t-ds practice [Archive] - tetrisconcept

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Yokay

08-17-2007, 02:07 PM

I'm a long time forum lurker, and recently I got back into the whole tetris ds thing. I'm starting to run into a cap around 7300 where i can beat all the players lower than me, but stand little chance against 7400+ players.

A quick note on my play style, I think I play relatively slow, but I make decent use of t-spin singles and doubles whenever possible.

So really this goes out to the high rated players. What are some good ways to improve speed in t-ds (I feel like I'm held back by the clumsiness of the d-pad), and do any of you use t-spin triples in competitive play?

caffeine

08-17-2007, 05:57 PM

concentrate on playing faster. and review general technique (http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/../wiki/index.php?title=General_technique).

DIGITAL

08-17-2007, 07:36 PM

These articles are also good to review thoroughly.

Multiplayer Techniques (http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/../wiki/index.php?title=Multiplayer_Techniques) - This article reviews some general techniques necessary for survival and ultimately for winning.

TDS Movement Finesse (http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/../finesse.txt) - If you find yourself misdropping a lot, read through this article. This article describes the most efficient movements to get a piece whereever.

T-Spin Methods (http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/../wiki/index.php?title=T-Spin_methods) - Perhaps the largest compilation of T-Spins ever. You'll be spending quite a lot of time here absorbing diagrams.

Twists (http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/../wiki/index.php?title=Twist) - Complicated but priceless when you pull them off in a game in tight spots and proceed to win.

As for T-Spin Triples, I use them only in friendly games. For competitive play, it's much better to chain T-Spin Singles, T-Spin Doubles, and Tetrises together. The Back-to-Back bonuses of those other line clears make T-Spin Triples too slow.

Yokay

08-17-2007, 11:08 PM

I'm stunned by the depth of these articles.

Thanks for the advice.

fnord

08-17-2007, 11:57 PM

I'm a long time forum lurker, and recently I got back into the whole tetris ds thing. I'm starting to run into a cap around 7300 where i can beat all the players lower than me, but stand little chance against 7400+ players.
For some reason, I can beat most of the players above me, but I can't beat players in the 6,900s. Probably because of that horrible rating-weighted garbage system.

So really this goes out to the high rated players. What are some good ways to improve speed in t-ds (I feel like I'm held back by the clumsiness of the d-pad), and do any of you use t-spin triples in competitive play?

Sometimes I'll use TSTs at the beginning of a match, I know how to set them up in the middle of a match, but it's just too slow, so I rarely do. I mostly use TSDs in the middle of a match, don't use TSSs that much.

Josh

08-22-2007, 09:44 AM

My play style is odd, and I don't know if anyone else does this, but it REALLY works for me.

What I do is use my peripheral vision and focus only on the colors of the pieces(and remember what they stand for). I don't look directly at the next pieces..I just kinda have most of my attention focused on that and at the same time glancing at the play field. Well it works for me at least...The only problem is in 4 player games when someone uses a Boo..it kinda throws me off for a bit but I recover.

I just focus on doing tetrises as fast as possible and the occasional t-spin double or single when I see the chance for it. I dont try to set those up intentionally..I just let them come to me when I see them. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

Haha the only time I do t-spin triples is in friend games or against people in 2 player games that move too slow.

DIGITAL

08-22-2007, 10:46 AM

Yes, utilizing peripheral vision to recognize the preview is the key to playing fast. If you don't, having the ghost option will also aid this cause immensely. The Boo also slows me down but my stacking remains relatively stable. You can anticipate upcoming pieces by stacking "flat" enough to accomodate whatever the 7 piece bag throws at you.

T-Spins are essential to victory and you'll definitely need to pull them off intentionally sooner or later. There are many situations you can memorize by heart in order to set one up in a flash when the preview allows.

Josh

08-23-2007, 02:22 AM

I swear the Boo hurts me more than any other item. But at the same time I'm glad it's included in the game..gives me more chances to get better.

And I know I realize I need to use t-spins more often. That might be my biggest problem I need to work on. I think that might be the reason why I could never seem to maintain a rating greater than 7350. It's just gonna take more practice to get used to it I guess.

Woo..can't wait to get this game again. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

tepples

08-23-2007, 02:38 AM

I swear the Boo hurts me more than any other item. But at the same time I'm glad it's included in the game..gives me more chances to get better.

Boo to me just means press the hold piece button more often. The item that hurts me is lightning.

DIGITAL

08-23-2007, 06:47 AM

Yeah, the lightning item is very unfair because its duration is too long. The developers could have at least given players an alternative method to deal with the effect other than just by using hold and/or resetting the lock delay by moving left and right. The option of ending the effect by dropping three pieces or so would have been nice.

Rosti LFC

08-23-2007, 03:14 PM

The lightning only really hurts if you're at the top of the screen or if it's combined with the mushroom. Mushroom is bad luck, being at the top of the screen is bad play on your part.

The bananas can be pretty devastating. Especially if you'd stacked high on one side, and not the other, as it'll tend to leave you with around three columns requiring I-pieces. It messes up t-spin setups too.

Against good players, the worst item to get it with is the star, because it usually means you'll be hit with about 14 lines of garbage pretty quickly.

I find Boo hurts me quite badly, because I don't use the ghost piece. Especially if I have something I want to keep in my hold box.

On 2-player, I'd say you're better off just concentrating on speed, t-spin doubles, and then more complicated setups once you've mastered doubles.

On 4-player, there's a bit more strategy, most importantly keeping your stack as low as possible, and momentarily checking other players' screens to pick up things.

On push there's technique too, but I can't help with that because I don't know it.

tepples

08-23-2007, 05:54 PM

The lightning only really hurts if you're at the top of the screen or if it's combined with the mushroom. Mushroom is bad luck, being at the top of the screen is bad play on your part.
Then how does one counteract getting lightning + tetris + tetris + T-Spin double?

On push there's technique too, but I can't help with that because I don't know it.

In push, what works for me is to cover up any holes between your and then make as many L triples as you can.

DIGITAL

08-23-2007, 07:38 PM

On push there's technique too, but I can't help with that because I don't know it.
In push, what works for me is to cover up any holes between your and then make as many L triples as you can.

Platform and Tetris FTW.

Rosti LFC

08-23-2007, 10:00 PM

The lightning only really hurts if you're at the top of the screen or if it's combined with the mushroom. Mushroom is bad luck, being at the top of the screen is bad play on your part.
Then how does one counteract getting lightning + tetris + tetris + T-Spin double?

Use a star before they can use the lightning http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

Generally though, lightnings don't hurt you unless it's 1 vs 1. When there's four players, then there's only actually one player who is free to rotate and to hit you with garbage.

tepples

08-23-2007, 11:32 PM

Then how does one counteract getting lightning + tetris + tetris + T-Spin double?

Use a star before they can use the lightning http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif
Then how do I get the star before my opponent gets the lightning? Do I have to just out-TPM the other three players? And how do I know what they have?

Generally though, lightnings don't hurt you unless it's 1 vs 1. When there's four players, then there's only actually one player who is free to rotate and to hit you with garbage.

Unless I get the lightning right after a big block of garbage.

DIGITAL

08-24-2007, 12:48 AM

Unless I get the lightning right after a big block of garbage.

It can be quite devastating if someone gets a star while you're stuck in lightning, especially with 3 players or less remaining. A good star user would be able to pull off 3 tetrises on average and even more if they had nicely aligned garbage in the first place. If you're down low, 14 lines of garbage will significantly raise your chances of losing. 9 lines if you're midfield. Once you're up there, even if you survived the lightning, you most likely won't have enough time to get back down before the next tetris puts you back up.

Rosti LFC

08-24-2007, 03:51 PM

There is also the fact that if you're adequate enough, or the orientations are kind (the hold button also gives you an additional orientation), the lightning doesn't actually have to stop you from putting pieces down and/or clearing lines.

Amnesia

08-28-2007, 02:37 AM

Rosti LFC

08-28-2007, 02:48 AM

I am wondering why I am unable to increase a rating over 7000.. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cry.gifhttp://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cry.gifhttp://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cry.gif
At 6700, I begin to meet some very resisting players..
Is it because of my very bad knowledge of triple-T-spin? Or am I really bad??

And is it usefull to play the fast we can?
I often win in playing VERY slowly.. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

T-spin triples aren't so useful as t-spin doubles. I find they are the ones that get used most frequently.

As for playing slow... on 2-player there's no real advantage to it that I can see. On 4-player there is, as it can be part of a strategy, but that's a bit different.

Playing flat-out isn't always the best option. You want to play a speed that is as fast as possible, while ensuring you're playing slow enough to make sure every piece goes where you want it to go and you don't make mistakes.

DIGITAL

08-28-2007, 02:58 AM

I am wondering why I am unable to increase a rating over 7000.. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cry.gifhttp://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cry.gifhttp://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cry.gif
At 6700, I begin to meet some very resisting players..
Is it because of my very bad knowledge of triple-T-spin? Or am I really bad??

And is it usefull to play the fast we can?
I often win in playing VERY slowly.. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

Perhaps you're stuck with the TGM mindframe of stacking. In TDS, it is extremely vital to not overstack. You have to anticipate garbage and stack accordingly or prepare to switch columns after a line clear. But solely striving to not overstack is not a winning strategy as it's a defensive maneuver. You have to learn to layer T-Spin Singles, T-Spin Doubles, and Tetrises in a way that opens the next column. Basically, you want to keep the Back-to-Back bonus while clearing garbage.

PetitPrince

08-28-2007, 08:28 PM

jujube

08-30-2007, 08:51 AM

go for the triple! http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif attack when the situation is right http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif
OOOOOOOOOOOO
O� �IIII� �O
O� � � � � O
O� � � � � O
O� � � � � O
O� � � � � O
OXXXX XXXX O
OXXXXXXXXX O
OXXXXXXXXX O
OXXXXXXXXX O
OXXXX XXXXXO
OX XXXXXXXXO
OX XXXXXXXXO
OX XXXXXXXXO
OX XXXXXXXXO

...or stack exactly 4 rows high over a hole http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif

che_lives

08-30-2007, 09:23 AM

Poochy

08-30-2007, 11:19 AM

Rating-weighted garbage system? Huh?

Also, I've found that a lot of TGM strategies are horrible for TDS - they're practically completely different games. Of course, I figured that out only after dropping a couple hundred ranking points on TDS because I made a habit of Zangi-moves and firm-drop twists, both of which work great in TGM but are annoyingly slow in TDS because there's no firm drop.

Amnesia

08-30-2007, 01:02 PM

Amnesia wrote:
I am wondering why I am unable to increase a rating over 7000..

Mental block: you haven't raised my rating over 7000 .

Yeah but at this period, it was a problem of mastering of SRS..

Later I played better with Sy on his DS, and I have been blocked between 6800 and 7000..

I am definitely a member of the ARS..

Rosti LFC

08-30-2007, 05:04 PM

SRS shouldn't really make much difference once you've got used to the piece movement during rotation.

Still, for speed you do need to be adequate with rotating both ways, and know which way to go, especially with the S, Z and I pieces.

A real key to getting a high rating is consistency. You have to be able to win 20 consecutive games to start getting the rating high and keeping it there. It helps if you can weigh up an opponent and play only as fast as you need to. There's no point trying to go flat-out for speed when you're playing against someone below 6000. All you'll risk doing there is misdropping a few times, and losing.

Work out how fast you need to be, and play at that speed. If you're playing 100% for speed but misdropping every tenth piece or so, you'll be a lot slower than if you'd gone for 70 or 80 percent.

T-spin doubles are also a big step around the 7000 rating. Don't worry about triples or more complex setups. Either the player you're against will be too fast for you to pull them off, or you're playing someone slow enough for you to beat without using them. The more complex setups only really help to advance your rating when you're already at the 7500 mark and are fast enough to pull them off without dying first (or soon afterwards due to the messed-up field they tend to leave).

Doubles however, are extremely useful simple because they come up so frequently without much to set up. Get the shape of the setup drilled into your head, and learn to spot chances to create it. Don't force them though. Only use them when they're useful. If you have to wait more than 5 pieces to either set it up or to get a t-piece, then it isn't worth it, because you'll have to stack around the setup for too long, and you'll have poor stack left once you've done it. T-spin doubles are useful because they're a quick and easy way to send 4 lines, so make sure you only do them when they are quick and easy.

For 4-player, don't bother playing fast to start with. Concentrate on how you stack, making sure you stay as low as possible, regardless of whether it involves clearing tetrises, and take a bit of time to monitor the top screen. You can't just concentrate on your own game.

Watch players and you can firstly see if anyone is targeting you (you can usually notice this when you seem to be getting large amounts of garbage from the same numbered player). If they are, target them right back and kill them off early. It'll remove the threat, and also lose them points as revenge for targeting you.

It also helps to notice when someone has a star item. For starters, don't use weapons in this time (except the red shell) because they won't have any effect on them. You should also brace yourself if they're stacking high, because there's a good chance you're going to get a lot of garbage in a short space of time. Clear right down to the bottom (gives a greater chance that the garbage line will be open when you get it) and counter it if you can.

tepples

08-30-2007, 05:10 PM

Try these in order against the CPU: 3 consecutive wins on level 1 3 consecutive wins on level 2 3 consecutive wins on level 3 3 consecutive wins on level 4 Win once on level 5 10 consecutive wins on level 4 3 consecutive wins on level 5 What step are you on?

Rosti LFC

08-30-2007, 07:44 PM

That's a pretty good idea tepples.

It might just be me, but I find the Level 5 CPU to be quite erratic. Sometimes I'll beat it in a few seconds, other times I'll lose without feeling like I've played any worse.

Playing and beating the level 5 CPU before you play wifi is a good way to make sure you're up to scratch before you go online. Stops you losing a load of points in your first few games because you're not playing well.

tepples

08-30-2007, 08:39 PM

I've still only completed step 5.

It might just be me, but I find the Level 5 CPU to be quite erratic. Sometimes I'll beat it in a few seconds, other times I'll lose without feeling like I've played any worse.

I've played worldwide opponents who were just the same way.

Rosti LFC

08-30-2007, 08:44 PM

It might just be me, but I find the Level 5 CPU to be quite erratic. Sometimes I'll beat it in a few seconds, other times I'll lose without feeling like I've played any worse.
I've played worldwide opponents who were just the same way.

That's a good point I suppose.

DIGITAL

08-31-2007, 04:00 AM

caffeine

08-31-2007, 04:22 AM

boooring. who wants to play a cpu that much?

jujube

08-31-2007, 04:25 AM

not me, unless i could win 69 in a row http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif who did that and where did you here about it digital?

DIGITAL

08-31-2007, 04:28 AM

I forgot who it was exactly, but it was a player on 2ch. as7 told me about it.

tepples

08-31-2007, 05:20 AM

7. 3 consecutive wins on level 5

What step are you on?
Hehe, surely there are levels past 7?

My implication was that the level past 7 is 7500+ on worldwide.

Rosti LFC

08-31-2007, 06:14 AM

My implication was that the level past 7 is 7500+ on worldwide.

Probably.

There's a different between being able to beat it 3 times once, and being able to do it regularly though.

jujube

08-31-2007, 06:23 AM

yeah...what about winning 10 out of 20 on level 5? that kind of consistency would most likely put you at 7500.

Rosti LFC

08-31-2007, 03:23 PM

yeah...what about winning 10 out of 20 on level 5? that kind of consistency would most likely put you at 7500.

No.

That kind of consistency is at least 7750. For 20 wins it's probably closer to 8000.

DIGITAL

09-01-2007, 02:42 AM

You must be kidding Rosti. I've beaten CPU5 about 30 times consecutively before and I'm still not at 8k.

Rosti LFC

09-01-2007, 06:02 AM

You must be kidding Rosti. I've beaten CPU5 about 30 times consecutively before and I'm still not at 8k.

Really?

I've honestly never played against the CPU that many times in a row. I'll do five then get bored.

I'm not sure I could get 30 though. Well, I probably could if I played enough. There isn't a 4p bot http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif