*How* to use Akira??

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum, and also to Virtua Fighter itself (I've got VF5 on 360), and I decided to use Akira since I like how he plays.

The thing is, I'm having a bit of trouble with him, since I'm a bit lost on how to use him, not with what to do (since there's plenty of that to read around in the forum, which is great!), but how to do it. For example, when should I be using his /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif in comparison with his /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif, and how do i use his /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif ?

I can already do the majority of his commands (not all since I'm using the stock 360 d-pad), and I've tried doing some of the combos, but when it comes to the heat of the fight, I always end up doing the same few moves, and ending up not doing any of his combos at all.

How do I get around this? More practice? Maybe I'm learning the wrong things?

I've read through the system on the wiki btw, and I understand how most of it works, and its great. I've also read that you have to learn the system, not the character, but how do I go about learning this too, more specifically how to use it to your advantage with Akira. e.g. after someone attacks me and I block it, do I just go straight for the low punch? Or are there other options?

BTW, should I spend a lot of time in quest mode? I've read around, and some ppl say that it "ruins your game", while some say that the AI is excellent for training.

p.s. I found this while I was searching around on google for stuff on Akira. Do you reckon it's useful?

http://www.bradygames.com/content/images/9780744009699/samplechapter/vf5sample.pdf

p.s.s I know its a lotta questions, but i just find the vf5 system so huge, and i just dont know where to start. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

 

The brady games guide is nice... but it's extremely general. That is, some people like it, but if you're already here, reading the wiki and whatnot, then it probably won't have anything you haven't already heard in it.

As for quest mode... I definitely recommend it for training. I think most people you heard saying it has problems are just talking about fighting games in general. VF5 definitely does a better job of simulating a human player than any I've seen before.

As for the rest of it... more practice sounds about right. Try doing things like, find three moves you can do easily in dojo, but never use when you actually play, and restrict yourself to only hitting the opponent with those three moves for a few matches. Once you can start landing a move at all, and begin understanding when you can land it, and what the move is good for, then go back and work that move into your normal playstyle.

 

play Quest to practice combos and attacks until they begin to become 2nd nature, I'd also watch all the VF.TV replays for Akira, and anything on Youtube (search by most recent).

a quick tip regarding combos that work for beginners: following almost ANY combo starter with /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif -> /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif for a low punch followed by the Double Palm will pretty much always work, and it's dependable.

get the hang of doing all of his attacks & throws whenever you want, and you'll need a stick most likely.

 

The STICK is the most important thing. If you think you want to learn Akira, throw away the pad now. You are otherwise just fooling yourself. It is impossible to play Akira at a decent level on a pad.

 

Back in the day(VF1&2)Akira deceived a lot of players by his physical resemblence to Ryu of SFII fame. People
figured he was the guy to pick up and play with. They were mistaken.

 

As told by a great player

"Starting off and learning Akira will make sure you HAVE the basics down"

or something like that -_-

But yea you're killing yourself with pad /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

 

guess you haven't played Denkai's Akira. All pad... O_O

 

Hmm, he told he doesn't play Akira because it's too much work, so I've never seen it. But he plays ALL of his other characters on pad? If so, color me BEYOND impressed... floored might be getting close.

 

hahaha yea he doesn't like how much work it takes to play Akira, but he can SPOD, DLC, all that stuff with no problem on pad. First time I ate a SPOD from him my eyes just went O_O, then I ate another shortly after... O_O x 2 at that point. I believe then he did a little exhibition showing me that he had no problems doing stuff like SPOD, DLC, DBL Palm, etc. Pretty amazing I think!

 

I have to agree with Denkai, in a way playing akira feels like working out...

 

I know you can play Akira on pad, hell, I've done it, BUT, I'll easily say that if given the choice, I'd have a much easier time pulling off moves on my trusty Hori...

But if you don't have a choice [people can't find/buy a stick that costs as much as a game, gah*] then pad isn't impossible, it's just not maximum efficiency.

wrist moves are easier to pull off than finger moves, for me anyway...

[this coming from America's best *and ONLY* pad Eddy player for Guilty Gear AC]