Build a Combat Deck
Don't make a predictable deck; decks that have the same moves (for example, punch, jab hook) although useful for the first time, are easily identifiable when used in succession. Mix it up with your deck.
Go through the moves you have unlocked and look at the essentials: Timing of the attack, the damage of the attack and what position you finish in.
Have your deck flow through itself to have the maximum amount of damage output. Don't just stick with the same combo, repeating itself over and over. Have your deck flow from one combo to another, until it does a full circle - enough to make your opponent confused on what attack you're going to do next.
Kicks and punches won't always work together; having a low kick into a high kick into a regular kick is far too slow and won't catch your opponent by surprise. Start with a fast strike first to make your combo all the more unpredictable.
Variety, power and flow. These are the key components of building a combat deck that works for you. Here are some tips on how to make a combat deck:
Variety. Like the last point, mix it up attack from multiple different angles. Right, Left, Above, Below. Don't go for three right strikes, as your opponent will recognise it and move out of the way in no time.
Fight to Learn New Skills
The black circles with white shadows that appear during combat are a good thing. When the circles fill up you learn a new skill or a new stance. So keep on fighting to learn new skills. Remember that the bar only fillsup when you defend against these attacks using blocking, dodging or your
special ability.
Permanently Unlocking Styles
To keep a style after leaving the school, you need to master it, although the process of doing so is quite a grind. Mastering a style requires you to use the style's unique defensive technique (avoid for windfall, parry for forsaken, absorb for khalt, and defensive attacks for stagger) to protect against oncoming attacks. successfully using the defense will fill up a meter similarly to learning new moves.
The easiest way to do this solo is to find an enemy with a consistant and predictable attack pattern, and focusing on landing the defense. With windfall and forsaken style it is posible to fully master the style with only one enemy, because they do not require you to hurt the enemy or take damage. Alternatively, you can have a friend use predictable moves that you can consistantly defend against. The experience you earn works like learning a new move; you will only keep it if you kill the enemy. Once you have mastered the style, you can change schools without any worry of losing access to it.
Build a Combat Deck...