Ivy-Astaroth
6-4
Astaroth strength are his throws. So the best to do is to avoid them.
How to ? With range, and good use of push back moves.
Wp/Cl are the main stance to use against Astaroth.
Astaroth can only Gi Wp 6B+K2_8 in order to move forward. So mix Wp 44A+B with Wp 6B+K2_8 give some good results.
This two moves also have a great push back on block + they are very strong to CF.
Alone, they forced Astaroth to try to Gi, or to move forward and block in order to be able to come at mid range.
In case Astaroth decide to 8wr, Wp 3A Cl 236[4]BB will punish him and give range to Ivy.
At mid range, Astaroth can attack with 66K if he blocks Wp 6B+K2_8.
So, at mid range Ivy should use Wp 6B+K2_8[A+K] in order to switch to Cl.
At mid range, Cl 1B B+K followed by another 1B B+K is golden.
Astaroth cannot attack or step after the first move, all he can do is Gi or 8wr.
Cl 3A, SW 214K is the answer to 8wr. Delayed 1B B+K is the answer to Gi.
Between close range and mid range, Astaroth 66K can hit Ivy between two 1B B+K (if the first one is blocked).
Here, Ivy will have to Gi or step.
Ivy main objective in Cl will not to stop Astaroth 66K, nor to guess if he will step or not.
The main objective will be to push him back in order to be able to switch again to Wp to Cf him.
After some CL 1B B+K, Astaroth wil try to block the first one, then dash G or 8wr.
Cl 3A SW 214K deals with 8wr. Followed by Sw 3B, [B+K] Ivy will be able to gain one more time range.
CL 1B B+K [A+K], WP 44A+B A+B deals with step G.
A throw also give some range to Ivy. Same for Cl A+B A+K, Wp 66A+B in case Ivy step a 66K.
Now, the problems.
In case Astaroth guess well and 8wr an Ivy's move, he will 22B[4] for lots of damage,
but most important he will be able to pressure Ivy then.
To escape close range, several option:
9gB Cl 236[4]BB when at disadvantage or on wake up. This will beat B throws, and hit slow moves.
Cl 214B when at disadvantage or on wake up. This will beat most of Astaroth moves, but loose against throws.
4K anytime. Gives range on counter hit, avoid throws, quite fast.
9K, same as 9gB but safe.
A+G throw who give some good range.
Any moves with push back when at advantage: Wp 66A+B, Wp 6B+K2_8, Wp 44A+B A+B, Cl 1B B+K, and even 236[4]BB can be tried.
At far range, Astaroth also has two dangerous options to come close:
9B+K and 66[K].
In those situation, Ivy will be in Wp.
9B+K is easy to see, and to react with Wp 9B+K, or any high move with lot's of range.
66[K] is a little harder to react. Ivy can try to 9gB Astaroth during his rush, or Gi him.
To be able to react to those Astaroth trap, Wp 6B+K2_8 should not be used randomly.
Be sure to hit with 6B+K before to enter 2_8, or else it is possible for the 2nd move to whiff and to Astaroth to attack with both 9B+K and 66[K].
So this match up can be resume this way:
Wp / Cl will give many many trouble to Astaroth to move forward.
He will be forced to Gi from time to time in order to avoid CF and to move forward.
Once at mid range, it's still hard cause he has to guess right between step or Gi.
During theese step, Astaroth will loose lots of life and lots of CF damage. This can be enough to kill him.
How ever, once Astaroth guess right, he will be reward with many many damage + a range where he can pressure Ivy.
But Ivy still has some tool to return to the previous statement and put him again in trouble.
One more thing, this is just my opinion. Saitoh agree with it.
But Scud for example, disagree because Astaroth damage are really insane
+ his RO game forced Ivy to play from time to time mid range rather than far range, cause she don't want to be back to RO.
(But I think the fact both Saitoh and JTG beats him can also be an answer ah ah ah)
Hope, it'll help.
