GBVS/Katalina

	Health
	10000
	Prejump
	4f
	Backdash
	22f
	Backshift
	High Recovery (30f)

Overview

Starter Guide

Combos

Overview

Katalina is a well-rounded character based on the ShotoShort for "shotokan"A character archetype defined by being similar in some way to Ryu or Ken Masters from Street Fighter. Shotos usually have a horizontal fireball, an invincible reversal, and a forward moving special move. archetype. While her play style is similar to Gran's, she excels at a longer range due to many of her rapier-based attacks and dash follow-up from her Light Wall; this means Katalina can afford to fight more defensively, while effectively complimenting her offense.

Katalina is a well-rounded character who plays footsies at a slightly longer range with her far-reaching attacks.

Pros

Cons

Simple and Strong: Katalina has all the tools she needs to win and is incredibly well-rounded.
Anti-Airs: Between 2HGuardMidStartup10Recovery23Advantage-12, 623HGuardMidStartup9Recovery35Advantage-28, and f.HGuardMidStartup9Recovery23Advantage-10, Katalina can intercept jumping opponents quite easily at any range.
Powerful Pokes: All of Kat's far buttons, as well as her 2MGuardMidStartup7Recovery15Advantage-5, are top-of-the-line pokes and whiff punishing tools. They're either faster or longer reaching than any other character's comparative normal.
Damage Access: Katalina can force wallbounces from farther distances than other characters using 214HGuardMidStartup16 [17-76]Recovery19Advantage-8 (at worst) [+4], and it can be increased even further with Rush.
Above-Average Damage: Exactly what it says on the tin. Kat's pokes all convert into okizeme at any range and extended combos with resources hit particularly hard.

Average Fireball: Katalina lacks the ability to change her fireball timing via charging like other characters can. They're also more negative on block than other character's comparative moves and 214LGuardMidStartup16Recovery18Advantage-7 (at worst), for some reason.
Cooldown Cycling: Katalina only has three special moves, making committing to an EX move more impactful than the rest of the cast. Cycling her corner pressure requires either two cooldowns or 50 meter.
Hurtboxes: All of Katalina's best pokes (even 2MGuardMidStartup7Recovery15Advantage-5) and even her fireballs have extended low hurtboxes, making them quite weak to being counterpoked by lows. She has no real way to deal with this and is usually forced to trade. 214LGuardMidStartup16Recovery18Advantage-7 (at worst) is also prone to getting low-profiled.

Normal Moves

c.L

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
400	Mid	5	2	6	+2	+6

c.L is as strong as jabs come. It's plus on block, cancels into her other L buttons, and comes with strong linking options. Along with 2L, it has fast enough recovery that it can be used as a reversal-safe meaty in certain setups. Katalina's focus in pressure is around conditioning opponents to throw, and c.L is an excellent tick throw button to do just that. Should they bite, it frame traps into most of Katalina's other pressure buttons (including itself) for good reward.

Level	Attribute
0

c.M

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
700	Mid	6	3	13	-1	+3

c.M is almost exclusively combo filler. It links after her c.L and 2L for more damage after a jump in. Unfortunately, due to its frame advantage, it functionally ends her turn on block.

Level	Attribute
2

c.H

Frame 9~10
Frame 11~12
Frame 13~14

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
1200	Mid	9	6	21	-8	-4

c.H is very damaging and very unsafe on block. Consequently, its usually used to start punishes or as combo filler. Like c.M, it ends her turn on block.

Level	Attribute
4

Auto Combo

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
c.XX	350	Mid	9	3	15	-3	+1
c.XXX	350	Mid	12	3	18	-4	0

Katalina's autocombo is primarily used to add corner carry to midscreen combos. She does not have any resourceless ways to safely disengage afterwards aside from simply blocking after c.XXX, but the autocombo does keep her close to her opponent for Emerald SwordGuardMid→AllStartup9Recovery30Advantage-23 to connect. The last hit also has enough hitstun to combo into M Enchanted LandsGuardMidStartup20Recovery21Advantage-8 (at worst).

Mildly useful for extensions if c.XXX is kara-cancelled into 236HGuardMidStartup20Recovery21Advantage-8 (at worst) as it keeps Katalina closer than usual.

Version	Level	Attribute
c.XX	2
c.XXX	3

c.XX:
c.XXX:

f.L

A beast of a normal

Frame 6
Frame 7~11

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
400	Mid	6	6	6	+1	+5

f.L stops people from running at Katalina. f.L extends Katalina's pressure. f.L is Katalina's pressure. f.L helps Katalina hitconfirm her other L buttons. f.L combos into 2M on counterhit. f.L can be up to +6 on block if it hits late. f.L does your taxes.

Jokes aside, the only thing f.L doesn't do is consistently combo into 214L. At max f.L range, Kat is forced to spend a cooldown on 214H to get a knockdown.

Level	Attribute
1

f.M

Footsies!

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
700	Mid	8	3	18	-6	-2

f.M is arguably Katalina's best normal. It has amazing speed and range, which makes it quite difficult to get around. The higher hurtbox means that most characters need to use their slower standing normals as opposed to faster crouching ones in order to whiff punish, making it pretty safe to throw out. It combos into 236M on counter hit.

Level	Attribute
2

f.H

Shouldn't have gotten hit.

Frame 9~10
Frame 11~12

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
1000	Mid	9	4	23	-10	-6

f.H's hitstun, speed, reach and the fact it is a heavy button make it a strong choice for counter poking, even more than f.M in some cases. Since its a heavy button, it will crush anything of a lower strength that it clashes with. It is also a good anti air from farther ranges and is one of our best corner combo starter. It is important to be able to single hit confirm this as a Katalina player.

Level	Attribute
3

2L

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
400	Low	6	3	6	+2	+6

2L is a low hitting jab that is plus on block. Linking to 2M is possible, but only on a crouching opponent. The range is pretty abysmal.

Level	Attribute
0

2M

Just press it.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
700	Mid	7	5	15	-5	-1

2M has an amazing combination of range, speed and safety. Its speed makes it strong for punishing moves that f.M wouldn't. It confirms into 214H from any range which makes it an incredibly strong whiff punish tool. It also has a hitbox low to the ground, making it great for beating crossovers once opponents are frustrated with neutral.

Level	Attribute
2

2H

Frame 10~12
Frame 13~15

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
1000	Mid	10	6	23	-12	-8

2H is a great anti-air. Cancelling into level 1 or 2 5U 66 gives consistent punishes for non-counter hit AND counter hit anti-airs. On aerial non-counter hit, a well timed delayed 214L / 214M cancel leads to insane damage for only 1 or 2 EX cooldowns.

Level	Attribute
3

2U

Stop walking back.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
700	Low	8	5	21	-11	HKD

2U is Katalina’s only other low. The range and speed are solid for a move that grants a hard knockdown on hit and access to safejump setups. It’s unsafe on block so be sure to space it well so you can reap the benefit of that hard knockdown if you don’t plan on cancelling into 4G or 236H, or 236L/M at larger distances to make it safe.

Level	Attribute
2

j.L

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
400	High/Air	5	Until L	0

This is a standard j.L that is active until you touch the ground. Useful if you want a hitbox covering you as you are falling. Its range is short so make sure you’re going to land on the opponent when you do this.

Level	Attribute
1

j.M

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
600	High/Air	6	7	Until L

j.M is a good jump in from farther ranges due to its slightly downward angle and reach. It can also be used as an air to air.

Level	Attribute
2

j.H

Frame 7~9
Frame 10~12

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
800	High/Air	7	6	Until L

j.H reaches far ahead of Katalina but is mostly a horizontal hitbox. It’s decent to use as part of a neutral jump to control the space in front of you.

Level	Attribute
2

j.U

Frame 13~15
Frame 16~18
Frame 19~21
Frame 22~24

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
700	High/Air	13	12	Until L

j.U is Katalina’s most useful jump in. It swings low beneath Katalina, which will beat some late anti air attempts, and it can also crossup. As such, this is the standard move to use when safejumping

Level	Attribute
2

Unique Action

Light Wall

5U

First two active
Final four active

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit
5U Lv1	700	Mid	14~??+9	6	24	-15	KD
5U Lv2	1000	Mid	14~??+9	6	24	-13	KD
5U Lv3	1200	Mid	14~??+9	6	24	-11	Crumple
5U > 66					19	-5/-3/-1	KD/KD(+7)/Crumple
5U > 44					22	-8/-6/-4	KD/KD/Crumple

Gives Katalina armor for one hit and reduces the damage by 40%. Follows up with a slash when the button is released or when charged to maximum, but the attack has no armor. Both the barrier and the slash are forward and backdash cancellable. With the buff granting her knockdowns on hit, it is a decent option to punish fireballs or single-hit forward advancing moves. It has also opened up a more damaging combo route if opting for a 623L air reset combo ender.

Holding 5U powers up the attack:

Releasing immediately does a forward advancing slash with the lowest level reward. On aerial hit, it is possible to connect a c.L after a frontstep.
Charged halfway the screen will shake, and will grant combos by canceling into frontstep (such as a linked c.M/2M).
Charged to maximum the attack will release itself and crumple the opponent on hit granting you a very damaging combo.
If your opponent connects an attack with the shield they can cancel normally.

Version	Level	Attribute
5U Lv1	2
5U Lv2	3
5U Lv3	4
5U > 66
5U > 44

5U Lv1:

Can cancel into frontstep or backstep before attacking or on hit/block

5U Lv2:

Can cancel into frontstep or backstep before attacking or on hit/block

5U Lv3:

Can cancel into frontstep or backstep before attacking or on hit/block

5U > 66:
5U > 44:

Universal Mechanics

Ground Throw

Neutral
Forward/Back

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
1500	Throw	7	3	31	HKD	HKD

Level	Attribute
0, 4	Throw

Air Throw

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
1500	Throw	5	5	Until L+6		HKD

Level	Attribute
0, 4	Airthrow

Overhead Attack

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
1000	High	26	5	18	-4	+1	4-31 Throw 13-27 Low 12-26 Airborne

The universal overhead. On CH she can link c.H for huge damage. Other than that the range on this move is about as bad as 2L. Use it here and there to apply some chip damage or to punish throw techs for massive reward.

Level	Attribute
4

Special Moves

Frozen Blade

236X or 5S

"Am I winning the neutral yet?"

Frame 16~17
All remaining active

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit
236L	800	All	16	Total 45	-9	-5
236M	800	All	16	Total 45	-9	-5
236H	350×3	All	16	Total 48	+2	+6

Shoots an ice sword projectile. Very traditional fireball. This move is absolutely vital to Katalina's gameplan, as it makes her pokes safe at max range as well as giving her a somewhat reliable fullscreen presence. It does not come without drawbacks, however. It's the least safe fireball in the game at close range, often easily punishable on block if used after autocomboGuardMidStartup12Recovery18Advantage-4. It's also easily rolled or dodged on reaction at farther ranges which will give it a longer cooldown.

L Fireball

The slow one.

Forces approaches and starts being plus at max poke range. It's also somewhat safe to roll of cancelled into at max f.MGuardMidStartup8Recovery18Advantage-6 range. Excellent to test how people respond to Kat's fireballs.

M Fireball

The fast one.

Better at countering opponent's zoning attempts and changes jump timings. Typically slightly negative at max poke range. The speed is so fast that the opponent cannot jump out of strings utilizing this instead of the L version. Since it is not that easy to react to from poking range, the opponent has to do something risky to deal with it.

H Fireball

Hits three times.
Hard knockdown on air hit.

High risk/low reward neutral tool. Typically reserved for corner combos after 214HGuardMidStartup16 [17-76]Recovery19Advantage-8 (at worst) [+4] as it doesn't launch on its own. Can be useful as a combo extender midscreen, but is much better against crouching opponents due to the limited range of her L buttons (and their tendency to drop a 214L ender at max range).

Version	Level	Attribute
236L	2
236M	2
236H	2

236L:

Cooldown: 33-104F (Technical) 53-124F (Easy)

236M:

Cooldown: 33-104F (Technical) 33-104F (Easy)

236H:

Cooldown: 517-574F (Technical) 517-574F (Easy)

Emerald Sword

623X or 6S

Frame 9~11
623H: Frame 9~10
623L: Frame 14~19
623M: Frame 14~25
623H: Frame 12~22 w/ full invulnerability

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
623L	1000→500	Mid→All	9	2(2)6	30	-23	KD	1~12 All
623M	800, 500	Mid, All	9	2(2)12	34	-27	KD	1~14 All
623H	800, 150×4~5	Mid	9	15	35	-28	HKD	1~23 All

Rising rapier swing with invulnerability. Katalina's anti-air DP. 623L and 623M are only air unblockable on the first 2 of their active frames, while 623H is air unblockable for all of its active frames. 623H causes a hard knockdown that you can perform a safejump off of. It also gains a lot of meter on hit so it's good to end combos with it early in a round.

Version	Level	Attribute
623L	3
623M	4
623H	4

623L:

Cooldown: 20F (Technical) 200F (Easy)
Clash Level 14 (Technical) 10 (Easy)

623M:

Cooldown: 20F (Technical) 200F (Easy)
Clash Level 16 (Technical) 10 (Easy)

623H:

Cooldown: 480F (Technical) 600F (Easy)
Clash Level 18 (Technical) 10 (Easy)

Enchanted Lands

214X or 2/4S

Version	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit
214L	1000	Mid	16	6	18	-7 (at worst)	KD
214M	1400	Mid	20	6	21	-8 (at worst)	KD
214H	1200 [1800]	Mid	16 [17-76]	8	19	-8 (at worst) [+4]	HKD

A quickly advancing rapier thrust. This is unsafe on block at most ranges, so it's important to properly hitconfirm into it or space it correctly. All versions are relatively unpunishable at max range but carry a high amount of recovery should they whiff.

L Version

Basic damage/corner push ender.
Causes an air tech on normal hit and a soft knockdown on counterhit.

Unsafe on block up close, but vital for corner carry and great for a quick punish. This is important to be able to hitconfirm.

M Version

Does a backstep first before advancing.
Wallbounces on counterhit.

The backthrust is useful for whiff punishing, as it can dodge and punish pokes like Ferry's 5M/2M. This can be used instead of 214L in autocombos for some extra damage. If this counterhits someone in the corner, they can kiss their lifebar goodbye. The thrust has slightly longer range than 214L's thrust and it can actually end up being -4 or better if it connects at max range.

H Version

Causes a hard knockdown on hit and wallbounces in the corner.
Can be charged to delay thrust, guard crushes at maximum charge.

It's powerful when near the corner, since it can convert any hit into lots of damage. Katalina's main meterless launcher, which links into c.M after the wall bounce. Linking c.H is possible when the opponent is hit when spaced a bit away from the corner, resulting in a slightly higher wallbounce.

Version	Level	Attribute
214L	3
214M	4
214H	4

214L:

Cooldown: 20F (Technical) 200F (Easy)
Clash Level 2

214M:

Cooldown: 20F (Technical) 200F (Easy)
Clash Level 2

214H:

Cooldown: 480F (Technical) 600F (Easy)
Clash Level 3

Skybound Art

Blades of Frost

236236H or 236S

Frame 13~15
Frame 32~34
Frame 35~37
Frame 62~70

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
3500→2500	Mid	8+5	3(15)6(24)9	24	-10	HKD	1~15 All

Invulnerable super. Performs a three-hit combo. Connecting at close range will enhance the damage of the third strike.

Minimum damage: Shortcut: 525, Technical: 875.

Level	Attribute
4

Clash Level 25 (Technical) 20 (Easy)

Super Skybound Art

Realm of Ice

236236U or 236S+U

Frame 13~15
Frame 16~18
Frame 31~33
Frame 34~36
Frame 37~39
Frame 40~42
Frame 43~45
Frame 46~51

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	On-Hit	Invuln
4475→3500	Mid	6+6	6(12)3×5,6	55	-54	HKD	1~17 All

Invulnerable super. Slashes upward. Will be followed by a finishing move by the summoned Ares after a successful close-range hit.

Minimum damage: Shortcut: 785, Technical: 1161

Level	Attribute
4

Clash Level 35 (Technical) 30 (Easy)

Colors

Colors
Color 1	Color 2	Color 3	Color 4

Color 5	Color 6	Color 7	Color 8

Color 9	Color 10	Color 11	Color 12

Color 13	Color 14	Color 15	Color 16

Color 17	Color 18	Color 19	Color EX