guide will show you how to start crafting your very own combo variations, letting you become a Tekken master!

Understanding the Basics of Tekken 9 Combos

Before we jump into making cool variations, let’s talk about how combos work in Tekken 9. Think of a combo as a series of attacks that connect one after the other, preventing your opponent from blocking or getting away. There are a few key things to understand:

• Launchers: These are moves that send your opponent flying into the air. They’re super important for starting most combos. Common launchers are often forward + a specific button, or down-forward, followed by a button.
• Juggle Moves: Once your opponent is in the air, these moves keep them there. You need to time these right so they connect before your opponent lands. Different characters have different juggle moves.
• Enders: These are the final moves of a combo, often designed to do a lot of damage or put your opponent in a bad position. They can be powerful or also set up okizeme(offensive pressure) options.
• Timing: The timing of each button press is critical. Pressing the buttons too early or too late can cause a combo to drop. This takes practice!

Learning some of the fundamental properties of frames helps a great deal, but isn’t necessary for new players. Knowing which moves are plus or minus on block, and what moves are “safe” to throw out is a great start. Don’t worry if you don’t know it all at once, it comes naturally with playing.

Finding the Right Launchers

Launchers are the bread and butter of any good combo. Each character in Tekken 9 has a set of launchers, but they’re not all created equal. Some are faster, some have more range, and some are easier to combo off of. Take time in practice mode to really get a feel for your character’s launchers.

Experimenting with Different Launchers

Don’t just stick with one launcher. Try them all and see what feels best for you and what is most useful in match. Here are a few things to consider:

• Speed: Some launchers are quick to start, making them great for catching your opponent off guard.
• Range: If your opponent likes to keep their distance, a launcher with more range might be better.
• Safety: Some launchers leave you vulnerable if they’re blocked. Pick launchers that are safe or that you can follow up with another move if blocked.

Practice using your launchers in different situations. Can you hit them after a sidestep? After a low poke? The more ways you can get your launchers out, the more dangerous you’ll be.

Exploring Juggle Variations

Okay, so you’ve launched your opponent into the air, now what? This is where the juggle part of the combo comes in. Juggle moves are moves that can hit an opponent while they’re airborne. The juggle part of a combo is where you have the most flexibility in terms of creating variations. This is where you can begin to express yourself as a player.

Different Juggle Moves and Their Properties

• High Juggles: Moves that send your opponent higher into the air, allowing for more follow-up hits.
• Low Juggles: Moves that keep your opponent closer to the ground, allowing less follow up hits, or different options.
• Wall Carry: Some juggle moves can push your opponent toward the wall, setting up for more combos or wall splat.
• Ground Bounce: Certain moves can cause the opponent to bounce off the ground, enabling additional hits or unique combo paths.

Try different combinations of juggle moves. Some moves are easy to hit with, while others require very specific timing or positioning. Figuring these out and how to fit them together is key.

The Importance of Enders

The ender of a combo is important. It can make the difference between a good combo and a great one. Enders are the final moves in your combo string, which usually do a lot of damage or put your opponent in a disadvantageous position.

Types of Enders and Their Benefits

• High Damage Enders: Simple powerful moves that do a ton of damage. These are great for finishing a combo quickly.
• Wall Carry Enders: Enders that push your opponent towards the wall, creating additional combo opportunities. These are extremely important for high level gameplay.
• Oki Enders: These enders put your opponent in a bad position when they get up, allowing you to mix up your offense.

Experiment with different enders in training mode. See which ones work best with your juggle variations, and what kind of follow up you can accomplish after your ender hits. Sometimes the highest damage output isn’t what you need, its about the position of your opponent that is important.

Creating Combo Variations: The Process

Now, let’s get to the fun part: actually making those combo variations! This isn’t just about doing random button presses, it’s about creating something unique that fits your play style. Here are a few steps to follow to start your combo creation:

Step 1: Start with a Basic Combo

First, find a basic combo for your character. This will be your starting point. Look at the sample combos in the game, or find some combos on YouTube or other resources. Start small, with something you can consistently do. Something that is 4-5 hits, max.

Step 2: Change One Juggle Move

Once you’ve got a basic combo down, try switching out one of your juggle moves for a different one. See how it changes the combo. Does it allow for more hits? Does it make the combo easier or harder to perform?

For example, if your basic combo uses “move A” for a juggle, try replacing it with “move B”. Does “move B” lead into another set of moves? This is where you can start to get creative.

Step 3: Adjust the Enders

Next, play around with different enders. Try switching out your ender for an ender with different properties, like wall carry or oki. See how each change affects your combo.

Changing enders can alter the entire nature of your combo. Maybe you decide to go for the wall, or maybe you decide to stay on the mid screen and apply pressure. The choice is up to you.

Step 4: Practice Timing and Execution

Combo variations need to be done properly. After modifying your combo, spend some time in training mode perfecting the timing and the execution. Make sure you can consistently do the combo without messing up. It’s better to have one or two good combo variations that you can hit consistently, instead of 5-6 that you can’t reliably land.

Step 5: Test it in Real Matches

Once you’ve got a combo variation you like, try it out in online matches. This will help you get comfortable with the combo in the heat of battle and test its effectiveness against real opponents. Remember, just because a combo works against the dummy in practice, doesn’t always mean it works against a real person.

Step 6: Keep Experimenting

Don’t stop at one variation. Keep playing with the moves and try different combinations. You might discover some amazing and unique combos by doing this. Each change can open up new combo paths or give you more flexible options. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure leads to learning.

Using the Practice Mode Effectively

Practice mode is your best friend for creating combo variations. It lets you experiment without the pressure of an actual match. Here are some ways to use practice mode:

• Record Actions: Record your opponent doing an action, like ducking or sidestepping, then practice comboing from that situation. This allows you to get used to hitting your combos from specific situations.
• Change Opponent Settings: Make the dummy react in specific ways, like blocking after the first hit. This helps you see if your combos are true or if they can be blocked.
• Turn on Frame Data: Knowing the frame data of moves can help you understand why certain combos work. Knowing this is beneficial to get a deeper understanding of Tekken.
• Slow Down Gameplay: Slow down the game speed in practice mode to see the timing of your combos more clearly, then gradually increase it to real time.

Character-Specific Considerations

Every character in Tekken 9 plays a little differently. Some characters are more combo-focused, while others are better at poking and spacing. When creating combo variations, keep your character’s strengths in mind:

Aggressive Characters

If your character is aggressive, you might want combos that do high damage and put your opponent on the defensive. You’ll want to use lots of wall carry options and oki set ups to maintain your momentum.

Defensive Characters

If your character is more defensive, you might want combos that allow you to create space, reposition, and control the pace of the match. Use combos that put you in neutral after the combo is done, or gives you options to play footsies after.

Mix-Up Characters

Characters that are good at mixing up their attacks will have combo variations that can throw off opponents’ defense. These characters are difficult to defend against, so it’s important to capitalize on their strengths.

Sharing and Learning From Others

Don’t be afraid to learn from other players! There are many places to learn more about Tekken 9:

• Online Forums: Look for Tekken 9 forums where people share their combos and strategies.
• YouTube Tutorials: Search for videos on YouTube that demonstrate combo variations for your character.
• Twitch Streams: Watch professional players and see how they create and use combo variations.
• Discord Servers: Join a Discord server for Tekken 9 and ask other players for help.

Sharing and discussing your combos can help you find even better variations, and you can learn from others and improve at the game much faster.

Key Tips for Success

To become good at creating and using combo variations, here are some key tips to remember:

• Be Patient: Creating good combos takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away.
• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key. Spend some time in practice mode each day to work on your combos.
• Watch the Pros: See how the best players create and use combos. It helps to learn and adapt from the best players.
• Adapt to your opponent: No two players are the same. Learn how to adjust your combos to react to your opponent’s habits.
• Be Creative: Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different moves.

Creating combo variations in Tekken 9 is a journey. It’s about learning the game’s systems, understanding your character, and letting your creativity flow. By following the steps and tips, you’ll be making your own awesome combos in no time. Keep practicing, keep experimenting, and keep having fun! Tekken is deep, and the combos are limitless, and there is always something to improve upon. This takes time, so be patient with yourself as you learn.