Why does this game even have combos? I'm starting to notice a disturbing trend with online players. Lets us look at "high level" sub-zero for a moment.
The match starts...
Back dash - ice clone - freeze. If you see the person comming in afterwards immediately go into the crouched blocking position. Wait for them to try and combo you then retaliate with an upper cut or throw, which ever you prefer.
Back dash - Ice clone - freeze. If they remain at a far distance, then by all means, you have already hit them so feel free to stay back and let the time run down.
The only real defense against this noobish crap is to pick Raiden or Jade and hope you can teleport-throw them right as they are throwing a freeze at you.
What about Scorpion? Since he has a faster recovery time than most any other character (meaning he recovers from throwing projectiles or missing a combo faster than everyone else), his combo's hit for a good amount of damage, he is one of the fastest characters, and he is even very well combo oriented. Gee...overpowered much?
Match starts...
Wait in the crouched block position for the opponent to either miss a combo or throw, then quickly counter with a throw of your own. Back off, pull out your sword and attempt a spear. It will most likely be blocked, but the player will be tempted to move inside and try to hit you while you are in your recovery phase. What they don't know is that your recovery phase is about half the time of other characters so you will already be in your crouching block position. Wait for them to fail at a combo, then lay into them with your sword. Back off again.
Attempt another spear throw, but this time the opponent may not rush in to hit you, so feel free to stand back and summon fire as you waste the seconds on the clock.
Must I be reduced to using cheap tactics just so I stand a chance against this noobish crap? Why do I even bother learning 10-hit combos and such? I don't mean to "bitch" or "complain", it just seems a little odd to me that I can spend hours in practice learning characters best combo's, juggles, set up's etc. Then go on-line and get beat by someone who does nothing but crouch block and wait for me to try a combo. They totally should of put in low throws. There is no way to get around a crouch blocker's defense unless you want to pick Dairou and do Tombstone all day. So I ask again, why does this game even have combos?