[CSE] Lambda vs Noel

kenja0 · January 3, 2012

Matchup Ranking: 5.5-4.5

The Enemy's Assessment: [CSEX] Noel vs Lambda

Overview

Noel is a close ranged mix-up character. Her gameplay is filled with high risk/high reward options. Since the CSEX patch, Noel's rewards have been toned down, but her corner damage game has inherited all of it. This match can get annoying really fast, but it is not at all a bad match up since her converts have become worse.

General Strategy

As a rushdown character, Noel's main objective will be to invade your space using her high mobility and knockdowns from Optic Barrel to close in as quickly as possible. Naturally, yours will be to make sure that never happens using your drives and Spike Chaser in particular to keep a good distance from her and shut down any chance of her landing a good hit. Unlike in CS2, her drives don't lead into ridiculous damage midscreen anymore, but they can still be a threat since they have decent corner carry where she can really deal some damage. Also, assuming you block one of Noel's drives, remember that she can't do two of the same drives in succession, which means that she can't chain a low into a low (d.6D) or high into a high (d.6B). Use this to your adavantage when blocking her drive strings and be careful of her Assault Through (d.214D) that can cross you up.

Good Tools For The Match Up

Drives: Force Noel to play your game and keep her at bay. You're at a huge disadvantage if she gets in, so stay back and pick her off as much as you can.

Spike Chaser (214D): Forces Noel into the air. She doesn't have too many options to stop this except Optic Barrel.

4B: Any character CH out of their moves will get hit with both hits of 4B. But don't just throw it out randomly, do it in prediction to a 5D.

Things To Look Out For

Optic Barrel (236A/B/C): These projectiles are near instant and can stuff Lambda throwing out D moves as well as Lambda's Spike Chasers.

Assault Through (214D): This is one of the enders to her blockstrings. This move can cross up and zip through reversals. If timed correctly, you can grab Noel out of it.

j.4D: When Noel is approaching from the air, this move can dodge AAs if they're timed improperly and hit Lambda with a crossup low move. The move takes a while to come out after landing, so hit her out of it with 2B if you can react fast enough.

2D: This attack will beat out crouching attacks like 2A/B and grabs. Gets beaten out easily by AAs, so opt for a quick 6A if you see it coming.

4D: This attack will beat out everything but crouching attacks and throws. FC and leads into some of her best damage in the corner.

Conclusion

The Noel match-up is very similar to Ragna in the sense that you shouldn't have great difficulty keeping her out with smart zoning and careful play, but the tables can be turned quite rapidly if she gets a good confirm in and even more so if you're in the corner. Keep your distance, play safe and this match-up should be no problem.