Battle Craze!!/Ikue/C-Side

Overview

Playstyle

C-Ikue is a slightly unusual shotoclone with a heavy emphasis on footsies and the midrange. In her C-side, she gains a strong command overhead and a suite of aggressive EX specials.
Pros	Cons
Range: Ikue has big disjointed normals, an easy way to convert range into damage with 214K, and a non-low-profilable projectile with unique applications. Air Game: Ikue has an air dash, a double jump, and strong air normals to make the opponent think twice before metting her in the air. Meter: C-Ikue can build up to 4 bars of Adrenaline, which she can then spend on a different suite of EX special moves. Additionally, landing her All-Out Attacks grants extra Craze meter depending on how much Adrenaline you currently have. Guard & Stagger Pressure: C-Ikue can charge both her 6SP and her C-Tech, which do significant guard damage when fully charged. Additionally, she can apply strong stagger pressure between neutral-on-block options and a unique retreating command normal. Honesty Is The Best Policy: Ikue's solid and fundamentals-based game plan makes her easy to pick up and an ideal beginner's choice, even if she's not exactly your average Ryu.	Pseudo 5-Framer: Ikue does have a 4-frame button, but it's a standing close normal with a small activation range. Everything else is 5 frames or slower. Ground Mobility: Ikue's admittedly fast run starts slow and speeds up over time, hindering her burst offense. Slow Reversal: C-Ikue's meterless reversal is extremely slow, making it unreliable. Honesty Is The Worst Policy: Despite being solid, Ikue's pressure, game plan, and combo structure are linear to a fault. C-Ikue's EX specials mitigate this to an extent, but even then, none of her tools are particularly overwhelming.

Statistics

Trait	"Constant Fight-or-Flight": Ikue can hold up to 4 stocks of Adrenaline. She can also perform EX versions of her Special Moves using half of an Adrenaline stock.
Health	1000
Mobility	Run, air dash, double jump

Move Overview

Universal Mechanics

Craze Tech

Over Crush 5CT File:Ikuectech.png

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 144[168] Overhead 21[26] - - +48[+43~+56] -5[-4] Dire Wall bounce Charged version stats in brackets Normal version causes a ground tumble, charged version causes a wallbounce Normal version wallsticks near the corner at +18 on hit C-Ikue's infamous advancing overhead. Only a frame faster than 6SP, but comes with great damage potential on hit and a ton of guard damage.

Throws

Kenjutsu Practice 5GP File:IkueThrowF.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 120 Throw Tech 4 - - +15 N/A Knocks the opponent right to the tip of 2SP range. You can meaty with 2SP afterwards, but you have to time it manually and it leaves you -4 if not canceled.

Raijin Slash 4GP File:IkueThrowB.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 120 Throw Tech 4 - - +18 N/A Closer hard knockdown, about to the edge of 2LK. Ikue values her space, so you can try to mix up the opponent between pressuring and dashing out afterwards.

Falling Denjin j.5GP File:IkueThrowJu.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 120 Throw Tech 2 - - +34[+20] N/A Brackets represent frame data when comboing into air throw Ikue's air throw. As per usual, you get a ground bounce if you land a raw air throw, allowing for follow-ups.

Heartbreaker

Heartbreaker 5CT while blocking File:IkueHB.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 32 Mid 17 - - +1 -23 Interestingly, it uses part of 5GP's animation, granting it obscene range for a Heartbreaker.

Normals

Standing

5LP (close) File:IkueclLP.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 40 Mid 7 - - +1 -4 Not very disjointed. Pretty much pure combo filler.

5LP (far) File:Ikue5LP.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 44 Mid 5 - - +1 -4 Also not very disjointed, but still a big, relatively high-damage light button. Won't combo into 5SK at max range. High enough to be viable against air approaches, especially if you walk back.

5SP File:Ikue5SP.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 88 Mid 10 - - +1 -5 Really fast for its range and disjoint. Less risky than 2SP, though not as big. Starts combos at all ranges.

5LK (close) File:IkueclLK.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 36 Mid 4 - - +2 -1 The only thing standing between Ikue and the true 5-framers. That said, its activation range is very small, making it more well-suited for tight combo and punish windows.

5LK (far) File:Ikue5LK.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 40 Mid 5 - - +2 -1 Bog-standard 5LK. Its speed makes it good for some combo extensions outside of close 5LP's activation range.

5SK (close) File:IkueclSK.png Essential pressure tool Essential pressure tool	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 96 Mid 9 - - +2 0 On a character that has to set up her positioning just to stay safe at close range, a normal that's neutral on block is a godsend for stagger pressure.

5SK (far) File:Ikue5SK.png This Is Knuckle Busters This Is Knuckle Busters	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 96 Mid 12 - - +2 0 Advances the user forward on use Similar applications to close 5SK, but can also serve as a safe way to provoke or force your opponent into action. Mix between this and other normals to make the opponent think twice about how they respond to your advances.

Crouching

2LP File:Ikue2LP.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 40 Mid 5 - - +3 -1 Fastest crouching normal. Not bad in stagger pressure. If you're afraid that a standing light will whiff too high for some reason, use this instead.

2SP File:Ikue2SP.png The floor is lava, but again The floor is lava, but again	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 88 Mid 12 - - 0 -7 Quintessential neutral tool. Keeps your opponent on their toes from up to a third of the screen away. Combos into Slash Kick at max range, though you might have to adjust the follow-up.

2LK File:Ikue2LK.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 40 Low 6 - - +1 -3 Ikue's fastest low. Pretty big. Whenever possible, use it in place of 5LK in normal chains for a bit of extra damage.

2SK File:Ikue2SK.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 120 Low 12 - - +40 -7 Causes an untechable hard knockdown Ikue pretty much always has a better option than this in neutral, but the knockdown can't be discounted. If you're looking for setups or breathing room, use this at the end of combos.

Jumping

j.LP File:IkuejuLP.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 40 Overhead 5 - - - - Fastest air-to-air with a tall vertical hitbox. Good for stuffing airdashes, if your opponent has one.

j.SP File:IkuejuSP.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 88 Overhead 10 - - - - Big, dedicated air-to-air.

j.LK File:IkuejuLK.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 40 Overhead 7 - - - - Lowest-hitting air normal.

j.SK File:IkuejuSK.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block 88 Overhead 9 - - - - Swiss Army knife of aggressive aerials. Can be an air-to-air, air-to-ground, or a goated cross-up, all just two frames slower than j.LK.

Command Normals

Helm Breaker File:Ikue6HP.png IN YOUR FACE IN YOUR FACE

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 96[144] Overhead 22[34] - - +1[+34] -6 Dire Crumple[Ground Bounce] Brackets represent charged version Charged version floor splats with catch time 24, but only 17 on its Dire Counter ground bounce Advances the user on use, but steps back a bit if it isn't canceled into another move Ikue's command overhead. Despite its speed, it combos out of every normal in her arsenal except for near max-range 2SP. The charged version doesn't look too appealing, but it SHREDS the opponent's guard bar. It's even more threatening on C-Ikue, who can cancel it into Over Crush for a double overhead or into charged Over Crush to destroy guard bars even faster.

Back Slash File:Ikue4SP.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 80 Mid 14 - - -3 -7 Dire Stagger Backs the user away on use Your primary juggle combo extender. Can be used in blockstrings to back out of close range, which can make your ender safe or disengage with greater ease.

Specials

Base Specials

Blade Bullet 236P File:Ikue236P.png

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect Both 128 Mid 15 - - -1 -9 Dire Crumple Frame data assumes point blank Can OTG Goes away if Ikue gets hit Only difference between versions is projectile speed Use this as a way to provoke a reaction or screw over low profiles. Can find use in neutral every now and again, especially since it slides under traditional fireballs. Don't spam it like a zoner. You will get Dire'd.

Slash Kick 214P File:Ikue214P.png Makisenpu Kyakutatsu Makisenpu Kyakutatsu

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect LK 144 Mid 9 - - +21~+27 -5~+1 Dire Crumple Can OTG Advances forward on use Low-profile hurtbox can slide under standard fireballs Pops the opponent up, catch time 2~7 Only the very last frame is plus on block, but it's difficult to set up Short advancing kick attack that knocks down. It's easier to get the late hitbox by buffering it out of 2SP; done properly, this makes LP Slash Kick safe on block and comboable on hit. In an absolute pinch, you can technically even anti-air with it, just don't bet all your money on it. SK 144 Mid 15 - - +24~+30 -7~-2 Dire Crumple Can OTG Moves about half the screen forward Once the move comes out, it gains a low-profile hurtbox that can slide under standard fireballs Pops the opponent up, catch time 5~10 Never underestimate the upside-down tatsu. SP Slash Kick is your most potent meterless combo extender, a combo starter at any range, a potent anti-fireball thanks to its low profile, a great combo ender when you don't want to spend resources, and if the opponent is high enough, it can loop into normals and back into itself 2-3 times. That said, don't get too attached to it, otherwise you'll autopilot into it and get Dire punished without fail.

Rising Dragon 623P File:Ikue623P 1.png File:Ikue623P 2.png File:Ikue623P 3.png

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect LP 120 Mid 5 - - +10 -24 Dire Power Launch Hitboxes match the sword, not the slash FX Non-invulnerable meme DP. Use instead of your usual combo ender any time you want to Craze Cancel, as the launch opens up better CC routes. Can work as an extremely committal anti-air, but jumping is so good in Battle Craze that you're usually better off using Ikue's strong air mobility and air-to-airs. SP 80,80,80 (160) Mid 21 - - +16 -27~-30 Dire Power Launch Invulnerable frames 1-22 Hits three times Can hit more times on block depending on opponent height, changing frame data on block Only the first hit you land will apply damage scaling Slides forward during startup A very slow, but still meterless reversal. Most light buttons and even some heavy buttons are fast enough to block it afterwards, so it's at its best when timed between pressure gaps. If your opponent is covered by projectiles, this can be a cheesy, if incredibly situational, counterplay. At any point where this would be fast enough to end a combo, you can usually extend with Slash Kick instead.

EX Specials

All of these moves cost half a bar of Adrenaline.

Blade Inferno 236CT File:CIkue236CT.png

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect EX 88 (all hits) Mid 11 - - +17 -7 Dire Spinout Hits five times, but after three hits, it pops the opponent up and prevents any remaining hitboxes from connecting This move has better frame data if you land hits 2-4 or hits 3-5, but worse frame data and no knockup if you land the last two hits; frame data assumes point blank A surprise knockdown at long range or occasionally a projectile delete button, as its hitbox is a bit taller than Blade Bullet and will actually hit conventional fireballs. Thanks to the unconventional risk of landing fewer than three hits of this move, it's not recommended to try and set it up to make it plus without professional levels of experience. Can also find use when canceled out of 2SP since, unlike Slash Kick, it won't give your opponent a free turn on block.

Cutting Edge Kick 214CT File:CIkue214CT.png Caught you sleepin' Caught you sleepin'

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect EX 120 N/A 21 - - +31 N/A Dire N/A Same forward movement as LK Slash Kick Pops the opponent up, catch time 11 Slow, advancing command grab. It can jumpscare a blocking foe, but even in that case, Ikue's pressure isn't always strong enough to keep the surprise. Use incredibly sparingly outside of combos and cheeky resets. When used as a combo launcher at close range, it opens up tighter, but more damaging combo routes than Slash Kick.

Rage of the Dragon 623CT File:Ikue623P 1.png File:Ikue623P 2.png File:Ikue623P 3.png

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect EX 40,40,40,40,40,40 (150) Mid 5, 11, 14 - - +13 -26~-30 Dire Power Launch Three uppercuts; the last one hits four times Invulnerable frames 1-22, lasting until the middle of the second hit Can hit more times on block depending on opponent height, changing frame data on block Only the first hit you land will apply damage scaling Your most powerful non-AoA combo ender. The meter cost may be intimidating, but this move is fast, tall, advancing, and very invincible. All in all a great defensive tool, massive commitment notwithstanding.

Supers

All-Out Attacks

Infinite Blade 236236P File:Ikue236236P 1.png File:Ikue236236P 2.png

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 224 Mid 15 - - +38 -27~-25 Dire N/A Ikue's animation freezes until the disc projectile becomes inactive, locking this move at a maximum of -25 on block Follow-up only happens if the disc hits the other player Disc barrels through normal projectiles, but will occasionally clash with them instead, especially the moment after it comes out A decent projectile super. Can combo out of CC Blade Bullet or end combos whenever you want to keep your side.

Killing Blade 214214P File:Ikue214214P.png

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 248 Mid 9 - - +13 -16 Dire N/A Advancing super Switches sides Your most damaging All-Out Attack. The ducking dash is enticing, but it doesn't low profile anything and has zero invulnerability frames. In a practical sense, it has the least utility of all your supers and should mostly be used to end combos in a side switch.

Soaring Blade 236236K File:Ikue236236K 1.png File:Ikue236236K 2.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 224 Mid 15 - - +20 -40 Dire N/A Invulnerable frames 1-7 In C-Side, this is strictly a reversal super. Even as a reversal, Rage of the Dragon is usually far more worth your time, even being a little less risky. Try to only use it if you really need the Craze Gauge.

All-Out EX

Decimating Blade 214214PP File:Ikue214214PP.png	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 312 Mid 7 - - +21 -16 Dire N/A Costs 2 Adrenaline bars Advancing super Invincible frames 1-9 The invinciblity allows you to use this move as a jumpscare in neutral. Unlike Killing Blade, it doesn't side swap, making it an easier and more conventional combo ender if you're willing to cough up the Adrenaline.

All-Out Destruction

Blade Finale 236236KK File:Ikue236236KK 1.png File:Ikue236236KK 2.png File:Ikue236236KK 3.png

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 400 Mid 10 - - +25 -23 Dire N/A Costs 3 Adrenaline bars No invulnerability Frame advantage varies based on which hitbox you land, proximity to the corner, and how high up the opponent is Given frame advantage calculated with the second hitbox, midscreen, against a standing C-Ajit Massive sword attack. Doesn't provide much utility, just a really big and unsafe hitbox. Though, that does mean you can end pretty much any combo with it. Even if the frame data can vary a lot, Ikue's oki isn't that stellar or complex. Just remember that getup animations are 19 frames long and you're probably good to go.