How to Get Out Of Yellow Ranks - Tekken 8

Catch me LIVE: / phidx
Don't forget to subscribe :) tinyurl.com/ytsubphidx
Follow me: / phidxgames
---
Intro/Outro by SKONK - / @bigskonk
Intro/Outro track by KEIFERGR33N - / @keifergr33n
Edited by: / @averyxfgc
----
I'm PhiDX, I play Tekken professionally for @ParagonFGC and ArcadeShock.

[@ShaunHP]

JDCR saying "dont play high level tekken with yourself" helped me a lot. I would force a cool mixup I learned and get blown up instead of capitalising on weaknesses I could see in my opponents gameplay (free to throws, whiffs, etc). I noticed by just simplifying my gameplan to make less room for error helped me a lot, even if it looks cheesy as hell from the opponents perspective.

[@Eskolol]

Yep, you are your worst enemy. You can get out of yellow ranks by just punishing with jab strings or abusing safe but linear strings against players who play 2d tekken. No need to do anything super fancy.

[@Infinite111_]

I was thinking the same thing few hours ago before watching this I’m going for fancy combos and stuff instead of playing smart

[@kian26master]

It's still like this. Focus on learning the game and your character. You may lose decent amount of matches but overtime if you stick with the game (with taking mental breaks) you will better and it WILL show

[@nylonnarwal7712]

Nah do the cool moves. Play private with people you know aren’t corny

[@TheHeisenBuldge]

@@Eskolol This sounds funny but your comment helped me alot, of course it's not like I suddenly became good at Tekken but I stopped relying entirely on the 50/50s firsthand and more so in actually reading my opponent, testing my jabs after the opponent attacks lets me read if the frame allows me to punish them or not, I started relying more on moves that leave me better on frame especially ones on +, heck I even sidestepped once in a while to encourage whiffing, shocker !!

[@reirei_tk]

Launching staggered lows, learning most launch punishable moves, and whiff punishing panic hopkicks carried me so far in T7. Panic hopkicks were the panic rage arts of the oranges and reds.

[@PhiDX]

Yup!! Fundamentalsss

[@cmg3988]

"spend thousands of hours studying the game"

[@deathhy7590]

⁠@@cmg3988none of that message requires thousands of hours studying the game

[@exiledhebrew1994]

@@PhiDX lol; noobs don’t know how to block and punish. Is that all you really need to get to red rank?

[@lsv47]

​@@exiledhebrew1994 That's actually all you need to get to red ranks. Block, punish, movement, key moves. I got to red ranks by playing full Tekken 7, so... yeah.

[@silvah8537]

I could watch you play ranked and discuss your internal monologue for hours man. Very informative & entertaining, good stuff!

[@piotrzaras9067]

I loved the way you explain changes in a gameplan depending on what the opponent does. I would love to see more of that maybe with different characters. Simple but effective base for gameplan.

[@yonda9E]

You are so good at analyzing the opponent's behaviour and putting that analysis into words for an audience in real time. Good stuff

[@gibbalite6004]

It is actually crazy. Great teacher

[@shaji6481]

I don’t usually comment but just had to say your videos are clear, concise and easy to understand. Makes understanding Tekken so approachable.

[@jigglypuff4227]

Interesting video with the attack style and the timing, I think you really did a fantastic job on this video while explaining every step you did while fighting. Not many people in the community explain it so well as you do. Super job, I would see more videos with other characters like this in the future from you, many thanks.

[@usmansubhani7482]

My mind as a Viktor main: “Random bullsh*t, GO!!!!”

[@professoremil]

Then your opponent starts jabbing through the phase teleport and every Victor main across the world collectively cries out in despair. 😂

[@sawdust8691]

So true😂. But it's really annoying when the opponent realizes he can punish me really easily and forces me to not use random BS. Sad.

[@-sugandeesnuts-]

@@sawdust8691a big weakness Victor has is the fact that all of his lows start at -13 on block and they only get more minus make sure you don’t let them get away with lows The other best thing is to sidestep his wile running 2 it’s plus 5 and leads to crazy pressure also his forward 1+2 has crazy range but it’s very easily sidestepped these two tips should make them respect you more

[@ledgy69]

Hilarious comment 😂😂😂

[@thatpersoneveryoneknowsbut7533]

​@@professoremiltrue I'm brand new to Tekken and so far I haven't struggled against Victor they play to unsafe but im only Warrior rank so probably haven't played a good Victor yet I will say however I'm really struggling against Lili she seems to have crazy range and it feels like there always plus

[@prancinfairy]

This video has helped me shift my mindset and instantly helped me start winning more even at ruler (i know its not super high) but playing from the strength of my character. having a simple game plan till i need to change it ect. Another fire video phi.

[@insomniaOP]

Thank you for explaining on stream and releasing the video. I mentioned being hardstuck in yellow ranks and doing what you thought me really helps

[@Snowblind77]

Hey Phi, I've been watching you since I started playing Tekken(last week) and this video is probably the one that opened my eyes the most :D. I'm not sure why, your beginner guide video was great, but something about seeing mechanics mentioned there in action really did it for me. Cheers!

[@GIR177]

Whiff punishment, block punishment and frametraps carry you quite far, especially because people are still mashing a lot even when you get to red division.

[@PhiDX]

The bare necessities!

[@boomboominroom]

That’s how I got to vanquisher. Whiff punishing and counter hits 😂

[@professoremil]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@PhiDX The bear necessities: 🐻🐼

[@NneonNTJ]

I'm struggling with whiff punishing way more than I have in any other game, people are whiffing big buttons but if I try to punish I more often get blown up.

[@mongrel1308]

@@PhiDX trying so hard to not spoil myself with big moves to cheese games and rely on jabbing, keeping some distance, and mid checks. do you have any videos covering how to strengthen or train your fundamentals? sorry if you do - just found your channel and find you as entertaining and informative as one of the streamers i watch piratesoftware.,

[@atasukecetin90]

Fundamentals and not focusing too much on combos was the best advice for me, still have problems breaking throws though 😢😂

[@seizetheghost6616]

He just made a video on how to train breaking throws if you haven't watched it

[@sawdust8691]

I struggle with throws too. I hate when people use my strategy against me, which is grab them at every opportunity 😂. It's not as fun when they do it back. I gotta practice breaking throws.

[@isaachaze6321]

Same here. I’ve been getting destroyed by every King player I’ve encountered lol

[@StephGoKrazy]

Don’t feel bad learning to break throws is pretty hard.

[@atasukecetin90]

@@seizetheghost6616 yeah I watched it and like all phidx videos it helps a lot but the struggle still continues 😂

[@newton283]

I’m new to Tekken so I just found you. I have loosely understood these concepts as I’ve been learning fighting games over the last 2-3 years. You’re a fantastic teacher. Everything is just clicking so well instantly. Thanks for helping us new ppl with fundamentals

[@CRT_Me]

Awesome advice! Going into practice now to learn my plus frame moves, great vid.

[@GatorOfWar]

This video brings a lot of great insight into what to think about mid match. Keep them coming! :)

[@JayShead]

I can confirm, this works!! I was just starting to feel like I was plateauing but this got me through to Orange ranks. I'm playing Zafina, so I really learned to use my plus frames from ff3 into scarecrow, and even my slower dashing moves that put me in scarecrow and tarantula. I learned my counter hit options from those stances and it's helped a ton. When I'd lose games I'd always think the opponent was bullying me, but when I looked at my replays I'd always see myself playing really defensive and waiting for the opponent to come to me, then getting comboed/counter-hit/knowledge-checked. Once you're in yellow people stop whiffing so much, so I was letting people run in on me waiting for them to do something punishable. It's a lot easier to play and focus on defense and the opponent's strings and habits when you've got your offensive gameplan down like this. If you play defensive you're opening the gates of every move your opponent has, if you play around plus frames (and generally running some type of offence) you're limiting the moves they can do. I still owe the rank up to in part to playing a lot, learning key moves of other characters, decent punishment on their moves and launchers, and every time I'm up against a move that destroys me, I lab it for next time. I don't want people thinking this video is all you need!

[@lordofrage3117]

Love this type of videos, where you explain why and what you're doing, great job, man.

[@michaeldominy5526]

Says another character is one dimensional and gets bored then proceeds to use Victor with his y,y,y,y,y,y,y combo

[@mongrel1308]

but victor is so fun LOL

[@michaeldominy5526]

@@mongrel1308 absolutely 😂 nothing better than teleporting when they think it’s safe to attack.

[@kanutaro3426]

Lol Victor is just like Noctis in that regard

[@rrrlee1273]

I'm not gonna lie I feel like a grumpy old man watching other people play easier characters get to where I'm at which is vanquisher much faster while I'm over here playing steve having to work twice as hard to win a match. But that's my fault for playing steve so I also can't complain either lol.

[@mr.wigster8326]

​@@rrrlee1273I feel the same as a lee player. Feels bad man.

[@blxckdreadful7419]

I almost always recommend your guides to people I know that are just starting to play Tekken, or those who are picking it up again. Cause ngl, I think fighting game players love to overcomplicate things for some reason - while you lay it out straight and simplified that there would be no excuse to not understand what's going on.

[@ulitmateman1997]

I recently picked up Tekken 8 and your videos have been helpful. Thanks a lot for the content

[@alinlawson2506]

Good video, very informative! I used some sort of this style the other day, trying to trust the process! And I must say it was the only time I went undefeated during an online session! Thanks again, for the content!

[@jeromeng]

Fundamentally, you come up with an attack plan like how Phi says (Frame traps, small mix ups) can get you to a certain stage. Until then if you wanna go further you have to learn the basics of defense. Because lets face it defense is a lot harder than offense, esp. in Tekken 8 now. So if you wanna rank up, run your offense smoothly. If you wanna get better, you learn defense either by labbing a lot or play a lot

[@armoredking5107]

The Levi cosplay for Steve was wild 😂 5:20

[@1289rd]

This was very useful, im currently stuck in warrior with Hwoarang and this video explains a lot of the mistakes i'm making!

[@holdysnausages]

I feel like execution wise decent tekken isn’t terribly difficult so keeping a very basic gameplan is smart and a lot of people don’t really realize that. They swing hard and dangerously. I’m very thankful for your videos. You say stuff people need to hear.

[@carloshernandez3177]

true, most cast has 5-10 great moves to rely on and 3-5 good punishers it's just for beginners its so hard for them to not press and block/use movement

[@cinders8144]

First Tekken game and I made it to red ranks using PhidX vids, the King video was just the icing on the cake I needed to get even better. Much thanks

[@m-vendor]

Amazing content as usual!:) I Tried Steve for a few days. He super hard. Wish you play him more.

[@JohnGuiltyGear]

PLEASE MAKE MORE OF THESE THEY HELP SO MUCH

[@Netami923]

I remember being stuck in green and yellow ranks in TTT2, now I'm at red ranks in this game. It feels so much better from studying and practicing yet there's still so much more for me to learn

[@Xaintrix]

Extremely important lesson great as a what next for a beginner complimenting your previous video thank you

[@Aratemura]

I think the most important part of getting out of yellow rank for someone who's new to Tekken is learning the fundementals and how to apply them. This is my first fighting game I am taking seriously and it has helped me immensely.

[@finnt4937]

You can sidestep the running the move , OR you can also do a sidestep right to evade the 1+2 from victor to launch him for that obvious frame trap. (If i remember correctly) . So you have 2 options, if the victor is predictable and a one trick pony. You also have power crush or a rage art as… more risky options, that might even work if the victor uses faster options and not 1+2. in case you are wondering what you can do after you block the wr2. Thanks for the video phidx.

[@starbutter2730]

Thanks so much for your videos, theyve opened my eyes to so much as a newbie to the series. Its super cool seeing all of these concepts in action, it really helps to see it come together and be able to apply these things myself as well. I hope you dont mind me asking but you mentioned getting familiar with what other characters can do and I wasnt sure if it would be better to jot down the notation or also the names of moves too?. Ig it depends on the person ofc but i figured Id ask anyway haha

[@PhiDX]

i like getting used to notation ASAP, since people usually talk about it that way. But move names make for great conversation!

[@starbutter2730]

@@PhiDX Ah okok ic, ty for the advice 🫡

[@myloemike]

I'm higher rank than the players you made this video for, but honestly this gave me some really good ideas to use and look out for online in my own gameplay. Great video!

[@thatdude5990]

Fax! This why I love tekken as a legacy game cuz learning and knowing the fundamentals will carry u thru the gist of all games.... This is why I can rank high without having to lab

[@MackCasual]

Usually when i get beat really bad i go back and try to lab things that beat me. However with T8 you can use the Replay feature. Id argue thats the perfect tool to help take alot of players to the next level.

[@unsaintlyONE]

As someone who started playing Tekken with 8, if there is one thing that destroys me at the end of yellow ranks is my inability to open people up, while I'll inevitably eat one combo and then sit at 50% hp while I'm at the wall so one knowledge check either puts me below 30% or outright kills me (Hi Dargunov). Compound that with King, who can skip a huge part of the opening up part (which destroys me) and characters like Asuka, who can launch with a low and it's all downhill from there.

[@PabelekPL]

Hi PhiDX, quick question here: can we say that an equivalent of this Victor strat with King would be doing FFn1+2 in the neutral and fishing for the counter hit and then for guaranteed follow-up? So, FFn1+2, wait for CH, then F21?

[@VlPULTRA]

Good Video :) I will use some of these tips for my John "Victor" Wick thx Buddy, Tekken 8 is Great!

[@JoshTrevett]

Impressive self-narration while playing!

[@Gibbysaurio]

I think what makes tekken such a beautiful game is that it supports so many styles and can be played well yet so differently. I'm more of an intermediate player, I dabbled in T7 a bit but I still enjoy watching content geared towards beginners. From what I've seen most players advice different things to beginners but it all seems to be solid advice, rooted in a playstyle, like phidx will advise you to let the oponent hang themselves and play pretty defensively, jdcr will emphasize the importance of movement and quick poking or TMM would advice you to keep things simple and to optimize punishment.

[@MyzTicK15]

This was a great video and more in-depth than we might perceive. Are you able to do the same thing with lars with his best frame traps? Thank you!

[@PhiDX]

Yup! WR3 and db4 give great advantage

[@El-Burrito]

I'm currently stuck in warrior (although maybe I just haven't played enough matches) so this is great for me

[@aephyn_]

Also occasionally try to frame trap with jabs as well, you'd be surprised how many people mash after getting jabbed (on hit)

[@SekC_]

when PhiDX said “NEWSFLASH”, that’s when i knew he wasn’t bullshitting about this info. 18:08

[@PanameraRR]

Hey man! Found you from the Brian_F video. Street Fighter player playing Tekken 8 here!

[@MatBat__]

Hey PhiDX thy for the vids dude! Maybe do one on sidesteps in the future! Cheers

[@BlackeyeV]

I like to activate heat and either immediately down 2 off of the dash and go into a combo if it hits. If it’s blocked dash again into his up12 throw. Works everytime

[@unchartedrocks1]

I’m in Vanquisher already. Not new to Tekken but glad I’m near red upcoming so quickly.

[@SolidSantanero]

Hi PhidX, I love your videos and I am learning a lot. I am also recommending your videos to my friends who are new to fighting games and Tekken. I want to ask for a Steve tutorial. Having played Marduk in T7, I am having a hard time trying to learn Steve. Especially how to input his commands for his stance cancels for example.

[@ventusleonidas9448]

Im new to Tekken and trying to learn Victor so this video was especially helpful, but could someone explain to me what combo he is doing at 1:13? I'm not totally familiar yet with all the terminology like "frame trapping" and such so any clarification would be much appreciated!

[@fyocouchnickel]

what other characters have fram traps like that with a good whiff punish launcher?

[@EdaciousBear]

I've been floating in the middle of Destroyer(Orange) for some time now. But This gives some insight. Plus as a bear player I can't be whiffing my attacks like I do so recklessly.

[@SymmRTA]

Will you do something like this for red/purp ranks?

[@rhubbard4346]

Can you make a video about TAA? Giving more options to players will provide more clarity to the game while in motion. Hopefully some awareness about the issue will help grease the wheels in getting these settings added to the game

[@Hybridesque]

Compared to where I was in the late stages of T7, being stuck at Warrior feels like progress, where I'd struggle to get to Initiate.

[@Fargoth95]

You can't lose points until warrior, so everyone is funneled there

[@aqueelkadri8371]

This is the greatest Tekken for dummies video of all time I don't own Tekken 8 but I tried some of this stuff on Tekken 7 and its hella affective

[@xTroyScottx]

This man is a blessing 🙌

[@togilgamebang]

What is the frame trap move for acuzena?

[@LethalAscend]

whats dragunov equivalant of the viktor 1+2 counterhit launcher hes doing

[@Caretzz]

Thank you, Great video

[@Daiker974]

I'm pretty new to the game but I guess of I play Lee my goal would be to play around frame traps and counter hit right?

[@brinkbeats]

very informative!

[@despicableree58]

When I first saw this, I was Blue. Now I’m almost Red. Something that helped me was having my frame traps noted down & some key-moves from popular characters.

[@kakaliac]

🙌🏾 I made it all the way Destroyer. Pretty soon will be at Garyu. This is definitely try hard territory though.

[@Y0y0Jester]

Okay, got it. I wonder what the next step looks like then? What if two good opponents face off each other who know all this? How do you create openings?

[@alexdennison3136]

This video is so helpful

[@kyleali123]

What are some good frame traps for devil jin

[@cvm726]

So how exactly do u find a characters frame traps? How plus do you need to be? Does the move after the plus move need to launch on counter hit? I'm still confused about the details of frame traps.

[@ItBeVoltage]

Think of it like this: If you are plus 5 your opponents jab is effectively 15 frames. Do that math to figure out how your good counterhit buttons match up vs their options. Btw you aren't guaranteed to win that interaction, if you do a really slow move or if they block a laggy move you'll still be punished.

[@Sir_Robin_of_Camelot]

You need to be plus enough so that a 10 frame jab loses or trades to whatever you do next. +4? Your 13 frame or faster move will win. +6? Your 15 frame or faster move will win. Anything up to -9 is considered safe. The move doesn't have to be anything. It's just that a safe counter hit launcher is a pretty big reward, especially if you know it can't be interrupted. Depends on the character's strengths.

[@coolsea2689]

Does paul have any good frame traps?

[@GoogleUsedToLetThisNameBeLong]

Your advice is 100% correct. I just get so frustrated when people block up for days refusing to *ever initiate* . Like is they lose, they are going into the losers bracket at EVO. I noticed this way more once I go to about mid Red/Low purple ranks, where people are trying to dial in as hard as possible to rank up. Which is fine, I just prefer playing people who are willing to mix it up in close quarters with a side of occasional yolo. Cause I'm really still at the point where I'm just trying to have fun, and not sweating for rank.

[@bradfjord]

If I stay in block it's more stage fright than trying to sweat for a rank lmao

[@GoogleUsedToLetThisNameBeLong]

@@bradfjord Haha fair enough 😅

[@randomloverofcheese]

Would have been interested to see how you would have played Jin, what moves would you use to create frame traps?

[@PhiDX]

I actually did Jin at first. EWHF and WR3 are good

[@Cubesters_]

I love your guide videos is there a way you could show us xiaoyu, I’ve been maining her a lot since I’ve gotten in tekken and I would love to hear your opinion on her setup

[@aligeon3089]

I am i ling main and im a the ruler ranks. He is not a ling main for setups you need to go to a ling main

[@roopadoops792]

Mrcroft is a pretty good ling channel, that and lifewillchange are top of mind for ling gameplay/ setups :)

[@lost_in_nightcity]

Do you learn lots of different long combos and most of the moves of your character, or do you focus on a smaller amount. I definitely can't remember tons of long combos. I'm unsure if I should pick it up, since there are so many moves, long combos that I can't remember very well and people are already going nuts on low ranks. I know the game is still new, but some people I saw in streams and their opponents looked really intimidating with combos on low ranks that did tons of damage. So far Asuka, Azucena & Lili were the 3 I was interested in playing as a total beginner.

[@banananiel3615]

You can definitely go a long way with just mastering movement and poking your opponents away with a few simple moves. You can just learn one easy combo just to maximise your damage when you manage to get a launcher, then you progress to a better combo when youre used to the inputs. Most new players learn a bunch of different combos but neglect movement training so they lose their minds when you duck or sidestep or interrupt their combo with a jab TL;DR its better to learn a smaller amount. You can still be aggressive and put a lot of pressure with just a handful of moves especially if you have good movement

[@engineerimranahmed]

Is it running 2? because inputting running 1+2 victor slashes with his sword. and running 2 move is exactly same as the video but its only showing +2 frames advantage. Also can't find the move in the movelist so it is running 2?

[@shy_waffle]

what rank would you say matchup knowledge plays a huge role?

[@-sugandeesnuts-]

I’d learn the punishes for universal moves all of the characters share Most characters wile running moves are crazy plus early ranks who know that will abuse it it’s good to try and sidestep them Lab your movement (every time before you go online) Make sure you have your bnbs and wall combos learned you don’t want to leave damage on the table especially with how fast this game is Frame traps are very good but it’s good to Learn how to use them to your advantage for example after punishing a low or a hop kick you have a lot of frames to work with : also learn how being slightly minus can help you for instance being -1 to -3. You can sidestep afterwards most people early on mash to much Hopefully this helps don’t forget to lab a little the more you play practice makes perfect

[@Turkeyman565]

What kind of joystick do you use?

[@petrawulf9]

thats what ive been waitin for Lmao

[@ividboy7616]

4:09 "what counter hit launcher is gonna kill you?" Mine lol -Steve Player

[@SilverDemon47]

A tip as a Lee main: Go lab different characters and see how many moves you can punish with acid rain. You'll be very very surprised xD

[@LucaRT88]

Thanks! I need to definitely use acid rain more (and get more consistent with the combo lol)

[@SilverDemon47]

@@LucaRT88 I used to struggle with it a lot and ended up using 1,2,4 as my 10f punishment for quite a while. My advice is trying to replace 1,2,4 for acid rain every time even if you don't get it right, because you may be able to do it on practice mode, but it is very common to get stressed during battle and mess it up. Keep up the excellence!! :D

[@Beedji]

You're assuming people can land Acid Rain in tempo

[@SilverDemon47]

​@@Beedji it is a crucial tool in Lee's arsenal, so it's important getting used to it

[@SalvationTenshi]

Interesting, THX! 🙏🏼

[@superdupeninja8149]

Do you have one for get out of orange ranks?

[@c16621]

The best videos around

[@DDHDTV]

as a beginner this is hella confusing, what's happening here when he's talking frame trap? So I guess he has a super fast move and opponent can't block that?

[@DainsCelance]

which move are good for Lili?

[@tallboymike4937]

I've been training hard to afro but I've been working on my punishers to force an opening to your turn

[@thenoobiecuber2387]

Anyone know LEOs best frame trap move? Is there anything specific about the framer trap move I need to know? Like how many plus frames should it be?

[@jstollpiano]

Df 4 on block and back dash once. There’s a little push back and if they retaliate with a jab or short move(barring if it’s a long range move) they will whiff and you could df2. Same with qcf 2 on block. Hope this helps!

[@thenoobiecuber2387]

@@jstollpiano thanks man 🙏

[@clxxdxd]

this is great advice

[@Rai-on]

What other characters can do that besides victor? Or do they all have some type of frame trap?

[@Sir_Robin_of_Camelot]

Everyone has tons of frame traps. Just find out which moves you can often land (block or hit) that are plus, look at the frame data, and pick a move you know will land before they can retaliate. +5? Any 14 frame move will win, any 15 frame move will trade at worst if they jab.

[@JustaKeven]

Does anyone know good punished to do with Kazuya I’m new to Tekken as a whole and I’ve gotten combos with Kaz but I don’t know any good punishers to do.

[@shogun0810]

Check out the main man Swe. Long time Tekken player who's a Kazuya main.

[@Defixrules]

What is the combo he's doing after fff2?

[@NextGenBluePro]

So far I’ve been guilty of playing tekken 8 mostly like tekken 7 but that’s got me to red ranks so far. I’m guessing if I don’t up my offense and take better offensive advantage of neutral soon I’ll start to struggle so that’s something I could start working on

[@theDiReW0lf]

Tekken: the more you learn, the more you learn you don’t know shit.

[@patrickmcknight2394]

Oki strats in a vid would be amazing. I struggle so much with getting off the ground

[@Dimidor]

Are there any good frame traps for yoshimitsu? does anyone know? :D

[@Cenobyte1]

good stuff!

[@Nerevaar]

so what do you do when you don't have easy access to a massively plus and easy to access mid?

[@nyrva2876]

You pick another character, like I did, to realize you don't have to suffer more than you need to, especially when you're new at tekken and don't understand all the basics.

[@The_Herniator]

I'll be waiting for the getting out of Garyu and above ranks.