Need help with Taki

Deikard

Deikard

[08] Mercenary
Hi guys!

I've started to play Soul Calibur IV recently and I'm trying to main Taki. I've read some general guides, but I still keep losing online (mostly to Sophitias >_>) and to friends who keep mashing buttons.

I've tried looking around here for guides, but only found advanced stuff about her. So I figured I would ask you guys for help.

I'd like to know ways to get better playing as Taki, what are the videos to watch and guides to read.
 
Hi Deikard, most of the stuff you need like videos and tips are found in other dedicated threads here, just take a look around the Taki forum. I won't even link them as they are really easy to find. :)
 
Thanks for your answers!

I've tried using some PO moves, but people always guard against them (like PO AA), or they hit me first when I try PO A+B. I have problems using WR too, sometimes seems that every attack in the game stops it >_<

It's very frustrating when I fight characters like Cervantes or Siegfried. I hit them many times and they kill me with less than half the attacks I landed.

I'll try to learn some mixups!
 
Then you do PO cancel. When you cancel PO you can do other attacks freely, including throws. It's amazing really.
 
Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks!

I finally managed to win some matches after I realized my game was lacking an attack string!
:B::A: PO :A: :B:+:G: has been working so far, but I'd like to ask you guys some questions:

1) What attacks should I use after PO :A: to keep pressure?
2) Could you list some easy attack strings to use?
3) I have trouble pressing :A:+:K: on the default control scheme, I usually have to change the way I hold the controller to execute this. How do you press these two buttons?
 
Guess I started to learn too late =(

Is someone willing to answer my questions by e-mail then? I'll be thankful if you can pm me your adress.
 
@Deikard:

1.) After PO A, the attack you do to follow up really depends on the situation. It's very hard to gauge your options online where latency ruins Taki... First of all, you have to confirm whether PO A hit or not. If it's blocked, there's little you can do in terms of a followup attack... but if you master your move properties, you can perform moves in anticipation of your opponents' responses. For example, 22A is a tech crouching move with a built-in step. It will duck highs (like throws) and sidestep a good deal of verticals. That being said, attacking after a blocked PO A is generally not the best way to go, gauge your options and go from there. After PO A connects though, that's a whole different story. Your standing A will interrupt any non tech crouch move they throw out, so you can just go back and do AB -> [whatever you want] and go from there.

2.) Attack strings, like flowcharts, really depend on situations occurring within the strings. Was your move blocked? Did it connect? etc... I believe, though, that Taki's core gameplay relies heavily on her AB and its various followups. A simple string to stick to (and really, what you should be using instead of BA) is AB214(PO)>PO A_K_B. Now... If AB connects, PO B is a good choice as it will interrupt a lot of retaliatory moves and is one of her more damaging PO moves. It's also safe on block and does good soul damage. If AB is blocked, PO A will still interrupt a lot of moves, given they're not tech crouch like Siegfried's 3B. PO K may also be a good choice if you anticipate them just standing there blocking as it will give you advantage on block. Be aware though, that both PO K and PO A are high and really duckable. Check out the various threads here to bolster your attacks. (I highly suggest reading the stickies). Also, expose yourself to competition, it's really the only way to pick up and modify strings.

3.) This is a matter of preference. So I have no real answer to that. I use a Hori stick... But if I'm forced to use a pad, I assign A and B on individual shoulder buttons. A+K would then be a shoulder button + a face button. I know that's weird... You might as well assign A+K to a shoulder button... Far as I can tell, there's nothing stopping you from doing that.
 
Thank you frost, your answers were very helpful!
And I'll make sure to show up at some offline events. o/
 
One way of mastering Taki is after having a strong understanding of her whole moveset, gain a further knowledge of all her moves that go into Possesion (PO). After you know how to make PO transitions then know what each PO ability is used for

PO A: Good for catching step and can lead lead to a Grab if your opponent isn't expecting it
PO B: On block it's good for a GI set up, on counter or normal hit it is good mind games while your opponent is on the ground (force bombs to make the recover faster, A6 if they try to expect bombs, etc)
PO K: Frame trap and leads to the famous 1BA stun combo that everyone loves
PO 8K: Jumps any low that is performed (because her hit-box is considered in the Air even though her body is on the ground)
PO A+B: The unblockable, usually combined with PO step to give deal a decent amount of damage to your opponent.

After you get understanding of PO's abilities then learn PO cancel after rush downs (66 when in PO). PO cancel is performed by hitting back during rush down and PO side step. You can then follow normal attacks,grabs,etc like you would if you where out of po. Get fast enough at it and you can attack almost immediatley out of PO cancel (attacks that use 1,2,or 7 can come immediatley out of a PO cancel, lighting scroll, which is 1BA, is a good example).

After you understand that then you are ready to begin Taki, and if you've understood how to do this, then things like stun combos and bomb traps (Taki's best way of doing decent damage besides B+K BBB on counter hit lol) becomes alot easier.

As you start getting into higher levels of play, relying on PO, PO cancels, and bombs start to diminish more and more and you will get less opportunities to use them. (2 Po cancels at MOST, usually 1, and maybe 3 bombs a fight). Taki doesn't do much damage so you have to utilize every chip and every counter hit to your advantage.

I hope this helps some.
 
Thanks, Tha_Shogun, it certainly helped!

I practiced what you guys taught me and now I have no trouble beating my friends! I'm feeling great! XD

I can't wait to test my skills against some higher level players!
 
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