GGST/Sol Badguy/Strategy

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 Sol Badguy




General Strategies

Sol does best at close range, so focus on staying on top of opponents with his powerful S buttons. To get close, run and use f.S or Fafnir (input: 41236H), then use your plus frames to start your offense. If you're at mid range, use 2S, 6S, 6H, and Gun Flame (input: 236P) to poke and fish for a hit. At long range, Sol's only option is to use Night Raid Vortex (input: 214S) which, while a powerful option, is punishable on whiff or block. Try to only use it when you have 50% Tension for a Roman Cancel.

After knocking down an opponent, alternate between using a meaty normal like c.S or f.S (force opponents to respect your okizeme From Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up after they were knocked down, usually with meaty attacks or mix-ups. by stuffing wake-up jumps or throws) or a throw like a ground throw or Wild Throw (input: 623K) (once they wake-up block to avoid being meatied, throws will punish their passivity). Once opponents begin attempting to mash out of pressure, frame trap using f.S or 6S for big damage on Counter Hit. If the opponent jumps out, either anti-air them with 5K, which can be jump canceled for a damaging combo on hit or dash canceled to reset pressure on block, or meet them in the air with an air throw. Sol's reward for landing an anti-air is significantly higher than most of the cast and showing that to the opponent will discourage them from jumping, allowing him to return to hit/throw mix-ups. This is the cycle of pain that is the key to winning with Sol.

Should Sol ever end up on the back foot, make use of his various defensive tools to turn the tide. Volcanic Viper (input: 623S or 623H) can punch a hole through gaps in pressure or sloppy okizeme. 2D and Night Raid Vortex can low profile When a character's hurtbox is entirely beneath an opponent's attack. This can be caused by crouching, certain moves, and being short. most pokes and projectiles; however, when using Night Raid Vortex to low profile certain moves (e.g  Potemkin's Giganter KaiGGST Potemkin Giganter Kai.pngGuardAllStartup10+1Recovery17Advantage+100) you must be aware of lingering hitboxes near the opponent that will catch you after you hit them with Night Raid Vortex getting caught by these will subject you to being knocked down or losing your ability to follow up on the Night Raid Vortex. 6P, 5K, 2H, and Volcanic Viper can all be used to anti-air opponents who make predictable jump-ins. If all else fails, use a super to take your turn back by force.

Tension Usage

All characters get good mileage off of spending Tension on universal mechanics, such as Faultless Defense and Roman Cancel. As for character specifics, Sol can choose from Tyrant Rave (input: 632146H) and Heavy Mob Cemetery (input: 214214H). Heavy Mob Cemetery is a bit slow to start up, but has full guardpoint after super freeze, long range and is a throw. It can be used as a long-ranged punish in certain situations. Tyrant Rave is a more traditional Overdrive, primarily used as a powerful combo ender or as a reversal To perform an attack as soon as possible after getting knocked down or leaving hitstun/blockstun..

Advanced Roman Cancel Mix-Ups

One common usage of Roman Cancel is to use them during pressure to create stronger mix-ups than usual. Sol has access to particularly powerful Roman Cancel mix-ups, such as F-Shiki Sometimes known as "Fuzzy Overhead". When you are in blockstun, you can switch high/low blocking, but your blocking animation and hurtbox does not change until you leave blockstun or block another attack. F-Shikis take advantage of this and use overheads that would miss on crouching characters, but not on standing characters. mix-ups. After landing Fafnir (input: 41236H) on block, wait for Sol to recover, then use a forward dash input Blue Roman Cancel to lock the opponent in place. With the opponent stuck in Guard Crush, apply an instant high/low mix-up by mixing up j.P and 2D.[1]

It's also possible to use Roman Cancels to create left/right mix-ups. After certain knockdowns, use kara cancel Gun Flame (input: 236P) into a forward dash input Blue Roman Cancel, and then jump toward the opponent. By jumping over them, Sol will side switch, which forces the opponent to block the incoming Gun Flame in the other direction. Mix this up by occasionally going for an air backdash before side switching. Doing so will cause Sol to retain his side, which forces the opponent to block normally. By timing Sol’s air backdash right before Gun Flame makes contact with the opponent, the opponent won’t have enough time to react to whether or not you used air backdash, resulting in a true 50/50.[2]

As powerful as these Roman Cancel mix-ups are, it is worth noting that they have higher technical execution than Sol’s standard mix-ups. Beginners might need to rely entirely on basic mix-ups, such as strike/throw. However, it is only by incorporating advanced Roman Cancel mix-ups that a player can behold Sol's true strength.

Neutral

Round Start Options

Rounds start in the mid range, where Sol has several good tools. f.S is a strong, aggressive option. It enforces frame advantage on hit and block, and is very rewarding on Counter Hit. The low recovery frames of the move means that even if the opponent jumps, it will be difficult for them to whiff punish. 6S is another useful tool due to having longer range than f.S. If the opponent moves backwards to evade f.S, use 6S to catch them. 6S also benefits from having a disjointed hitbox, making it likely to win in trades. However, this option is fairly slow. If your opponent has a button that is faster than 6S and has enough range to connect from round start distance, they can use it to beat 6S reliably.

Your opponent might start going for 6P to utilize its upper-body invulnerability to beat out your aggressive options. In this situation, you can go for a move that hits low, such as microdash into 2D, to beat them. Backwards movement into 6S will give you an opportunity to punish not just a whiffed 6P, but also many other buttons. Moving back is also relatively safe, making it a strong option in many scenarios. It’s not fool-proof, however. If your opponent has a button with good speed and range, such as  Ramlethal's f.SGGST Ramlethal Valentine fS.pngGuardAllStartup11Recovery21Advantage-10 [-13], they can punish a backdash or initiate a blockstring against walking back. Using the occasional jump is a good way to throw your opponent off. Mix up all of your options to avoid becoming predictable.

Close Range / Brawling

Sol is an aggressive character, being up close and personal is his preferred range. At close range, Sol’s c.S is an amazing button. It has a +3 frame advantage on block and leads to strong combos on normal hit and Counter Hit. It’s very versatile during blockstrings, as it can gatling into S, H, D and command normals and it's both jump and dash cancelable. f.S is similar to c.S, it has less flexible gatling routes but works at longer ranges. Sol also takes a step forward when using f.S, which means that if it's blocked, Sol is always in range for another one. Faultless Defense can push him out, though. Delay the follow-ups of the aforementioned moves to create oppressive frame traps. When your opponent is conditioned to block, mix in ground throws or Wild Throw (input: 623K) for a deadly strike/throw mix-up.

Sol's lightning fast 5K further improves his strike/throw game and potential when brawling. At point-blank range, 5K hits at frame 3, which makes it excellent for contesting opponents. Sol can win many scramble situations with it, and it's also very rewarding for its speed. If your opponent reacts to your dash-in throws by jumping, you can use a dash-in 5K to punish them. This makes 5K a strong mix-up option for Wild Throw (input: 623K), especially so when used after landing c.S or f.S on block. 5K is one of the most versatile attacks in the game, it's impossible to overstate how good it is.

Sol’s 5P and 2P are also speedy options. They are not quite as fast or rewarding as 5K, but are much safer on whiff. It's a good idea to stagger Sol’s P buttons and mix in throws for a strike/throw mix-up. Lastly, Sol's fastest low is 2K. It's not particularly important as Sol is primarily a strike/throw character. However, if you notice that your opponent has a tendency to stand block, this move will allow you to open them up.

If your opponent manages to block one of your blockstrings and you need to safely disengage, special cancel into Gun Flame (input: 236P), which can catch them trying to mash. If they start respecting Gun Flame, throw them off with Gun Flame (Feint) (input: 214P). It fakes the animation of Gun Flame without actually shooting a projectile. This allows it to recover quickly, making it useful for resetting pressure against passive opponents or baiting jump-ins from an opponent who was expecting Gun Flame. Lastly, if you're feeling bold, 5D is a risky but very rewarding mix-up option. It is reactable, but if you condition your opponent to fear other options 5D can catch them by surprise.

Pressuring with frame traps and strike/throw mix-ups is what defines Sol. Master mixing up your options and timing and you’ll quickly gain the upper hand thanks to Sol’s tremendous damage output. If your opponent struggles to deal with your offense, they might try to challenge you with invincible reversals. Be ready to bait them out and punish them.

Mid Range / Footsies

Sol prefers fighting close, but he is strong at mid range as well. The goal here is to use Sol’s larger attacks to create an opportunity to safely close the gap. 6S is his strongest mid-ranged poke. It has a large, disjointed hitbox and many effective cancel options. It also launches opponents on Counter Hit, making it quite rewarding. It's likely to score a Counter Hit or interrupt an approach when used in footsies range. If characters like  Ky or  Leo give you trouble in mid range with their space control moves, use 6S to contest them. It’s a powerful tool, but don't over rely on it.

Sol's f.S is another excellent move. It has a +2 frame advantage on block and recovers quite quickly. Its range is better than the animation implies due to Sol taking a big step forward when using the move. In fact, the step forward is actually even larger than the pushback of f.S on block, causing Sol to close space. Due to its frame advantage and forward movement, connecting f.S on hit or block means that you have successfully moved into close range and can transition to Sol's ferocious pressure. f.S is also highly rewarding on both normal hit and Counter Hit. A more reserved option for when you want to poke without advancing forward is 2S. It starts up just as quickly as f.S, and while it doesn't have as much range, it still hits from a moderate distance relative to Sol's position. Furthermore, it has a disjointed hitbox, making it harder to counter poke. Both f.S and 2S can gatling into 5H for a frame trap.

A counter strategy against mid-ranged pokes is to position oneself to make them whiff before approaching or contesting them with 6P. If your opponent attempts this, vary your timing and positioning more to throw them off. Stay sharp!

Sol has an excellent sweep in his 2D. It has good speed and range, and leads to strong okizeme From Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up after they were knocked down, usually with meaty attacks or mix-ups.. Its low profile When a character's hurtbox is entirely beneath an opponent's attack. This can be caused by crouching, certain moves, and being short. properties gives it lots of flexibility. A risky but very rewarding option is 6H. It has the longest horizontal range of his normals, very fast start-up, and massive reward on Counter Hit. However, it has poor vertical range, long recovery on whiff, is unsafe on block, and it cannot be special canceled. Thus, it is a very committal attack that should be used carefully.

If you need a projectile, Gun Flame (input: 236P) is a solid one for mid range. It moves forward slowly, which causes it to leave Sol at an advantage if it is blocked at tip range, giving you an opportunity to close the gap. Its hitbox also hits fairly high, allowing it to snuff out opponents who recklessly use Instant Air Dash.

Sol's Bandit Revolver (input: 236K) is a flying knee kick which can be followed up with a spin kick by pressing K a second time. The first hit moves Sol forward a decent amount and can lead to powerful counter hit combos. If the enemy tries to punish it, the second hit can be used to counter hit them and initiate a combo. This will dissuade them from challenging you, providing opportunities to mix up your options after the first hit.

Lastly, Sol can transition from mid range to close range by using Fafnir (input: 41236H), a forward-lunging Guard Crush. It leaves Sol at a massive +11 frame advantage on block, and is also very rewarding on Counter Hit. Fafnir’s range can be extended by combining it with a dash or kara canceling with 6S. However, Fafnir is vulnerable during its start-up. Characters with strong space controlling normals, such as  Leo or  Nagoriyuki, can intercept the move quite easily. Don’t use it recklessly.

If you cycle Sol's mid-ranged moves well, your opponent might start approaching from the air to avoid having to contest with Sol at mid or close range. Sol is armed with many solid anti-airs, be ready to whip them out at a moment’s notice.

Long Range / Closing Space

Sol is lacking in meaningful options that reach full screen. Therefore, your goal at longer ranges is to find a way to close enough space to transition to mid range or close range tools. Understanding how to use basic movement options is key. Don’t make the mistake of running from full screen all the way to your opponent's face, as that makes your approach predictable and punishable with large attacks. You need to mix up your approach by dashing shorter distances and then blocking. You can also do a short dash into a long-ranged attack, such as 6S, but don’t get predictable. Air dashing is also a good tool for closing space. Mix air dash into aerial attacks with air dash to block.

Sol has several special moves that move him forward a fair bit. Night Raid Vortex (input: 214S) is a low profile When a character's hurtbox is entirely beneath an opponent's attack. This can be caused by crouching, certain moves, and being short. attack that slides forward across the ground. The range can be extended to reach full screen by holding the S button. It’s useful for slipping under many pokes and projectiles, but be careful of attacks that hit low to the ground, such as sweeps and 2S. It leads to powerful combos on normal hit and Counter Hit, but is punishable on block. The move is best used when you have 50% Tension, as you can take advantage of its strengths and Roman Cancel it for safety on block.

Sol can also close space by using Fafnir (input: 41236H), a forward-lunging Guard Crush. It leaves Sol at a massive +11 frame advantage on block, and is also very rewarding on Counter Hit. Fafnir can carry dash momentum to increase its range. It can also be kara canceled from 6S for a range increase. Combining both together allows Fafnir to travel nearly fullscreen. However, Fafnir is vulnerable during its start-up. Exercise caution, especially if your opponent has strong space control tools.

Bandit Bringer (input: 214K) is a diving punch attack. It hits overhead, but is reactable. It moves Sol forward a decent amount and leads to an RPS situation on block. It can be used as a risky approach option and can be initiated either from the ground or the air. Dashing forward into 214K can be used to add to the opponent's mental burden. If used in the air, the K button can be held down to delay the timing of the attack. If the opponent tries to challenge 214K with anti-airs, delaying the attack can throw off their timing. It also grants strong okizeme From Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up after they were knocked down, usually with meaty attacks or mix-ups. on hit.

Air-to-Air

j.P - Sol's fastest aerial attack. Its speed and short recovery makes it effective as an air-to-air. It can combo into Bandit Revolver (input: 236KK) for a knockdown.

j.K - Has a larger hitbox than j.P but also more recovery on whiff. It can lead to combos due to being air dash cancelable. If your opponent has their back to the wall, it can chain into j.D.

j.D - Has less recovery than j.K but is also a tad slower. The hitbox is chunky, and damage is good. Useful when your opponent is cornered as the wall bounce can result in big conversions.

Jump-In

j.S - A premier jump-in option due to having a good hitbox below Sol. It’s also jump and air dash cancelable, which can come in handy.

j.H - Has two hits. When done from an Instant Air Dash, the second hit will connect just before Sol hits the ground, allowing it to combo into 5K confirms. Very useful from an air dash as a result.

Defense

Defensive System Mechanics

Faultless Defense, Psych Burst and Yellow Roman Cancel are cornerstones of defense in Guilty Gear, as they are quite handy for breaking out of pressure. Utilizing them well is essential for mastering any character. They all cost a resource though, so think about how you use them.

Faultless Defense

Powerful defensive option, but drains Tension as you use it!
Hold any two buttons except D (or the FD Button if one was set) while blocking to perform Faultless Defense (FD). As long as the direction and buttons are held down (and the Tension Gauge isn't empty), you will continue to perform Faultless Defense.

A unique type of guard that gradually depletes Tension when used. Faultless Defense augments your block by giving it several special properties. Firstly, it increases pushback on block, making it useful to make space between you and the opponent. By using Faultless Defense early in the opponent's blockstring, the opponent will be pushed back enough that later attacks will miss, allowing you to punish the opponent's whiffed attack or disengage. When in use, Faultless Defense also prevents the R.I.S.C Level from increasing and nullifies chip damage. This is essential for survival in situations where chip damage runs the risk of finishing you off.

Keep in mind that you don't have to hold two buttons for a long time in order to use Faultless Defense effectively. It's also possible to press the buttons briefly - slightly longer than a tap - just before the opponent's hit connects. By doing this, you can let go of Faultless Defense in between the hits of an opponent's blockstring, allowing you to save some Tension. This requires some precision though, so it will require practice.


Yellow Roman Cancel

Turn the tables with this powerful defensive option!
Press any three attack buttons (except D) simultaneously while in blockstun to perform a Yellow Roman Cancel (YRC). Costs 50% Tension.

Yellow Roman Cancels can be used when blocking at the cost of 50% Tension, for the purpose of stopping an attacking opponent and resetting the momentum of the match. Yellow Roman Cancels can not be performed when your character is in a Guard Crush state. Upon activation, your character creates a shockwave that forces the opponent into a Guard Crush state, granting your character massive frame advantage. Yellow Roman Cancel is a useful tool for challenging an opponent’s pressure, especially for characters that are lacking in character-specific tools.

However, Yellow Roman Cancel is -16 on block and leaves your character in Counter Hit state during its recovery frames. Sharp opponents can block it on prediction and punish it heavily. Make sure to vary when you go for a Yellow Roman Cancel to avoid becoming predictable. In addition, the hefty 50% Tension cost must always be taken into consideration. Said Tension could be used for Overdrives or extending combos or blockstrings with other types of Roman Cancels. Practice utilizing all of your defensive options so as to not end up over relying on Yellow Roman Cancel and burning Tension too quickly.


Psych Burst

Press D + any other attack button to perform a Psych Burst. Costs a full Burst Gauge.

A powerful defensive option that can be used in a variety of situations at the cost of a full Burst Gauge. Upon activation, your character releases an invincible shockwave that knocks opponents away. If the opponent is in a completely invulnerable state, the shockwave can still hit the opponent's collision box instead of their hurtbox and ignore any type of shield or armor, which results in some invulnerable skills, such as Overdrives, still being hit during their invincibility frames. Bursts can be used at almost any point in the match, including when you’re in blockstun or hitstun. This allows Bursts to function as both a combo breaker and as a way to challenge the opponent’s pressure. The Burst Gauge refills very slowly over time, so it can be a good idea to use it early in a match to break out of a powerful combo, such as a Counter Hit combo. This will allow you to spend the rest of the round recharging it, making it more likely to have another opportunity to use it again later in the match.

While Bursts are very powerful, they are far from infallible. The activation shockwave is not instant, so sharp players can predict incoming Bursts and punish them heavily. A common method of doing so is canceling attacks with jump cancels or Roman Cancels, then blocking the Burst and punishing the recovery. Because of the risk associated with it, you should vary the timing of when you go for Burst to avoid becoming predictable. Lastly, keep in mind that Burst cannot be performed while your character is stuck to the wall, being thrown, or being hit by an Overdrive.


Counter Pokes

Counter poking is the act of attacking preemptively for the purpose of interrupting the opponent’s actions. By placing hitboxes in front of your character, the opponent runs the risk of being hit out of their forward movement or being counter hit out of their attacks. Counter pokes are key for playing a preventive playstyle, which is useful against aggression. The best counter pokes are typically long-ranged, highly active, quick to recover, protected by invulnerability of some kind, or a combination of these traits.

Thanks to its frame 1 upper body invulnerability, 6P is useful as a counter poke. It can challenge an opponent's attack in mid or close range. Many forward-lunging, plus on block special moves, such as  Giovanna's TrovãoGGST Giovanna Trovao.pngGuardAll [All (Guard Crush)]Startup27Recovery13Advantage+4 [+15] and  May's H Mr. Dolphin HorizontalGGST May Mr. Dolphin Horizontal.pngGuardAllStartup25Recovery20 (18 OH)Advantage+7, are vulnerable to 6P. In addition, many S attacks extends the character's hurtbox further out than the animation implies, due to the weapon itself having a hurtbox. This is especially prevalent on moves like  Nagoriyuki's f.SGGST Nagoriyuki fS1.pngGuardAllStartup16Recovery28Advantage-17 and  Leo's f.SGGST Leo Whitefang f.S.pngGuardAllStartup12Recovery21Advantage-13. If you experiment with 6P, you might be surprised at how many attacks can be beaten with it.

6S - An excellent button because of its long horizontal range. It also has a wide range of cancel options and launches opponents on Counter Hit, making it quite a rewarding counter poke. Use it from ranges where 6P won't reach.

2S - A speedy option with decent range and a disjointed hitbox. It also hits low and is relatively safe on whiff. A great option when you need a non-committal poke to keep the opponent on their toes.

2D - A low sweep with very good low profile When a character's hurtbox is entirely beneath an opponent's attack. This can be caused by crouching, certain moves, and being short. properties. It leads into strong okizeme From Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up after they were knocked down, usually with meaty attacks or mix-ups. on normal hit or powerful combos on Counter Hit. A classic option due to its versatility and effectiveness.

Anti-Airs

Anti-airs, as the name suggests, are moves that are useful against aerial opponents. They are typically either fast, high-reaching, protected by invulnerability of some kind, or a combination of these traits. Sol has five effective anti-airs: 6P, 5K, Air Throw, S Volcanic Viper (input: 623S) and H Volcanic Viper (input: 623H).

6P - A safe and reliable option due to its upper body invulnerability. Easily confirms into Bandit Revolver (input: 236KK) on Counter Hit. A useful option in many instances.

5K - Faster than 6P but lacks upper body invulnerability. It can catch opponents trying to jump during close range brawling. It's also quite rewarding on hit.

Air Throw - A useful anti-air for all characters, especially against opponents that like to jump into block.

Volcanic Viper (input: 623S or 623H) - Has high reach and full strike invulnerability. Both versions are safe on air block, making them very useful anti-airs. The H version deals more damage, especially so on a Clean Hit, but the S version is much harder to punish on whiff. Choose carefully. The move is very handy in certain match-ups, such as against  Chipp's j.2KGGST Chipp Zanuff j.2K.pngGuardHighStartup16RecoveryUntil Landing+8Advantage+3 (IAD).

Abare

Abare means to attack during an opponents frame advantage with the intention of interrupting their pressure. Naturally, fast moves work best for this task.

5K - At close range, this move hits at frame 3, making it Sol's fastest move. It's tied for the fastest attack in the game with  Chipp's 5PGGST Chipp Zanuff 5P.pngGuardAllStartup3Recovery10Advantage-2, and is Sol's best abare option by extension. It combos into 2D > Bandit Revolver (input: 236KK) for a meterless knockdown, an amazing feat considering its lightning-fast speed. Get used to using this and your opponent will be more scared of pressuring you.

2D - Much slower at 10 frames, but it has very good low profile When a character's hurtbox is entirely beneath an opponent's attack. This can be caused by crouching, certain moves, and being short. properties. It's quite rewarding on Counter Hit, use it if you predict that your opponent will use a move with a high hitbox.

Sol's reversal To perform an attack as soon as possible after getting knocked down or leaving hitstun/blockstun. can also be used for abare due to their invulnerability. Do note that Volcanic Viper (input: 623S or 623H) loses to throws in some situations where attacking will not.

Reversals

Invincible reversals are moves used to steal your turn back by force. They can be used during holes in an opponent's blockstrings or during your wake-up to punish sloppy oki. Sol has three reversals to choose from: S Volcanic Viper (input: 623S), H Volcanic Viper (input: 623H), and Tyrant Rave (input: 632146H)

Volcanic Viper (input: 623S or 623H) - Functions as an invincible reversal To perform an attack as soon as possible after getting knocked down or leaving hitstun/blockstun. due to its frame 1 strike invulnerability. 623H deals more damage, especially so on a Clean Hit, but 623S has shorter recovery on whiff. Volcanic Viper does have some exploitable weaknesses that need to be taken into consideration. The first is that it's vulnerable to throws during the start-up. The second is that it's punishable on block. If your opponent is alert enough to predict Volcanic Viper, you should use it more sparingly. Feel free to go nuts with it if they don't know how to deal with it, or if they attack into your wake-up in a predictable manner.

Tyrant Rave (input: 632146H) - An Overdrive with frame 1 invulnerability against both strikes and throws. It is punishable on block, but can be Roman Canceled for safety. This would end up costing 100% Tension though. The hefty Tension cost means that 623H is a much more economic high-risk high-reward option. 623H can be Roman Canceled on hit to make up for the damage discrepancy, and can also be Roman Canceled for safety on block. Tyrant Rave does have throw invulnerability though. If all else fails, it can be used as an expensive cover-all option to take your turn back by force.

Pressure

Among Sol's many strengths, his pressure stands out as being truly exceptional. Clever use of his pressure tools will allow you to obliterate opponents thanks to Sol's tremendous damage output. Mastering Sol's pressure is essential for a Sol player who strives to make the most of the character.

Strike / Throw Mix-Up

Sol's offensive is relatively freeform, focused primarily on using his powerful strike/throw mix-ups to make the opponent commit to jumps or mashing out of blockstrings. After initiating any blockstring, you have the options of either continuing the string or mixing in a throw. Your opponent has three main options: continuing to block, jumping or attacking. Choosing to finish the string with strikes will interrupt jumps or attacks, but gives up your turn against blocking opponents. Throwing will open them up if they block, but loses to jumping and attacking.

There are several ways to initiate strike / throw mix-ups. Connecting Sol's f.S on hit or block is one of the simplest ways of doing it. You can also meaty their wake-up with either c.S or a ground throw. If you connect a move and knock them down, meaty them again. They will be forced to block at some point, which allows you to transition to Sol’s various blockstrings to frame trap them.

Ground Throw vs Wild Throw - which is better?

Sol’s mix-ups are primarily strike/throw based. For throws, Sol has two options: a normal ground throw and Wild Throw (input: 623K). How do we know which option to go for? Let’s examine their advantages.

Advantages of Ground Throw

  • Faster to come out (2 frame start-up instead of 6 frames)
  • Provides the ability to choose between switching sides or keeping sides (Wild Throw forces side switch)
  • Leads to stronger okizeme

Advantages of Wild Throw

  • More range (120000 range vs 90000 range)
  • Throw invulnerable during start-up
  • Untechable
  • Much more powerful (120 damage vs 80 damage)

These advantages can make it seem like Wild Throw is the superior option, as it is more powerful and more likely to hit due to its longer range and throw invulnerability. Its advantages are certainly easier to understand. However, the advantages of normal throws are quite impactful in many situations. Its faster start-up makes it a better option for escaping pressure. Stronger okizeme means that you are more likely to keep momentum after landing it. The ability to choose whether or not to switch sides without spending Tension gives Sol the ability to keep a cornered opponent in the corner.

There are also situations where Wild Throw is superior. For example, if your opponent’s life is in the range where Wild Throw can K.O. but a normal throw can not, the former is clearly the better option. In addition, Wild Throw is better against certain player habits. If you notice that your opponent prefers blocking and throwing over other options on their wake-up, Wild Throw will allow you to cover both options, whereas normal throws will be teched if they throw.

To summarize, both throws have their own uses. Wild Throw is more immediately rewarding and there are situations where it covers more options. However, certain circumstances make normal ground throws more beneficial in the long run, either by maintaining momentum, utilizing resources, or keeping stage positioning. Choose wisely!

Pressure Resets

When pressuring with blockstrings, varying your offense is key to opening up your opponent. If you employ frame traps in a predictable manner, your opponent can simply block until you reach the end of the blockstring. Throws are vital for opening them up, but the timing of throws must be varied, lest a skilled opponent catches on to your timing and employs counter-play. It is with the help of pressure resets that throws can be made more ambiguous.

After c.S or f.S, try using the plus frames to go for another f.S or a dash into another c.S. This will reset pressure, extending the blockstring and increasing the amount of opportunities you have for mixing in throws. The more ambiguous your mix-up becomes, the greater the chance that your opponent will make a mistake. Resetting pressure also increases the mental burden on your opponent due to the R.I.S.C. Level increasing and the ever-looming threat of throws. They have to try to escape eventually, which provides you with opportunities to punish if you have the right read.

Another way to reset pressure is with Gun Flame (Feint) (input: 214P). Sol’s blockstrings are typically ended with Gun Flame (input: 236P), if you notice that your opponent respects Gun Flame, Gun Flame (Feint) can be used instead, as it fakes the animation of Gun Flame without actually shooting a projectile. This allows it to recover quickly, giving Sol an opportunity to reset pressure with f.S. Gun Flame (Feint) is also useful for baiting and punishing jump-ins from an opponent who was expecting Gun Flame.

Sample Blockstrings

The following are some basic, useful blockstrings. If you're new to Sol, these will help you get your gameplan started.

  • 5K > 6S > (dl) 236P

Natural frame trap into 6S that leads into high damage and is a natural combo into Gun Flame (input: 236P) on Counter Hit. Gun Flame can end your blockstring safely but it can also be delayed to frame trap as well.

  • c.S > (dl) f.S > (dl) 5H > (dl) 236P

This string is a true blockstring if done as fast as possible or it can have several frame traps in it if manual delays are used. Note that 5H has a lot of pushback so it won't true blockstring into Gun Flame if c.S wasn't done at point blank range or if they use Faultless Defense. If either c.S or f.S are Counter Hits, microdash into a c.S for a devastating combo. If 5H Counter Hits, microdash into f.S for similarly excellent damage, though not as good as off c.S or f.S.

  • c.S > (dl) f.S, 5K(2) > 6S > (dl) 236P

Combines both previous strings for an even longer one with even more frame trap potential. Same logic as each prior one, however 5K will only hit once without a microdash and at that range it will whiff against crouching opponents. You can microdash to avoid this but it's normally a 3 frame gap so the dash will widen the gap enough for most characters to contest it with a jab. If you go for 5K after a dash momentum f.S, Sol should be close enough that no microdash is needed to connect with the first hit of 5K. Note that if 5K catches them jumping you get a juggle combo with lots of corner carry and high damage.

  • 6S > (dl) 236P

A variant of the first blockstring but modified to work in the mid range. 6S is a natural combo into Gun Flame on Counter Hit. Gun Flame can end your blockstring safely but it can also be delayed to frame trap as well. The Gun Flame frame trap is especially dangerous when the opponent is cornered, as it can combo into Fafnir (input: 41236H) for an extended juggle.

  • 2K > 2D > (dl) 236P

A string that starts from a low. Hitting your opponents with more niche strings like this one is important to avoid becoming predictable. You can also delay 2D for a frame trap or replace it with 5D for a mix-up.

  • 41236H, 6S > (dl) 236P

Fafnir (input: 41236H) is a Guard Crush, which comes with many good properties. Guard Crushes disable enemy Yellow Roman Cancels, deal lots of chip damage, crank up the foe's R.I.S.C Level like crazy and cause massive amounts of blockstun. Fafnir's frame advantage is a whopping +11, enabling powerful mix-ups. 6S is a great frame trap due to being a 15 frame move, leaving only a 4 frame gap. This is too short for any move with enough range to reach. 6S also launches opponents on Counter Hit, making it quite rewarding. If the opponent respects your frame advantage, mix them up with a throw.

Corner Pressure

f.S's weakness to Faultless Defense is accentuated in the corner, which forces Sol to mix up his strings more. Most often, Sol will find himself about half the screen away on an opponent actively defending themselves, which puts him in a great position to stop escapes. Using pre-emptive ground buttons can stop ground escapes and his air throw is excellent for stopping air escapes. Once your opponent has been conditioned to sit still, he can run back in and restart his pressure or disrespect with a ground throw. Sol can also force respect with 6S > Gun Flame (input: 236P), which leads to its own guessing game. Gun Flame is vulnerable to Instant Air Dash, so mixing it up with Gun Flame (Feint) (input: 214P) can help trick someone into taking their turn at the wrong time. Max range Gun Flame is usually followed by f.S or 6S to force respect. Once respect is established, Sol can regain his turn with Fafnir (input: 41236H).

Okizeme

Sol's mix-ups are very powerful, and okizeme From Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up after they were knocked down, usually with meaty attacks or mix-ups. is no exception. He can apply his basic strike / throw mix-up or go for okizeme specific options. Different moves result in different types of knockdowns and leave Sol at varying amounts of plus frames. In addition, stage positioning can also have an impact on the okizeme situation. It’s important to learn what Sol’s options are off of every move.

Key Knockdown Moves

2D - Can be canceled into Gun Flame (Feint) (input: 214P), which if followed up with an immediate Gun Flame (input: 236P) will meaty the opponent's wake-up with the second fire column, leaving Sol plus on block.

5D - Leads into a powerful combo and knockdown if charged, but it's punishable on block. Use it with discretion.

Throws - Grants knockdowns, the okizeme is especially powerful if the opponent is thrown into the corner. Wild Throw (input: 623K) deals more damage, but leads to significantly weaker okizeme.

H Volcanic Viper (input: 623H) - On Clean Hit, it will launch opponents through the air. Run after the opponent and use Gun Flame at a moderate distance such that the third column meaties their wake-up, giving Sol enough plus frames to close the distance and apply pressure.

Bandit Revolver (input: 236KK) - Grants a unique knockdown that causes the opponent to tumble backwards. It creates a lot of space between Sol and the opponent, but it also provides enough plus frames for Sol to dash back up and resume offense.

Bandit Bringer (input: 214K) - A bit tricky to land mid-combo, but it's just as rewarding as 2D on hit. Slightly delay Gun Flame after it connects to meaty them with the second flame column for plus frames.

Tyrant Rave (input: 632146H) - Only grants okizeme in the corner where it forces a Wall Break, though the high damage and Positive Bonus makes it worth it most of the time. While you're not at a big enough advantage to get a safejump here, an instant 236K will put you right in their face and at frame advantage (+4), or you can just dash up to them and meaty with c.S.

Heavy Mob Cemetery (input: 214214H) - Has weaker okizeme compared to most of Sol's other options, but still grants Sol enough advantage to perform a meaty f.S.

Note that 6H also causes hard knockdown, but isn't plus enough to do much with, so continue pressure at your own peril.

Key Okizeme Options

c.S - A fast, plus on block poke. It has a long active duration and is highly rewarding on normal hit and Counter Hit. It can be dash canceled for throw mix-ups or pressure reset. It’s a key option for Sol’s okizeme due to its risk/reward ratio being skewed so heavily in favour of Sol. At best, you’ll get a combo and at worst, you’ll get plus frames. The exception is invincible reversals, which can power through strikes. You have to be ready to bait them and punish them.

Throws - This is your option for opening up an opponent that blocks on wake up. Keep in mind that throws will lose to attacks or jumps on wake up, so you will need to condition the opponent to block by using strikes. Ground throw provides stronger okizeme than Wild Throw (input: 623K), but deals less damage. Throws have the added bonus of beating DPs, but they do not beat reversal To perform an attack as soon as possible after getting knocked down or leaving hitstun/blockstun. Overdrives.

Gun Flame (input: 236P) - Meaty set-ups will allow Gun Flame to hit late, causing it to become plus on block. Gun Flame is useful because it allows Sol to enforce plus frames without needing to put himself at risk of reversals. The reward on hit is smaller than strikes, though.

Fafnir (input: 41236H) - Certain knockdown situations leave Sol with enough advantage to go for a meaty Fafnir. If they strike, Fafnir will Counter Hit them for high damage conversions. In addition, Fafnir is a Guard Crush. This allows it to deal lots of chip damage, disable enemy Yellow Roman Cancels and crank up the opponent’s R.I.S.C. Level, should they block. It also provides +11 frame advantage, granting Sol a strong mix-up. Keep in mind that the opponent can interrupt Fafnir with a frame 1 invincible option or a throw, depending on distance. However, both of these options are heavily whiff punishable. Stay alert, and go for a bait and punish when you can.

Fighting Sol

Sol is a well-rounded character who has a tool for nearly every situation, allowing him to counter any option you pick. There is no overarching weak point for you to exploit (such as  Millia's weak defensive moves and frailty). Instead, counterplay against Sol requires you to learn the ins and outs of each of his moves rather than overwhelming him with a particular strategy. Against a player who is skilled enough to use all of Sol's options and cycle them well, you'll need to rely on proper spacing, tight meaty okizeme From Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up after they were knocked down, usually with meaty attacks or mix-ups., and the occasional Instant Block to get your offense going. If your character can fight effectively at long or mid range, try to keep the fight at that distance. You will also need to get a grasp of your opponent's habits and find a way to exploit them. Stay calm and react to their tendencies accordingly to improve your chances of winning.

f.S

input damage guard startup active recovery onBlock invuln
f.S 29 All 10 2 13 +2
  • Is +2 on block, allowing powerful frame traps and strike/throw mix-ups.
  • Has enough forward movement to allow it to loop into itself against regular block.
  • There is an 8 frame gap if Sol goes for f.S twice in a row, challenge with an attack that's 8 frames or faster to escape.

Sol's f.S is a powerful pressure tool thanks to its speed, range and +2 frame advantage. It's a cornerstone of Sol's pressure game, as it allows him to initiate his strike/throw mix-ups. Many players are too intimidated to challenge Sol after blocking f.S because of his highly rewarding frame traps. You have to try to escape at some point, though. Against regular block, f.S has enough forward movement to always leave Sol in range for another one. This means that if you never try to escape, he can continue to loop f.S into f.S, which means he gets away with more strike/throw mix-ups than he should. Faultless Defense is an option for pushing Sol away. In addition, f.S into f.S leaves an 8 frame gap to attack him through. Every character has at least two grounded normals that are frame 7 or faster, which will allow you to interrupt Sol. If you aren't sure what moves your character can use to escape, go into Training Mode with Sol as P1 and your character as P2. Set the Training Dummy to reversal To perform an attack as soon as possible after getting knocked down or leaving hitstun/blockstun. with an attack after blocking, then attack them twice in a row with Sol's f.S. Experiment in Training Mode to find your strongest conversions from your fast buttons to improve the risk-reward ratio. If you need more help on how to lab the move, check out Sajam's video tutorial on the topic.[3]

By challenging Sol's f.S, you will force him to occasionally continue the blockstring with 5H or 5K in order to frame trap you. If he succeeds in scoring a Counter Hit, you're going to be taking a lot of damage. On the plus side, these moves don't allow him to loop pressure as easily, giving you more opportunities to escape if you block. For an example, if you think Sol might frame trap you with 5H and you’re mid-screen, you can use Faultless Defense to push him away, then either continue blocking to react to his next move, backdash and punish whiffed attacks, or jump away to disengage entirely. You can also escape f.S into f.S by backdashing. However, the recovery of f.S is too short to punish Sol. Backdashing will, at best, reset to neutral, giving you an opportunity to punish his next move. Do note that backdash can be punished by Sol’s 6S, should he go for it. Mix up all your options to throw your opponent off.

Do note that no matter how unpredictable you are and no matter how optimized your conversions are, the risk-reward ratio is always in favour of Sol. Such is the nature of highly damaging plus on block moves. If you want to learn more, check out HiFight’s video tutorial.[4]

6S

input damage guard startup active recovery onBlock invuln
6S 45 All 15 6 20 -9
  • Has large horizontal range and a slight disjoint.
  • The disjointed hitbox becomes a hurtbox during the recovery frames.
  • Highly rewarding on Counter Hit.
  • It's often special canceled due to being -7 on block.

A powerful long-ranged attack. Sol commonly uses 6S in the midrange for keep-out and counter poking. The move is difficult to contest for some characters because of its long range. On block, 6S has many useful special cancel options. At 15 frames, it’s far from the speediest option, but it's fast enough considering its other good properties. 6S is -7, which means Sol will usually special cancel it. If you’ve been struggling against this move, learning about its various cancel options can help you understand which option to go for and when.

The most common cancel option from 6S is Gun Flame (input: 236P). If you block 6S at tip range, Gun Flame will connect late, making it plus on block. It's a good idea to backdash or jump to avoid blocking Gun Flame entirely. If you predict Gun Flame, you can IAD after blocking 6S for an aerial Counter Hit punish. Keep in mind that Sol can mix up Gun Flame with Bandit Bringer (input: 214K), which can catch backdashes and is plus on air block. However, Bandit Bringer can be punished with a throw if you stay on the ground and block it.

If you block 6S close, the situation changes. Jumps will get clipped by Gun Flame, which means that you won't be able to IAD for a punish. In addition, backdashes will leave you at the range where Gun Flame becomes plus. In this situation, you should block Gun Flame as it becomes minus on block when close. Just be wary of Gun Flame (Feint) (input: 214P), which fakes the animation of Gun Flame without actually committing to it, allowing Sol to recover quickly. Skilled Sol players will use it to catch you by surprise.

The hitbox of 6S is disjointed during the active frames of the move, but the hitbox actually becomes a hurtbox during the recovery frames. This, in combination with its significant 20 frames of recovery, make it more punishable than you might expect. There are two main ways of contesting it. The first is using moves with longer range than 6S to contest Sol from beyond its effective range. The other is by counter poking 6S with moves that have enough speed and range to contest it. Clever use of large space control tools that fulfill either of these criteria can force Sol to play more patiently and methodically, giving you more breathing room and more opportunities to intercept his approach. Examples of such moves include  May's f.SGGST May f.S.pngGuardAllStartup12Recovery19Advantage-8,  Ramlethal's f.SGGST Ramlethal Valentine fS.pngGuardAllStartup11Recovery21Advantage-10 [-13],  Nagoriyuki's 5HGGST Nagoriyuki 5HComparison.pngGuardAllStartup20Recovery27Advantage-14,  Axl's 2HGGST Axl Low 2H.pngGuardLowStartup11Recovery26Advantage-18 [-8] and  Potemkin's 6HGGST Potemkin 6H.pngGuardAllStartup23Recovery29Advantage-15.

Gun Flame

input name damage guard startup active recovery onBlock invuln
236P Gun Flame 40→35→30→30 All 18 8, 8, 8, 8 Total 54 -10
  • Plus on block at max range or when it connects meaty
  • Counter Hit state for entire duration.

Gun Flame (input: 236P) is Sol's classic mid-ranged projectile. It isn't all that threatening as a zoning tool due to being slow. At worst, it'll force you to be more patient. Most Sols will end their blockstrings with Gun Flame as it's safe on block. Remember that Sol is negative on block if the first flame column hits on its first active frame, so make sure to press your advantage. You might want to jump over Gun Flame, but you'd have to do so preemptively, or else Sol can punish you with his highly rewarding anti-airs. Try to not jump toward Sol without a plan.

If end up blocking the projectile meaty or at range, Sol's frame advantage is quite significant. There's no option to escape easily, Sol will go for a mix-up and you just have to hold it. Block against strikes, jump or mash against throws, backdash against short-ranged moves, or reversal To perform an attack as soon as possible after getting knocked down or leaving hitstun/blockstun. Overdrives if you want to gamble. Rather than ask what to do after blocking it, you should ask how to avoid blocking it in the first place. If you're often forced to block it from a meaty set-up, you are simply losing neutral too often, and have to adapt to your opponent. If you often end up blocking it at tip range during footsies, then you aren't moving around it properly. Retreating with backdash or air backdash is a fine option if you have space behind you. You can also try jumping toward Sol and block in the air to stay safe should Sol go for an anti-air. If you need help with dealing with Gun Flame when it's canceled into from 6S, check the 6S section for advice.

Volcanic Viper & Tyrant Rave

input name damage guard startup active recovery onBlock invuln
623S S Volcanic Viper 40 All 9 14 18+10 Landing -28 1-11F Strike
623H H Volcanic Viper 35, 40 [35, 100] All 13 5, 11 19+10 Landing -26 7-14F Strike
632146H Tyrant Rave 58, 82 [58, 112] All 7+2 3(20)20 41 -44 1-11F Full

Both the S and H versions of Volcanic Viper (input: 623S or 623H) have strike invulnerability from frame 1, which means it can be used as a reversal To perform an attack as soon as possible after getting knocked down or leaving hitstun/blockstun. on wake-up. Many players who aren't good at dealing with pressure or mix-ups will rely on it like a crutch. The S version starts up faster at 9 frames, the H version is slower at 13 frames. Volcanic Viper can be rather difficult to deal with when you're attempting offense, but it does have several exploitable weaknesses. Tyrant Rave (input: 632146H) is another reversal option Sol has, and it covers a lot of Volcanic Viper's weaknesses at the cost of 50% Tension.

  • Bait and punish - The classic bait, useful in that it's not difficult and will beat both Volcanic Viper and Tyrant Rave. Move in close to trick Sol into thinking you will attack, and then back away. This will allow you to avoid or block the reversal and punish. Backing away will also allow you to whiff punish a throw and stay safe against a jump. However, this option will allow your opponent to initiate a blockstring if they button mash. Be wary if Sol has Tension to spare, as Volcanic Viper can be Roman Canceled on block for safety, and Tyrant Rave can be Roman Canceled on block or on whiff.
  • Throws - Volcanic Viper is susceptible to throws during the start-up. Standard throws have a start-up speed of 2 frames, which means they will beat anything but a normal 5 frames or faster, should Sol go for it. Throwing against an opponent's wake-up requires precise timing though, so practice it in Training Mode (If you keep getting Counter Hit by Volcanic Viper, you're most likely throwing too early). Keep in mind that Tyrant Rave has both strike and throw invulnerability. Check if Sol has 50% Tension before deciding on whether to throw him or not.
  • Outrange it with safe moves - A great option is using long ranged setplay moves to pressure Sol's wake-up without putting yourself in range of a reversal. Characters with projectiles that have long active durations are especially good at this.
 Millia's H Tandem TopGGST Millia Rage Tandem Top Full.pngGuardAllStartup73RecoveryTotal 51Advantage+36 has a long active duration. Once you throw it out off of a 2DGGST Millia Rage 2D.pngGuardLowStartup12Recovery19Advantage-8 and think Sol will perform the reversal, you still get to perform a crossup or same side mixup with no risk, as even if Sol performs the read on which side you will be on, the disk will still be active after you block the move, and catch Sol as he is landing.
 Ky's Charged Stun EdgeGGST Ky Kiske 236H.pngGuardAllStartup39RecoveryTotal 62Advantage+22 [+25] is another powerful setplay projectile, just make sure you set it up properly by being out of range when using it as a meaty Hitting an opponent to cover the moment as they lose invincibility. The most common one is performing an attack early on okizeme to gain frame advantage and bait reversals.. It also has the benefit of inflicting Shock State Hitting an opponent in Shock State with most of his specials removes the Shock State (or reapplies it) in exchange for bonus effects varying from more damage, more blockstun, and better hit effects, allowing for more damaging combos or stronger okizeme..
 Anji's ShitsuGGST Anji Mito 236P.pngGuardAllStartup29RecoveryTotal 52Advantage-6 is another projectile attack that functions similarly to the previous two.
 Sol can use Gun FlameGGST Sol Badguy 236P.pngGuardAllStartup18RecoveryTotal 54Advantage-10 to cover an opponent’s reversal. Space yourself so that Gun Flame hits at max range to make it plus on block.

Night Raid Vortex

input damage guard startup active recovery onBlock invuln
214S 45 [55] All 15~31 [32] 2 [8] 32 [26] -17 7-(1F before Active) Low Profile
  • Cannot be special canceled from any move.
  • Can extend range by holding S.
  • Has low profile When a character's hurtbox is entirely beneath an opponent's attack. This can be caused by crouching, certain moves, and being short. properties until the attack comes out.
  • Launches opponent on hit, hard knockdown upon landing.

Sol’s Night Raid Vortex (input: 214S) is a combo starter that is evasive enough to slip under many attacks, and its range can be extended to reach full screen. It’s a useful tool for closing space. In neutral, Sol can randomly throw this move out at any time, which can make it quite stress-inducing. It has some limitations though. Notably, Night Raid Vortex cannot be special canceled into, which means you don’t have to fear this move during blockstrings. In addition, it has several weaknesses that you need to be aware of in order to deal with it.

  • Bait and punish - If the Sol player keeps using Night Raid Vortex to get close and punish your pokes, try to bait him by whiffing fast buttons that recover quickly, such as 5P. There's a good chance that the Sol player isn't reacting to specific attacks or openings, but rather, is simply responding to the fact that you did something. If he falls for the bait, simply block the attack and punish it. At -17 on block, you can punish him with essentially any S or H normal for a full combo. The stronger your punish is, the more you'll discourage Sol from using Night Raid Vortex again, so make sure to practice your optimal punish. Keep in mind that Sol can use Roman Cancel to make Night Raid Vortex safe on block. However, forcing Sol to burn 50% Tension is a win in and of itself.
  • Space controlling lows - As evasive as Night Raid Vortex may be, Sol still has a hurtbox, which means that its evasive properties are limited. In addition, the hitbox doesn’t come out until a frame after the evasive properties disappear. The combination of these two limitations means that attacks with low hitboxes can consistently interrupt the move if you predict it. Low hitbox attacks that have good speed, range or a combination of both are especially good at this. Examples of such moves include  Ky's 2SGGST Ky Kiske 2S.pngGuardLowStartup11Recovery20Advantage-8,  Nagoriyuki's 2SGGST Nagoriyuki 2S.pngGuardLowStartup12Recovery21Advantage-11,  Axl's 2HGGST Axl Low 2H.pngGuardLowStartup11Recovery26Advantage-18 [-8] and  Giovanna's 2DGGST Giovanna 2D.pngGuardLowStartup17Recovery12Advantage-8.

Fafnir

input damage guard startup active recovery onBlock invuln
41236H 65 All (Guard Crush) 24 3 16 +11
  • Cannot be special canceled from any move.
  • Massive frame advantage on block (+11!)
  • Can extend range by dashing and/or kara canceling.

Fafnir (input: 41236H) is a powerful, rush type Guard Crush. Its range can be significantly extended by dashing and kara canceling. Its massive frame advantage and powerful Counter Hit combos make it a move to be feared. However, the move is by no means infallible. The most important thing to keep in mind is the move’s hefty, 24 frame start-up animation. If Sol extends its range, it becomes even slower. Because the move has no defensive properties, Sol is wide open when using it. Note that Fafnir does not hit below the knees, so any 6P out long enough to progress from upper body invincibility to above knees invincibility should beat it convincingly, even once it has become active. Long-ranged attacks that are well rewarding on Counter Hit are also a good option for punishing Sol from a distance.

That being said, you are going to be forced to block Fafnir from time to time. Keep in mind that Sol can use the move off of set-ups that make it safer, such as during okizeme From Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up after they were knocked down, usually with meaty attacks or mix-ups.. In these scenarios, the risk-reward ratio is skewed to be more favorable for Sol. If you do end up forced to block Fafnir, then whatever you do, don’t mash! Its +11 frame advantage is far too large for any regular button to be a good choice. Using a counter throw is a decent option if you predict Sol to follow Fafnir up with a dash into an attack up close, but this is heavily punishable if he meaties you, jumps or backs away. It’s also possible to challenge Sol with an invincible reversal, though this has its own obvious risks and can get predictable in the long run. Be careful.

Heavy Mob Cemetery

input damage guard startup active recovery onBlock invuln
214214H 40, 161 Ground Throw 13+7 16 49 14-35F Throw, Guardpoint

Sol's Heavy Mob Cemetery (input: 214214H) is a ground throw, and as such cannot be blocked. However, it cannot hit you if you're airborne, so jumping can avoid it. If you're in the middle of an action as the super freeze starts, cancel it before it becomes active with an upward dash input Purple Roman Cancel. Actually punishing the move is extremely difficult as it travels fullscreen, so the only consistent methods are to either already be far away from him when the move starts, or depending on character, perform a move that will keep you airborne longer than the move remains active. Note that Sol is completely vulnerable before the super freeze, so they cannot use it as a reversal To perform an attack as soon as possible after getting knocked down or leaving hitstun/blockstun. on wake-up like Volcanic Viper (input: 623S or 623H) or Tyrant Rave (input: 632146H). If you need more help, refer to novriltataki's anti-Heavy Mob Cemetery guide.[5]

External Resources

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