Need advise on not having to block forever.

[crimsonstardust]

I didn't know how to word the topic to address the thing I'd like to get advise on. So I've known for while that I have a tendency to block attacks like a wall and try not to push buttons cause I've been conditioned in a lot of games not to mash out of situations unless I feel like taking the risk or can minimize my risks. I noticed the last time I was playing online I felt like my ability to block and throw tech was cut in half and I had to try and make reads and my reads are terrible, so I normally would count on my reactions to react to how people want to try and open me up. This made me think that maybe I'm blocking way more then I should, often when I do try to do something like mash 2A in BB, works on some occasions but I feel like that's asking to lose a round if I get baited into that. A friend of mine was also telling that I tend to let people pressure me to much and that's what usually leads to my defense crumpling, though as I mentioned before I'm to afraid to mash.

I guess the bottom line question is when is it ok to try and mash out of a situation when your force to keep blocking or a way to turn the situation around? Cause I realize no matter how good my defense is, at some point it just takes one opening for all that effort to be wasted and I can't block the full 99 seconds in a round. Any advise on common situations or general mind set would be great.

[Surf]

Learn to IB or use Barrier sparingly to push them out. IB Barrier to push them out a great deal. Research the characters and learn what can and cannot be disrespected. Every character has something thats unsafe. Its up to you to know which ones are and to punish them for it. The last thing you want to start doing is panic mashing. Theres nothing wrong with being passive but you cant let them get away with whatever they want

[crimsonstardust]

So generally how many frames are added or however it gets included when you IB? When I look at frame data on the wiki most of the information mentioned are on regular block, I do know that some moves are safe even with IB.

[Surf]

Barrier causes more pushback on block for the opponent but adds +1 blockstun for you.

Instant Block reduces pushback on block for your opponent and shaves off 3 frames off your blockstun.

Instant Block Barrier causes large pushback on block for the opponent and shaves 2 frames off your blockstun (-3 from IB and +1 from Barrier.).

[crimsonstardust]

So basically, IB things that are punishable, IBB/Barrier Block is used to ease the pressure simply put?

[Surf]

Well. Theres a lot more to it then that but it simplest terms, yes. As you said not everything is punishable even on IB. You have to take your character and the opposing character into account. Like Izayoi can IB but she still has trouble getting out of pressure usually because of her slow 8 frame 2A and her 5A that whiffs on crouching.

[Myoro]

I've got some advice for ya!

1. Depending on who you play and what games this concerns this conversation becomes veeeery different so if you could supply that info that'd be super.

2. Concerning BB, because that game is all I really have any hint of expertise with, do you ever find yourself with a surplus of gauge? In BBCP counter assaults are a very reliable option for those who do not wish to be on the defensive.

3. Your instinct to block is not wrong, but you may lack the tools to take proper advantage of it, as stated earlier Instant Blocking and Instant Barrier are powerful defensive tools and can be employed to obliterate one's foes. Instant Block (or IB) reduces the amount of time you're stuck blocking and leaves the foe closer for punishment. This can be used to make almost punishable moves in blockstrings punishable, for instance Hazama's 2A->5B->3C->214D~A is pretty solid and is + on block so can be recycled neigh infinatly, the only place I as a relius can get out is by using 5A on 214D~A which doesn't yield a lot of damage for all the effort and concentration it takes to pull off. By IB-ing the 3C I now have enough time to use 2C to catch his 214D~A and get a fatal for a metric ton of damage.

Instant Barrier works differently, as you may know Barrier pushes the opponent further away than a normal block. Instant Barrier (or IBar) pushes the opponent much further away. This is useful to catch close range fighters off guard. If you Ibar the attack before an overhead attempt, more times than not they'll end up hilariously whiffing for much punishment.

4. My final piece of advice is to learn every character to some degree so you have a good idea of what they'll do next, so you can take the appropriate action while blocking.

[Elochai]

4. My final piece of advice is to learn every character to some degree so you have a good idea of what they'll do next, so you can take the appropriate action while blocking.

Just dropping by to also say that doing this is very smart. Besides learning how to block, learning/playing a bit of each character can also help you get familiar with MUs since you'll be familiar with that character's options in neutral, etc.

[mAc Chaos]

It sounds like you are afraid to try and poke out, so you're just hunkering down. But good defense isn't just blocking, it's knowing the right time to get out.

You have to learn the gaps in blockstrings. There are a few ways to do this:

1) Trial and error via match experience. Just play as much as you can, and see what you can do. Ideally, you will want to do this anyway.

2) Training mode. Record common blockstrings that you want to deal with, and figure out where you can disrupt it.

3) Frame data. This should go hand in hand with the other two to show you when you can try for a punish.

A lot of this can also come down to matchup knowledge, so go to the matchup forums for your character, and the other players there will know what moves you can punish against a certain character.

Don't be afraid to get hit. Eventually you'll get the hang of it. Besides, if you just sit there and do nothing all day, they're going to hit you at some point anyway. So you might as well make them work for it.

[crimsonstardust]

1. Depending on who you play and what games this concerns this conversation becomes veeeery different so if you could supply that info that'd be super.

As far as who I play in BB I play Izayoi and will rotate with Ragna for matches I just can not handle with her, we pretty much have discussed in the Izayoi threads just how she has very limited defensive options so my general tendency is to try and block what I can and hope a throw happens so I can create space with throw tech sometimes.

I've messed with or have played most of the modern fighting games out there right now, though my main game right now is BB with Super Street Fighter 4 AE 2012 and Skullgirls on the side, formally played UMvC3 for awhile as well (though that game I try not to block cause that means death in a lot of cases :E ).

4. My final piece of advice is to learn every character to some degree so you have a good idea of what they'll do next, so you can take the appropriate action while blocking.

I did plan to do this at first before BBCP came out in console but I found that be a much larger challenge then I anticipated, though I've been kinda cracking at it slowly, just characters like Carl has been quite a challenge to learn how to use.

Don't be afraid to get hit. Eventually you'll get the hang of it. Besides, if you just sit there and do nothing all day, they're going to hit you at some point anyway. So you might as well make them work for it.

I tried that out today at a local session, had mixed results but I think I'm starting to get an idea on that.

Well thanks guys, I appreciate the advises that I got, I've started to try and instant block more with varied results as well but least I know what I can work on next time I'm in the lab.

[Dusk Thanatos]

But good defense isn't just blocking, it's knowing the right time to get out.

This sentence is your answer in a nutshell.