DNFD/Swift Master

Overview

Swift Master is a technical and aggressive character who is adept at fighting from nearly anywhere on the screen.

Thanks to his fast movement speed, great frame data, large disjointed hitboxes, and the ability to use any MP moves while airborne, Swift Master will generally command the pace of the match in any matchup. When playing from a distance he can fish for highly damaging hits with Storm StrikeGuard:
MidStartup:
25Recovery:
-Advantage:
+3, an unreactable nearly fullscreen plus on block combo starter that beats projectiles, or space the opponent with his 6S projectiles. When needing to approach zoners, he can use 214MGuard:
MidStartup:
14Recovery:
-Advantage:
+22 to protect himself from projectiles for up to 4 hits, even beating otherwise dominant options such as Crusader's 236MGuard:
MidStartup:
15Recovery:
-Advantage:
+5 all while making his own dodge plus on block.

In blockstrings, Swift Master is able to enforce nearly gapless guard crush pressure that is incredibly MP efficient as it can be performed with only 100 starting mana. Even without threatening guard breaks, he can prevent opponents with shorter reach from counterattacking via his 6SGuard:
MidStartup:
14Recovery:
-Advantage:
-19 projectiles, or reset pressure by pulling opponents in with 4SGuard:
MidStartup:
28 TotalRecovery:
-Advantage:
N/A.

If being dominant everywhere on the screen was not enough, Swift Master also has incedible okizeme and mana efficiency via Wind OrbGuard:
-Startup:
30Recovery:
-Advantage:
N/A. It allows him to regain nearly his entire mana bar during a combo due to enhanced juggle properties keeping the opponent airborne and close to Swift Master, all while setting up some of the most threatening okizeme options in the game. With an active Wind Orb near the opponent, Swift Master can choose any options between double overhead, overhead into low, empty jump low, land and throw out of either option, crossup, etc, all while being able to be DPDragon Punch A move that has invulnerability during its startup, long recovery, and a rising motion. and Guard Cancel safe.

His singular weakness is his bottom of the barrel health pool, making him more susceptible to touch of death situations than the majority of the cast.

Lore:

A chosen Mage that wields the power of the winds in battle.

In Pandemonium stands Stormy Heights, a place where arctic winds blow all year long.
The Swift Masters believe that the direction in which wind blows holds special powers, thus deciding the fate of a newborn depending on whatever winds it was born in.
However, it is said that those who are born when no winds blow are destined to become Wind Gods.

The sight of them bending wind to their will to strike fast as lightning and as punishing as a storm is said to instill awe in witnesses.

Playstyle

Swift Master Swift is classified as a Gimmicky type. He has fast movement and high mobility. He can use all MP moves while airborne. His moves support his movements while encumbering that of his foe's.
Pros	Cons
Mobility: Swift Master is among the fastest characters in the game outside of Awakening, and the absolute fastest within it. He also has unmatched aerial mobility thanks to Sonic Move, and being able to use every MP Skill while airborne. Incredible Neutral: All of Swift Master's attacks are highly disjointed and have devastatingly high return as whiff punishes. He is also adept at fighting projectiles with 214M. cancelling them out and leaving him plus on block when running or dodging into an opponent. Pressure Monster: With an active Wind Orb, Swift Master can access virtually every mix-up option in the game, and even punish the opponent for not getting opened up with gapless Guard Crush strings. This is all while keeping his pressure safe from AbareAn attack during the opponent's pressure, intended to interrupt it., True ReversalA reversal attack of which the user is invulnerable throughout all startup frames, including the first active frame or more. This is important to note, as some reversals that are not "true" may be beaten by meaties, or are prone to trading on the first active frame.s and Guard Cancels. Looping Okizeme: Swift Master's midscreen combo routes lead to a great deal of corner carry, where he can then use his Wind OrbGuard: -Startup: 30Recovery: -Advantage: N/A mixup game to setplay and loop into more hard knockdown setups. MP Efficient: Most MP Skills in Swift Master's arsenal cost less than average, and he regains a lot of MP during Wind Orb combos via juggling with 5S and j.S instead of MP skills. He Needs It: 214M's active tornadoes allow Swift Master to break many rules of the game, such as having attacks out while Dodging and blocking so he is unpunishable on whiff or even free to start his own offense should they connect, while also being able to prevent conventional Guard Crush punishes on him.	Fragile: Swift Master is in the lowest health and guard gauge brackets in the game, making him more susceptible to high damage combos and guard break pressure.

Awakening Effect: Wind Master

Awakening Effect: activates when entering Awakening mode at 30% HP or less.

Increases movement speed by 50% when walking, dashing, and backdashing. Also increases the distance traveled by backdash.

Swift Master

Health:	850
Guard Gauge:	1000
MP Regen Rate:	12
Prejump:	4
Backdash:	{{{backdash}}}
Fastest Ground Abare:This character's fastest attacks for mashing or scrambles. Excludes universal throws.	2A (6F)
Reversal Attacks:Any reversal-esque moves this character has. Excludes universal options.	623M (18F)

Normal Moves

5A

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
35	Mid	7			-5	none

Swift Master slashes the air in front of him. One of the farthest reaching 5As in the game.

5AA

5AA

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
45	Mid				-3	none

Swift Master lunges forward and attacks with more air blades. Advances forward slightly, making sure 5AA always hit confirms from a max range 5A.

Can be chained from 5A even on whiff.

5B

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
55	Mid	9			-11	none

Swift Master rapidly dashes forward delivering a wind-enhanced punch. A great advancing move due to the speed at which it covers distance, making this Swift Master's primary whiff punish normal.

Cancels into 2B to start combos.
Keeps opponents airborne.

2A

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
30	Mid	6			-6	none

Swift Master crouches and attacks the area in front of him with wind blades. Has slightly less range than 5A but is one frame faster.

Cannot be canceled into from any other normal.
Contrary to many other characters, Swift Master's 2A is not a low.

2B

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
50	Low	10			-14	none

Swift Master's Sweep. A low attack that knocks opponents down on hit. Used as a poke due to its range and great speed, and to juggle airborne opponents during combos.

Useful to do Conversion Cancel or Wind OrbGuard:
-Startup:
30Recovery:
-Advantage:
N/A after hit confirming B into 5S.

j.A

j.A

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
40	High	7				none

Swift Master attacks slightly above him in the air. His go-to air to air option.

j.B

j.B

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
55	High	9				none

Swift Master attacks the space forward and beneath him, making j.B an excellent jump-in option that is used in many of his okizeme situations.

Good cross-up potential

Universal Mechanics

Throw

A+B

DNFD Swift Master AB Hitbox.png

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
150	Throw	5	2	22		none

Slices and dices you.

Best used during corner pressure to gain some sort of advantage afterwards.

Guard Cancel

B+S

DNFD Swift Master 6BS Hitbox.png

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
70	Mid	23				none

Since it uses the same animation as his 5S, Swift Master's Guard Cancel is one of the larger and more reliable ones in the game.

Skills

Wind Blaster

5S (Air OK)

Name	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
Wind Blaster	95	Mid	16			-9	none
Aerial Wind Blaster	95	Mid	16				none

A large blast of air in front of Swift Master. A core component to Swift Master combos. Launches the opponent and is jump cancellable on hit.

Good horizontal and vertical reach makes this a good tool to stop opponents from approaching.

Wind Upper

2S

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
70	Mid	15			-2	none

An uppercut that launches opponents on hit and leaves Swift Master airborne during the recovery, allowing him to cancel into air actions. This is useful when a Wind OrbGuard:
-Startup:
30Recovery:
-Advantage:
N/A is near the opponent as he can land with Sonic MoveGuard:
MidStartup:
8Recovery:
-Advantage:
+8~ and loop Wind Upper several times for good meterless damage.

High vertical reach and decent horizontal coverage as well.

Cancel Options: MP Skills

Sweeping Wind

6S Is a projectile property attack

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
50, 40×2	Mid	14			-19	none

Sends out 2 tornadoes that reach around half screen distance. Good tool for controlling space in neutral as well as pressuring in blockstrings

Keeps opponents airborne, allowing meterless combo extensions if close enough.
Blocks projectiles that are less active than the tornadoes.

Headwind

4S

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
	Mid	28 Total			N/A	none

Swift Master summons a vortex to pull the opponent towards him. The closer they are, the faster and closer they will come towards him. This move is a double-edged sword, since while it pulls the opponent in close to reset pressure, it has no hitstun. This means that when this move is used against a savvy opponent that is already doing a move, they will either hit Swift Master or take their turn back with a blockstring.

Pulls in from full screen, but the opponent's position depends on how far they were on activation.
Pulls the opponent in closer and faster if they are airborne.
Can cancel into a normal immediately after the move is finished, allowing Swift Master to reset pressure against an unprepared opponent.

Storm Strike

]S[ Inflicts hard knockdown on hit

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	Invuln
120	Mid	25			+3	none

A stronger version of Wind Blaster that has enhanced properties. Performed by holding down the S button and releasing it after 100 framesAbout 1.66 seconds. This allows for Negative EdgeUsing button-release to perform attacks. To perform, hold down an attack button, then release the button. Some Negative Edge moves also require special motions. combos that can both extend and end combos.

Its wallbounce properties and extremely high reach make it one of Swift Master's most potent combo starters, allowing him to convert from long range whiff punishes whenever he has a Storm Strike at the ready.

Gives a hard knockdown on hit.
Blocks projectiles that are less active than it.
Despite appearances, it is not a projectile and can be parried.

MP Skills

Relentless Biting Wind

5M (Air OK) Is a projectile property attack Can hit a knocked down opponent off the ground

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	MP Cost	Invuln
130	Mid	31			+4	50	none

Launches the opponent into the air on hit. While active, the wind negates projectiles.

Can OTGThe act of hitting the opponent when they are knocked down. Short for "off the ground" or "on the ground.".
Large vertical hitbox.
Stays active in place until it makes contact with an opponent, or disappears after a moment.

Eye of the Storm

2M (Air OK) or 623M (Air OK) Temporarily fully invincible

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	MP Cost	Invuln
120	Mid	18			-29	70	1~?? All

Swift Master's invincible reversal. Pulls in a nearby opponent before striking.

Especially Useful against airborne opponents due to its suction effect making it much harder to bait.

Wind Orb

6M (Air OK) or 236M (Air OK)

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	MP Cost	Invuln
		30			N/A	50	none

Sets a wind orb in front and above Swift Master. A core component of Swift Master's okizeme and combo routes. The orb will gradually draw opponents in even during hitstun, allowing for extended and highly mana efficient airborne juggles.

The orb stays out for ~5 seconds (~300 frames?) before disappearing.

Storm Quaker

6M during Wind Orb (Air OK) or 236M during Wind Orb (Air OK) Is a projectile property attack

Expanded hitbox before expiring

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	MP Cost	Invuln
20×18, 70	Mid	10			+73	50	none

Transforms the Wind Orb into a small tornado that is highly active (~3s/180f?). A good tool for keeping opponents juggled in the air during combos or to keep opponents in blockstun. Once they are drawn in, this locks opponent in place, allowing Swift Master to freely pressure the opponent before the final hit of the tornado.

Sends the opponent upwards in the opposite direction Swift Master is currently at after its final hit.

Wind Twist

4M (Air OK) or 214M (Air OK) Is a projectile property attack

Neutral? Gone with the wind

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	MP Cost	Invuln
30×4	Mid	14			+22	70	none

Creates four small hurricane-like projectiles that spin around Swift Master for a duration, while he's free to move and attack freely after the animation ends. When the wind comes in contact with an opponent, it will hit them consecutively, with each projectile dealing 1 hit and disappearing. The projectiles can absorb and will beat most projectiles that come in touch with them, serving as a barrier protecting Swift Master.

Since Swift Master is free to act while the tornadoes are active, it allows him to be plus on block after dodging into opponents. On hit, he can even start combos if they connected late enough into his dodge. The same is also true for simply running directly into the opponent. Should his dodge not make Wind Twist connect with the opponent, he can still remain nearly unpunishable if the opponent doesn't have a disjointed attack to circumvent being hit by them.

Some projectiles done at a vertical or specific diagonal angle may be able to circumvent the wind barriers. Examples being Ranger's j.MGuard:
MidStartup:
18Recovery:
-Advantage:
- and Dragon Knight's j.SGuard:
MidStartup:
20Recovery:
-Advantage:
-
Can block Crusader's wall if he uses it raw.

Vortex Hurricane

4M during Wind Twist (Air OK) or 214M during Wind Twist (Air OK) Is a projectile property attack Can hit a knocked down opponent off the ground

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	MP Cost	Invuln
30×N, 50	Mid	15			+13	50	none

This move can be performed as long as at least one Wind TwistGuard:
MidStartup:
14Recovery:
-Advantage:
+22 projectile is still active. Swift Master will detonate his remaining Wind Twists, turning them into giant, highly active and multi-hitting tornados. Launches the opponent high into the air and hard knockdowns. A great combo ender/filler, even if very MP costly in total. Swift Master himself is locked into the animation for a long time, making this move easily whiff punishable.

Can hit OTGThe act of hitting the opponent when they are knocked down. Short for "off the ground" or "on the ground.", usually after Storm StrikeGuard:
MidStartup:
25Recovery:
-Advantage:
+3 in the corner which allows for increased damage.
The final hit sends the opponent upwards, allowing for further combo extensions.

Sonic Move

j.XG near Wind Orb

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	On-Block	MP Cost	Invuln
60	Mid	8			+8~		none

An air dash in the X direction when airborne near Wind OrbGuard:
-Startup:
30Recovery:
-Advantage:
N/A. The air dash itself is a hit, and is often used to fast fall with a j.2G input during Wind BlasterGuard:
MidStartup:
16Recovery:
-Advantage:
-9 or Wind UpperGuard:
MidStartup:
15Recovery:
-Advantage:
-2 loop combos while the Wind Orb holds the opponent in place. It can also be used in blockstrings, giving Swift Master air dash mix-ups unique to him and Dragon Knight.