Where to start?

[MakesTrouble]

So up until now I've only played fighting games fairly casually. I've been pretty aware of the competitive side of the scene for years though and have enjoyed watching streams and what not from time to time. I was pretty comfortable just being a removed viewer until recently when I came across a trailer for a game series I'd only heard about in passing. The game - of course - was Guilty Gear Xrd; I was immediately fascinated by the character design and the amazing music. So I went and did some research and came across one of klaige's videos on YouTube. The character guide to be more specific. Even though a lot of what he was saying went right over my head, I was even more impressed by the characters than I could've imagined.

I think this series has some of the best character design of any game period and I decided right then I wanted to atually learn to play. So here comes my problem -- where do I start? I plan on purchasing a fightstick in the coming days and I currently own AE; I guess what I'm getting at is what should I do first? Should I start with learning AE because that game is far simpler and might help with building fundamentals, or should I jump right in an get Accent Core? I only ask because GG is a pretty complex game from what I've seen and as a total novice I wonder if it is even possible for me to both learn fundamentals and GG at the same time. Any and all help and/or suggestions would be helpful.

Edited December 8, 2013 by MakesTrouble

[TheRealBobMan]

There are things you can pick up from playing AE that will be beneficial to your GGAC game, but if you like GG, just play GG. You can start with an easier character so you wont have to spend as much time learning how to interface with the game, and then learn about the system mechanics. When you want to take breaks from GG you can work at another fighting game like AE. It'll definitely be beneficial to have at least some time spent in a traditional ground-based fighter like SF4, since the mobility in airdashers tends to allow players to avoid learning what to do on the ground, how to approach on the ground, and such like that. That said, airdashers are very different from the older style of fighting games, so you'll be doing yourself a disservice by playing something other than GG as preparation when you could be learning actual GG.

An arcade stick isn't mandatory when first starting out, and isn't even necessary for some characters. I wouldn't try to play Eddie on pad, but I've heard that I-No is actually quite doable on pad despite having some of the harshest execution requirements in the game (I can't FRC on a pad for ****, but her dash based stuff is super easy on pad at least). If you can get GG before your stick (good sticks are expensive), don't worry about the stick and just play the game.

As far as learning fundamentals, yes you can learn them as you pick up the game. Nothing is stopping you from knocking the other guy down and baiting his uppercut. Learn where you generally want to position yourself. Learn what the purpose of each move is so you can beat their moves with your moves. Just jump into it and play! : )

Most people recommend just using whoever you like when you start out. If you don't have a favorite just from looking at their artwork, I'd honestly recommend trying someone simple like Ky, Faust, Potemkin, May, or Jam, and then once you get a feel for the game, go through everyone and see what their moves are, and how they feel. You might find you like the way a character handles and want to play them over your favorite. Faust is actually my favorite character, but I can't stand to play him because I find him boring. I play I-No even though I don't like that she's a total skank because I like her gameplay. You might like how Millia sounds because of her oki playstyle, but then find you like Dizzy more when you actually control her (both have good oki).

After that... just keep playing the game. Put the time in and have fun, and you'll eventually catch up. Just keep some of the distinguishing things about GG in the back of your mind and refine your basics. One major difference is that just about every attack for every character has some use somewhere. Sometimes you get moves that are outclassed by other moves, and sometimes you get bad supers (Dragon Install, Red Hail, etc), but you're not going to have the problem I see with games like SF where you never seem to hit certain buttons because you can't find a use for the moves mapped to them. The other thing is that you use meter for just about everything, and you gain it from "acting aggressive", which includes walking forward. You're going to have a lot more meter to spend than in other games, and the meter has lots of uses rather than just poke > super. You don't get punished for blocking too much by being guard crushed like in some games, but you will take more damage if they legitimately hit you after you've blocked a whole bunch. You wont be punished for blocking correctly, but you're highly encouraged to be the one attacking and you will get destroyed if you try to play too defensive.

Ask lots of questions here on Dustloop. We're happy to help.

[Chainsaw Guitar]

Guilty Gear is a much more beginner friendly game than most people realize. I started playing Accent Core around 5 years ago for the exact same reason you did, and I did it without knowing how to do something as basic as a fireball motion. I'm still pretty far away from being a good player but I certainly didn't have to practice other 'easier' fighters beforehand to learn my way around the genre. (Though it would help a fair bit to try.) It will take a hell of a long time but so long as you don't burn yourself out trying to get good quickly, you should manage the learning process quite fine.

[Delrian]

So up until now I've only played fighting games fairly casually. I've been pretty aware of the competitive side of the scene for years though and have enjoyed watching streams and what not from time to time. I was pretty comfortable just being a removed viewer until recently when I came across a trailer for a game series I'd only heard about in passing. The game - of course - was Guilty Gear Xrd; I was immediately fascinated by the character design and the amazing music. So I went and did some research and came across one of klaige's videos on YouTube. The character guide to be more specific. Even though a lot of what he was saying went right over my head, I was even more impressed by the characters than I could've imagined.

I think this series has some of the best character design of any game period and I decided right then I wanted to atually learn to play. So here comes my problem -- where do I start? I plan on purchasing a fightstick in the coming days and I currently own AE; I guess what I'm getting at is what should I do first? Should I start with learning AE because that game is far simpler and might help with building fundamentals, or should I jump right in an get Accent Core? I only ask because GG is a pretty complex game from what I've seen and as a total novice I wonder if it is even possible for me to both learn fundamentals and GG at the same time. Any and all help and/or suggestions would be helpful.

I'd like to know where you are starting from exactly... What games do you play, can you do specials or super moves, or even full combos? Are you aware of what spacing, frame data, or a meaty attack is? I personally would give different starting points depending on where you are as a player.

P.S. A stick isn't required for competitive play, though there are plenty of benefits. You'll definitely want to check out the thread in Beginner Mode on arcade sticks vs controllers, as well as the other threads if some of the terms I mentioned are pure gibberish to you. (And the wiki too, I suppose).

[Klaige]

Greetings MakesTrouble.

This past year i've spent a lot of time working on a guilty gear tutorial stream for players of all levels, including the most basic knowledge beginners need to get into the series. I have all the vods on my youtube page which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/klaige

IAD-TV has episodes ranging from the most beginner level information about the system of guilty gear and its functions up through higher complex breakdowns for things like defense and the neutral game. These episodes are specifically designed to help people learn guilty gear from the ground up, and then improve their game as they gain more knowledge. If you are a visual learner and like having things explained out in detail then give my vids a look. I think they will help you out a great deal as you get into the game.

Feel free to shoot any questions to me as well if anything is unclear. In addition to my channel there are a great deal of guides and information here on dustloop you can check out.

Hopefully these help, and welcome to the world of Guilty Gear :D

Edit - I just realized im dumb and you actually mentioned you watched my character guide. Go go reading comprehension. If i may suggest, watch the very first IAD-TV entitled guilty gear basics 101. That should help get you started with all the basic info you need to know about the game and might help things explained in the character guide episode be more clear! Again feel free to toss any more questions to me or anyone here on the forums!

[MakesTrouble]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and helpful information.

I'd like to know where you are starting from exactly... What games do you play, can you do specials or super moves, or even full combos? Are you aware of what spacing, frame data, or a meaty attack is? I personally would give different starting points depending on where you are as a player?

I'm still a novice, but I do have a vague knowledge of everything you mentioned. Like I said, I've watched streams for several years and have kind of organically picked up on things. I'm still at the stage where when I'm actually in a match I start to panic and the button mashing begins. I presume this is something that happens with everyone when they start, because people I've played in casual matches in fighting games do similar things.

Edited December 9, 2013 by MakesTrouble

[Delrian]

My first step for you would be to play entire matches without mashing all the buttons (try to have a purpose behind every button press), while occasionally referencing this site for more goals to improve upon. If you're having trouble with a certain character or player, try to figure out why (what angles are they approaching from, and what moves are they using?). Also, you may want to check out the guilty bits series for a basic few minute rundown of the characters.

[Blade]

If you find Guilty Gear's story of any interest (since it is complicated), feel free to hit me up on my blog and ask questions.

[MakesTrouble]

If it helps, I've decided to play grapplers. Like Gief and I suppose Potemkin since there really isn't any other option in Guilty Gear.

[Dreiko]

The ultimately best way to learn is to just play a hell of a lot. Don't worry too much. Find someone, someone preferably locally or with whom you don't lag much and grind games hours upon hours. Ask questions and tell them to give you advice about anything that comes to their mind.

You seem to have enough theory in your head already, now you need to start piecing the pieces of the puzzle that float in your head together some and to do that you just need to play. Fighters are muscle memory in big part and building that muscle memory takes a lot of time.

Don't be dicouraged if you lose, try to find enjoyment in learning and improving. If you can do that and if you have the time to put in, you're guaranteed to get good in time.

[Antaiseito]

I think it hasn't been mentioned:

If you're starting to learn stick while starting to play 2D-Fighters more seriously i wouldn't suggest playing SF4, since the very lenient input detection (33-input basically registerting as DP/623) will make you relearn quartercircle and dp-motions all over again after switching games.

Or at least it was like that for me, was raging and doubting myself for 2 days when trying out some kof13, because no DP would ever come out....

[tataki]

SF4 only builds your SF4 ability. If you want to play game X well, just go and start playing game X, not other games.

[Narroo]

SF4 only builds your SF4 ability. If you want to play game X well, just go and start playing game X, not other games.

What about SFII Turbo?

[tataki]

What about SFII Turbo?

Every game can teach you fundamentals, but also give you plenty of game specific habits. And shaking those off as a noob as you switch between games is hard. This is why I don't like the concept of "gateway" games. Go straight to the game that is your true goal. If you like one game, play that game. If you like several games, play these several games, but don't play games just to get ready for other games.

[Antaiseito]

I think so too.

If you like what you play, you will learn faster anyways and have fun doing so.