Staying Motivated

[InfinityGenesis]

I know there are plenty of threads that deal with this, but I've hit a wall. It's difficult to be motivated to play when I struggle so much when I'm playing against other people. It could be against friends or randoms yet I always get depressed once I suffer a huge losing streak or play a match that just feel one sided. I understand that I shouldn't focus on the end result of the match. Still with how much I've improved since I got into fighting games barely a year ago, I feel like it just doesn't matter sometimes. Right now my confidence is at an all time low, and all I've done is blame my own incompetence at the game. Sorry for the pity party way it may sound, but I hope some of you guys might understand the position I'm at and might have some advice.

[Soviet Bear]

After the Mega Drive era here, fighting games died down in my area. People had the hots for Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, but then the Playstation waltzed in and everyone was playing either epic single-player games or Pro Evolution Soccer/Winning Eleven. Fighting games became this very personal thing, where it was me and the CPU. My only benchmark was the difficulty level of a game. I tried a bunch of games, mostly via emulators, but then GGX got released for the PC. I played it to bits, never even looking online for strategies and combos (something like that never even occurred to me as a 'thing'). Then I moved on to GGXX Reload, but online wouldn't work in my country for the first few years (nobody could figure out why), so again, still a very personal experience.

I had this idea that I was good at the game, since I could consistently win arcade mode, survival mode and "Maniac" setting matches. I went to visit some friends I met on a forum, who happened to live a few hours by bus, just so I could play other people and show my skill.

I got completely and utterly steamrolled. Was the worst of the bunch there. More or less ate my own words.

So, this was after playing GG for a few years. I could have dropped it there and then, because I felt like I made absolutely no progress with the game at all. I decided to sit down and re-evaluate what I liked about the game and what character I could pick up to learn easily, while still enjoying myself. Six months later, we had a tourney with about 20 people. I placed third, and still lost to the two friends that had previously steamrolled me, but at least I put up a fight and made visible progress.

After that, BlazBlue became the next big thing, but I had no console. I had to leech off of other people during CT, CS, CS2 and Extend. CP is the first version I own and it shows. I've been playing the game for years, but the gap in skill/knowledge is visible. But hey, I saw a clip of me playing in CT and it was abysmal compared how I'm playing now.

So, the gist of it is, you'll be awful, you'll get your ass handed to you and you'll need years to make progress. But that doesn't matter. You're already better than a bunch of people by not quitting because of it.

There are a ton of good people on dustloop. You can find someone to be your sparring partner. A lot of people didn't have that luxury back in the day, but still endured.

Also, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsTCXbz2364

[crimsonstardust]

Well it helps not to play a lot when you hit this kind of wall and just kind of think about what went wrong or watch replays (if available) of your matches and see why you lost/won. The reason why I say not to play to much at this stage is mostly cause your brain needs a break from just playing constantly, and it helps to refresh your mind about that game, cause you end up auto piloting a lot. I have a similar problem with my local community, my scene mostly plays SF and I'm the weakest player, it felt like that I wasn't leveling up but after taking about 2-3 weeks away from the game, I saw that the gap closed a lot more then I realized, we pretty much are the harshest judge to ourselves so take it a little easy cause your probably leveling up with out realizing it.

[Dreize]

When it comes to fighting games enduring the hard times will almost always lead to good times later down the line.

Try not to think about who you are, think about who you want to be. Use your own aspirations as a form of motivation.

[Nemesis]

I am naturally a very competitive person and quite frankly I exercise those compulsions when I play BB... it really satisfies those feelings for me. Something I do in order to keep myself brimming with intense energies is actually exercise... like @ the gym. Usually before I play BB and rarely afterwards (due to being unable to stop when i get started >< ).

Another thing I do is to listen to my own soundtrack -- just plug my device into the speakers and such and disable BB music and listen to music that really gets me excited. Its served me quite well -- especially in avoiding shitty theme songs like taokakas which totally doesnt belong in a fighting game...

as for losing streaks... while that doesnt happen to me anymore... I do remember what that felt like, and what I did to deal with it was to search for people who I was capable of handling, and tell myself "I'll be able to crush those players eventually" -- and I did and continue too.

however some of the above posters are correct -- this is something that I have put YEARS into -- granted I only really started in CT and I only became serious about in late cs1 -- but its never too late to decide to become powerful, just recognize that it will take awhile. Its extremely important to understand your own strengths and weaknesses and apply them appropriately.. I mean I only learned to block ( and I mean really) at the end of EX.

Another thing to understand is that people will improve parallel to you - I am often surprised to see players who were mere cannon fodder to me previously, give me a fair bit more trouble than I expect. Use underestimation to your advantage.

And lastly if fighting is your passion then you'll stick with it and youll get better even if that rate is slow -- and mine was... for a really long time. Its depressing to lose I know, and sometimes the best option really is to take like a week long break (or possibly longer) to just let your head sort itself out and focus on other things. No matter how far you advance and how much skill you acquire though -- there will always be people to challenge that position with their own surprising amount of skill and ability.

[Ctrlaltwtf]

Don't fight Tager.

[Universe Arcana]

I'm relatively new to BB and whenever I play with my friends or netplay with people I often get destroyed. Does it suck? Of course! However, it's all apart of the the learning experience. Try and look at it from that perspective. Like Dreize said earlier, enduring the difficult times now will make you a better player later on down the line.

[InfinityGenesis]

I'll take this stuff to heart. I think I'm going to take a break and reflect. Still I'm worried I might not be cut out for this. Anyway thank you for your thoughts guys.

[edollarports]

get bodied

mash harder

belieeeeeeve

[Universe Arcana]

If you can, try recording your matches and uploading them to the critique thread of the character you play to get some feedback. I know the Kagura thread has a critique section, I'm not sure about Terumi though. OmniSScythe has a really good Kagura, so you can go watch his replays or ask him questions and I'm sure he'll help you out. :D

Edited November 17, 2013 by Universe Arcana

[Luminos564]

I'm kind of at a titanium wall right now. I'm still currently stuck with BBCS Extend since I need to wait for the NA version. So I thought to use my months to beat my awful, scrubby Haku-men tactics out and play a character I wanted to use for a long time now: u-12. Unfortunately, that has been a brutal wake-up call. 212 straight losses and I feel like I've made a terrible mistake in even trying. The fact I am in the middle of my D-pad-to-stick transition is not helping me either. About the only positive I can even account for is that I no longer lose my cool over a humiliating loss but that's it. Everything else has been one frustration after another and even if I take time off from the game, it all comes back once I start failing again.

[excelence]

This topic is just what i need ... i've been playing fg's seriously since 2000 on GGXX#R and playing BB since the 1st installment ... but ever since i'm playing those decent Character (Makoto & Plat) ... get bodied by Ragna, Hazama & Litchi isn't even bother me anymore and i just need to get better to beat them ... so yea i practice a lot till my thumbs bleed once to be able to stand on even ground with them (Player like Goro, Ruu & Konan inspired me a Lot since they seems didn't even care with their character flaw and makes things work)

And yesterday i play Izayoi vs Mu12 & Jin ... granted that's my 3rd day playing Izayoi and i'm against veteran player of Jin & Mu ... 2 v 33 win lose ratio isn't that bad right? ... out of frustration i'm picking Hakumen ... and i don't even touch him eversince CT, Only know some stuff he can do since i'm also learning the match up against my other friend who play Hakumen ... and without slightest effort ... i bodied him 13 v 2 ... it isn't because he didn't know the match up ... but holy crap...

This event makes me question myself .... is it worthed to play the character i like to win but can't? while there's a character that i don't even like but i can kick ass with them?

Any of u guys ever meet this kind of situation? and how did u deal with it?

[Celerity]

You should pick who you like. If your W/L is hugely different between two characters, it's obviously just because of your unfamiliarity with the new character and not because of personal skill or tier differences. As long as you are playing a character that suits your playstyle, you will eventually reach a competent level.

Also relevant to this topic, I feel that new players focus too much on results. At this point, the only result you should be caring about is the result of your own personal growth as a player. If you lose 100 matches and they helped you grow more than winning 100 matches, you've achieved a better result. You are constantly setting yourself up to do better in the future. Cheer up and look for the little things you can improve upon to get an edge on your opponent for next time.

[Soviet Bear]

This event makes me question myself .... is it worthed to play the character i like to win but can't? while there's a character that i don't even like but i can kick ass with them?

Any of u guys ever meet this kind of situation? and how did u deal with it?

I personally could never play a character I don't enjoy, even if I'm doing better with them. I was so disappointed when I first turned on BB and wanted Noel to be my main (based on previews before release) and it turned out I didn't enjoy her one bit. I went through the entire cast and Hakumen was literally the only character I enjoyed. With CP that number increased to 2 with Bullet.

Some people like playing the strongest option at any time, some people stick with the style they enjoy, regardless of power. You have the advantage that you're playing ASW games which often reward time invested, even if a character is objectively weaker.

[excelence]

The problem here i didn't even ever touch Hakumen... and i'm grinding Izayoi quite a bit to get used with her switch side teleport input and then u said playing with character that suit my playstyle it doesn't mean i like the character. though it's probably true Hakumen suit my playstyle better(a lot of blocking and Hit Confirming CH).

The problem here i put decent effort to nail down Izayoi BnB and my thumbs got quite swollen because of it and on Hakumen ... i just need to confirm anything into Zan and he already do twice the damage Izayoi can dish anywhere... it's more about idealism ... i have once hit a brick wall and end up locking myself on training room 8 hours a day for 2 months to make it works with Dizzy (got my nail comes off from my thumbs in the process) ... i like the idea of fairy thrashing down big giant cool mech / monster whatever ... and by luck on Blazblue those fairies're rock bottom tier + hard to play.

With your advice of Idealism, i'll stay playing Izayoi and at my position Now ... i haven't see any light on Izayoi tunnel (sonic saber, teleport footsie, Gain art mix up... so many things to do) and On Hakumen i already have an idea probably ignorant statement for Hakumen newbies, but his 5c and 2c had really good hit box and nailing ch with it on full magatama + Burst is nowhere near impractical ... and by god sake... i can makes a cup of coffee while i'm hit confirming with it

Edited November 18, 2013 by excelence

[excelence]

I personally could never play a character I don't enjoy, even if I'm doing better with them. I was so disappointed when I first turned on BB and wanted Noel to be my main (based on previews before release) and it turned out I didn't enjoy her one bit. I went through the entire cast and Hakumen was literally the only character I enjoyed. With CP that number increased to 2 with Bullet.

Some people like playing the strongest option at any time, some people stick with the style they enjoy, regardless of power. You have the advantage that you're playing ASW games which often reward time invested, even if a character is objectively weaker.

Welp... takes quite a time to write my reply for Celerity ... and good point about time investment i guess got my answer now ... "Don't have time anymore" ... playing FG's quite competitively 1st time i'm gonna be tier whoring bitch i guess orz

[Soviet Bear]

Welp... takes quite a time to write my reply for Celerity ... and good point about time investment i guess got my answer now ... "Don't have time anymore" ... playing FG's quite competitively 1st time i'm gonna be tier whoring bitch i guess orz

If you're playing competitively, nothing wrong with tier whoring. Everyone has the same tools at their disposal and they can choose/learn whatever they like.

[Lucalibur]

The thing with picking characters IMO is that you will do better with the character who has the highest ratio of fitting your playstyle and having powerful tools, but making sure they fit your playstyle comes first. For example, if you feel at home with Hakumen but can't get used to Bang at all, then you will do better with a low tier Hakumen than a top tier Bang. However, if you feel 'ok' with Ragna who (in theory) would be above Hakumen, but slightly below Bang, then you might end up doing better with Ragna since he has a higher ratio of fitting your playstyle and having powerful tools.

That being said, even in such cases I still believe people should go for the character they ENJOY using the most, and I mean that in the literal way. Even if you lose with that character, if you enjoy using them, it's worth it. There is no point in winning if you didn't enjoy the match. This also goes for matchups to some extend, because sometimes even if you do win a terrible matchup, the match itself could have been so 'lame' that you had no fun at all, and thus there was little reward in it other than the learning experience(which is by itself a great thing but the top priority with any game is to enjoy playing it).

I mean, look at me. I picked up CS1 not too long after it came out for the consoles and started with Bang. Loved the character but sucked at fighters so it took me until the end of CS2 to actually know what I was doing(kind of). By that point however I was already 'developing' my own playstyle, my fundamentals, and how I deal with situations, the tools I would like having and those I would not mind not having, etc etc. After that, I picked up Ragna, whose legendary 5B was about 70% of the things I wanted in my list. ID was 20%. However, the other 10% were not there, aka some form of anti-zoning measure. Comes CP, Azrael is a thing.

Azrael's neutral tools are SURPRISINGLY decent, although he has no jesus kick. He has good defensive options, high HP, and is not necessarily slow. Most important, he has a form of anti-zoning measure, but not in the sense it lets him 'break' through zoning, but just outright give less fucks about it than most characters. He is a combination of everything I feel comfortable with in a character, which I never thought I would find in a fighter but there you go, Azrael happened. I enjoy matches even if I lose them, so I consider each CP session a success BECAUSE it was fun.

Now, not everyone is going to have this luck. Sometimes you need to dig up really hard to find a character in a fighter that really 'clicks' on you like Azrael did to me. Sometimes you're gonna end up with a character that you 'just' feel comfortable with instead, rather than outright being you in game form. That is fine so long you enjoy using that character, but rarely will you enjoy using a character you don't feel comfortable with.

I don't know where I am going with this anymore, but I just want to say that so long you are comfortable with the character you are using and enjoying your matches, then improvements are going to be natural, and you will enjoy even the losses. The game will be fun, and that is the important part. Everything else is secondary. Unless you're playing against Noel, because that shit is never fun.

[Midnight-Zephyr]

I know how it feels to be depressed about constant losing streaks (I believe I stated that in like 3 other threads). I still am getting bodied even today. Actually I find that lurking on this site and Keeping your mind on improving are 2 of the biggest things. I remember I was playing with a friend in CSE with Jin and got bodied, and then he said "I suggest playing one day as Jin, nothing else, go into lobbies, etc."

And so I did. I actually started winning somewhat. *And then my Live ran out, but I digress.*

Im not gonna be playing until CP but I am messing around in the lab and learning every day about Jin. Then in CP im gonna start Kagura stuff.

Im well aware Im behind a lot of people, but I see the rate of improvement within myself, and if I keep the mindset of "always improving", then you'll see the results you want. In time (a long time).

But for now, like I said, I just lurk on here and transfer what I learned into training mode, so I can get it mashed in my head.

(And because Im too scared to post here lol.)

[OmegaDivider]

Well, it can be tough, that's for sure.

Personally, I'm not very great to begin with and I'm trying to get used to the Control->Fightstick transition. Really though, just set a goal and try to reach it. Then build up from there.

I keep myself motivated by watching the bnb Bullet combos and knowing I'll be able to do that eventually.

So, I say if you feel like you've hit a wall, set a higher goal and get towards it. Even if you have slow progress it is still progress!

[BlackYakuzu94]

This seems to be a common problem for people coming into fighting games, focused more on wins, losses, and rankings instead of your actual skill as a player; you can win as many matches and be as high a rank as you can, but none of that is indicative of your actual skill. I know this because I went through it myself a few months back after one too many online sessions. I was absolutely livid, screaming at the top of my lungs and everything and blaming the game for my losses. So what did I do? I took a break, went over in my head what I could improve on and ultimately realized that I was nowhere near as good as I thought I was. After doing all three of the above and spending some time doing genuine training, I saw a significant improvement in my game. At the end of the day, its just a game but what kept me from quitting was my pure love for BB and playing it; I knew I could improve my game, but I had to work for it and acknowledge my own weakness, it was the only way to break through.

Even now in CP, I'm still losing, a lot. In fact, I got 5-30 today in the Arcade Lobby. I felt like shit, especially since I'm generally regarded as the best among my small group of friends I play with so naturally that went a little to my head and today felt like a wake up call. But that's ok, because it reminded me that I still have a lot to learn and it gives me something to work towards.

In short: Climbing the tower is a long, difficult process. You'll bleed, you'll cry, and you'll wonder if its even worth it. But remember why you started climbing the tower in the first place, never lose sight of that. Don't assume it'll be easy, and that its going to be a cake walk, because its not and the minute you start thinkng like that, you'll get down smacked down hard. Mentally prepare yourself for that, be ready to get hurt, but be just as ready to get right back up. Anything worth having takes effort, but you gotta be willing to endure it.

...This was probably the longest post I've made on this site.

Edited November 23, 2013 by BlackYakuzu94

[Star-Demon]

I think a big problem is that we really like quantifiable results.

Wins and losses are really all we have, systemically. We don't have stats on successful baits, counters, and things we practice in training mode.

Even then, bad days for players exist. What about netplay? Environment?

If you lose you aren't necessarily the worse player, but for sure, we act and measure based on results. When you can't find results, you have nothing else but the most basic stats.

Also - we don't really have surefire ways on what to DO when we confront problems. I'm talking about actionable items - verbs.

Here's what I've been doing, lately:

I've been playing this game differently from others. I still get very upset when I take frustrating and humiliating losses, but it's a very big struggle to keep myself under control and focused on continuing to play. When I feel like I hit a wall I accept what I'm feeling and thinking and then remember the grand scheme of things, as well as accept that growth is entirely non-linear - success and improvement come when they do. I just go back, try some new things, sometimes force myself as well as I can to change something and just relax if I can.

It's not easy at all to get better. A lot of people will talk up a lot of bravado but there's definitely no system, definitely no even ground, and definitely no promises for success. Your time gets wasted a lot, no matter what.

Just some things that I think will help:

- Stay away from monsters. Either Streammonsters, Real life monsters, pot monsters...Anyone that isn't behind YOU improving and building skills. They are useless and a serious drag on your experience.

- Continue practicing things and situations - there's no way around this

- If you lack knowledge, own up and go get it

- Talk to people, don't read stuff or force your personal learning style into others. IF you are a social learner, talk to people, if you are a mobile learner, practice standing up. If you are a visual or auditory learner, maybe watch videos or read.

- Very important - don't talk to people who don't respect the game or characters. Every character is legit, every move is legit, everything is legit. There is no Disrespect until there is Respect.

- Give yourself room to fail and succeed. It's okay to do either.

[reaVer]

Think of it like this: there's people you beat and there's people you're going to beat. The time it takes for a player to get to the point where he's made notable progress varies for each player, but at some point any player can reach the point where he can call himself decent or even good. What you should ask yourself is why is losing demotivating you? What were you expecting from yourself?

The reality is, you are going to lose a lot, a lot more and a LOT LOT more. Because for every player you beat, there will be another player you can't beat. Even if you could beat a player, he could get stronger and then beat you. This basic competition knowledge. And quite honestly, it's why games like these are fun.

[ShadowClawBKR]

I like to think of losses as experience for things like potential wins. But we're all winning so long as we have fun with it and give it our best shot.

[TD]

watch a replay.

each time you get hit, keep asking yourself what you got hit by until you can answer it.

keep asking yourself why you got hit by that move until you can answer it.

for every single hit, even a burst.

if your answer is among the lines of "because that character is broken," unless that character is kokonoe, slap yourself in the face and try again, truthfully.

if you think your answer is reasonable, consciously correct the issue, or hit up training, white it down, whatever.

if you're not sure, talk about it! ask the player what they're doing. be exact. "hey haku player, why do you use 3c here, or hazama player why do you j6d there." abstract questions get abstract answers, so learn exactly what you need to be doing in a given match by asking, doing, and learning. save the abstract for baiting bursts and applying mixup.

this isn't meant to be an end-all to staying calm, but if you're serious about improving this could help out a bit. those who want to learn and/or naturally stay motivated.