DNFD/Vanguard

Overview

Vanguard Vanguard is classified as a Standard type. He is capable of pressuring at long ranges and inflicting massive guard gauge damage. He can uniquely cancel his Special attacks into other Special attacks.

Pros

Cons

Full Screen Control: Vanguard has access to many massively long range disjointed attacks that make him very difficult to contest at longer ranges.
Safe Pressure: Vanguard's pressure sequences tend to push him back to a mid-range where he cannot be comfortably challenged by characters without sufficient reach.
Guard Crush Proficiency: Vanguard's passive Awakening buff gives him access to practical block string sequences that can guarantee a Guard Crush at any time. In these situations, Vanguard doesn't need to put himself at risk or even rely on traditional mixups to threaten heavy damage.

Limited Normals: Vanguard's A and B normals are rather slow, especially at closer ranges, and cannot be chained into S specials unlike the majority of the cast.
Weak Defense: Vanguard's reversal completely whiffs on crouching enemies, making him susceptible to low profile meaty attacks. Paired with his slow close range normals, it can be difficult for Vanguard to escape pressure.

Increased the amount of Guard Gauge depleted(1.5x) when attacks are guarded against.

Vanguard

Health:	1100
Guard Gauge:	1000
MP Regen Rate:	12
Prejump:	4
Backdash:

Normal Moves

5A

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
50	Mid	9	2	18	-1	none

Vanguard's quickest long range poke, but can be easily low-profiled. Can cancel into 5AA even on whiff. Good round-start option against tall characters and decent pressure starter after knockdowns that don't allow for a meaty S special, such as after Throw or 2M.

Whiffs against the following characters when crouching, but not guarding:

Berserker, Striker, Inquisitor (Far), Swift Master, Enchantress, Kunoichi, Dragon Knight

Chain Options: 5AA, 5B, 2B
Cannot be chained into S specials.

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
60%	-2	20

No results

5AA

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
60	Mid	11			-3	none

Cannot be chained into S specials.

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
70%	-4

No results

5B

Don't Whiff

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
60	Mid	11			-12	none

One of Vanguard's most versatile attacks as well as a consistent combo starter. Hits incredibly high up, decently far, and a little behind himself, making it good to throw out in a lot of neutral situations.

Chain Options: 2B
Cannot be chained into S specials.

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
75%	KD (+3)

No results

2A

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
40	Low	7			-1	none

Vanguard's fastest normal and low attack, but has considerable recovery.

Chain Options: 5B, 2B
Cannot be chained into S specials.

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
60%	-1

No results

2B

"That reached!?"

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
60	Low	13			-16	none

Extremely long-range low attack, but pretty unsafe otherwise.

Cannot be chained into S specials.

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
75%	KD (+5)

No results

j.A

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
40	High	8	4	Until landing(+2)		none

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
70%

No results

j.B

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
70	High	10	6	Until landing(+3)		none

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
75%

No results

Universal Mechanics

Throw

DNFD Vanguard AB Hitbox.png

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
150		5	2	22		none

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
0%	HKD(+4)

No results

Dodge

DNFD Vanguard 6G.png

DNFD Vanguard 6G Hitbox.png

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
-	-	0	30	1	-	1~20 Hit, Projectile 21~30 Projectile

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
-	-	-	-	-

No results

Guard Cancel

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
70	Mid	23				1-?? Strike/Projectile

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
0%	+10

No results

Special Moves

Side Slash

5S

DNFD Vanguard 5S Hitbox.png

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
90	Mid	18			-4	none

Placeholder

Cleave: Upper

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
80	Mid	14			-12

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
80%	KD (+30)

No results

Cleave: Cut

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
80	Mid	21			-9	none

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
80%	-4

No results

Cleave: Slash

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
80	Mid	20			-10	none

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
80%	0

No results

Impact Strike

THIS WAY!!

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln
50, 40	Mid	25		Until Landing+25	-8~-4	none

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
80%×2	KD

No results

MP Special Moves

Brandish

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln	MP CostThe total Mana cost for using this move.
60,80	Mid	21			-5	none	30

Vanguard enters the Brandish stance, enabling various follow-ups.

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
90%×2	0

No results

Inferno Charge

glass_shatter.wav

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln	MP CostThe total Mana cost for using this move.
20×3, 40	Mid	20			-1	none	10

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
90%×4	+8

jump cancellable on hit or block
+17 on block w jump cancel

Crescent Slash

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln	MP CostThe total Mana cost for using this move.
130	Mid	28			-7	none	25

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
85%	HKD (+81)

No results

Dread Bore

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln	MP CostThe total Mana cost for using this move.
20×5, 80	Mid	25			-12	none	25

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
90%×6	HKD (+45)

No results

Behead

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln	MP CostThe total Mana cost for using this move.
120	Mid	30			-2	none	30

Placeholder

Proration	On-Hit	Guard Damage	MP Gain	Level
90%	-2

No results

Lunge Strike

Outdated hitbox from the release version

Damage	GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead.	StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame.	ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup.	RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled.	On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent.	Invuln	MP CostThe total Mana cost for using this move.
50, 40, 80	Mid	13			-40	1-?? All	70

Vanguard thrusts his spear into the air at a 45 degree angle forward. While it is an invulnerable reversal, it is extremely easy to low profile and thus very risky to use.