Algol Matchup

M

Mege

[08] Mercenary
Alright I'm doing fairly good but I've experienced a lot of problems with an Algol today. I just don't know him enough to properly punish. Any tips to when/how to do that?
 
Mege said:
Alright I'm doing fairly good but I've experienced a lot of problems with an Algol today. I just don't know him enough to properly punish. Any tips to when/how to do that?
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I moved this into a new matchup discussion thread. I'm not sure who has the advantage in this matchup yet but it seems pretty fair to me so far.

A+B beats a lot of his moves like AA, BB, 1B, 3AA, 3BB, 6B+K, and 66A+B. He can punish you with a combo if he baits it though. A+B and GS A can also work against bubbles but how useful this is I'm not sure yet

His strongest grab is a command grab with A, so keep that in mind. Also, his BT teleport chair is a lot of + frames on guard so be wary of attacking after you block it.

Bubbles hit special mid so you can guard them high or low. You can generally step them but be wary of side bubbles and large bubbles, as they may hit you even if you're stepping. However, if he does a side bubble and you didn't step, this is an opportunity to move forward or hit him if you're close enough.

Be wary of backstepping, as he can catch you from anywhere on the screen with his strongest combo starter for backstepping if he predicts you with his 4B+K. If he uses it within your attack range and it does not catch your backstep he is very vulnerable so smack him hard with 3(B) or something.

For block punishing, his lows like 1A, 11K/77K, and 1K are free WR B on block. Be wary that his 1K on hit is +0 and his 2A will stuff moves things you can do at +0. You can also punish his 3AA and 3BB on guard with K/6K. His 2B+KB is a low kick into a bubble shot and is difficult to punish, normally you can't do it at all. It is possible to just guard the bubble but I find it difficult to do so, partly because the range you block 2B+K at also affects the bubble's distance from you. If you're close enough and you get the JG you can get a free 3B though.
 
Did his 4B+K properties change from SCIV? I remember you could backdash > guard, and the throne will come out but won't hit. Did they make it better?

I haven't had any real experience against Algol other than in Legendary Souls and versus a guy online who wishes 1A (old 11A) still worked as a lag tactic, but from that, I don't see any outstanding advantages on either side of the matchup. Bubbles were nerfed so I found him a lot easier to deal with, and his half-circle jump A is now a visible guard break so it's easier to realize it's a frame trap.

Range seems to be key in this matchup.
 
microgamer said:
Did his 4B+K properties change from SCIV? I remember you could backdash > guard, and the throne will come out but won't hit. Did they make it better?
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It got a gigantic buff. I am well aware of the problems 4B+K had in SC4. If you backstep at neutral in SC5 4B+K will get you. You can't mess it up by just going to guard/attack/sidestep from your backstep. I consider this move highly viable now and it is unwise to ignore the danger this move poses. If algol predicts your backdash and has more than 75% meter he can do 196 damage to you.
 
Thanks for the tips, didn't have a real chance to try them yet, it appears Algolg isn't much used online.
 
Using CE against Algol's bubbles will reflect them but not activate the auto-GI counterattack. Generally even if they are reflected Algol will be safe as long as it wasn't reflected at point blank....however funny combo (thanks to Nemesis Kanden)...

If algol does 66A+B and you CE that the bubble will reflect into him and then your full charge CE will combo for 130 damage (scaling down a bit from the bubble reflect/ground hit i guess). This will cause a ground stun for a free 1K, bringing damage to 141. If they don't tech you get 3B for 155 or GS K BE for 160

not super useful I'm sure but there's always time for funny matchup specific combos
 
I keep fighting Algols and I can't even hit them, like, nothing other than 1k will hit. What do?
Everything else is getting interrupted... T.T
 
Zekki said:
I keep fighting Algols and I can't even hit them, like, nothing other than 1k will hit. What do?
Everything else is getting interrupted... T.T
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Fight him at mid range when you can. If you are up close make use of sidestep/backstep/B+K to evade his moves rather than trying to beat them out. Just look at what he is interrupting you with and think of how to counter. If he is doing 2A start doing backstep or B+K to evade and punish. If he is doing BB do a sidestep, etc
 
It's just tricky because his moves look like they are really slow (some of them, not all), but they are faster than I expect. Probably some of it is lack of MU knowledge also.
 
A lot of Algol's I fight seem to use 6A+B followed by... 1A I think... using bullet pressure, then following with low. Always! block low when you see that coming, then follow with FC 3B or WR(B) > NSS into mixup.
I destroyed someone's Algol on ranked a few days back, which resulted in a rage quit and hate mail XD
"you have potential... unfortunatly you're a bitch" XD
all I say is... grow the hell up hate mailers!!!!
 
Is it possible to counter his CE ? By doing 236ABK before him on it for example, no ?
This CE is so frustrating. 120 damages easily and safe on guard.

I didn't find any options to stop all his pressure after the 6BBB. I step to avoid the bullet but I have to guard if he continues to attack. Any tips ?
Edit : I realized the second B can be ducked !
 
I haven't been playing against Algol much, and I've only just started to learn how to act against him.
I don't know how to deal with his critical edge, the only advice I can offer you is to play it safe, use Nightmare's range to your advantage, and keep you eye out for that low horizontal they sometimes pull out. It's as reactable as Nightmare's 1A imo.
 
IkI said:
Is it possible to counter his CE ? By doing 236ABK before him on it for example, no ?
This CE is so frustrating. 120 damages easily and safe on guard.

I didn't find any options to stop all his pressure after the 6BBB. I step to avoid the bullet but I have to guard if he continues to attack. Any tips ?
Edit : I realized the second B can be ducked !
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Counter repeated 6BBBs with A+B, or duck the second hit if your reflexes allow it.

I don't really have much of a problem with this match up. Rush him down throw him. His lows are okay but you should never duck.
 
I still think the matchup is pretty fair. In theory fighter Algol should win but for practical purposes I'm still gonna go with "pretty fair" whatever that means.

IkI said:
Is it possible to counter his CE ? By doing 236ABK before him on it for example, no ?
This CE is so frustrating. 120 damages easily and safe on guard.
Click to expand...

Nightmare's CE doesn't work against other CEs. Algol's CE is i18 and at least -18 on guard so it's not safe if you're within attack range.
 
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