As an old arcade hat and a relatively good fighting game player, I’ve noticed that there is no middle ground in competition. In fighting games, you are either extremely good or you are really bad. This may puzzle some of you who are probably saying “well —- isn’t that bad but he gives me a good fight once in awhile”, well there are some exceptions (as is the case with blanket statements) but it is rare. The reason for this trend is due to the lack of respect for fighting games that people generally have. Some see it as button mashing and others feel as if being good is something you are born with and nothing else.

Practice Makes Flawless Victory
Well it is possible to become a good fighter, and I aim to help you in your journey. The first thing you must realize is that the training mode in those games are there for a reason. Many times we view the training mode as simply a free zone to practice a move before playing through the computer opponents. Here’s the breakdown:

Average Gamer:
- Does not use the training mode for more than a few minutes before jumping into the game.

Seasoned Fighter:
- Utilizes the training mode to get a feel for his character and what he/she can do.
- Researches combinations online or from friends and grinds them in training until they are second nature.

As you can see, the reason why you are getting pounded without a hint of hope may be because you are fighting someone with hours of training time on that character.

Fighting Games are Comparitive to Real Combat
To succeed at fighting games the rules of real life combat could and should be applied:

1. Use deception
2. Surprise your opponent
3. Release your fear
4. Don’t think just do
5. Never back down

1. Deception
Pretending to be a turtle and then turning on the aggression at an opportune moment can really send your opponent a mixed message. They will respect your game, unless it is reactionary. Try playing one way and then flipping it 100% at the least expected moment, you may find that the God King Ogiad will bless you with a sweet victory.

2. Surprise
Stay down a bit longer after the knockdown, or move in with a combo and then pull back unexpectedly to surprise your oponent with an unorthodox Ring Out! That is the way a champion fights, they are like water, untamed and un predictable when pushed.

3. Release your Fear
So what if this guy you are about to play has over 1,000,000 flawless victories. Hand him his ass and you will be the one they talk about. It’s a game, the worst thing that can happen is you lose while trying for the Instant Hell Murder. At least you tried.

4. Don’t Think, Just Do
This goes back to the premise of the training room. You want your moves to be fluid instinct, everything should flow. The best fighters have trademarked their character with a stamp of oneness, find your character and master him/her.

5. Never Back Down
The only place that turtles win are in storybooks. A good fighter will not only break your turtle shell, he will break your shell and start a disgusting 80 hit Ultra Combo that will make you the bitch of the arcade… oops flashback. I’m sorry.

The Inner Struggle
Unlike real life, you can afford to get your ass beat hundreds of times and get better at fighting games. If you fear competition and losing, you will never learn. I was owned many times prior to learning the disgusting MK2 Johnny Cage ball-buster, pop up, uppercut combo… now it’s automatic. To lose is to learn.

The Way of the Intercepting Fist
So he is beating the tar out of you using cheap tactics… utilize a surprise, cheat him back and snap back into straight gaming. Throw him into the corner and rush in with your hundred hand slaps… stop comboing and cherry pick him to death, BREAK THAT STREAK!

Play Like A Boss
Bosses in fighting games get stronger with every round you win. Learn from this and become a boss.

A True Champion
The true champion is generally a nice guy… he will destroy you and then pat you on the butt saying “good job”. If you beat him, he is frustrated but he chalks it up to a bad day or he congratulates you as being his better. Poor sportsmanship is bad in video games, it makes you look not only like a sad nerd, but pretty much like a loser.

Combos vs Power
Know your strength. Are you a person of flair? Is a match not complete unless it’s with a 5-hit chain, pop-up into a devastating 30 hit combo? Do you like the feeling of staring into your opponent’s eyes as you rub your buttons frantically just to get one more combo in? Well hell I know i’m guilty! Lol, or are you the type that wants to sweep someone and pull off the Hell Murder while you walk out to your car leaving that loser to watch the white screen as he gets up into the inevitable? Well find out your core nature and play characters that cater to your strength… combos pick Ken, power pick Ryu. It’s simple.

Lastly, the key to victory is:
1. Practice
2. Learning from Your Mistakes
3. Knowing how to Seal The Victory

If you lack strength in any of these three you will constantly lose. They are of optimum importance. Good luck and happy fighting, if you face me on a console one day it will be an honor. I am an honored Gal Fighter of Vlance with a naughty combo game… you might get hurt.