Don’t think you can get away from the Electric Wind God Fist just by switching away from Tekken 7. Hit a frame-perfect Pikachu 6Y and you get the tiniest version of the Mishima clan’s defining launcher. Pikachu’s version has all the positive attributes of EWGF (+4 on block, safe launch, jab speed), but also has a quality that would be broken were it transported over to Tekken: it’s a mid.
And that’s just one of the reasons why Pikachu’s damage output off MillerTime‘s optimal combos is fantastic. Pikachu is strangely underrepresented in the Pokkén community, despite a versatile moveset, fast Synergy gauge and big damage. If you wanted a place to start with this undeniably strong character, you can’t go wrong with these high-damage optimals.
With a new build of the game appearing at Toushinsai last weekend, and information mostly limited to player impressions on Twitter, Arc System Works content creator Koefficient has recently released a guide covering the main gameplay mechanics of the upcoming BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle.
In the nine-minute video, he covers the button layout as well as core mechanics like Reversal Actions, Reject Guard — which functions similarly to pushblocking or BlazBlue’s Barrier Guard — the two types of Smart Combo routes, Resonance Blaze, as well as the various tag mechanics and safe, invincible incoming attacks (that can be used after losing a character). However, Koefficient chose to exclude talk about the combo gatling routes, as the game is still in a very early state — meaning these could be very subject to change as development goes on.
An interesting note seen in the latest build is that while Auto Run is a universal form of movement for the entire cast, Hazama, the first character with a Step Dash to be introduced, will instead “dash furiously forward” when moving. Another interesting addition is that when an Assist is called, they will flash either red or blue, signaling a Fatal Recovery state for the duration of the move until they exist the screen, depending on whether they are on the Player 1 or Player 2 team. You can see the full video below:
GameFAQs user Nazdrovie has translated the movelists that were released for players at Toushinsai, which contained all previous characters and the additions of Rachel Alucard and Hazama.
Light: Square Heavy: Triangle Crash Assault: Circle (Command Overhead; I’ll just call it “Crash”) Reversal Action: Square + X Throw: Triangle + Circle Pushblock: Square + X while guarding (costs half a bar)
Change: X (can use even during a Partner Skills) Partner Skill: R1 (can perform different attacks with Forward + R1 and Back + R1; costs Cross Gauge when used while attacking) Crossburst: R1 + X while getting hit (consumes 100% of the Cross Gauge) Distortion Skill Duo: R1 during a Distortion (costs 1 more bar; partner performs a followup Distortion) Cross Combo: R1 + X during a Partner Skill (partner will attack with your character until the Cross Gauge turns to 0)
RAGNA Command Normals Back + Light
Reversal Action Inferno Divider (Air OK) (Press a button twice for followups)
Specials Dead Spike – QCF + Light/Heavy EX Dead Spike (EX) – QCF + Crash (Press a button twice for followups) Hell’s Fang – QCB + Light (Press a button for a followup) Gauntlet Hades – QCB + Heavy (Air OK) (Press a button for a followup) Nightmare Edge – QCB + Light in the air (Press a button for a followup) Blood Scythe (EX) – QCB + Crash (Air OK)
Distortions Carnage Scissors – QCF + Heavy + Crash Devoured by Darkness – QCB + Heavy + Crash
JIN Command Normals Back + Light
Reversal Action Rehhyou
Specials Hishouken – QCF + Light (Air OK) Hishougeki – QCF + Heavy (Air OK) Hishousetsu (EX) – QCF + Crash (Air OK) Musou Senshouzan – QCB + Light/Heavy (Press a button for a followup) Musou Toshuugeki (EX) – QCB + Crash (Press a button for a followup) Hizansen – QCB + Light in the air Hizangeki – QCB + Heavy in the air EX Hizangeki (EX) – QCB + Crash in the air
Distortions Touga Hyoujin – QCF + Heavy + Crash Hiyoku Getsumei – QCB + Heavy + Crash
RACHEL Command Normals Back + Light Crouch + Crash (hold) Jump + Heavy (hold) Silpheed – Press a direction during certain actions (Smart Combo 1 3rd move, Smart Combo 2 3rd move, standing and crouching Crush Assault, multiple jump normals, post-throw, Tiny Lobelia, George XIII,)
Reversal Action Gerbera Lute
Specials Tiny Lobelia – QCF + Light/Heavy/Crash (Air OK) (Projectile becomes a lightning rod after landing) Barrel Lotus – QCB + Light while a lightning rod is out (Air OK) Sword Iris – QCB + Heavy while a lightning rod is out (Air OK) George the 13th (EX) – QCB + Crash (Air OK)
HAZAMA Command Normals Back + Light Down + Heavy during a jump
Reversal Action Gashoukyaku
Specials Ressenga – QCF + Light/Heavy (can hold) Zaneiga – QCB + Light/Heavy (can hold) Jakou (EX) – QCF + Crash Gasaishou (EX) – QCB + Crash Jameijin – QCB + Light in the air Hirentotsu – QCB + Heavy in the air EX Hirentotsu (EX) – QCB + Crash in the air
Distortions Jayoku Houtenjin – QCF + Heavy + Crash Mizuchi Rekkazan – QCB + Heavy + Crash
YU NARUKAMI Command Normals Back + Light
Reversal Action Big Gamble (Air OK)
Specials Zio – QCF + Light/Heavy (Air OK) EX Zio – QCF + Crash (Air OK) Swift Strike – QCB + Light/Heavy EX Swift Strike (EX) – QCB + Crash (Press a button for a followup)
Distortions Ziodyne – QCF + Heavy + Crash (Air OK) Cross Slash – QCB + Heavy + Crash
YOSUKE HANAMURA Command Normals Back + Light
Reversal Action Dodge (Counter an enemy’s attack)
Specials Dash Spring – QCF + Light/Heavy EX Dash Spring (EX) – QCF + Crash Flying Flash Cut – QCF/QCB + Light in the air Moonsault – QCF/QCB + Heavy in the air > Crescent Slash – Press a button during Moonsault EX Moonsault (EX) – QCF/QCB + Crash in the air
Distortions Garudyne – QCF + Heavy + Crash (Air OK) Shippu Nagareboshi – QCB + Heavy + Crash (Air OK)
HYDE Command Normals Forward after pressing Crash in the air
Reversal Action Red Clad Craver (Air OK!?)
Specials Black Orbiter – QCF + Light/Heavy > Dark Lotus – QCF + Light after Black Orbiter > Bend Sinister – QCF + Heavy after Black Orbiter EX Black Orbiter (EX) – QCF + Crash Vacant Shift: First – QCB + Light/Heavy (Air OK) > Vacant Shift: Second – Press a button after Vacant Shift: First > > Vacant Shift: SAADO – Press a button after Vacant Shift: Second Vacant Shift: Sediment (EX) – QCB + Crash (Air OK)
Distortion Gyre Vortex – QCF/QCB + Heavy + Crash
LINNE Command Normals Back + Light Dash Cancel – Press forward twice after certain actions (Smart Combo 1 4th move, Smart Combo 2 3rd and 4th move, Smart Combo 3 3rd move, grounded Kuuga and EX Kuuga)
When your opponent created their blockstring in the practice mode of Street Fighter V, did they test the string on both standing and crouching opponents? Depending on the answer to this, you can potentially ruin your opponent’s day by just standing back up near the end of their block string.
As Echo Fox’s Julio Fuentes demonstrates, the hurtbox of your character is wider when they crouch, than when they stand. Most blockstrings are built around a crouching opponent, since crouch blocking is the safest default option. By standing at the right time, you can create a big whiff in what your opponent thought was a safe pressure string…
Korean Tekken Legend “Help Me” has been rocking Lee Chaolan in the toughest Tekkenscene on earth for over a decade. If anyone could be considered an authority on Lee gameplay, it’d certainly be him. So if you want your Lee to be as excellentas his, you’ll be happy to know that Help Me has given a 2-hour seminar on the character.
Yes, it is in Korean. But thanks to the efforts of TZ Discord user rice_eel, we have a full translation of Help Me’s opinions and advice for one of Tekken’s most notoriously difficult characters to play.
We’re on our second roundup of videos for Street Fighter V‘s Ever-Changing Ninja! Thus far, Zeku seems to be well-received. At least, one can expect so from all the work pouring out of the Zeku lab. Let’s jump in and see what other tricks Bushinryu disciples around the world have crafted.
VesperArcade starts us off with some basic combos for the more zoning-oriented Old Zeku.
Gamewisk also has some basics for you to try out, but also lays out the groundwork for basic Young Zeku combos.
If you want to see how well the pros have taken to the Bushinryu master, RektScrub has a uploaded a compilation of Tokido, RB, and Kazunoko’s play:
OrangeManPC shows off a gimmicky 50/50 crossup with Old Zeku — you should learn how to deal with it right away.
Here's your basic gimmicky set-play for if you want to make people mad online with Zeku.
World Warrior FGC shows off a wide variety of interesting meaties, many of which involving post-transformation combos.
rooflemonger‘s guide focuses exclusively on Zeku’s wakeup game, and all the places you can force Scythe Kicks to be blocked.
And last but certainly not least, desk has the flashiest, goofiest, and most fun combos on the block. Check out how he fits 5 st.MKs in one combo with Old Zeku!
How are you liking Zeku thus far? Are both forms of the Bushinryu Boss working out for you?
Arc System Works brought a playable build of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle to Toushinsai 2017; it was their latest public build, and featured newly-announced characters from BlazBlue, Hazama and Rachel Alucard. Sadly, Weissfrom RWBY wasn’t playable, since she wasn’t ready for a public demo yet. For those who missed out on seeing the game at Toushinsai, some of the Japanese gaming media were able to capture some footage of the game in action at the event.
Both Dengeki Online and Famitsu shared some off screen footage of the game. The footage below shows both Hazama and Rachel as well as the previously-announced characters in action. Take note that the damage for these demo builds has supposedly been made higher, so that the lines of people trying them out go through more quickly!
Dengeki Online
Famitsu
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is set to hit PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch in 2018.
If you’re getting bored of playing as Jesus, Buddha or Odin, Digital Crafter have you covered. As the first new character since the Early Access launch of Fight of Gods, the Chinese sea goddess Mazu looks to shake things up with her demon assists and magic lamp.
Mazu’s demons looks to be a right royal pain, appearing from weird angles and allows the sea goddess to start a juggle from half a screen away. She doesn’t look to have the greatest defence up close, so if you can weather the storm of demons and projectiles, you should be able to take Mazu down.
Digital Crafter are also looking for fan suggestions on future deities to join the Fight of Gods roster, so stop off on their Steam page and offer some ideas. Mazu will come as part of a free Fight of Gods update, launching on October 30th.
Hell, it’s about time you showed up. Rounding out Fighter Pack 2, the half-demon Hellboy is joining the Injustice 2 roster next month. He will be available for Early Access players on November 14th, with everyone getting a chance to play the surly paranormal investigator later in the month.
Hellboy is a bit of an all-rounder based on the footage from his gameplay trailer — able to fight at a distance with his oversized revolver and holy relics, while being capable up-close thanks to his Right Hand of Doom. His trait has him tapping into the gauntlet’s power, giving him what looks like infinite armor for a short time. He can also use the sword Excalibur for certain strings, as well as a vial of holy water which proceeds a wave which travels along the bottom of the screen.
While he may not be the fastest fighter, Hellboy looks to be a threat at any range, with him being especially dangerous up close. There is one Fighter Pack left following Hellboy’s release, with one of the characters being confirmed as the shapeshifting Atom. All you Spawn fans, best keep your fingers crossed.
A contentious character ever since her introduction back in February, almost every Smash 4 player has a strong opinion on Bayonetta. With players like MVG|Salem, P1|CaptainZack, and EMG|Mistake placing high at major events with the time-stopping witch, some doomsayers theorize that like Smash 4 will soon reach its own version of “20XX”: a time where everyone plays Bayonetta.
Running with this idea, the Smash 4-centric comedy channel The Keef Crew has envisioned this hellish future, where non-Bayonetta mains have been pushed to an Attack on Titan-esque final city, where they must make their final stand against this legion of Umbra Witches. With the likes of TSM|ZeRo and FOX|MVG|MKLeo still fighting the good fight against Bayonetta, we’ve (hopefully) got a long way off before this parody comes to life.
The name Sergei Dragunov has practically become synonymous with high-level Tekken 7 play, and not without good reason. As various tutorials, combo videos, and grand finals tournament matches illustrate, he’s got lot of good tricks up his trenchcoat’s sleeves — and he’s worth spending the time learning every one.
Breaking down what makes Dragunov so strong is Tekken technician TheMainManSWE, who admits to cavalierly referring to the Russian soldier as “overpowered.” In his this video he explains his reasoning for dubbing Dragunov with the title of OP, and demonstrates that he’s not broken, he’s just well-equipped for battle.
Check out TheMainManSWE’s video below — and for more Dragunov tech, you can check out this breakdown, or this punishment guide.
