NEUTRAL VOLUME

This time I'll be making a simple write up regarding neutral with Tatsuya and Rusian. First off Tatsuya's normals aren't that strong so unlike other characters who can aggressively duke it out and push forward, he doesn't take that kind of action very often. Well then where should we attack and where should we score damage...the answer is to leave everything to Rusian. This isn't joking around but a legitimate conclusion, by considering using Rusian as the focal point and basis in which you take action as a result you often end up being able to move in a way that puts you at the advantage. Even for those who aren't confident in neutral with Tatsuya, by putting this concept into our heads and moving around, our movement should start to look more like that (source, me). With this mindset as the premise let's take a general look at how neutral is approached for each round. The minute details for setplay and left/right mixup will be written in another article.

ROUND 1

Round 1 round start position

Yes, first of is the start of the start, round 1. To begin with we want to use Powerup Blast to start gaining meter. Well then how should we use it, I think it can generally be broken down into about 4 methods.

HOW TO USE POWERUP BLAST

Method 1: Use It Mid Combo

A Powerup Blast combo after 214AB

I think this is the most stable method. If you're able to get this before the opponent the neutral situation afterwards will become much easier to approach. The main routes for comboing into it are from 214AB, 4AB~X, air to airs, etc.

Method 2: Use It In A Blockstring

By having the opponent block Powerup Blast we're able to safely use it

Personally this is my most used method during round 1. For example the most common spot I'll use it is after a blocked 214A. Aside characters with good backdashes it's very unlikely to get punished and if things go well the opponent will try to attack after seeing the recovery of 214A and get hit directly by Powerup Blast, this is something I try to aim for. For opponents who are aware of this and continue to guard you can go for throw or whatever you like (let's stop here!). This is desirable as a safe method that has good return so let's use it as such. The main approach I'll use it from is from 214A, 5B jump cancel, etc.

Method 3: Use It After Utilizing Rusian

Rusian got a hit so we followed up with Powerup Blast

Another commonly used method is before using Powerup Blast, successfully call Rusian and so forth. Even if Rusian doesn't hit the opponent, getting them to block Powerup Blast is still a safe way of using it. Another perfectly fine method of using Powerup Blast is using it after getting a knockdown and calling Rusian, then proceeding to mixup. (Let's make sure not to get hit by the opponent's Powerup Blast and have Rusian go away!) The primary situations to use this method in is after 236AB~X > 6S, or after calling 6S, etc.

Method 4: Use It Abruptly

Round start powerup blast

This is a high risk low return method that if possible we should avoid using (excluding reversal situations). In particular there isn't much meaning in using round start Powerup Blast, however if you foresee a future where you won't have an opportunity to use Powerup Blast and end up sitting on it, let's try to use it early instead. The primary situations of using this method are from round start, as a reversal, if time passes and we aren't able to use it, etc.

Now then once we've used Powerup Blast and started gaining meter next up is reducing our opponent's health. Here are 3 primary methods of doing so:

Call Rusian and start attacking
Counter the opponent attacking and preventing us from calling Rusian
Stall for time as Rusian recovers

I'll start off explaining from the first method.

Call Rusian And Start Attacking

This one is simple. Call Rusian, make sure he doesn't get sent away by covering him with long range attacks, and use the guaranteed follow up as a shield to start attacking. You can win just by doing this. No exaggeration, you can win.

For Tatsuya, the moment you successfully call Rusian is the absolute period (Emperor Time) so keep attacking to the point where you don't know what's going on anymore. You'll have to change your attack approach against characters with animation locking 5AB and 2AB, but aside those characters there's no need to worry about it and even if you get hit by 2A > Ranbu or something it'd be good to think of it as the opponent had to spend meter and got lucky.

Counter The Opponent Attacking And Preventing Us From Calling Rusian

Just like I mentioned in the first method calling Rusian and attacking puts the opponent in a disadvantageous situation so even if it's plain they'll come and try to stop us. In retaliation to this we'll want to counter with our own attacks.

In short by calling out Rusian we force the opponent into approaching and counter them from there. Whether it be an air to air, sticking out 5B, throwing off their anti air timing, reject their approach and call Rusian.

If you aren't able to get used to deciding between this and the first method you'll have very a hard time, so let's make sure to keep in mind switching between these 2 methods while we fight.

Stall For Time As Rusian Recovers

Let's backwards jump. If the opponent tries to come at us with grounded anti airs let's counter with j214X and if they attack us from the air use pushblock. Just by doing this we can buy time until Rusian recovers so let's keep at it. By doing this you'll start hearing "that's cold" or "how lame" from those around you. Amen.

Now then I assume we've dealt enough damage, but we're starting to get uneasy about our own health...in that case let's use our Trump Card. The timing for activating Trump is detailed below.

Conditions For Using Trump (Round 1)

When the opponent can defeat you if you eat one more combo
When the opponent can defeat you if you take eat one more combo and okizeme
When you can defeat the opponent by activating Trump Card (including using it to buff Climax Arts)
When you have 2 or more meter, and activating Trump Card into Ranbu will defeat the opponent

And so forth. I honestly don't mind if you think loosely of these conditions, but the worst case scenario is losing round 1 without having used a Trump Card so if you feel like you're in danger let's make sure to use it right away. Now then, did you safely take round 1? Either way it doesn't matter to me so I'll be moving on.

ROUND 2 (WINNING ROUND)

Round 2 after winning round 1

In the case of winning the first round we'll want to fight while recovering and maintaining our meter. Since we won the first round we'll want to try to get the opponent to spend as much meter and Trump Cards as possible while preparing ourselves for the third round, if we've managed to do this we'll have achieved our goal. Of course it'd be best if we can get a straight win, but let's advance our pieces while looking towards the final win.

With that said we'll primarily be using meterless combos, but in the case that our gauge maxes out there's no issue slowly spending meter. If possible we'd want to keep both Trump Cards going into round 3 so I wouldn't use them, however if you didn't use a Trump Card in round 1 then let's make sure to use it after the halfway point of the round. Let's run amok by using 2AB etc. and do as we please.

ROUND 2 (LOSING ROUND)

Round 2 after losing round 1

In the case that you lost the first round at any rate you'll need to take back this round. In order to do so, use meter normally and if you sense danger there's no problem in using Trump Card. Limited only in the case of having some leeway it's alright setting your eyes on the third round and trying to prepare yourself for it, though let's try to focus mainly on winning

ROUND 3

Round 3

Your actions in round 3 will greatly change depending on how many Trump Cards you hold. Therefore I'll be splitting them up by case.

When You Have 2 Trump Cards

We did it. Since we have two Trump Cards use one during the opening of the round and the second towards the middle or latter end of the match. For an ideal flow:

Trump Card combo → left/right mixup → Rusian stuff → Trump Card activation into Ranbu → Rusian stuff

It'd be this kind of pattern. For now the first hit we get let's use Trump Card and go for a left/right and leave the neutral game up to Rusian as he chips away at the opponent, then lastly aim for a Trump Card activation into a Ranbu finisher. This is the ideal flow so let's take action in a way that follows this plan.

When You Only Have 1 Trump Card

Compared to having two Trump Cards the feeling of excitement wades, however one Trump Card is more than enough so let's fight and approach neutral in a composed manner. Timing for activating Trump Card is basically the same as round 1. While using Blast let's calmly wait for an opportunity to slip through and activate Trump Card into Ranbu.

When You Have No Trump Cards

How did it come to this. For now let's use our meter and recover and use our Blast. When the opponent has enough health to be defeated from just one more combo it's ok to spend 2 meter for a left/right mixup. Even if the opponent with a Blue Trump Card is still holding onto it we can force them to spend it at no risk to us, and it's still possible to keep up the offense and go in for the kill so there's no problem with this.

How was it? That's all for my introduction approaching neutral in each round so I'd like to end it here. The latter half was put together rather crudely, however this was my first time putting something together like this so pardon me! For next time I'll be introducing left/right mixup that came up many times throughout this primer as well as explanations and how to use them! Thank you for reading until the very end!

The original document can be found here.

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