Switchnation?

Like most present VFers, VF4 was my introduction into the deepest and most engaging fighter known to man. I loved Fighters Megamix, I had VF3TB for DC, and I picked up VF4 for an extremely discounted price. I was never any good though, but for some reason, I could dominate the CPU with Lei-Fei. I played VF4 through my late middle-school and high school days in near-complete isolation. I never spent much time with VF4evo, I had played it for a month before I decided to buy a 360 and hop online with VF5 to test my skills.

What a small world I lived in. I remember playing Junosynth's Lei-Fei and being completely owned by him. I kept playing though, and hooked up with DaBadSeed who told me about VFDC. From there I had met VFNumbers and together we (him more) developed our Lei-Fei play and strategies.

It was a few months though before I was truly tested by a phenomenal player who's name I won't mention. I've played him several times before in ranked matches, and respected his strengh. After beating him several times, he outright told me I completely sucked at VF. I understood he was better than me, but I really suck THAT bad? I took his PM into much consideration.

Do I DMPK too much? Do I really know how to ETEG? Have I made 2p a habit? Is Lei-Fei cheap? Questions like those had stuck with me for a VERY long time. I developed a self-hate sorta deal, but at the same time I didn't understand what it really meant to be good. It was then that I first considered to stop playing Lei-Fei for awhile. I used most of the chars in VF4 a little bit, enough to know their combos, so I began switching. Although, most of the VF4 stuff I was used to didn't translate into VF5 well, so I stuck with Pai for awhile. With her, I began applying basic defensive techniques which helped me step up a bit. I was pulling wins, but that was only because the comp online wasn't the best either.

At NYG7 though, as I pulled wins out of my overnight Lei-Fei ass versus good players, frustration started coming out. But when I got to see the strong players live, and when I noticed I wasn't on their level, that's when I hit rock. "Lei-Fei is my strength and weakness."

When I got back home, I had a strong determination to actually become a stronger player. I bought a VSHG and began working and studying like a crackhead. I'd say, my stick play well surpasses my pad play. I'll admit its a bit harder to play lei-fei, but it's more gratifying than using shortcuts. I began to understand what frames were, and completely overhauled my defense. Now, I probably put in more TE's in one match than I would to do in one month when I had started VF5. I've become an aware player. I understand the game well enough to react to guard, hits, etc., and there aren't any situations I feel I can't get myself out of.

I'm less passive than I used to be. I try to get opponents to think a bit and sometimes it may seem I'm being an asshole. But if what I'm doing works so well, you should be able to figure out a solution. Even if you don't during those matches, I would hope my opponent will think about it afterwards and hopefully they'll come to a constructive conclusion.

The reason I've chose to go Switchnation is for a few reasons. After playing a long set with Yupa, it became obvious that after awhile, the well is gonna run dry. Sarah isn't the strongest, and predictability and knowledge of his offensive strats can become detrimental very fast. Not to say Yupa is a bad player (he taught me alot); out of everyone I play, I have the most trouble escaping his throws. But using multiple characters will keep you fresh, every face yields a different opponent. The fact that it doesn't take much for me to pick up on stuff helps alot.

I recall playing Yosuke's Jacky about a week ago. He's a smart player, you'll find it's difficult to put things over him. Sadly though, that's what Lei-Fei is all about. Anyone aware of Lei-Fei's openings won't have a problem dealing with him. What's even sadder, Lei-Fei can't defend himself in many of the situations. I may manage a few wins, but it's obvious that I have to stick to offense and force him to make inappropriate decisions, hoping I can chip his life completely away.

I would think at this point, that style of play isn't exactly for me. Not to say that I would have done better playing another character, but I sure would have had more fun. I'm nowhere near being a "strong" player, and I'm not concerned with being one. However, I want to be sure that I'm taking SOMETHING from every game. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be a strong player :) Recently I've been working on my stepping the most. Watching Lucky or Slide dance is full of awesome.

Im always ready to throw down some matches. Hit me up soon

- Cozby