Arcadia Issue 52 - Pai Chan

Text - Yanaga

Make the best use of her few changes

Her basic fighting style doesn't change, but compared to most characters she stands out as weakened.

Checking the changes to her existing moves

Firstly, let's look at the changes to her existing moves. The one move that has changed a lot is her

, with the execution now one frame slower, so it can't punish moves like Akira's

. Also, on hit the float is lower, so combos are hard to connect. Furthermore, the

string has had its hit properties changed from low to special low, so the mixups from K are no more.

As was touched on previously, her

attacking properties are now a mid-kick, which is a large change. Particularly in VF4 FT, kick moves that are sabaki'ed will now more often be knocked down in a special animation, so you have to be careful of this. As a counter to the opponents sabaki moves, you should go to using double handed moves like her

.

The bokutai

has also been changed greatly. The second hit has had a sabaki attached to it that will go through most high and mid attacks just as the move is coming out. Because of this, most of the time if the opponent tries to punish after the first hit they will get hit by the sabaki. After the second hit connects, you can follow on hit

but it's not guaranteed so there are some situations where it's safer not to go for it (it's a little easier to connect in closed stance.) Further, if the opponent is aware of the sabaki and blocks the second hit, it's +2 so you can continue on with moves like her

.

Her

has had its motion changed, and the reach is quite a lot shorter. Also, the initiation and recovery frames seem quite a lot slower, so it gives the impression of being quite hard to use.

About the change moves

The A2

is a move from back in VF4. The properties are pretty much the same as before, and it's a quite easy to use move. The other move that can be changed is the bokutai

. The B2 version is a high attack, which can string into a mid attack. If it's blocked, the opponent gets a free throw. It seems at the moment that either move can be used, and the A2

looks to be an especially useful mid range tool.

Captions

- (about

) On small counter the opponent won't stomach crumple, but you do get a 2 frame advantage. Also, if the opponent blocks it you get a 1 frame advantage, so you can mix up

, throw or a string.

Footnotes

About the new move,

- the motion is large, and it looks like it's really bad on recovery, but it's actually only -5 on guard. On normal hit, it's -3. Also, on small or medium counter, it gives +1. Finally, on large counter it gives a foot crumple and you can go into a combo. Also, it is considered airborne from early on, so it might even be useable in close range!?

Source: Arcadia Issue 52
Translated by: noodalls

Posted by noodalls on 29/08/2004

Edited by Myke on 03/04/2005