"Meet Your Mod" Episode 10: DaiAndOh

This week:

DaiAndOh

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

- Why did you choose that particular handle, is there a story or reference you'd like to explain?

I wanted a unique handle I could use universally and know wouldn't be taken. I was getting sick of my old one pokemonandrew. So then while playing Super Robot Wars Alpha 3, I came across the mecha the RaiOh and it's evolution the DaiRaiOh....as shown below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzlsLoU-t9k

Loved the mecha and pilot (Touma). Put my own twist on the name and tada!

- What is your background with fighting games...Did you start with BB or are your OG like SFII?

I played SFII in the arcades/laundry mats/corner stores etc. when I was 4 and never looked back at loving fighting games. My first attempt to be competitive among the best was a failure with MvC2 when I didn't know how to utilize resources correctly in about 2003. Later, my college had a REALLY strong SSBM scene, so I got into that, then came spun off into other fighters.

- What competitive scene are you involved with? (Ranbats, Arcades, XBL, PSN, Reload Online etc.) Would you elaborate the benefits of this particular scene?

I host the Team St1ckbug "bi"-weeklys for various poverty/anime games. These tournaments are truly awesome and have attracted the strongest players in the North East, giving them a great way to use their skills and a great way for newer players to directly learn.

I go to Chinatown Fair arcade on occasion, but don't use that for practice much, due to over priced BB and consistently broken button GG. Either way it's great to hang out with people and the food around it is good.

I'm rarely on PSN, but that's mostly due to no desire to play any game on it now. I only play generally with other East Coast players to achieve a strong connection.

- How strong do you feel your nation is as a whole, what is the next step to strengthening it?

Ah good ol USA. I think that our top players are really strong, maybe cause I see them in person, but I think they could actually fight decently among japanese players, especially if they spend some time there (like Elvenshadow has been, for instance).

To strengthen the nation, I think we need people willing to travel to any events, both local and national and to play constantly with each other. It's so easy for players to meet up in Japan and get even stronger, but our giant nation and laziness hinders us.

Also important is to practice SMART. Only a fool tries the same thing twice and expects a different result. Understanding mistakes and figuring out how to fix them levels you up, and levels up your opponent who has to deal with your new found prowess.

- Which player(s) give you the most trouble and why?

Hmmm. Right now for BB, I'd say Zidane. He makes me feel like I can't do a meaty attack. Even with my super S tier limited edition Bang, it's probably the most frustrating thing to fight him. Honorary mention to anyone using Taokaka.

For GG I'd say it's Xaqshinor's Dizzy. Getting knocked down once in that match makes it really hard for Axl to come back especially against such a strong player. Though it's nice he takes away some of her tools though. The other honorable mention for that game is anyone's Milla, it's just frustrating again when knocked down, and she's so fast I feel like I have to guess her approach let alone actually keep her out. I may be changing characters though, Axl is fun but I really want to play more offensive.

- What has been the most helpful tool while growing stronger in BB?

The person next to me. BB isn't the hardest execution wise unless I want to get a complete mastery of my character's combos and abilities (why bother when lol5a ). But playing actual people is the best way to figure out what works and what doesn't, and it's what counts in the end, so if it's not too serious a match, it works well for testing stuff out on the fly, as hypocritical as that may sound.

- Is there anything you'd like to share regarding your respective character or Dustloop in general?

I picked up Bang upon his first picture! I love the hotblooded characters! I feel that if you don't enjoy your character or their playstyle that you may not have fun playing them, and thus care less about playing the game. So if you're picking Bang because he's strong now, perhaps try sticking around for a bit later. Things may not be so bad when you play because you're dedicated to your character rather than because he's the biggest thing.

For Dustloop.....hmmm. I can say it's changed A LOT since Blazblue. Some for better some for worse. Seeing those changes kinda mirror the transition from GG to BB. I want to urge those that entered the scene with SFIV and BB to try some of the older 2D games. They are great for building up your fundamentals because they're harder and stricter on the inputs. And who knows, you may find it be more rewarding or fun to play those games! And if you do, try to start something bigger for those games. TRUST ME....you never know what could come of some effort ^________^.