A Sector Seven scientist turned insane blob after exposure to the Boundary. Now with thousands of insects inside of him, he haunts the city of Kagutsuchi in search of the Azure. In terms of gameplay, Arakune is a very awkward character with awkward attacks, awkward movement, and an awkward playstyle. The main goal is to put your opponent in a "Cursed" State and deal big damage along with extremely safe block strings, cross-ups, mix-ups and even an unblocklable here and there. This is the offset to a very weak character without curse with lackluster pressure and mix-up, and mediocre and predictable defensive options.
Drive: Crimson
Crimson is the system that calculates curse meter: how much is needed to curse an opponent, what attacks inflict how much curse meter (more details on this below), and how long curse lasts. During curse, Arakune can summon a variety of bugs that help his pressure, combo ability, and damage. Curse lasts for roughly 10 seconds (the meter pauses for non-bug hitstop). Each bug has a cooldown before it can be summoned again (more details on this below) and Arakune cannot summon bugs when he is taking damage, in blockstun, teching, or activating Overdrive or Exceed Accel. Once the curse gauge depletes any further attempts to rebuild curse meter will be prevented until all summoned bugs are off-screen and any ongoing combos have concluded.
Overdrive: Crimson Depths
Upon activation the opponent will be cursed immediately with any existing curse meter, starting the curse gauge's depletion. While overdrive is active the curse gauge depletes at half the usual rate, extending the time the opponent spends cursed. Arakune's Distortion Drives will also apply more hits and do more damage. Outside of curse all Drive moves add 50% curse on hit, and on block add the amount of curse meter they would normally add on a non-Overdrive hit (25% or 33%). Additionally, Zero Vector's curse clouds each build curse at double the normal rate.
Pros/Strengths
- Very mobile in the air, with good use of his air dashes.
- High damage, pressure, keep away, and oki during curse.
- Good pokes with safe jump cancels.
Cons/Weaknesses
- Below-average health.
- Limited movement options on the ground.
- Lack of meterless defensive options.
- Low combo damage without curse.
- Lack of reliable oki without curse.
Once the curse gauge reaches 100%, it's time to summon bugs, these bugs change the entire scope of Arakune's combo potential, creating a variety of options off of the simplest hits. Although powerful, in curse you are not invincible. All bugs vanish if Arakune takes a hit, and there is a cool down between summoning of the same bug. The fun stops when the Curse gauge depletes. Uninterrupted curse expires after 10 seconds. Do what you can during that time, with good execution, you'll be happy about the outcome.
Each bug is summoned by releasing it's corresponding button (A, B, C, D). Hold left or right during release to alter the bugs horizontal summoning position/trajectory. (See individual bug sections below for alternate trajectories.)
Tip: Bug trajectory is independent of distance to Arakune, use screen landmarks such as lifebars and heat gauges to keep track of bug paths while moving.
A Bug
A Bug
Bouncy
|
500
|
All
|
1
|
until ground + 55
|
|
-
|
HBFPr
|
-
|
|
B Bug
B Bug
Drill Monster
|
450x3
|
All
|
13
|
until off-screen
|
|
-
|
HBFPr
|
-
|
|
C Bug
C Bug
Mr. Gaurd Crush Your Girl
|
940
|
Barrier
|
55
|
24
|
|
-
|
HBFPr
|
-
|
|
D Bug
D Bug
Bane of everyone's existence
|
250xN, 940
|
All, HL
|
1
|
until ground (18) until off screen
|
|
-
|
HBFPr
|
-
|
|