Normal Moves
5A
Although the start-up is fast, 5A only sees somewhat occasional use.
- Jump cancelable on hit or block.
- Throw cancelable on hit or block.
- Whiffs on all characters' crouching hitboxes, except Tager.
- Can late chain.
Staple standing jab that is faster than most 5A's by 1 frame. Because of the fact that 5A whiffs on every character's crouching hitbox, it's not very effective as a pressure tool. However, it is particularly useful as an anti-air because of its quick 5-frame start-up and high hitbox.
Combos from 5A are generally weaker than combos from 6A, but out of the two, 5A is safer for two reasons: its quick recovery makes it hard to punish (compared to 6A's 18 frame recovery), and it's cancelable into other normals, making it a safer option (compared to 6A only being drive and special cancelable).
5B
Also known as the Jesus Kick. You will fear it, and you will respect it.
- Longer hitbox on last three active frames.
- Can late chain.
Ragna's standard and most used poke, often the start of his pressure but it is safer to use primarily as a footsie tool. However, 5B alone often does not merit a lot of damage when used as a footsie, requiring other resources to maximize the reward off a maximum distance hit.
5B can be used as an anti-air due to its speed, hitbox, and property of being air unblockable. As a starter, the move also leads into respectable damage. However, 5B's attack hitbox is at the tip of Ragna's leg and mainly around his foot, so the most efficient use would be to check the opponent's aerial approach. If the opponent seems to jump forward without dashing a lot, 5B is a good check. Keep in mind that because Ragna's attack hitbox overlaps his character hurtbox, a trade or even a counter will likely happen.
Combos into 6D or Gauntlet Hades on counter hit, the former for max damage punishes at close range and the latter for max range conversions. Even without a counter hit, max range 5B can be hit confirmed into Overdrive. With the proper combo route, the ensuing OD combo can result in over 4000 damage that provides a respectable amount of corner carry as well.
5C
The slower, but longer alternative to 5B.
- Jump cancelable on hit.
- Can late chain.
Ragna's longest range poke which when used at maximum range is extremely hard to punish, even with Instant Block. 5C's attack hitbox does not overlap with Ragna's character hitbox at all, compared to 5B which does, making it harder to whiff punish or trade with this attack.
In some ways, 5B is better than 5C, and in other ways, 5C is better than 5B. 5B is quicker and has plenty of Revolver Action options, but its long recovery provides more risk. 5C is slower and has limited Revolver Action options, but is harder to punish even on whiff. Deciding between the two in various situations will require an understanding of the opponent's available options.
5C is Ragna's 2nd highest damage starter, only slightly behind 5D(1) with its P2 94. Moreover, 5C seems to have a smaller hitbox, making 5C harder to connect on airborne opponents, although including slight delays into 5C may help when using in combos. Combos into 6C on crouching hit or counter hit, allowing for high damage meterless combos that work even if 5C connected near max range. Close range counter hit combos into 6D which leads to extreme damage so use this route to punish whiffed or blocked reversals.
2A
The ±0 frame advantage makes 2A a useful pressure tool.
- Throw cancelable on hit or block.
- Can late chain.
The ±0 frame advantage as well as the ability to cancel into a throw makes this move a dangerous pressure tool when used correctly. It can also be used for many frame trap setups, one of the most common being 2A > 2C.
The key feature to the pressure ability of 2A is its ability to slightly late chain into itself and other moves. The late chain into itself allows less predictable block strings, which is incredibly useful when facing opponents with limited defensive options. The additional ability to cancel into throw also allows Throw Reject Miss setups.
2B
Fast low, and can also be used as a footsie.
- Can late chain, although time window is smaller.
In terms of pressure, 2B is not quite as effective as 2A, but it is one of the most useful tools in mix-up. However, chains into and from 2B tend to have gaps where the opponent can reversal, so be wary of how often you're using it.
A common chain that serves as not only a safe option to go to, but also a good way to hit confirm into a combo when 2B lands is 2B > 5B. If canceled on the earliest frame possible, this Revolver Action actually has no gaps for the opponent to exploit, even when 2B is instant blocked.
2C
Ragna's only normal that is plus on block.
- Stuns opponent on counter hit.
- Plus on normal block, but negative on Instant Block.
The +1 frame advantage makes 2C a very popular move for Ragna players, and for good reason too. In a pressure game that is severely limited by multiple unsafe moves, 2C is one of the only moves in Ragna's moveset that is positive. If used properly, you can utilize effective guessing games with the opponent and keep them alert.
On counter hit, Ragna can combo directly into any of his grounded normals or specials, giving a plethora of route options (focus on damage, metergain, or lifesteal, sideswitch mid-combo, etc.). For combo routes that don't require an immediate special cancel, the high hit-stop and stun time makes it easy to hit confirm.
6A
Staple but reliable anti-air.
- Jump cancelable on hit.
- Launches opponent on hit.
- Higher hitbox during later active frames
- Head invincible on frames 4-14
The slow start-up of this move makes it easily disrespectable by many moves that change the opponent's aerial momentum. Moreover, because this move only gatlings into D moves and specials, this should only be reserved for hard reads on aerial approaches. Note that even the gatling into 5D can be unsafe, as the opponent can backdash the second hit of 5D at proper ranges, which will result in being whiff punished. Just like with knowing when to use 5B and 5C, knowing when to use 5A over 6A (and sometimes not using it at all) really depends on the situation and the nuances of the matchup. Be sure to study the matchup when deciding on using 6A.
Using 6A in combos is the most stable way of getting damage on standing characters. However, 6A has very poor horizontal range, so the move must be used in situations where you know it will hit. It also has somewhat poor damage scaling so avoid using it if better scaling launchers are available (like 6C, 3C into RC or ODc, etc.)
6B
Decent overhead, but great for combos.
- Cannot emergency tech on aerial hit.
- Forces crouching state on grounded hit.
- Bonus 110% proration.
Ragna's normal overhead is among some of the slower and more obvious overheads in the game. Moreover, with 6B lacking any chains to C moves, 6B lacks a completely safe block string. Because of this limitation, almost every Revolver Action option after 6B is either unsafe (e.g. 6A, Hell's Fang, Gauntlet Hades), or easy to disrespect (e.g. Blood Scythe, Dead Spike). 6B > 5D is the hardest gatling option to punish, as it only punishable on IB. Using 6B within a block string is not as effective as using 6B as a shock tactic move, due to its limited gatlings. Use 6B in obscure places that you believe the opponent will not expect an overhead.
The bonus damage proration that applies the first time 6B is used in a combo, along with its knockdown on air hit, makes this attack incredibly powerful in combos. However, using it almost always requires either a counter hit, rapid cancel, or overdrive, so it is usually reserved for big punish combos.
6C
Staple launcher off crouching opponents.
- Hits twice.
- Second hit is jump cancelable on hit or block.
- Second hit launches and pulls the opponent on hit.
The first hit's mix-up potential is not very high due to none of its gatlings or cancels being lows, but due to its jump cancel, it is not unsafe. The main purpose of this move is to maximize damage on crouching opponents, generally by canceling the second hit into Gauntlet Hades mid-screen or into Blood Scythe in the corner.
3C
Staple trip move, but allows the use of Not Over Yet.
- Jump cancelable on hit or block.
- Knockdown on hit.
- Enables use of Not Over Yet.
3C proves to be a very strong tool for okizeme thanks to its ability to give Ragna a safe-jump set-up. However, this is limited by Ragna's combo routes as 3C cannot be used to end mid-screen combos (at least not without losing out on damage and corner carry) and cannot be performed after every corner combo. The few cases where 3C okizeme can be performed are after Dead Spike > Dash Cancel, intentionally whiffing the landing hit of Nightmare Edge, and instant air Blood Scythe at maximum height. However, the latter two options cut combo potential very early, and as a result will miss out on damage, meter gain, and health drain. Fortunately, even if Dead Spike was used very late in a combo, 3C will still connect and thus serves as a very viable okizeme option. In this case, the loss in damage and resources for not using either Hell's Fang or D Inferno Divider is negligible while providing significantly better oki.
As for the options after 3C okizeme, here are a few. Of course, you are free to experiment and find your own mix-ups:
- Double/triple overhead → jump, delayed air dash j.C > j.D > j.214B
- Low → Empty jump, 2B/3C/6C
- Throw → Empty jump, forward/back throw
- Safe Jump setup → jump, j.B or j.C
Staple launcher when meter is available for RC's and ODc, leading into higher damage than either 6A or 6C. The knockdown is greatly extended on counter hit, giving Ragna both stronger and easier to execute combo routes than what Not Over Yet provides. One particular route (which sadly isn't universal) makes him burst-safe after the initial hit by jump canceling, air blocking, then using j.C before touching the ground.
j.A
Simple aerial jab
A simple aerial jab. The fact that this move can be repeated indefinitely until you land allows it to be a good check on characters who like to be in the air a lot, such as Taokaka. The hitbox isn't bad, but it will not beat out moves in every situation.
j.B
Aerial crossup move; it's even got a new sprite
The hitbox behind Ragna's foot serves as a great cross-up tool. Moreover, there are a high number of active frames, making it a good safe jump move as well. Against certain aerial approaches, j.B can also be used; at worst, j.B will trade.
j.C
Main aerial approach, due to the huge hitbox and high damage
This move has a huge hitbox below Ragna, so it is useful as an approach on grounded opponents. j.C is also hard to stuff with moves that are quick but lack any sort of invincibility (e.g. Ragna's 5A). Against most matchups, you will most likely stay grounded for the majority of the match, but in the few cases where you're in the air, j.C will serve as your main weapon in aerial battles.
Drive Moves
5D
- BBCS Ragna 5D.png
Valuable in combos, not so much elsewhere.
- Lifesteal: 100
- Fatal Counter
- Second hit will knockdown on air hit, enabling use of Not Over Yet.
5D doesn't see much use in pressure or neutral, though note that this move is somewhat safe compared to past iterations thanks to its high pushback, so if used either at the end of a gatling or at certain spacings most characters should struggle to punish it despite its poor frame advantage. It can also be used as a high risk, high reward anti-air thanks to its high vertical hitbox, resulting in 3.5k to 4k damage without a counter hit and 4k to 4.5k damage with one. Its still safe on air barrier block but very punishable on whiff so try to only use it once the opponent has exhausted their air actions.
Very important combo part, so much so that it is used in almost every combo in Ragna's arsenal. The first hit allows him to combo into Gauntlet Hades while the second hit goes into Dead Spike or Not Over Yet. Most fatal counter combo routes require an immediate special cancel, usually into either Blood Scythe or Crush Trigger, resulting in massive damage. The only routes that can be hit confirmed (i.e. both hits of 5D connect) are either a grounded hit into Gauntlet Hades or an air hit into Not Over Yet, both of which provide much more modest damage so FC 5D sees more use in punishes where the first hit is guaranteed to be a counter hit.
Overdrive Version
- Lifesteal: 150
- Fatal Counter.
- Second hit ground bounces and will hard knockdown on hit.
- Dash cancelable during Overdrive.
- Frame advantage after earliest Dash Cancel: -2
Overdrive version's properties allows the second hit to combo into any of Ragna's normals or special moves, save for 6D which only works on counter hit. Keep in mind that the first hit will not combo into the second at the end of heavily prorated combos.
2D
Safe move when spaced properly, and is special cancelable now.
- Lifesteal: 100
- Knock down on hit, enabling use of Not Over Yet.
- Launches opponents and will hard knockdown on counter hit.
As a footsie, 2D's range is second only to 5C, but its practicality only applies to certain situations. The hurtbox does not extend past the hitbox, so against Distortion Drives that have long active frames, you can use 2D for a free, decent combo. The move is also very safe when spaced correctly, so it acts as a good gatling finisher. Chaining into this move from a Level 4 normal or less will leave a gap on regular block, so be careful when going into this move at close range.
In combos, 2D is very useful thanks to its hard knockdown on hit. At close range mid-screen or at any range in the corner, it's possible to combo 2D into Dead Spike and into a full combo. The launch on counter hit gives Ragna new combo routes, usually into 5C mid-screen or into 6D in the corner.
Overdrive Version
- Lifesteal: 150
- Knock down on hit, enabling use of Not Over Yet.
- Launches opponents and will hard knockdown on counter hit.
- Dash cancelable during Overdrive.
- Frame advantage after earliest Dash Cancel: -2
This version's higher hitstun and its dash cancel property gives it much more flexible pressure and combo potential. However, 2D doesn't see much use in optimal OD combos due to its mediocre damage scaling and follow-up options in comparison to Ragna's other drives and specials, notably 5D and Hell's Fang.
6D
Great mix-up potential, but has slow start-up.
- Lifesteal: 100
- Jump cancelable on hit or block.
- Stuns opponent on grounded hit.
- Bonus 110% proration.
- Foot invincible on frames 4-20.
- Fatal Counter.
Despite only being cancelable to j.D, 6D serves as one of Ragna's more ambiguous mix-up options. The special characteristics of j.D allow for a couple of mindgames, notably its incredibly short landing recovery. Overheads, lows, and throws can be performed from 6D, but it's sometimes tricky to be able to pull it off consistently.
The overhead is from j.D. There is absolutely no gap between 6D and j.D, no matter how late you perform j.D (unless you land before j.D comes out), so if you are close enough when 6D lands, the overhead is almost guaranteed. The only time j.D can whiff is when 6D hits too far away or the opponent barriers while slightly spaced away. Fortunately, you cannot be punished even if j.D does not hit, due to the frame advantage. The low is performed slightly differently. To perform the low, use j.D just before landing, then input 2B. Be wary that because 2B has a 9 frame start-up, many characters' fastest moves are able to beat you out. Your best bet for landing 2B in this situation is to condition the opponent to block high after 6D (using j.D), and then surprising them with 2B. Performing the throw is similar to performing the low, but it is riskier. To perform the throw, use j.D just before landing, then input throw. The hitbox on throw is very small, so any sort of barrier or spacing will cause the throw to miss. You can utilize a kara throw (B~C) to gain a tiny bit of distance so that the throw will land. Overall, use the throw option scarcely.
Separately, 6D also has foot invulnerability from frame 4 up until the last frame before becoming active. It also becomes airborne after frame 4, thus is can also go through grounded throws. As a result, this move can be used against players who tend to use lows or throws as a wake-up option or mix-up. Almost every unsafe low can be punished with a correctly timed 6D.
For combos, 6D is used to optimize the damage of counter hit starter combos as the bonus proration greatly increases combo damage while draining health (which is rare as most Soul Eater attacks usually harm a combo's damage scaling). Also used in corner combos after a launcher to combo into air Blood Scythe. The stun on grounded counter hit allows Ragna to combo into essentially any attack so routes off of it are very flexible.
Overdrive Version
- Lifesteal: 150
- Jump cancelable on hit or block.
- Stuns opponent on grounded hit.
- Bonus 110% proration.
- Foot invincible on frames 4-20.
- Fatal Counter.
Outside of combos, 6D in Overdrive functions roughly the same. It launches the opponent much higher on air hit compared to normal 6D, and has more untechable time. Rarely sees use in optimal OD combos though it can loop 6D > air Blood Scythe if it hits an airborne opponent close to the ground.
j.D
Trades damage for lifesteal.
- Lifesteal: 100
- Launches opponent on counter hit.
This is Ragna's only air normal that has a hitbox above him so it's his only safe choice for catching airborne opponents while he is also in the air (all other options are very laggy special moves). It may be more prudent to wait for the opponent to lose height, then contest them with j.A or 6A rather than try to snipe them with j.D.
However, j.D is one of Ragna's go-to air combo parts as the high hitstun allows for more potential follow-ups than j.C, even very late into a combo. The move's lifesteal also makes it useful to gain a bit of life and increase the Soul Eater rate. While the poor damage scaling makes it a sub-optimal choice at the beginning of a combo, by the end the damage loss is negligible and the health steal becomes more worthwhile.
Overdrive Version
- Lifesteal: 150
- Launches opponent on counter hit.
Same properties as the regular version except it has more damage and hitstun. You can combo into Blood Scythe even at the end of long combos with this move.
Universal Mechanics
Forward Throw
5B+C or 6B+C
"This will sting!"
- 100% minimum damage: 1500
- Launches opponent on hit.
Keep in mind that throws do not have huge hitboxes, so you will have to be considerably close to the opponent in order to land the throw. The throw range can be extended by kara-canceling from 5B (input as B~C). For combo routes, use Gauntlet Hades mid-screen, Blood Scythe in the corner.
Back Throw
4B+C
Here comes the combo.
- 100% minimum damage: 1500
- Launches opponent on hit.
Keep in mind that throws do not have huge hitboxes, so you will have to be considerably close to the opponent in order to land the throw. The throw range can be extended by kara-canceling from 5B (input as B~C). For combo routes, use dash 5B > 5C > 5D(1) > Gauntlet Hades mid-screen, Blood Scythe in the corner.
Air Throw
j.B+C
Pretty much his only mandatory throw.
- 100% minimum damage: 1500
- Wallbounces opponent on hit.
This is Ragna's main move to keep opponents grounded. In order to condition the opponent to stop jumping out of Ragna's comfort zone, you will sometimes need to hard punish the opponent, and the best way to do that is to air throw. For combo routes, use 5C > 5D > Gauntlet Hades mid-screen, Aerial Blood Scythe in the corner.
Counter Assault
When blocking 6A+B
Same animation as 5B, with the same hitbox.
- 180F Heat Gauge Cooldown.
- Knocks opponent away on hit.
One of the better Counter Assaults in the game due to using 5B's animation and hitbox. However, be careful that if the opponent is too close to you the attack may whiff, leaving you open for a powerful punish.
Crush Trigger
5A+B (Chargeable)
- BBCP Ragna CrushTrigger.png
A Crush Trigger that is as basic as you can get.
- 180F Heat Gauge Cooldown.
- Lifesteal: 200. Only triggers on hit or guard break when in Overdrive.
- Guard breaks if normal blocked, drains Barrier if barrier blocked.
- Can be charged. Partial or full charge improves frame advantage on guard break, drains more barrier, and improves combo damage scaling.
- Hard knockdown on air hit. Staggers on standing hit.
Ragna's Crush Trigger has relatively mediocre range making it difficult to use in longer block strings. Guard breaking an opponent with the uncharged version can only lead into a full combo in the corner, and even then Ragna must be near point-blank range and start with 5A or 2A. A charged guard break allows Ragna to start a punish combo with any grounded normal and all specials except Blood Scythe.
The uncharged version actually negatively impacts a combo's final damage and eats up a good chunk of hitstun, thus resulting in the combo ending prematurely. The charged version meanwhile greatly increases a combo's damage and opens up new routes. Can be combo'd into from a normal hit 6C and Not Over Yet (corner only), air hit 5D, and counter hit 6A, 3C, 5D, 6D, j.D, and grounded Gauntlet Hades. A grounded charged hit leads into any grounded normal or special that isn't Blood Scythe, with 6D, 6C, and 5C usually being the optimal follow-ups. Using this move when the opponent is higher in the air will result in longer untechable, allowing moves with slower start-up to combo properly, such as 6C.
Remember that Ragna generally prefers to save meter for rapid cancels as it makes his DP safer to use and improves his damage off footsies and mix-ups without the need of counter hits or overdrive. Thus, try not use Crush Trigger unless a huge damage opportunity presents itself or if the ensuing combo would win the round.
Specials
Hell's Fang
214A
- BBCS Ragna HellsFang.png
Leads into very damaging combos with Rapid Cancel.
- Stuns opponent on counter hit.
Hell's Fang travels about half screen and is safe on block which makes it one of Ragna's easiest methods of approaching opponents, though it can be punished if the opponent instant blocks. This move is more often used to end combos when corner carry is needed or to continue combos via a Rapid Cancel. Combos into 5B, 2C, or 5C on counter hit.
Additional Attack (Hell's Fang)
214D after Hell's Fang
- BBCS Ragna HellsFangFollowup.png
Typical combo ender for pushing your opponent towards the corner and for good corner okizeme.
- Lifesteal: 200 [300]
- 200% Heat Gain.
- Launches opponent on hit, wall bounces in Overdrive.
- Dash cancelable during Overdrive.
- Frame advantage after earliest Dash Cancel: -4
Main grounded combo ender. If Rapid Canceled, this move can be followed up with dash 5B or dash 5C mid-screen though it is generally more optimal to cancel the first part of Hell's Fang for better damage.
The overdrive version is dash cancelable on hit or block and wall bounces on hit, extending the combo from anywhere on screen. Follow-up options become more limited if used against an airborne opponent in the corner, but 3C or 5D should still connect properly in this situation.
Inferno Divider
623C/D (Air OK)
C version is your go-to reversal, while D version is your go-to combo ender for damage and easy knockdown.
Inferno Divider
Inferno Divider- Both hits launch the opponent on hit.
- D version launches significantly higher on counter hit.
- D versions have Lifesteal: 50*2 [75*2]
Ragna's meterless DP. The C version of this move is a fully invincible reversal that can be used to exploit holes in an opponent's pressure, anti-air obvious approaches, or interrupt unsafe oki on wake-up. Highly punishable on block or whiff so only use it if 50 heat is available for a Rapid Cancel and if there is something to hit (either the opponent themselves or something like Carl and Relius' puppets). RC-canceling the first hit leaves Ragna on the ground while canceling the second hit leaves him airborne, setting-up a potential high-low mix-up. Has a short combo length property and atrocious damage scaling as a starter, so a successful hit will give extremely low damage even with meter or Overdrive.
The D Version has no invulnerability whatsoever but it deals more damage, has better proration, more range, and steals health. The extremely fast start-up and high launch on counter hit means it can be used as a risky starter, though it leans more towards high risk and only moderate reward. Generally used as a combo ender mid-screen and as a combo part when approaching the corner or while Overdrive is active.
Upper
236C during Inferno Divider
Otherwise known as "that one in the middle."
- Puts opponents into a spin state on hit.
Rekka follow-up from Inferno Divider. Leads into either Straight Punch for corner carry mid-screen, combo extension in the corner or Ax Kick for okizeme with no resources or a combo extension in Overdrive. Can whiff after Inferno Divider if it connected in unusual circumstances, such as hitting an opponent's extended hitbox at max range or if ID caught an opponent attempting to do a cross-up. Incredibly long recovery if not canceled into a follow-up (either from the previous situation or a mis-input) resulting in a bigger punish than just landing after Inferno Divider so don't auto-pilot into this attack.
Straight Punch
236C after Upper
For when you're otherwise just out of corner's reach.
- Knocks opponent away on hit. Wall sticks in corner.
Ragna's Straight Punch can only be used after Upper, so it's exclusively utilized in combos. Use it mid-screen for corner carry (at the cost of oki) or for extending combos when approaching the corner. The wall stick has a short duration and the entire sequence from Inferno Divider burns a good portion of the combo timer, limiting this route's potential. However, it's a good option to keep in mind if you're just close enough to the corner for the wall stick but not close enough for other options.
Ax Kick
214D after Upper
Ragna's most universal form of knockdown.
- Knockdown on hit, ground bounces during Overdrive.
- Lifesteal: 50 [75]
Inferno Divider rekka ender used to gain decent okizeme and good damage anywhere on the screen. Strong combo ender mid-screen but is somewhat lacking in the corner where both Hell's Fang and Nightmare Edge grant stronger oki. Can be used as a combo extender during Overdrive, often followed-up with Gauntlet Hades or Blood Scythe for high damage and life steal.
Gauntlet Hades
214B (air OK)
A risky overhead, don't use if you don't have 50 heat.
- Ground version stuns grounded opponents on hit.
- Air version launches opponent on hit.
- Ground version hits standing opponents on frame 22, crouching on frame 24.
- Air version hits standing opponents on frame 18, crouching on frame 20.
Somewhat slow overhead used for high/low mix-ups whenever 6B isn't a viable option (such as after 5B which cannot gatling into it). Higher damage starter than 6B that has higher mix-up potential with RC's but is unsafe on block and has only one also unsafe cancel option (Spin Kick). The ground version puts Ragna into an airborne state, useful for beating throws and some lows. The air version can be used for a triple overhead mix after an IAD j.C > j.D. Used as a combo part in nearly every non-OD mid-screen combo and many corner combos. On counter hit, the stun of the ground version is greatly extended and can combo into every grounded normal and special except Blood Scythe.
Spin Kick
214D after Gauntlet Hades
Follow-up to Gauntlet Hades, now gets more love in regular combos.
- Double jump cancelable on hit or block while in Overdrive.
- Whiffs against crouching opponents.
- Launches opponent on hit, launch height increases in Overdrive.
- Lifesteal: 100 [150]
Gauntlet Hades follow-up used to juggle opponents for a combo extension. Must be delayed to enable follow-ups with the exact timing depending on the opponent's height from the ground and how far hitstun has decayed. Often used after launching the opponent with 6A, 6C, or a throw. While safe on block, it should never be used in blockstrings as crouching forces it to whiff which allows the opponent to punish it with just about any attack. The Overdrive version has much more combo potential thanks to its increased hitstun and double jump cancel, granting much more damage, life steal, and corner carry.
Dead Spike
236D
A beefy projectile used for resetting pressure.
- Dash cancelable, even on whiff.
- Hits once normally, hits 3 times in overdrive.
- Launches opponent away on hit.
- Frame advantage after earliest hit into Dash Cancel: +2 (+12 in OD)
- Lifesteal: 100 [50*3]
Large, slow moving projectile that crawls along the ground, traveling up to half-screen before disappearing. Primarily used to reset pressure thanks to its frame advantage on block, though the slow start-up makes it easy to disrespect by mashing or jumping out so don't autopilot into this move. The dash cancel brings Ragna close to the opponent, perfect for setting up a throw/strike mix-up. This move also sees heavy use in corner combos and certain optimal mid-screen combos, though it most be used at point-blank range at mid-screen or else follow-up attacks will whiff.
Even though this attack is a projectile, Dead Spike is not good against zoning nor should it be used for zoning. It has short range and slow start-up, leaving Ragna vulnerable to any form of aerial approach throughout the entire animation.
Not Over Yet
22C near downed opponent
Massive corner carry potential mid-screen and a fantastic combo part in the corner.
- Dash cancelable on hit.
- Special cancelable on hit.
- Ground slides the opponent on hit.
- Wall splats the opponent in the corner.
Ragna picks up a downed opponent and punches them away. Versatile combo part with good damage and excellent scaling. Used in almost every corner combo thanks to its high hitstun, wall splat, and myriad cancel options. If hitstun hasn't decayed much, a dash cancel can be used to follow it up with a micro-dash 5C jump cancel combo mid-screen or with a 5B juggle in the corner. It can also go into Dead Spike for a combo extension in the corner even if done fairly late into a combo. The special cancel makes this a strong tool at the end of long combos as it can go into most of Ragna's best combo enders, notably all his distortion drives save for Devoured by Darkness.
Blood Scythe
214D (air OK)
Ground version is incredibly slow but advantageous, aerial version is great for corner carry
- Lifesteal: 100 [150]
- Ground bounces in Overdrive
- Air version has a different angle
Ragna's Blood Scythe is a very slow pressure tool (his slowest actually), albeit one of his most advantageous on block. This move can be used to reset pressure (risky if expected) or to establish okizeme.
Despite its slow speed, Blood Scythe does have a place in combos, comboing off either 6C or any of Ragna's other Fatal Counters. Due to the faster start-up of the aerial version, it is also possible to combo off 6D or even an air hit j.D provided the combo is short enough. The ground slide is difficult to utilise mid-screen, but in the corner, it's possible to then combo into 3C or Not Over Yet to lead into higher damage.
In Overdrive, Blood Scythe ground bounces, allowing for extended combos and even full mid-screen conversions. However, due to the increased launch height of 6D in Overdrive, 6D > Aerial Blood Scythe is no longer possible on opponents significantly above the ground.
Nightmare Edge
j.214C
Main aerial combo ender, used for knockdown or damage/lifesteal
- Last hit causes ground bounce on ground or counter hit, cannot be emergency teched
- All hits cause ground bounce on air hit, can be emergency teched
Ragna's main aerial combo ender. The ground bounce allows for potential meterless follow-ups if done on a grounded opponent or at certain ranges that omit all but the first hit in the air. Doing so grants good corner carry potential, but Ragna is not lacking for that as it is, and attempting to do another Nightmare Edge as the ender will result in heavily decreased damage. Nightmare Edge also offers considerable advantage on hit.
Additional Attack (Nightmare Edge)
214D after Nightmare Edge
For when you choose damage/lifesteal
- Lifesteal: 200 [300]
- Dash cancelable during Overdrive
- Wall bounces during Overdrive
- Frame advantage after earliest Dash Cancel: -4
Follow-up from Nightmare Edge. This move has the most lifesteal out of all of Ragna's Soul Eater moves, so it should be used at the end of a combo when the Soul Eater multiplier is at its potential maximum. If lifesteal is not needed, the follow-up can be omitted for a less damaging alternative, which offers better okizeme.
Overdrive version is dash cancelable on hit or block and wall bounces on hit, enabling easy follow-ups from anywhere on screen.
Distortion Drives
Carnage Scissors
632146D
Use this outside of Overdrive if it will kill, use this during Overdrive for Soul Eater progression and possible relaunches in the corner
Carnage 🅱️cissors
- 20% minimum damage: 890 [1146]
- Lifesteal: 300 [200+50*4]
- Fully invincible on frames 1-9
- Hold D to prevent second attack happening.
Ragna's main match finisher. While Carnage Scissors deals less minimum damage than Devoured by Darkness, its speed and range makes it considerably more versatile, as it easily combos off any of Ragna's long-range normals and is even easily confirmable mid-screen from the aerial version of Blood Scythe. In the corner, it is also combo viable for much longer than Devoured by Darkness.
While it does have some invulnerability, it's not the most ideal punish as it is only invulnerable up to the super flash and moves Ragna into jabbing range in most cases. If you need a good reversal you're usually much safer going for inferno divider and using a Rapid Cancel if they block.
If the first hit causes Counter Hit on a grounded opponent, canceling the second hit can lead into full combo extensions.
In Overdrive, Carnage Scissors will deal 4 more hits, and can be followed up with D Inferno Divider into Ax Kick in the corner at maximum height.
Devoured by Darkness
214214D
- BBCS Ragna DevouredByDarkness.png
A fairly useless move without Overdrive, but a good combo ender in Overdrive
Watch me get my health back
- 25% minimum damage: 1000 [1250]
- Lifesteal: 500 [1000]
- Fully invincible on frames 1-16
A good combo ender if you can connect it. Due to the move having slower start-up, it's hard to land this move after a very prorated combo without Overdrive, but the benefit in doing so is that it does more minimum damage than Carnage Scissors and provides more lifesteal. In Overdrive, you have access to many moves that cause wall bounce, which gives plenty of time to perform the Overdrive version of this move.
While it does have a little invulnerability and is unblockable, the invulnerability doesn't last for long and you can be hit out of it by pretty much anything. (OD) Dead Spike (RC) > Devoured by Darkness is an unblockable setup if done correctly, but the timing is tight and can still be beaten out by Counter Assaults and Overdrive Raids on reaction to the super flash.
Exceed Accel
Seed of Tartarus
A+B+C+D during Overdrive
- BBCF Ragna SeedOfTartarus.png
Just hold Overdrive and pray.
- 10% minimum damage: 305 (585 (+58) in Active Flow)
- Fully invincible on frames 1-23 (frames 1-13 if canceled into).
- Does not cost Heat, but immediately ends Overdrive if used.
- Activates Active Flow on hit if not previously activated that round.
- Functions like all other Exceed Accels.
On start-up, Ragna performs a headsplitter on the opponent. If it hits, he will activate his scythe and release three crimson waves, blowing the opponent away. Used on defense or in neutral as a fast and powerful reversal that is much harder to punish than Inferno Divider. Buffering it after an Overdrive Raid can allow Ragna to punish the opponent for using attacks that rely on long blockstun or cancels to stay safe. Note that while this move has a large amount of push back on block, it is still usafe and cannot be Rapid Canceled.
The frame advantage on hit depends on Ragna's screen position and whether or not he is in Active Flow. The longer it takes for the opponent to reach the corner, the greater the advantage. Thus, Ragna is plus when he is cornered, is even at mid-screen, and is negative if the opponent is cornered. The Active Flow version is better as it is even on hit against a cornered opponent and plus everywhere else.
The low minimum damage of the regular version makes it a sub-optimal combo ender in nearly every combo, both in terms of damage and oki so only use it if it will win the round. The Active Flow version is actually useful as it deals good damage for no meter cost. It's especially powerful if Ragna has other resources ready, such as having control of the corner, a counter hit starter, high overdrive time, and/or some spare meter (notably for a charged Crush Trigger or after a corner OD Carnage Scissors > 5A or 5B link).
Astral Heat
Black Onslaught
2141236C
- BBCS Ragna BlackOnslaught.png
"I'll show you the true power of the azure."
"There is no Hell, only darkness."
Ragna's Astral Heat is fairly versatile as far as Astrals are concerned, having decent range and comboing from a variety of different moves, such as 5C, 6A (on characters with tall airborne hurtboxes), 6B, 6C, 5D (either hit) and Not Over Yet near the corner. It's still not to be used carelessly or without a plan however, as it can easily backfire if the opponent blocks it, can tech before they are hit or the move whiffs.
External References
- Japanese Name: ラグナ＝ザ＝ブラッドエッジ
- Japanese Wiki
- Japanese BBS
- Arcade Profile Dan Rankings
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