Playing against the computer, is it worth it?

Current Fighting Games Fighting Game Discussion
#1

I couldn’t find any other threads about this, so hopefully this isn’t a repost.

What I’m interested in is knowing if anybody thinks it’s actually worth playing against the computer in fighters (on the highest difficulty of course) and why.

Of course you should do it a few times to see how the game works when you first get it to unlock shit/get a feel for characters. But other than that I personally don’t really see that this is helpful. I mean can you really play the computer to “improve” your skills?

We all know that the computer plays nothing like a human opponent in almost every fighter. We also all know that there’s shit that works against the computer that NEVER works against real people, and shit that works against real people that NEVER works on the computer. So isn’t playing the computer actually training you to be worse at the game?

IMO the best way to beat your opponent is to know what they’re gonna do before they do, and the only way you can do that is by playing your opponent.

I wanna see if there’s any counterpoints to this, or any of you who got where you are today simply by playing the game on hard over and over.

#2

improves execution

#3

It will not make you a “better player” indeed, however, it’s a good way to practice combos you have learned in training mode and get used to pull them out in a match.

#4

It’s kind of nice. It’s like training mode, but the other guy is (poorly) mimicking what an actual opponent might do. Good for practicing stuff you won’t otherwise get by just setting the enemy to stand, crouch, jump, and so forth.

And certain characters (e.g. Akuma, most games he’s appeared in) are programmed with fairly fast reaction time and appropriate counter-attacks, so you can learn to get around those as well.

#5

I agree.

Playing against the computer can help you get used to the game. Then again so can training mode and getting your ass handed by a better player will too.

I’m mostly stuck with playing against the computer and when I face somebody, it’s pretty different. I wish I could play against more people, instead of playing the computer.

#6

After playing Virtua Fighter 5, I say it is worth it.

#7

playing computer teaches you really bad habits. i wouldnt play against it too often

#8

True… I guess we have to keep a balance of 80% of human versus and 20% of CPU training.

When I plya vs. the CPU, my goal is not to win (as you usually can by just throwing random specials anyway) but I just repeat the same phase/setup/combo over and over to get my hands used to the execution.

It is better IMO to do it on a “moving” character than in trining mode.

#9

As a personal preference, I tend to prefer not take on CPUs at their highest difficulty. I’ve noticed that, no matter the CPU, they are incredibly predictable at the highest difficulty. Therefore, I always choose either a level off the highest or mid.

But, overall, I’d say use CPUs for practice and to figure out which combos are appropriate in which situation. Use high level CPUs ONLY to increase your reaction time. Otherwise, you might end up picking up bad habits.

#10

The trouble with the CPU(ACTION: CPU) is that it can only go so far. You’ll probably understand its’ behavior patterns after a few months. He doesn’t make an effort to utilize the character’s strengths and weaknesses effective. i.e. He’d still spam shoryukens and chains. Even in Versus Mode(2P set as CPU controlled) for some Capcom games, where the CPU can simulate a player more accurately than its’ Arcade brothren. It’s not as challenging and more different than an actual opponent, but it could benefit you better if you’re just practicing timing of combos as stated before.

SNK’s CPU mode in 2k2 has proven differently since it actually has a Final Boss difficulty setting for each character in Practice Mode, but still. Algorithims are similar. The CPU in SNK, at high level difficulty, uses alot of mid range chains and cancels. Sometimes he actually reacts as good as a mid level player. Still doesn’t replace the threat of a real, thinking opponent.

Better to play against opponents through either the interweb or in real life. Like find someone you can train with who can virtually rape the crap out of you. My Elena has gotten better because of this one new practice alone.

Just for the viewers at home, what are some examples of bad habits? Don’t think I’ll be able to get them all.

#11

I expected to hear this actually, I know there’s a lot of people out there who don’t really have a lot of comp, and I can see how that may suck. It’s sure enough easier to just turn the game on and play against the computer no matter where you are or how much comp you have though, which is one reason I think it’s a good question.

I know the best way I’ve learned fighters is by having other human players beat the hell outta me with certain characters, then I can say “oh, that’s how you use that character.” Wheras if you mimic the computer, you’re sure to lose every time.

I never thought about that, I just always assumed the highest difficulty was the “hardest” and therefore the best for training, but it is true that it’s predictable. Are you sure it’s less predictable on a middle difficulty though?

#12

Honestly, if you have no way to play opponents- your best remaining option is online play of some sort. It’s not perfect, but it’s better then CPU.

#13

Lemme see some of what I’ve gotten stuck with…In 3S, the CPU has me jumping in too much, attacking in patterns, and throwing out supers when I shouldn’t. It takes a while to shake off the tendencies, lemme tell you.

#14

Good for practicing execution, like how to do super moves on command, AC counters on reaction, etc, inputs, and mechanic stuff. Essentially a dynamic punching bag.

Not good for your gameplans and such. Leans you bad habits. You shouldn’t be trying to actually beat the computer as if it was a challenger, but more like practicing stuff on a moving target. As long as you keep that in mind I think playing against the cpu can only help.

The computer is pretty much reactionary; watch the cpu doing some random stuff when you’re doing nothing.

#15

Somewhat depends on the game, too.

If you have a programmable training mode, then imo that’s better than playing the CPU. Takes time to set up, but it’s a good way to prepare yourself for what real players do.

#16

sometimes the CPU in KoFXI can help. Like with execution and learning how to punish and doing anit-airs. But thats about it. At higher levels, the CPU get retarded. You get Iori’s that psychic dp you and Whip’s and Kensou’s that block everything (seriously EVERYTHING).

#17

All true.

To add from my personal list of habits I had to fix: Throwing random specials, using moves with lots of recovery time with no threat of being punished, using reversal shoryu/super/etc. on wakeup whenever I got knocked down (CPU either doesn’t block or doesn’t punish,) and the list goes on.

I think the worst thing about playing the CPU is that you can’t develop proper mindgames. The CPU will not fall for/improperly react to crossups, empty jumps, whiffs, etc. where a human player might. That’s the part of my game that needs the most work, as I’ve had to burn away 10+ years of bad habits from only having CPU competition.

#18

i play on low difficulty so i can show off to chicks.

#19

So that could explain why MvC2’s Level 8 CPU seems like a Level 2. I guess all the Marvel VS games are like that.

#20

Reinforces the basics. I just started playinCvS2, and I practice RCs vs the CPU.

More broadly, it will teach you the stuff you need to be able to do consistently- combos, and taking advantage of damage opportunities, etc. It helps with new games- I picked up VF4 not too long ago, and it takes a while to get used to blocking, throw breaks, dodging, when to attack, when to stop to avoid being sidestepped, etc. The only fighting games I’ve been hardcore into were Capcom 2D fighters, and despite the variety among them, they had at least some of the basics in common.

Of course, the CPU generally does teach bad habits in terms of psychology, as the CPU will react differently than the average player- in A3 you can do jump in combos vs the CPU all day (usually a bad idea), but ironically it will tech. 90% of throws- so something that would get you killed vs good players is encouraged, and something that might net you actual damage is discouraged.