New to 8wayrun, would like some Raphael help
This is the guide I made. I mean, it's straight to the point, no huge amount of detail. Should I add a bunch more stuff or leave as is? Any input is appreciated.
HUDATHAN DON'T STICKY ANYTHING YET!!!! Lemme know what we can do to improve it/add upon it/etc, get everything down, and THEN put it up there in the Hall of fame threads.
Preparing for Preparation. .
Introduction.
Before you use Prep, understand that it still is universally weak to sidestep, and some character's can simply lock-down your prep game before it even begins(Taki, Cassandra, and maybe Amy/Voldo...not sure). Knowing how to counter sidestep with Raphael is the foundation to start any Prep offensive.
I will also cover VE, and Shadow Evade(SE), because they're both very important into establishing EVERYTHING you can do out of preparation.
Starting Preparation.
These are the moves that can lead to Prep: Remember if you don't hold down B, it wont transition. UTILIZE THIS and don't always transition. You can keep players that understand how to counter prep on there toes alot better.
3B
44AB
6BB
66B
4B
44A+B, G.....
Prep BB
Prep SEA B
Prep A on block from xx is:
SEA - i11
3 - i13
44A - i13 but it forces crouch which may or may not negate opponent's options
4 - i14
6B, Prep B - i16
66 - i28
3B(i16, mid) is your primary Prep opener, this is the quickest way to initiate a prep sequence(excluding SEA B)
6BB(6B is i13....both high) is Raphael's main punisher that ALSO happens to lead into prep if you want. very useful to have a possible mindgame everytime you punish a move.
4B(i22, high) This is Raphael's primary TCing attack/punisher. Anytime you know a high is coming, this is what you'll use. Off NH/CH it's a shakeable stun, but 4B BBB:B is guaranteed.
44AB(44a i28 mid, mid) 44A.....hmmm....it's a backstepping, anti-step mid that, with the B followup comes back for a linear vertical strike(and into prep if you want). At i28 it's SLOW, so you have to know when it's viable and when it's not. Still a decent move.
66B(i22, mid) It's an okay move, but there's no reason to ever go into prep off of this, Prep A trades with an i28? On NH/CH, just do 2A+B, and it's only 5 damage less then 66B prep K:K 2A+B, and WAAAAY safer. This is a useless Prep Transition.
44A+B, G Great UB, almost useless Prep Transition. If your 44A+B is getting punished, it's because it got sidestepped. Any Prep games you could possibly do wont hit the opponent that's either at your side or already behind you. It is however, a fun bragging dance I always utilize after a stylish Raphael victory. So 44A+B, G, 2,2,2,2,2,2(matrix shuffle) is it's one solid use.
Now....generally, your going to initiate prep games with 3B, 6BB every punishable move you want to prep game on(or interrupt, just as good), TC those annoying highs(Nightmares K, Taki's PO K, etc) with 4B, and when you're on the advantage you can find ways to integrate 44AB.
To increasingly frustrate an opponent who doesn't have quick reflexes, try going into prep then doing nothing. If you surprised the opponent it may be a throw/mid mixup. Again, keep them on their toes.
MOVES IN PREPARATION
Note: Preparation automatically evades all high attacks by shifting into SEA. If you are instantly doing Prep A however, an i12 or less HIGH (Amy's 6BB, Taki's A) will hit you. Remember this.
Prep A: This is the fastest attack in stance, and the tool to keep opponents in check during Prep. a short ranged, fast mid that Stuns on CH leading to at least Prep BBB:B(aka, rushdown). it's weak on NH(-6) and unsafe on block so you have to guess when the opponents trying to go for a counterattack. Fear of this single move is the foundation where all other prep tools can be used. Mind games people...Raphaels have to out think the opposition.
Prep BB...Prep Rushdown: BB is 2 quick highs that'll interrupt most non-TCing moves. This is EXTREMELY TCing punishable. Again, that's what Prep A fear is for. You have 2 options after the 2nd B. You either hold the B down for re-entry into Prep for additional pressure, or you press B:B for the JF finish. This is Raphael's PRIMARY COMBO. You'll be using this alot.
Prep K:K The only low option out of prep. It's not fast, and linear, but it does good damage and tech jumps. Conditioning is required to get this off successfully.
Prep A+B Mid. Raphael backsteps, then thrusts his sword forward. Does excellent CF damage, great damage on CH, evades alot of counter options opponents will use(but not forward momentum ones, keep in mind) and looks awesome. PUNISHABLE on block, so you have to watch it's abuse.
Prep VE the movement itself evades verticals, and leads to 4 options in itself:
VE Throw(A+G/B+G) This is Raphael's signature Vampire bite. Press A+B+K+G fast to regain life during the animation. VERY FLASHY, and a staple out of VE. keep them in fear of it.
VE A mid/high anti-step maneuver that leaves Raphael at SERIOUS advantage on CH, and at reasonable advantage on block(+2). Usually allows a 50/50 mixup eitherway, 33KB/throw/2_8B+K/3B/A+B A etc. The 2nd hit of VE A is punishable if crouched so when opponents wise up to it it's no longer abuseable.
VE B:B High/mid linear, VE B's fastest attack out of VE, but it's also high. The 2nd attack is punishable on block, does decent CF damage as well. VE B without the B followup leaves Raphael at Disadvantage, but from my observations most players anticipate the 2nd B and don't take use of the advantage. Mix it up some.
VE K Mid anti-step kick that's best used at max range. It's unsafe, but it spins the opponent off axis on block to where they can't punish you anyway. Also has good RO potential on CH, Raphael has one of the WORST RO games in SC, so take note of this.
Now....SE's
Anytime during Prep you can press 2 to enter SEA, if you press 2 again, you enter SEB. Both of these maneuvers evade all highs(which prep does naturally anyway). And allow quick attack options right after the input.
SEA B Mid, the meat and most of the potato's out of SE. This is a quick, damaging, retracking mid thrust that can re enter prep for additional pressure. Does good CF damage on block, Stuns on CH for a guaranteed Prep BBB:B. This is what keeps people in fear of SE in general, and allows you to utilize your other SEA/B options. You will be using this alot.
SEA A high, anti-step slash that's +0 on block, and +10 on NH. if your opponents expecting SEA B then it's going to be blocked anyway, allowing this to be a useful tool.
SEA K A linear, high kick that causes recoverable stun on NH. It can allow Raphael to use the Master Combo(3B Prep A, 3B, Prep BBB:B). I'm not sure just how shakeable this stun is so it's viability vs high level opponents is questionable. I think SEA A is a solid alternative to SEA B anyway so I just stick with that.
With enough fear of SEA B...you'll be able to pull out SEB's once in awhile.....What can we do with this?
SEB A mid Antistep horizontal slash that does decent damage, moderate CF damage, and is +1 on block. Great for keeping advantage.
SEB B mid thrust that stuns on NH. Leads into Raphael's Master Combo. Does excellent CF damage as well. Safe.
With these 2 options, anytime you enter SEB is going to be in your favor.
SEB K ......sigh....for Angelic's sake, this move stuns and leads to Prep Rushdown. It's extremely short ranged, low damage in comparison to A/B SEB options, and hits HIGH. I don't recommend this unless you HONESTLY THINK without a doubt they're going to attack you out of SEB(but not prep...or SEA...) because I believe it's slightly faster then the other 2 options.
That's it. That's everything you can do from Preparation.
Conditioning
Conditioning is simple, and very important to making your prep game work. Prep A is the "die" button to squash most attacks you'll get trying to hit you out of prep. This forces opponents to wait and watch what you're going to do. You're conditioning your opponent to hesitate, which allows the rest of your preparation antics to become successful.
What Prep A is to prep, SEA B is to SE. both have painful Combo's on CH, both hit mid, and both allow the other options in the stance to be used after conditioning. You're not getting SEA A TC'd because your opponent expected the mid SEA B. You're not gonna get hit out of every SEB you do because the opponent was expecting to get hit after the first SEA.
Prep A, and SEA B, your saviors. Use wisely.
Some strings in preparation
Prep BB Prep K:K
Prep SEA B Prep A
Prep BB SEA B Prep A
Prep SEA B BB VE A/throw
Prep BB A+B
You can be creative, just know a few things. After Prep SEA B, alot of people LOVE to try to stop prep right there. This is a good Prep A window to look out for. Teasing SEA/B's in general I've noticed gets opponents more attack happy vs prep, so recognize what your opponent is doing and up the Prep A usage when necessary.
Anti character
Taki - Her AB string can interrupt Prep entirely, I'm not sure if there is anyway around this, but Taki's an uphill battle for Raphael period. Know when you can step counter, and make good use of 44B
Cervantes - His 1B counters everything prep can do except VE. You can't automatically enter VE in Prep though because it will still hit you, you have to wait for him to use 1B, then react by VE.
Cassandra - Cass's 2B+K cancel's most of Prep, I can't remember the details but she has another move that between the 2 she pretty much shuts down Prep. Get over it, and be a better player.
Voldo - 1B similar to Cervantes, but is disadvantage even on NH, hit him back if he tries this. Voldo's constantly TCing anyway, so be careful with the BB/rushdown game and make sure you keep your sidestep up since Voldo's pretty linear.
Algol - Algol's floaty sidestep is so bad he CAN'T STEP PREP. or at least Prep A. Use this to your advantage, you wont get it anywhere else.
Amy - 6BB beats Prep A, I'm not sure if VE works but she's going to be a hard fight regardless.
Ruiner
