Hey everyone.  Its that time again, but this time its a little early.  Reason why is that I have Barfights 2 tomorrow hosted by Gootecks.  Currently I am writing this entry in Salt Lake City while waiting for my flight. LOL

So here goes everyone’s questions/answers for the week

Joshua Boland-Burrell Question
Recently i’ve had some horrible matches against ryu and blanka.  My main problem with blanka is the goddam blanka balls i cant punish them, C.HP always either misses or gets blanka balld, electricity cant be punished unless ihave meter. and i cant punish ryu’s LP shoruken without meter, i used to focus it.

JWonggg Answer
Against Blanka.  If you block his Blanka Ball you need to block it standing.  Then you can walk up a little bit and then crouching fierce.  If you crouch you will not get it because you have more recovery when you go from crouch to stand.  Against Electricity, the best ways to punish it if you grab It before it comes out.  Ex messiah kick is always a good option.  Against Ryu lp dp, you need to walk up a little bit and press standing fierce into fp galatic tornado combo.

Blacks Question
I main Rufus but I’m have some trouble pulling off certain moves on the player 2 side consistently. His BnB combos and even tight links are not a problem but what is specifically are DPs and super motions meaning I can’t EX SS on reaction or EX messiah FADC Ultra every time. So I wanted to know how exactly you hold the stick (ball top) each side. P.S. Where can I buy a ‘Lets Go Justin’ Tee? (I’m in London, England)

JWonggg Answer
I hold the joystick like a ok sign.  So your thumb and index finger around the ball.  That’s the easiest in my opinion.  The “Lets Go Justin” tee will be available soon.

Fred Question
Whats the best way to deal with Rufus dive kick mixups? I main Balrog. People tell me to abuse crouching jab but that ends up getting countered with ST.FP to tornado. How do you handle tick throws? Do you crouch option select? That doesn’t seem to always work for me.

JWonggg Answer
Once you see Rufus do the divekick mix up, you should just jump back fierce.  Press the fierce once you leave the ground and since Rufus  hitbox is kinda big.  It will always hit and counter it.  For tick throws, I usually crouch option select and his cr jab helps get away from those situations.  So using the cr jab more frequently is really helpful.

John Dmac Question
What do you prefer for executing combos; double tapping, plinking, or both? Also do you think it’s essential to learn frame data to be a great player? or can you learn purely from experience?

JWonggg Answer
To execute combos, I use double taps and plink.  It def helps with your timing because the game has a lot of 1 frame links.  So every help is always good.  Learning frame data is good but I went by pure experience.  I don’t know frame data until I played SF4 to be honest.

DJ IronFang000
I was also had another question my main problem with sf in general is that I have a problem deciding who to main cause I love charge characters…but I find command characters are usually better and I also like a challange n to put on a show for ppl…I use to play mlg for call of duty 4 and I would some of the lower class guns just to leave more of an impact on the opposing team or like in smash bros brawl I like to use Captain Falcon…soo any advice?…any advice on just gettin better in general.

JWonggg Answer
Whatever character you want to play.  You should do that.  Usually picking an offensive char or a console char you will get a lot of attention because not many people see those types of style often.  So picking those characters will get you a crowd and especially if you get really creative like with Fei Long, Abel, Viper and you see the pattern.  So my advice for getting better is to just master the char and think creative.

John Wilson Question
First question: What’s the best way to improve on punishing jumpins with a shoryuken type anti-air? I can usually anti-air when the opponent jumps from further away but it gets harder when they jump in from sweep or just inside sweep distance. I want to find a way to practice so I can punish automatically, no matter the jump in range.Would playing older SF games like ST help?
Second question: How do you go about practicing and getting familiar with all the matchups for any given character? What would you do to prepare yourself against characters you rarely get to play against so that in a tournament you’re still prepared to win should you have to play someone who’s really good with a character you almost never play against?

JWonggg Answer

Playing a old school game of ST will help your Anti air game up because that game is a lot about defense and forcing people to jump.  But for SF4 anti air if you do jab dp input early that will help you get better because the jab dp has such a good air control priority, it will pop them up in the air.  You might not get the full damage like a fierce DP but it’s a start.  To learn specific match up that you don’t get often.  You can learn the character yourself so you understand its pros and cons or watch youtube videos.  I prefer learning the actual character so you understand what you will be facing if you face that specific character.

Daniel (Dethklokrulz) Question
Characters with fast jabs and forward motion like Chun-Li/Balrog/Rufus (Dive Kicks) can lock an opponent down with there relentless ticks. How can you combat/escape these lockdown techniques?

JWonggg Answer
Against big pressure situations as the cr jab rush down.  You can always back dash to interrupt it.  Or if you have a DP char you can interrupt but that would be pure guessing of course.

Andy Veras Question
What is the best way for one to improve on their execution, anything specific?

JWonggg Answer
The best way to practice your execution is to stay in training mode and do the combo 100 times.  This is not a joke, but I def do a combo 100 times to make sure I get used to it and its accustom into my head.

Orlando Gonzalez Question
what other type of video games do u like to play besides fighting games? Hey Justin. Im having trouble with players who constantly cross me up on wake up (Especially Kens and Dic), which is usually followed up by throw shenanigans. I main Rufus and when im without EX jesus kick to get me out of trouble im stuck.

JWonggg Answer
I love every type of videogame to be honest but I like playing fighting games because its really competitive.  Against cross ups, once you block it you can just cancel into a dive kick which will def stop the throw setups and tactics.

Tom(Jedhawk) Question
This time=2C I’ve got another Honda question (since he’s my fave character) What options do I have after I knock down my opponent. I know the mind games can include orochi throws Also if my opponent has a few EX bars=2C I’m afraid and often retreat even though I’ve just knocked them down in order to start charging again and keep safe from wake-up attacks like Chun Li’s EX-SBK or Rufus’ EX Messiah Kick. Again how can I keep the offensive going against the best players while staying safe from wake-up attacks?

JWonggg Answer
After a knockdown, your main option is to do ocho grab for another set up.  But another option is to step back for a second and then into cr mk headbutt.  Or you can do cr short into walk up cr jab hundred hands or ocho grab.You should never be afraid of their ex meters.  You have a lot of defense so you can def bait it out.  And people are always scared of grapplers.  Your best offense is ocho grab to be honest or cr jab hundred hands.

So this entry is basically to promote my friend’s work as a Graphic Designer. My friend, Norm is a pretty good Graphic Designer. He has been helping me with some designs which I will release later once everything has been settled. But here are some of his work.

For more, visit Norm’s site on DeviantART. StormNorm

This weekend, October.11.2009, there will be a battle.  A battle between the East and the West. Come cheer on the Empire Team which consist of Justin Wong, Martin “Marn” Phan, Arturo Sanchez, Sanford Kelly, and Joe “iloveu” Ciaramelli as we take on Socal’s finest at Barfights II. Come see what could be as the ultimate USA showdown between 2 powerhouses.

For more information please visit : Empire Arcadia and SFBarFights

So every Sunday, I answer questions that have been emailed to my  email pertaining to anything that the readers would like to ask me.  There was a lot of questions, so good luck in finding your Answer.

Tom Bashford Question
My fave character is E Honda, and I have trouble dodging fireballs a lot against the Shotokan characters. It’s not always a good idea to Focus Cancel against them, so I try to  jump  straight up and above the fireball coming toward you, and hitting Fierce Punch to stay in the air a little bit longer.  I that the best way to fight against fireballs?  How do you fight fireball spammers?

JWonggg Answer
The best ways to fight against fireballs are mixing up your options such as focusing and then backdash to build up your ultra meter.  Also jumping up fierce and using the air control is also effective to get closer.  And also if you can save super, you can use the super to go through the fireball to take 40% from your opponents health.  The main thing about this fight is to keep your call and do not get frustrated.  Sometimes taking a risk with a lucky guess jump roundhouse into a crouching medium kick, fierce headbutt combo is defintely worth the risk at times.
You can also use dash ultra through the fireball if your able to read the opponent’s fireball pattern.  So remember 2 things.  Patience and meter management.

Cogknack Question
Hey Justin, I was just wondering if you wanted to weigh in on your blog about what you think about some of the rumors that are circulating about features in the next edition of street fighter 4 and also what are some of the things you’d like to see in a new edition?

JWonggg Answer
Well I don’t know much about the rumors except that I heard 3 Alpha characters, 3 Third Strike character, and 3 other characters such as T Hawk will be released for the “Super Street Fighter 4″  I think the game is perfect how it is, and the only thing I look forward is to make sure that the characters get more love this time, not like the console characters which got no burn.

Roland LI Question
I just moved into the NYC recently and I’m currently a student at NYU.  I am an avid fan of your playing and hope to someday become a real player in the SF4 scene.  I played SF4 in our little gaming club here but nobody is any good.   I played at Chinatown fair where I learned how badly I lack real experience in match ups.  I don’t have the money to keep playing at Chinatown.  All I do is practice my links and move execution because that’s the only thing I can
do but that is not going to help me improve my performance.  How can I meet players such as yourself to help me get better and to practice with?

JWonggg Answer
Well there are a couple ways of getting better for cheap.
1. Practicing your combos and links to make sure you don’t mess up.
2. Going to local tourneys such as Battlefield Arcadia or Play N Trade to spectate and play casuals. You may have to pay venue fee, but its defintely cheaper than paying $1 per game at chinatown fair.
3. Getting in contact with Triforce@empirearcadia.com to set up arc sessions for SF4 that you can attend too.

Anthony Rory Question
How do you feel about MvC2 coming out on XBL and PSN? Do you play online on MvC2 and how do you feel about the community now since its release?  Also, me being a pad player at the moment and amongst all the other pad players on
XBL. You really cant tell who is using a pad or a stick. Some people I haven’t gotten complete owned by.

JWonggg Answer
MVC2 coming out on XBL and PSN is basically something that I am not interested in because the online capabilities cannot handle high MVC2 play. I played online a couple of times and when I see characters teleporting when they are not suppose too, then that’s when you know, not to touch the game anymore.  Also using a joystick is easier in this game than a pad due to movement and button placement issues.  You can stay true to the pad, but you might take longer to succeed in doing combos than a joystick.

Omar Jesus Clavijo Question
I’ve been using Balrog for a while now.  But i still have trouble connecting the c.jab after the ex rush upper.  i can do it 50% of the time.  Any tips you can give me so i can do it at 100%.  i need to pull of that ex rush upper loop in tournaments.  Also was thinking of picking up a new character i can’t decide between C. Viper and Ryu.  Which one do you think?  i love charge characters but I wanna pick up a shoto….just need someone new as a back up.  I was using guile when the game came out but i wasn’t winning like i am with balrog.

JWonggg Answer
The Balrog ex rush upper loop is tricky at first.  My suggestion is to double tap the crouching jab once the ex rush hits so it basically gives you 2 chances to get it than pressing it one time. It may take a while for a person who hasn’t use the double tap to get used to it, but in the long run its worth it for links and combos.  I would say pick Ryu, because Ryu can fight all of Balrog’s bad matchup such as Sagat, Honda, or any other character that gives you problems.

David Paul Mattock Question
- What was your first realization of meta-games in fighters?  It seems, there’s always this moment that it just dawns on the player why things are the way they are in the game.  Do you have any sort of story for that?
- Does playing various games help you realize certain things in each other game?  For example, did footsies from CvS2 help you in 3rd strike?
- Are you talented else where?  I think to be good at fighting games you need more than just good reactions, but reasoning and confident decision making as well.  Would you think that you have the mind to be as successful
in other areas?  Do you feel like fighting games have enhanced your intellect in daily life?

JWonggg Answers
Well I think experience pays off a big amount.  Once you travel and play all these different types of people and know what level your at, that helps you understand why do people do this, and why is the game like this.  My first realization was when I branched off from fighting game to fighting game which made me understood people’s mindset of why they play like this and why this is their “favorite fighting game” Footsies from CVS2 did help me a lot in 3rd strike.  I don’t play how the game is suppose to play.

My style is basically intergrating styles from other games and making it into 1 main style. Well I am very good at decision life making which helps my decision making in games.  I also watch alot of TV shows/Animes/Soap Operas which helps me think of a lot of new things that has never been bought to my attention before.  Games have enhanced my intellect because before games, I was very dumb in school.  Once I started pro gaming, I been getting a lot more high marks in school and etc.

Chris Herrera Question
I play a lot of fighting games from any kind of street fighter to 2D fighters but my problem is i cant read people so here
is my question What can someone do or how do you read people??

JWonggg Answer
There are 2 ways that I read people.  Put them in a position where they have to do something and see what they do in order to counter it.  For example: If Rufus divekick Sagat, and Sagat blocks, What is he going to do?  Tiger Uppercut/Throw/Block. If they Tiger Uppercut, then you know they will DP very often, If they throw, then you know they are scared of you.  If they block, that means they are very conservative and plays really safe.  Second way is I would do something that they have to guess and when I do that, I think “If I was them, what would I do?”  Those are my ways of reading an opponent

Joshua Confidential Question
My biggest problem when getting better is frustration, I will lose to someone who (I think) doesn’t deserve to win judging by their play-style, but I am unable to continue playing to learn how to fight him, what is the best way to get past this barrier that is preventing so many of us from being top players?

JWonggg Answer
Joshua Confidential
The main problem that your facing right now is that you giving that specific person too much credit.  A lot of people suffer from this stage.  You probably do good against good players but do really bad against people who you think that shouldn’t be beating you.  Your losing because your thinking too much.  Just dumb your game down and you will see different results.  Its all about “leveling the play and field.”

Ty Shughart Question
Before they show the new SF4 (which is Tuesday, I guess?) I’m curious as to what changes you would make to SF4 if you were in charge. Like, what’s your least favorite thing about SF4?

JWonggg Answer
I think SF4 is perfect the way it is.  They should leave the engine and the game how it is.  But I agree on buffing up the console characters so they can compete more highly with the arcade characters.  I would love to see Karin or Rolento.  My least favorite thing about SF4 is that sometimes moves go through people’s body like Chun Li cr short will whiff against Bison at times.

Daniel(DethklokRulz) Question
What’s the best way to make your opponent fear the air with Abel?

JWonggg Answer
Abel does have a problem with that. But what you could do is 2 things. Use crouching medium kick from a 45 degree angle or press crouching fierce early at the peak of their jump. When you do that, the first hit whiffs, but the 2nd hits and it will stun in the air, which then you can ultra/dash up super/dash up air grab/dash up any normal attack into his roll and you get a mix up from there.

Robert Boehm Question
Any advice on Focus Attacking? When to use it, what to look out for?

JWonggg Answer
Focus attacking is good depending on the character speed. Meaning how fast they charge their lvl 2 focus. For example, Gen has the fastest lvl 2 focus charge. When release, if they flinch, they get hit with a combo, if they block, you get a free blockstun and your opponent has to guess. So doing a block string and then going into focus is the best way to use focus attacks in general.

dogy samich
1) When you go to learn a new character, how do you about it?
-Do you start with just experimenting around and develop solid tactics, or vice versa?
-Do you practice your character in segments (e.x. work on the poke game, then work on their mixups) or do you just throw it in all together.
2) Could you estimate a ratio of how much you practice “by yourself” (in training mode, partner as a training dummy, etc) with practice in casual matches?
3) We’ve (I’ve) seen you play various games that we didnt think you actually knew anything about, such as Guilty Gear and Arcana Heart. How often do you actually play those games?
4) What is your opinion about the SNK fighters as a whole? Compared to Capcom (more specifically SF)?
5) Got a wishlist for Super SF4?
6) How often do people approach you for any reason? Is your public time normally causal or is it common for somebody to point you out, etc etc?

JWonggg Answer
1. The first thing I do is learn the combos of the character. Then how fast the character build meters like finding block string and the usage of special moves. Then I look into which of his normals are good for poking and then I look into how the characters grabs are. The purpose of grabs is to see if they put me in a good position for a good crossup or a good string. Then once you get that down, practice it on a moving target. Computer or Human
2. I stay in training mode a lot. I mainly practice my execution. I probably play casuals only on Fridays at the arcade.
3. I enjoy playing fighting games and even if its a weird game, I still enjoy the competition and the people who do play the game. It shows me a new outlook on different type of strategies which I can take with me to a different game. Like using Guilty Gear strats in Marvel vs Capcom 2.
4. I love SNK fighters. Their engine is more aggressive and the characters are much cooler. But SF has more competitors in the USA.
5. My only wishlist in SSF4, is to bring Karin in the game.
6. Everyday I must get approach at least once. So I got used to the whole “celebrity” image

Roman Barreto Question
I Main Zangief And I Would Like To Know if you can give me some advice against Sagat hes a real hard character to deal with so I’m thinking if u can please give some.

JWonggg Answer
Sagat is indeed a hard match up for gief because you can’t really take risk. He can actually do damage to you. When I play Zangief, I hope to build some meter and walk up to Sagat because he would be scared that I would ex green hand through his tiger shots. But my main purpose is for him to whiff his Standing roundhouse and I will punish with ex greenhand. And right there you need to maximize your damage to gurantee your win.

Devon Stephenson Question
Since your website shows the three new characters. T.Hawk, Dudley, and The new Original Character Juri. I heard rumors they was suppose to be other character going to be in super street fighter 4. ( Cody, Guy, Ibuki, Makoto, and a other new orignal Charcter).
The main question is that is the three characters you post on your site are final?

JWonggg Answer
Right now Dudley is a fake, but T.Hawk/Juri/Deejay are real. I hope for Yang/Karin/Cody

Jose Rodriguez Question
One – What are your thoughts on your rematch with The Beast and how well do you feel you will do this time around?
Two – Do you think that the new update will bring more players to SF4 and take it more seriously or do you think it will drive away some of the randoms and make path for those who do want to take it serious?

JWonggg Answer
I hope I can beat Daigo at Seasons Beating. I been practicing but not as much as I want too. May the best SFer win I think the new SF4 will bring out new players, because many people will want to pick the new characters and they hope its the character that they enjoy like Rolento

Robert Jarvis
How do you like BlazBlue? Who have you been playing/maining? What do you think about the Continuum Shift news and updates? Would you consider making a BlazBlue post on your blog?

JWonggg Answer
I like Blazblue, but the community is not as big as I thought it would be. I been playing Ragna/V-13 but not as much as SF4. I hope the new update of Blazblue would balance the game more and more characters also. If that were to happen, then it would be more popular and I’ll def talk about Blazblue in my entries.

Derreck Halladay Question
This is a match up that I have a difficult time being consistent in. While I feel Akuma has the tools to deal with Rufus, it is difficult working so hard only to use over half of your life off of one mistake. I recall when you went to Japan that you said the Akuma players there surprised you more than any other characters. Assuming that you used Rufus, what were some things they were doing over there? Were they just playing a cleaner, more disciplined match free of mistakes, or is there something more? Lastly, I’d like to ask why you don’t think Rose can compete, LOL.

JWonggg Answer
Akuma vs Rufus is def a match in Rufus favor because Akuma needs to play perfect while Rufus does not. The Akuma’s in Japan played nearly perfect but I still manage to beat Tokido or Yu (with the star) because of Rufus damage and health. But they were a lot more cleaner and every time they did a combo, it was the best decision combo to make. Rose can compete, but it’s definitely very hard to win with her. They didn’t give her the tools she had in Alpha 2. She doesn’t have her great Cr. MP. She doesn’t have her multiply super and her Cr. FP isn’t that good.

Brian Boyd Question
I live in (place with no competition, closest being xhundred miles away). How do you suggest getting started in the competitive scene and building a bankroll? Traveling to a tournament first and hoping you do well? Which tournament? Unfortunately there’s still lag online so creating a bankroll through money matches is still out of the question for most people (unless of course they don’t care about lag and are willing to gamble more). Say I choose my first tournament, do you suggest money matches on top of that? also do you think the future of competitive fighters is online when it becomes virtually flawless and it will have the same type of “boom” online poker did back in 2003? Money matches, tournaments every day, etc. Not to say live tournaments will go away just like they don’t for poker. Evo will still be the WSOP of sorts.

JWonggg Answer
I suggest that you play on XBL/PSN to get started. So you get used to some type of combat experience. It may not be perfect, but it is something. Then find out a local tournament closest to you, Go to it. You don’t have to enter if you feel that your not ready, you can spectate and just play casuals to get a feel with the environment. You don’t need to gamble to get better. So I suggest that you don’t right now. I hope the future of competitive games becomes something like WSOP. But it might become like that because the lack of entertainment on media these days are bad, so they need something new.

Harald Skatvedt Question
I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the news that SFF4 will be released for consoles only. Will SSF4 survive without the support from the arcade scene in America and Japan?

JWonggg Answer
For some reason, I feel like SSF4 will come out for the arcade, even though Ono said no it won’t. If it doesn’t, the community in Japan will revert to getting consoles and playing this game, purely for the love of the game and competition. America is use to the console era. America will keep on playing 100%

Dustin Question
I want to main abel. ive been playing daily as him and getting all of his cancels, links, and resets down. i was wondering, since ive seen you play as him, if you had anything youd like to share that is under the radar, so to say. also, i notice his kicks and even light punches link into a dash….is that basically a cancel or reset?

JWonggg Answer
The reason why I do those light punch links into a dash is cause it sets me up in a better position for like more kick and punch links or the command throw.  Abel main game is to overwhelm the opponent with a lot of his guessing options such as command throw and such.

Sam Question
You have been credited with being able to read an opponent really quickly.  To me this does not seem to be a skill that one is born with but a skill that one needs to develop.  So my question to you is what techniques do you use to develop this ability.

JWonggg Answer
Its a skill that anyone can have.  You just have to develop it.  The type of techniques I use is experience.  Play more types of players so you can tell on what type of pattern this guy is running on.  And then use the counter measures against that style.  For example:  Think of it like megaman.  You got this power and you use specific power ups to beat the next boss because of his weakness.

The next biggest Fighting Game, Tekken 6 will be released to America on the XBOX360/PS3 on 10/27.  Some back story of Tekken.  The King of Iron Fist Tournament 5 came to an end with the defeat of Jinpachi Mishima at the hands of Jin Kazama.   Ever since then, Jin has been on a dictator just like M.Bison.  The G Corporation doesn’t like what Jin has been doing, they have a bounty out for anyone who apprehends the leader, Jin Kazama.  The Mishima Zaibatsu set the stage for battle with its announcement of The King of Iron Fist Tournament 6.  Some of the characters seek fame,  seek the bounty of Jin’s head and also to prove themselves.

The character of my choice who has been training and finally is ready to come back into the competition world and joined the Tekken 6 tournament.

The reason why I like BOB because he reminds me of Rufus from Street Fighter 4.  He is a new character in Tekken 6.  This is his first appearance and hopefully it isn’t his last.   For people who don’t know about my Tekken career.  I started playing Tekken when Tekken 5 came out.  My main character was Feng and my secondary was Nina.  I have won many East Coast tournaments when Tekken 5 was popular.  The best Tekken accomplishments I had

• 4th Place in Tekken 5 at EVOLUTION 2006
• 3rd Place in Tekken 5 at T8 at Canada
• 2nd Place in Tekken 5 at Clash2k7
• 1st Place in Tekken 5 DR at Final RoundX

Now I would like to take Tekken 6 as my new game.  The first rule of practicing is to stay in training mode, learn the moves and learn his main BNB combo (Bread And Butter)

I think my secondary will probably be the sexy snow white queen, Lili