SFxT missing link=gems perhaps? Serious discussion about the use of gems in competitive play

Classic Fighting Games Street Fighter x Tekken
1

So it’s no secret that SFxT is missing something on the competitive level, and tourneys are proving to be less than hype with the game. And the dreaded timeouts…

Well, I’ve been thinking lately, since I really seem to like this game (contrary to my feelings before the game came out, when I hated it), and I believe it can come into it’s own as a fighting game, and not be a bland SF4 clone, as it’s being played right now. What if all tournaments are doing, by banning all gems across the board, is inadvertently forcing a playstyle, that is not intended for this game? What if we’re taking away any reason for the creative members of the FGC to explore the gem system, and come up with strategy/playstyle, using them? Capcom themselves stated many times that the game was developed and balanced, around the use of gems, and let’s face it, the gem system is something that definately sets it apart from SF4. I believe it would be very beneficial to the community, future tournaments involving SFxT, and the future of the game itself to have a real discussion about using them, and not about banning them, like we’ve been doing.

Full disclaimer: I haven’t been using gems online since the first week, and have never used them when playing offline. I wasn’t a fan of them from the start, but I don’t see this game lasting if we don’t give it a fair shot to develop as it should. Removing gems like we have, hasn’t seemed to help the game at all…and in fact banning them has sorta forced an SF4 playstyle, that this game may not be intended for, which could be the cause of timeouts, and almost complete lack of hype. I really think it’s bad for EVO to say gems are not allowed, this early in the games life, and should wait to see what happens when the patch comes, and tournaments maybe start allowing them.

I just wanna gauge where the communities feelings are on the subject, and see if we can get a mature discussion about the possibility of needing to allow them. ALL of them, at least in the beginning. SFxT deserves to be taken as a whole, and while assist gems appear pretty OP, not gonna lie there, there could be a lot of strategy involving them, and purposely taking meter from your opponent, by causing the gem to proc.

2

I actually fall in the same boat. I used to be on the fence about Gems being used in competitive play, but seeing how crucial they can be I understand why they may be necessary.

Something to note, assist-gems still need a ban unless they are retooled. Right now they can be used like any normal gem with the sacrifice of meter. Problem is, since you are able to equip 2 other onslaught gems to build more meter, it makes this “downside” a moot point.
What needs to happen is that either
1.) That is the only gem you can equip if you use it. Can only equip it to 1 character per team. That character only has that one gem. They can build no meter
and/or
2.) They can only be activated 2-3 times per MATCH (2 out of 3 rounds) and require 2 full bars PER USE.
Right now they are just too broken and if a Pro player gets their hands on it then its game over for anyone else.

Also I am for purchased gems too, as long as the gems themselves aren’t broken. Its not like people need preparation against EX gems. Again this is assuming that these and any upcoming purchased gems are not broken.

On a random note, I think I played you on XBL last night if your gamertag is “TooDamnItchy”

3

I fully support gems being used in competitive play outside of assist gems.

4

lol, ya, that’s me. I don’t think any of the DLC gems are going to be for purchase, I believe they will be given for free. But that’s a good point about assist gems. I haven’t used them, and everyone I’ve come across using them, hasn’t made life too difficult for me, so I don’t have too much of an opinion on them. I do know that a couple of the DLC assist gems are absolutely broken, no matter how you look at it.

5

I had also meant to comment on this. Right now SFxT at EVO is a joke. There is no competitive legitimacy to the game at all with their ruleset and whoever wins may not really deserve to win simply because its 2v2. EVO runners are simply doing it for hype and to make it easier on themselves and the ones running the brackets. Not sure why its suddenly impossible to do a tournament 1v1 with a brand new game but whatever congrats on more stream monsters I guess. Brazzers for life.