Sophisticat

This is very, very true. I'll talk more about the bolded bits later on and hopefully some proper discussion will emerge from that. There is one character with whom this could theoretically work. If you guessed Hakumen, you guessed right. Because of counters, Hakumen technically doesn't have to block. This could also be true of characters with very fast pokes. Of course, risk/reward is extremely skewed, but hey, anything works. You just have to execute.

Lol. Yeah, this winter break should be great since aside from holiday stuff I don't have any work stuff either. I could finally get in some matches with you guys since... June? Lol.

Awesome. Let's stir the pot some more. I agree with this guy. There are certain situations where you have to block no matter what or else you get hit, but there are also plenty of situations where risk averse players can poke and CH, but won't because they're not willing to take the risk. It's all about risk tolerance. It can work if you can execute. Do you play poker or similar games, btw? I want to hit on the "risk v. reward", and "competitive edge" aspect of things once this mini-riot will have blown over. I think this will be a more tangible discussion than going on about creativity since no one seems to get it.

@Dusk: Zeth's got it right. The point is that there is no "right" way to play. You might call my view restricted, but actually pulling it off in a live match is another thing. When both players know the game like the back of their hands, it's time for some out-of-the-box thinking. So to push either's abilities to the limit, well, that takes creativity! Anyway, what really matters is that no matter your style or your character, your decisions and the ability to execute them is what will determine the match. Btw, creativity does not have to occur within the match itself; it can take the form of a plan to beat your opponent at his game. For example, I recall a guy in SFIV who got really high in the EVO brackets a year or two back, and that was with lowly Sakura. He did it because his style was very unorthodox. Pretty much everyone on SRK was impressed as I recall.

Can't make it after all. Got hyped up for nothing. I wanted to at least attend a CS2 farewell meet, but turns out I'ma have to go back to Ninja status.

^ Dang straight it is. It's just such an underrepresented subject that I felt someone should talk about it. Best I get the ball rolling. Ok, I like where this is going better. Keep the replies coming.

^ Precisely, Zeth. I had an inkling you'd get it given how you play.

Yes, which is why I've stated that fundamentals are something you can't replace. You must have an understanding of these to make it with any kind of style, much less any character. How someone uses something is up to them, and that's a part of the creativity I'm talking about. More on that later. This is too rigid, though. Your opponent is prone to trickery, cunning, and deception. It might look like he's about to do one of his same ol' patterns, but changes it up at the last moment. Remember, you're fighting people, not robots! Unpredictability can and will make you lose. ----- It seems like I might have given off the wrong impression here. I'll give a couple examples: Classic GG match: KZO vs. Ogawa For those who don't know, Ogawa is a legendary Eddie player. To boot, the HOS/Eddie matchup is hardly one of the better ones in the game. So, to beat Ogawa, KZO had to mixup his usual play. What you see here was a creative, riskier take on HOS that was designed to catch Ogawa off-guard. His decisions were designed to bring Ogawa outside of his comfort zone, and hey. It worked. Imo, this is the kind of creativity that's missing in most people's play when they're up vs. stronger players than themselves. They're too straight-laced. About psychology, I'll take the recent Evo2k11 Spark v. LK Grand Finals: Part 1, Part 2. Now, LK, Spark, do correct me if I'm wrong, but here's my take: Spark's defence was his "bluff". Since he blocked pretty much everything and then countered it, it got to LK's nerves. A couple matches in, he suddenly switches to Makoto for no reason. Spark handily beats him. At this point, LK's seriously rattled, and it visibly shows in his play. The lowliest of scrub could have beaten LK right then (<3 you LK). For LK to regain confidence, he would have had to rattle Spark's armour (i.e. find a way to crack his v. strong def). He could have won had he been able to do some unexpected bit of mixup or baiting of his own to invite Spark out of his shell then really twisting the knife. But, imo, LK's mind and nerves worked against him here and he was unsettled just half-way through. So it has less to do with either player's abilities than their trust in an outcome. Of course Spark has great defence and that's a technical skill. But I'm willing to bet he couldn't hold it up if he were to be rattled somehow, and that would have been LK's cue to regain confidence and push back. ----- And then, of course, you have cool-ass combo vids and doing flashy stuff for the sake of being flashy. That's awesome stuff. It's not my point, though. What I mean to say is creativity in decision-making, and the confidence to trust your own abilities even vs. top players is what separates the wheat from the chaff. That's what I'm talking about. So let's say you prefer rushdown, but like a defensive character. That's great, and it does work, because the most important thing in any match is your ability to execute, and that takes the right kind of mentality. So don't worry that you're not doing X properly with Y character, because it might actually not matter that much.

Sunday, huh? Might be able to make it, actually. I have an exam Monday morning and I could study at the Uni, then catch a tourney later. This very much depends on how much study I need to get in, though. Can't promise anything.

EDIT: Scroll lower to the quote for the main point of this thread. It's evolved a bit since the OP I've been thinking about this for a while now. When helping out other guys, when setting up character/combo guides and such, and when offering critique on other's play, we always say "you shouldn't do that, but do this" or stuff like "this is how X character should be played", or maybe even "this is the way Y matchup has to play out". I think it misses the point a bit. When you think about it, the amount of freedom you have in fighters is actually quite broad as compared to other types of games. There are, of course, the system's inherent limitations in each game which dictate what you can and cannot do. But overall, you're given a character, a stage, mechanics, and it's upt o you to figure out a way to beat the other guy. It's not just limited to the game itself either; how you decide to play the game is entirely up to you. I play Hakumen. Most would say D counters are risky and you shouldn't really use them. But thinking about it, who cares, really? If you're good at using them, then by all means, abuse e'm. The opponent will have to spend more time going for throws, and now you can bait those, too. Mix it up, jiggle e'm, rattle e'm, and go for the jugular. Let's also discuss the term "mixup". I believe this term is much too character-focused. For Ragna, "do 6b -> 2b". This is fine and dandy, but good players have learned to recognize this as a very simple mixup and so avoid it. The trick here is to apply human mixup. Be unpredictable in your use of Ragna's mixup, and I'll bet you you can land it 100% of the time. So, in the end, who cares how you play your character? It's your style! Accept it, and abuse it to gain an edge over the competition. You like playing staffless Litchi? Go right ahead. Rushdown Tager? Be my guest. Turtle Ragna? You're fucked imo, but go right ahead. You decide how your character should be played according to your personality (Albeit with the hitch that your fundamentals must still be very much solid!). This brings us to psychology, and the role of bluffing in FGs, which are, imo, very much underrepresented subjects when discussing fundamental aspects of play. Once each player knows the game like the back of his hand, it can be fairly aggravating to get in a hit. So what's left? You have to rattle e'm any way you can. Everyone who's been a participant in tournaments can also claim to have experienced "tourney nerves". A good player will recognize this in his opponent and press his advantage to jiggle him further. Applying this to top players now, each must find a way to beat the other, and, imo, this is done through bluffing. Bluffing can be something as simple as very strong, rock-solid defence. Since the other player cannot get in a hit, he'll start doubting whether he can win. And this doubt is what sows the seeds for his demise as his play breaks down not because the other guy's a better player, but because his own mind now becomes his worst enemy. All this said, I believe the best player to be one who breaks the mould of "standard play". Play any goddamn way you want. There are some things you should practice (fundamentals) before being proficient in any fashion, but in the end my own experience has told me that it doesn't matter at all what you do with your character. Anything can win, you just need to figure a way how to do it. And what this all comes down to is... creativity! Be an artist; the game's your canvas, and your controller the brush. Go wild! I'll leave it at that for now. I am very much interested in the responses. --------------

[Enters] Montreal: Sejour Gratuit Pour Weaboo Fighters [/Exits]

SKD's a frigging natural. Not surprised he won either.

Wow, congrats Brice, good shit! Enjoy the $$$, you earned it! Way to rep MTL, guys. How'd everyone else place?

^ You got that right. I don't think 2D crosses in the corner. Better check that one, though. Also, don't get hit.

Good luck at NEC, guys! Bring back some scalps!

It's become legit. Not GG good yet, but give it a bit more time, and it might just turn into what the vets wanted all along.

JP version!? You guys are hardcore! :O I probably won't get CSEX until it has a discount this time around. Not worth it if I ain't playing as much as I used to.

Damn, guys. Sounds like everyone in here could use a hug. IT'S OK GUYS! I'LL MAKE BILLIONS AND IT'S ALL GOING TO BE OK!!!!

Important part bolded for emphasis, Kirb-dono.

... Since I couldn't find an article that explains it properly, I'll point you to the following: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dennis Of which I extract this quote: Don't look down on Turtles! ----- Also, hi guys! 'Sup! What'd I miss?

Yo, if I had a negative bank account... Fuck. I can't even imagine it. Money is blood, Nini, money is blood!! It's your life force; don't spend it recklessly. It is precious! Man, might as well be dead. *Shudders*

Lol, I'll still be playing, it's just going to be really casual from now on. Anyway, I dropped by to say hi, but I only saw Brice and Krewman. I had time to play a game or two, too.

Le salt! Yeah, it's midterms, stuff happens fast. Anyway, forget about me. I think my active FG days are pretty much over by now. It would take a miracle to really get me back in the scene. So yeah, no NEC for me. I'll -- I'll cheer you guys. Take care. ;_;

Btw, I might not be going to NEC. Things aren't turning out right for that. Go rep MTL, guys! Show e'm who's boss! :D

I might go this Sunday too. I have to be at the Uni for some project work, so I might be free for a bit after that. 'Bout time I got in some BB, I barely play it these days, lol.