From: e3321942@student.uq.edu.au (Kenneth Hsu) Newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade Subject: SS3 Nakoruru Guide v2.0 Date: 27 Jan 1996 06:20:07 GMT _a88_ ___, d88888baa__________ ____aad88888b d888P""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-----___ad88888888888888 __-"" "Y888888888888888b / ~~Y8888P"""aaaa88a ,,,aaaaaaaaa,,,...__ ~Yaaa8888888888 __ d88888888888888888888888b 8888888888888 _- ,d88888P""""""~~~~~"""Y8888baa, Y"""88888888P / /~~~~~~ """Y88a... 888""""888P / / , | | | | `. 8888888aP | | | | || | | | `; Y888888P _ | | /| | | \ \ | | ' ; 88888P | | | | / | | | | | | | 8888P ___| |___ | | / | | | \ \ | | Y888 |___ ___| | | | | / | |. \_ \ | Y8P | | | | | | __|_ `. __\====__ \__----| |" | | |__-|__-\ ~~~| ~ ~~~ ~~,. | | | | | | / .\ ~~~_____ _,aaaa._ | | | | | |/ | \ ,""88b ""Y"P:888ba | | | | | _________ | | 8o8 d8d888P~~ | | | | | |_______ | | | Y88b 888888 | | | | | | | | | 888 888888 | | | | | | | | | 888 Y88888 | | | | | _______| | | | Y8P __8888Pa | | | | | |_______ | | | ~~~ ~~""Y88P"" | | | | | _ _'-' | | / | | | | | | | | | | | \ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | \ _ | | | | | | | | | | | \ | | | | | / / | |_-, | || \ __ --| | | | | <_/ \___/ | || | \ __ -- | | | | | _ _ | || | \__ -, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | | | || || | | | | | | | | || | ,| || || \ | | | | | | | || | a8| || | | \ | | / / | |_-, | | | | d88P|---8888"""| | | | \ <_/ \___/ | || | """""""""""""888| | || | Samurai Shodown 3 | || | d8888888888888888| | | | Nakoruru Guide | || | d88888888888888888| Version 2.0 Ascii art provide by the one and the only: Galen Komatsu (94.6.20) This guide (and its updates) can be found at the following places: WWW: http://www-scf.usc.edu/~edju/Nakoruru.html http://styx.ios.com/~damone/ss3page.html http://www2.Gsu.EDU/~gs01zzf/ss3_nak_guide.html FTP: brawl.mindlink.net ftp.netcom.com Newsgroups/Mailing List: Updates will be posted to the Neo Geo Mailing list neogeo@dhp.com and to the usenet newsgroup rec.games.video.arcade when updated versions are released. Note: 1. Since SS3 is still relatively new, the content of this guide is still far from complete. Therefore, if you have any additions or suggestions, please email me at e3321942@student.uq.edu.au 2. The content of this guide is STRICTLY public domain. No one should profit from selling any part of this guide to anyone else. Please also acknowledge the source of information if you intend to use any part of this guide in a publication. ____________________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents Revision History Credits/Acknowledgement Introduction Character Information and Moves List Combos General Strategies Character Specific Strategies ____________________________________________________________________________ Revision History [7/1/96] Version 0.5 - This is basically a summary of what has been discussed on both the Neo Geo Mailing list and on the newsgroup r.g.v.a. Already has a nice title ascii pic (Yippee!!) Thanks Galen! This is really just a rushed release with lots of things missing to basically get feedback from people for improvement on the Neo Mailing list... [10/1/96] Version 1.0 - First official release. Major expansion from v0.5! Additional info added for the following sections: Strategies vs. various CPU characters added Combos (new ones and confirmed ones) Maximum number of hits and blocked hits added for some special moves Usage of special moves updated Normal moves information added [26/1/96] Version 2.0 - Spelling and other corrections. Additional info: More strategies vs. various CPU characters. More strategies vs. human challengers. More new combos (including an infinite combo for Slash Nak thanks to RedFox!) Combos now separated into three sections (common, slash, bust) Usage of special moves updated and corrected (check out especially the Silkou attacks section - it has expanded trememdously). Winning quotes added. ____________________________________________________________________________ Credits/Acknowledgement Galen Tatsuo Komatsu - Thanks for the excellent ascii art.... As I promised, you get mentioned first in the credits!! Shawn Holmes - Character informations are taken from the SS3 TAPFAQ, which Shawn maintains. Thanks! The Nakoruru bunch (in alphabetical order): Billy J. Bisset - CPU Strategies. Masao Kimisima - He provided a lot of SS3 Nakoruru prelim. information and lots of other useful Nakoruru information to the Neo Geo Mailing list... Mike Pureka - combos, corrections, suggestions and tips vs many CPU characters David Quest - move correction, confirmation and strategies. Rasetsu - Most of the information so far in this guide comes from what Rasetsu has summarized for me. Thanks Rasetsu! He is also the Bust Nakoruru specialist! :) RedFox - again, huge contributor to the long and winding Nakoruru discussion a while back on the Neo Mailing list... Also Nakoruru normal slash information from his SS3 Move List and guide correction. FTP/WWW Site Managers: (thanks for archiving the guide at your sites!) Damone Edward Ju sPACEMAN sPIFF And also thanks to all the guys on the Neo Geo mailing list and on the news group rec.games.video.arcade whose posts have helped to shape the outcome of this guide so far ^_^ ____________________________________________________________________________ Introduction Even though Nakoruru seemed to have sacrificed herself to become the loving protector and goddess of the woods, she has somehow come back once again to join the SS3 cast of characters. Fortunately, SNK seemed to have realized what they have done to Nakoruru in SS2 (i.e. completely screwed her up) and have finally fixed nearly all of the things people complained about in SS2!!! Basically, Nakoruru is once again all powerful when in capable hands (and probably still fairly powerful in not so capable hands anyway...) Without going into too much detail over how Nak has changed in SS3, let's just say that firstly SNK has finally reduced the lag at the start and end of all her special moves to what they were in SS1 (i.e. AM/LM has no start lag, Amube Yatoro has less start lag. Recovery time has improved for all her special moves.) Plus that Nakoruru's slashes have also increased in range. The addition of the standing far A is really useful. Although it does pitiful little damage, it is still a useful poking move. More variety on the Mamahaha attacks and on the bird. Not to mention a completely new Bust Nakoruru with new animal.... I can go on and on - see the rest of the guide... Then, you might be asking, WHY oh WHY is there a guide for Nakoruru?? Oh well, I guess it's out of the love for such a cute, nature-caring gal and hopefully this guide will encourage other people to pick Nakoruru up in SS3 and start kicking some butts with her ^_^ Finally, Nakoruru's sister, Rimururu, shares almost exactly the same normal range of attacks with Nakoruru - but Rimururu is even FASTER than Nakoruru! If you think Nakoruru is still not fast enough for you, give Rimururu a try! Rimururu also does a lot more damage with her attacks than Nakoruru. ____________________________________________________________________________ Character Information and Moves List (Information taken from SS3 TAPFAQ) The faithful daughter of nature seeks to save Zankuro's soul... NAKORURU "Savour nature's fearful wrath!" Northern Country Spring -- Canyon: Fighting occurs in shallow water flowing through a canyon, with one of the rocky cliffs decorated with shrubs visible. Small butterflies and dragonflies flitter around the screen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Normal Moves Information Key for normal/non-special moves: Under a short description of of what each move is, there will be two brackets []. Inside of the brackets will be three numbers/letters. They are as follows (note: a ? indicates that we haven't tested it yet or maybe you can't hit them with it. 1st slot: How must the move be blocked. HL-indicates that the move can be either high or low blocked H-indicates that the move must be blocked high L-indicates that the move must be blocked low UB-indicates that the move cannot be blocked either way 2nd slot: Can the move be air blocked (Yes or No) 3rd slot: How many times does the move hit (i.e. how many blows can you get with one push of the button) V.Jumping indicates a straight up jump H.Jumping indicates a forward or backwards jump If just jumping is listed, then the H.Jumping and V.Jumping are identical. NAKORURU- Far Close Standing: A- leans into straight slash short sideways slash [HL,N,1] [HL,N,1] B- steps into downwards slash short sideways slash [HL,N,1] [HL,N,1] C- leans into downward slash slashes down then up [HL,N,1] [HL,N,2] Crouching: A- quick sideways slash [HL,?,1] B- quick sideways slash [HL,?,1] C- low thrust into rising slash [HL,N,2] Dashing: A- sliding version of her normal standing A slash [HL,N,1] B- sliding version of her normal standing C slash [HL,N,1] C- charges and then goes into her normal low C slash [UB,N,2] Jumping: A- slice at a downward angle [H,Y,1] B- slice straight in front of herself [H,Y,1] C- upwards slash from low to over her head [H,Y,1] Hopping Guard Crush: Armed- a quick hop with her air C slash [H,N,1] Unarmed- quick hop with an overhead kick [H,N,1] Punches (all punches are the same move at different speeds): Standing: a straight forward chop [HL,N,1] Criyching: a straight forward low chop [HL,N,1] Dashing: a sliding version of her normal standing punch [HL,N,1] Jumping: a downwards chop in front of herself [H,Y,1] Kicks: D- a turn around kick that hits low [L,N,1] Fwd+D- a flip kick that hits three times [HL,Y,3] Dwn+D- low leg extension [L,?,1] Dwn/Fwd+D- a low thrust kick with both legs [HL,N,1] Dashing+D- slide kick [L,?,1] Jumping+D- a downwards angled kick in front of herself [H,Y,1] Jmp,Dwn+D- a flip kick for automatic knockdown [H,Y,1] Hanging From Mamahaha: A- straight slash in front of herself [H,Y,1] B- straight slash in front of herself [H,Y,1] C- upwards slash in front of herself [H,Y,1] Punches- an open palmed slap at a downwards angle [H,Y,1] Riding Sikou: standing> A- sideways slash in front of herself [HL,N,1] B- sideways slash in front of herself [HL,N,1] C- an upwards slash in front of herself [HL,Y,2] crouching> A- sideways slash in front of herself [HL,N,1] B- sideways slash in front of herself [HL,N,1] C- an upwards slash in front of herself [HL,Y,2] jumping> A- sideways slash in front of herself [H,Y,1] B- sideways slash in front of herself [H,Y,1] C- an upwards slash in front of herself [H,Y,1] punching> standing- a sideways open palmed slap [HL,Y,1] crouching- a sideways open palmed slap [HL,N,1] jumping- a sideways open palmed slap [H,Y,1] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Moves List Special moves are listed for a Nakoruru standing on the left-hand side and facing right. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON SPECIAL MOVES TO BOTH VERSIONS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lela O Chikiri | Grabs opponent, and strikes, | hitting and kicking, for five (close) -O | \ + D | hits of damage. O O | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leyla Mutsube | Rushes into air to strike for | magic damage. | \ -O + Slash | O O | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annu Mutsube | Slides along ground to hit for | magic damage. O- / | + Slash | O O | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kamui Risse | Twirls with cape to strike and | reflect projectiles (A = 1 twirl O- | / + Slash | B = 2 twirls, C = 3 twirls). O O | (Extra twirl can be added by | hitting a slash right before the | end of the last twirl) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL MOVES FOR SLASH NAKORURU ONLY ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: NAKORURU's SLASH animal is MAMAHAHA (falcon) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mamahaha Flight | Leaps, and grabs onto bird | (control then moves to bird). | / O- + D | O O | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get off Bird | Leaps off of bird in direction | chosen. \ + D or | + D or / + D | O O O | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mamahaha Attack | Strikes with sword while | clinging to bird for damage. Mamahaha Flight, then A, B, or C | A, B = horizontal slash | C = downward arc slash. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kamui Mutsube | Shoots down from bird in a blaze | to strike for magic damage in a Mamahaha Flight, then | \ -O + C | diagonal direction. O O | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amube Yatoro A) Lelashe | A) Mamahaha sends out tornado, B) Shichikabu | B) Mamahaha dives to strike, Etu Brute | -O \ | / O- + ... C) Shichikabu | C) Mamahaha dives, lifts, and O O O Amyu | drops opponent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POWER SPECIAL: | Strikes opponent with weapon, Elelyu Kamui Risse | twirls to hit with cape four | times, and finishes with -O \ | / O- -O \ | / O- + AB | Mamahaha diving to strike for O O O O O O | massive damage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL MOVES FOR BUST NAKORURU ONLY ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: NAKORURU'S BUST animal is SILKOU (wolf) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolf Pounce | Leaps onto Silkou. | | / O- + D | O O | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get off Wolf | Leaps off of Silkou. | O + D or O + D or O + D | / | \ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Riding Wolf Attack | Strikes with weapon while riding | Silkou to hit for damage. Wolf Pounce + A, B, or C | A, B = horizontal slash | C = upward arc slash ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myu Shikite | Rushes towards opponent (push | joystick in direction of the Wolf Pounce + O- / | + C | separation and press C during O O | this move to attack). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kanto Shikite | Leaps up towards opponent (push | joystick in direction of the Wolf Pounce + | \ -O + C | separation and press C during O O | this move to attack). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imel Shikite | Leaps, and rushes down to strike | opponent for magic damage. Wolf Pounce, (jump) -O | \ + C | O O | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epunkine Shikite | Sends Silkou out to smash into | opponent for damage. When knocked down, AC | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POWER SPECIAL: | Catches opponent, and juggles Nubeki Kamui Shikite | opponent into air with multiple | sword strikes, smashing opponent O- / | \ -O | \ + BC | with a Kamui Risse to the ground O O O O O | to finish. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intro-poses at the start of first round -Slash: Mamahaha flies overhead and drops sword to Nak. On her home stage, she says "Mamahaha" as Mamahaha flies overhead. -Bust: Nak points menacingly at opponent, then Silkou comes to her side. On her home stage, she says something as she points. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- WINNING POSES Slash: 1) crosses arms over chest and sighs in relief while the magic stars which accompanies many of her special moves when hit rises up around Nakoruru. 2) wraps cape around shoulders, then says "Daishizen no shioki desu" (Nature's Punishment) 3) stands there frozen or normal fighting stance, then winning portrait Bust: 1) flips hair, points at fallen opponent, and says "yosh". 2) turns around, wraps cape, then looks back and says "Shizen no ikari wo ukenasai" (Receive Nature's anger!) 3) stands there frozen or normal fighting stance, then winning portrait first win: always get winning pose (1). second win: will get either winning pose (2) or (3) (will definite get winning pose (2) if a non-fatal is delivered.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOSING POSES -Time out loss: Nak collapses on her knees in defeat -Double Fatality: Slash clenches fists in frustation Bust flips hair and sighs in annoyance -Stalemate: same as double fatality -Continue: (1) clenches fists with renewed strength (2) holds hilt of half-drawn sword If Nak loses sword in the deciding losing round, (1) will result, if Nak still has sword in the deciding losing round, (2) will result. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Poses after selecting the Character versions Slash: serious expression; when selected, she does her close standing C slash, then points forward and yells "Ya". Bust: sadistic smirk; when selected, she turns around, wraps cape, then looks back and says "Yosh". ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Misc. Information - Nakoruru can triangle jump off the wall (as if you don't already know! ^_^) - to get a highscore, do as much of these as possible: Rounds (lose 2nd deliberately) Perfect rounds (50,000) 5 kick throw (5000) guard crush (3000) - On Rim's stage, Nak appears if she is not fighting. If Rim loses, Nak collapses in grief. - If Nak is fighting Rimururu on her stage, their parents will grief for Rim but not for Nak. :) - GLITCH in the game: on highscore screen, Nak will have the Slash expression even if she appears in Bust colours ____________________________________________________________________________ Combos (note: many of the combos involving the Mamahaha attacks can be 'mixed-and- matched', try out different things after your Mamahaha attack hits) COMMON COMBOS TO BOTH VERSIONS: (1) The following normal moves, when it hits, can be comboed into either an Annu Mutsube, Leyla Mutsube, Kamui Risse or Elelyu Kamui Risse (Slash Super): standing far B standing close B crouching far B crouching close B running B crouching C first slash crouching C second slash standing close C first slash note: * crouching C (2 hits) into C Leyla Mutsube (5-hits) = dizzy * apparently, standing/crouching close A is also combo-able, but I haven't tested it out myself. (2) Air C, standing close B into Annu Mutsube or Leyla Mutsube (note: Air C will only combo into a standing close B if air C hits an opponent who was crouching, or if you hit your opponent very deeply before landing) (3) Air B or D, standing close B into Annu Mutsube or Leyla Mutsube. (4) (not confirmed) standing close B, crouching B into Annu/Leyla Mutsube. Misc combo information: C cape in corner can redizzy Gaira SLASH NAKORURU COMBOS: (1) A/C Amube Yatoro, then, if close enough, jump forward and air C to hit. (note: if opponent is too far, use combo (3) or run forward and then air C slash as they fall) (2) Air C, standing close B into Elelyu Kamui Risse (slash power special) (note: Air C will only combo into a standing close B if air C hits an opponent who was crouching, or if you hit your opponent very deeply before landing) (3) Air B or D, standing close B into Elelyu Kamui Risse (slash power special) (4) A/C Amube Yatoro, then, leyla/annu Mutsube as opponent falls. (5) B Amube Yatoro, then C Annu or Leyla Mutsube as opponent is stunned momentarily. (6) B slash (delivered deep to the back of your opponent), B/C Amube Yatoro, Annu/Leyla Mutsube (7) B Amube Yatoro, Run-in B, Annu/Leyla Mutsube. (8) (On Mamahaha), C slash into Kamui Mutsube. (9) Air C (cross up), standing B into B Amube Yatoro, standing far B, C Annu Mutsube. (10) crouching C (to the back of opponent), B Amube Yatoro, C Annu or Leyla Mutsube. (11) crouching C (to the back of opponent), B Amube Yatoro, standing B slash, C Annu or Leyla Mutsube. (12) Infinite combo for Slash Nakoruru!! 1. Start with a close B slash to the back 2. Interupt into the B hawk attack as normal for my older combo. 3. Now, instead of doing another B slash, walk forward, dodge around them with Fwd+AB 4. Do another B slash and B hawk attack 5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 over and over. Note: The reason you need to side-step behind opponent is because the B hawk turns them around when it hits. You can also do this combo by jumping forward the instant the B hawk attack hits, you will land on the other side of them and have them stumbling back into you. Also, the scary thing is, this combo does not need to be started from the back. Any time you get them with the B hawk, the round could essentialy be over, based upon your ethics. Once you hit someone with the B hawk attack, just dash forward, dash around them, and begin cheezing. This combo only works on certain characters (listed below): Haohmaru, Gaira (definitely will work) Genjuro, Hanzo, Kyoshiro, Shizumaru, Galford (not tested but should work). This combo will not work on: Nakoruru, Rimururu, Basara, Amakusa, Ukyo BUST NAKORURU COMBOS: (1) (On Silkou), C slash into Bust super. (2) (On Silkou), Air C slash, Imel Shikite Note: this can be performed on ground opponents or on air-borne opponents. Unreliable if performed against air-borne opponents. (3) Infinite combo (until dizzy) (On Silkou) C slash on opponent's back, run, stop, repeat C slash... note: try super combo before dizzy! (4) (On Silkou), C slash (to the back of opponent), Myu Shikite into forward wolf separation straight away. Note: C slash while on Silkou can hit twice if up close, but it is safer to interrupt after the first hit to combo. You can also combo after the second hit, but it is harder. ____________________________________________________________________________ General Strategies - Use lots of standing far As to poke. Finally Nakoruru can sort of poke like Charlotte!! ^_^ - dodge often and retaliate with combos - follow up guard crushes with a B slash into Annu Mutsube. C slashes sometimes will miss. If performed a pulling guard crush (e.g. opponent has his/her back facing you now), do a B slash into B Amube Yatoro and then Annu Mutsube. - stand up when blocking/getting hit because standing recovery is faster - attacking behind is best as recovery is longest (ie try guard crushing/pulling the other way instead of pushing) - let opponent retrieve weapon, whack them as they do so (suggest using power specials again :) - Moves that can be air-thrown by Nakoruru (found so far) backwards dash hopping crush hanzo air drop Ukyo's TG Haohmaru's Kogetsuzan and Tempa Fuzzin Zan (slash super) Genjuro's uppercut Shizumar's uppercut Bust Hanzo's power special Slash Ukyo's power special Leyla Mutsube - Air counters on ground: * crouching C (latter part of animation) * standing far C * Leyla Mutsube (opponent cannot be too close) * upwards wolf separation * Kamui Risse (cape flick) * Power Specials (both Bust and Slash versions) * dodge/side stepping to behind * walk under and attack (use B, BC, crouching C, standing close C or Kamui Risse) * Mamahaha attacks * C slash while on Silkou (on the ground) * wolf separation on the ground (by doing a Kanto Shikite and then separate upwards immediately (qcf+c, uf+c) - Air fights: * to be safe, only do rising C slash when jumping backwards, otherwise, jump up close and then air throw * always air block * wait for chance to throw/counter slash ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Moves Usage - Annu Mutsube: * Requires weapon to perform * Needs to be blocked low. * Use A Annu Mutsube most of the time. It's not possible to retaliate a blocked A Annu Mutsube with a C slash unless you are Galford, Hanzo or Rimururu (who has fast crouching Cs). * However, certain characters, like Shizumaru, can retaliate Nakoruru with a special move after blocking the A Annu Mutsube. Also every character can hit her with the faster A or B slash. * Use Annu Mutsube to go under projectiles? (need confirmation) - Leyla Mutsube: * Cannot be air-blocked? * Requires weapon to perform. * Has more lag time than Annu Mutsube so be careful. * Needs to be blocked high as soon as Nakoruru starts to rise. * Can opponents multiple times, maximum number of hits are: A Leyla Mutsube: 2 Hits? B Leyla Mutsube: 3 hits? C Leyla Mutsube: 5 hits * Maximum number of blocked hits on ground opponents for all A/B/C Leyla Mutsube are 3 hits? * Use crouching C (2 hits) into C Leyla Mutsube combo as much as you can to dizzy opponent. * If opponent jumps back from close distance, can do a C Leyla Mutsube immediately to hit them. * Note: sometimes Leyla Mutsube will miss during a combo if the timing and spacing is not right. If you need to be safe, use Annu Mutsube instead. - Kamui Risse (Cape Flick): * Does not require weapon to perform. * The maximum number of hits/blocked hits you can get are: A Kamui Risse: 1st twirl = 2 hits -> 2 hits total B Kamui Risse: 1st twirl = 2 hits, 2nd twirl = 1 hit -> 3 hits total C Kamui Risse: 1st twirl = 2 hits, 2nd twirl = 2 hits, 3rd twirl = 1 hit -> 5 hits total Extra twirl at the end: 3 hits * More hits than stated above will result for the first twirl if you executed Kamui Risse against big opponents (Gaira, Amakusa) up close or against other opponents when they are trapped against the corner. * Nakoruru is briefly vulnerable right after a blocked Kamui Risse and can be thrown or hit by A or B slash (character dependent) * Nakoruru is also briefly vulnerable right after the first twirl of a blocked B Kamui Risse and the second twirl of a blocked C Kamui Risse. Opponent can A or B slash Nakoruru before the third twirl hits (CPU Haohmaru Kogetsuzaned me right after the second twirl..) * Nakoruru is also vulnerable right before the extra twirl comes out and can be retaliated as stated above. But it's usually very hard for opponent to retaliate after blocking the extra twirl. * The extra twirl comes out too slowly and cannot be comboed in with the previous twirls even if the previous twirls hits. However, the extra twirl will combo if you manage to hit someone with the cape twirls on their backs. The best way to do this is to AB sidestep to the back of opponent and then execute the move straight away. * Use the extra twirl up close for more blocked damage, especially if opponent is trapped agains the corner. Also use the extra twirl occasionally to surprise human opponents who is trying to slash you back. * It appears that Nakoruru can only use the A Kamui Risse to reflect projectiles (need confirmation!) * List of projectile attacks which Nakoruru can reflect with Kamui Risse (done with A button) so far: - Haohmaru's ground Senprenetsuzan - Galford's Plasma blade - Genjuro card projectiles - Lela O Chikiri (5-hit kick throw): * after blocking close, immediately 5 kick throw (hard to avoid if possible at all) * Cheeze like the ninjas - Mamahaha tornado, run in and 5-hit kick throw or simply just run in then 5-hit kick throw like the ninja's run in SPDs. * jump, (optional - do an air attack before landing which will just miss opponent), then 5-hit kick throw upon landing. * Jump in with a air D kick, and then 5-kick throw as soon as you land after opponent blocks the move or get hit by it. * If you have overjumped, do the throw as soon as you land in the same direction as before. - Mamahaha Attacks: * Doesn't take off blocked damage (or very little blocked damage) (arrghh! What has SNK done????) * All Amube Yatoro attacks, except for the air tornado, need to be blocked HIGH. * All Amube Yatoro attacks can be air-blocked. * All attacks involving Mamahaha do not require weapon to perform. * Use tornados to cancel slow projectiles. * Amube Yatoro attacks can be used as air counters also (Use A or C - since you can juggle opponent when they do hit) * If opponent jumps back from relatively close distance, do a B or C Mamahaha attacks immediately. It might get them in mid-air. * Amube Yatoro attacks are a lot faster than in SS2. Keep doing A Amube Yatoro followed by B or C Amube Yatoro to keep opponents away. * The Amube Yatoro attacks have less start/end lags now and it is virtually impossible for opponents to jump in and slash you when they see (or even anticipate) the attack coming at them. * HOWEVER, it is now possible for nearly every character to dash in under the Mamahaha attacks and get Nakoruru before she recovers - so therefore you should not get too predictable with these attacks. * try to slash with A, B or C when grabbing on Mamahaha, it seems to have very little recovery time and can combo into Kamui Mutsube. C slash while on Mamahaha can be used to slash people jumping up to slash you. * Kamui Mutsube will take off blocked damage - usually around 3 to 4 pixels of blocked damage. However, it has less horizontal range now and, although possible, it's harder now to use this move to tag back of opponent's head, ticking off blocked damage and landing safely away. And it's nearly impossible to cross attack with this move anymore. * Kamui Mutsube needs to be blocked HIGH. * If opponent air-blocks your C slash which you executed while grabbing on Mamahaha, Kamui Mutsube off the bird immediately. * Kamui Mutsube can not be air-blocked? * Nakoruru cannot air-block while grabbing on Mamahaha. * Nakoruru cannot be air-thrown while grabbing on Mamahaha?? - Silkou Attacks: * Do not jump on Silkou when you are within opponent's attack range! There is a short lag after you jump on the wolf during which Nakoruru is vulnerable to attacks. * Also, do not jump on Silkou when Silkou is moving, you will sometimes miss the wolf and will again be vulnerable. * When Nak is riding on Silkou, she cannot power up, pick up weapon on the ground, peform guard crush, nor dodge. However, Nak can still do the BC hop crush. * When Nakoruru is on Silkou, she cannot be air-thrown, * However, if you are playing Bust Nakoruru on the 2P side, Nak can be air-thrown when riding on Silkou (this is a glitch in the game) * When Nakoruru is on Silkou and is not doing any of the special moves, She cannot be thrown by special moves (e.g. Ninja's SPD throw, Bust Rimururu's ice throw, Nak's 5-kick throw). An exception to this is Bust Gaira, who can do his special throws on Nakoruru while she is on Silkou anytime. Note that if Nakoruru is performing any special moves while on Silkou (e.g. the Shikite attacks) she can be thrown by special throws. * When Nakoruru is on Silkou, she cannot be guard-crushed. * While on Silkou, Nakoruru increases in speed (walking, dashing) and also jumps further forward (higher too?) Also, BC hop crush on Silkou has more horizontal range. * Also, when you are hit while on Silkou, the recovery time is always that of the standing recovery time (i.e. shorter!). So if you are hit by a hopping crush, you will always recover in time to retaliate!! * Use the infinite combo into Bust power special! * The Shikite moves do not need weapons to perform. * Nakoruru will go THROUGH an opponent if she executed a Myu Shikite or Kanto Shikite when opponent is at close range. * During the Myu Shikite or Kanto Shikite move, the possible directions of separation are: Myu Shikite: forward, backward, forward-up, backward-up. Kanto Shikite: forward, backward, forward-up, backward-up, forward-down, backward-down. * Myu Shikite and Kanto Shikite does not hit the opponent, the separation attack during these two moves does hit. The combination of the Shikite moves and separation attack can greatly confuse your opponent. For example: - Kanto Shikite and separate backwards or back-down after passing the opponent. - Myu Shikite and then separate backwards. * If the wolf separations are blocked it usually takes off 2 to 3 hits of blocked damage and you're vulnerable for about 1/2 of a second. * If Nakoruru seperates from the wolf during a Myu Shikite, the separation can be blocked high or low. However, if Nakoruru seperates down from the air during a Kanto Shikite, the wolf separations must be blocked high. * It seems that if Nakoruru seperates from the ground into the air during a Myu Shikite, the separation cannot hit an opponent on the ground (as far as I've seen - confirmation?) * Wolf separations can not be air blocked. * Imel Shikite needs to be blocked high. * The Shikite attacks and separation can go over low attacks such as Rim's ground freeze, Amakusa's ground portal, and Annu Mutsube (read in magazine, please confirm) * When Nakoruru jumps while riding on Silkou, she can attack and block in the air. * When Nakoruru jumps off Silkou while on the ground ground, she can attack straight away while in the air (not sure about air blocking.) * When Nakoruru jumps off Silkou in mid-air, she can attack straight away while in the air (not sure about air blocking.) * While on Sikou, use 'double jump' to confuse opponent. eg. jump over opponent on Silkou, then reverse jump off Silkou (back+D) and C slash after getting off wolf, or jump at opponent, double jump off Silkou (up+D) to avoid opponent's air counter slash and then retaliate. * standing separation can be done by doing /Myu/Kanto Shikite and pressing C twice very quickly. eg. qcf+C,uf+C will effectively have Nak dashing forwards and upwards from the spot she's sitting, making it come out fast enough for air countering. * when knocked down, AC wolf, then combo if close if far away, roll forward and combo. * wolf recovery time when hit is the same standing or crouching * You can do a "standing" Imel Shikite if you do f,d,df,f,uf and then press C within half a second. This comes out much faster than leaping into the air then doing f,d,df + C. i.e. you can buffer the joystick motions first when you are on the ground before you jump - like what Ukyo can do with his TG in SS2/3. * C slash while on Silkou has very high priority - especially over crouching slashes, and can be used as air counter. * There is a fairly long time-window during which Nakoruru can do the Epunkine Shikite (AC wolf counter) after Nakoruru is knocked down. Therefore, time the move to hit the opponent at the right time (e.g. wait until opponent land from an uppercut move before sending Silkou out). * It appears that Epunkine Shikite wolf counter will not work in every instances when Bust Nakoruru is knocked down. You can definitely do the wolf counter when: - Nakoruru is knocked down by a normal crouching attack. - If Nakoruru is hit by the following special moves: Haohmaru's Kogetsuzan Shizumaru's umbrella spin Shizumaru's uppercut move Ukyo's After Image Attack? Genjuro's uppercut Slash Haohmaru's Tempa Fuzzin Zan (power special) * It seems that it is not possible to wolf counter after getting hit by most power specials (confirmation needed) * Make sure you use the wolf counter when knocked down by a special move, as opponent usually needs to recover after the move and will definitely get hit. * Also, try to do the Epunkine Shikite wolf counter as late as possible right before Nak gets up so that you can combo off the wolf counter if it hits. For example: - wolf counter, (get up), B slash into Annu Mutsube If you are too far from your opponent, the best you can do is a C Annu Mutsube after the wolf counter. Rolling forward after you are knocked down will also help to get in close to combo after the wolf counter. * If opponent jumps back from close range, do an upward separation to hit them out of the air. - Power Specials: Slash - does not require weapon to perform - needs to be blocked high and cannot be air blocked. - combo it like mad :) - however, it can still miss (rarely) even if your slash connects - can be used as air counter - ninjas can use log trick against this - can sometimes super immediately after getting hit even before enemy recovers (try against slow hopping crushes and moves that are slow but do not knock you down, e.g. Shinzumaru's low C) - Might be able to perform the slash power specials while already grabbing on Mamahaha (unconfirmed). Otherwise can only be done on the ground. - It has been sighted that CPU has performed the Power specials while in the air after an air C slash... not sure if this is just a game glitch (need confirmation..) - If opponent throws projectiles from a fairly close range, do the Slash Power specials to go over the projectile and hit the opponent while they are still in recovery mode. Bust - requires weapon to perform - can be blocked high or low, but can't be air blocked. - combo it also (but need to be on the wolf already) - the rising slash sometimes miss even if the dashing part connects (very rare) - can be used as air counter - can sometimes go through projectiles. Below is a list of projectile moves which Bust power special can go through so far: Kyoshiro's flaming projectile (need confirmation again to see if this can be done reliably) Amakusa's flaming skull (can go through it ANYTIME while Bust Nak is rushing forward) Rimururu's ground ice (all the time while rushing) Amakusa's ground portal (all the time while rushing) - Can be performed while standing on the ground, or riding on Silkou's back while Silkou is on the ground. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategies Vs CPU - can often use close B combos and jump in throws - also keep trying far B combos - also try air throws a lot. - If CPU jumps in on you, usually you don't need to worry about whether CPU is gonna air block or not - it usually doesn't. So just jump forward and counter it out of the air with a C slash. - send Mamahaha tornado at close range to make CPU block, then do a crouching C, CPU will nearly always not block the crouching C, then combo after crouching C. If CPU gets hit by the tornado, the crouching C will hit as well as CPU gets lifted up to the sky by the tornado. - if CPU blocks the Mamahaha tornado in the air at close range, jump up and air C slash CPU anyway as CPU usually will not block the air C. - at the start of the round, move as close to CPU as possible and then immediately 5-kick throw as the round starts to get ahead. - if using Bust Nakoruru, can try the infinite combo on the CPU even if you managed to slash your opponent from the front. CPU will often fall for it anyway. Initiate the C slash after you have jumped in or performed a Myu Shikite and then proceed with the infinite combo if the C slash hits the CPU (Don't try this when just walking or running in!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategies Vs Human: - alternate between high/low attacks e.g. BC and A Annu Mutsube A Annu Mutsube and C Leyla Mutsube crouching D kick and BC B/C Mamahaha attacks and Annu Mutsube - jump in and air C a ground opponent, BC hop crush after you land. - run in and alternate between A/B/D/AM/BC/jump * D to trip * B if you think enemy will try something * A if you think enemy might beat you to an attack * Annu Mutsube instead of D for higher priority and damage if you think enemy will attack, but longer recovery if blocked * BC for a quick overhead surprise attack * Jump in or jump straight up for variety and avoiding attacks - Moves to surprise people, not to use frequently * reflect projectiles (can't seem to reflect slinky...) * AC wolf counter attack (Bust version only) - Other patterns to try against human challengers: 1) hop crush, hop crush, annu mutsube 2) cape move, annu mutsube 3) cape move + extra twirl, annu mutsube 4) all of the above, but your first move(s) was blocked - After recovering enemy blocked BC/cape/AM/normal slash, you can sometimes immediately slash and combo, or slash super, if you feel the enemy has slightly slower reaction. - To surprise your opponent, do A Mamahaha attack, if your opponent decides to block the air tornado, then as soon as you recover from the move, do the B or C Mamahaha attack. The B/C Mamahaha attack will reach your opponent virtually right after the A Mamahaha tornado is blocked and if they try to do anything after blocking they will be hit. - If your opponent gets apprehensive and jumps back at close range, immediately do a B or C Mamahaha attack to catch them unaware in the air. - If you are on Silkou, and your air C slash is air-blocked by your opponent, do the Imel Shikite straight away to hit your opponent. It will hit if they are trying to slash you back right after air blocking. - When playing Bust Nakoruru, mix up your Shikite moves and the separations. Don't always separate after performing the Shikite moves. Make your opponents guess - sometimes do a BC hop crush or jump straight up after zooming in with a Myu Shikite to keep opponent guessing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Character Specific Strategies Vs. CPU Haohmaru - sucker for A/B Amube Yatoro - Haohmaru's Kogetsuzan has been dramatically slowed down (or priority is reduced), therefore it's fairly easy to air throw or air C slash him out of it. Genjuro - Ukyo - sucker for bust super when he has weapon (let him retrieve) - often falls for a long-range C Mamahaha attack. Gaira - sucker for the following combos: * crouching C into C Leyla Mutsube * Air B/C, standing B into Annu/Leyla Mutsube - be careful of Bust version's unblockable throws, keep to the air. Jumps back if any ground slashes are blocked to avoid being thrown. - knock CPU Gaira down, and jump up and do a B, he'll roll under you, but you'll land and be able to B him in the back before he recovers, and then combo the B slash into a special move. Rimururu - do any of Nakoruru's Mamahaha attack from further than normal, CPU Rimururu is programmed to try and run in under it but will be hit by it. - slash super over the ground ice to get her :) - Bust super over the ground ice to get her too!! :) Nakoruru - Counter the Amube Yatoro attacks by doing an Annu Mutsube to go under the attack and hit Nakoruru. - Can also counter the Amube Yatoro attacks by running in and B slash or 5-kick throw, or do a wolf separation forward. Shinzumaru - Amakusa - sucker for the following combos: * crouching C into C Leyla Mutsube * Air B/C, standing B into Annu/Leyla Mutsube Ninjas - Counter portal drops from above by either: (1) Block, then run forward B into Annu Mutsube (2) Block, then wait until ninja about to land and then C Annu Mutsube (3) Block, C Leyla Mutsube (4) Without blocking, Annu Mutsube/power special/air throw against portral drops. (5) Against Hanzo, to be safe, firstly Annu Mutsube on the ground when Hanzo disappears. He will be hit if he reappear on the ground. - (vs CPU Hanzo only): A Mamahaha tornado CPU Hanzo, he will usually block it and then jump forward, then air C him out of the air (CPU will not block it most of the time). Kyoshrio - air throw, air C - jump in with air D, and then 5-kick throw when landing. Basara - A Annu Mutsube if Basara throws his star weapon over the top of you. - Retreat to the corner, and then, after CPU Basara has followed you into the corner so that he is within your standing far B range, then you triangle jump out of the corner. CPU Basara will toss his weapon diagonally to try to hit you but you will triangle jump out in time. Then, after you land right next to him, do a standing close C into Annu Mutsube combo. Repeat (since after Annu Mutsube you will be back into the corner again.) - Block his power special, B Amube Yattoro, THEN Run in B -> Mutsube Combo. - When Basara throws his weapon down at you while in the air, rather than doing a jumping C after blocking, let him land and give him a running B combo instead. Basara has a huge lag after that move. Zankuro - B slash CPU, block, repeat until hit then combo. - Mix the above up with occasional jump ins etc. CPU will sometimes stuns you as you try to slash him if you get too predictable. - When CPU's POW meter is charged, get away as far as possible. - Jump in, air blocking until the last minute and then C slash before landing, block, and then slash after blocking Zankuro's attack. If it hits, combo. - Move Nakoruru so that she is against the wall, jump back in to the wall, while air blocking all the time, if Zankuro does any of his attack (most of them air blockable), C slash straight away after air-blocking) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vs. human Haohmaru Genjuro - dodge his slides (Slash) Ukyo - air throw and he's stuck on the ground (beware of Bust Ukyo super as air counter) - Mix up with air D and jump in throws/low C to counter his sword catch Gaira - use speed, be aggressive Rimururu - slash super over the ground ice to get her :) - Bust super over the ground ice to get her too!! :) Nakoruru Shinzumaru - try Imel Shikite against umbrella moves Amakusa Ninjas - refer to corresponding Vs CPU sections on how to counter portal drops. Kyoshrio Basara - block super then running B combo - run under his air blade throws and jump C ____________________________________________________________________________ End of SS3 Nakoruru Guide