I prefer rushdown from zoning.

To me, zoning is Ryu standing in the corner, shooting fireballs like there is no tomorrow, and when you finally get to him, he dragon punches you right back to where you were... It is not fun.

Less zoning the better.

Even though this is a fantasy/fiction sort of franchise it is kind of refreshing that they are adding elements of realism to this game. In fact it seems they are going out of their way to do so.

I mean think about it, if you run in real life you are winded so it only makes sense that you get winded in the game. Also, doing this for projectile moves makes sense because it seems like you would have to conjure energy to do such things.

So, yeah I'm liking the "real-life" elements being implemented here.

Good. I can deal with and counter zoners just fine but its just not fun in the slightest bit, it is actually quite boring, especially since my play style is very aggressive for the most part.

I am happy with this news.

Noob was one of my Mains in mk9 and I could win a match without even touch the opponent with anything but my shadow. If the opponent came close enough I could just block and do the shadow high kick or block and do noob's highest damage combo and deflect the opponent to a safe distance. It wasnt really fair.

My opponents were just my friends, and I was by far better than all my friends so If I was playing an actual competent opponent they could do fine avoiding my zoning efforts but still; I do believe it is something that needs to be toned down.

Deathstroke disapproves of this message.

Deathstroke can kiss my beautiful behind. ;P

So basically the max distance between characters is smaller than in Injustice and dashing is regulated by stamina meter, with a max of two consecutive dashes.

I don't see what the big deal is, honestly. To be fair, Injustice had a massive max distance between characters...moreso than most other fighting games I know. And generally, two dashes is enough to get you into a workable zoning distance unless your character has a really, really sucky backdash. And jumping backward doesn't consume any meter.

Maybe there's just something here I'm not getting, but this doesn't sound like a blow to zoning-based gameplay to me. But then again, I'm used to using zoning as one tool in a character's toolbox. For those who rely on rapid-firing easy projectiles, maybe this will be a hindrance? I dunno.

OP (or someone else) I am at work and cannot read the entire article.

Does it say it there will be a limit on the amount of projectile attacks you can do in a row. Would be cool if they implemented range attacks into the stamina meter burn, to prevent spam zoning.

I hate you.

Would somebody care to explain to me all of the different "techniques" or "methods" if you will, used in fighting games and what these terms mean?

I'd really appreciate it because when you guys start talking about "zoning" and what I start getting really confused. Plus I want to have an idea about which style I use:)

@ Thisicourage - The article doesn't mention anything with regards to how many objects you can throw before the stamina bar depletes. If you are referring to character projectiles (ice blast, spear) the article doesn't say that you will be able to throw these out in limited numbers as I dont think special moves are linked to the stamina bar

HAHAHA

I hate myself for this too..

But at least it seems they are taking measures to curb this type of activity in MKX.

Ugh only way I could beat Noob spammers was counter picking with Jade.

Ok thank you for the reply.

I do hope they add this. Spam zoning with characters like noob was just too easy.

@projectzero remember how fast Noob's shadow could run knock you down, punch you in the face and then do it again right when you got back on your feet. Or slide kick you for a change of pace. LOL

I really never had a problem with spamming projectiles. I loved punishing Noob players with Johnny's EX Shadow Kick then just smothering them with pressure.

A zoning character is someone with a lot of ranged moves, like Deathstroke in Injustice or Noob Saibot in MK9, that keeps distant away from the opponent and just uses all projectile moves to damage him and keep him at bay. And once the opponent gets close, you use a move to knock them far away and continue the ranged assaults. So the distance is usually preferred to be far.
A rushdown character is the completely opposite, he or she is faster and combo-heavy and "rushes down" to the opponent and beats the shit out of him and always keeps the distance close. (Catwoman in Injustice is an example of this).

To me zoning is like spamming (Using the same move repeatedly) but zoning is more strategy based. Its pretty much to keep your opponent at a set spot or a distance away kind of like controlling where your opponent is during a match.

Different people have different definitions so here are some more I found on another site just now

" Zoning: Intentionally keeping distance/pressure on your opponent, either reading their style or forcing them into playing a certain way. Adaptive to close combat situations and able to make good on big damage opportunities. (sic)
[...]
A good zoning player will always create opportunities for themselves by keeping their opponent away from them as to gain control of the match, then adjust to their opponent's tactics/counters and act accordingly. (sic)
[...]
Zoning doesn't have to involve repeated moves at all. Zoning isn't just keeping your distance, it's about keeping within a very specific distance, which may not even be a half screen away. It might be just barely within range of a normal move. The idea is to establish this distance and keep it, because it limits your opponent's options and allows you to react more easily, giving you the control of the match."

@ whatuknowaboutMK? - Archtypes - I just googled this, it might be helpful in making you understand the basics

Thanks for clearing that up guys. So would Scorpion be both zoning and rushdown?

Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 9 is a rushdown character. He is not that good at zoning at all.

He could be played rushdown, but not a really good zoner. His hellfire is easily avoided, and his projectile ends up pulling the opponent closer lol.
But I think his demon master variation in MKX seems more like a zoner.

That makes sense, because his spear is meant for bringing his opponents closer to him, so in a way he HAS to be a rushdown character. You both made good points. In MKX, he does have that demon minion variation and the Hellfire variation where he can actually throw fireballs.

So maybe he can be both in MKX.

Judging from how quick Scorpion is and that his high and low pokes that go into a spear, he is a rushdown character primarily in Mortal Kombat X. His three specials that he retains in all varitations are useless at zoning because they are all incredibly unsafe on block. The only thing good is the evasiveness that cancelling the teleport will be. That is a massive buff ironically enough good against zoning and getting Scorpion close to the opponant.

His Ninjitsu variation is all about rushdown and incredibly offensive. The special moves he gains with the swords can launch the opponant giving even more opportunities to juggle them. The variation has hardly anything for zoning other then the fact he has more range on some moves involving the swords.

His Hellfire adds a projectile that travels very fast but looks to have a slow start up. I think it's most useful application will be to cancel it into a dash to combo further. Demon Fire can catch someone off guard but can be avoided pretty easily. Flame Aura is good for carrying on a combo and it raises Scorpion's damage output.

His Inferno variation is the best for zoning since he has three specials that can control space. The first is the minion from above which divekicks the opponant and it a useful anti-air. The second is the minon from below which is unblockable and grants a free hit. The third is the minon from behind the opponant. All these moves are performed with Scorpion not moving from his spot while the opponant has to avoid them so Inferno is the zoning style.

I always looked at Sub-Zero in MK9 as a good example of a Zone character. When I played him, I would usually try to frustrate my opponent into doing something very unsafe just to get closer.

Tools like Iceballs and Slides would keep them at a distance and get them impatient. Then they would often go for a teleport or even worse (better for me) a jump in. That's when I hit them with an Ice Clone. Boom, full combo. The Ice Clone is one of the best Zoning tools in fighting game history. I can't wait to throw it at people. hehehe