Melty Blood/MBTL/Shiki Tohno

Story

The eldest son of the historical Tohno family, he was raised for some time by the Arima branch family. However, he was called back to Souya to live in the Tohno estate shortly after his father passed away. A childhood injury left him with the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, giving him the ability to see the death of all things in the form of lines and points. He wears special glasses which prevent his eyes from seeing these things all the time. He may be an ordinary student, but his ability to visualize death has altered his very perception of it. The aftereffects of his accident, combined with the toll his eyes take, has left him with chronic anemia. During battle, he removes his glasses to use his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.

Gameplay

Shiki (often referred to as Tohno) is a melee rushdown fighter who punishes opponents with his fast normals and powerful advancing special attacks.

Shiki can easily tag opponents across the screen from surprising range with his high-movement special attacks, then work his offense at close range with many fast normal attacks, frametraps, safe on block moves, and possible pressure reset opportunities. Should opponents try to mash out, his backdash pulls him away a great distance where he's ready to start his pressure all over again. Landing his Boundary Peek Arc Drive (236B+C) will also enable the usage of his 22X series of specials for the rest of the round, expanding his options even further.

His strength in neutral comes with downsides; whiffing his powerful midrange pokes often leads to Shiki getting blown up due to their long recovery. His offensive game is also very linear, having limited options to open up an opponent or enforce a mix-up, even if he hasn't been predictable with his attack strings.

Shiki's strong and simple style is deeply suited for beginners to play and learn with, but a firm grasp of fighting game fundamentals is a must if one want to use him at high-level.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Well rounded with an easily understood toolkit and gameplan that any fighting game player can pick up Terrifying midrange presence: Shiki has many ways to command the flow of neutral with his forward moving air unblockable specials and normals, making life difficult for opponents who want to engage with him up close Scary pressure: Shiki has excellent framedata and cancel windows, the best unblockable in the game, chip damage, and a fantastic run, running many offensive mindgames and strike throw opportunities up close Potent defensive options: Equipped with good reversals, fast normals, and the strongest backdash in the game, his ability to retreat or blow past offense is top notch Boundary Peek: A unique arc drive that provides him his powerful 22X series, completing his toolkit and making him a truly horrifying powerhouse at any range as well as covering most of his weaknesses	Lacks polarizing mixups: Until he gains access to Boundary Peek, Shiki primarily relies on options like strike/throw to open up patient opponents Weak EX Cancel Options: Shiki lacks a safe on block EX move making his reset potential and ability to loop offense inherently much riskier than other characters Odd wakeup animation makes him vulnerable to certain character specific left/right mixups

Unique Traits

Mystic Eyes of Death Perception

All of Shiki's normals utilizing his signature knife apply Chip Damage, being the only character in the game who can present the threat of chip through normals outside of Saber. This helps provide his basic strike throw offense a more active visible threat

Accelerated Unblockables

Moves with unblockable properties are sped up by 4 frames during the duration of Shiki's moondrive activation state and consume 2 moon gauge upon use.

The two moves Shiki has that is affected by this trait are his powerful 5[C] and 236[B+C] (Charged Arc Drive)

Character Summary

Move list

Moon Skills: 6B+C - Flash Sheath - Single Strike; 3B+C - Flash Run - Six Fish; 4B+C - Flash Run - Double Strike; j.6B+C - Flash Run - Six Fish; 2B+C - (Boundary Peek activated) Flash Sheath - Eight Piercings
Special Attacks: 236A/B/C (EX OK) - Flash Sheath - Single Strike: Advancing slash; 623A/B/C (EX OK) - Flash Run - Six Fish (Air OK): Anti-air, reversal (B/EX ver. only); 214A/B/C (EX OK) + Add. A/B/C - Flash Run - Double Strike: Sliding low kick; 22A - (Boundary Peek activated) Flash Sheath - Eight Piercings: Teleporting overhead; 22B - (Boundary Peek activated) Flash Sheath - Seven Nights: Fast dashing low; 22C - (Boundary Peek activated) Flash Sheath - Eight Points: Multi-hit barrage
Arc Drive: 236B+C - Boundary Peek: High damage attack that unlocks 22X specials for the rest of the round when used
Last Arc: A+B+C+D / Successful Shield in Blood Heat - Testify - Seventeen Dissection: Very high damage attack
Unique Attacks: 44 > 44, 3C
Blowback Edge Moves: 5[C], j.[C], 236[B+C]

Stats & vitals

Health: 11700 (Average)

Backdash:

  - 1-18 Throw Invul
  - 1-12 Strike Invul
  - 13-17 Aerial Invul
  - 1-17 Projectile Invul
  - 28 Total

Dash startup: 4

Dash actionable: 5

Jump startup: 4

Jump airtime: 37

Quick combo reference

Basic BNB (Meterless): 2A 2B 5C 2C 214BB j.[C] delay j.B, 5B (5BB) 3C j.4AAAB AT

Basic BNB (1 Bar): 2A 2B 5C 2C 214BB j.[C] delay j.B, land 5B (5BB) 236A 236C/623C

Corner BNB (1 Bar): 2A 2B 5C 2C 214BB j.[C] delay j.B, land 5B (5BB) 236A 236C 3C j.4AAAB AT

2C Starter BNB: 2C 5C 236B 2B(1) 214BB j.[C] delay j.B land 5B (5BB) 5BBB j.4AAAB AT

Move Analysis

Normal Moves

Standing Normals

5A

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5A

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
180	L	-SE-, -N-, -SP-, -RB-, -EX-, -MD-, (J)	-	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
5	2	12	18	-2	-

Holding allows you to cancel into itself up to 2 times.
Whiff cancels available from frame 10 onwards (frame 10 is the first frame of the whiff cancelled move).

Shiki does a quick kick to the shins. As of the recent patch, it hits low, making it more ideal to start pressure than + due to its longer range. Obviously his fastest button alongside +, as they both go active in 5F, so you can use this to mash out of situations on defense or in scrambles.

Very useful in pressure as it is only -1 both on block and as a rebeat whiff from normals, allowing Shiki a chance to reset pressure. Unlike most s, the hitbox placement on this move makes it unserviceable as an emergency anti-air against IADs.

5B

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5B

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
480	LH	N, SP, RB, EX, MD, (J)	-	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
8	4	15	26	-2	-

Horizontal forward moving elbow strike

High hitting normal that's good at hitting people out of IAD resets
Essential combo filler that will occupy many of his rejump links
Recovery and pushback make it ideal for checking guard cancel heats in blockstrings

5C

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5C

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
680	LH	N, SP, RB, EX, MD, (J)	CD	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
9 ~ 18	8	20	36 ~ 45	-11 ~ -4	-

Fast Knife Lunge

Does chip damage on block
Excellent poke as it recovers surprisingly quickly and moves him forward quite a bit
Strong pressure tool as it easily hit confirms into Flash Sheath - Single Strike (+) and Flash Run - Double Strike (+) at any range, and can be reverse beat into or + to continue pressure again from a safe distance

/Data#5[C]

5[C]

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
2000	U	-	SK, AB, L	2 Moon Icons	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
30 (26)	4	24	58 (54)	+14 ~ +17	18-30 Clash (14-26 Clash)

Line Seeker

Unblockable, but can be stand Shielded.
Startup reduced by 4F during Moon Drive (Consumes Moon Drive after use)
Soft knockdown
Does a surprisingly high amount of damage on its own and knocks the opponent down into a techable knockdown on hit. Due to your limited mix-up options outside of Boundary Peek, you may be inclined to use this often against respectful players, and it's also one of your unique options for beating low Shield
Like most BE moves, you can half charge it into a low for a strong mixup, especially effective with Shiki's selection of powerful lows. Also contains a massive amount of clash frames that can stuff attempts to mash
Vulnerable to reversals and smartly timed fuzzy mashes

Crouching Normals

2A

+

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2A

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
150	L	-SE-, -N-, -SP-, RB, -EX-, -MD-, (J)	-	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
5	2	12	18	-2	-

Shiki smacks the opponent's shins instead.

The average Melty +, it's fast, affordable, and reliable
Can chain into itself 2 times before going into Rapid Beat
Hits low and just as far as , having almost identical usecases
Whiff cancels available from frame 10 onwards (frame 10 is the first frame of the whiff cancelled move).

2B

+

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/Data#2B

2B

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
504	L	N, SP, RB, EX, MD, (J)	CD	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
7	4 (2) 4	14	30	-3	-

Fast two-hit shin slash

Does chip damage on block
A multi-hit low with a very high number of active frames, good range, and a long stagger window, making it a pressure staple
The framedata combined with its pushback makes its an excellent way to reset or continue pressure
Initial hitbox is angled high enough to tag most IADs, making it a solid defensive option as well

2C

+

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2C

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
620	L	N, SP, RB, EX, MD, (J)	HK, L	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
7	5	25	36	-13	-

The infamous Tohno sweep

Offense and Defensive staple due to its startup and active frames
Great combo starter that naturally hit confirms into Flash Sheath - Single Strike (+) and Flash Run - Double Strike (+)
Extends hurtbox throughout the whole leg during recovery
Hard knockdown on hit

Jumping Normals

j.A

Aerial

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jA

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
140	HA	N, SP, RB, EX, MD, J	-	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
5	4	11	19	-	-

Quick air jab

Holding allows you to cancel into itself up to 2 times.
Retains air options on whiff
This is your go-to option for air neutral as it is your fastest air normal and very minimally committal, making it perfect for air-to-airs and stuffing air approaches to score Counter Hits
Can be mashed with + for either an easy confirm into Air Throw, or if blocked, to go into an air blockstring to bring the opponent to the ground for a mix-up or to start pressure.
Whiff cancels starting on frame 20 onwards

j.B

Aerial

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jB

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
392	HA	N, SP, RB, EX, MD, J	CD	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
6	2,2	-	-	-	-

Shiki performs a two-hit downward air slash

Does chip damage on block
Can only be cancelled (jump/chain/air throw) from the second hit, not the first
Your best IAD and IADB option as it works from the lowest heights and makes for an easy hit confirm due to its multi hit nature
Poor active frames and horizontal range make it a weak air to air option

j.C

Aerial

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jC

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
560	HA	N, SP, RB, EX, MD, J	-	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
10	7	-	-	-	-

Leg Extension

Strong defensive air normal with deceptively long range and nice active frames
Mixed in with charged options makes approaching this button from below daunting

/Data#j[C]

j[C]

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
900	HA	N, SP, RB, EX, MD, J	GB, L	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
20	7	-	-	-	15-19 Clash

Leg Slam

Has plenty of clash-frames, making it a strong option for aggressive jump ins
Very potent combo tool, both as a starter or extender
-4 on whiff so don't be too careless with throwing this out in neutral
Allows you to extend combos after using Flash Run - Double Strike (+) or the Moon Skill version of Flash Run - Six Fish (++ or Aerial ++)

Command Normals

44 > 44

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44~44

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
-	-	-	-	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
-	-	-	-	-	-

Shiki performs a backflip

By inputting backdash twice, Shiki gets access to a followup that extends his invul and moves him backwards almost fullscreen
Gives his already top notch backdash another way to extend himself out of sticky situations

Universal Mechanics

Rapid Beat 2

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Shiki performs a double hitting slash attack

Does chip damage on block
Vacuums the opponent on hit
Moves Shiki significantly closer to the opponent to set up for Rapid Beat 3 launcher
As a result, some special cancels that might not have reached before are now much easier to connect depending on how the opponent got hit. For instance, if the opponent is on the ground, you can cancel Rapid Beat 2 into + and still have the combo connect, but if they were in the air you'll have to replace with +.

3C/Rapid Beat 3

3C

+

or

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/Data#3C

3C

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
700	LH	SP, EX, MD, (J)	CD, LR	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
10	4	25	37	-11	5-12 Air

Shiki raises his knife to the air, performing a crescent slash

Does chip damage on block
Launches the oppponent with a built in jump followup
Head Invulnerable(Air Attack Invulnerable) on frames 5-12
Shiki stays in place during the duration of the move
Important anti air tool that's excellent at hitting opponents trying to hover above him

Ground Throw

throw

/

+

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4/6AD

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1500	U	-	HK	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
4	3	19	25	+47	-

Shiki grabs the opponent and throws them down with a slick knife flip

Generic normal throw
Solid knockdown that leaves the opponent next to Shiki
His primary mixup tool cause he has so many opportunities to set up situations for it

Air Throw

airthrow

Aerial

/

+

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/Data#j4/6AD

j4/6AD

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1200	U	-	HK	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
1	3	-	-	-	-

Shiki throws the opponent down with a quick slash to the neck

Standard melty airthrow that leaves Shiki a fairly high distance away from the opponent midscreen
Jump cancellable on hit so he can get close for more potent oki
Better frame advantage the lower the airthrow is
Universal air combo ender

Special Moves

Flash Sheath - Single Strike

Shiki's basic knife strike series. The and versions are very useful to his metagame, as they serve as strong neutral tools that can reap good reward on hit, a safe blockstring ender or frametrap option, or as staple optimized combo tool. The EX Edge version carries more use in combos, but does very well in that regard, giving him a solid and reliable option to dump meter into to get a conversion or extra damage.

Flash Sheath - Single Strike

+

A version lunges quickly at the opponent and hits once

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B version takes longer to start up but hits 3 times and moves farther

EX Version has a followup that wallbounces in the corner

A version lunges quickly at the opponent and hits once

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B version takes longer to start up but hits 3 times and moves farther

EX Version has a followup that wallbounces in the corner

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/Data#236A

236A

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1200	LH	-EX-, -MD-	C	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
12	3	20	34	-4	-

Quick knife slash

Shiki rushes forward and slashes in front of him. Very simple, yet very useful special move. It is primarily used as a mid-range harassment tool in neutral to hit the opponent at ranges they wouldn't expect, and its large, disjointed hitbox makes it perfect for that purpose. This special is air-unblockable, but although it is NOT a dedicated anti-air, it is still good for catching opponents who like to jump as you can hit their early airborne frames, landings, or pre-emptively stop IAD approaches.

In blockstrings, this move is safe to cancel into to end your pressure as it is only -4 on block. On ground hit, it now leaves the opponent in a crumpled state, allow you to get a full combo as long as you're in range for Normals, or opt for strong mixups otherwise.

It may situationally be a good combo tool for corner carry and damage. Otherwise, this move is mostly used towards the end of a combo in the sequence > Add > + > +, to squeeze a little extra damage and get close enough for both hits of + to connect.

/Data#236B

236B

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1377	LH	-EX-, -MD-	GB(3), L(3)	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
18	2,2,2	17	40	-2	-

A slower and further advancing slash than +
Hits 3 times
Ground bounces on hit

Shiki runs further and slashes further in this version. Shiki's strongest special and helps define many aspects of his gameplan. Very similar fundamentally to +, but the primary draw of + is how its Ground Bounce property allows combos on any starter hit, guaranteed. This move will make your neutral scary, as one wrong move by the opponent can lead to them getting hit by a strong BNB anywhere.

On top of that, this move essentially gets you "in" if the opponent has to block it, with its even better frame advantage and positioning allowing you to stay close to the opponent and potentially start an offense. Even with the startup delay, immediately cancelling into this move from blocked normals will catch all attempts to jump out of pressure as well, and opponents who mash will end up eating a combo.

As stated before, + begins combos in any situation imaginable, although mid-combo it will often be used early on, as the startup and movement makes it tricky to use late into a combo. It is also well-suited to help with converting off of long-range hits, such as max range normals.

/Data#236C

236C

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
2263	LH	MD	HK, WB(4), L(4)	1 Magic Circuit	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
4+4	6 (11) 4	26	54	-9	1-4 Throw

Fastest and highest damage version
NO invincibility
Hard knockdown

Shiki readies himself, then runs across a majority of the screen, slashing two times and launching the opponent away on hit. If the opponent is high in the air or your spacing is just plain off, the first hit has a tendency to whiff, but second slash always comes out even if the first one whiffs. A move used typically to end combos and to wallbounce into airthrow in the corner. Do not let the opponent block this, though, as it is punishable on block.

In combos, + grants massive corner carry on its own, even letting Shiki run the opponent even further into the corner after the move but before they wake up. It's also very easy to work this move into a combo where other options might not work, notably after a ++. Then, once the opponent is cornered, you can use the Wall Bounce property of +'s second hit to turn it into a potent combo tool instead of just an ender, allowing you to continue the combo if you are close enough. This is very useful for improving Shiki's damage output in corner BNBs if you have the resources to do so.

Finally, + > Moon Drive cancel serves as an expensive yet valuable starter, where Shiki can dash + to continue and clear well over 4K damage in the following combo. You can pull this out of your hat in situations where you may need to kill.

Flash Run - Six Fish

Dragon Kicks that even Shiki doesn't understand. These are one of his more committal ways of being able to deal with airborne opponents. All versions are very fast by being active in 5-6 frames, are air-unblockable, and result in a knockdown on hit. Most notably, the and EX Edge versions also grant Shiki with reliable invincible reversals, which is important since his other EX Edge specials have no invincibility.

Flash Run - Six Fish

+

A version is a fast anti-air, B version is a reversal, EX version is a reversal and a combo ender

A version is a fast anti-air, B version is a reversal, EX version is a reversal and a combo ender

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/Data#623A

623A

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1200	LH	-EX-, -MD-	L, SK(3)	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
6	1 (2) 10	33	51	-26	-

Anti-air kick
Lower hurtbox retracts slightly during startup
Soft knockdown

Shiki does a fast Dragon Kick. Has no invincibility, but a good angle and strong active frames makes this move good for anti-airing careless air approaches. However, you're left very vulnerable in a clash situation. Goes into an automatic follow-up that gives a knockdown that can be teched by the opponent but is still advantageous. Absolutely terrible on whiff or block, so you have to be sure this move will hit, else use your other options to deal with air opponents.

Beware that this move's hitbox placement also makes it somewhat prone to getting crossed-up and attacking the wrong way if the opponent passes over your head while performing it.

Almost never used in combos as there are better ways to get to the better ender of Air Throw, but still notable is that it can be cancelled into grounded EX moves on the first hit, and can also be Moon Drive cancelled on a successful air hit for a good damage combo instead of the automatic follow-up.

/Data#623B

623B

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1200	LH	(EX), (MD)	L, SK(3)	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
6	2 (2) 10	37	56	-30	1-13 All

Invincible reversal kick

Shiki's invincible Dragon Kick. His primary reversal option, with amazing speed and vertical range. Very similar to the version, the only differences being that it goes higher (takes longer to recover as a result), and is massively invincible. Use this to force your way out of frametraps or gaps in pressure, or to beat out specific okizeme situations

Has about as much use in combos as +, except this version will prorate the combo damage heavily if you use it as a starter via Moon Drive cancelling.

/Data#623C

623C

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1807	LH	(MD)	L, HK	1 Magic Circuit	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
4+1	3 (2) 10	37	56	-30	1-16 All

Fastest kick
Highest damaging kick
Hard knockdown

EX Edge Dragon Kick, has more invincibility and active time than the + version and goes active 1 frame faster than the other two. This version also grants a hard knockdown, giving Shiki more advantage. The speed on this move is very important as it means that Shiki can punish certain safejump setups by hitting the opponent during their landing recovery, where he normally would not be able to.

Valuable combo ender, as the knockdown lets you get reliable okizeme setups off of any combo as long as he has meter with the string > Add > + > +. Also has the same starter damage proration issues as +.

Flash Run - Six Fish (air)

Aerial

+

Why does the motion input change? 🤔

Why does the motion input change? 🤔

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/Data#j236A

j236A

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1200	LHA	-EX-, -MD-	L, SK(3)	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
6	1 (2) 10	Until Landing+12	-	-	-

Shiki's DP, but in the air.
Most useful as an air combo ender when the opponent is too high for an air grab to reach but does less damage usually so not ideal if it can be avoided.
Similarly to the grounded version, Activating Moon Drive during the first 2 hits will leave the opponent in a long period of untech (though if done in the air after a + combo it won't be until they reach the ground, they will be able to tech in the air.)

/Data#j236B

j236B

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1200	LHA	-EX-, -MD-	L, SK(3)	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
7	2 (2) 10	Until Landing+12	-	-	-

version is largely the same as the version. Comes out a frame slower but Shiki travels higher up.

/Data#j236C

j236C

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1807	LHA	MD	L, HK	1 Magic Circuit	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
4+3	3 (2) 10	Until Landing+12	-	-	1-4 Throw

EX Version with hard knockdown
Shiki's best ender off air combos, providing great damage and okizeme after
Useful for finishing many stray air confirms

Flash Run - Double Strike

Shiki's ground slide series. An offensive tool and a staple launcher in his combo game. The non-EX versions give him a safe special to cancel his pressure into, while the EX Edge version grants him a way to dump excess meter into knockdowns off of stray hits midscreen that can't be traditionally converted

Flash Run - Double Strike

+

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/Data#214A

214A

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1200	L	-EX-, -MD-, -CH-	L, SK	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
7	10	13	29	-3	-

Quickest slide
Press any button on hit or block for a follow-up attack
Always -3, as of the August patch, regardless of how late it connects
Techable knockdown

Shiki's fast ground slide, is very useful in pressure to keep forcing your opponent to block low, and punishes up-backers and mashers handsomely by being able to go into a good combo on hit.

In combos, this can easily be used after ANY range button to convert into the main combo staple of + > Aerial > Aerial . It's also a common special to cancel into Boundary Peek from as there shouldn't be any possibility of the opponent being too high for the Arc Drive to reach using this move, as well as being the fastest and easiest special to do it from.

/Data#214B

214B

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1330	L	-EX-, -MD-, -CH-	L, SK	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
17	10	13	39	-1	-

Delayed slide
Travels slightly further than the version
Always -1, regardless of how late it connects

Similar to + in almost every regard, except for the slightly slower startup and better frame advantage. Where + requires a slight delay to frametrap, making it tricky to do so properly without missing windows or not leaving a gap, +'s naturally slower startup makes it easier to do that as no delay is needed. Also has an identical reward on hit; free combos!

A very important thing to note is that due to the slide leaving Shiki right next to the opponent and -1 on block, this move gives Shiki a solid pressure reset opportunity every time it's blocked, on top of already being safe and allowing a disengage. The startup and low hitbox does make it vulnerable to jumpouts though.

This version is much more commonly seen in combos due to the version missing in a lot of places that won't, especially at the beginning of combos. Also does a tiny bit more damage, making it more optimal.

/Data#214C

214C

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1645	L	MD	L, LR(2), HK	1 Magic Circuit	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
4+3	10	11	28	±0 (-4)	1-4 Throw

Fastest, metered slide
NO invulnerability
Automatically performs the follow-up attack on hit or block
Follow-up attack now behaves like +, launching the opponent

Shiki's EX Edge slide. Unlike numerous other EX Edge specials, this one does not give Shiki any invincibility, but the hurtbox is a bit further back and shorter than the non-metered versions, making the hitbox all the more disjointed. This version is also faster than + and travels the furthest of the three. It's primarily used to convert off of the few situations where Shiki cannot get a combo meterless (i.e. far hit + or +). Sees little use outside of those situations.

In combos, this is guaranteed to combo from your Rapid Beat normal. Also works well as a combo ender when the opponent is too far for other things to reach quick enough, assuming they are low enough to the ground, as you can go into an air combo. Finally, in certain combos where a launch is already used (i.e. + starter, Shield Counter starter), managing to land + will make the follow-up attack not do a cinematic launch, but still give you a hard knockdown.

Flash Run - Double Strike - Followup

+

You can cancel into this on whiff

You can cancel into this on whiff

Hitboxes Off

Hitboxes On

/Data#214X~X

214X~X

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1000	LH	-EX-, -MD-, (J)	L	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
15	3	20	37	-6	-

Shiki raises his knife to the skies

Has the same animation as + but doesn't cause a launch effect, instead just striking the opponent into the air slightly.
Can be jump-cancelled on hit to chain into a variety of air combos, most commonly a charged Aerial followed by Aerial into some form of ender or relaunch.
The Follow-up can be triggered as long as Shiki is still moving forward, giving the B version a very generous stagger timing if it should be blocked, though you cannot jump cancel the follow-up on block.
The followup can be cancelled into during slide whiff, making preemptive cancels a surprisingly solid option for opponents looking to jump out of slide resets, but it can make buffering it during combos a bit troublesome

Boundary Peek Activated (After Arc Drive)

Flash Sheath - Eight Piercings

+

You can hear Nanaya in the distance...

You can hear Nanaya in the distance...

Hitboxes Off

Hitboxes On

/Data#22A

22A

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1400	H	-EX-, -MD-	NC, L, SK	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
29 ~ 35 37 ~ 43	2	19	48	-4	-

Shiki assumes a stance and teleports into overhead slash that switches sides.

Despite the animation this is not a true cross-up and opponents can block it standing holding forward or back.
A decent mixup tool that calls out low shield attempts from afar and can lead to potential tech trap situations on hit.
Has a short window of invulnerability that can phase through most wakeup options and reversals.
Won't get you a combo on hit naturally. You can spend Magic Circuit on Aerial + if you just want to cash out on damage and knockdown or Moon Drive if you want a longer combo.
Safe on block against strikes but is easily punished with throw.
Usually if the opponent is not in a state where the slash can hit, Shiki will recover in a vulnerable state after teleporting a set distance. However, certain actions and/or timings can make the slash itself whiff.

Flash Sheath - Eight Piercings (Feint)

+

We waited a year for this.

We waited a year for this.

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Hitboxes On

/Data#22[A]

22[A]

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
-	-	-	-	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
-	-	-	32	-	-

Charging + causes Shiki to stay in place after posing for the attack, functioning as a feint.

Primary reason that + is a threatening mixup tool, recovering fast enough to punish attempts to shield it
Partially charging + can make the overhead come out slightly delayed.
Because this move is a feint, it won't have the charge flash that other fully charged moves do.

Flash Sheath - Seven Nights

+

It sure is a low

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Hitboxes On

/Data#22B

22B

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1400	L	-EX-, -MD-	NC, L	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
13	5	25	42	-9 ~ -5	-

Quick low that covers a lot of ground.

Travels about half screen and unlike + or ++ will still play out the attack animation even if you don't find a target.
You can both combo into this move and from it.
Comboing into this move before your enders will give you more damage than + or + and their Moon Skill counterparts. You can even choose which side to end on if you input your EX Special or Arc Drive slightly late.
At closer distances of + will crossup on hit for a sideswitch.
At button ranges it will cross-up on block at closer distances, but crossup protection will trigger.
Whiff cancellable into options like Moon Drive and lightning fast, this becomes one of his most powerful neutral tools, receiving a way to immediately close the gap.

Flash Sheath - Eight Points

+

The Trademark Nanaya Special

The Trademark Nanaya Special

Hitboxes Off

Hitboxes On

/Data#22C

22C

Damage	Guard	Cancel	Property	Cost	Attribute
1419	LH	-EX-, -MD-	-	-	-
First Active	Active	Recovery	Overall	Advantage	Invul
11	4,4,4,4,4,2[22]	19	51	-1	-

Shiki performs a series of extremely disjointed slashes

Notably different from the other moves unlocked by Boundary Peek, + isn't a metered version of either of the 2 attacks, but arguably the strongest unlockable move
Holding or during this move makes Shiki slide backwards or forwards, respectively. This is useful for repositioning and space control.
On a ground hit, you can link normals into a proper combo. Combined with the ability to reposition this can let you turn any stray hit of this into damage, knockdown, or even potentially end a round.
With its massive disjoint, active frames, air unblockable properties, and clash frames, it can be a strong tool for maintaining space and stuffing out aggressive approaches. Where it shines most however is its use in pressure: -1 on block and spacing him perfectly for his plethora of pressure options, these slashes are a powerful reset that can reap great reward on hit. It can also pressure the opponent into making hasty decisions due to its massive chip damage. If your opponent's character or wits can't find a way around this move, they're going to have a hard time once you gain access to it.
You can link this move into itself if the opponent is airborne. It doesn't add much damage but it does look really funny.

Moon Skills