XIBA
Xiba's AA is slow enough to either manually duck or 4B in between on reaction, and you should train yourself to do so - Xiba typically falls in such a way that 4B ~ Prep BBB ~ A+BA is always guaranteed for a 78 damage interrupt.
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The first and second hits jail, so your counterattack will be between the second and third hits. 3A will leave him back turned and at a distance to you. 2A, 2K, and 4K will leave him back turned and close enough to you for a back throw attempt. 4A will leave him sideturned at a distance to you. If you want to Just Guard the third hit, Raphael usually ends up back turned after the Just Guard and can punish with BT B+K.
The first three hits follow the same rules as the non-Brave Edge version. The final hit is uninterruptable, but you can Just Guard it for a 6BB punish. Note that the timing for the Brave Edge flash can be delayed.
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4B or a manual crouch will evade the second hit. B+K is also an option here, but you leave yourself open to the stance entrance.
4B punishes the stance entrance.
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6BB or your Critical Edge will interrupt the second hit. You can also buffer 88B or 33KB once you see the beginning of his hop - the second hit is very telegraphed and the stance cancel cannot save him from verticals or kicks.
6BB or your Critical Edge will punish the stance entrance. You can also buffer 88B or 33KB once you see the beginning of his hop - the second hit is very telegraphed and the stance cancel cannot save him from verticals or kicks.
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2A and 2K will leave him backturned and close enough to you for a back throw attempt If he delays the string, 2B+K will hit him out of it. If you want to Just Guard the third hit, Raphael usually ends up back turned after the Just Guard and can punish with BT B+K.
The first two hits follow the same rules as the non-Brave Edge version. The final hit is uninterruptable, but you can Just Guard it for a 6BB punish. Note that the timing for the Brave Edge flash can be delayed.
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You need to manually duck and then 4B from FC to get the most damage from your interrupt. The third hit can only come out if he connects with the move.
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Your only option is to Just Guard, which gives you a 6BB punish.
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If you Just Guard the third hit, you can simultaneously interrupt and punish with 3B. Between the third and fourth hit, 3A will push him out at a distance to you; 2A and 2K will leave him side-turned and close to you; A+BA will interrupt the last hit for very good damage. If you want to Just Guard the fourth hit, Raphael usually ends up back turned after the Just Guard and can punish with BT B+K.
The first four hits follow the same rules as the non-Brave Edge version. The final hit is uninterruptable, but you can Just Guard it for a 6BB punish. Note that the timing for the Brave Edge flash can be delayed.
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Your Critical Edge will interrupt this string, as will any 8WR move if you Quick Step first. B+K will evade the last hit, but Xiba recovers in time to block the automatic counterattack - for opponents that remember to duck the second hit, that could end up badly for you.
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There is a large enough gap between the first and second hit to begin Just Guarding the entire move - this is fairly difficult to do for little reward.
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If you Just Guard the last hit, you get a guaranteed Left Side Throw attempt.
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Just Guard makes the move 33KB punishable, and also gives you a guaranteed Left Side Throw attempt. You can also jump over him between the first and second hits and get a guaranteed Back Throw.
Just Guarding the final hit will give you a free Back Throw if you grab as soon as possible post-Just Guard.
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Just Guard makes the second hit 66B punishable.
There is no way to cover both the completed string and the stance cancel in one move.
Any of your usual interrupts will beat out all of his stance options if buffered early enough.
There is no way to cover both the completed string and the stance cancel in one move.
You can 44B out of the range of the second hit. You can also jump over the second hit and punish with BT B+K. If you jump over the third hit, or he completes the string after you jump over the second hit, you get a guaranteed Back Throw.
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9A, 9B, or 9K will Tech Jump over the second hit. Just Guarding the second hit guarantees an FC 3B punish.
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When evading this move with Quick Step, always move to your right. Just Guarding the second hit opens up quite a few options: you can interrupt and punish with 3A or your Critical Edge; you can evade the third hit with B+K; you can step to either side for a Back Throw if he finishes the string.
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After blocking the first hit, casually step to the side until both of you are facing each other again. He turns around as part of the move's recovery animation, so wait for him to turn around and you'll get a free Back Throw.
After blocking the first hit, casually step to the side until both of you are facing each other again. He turns around as part of the move's recovery animation, so wait for him to turn around and you'll get a free Back Throw.
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Just Guarding the third hit guarantees a Back Throw. If Raphael happens to be crouching and at extremely close range, and Xiba connects with the first two hits, Xiba will whiff the third hit, also guaranteeing a Back Throw.
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Just Guard makes the move 3B punishable.
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Your Critical Edge will punish the first hit and interrupt the second hit. 4A or a Quick Step will also evade the second hit.
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