BBTag/Merkava

	Health
	17,000
	Prejump
	6F
	Backdash
	37F (1~7F Inv All)
	Unique Movement Options
	Flight; Glide
	Fastest Attack
	2A (7F)
	Reversals
	A+D (11F); 236B+C (12F); 214B+C (11F)

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Overview

Overview

Merkava sports some pretty huge limbs that can be used to harass the opponent from a safe distance away, and his unique flight ability gives him a lot of room to move around and position himself. His 5A, 214B, and reversal action are all solid anti-airs that contribute to his dominance of the skies. As an assist, he has very somewhat standard but nonetheless good moves, with a flurry punch for general purpose, a fireball for zoning, and an anti-air that ground slams. On the other hand, his big size can easily lead to him being combo food for most opponents, and he doesn't have many options to get the opponent off of him. In addition, he is big and slow without having any traditional counter-balances, like increased backstep invulnerability or hard-hitting attacks.

Merkava

Merkava is a character that likes to pressure his opponent from at least midrange, and when he gets a hitconfirm, get his reward through very technical combos.

Pros

Cons

Effective attacks that can reach from footsies range to fullscreen.
Unique flight mechanic gives great position and safe jump setups.
Glide attack allows for some tricky mix-ups.
Strong anti-air game
Is able to Reverse Beat attacks like other UNIEL characters.

Tall hurtbox
Slow moves
Reverse beating blockstrings does not improve frame advantage
Weak to zoning

FLS of The Basilisk: Jormungandr

Merkava's FLS grants him the ability to stretch and morph his arms, allowing him to punch and grab from a long distance, turn them into whips to slap opponents, and sprout wings to fly

His FLS also grants him the ability to fly whenever he double jumps or air dashes. Merkava can move up, down, forward, or backward and can cancel into his air dash until he starts his third and final wing flap. His air dash is actually a forward glide that also can hit the opponent. Both his flight stance and his air dash can be cancelled into any air attack at any time.

Normal Moves

5A

I swear to God you better reverse beat.

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
5A	1500	All	10	5	24	-12	B	7~11 H
5AA	1500	All	8	4	20	-7	B
5AAA	1500, 500×4	All	8	3	29	-15	B
5AAAA	2400	All	18	6	29	-14	B

Jump cancelable on block.

5A is his primary anti-air and one of his best moves to end combo strings with.

5AA has good range and is also good to end combo strings with

Very unsafe on block

5AAA throws the opponent full screen.

5AAAA can only be done if 5AAA hit the opponent.

Version	Level	P1	P2
5A	3	90	80
5AA	3	100	80
5AAA	3	100	70
5AAAA	5	100	90

5A:
5AA:
5AAA:
5AAAA:

5B

I, poke
I, am incredibly sad that this isn't an overhead.

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute
5B	1500	All	13	2	22	-7	B
5BB	1500	All	15	5	23	-11	B
5BBB	1700	All	17	2	29	-12	B

Good Poke

5B is a good mid range poke that is safe if used from a decent distance

5BB is safe if done from a distance but can be punished by fast characters up close.

5BBB is also safe if done from a distance. Very punishable up close and does not connect out of 2BB on block, someone can reversal after 2BB if 2BBB is done

Version	Level	P1	P2
5B	3	100	80
5BB	3	100	80
5BBB	4	100	85

5B:
5BB:
5BBB:

5C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
800+	High	26	3	18	-4	H

Level	P1	P2
3	100	100

2A

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1000	All	7	3(6)2	14	-2	F

Does not hit low
Jump and Grab cancelable

Another one of Merkava’s safest moves on block, crouched Merkava slaps the floor twice. Use to end block strings.

Level	P1	P2
2	100	75

2B

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1500×2	Low	13	2(6)4	16	-3	F

2B has 2 hitboxes once on the way there and the other on the way back. This hits low and is generally safe. The 2nd hit is larger than the first and also vacuums.

Level	P1	P2
3	90	80×2

2C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1300×2	Low, All	12	7(14)3	24	-8	F

Launches on second hit

This knocks up and leads to big combos. This move is not safe if push blocked and can be punished. Use if attack lands or only first hit. The second hit isnt a low, and hits mid instead with foot property.

Level	P1	P2
4	90	75

j.A

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
j.A	1500	High	10	2, 1	27		H
j.AA	1500	High	9	2	17		H

Paired with his flight this is a really good button. His primary air to air tool.

Version	Level	P1	P2
j.A	3	80	80
j.AA	3	80	80

j.A:
j.AA:

j.B

Well ain't that disappointing.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1700	High	15	4	Until L+7L		H

Can be used for instant overheads, but is a bit finicky with positioning, experiment to find the sweet spot for it.

Level	P1	P2
4	80	85

j.C

I, Divekick

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1700	High	14	Until landing	22L	-3~-7	H

Advantage based on immediate j.C; Lowest possible j.C hit is -3

This move is actually an overhead, so j.C can be used as an instant overhead. There is a lot of landing recovery, but it can be special cancelled so it's not as unsafe as it seems, and you can actually combo off this solo with j.214C. If the opponent blocks this, your pressure is likely over.

Level	P1	P2
4	80	85

Advantage based on immediate j.C
Lowest possible j.C hit is -3

Universal Moves

Ground Throw

5B+C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
0, 500×4	Throw	7-30	3	23		T

Hitstun after the opponent lands from throw is longer than it might seem at first glace, can easily combo off of it with a dash

Level	P1	P2
0, 4×4	100	50

Minimum damage 2000

I, Penetrate the Clear Skies

5A+D (Air OK)

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
AD	500×10	Air Unblockable	11	2×10	26L	-19	B	1~20 All
j.AD	800×5	All	12	2×5	30L		H	1~21 All

Usually at higher disadvantage due to earlier hits pushing back too much for final hit to connect

Version	Level	P1	P2
AD	4	80	60
j.AD	4	80	60

AD:

Usually at higher disadvantage due to earlier hits pushing back too much for final hit to connect
Minimum Damage 25×10 (250)

j.AD:

Minimum Damage 40×5 (200)

Skills

I, Drill Through

236A/B

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
236A	400×8	All	13	2×8	19	-4	B
236B	450×8	All	17	2×8	31	-16	B

A version has very little startup and is safe from a distance, will miss in mid range block strings.

B version has a little bit of startup and lunges forward and best used in combos, very punishable.

Version	Level	P1	P2
236A	3	80	80
236B	3	80	80

236A:

Minimum Damage 20×8 (160)

236B:

Minimum Damage 22×8 (176)

I, Capture and Devour

214A/B

I, Active Switch Crossup With This

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
214A	1000, 0, 500×3	All	15	2-16*	26-31/54*	-8 ~ -13	B
214B	1000, 0, 500×3	All	15	2-16*	20-25/43*	-2 ~ -7	B

Enters recovery on block; adds a frame of recovery for every 2 frames spent active; additional 23 frames recovery on whiff

Merkava extends his arm full screen and latches onto the opponent wherever they were on hit. On block, he does not travel to the opponent, but on hit he will do a lengthy animation that can be followed up with the help of your partner. Opponents cannot ground forward tech through Merkava after the knockdown, so it's useful in the corner to lock them down.

Enters recovery on block; adds a frame of recovery for every 2 frames spent active; additional 18 frames recovery on whiff

Similar to the A version but this one hits at a 45 degree angle upward.

Version	Level	P1	P2
214A	4	80	85
214B	4	80	85

214A:

Enters recovery on block
Adds a frame of recovery for every 2 frames spent active
Additional 23 frames recovery on whiff
Minimum Damage 125

214B:

Enters recovery on block
Adds a frame of recovery for every 2 frames spent active
Additional 23 frames recovery on whiff
Minimum Damage 125

I, Breath Out

j.214A/B

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
j.214A	1500	All	19	Until Hit	Total: 49+8L	-8	P1
j.214B	1500	All	23	Until Hit	Total: 53+4L	-5	P1

A version has 8f forced landing recovery; B version has 4f forced landing recovery
Advantage based on lowest possible use

Version	Level	P1	P2
j.214A	3	80	80
j.214B	3	80	80

j.214A:

Advantage based on lowest possible use
Minimum Damage 75

j.214B:

Advantage based on lowest possible use
Minimum Damage 75

I, Spring to the Sky

88

I, Might Do A Crossup

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln

Flaps three times before automatically ending
Merkava will do a small midair hop to indicate flight is about to end.

Fly that can be executed with any 2 jump motions before landing. A very good option for Merkava and has ton of uses for mixups, pressure, etc

Level	P1	P2

I, Soar the Sky

j.44 or j.66

I, Control the Skies

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
j.66	1500	All	20	24	11		H
j.44	1500	All	25	16	11		H

Can be cancelled to a normal on whiff

Travels very far and also has a hitbox. Used in combination with moves to apply pressure. Used both to approach and help zone.

Given the size of Merkava's air normals, this can let you take over a lot the screen. Ability to use this with the aerial backdash lets you attack while retreating.

Up to +3 if canceled into whiff jB.

Version	Level	P1	P2
j.66	4	80	80
j.44	4	80	80

j.66:

Can cancel into attacks on 24F
Minimum Damage 75

j.44:

Can cancel into attacks on 29F
Minimum Damage 75

Extra Skills

EX I, Drill Through

236C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
350×16	All	13	2×16	25	-10	B

Merkava's EX punch attack does more damage, goes farther faster, and keeps the opponent blocking for a pretty long time which makes it useful to switch to a partner while he does the long animation.

Level	P1	P2
3	80	80

Minimum Damage 35×16 (560)

EX I, Capture and Devour

214C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1000, 0, 500×5	All	15	1-8*	26-31/54*	-8 ~ -13	B

Enters recovery on block; adds a frame of recovery for every 2 frames spent active; additional 23 frames recovery on whiff

Level	P1	P2
4	80	85

Merkava immediately enters recovery on block
adds a frame of recovery for every 2 frames spent active
additional 23 frames recovery on whiff
Minimum Damage 350

EX I, Breath Out

j.214C

I, Disregard Frame Data

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1500×3	All	22	Until Hit	Total: 42+4L	+20	P1

4f forced landing recovery; Advantage based on lowest possible use

Level	P1	P2
3	80	80×3

Advantage based on lowest possible use
Minimum Damage 150×3 (450)

Partner Skills

5P

I, Drill Through

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
550×6	All	(18)+13	1×6	31	-15	B

Neutral partner skill with a good amount of lockdown. Has a rather short animation and screen presence on whiff though.

Level	P1	P2
3	70	80

Minimum Damage 27×6 (162)

6P

I, Breath Out

I, Keep the zoners out

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1500×3	All	(18)+36	Until hit	Total: (18)+75+16L		P

This can mainly be used for helping approach because of it’s slow speed or applying range on zoners. Don't use it in combos if you can help it - each hit applies proration separately so hitting the opponent with 2 or 3 of the fireballs really lowers your combo damage.

Level	P1	P2
3	70	80×3

Minimum Damage 75×3 (225)

4P

5A

I, don't think this helps much

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1500	All	(18)+12	5	24	-12	B

Hard knockdown on hit

While useful for extending combos because of the hard knockdown, it doesn't see much use outside of punishing Cross Bursts.

Level	P1	P2
3	70	80

Minimum Damage 75

Distortion Skills

I, Resentfully Rage

236B+C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
670×20 [640×25]	All	1+(60 Flash)+11	4×20 [4×25]	54	-37	B	1~22 All

Merkava flails his arms around wildly, covering a large area but is super unsafe.

Level	P1	P2
5	80	60

Values in [] are for Enhanced version
Minimum damage: 93×20 (1860) [83×25 (2075)]

I, Frolic

214B+C (Air OK)

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
1000, 0, 400×5, 1500, 3100 [1000, 0, 400×5, 1000×3, 3200]	All	1+(24 Flash)+10	12	39L	-32	H	1~12 All

Merkava jumps into the air, grabs the opponent, jumps into the air and then slams them onto the ground. Can be used in the air. Use to finish off combos from the air.

Level	P1	P2
4	80	100×8 [×10], 60

Values in [] are for Enhanced version
Minimum damage: 200, 80×5, 300, 1054 (1954) [200, 80×5, 200×3, 928 (2128)]

Distortion Skill Duo

I, Resentfully Rage

P during Partner's Distortion Skill

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
100×20 [100×25]	All	1+(96 Flash)+1	4×20 [4×25]	54	-37	B	1~13 All

Party hard if you think your opponent has less or around 2k (2.5k) HP.

Level	P1	P2
5	100	100

Values in [] are for Enhanced version
Minimum Damage: 2000 [2500]

Astral Heat

I, Overrun

222B+C

I, Monch

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Attribute	Invuln
6666, 0×6, 42334	All	1+(76 Flash)+10	4	34	-17	B	1~14 All

Merkava reaches forward to initiate the attack. After landing the attack he begins to eat the opponent. Can be used in most situations other supers would be used