DNFD/Crusader/Matchups

Crusader

Overview

Starter Guide

Combos

This page covers advanced topics which require competitive expertise to confirm.

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Matchups

Table of Contents

Scale	Matchup Legend
Scale	Very Favorable	Favorable	Even	Unfavorable	Very Unfavorable

Replay Theater is a great resource to find high-level matchup footage.
High-level replays may also be found in-game.
Character Strategy pages generally have at least some basic counter-strategy.
Please keep in mind the matchup chart is subjective and not all players may agree.

Berserker

BerserkerKill him or die trying

Difficult

Generally difficult matchup for Crusader
Berserker's offensive options are very good at shutting down Crusader's defense, so Crusader is forced to attempt to maintain offense as much as possible

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Neutral

Wall (6M), Kara spear (j.s~m) can enforce plus frames from mid-range, allowing Crusader to approach and begin 2a pressure
Berserker players will often use Bloody Twister (f.5M) to close the mid range gap against Crusader and begin their dangerous blockstrings
Saint Counter (4S) can be used as a high risk callout on Berserker's approaches, since Berserker will often begin pressure with Frenzy 5a

Offense

Standard 2a stagger pressure remains effective
Berserker will often die in 2, occasionally 1 hit, due to low base HP and self inflicted health drain.
Berserker's slow reversal makes him vulnerable to being safejumped more easily than other characters

Defense

Defense against Berserker often requires large risks to be taken
The effectiveness of Crusader's defensive options are mostly dependent on the awareness of the Berserker player.
Guard Cancel, Roll, and Baptism (2M) can be conversion blocked and punished by Berserker players relatively consistently, due to either slow startups, or the armor hit, in the case of 2M.
Saint Counter is the only defensive option available that is not reactable, but its 5 frame startup makes it a risky choice.
Indomitable Spirit can be used to keep Berserker close, allowing for his pressure to be challenged.

Crusader

CrusaderTackle

Mirror

Crusader is not incredibly well equipped to handle his own pressure.
Tackle can prove incredibly effective in stopping some typical tools, like Walls that aren't part of airtight strings, and 6S orbs in neutral

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Neutral

Crusader's projectile invulnerability on 5M can often avoid a lot of his own typical neutral tools
Because of this, normal pokes, mainly 5A, form the center of his neutral

Offense

Normal staggers are the name of the game
Blockstrings into wall must be airtight, otherwise an opposing Crusader will be able to tackle for a punish
Kara spears are similarly less effective than other matchups for the same reason
Due to the changes to Baptism, a well placed 2B can punish either of Crusader's reversal options

Defense

Be ready to tackle out of non-airtight blockstrings into wall
Uitilize Saint Counter if you think the other player will maintain stagger pressure with mids

Dragon Knight

Dragon KnightThe No-Fly Zone

Even-ish

Crusader's strong neutral and ability to 2 touch low health characters offset some of the defensive struggles that he faces in the matchup
As a low health/guard gauge character, DK is very susceptible to Crusader's gold cube damage/guard break potential

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Neutral

Preemptive walls can stop Dragon Knight from attempting to fly and either throw fireballs or airdash in.
When Dragon Knight uses Astra in neutral, Crusader can stuff it with a 5a and immediately cancel into Wall to reverse DK's attempt at starting pressure
Dragon Knight can run under Flash Sphere, so it is not as useful as it can be against taller characters
Avoid giving Dragon Knight white life unless you are able to pressure immediately afterward. If she has white life, her 4M > conversion sequence becomes very threatening

Offense

Usual stagger pressure still applies. 2a, 5a, 5b, and 6m will form the basis of your offense
Dragon Knight is susceptible to crossups, due to the weird hitbox on her DP.
When Gold Cube Awakening is activated, if Crusader can set up Apocalypse and force DK into it, he can break her entire guard gauge in one sequence
Kara spears in neutral can be stuffed by Dragon Knight's 6M, so use them with caution

Defense

Dragon Knight relies on flight to begin her pressure, as well as for mixups
Due to Crusader's DP being armored, rather than invincible, means that DK's strike throw pressure is particularly effective.
Defense in the matchup relies upon anti-airing DK with Baptism, and well timed challenges with 2a or rolls when she goes for pressure