[RockSteddyEddie]

Ventured online last night for the first time to try out some ranked matches. I wish I hadn't bothered. After 20+ matches I only managed one win which proves to myself that I am bad as I think I am

Oh well back to training mode it is then

[Beck_]

Originally Posted by Tigerblade

Already done that!

Tiger, let me open your eyes to a world of pain.. EX focus cancel will give you the ability to do some brutal combos!! hmmmm not sure I should tell you.......

........ oh go on then.

An EX focus cancel is performed as follows:

do a special move, example Akuma dragon punch, if after first hit you press focus and let go.. this will hit with the DP (1 hit), then combo into a EX focus cancel hit (level 1).. as you cancelled into this focus to guarantee a hit then it absorbs one of your super meter bars (1/4). Thus giving it the 'EX' tag, as like EX moves, it absorbs 1/4 of your super meter.

So that is how you pass that trial.. do the special move, then just hit focus and let go to combo into the focus attack.

Now this move has another side to it which is what Im talking about opening up comboing into more specials or even ultras for some amazing style and damage.

Lets take Akumas DP, this move hits 3 times.. you can EX focus cancel on the 3rd hit and then perform another DP to keep the combo going. The secret to doing this is dashing out of the EX focus cancel, so this is done as follows:

Execute Akumas DP, on 3rd hit (you are now up in the air some what), hit focus and whilst holding the buttons tap forward twice then let go of focus buttons. Then execute another DP (this will hit the poor oppenent again whilst hes dropping to the floor).

This is a little advanced and can be tricky to perform but once you have mastered it, you will be scary! Im still working on it by the way.

Of course the above combo would be preluded with various moves to make it that much meatier.. and this same EX focus cancel --> dash --> specials/ultras process works for all characters on most special moves.

e.g. If you do Kens DP and EX focus cancel --> Dash forward --> execute ULTRA.. this will be a guaranteed ultra combo hit as the opponent is falling.

The hard challenge trials will make you EX focus cancel dash .. so that is good practice to see how deadly they can be.

[Tigerblade]

That actually makes perfect sense.....cheers matey

If I could perfect that with Ken and Guile they'd be formidable, I'm a bit touch and go with Guile's super/ultra at the mo but when I get that down to pat it shall be fun online

What you think of Akuma? He's been toned down massively from what I can see and takes more damage when hit.

EDIT - Just cleared Ken's 5th trial cheers

Some meaty combos with the mediums there, but are similar to what I already do with him....jump hk, hp, h dp then half way thru it a super dp....takes loads off! I suppose what I could do if possible is do a EX focus during the super dp and finish with an ultra dp, whilst being insanely powerful and probably drain most of the energy bar I don't think a super dp can be EX focused

[Robothamster]

Right, mental note. Never play Tigerblade or Beck.

[Beck_]

I finally got to play the game a little over the last few days. It is everything I hoped for!

First thing I did was to set the game on easiest and 1 round.. blasted through the characters to unlock the 5 hidden ones.. by the way if you just jump in hard kick, sweep.. move back a little.. jump in hard kick, sweep.. repeat until dead.. This tactic works on all rounds including Seth/Akuma/Gouken for an easy win everytime.

Once I unlocked them, I played through again with Ryu getting only 2 perfects + 2 ultra finishes (no more no less) which allowed me to fight Akuma.. winning all rounds with no continues unlocked akuma.

I played through with akuma to end.. then played through again with Ryu, doing a minimum of 2 perfects and a minimum of 3 ultra finishes which allowed me to fight against Gouken.. winning all rounds with no continues unlocked Gouken.

I'll work on getting Seth at a later date.

Anyway, spent most of my play time in the Challenge trials getting to grips with the different combos for some of my fave characters. Seemed a little slow at first but soon got used to that, it helps build the flashier combos.

Played my first online games against King Jaffy jnr and was beaten badly! Managed to win some games towards the end of our play session.. back on SF2THDR we were quite evenly matched so I think I need to practice more. They were my first competetive matches so I'm sure Ill get better.

Suprised at how easy the moves are to pull off also.. Im using the PS3 DS3 d-pad and its perfectly fine for me.. 360 motion is fairly easy.. double 360 motion a little more tricky without jumping in.

My other half is going on her hen wkend on Friday.. so will have a wkend of SF4!! Hope to see some of you guys on for some games.

[Ads03]

I have this game now so add me for some (easy) games!

[Beck_]

Originally Posted by Tigerblade

That actually makes perfect sense.....cheers matey

If I could perfect that with Ken and Guile they'd be formidable, I'm a bit touch and go with Guile's super/ultra at the mo but when I get that down to pat it shall be fun online

What you think of Akuma? He's been toned down massively from what I can see and takes more damage when hit.

EDIT - Just cleared Ken's 5th trial cheers

Some meaty combos with the mediums there, but are similar to what I already do with him....jump hk, hp, h dp then half way thru it a super dp....takes loads off! I suppose what I could do if possible is do a EX focus during the super dp and finish with an ultra dp, whilst being insanely powerful and probably drain most of the energy bar I don't think a super dp can be EX focused

Well actually a super move will clear out your super meter, so you wouldnt be able to EX focus. That cancel out of DP into super is pretty effective.. can also be done with Ryu.. jump in HK, HP, H DP --> Super. But even better with Ryu is you can do that combo, but focus cancel out of the DP and Ultra for guaranteed pain.

Akuma is definitely toned down from HDR.. is air fire balls are not as good at jumping in with, his super/ultra is quite easy to jump out of unless done via a combo/EX focus

He has a pretty good downward flying kick, and his DP motion plus kick is pretty handy as you can finish with a high hit/low hit/knockdown/throw.. so can mix it up some. His teleport gets in the way of my EX DP.. as when I do an EX move I hit the 3xpunch/kick button (L2/R2) for me.. this does the teleport though.. so I have to actually hit the light punch + hard punch to get it out. Mildly annoying. Overall I still enjoy Akuma and will continue to have him as one of my mains. Completed all of his Trial modes and have the 'Shin Akuma' title.

I think the key to being a top player is being able to always focus cancel into Ultra so its guaranteed.. and also making use of focus cancel for extended combos etc.

You can also do many ultras/supers out of a standard focus hit when they are crumpled. But that has to more rely on them standing there until you have got your big focus hit out.

[PygoShlee]

Originally Posted by Zeromajor

any news of custom soundtracks at all?

I was singing that bloody song in the shower this morning....

Just hit the XMB go to Music and select a playlist mate

Ash

[Lin3ar]

Originally Posted by Ominoukg

Ventured online last night for the first time to try out some ranked matches. I wish I hadn't bothered. After 20+ matches I only managed one win which proves to myself that I am bad as I think I am

Oh well back to training mode it is then

Your one win was probably against me

I tried for the first time last night and managed just one win myself.I go completely to pot, all my speacial moves fail miserably and if I do get into a position to win I just fall apart

[NightHawk]

Originally Posted by Ads03

I have this game now so add me for some (easy) games!

Ill send you an invite tonight muhuhahaha

[Ads03]

Originally Posted by NightHawk

Ill send you an invite tonight muhuhahaha

You don't stand a chance

[NightHawk]

Originally Posted by Ads03

You don't stand a chance

Better start practising now mate, you only just got the game

[Del Boy Smiffy]

TE Fightsticks have arrived, sadly so has the credit card bill

[spaceman763]

Still at work at the moment but I have been informed that the game arrived in the post this afternoon I haven't played SF since about 1997 back on the SNES and was thinking of jumping straight into the online mode for a few challenges. Before i do so, what is the general level like online? I get the impression reading the comments on here that most people online are seasoned veterans and the majority of us wont stand a chance! If only Sony could implement a points based system of some sort which matches newbs with newbs.

[Lin3ar]

Originally Posted by spaceman763

Still at work at the moment but I have been informed that the game arrived in the post this afternoon I haven't played SF since about 1997 back on the SNES and was thinking of jumping straight into the online mode for a few challenges. Before i do so, what is the general level like online? I get the impression reading the comments on here that most people online are seasoned veterans and the majority of us wont stand a chance! If only Sony could implement a points based system of some sort which matches newbs with newbs.

Don't worry, there are plenty of novice players out there.

There must be because even I managed a few wins today

[addyb]

Some useful info on the focus attacks, combos etc there. My main is Sakura and ive won about 35 games online now. I do need to go into practice tho and try and get the hang of cancelling out of a special to launch another one etc.

Tell you what loads of people fall for online...... Knock them off there feet and start charging the focus attack. If you time it right and they dont attempt a move you will blast them with it the moment they stand up and then you can launch into a special.

I had a fight the other night and nailed someone with a DP, i then focus attacked them, followed up with another DP and then immediately cancelled into a a super and absolutely blitzed there energy bar. Think it took 3/4 off them!

[spaceman763]

Originally Posted by addyb

I had a fight the other night and nailed someone with a DP, i then focus attacked them, followed up with another DP and then immediately cancelled into a a super and absolutely blitzed there energy bar. Think it took 3/4 off them!

I wish I knew what you were talking about!!!!.....it seems things have changed alot since SFII

[silvercue]

I know I asked this already, but it fell of the pages

Any idea on these (especially now the big boys are on the thread!!):

For "charge" players like Blanka I can't do the combo:

"heavy Punch followed by Ground Shave Roll" (for example)

I simply don't understand when to do the heavy punch. If I do it early (whilst charging the roll) it seems to break the charge, or be too slow to complete as the combo. If I try to do the heavy punch at some part of the Ground Shave Roll move, it seems to break the move or do another punch entirely as the direction is changing!!!!!

When am I meant to press it, timing wise? I will have the same issue with all other characters of this type.

And for the "RYU" style I get this problem:

When I have to do this combo:

"Jump, Hard Punch, Medium punch, hadoken, ex focus" (sakura)

I struggle to get the medium punch out without doing a crouching medium punch, as I am already starting the hadoken move (so pulling down). If I try to do the medium punch later - it just does the hadoken and if I try to do the medium punch completely before the hadoken move starts - the combo lands too slowly and doesn't register!!

Any ideas when to time the medium punch in that scenario?

[Tigerblade]

Originally Posted by addyb

Tell you what loads of people fall for online...... Knock them off there feet and start charging the focus attack. If you time it right and they dont attempt a move you will blast them with it the moment they stand up and then you can launch into a special.

I had a fight the other night and nailed someone with a DP, i then focus attacked them, followed up with another DP and then immediately cancelled into a a super and absolutely blitzed there energy bar. Think it took 3/4 off them!

Another thing to watch for in fireball characters is majority get up with an instant dp when knocked down. You can bait them by standing next to them whilst on the floor, 9 times out of ten its shoryuken but just as they get on their feet you block it.....when they are coming down you've got a free reign of a combo of your choice If they don't dp then sweep them of the floor.

I've beaten so many Ryu/Ken/Sagat players by baiting them like that and then hitting them with Ken's h punch, h dp quick 4 hit combo on the way down, alternatively Ryu and Sagat would have a very powerful 2 hit combo, or with Ryu do his 2 hit punch down move first then hard punch then a low dp so as not to leave you vulnerable for a quick riser.

[Del Boy Smiffy]

Right guys about to open TE Stick and play.

First time stick user so do you guys have any tips? Do i need to remap or leave as is?

Turbo buttons, do i need them?

All help appreciated.

[addyb]

Originally Posted by Del Boy Smiffy

Right guys about to open TE Stick and play.

First time stick user so do you guys have any tips? Do i need to remap or leave as is?

Turbo buttons, do i need them?

All help appreciated.

I just left mine as it is!! Oh how I love my te stick!!

To quote "buzzsaw" from "the running man"
" I love this stick, it's a part of me, and I'm gonna make it part of youuuu!!

LOL and when you beat me feel free to add "no thanks, you can keep ittt!!

[Beck_]

I'll try and help..

Originally Posted by silvercue

I know I asked this already, but it fell of the pages

Any idea on these (especially now the big boys are on the thread!!):

For "charge" players like Blanka I can't do the combo:

"heavy Punch followed by Ground Shave Roll" (for example)

I simply don't understand when to do the heavy punch. If I do it early (whilst charging the roll) it seems to break the charge, or be too slow to complete as the combo. If I try to do the heavy punch at some part of the Ground Shave Roll move, it seems to break the move or do another punch entirely as the direction is changing!!!!!

When am I meant to press it, timing wise? I will have the same issue with all other characters of this type.

Basically, you have to be charging your special.. then as soon as you press hard punch, press forward and punch.. when timed right, this will cancel your normal hard punch into a special move (roll). The normal move animation wont complete as normal, it will be interuppted part way through and your special move will start. The timing is to do the special almost immediately after the normal move. You really have to master the art of cancelling normal moves into special moves to perform combos.

Originally Posted by silvercue

And for the "RYU" style I get this problem:

When I have to do this combo:

"Jump, Hard Punch, Medium punch, hadoken, ex focus" (sakura)

I struggle to get the medium punch out without doing a crouching medium punch, as I am already starting the hadoken move (so pulling down). If I try to do the medium punch later - it just does the hadoken and if I try to do the medium punch completely before the hadoken move starts - the combo lands too slowly and doesn't register!!

Any ideas when to time the medium punch in that scenario?

You have to hit the medium punch out as soon as you land (without any direction motion), then start the fireball as normal.. this again is cancelling a normal move (medium punch) into a special move (fireball).. so you have to be quick on inputting the fireball motion + punch to get it out. Its actually more forgiving then previous SF games, so just keep working on your input speed and you should get it.

The ex focus means as soon as your fireball comes out, hit focus (medium kick + medium punch) and let go straight away to add an extra hit onto the combo and complete the trial.

Good luck.. but remember keep practising in training mode as these moves are really needed to progress your skills.

[addyb]

I'm stuck on sakura trials. Can't do the heavy punch, standind medium punch, hadoken, ex focus. I can obviously do the 1st two punches but struggle doing the fireball quick enough and 90% of the time end up doing a dragon punch.
Grrrrrrr

[djcla]

How do you invite someone to a game and keep playing the same person ? Also Reading this thread I an lost, focus ex , cancel focus etc etc where do you find out the stuff my head hurts

[djcla]

Oh what's a re stick any links and arevthey the best to get

[mark88]

I still can't do Ryu's combo challenge trial 4. Jump Heavy Kick > Crouch Heavy Punch > Hadoken > EX focus.

The heavy punch followed by the hadoken is just solid. I can do it by mashing the buttons but usually end up doing more hadokens than needed.

[Carnagerover]

I'm currently stuck on {Crouch} Heavy Punch Shoryuken

Can't do that for the life of me, think they need to patch the game with a little more help on how to time these moves, or show you the computer doing them to give you an idea.

Spent about 30 mins on this a got nowhere, time to eat some cake

New Strategy for playing SF IV, eat cake.

I ate the cake and then beefed it straight away

[Carnagerover]

Originally Posted by mark88

I still can't do Ryu's combo challenge trial 4. Jump Heavy Kick > Crouch Heavy Punch > Hadoken > EX focus.

The heavy punch followed by the hadoken is just solid. I can do it by mashing the buttons but usually end up doing more hadokens than needed.

Just done this one myself, right so I jumped in the air and then pressed high kick at the correct place to hit dan in the head, then press down down-forward froward high punch and then straight after tap medium punch and kick.

So after you have pressed high kick then your down, down-froward forward high punch takes care of the punch and then dragon punch, then quickly tap medium punch medium kick for the EX move.

Hope that helps

[Tigerblade]

Originally Posted by djcla

How do you invite someone to a game and keep playing the same person ? Also Reading this thread I an lost, focus ex , cancel focus etc etc where do you find out the stuff my head hurts

Create a friendly match instead of ranked, set it to a private slot and invite away

When your playing it as religiously as some of us here it becomes second nature for all the moves, FWIW tho the only bar that meant anything to me on first play was the super bar and that was for super moves (which every SF game for the last 10 years or so has had), I had no idea about focus, EX focus, EX specials and ultras

[silvercue]

Originally Posted by Stu/d

Just done this one myself, right so I jumped in the air and then pressed high kick at the correct place to hit dan in the head, then press down down-forward froward high punch and then straight after tap medium punch and kick.

So after you have pressed high kick then your down, down-froward forward high punch takes care of the punch and then dragon punch, then quickly tap medium punch medium kick for the EX move.

Hope that helps

Are you saying you only have to press heavy punch once to do both the heavy punch and the hadoken??? That isn't right is it?