Free Step Dodge

Here is me for example. I ran into a large number of walls when I was learning DOA. I wasn't even aware that throw punishment was such an important aspect! I cycled through a number of characters, up until Nyotengu where she is my best. With her I try to figure out as much as possible while retaining motivation.

Fight after fight... with both bad players and extremely good players. Between the fights, I gradually look up guides and documents on DOA fundamentals and information. Just gradually learning. It became matter of progression. Progression plays a key role here...

Isn't it about having fun, and the experiences you get playing with your friends?

Well I slept on it, @Force_of_Nature I just want to get to a decent level where I don't feel like I'm struggling to try to close a match. I'm not sure if I'll ever be at a high level like some other players are but I do wish to improve, and I just don't feel like I am.

@VAND1TA I have fun, but I still want to give my friends the good matches they deserve, I don't feel like I have. @GreatDarkHero, you're right, it's just a matter of progression, I just have to learn how to confidently utilize it. And I'm better now guys, I just had a rough doa night and needed to sleep on it. I think I understand now, I just have to learn to be calm and panicky

Coming from someone who used to be extremely nervous in tournament settings, I can definitely say that attending offline tournaments will help you improve a lot.

I was in the same boat as you a few years ago. I felt like I couldn't improve at all anymore, despite all my efforts. You feel like you hit a wall.

Then I started going to live tournaments in France. People were actually willing to help at the scene. We shared strategies, tips, combos, setups, etc. It helped me feel more comfortable at the game and overall more confident about my own play. The offline DOA community is very relaxed overall, not only in EU, but as far as I've observed also in NA and JPN.

After attending ROF Summer past weekend, I can definitely say I have improved again, both mentally as mechanically. Tournaments are mostly meant to have fun, but they also help you dealing with high pressure situations.

So, if you can, try to go to offline tournaments. It doesn't matter if you don't place high or don't pass the pools. What matters is that you have a good time. If you're having fun, you'll most likely improve without being consciously aware of it. Eventually you'll reach that level you strive for. It just takes time.

Remember that having a positive attitude about yourself also helps. You are not hopeless. You are an amazing player, you know your stuff well and you are an awesome person for sharing your knowledge and making guides for characters you excel in.

I wish we had an offline scene down here, that'd definitely be great. But yeah I'm fine now, Ihajin was nice enough to play with me last night and he whooped me good when I was being Naotora and I guess that shook me up. I just felt helpless because I was being forced to play a certain way, but I should've just stayed calm instead of getting stressed. XD

And thank you Jaimy, I just have to learn to be more confident in myself, I'm always self depreciating and that's not a good thing

It's truly a shame if you don't have immediate access to an offline scene. That however doesn't prevent you from sharing things online on DOA and here on FSD. If you feel like you need some guidance to how to improve to get to a certain level I'd definitely be willing to help you.

And I know the feeling of being overwhelmed by an outstanding player. There is no shame in losing badly to Hajin. I'd probably lose to him as well. The best way to learn imo is to play against others who are only slightly above your skill level. After all, nobody becomes a top player in one day. Improvement comes in small steps.

I don't blame you. Sometimes when I lose a lot, I get like that. You're amazing at this game, you shouldn't wear yourself down.

And don't worry about your skill level, it can either hard or easy to improve, and I'm having a tough time as well. There is no scene whatsoever in BC, so your not alone in not being able to participate in tournaments.

You're right Jaimy, I'll just continue to improve daily, I was close once to beating him yesterday, I just have to refine that certain something so that I can be prepared next time when it comes down to that final match. @YBNDM thank you, I just have to keep pushing and not give up.

That is what improvement is about. Eventually you'll get closer and closer to his level and beat him. That's my experience in tournaments at least. I got absolutely bodied by someone back in January but in the tournament last weekend I almost beat him. The score was 2-1 in sets in his favor and the rounds were really close.

Exactly, strive to become better, though it may be a long road. There's gonna be some people you destroy (Me) and some people you get destroyed by, but as jaimy said fight people just above your skill level.

I think it's just all about adapting, looking back at my matches, I can do well if I observe my opponent in prior MUs and see what they're gonna do, Hajin is possible but it'll take a lot of adapting which will be challenging. I'll aim to be more prepared next time so I can try to react properly.