(+R) Testament vs Sol

[Alzarath]

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[Venussail91]

This one is also killing me. His neutral just seems soooo much more superior. Gun Flame, Grand Viper and his glide make zoning difficult. He outdamages us significantly. He can (seemingly) disrespect a good amount of our pressure. What do?

[Orrax]

I haven't had much chance to play this matchup in +R (I play Sol), but I played it a lot in #Reload before forward beast became a good zoning tool. The matchup's probably better for you than it was in #Reload (was 6-4 Sol's favor then, but I'd guess that it's mostly even now), but some of the same tricks should work.

The best way to deal with Riot Stomp (the glide I think you're referring to) is to be just behind a tree. If you've spaced it right, you should block the Riot Stomp and then the tree should trigger and hit Sol. Your best air to ground is j.D (and the closer to its max range, the better). Really, I think the key to dealing with Sol effectively is good tree placement. It's certainly the thing that gives me the most trouble as a Sol player. Nets are good and all, but Sol can get rid of them easily with j.P or 5P, and that's not as true for trees. The best way Sol has to get rid of trees is to air dash into you just above the tree's hitbox while mashing j.P (not kidding, it puts you in block stun and then the tree whiffs, Sol lands, and you're at a disadvantage).

Also, just generally being able to keep Sol out of your face is good. If you're got him at the range where the only moves he can hit you with are 5S and 5H (well, 6H too, but that's not frequently used), or even just beyond that, he's going to be at a disadvantage. Be careful of 5H counter hits, though.

Always look for Grand Viper. You don't need to punish it directly, just block it, and watch for the RC if he has tension. You can also throw it just before the last hit. Well-placed trees while blocking can also help deal with Grand Viper.

Keeping nets above you and trees below you is probably your best anti-air. Your 5P can, if spaced just right, beat Sol's j.H, but it is not something I would recommend relying on.

Once you get the offensive on Sol, make sure your spacing is good. The best way to deal with Volcanic Viper is to be just barely out of its range. Generally, if Sol is disrespecting you a lot, you are probably too close. I don't like to disrespect Testament once he gets his game going on me -- usually he's just out of range of my good pokes, and I've usually gotten punished for trying. I don't know the exact punishes themselves -- hopefully someone else who knows Testament better can help with that -- but I do know your pressure should be tight enough to discourage a fair amount of disrespect. Generally, I think the only time you should be close to Sol is for mix ups with your overhead, but Sol should ideally be in some sort of block stun (from a beast, usually) when you do it.

I'm not 100% everything I just said is totally accurate for +R, so if it's not just let me know.

[entnervt]

Sols attempts to negate nets with jP can be punished with 2S or, depending on the range, backdash>(f.)5S or just (f.)5S. On counterhit you can get the party started. But you have to anticipate the jP, on reaction it's very hard. And FB skull is also a very good tool to control his pace imo. (f.)5S is a very good tool in this match up. To avoid pressure from Sol the best would be to knock him down and start beast pressure/oki;)

[Venussail91]

Thanks guys, this should help a lot.

[doragonkoroshi]

If you're in the middle of setting a tree, you don't have time to do get behind it before riot stamp hits. Easiest thing to do is just 6p on reaction and go from there.

[Orrax]

That worked in AC, but I thought 6P lost invul frames in +R? At least, I thought I remembered hearing that 6P loses to Riot Stomp again. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

And the tree stuff does indeed require some setting up, but it's generally a good idea to do so. In fact, being just behind a tree is generally a good idea in this matchup anyway.

[entnervt]

You can possibly do Zeinest>frc>shit in Sol's face. Never tried that, but if not done to often it could work. OF COURSE NOT IF SOL'S TO CLOSE TO OUR GARDENER.

[doragonkoroshi]

Orrax, I'm not sure if the vulnerable box has been changed, or the upper invul window has been shortened, or what, but 6p still beats riot stamp and bringer. It is good to be behind trees in this matchup, but it doesn't come as easily anymore, because the trees aren't planted in front of testament anymore. You used to be able to plant a tree before you realized riot stamp was happening, and then just block on reaction once you saw it, and sol would eat the tree, but not anymore. Also, I just keep forgetting that you can frc trees now, and I didn't even know you could frc zeinest. Seems like not what you want to be spending meter on, but I know if I was more aware of the hitomi one it could save me in quite a few situations.