It's time for the long awaited mix up volume. I personally think this will be the most practical article. With that said for Tatsuya and Rusian front/back mixup is the main weapon for opening people up. The main weapon. Basically without this we can't start! It's that important of a technique so please feel free to memorize this!
I'd like to jump right into introducing the front/back setups but because there's so many methods I'll be splitting them up by category.
Strong front/back
Weak front/back
Landing front/back
They will be split up into these 3 categories.
Now then I'll be explaining them, starting off with the strong front/back method. This is done by neutral jump into: jC (front) or double jump (back) This is how strong front/back is identified. In comparison to the weak front/back which will be detailed later, this method is harder to see which is why I'll be calling it as such. If you can't get used to this mixup timing the front option so jC hits can be hard so you'll have to adjust your timing by slightly walking forward etc.
Next up is the weak front/back method. This is done by forward jump into: double jump or same side land 2A (front) or cross up land 2A (back). This is how weak front/back is identified. If you delay the timing you can add a throw option in as well but the crucial flaw of this method is that it's easy to see. Because the back option is 2A beware of install Trump Cards!
And lastly is the landing front/back method. This method is Tatsuya's solo method of performing a front/back mixup so to simplify and make it easier to understand I'll be referring to it as such. It might seem easy to spot at first however the variety of actions you can take after landing are plentiful so through one way or another it's really strong.
We'll be using these 3 variations based on whichever is fitting per the situation. Well then let's take an even closer look.
This is perhaps the number one mixup you're most familiar with seeing. This is a front/back mixup that's possible as long as you can get a knockdown from 236AB midscreen (slightly away from the corner is ok too). Even if you aren't in Trump state it's possible to use as long as you spend 2 meter, at any rate it's abundant in its practicality. Regardless of what move Tatsuya uses he can connect into 236AB so when you feel "I just want to use a front/back mixup!" let's make sure to use 236AB. After the mixup hits using 2B > 5C > 2AB or 5B > 5C > 2AB etc. to pick up the combo the monster train will hit.
※ Be careful as being too close to the corner will cause the monster train to hit as an OTG instead
This is the corner version of the 1st method, but while in Trump state. Compared to the first method's front option there's some leeway to time it so it's easy to perform, however the back option becomes easier to see. For those who don't like this let's adjust the opponent's position by slightly walking forward. After the mixup hits if you go for the front option the combo is the same as the previous method, and if you go for the back mixup pick up the combo with 5C > 2AB or 2C > 2AB to make the monster train hit.
This is the front/back method used if the opponent gets hit by 236X while you're protecting Rusian. Just by hearing this you may think the useable situation is limited but in reality you'll come across this situation often. This method uses monster train to mixup so it's possible to deny Powerup Blasts.
This is a front/back method that's possible as long as you have Rusian and Blast available. This is something to occasionally use when you have meter and Blast stocked up. Since Rusian and Blast are all you need it doesn't matter if you're in Trump state or not, it's top class in terms of straightforwardness. Honestly I've never seen anyone but myself use this so it might not be that strong.
This is a front/back method after getting a back throw before Rusian comes. There's quite a few opportunities to use this so when going for this setup let's remember to use back throw. Against tall characters a super jump won't cross up so in that case let's input 2349 to get behind them. This method uses monster train to mixup so it's possible to deny Powerup Blasts.
This is limited to Trump state. This is basically landing front/back mixup but the front option uses Rusian so it's categorized under the weak front/back mixup. If the opponent gets knocked down from the initial hit you can use this method, personally this is my most used mixup option. Even from the first weak front/back method if you happened to forward throw you can still use this mixup. If you use the monster train to mixup it's possible to deny Powerup Blasts.
Earlier I mentioned that specifically when using monster train to mixup it's possible to deny Powerup Blasts so I'd like to explain that from hereon. First off please view the following:
I think you'd understand just by seeing it but in response to the timing of the monster train mixup if they use Powerup Blast it'll end up ignoring it. Basically if it seems like you'll use monster train to mixup the opponent can use Powerup Blast to deny it.
However just like in the video Tatsuya has the option to bait the Powerup Blast and if the opponent gets read they'll be in for a rough time. Provided that if the opponent can make Tatsuya alert of the Powerup Blast the mixup will become slightly looser. Ultimately Tatsuya playing a favorable RPS does not change, but if you can leave this in the corner of your mind you might be able to avoid it at the pinch of the moment.
This is limited to Trump state. This leads into the second weak front/back mixup but this is the solo version. As long as you can get a knockdown it's possible to use this landing front/back mixup and is very practical. As for why go for a 2B ender, I'm not too familiar with talking about frame data but for some reason ending specifically with 2B will leave you at the advantage once you land and therefore I recommend using 2B.
This is a front/back option after having spent 1 meter, the frequency of which I use this is pretty high. There are plenty of situations where you'll want to aim for this so learning it will come in handy.
This is a landing front/back mixup after Ranbu. One reason Tatsuya's Trump Card into Ranbu is so strong is because of this. It's extremely easy to use so please do so.
This is a mixup option aimed towards large characters. Use this for when after deciding to use throw, but Rusian still hasn't recovered. The front option is seriously hard to see. Therefore let's practice the back option too.
This is for when you don't have the time to go for a strong front/back mixup. This is a method where in the case that jC won't make it in time, use 2C for the front option and super jump for the back option. In this fashion let's be able to choose the appropriate mixup based on the situation.
This concludes the introduction of practical front/back mixup that I always use. I lack acquaintances who are familiar with the inner workings of how front/back mixup works and so forth so I wasn't able to explain that, however this character's front/back mixup is strong even if you don't know such things so I think it's fine as is.
My motivation wells up when I see Tatsuya/Rusian players start freaking out after they go for land 4AB but get land 5AB instead so if you'd please. If the 5AB is a normal hit that's even better.
Well then I thank you for reading all the way to the end. Let's meet again next time!
The original document can be found here.