Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2: Baiken & Answer Movelists and Patch Notes from the First Location Test

The gates to the first weekend location test for Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 have opened, and a ton of information is pouring out from the players. Thankfully, Arc System Works published an official patch note list, alongside move lists for every character. Not only are we able to read the move lists for Baiken and Answer–the new characters–and see a couple of new moves for other candidates, but we also can see detailed notes individual cast member changes.

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What’s notable for Baiken is her new counter move, doable out of blockstun or on its own and in the air. Currently, it’s inputted the same way as Blitz Shield, so the Blitz input for her is different: P+HS or K+HS. She has a new Overdrive out of the counter move. Suzuran–the running block–allows her to cancel into other moves. The Baiken Discord is actively compiling specific Baiken information as it becomes available, usually through tweets from Japanese players.

In Answer’s case, throwing a business card on the ground lets him move to them or launch a clone. He also leaves scrolls: 214 and any button set two scrolls somewhere on the screen, which give Answer a lot of utility. When he gets close enough, he’ll cling to them, and then he can do a counter attack, teleport to them with sliding attacks, do a downward kick, jump forward, do a charging move, or another counter. Here’s the compiled Answer move list by Pssych.

This image shows where the scrolls get positioned:

Here are the official patch notes translated by the community. KEEP IN MIND: these changes aren’t final. They are subject to change.

SYSTEM CHANGES

Roman Cancels

  • Time until Purple Roman Cancel comes out has been decreased.
  • Input buffer during RC has been enlarged.

Ground and Air Blitz Shield

  • Ground and Air Blitz Shield is now possible to cancel into from normals.

Charged Blitz Attack

  • In case of charged blitz attack being canceled into, forced proration will be applied.
  • The first usage in a combo functions like normal. Afterwards, the wallstick property is removed, and replaced with a normal blowback effect which has decreased untech time.

Danger Time

  • At start of Danger Time, both players gain an amount of tension.

Misc.

  • Various visual effects have been modified, such as alternate camera angles on attacks hitting.

SOL BADGUY

  • 5K startup slower.
  • 6H does not knockdown on normal grounded hit. Normal hit effect.
  • Wild Throw does not come out if a 7/8/9 input is included in the command.
  • Gun Flame Feint is now affected by dash momentum.
  • Dragon Install Gun Flame is now affected by dash momentum.
  • Dragon Install Ground Viper: the flames caused by Sol’s travel will always knock the opponent toward Sol.

KY KISKE

  • 6HS changed to a new move.
  • If 5D is YRC’d before the hitbox manifests, the attack will still appear as a mid projectile.
  • The Stun Edge projectile no longer fluctuates in size as it travels.

MAY

  • 6P retains upper body invincibility while charging.
  • May recovers airborne after Overhead Kiss.
  • Window for canceling Dolphin Ride into normal has been increased.

MILLIA RAGE

  • jH changed to a new move.
  • Input reception buffer on roll follow-ups increased.
  • Digitalis startup faster, untech time increased.
  • pin motion and untech time changed.
  • H pin added, motion is j214H.
  • Bad Moon gains additional properties when done above a certain height.
  • Secret garden hitbox appears later.
  • Chroming Roses disappear on hit.

ZATO=1

  • jD CH made to only wall-stick at stage corner, CH untech time shortened.
  • Invite Hell proximity guard range reduced.
  • Shadow Gallery first hit knocks back lower, second hit wall bounces.
  • Shadow Gallery creates a puddle on startup.
  • Break the Law creates a puddle.
  • Shadow Puddle (summon > HS) creates a puddle.
  • Great White is now possible without Eddie having to be summoned, knockback direction changed.

POTEMKIN

  • Crouching animation changed, hitbox lowered.
  • Crouching guard animation changed, hitbox lowered.
  • Air throw untech time increased.
  • Heat Knuckle attack priority increased, knocks back higher.
  • FDB (flick) can now be held down and released as a charge version. For the charged version, releasing the button will create a hitbox that reflects both projectiles AND attacks.
  • Trishula input has been changed to 214K.

CHIPP ZANUFF

  • Wall cling cancel from special move occurs automatically if button is held after the special move input.
  • Opponent flies farther after Shinkirou CH.
  • Shinkirou now receives dash momentum.
  • Ground alpha now receives dash momentum.
  • Alpha plus ch effect changed to ground tumble.
  • Shuriken damage increased NINEFOLD (ed. note — this means it went from doing 1 damage to 9)

FAUST

  • Hitting enemy projectiles with the bat reflects them, not as themselves but as a unique projectile (Faust turns the enemy projectile into a baseball).
  • Some of Faust’s items now have jackpot effects. (ed. note — they have a chance to turn into a much better item.)

AXL LOW

  • 5P and 5H have bigger cancel windows.
  • Aerial version of 6K and 2S.
  • If Sparrowhawk Stance attack is blocked, can’t cancel into another.
  • Major changes to Sparrowhawk’s startup, hitboxes, and hurtboxes.
  • If Axl doesn’t attack for a while in stance, Sparrowhawk becomes unblockable.

VENOM

  • Stinger Aim will backspin balls if 2 is held after the command. Otherwise, it will topspin.
  • Carcass Raid will backspin balls if 4 is held after the command. Otherwise, it will topspin.
  • Red Hail faster, arc changed.
  • 2HS is completely new.

SLAYER

  • Changed the timing of when 2S’s hitbox changes. Hitbox improved during active frames.
  • The next special move performed for a certain time after landing command grab will always be a counter hit.

I-NO

  • Angled hoverdash (3 during hoverdash) moves on a different angle.
  • fS can be YRC’d and the hitbox of the chord will still manifest.
  • 6H(2) has a vacuum effect on air hit.
  • 5D can be YRC’d and the hitbox of the sound will still manifest. This projectile will not be an overhead.
  • jH is no longer CH state recovery.
  • Sterilization Method no longer has a throw hitbox behind Ino.

BEDMAN

  • Forward dash counter window shortened, overall duration also shortened. Speed increased.
  • Hurtbox during the later frames of backdash increased.
  • Crouching guard hurtbox size decreased.
  • 2H and 3H now cause a normal hit effect on ground normal hit (no more float. 1H is not mentioned.)
  • 6H replaced with a new move.
  • jP hurtbox increased.
  • Follow up is possible after RCing air grab.
  • Deja Vu can be activated in the air.

RAMLETHAL VALENTINE

  • Martelli – New move. Command is 236S while S sword is equipped.
  • Forpelli – New move. Command is 236H while H sword is equipped. Can be done as a followup to Martelli.

SIN KISKE

  • Decreased backdash invulnerability.
  • No jump cancel on 6P but increased untech time.
  • You can regain more calorie gauge from eating by mashing HS.
  • Leap can now be canceled into specials while rising.

ELPHELT VALENTINE

  • Defense modifier slightly increased (she takes more damage).
  • 5H can be special canceled even during its followups.
  • 5H follow ups have had their attack level lowered, no knockdown.
  • jS hitbox reduced.
  • jH hitbox increased.
  • Shotgun H (uncharged) causes more pushback.
  • Rifle must be charged longer to become unblockable.

LEO WHITEFANG

  • 6P upper body invulerability has been removed.
  • 6P now has mid armor (unclear if this is super armor in the style of Potemkin’s Hammerfall, or guard point).
  • All gatling routes to 6P save from 5P and 2P removed.
  • Blowback effect on hit greatly increased.
  • Increased hurtbox on 5HS.

JOHNNY

  • Mist Finer during Baccus Sigh does some guaranteed damage even if FD’d (previously was all chip damage), also no pushback if blocked.
  • Zweihander’s attack level has been reduced.

JACK-O’

  • Level 1/2 servants can be killed in one hit.
  • Explosion cooldown reduced.
  • Servants are invincible during explosion countdown.

JAM KURADOBERI

  • Parry can now cancel into P follow up immediately.
  • Not inputting 6 before the input will make it come out at the normal timing.
  • Hyapposhinshou blowback effect stronger.
  • Renhoukyaku (puffball Overdrive) has increased throw invulnerability.

RAVEN

  • 6P is no longer jump cancelable.
  • 236HS now has a different number of hits based on excitement.
  • 236S has a different startup based on excitement level.

KUM HAEHYUN

  • 623K4 now has a more lenient input time; you can now slightly delay the 4 input and still get that version.
  • More blowback on 236K4 hit.

DIZZY

  • Hurtboxes on various normals have been decreased in size.
  • j.P and j.K now gatling into j.D.
  • 2S now floats on ground counterhit.
  • 2S sends opponents at a different angle on air hit.
  • Bubbles will now bounce off the boundaries of the stage.
  • 236S and 236H will not go off screen.
  • 421S and 421H have changed hitstop.
  • 421S and 421H have a larger hitbox.
  • 421S now rises faster after startup.
  • 421H has a higher attack level for the second spear.
  • Air S and H fish hitboxes come out faster.
  • D fish will now also track the opponent vertically when performing the follow-up attack.
  • Bugfix where Burst Imperial Ray did not always properly give burst meter.

Remember to treat this akin to a “PTR”–a Public Test Realm, like Blizzard does for its games–that allows the company to gather feedback and see how the changes go. It’s very likely that there will be a second one… and often, some of the changes get reverted to their original state.

Big, big thanks to the community members who got on translating the changes for the characters: Bears, Brett, breadsticks!, Fahadouken, and Pssych, with edits by Silva.

As usual, stay tuned to SRK as more information about the latest happenings in Guilty Gear come up!

To read about the changes yourself, here are the official REV 2 Character Move Lists and the REV 2 Patch Notes. For some screenshots of Baiken and Answer, check out our coverage of the latest Famitsu issue.

Sources: Translated Document: Bears, Brett, breadsticks!, Fahadouken, and Pssych; @GREATFERNMAN; @d2ftaxi; Arc System Works; English Move List images uploaded by @Shinjin and @Baf0

Famitsu Gives Us a Closer Look at Baiken and Answer from Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2

The Arc System Works’ gears keep on turning as more details continue to pop up on Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2. The latest issue of Famitsu offered up more info about the returning samurai Baiken, and the ninja Answer, both featured in -REVELATOR-‘s story mode. There are also additional images that reveal a few more details about changes for the rest of the cast.

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Baiken, voiced by Mayumi Asamo, is a Japanese swordswoman touched by tragedy when Gears killed her loved ones during the Crusades. Since then, she has sworn revenge on That Man, believing him to be the culprit.

As the Famitsu Guilty Gear leak told, Baiken has a couple of new moves, and the attention is drawn to her new counter move, Azami. She takes a stance to negate an incoming attack, and then she can use a couple of follow-up options to counter accordingly. Azami can be used while blocking in the air or on the ground. Her Tatami Gaeshi move also returns (air and ground), as well as her “running block,” Suzuran, where she charges forward while blocking incoming moves.

Click to view slideshow.

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Answer, seen in -REVELATOR-‘s Story Mode, is Chipp Zanuff’s Chief of Staff. Called “The Human Database,” he’s a genius who doesn’t ever forget anything. He taught himself ninjutsu, and he utilizes business cards and scrolls to begin his offensive. Intellininpou: Ringi no Sho sets a scroll in the air that Answer can follow up with special move, like Intellininpou: Musha Sabi, which charges at the opponent. He can also move from scroll to scroll.

Click to view slideshow.

In the current issue of Famitsu, there’s also an interview with General Director Daisuke Ishiwatari and Director Akira Katano. There are additional images on it that show what looks like a new move for Ramlethal.

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Stay tuned to Shoryuken as the location tests happen later this week for Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2.

Sources: Famitsu.com with Gematsu translation; @shinjinbaiken; @HDKirin

GunFrame App Now Includes BlazBlue: Central Fiction Frame Data

How many frames exactly are those Es overheads? You haven’t played against a Taokaka player recently, how will you quickly digest her info before the match? And how much health does Tager have again?

If these or any number of other questions cross your mind regularly when delving into Arc System Works’ latest BlazBlue game, you’ll be better equipped for that local, regional, or major if have GunFrame on your phone or tablet. On it, you can view detailed data for every character in the cast of Central Fiction, from Amane to Valkenhayn. Every detail matters: their health, combo rate, jump startup, backdash properties, and of course, the breakdown of every move.

Similar in function to the other games available on the app, users can take personal notes on every match-up in the game. There are also a few visual customization options and purchasable themes.

The GunFrame app also includes Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- frame data, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core +R, and Under Night: In-Birth.

Surprise your friends by accurately remembering obscure frame data points after downloading GunFrame for free from the Google Play Store.

Source: Google Play Store

Famitsu Leak Reveals a Few Answers, Details on Baiken, and Balance Changes in Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2

The recent announcement about Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2, an upcoming update to -REVELATOR-, has the fans bristling with anticipation for new story content, rebalancing of the cast, and characters Baiken and Answer. A few details about REV 2 escaped from under the lid as a rewrite of a Famitsu article page surfaced on the internet before the magazine’s next publication.

In line with the Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 announcement, the arcade version is slated for Spring 2017. The console releases aren’t nailed yet, but as we know, PlayStation 3 and Steam will only have digital upgrades, while PS4 users can get a standalone physical copy (but also a digital upgrade). Reportedly, REV 2 will be priced at 2,000 yen to jump from -REVELATOR- (approximately $20).

The Story Mode content is supposed to be fairly extensive, though not quite as long as -REVELATOR-‘s cinematic narrative. There are no brand new modes, but Network Mode will get a performance tune-up. Some characters are slated to receive new moves, like Ramlethal, while Axl and Faust get some reworks to their toolset. There will be more randomness to Faust’s items–his bomb will have a chance to explode into fireworks. Axl’s Haitaka (Sparrowhawk) Stance will be significantly changed. Potemkin’s crouching hurtbox is lowered, and his crouching looks shorter as well.

As for Answer, the Business Ninja, there’s a few details on his gameplay flow. He throws around scrolls and business cards. He then utilizes them for fast pressure, either teleporting to the business cards or launching shadow clones from them. Scrolls allow some special moves. When it comes to the Lone Samurai Baiken, it’s a little harder to grasp her changes–the translation says that overall, she’s much more simplified in comparison to her past versions. The only guard cancel move she has is called Azami, used anytime while blocking on the ground and in the air. It sounds like after using Azami, she may be able to ad-lib and go into her regular special moves.

Keep in mind that this early leak may not be entirely accurate, or completely disproved. While we’re all hungry for details about Guilty Gear, there’s sure to be official information and hopefully footage from Famitsu and the upcoming loketests soon. The loketests start on January 20th.

Read up on the translated REV 2 leak on Evernote.

Sources: Evernote; original post; translation by @GREATFERNMAN

Unleash Your Inner Beast with This Valkenhayn BlazBlue: Central Fiction Tutorial

As BlazBlue: Central Fiction properly acclimated in the United States very recently, there’s still plenty of time to decide on another main or to consider a sub character. Since the cast is so large, it also pays off to learn another character just to get acquainted with their options.

Valkenhayn R. Hellsing is a character that intimidates most people, whether it comes to piloting the Hero or fighting him. He’s considered one of the stronger characters, considering the BlazBlue tier list by SKD. His wolf form allows quick traversal on the screen and to attack in an unpredictable manner, making it very difficult to react and block correctly. A good way to get started on controlling the character is by getting into his combos. BlackJaguarXD compiled a useful combo tutorial video which tells exactly how to perform a wide breadth of attack strings involving both forms.

Here’s some more advanced Valkenhayn combos; ArmorKiba is the person who did the video above.

Sources: BlackJaguarXD; @ArmorKiba; @DolfyIB; @dfaxcalamity

PlayStation Teases Details on Injustice 2’s Story Mode

With the recent announcement of the Injustice 2 release date, and the reveal of Darkseid as a pre-order bonus on PSN, fans have even news to look forward to; more details about the superhero-themed fighter will appear soon on the PlayStation Blog. The console company tweeted out a small teaser:

By the looks of it, the tiny clip featuring Super Girl in a CG sequence could be either a teaser to a story trailer or an opening animation to the game. The “new threat” likely refers to the main villain of the game. A blog post is planned on the official PlayStation site.

The Injustice 2 account also shared a teaser with the same date, but a different graphic:

Stay tuned to Shoryuken as we provide coverage for the NetherRealm Studios title.

Sources: PlayStation; Injustice 2

Stay a While and Listen to UltraChenTV’s History of the Fighting Game Community

Before streaming, Twitch, Twitter, and Discord, and similar tools, the fighting game community relied more on grassroots organization and word of mouth. Whether you remember a time when VHS tapes were still in fashion or not, James Chen has made a few podcast-style shows that talk about the past of the fighting game scene.

UltraChenTV’s mini-series, “History of East Coast vs. West Coast,” talks about the roots of rivalry between the two regions. Chen’s blast from the past brings up how the scene was first figuring out how to get match footage to share with others, how Battle by the Bay brought out some NorCal and SoCal competition, and how the two ends of the country started to meet up to battle. He also goes over some old footage, and analyzes the different styles from both regions. Echo Fox|Justin Wong and Alex Valle also joined in the chat.

View the first video below for a little storytelling time, and the UltraChenTV playlist has all three segments.

Source: UltraChenTV

Frosty Faustings IX Registration Deadline Extended, Dogura and GO1 Confirmed Attendance

In light of today’s big news regarding Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 (are you hype for Baiken and Answer, or what?), one of the most Guilty Gear-centric tournaments that’s coming up, Frosty Faustings IX, is giving an extra chance to pre-register.

The deadline is extended till midnight PST today, January 14th. Other than some big pot bonuses for Street Fighter V, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Killer Instinct World Cup Qualifying spots, among others, some major names are confirmed in attendance for the tournament in Illinois. Just today, the organizers Mike “ElvenShadow” Boczar and Michael “SuperGreekFyter” Hionis received confirmation that Ryo “CO|Dogura” Nozaki and Goichi “HM|GO1” Kishida from Japan have registered for the event. That’s in addition to famous, top-notch talent in every game featured at Frosty Faustings, such as Liquid|’NuckleDu, RZR|PerfectLegend, Ghris G, KBR, Nakkiel, BananaKen, F3|Hollywood Sleep, BjornSonofBear, MC|GCYoshi, PG|MarlinPie, and so many more. View the gallery below for more names.

“In celebration of the GG Xrd REV 2 announcement from Arc System Works and Aksys Games, and due to the exciting amount of talent who recently registered for Frosty Faustings IX, we have decided to extend registration for one final day!” said ElvenShadow in a statement to SRK. “This will be the absolute last chance to register until on-site registration at the event. Please do not miss out on our raffle for pre-registered players only, and keep in mind we cannot guarantee region or skill seeding for on-site-registered players.”

If you haven’t don’t hesitate to register before the end of today at the Frosty Faustings registration site.

Click to view slideshow.

Source: Frosty Faustings; ElvenShadow

Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 Announced, Welcoming Lone Samurai Baiken and Business Ninja Answer to the Cast

At the end of the Arc System Works Fighting Game Award 2016, the company made the following announcement: Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 is coming for the PlayStation 3, 4, and Steam.

A promotional trailer shows off two characters that will be added to the cast: “Business Ninja” Answer, who appeared in Story Mode and “Lone Samurai” Baiken, who also made an appearance in the narrative, as well as in the past Guilty Gear games. There will be additional Story Mode content, online play changes, and possible rebalancing for the cast.

Arc System Works doesn’t have a price point yet, but the company said it will make it “affordable” during the presentation. There will be a retail disc for the PlayStation 4 version, while PS3 and Steam will get it in form of DLC. REV 2 is expected to hit arcades this Spring.

On January 20th until the 22nd, location tests for REV 2 will begin.

Can I just say, Baiken, you’ve kept us waiting, huh? Stay tuned to SRK for more coverage regarding this development.

Sources: Famitsu; ASW Fighting Game Award Tournament

SoulCalibur’s Music Transcends the Stage of History in the Orchestral Memories Concert

“The legend will never die” as the–by now–old adage goes. Bandai Namco is keeping the SoulCalibur banner barely afloat, with a distinct lack of new game announcements, but nonetheless celebrating their series–which just passed its 20th anniversary.

Lucky fans in Europe will get an opportunity to attend a live orchestral concert featuring pieces from the series’ soundtrack. The exact track list is shrouded in mystery, but the Orchestral Memories event will play on February 4th in Paris, France. There will also be music from Dark Souls, Tekken, “Tales of” games, God Eater, and more. Special guests include the composers Motoi Sakuraba (Dark Souls, and many other titles) and Go Shiina (Tales of, God Eater).

Check out the promo video below, and here’s where Orchestral Memories tickets can be purchased:

While fans hunger for a SoulCalibur VI announcement, Namco Bandai also published a Project Soul website commemorating the game’s history.

Source: Bandai Namco