DBFZ/Android 18/Strategy

General Tactics

Team positioning

Point

Yes. As a pressure character Android 18 functions very well with assists. It is easier to get away with frametraps if they are expecting you to use assists to extend your blockstrings.

Mid

Decent in mid, assist improved after the most recent balance patch.

Anchor

She can make use of the meter. Her level 3 is easy to combo into, especially when you have an extra bar to vanish into it.

Picking Teammates

She does best with teammates that have offensive assists that can help back up her pressure game and condition the opponent to block.

Blockstrings

2L > 5LL > 2M > 5M > 5H > S > 214L > Assist

Basic blockstring loop. If you use more than one S you risk being super dashed. Usually follow up with dragon rush or IAD into high-low mixup / command grab.

2L > 5LL > 2M > 5M > 5H > S > 214M

Frametrap blockstring loop. Same follow ups. Saves an assist and gets a free mixup on a passive player. Can be punished but only during startup. Use sparingly and at different points in the block string if at all.

2L > 5LL > 2M > 5M > 5H > S > 236S > M+H (Vanish) > 5LL > etc.

Spend meter to safely extend pressure without using an assist. Note: After vanish 2L > 5L will not connect.

236S > M+H (Vanish) > 5LL > etc.

Spend meter to start a blockstring from a distance.

2L > 5LL > 2M > 5M > 5H > 2S

Another frametrap. Can be countered by 2H but only if they do it early. If they block the 2S you will have frame advantage.

2L > 5LL > 2M > 5M > 236M or 236H

Easiest way to put command grab into the middle of a string.

2L > 236M or 236H

Must be close. Classic tick throw that most characters do not have access to.

2L > 236L

Best way to step on somebody's head. Less damage but a more satisfying animation and it comes out faster. 236L does not work after 5M because of short range.