How long did it take you to get good with Akira?

I don't have a 360 yet, but will be getting one soon. Right now I am practicing on VF4 with my Hori stick. I'm trying to create a time table to add to my practice regimend. I would really appreciate any advice you can give me. I plan to spend a month in practice mode with Akira befroe I take him for a spin online. Look for me in late Jan to Feb.

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

thats coo man...im practicing wit him too...he truly is the hardest character to master...im gettin vf5 tomorrow...its good that u gots a hori stick coz i see no way in doin some of his harder moves wit a joypad...stay in training mode til u gets his moves down...there are some basic combos there so u cud get the feel of using him...i also play against the computer in the hardest setting...i do get owned but i can reach dural...i cant seem to beat her...but playin the computer in the hardest settin lets me utilize my combos and strategies against a pretty solid opponent...one of the first moves that i mastered was the double palm...coz its used as combo ender and is an all around solid move.../forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif...try inputtin that real quiks..i hope that i helped u a bit...i cant really help u much coz im stil practicing more of his advanced moves...hopes to see u on xbox live soon...

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Tactically Akira is not that hard, but lot of his best moves require multiple direction inputs with the stick, especially tapping twice or more to the same direction. so practise your inputs with these moves until they become second nature.

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Good combo to practise buffered doublepalm is
/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif -> /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif~/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif -> /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif
The guard cancel is not absolutely required but its a good thing to practise doing it always when you do single punches. Doublepalm can also be done with /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif whichever feels easier for you.

While at it, also practise moving around with dashing and canceling evade (Defensive move) with dashes and crouchdashes. Its not required to be good with Akira, but it helps with getting the hand dexterity required. It feels also very rewarding once you get it right. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif Also prepare something for the hand and wristaches /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

ps. It took me about a year in VF3 arcades to get decent with Akira. Thankfully you didnt need buffered doublepalm in VF3.. I inserted coins for two players into the machine when I was alone and practised combos against myself..

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

It took me through out the entire time of VF4 evo to get good with Akira. But I didn't actually have the game and was playing over a friends house. I got into akira from bootleg Mega- Mix fighters?

After VF5 came out though, I got all his moves down and finishers that required retarted amount of inputs and playing with him for so long I can do a lot of the other moves easier (that require buffering)

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Playing the CPU makes you worse at the game. It doesn't have any fear and it's not "trainable" like a human. Keep playing the CPU and see how hard you get your ass handed to you by a live opponent.

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Playing the CPU doesn't necessarily make you worse at the game. Before I had people to play against I actually got at a proficient level just from playing the CPU in vf4. When fighting the CPU you get an idea of what moves are throw counterable and you even get try out certain setups

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Problem with CPU is that its been designed to play effectively against poeple who play "right". So if you play textbook-style the CPU can be difficult to beat at high difficulty levels. On the other hand, the AI propably has some weakness that can be exploited. So if you play 'correctly' instead of just exploiting AI weakness the CPU can be beneficial training opponent.

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Thanks for the quick response. I'll keep your suggestions in mind.

 

I start playing when the very first VF4 came out in the arcade. When Evo came out on the ps3, I practise so hard then, I thought I was godly till I went to Japan and realize I'm shit compared to the top players there.

After playing so many years, I'm still no where compared to ANY max ranks players in Japan.

 

It's pretty much unfair to compare ourselves to Jap players since we don't have the same level of competition over here at the arcades. (little voice in your head)"Wait what we have arcades still?"

That said I've picked up akira this vf incarnation and I've still got a long way to go with him. I initially started playing with him because I wanted to get cleaner inputs and I figured who better to teach you self control than akira. Now I just enjoy playing with him. I lose a lot but when I win I feel like I really played well and with intent.

 

Took me a few days. By not learning the combos of other characters and styles, I enter with less mental baggage. [Will these combos work? Wait he HAS no combos lol]

Akira's best and most damaging 'combos' are usually 4 hits or less... [launcher, DLC, Juggle, DblPlm, etc.]

That and killing your opponent with only 2.3 clean combos drives sparks up my spine... ^_^

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

The one problem I seem to have with the CPU is that it won't let me throw it as often as a real person. So then when I play a human opponent I don't go for throws enough. I guess you play how you practice... I do think the quest mode cpu is kinda like online. Certain characters evade more and favor different moves, same as online... It just doesn't learn when you spam either.

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Getting good with akira in a few days? Literally impossible

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

I'm very jaelous of all the medium and big VF4 players. They clearly have a big advantage over people that are getting into VF properly just now, with VF5. I can't see myself being better than their average (i.e. not better than the best ones among them) before a year or so...

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

13 years (including the big gap between VF3 and VF4). Not yet good. Maybe in 2008 I'll approach good.

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

why so jealous? Those guys put in alot of time to get to where they are at and most of the western players endured playing one or maybe two other people once a week or once a month for years just cuz they loved the game. Not too many people outside japan really gave a shit about virtua fighter in general and certainly not enough to drive 50 miles just to play someone once a week for a few hours.

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Getting good with any virtua fighter character in a few days? Literally impossible

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Akira takes some absurd input skill on the stick. You have to have raw hand speed to whip out those instant DblPlms...

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

It's more muscle memory and practice. LOTS of PRACTICE to nail down his movements accurately. The more I play Akira, the more I love him, and think that he has all he needs. May not have the most options, but he has what he needs to get the job done.

 

Re: How long did it take you to get good with Akir

Well, I meant jaelous of the time they spent practicing the game in general...

I'm not sure I got your reply right...

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