Hi everyone. I’m a newbie here, but a veteran fan of the MK series. (Most of the titles, anyway) My gamer tag used to be Phrantic 741, but I had to use up my 2nd free 2-month trial and switch tags, so now I’m Bach 741.

Anyway, just a few things I’d like to say about some of the posts I’ve read here. Just so I have my lingo straight, a ‘turtle’ player is someone who does nothing but play defense, and strikes every time you try and land something, right? Also, before commenting on how liberally the term ‘cheap’ is used in regards to this game, I’d like to share a copy of an article I’ve posted elsewhere. From visiting other forums, I can definitely say you guys (and gals) are the most hardcore MK gamers I’ve found, so I know I’ll appreciate any input you have. (I wrote this mostly out of anger towards all the lip I was getting for throwing people.)

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ATTN: Those allergic to the ‘throw’...

Ahh! The black button!! *gasp*

I’m lost. Could someone please direct me to the one, golden page of the “Mortal Kombat rulebook” that states ‘all buttons available during combat may be used... except the throw button’? I’d really like to see this rule with my own eyes because, apparently, I’ve been doing something terribly wrong throughout the duration of my online engagements.

I’ve been using all of the buttons.

The number of times I’ve been chastised for doing this is surprising. For most players, a few well-timed throws will actually send them into a frenzy, like rabid, 16-year old pubescent Chihuahuas in heat, barking curses and empty threats. As I’ve explained in other threads before, the primary concept of the fighting game (I think), is reflex. Am I wrong on this?

If someone goes to throw me more than once (a good indication is when they close the distance between you while you bounce from taking the fall), I duck. Still, even when I do remember to do that, a low-attack might be waiting to knock me down. Point being; if I can outsmart them, I deserve to win. If I get wiped clean by some tool doing the exact-same high-low combo over and over again (oh yes, you know who you are), I know to win I must a) learn the combo, and b) learn to block accordingly.

Besides throws, I've done the same two or three moves several times per match (even mixed with some combos), and been called 'cheap', not to mention worse. (hearing some of these kids curse is hilarious) I could learn three other low-attacks to counter your high block, so it would at least look like I was doing something different, but I don't have the time. I'm usually trying to get better with other characters. (Anyone up for starting a thread to discuss if people who pick one character over and over again should be chastised or not, feel free)

If I try to throw you and completely miss, then get pummeled, that’s my fault. I accept the responsibility. Apparently, there are some people out there who don’t want to accept responsibility for being thrown. Suddenly, I’m not an above-average gamer with good reflexes... suddenly, I’m just the “jerk who keeps throwing you”. (By the way, I’ve never won a match entirely with throws, nor do I ever plan to.)

Is it not acceptable practice to compete against others by taking advantage of all the options available to you? I guess not. I’m far from the best at this game. Some of you out there are truly outstanding, and to those of you who beat me, I applaud you, and hold no anger towards you for the way in which you defeated me. You didn’t run over my mother – you just pressed the buttons in the right order, at the right time. For those quitters out there, who think it's neat to leave in the middle of a fatality... *shiver*. I'd best not say it.

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To make one more point, I’ve read some people complaining about players who only stick around for one or two fights, then leave. I think I have a great deal of patience, so when someone does that to me, I don’t really mind. When I do that to someone else, it’s usually one of two reasons: a) I need to go, or b) I don’t feel like getting my @SS whooped anymore! I’m not a ‘rankwhore’ – I hit the spot in the top 50 that I wanted to reach (and have since fallen from), so that doesn’t matter. I’m just not going to play against someone who completely dominates me. If I leave after a few matches, take it as a compliment.

It’s alarming how we try to analyze people by observing their simplest actions – however I do understand how some of these actions cause anger or distress (being a verbal prick, quitting in the middle of a match or during the fatality, or disconnecting instead). To begin my contributions, I will second the statement made in a recent post about ‘rankwhores’. Meatballa was one of the rudest, most condescending cockmasters I’ve ever played against. In fact, HE was the reason I even started an “a-hole list” of my own in the first place. Other forums don’t seem that interested in pointing out the highly aggravating players, but you guys do. That freaking rules.