Reversals Strategy
It is possible to reverse a:
Low attack by pressing Down/Away + X.
Mid-level punch by pressing Away + X.
Mid-level kick by pressing Forward + X.
High attack or jumping attack by pressing Up/Away + X.
Do not rely on just reversals. In prior games in the series, you could count on a fair percentage of your damage coming from reversals, however their impact has been somewhat slimmed down in Dead Or Alive 4. They do less damage than before; use them more as an effective stop to your opponent’s attacks, as opposed to the primary source of your own damage dealing.
If you’re reversal timing seems off, it is probably because you have roughly half the time available to successfully counter an attack as you did before. There is just a fraction of a second now to pull off a reversal. Use Sparring mode to practice your reversal timing if you are having trouble with it.
A successful reversal paralyzes your opponent. They are unable to do anything for a second or two, making them vulnerable to ground attacks. Make sure you have your character’s ground specific attacks (for example, Jann Lee’s stomp) memorized so you can take full advantage of the opportunity.
Context-sensitivity strategy
Use the environments to your advantage by not just knocking someone through a window or down a staircase, but also by employing context-sensitive actions. For example, you can leap over a barrier towards an opponent and lay down a special attack, use special acrobatic moves off of walls, and context-sensitive throws near hillsides and stairways. You need to practice extensively with your favorite characters to make good and strategic use of these moves, but they are worth the extra effort.
Patterns strategy
Recognizing patterns does a lot for you. Online players tend to fall in love with specific combos, which can be thwarted at the beginning by beating them to the punch (or kick), or countered at the end with a reversal since the last move can usually be predicted.
Make sure to mix things up as much as possible. Remember, many combos start out the same but can end very differently. Try to make sure you change up not only your combos, but the ends of each combo to keep your enemy on their toes.
Separate Entities Strategy
Each fighter offers their own unique style. Do not think that just because you are dominant with Bayman that you will find equal success with Bass (or Spartan-458, for that matter). Treat each character as separate entities and you will find more success.
Sparring Strategy
Use Sparring mode to learn each characters strengths and weaknesses, and master their litany of combos. You can choose any stage you have unlocked and spar against any character you want, but you can also set specific actions for your opponent to undertake and even select which stance they use. You can also go through each combo one by one, setting the game up so it ticks each combo and move off the list as you successfully complete it.