Lambda vs Azrael

[Speakeasy]

Discuss the Lambda vs Azrael matchup here!

[gEasS_53]

Azrael's moves:

 

236D/214D: Two very similar moves, both have guardpoints and both can be delayed to extend it. Besides 236D hitting high and 214D hitting low and being really unsafe on block(236D pushes you away enough on max range for it to be safe), there's a slight difference in how screwed you are if you attack it: If you accidentally attack a 236D, all you can do is bait it and do a Calamity Sword or RC/OD immediately for guaranteed damage. On the other hand, if your opponent taunts you with a raw 214D, feel free to endulge him! Don't jump out, you won't make it. Instead go for 2A>2A>2A>2B>3C. 214D is too slow for any of those gaps(but not 236D, DO NOT TRY THIS AGAINST 236D) and the guard point ends before the 3C, so either get a combo with CH2A/2B if they let go early, or best case scenario, CH3C. These two specials are possibly the worst thing Azrael can hit you with, so JUST. NEVER. GET. HIT.

 

TCL: The special thing about these is that Azrael can do all 3 even on whiff, so don't get any funny ideas about whiff punishes. The last hit is really unsafe though, if you actually get to block it, 3C is yet again your friend(don't try anything slower, it isn't THAT unsafe). He doesn't need to do all 3 though, so make sure he doesn't switch to 214D/236D midway. If he uses this from more than starting distance, you can safely CH5D him.

 

Growler: It eats all projectiles, which means every D move and 5C is off the table. Because any projectile eaten gives him a Phalanx Cannon(a better, faster projectile than any of ours) it actively aids him if he can block a projectile with it. Be careful with trying to use Calamity Sword as a DP, as long as Azrael isn't in the middle of an attack or in the air, he can easily counter on reaction. Also, if it eats a projectile, Azrael gains immunity to everything until the move ends, making it completely safe(you'll get a blockstring if you're up close though). When trying to pressure him after it ends, never try meaties, as he can Scud Punish you easily if the animation started before the Growler even ended.

 

Phalanx Cannon: It has a maximum stock of 3, gaining 1 for each projectile eaten by Growler. It beats all of Lambda's projectiles besides Legacy Edge(if you can get it started before it hits you, that is), comes out in 7(!!!) frames, allows him to counter you on reaction from full screen if you try anything besides As and Bs(basically nothing you could actually attack him with). It allows him to combo into Black Hawk Stinger for 3.4k damage, so it's really bad to let an Azrael keep meter and a stock around the end of the round(which he knows too, and you can't really stop him), which - again - means you really, REALLY shouldn't give him any stocks, ever. He can also follow it up with almost anything besides 236D/214D in the corner(though 236C>46C>236D/214D works), including Scud Punishment or a simple braindead combo for 3.7k minimum.

 

Rising(as in he does it close range, during the first half of the jump) j.5A>j.5D/2D doesn't leave you enough time to 6A or 2C, so you can either wait it out(block, BAD), or forward dash. He can safely 236D/214D/Scud Punishment, so don't try to counter him. If you do a 2C after a micro-dash(at a range where you would be safe already) the last few hits might hit him on the ground. He might be able to get a Scud Punishment out depending on the timing, so just use your chance to escape.

 

Lamdba's moves:

 

5B: At point-blank, Azrael can 214B afterwards if it's an instant block, at around max range even on normal block, so don't follow it up with 5C(also he can backdash, and unless you two are hugging, all 8 hits will whiff). A 3C will force him to keep blocking.

6B: Might be viable if you condition him to expect a 3C after 5B, but if he tries to Growler your 5C(that's not coming), he can hit you out of it. Don't throw this out by itself, you will just get Scud Punished(hehe, Pun(-ished(yeah, I know it's lame))).

3C: He can counter it with 214C, so never throw this out by itself

 

D(and 5C): Don't. Just don't(unless it's a counter).

 

Overall, looking at how much of Lambda's kit Azrael makes unsafe or negates altogether, it seems like this matchup is greatly in his favor. I believe his lack of long-range tools can be exploited as usual, as long as you make him try to come close. Double crossups(like 66>JC>j.44>j.5B/j.5C/j.2C) are great counters for his 236D/214D, since if he starts it up at any time before the second crossup, it comes out on the wrong side and you get a free combo.

 

I'll add more stuff when I get anything besides "being at the mercy of the Azrael player messing things up".

 

EDIT:

I left out a really important part:

236A: This is one of Azrael's best way to close the gap. It is also VERY exploitable if you know it's coming. 5B, 5C, 2C, 3C, 5D and 22D(!) all work here, though 5D is obviously the safest. Punish him hard for losing his patience!