beginner's guide to throwbreaks in VF5: FS

Hey guys, know the title said guide, but I need as much guidance as anybody so this is for myself as much as anybody.

So which direction to throw break vs. x character? I know there's isn't a definite answer to this but when playing online, I noticed characters have a "go to" throw, that is players tend to try a certain (i.e. most damaging or with combo followup) throw first. The following is a list of the characters and the direction the player should hit to break the "goto" throw.

DIRECTION TO BREAK CHARACTER'S MOST DAMAGING THROW(S)
Legend: F=Forward B=Back

Akira: B

Aoi: B

Brad: F

Eileen: B

El Blaze: F

Goh: F

Jacky: F

Jean: F

Jeffry: F

Kage: F

Lau: F

Lei: F

Lion: F

Pai: B

Sarah: F

Shun: F, B after 10 drinks

Taka: B if lightweight, F if heavy

Vanessa DS: F

Vanessa OS: F

Wolf: F

*Thanks to Libertine for Brad. Thanks to Andrew for Vanessa. Thanks to Jide for the rest.*

Remember, against advanced players this won't help you win much as they mix it up well. But I feel this will help you against a lot of players online. And I feel being successful at throwbreaks even against less skilled players will help you stick it into your game permanently.



TIPS

Having trouble knowing when to even attempt a throw break? Well, I almost never attempt it myself (I'm not an advanced player, more like just past beginner) but I know some easy places to start (gotta get in the habit of doing these myself).

Hold P (+ direction if you think your opponent will go for a certain throw) while blocking. This will option-select guard/throwbreak.

Attempt one as you evade. I'm not saying do this EVERY time you evade, but a good place to do so is when you attempt an evade out of disadvantage situation. Another option select (evade/throwbreak).

Relatively easy techniques, the difficulty lies in making it a habit I suppose.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER, quoting *Myke*

• Damage: the obvious thing here is that the greater the damage the throw, the bigger a threat it is to your life, so you probably want to escape that direction the most. You should also consider whether or not the throw leads into a combo as follow-up, so looking at the base damage alone doesn't give you the full picture.
• Your Remaining Health: once you're low enough in health, you might want to consider whether or not the throw you're escaping has the potential to KO you. If only one of the directions will KO you, then that should be your escape direction. If more than one can KO you, then it's a mind game, or pure guess, depending on your opponent.
• Their Remaining Health: you might also consider how much health your opponent has when they're trying to throw you. If they've got lots of catching up to do, then chances are they'll be going for the big damage throw. If it's pretty close, and they're just trying to break your guard, then they may opt for a lesser throw.
• Ring Position: try to be aware of your ring position. Some throws may ring you out, or put you against a wall with a guaranteed follow-up. Or, if you're already against a wall, your opponent may want to use a wall throw.
• Player Habits: After escaping a particular throw, does your opponent switch it up? Do they butter you up first with lower damage throws before using higher damage ones? Do they have a tendency to end rounds with a neutral throw (since it's probably escaped the least)? You might find your opponent has a habit of using particular throws in particular situations, so if you can pick up on these, then this is probably the best way for you to succeed at throw escaping.

 

Jacky
+ = 40dmg
+ = 35dmg
+ = 50dmg
+ = 50dmg
+ = 60dmg
+ = 60dmg
(wall) + = 70dmg

 

Lau throw back and p+G is a good throw

 

Eileen is back then forward. But depends on your opponent's habits and setups they like to use.

 

ah, should have looked around, should have figured a thread like this existed by now.
akai, should I update or maybe this is redundant so needs to be axed?

Or maybe it needs to stay because of tips? If so, others, if you can give fairly brief tips for beginners on this, feel free. I for one am definitely all ears. Maybe some training mode tips? Please write so I can just copy and paste and I will credit you.

 

Need directions for Vanessa, both DS and OS.

 

OK, list is finished thanks to Andrew (sorry forgot to ask your handle). You know, at WNF yesterday, I saw some great matches and everybody was throw breaking at least sometimes. It was cool to see since as I recall, a lot of players weren't good at it the first couple WNFs. It also made me realize I should get back to work at VF lol.

Dre vs. Rip was a real nail biter!

Request sticky?