Battle Craze!!/Ikue/L-Side

Overview

Playstyle

L-Ikue is a slightly unusual shotoclone with a heavy emphasis on footsies and the midrange. In her L-Side, she gains three EX attacks and a powerful mixup CT that can put pressure on the opponent at virtually any time.
Pros	Cons
Range: Ikue has big disjointed normals, easy ways to convert range into damage with 214K and CT, 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. Guard Pressure: Ikue already has her guard-crushing 6SP, neutral on block 5SK, and retreating 4SP. However, L-Side adds the ability to remain plus with Bulletstorm, threaten high damage and/or guard damage with Tempest, and wear the opponent down with constant, primarily safe chip damage. 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. Denjin Disrespect: L-Ikue's incredible EX special moves allow her to respond aggressively to practically any situation, be it on offense or defense. Even if she takes a bad risk on defense, she gains an EX star if her specials get blocked, granting benefits even if you get punished.	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: Ikue's meterless reversal is relatively 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. L-Ikue's Denjin stars are powerful, but without them, her damage is average and her otherwise powerful pressure is lackluster. Risky EX Charge: You have to land L-Ikue's special moves or supers to unlock her EX attacks. Unfortunately, all of her regular specials and supers are unsafe at close range, making it difficult to regain stars while on offense.

Statistics

Trait	"Piercing Blade": Normals that utilize Ikue's sword deal chip damage. She can also perform EX versions of her Special Moves after using the normal versions of them, or using an equivilant All-Out Attack.
Health	1000
Mobility	Run, air dash, double jump

Move Overview

Universal Mechanics

Craze Tech

Crescent Slash (Overhead) 5CT (Air OK) File:LIkue5CT-1.png The Quick Brown Overhead Jumps Over The Lazy Defender The Quick Brown Overhead Jumps Over The Lazy Defender

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 5CT 136 Overhead 21 - - +29 -3 Dire Floor Splat Ground bounces on ground hit, catch time 9 The Big Safe Overhead. It has a myriad of uses such as ending blockstrings, extending combos, starting combos, chip/guard damage, and giving Ikue a meterless grounded double overhead. You can't make a gapless blockstring into this move without spending resources on Craze Cancel. With resources, however, it can form a gapless blockstring with the help of CC 236P, or you can cancel 5CT itself to bait out reversals. j.5CT 136 Overhead 17 - - Up to +8 -4 (Height-dependent) Dire Floor Splat Ground bounces a grounded opponent, catch time 9 Can be TK'd on the first airborne frame of a jump Slash effects last until landing, but the hitbox only lasts 4 frames Think of this like a weird, unsafe divekick that can catch people off-guard once they think they're done blocking your air attacks. Using this on the first frame of your jump makes it less obvious, but makes the attack unsafe. Otherwise, it's not actually any faster to TK this than to use it on the ground thanks to jumpsquat.

Crescent Slash (Low) [5]CT (Air OK) File:LIkue5CT-2.png Hold the buttons for a low attack Hold the buttons for a low attack

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect [5]CT 144 Low 28 - - HKD +40 -10 Dire Stagger Same animation as 5CT until frame 18 The Big Unsafe Low. It's difficult to react to when combined with the threat of the overhead version, but since there's no way to get a gapless blockstring even with Craze Cancels, anyone with a readily-available reversal is likely to mash it once they see Ikue leap forward. j.[5]CT 144 Low Until landing +4 (Min 25) - - HKD +40 -10 Dire Stagger Same animation as j.5CT until frame 14 Can be TK'd on the first airborne frame of a jump Mostly better than the grounded version since it's faster even if you don't get a perfect TK. At a high level, you can pull some serious mindgames by altering between the air and ground versions of all your CTs, baiting the opponent into blocking high or low based on what they saw in the first 4 frames.

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 floor splat 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. You can start charging this move after launching a Blade Bulletstorm, but there will always be a gap.

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 Unlocks Blade Bulletstorm star 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 214K File:Ikue214K.png Senpumaki Kyakutatsu Senpumaki 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 Unlocks Blade Tempest star 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 a pinch, you can even anti-air with it, just don't bet all your money on it. SK 144 Mid 15 - - +24~+30 -7~-2 Dire Crumple Unlocks Blade Tempest star 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 consistent 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 Unlocks Denjin Bolt star Hitboxes match the sword, not the slash FX Invulnerable to air attacks. Use instead of your usual combo ender any time you want to Craze Cancel, as the launch opens up better CC routes. Ikue has great air mobility and strong air-to-airs that can be more useful for sniping opponents out of the sky, but this is a grounded alternative to make sure you're the only one who gets to jump. SP 80,80,80 (160) Mid 21 - - +16 -27~-30 Dire Power Launch Unlocks Denjin Bolt star 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 consume all of Ikue's Denjin stocks. The more stocks you consume, the stronger the attack.

Blade Bulletstorm 236CT File:LIkue236CT.png

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect EX 96,40,40 (176) Mid 14 - - +13 +11 Dire Crumple Hits three times Can OTG/Pop Fly Does not go away if Ikue gets hit Frame data assumes point blank Monstrous lockdown tool. Fast, plus, and combos into any of Ikue's normals at most ranges. If it gets blocked, your opponent has to sit there and hold whatever you do next. Though it slides under most fireballs like Blade Bullet, if it collides with one, it goes away.

Blade Tempest 214CT File:LIkue214CT.png Helicopter, helicopter Helicopter, helicopter

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect EX 20x7 (180) Mid 17 - - +9 -11 Dire Stagger Hits 7 times, multihits don't scale Now that Denjin stars apply separately to each move, there isn't much reason to keep Tempest in your pocket for long. You'll generally be threading 214SK into your combos anyways, so use it whenever you don't want to throw out All-Outs.

Denjin Bolt 623CT File:LIkue623CT.png

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect EX 144 Mid 15 - - +21 -3 Dire Power Launch Invincible frames 1-15 A terrifyingly safe reversal. The lack of risk and good reward means that you can throw this out wildly on defense, forcing respect from your opponent. They could space outside of its short range, but in most matchups, Ikue excels when the opponent gives her that space.

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 Unlocks Blade Bulletstorm star 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. L-Ikue's rework makes this her combo ender of choice whenever she doesn't have Blade Bulletstorm unlocked. Can combo out of CC Blade Bulletstorm.

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 Unlocks Blade Tempest star Advancing super Switches sides Hits like a truck. 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 216 Mid 6 - - +20 -40 Dire N/A Unlocks Denjin Bolt star Invulnerable frames 1-9 Stock-standard reversal super for when you want a hard read for big counterhit damage. Faster than Rising Dragon by a few frames, so it threads gaps better. As a combo ender, its damage is dwarfed by Ikue's other supers, but the Denjin Bolt unlock is a huge plus if you're backed into the corner.

All-Out EX

Decimating Blade 214214PP File:Ikue214214PP.png

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Punish State Dire Effect 320 Mid 7 - - +21 -16 Dire N/A Costs 2 Adrenaline bars Unlocks Blade Tempest star 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. Despite its higher cost, it still only fills up the star for Blade Tempest.

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.