After my recent run at Tavern Brawl 19, I've been reflecting a lot on what goes into building a solid fighting game roster. It's not just about picking your favorite characters; it's about synergy, matchup coverage, and mastering their unique mechanics. For me, preparing for a tournament like this means really digging deep into my character pool, or as some call it, my 'roster strategy.' In Marvel Vs Capcom 3, my go-to team was Dante, Vergil, and Wesker. This trio offers incredible pressure, mix-ups, and comeback potential. Dante's versatility with his various weapons, Vergil's devastating damage output and sword projectiles, combined with Wesker's quick movement and command grabs, felt like a strong offensive lineup. Even though the stats show a tough 7th/9 finish with 0 wins and 2 losses, resulting in a 0% set win rate, the experience was invaluable. My seed was 7, and I definitely learned a lot about optimizing my assists and DHCs under pressure. Sometimes, even with a strong character roster, execution on the day makes all the difference! Moving onto Tekken 8, I decided to stick with my mainstays, Devil Jin and Heihachi. These two are powerhouses known for their aggressive, punishing playstyles. Devil Jin's aerial combos and pressure, paired with Heihachi's electrifying fujin steps and command grabs, make for a very intimidating presence. However, the competition was fierce, and I ended up 17th/19 with 0 wins and 2 losses, another 0% set win rate from my seed of 19. Tekken 8's new mechanics mean adapting is key, and while I love my roster, I realize there's always more room to refine my game plan against different opponent styles. It's a journey, not a destination, right? Street Fighter 6 was another arena where I experimented with different archetypes. My chosen roster included Zangief and Akuma. Zangief, the iconic grappler, is all about getting those big damage throws and psychological pressure. Akuma, on the other hand, provides a more traditional shoto style with powerful fireballs, dragon punches, and demon flips. The goal was to have a character for zoning and a character for getting in close. I managed to secure 1 win against 2 losses, giving me a 33.33% set win rate and finishing 17th/30 from a seed of 16. That single win felt great and showed that my character choices have potential, even when the overall results didn't reflect my best performance. It truly highlights the importance of adapting your game plan with your chosen roster. Building and refining your personal fighting game roster is an ongoing process. It’s about understanding your strengths, shoring up your weaknesses, and constantly practicing with your chosen characters. Every tournament, every match, whether it's a win or a tough loss, teaches you something new about your characters and yourself as a player. The Tavern Brawl series is fantastic for putting these rosters to the test, and I'm already thinking about adjustments for the next one!