El Black Book Strategy

Article - VF5 Black Book El Blaze
Author - Chakki
Source - Myke
Translation - Noodalls

Showing you how to marry tricky and correct fighting
Of course he has his throws, and is surprisingly well equipped with attacks up close. If something were said to be tough for him it would be middle range, but use a Blaze like attack and find a way to close in, that's the key!

Close range mixups are the source of his major damage.
Specialised at close range, this is where you can take full advantage of his plethora of throws to find a way to attack. In order to do this, let's first consider his striking attacks that can be used when at advantage.
Of his mid attacks the most quickly executing is his /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif. Better thought of as an elbow, as it possesses those properties, use this at small advantage. Also, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is useful in that it has a mid hit string which staggers or can be stopped after the second hit, both powerful options.

- While the return on the fast /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif is quite low on hit, on counter hit or stagger you can apply a strong mixup.
- The low move /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif is another important option. On guard there is no guaranteed punishment, and on counter hit it gives large advanatage.

When you have a large advantage, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif are useful options. Both have superior reach, and being good against backdashes makes them strong. The former while highly risky if evade has the advantage of allowing for poewrful followups even on normal hit. On counter hit you can go for a combo. After a normal hit, you can go for BT/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif or BT/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif or press /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif to reallign and throw them.
On the other hand, against evades in addition to the variety of throws, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif are your main options. Of course, the catch throw /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif is nother useful move. If you predict their evade once, you can crouch dash up to them to throw their timing and then go for a WS/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif.

- The reach and execution speed on /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is exceptional. There is risk in going backturned, but even on normal hit you are left largely advantaged which is a relief.
- BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif on counter hit allows for a combo, championing the BT attacks. Mix it up with /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif cancelling the BT into throw.

Standing around at mid range
Of the moves he has which possess range, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is definitely at the top of the list. It is half circular and on guard there is no guaranteed punishment. The only thing is, it is somewhat slow to execute and so easy for the opponent to stuff, which is a deficiency. So, don't just keep doing it trying to attack, but also look to close the distance with tricky movements to attack.
The moves you can use to attack are mainly /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif which avoids highs and some mids, and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif which avoids lows by jumping over them. When using /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif to approach, look at the range to your opponent, if it is close think next to attack with BT attacks, if it is far a dash or crouch dash will maintain distance while annulling the BT state.

- Use /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif to attract amazement. Observe your opponent's reactions, and moderate your actions accordingly. Use the BT after the move to ...
- crouch dash to reopen the space, this is quite interesting. This is a surprising movement, and if the opponent whiffs you have your chance to attack.

Advantageous Options from Disadvantaged situations
While certainly not plentiful, there are moves you can use from a disadvantaged situation. For example, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif. If you are less than -7 you will not clash with the opponent's throw, and you will of couse beat out their low attacks.

- As a difficult move to clash with, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif can be used at disadvantage to your heart's content.

Another more important move to take note of is the /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif. It of course avoids highs and throws, and is good at avoiding middle kick class attacks and other mids that are relatively high. Also, it is considered crouching, so even if you are floated it won't be as high which is another advantage. Try using it as an option after taking a techroll. Be warned though, that there are many cases where after the /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif you will have nothing guaranteed, so mix it up with /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif into throw.
When an opponent has taken your side and the advantage is somehat small, you can also use the /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif. Against Lau, Pai and Jacky's throws where they take your side, you can avoid the main middle kick mixup. Also, after throws other than /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif are escaped, you can use this move to avoid various attacking options.

- For example, after copping Jacky's /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gifor/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif you are sideturned and at negative frames
- The /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif will avoid a throw of course, and even the morally very sound middle kick will be avoided. Avoiding both of the basic mixups is very important.

 

Predicting when to mix in rocket discharge (RD)
The basic move for linking into RD is /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif. The second hit is a full circular mid, and as you can delay it or stop after the first hit is is very powerful. Also, after knocking them down you can whiff the first hit and pressure them with the second on the techroll.
If the second hit is a counter hit, the opponent cannot duck to avoid the Deja vu string. Focusing on this you can use other strings to provide a mix up. If it is untrained opponent you can do the same thing on normal hit.
But, if the opponent is responding appropriately after normal hit they can respond and stuff the moves from RD. To beat out their standing moves you can do /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif or hold /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif after the second hit and use strings, Against low hits you can use /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif.
The situation from a RD following evade attack is the same. If the RD moves come following a side hit, they are very hard to beat out.
- If /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif's second hit connects on counter hit, you are in with a big chance. Go into RD and ...
- *Deja Vu will beat out most mid attacks, and the low RD /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif will beat out low and high attacks, making it a perfect mixup.

Hit confirming after stagger moves.
After /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif you can go into RD on hit or guard. However, on guard, it is very easy for them to punish you.
So, try to only press /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif on the joystick once you've confirmed the hit. Even if you are quite late on the timing it's ok, as there is significant leeway on the timing. On stagger delaying the timing actually increases your ability to attack.


/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif in Okizeme
/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif can also be used in okizeme. If you can time it right you will jump over them, and if they attack and you evade it it will leave you with a sideturned or backturned opponent. From here if you link into /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif you can get a side or back crumple and do big damage.

Incorporating sabaki attacks
/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif can sabaki high attacks, but it must be used in specific situations. The main use is in strings, such as for the second hit of Shun's [dbk]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif, but it is also useful against Sarah's flamingo stance.
When you do successfully sabaki,you generally get damage from the c*coined attacks, but if you sabaki a /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif attack, you are left at big advantage. You can do /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif into *shadow hammer, for even more damage. On occasion you can even get enough advantage to do /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gifhit/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif guaranteed.

- For example against Sarah's flamingo she has a lot of high attacks that do good damage, so the /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif is useful. While the basic strategy is to go into one of the *coined moves, if you sabaki a /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif attack you can stop the /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif and go into something else to follow on.
- If you sabaki her Flamingo /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif you can get /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gifhit/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif. Then big damage from the rocket discharge.

 

This guide is excellent, thanks /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

I had to go into the movelist to realise what Deja Vu was, though. That must be a misprint and this move is definitely called Hotdog.

 

noodalls, you are my favorite person in the world. Thank you~