What Playing Style Should You Choose?

[Bynary Fission]

A very common topic I see across the forums is a new player asking "What playing style should I play?" or "Which playing style is best?".

That question isn't answered so easily - and the fact that some people do as good as others with totally different styles further obscures the answer. So instead of having people tell you a biased answer, it's best if you find out what suits you - but that goes back to the original question.

To assist people in their decision, below is a comprehensive guide on the three major playing styles, in addition to some variations. Keeping the information in mind, it is my hope that this will assist people in making their decision.


For those who do not like tl;dr posts, a much simpler guide can be found at http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...t=94323&page=2.


Something to address before the information is the different terminology used. You might wonder what a trill is, or a runningman. These refer to different patterns seen in FFR when playing. A description of each of these pattertns, with pictures, can be seen in http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...ad.php?t=37697 It would be beneficial to read this before looking at this guide to get an idea of what the terms used mean.

-The Major Playing Styles-



One-Handed

This is by far the most common playing style - when you start out at the game for the very first time, most people play with one hand, since logically, you would use the arrow keys in a game with arrows. But why would you want to play this way? What appeals to people about this playing style? And what advantages does it entail in comparison to the two handed playing styles?


The one handed style has several common variations to playing. The most popular methods are listed below.


Three-fingered

This is the most popular way to play with this style. The arrow keys are usually used, but some choose to play using the letter keys or the numpad. Here is an example of playing this way:




Four-fingered

Some people choose to play four fingered when choosing to play one handed. This is perfectly fine - if anything, the best one hand four fingered players are as good as, if not better than, most spread/index/one handed players on this site. There are two ways to play this way:

Using the index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers:



This is done by using either the letter or number keys.

Note: This method of playing can be problematic when hitting trills or other patterns with your ring and pinky fingers.


The other way is to use your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers while playing on the numpad:



You use your index finger for 4, your middle for 8, your ring for 6, and your thumb for 2.


Now what are the advantages and disadvantages of this style? Below follows every challenge and advantage a one hander will have over a spread or index player.


Pros/Cons of the one-handed playing style

Pros:

-No bias between index and spread streams. While a spread player normally has issues with index streams (and vice versa), the one handed style is neither - both streams are essentially the same to this style (however, that is not to say some may find one form of stream easier than the other)

-Jacks are easier. Similar to index, the amount of speed and strength required to do the equivalent performance of a spread player is much greater - most people who play this style extensively can easily do jackhammers.

Cons:

-Streams. While anybody who has practiced enough with this specific pattern gets good at it, for most, this specific pattern is too fast to handle. Jumpstream is similar, though it gets just as easy with enough practice.

-Endurance. Good posture can alleviate some of the strain on your hand, but in general, only really experienced players have the endurance to finish/do well on many fast paced, hard songs. Playing on a keyboard with flat keys can be beneficial, since you don't have to constantly lift your fingers to press the keys, but it can still play a large factor in your ability to finish songs.

-The learning curve. The one handed playing style has by far the highest learning curve of any playing style. It is possible to become very good this way, but this takes usually much longer than any other playing style.

-Speed. A lot of one handers lack the speed to do fast patterns (this goes back to issues with streams). If you haven't practiced on building speed enough, not only will you have trouble keeping up with harder songs, but your PA will be real bad from hitting a lot of late goods.

Index

Wha? Index? You mean I actually play using only my index fingers? Yep, that's right. Index is one of the oldest playing styles, preceding spread by several years. But some people new to it might wonder what the advantages of playing index would entail over spread and one hand, since you use only two fingers for this style, as opposed to three and four.


Index is almost universally played on the arrow keys, like this:



It is, however, possible to play index on other sets of keys, such as the numpad and letter keys.

Note: A very obscure method of playing index is a spread-index hybrid, in which your hands are positioned over the keyboard akin to that of a spread player, but you use only your index fingers.


Now I'll bet you're wondering what advantages this very interesting playing style might have, aren't you?


Pros/cons of index

Pros:

-Jacks. Similar to one hand, index requires a great buildup of strength and speed to do the equivalent performance of a spread player. Jacks often come natural to an index player.

-Accuracy. With the exception of certain patterns that indexers have problems with, such as jumpstream, indexers usually have some of the best accuracy of any style, because they are able to hit every single arrow with their index fingers - much more accurate than hitting with, say, your ring finger.

-Speed. Indexers, once they've gotten some practice in, often have very good speed on certain patterns, like streams and trills.


Cons:

-Jumpstream. This basically destroys even the best indexers. This is due to only having two fingers to hit the jumps with. This probably won't hurt you on really slow jumpstream, but anything above ~130 bpm becomes problematic. Practice can definitely improve your ability to do these specific patterns, but for the most part, it's a major limitation you'll have to work around if you play this way.

-Hands/Quads. The issue with this also arises out of only having two fingers to hit the keys with.

-Spread streams. Certain patterns in streams, like crossovers and spins, are not index-friendly (they cause your hands to either collide and get in the way of each other or force your finger have to move across multiple keys, which can cause problems in really fast patterns). They can be overcome, but they still pose issues for even the best indexers.

-Endurance. This issue is even more critical for an indexer than a one hander, since your hands are in constant, fast-paced motion. Endurance is built up with play, but it can take quite a while to build up enough endurance to do very fast, difficult songs, like Vertex Beta.

Spread

Ah, spread. This playing style is almost universal amongst the elite players in FFR. Many find it easy to adapt to, and it can allow for quick boosts in skill and speed. But how do you go about playing spread? In fact, what is it? Are there any disadvantages to playing spread?


Spread is a four fingered, two handed style that involves you using different pairs of keys across the keyboard. There are an infinite number of ways to play spread. This is one of the most common ways to do it - using the askl keys:



However, the great thing about this style is that you can use any combination of keys you want. You could use the arrow keys and the numpad, or use the letter keys and the numpad, or anything else.

Now, you'll get to see the disadvantages (and advantages) of this common playing style.


Pros/cons of spread:

Pros:

-Speed. Because you are playing with two hands and four fingers, most spread players can, with practice, handle very hard, fast, and complicated patterns.

-Accuracy. This is also very good in spread players, but for a different reason than an indexer - it goes back to speed. Any spread player that knows how to hit a specific pattern they encounter and has the speed to keep up with it can pretty much PA it every time. Having one finger correspond to each receptor can also help determine exactly when to press a key, something indexers and one handers (three fingered) players do not have.

-Accurately hitting a diversity of patterns. While there are index streams and patterns that destroy a lot of spread players, spread players, due to the way their hands are set up on the keyboard, have a unique ability to adapt to every sort of pattern in existence - even ones most have problems with (jacks, one handed trills, runningmen, etc).

Cons:

-One handed trills (trills that use only your right or left hand to hit). This is something almost every spread player has serious issues with - especially really fast ones. Usually due to a lack of speed in a specific hand, many spread players have real issues comboing/PAing any sort of one handed trill, especially if it is extended/fast.

-Jacks. Also a result of a lack of speed buildup in one hand, jacks themselves aren't usually an issue. Jackhammers, however, are (especially really long ones in songs such as AIM Anthem and Club). Practice, of course, can make you very good at jacks. But if you haven't, just comboing these alone can be extremely difficult, let alone PAing them.

-Index streams. Certain patterns, such as trills, jacks, and runningmen (fast ones), can be a real pain to combo and/or PA spread. The only way to get good at these patterns is to practice.



And now that you have learned what each style is, it's advantages, disadvantages, and comparisons to other styles, how do you go about picking? You can try each style out and find what suits you best. Many people pick one style over another for a variety of reasons. I have a small guide below that will list some of the possible reasons as to why people would play each style (note that this doesn't apply to everybody - we all have our own reasons for playing certain styles).

Index:

-Because it's a unique playing style that is so much fun to play.
-It feels good on your hands. Plus, it comes natural to you.
-It's freaking awesome!

Spread:
-Because you can get real good real fast this way.
-It feels more comfortable to you then any other style.
-Because you can't seem to adapt to any other style.
-Because you started out this way.

One hand:
-You started out this way and don't want to switch.
-You're very proud of playing this way.
-You can't seem to switch to spread, or find it no fun.
-It comes natural to you.


And finally, there is one more question that some of you may ask: are there any other playing styles? As a matter of fact, yes. For the most part, they all blend one style or another together. Some of these styles include:

-One hand, two fingers
-Two hands, three fingers
-Right hand three fingers, left hand one finger (and vice versa)
-Spread/index hybrid (mentioned above, where you play like spread but only use your index fingers)


But why would you play these styles? It goes back to the whole point of this thread. All I can do is inform you of the various methods of playing and the different advantages and disadvantages of these styles. After that, it all boils down to one thing.......



Play whatever you feel suits you best!



Have fun experimenting! You should soon find your perfect playing style. And remember: you can always switch styles or learn to play different ones.


In addition, the FFR engine has an in-game key remapper, so you can map the arrow keys to almost anything you want. However, it does not support all keys (e.g the numpad). This site has an external remapper that can map at all keys: http://www.latent.demon.co.uk/ffr_keymap.html Don't worry, I use this myself, so it isn't a virus or anything.



~Bynary Fission


P.S If I have made any mistakes in this post, factual, grammatical, or otherwise, feel free to notify me and I'll fix it right away.

A note: my sister wanted credit for those pictures, so I didn't mind obliging: she took those, not me. (her account is Momo_O.o)

[Gibson63]

its sad but im sure i saw this kind of thread somewhere.

[Xx{neon}xX]

i play 2hands 3 fingers is that a major style or is that just wierd >_<

[MooMoo_Cowfreak]

I see your fishing for a sticky. Well that's fine and all, except:

http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...playing+styles

this is already here. Also, your pros and cons are completely opinionated, such as that jacks are hard for spread players. Where are you getting that info from?

[Sullyman2007]

The thing with these threads is how long they have to be to include all of the information. Not many people are willing to read that much. It is well thought out and put together, maybe put a list of links of the different styles at the top of the thread, that way if they want to find information on a specific style, they won't have to crawl through the entire post to find what they're searching for.

[Xx{Midnight}xX]

Bynary a con for spread is the running men pattern. If it's there I apologize, but I didn't see it.

[MooMoo_Cowfreak]

Originally Posted by Xx{Midnight}xX

Bynary a con for spread is the running men pattern. If it's there I apologize, but I didn't see it.

Yeah it's there.

Originally Posted by Binary Fission

-Index streams. Certain patterns, such as trills, jacks, and runningmen (fast ones), can be a real pain to combo and/or PA spread. The only way to get good at these patterns is to practice.

[lxDestinyxl]

Have a look at mine:

http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...ad.php?t=94323

Yes, I have to agree with Sullyman on this. Your thread is very informative, although a tad too long for the average user to read. Therefore, in my thread, it shows what you could use, and once they use it, they will figure out the pros and cons of their hand position in the near future. Of course, they will need to understand the jargons used in FFR, another down-side to your thread. Remember, this is in the Newbie Forum, and most people aren't expected to know such language.

I have also hyperlinked each jargon used in my thread, so people will understand what they are. Instead of recognising every pros and cons for each and every style, I have managed to outline it enough so people will have a fundamental understanding of what advantages and disadvantages they will come across.

[Zageron]

Yeah I made one of these about a year ago. :]

IMO Destiny's is the best, and mine has short points that, people who don't like reading, are more likely to read.

[Bynary Fission]

Originally Posted by Sullyman2007

The thing with these threads is how long they have to be to include all of the information. Not many people are willing to read that much. It is well thought out and put together, maybe put a list of links of the different styles at the top of the thread, that way if they want to find information on a specific style, they won't have to crawl through the entire post to find what their what they're searching for.

Yeah, that's my only worry. I'm not sure how you are supposed to link to a specific post/part of a post, can you or somebody else give me the directions into doing so?

Originally Posted by MooMoo_Cowfreak

I see your fishing for a sticky. Well that's fine and all, except:

http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...playing+styles

Damn, I had no idea that thread existed. However, I had a completely different approach to my post - mine has a lot more information on just the three major playing styles, and his has a lot less on many other kinds.

Originally Posted by MooMoo_Cowfreak

Also, your pros and cons are completely opinionated, such as that jacks are hard for spread players. Where are you getting that info from?

Some of this information is taken from either looking at what a poster says themselves, or listening to what others say. I've seen many instances where spread players claim to have problems with jacks - I've never heard that in an indexer or one hander. In fact, I've seen posts by those players themselves where they say it is indeed easier for that style. Basically, a lot of it is from sheer observation of other players.


However, this information might be off - I stated this at the end. I can only give 100%, irrefutable facts for the one handed style, since that is how I play. If you can point out a provable error in those facts, then by all means say it, and I will correct it.

Originally Posted by Xx{neon}xX

i play 2hands 3 fingers is that a major style or is that just wierd >_<

I only know of three people (you included) who play that way, so I'd consider it an "unusual" style.


~Bynary Fission

EDIT:

Originally Posted by lxDestinyxl

Have a look at mine:

http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...ad.php?t=94323

Yes, I have to agree with Sullyman on this. Your thread is very informative, although a tad too long for the average user to read. Therefore, in my thread, it shows what you could use, and once they use it, they will figure out the pros and cons of their hand position in the near future. Of course, they will need to understand the jargons used in FFR, another down-side to your thread. Remember, this is in the Newbie Forum, and most people aren't expected to know such language.

I have also hyperlinked each jargon used in my thread, so people will understand what they are. Instead of recognising every pros and cons for each and every style, I have managed to outline it enough so people will have a fundamental understanding of what advantages and disadvantages they will come across.

I did look at your thread. I know that it mentioned the playing styles, and I even linked to it in the beginning. But, it I felt it was just too simple - I still see threads made almost daily asking what style to pick. I felt that players needed a more comprehensive and thorough guide on each playing style in a hope that they can make a more informed decision.

Oh yeah, I'm aware of all the jargon used in the thread - I'll probably move the link from the picture dictionary from the back to the front, since I do realize newbies might not know what these terms mean.


~Bynary Fission

[kangolokster]

spread nikkas!