How to get started with Fighting Games and have a Nice Time

[00:00] For a long time I’d look at fighting games and 

[00:07] I had done some casual button mashing, but 

[00:12] When I saw the gulf between what I was able to do 

[00:16] was no way I’d EVER be able to get there.

[00:21] try for real.

[00:24] [dramatic pause]

[00:25] Yes.

[00:26] I can tell you, without exaggeration, that fighting games have

[00:31] else I’ve put my gaming hours into. It's a 

[00:37] constructed from the greatest pleasures of 

[00:41] and seeing cool shit happen, the slow burn tension 

[00:45] the dark souls satisfaction of studying a 

[00:50] It’s meditative. It’s rhythmic. It’s sports. 

[00:55] you’re ever gonna come to feeling like Rocky or 

[01:00] happier, and it’s made my brain feel better.

[01:05] But it takes a lot of work, and looking at that from 

[01:11] This guide is for people who have been studying that water

[01:16] Hopefully you can use this video as a 

[01:21] Here’s my 10-step guide for getting into 

[01:25] - [Distorted announcer voice] Step 1. Decide you want to do it.

[01:28] [jazzy flourish]

[01:30] This one’s kind of obvious, but it’s also essential. 

[01:36] fuels you through the hard stuff.

[01:40] but not sure if you’re ready to 

[01:43] can do to gradually expose yourself.

[01:48] - [Commentator 1] IT'S REVERSAL—

[01:52] - [Commentator 1] HE WASN'T LOOKING —

[01:53] - [Pat] It’s really exciting to see the top players just going 

[01:59] Goichi Vs SonicFox at EVO 2018 rules. It’s like an 

[02:06] - [Commentator] Plant 'em right now, thank you.

[02:08] - [Pat] Goichi's defense is like an iron wall, but SonicFox’s 

[02:14] SonicFox is gonna do some work as soon as they 

[02:21] - [commentators screaming incomprehensibly]

[02:25] - [Pat] Lil Majin’s whole EVO 2018 

[02:28] - [commentator yelling continues]

[02:30] - [Pat] Majin was an American player in a game that 

[02:35] Japanese players. So it’s a combination 

[02:41] plus he’s playing a super fun character 

[02:45] - [Commentator] MAJIN [yelling]

[02:47] - [Pat] But it’s not just about what the players are 

[02:50] get excited and pop off for the big moments 

[02:54] what to pay attention to. 

[02:56] - [Commentator] And he's so scared of getting hit — because

[03:00] It's gonna hit here!!! Into the critical arc! Textbook —

[03:04] - [Pat] If you’re in the mood to chill and watch some super thoughtful, accessible video essays about the underlying  

[03:09] mechanics and philosophies of fighting games, 

[03:14] My personal favorite is "Why Button-Mashing

[03:18] Also, follow some fighting game people on Twitter 

[03:22] really interesting streams and posting funny clips that

[03:27] - [Maximilian Dood] Whose idea was it to make his pubes his legs?

[03:30] - [Yipes] We're here in the mess, tryin to deck with with the refrigerator,

[03:32] you thought it was, but he unplugged that

[03:35] - [Pat] There will be a lot of in-jokes and terminology you  

[03:37] don’t understand, but you’ll pick it up soon enough through 

[03:41] helping hand, check out the 

[03:45] They have explanations of all the jargon.

[03:48] - [Announcer] STEP 2: PICK A GAME

[03:50] [jazzy!]

[03:52] - [Pat] A frequently asked question among the 

[03:56] fighting game for a new player?”

[04:01] whichever game you’re interested in.” I’m so 

[04:06] heart. Look at gameplay trailers, watch some big 

[04:12] is the one you should chase. That spark will 

[04:17] I love martial arts cinema and pro wrestling. So 

[04:22] TEKKEN. The pace of animation is a bit 

[04:27] like Street Fighter or Guilty Gear, so it was 

[04:32] from the movies and wrassling I love.

[04:36] frame data, I understood that King did a sick 

[04:41] You gotta find your access point. You like anime? 

[04:48] But while you’re following your heart, you do 

[04:52] Because of the ol’ Covid, you’re mostly going 

[04:58] great netplay. In games that use delay-based netcode,

[05:03] The good news is that, if you’re new, you probably 

[05:07] you taste that crisp, offline stuff.

[05:11] playing online, consider choosing a game with 

[05:16] netplay solution that pretty much eliminates the 

[05:21] If you want a cool explainer on how it works, 

[05:26] Here are some games 

[05:29] If you’re not sure if a game has rollback, 

[05:33] blog posts like "punch kicker adds rollback!"

[05:36] Or a bunch of Reddit threads like “HOW COME PUNCH KICKER

[05:41] - [Commentator] STEP 3: GEARING... UP!

[05:44] [funky beat]

[05:46] - [Pat] Another common question is “What do I need 

[05:50] And the good news is that, if you play other 

[05:53] You need a console or a PC, and a 

[05:57] - [deep announcer voice] FIGHT

[05:58] - [Pat] (also a good internet connection, 

[06:00] You might think you need a big fancy fight 

[06:05] between performance and equipment. Lots 

[06:09] using readily available console controllers, 

[06:14] skills and knowledge you develop using one 

[06:18] There’s just a short re-calibration period where 

[06:23] That said, if you have the resources 

[06:28] of fun. They’re tactile and hefty and they 

[06:35] Most of the sticks you’ll 

[06:38] meaning the joystick moves around in a 

[06:42] important fighting game positions like DOWN 

[06:47] Another less common configuration is bat top 

[06:52] and they use a rubber grommet to 

[06:55] The result is that they are a bit spongier, and 

[06:59] Unless you’re planning to go all in on Tekken, or 

[07:04] Finally, hitbox-style controllers replace the 

[07:10] some getting used to, but they allow for extremely 

[07:16] that they’re pretty damn ergonomic. Crankin’ on a 

[07:21] My elderly thumbs don’t have what it takes to 

[07:27] it lets you nail your inputs without straining.

[07:32] console. If you ever plan on attending 

[07:36] controller that will work with a PS4. That’s 

[07:40] Tuning your control setup is fun, and it can become  a hobby of its own.

[07:45] wanna give you is DO NOT GEAR-GATE YOURSELF. Don’t 

[07:51] thing you wanna do. You’re just denying yourself 

[07:57] But… let’s talk about a real boundary.

[07:59] - [Announcer] Step 4 - PIPE CHECK

[08:04] - [Pat] If your connection to your opponent is not 

[08:08] nice time playing with each other. You’ll 

[08:12] but more importantly, it will 

[08:16] So most of the online fighting game community 

[08:21] because direct wiring takes a big failure point 

[08:26] The anti-wifi sentiment online 

[08:30] affect your experience. Lots of games have 

[08:34] likely to accept a match with you if they are 

[08:38] That means you should get wired up! When 

[08:43] hallway when I was playing and then coil it 

[08:47] weren’t a constant tripping hazard.

[08:51] and compromise, but it’s absolutely worth it.

[08:54] - [Announcer] STEP 5: CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER

[08:59] - [Pat] So, who are some good characters 

[09:03] The answer is, regardless of the game, 

[09:08] Once again, your enthusiasm is going to be the 

[09:13] to grind out combos and do the difficult work 

[09:17] “Ryu” of the game to learn the fundamentals.

[09:22] King, because I liked that he was a huge kitty 

[09:27] He’s a great character, but he also has a 

[09:32] decades of Tekken games. He’s got some complicated 

[09:37] differently from most of the roster.

[09:42] looked, and I liked his VIBE. So I had 

[09:47] Later, when I picked up Guilty Gear 

[09:51] because he’s kind of the Ryu of that game, and 

[09:56] having a high-tier character who exemplified the 

[10:01] So I tried for a while, and then I fell off and told 

[10:06] A few months later, I came back and I tried the 

[10:12] and it all clicked. I loved looking at my 

[10:16] and this booty drop, and I LOVE BUSTING. 

[10:23] Don’t let tier lists or meta discussions dissuade 

[10:29] literally cannot say this enough.

[10:32] - [Announcer] STEP 6: LEARN HOW TO PLAY

[10:36] -[Pat] Once you’ve selected your little guy, hop 

[10:40] See what they do. See how it feels.

[10:44] Kombat have decent tutorials that explain 

[10:48] challenges to test your knowledge.

[10:51] have a full command list in the start menu.

[10:56] and search for some character guides.

[11:00] games. They are complicated. There are hurdles 

[11:05] makes them so satisfying and fun to play. 

[11:10] so they'll put in hours, and hours, and 

[11:15] Like and subscribe!

[11:18] Looking at your movelist in game is helpful, but 

[11:23] for that character. A good guide will highlight 

[11:28] and how to use those tools to win.

[11:32] internalize everything all at once. That's a ton of 

[11:38] I’ve watched the same guides over and over again 

[11:43] Every time I rewatch, I’ll notice the things 

[11:48] and I’ll make note of the things that

[11:50] In terms of written resources, that’s gonna 

[11:55] Gear and other Arcsys games have comprehensive 

[12:00] info is in Google spreadsheets that 

[12:03] Figuring out where your game lives 

[12:07] As you watch and read, hop into training mode 

[12:11] Don’t worry about optimizing yet. You need to 

[12:15] you can hit your combos at all.

[12:19] I got on Twitter and posted a video of me 

[12:25] “I did it!” I might have said. And a passing 

[12:30] This will be a pattern that repeats over your time 

[12:34] into mastering things that, to outsiders, appear 

[12:40] that doesn’t mean it’s not an accomplishment.

[12:43] Good job.

[12:44] But nailing combos only accounts for a tiny, tiny percentage of what

[12:47] goes into playing a match. And the only way to start

[12:50] figuring that out is to… FIGHT.

[12:53] - [Announcer] STEP 7: FIGHT (a human)

[12:58] - [Pat] Sitting here on this screen for the 

[13:02] for you, maybe you’re some sorta real fuckin cool guy. 

[13:06] hit that matchmake button was nerve-wracking.

[13:12] fumble around with your buttons and drop your 

[13:17] But it’s okay. It’ll be fine.

[13:22] connection is, it’s also absolutely 

[13:27] Now I’m not saying there’s no value to fighting 

[13:32] own character’s moveset and develop muscle memory. 

[13:37] capabilities of other characters. You can 

[13:41] uppercut, and whoa! Two different fireballs!

[13:47] there’s not much more it can do to prepare you 

[13:52] in fighting game AI, the CPU won’t string 

[13:57] and fighting the robot is just not as fun.

[14:03] and hit that matchmaking button.

[14:08] Most fighting games are going to have a 

[14:11] Ranked matchmaking tracks your  

[14:13] performance and skill using a bunch of different 

[14:17] opponents of the same skill level. Usually there’s 

[14:22] new titles or badges or, in the case of Strive, 

[14:28] The obvious pro here is that, as a new player, 

[14:33] and you’ll actually have a chance of winning. 

[14:37] The con is that, even when you’re 

[14:41] that sense that you're being 

[14:44] Getting bumped down a level after a losing 

[14:48] It also changes the behavior of your 

[14:55] - [Pat] Separating your self-worth from your performance can be tough, and it makes some people act really silly.

[15:00] It can cause people to get obsessive about their winrates. They might

[15:05] character that they have a hard time against. They 

[15:10] They might send you nasty messages.

[15:14] getting shit from toxic players, lock down 

[15:17] Now I know I just listed a lot of cons that 

[15:23] The other option is Unranked.

[15:25] Here, the matchmaking will just 

[15:28] Any other player! Or you’ll meet up 

[15:33] Unlike ranked play, there’s no digital clout 

[15:37] play long sets. That’s a good thing. In fighting 

[15:43] always an adjustment period between opponents. Pro 

[15:48] up quickly, but for beginners it takes longer.

[15:52] that keeps blowing you up. You might not have 

[15:58] but in a long set you do have more opportunities 

[16:03] that will solve your problem.

[16:05] you have a chance to test it out repeatedly, and 

[16:10] The most obvious downside to unranked matchmaking 

[16:14] way, way better than you — but that’s not really 

[16:21] very experienced player is a great way to learn. 

[16:26] aren’t really viable against better players, and 

[16:32] And you’ll see something that you are very 

[16:37] The power of not pressing buttons.

[16:42] I would fight opponents who felt like absolute 

[16:48] and whiff punish. Every loss was the result of 

[16:54] So I tried to emulate their style, 

[16:59] I still love hitting buttons though.

[17:03] If you stop having fun with one, try the other 

[17:09] - [Announcer] STEP 8: STRUGGLE

[17:17] - [Pat] At the end of a fighting game match,  

[17:19] you win or you lose. There’s no 

[17:24] weight. There’s no XP meter sliding up to 

[17:28] You will, beyond a shadow of a doubt, lose. A lot. 

[17:35] when you’re in the thick of it, but it is all a

[17:39] So here are a few tips for getting through it.

[17:45] Okay I know this is kinda like saying “stop being 

[17:50] You are NOT your win loss ratio. Getting 

[17:56] even if it feels that way. And 

[17:59] it’s time to: TAKE A DAMN BREAK.

[18:03] Taking a break doesn’t just let you cool off, it makes you better.

[18:07] When your hands are off the joystick and you’re doing something else, your brain keeps gently churning on those situations,

[18:13] looking for the solutions you couldn’t find in the heat of the moment.

[18:17] Your body is rewriting neuron pathways to make your

[18:22] Playing fighting games feels a bit more like a traditional skill based hobby, like playing guitar.

[18:27] There's a base level of effort and self-direction you need

[18:32] That means that you won’t always

[18:36] And that's okay. Don’t force it.

[18:37] A “break” from fighting games can be a couple hours, or a couple

[18:42] when you get back, and your body will remember what to do.

[18:46] Watch replays. God this one is so hard.

[18:49] It’s like hearing your voice in a recording, or seeing yourself on video.

[18:53] Do I really do that???

[18:55] (you do)

[18:56] But it’s so valuable, and you can’t neglect it. Most fighting games keep a log of your most recent matches,

[19:02] with the ability to play them back.

[19:04] You should take advantage of that. Seeing yourself play can help you recognize habits you want to correct.

[19:09] It can also help you appreciate what you do well, and what you want to do more of.

[19:13] And when you’re feeling really brave, take the next step. Show your gameplay to someone else,

[19:18] and ask them for tips. But before you can do that,

[19:23] - [Announcer] STEP 9: COMMUNITY AND COMPETITION

[19:28] - [Pat] This can be one of the greatest joys of fighting games.

[19:33] is the name of the collective, but it’s not monolithic.

[19:36] There are hundreds or thousands of discord communities out there for fighting games. Some are game specific.

[19:42] Some are character specific. Some are geared towards

[19:47] Do some googling, and ask around on Twitter

[19:49] until you find a place that feels good for you.

[19:51] Whether it’s folks you meet through these communities,

[19:55] playing fighting games against someone you know is so good.

[20:00] - [other player BELLOWING IN PAIN]

[20:02] - [Pat wheezing with laughter]

[20:04] For me, knowing who is on the other side of the connection completely obliterates

[20:08] the frustration and antagonism I can feel playing against

[20:13] Partially because it’s just more humanizing when you know that person, but also because you can ask questions and chat.

[20:20] If you’re in a good community, your

[20:24] Because people who decide they want to get

[20:27] have signed this unspoken contract of mutual self improvement.

[20:31] Iron sharpens Iron.

[20:33] Fighting stronger opponents makes you stronger,

[20:37] will explain exactly how and why they are winning —

[20:43] - [Dudley] Very well then! Far be it from me

[20:49] And from a fellow pugilist.

[20:52] Through your community, or just by being online,

[20:55] you might come across some online tournaments,

[20:59] Tournaments are really cool. They offer you

[21:02] the chance to do a lot of things that

[21:05] First of all, it’s one of the few times you and your buddies will step into that magic circle of competition.

[21:11] Mutually, and temporarily agreeing to set aside the helpful hints

[21:14] and just going all out, seeing who will win. If you’re used to

[21:21] The other useful thing is that it’s fucking scary —

[21:24] at first.

[21:26] The first few times I did online tournaments, I literally got shaky

[21:31] and I mashed buttons. But each time I did it it got easier.

[21:35] And once you’ve played under pressure, you’ll be better in casual settings.

[21:38] Random matchmaking doesn’t get my

[21:41] Finally, a lot of tournaments are streamed on Twitch,

[21:44] which means you might get a chance to rewatch the VOD

[21:49] Like a lot of parts of the fighting game process,

[21:53] but a good commentator will put into clear terms what’s going on,

[21:57] an incredible learning tool.

[21:59] - [Commentator] They've proven they're pretty good

[22:01] Already, Doublemint, now back thrown into the corner,

[22:06] Gets hit by the stomps!

[22:07] Nooooo but drops it at the target combo!

[22:10] - [announcer] STEP 10: THE(RE IS NO) END

[22:15] - [Pat] One of the many wonderful and intimidating things about fighting games is that there is no prescribed

[22:19] end goal for your participation.

[22:21] There’s no final boss or endgame treadmill.

[22:24] Even the best player in the world is only the best until

[22:28] No matter where you are in your journey, in some sense,

[22:33] That means you won’t always know the next step forward,

[22:36] but it also means you’re never falling behind.

[22:39] And as long as you’re on that path, learning, and having fun,

[22:45] [REAL GREAT UPBEAT POP JAZZ SONG??]

[22:51] [help lol i don't know music genres]

[22:55] [but there's like a driving piano and some

[22:59] [and there were horns earlier]

[23:07] [happy thursday]