As Wes said about the high level matches, hes correct.
I also have a opinion on this subject with a small twist.
I personally learn good max mode combos in 2002 as a 'save my ass' result. I have mixed styles depending on chars. Aggressive rush down Iori, Canceling chang. Etc. I've learned these styles by playing other people over time.
I got like 80%'s with a few chars with max mode, and I take pride in the work it took to learn some of these without "freaking" off the BC.
Never doubt these vids. There are people who are so good they defy all this high level vid shit and piss on it. I wouldnt have thought this until I saw otherwise and I personally improved ten fold.
Remember, these videos may appear insane to the average dude, but this stuff is used, its just really rare. These are high class players who do stuff that make even the snobs say 'wtf?'.
SonGohan,
In 2002, Max Mode combos are essential for high level. Although many matches boil down to poke wars, if you get good enough with max mode, you always have that option, you need this back up in tight situations.. A example would be my Iori max combo's, which I have a 95% probability with if there is no lag or its a match in a cade. I usually put Iori last in this situation so he has fall back stocks. 3/4 stocks will do it for me. Ala sC bc sC hcb C hcb D hcb C hcb D dp C sdm maiden, or maiden to qcf x 4 AC.
Max Mode is useless if you dont mid cancel it on all things. Dont even bother with it against good players if you arent fluid with it in this way. This would be a waste of time because they will immediately expect a HSDM, then they will begin rush down pwnage on you. Its way to risky.
Some examples of good max combos:
Like with Kim, cx jA sC bc sC qcb c x 3 to SDM cancel. Or O yash's sC fwdA BC sC fwdA hcb x 2 AC.
I played matches with my friend Juan last night, hes a excellent third strike player and has improved in KOF over time. We decided for shits we would max out both players dm's.
Difference was that I know how to time max mode combos pretty well because I practiced them ALOT, so he didnt know how.
I land a single fierce and the match is pretty much fucked. (*Especially if you are using Chris on the DC version with his exclusive cancels.) It becomes ruined like that in 2002 when you master the mode. Whilst in 98 you dont have this option and 100%'s are almost improbable because there are so few. Some examples would be the backwards running for it to work *projectile pursuit et al*
There are some athena zoners that are pure evil, so I have no shame using high damaging max combo's. All comes down to knowing what to do and not letting your mind interfere with your performance.
You also cannot have ANY lag when doing these if your online, because some of the mid cancels need perfect timing. You can't bonehead through most of these combos so its much more beneficial to use this with purely normal play. No lag, no jitter, no delay, NOTHING else but perfection for this.
I usually have little problems maintaining a zoning style with slight lag, but when it becomes terrible, theres no chance.
thats perfect
