Learning matchups in fighting games is crucial. Imagine playing a game and facing a character you can’t counter. Unfortunately, this is very common amongst low-level and even intermediate players. But don’t worry! This guide will help you learn how to study characters and beat them quickly.
Learn Their Block Punishable Normals
Knowing which normals can be punished on block is key in fighting games. Frame data tells you how long an attack takes to start, hit, and recover. This helps you understand which moves are safe or risky. If an opponent’s attack is block-punishable, you can hit them during recovery. This is crucial for turning defense into offense.
Frame data might seem complex, but it’s simple! Each move has a frame count. If your move is faster than your opponent’s recovery, you can punish them. For example, if your attack takes five frames and they take six to recover, you can hit them. Learning this helps you punish mistakes and control the game.
Memorize Their Minus-on-Block Normals
Speaking of block-punishable normals, some normals are safe on block. This means that the attacker won’t be able to be punished after hitting a blocked opponent. However, this does not mean that they can attack afterward. The attacker takes longer to recover than the defender if they use a minus-on-block attack. This means that it is now your turn to attack as the defender. If an attack is minus-on-block, you can strike back safely. Recognizing these opportunities allows you to pressure your opponent. It turns defense into a chance to attack.
Also, sometimes, you can’t take your turn after blocking a minus-on-block attack. A move can push the defender away so far that your move will miss if you try to take your turn. This leaves room where the attacker can punish your whiffed attack instantly afterward. This is known as a spacing trap. When studying a character, learn their spacing traps so you don’t get caught slipping!
Handle Their Special Moves
Special moves are powerful in fighting games and are a great source for learning matchups. Each character’s special moves are unique. Watch skilled players to see how they use these moves. This helps you learn which situations you should expect them to occur. From there, you can counter them effectively.
An example of how to approach special moves would be our Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising‘s anti-Seox guide. The goal is to look at a special move and ask yourself, “Why would players use this move?”. Look at the advantages of the special move, but also look at the weaknesses. Once you find the weaknesses, exploit them. The weakness could be that they are punishable, minus-on-block, or easy to react to.
Learn How to Counter Their Pokes
Whiff punishing is about exploiting missed attacks. If an opponent misses, you can hit them during their recovery. This requires good timing and spacing. It’s a crucial skill for learning matchups in fighting games. Get a character in mind and watch players who play that character. See at which distances they use certain pokes and learn which of your pokes can punish them on whiff recovery. Some opponents will walk up and poke you, while others will throw out a poke just in case you run into them. For those who try to walk up and poke you, try to walk back and whiff punish. Against players who throw out pokes, look and wait for it to come out and punish properly.
Another way to beat pokes is by throwing out a poke that beats the opponent’s poke at the same time. In fighting games, some pokes overpower other pokes in the same frame. This is a great way to counter pokes, as it also hits the opponent if they walk forward! It covers two options at the same time. Find which of your pokes counter your opponent’s favorites in certain matchups. This makes them think twice before using them.
Conclusion
Understanding matchups in fighting games takes practice. Learn about block punishable and minus-on-block normals. Master how to deal with special moves. Know which pokes counter others. With these tips, you’ll improve quickly. Remember, every game is a chance to learn. Keep playing, and you’ll master these skills in no time! Stay tuned for more fighting game guides and tips!
In the meantime, check out our other tutorials for fundamental fighting game concepts:
