Explanation of GG's General Strategy to a Complete Noob

[Bossguy]

Hi, guys, I'm new here. I've been playing fighting games "seriously" for about eight months now, all of that time being spent on SF4. I've gotten bored with it as of late, so I picked up GG XRD because it looked like a lot of fun. I love it so far, but I am completely lost. I know how to read opponents in SF4, how to mix them up after a knockdown, and I'm familiar with the neutral game and how to space myself properly. With GG XRD, I know pretty much nil. I know that jumping is actually a good option now in GG, but I have no idea how to use it effectively. I can't even combo off a jumping slash, haha. Movement on the ground is very strange for me, and I have no idea how to capitalize on a knockdown. I understand that this game is pretty mixup heavy, and the most important thing is to corner the opponent and start serious pressure, but what the heck do you do in the neutral game? I've spent most of my time in challenge and tutorial with some versus against the computer, but should I go online and get bodied? Is that the best way to understand the general flow and pacing of the match?

[burningvigor]

I've spent most of my time in challenge and tutorial with some versus against the computer, but should I go online and get bodied? Is that the best way to understand the general flow and pacing of the match?

 

Fighting good players will allow to learn how the pace of GG works.  It's the fastest way imo, but you must understand the mechanics of GG to fully learn quickly. 

 

 

Try to find someone whos good with decent connection and ask to run sets with you in a private room.  I've had people do stuff like 30 game sets with me just to level up, and they improved a lot.

[Bossguy]

Cool, thanks. I did that in SF4, but I was at a higher level at that time. I'll try to find some online people to work with.

[Kikuichimonji]

Mixups are important, but neutral is more important. Knowing when you have an advantage you can push at neutral and when you should back off is key in GG.

Watch the best players for your character and emulate them.

I'd need to know your character to give better advice. Feel free to ask in character specific forums for more in depth answers.

[Bossguy]

That's a great piece of advice. Thank you. It changes the way you watch those match videos.

I've been using Ky since he's so easy, but I've been wanting to switch once I get more acquainted with the game.