Mastering throw game in Tekken 9 requires recognizing throw animations, understanding their break inputs (usually 1 or 2), and practicing quick reactions in different scenarios.
The pressure is on, your health bar’s dwindling, and the opponent is closing in. You feel their grab coming. Don’t panic! Tekken 9 throw game can be a tricky but incredibly important part of the game to control. Knowing how to execute and break throws gives a massive advantage.
This guide offers a fundamental understanding on how to improve that vital part of your Tekken 9 matches. We will discuss key aspects that will help you become more confident in throw situations. Let’s get started in improving your throw game.
Tekken 9 How to Master Throw Game
Hey there, Tekken warriors! We’ve already talked about getting started with the game, but now it’s time to dive deep into one of the trickiest, yet most rewarding, parts of Tekken 9: the throw game. Throws can really mess up your opponent’s strategy and open up big damage opportunities. This isn’t just about randomly grabbing – it’s about knowing when, how, and why to use throws to your advantage. Let’s get ready to become throw masters!
Understanding the Basics of Throws
Okay, let’s start with the simple stuff. In Tekken 9, a throw is a special type of grab that bypasses your opponent’s normal block. Think of it like a surprise attack that breaks through their defenses. They are very useful to open up defensive opponents. Most characters have a variety of throws, and they can come in two main kinds:
Standard Throws
These are the most common throws, and you can usually do them by pressing the throw buttons. For most players the common throw is performed using the Square + X button combination on a PlayStation controller, or A + X on an Xbox controller. But the button combinations might be different depending on your controller settings. These throws usually have a set animation, and they’re relatively easy to perform. A good beginner skill is learning these throws for your character.
Command Throws
Command throws are a bit more special. They often involve more complex button inputs, like quarter circle forwards or specific button sequences. They can be harder to perform, but they usually pack a bigger punch or have unique properties, like launching the opponent or swapping sides. Every character has their own unique command throws so it is very important for each player to learn these throws.
Knowing which throw is which is important for both attacking and defending! Let’s move on to how to use them!
When to Throw Your Opponent
Now that we know what throws are, let’s learn when to use them. Throwing isn’t about blindly spamming the buttons. It’s about choosing the right moment to make your opponent pay.
Punishing Defensive Players
Has your opponent turtled up behind their blocks? That’s your cue for a throw. If they are constantly blocking and not attacking back, they are asking to be thrown. A throw goes right through blocking, so it’s perfect for when someone is afraid to attack.
After Blocking a String
Sometimes, when your opponent finishes a string of moves, they are left at a slight disadvantage. If they are too predictable after performing a string of attacks, a throw can catch them off guard. This is a great opportunity for you to attempt a throw. Learning the specific blockstrings for your character, and the opponent’s character is a must to gain this advantage.
Mix-Ups to Prevent Predictability
Imagine always doing the same attack after the same action. That’s predictable! Throws can be part of your mix-up strategy. Combining attacks, movement, and throws makes you harder to read. This element of unpredictability makes you harder to punish and a better player in Tekken 9. You should always vary your offensive patterns.
Okizeme Throw Setup
Okizeme is a japanese word which means “wake up pressure”. When your opponent is down on the ground, you have a perfect opportunity for pressure. This is a great chance to use throws on your opponent when they try to get back up. Throws when they are waking up can be very annoying for the opponent and often leads to them getting caught. But this also comes with risk of being punished if they try to attack on wake up. So be careful.
Breaking Throws: The Art of Defense
Okay, throws are amazing, but what happens when you’re on the receiving end? You’ve got to learn to break them! Breaking throws is crucial to stop an opponent from getting easy damage.
Identifying the Throw Animation
Most throws have very specific animations. If you see a normal throw animation, you need to react as quick as possible to break that throw. The timing may seem difficult at first but with practice you will get better. Learning to identify your opponents throw animations is half the battle.
How to Break a Throw
Breaking a throw is done by pressing either the left button (Square/X on PlayStation or X/A on Xbox) or the right button (Triangle/Y on PlayStation or B/Y on Xbox) depending on which hand your opponent grabs you with. This is the main principle of breaking normal throws.
- Left Hand Throws: Press the Left Button(Square on PlayStation or X on Xbox) to break.
- Right Hand Throws: Press the Right Button (Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox) to break.
It’s essential to remember the key to this: pay attention to which arm your opponent extends! If they reach out with their left arm, press the left break button, and vice versa.
Command Throw Breaks
Some command throws can’t be broken, or they may have a different, character specific break. Some of these are easy to recognize but some are not. Some may even require the combination of left and right break button (Square + Triangle on PlayStation or X + Y on Xbox). The only way to learn these breaks is to play the game, experiment, and look up guides.
Practice Makes Perfect
Throw breaking isn’t just about knowing the buttons. It’s about timing and reactions. You can practice breaking throws in the training mode. Don’t get disheartened if you struggle at first. The more you try, the faster and more accurately you’ll get at it!
Advanced Throw Techniques
Alright, you’ve got the basics down. Now it’s time to explore some more advanced techniques that can give you a real edge!
Throw Buffering
Throw buffering is when you try to execute a throw slightly before you are actually close enough. This means that as soon as your character touches your opponent, your character will immediately perform the throw. This can be very useful when doing a quick attack and immediately transitioning to a throw.
Throw Teasing
Throw teasing is when you intentionally walk up to the opponent to make them think you will throw them. Then you do not throw and instead do an attack. This works on an opponent that is very focused on throw breaking.
Throw Mix-Ups
We already talked about mixing up throws and attacks, but let’s dive deeper. A good mix-up involves using different kinds of throws, along with attacks, and movement options. For example, you can fake a normal throw and then go into a command throw. This will catch your opponent off guard and give you more opportunities to apply pressure.
Using Throw Setups
Some characters have attacks that set up throws perfectly. These setups often involve moves that leave the opponent in a vulnerable state, making a throw nearly guaranteed. Learning these setups is an important part of mastering your character’s throw game.
Character Specific Throw Knowledge
Each character has their own set of throws and setups. Learning the throw game for your character and your opponent’s characters is very important. This can drastically improve your playstyle. This is a very important aspect of Tekken and will determine how good of a player you will be.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players can sometimes make mistakes with throws. Let’s look at common pitfalls to avoid:
Spamming Throws
Don’t be the player who only throws. Opponents will quickly adapt and start breaking all your throws. It can leave you vulnerable to punishment. Mix it up!
Ignoring Break Animations
If you do not pay attention to the throw animations then you will struggle in your defensive game. If you don’t know how to break throws, you will lose to better players.
Becoming Predictable
If your throwing game becomes too repetitive, opponents will easily see your next move. Vary your approach and keep your opponent guessing. Your aim is to be unpredictable.
Underestimating Movement
You can use your movement to make throwing more effective. Use your sidestep to get close to an opponent, and then throw. Players often ignore movement in Tekken 9 but it is equally important for throwing game as it is for attack game.
Practice Drills
So, how do we put all this knowledge into action? It’s time for some practice drills!
Training Mode Throws
Spend time in training mode to perfect your throws. Record the AI to do different attacks, and then try to punish it with throws. This is a good method of practicing throws in Tekken 9.
Throw Break Practice
Use the training mode’s dummy settings to have the AI perform throws. Focus on the animation and try to break them every time. Remember you need to react quickly and correctly.
Mix-Up Practice
Create various mix-ups involving attacks, movement, and throws. This will make you more unpredictable. A good mix-up is a very important aspect of a strong game plan.
Character Matchup Analysis
Study each of your character’s throws, along with the opponent’s throw game. Learn what their throws look like, what breaks they require and how to punish them. If you do this, you will be a better player in the long run.
Tips For Improving
Throwing in Tekken 9 is a game of mind and skill. Here are a few more tips to help you grow:
- Watch Pro Players: See how they use throws and mix-ups. They are very good at exploiting flaws in opponents playstyles.
- Review Your Replays: Analyze where you are struggling and focus on those aspects. Pay attention to what you are doing when throwing, and what you are doing when getting thrown.
- Practice Consistently: The more you practice the better you will get. This may seem obvious but it’s very important in fighting games.
- Be Patient: Don’t expect to become a throw master overnight. It takes time and consistent practice.
The throw game in Tekken 9 is very important for success. Don’t neglect this part of the game. Put in the effort, practice and you will see yourself getting better.
By understanding how throws work, learning to break them effectively, and putting time into practice, you’ll gain a huge advantage. Remember, Tekken 9 isn’t just about hitting buttons – it’s about strategy, timing, and outsmarting your opponent. So go out there, throw some people around, and show them who’s the boss! Your throw game is about to level up!
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Final Thoughts
Perfecting throw breaks and understanding command throws form the core of Tekken 9 how to master throw game. Practice timing diligently to anticipate and counter opponents’ attempts effectively.
Mix up your throw approaches, preventing predictability. Learn which throws are best suited for different situations.
Effective use of throws creates openings for stronger attacks. Tekken 9 how to master throw game requires persistent effort. This ensures a well rounded skill set.
