From: maestas@cs.arizona.edu (Mark Maestas)
Newsgroups: alt.games.sf2
Subject: Re: BALROG: Three foot method
Date: 21 Jan 93 05:22:28 GMT

In article <1993Jan20.221935.24375@leland.Stanford.EDU> inkblot@leland.Stanford.EDU (Thomas Calvin Cannon) writes:
>Obviously, it would be great to use a method similar to the three-fist, but
>which still allows use of the strong button.  If you want to use a punch
>button, then your only choice is to hold down three kick buttons, which isn't
>so easy. =)  The beauty of the T-F method is that you can TAP very quickly
>just by letting go of 1 button, so holding the kicks down with the palm of 
>your hand isn't a viable solution.  So, without further ado, here's the
>'Three-foot' method for playing Balrog. (this is complicated, so bear with me)

>             ring    ring 
>       ___    ___    ___
>      /   \  /   \  /   \  These are the finger positions for the T-F Balrog
>      \___/  \___/  \___/  method.  Using your pointer, index, and pinky
>       ___    ___    ___   fingers, hold down the three kick buttons.  The
>      /   \  /   \  /   \  ring finger takes care of the strong and fierce
>      \___/  \___/  \___/  buttons.  You smart ones will realize that this is
>    'pointer'  |   'pinky' five buttons for four fingers, but if you place
>               |           your other three fingers correctly, your ring 
>             index         finger should be midway between the two buttons,
>                           making each accessible.  Now then, hold your 
>fingers in the correct position, cause here's how it works.    (this is very
>similar to Eu-Ming's T-F method)

>Sliding straight: Charge, hit forward and press either ring finger button
>Sliding uppercut: Charge, hit forward and release pointer finger (short button)
>TAP:              release pointer finger

>Ta da.  You now have axess too several more attacks than with the T-F method,
>yet you still have the quick, easy TAP and sliding attacks.  BTW, this didn't
>just pop into my head.  I've spent some time at my local game room perfecting
>this.  It will work, but it's a bit uncomfortable when starting out.  Below
>is a self appraisal of the system

>           ADVANTAGES                                  DISADVANTAGES
>       -------------------                        ----------------------
>       o  Use of strong punch button              o  A bit awkward when first
>          allows greater variety of                  learning the system
>          play.  Combos and defense
>          is improved.                            o  After about 4 rounds of
>                                                     continuous use, your
>       o  Quick, easy TAP, ability to                hand starts to hurt. =)
>          TAP at any moment gives you a              (hand-stretches 
>          psychological edge. (scars the             between matches highly
>          sh*t out of your opponent)                 recommended)
>       o  Easy sliding punches
>       o  CAN be used by cross handed 
>          players. (use index finger to
>          hit punch buttons)
>
>Any questions/comments?
>Happy playing
>---
>Tom Cannon

Having nothing better to do, here's how I play Balrog:
3 pseudo-foot(he can't kick) method 

To use this method, I place my pointer, middle, and ring finger on Jab, Strong,
and Fierce respectively.  My palm rests on the kick buttons at a slight angle
so that if I lift my thumb (tilting my hand slightly helps too) I will release
the Short button. 

  This method allows for the use of everyone's favorite's like standing Strong,
standing Fierce, low Fierce, Charging straight punches, and the head-butt...
all executed without losing one iota of TAP charge.  If you like to have a
level 5 TAP available when the opening appears, you need to find ways to
keep getting lots of charge.  A level 5 charge is pretty potent in that it
does a lot of damage and it will travel very quickly to about 3/4 of the way
to the other side.  This is one key to my strategy, once you've got the '5' 
don't squander it (it took you about 15-20 sec.) and look for an opening and
let'em have it.  If your opponent isn't giving you an opening, try a couple
of charging straight punches to antagonize him. 
  However, missing from this technique are a couple of nice moves like 
standing Forward (gut punch) and the low Roundhouse, which are not executed 
very easily.

  Charging uppercuts can be executed with the button-release method explained
by Cybergeek.  If you've got the charge, press forward and release Short.
You can even take a 'studder step' forward before letting go of the button.
Roundhouse can be released by twisting the hand the other way or even by
shifting your hand to the left.  If you want to be die hard about it, you
can use a piece of pipe or a bar of cardboard strapped to your wrist so that
you can shift easier.
  
  I like this method because you can use the charging straight punch to
whittle away at your opponents here and there while still having your charge
built up.  A charging uppercut can usually be substituted with a standing
strong and if you are hit out of it, you can usually get a head-butt off 
if they were jumping at you.  And if a head-butt is necessary, you can do it
without losing any TAP charge time.  If a charging uppercut is really 
necessary, it's still available. 

  Also, don't be too engrossed in trying to get a LVL5 TAP that you don't
TAP when you need to.  Rapid TAPs are easily performed by immediately putting
your palm (or hand if you freak out) back on the kick buttons right after
executing a TAP or charging uppercut.  In other words, don't wait to see if
it hit or not, start that charge going -- every milisecond counts.  It should
be noted that this is how many successful 'charge' characters are played
(eg Guile, Blanka, Honda, etc).   Unless you're doing something that isn't
condusive to charging up, start charging.  Aaahh, well that was a good 20 
minutes killed... later.
 

                                Mark "Terminator" Maestas 
                                maestas@cs.arizona.edu
 "Hasta la vista, baby." - [8^! 
Newsgroups: alt.games.sf2