Who is the strongest zoner in MK 2011 ?
- Thread starter yautjared
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Macros
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In my opinion, Ermac is the best zoner. Not just because of his zoning alone, but because it's very hard to get in on him because his best zoning comes into play when you're getting close. A good Ermac player who is able to predict accurately what are you going to try to do -- or even better, train you to play his game -- can completely lock you out and get in high combo's just as you're thinking you're going to finally get a hit off. Ermac is also probably the easiest character to get a flawless victory with (aside from maybe Kung Lao). Plus, he has no problem punishing teleporters with high damage combo's, and his Xray is very easy to combo into to ensure it hits.
Noob is second because of his zoning mixups and his amazing upknee move. Throw in a random ghost ball or teleport once or twice when your enemy isn't expecting it and you might even get in a combo. Yes, he is the zoning master for as far as purely zoning goes. But hardly any match (well, any match against a skilled opponent) is purely about zoning, you also have to be able to deal with the other guy when your plan fails. And that's where Noob falls short and Ermac really shines.
Third I would say is Sub Zero. And the main reason why some people don't see him as a zoning character is because he frequently has to stop zoning. Let me explain this. Most characters can rely on one plan during an entire match and have it pay off. Sub Zero can't. He has to frequently switch between zoning and reacting to whatever his opponent is doing. If you use him this way, you can keep them guessing and increase the likelyhood of them walking into your traps (read: ice clones).
Keep in mind, I'm not a great player. These are just my observations.
Noob is second because of his zoning mixups and his amazing upknee move. Throw in a random ghost ball or teleport once or twice when your enemy isn't expecting it and you might even get in a combo. Yes, he is the zoning master for as far as purely zoning goes. But hardly any match (well, any match against a skilled opponent) is purely about zoning, you also have to be able to deal with the other guy when your plan fails. And that's where Noob falls short and Ermac really shines.
Third I would say is Sub Zero. And the main reason why some people don't see him as a zoning character is because he frequently has to stop zoning. Let me explain this. Most characters can rely on one plan during an entire match and have it pay off. Sub Zero can't. He has to frequently switch between zoning and reacting to whatever his opponent is doing. If you use him this way, you can keep them guessing and increase the likelyhood of them walking into your traps (read: ice clones).
Keep in mind, I'm not a great player. These are just my observations.
vacua
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Zoning is a device of land use planning used by local governments in most developed countries.[1][2][3] The word is derived from the practice of designating permitted uses of land based on mapped zones which separate one set of land uses from another. Zoning may be use-based (regulating the uses to which land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot coverage, and similar characteristics, or some combination of these. Similar urban planning methods have dictated the use of various areas for particular purposes in many cities from ancient times.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoning
Zoidberg747
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Actually after seeing Tom Brady at Powerup play as Subby I will say Sub Zero has potential to be a great zoner, but most people whoi play him suck.
Best Zoners are Sindel, Noob, sub zero, and Ermac IMO
Best Zoners are Sindel, Noob, sub zero, and Ermac IMO
yautjared
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Macros did a hell of perfect analysis here ! Ermac is an annoying zoner really, some very good Ermac players can literally build an imaginable wall between you and them, and , if you fall just once, they destroy you in a matter of seconds. You fail to defend or figure out their strategy, you are dead.
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REPTILE 0009
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I'd say Mileena is a very good anti-zoner as her Ball Roll and Teleport Drop can go under and over almost every projectile in the game.
I don't see how most of you aren't considering Reptile as top 3. He has 3 different speed projectiles you can mixup depending on how your opponent reacts. His dash is one of the best punishing moves in the game and allows him to close distance as well as create it. If you play him right, your opponent won't be able to touch you.
Thirteenthorder
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Reptile's projectile (Force Ball) has too much of a startup delay. If people can predict well, they'll get in on him. Though I love Rep <3
Best zoner to me is Noob. If he sees you jumping over his shadow clones he can just Teleport Grab you, and if I remember correctly his Slide and Tackle are some of the fastest projectiles in the game.
Best zoner to me is Noob. If he sees you jumping over his shadow clones he can just Teleport Grab you, and if I remember correctly his Slide and Tackle are some of the fastest projectiles in the game.
aedanwolfe
New member
if reptiles forceballs had faster recovery maybe even startup frames he could be potential number 2. i put him at 4 tied with ermac because of the slow nature of his forceballs. ermac i just dont think has a lot in terms of zoning, hes got a couple powerful moves, but they do no chip, can be blocked standing or crouching, and maybe its because ive been using reptile a lot lately but can be punished easily when you block them.
the pros is the odd spacing of his zoning and the fact they are instant hit moves (no projectile going across screen) that can lead into combos, which means you HAVE to predict/bait. you cannot react because there is nothing to react to, that imo is what makes him deadly.
kabal has a nice little zoning game in the form of instant air fireballs and ground saw, hes a bit like reptile in that he has useful zoning and can switch to rushing very quickly. i just personally never liked the aspect of instant air fireballs (feels too gimmicky when im doing it) so i didnt try to learn him more. hes a great char, just not for me.
the pros is the odd spacing of his zoning and the fact they are instant hit moves (no projectile going across screen) that can lead into combos, which means you HAVE to predict/bait. you cannot react because there is nothing to react to, that imo is what makes him deadly.
kabal has a nice little zoning game in the form of instant air fireballs and ground saw, hes a bit like reptile in that he has useful zoning and can switch to rushing very quickly. i just personally never liked the aspect of instant air fireballs (feels too gimmicky when im doing it) so i didnt try to learn him more. hes a great char, just not for me.
I use Reptile as my fun char. It's hard for me to consider him an elite zoner, because any patient play who knows to duck his spit and simply block the force balls will nullify his projectile threat, especially from full screen and about 3/4 screen. And then he's pretty much force to play the aggressor. At that point my sub will typically control the pace: I love it when reptile's wake-up slide/dash into my ice clone. More than 1/2 the reptiles I fight, do. Their aggression and overconfidence in his "get inside quick" specials are typically used against him. Granted, I love him because he can ABUSE the floor very well. I think Reptile's offense speaks for itself as anyone could truthfully glorify it.
Additionally, you guys every really put the invisibilty to use? Omg, it will seriously throw off most opponents! Usually both the enemy and you will forget all about it. And believe it or not, not clearly seeing a human enemy is actually kind of scary. Your 1st thought is either "omg wtf do I do" or "hit em, hit em quick to make him appear", so out comes a projectile, or jump in.
On the contrary, I fought a super patient reptile with my sub-zero. Holy shit he drew insane, he just sat in the back and waited for me to come to him for about 10 games straight. He dodged every project, ex ground freeze, ice ball, everything. I was thrilled to see someone that patient.
Anyhow. Marcos, that is a good review. I agree with your sub-zero comments as I never thought of it that way. I always have to run in there and make sure I have time to get my combo in after a freeze. It can be tough.
Vacua: lol
Sektorpionax-Zero
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i only read the first 2 pages of this thread and i seen that there is no Sektor..do you people even know who sektor is?! i control alot of space when i play with him, i own sub zeros with sektor and switch it up and rush other characters to throw them off. Sektors homing missle is great for applying pressure while his forward and upmissles are great for zoning AND his flamethrower is a great anti air and has a pretty good range. Most of sektors moves are made to push the opponent back. If the opponent want to trade projectiles i can just jump forward and do a teleport uppercut for a 30% + combo or a safe on block EX TU. Sektor isn't the best zoner i think he definitely should be mentioned in the top 5 though.
Noob saibot is IMO the best zoner, i main him sometimes and his ability to **** with the opponent at long range is amazing. throw charges and slides, they block so you throw out a exblackhole.. ok they jump, now you teleport slam. and when they think they are in close enough and try to use a flying kick or cross you up just use upknee to further push their confidence into the ground. If you dash in and catch them turtling because of the charge/slide spam then just throw them or use your b1214 overhead. This strategy will piss players off and they will call you a spammer but in your mind you know that you have played Noob very well and you should succeed with him.
Noob saibot is IMO the best zoner, i main him sometimes and his ability to **** with the opponent at long range is amazing. throw charges and slides, they block so you throw out a exblackhole.. ok they jump, now you teleport slam. and when they think they are in close enough and try to use a flying kick or cross you up just use upknee to further push their confidence into the ground. If you dash in and catch them turtling because of the charge/slide spam then just throw them or use your b1214 overhead. This strategy will piss players off and they will call you a spammer but in your mind you know that you have played Noob very well and you should succeed with him.
vacua
New member
Yeh that is what makes me not enyoing Noob that much at the Moment. Im sure i understand MK pretty good, im playing that shit since years, im also good at Games in general. But the playstyle by Noob is just.... yeh kinda lame if you ask me, and i know that it pisses of if you play vs someone who actually knows how to use Noob, if you are not that good, you will never touch him.
That makes me sometimes a bad feeling for my Opponents. The stupid lag in online mode + a mofo who plays Noob and pisses you off.
bad combination.And you are right, Sektor could be a Zoner, too. Didnt had much Sektors online so far.
Sektorpionax-Zero
New member
Yeh that is what makes me not enyoing Noob that much at the Moment. Im sure i understand MK pretty good, im playing that shit since years, im also good at Games in general. But the playstyle by Noob is just.... yeh kinda lame if you ask me, and i know that it pisses of if you play vs someone who actually knows how to use Noob, if you are not that good, you will never touch him.
That makes me sometimes a bad feeling for my Opponents. The stupid lag in online mode + a mofo who plays Noob and pisses you off.
And you are right, Sektor could be a Zoner, too. Didnt had much Sektors online so far.
I like noobs playstyle, i wish he was quicker with better rushdown options and less of a ***** at long range XD
and people seriously forgot about sektor in so many categories, they just consider him useless which is not the case. I can spank most of the male ninjas with sektor and alot of other characters besides smoke and mileenas
aedanwolfe
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i enjoy noobs playstyle 
AnthonyLouis
New member
Sindel is a great zoner because she has her low and high punch / kick moves that will start off a combo . Also Mileena is a great zoner becuase of her teleport kick and her roll
This is very true, man. I never use him, but I've played a few guys who main Sektor and he can definitely zone very well.
TONY-T
New member
I think i agree with this. 2 of the best players in Australia are Ermac players and they are killer with him. A good Ermac is very hard to beat. His zoning is crazy and his force lift move is the icing on the cake. Even when its blocked, the window for punishment is very small. I think if Ermac needs any nerfing its make the lift move a little more punishable.