Vampire Savior/Phobos

Introduction

Phobos is the main zoner of the Darkstalkers series.

Extra note: There are two versions of Phobos with two differences, one is unable to crawl and when jumping doesn't hover automatically, however they are able to manually hover on command by pressing 8, you still have the ability to hover again even after you let go of it. The second one has the ability to crawl and automatically hovers when they reach the peak of their jump, you can cancel the hover by pressing 1 2 or 3 but they are unable to hover again unlike the other version.

In VSAV2 the first version is the default while the other is selected by holding start while picking Phobos, in VHUNT2 the order of the two is reversed. In VSAV arranged the order matches the VSAV2 version, though the second version of Phobos lost the ability to crawl.

Gameplay

Primary objectives:

• Use your numerous projectiles, long ranged normals and movement tools to zone or keepaway your opponent
• Use your air guard cancel to counter air to guard break setups
• Use your hover and air dash to mix up your landing timing and spacing
• Use Dark Force to control neutral, apply defense, start highly damaging combos and apply tons of pressure
• Protect the kid

Strengths

Weaknesses

Sits in the highest health bracket Has the best dark force in the game capable of great neutral control, defense, pressure and combos that can deal massive damage, with no recovery animation on top The only character with the ability to air guard cancel Great neutral control through projectiles, hover, air dash and range Decent set of anti airs Tools such as Dark Force, Erasing Sphere and Plasma Trap allow great setplay and combo extensions Solid movement options and speed Able to air link even in VSAV Arranged Several full screen punish tools

The slowest pursuit in the game, ES pursuit can hardly ever be landed Very large and wide target while standing, crouching, blocking and in the air, very vulnerable to many setups, extended combos and getting oppressed Tallest croucher to the point he is taller than a few standing characters, which leaves him vulnerable to a lot of exclusive instant overheads A number of hitboxes have very vulnerable hurtboxes Air dash doesn't allow air to ground combos in the same way other air dashes do Unable to air chain even in VSAV Arranged Sweep is unreliable due to the first hit pushing the opponent too far for the second hit that knocks down to connect during a lot of chains or from some ranges No invulnerability outside Dark Force, while in VSAV Arranged when you get hit as you've activated Dark Force you get air reset but still get to keep it and do some potential defensive options thanks to it, in VSAV2 if hit you lose it.

Movement

Walk: Fairly average walk.

Dash: Pretty solid dash that travels a good amount of distance both backwards & forwards and lets you do standing normals out of it.

Jump: Fairly high jump. Phobos does not have the option to air chain normals in VSAV Arranged out of his jump, hover or air dash. You can air link however, albeit very few moves possess low enough recovery to true combo with it.

Hover: Can be activated once you reach the peak of your jump, stops you in place. The first version of Phobos has the ability to turn it on and off on command allowing you to change the speed of your descent.

Air Dash: An air dash that can have its directions changed from left to right rapidly and constantly.

Crawl: In VSAV2, the second version of Phobos has the ability to crawl.

Normal Moves

None of Phobos's moves can rapid

Standing Normals

	5LP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ] 1st hit Special Cancels 2 hit normal.
	5MP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]
	5HP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ] 2 hit normal.
	5LK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ] Special Cancels
	5MK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Low | ]
	5HK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]

Crouching Normals

	2LP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ] Special Cancels
	2MP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]
	2HP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]
	2LK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Low | ] Special Cancels
	2MK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Low | ]
	2HK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: Second hit knocks down | Block: Low | ] 2 hit normal.

Air Normals

	JLP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: High | ] Special Cancels
	JMP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: High | ]
	JHP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: High | ]
	JLK Special Cancels [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: High | ]
	JMK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: High | ]
	JHK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: High | ]

Command Normals

	6LP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ] 2 hit normal.
	6MP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]
	6HP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ] 2 hit normal.
	6LK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]
	6MK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]
	6HK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]

Normal Throws

	Normal Throw (4/6 MP or HP) [ Startup:1 | Active: ]
	Air Throw (4/6 JMP or JHP) [ Startup:1 | Active: ]

Special Moves

Command Throws

Circuit Scrapper 63214 MP/HP/PP [ Startup: | Active: ]

Special Moves

	(Higher) Plasma Beam 236 LP/MP/HK (Lower) Plasma Beam 236 LK/MK/HK ES Plasma Beam 236 PP or KK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: Freezes | Block: Mid | ]
	Might Launcher (Air OK) 214 LP/MP/HP/PP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: Burns | Block: Mid | ]
	Genocide Vulcan 421 P/PP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: Burns | Block: Mid | ] First hit is air unblockable.
	Plasma Trap 214 JLK/JMK/JHK/JKK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]

Guard Cancel

Reflect Wall (Air OK) 623 P Hitbox advances forward a bit. [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: Knocks down in air only | Block: | ]

Pursuits

8 P/K/PP/KK [ Startup: | Active: | ]

EX Moves

	Erasing Sphere 421 LK + MK, MK + HK or HK + LK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ] Different button combinations yield different lengths the projectile travels at: LK + MK travels at a medium distance, MK + HK travels the furthest distance and HK + LK travels the shortest distance. You cannot use a projectile while this move is out, nor use this move while a projectile is out.
	Final Guardian β 623 KK [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]

Dark Force

Ray of Doom VSAV2 input: 263 PP [ Startup: | Active: | Hit: | Block: Mid | ]

Memos

• In VSAV2 Air guard cancel has some bugs that can render Phobos unable to act properly
• In VSAV2 during Dark Force, if Phobos trades with an opponents while using the beams, it can wind up causing multiple hits and damage https://youtu.be/aJds7XdsA2U?t=1718

Colors