Need help fighting akira and wolf

I need help. I'd like to think my shun is decent, but im having major trouble whenever I fight an akira or wolf online. Are there any basic strategies or tips you can give me to use against wolf or akira. Also, if anyone uses akira or wolf and would like to help me out over XBL, the GT is: DRIFT LEGEND
Even if you play shun and would like to help me beef up my shun game, pm me.

 

I think the most important aspect for winning these fights is controlling the distance. A tad closer than starting distance against wolf and right outside or elbow or palm range against akira. I use 3p, 3k and 1k to poke from this range and 9p+k+g,p and 1p to push them back if I get too close. When you go in for an attack, either a string or a poke, make sure you dont finish by standing in front of them at point blank range.
At your ideal range, watch them to see what they are likely to do from there. If you think they are going to attack use 33p to get a counterhit or 236p for an air combo. If they are standing there waiting for these moves, run up and throw. Also, don't forget, as long as shun is even or has a lead, he can usually force action from the opponent with drinking or the threat of. Against akira, fishing with random, broken rhythm standing Ps from this range is useful for catching counter hits on dashing eblows and palms. Watching out for his 3p+k+g,p and 3p+k, flick P out there and see what he does. If hes ducking, 3p, if hes standing there, run up and throw. If you do manage to catch him coming in with a elbow or palm, I would recommend going for a throw unless he shows you he can react to interrupts.
VS players who like to 2p alot, get friendly with k+g as this move will beat 2p even at disadvantage and when blocked puts you at a fairly safe distance. Their standing P will beat k+g and float you so watch out for this and once your opponent catches onto it, use your 2p to beat their standing p. VERY basic virtua fighter stuff but you'd be surprised how many people either dont know this or never use it.

 

Thanks for the advise, I knew it was a distancing problem, but i didn't know how to deal with it. Thats why I usually get killed by wolf players, because they back up and either tackle me or throw me. I'm use to playing at a closer range than that. Also, I'll try to use pokes more, I never thought pokes were useful outside of SF third strike, the only other fighter i play. Thanks for the advise.

 

Just adding a few of my own thoughts...

Akira is a linear character - he doesn't have lots of circular attacks or strings where the second attack can be delayed (his /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d_.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif,/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif is a good example of a staple linear Akira attack) so control your distance (as detailed previously) and also make use of DM. Shun has an excellent evade game that counters Akira's linear style - he has one of the best DM attacks in the game, and even if you use DM at a distance from your opponent you can catch them with the DM attack. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif//forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/ub.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif,/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif avoids short range attacks (after /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif hits is a great time to use it) and don't forget /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif after 10 Drinks as Akira's main attacks are punch/elbow based.

If the Akira player tries to counter with half circulars and throw or catch throw you can beat these moves with chouwan.

Wolf players will hurt you if you let them get out their big combos, learning to ETEG effectively is a good tactic in itself. Again using Shun's evasive moves can net you a big advantage when your opponent whiffs. While Shun is great at mid-long distance Wolf has some unique attacks such as the shoulder charge that you have to be careful of. Nonetheless the damage potential of these moves isn't always that high and Shun's/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d_.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif can be devastating at stopping these moves in their tracks. Needless to say but always remember any opportunity to escape a throw after your move is blocked or has whiffed, throw escape against /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif. If you don't let a Wolf player take advantage of these opportunities you can cut them down.