Sword pressure strings? +Raoh question.

[4Corners]

So I generally end up wasting all my tension during my sword corner pressure. I do basic pressure strings into 236s FRC/RC, and repeat until I run out of tension. I know this is a dumb idea. What can I do instead? I know the sword doesn't quite bring the rape like the dog, nor can it lockdown as well as ghosts, but it has to have something, right? Also, what do I do when I land a 6hs midscreen? Fireballs can't catch the person in time. Is there anything?

[4r5]

end your strings with 63214HS instead

[4Corners]

I was doing that, but it pushes me so far away that following it up seems a bit silly. D:

[4r5]

You want to be far away, right? So that you can re-continue your patient zoning game. Especially if you don't have any meter to maintain a safe rushdown. At the end of the day, even with the Sword, Zappa is still just a zoning char.

[Zoogstin]

You can FRC the sword swipe if you want. Also you can also do 6HS and let the 2 hits connect, then run up and reset your pressure. 6HS is +2 on block not extraordinary by any means but it puts you at an advantage regardless. Honestly even the best sword pressure had huge gaps in it that will allow the opponent to jump. Its important to go for frame traps and high low mixups as soon as possible.

[Oiboi]

Sword blockstrings for me invariably end in swordswipe. The reason is because I can FRC to make it safe, and even on block (especially at max range after a blockstring) is safe with no tension. I usually prime a dash so I can get right back into their face after the FRC; 6P, 5K, and 5HS are some scary good moves on offense. As for landing a 6HS midscreen, if the first hit hits you can immediately cancel into swordswipe (this is of course assuming your still talking about the sword). FRC for combo if it's nearish the wall, or at least an oki setup. DP will also work if you want a gauranteed air combo (depends on the range it hits however). If it's the second hit that lands, you don't have as many options. Unless the 6HS was after a dash, so that the end of the low hit is right in front of you, you won't land a DP, and swordswipe has too much startup to connect. I BELIEVE you can do 2K or 2S and have it connect but don't quote me, they usually block it and I do swordswipe for pressure, so I'm not sure about all the combo options off the second hit. If your talking about Raou 6HS, 236S K will hit at full midscreen usually. Potemkins weird though, to connect on him you have to do P toss. You can also run up and do something like 5HS Edguy.

[eratice8188]

OK so 1st post in the zappa forums so I'm just gonna drop my opinion and hope i dont get flamed and called a dumb noob ^^. I personally try to play the sword a lot more defensively than the other summons so rather than trying to keep a constant corner pressure on with sword rushes or swipes i'll typically RC/FRC a sword rush combo finish it with a swipe, zone and poke. The sword isnt really about keeping constant pressure IMO, its got much better anti air and pokes than the other summons so why not just zone em counter hit and punish?

[Phrekwenci]

All my pressure with the sword revolves around the HS attacks for the most part. Generally, I'll give myself some distance and throw out one of the moves and see how they bite. If you got someone who has an uppercut (Sol, Ky, etc) you may want to bait. But to eratice's point, many of the sword's moves are meant to keep the player at a distance. Think Dhalsim, since an opponent can hit the sword and damage you (WTF?). My sword pressure string is 6P, 2S, 2HS. I know I've said this before but I think this should be the BnB for the sword. On counter-hit you get an instant air combo. Regular hit can chain into swipe or overdrive. On block, you can jump cancel with jHS for the instant overhead (if you're slick you'll FRC this for a combo) or swipe for pushback FRC and mixup (2S or 6HS).

[Oiboi]

All my pressure with the sword revolves around the HS attacks for the most part. Generally, I'll give myself some distance and throw out one of the moves and see how they bite. If you got someone who has an uppercut (Sol, Ky, etc) you may want to bait. But to eratice's point, many of the sword's moves are meant to keep the player at a distance. Think Dhalsim, since an opponent can hit the sword and damage you (WTF?).

My sword pressure string is 6P, 2S, 2HS. I know I've said this before but I think this should be the BnB for the sword. On counter-hit you get an instant air combo. Regular hit can chain into swipe or overdrive. On block, you can jump cancel with jHS for the instant overhead (if you're slick you'll FRC this for a combo) or swipe for pushback FRC and mixup (2S or 6HS).

Damn, I like that setup. Especially because 6P is easily replaced with 5K, making it a great tool. I'll have to do some testing to see if I can work it like a frame trap or if the blockstun is enough time for the enemy to do something after 2HS.

[eratice8188]

Wow thats interesting, I wasn't aware you could FRC a jHS thanks for the tip ^^. TRAINING TIME!

[Zeero]

nice setup indeed!! Can't believe i never thought of that before. As for the 6HS (i'm assuming raoh since sword don't have fireball). Its kind of rare that you land it midscreen (at least i find...) but i think there really is nothing much you can do. If you really need the extra damage, you can cancel it into 632146S for some damage, and you might be able to continue the combo afterwards... (don't really remember, you'll have to try training mode) i rather save the 50% tension (if it doesnt kill) incase i land an edguy (or get it blocked) later though... but thats personal preference

[Phrekwenci]

Damn, I like that setup. Especially because 6P is easily replaced with 5K, making it a great tool. I'll have to do some testing to see if I can work it like a frame trap or if the blockstun is enough time for the enemy to do something after 2HS.

I'd be careful with the 5K, I use 6P because it starts low so there's a better chance of them not blocking low in the beginning of the combo. Also the anti-air possibilities.

Remember, you can replace the 2HS with 6HS, which turns the combo into a low-high mixup. And because of the 2S before it, the 6HS will start lower and closer to the opponent.

Oh, and as far as Raoh. I hardly ever do the new fireball loop, it's too situational I think. I just throw a lot and use 5HS (so sneaky).

[4Corners]

Phrek, you still do it for me.

[JinSaotome]

Oh, and as far as Raoh. I hardly ever do the new fireball loop, it's too situational I think. I just throw a lot and use 5HS (so sneaky).

Psh, REAL Zappa players spam Edguy all day.

[Oiboi]

Psh, REAL Zappa players spam Edguy all day.

lol I love how an anji player suddenly appears on the zappa forum to say that.

Phrek, I'm an amazingly aggressive zappa, so I like to bait them into trying to hit my 6P so I can land free 5K's. That's why I suggested it.

[JinSaotome]

Hah, yeah, I play Zappa on the side too though. :3 Besides it was a joke. D:!

[Phrekwenci]

Phrek, I'm an amazingly aggressive zappa, so I like to bait them into trying to hit my 6P so I can land free 5K's. That's why I suggested it.

I suppose if you are running around a lot people will start throwing out sweeps and 5K is great against those.

[Dangief]

IF for some reason you are just throwing Raoh's 6HS out there, when it connects do Bellow Malice, it's the most guaranteed damage you'll get and you can usually IAD jS, jHS (land) Edguy afterward, if you still have tension I'll leave the rest of the possibilities to you imagination.