TaoFTW

If you bring Starcraft, then I'm bringing EFZ. :3

Alright guys, here's the two venues you can choose from: - Derrick's office - Fred's house Both places have internet and chairs; I want to hear your input. >:C Edit: We will go to Derrick's office. Fred's house will be used as backup.

I was only on stream for 20 minutes...and nobody saw my - almost - timeout against 10kai.

I forget to bring my phone to record my matches. :/

Play Tao and you'll be transformed into a furry. Thanks Sano! <333 You need to come up here too and play some GG with us. :3

My recommendation: Even if we decide not to use the Campus Village, book the room one month in advance. It's better to have a venue available than no venue. If you are asked for the usage purpose, then write this, "Nor Cal Animu Fighting Game club exists to raise awareness that there is more to life than textbooks, isolation, and boredom; therefore, in an effort to build - and establish - the community, we encourage students to take part in a revolution for constructive high-level tournament gameplay." I'll edit it as the year goes by, but that's the vision I have for Nor Cal. The Animu Club only serves as a catalyst for marketing strats. :3 Edit: Since you've expressed a - great - interest in the MBAA setup, I exhort you to take charge and host it. I will only learn from the best people running gigs.

I have a meeting until 6:00pm. I can come around 6:30. :/

Will do. I updated the thread with loads of new information.

Chapter 1: The Beginning One day, while waltzing into NCR, I turned my head to see a scruffy hair'd man with jeans sagging down to the floor - rolling his eyes left and right - playing Blazblue. My jaw dropped as my eyes bulged out of it's sockets, "What?! I never knew Nor Cal Regionals had a BB casual session. What did you do?" I screamed in disbelief. "I saw a TV open and used it to hook up my XBOX for Blazblue." Responded the scruffy hair'd man. Somehow, someway, we managed to draw a crowd bigger than the t6 crew while mashing away in our casual session. Ginseng played too :3. Needless to say, I had a dream. "I have a dream that one day [nor cal] will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these [animu games] to be self-evident: that [Arcsys has created better games than Capcom]. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of [nor cal] the sons of former [blazbluers] and the sons of former [street Fighters] will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood." *** Chapter 2: The Quest for :3 I have a favor to ask you SJSU and De Anza folk. In an effort to re-ignite the fire in nor cal's GG, BB, and MB scene, I'm trying to secure a venue to hold MONTHLY sessions. Yes, you heard me - monthly - gatherings. This would include: - Casual Sessions - Ranbats - Future Nor Cal Major including: BBCS, GGAC, MBAA I'm tired of seeing every single venue ax these games out of every major. Therefore, I figured it's high-time we start up something of our own caliber. Wherefore, "Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of [Nor Cal], of [sadlife], my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you 'stand, Men of the [Nor Cal]!'" If you want to revive nor cal, then I ask for you to scrounge for a venue. I do not have the necessary assets to rent hotel space, but I'm looking! If all else fails, then we will use SJSU bowling alley as our last resort. But take heart! The battle has, yet, to be won! *** Chapter 3: What's a Good Venue? Like I said, in response Arv's earlier post, you're more than welcome to use the venue as a catalyst - and extension - for the BB/GG/MB community. The keyword here is, 'empowerment.' If you can do it, then - by all means - take initiative and open up a venue for us. There are a few, personal, pre-requisites to opening up venues: 1) Plethora amount of space for numerous setups. 2) Ample chairs. 3) Internet Connection is - highly - preferable (live stream). 4) Convenient - free - parking. 5) Close to loliJohn approved eateries (you have to assume that some people carpool'd, took a bus, or walked to the venue). 6) Exclusive for gatherings only (no deafening rap music like in the SJSU bowling alley). 7) Ability to be open during summer vacation. 8) BBCS* 9) If possible, then no venue fee. Also, HD TVs tend to carry conversion lag. Please test them to see, whether or not, they're usable. * = Preferably close to a BBCS cab. If not, then that's okay. The whole point in setting up this venue is to pave the way for future ASW console port games. *** Chapter 4: The Quest For Venues Here's the following finds: Corporate Venues: - [finput][/finput] College Campuses: - Devry University Multi-Purpose Room (Fremont) Store Venues: - MGL (Milpitas Golfland) Houses/Apt: Fred's house (Sunnyvale) - No more than 8 people. Aginor's home (Sunnyvale) - Invitation only, but can host up to 20 people comfortably. Wolf Pup TK's home (Sunnyvale) - Can only host up to 5 people. loliJiang (Mt. View) - No more than 8 people. Ginseng's home (Milpitas) - Invitation only, but can host up to 20 people comfortably. Qwerty's house (Mt. View) - Up to 10 people + Sean (20 minutes, of walking distance, from Caltrain Station) Abstract (Redwood City) - Going back to Indiana, but will be around for the summer. Rod (Daly City) - As many people possible. Offices: Derrick's Office (Redwood City) - Whenever he feels like it. Ehuangsan's Office (Mt. View) - Weekends only. Currently looking at: - SJSU campus - Hotels - San Mateo Arcade *** Chapter 5: Driving is Imminent Nor Cal Drivers: - Spirit Juice (if he still cares about Nor Cal...) - PhaethonH (Sunnyvale) - Wolf Pup TK (Sunnyvale) - Sarsapari (Mt. View) - Ginseng BBCS Only (Mt. View) - Derek BBCS Only (Sunnyvale) - Jared BBCS Only (San Mateo) - ixRenegade BBCS Only (San Jose) - KatanaDash (Santa Clara) - Magz (San Jose) - Kijiyama GGAC Only (San Jose) - Buzzsaw (San Jose) - Tsubasa (San Jose) - Shining Aquas (?) - TaoFTW (Cupertino) - Bucklemyshoe (209 only) - JacerX (Modesto) - NEW!Newtypeseed [sRK] (Manteca/Ripon/Stockton) Nor Cal People Who Need Carpools: - Rod (Daly City) - Tenkai (Daly City) - Qwerty (Mt. View) - Dakanya (Palo Alto) - Arvoyea (Sacramento)

Live Stream (OFFLINE) http://www.livestream.com/norcalinstall Season Results Cross-Post: Honnou's Bi-weekly Sessions *** GGAC singles WILL start at 2pm. Hosted by: Tenkai, Dakanya and KatanaDash GGAC 2v2 teams WILL to start at 8pm. Hosted by: Tenkai, Dakanya and KatanaDash MBAA singles tentative to start at 2pm. Hosted by: Tsubasa MBAA 2v2 teams tentative to start at 5pm. Hosted by: Tsubasa Tekken 6 singles tentative to start at 2pm. Hosted by: Qwerty (AKA Quash) Side Tournaments are encouraged. Hosted by: WHOEVER FOR WHENEVER BBCS has their own tournament venue at SVGL, but will join this venue in due time. SPECIAL NOTE: Do your personal hygiene before coming! Stop smelling like a hobo and bring some deodorant! *** The Venue: Devry University 6600 Dumbarton Cr. Fremont, CA *** Ranbat Setup: *** Parking Setup: I have been informed that the parking officers do NOT issue citations on weekends. This means you are allowed to park outside the visitor parking lot. *** New Addition to the Venue We are adding Tekken 6 to the venue. We have extra setups and room for extra hype. If you beg to differ, then too bad. New Rules About Registration: You will be asked to pay for the tournament, you'll be playing in, before participating. You may be asking why I'm doing this and this is my answer, 'Organization.' If there's one mistake I learnt from the tournaments I've hosted n' attended - and read about - then it's lack of organization. I will be giving the money, and the registered names, to those who will be hosting the tournament. Rest assured, I will take that fight money and rain it on you while saying, "HEY! THIS ISN'T A SCAM!" Remember, upon entering the venue, I implore you to practice common sense! Don't be a douchebag, don't be a litter freak, vandalize property, steal equipment, and anything else that can constitute gambling. I don't have the patience to deal with that crap and neither should you. So let's have a nice clean fight. >:3 About Refreshments: Refreshments will be provided as a compliment to the venue fee. The owner of Lab 17 is going out of his way to give us some snacks. Thank you! Huge props to the following people: - TaoFTW - OrionxElite - Ginseng Thank you for bringing refreshments. If you wish to join the cast of extraordinary gentlemen, or ladies, then bring something for us to munch on. - And a special thanks to everyone who brought SETUPS. This ranbat wouldn't work without you. Confirmed Setups: Update on equipment: - TVs: 1 - CRTs: 1 o People who confirmed to bring TVs/CRTs: - Tsubasa, YAT - PS2: 0 GGAC Setup(s), 2 MBAA Setup(s) o People who confirmed to bring GGAC/MBAA setups: - GGAC: Aurora Borealis, OrionxElite, Qwerty, Meowmix, Gamma, Magz(?), Honnou - MBAA: Tsubasa, YAT - Surge Protectors/Extension Cords: 0 - Chairs: LOTS - BYOC Tournament Entry: $5 Singles, $6 Doubles According to PhaethonH, Side Tournament Entry: $1 - $3 Here's my rules on running, official, side tournaments: 1) Setups being used, for the main events, must be finished prior to any side tourneys. The only exception is if there are unused stations being used for Jojo's bizarre adventure or any other otaku fantasy (several people comes to mind >:3). 2) You must have a minimum of 5 people entering the tournament; winner takes all. Casual Stations: Here's the rules on running casual setups: 1) Setups being used, for the main events, must be finished prior to casuals. End of story. 2) If the tournaments are done, then you can grind those casuals till the chicken crows in the morning. No Venue Fee: No venue fee means you are responsible to CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF, NOT COME IN SMELLING LIKE A HOBO, OR NOT DO YOUR MORNING HYGENE! We are not your moms! Notice to Those Who Arrive On-Time: If you're bringing a setup, then please try to show up, at least, 30 minutes prior the tournament time. Once you register, look for the person who is hosting the tournament. When they've, successfully, figured out the brackets, then the tournament will start. Notice to Those Who Arrive Late: We are going to be a stickler about starting on time. We're going to be hosting two GGAC tourneys and MBAA on the same day; this excludes the side tournaments that are, likely, going to happen. I do not want to stay till midnight trying to finish up a double elimination bracket. Humans get hungry and have sadlifes. I understand that people stay up till 4am watching loli animu, or whatnot, but find the balls to contact me if you're running late. I found it, rather, ridiculous that volunteers - from the community - busted their asses off to get the, free, venue prepped up on time... ...only to discover that people showed up 3 hours late. *** From now on, we will have monthly gathering EVERY first Saturday of the month. Since our first Revival session was a success, the next one will be a full on ranbat. *WORD OF CAUTION* TaoFTW will not be hosting this next tournament. Hence, I will empower you people, from the community, to create brackets, seeding, and organization. When that happens, I'll empower you guys with bigger venues and host tournaments. Right on? If you need carpooling, then be sure to post, and PM, your appointed drivers. Drivers are listed in Chapter 5 Last Minute Updates: Alright guys. With the ranbat hype just a few days away, here's some final pointers from TaoFTW and Ginseng: - We're expecting 40 people, total, from the MBAA/GGAC community. I want someone to squeeze in an extra TV, plus laptops, for casual setups. If you have the power to bring any extra equipment, then I empower you to bring them! Post them here, on dustloop/meltybread, and I'll make room for them. Even if we don't use the TVs/PS2s, I would rather have a surplus of one - or two - TVs + ps2s just in case an accident happens. - Lots of people, with limited setups, means longer waiting time than usual. Bring a DS, PSP, and play shaq fu. - Do your personal hygiene before coming! I know this is self-explanatory, but nobody likes to take a wiff of heavy HOBO MAN JUICE! *glances over at sprt juice* - Last, but not least, have fun! This ranbat is, ultimately, about building new social networks within a competitive stronghold. I know half of the community, but have - yet - to hear from the rest of you flunkies. I have high expectations from you guys and you should expect the same from I. Remember, I'm always open for constructive criticism. ***

I don't really mind the sticks... Granted, if they don't respond, then that's one thing. Speaking of lack of response, has anybody else noticed the 2nd button not working randomly on the p1 side? By 2nd, I mean: 1 2 3___taunt 4

For SVGL cab info: Viewlix cabs; sanwa jlf and buttons. Card purchases: $20 = $22.50 credits $50 = $62.50 credits

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Did your brain lift off to space when you heard the nearest BBCS cabs were on the opposite side of the hemisphere? If so, then I wish you, 'Good luck and good night.' I cannot give you a cab, but I will give you all the changes from CT to CS Tao. Table of Contents Chapter 1: The Generic Cat [updated] Chapter 2: Move-list Changes Chapter 3: Taunt Loop 101 [NEW!] Chapter 4: New Strategies Chapter 5: Basic BnB combos Chapter 6: The Ultimate Finale *** Chapter 1: The Generic Cat Have you ever wondered what was behind her mask - is she still a furry or a cat-women in disguise? I, regrettably, announce that you won't find out the answer in BBCS. You may - also - be asking, "Is she, finally, top tier? How about those taunt loops? Will I mashy my way to victory?" You will read, in this section, the generic changes with Taokaka's - overall - gameplay. So I'll cover some positive and negative points about our brainless, but bouncy, furry. Everything I'm saying is subject to revision and should only be used as a guideline; not as a epiphany from a philosophical rationale of Taokaka's brilliant mind, "Eat steamed buns for bigger boobies." If you haven't seen the latest CS vids; if you are reminiscing the days when you longed for BB to come in the mail; then you might be wondering this, 'What's so good about Tao?' Below is a list of Taokaka's pros and cons that, only, express the changes - noted - in CS. If you want to know her general gameplay, then read the Taokaka Strategy Guide. Pros - Taokaka's, overall, damage output increased twofold. Her average BnB combos do 4k and her max damage does 7k. Also, throw combos average around 4k. - Tao's j.b is bigger, longer, and crosses over. - Most of her normals have a longer lasting hit stun/block stun. Therefore, elongated blockstun gives you stronger mixup options. Cons - Taokaka can no longer end her combos with oki setups. - Taokaka's throw range got nerfed. - j.c hitbox is smaller. - She now has the lowest HP of the cast. The Consensus Taokaka plays, exactly, the same. She may have stronger combos, but her fundamentals are no different than in CT. The only exception is that you have more incentive to not get hit... ...you will die in one meaty combo. Chapter 2: Move-list Changes [To Be Continued] Chapter 3: Taunt Loop 101 The execution requirement is no different than Tao's CT taunt loops. But, be warned, the taunt loop timing varies for each character (at least during the first few loops). This is where you will need to make the transition from CT to CS Tao. In virtue of frame data, her command normals are the same, but some characters are more floaty while others are, simply, promiscuously huge. Therefore, the key to nailing taunt loops - apart from execution - is knowing how well you can space your drives to hit your opponent. I will leave you all with this tidbit; spacing is everything. For example, 5b -> 6a -> JC -> 2d~b -> taunt -> 214d Let's assume that your execution is 100% solid. If your combo becomes invalid or you wiff, then there's only one answer; incorrect spacing. There are four likely places that you are dropping your combo: 1) JC - Jump Cancel; the first problem that you may have is that you are either (1) jumping too high (2) jumping too low or (3) misjudge your jump timing. For the sake of argument, let's assume that your input timing is right on. a) Jumping Too High; if you jump too high, then you might delay your following drive input. What I mean to say is, "When you jump too high, you run the risk of lingering in the air too long. Be concise and direct. Use your best judgement and find out how high you need to be to, safely, hit confirm." b) Jumping Too Low; if you jump too low, then your drive will wiff entirely. Once again, use your best judgment and find out how you can hit confirm the drive. c) Input Timing; practice makes perfect. 2) 2d~b; there are a few situations that can happen when you drop your taunt combo: (1) the drive will become invalid, (2) the drive will push your opponent too high or (3) it'll wiff or (4) the B cancel won't come out. Once again, let's assume that you have solid execution. a) Invalid Drive; when your drive goes invalid, then that means you have not hit confirmed your drive attack. Make sure you hit confirm and then press the B cancel. b) Opponent Fly Sky High; this just means you're rushing your drive inputs. Take it easy and lay off the mashing. c) Wiff; Wiffing your drive input means that your execution needs work. Practice makes perfect. d) No B Cancel; Missing your B cancel means that your execution needs work. Practice makes perfect. 3) Taunt; the only way you will miss your taunt loop is NOT TAUNTING. If your taunt doesn't come out, then your execution needs work. But if you follow up a taunt from 6c, then you need to consider WHEN to input the taunt. If you do it too soon, as they bounce back, then you'll push them up too high so you cannot resume the loop. If you do it too late, then they will recover. 4) 214d; apart from the drive attack, this is the most critical part to space a successful taunt loop. It can be the most easiest or painstakingly difficult input. Either way, the best tip is to practice your input timing. Apart from that, here's the things that can go wrong with this input: a) Staying in the Air; I can bet a $100 dollars that the reason why most Japanese players drop the taunt loop is cause they linger in the air for too long or too little...or incorrectly input the 214d. Tao needs to be, slightly, above their opponent so they can hit confirm their drive. But if they stay there too long, then their opponent will recover or the combo will blackbeat.

Hurray! Santa Claus gave us BBCS. I must've been a good kitteh this year. In any case, can we get a time? 6pm-11pm?

Hoping for a BBCS console port prior to EVO...

What? But I want another job. :<

After playing nothing but Jin players in my local arcade, the matchup is 5.5/4.5 - or 5/5 - in Tao's favor. Both characters have a response to each other's tactics. But whenever I play against Jin, I usually get a few win streaks...unless it's veteru. First, and foremost, you CAN pressure Jin with close range mixups. Just because your normals don't give you plus frames doesn't mean he can anticipate hi/lo mixups and crossups. Jin's answer to that is a reversal DP. Your answer to their reversal should be baiting for massive damage. Jin's pressure game is very linear. 5b -> jc -> j.b -> j.c -> crossup j.d -> whatever else to force you blocking. Your answer is to barrier guard and just defend. He'll be pushed back far enough so he'll be forced to go for hi/lo mixups or 66 -> 5a/5b/b+c. Your response to his hi/low mixup is grabbing him in the air before his j.b animation comes out. You can't get out of 5a pressure strings. But if he starts throwing some risky normals, like 5d or 5c, then that's your opportunity to Just Defend and jump away. Jin's answer to your jumps is a DP. Your answer to a DP is blocking. :o The only time his pressure poses some sort of a threat is when you're in the corner. At that moment, you're likely going to get a guard break. But there are preemptive measures to prevent stuff like that from happening... ...like jumping. Jin's air normals are only a threat when you're below him. You have the advantage when you're two jumps above his head. Doing that will cause average Jin players to do two things: (1) jump more than usual and (2) throw more DPs. You can triple jump over Jin's j.236b. His air normals, particularly j.b and j.c, will beat you at midscreen, but not when you're face to face. If you suspect a jump cape normal, just IB it and sneak in a j.c. "They can force you into damage, but you only get damage if they screw up." On the contrary, you can force big damage when Jin players throw out risky moves. For example, you can IB DPs and punish afterwards. Any Jin player who spams high risk normals or specials are asking for a beating.

Will there be BBQ? :O

I'm so glad I decided to be productive instead of going to triple fail.

It's just experience. Reading the 2d is nothing more than a second layer of yomi. For example, if I super jump in the air, then any Nu player has to guess when I jump. When they do, then they might catch me with the 2d. But what if I know that Nu is going to counter my jumps? I can super jump, block, and then fall back to the ground. I don't get any reward for blocking, but I don't lose anything either. I can jump and do a j.4d~b before the 2d comes out. If I do, then I won't gain any damage, but I can close the gaps to start my pressure mixups. Now Nu's counter to that is doing a 5d for a 3k damage combo. Tao's response to 5d is simple - do another jump.