Fellow Sakura players any tips for a n00b?

[Mainichi]

Yeah, I'm decent with Sakura, I can do some of her links and combos. But for the life of me all of this means nothing online. I regulary get stomped (I fluctuate from 500-0 BP OFTEN.)

I have trouble against pretty much......everyone. If it's not someone spamming Hadouken (which I try to counter with my own, but that split second start up delay kills me. Or I'll FADC one of them and eat the next one in the face. I miss parry.)

I'll jump straight up to bait them into throwing a SRK then run into get a hit, but seems that people are rarely falling for straight up jumps. Or I'll get put into a corner, tripped then as soon as I get up, I get a fp SRK to the face. (I could have sworn you hold db to block that as you're getting up.) Or if I'm playing a Ken'er they'll charge their FA and hit me as I'm getting up. (I hold back but still get hit?)

Ugh it's so frustrating, I watch many Sakura vids for playing style tips. (Been watching mucho JWong.) But still no dice.

[ZeroMH]

This is going to be very general, but that's okay because it seems like you're having a problem with some basics that will help you.

First of all, Sakura shouldn't have too much of a problem with FB spammers. Her ex srk goes through FBs, her tatsu goes over them, and she has FBs of her own she can counter with. Add FADCing to that and you've got a lot of ways of dealing with FBs. As for FADCing and running into a second fireball, that could be because you're not doing it fast enough or because you're FADCing forward when you should be going backward. If neither of those is the cause, then you just gotta not FADC those and use your other options.

If you get SRK'd on wakeup, just block.

A fully charged FA is unblockable - that's the point. Most likely you have a few moments on wakeup before the FA hits to do something about it. You have to hit them more than once, so use fast attacks or special moves with multiple hits. Or use a move with armor breaking properties (i.e. tatsu) if you have enough time. And of course, making a move EX will help you get it off faster.

[pennylane]

Both her regular tatsu and regular SRK work against FA's (when they're still charging it).

I'd suggest focus on figuring out how it is you're taking damage and minimize them. Minimize your errors first. If you're eating fierce DP's from Ken scrubs, learn to avoid situations when they spam them, or learn to block/counter them. If you know when they spam them, you can figure out how to bait them (ie, get close to them after you knock them down and then dash back).

I, too, have issues blocking online. I think the lag sometimes just forces you to block early in order for the block to register, so be aware of that.

[GoDSh0t]

Neutral jump to bait SRK is pretty risky. If you want to more consistently bait SRK then while they're on the floor charge focus attack and just before they wake up, backdash out. SRK should whiff and you'll be right there ready to punish.

[Mainichi]

Thanks, I'll definitely try out all of the suggestions. =)

[GGawaran]

Thanks, I'll definitely try out all of the suggestions. =)


if you have PSN we can play some player matches =)

[GGawaran]

Neutral jump to bait SRK is pretty risky. If you want to more consistently bait SRK then while they're on the floor charge focus attack and just before they wake up, backdash out. SRK should whiff and you'll be right there ready to punish.

i know its off topic but, i was watching one of the vids posted of your sakura, and after EX tatsu, you would jump in and do light kick and continue from the other side. Thats just mind games to catch them off guard? or does it actually connect somehow haha. Ive gotten that trick to work a few times but mainly under the assumption they werent really expecting it.

Just want to clearify.

Thanks.

[AlterGenesis]

It's basically a reset crossup. Yeah, mindgames. You can really change that shit up.

I found with the few matches I've played that keeping pressure is pretty important for Sakura. Sakura doesn't have a lot of outs when she get turtled or pressured by certain characters, so to win you probably have to make the best use of any advantage you get. (If this wasn't obvious enough already.) The j.lk reset is a great way to do this, as your opponent is continually in "guess" mode and rarely has a chance to counterattack (unless you fuck up).

Another important aspect of Sakura's game is getting j.lk crossup when its safe. Often times, it's not and you will undoubtedly get punked out of the air, but being able to do j.lk c.lk (link) close HP xx lk tatsu (link shenanigans) reset is great shit off a crossup. Yes, she's lost her fat j.MK crossup, but learning when to use j.LK crossup will come in handy from time to time.

j.MK is a great move to use when trying to get close to a fireballer. It covers a lot of range and allows you start putting pressure on someone when you jump correctly. If anything, a well-timed EX charged Fireball can help you start inching closer to a turtler, for instance.

[Mainichi]

if you have PSN we can play some player matches =)

Definitely man, I need all the help / tips I can get.

PSN = Vittles.

[GGawaran]

Definitely man, I need all the help / tips I can get.

PSN = Vittles.

PSN = Gawaran

Add me and just leave a message like (from the forums or what not) and we can play some player matches.

[mugenXinfinite]

xbl - mugenxinfinite i dont got the best but above above average :)
i stand my own against a decent sagat

[Esura]

Yeah, I'm decent with Sakura, I can do some of her links and combos. But for the life of me all of this means nothing online. I regulary get stomped (I fluctuate from 500-0 BP OFTEN.)

I have trouble against pretty much......everyone. If it's not someone spamming Hadouken (which I try to counter with my own, but that split second start up delay kills me. Or I'll FADC one of them and eat the next one in the face. I miss parry.)

I'll jump straight up to bait them into throwing a SRK then run into get a hit, but seems that people are rarely falling for straight up jumps. Or I'll get put into a corner, tripped then as soon as I get up, I get a fp SRK to the face. (I could have sworn you hold db to block that as you're getting up.) Or if I'm playing a Ken'er they'll charge their FA and hit me as I'm getting up. (I hold back but still get hit?)

Ugh it's so frustrating, I watch many Sakura vids for playing style tips. (Been watching mucho JWong.) But still no dice.


Hell, when I started playing with Sakura on A2, I would get my ass whooped by my brothers all the time (they were Ken spammers too). Dont get frustrated and keep practicing.

[Blitzwinghaz]

I reckon I'm going to mainly use Sakura online now, used to main Ken but I'm sick of looking at him now after all the online matches.

Or if I'm playing a Ken'er they'll charge their FA and hit me as I'm getting up. (I hold back but still get hit?)I was wondering about this too. Obviously it becomes unblockable after a certain point, but is it uncounterable? Can I counter it with my own FA even when there's is in unblockable stage? Can I 2k tatsu through it?
My main tactics with her now are playing spacing games by walking towards the players and meleeing them a lot and using her specials if they whiff generally. Works well against Guile anyway.

[Alzarath]

Fully charged FAs are unblockable and have armor.

Reversals are granted armor-breaking properties.

2+2 = ?!

Or you can backdash.

[AlterGenesis]

If you see someone charging their FA on your wake up, Fierce Sho'ouken that shit. It has enough range to catch them even if they backdash.

[tronimrich]

Would you guys suggest sakura as a beginning SF player? I have had the game for about 4 days now, with no prior experience in fighters.

I am reluctant to pick what seem to be the heavy favorites (sagat ken gief) because ive always had an attraction to cooler looking / possibly underpowered characters.

Currently I am casually playing sakura and cammy. Of the two, which would serve a total newb better?

ty

edit: I also feel that opportunities to use my ultra really seem to be few and far between (when I can get the timing right anyway). Ive been looking at some videos posted here and they dont seem to use the ultra that often (almost never). Is her ultra something that is so significantly situational that its something not to be counted on?

[AlterGenesis]

In terms of combos and learning curve, Cammy is probably easier than Sakura. That being said, she has a lot more disadvantageous matchups then Sakura and playing extremely safe with her is tougher because you need to hit-confirm a lot of your combos to avoid being punished. (All versions of cannon spike up close is punishable)

But, if you're going to play people just as new to the game as you are, Cammy is great. Her DP is excellent, her combos are easy, EX Hooligan and EX Cannon Spike are great tools against fireball spam and her combos are as easy as c.mk xx spiral arrow or j.hk s.hp xx cannon spike. (Her BnB link combo is pretty straightforward too, c.lk c.lp c.lk xx spiral arrow)

EDIT:
re: Sakura's Ultra
Generally speaking, it's either better to go for the reset or otoshi because when the damage scales after doing a big combo, the damage that the Ultra tacks on is comparable to 3 hits of Otoshi. Generally speaking, the best time to use ultra is after a short combo into EX Tatsu, or when using it will for sure kill them. You can pretty much use it anytime you get EX Tatsu, though. But, this is the logic for why you're not seeing it used too much.

[tronimrich]

I hear ya. It feels impossible to hit them with the ultra after they are launched by the last kick of the ex tatsu =( but then, I need a ton of practice

[mojo_ca]

When someone is spamming Hadoukens at me, I like to back up and launch an EX Otoshi (I think thats what its called). It launches you from one side of the screen to the other, and you can get a 3 hit combo on them from the punches that they dont expect.

Best time to do her ultra I find when standing up after knocked down, people will usually be in your face expecting to hit you instead of blocking so when you do it theyll usually be in some sort of FA or kick motion, letting you hit them.

[AlterGenesis]

Whoa, wake up ultra is never a good idea.

[ZeroMH]

It is if they're FAing. Of course, FAing over a downed opponent who has ultra is a dumb idea, but just sayin.

[Loli Kasugano]

I FA the hadoukens/tiger shots/what have you all day until I get my ultra up, then just jump over them until the other player decides to stop spamming and come in...at which point I knock them back.

I tend to rely too heavily on sweeps but when they DO work I try to FA bait an uppercut type move and it usually works (and EX shoryuken, too! Gee some Ken players are smart) And I also do the EX otoshi now like Mojo said, since it launches you across the screen. I need to pratice more with it because I usually get hit ^^;

As for her ultra, I usually use it when someone whiffs their own ultra or an uppercut/shoryuken. It usually works if my controller decides to register that I hit all three kicks and not just do an EX hurricane that completely misses the opponent...no idea how that works seeing as I have the buttons mapped to one button but whatever.

[ZeroMH]

As for her ultra, I usually use it when someone whiffs their own ultra or an uppercut/shoryuken. It usually works if my controller decides to register that I hit all three kicks and not just do an EX hurricane that completely misses the opponent...no idea how that works seeing as I have the buttons mapped to one button but whatever.

Simple logic. If all three buttons are mapped to one, there's no way for it to fail. The only explanation is that you didn't do the joystick input perfectly (happens to me all the time, btw). Checking out the input data in training mode will confirm this reasoning.

[AlterGenesis]

It is if they're FAing. Of course, FAing over a downed opponent who has ultra is a dumb idea, but just sayin.

...and then they can cancel the FA and what not, then you proceed to get killed.

Not only mentioning the fact that doing it on wakeup against downed opponent with ultra is a dumb enough a move as is. (Which you said) Just doing anything at random is dumb. Unless you explicitly KNOW you're going to get wake-up ultra, it's pretty obvious you shouldn't do it. (Unless you're almost dead and you're looking for a miracle.)

[Loli Kasugano]

Simple logic. If all three buttons are mapped to one, there's no way for it to fail. The only explanation is that you didn't do the joystick input perfectly (happens to me all the time, btw). Checking out the input data in training mode will confirm this reasoning.

I wish. Even if I hit it correctly sometimes she flies into a EX hurricane...maybe because I use the analog...

[ubeJaleya]

I wish. Even if I hit it correctly sometimes she flies into a EX hurricane...maybe because I use the analog...

An analog/arcade stick isn't always accurate, and apparently the Xbox 360 controller isn't the best for SFIV. Though it can be done, it's just a bit frustrating. Apparently, the D-Pad is even worse. However, even when depending on the motions, the input itself can still be rather strange. Like, my MadCatz SE has some fascination with, even when inputting a clearly right-directional-based move, (such as :qcf::qcf:+Blah) it always seems to get in this little :db:. It really is quite obnoxious, lol. But, often there is a rare chance that this is the case. Like ZeroMH said, you'd be surprised of how much it helps looking at the input data in the training mode and just practicing motions, frequently!

[Loli Kasugano]

I actually did go into training and tried it out to find that I can do it consistantly if I move the stick slowly. Anytime I try to pull it off quick for, say, a revesal, I get lol EX whiff and a pretty screen saying Ken wins T_T

[ubeJaleya]

I actually did go into training and tried it out to find that I can do it consistantly if I move the stick slowly. Anytime I try to pull it off quick for, say, a revesal, I get lol EX whiff and a pretty screen saying Ken wins T_T

A slow movement is best for the start, in terms of execution, and then you make your way to go faster. At least, this is how I've felt in SFIV. Not so much in other games, but it might just be the arcade stick I'm using. I got the SE in the mail, after I got SFIV, so I did give into temptation to play it and use a controller. I was pretty bad, at first. Really bad, lol. But then I got surprisingly better. You have to just calm down, I've felt. Do a swift motion, and just keep practicing, over and over. The phrase "Practice makes perfect." isn't said for nothing. :woot:


They're bloomers!

Sorry, just had to point this out. Thank you for actually knowing what's what.

[Loli Kasugano]

lol yea :P

Also, what's most frusturating (sp ftl) is that I managed to pull it off with no problems the first time I unlocked her and now my controller is like "lol fuck you" guess I gotta just work on it

[ubeJaleya]

lol yea :P

Also, what's most frusturating (sp ftl) is that I managed to pull it off with no problems the first time I unlocked her and now my controller is like "lol fuck you" guess I gotta just work on it

Sometimes you also have off-days, in terms of play. Don't feel too bad, I think, personally, it's just important to know when to practice, and when to cool yourself. Just got to keep at it. Training Mode really does work wonders.

[Treharren]

Keep persevering.

I'm a noob myself (last SF game I played much of was "Xmen-Vs") but I'm doing ok witk Sakura. Not quite breaking the 1000BP mark (as I seem to find a wall of Blankas and Zangiefs there) but happily slaughtering the mediocre Kens and Akumas of the 500-1000 range.

The one tip I can proffer is EX-Shunpu into Sakura Otoshi. A lot of people say you can chain it into the Ultra, but I havent been able to yet - reading this forum, it seems I should be dashing first, which i will be trying today.

[Treharren]

Ok, and dont be afraid to just avoid jump FB spamming Akumas. They'll get bored and come to you eventually - if you can get a quick hit in before you start turtling even better.

A week ago I couldnt beat an just spamming Akuma at all. Now I win most. Its good to learn!

[Loli Kasugano]

Keep persevering.

I'm a noob myself (last SF game I played much of was "Xmen-Vs") but I'm doing ok witk Sakura. Not quite breaking the 1000BP mark (as I seem to find a wall of Blankas and Zangiefs there) but happily slaughtering the mediocre Kens and Akumas of the 500-1000 range.

The one tip I can proffer is EX-Shunpu into Sakura Otoshi. A lot of people say you can chain it into the Ultra, but I havent been able to yet - reading this forum, it seems I should be dashing first, which i will be trying today.

You can, it's gotta be once the opponent starts to fall, though. Timing is crazy, though.

[ZeroMH]

I love how we talk on this forum about using 1-frame links in our BnB combos, but the timing on ex tatsu into ultra, which is more than 1-frame, is "crazy". Really, it's not that bad. And there are easy visual cues to time it correctly, or, if you missed, determine whether you were too early or too late.

[Hoeboe2k]

I find dashing is harder cause I'm a little slow on the stick still but it does do slightly more damage

I usually start my ultra (without dashing) when they have reached their pinnacle and just starting to descend.

[Hornetajc]

Just something I've found with using the Ultra. Many times you'll find a player, especially in the lower levels, who are obsessed with sweeps. Guile is an easy example of this, but I've also found it with Ken/Ryu/Akuma as well. If you find a pattern of them using sweeps, time it with an Ultra.

Also, I practiced linking the Ultra after EX Tatsu without the dash. For some reason, that helped my timing so that when I did add the dash, its become second nature.

[Treharren]

Finally got hold of a Hori stick. Not a second too soon as my 950 rating (so close to leaving noobtown) was decimated down to 450 due to repeatedly missing moves with the Xbox pad.

Sigh.