Trying to settle on a character to learn

[Dorkmaster Flek]

I'm trying to settle on a character I like, and I think I found something good in Cerebella. First off, being a total beginner at fighting games in general, I'm definitely sticking to a solo character. Bella and Ms. Fortune seem to be considered strong solo characters from what I've read, and I've seen Valentine be wielded very effectively solo. Usually by experts, so when I start up a match and see solo Valentine across from me, I'm anticipating it's not going to go well.

Anyway, my impressions of Cerebella is that she seems to be a character that can output good damage without resorting to huge combos. Basically just playing footsies and getting in those command throws seems to put out a good amount of damage and can actually win matches. The armor on Lock 'n Load and that dash move is pretty nice for getting in as well, and if I am poking around to get some kind of chain going, that standing medium punch is pretty awesome.

Basically, it seems like she's built around combos noticeably less than the rest of the cast. So I guess my question is, am I reading this right? And while I'm on the subject of combos, am I basically saying "I want to play a character that doesn't actually play the same game" since this game is so focused on combos? I feel like I might be dooming myself right from the start here. :)

 

[IsaVulpes]

Every character in this game needs combos
What's the problem with combos?

 

[Horseman]

Cerebella has some of the hardest and longest combos in the game. Just because she has command grabs doesn't mean she doesn't need combos... In fact, look up some videos of really good bella players. They're trying to confirm into a combo pretty much 90% of the time, rather than relying on grabs.
The closest to a non-combo character in the game is Peacock, simply because she can get away with playing the keepaway game for a whole match, but I'd be lying to you if I said you could be a good peacock without decent combos.

 

[CaioLugon]

Definitely go with Bella, but learn combos. Combos are always the first thing I learn when picking a new character, it just feels extremely satisfying to land a long combo with a character I don't really know how to play.

Also her combos are not hard, just see the flowchart.

 

[Broseidon Rex]

Basically, it seems like she's built around combos noticeably less than the rest of the cast. So I guess my question is, am I reading this right? And while I'm on the subject of combos, am I basically saying "I want to play a character that doesn't actually play the same game" since this game is so focused on combos? I feel like I might be dooming myself right from the start here. :)

With Cerebella, yes, the combos people use can be noticeably shorter than other characters combos and still do good damage, but you need to know them. I've only played solo-bella (and therefore can't say much on other characters) and mainly use the flow chart combo, but I use a lot of resets in the flowchart combo to keep applying pressure, deal big damage and keep the opponent guessing. Not knowing the combo and resets will allow them to escape , and when you're playing against teams, let them call in invincible assists that put you in blockstun and them in excellent position. And if you do get the reset, you need to know a combo to follow up each one.

tl;dr, Cerebella needs combos for her resets and combos to follow up her resets, but compared to other characters, are not as execution heavy.

 

[Horseman]

Definitely go with Bella, but learn combos. Combos are always the first thing I learn when picking a new character, it just feels extremely satisfying to land a long combo with a character I don't really know how to play.

Also her combos are not hard, just see the flowchart.

With Cerebella, yes, the combos people use can be noticeably shorter than other characters combos and still do good damage, but you need to know them. I've only played solo-bella (and therefore can't say much on other characters) and mainly use the flow chart combo, but I use a lot of resets in the flowchart combo to keep applying pressure, deal big damage and keep the opponent guessing. Not knowing the combo and resets will allow them to escape , and when you're playing against teams, let them call in invincible assists that put you in blockstun and them in excellent position. And if you do get the reset, you need to know a combo to follow up each one.

tl;dr, Cerebella needs combos for her resets and combos to follow up her resets, but compared to other characters, are not as execution heavy.

While I don't speak from experience, her advanced combos look really, really, really intimidating. It's when you have to chain into run stop for a link. Multiple times. Obviously you could get perfectly competent at bella without pulling those shenanigans, and they're not the hardest combos in the game, but they certainly don't look easy.

 

[Broseidon Rex]

While I don't speak from experience, her advanced combos look really, really, really intimidating. It's when you have to chain into run stop for a link. Multiple times. Obviously you could get perfectly competent at bella without pulling those shenanigans, and they're not the hardest combos in the game, but they certainly don't look easy.

For just starting the game, the flowchart combo is enough to make you competent. You can go on to the advanced combos, but you don't need them.

 

[DDB]

Valentine be wielded very effectively solo.

 

[Muro]

There isn't a single proper way to play the game. You can play without combos if you don't like them. You won't be the best, but with time you won't be the worst either. As said, Peacock and Cerebella are best picks for comboless games. Speaking from experience and preference.

 

[Chrono_Tata]

Yeah, while Bella (or any character really) can do what can be seen as decent damage for a beginner off a single move or a short magic series, you really want to learn a combo straight away. The reason for this is mainly that once you start to rely on not doing combos in your playstyle, the more you get "comfortable" with playing like that and the more combos will seem scary to you, and it will get to a point when you feel too intimidated to do any combo at all, which will make it very hard for you to get better at the game.

As a matter of fact, combos are ridiculously easy in Skullgirls compared to many other games. If you spend you first few days on the game practising a decent combo, you will get used to the feel of doing them and your learning process will be much easier in the long run, not to mention that you will be a much better player once you hop on multiplayer. For a beginner combo, I would aim for around 5k to 6k of damage using no more than a single meter.

 

[Horseman]

For just starting the game, the flowchart combo is enough to make you competent. You can go on to the advanced combos, but you don't need them.

Well, if we aren't referring to advanced combos, then literally every character has some easy combos to start out.

There isn't a single proper way to play the game. You can play without combos if you don't like them. You won't be the best, but with time you won't be the worst either. As said, Peacock and Cerebella are best picks for comboless games. Speaking from experience and preference.

Silly willy Muro.

In all honesty, OP, play every story mode, get a feel for the characters, and choose whichever one feels the best to you. Pay absolutely no attention to difficulty in combos and such when making your choice, because every character is going to have some difficult execution at the highest level. Just pick whichever characters fit you, personally, the best.

 

[Money]

To OP, if you're serious about Cerebella, there's a few excellent guides out there. I'd suggest giving some of them a read.... such as this one by Zidiane, currently the top solo-bella player out there.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=165883642

I also agree with Horseman that the most non-combo-centric character in the game would be Peacock.... so if you REALLY want to avoid combos in the beginning, you might want to try that.

Also, as a total beginner, absolutely *EVERY* character is viable in solo play. While some may not consider this to hold true in high level play, you cannot go wrong with any character or combination of characters when you're just starting out. I would say go with what suits your play style the most.... ie what you would see yourself having the most fun with. You can always change your team later if it doesn't work out.

 

[Number 13]

The only character that Maybe could get away with not doing intermediate-expert level combos would be peacock laming + get off me assist and even that isn't what I would call easy with the current meta game heavily favoring aggressive rushdown play style.

The game is not so much focused on super long combos, but more so medium length combos into ambiguous reset into another combo.

Bella would be a good choice to start off with as a solo because she dishes out vicious damage and you can get wins with some of her more elementary style tactics . Wouldn't suggest Valentine since she struggles as a solo, but Fortune is another good choice but you really need to know how to use her head effectively to get max potential.

Just play around in arcade/training to get a feel on whatever character/playstyle suits your current skill level before you jump into the midst of online matches is the only advice I can give.

 

[Maker]

Since everyone else seems to have covered most I'll leave something a little different.

Pick a character you like. Its extremely hard to learn if you dislike what character your using. I'm by no means good but that said I stay interested because of the characters I attempt to play.