Tick throws

[Norborb]

I know this is probably a really common term, but what is a tick throw? Also, what is a poke?

[S-Blade]

A tick throw is using a really quick "jab" move to make your opponent think you're going to do a block string, and then, once the move is blocked and completed, suddenly stopping your attack and throwing them. You basically make your opponent react into blocking, and then use a move (i.e. throw) that beats blocking.

A poke is a move you use when the game is at a match reset status (i.e. no one has advantage or momentum and the players are probably dashing toward and away from each other, doing some zoning) to hit your opponent and gain momentum. They tend to have speed and range (i.e. priority) along with comboability. You use these because in a match reset condition the situation of the two players both using a move at the same time is highly likely, and you want to use a move that can beat their moves.

[Norborb]

So people dash back and forward to zone so that they can poke at each other?

[noradseven]

So people dash back and forward to zone so that they can poke at each other?

hmm weird way to put it, but yes the point of poking is to do a move that will result in either an advantageous position for you or for the game to stay in neutral.

and back dashing and forward dashing is often a mix of escaping your oppentents attempts to trap you into guessing their block string, and you trying to force them to do the same, a poke is a move that doesn't need to be in a block string and will be just fine out on its own.

[CT_Warrior]

Examples would be good:

1) 2a (wait a small small bit) 2a - dashgrab.

2) jB/C before landing so it doesn't come out in time (or a held jC so it doesn't come out) - grab



For first one, they don't know whether you're gonna continue poking them or whether you're gonna grab them or not. After the first 2a, you 2a them again, they expect a 2a so they hold block, but your grab beats their block.
"You basically make your opponent react into blocking, and then use a move (i.e. throw) that beats blocking."

Second one is kinda self explanatory. Don't use it too often though (unless it works)

[Norborb]

So people dash back and forward to zone so that they can poke at each other?

hmm weird way to put it, but yes the point of poking is to do a move that will result in either an advantageous position for you or for the game to stay in neutral.

and back dashing and forward dashing is often a mix of escaping your oppentents attempts to trap you into guessing their block string, and you trying to force them to do the same, a poke is a move that doesn't need to be in a block string and will be just fine out on its own.

So how do I know when do zone in and out trying to poke and when to be aggresive trying to use pressure?

[Zaelar]

Experience.

[CT_Warrior]

You can feel it.. a little. It's a nice feeling if you avoided something that would have hit you.
When you leave a gap open too long, they'll try to attack, normally with 2A/2B/2C, Hisui's j2c is great to do during that situation. ^^

Imagine something like this:
You and your opponent and sitting next to each other blocking. If you threw out an attack half a second before he did, you get a counter and you can combo from there, and if he attacked before you did, then you're the one being combo'ed. If you can grab them before their attack comes out, then you get the grab. Just use good judgment or gamble a bit. Every time you're tickthrowing, you're gambling a small bit by leaving an opening, but it's pretty useful since your opponent can just block all the time and it's easier than having to continue your pressure until they mess up or guess wrong, and it makes your opponent stop shielding as often in response to a dash-in.