From: Temjin001 | Posted: 11/21/2002 8:11:06 PM |

As of late I've been swamped in a sea of games. Most recently MK:DA, which has left me somewhat under whelmed by what it had to offer. If anything, it made me dust off DOA3 to experience just how a great new-age fighting game is made. Last time I was analyzing DOA3's gameplay, I left off pondering the utilization of FREE STEPPING. During my examination I've come across some discovers that may seem subtle in discussion but dramatically practical in play. There are 2 kinds of Free Step. Standard and Guarded. Pressing U, moves character into the foreground. Allowing safe evasion from many combo string starters, lunging and air born attacks (when timed properly). This is a STANDARD Free step. Pressing U/B, will cause the character to clinch hands into fist while movement speed drops roughly 50%. This allows safety from all forms of MID and HIGH strikes through involuntary auto-blocking. Your character will evade moves just the same as they would a standard freestep, however at the cost of reduced movement. The character will also pivot slowly in an outward motion from opponent. This is a GUARDED Free step. Pressing B, while in Free step mode lengthens space between opponent and self. You cannot evade in this form of Free Step. This is another guarded FREE Step against MID and HIGH attacks with 50% mobility limited. Guarded Free Step Pressing D/B once in free step mode works just like U/B however involuntary blocking is extended to only LOW attacks. Evasion properties are just the same. Guarded Free Step This next freestep has properties unique to itself. Pressing D, moves character into the foreground while autoblocking all low attacks instantly, character movement maintains 100%. This technically, is a guarded free step, however without the mobility restraints. All remaining directional Free steps, are STANDARD and behave just how you'd think. I hope this information is helpful to DOA players, as for myself I found it added new element of strategy to an already well balanced game.

From: Dahlsim | Posted: 11/22/2002 8:23:35 AM |

During my examination I've come across some discovers that may seem subtle in discussion but dramatically practical in play. Temjin, yea it's really a nice addition to the gameplay depth ;-) On dfwgames.com/doa3 under "GameTopics" moving blocks is under the "8WR and Movement" topic and dodging is under "SideStepping and SideEvasion". Your post on it is very good. I'm adding your post under "Forum-Archives" so you can look for it. I never noticed straight D as a Moving Low Block though. I'll have to check that later.