3D Fighters: 5 PLAYSTYLES That You Should Know

5 Playstyles. 5 Characters. HOW DO YOU PLAY?
(3D Fighters: Dead or Alive 6 (DOA6) & SoulCalibur VI (SCVI) featured).
If you're having a little difficulty with the FGC notation terminology, check out here: • Fighting Game (FGC) No...
Here's the SoulCalibur VI character guides: • SoulCalibur VI Charact...
Here are the DOA6 character guides: • Dead or Alive 6 Charac...
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Here's SoulCalibur VI's TopTierTips Guide: • SoulCalibur VI - Begin...
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Dead or Alive 6
0:52 #1. RUSHDOWN
2:53 - Rushdown Characters
3:12 #2. TURTLING
4:45 - Turtles
5:03 #3. SPACING
6:16 - Spacing Characters
6:47 #4. ZONING
8:26 - Zoners
8:42 #5. GRAPPLING
10:08 - Grapplers
SoulCalibur VI
11:16 #1. RUSHDOWN
12:48 - Rushdown Characters
13:03 #2. ZONING
13:55 - Zoners
14:09 #3. TURTLING
15:49 - Turtles
16:10 #4. SPACING
17:57 - Spacing Characters
18:14 #5. GRAPPLING
19:43 - Grapplers
1. Rushdown is an offensive style based around keeping your opponent on the defensive through effective pressure, mix-ups & frametraps. Success naturally comes from controlling the offensive advantage game and hitting your opponent more often than they hit you. Effective rushdown involves exploiting frame advantages, capitalizing on mix-up opportunities and fighting safely. If you focus on using moves that are heavy negative on block, you will end your "turns" more often.
2. Turtling is the opposite of rushdown in the sense of moving your combat focus towards defense instead of offensive pressure. Turtling is a form of defensive pressure where you "pressure" the opponent to come to you, potentially opening them up to hasty reckless behaviours once impatient. A form of turtling called "keepout" is very useful when you have a life lead over your opponent. Hang back, and have them come to you.
3. Spacing is the notion of controlling the "footsies" game by controlling the space directly in front of your character. Footsies is the act of dancing in-and-out of your (and your opponent's) attack range to bait whiffs for whiff punishment. Footsies is a good style to encourage good spacing, movement and poking habits.
4. Zoning is the act of not only controlling space, but also controlling your opponent's movement and actions. Good zoning can be potentially more frustrating to deal with than good turtling (especially in 2D Fighters). In its simplest sense, zoning is stymying the opponent afar with projectiles or long range attacks, with the intent of preventing the opponent from getting any offensive advances started at all.
5. Grappling is simply a patient offensive style utilizing throws for the bulk of your offense. Your objective is simply to find ways to set up as many throws as possible. If you're throwing your opponent around a lot as a grappler, you're probably doing something right. Especially if you keep in mind that grapplers generally have weaker neutral games and demand patience.
For Directional Notation
7 8 9
4 5 6
1 2 3
Each number represents the corresponding direction. 1 for "Down-Back", 9 for "Up-Forward", 5 for "Neutral" or no input, etc. Quarter-Circle Back = 214, Quarter-Circle Forward = 236, Half-Circle Back = 63214, Half-Circle Forward = 41236, etc.
For SCVI Input commands:
A = Horizontal Attack
B = Vertical Attack
K = Kick
G = Guard Button
6G = Guard Impact
A+G = First Throw
4A+G = Second Throw
6B+G = Resist Impact
B+G = Reversal Edge
A+B+K = Critical Edge
236A+B+K = Soul Attack
SCVI Legend:
W! = Wall Splat
W!! = Second Wall Splat
GB! = Guard Burst
CE = Critical Edge
( ) = Held Input
: = Just Frame Input
DOA6 Legend:
CH = Counter-Hit
BT = Backturned Stance
W! = Wall Splat
DZ! = Dangerzone Splat
SDS! = Sit Down Stun
FB! = Floor Bounce
CA! = Citizen Assist
( ) = Held Input
: = Just Frame Input
For DOA6 Input commands:
P = Punch
K = Kick
H = Hold/Guard Button
T = Throw Button
S = Special Button
P+K = Strong punch
H+K = Strong Kick
H+P = Alternate Way to Input "Throw"
H+P+K = Alternate Way to Input "S"
Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE for more juicy 3D fighter content ;-)!
#Soulcalibur #DeadorAlive #HowToPlay

[@ForceofNature99]

Thank You For 5000 Subs! Celebration Time! Merry Christmas! 😉 So... what is your playstyle? Do you like to press many buttons or few buttons? *First time recording on a PS5, excuse the mic quality...

[@NicholasToras01]

You never mentioned in the DOA section what style Brad Wong fits in. Although he's clearly not rush down

[@ForceofNature99]

@@NicholasToras01 Similar to Marie Rose, Brad Wong doesn't neatly fit into any standard playstyle because his neutral game isn't strong. His playstyle is patient mix-up reset pressure.

[@HelicopterShownUp]

Rushdown, turtlin, grapplin, spacin, zonin. Got it.

[@Amesang]

As a _SoulCalibur VI_ player I'm somewhat impatient, so I tent to rush down with _everyone…_ including Ivy! Hell, if anything, that might be _why_ I've been decently successful with her 'cause who really expects Ivy to fight up close? I've found a number of high-ranking Ivys (Ivies?) that I've fought against will play "keep away" as much as possible, even if it means just backing away… and if they're backed up against a wall, it seems their only defense is to just stand there and guard; I mean, it makes sense, right? A "good Ivy" doesn't let an opponent get close… so, why learn how to defend against close up opponents if they never have a chance to get up close in the first place? …but, if I'm up close, I'd rather just poke at my opponent until I can use an attack that'll knock _them_ away from me and then use her reach to keep them at bay. She has enough pokes - along with Serpent's Embrace - to trip people up. 😛 I never did get the hang of her command grabs, regrettably, so that's a flaw on my part.

[@noone8253]

Oposite case here, I turtle even with Yoshimitsu, but I don't get that much success

[@ForceofNature99]

That's the beauty of SCVI (or other 3D fighters), you can mix styles. I mean, I rushdown with Nightmare if the opponent is vulnerable to it haha! (And he can be terrifying when on offense, especially with Terror Charge.)

[@kxvinrr13]

You are back! PogChamp

[@ForceofNature99]

😤

[@homurayurisquad1423]

i never thought of doa having playstyles or archetypes. it seems like people just keep switching from rushdown to turtling, countering, to grabbing, etc. ivy's style seems like a button, pressure zoner, which i didnt know existed in 3d games.

[@ForceofNature99]

Yup, it all exists!

[@homurayurisquad1423]

@snkrules its not really about under rated in this case. i dont think of 3d games having as much playstyle variations per character, compared to close up moves you can mix up. it is true some characters might have some faster buttons or range. but archetypes usually arent considered as pronounced as far as i ve heard/know

[@homurayurisquad1423]

@snkrules sexualization exists in all fgs as far as i know. i know exactly what you mean though since i main arcana heart, and nitroplus blasterz with no male characters. and i'd say arcana is pbly deeper than any 2d game, and nitro is somewhere around there. but rarely anyone try them or give them a chance. doa for me was the only 3d fg i managed to learn most of the basics for. since i tried vf, t7, sc. and non of those games ever seem to offer anything to keep me interested

[@SicParvisMagna6]

Merry christmas mate, your tutorial vids on doa5 helped me truly get into fighting games this year, was not easy but it’s been helluva journey. Thank you for that!

[@c0nt1nuumd34th]

I know I m late for the party but congratz on your sub count. Most of the fighting styles you described is situational in my book. If I had to narrow it down and pick one, I mostly grappler playstyle cuz I love to go close to someone and give them a hug. XP

[@ForceofNature99]

Thanks Prinny Uber. Yeah, the playstyles can be quite situational. In a perfect world, you could integrate all the playstyles into your personal playstyle. A rushdown-turtling-spacing-grappling Kasumi whom can zone with her 3P+K~P haha.

[@JordansMortalKombatAdven-xn3qo]

@SMRT F.O.N thanks as I am trying to pick up Tekken 8 as my first ever fighting game and I have to say it’s intimidating to jump straight into Tekken 8 as my first fighting game but, this video on the 5 main play styles in 3D fighters should help me find a play style I enjoy and also a character within that play style that I enjoy

[@JordansMortalKombatAdven-xn3qo]

@SMRT F.O.N. I hope you do a top tier tips guides series playlist for Tekken 8 like you did for SC6 and DOA6 as T8 is going to be my main game I think and it would be super helpful to have a top tier guides series on that as well.

[@raphaeldesa7349]

My playstyle has been Kind of random rushdown 😅 Your video was clarifing about this matter. I would like to perfect at grabbler style also.

[@commdaofighting]

Seeing your Seong Mina movement reminds me I got to put more time into joystick practice. Those sidesteps on the gamepad are no problem, but I definitely stay way too linear on the stick.

[@ForceofNature99]

Yeah, SCVI is a very dynamic game with movement. I like that about it. Heavily encourages full spacial movement.

[@64and46]

Just in time for Christmas and marry Christmas 🥳 missed your videos I'm glad one came out for Christmas 👍🥰

[@ForceofNature99]

Merry Christmas R B! It was scheduled 😉

[@peterramos5128]

Rushdown mainly with constant Okizeme resets. But if I see that the opponent has trouble getting in, I stick to keep out style

[@peterramos5128]

Thx for the DOA guides btw, really helped me out to understand the game better.

[@ForceofNature99]

@@peterramos5128 You're welcome! You have the right idea, rushdown is the way to go until the opponent repels your offense, then you shift gears.

[@peterramos5128]

@@ForceofNature99 I guess, but as of know I am trying to space out my opponent so I won't have to deal with their mix-ups cause I am kinda new to the game and I don't know characters strings, so it's kinda a funny situation when they are rushing me down, I get stunned and it's basically over, unless I do a correct hold, which in many cases I don't and I get thrown/stunned again, or if I wait out the stun and try to counter attack, I get restunned again and I don't know why the opponents moves outprioritieses mines when I got out of stun, especially Helena.

[@Tibor0803]

It might be a problem with my playstyle having semi-grappling semi-spacing type of playstyle what I use as Hayate. My throws sure not dealing too much damage, but bait moves like 3P + throw, 66P 4K + throw, 9P 2K + throw etc...are good grappling opportunities, unfortunately a B or A ranked player never going to eat this and then my alternative is to guard listening to the opponent's intentions and crouch a bit while guarding once in a while because they may want to standing throw you or down attack, that's where the opponent either going to keep on crouching in turtle playstyle or sudden go for being offensive and having a long rushdown where they regularly turn the table of a neutral game.

[@impossibsrusamurai]

aye Merry Christmas man! :) As for me, I tend to be more on offense. Yes, pressing buttons is godliek ahahahah

[@ForceofNature99]

Merry Christmas bro! Dat #buttons life! Rushdown is liek da most intuitive playstyle ever haha!

[@eks2O09]

2:07 Respect the "PP" hehe. I'm definitely the Spacing player. I'm trying to adjust playing Rushdown with Rig, but yet I play him as a Spacing character 😔 Also more Trails of Cold Steel music pls

[@ForceofNature99]

I knew that you'd get a little kick out of that haha 😏! Playing a spacing Rig is interesting because it throws off an opponent that expects to rush you down. Trails of Cold Steel music is godlike.

[@tacocow6122]

Good job man Keep up the good work. Usually for 3d fighter I tend to rush but I live playing zoners on 2d fighters probably why I get salty messages sometimes 😅

[@vijayvj56]

Thanks ❤️ your tips very helpful ☺️

[@ForceofNature99]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@yannaedc5934]

Hmm I think I like turtle most but I usually play rushdown, it clicks more with me, but turtle looks so fun

[@ForceofNature99]

Turtling is fun once you find that your opponents get impatient and just run at you. Free damage haha.

[@yannaedc5934]

@@ForceofNature99 Usually I get impatient as the turtle, become super aggressive and get stomped by my opponent for it xD

[@NicholasToras01]

Merry Christmas ☃️🎄 F.O.N. I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

[@ForceofNature99]

Thank you NicholasToras01! It's been good thus far! Hope your holiday has been great too!

[@chrisheraldo3943]

Great video! I kinda rushdown with nightmare by using his terror charge mechanic lol What is Tamaki classified as?

[@ForceofNature99]

Nightmare can almost become a rushdown character with Terror Charge. Tamaki would be a defensive grappler like LeiFang or Bayman.

[@chrisheraldo3943]

@@ForceofNature99 I also like nightmares's grim stride since I play devil jin in tekken thanks! Guess I shouldnt bother with tamaki just because she's hot 😂😂😂

[@BLHAIRsammich]

so here's my question I'm a very strong Ivy player in Soul Cal but I'm looking to learn DoA which character would you recommend? I know I really like Kasumi, Christie, and Helena is there any similar-ish characters to say Christie that would work for an Ivy player?

[@ForceofNature99]

Hey. Hmm... No character in DOA is like Ivy (Ranged Melee zoning), however, Nyotengu or La Mariposa may work (good keepout and strong throws).

[@ryuusaeki8115]

First of all...Merry Christmas...and..i was waiting for my main to get included in some of the playstyles..but...you didn't include her at all T_T Marie Rose ~

[@alexardo5224]

Saw that coming. I'm with you comrade T_T. For what few well known players I know of: sonicfox (doa5lr only) and ducky play MR like a rushdown, Linerback (CEO tournament) play more like Spacing style. In anime terms you need a mentally like: Rock Lee from Naruto, Gon from Hunterxhunter, Ushio from hinomaru zumou, Yuzuko from Teppu

[@alexardo5224]

And in technical terms you need to be good with footsies, match knowledge, opponents ranges, recognize flowcharts, and condition your opponent to the point you live in their head rent free. Just to lose to La Mariposa player spamming 7K

[@ryuusaeki8115]

@@alexardo5224 soul mate! ~

[@ForceofNature99]

I'm sorry buddy, Marie Rose (and LeiFang) don't really neatly fit into the 5 main fighting playstyles. Marie Rose is a defensive technique specialist. She would be closest to defensive turtling (though of course her reset throws are good).

[@ryuusaeki8115]

@@ForceofNature99 yep! I agree. Thank you for the reply btw

[@618Smokey]

Hence my problem, I want a character that can do a little of everything 😩

[@ForceofNature99]

Kasumi may be the closest equivalent: Can rushdown (to an extent), has good throws, has good spacing and mobility, and has mild turtling capability.

[@618Smokey]

@@ForceofNature99 and in S6??

[@BLHAIRsammich]

@@618Smokey Sophitia is good for learning the fundamentals, Mina can do a little of everything imo. Honestly tho the high tiers are mainly characters that can do a little of everything in SC6. Like Cassandra or Amy. Cassandra is much easier to pick up than Amy tho. Personally I play Ivy and I know her well enough with my 1000+ hrs in it to do any playstyle I need to lean into on her

[@tcc5750]

Merry Christmas

[@ForceofNature99]

Thank you! 😀

[@sobornes239]

Where do you put Mila ? Mix between Grappling and rushdown ?

[@ForceofNature99]

Yes. Rushdown grappler with good pokes.

[@louishubbard2104]

Definitely a spacer in scv *MinaMain

[@ForceofNature99]

Seong Mi-na is great! So much fun! 👍

[@projectikaruga]

So, I'm playing wrong with Nightmare my entire life

[@ForceofNature99]

Oh dang haha. How do you play him?

[@projectikaruga]

@@ForceofNature99 Totally Rushdown. I'm way too impatient to turtle my way into a fight.

[@normannequin]

what about marie rose?

[@JEFFALITY]

I hate it when my PP gets blocked

[@JEFFALITY]

Jeez... you really hate Siegfried don't you?

[@user-ri3jk8wp7b]

Watch out WNBA 🤣