Dealing with lag - quit ur bitching and learn how to adapt

[Troy88]

I'm so sick and tired of winning a fight, and I say 'gg' out of respect, and my opponent acts all pissy and says something like, "Dude, you lag, that's the only reason you won, you have no skill, etc." This isn't singling anyone out, either. Lots of people like to make excuses on why they lost. In this thread, I will attempt to give pointers on how to deal with lag, and how to read your opponent.

Ryu vs. Ryu:
Most Ryu users are predictable and follow a pattern. For one thing, it's important that you pay close attention to your opponent's super meter. Three out of four Ryu users will attempt to use a Shinkuu Hadouken on you AS SOON as their super meter is built up to level one. Well that's not very hard to get around, now, is it? As soon as you see your opponent's super meter getting near level 1, you simply super jump over their head (down, up, forward) and roundhouse their predictable ass. If you just barely escaped their super (meaning you super jumped right as they are performing their super, it's a good idea to immediately start holding in block (back). Due to a bug in the current version, you can still get hit by a 'phantom super' in the air, but it only seems to happen in the situation I described above. This bug is annoying, I'll admit, but those of us that learn how to adapt rather than whine about it are going to be the ones that emerge victorious. I also want to point out something: due to lag, the super jump that you performed won't always register on your opponent's computer instantaneously. On their screen, it looks as though they are actually hitting you with their super. That's why it seems as though you hit your opponent with 6 supers with no results. But let's get something straight right now. Although it's aggravating to think that you are winning and then lose, that does not necessarily mean that your opponent has no skill and was saved by lag. The bottom line is, you were predictable and paid the price because of it.

Ironically enough, most of the same Ryu users that use a Shinkuu Hadouken on you as soon as they have their meters built up to level one already know the strategy I have just mentioned, and will attempt to super jump over to your side of the screen as soon as your super meter is built up to level one. Now you'd think that they'd be smart enough to realize that their opponent is thinking the same thing and delay using a super, but most players do not. Anyways, there are a few ways around this. You can:
1. Simply save your super for a more opportune time, and build up your super meter even further. This works great, especially if you always have a super in reserve. If your opponent is especially dumb, they'll super jump around the screen, frantically trying to avoid a super that never comes. Meanwhile, you can do a few dragon punches or even throw a few regular hadokens. The dragon punch is an excellent anti-air defense, and will put a stop to jump-happy people. If you see your opponent back on the ground throwing endless fireballs at you, that's your cue to super, and if you want to be really slick, you'll jump backwards and super in the air. This accomplishes two things. One, if they are trying to super jump over to your side of the screen, they'll most likely land where you WERE, and you'll have enough room to pull it off without getting roundhoused. Two, it gives your opponent less of an opportunity to super jump over it in the first place.

2. If you know for sure that your opponent is planning to super jump to your side of the screen, do a super hurricane kick instead (down, back, Px3). I've caught many people off-guard using this tactic, because while they are high in the air, they can't see what you are doing. When they hear Ryu say "Shinkuu...." they immediately assume that they have outwitted me and attempt to land behind me. However, since they are facing the wrong way when they are coming down, the super hurricane kick has a decent success rate against people that super jump too much. Not that many Ryu users even utilize this move, which is surprising to me because it is more damaging than his Shinkuu Hadouken.

3. If you have your super meter built up to level 2 or higher, than you are in an excellent position. For some reason, most people aren't ready for you to use 2 (or possibly 3) supers back to back. Now here's where predicting lag comes into play. Let's say you use a Shinkuu Hadouken on your opponent while they are on the other side of the screen. There's that two second pause while the game attempts to regain sync. If your opponent is still on the other side of the screen when the super starts, I would recommend blasting them with another one IMMEDIATELY. However, if you see your opponent is directly in front of or behind you when the super starts, I would recommend using a super hurricane kick instead. Why? Because if your opponent is directly in front of you when you are performing a Shinkuu Hadouken, where as they were on the other side of the screen just moments ago, chances are you aren't even hitting them with it. On their screen, they are most likely cheezing you with roundhouses or low punches. This is the response of most players. The idea is, to get in their face and break their supers before they even start. But when you bust out a super hurricane kick, you are in a perfect position to teach your opponent a lesson about getting too close to you. Also note that since you did the super hurricane kick immediately after the Shinkuu Hadouken, that you will most likely get priority over your opponent (because remember, on your screen the roundhouses/low punches haven't even started yet).

Other Observations
<ul>[*]Roundhouse sweep has priority over standing roundhouse, so if you are smart you'll utilize it[*]Don't automatically assume that what you are seeing is what is actually happening (e.g. You dragon punch your opponent, and on your screen they fly backwards. BS. Your dragon punch more than likely didn't even connect. Follow up with a sweep, another dragon punch, or a hurricane kick, rather than trying to chase them down.)[*]Some players like to trap you in the corner, and some are better at it than others. But it's generally not a good idea to over-utilize this strategy (for one thing, it's cheap), because your opponent might end up teleporting to the other side of the screen and nail you with a super.[/list]
That's it for now. If anyone else has any advice on dealing with lag and predicting an opponent, feel free to post it here.