Help me to pick-up my next character!

OK, I've bene using Akira for a while and as soon as I'll be done with his quest mode, I'd like to switch to another character.
I still like Akira, but I'm now questioning whether the overall trickiness of his inputs are distracting me from learning the very basics and fundamentals of "fighting", so to say.

Below is a break down of what I like and dislike about Akira, which can probably help you to tell who should be my new character among these 4 candidates: Pai, Vanessa, Sarah, Kage.

Likes:
- Big damage
- Cool reversals and sabaki
- Almost no stances (I find them confusing, especially when you can end up in them if you don't pay attention)
- Good throws

Dislikes:
- No circular moves
- Very few canned combos/strings
- Basically, no low attacks (which I consider fundamental against human players)
- Difficult moves execution, especially for advanced playing (i.e. buffering the various palms, elbows etc), with subsequent 2P syndrome
- Generally, short move list, not much "variety" in the attacks
- Not too well supported on the website in terms of wiki, strategies and so on (compared to the most supported characters)

Pai would be favourite at the moment, but she doesn't seem too well supported on the wiki either. Vanessa's wide arsenal interests me a lot. I like Sarah, although the importance of flamingo kinda puts me off as I tend to find stances annoying. I might have a similar problem with Kage.

I'll definitely have to spend some time with these characters to test them roperly, but I'd like an external opinion on what to expect. Any input is GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!

Æ’ranz

 

I'd say Vanessa's stances may be harder to manage than flamingo. There are often times where you will end up in a different stance because of a combo ender, and you forget and try to do something you can't. If you take the time to get used to playing in both stances thought you will find her very useful & fun. Also her lows leave a little do be desired, but her throw game is on point.

Flamingo may seem overwhelming, but when you get in it, you're forced to think about what you're doing. The inability to move very well/block will help in that arena I believe.

Kage has stances too...sorta. If you're looking for a good throw..well..yeah

Pai has a really good low attack that leads into a lot of options. Circular kicks, strings, and an alright throw game, with a low throw to beat fuzzy every now and then. Pai may seem like the best option...but you should try Vanessa /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif

 

You describe Wolf.

 

Wow...now that I think about it...you're completely correct

 

But I have a problem with Wolf in that he's not a fit bird...

/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif

Kage isn't either, but at least he's a ninja.

 

What?

 

Jeff seems to be the man for you even if you don't have him listed. He has good throws, very big damage output on normal hit and his combo's are pretty easy to execute. Jeff only has one stance that is pretty easy to use, as well as a great wiki section. And being heavyweight he almost has some built in protection from floaters. The only thing Jeffry is lacking that you listed are reversals and sabaki and his low moves tend to be slow.

 

No, I don't want a big guy

Today I've been in the dojo with Vanessa. She is really cool, I really like the throws and her style, but she seems really complex in certain ways. I still feel like trying her out...

I wanna hear more from the community, though. thanks to those who posted already /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

Here is a break down (imo):

Pai
1. Pai's damage is decent (if not "great").
2. She's got them.
3. If you want a good Pai, learning bokutai will be helpful; if avoids a lot of shit.
4. Yeah, she has them, but she doesn't deserve them.
5. She's got them. Don't abuse /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif though, unless you like back throws.
6. She's got strings... but they're more-or-less /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif variants. I don't understand why strings are something worthwhile though.
7. She's got lows... ones that knock down! And /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif is really good.
8. On some max damage combos, you might have to buffer /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d_.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif, otherwise she's pretty simple. I'm not sure if her combos are very stance-based though.
9. What she has works.
10. I don't see why, so many Pai players, all too "busy" to write anything.

Vanessa
1. Her damage is really good, but on some combo starters, the best damage requires you to know footing.
2. Yeah, DS is full of cool shit.
3. You don't need to play both stances. You might find yourself fighting an uphill battle in some match ups, but that isn't always a bad thing. Learn the first one, then build into the second stance. Just realize: she's 2 very different characters in 1.
4. In DS her throws are great. OS is average at best.
5. She's got a lot of half-circs (her big combo starters are!), and has a few full-circs in DS. Don't rely on /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif though (unless you're playing Plague).
6. DS doesn't have strings, so you'll have to play a very "tight" game like Goh or Akira. In OS she has them, but there are too many highs.
7. Vanessa's low suck for the most part, nothing knocks down, is OS they're slow (though the can lead to good damage). DS /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is good because it has really good range (and might be hard to punish at max range), and at least she has a sweep.
8. Her moves are easy to do... but this might be a biased comment. Just learn how to do /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif by only tapping /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif once and to do it only by using sound. It isn't that hard.
9. She has a huge movelist since she's 2 characters.
10. Her wiki section (at least the combos) was the most complete until we traveled back in time. I may or may not redo it (I'm aiming toward "fuck it, I have better things to do and at least I'll get respect elsewhere" <span style='font-size: 8pt'>[sebo appreciation thread!!!]</span>).

Sarah
1. Sarah's damage is big if you land a MC /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif and can do open/closed combos. Otherwise, she doesn't do a lot at all.
2. She's got /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif and FL /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif (looks the coolest), that's it. Both require a lot of yomi (esp. FL /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif).
3. She's got a stance, and she needs it. However, don't let that scare you away. I actually avoided stance heavy characters in all the games I played, but Sarah really bends the mold a lot, FL is actually fun to use. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif>:270/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif
4. Considering that she has a /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif direction, her throw game is decent. The damage has been nerfed, but they're still good. Plus she has catch throws (from neutral?!)!
5. She's got them.
6. Read the above.
7. She's got a few lows, one that's is 180 and knocks down, one in FL that leads to hit throw, etc.
8. Some max damage combos may be hard, but otherwise she's manageable.
9. No need to bother with this one.
10. Her wiki stuff is great.

Personally, I'd go with Sarah, maybe Vanessa in the long run, or even check out Aoi or Jeffry.

But it all boils down to you, I suggest picking everyone up and then find the one that suits you the best (except Pai).

Character with vagina.

 

Ooooh fit bird, he likes to spank it I see. Disturbing but at least he doesn't only want a "strapper."

 

I guess I kind of figured.

If that's the case I'd probably recommend Pai.

Keep in mind though this is a recommendation from someone that hasn't been playing the game long as others. I'm still in the phases of trying to get the fundamentals down.

 

So why was his first choice Akira, lulz.

Also....

That's 3 newcomers here that started out playing Akira that have switched now /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

 

Because he was and still is my hero, since VF2! <3

But I want to try somebody else...

/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/shocked.gif

Sebo, thanks for the deep analysis, at this point it's gonne be between Pai and Vanessa as they both have low throws. I have to start to think about those or I'll never learn to escape them...

 

Actually Vanessa only switches stance if you press all three buttons (at the end of a string or not) so I disagree. Sarah's Flamingo however can be automatic on the end of some of her moves (/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif etc etc). So Franz, if you don't like auto stances at the end of moves - Vanessa is fine. Although be warned that you would be actually choosing to learn 2 more characters if you pick Vanessa.

If you only want someone in addition to Akira but you're not willing to play as all characters, just pick Lion. He's the exact opposite of Akira - incredible low hitting moves, low initial damage but good combos, awesome circular moves (high and low), easier commands etc.

 

I'd say go with Vanessa, since you don't want to mess with Sarah's flamingo stance. Vanessa's pretty straight forward, and she's still fun. Plus, she doesn't start with a single ugly outfit (I know that isn't important, but I can't stand Sarah's A costume... along with some of the other character's costumes).

 

....Forget vaginas, my wife has one and she's still rubbish in a fist fight. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

Um, no.

In order to do some max damage combos and correct punishment (in OS) you need to use strings that shift stance.

Like after DS /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif (on LWs), or in OS using /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif to punish -14 crouch-recovery, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif for -16, ws /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif combos, IS /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif combos, etc.

You can always change stance back (what I used to do), but you sacrifice the time needed to set up some evil shit.

 

What a surprise - Sebo disagrees with me.

Again you haven't read my post properly. Sarah goes to Flamingo at the end of some of her moves - with Vanessa you have to manually press all 3 buttons to switch.

see?

 

If you don't do this, you're nerfing your Vanessa.
---

Now if you think I disagree with you because I have personal vendetta against you: go ahead. I could use the laughs.

However, I'm disagreeing with you <u>because</u> I am a Vanessa player and you're wrong.

 

But... but, how can you disagree with people that AreTheGame!1