I only really play UMK3 and MKT, and turtling doesn't really pay off in those. In MK2 it does, but in UMK3 and MKT you can chip them down pretty well if they are going to sit there and turtle.

Turtling does occur very much, especially in MK II. I think that as a person's skill increases, their defensive awareness increases also because he/she can read the other people's moves. They also increase their skill with juggles and combos. I guess this creates "turtling."
Peace.

Turtling sucks. I play people at MK2 that do it. I always win, though.

Turtling is a term used to describe a player who sits and waits in the most unvulnerable possible state, like ducking and blocking for instance, and then lashes out when someone gets within range. In a game like MK2 where it is difficult to get within the snap range of attacks, turtling pays off. In MK3 and and UMK3 where there is a lot more control over the characters movements in general, it is more difficult to turtle and the skills learned in MK2 must be taken to a new level. Overall, it comes down to what it takes to win. If you are forcing someone to play their hardest to win, be proud of that even if you are losing, chances are anyone who is that hardcore defensive will have trouble counter adapting to changes in your style.

Matt