That’s a horse without a saddle
This post from Don Calzone made me think about the concept switching main characters…
How many of you have switched your main character throughout your years playing 3rd Strike?
And how did that switch go for you? (went smooth or not / more succes afterwards or not / more fun afterwards or not)
(Bit of a vague question 
I mained makoto for a long time before deciding to main akuma for life, and it took a while, but he is my best by far now. Be aware that switching characters means you must explore the potential of a completely different character with completely different ranges, movement, and combos or setups.
Who are you switching to/from?
Nah I’m not switching or anything. I am not really active anymore either. I was just wondering what other people’s experience is with switching.
You have more fun / success with Akuma than you did with Makoto?
I’ve started playing Ryu more. Coming from Oro the hardest thing is getting used to not being able to dash and jump around the screen like an idiot. Ryu is so sloooooow.
I haven’t really switched, but I’m considering to try to pick up one Yun over Ken as we speak. One of my weaknesses as an player is that my offensive game needs some work, so playing Yun could help me by forcing me to actually play offense and improve at that. I also play shotos in pretty much every game, so it’s probably good to mix it up a bit, especially since Yun seems really fun.
It does depend on whether my execution has gotten to a point where I can actually do basic genei jin combos, though, otherwise I’ll probably just stick with Ken. Or possibly try Yang.
I’ve switched multiple times in SF4 though, but that’s mainly because I’ve never really found a character I truly love in that game. I do have good experience with changing it up occasionally, as it forces you to learn to play differently.
Personally, yes. They both have tools that I think are really cool.
I started with Alex. Moved on to Dudley for a while but went back to Alex. I just love his play style.
Ryu SA1 mirror match is the true 3s IQ chess match.
I started with Ken and wound up moving to Remy, picked up Hugo along the way, and just started being scrubby with Chun not long ago. I’m not sure if I’m moving in the right direction or not. xD
So I’ve been playing 3S for about 3 years, seriously for about the last year and a half, so I guess switching a character wasn’t too much of a big deal with me. In any case, here’s my experience:
I switched from maining Ken to Chun a few months ago, because I finally decided that I enjoy the mid-range poking game the most - and the character that got the most mileage from simply poking was Chun-Li. I don’t really know how to feel about it though - on the first day I went to an arcade meetup with my community (after I decided to main Chun) I started taking rounds and even games off people by using her, and I’m probably one of the worst 3S players in London (save for my brother :P).
The biggest problem, for me at least, is the fact that at times I think that Chun is winning games for me - e.g. when Hoyokusen brings me back from the brink of being knocked out to actually winning the round (like that’s never happened before…). I don’t know if the increase in the games I’m winning stems from actually playing a character that meshes with my playstyle, or just because Chun is a really good character. I mean, in the words of Kuroda she “can shut down the nuanced mind reading games of 3S”, and I’d certainly agree that with Chun you need to read high-low parry less because your normals are so good.
Sometimes I consider playing lower-tier characters so I can be more sure of myself, or something. Then I realise that’s stupid. I guess I just have to learn to deal with the stigma of being a Chun player…
I went from Hugo to Q to Urien. I’d play Dudley and Ken more tbh, but Urien’s the most fun.
Tired ocean I need the chun practice i wanna play you sometimes
I think when you’re still at an intermediate stage you don’t need to worry about whether you or your character are winning matches. Just focus on learning and getting cheaper. Until you learn bee stinger you aren’t the Chun people complain about yet!
Well obviously using the strongest char in the game with the strongest attributes, you’re going to win a lot more.
Every improvement you make becomes exponentially higher since you’re supported by her insane attributes.
I notice (at least in America) that most people are very weak in the Chun matchup. so yeah Chun is good, but mostly people don’t know how to play vs her. they don’t get much matchup experience. like if you think about it you probably get destroyed just as bad by competent Yun/Mak/Ken/Dudley/Uriens at first, but you have a much more plentiful field of those people to play against so you learn the matchup easier. with Chun in America it seems to be a big gap - people who try to play her well and people who walk back and forth and hit the back fierce button. so playing the second category won’t help you much and there are very few of the former.
also I think she disproportionately beats people who have weak fundamentals/ground game. like I call it “people who play 3s like 3s players” if that makes sense. there’s a certain playstyle that I think is super common in beginner to mid-level American players where they play barely functional ground game. which is effective vs other midrange players but Chun really exposes people who play like this.
which isn’t to say Chun isn’t strong, she definitely is. at every level of the game she’s the best character. but I think how badly people lose to Chun at midlevel play is more a sign of they don’t have the matchup experience, not just the character.
It’s a vicious circle. People don’t play enough good Chuns (or any good Chuns) and get wrecked by mediocre Chuns. Then they proceed to say she’s broken and OP and more people don’t use her and use Shoto’s or Yun instead.
I love playing against Chun and wish more people would play her. She’s one of those matchups I feel no fear against.
I agree Lance. I’ve been saying that for years. That’s the main reason I switched to Chun. No one in America has any idea about Chun.
1-10… 10 being king ghidora
Justin is a 2.5
Changing from Ken to Chun-li… sure she’s a better character, but it’s not like you switched from 12 to Chun.
Besides, if the London players start losing to your Chun… It’s them who should start doubting their abilities, not so much you.
Hope you enjoy your wins, Ocean.