Name: 夏侯淵 妙才 (Kakōen Myōsai) Real Name: Shūran Chinese Counterpart: Xiahou Yuan - Miaocai Voice Actress: Airi Yoshida
Famed archer, wielding the Hungry Wolf's Claw. Twin sister and lieutenant of Kakōton, she has also vowed to dedicate her body and soul to Sōsō's grand cause.
Always calm and composed, she supports her sister without complaint, but must endure great stress and hardship as a result of her sister's impetuousness.
Gameplan
With her bow, Kakōen can cover almost any space on the screen via ground or air projectiles. She can parry incoming attacks with 623X, which is also a hit-grab. While her zoning is unparalleled in this game, her normals are pretty underwhelming outside 3C and 2C; her 2B is a mid, so her damage potential without a hougeki is fairly small. Good luck getting in on her though between her very fast arrows and great 3B anti-air.
Normal Moves
5A
5A
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
300
Mid
5
2
10
±0
-2
Knockback
Self-cancelable up to 3 times.
Fast, mid-hitting normal. Self- and special-cancelable. Shares the shortest 5A with Chō'un.
c.B
c.B
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
550 x2
Mid
6
3, 2
17
+5
-5
Knockback
f.B
f.B
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
1100
Mid
10
3
25
+4
-6
Knockback
General poking and whiff-punishing normal.
c.C
c.C
Version
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
Normal
600 x2
Mid
9
3, (9), 3
20
+4
-7
Knockback
The first hit is special-cancelable, while 2nd part can be canceled into c.C.
Followup
800
Mid
18
2
26
+4
-11
Wall Bounce - Knockdown
Airborne on frames 12-27.
Wall bounces during a Hougeki.
f.C
f.C
Version
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
Uncharged
1400
Mid
16
4
31
+4
-11
Knockback
Can cancel the startup by pressing D.
All versions will cut non-EX projectiles on during active frames.
Half Charged
1900
Mid
32
4
31
+4
-11
Knockback
Can cancel the startup by pressing D.
Fully Charged
2400
-
63
3
31
+76
+5
Collapse
Guard crushes.
Wall bounces during a Hougeki.
2A
2A
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
300
Low
5
2
9
+1
+1
Knockback
Self-cancelable up to 3 times.
Also self- and special-cancelable, can also be used for stagger pressure. Vulnerable to attacks with low-body invul.
2B
2B
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
900
Mid
11
3
25
+4
-6
Knockback
Special cancelable.
2C
2C
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
1600
Low
16
2
28
+4
-10
Hard Knockdown
Brings Kakōen's hurtbox low to the ground, allowing her to low-profile some moves.
j.A
j.A
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
600
High
5
12
-
+19
+7
Knockback
j.B
j.B
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
1000
High
8
3
-
+20
+8
Knockback
j.C
j.C
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
1300
High
10
3
-
+26
+8
Knockback
Command Moves
j2C
j.2C
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
800
High
18
(Until ground)
-
+15
+14
Knockback
Hougeki Moves
6B
6B
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
900
High
22
2
24
±0
-12
Collapse
Lower-body invul on frames 17-24.
Floor bounces during a Hougeki.
Universal overhead with an obvious animation. Shares properties across characters like being even on hit, punishable on block or whiff, and causing Hougeki on counter-hit.
6C
6C
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
1200
Mid
18
2
26
+2
-12
Collapse
Airborne on frames 12-27.
Wall bounces during a Hougeki.
Universal lunge move. Shares properties across characters like causing Hougeki on counter-hit and wall bouncing during Hougeki.
3B
3B
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
100
Mid
12
3
28
+1
-13
Blow Away
Aerial invul on frames 13-15.
Launches during a Hougeki.
Universal anti-air. Shares properties across characters like invulnerability to air moves during active frames, causing Hougeki on air counter-hit, and launching during Hougeki.
3C
3C
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
1100
Low
14
2
29
+53
-15
Collapse
Universal sweep. Shares properties across characters like causing hard knockdown on hit and Hougeki on counter-hit.
Throws
Forward Throw
Forward Throw 5D/6D
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
600
Throw
7
1
24
+102
-
Throw
Initial hit causes proration, leading to 480 actual damage.
Unlike other characters, Kakōen's throw allows a combo afterwards.
Back Throw
Back Throw 4D
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
600
Throw
7
1
24
+102
-
Throw
Initial hit causes proration, leading to 480 actual damage.
Unlike other characters, Kakōen's throw allows a combo afterwards.
Special Moves
One Shot-One Kill
One Shot-One Kill 236A/B/C
Version
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
A/B
1100
Mid
14
-
45
+9
-19
Knockback
Kakōen shoots an arrow in front of her at different heights and angles.
Holding the button down while performing the special move on the ground, Kakōen will charge her arrow, giving it slightly more damage and increased flight speed.
Charged (A/B)
1200
Mid
26
-
45
+9
-19
Wall Bounce - Knockdown
Causes Special Down on counter-hit.
Alternatively, it will wall splat before knocking down when the opponent is close to the corner and the corner is (mostly) in view.
C
1100
Mid
14
-
45
+73
-19
Blow away
Charged C
1200
Mid
26
-
45
+73
-19
Blow away
EX
1600
Mid
14
-
57
+58
-19
Blow away
Wall bounces during a Hougeki.
Charged EX
1600
Mid
26
-
57
+54
-19
Blow away
Wall bounces during a Hougeki.
Air One Shot-One Kill
One Shot-One Kill (Air) 236A/B/C
Version
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
Air
1000
Mid
16
-
11
+3
-13
Knockback
Air EX
1600
Mid
24
-
11
+55
+25
Blow away
Floor bounces during a Hougeki.
Wei Flash
Wei Flash 623A/B/C
Version
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
A
600, 1000
Mid
6
5
34
+57
-23
Unique Hard Knockdown
Aerial invul on frames 1-11.
Kakouen grabs the opponent and shoots them into the ground with her bow.
This is a hit grab that has some invulnerability and leads to a knockdown. This is one of her primary combo enders.
B
600, 1000
Mid
6
5
34
+57
-23
Unique Hard Knockdown
Head invul on frames 1-11.
C
600, 1000
Mid
6
5
34
+57
-23
Unique Hard Knockdown
Low invul on frames 1-11.
EX
800, 1250
Mid
6
5
34
+57
-21
Unique Hard Knockdown
Fully invul on frames 1-11.
Surprise Shot
Surprise Shot 214A/B/C
Version
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
Startup (Any)
0
-
12
20
27
-
-
-
Projectile invul on frames 1-31.
Fully invul while teleporting.
Airborne on frames 13-28.
Kakōen jumps and a sparkle effect appears on the ground at a set distance in front of her. If an opponent enters the effect, Kakōen will transition into an attack.
Kakōen will cross up on her opponents outside of the corner. This move can be canceled, by pressing D before she transitions into the attack.
A+B Surprise Shot is 12+14F startup, +9 on hit, and -11 on block. Fully Invul. from 1F~28F / Projectile Invul. from 29F~32F.
Kakouen can combo into 2B on counter hit..
Attack
1200
Mid
14
-
38
+8
-11
Knockback
Startup (EX)
0
-
12
20
27
-
-
-
Fully invul on frames 1-28.
Projectile invul on frames 29-32.
Airborne on frames 13-28.
Attack (EX)
1800
Mid
14
-
43
+9
-11
Knockback
Ougi
Savage Roar 2363214D
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
1800, 600, 250 x12, 2400
-
20
10
33
+113
+4
Unique Hard Knockdown
Fully invul on frames 1-30.
Guard crushes.
Kakouen lunges forward and then hits the opponent with all her attacks before leaving them crumpled in front of her. Ranbu style.
Hiougi
Archer Distraction 236BC
Damage
Guard
Startup
Active
Recovery
Adv on Hit
Adv on Block
Counter-hit Attribute
300, 3700
-
30
-
36
+131
-
Unique Hard Knockdown
Fully invul on frames 1-62.
Kakouen jumps back and 3 lightning arrows rain down. If the opponent is hit, Kakouen's Hiougi cinematic plays where she fires one very strong arrow into her opponent surrounded by a field of arrows.
Combos
Midscreen
cl.B > Special
2A/5A > 623B
2A/5A x 2 > 623A+B
Near 2B > 623X
Far 2B > 236B
CH 214X > 2B > 236B Corner
cl.B > 236B > 623B
Note: After this combo, 214B will cross up.
CH 214X > cl.B > ...
Basic Hougeki Combos
The following combos are basic Hougeki routes for Kakouen. Many of these combos are in the video below by Unknown games from 2014. For more damaging and advanced routes, try out the alternate mid-screen routes and watch the second video below by Unknown Games from 2018. Mid-screen
FC > 8j.C > 6B > j.C > 6C > cl.B > 236C > 3B > j.C > cl.B > 623C Corner
FC > j.C > cl.CC > cl.B > 236C > 6B > j.C > 3B > j.C > cl.B > 623C Anti-Air
3B > j.C > 6C > walk > cl.B > 236C > 66 > cl.B > 236C > 6B > j.C > cl.B > 623C Hiougi Route
FC > j.C > 6B > cl.B > 236C > cl.B > 236C > 6C > cl.B > 236C > 3B > 236C > 236B+C Alternate Midscreen Routes
FC > cross up j.B > 2B > One Shot > far C > cl.B(1) > 236C > cl.B(2) > 236A > 6B > cl.B(1) > 236A or C > 3B cl.B(2) > 236C > cl.B(2) > 623C
FC > j.C > 6B > cl.B(2) > 236C > cl.B > 236A B or C > far C > cl.B(2) > 236C > 3B > cl.B (2) > 236C > cl.B (2) > 623C