The IIDX Beginner/Tech Thread

[otaku1313]

Since I've seen far too many topics on things like speed, randoming, and general questions cluttering up this forum, so why not consolidate from now on? Post questions here, and (hopefully) get answers from highly-skilled players. I won't be in the IIDX forum as often as pop'n so you won't see me posting a lot, but there are other good players who can try to help you with your questions or issues.

Do NOT boil this thread down to "practice," there's a lot more to IIDX than that and anyone who can AAA 11s knows that; random, sudden+, hat, how to do this or that pattern efficiently, and that sort of thing.

For newer players here to ask questions, I ask a similar thing of you; do NOT ask how to get better in general or how to start doubles. Those are things you can easily do yourself and will understand in time. Questions about specific walls are fine (ex. 10s to 11s or 5s to 6s), but don't just ask for help without a specific goal in mind.

Hopefully this thread is as welcome here as in the pop'n forum, and it will provide a good base for players to draw from and learn quickly without making 10 different threads over the course of a few weeks.

[m335h73r of PBJ]

ok.

spread your hands so that you have a finger or 2 on the 1, 3,4,6 and 7 keys.

close your eyes

now mash.

[NMD]

yes, that's the spirit.

[Lentic]

Originally Posted by THE BEGINNER THREAD

Questions about specific walls are fine (ex. 10s to 11s....

paradox

[nostromer]

Well... this is some advice that helped me early on. Not sure if this is for everyone, but here is my 2 cents : P

1. play a style different then that of the previous one, most always. Its good to mix up the set list and keeps it fresh when you haven't played every song yet. (unless your really working on a specific song)

2. go through an entire level of songs (i.e. level 2's, 3's, 4's etc.) and clear every level song that your on, play songs you normally wouldn't. Course mode and dan mode here are to be noted.

3. now work through all songs of that level to hard clear / full combo, or at minimum no less then -100ex from a AA.

4. start using the lane cover (towel) on slower songs, so you can start training your mind to use it for when you'll swear by it later.

5. use random / mirror on songs you already have A's or higher on, and play each chart a couple times. This helps since you know how the flow of the song and notes go, this just works your dexterity and finger positioning.

6. FORCE YOURSELF TO USE THUMBS. At least your right thumb (if your 1p) or your left thumb (if 2p) This is extremely beneficial. In fact, I don't believe its even possible to get passed over half of the 11 charts out there with zero thumb usage.

7. take a session, and work on just getting your ass kicked. play all the songs you can't clear in a row, then go back to the ones you can, and I generally see a great increase in EX.

8. take a different session, and work just on AAA's. If AAA's are far from your grasp still, work on getting closest to it as possible. Timing is everything, so developing good timing early on will allow you to break down charts later much easier (listen to the clicks! they are your friend!)

9. Pinky scratching. I can't stress the importance of this enough. If your serious about IIDX, then eventually you'll want an ASC, and the TT distance is greater then the konami orginal controller.

10. TRAINING MODE. This doesn't help everyone... But training mode has vastly helped me clear many songs. Take a song you can't clear, (probably because of a BS ending) and select the measure, put it on repeat, and put the speed at about around -4. Then keep playing it over and over until you combo it, (or clear comfortably) then increase it to -3 and so on.

11. You OWE it to yourself to play IIDX on a good sound system. I wouldn't personally recommend headphones, as some people do that. (clicks are everything, again.) If your playing on an old monoaural TV, then buy a cheap system for your AV jacks to go through, at the very least. (they are cheap!)

12. If your can't clear a specific mode, Don't think the mod's in the game are alien. Unlike other games where mod's generally make the game harder, the mod's in IIDX are there to help (largely). If you suck at hitting 1+2+3 notes, turn on mirror. It will change the dominant hand. If you can't read a specific stream of notes (i.e. the end of G2 normal 8) turn on random, Try it a few times. you will be amazed. If a song has a bullshit ending (crazy KINO, holic [a], or many others) try turning on HARD. this will allow you to bullshit the ending and still clear it.

13. If you have a JKOC, and it isn't modded, do it. There are tons of threads on how to mod a controller around here. If you have a USKOC, then put waxpaper in the turntable. It will make it super-buttery.

14. It's important to play songs you KNOW you cannot clear. Getting your ass kicked in IIDX is a norm that may be hard to get used too... But think of it like learning a musical instrument. Nobody ever picked up a guitar, and learned how to play eruption. (yet alone tap it out on keys with a funny spinning circle on the side)

15. THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I CAN GIVE.......... Is work into a comfortable playing style. everyone plays IIDX a little differently. have a set "position" your hands can return too while still getting used to other keys. Think of it like a "home row" in typing class. Always have a return position, or a comfortable way to place your hands so you can approach any upcoming notes on a chart. Too many times while learning would I see lots of 1+3+5+7 notes, and move my hands down on the white keys, To get slammed with blue notes on top, and having to THRUST my hands onto the keys. You don't want to get to that point, work into a style gradually thats comfortable so you don't have to LURCH at the key's to hit shit.

- and lastly (i kno rite) IIDX is graceful, you ARE playing music here, so remember to play loose, listen to the music your playing, and don't stay tense. stay focused and relaxed, and let your cerebellum do the work : P

...unless your playing measure 69 on innocent walls [h] & [a].. then its acceptable to throw yourself on top of your controller with a baseball bat

/rant

[_____Cait]

You know what I did, I started on BMUS. It's a GREAT beginner game if you don't have access to the JPN version at first. Then if you think you're up for it, go into the JPN games. And if you want advice on a good starter game, I'd suggest Happy Sky, only because I started on that one in the JPN games. I'd also suggest GOLD, since it has a lot of popular songs and better timing than HS.

Start with songs you actually like/know well. Half of BM is knowing the song anyway, and if you really care for the song, you will want to perform better.

Most people say use thumbs, but I don't... Maybe I should though, because I'm having a difficult time passing 11's.

Another thing is to just start on Normal (Or Training, whatever you want).

High Speed mods are good, they help you see notes better.

That's all I can think of now.

EDIT-

OH, and HEADPHONES. If you can use good headphones, and don't have good sorround systems, use headphones. It makes a big difference.

[Meseki]

Originally Posted by nostromer

2. go through an entire level of songs (i.e. level 2's, 3's, 4's etc.) and clear every level song that your on

I believe this would frustrate some people with some songs. Normal Clearing I Am The One [A], Karma [N] for one-handers, Get on Beat Wild Style [N], Nageki no Ki [N], Contract [N], G2 [N], Colors [H], Solid State Squad [H], Around The Galaxy [A], Trip Machine Phoenix [A], So Fabulous!! [A], and SigSig [A] are some examples of really hard songs to clear for their difficulty from my experience.

[m335h73r of PBJ]

one piece of advice.

If you can't do a song by just barely, before you go the random route, try it on mirror.

It helps alot.

[_____Cait]

Also, sometimes Hard Clear can be easier to pass than Normal Clear (You know, with the regular blue /red bars)

[nostromer]

Originally Posted by The Italian Stallion

one piece of advice.

If you can't do a song by just barely, before you go the random route, try it on mirror.

It helps alot.

^ this man speaks truth.

[VeliusIIDX]

smoking joints and drinking before playing helps alot IMO

[nostromer]

Originally Posted by VeliusIIDX

smoking joints and drinking before playing helps alot IMO

Its funny, if I smoke and play, it seems my timing goes to shit, but my bullshitting skills go up, so I can clear harder songs for some reason : S.

[VeliusIIDX]

Also, stop going on bemanistyle and looking up ways to get better and play the game.

[Trick]

Originally Posted by otaku1313

anyone who can AAA 11s knows that; random, sudden+, hat, how to do this or that pattern efficiently, and that sort of thing.

Blanket statement.

I can AAA a good number of 11s but I rarely ever use random and find hat completely unhelpful.

The advice to just play IS the best advice you can give -- as you practice, you'll find your own intricate techniques that will help YOU get better. Telling someone to place their fingers in one particular pattern will more likely than not just frustrate them. Sure, things like random can help in the long run, but they certainly aren't necessary.

[Lentic]

Originally Posted by otaku1313

random, sudden+, hat.

Maybe I'm just being really dumb here, but what is "hat"?