Newbie ready to give up on Kage:(

Hi guys, I am completely new to the wold of Virtua Fighter. I come from the button mashings of Tekken, etc.

Anyway I've been playing VF4(not EVO) for the ps2. Not knowing diddly squat about who to pick first, started using Kage. I managed to get him to 1st Dan in Kumite mode. But I'm starting to realize just how difficult it is to advance further. Kage has a shitload of moves, but I can't seen remember them all and always wind up getting slaughtered by the Dan ranked characters.

So...being a total n00b, do you recommend I start over and choose a different character to learn the game with? Or should I just stick with kage and try harder to memorize his moves? I've got a few throws and kicks down pat, but my defense and blocking skills suck pop tarts

 

I would say stick with Kage. He is a good all-rounder and from the sound of it I don't think you would gain that much from switching characters. Somone like Jacky or Lau would be slightly easier to start off with, but high level play of Kage is easier to grasp.

If you ask me you should do a few things:
Try and learn Kage's movelist and a few combos. To learn them all will take a while but there are a few examples in the Trial mode in VF4 that will help you start.

Try to finish the Trial mode in VF4. This explains alot of the theory used in VF4 games and really helps a beginner, esp. because it is on screen and has demonstrations.

Go through GLC's General guide: http://virtuafighter.com/view.php?section=vf4&file=vf4_general_guide_glc.txt
It's long and takes time to learn but helps if you want to master the game.

Good luck with your Kage.

 

Probably one of the hardest thing about going from Tekken to VF is that you have to relearn blocking. Neutral and guarding in Tekken just doesn't prepare one for the realities of VF! You need to not only get used to using the button, but also you have to learn to read the opponent's moves better.. no neutral guard safety net to save ya!

But yeah, what other people said: go through the training... don't worry right now about too much of the advanced stuff, just concentrate on learning defense and recognizing when you have the advantage, and when you don't. And remember, learning when not to attack is just as important as learning a bunch of moves.

 

Isamu, I don't know if you've already done this, but it would be a great idea to defeat Dural, at least in Normal Mode before you try adventuring on Kumite's Dan Part.

Also, if you think Trial Lacks on Mid-air combos, check out some more in this video: http://vfevo.com/movie/combo/kage_ver2.mpg
(btw, where's version one?..can't find it..).

Another good idea would be to print Kage's command list:
Here

Good Luck on your Kage quest. /versus/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

Thanks for the reply guys. Update: I tried a different character today...Pai. She's very milky and speedy! But doesn't do the damage that Kage does. I do like her kicks though, and she's quite simple for the most part. I think I'm gonna switch back and forth between these two until I find which one is more comfortable.

You're right though, going from Tekken to this take much adjusting and I'm just now sorta getting used to blocking with a button. Thing, the AI for the dans like to pull a lot of reversals on you, and you really have to guess what their next move is.

 

Just thought I'd mention: The A.I. is fairly consistant when it comes to reversals, so if you find a certain move is being reversed by the A.I., such as +, then for that match it will be reversed 95% of the time. If you are getting reversed alot it's probably a sign to vary your attacks a bit more /versus/images/graemlins/smile.gif.