Mindset

Before I go into the specific tools and techniques I want to cover the mindset you should try and have while exploring the game. It's a very subjective topic but here are some recommendations I have:



Be prepared to lose - This is something that everyone will tell you, and for good reason. This genre is a really hard nut to crack and a lot of the time you'll be matched against people further on the path than you. It's impossible to win every game so just do your best and focus on playing your way.

Decide on your own victory condition - When I play, I rarely base my performance solely off whether I won or not. You get to decide what you count as a win, whether it's landing a crazy combo or mixup you saw on twitter or taking out a particular member of your opponents team. If you are horrendously outmatched then focus on applying the techniques you've learned as well as you can and set your own win conditions.

Play whoever you like - Team building is an important element and a lot of fun but if you're learning the game, you should focus on experimenting with characters you like, either in game or from the series. You can always get more serious later on. For those of you who want a more structured learning experience, I have put a starter team and guide together.

Training mode is your greatest ally - Practicing tools and techniques in training mode before taking them online is absolutely crucial. Even experience players will test things out in practice mode first before using them in-game. You don't need to spend hours and hours in training mode but even as little as 10-15 minutes every day will help you improve and maintain your skills. You should also get in the habit of training while in matchmaking.