Tekken 9 Situational Game Planning

Tekken 9 Situational Game Planning

So, you’re getting ready for Tekken 9? Awesome! You already know that just button mashing won’t cut it, right? To really get good, you need a plan, not just for the whole match, but for different situations. This is what we call “situational game planning”. Think of it like having different strategies for different problems in a fight. It’s like being a super-prepared fighter, always ready for whatever the opponent throws at you.

Understanding the Basics of Tekken 9 Situations

Before we dive into specific plans, let’s break down the common situations you’ll find yourself in. Imagine Tekken 9 as a chess match, but with punches, kicks, and crazy combos! Here are some key battle states to consider:

• Neutral Game: This is when both fighters are far enough apart that nobody is in immediate danger. You’re both trying to find an opening. This is where your pokes, movement, and spacing come into play. Think of it like probing for weaknesses in your opponent’s defense.
• Offensive Pressure: This is when you are “in their face” and attacking. You’re using strings of attacks, mix-ups, and throws to try and break through their defense. It’s all about keeping the heat on!
• Defensive Play: This is when your opponent is attacking, and you need to block, sidestep, and counter. You have to be patient and look for the right time to regain control. Being defensive doesn’t mean being passive – think of it as an active form of survival, where you look for cracks in their offense.
• Wall Situations: This is when someone’s back is against the wall. Walls can create huge opportunities for more damage if you know how to use them. The wall also changes your options, since you might need to take different approaches. It is a place of high risk and great reward.
• Okizeme: This is the state after you knock someone down. You’re trying to keep them down by attacking them as they are getting up (this is called okizeme) while they try to get away, or attack you right as they get back on their feet. It is crucial to have a strategy in okizeme situations, because you have a huge advantage when the opponent is on the ground.
• Punishment: When your opponent makes a mistake, you should punish them with a strong move or combo. Knowing how to capitalize on opponent’s mistake can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Neutral Game: Finding the Opening

In the neutral game, you’re not just waiting for something to happen. You are actively trying to make things happen. This is where you will try to control the space, make your opponent make mistakes, and start your attacks.

Pokes and Movement

Pokes are quick, short-range attacks that can be used to test your opponent’s defense. Good movement includes using backdashes, sidesteps, and walks to avoid your opponent’s attacks and make them miss. By using pokes and movement, you are trying to get an idea of what your opponent does, and find a good opportunity to attack.

• Safe Pokes: Use moves that are not easy for the opponent to punish, even if they block them. This will give you an edge.
• Spacing: Practice moving around the screen to find the right distance. This helps you avoid attacks and set up your own.
• Sidestep and Backdash: Use sidesteps to avoid linear moves, and backdashes to create space and bait out your opponent’s moves.

Reading Your Opponent in Neutral

The neutral game is also about reading how your opponent moves and reacts. You’re watching them, learning their habits and adjusting your gameplan based on what you’re seeing. This is where the chess-like elements of Tekken really come into play.

• Pattern Recognition: Does your opponent like to attack right away, or do they wait for you to make the first move?
• Reaction Time: How fast do they react to your pokes? If you see they are slow, you can mix in quicker attacks.
• Common Moves: Pay attention to what moves they use most. This tells you what they’re comfortable with.

Offensive Pressure: Breaking Their Defense

Once you’ve found an opening, it’s time to bring the heat. Offensive pressure is about making your opponent guess, and preventing them from getting a chance to attack.

Mix-Ups and Strings

Mix-ups are combinations of low, mid, and high attacks that force your opponent to guess how to block. Strings are series of moves that can be chained together. Combining these two is a great way to apply a ton of pressure.

• Low/Mid Mix-ups: This is where you alternate between attacks that require a low block and mid block. If your opponent is blocking high, they’re open to lows. If they are blocking low, they’re open to mids.
• High/Mid Mix-Ups: If they are crouching a lot, try high and mid attacks to see how they react.
• String Setups: Use strings that have both good block advantage and also lead into mix ups.
• Variations: Try not to use your mix-ups and strings in the exact same order every time. It will make you predictable.

Throw Game

Throws are unblockable attacks that break through solid defense. They’re great for making people panic and opening them up for more attacks. It can force them to stop blocking so you can use other moves.

• Command Throws: Practice the command inputs for your character’s throws so you can use them effectively.
• Throw Break: Be ready to break throws when your opponent is going for one.
• Throw Mix Ups: Mix up your throws so your opponent doesn’t know what to expect.

Defensive Play: Staying Safe and Countering

Sometimes, you’ll find yourself on the defensive. Knowing how to block and counter effectively is just as important as knowing how to attack. There’s no shame in playing defensively. It’s not about running away, it’s about using tactics to out-think your opponent.

Blocking and Movement

Blocking is the most basic form of defense. But movement is key here too. It’s not enough to just stand still, taking hits. You have to actively move around while also blocking.

• Standing Guard: Always block when you aren’t attacking.
• Low Guard: Remember to crouch block to defend against low attacks.
• Sidestep Blocking: Learn to block while sidestepping to make them miss and get an advantage.
• Backdash: Use backdashes to create distance when they are attacking.

Counter-Attacking

Countering is the process of turning the tables after blocking an attack. When you counter, you take the advantage and start your own attacks.

• Punish Wiffs: When your opponent misses with an attack, quickly attack them.
• Punish Blocked Attacks: Some blocked attacks are unsafe and can be punished. Learn which moves are unsafe.
• Interrupting Strings: Learn how to counter attack mid-string.

Wall Situations: Maximizing Damage

Walls completely change the dynamics of the fight. You can perform more damaging combos and create more dangerous pressure when a player has their back to the wall.

Wall Combos

Walls make it easier to keep someone in the air, allowing you to perform longer and more powerful combos.

• Wall Carry: Use moves that push the opponent towards the wall.
• Wall Splat: Moves that hit the opponent into the wall so you can continue comboing them.
• Wall Ender: Moves you can do after a splat to do a lot of damage.

Wall Pressure

When someone has their back to the wall, it’s difficult to get away. Learn how to apply pressure to force them into making a mistake.

• Mix-Ups at the Wall: Use low/mid mix-ups to keep them guessing at the wall.
• Throwing at the Wall: Throws become even more powerful against the wall.
• Safe Moves: Use moves that are safe on block so you can continue to apply pressure.

Okizeme: Staying Aggressive After a Knockdown

Okizeme, or the “wake-up game,” is all about what you do when your opponent is getting up. You’re trying to make it hard for them to get back into the fight. You can also force them to make a mistake that you can capitalize on.

Wake Up Options

Before you attack, try to understand what kind of options the opponent has when getting up.

• Quick Get Up: They might try to stand up quickly.
• Stay Down: They might stay down and wait.
• Roll Backwards: They might try to roll backwards.

Okizeme Strategies

You have to keep all their options in mind, so that you can make the correct choice when they are getting up.

• Timing Attacks: Time your attacks to hit them right as they get up.
• Mixing Up Okizeme: Don’t do the same thing every time. Use a variety of strategies to make it hard for your opponent to predict.
• Frame Traps: Use attacks that are slightly delayed, which forces them to block.

Punishment: Capitalizing on Mistakes

Tekken 9 rewards players who are observant. When you see an opening, you have to take it, fast. This is punishment. A good punishment can turn the match around in a second.

Punishing Unsafe Moves

Every move in Tekken has a frame data. Frame data basically tells how fast a move is, and how vulnerable you are after doing the move. Some moves have very long recovery and can be punished if blocked.

• Identifying Unsafe Moves: Learn which of your opponent’s moves are unsafe on block. This is very important.
• Fast Punish Moves: Learn fast moves that you can use to punish.
• Effective Punish Combos: Knowing high damage punish combos is very important to your offense.

Punishing Whiffs

When the opponent completely misses with a move, it’s your chance to punish them. The bigger the whiff, the better your opportunity for punishment.

• Identifying Whiffs: Pay attention to when your opponent’s moves miss.
• Fast Punish Moves: Use quick moves to punish them when they whiff.
• Effective Whiff Combos: Know long combos that you can use to make sure they are punished when they whiff.

By understanding these situations and planning accordingly, you’re not just playing Tekken 9, you’re mastering it. Remember that Tekken is all about learning and adjusting. So, keep practicing, keep learning, and most importantly, have fun!

Keep in mind that these are just starting points. To be the best, you’ll need to practice these scenarios with your own characters, and adjust as you see fit. Experiment with different options, see what works best for you, and most importantly, enjoy the journey of becoming a great Tekken player!