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Ramlethal ValentineIntroduction
In general, Ramlethal's pressure, apart from a few gatlings or combination attacks is lacking without her swords. Her okizeme game is dependent on her getting her swords out to lock the opponent down in a "grinder" of high-low mixups and sword hits. It's so potent that her entire gameplan revolves around this part of the game. In this, she's a rather easy character to understand because her punish game is heavily reliant on memorizing okizeme set-ups.
Ram's okizeme can be loosely described as a series of If > Then checks. Ram's okizeme is heavily conditional and improves the more she wins interactions and the more she gets an opportunity to set up. The tree for setting up okizeme looks something like this:
- If you got Hard Knockdown with both swords equipped, then immediately set a sword with 6S or 6H. Follow it up with a mixup.
- If you won the 50/50 or have converted into a combo, route into a corner-carry setup if possible. If you didn't, knock down again and set your second sword. Repeat the first step.
- If you converted into a corner-carry route, then carry them to the wall and perform a corner combo to try and set both swords if possible.
- If both swords are now set and your opponent is in the corner, then continue to layer them in your mixup attempts.
If you manage to get to the last step of this plan, then Ram's okizeme becomes incredibly strong and difficult to escape. You can utilize both swords in unison to cover reversal attempts or aerial pressure escapes. You can also use them mid-pressure for mixup attempts.
Primary Okizeme Tools
After earning Hard Knockdown, Ram wants to set her Swords for use in Okizeme. However, Ram has a number of quirks that make her Okizeme different depending on where the opponent is on the screen. In a nutshell, Ram's midscreen Okizeme is good, but worse than her corner Okizeme.
Ram's primary method of earning Okizeme is by setting her Swords with 6S and 6H. These two buttons are useful for midscreen Okizeme or any situation where you've got a Hard Knockdown and need something to keep them blocking fast. When the opponent is in the corner and both Swords are set, Ram can use 2S and 2H instead. These are more active, easier to time, and partially obscure Ram's movements, which can make them very powerful Okizeme tools.
Note: One of the most important things to know on Ram is that 6S and 6H become active at different times depending on when they are set or deployed close to the opponent. To keep things simple, here's a quick list of simple Okizeme options based off of Sword positions:
- Swords Equipped, Midscreen/Swords Deployed, Far: Hard Knockdown > Set 6S or 6H > 6K/2D > Combo
- Swords Deployed, Midscreen: Hard Knockdown > Set 2S or 2H > IAD j.K/land 2D > Combo
- Swords Deployed, Corner: Hard Knockdown > 2H > jump j.2S > IAD j.K/land 2D > Combo
To summarize: if you can't use Deployed Swords, just set a Sword and go for a grounded mixup. If you can use them, use 2S or 2H. If you have the corner and both Swords are set, then press 2H, jump and press j.2S, then while falling go for a IAD mixup.
Mid Screen Setups
The following section contains details on the different potential setups that Ram can perform at Midscreen.
Knockdown > 6S or 6H (Sword Deploy) > Mixup (6K/2D/Throw/236K)
Ram's absolute most basic mixup when she at least one Sword Equipped or both Swords are deployed far away. At the same time, basic doesn't mean bad. This string is potentially reversal safe if the opponent blocks it, has numerous followups that can either loop back into this setup for flow into a better one, and acts as the building block for everything else Ram does. Make sure to time 6K/2D as a Meaty hit, less you get Reversal'd.
You can sub in 3k as well, which will catch backdashes. If you time it well, 3K won't be caught by a throw.
Knockdown > jump j.6S or j.6H (Deployed) > IAD High/Low/Throw Mixup (j.K/2D/Throw/236K)
Ram's default Okizeme setup if a sword is Deployed near your opponent and does not need to teleport. Fast, safe, active and can even safejump with the j.K option!
If you go for the j.K option and its blocked, do j.K > j.P > j.K on the way down to keep your opponent in blockstun long enough to safely land. If you go for 2D and its blocked, just hold back. 2D will naturally space itself out, protecting you from throws.
Knockdown > j.6S or j.6H (Deployed) > j.K > jc j.K > j.KP
Fuzzy Overhead setup. Funky and tends to mess with people's heads pretty well. The animation of j.6S or j.6H is bright and flashy, which makes focusing on Ram fairly difficult. Can be very effective if you have meter too.
Knockdown > 6H (Deploy) > jump j.6S (Deploy) > YRC > land Mixup (6K/2D/Throw/236K)
Metered Mixup. Gets both Swords out onto the field ASAP, letting Ram get her best Okizeme without routing into one of her longer combos. Once you land with the YRC, immediately run forward into your opponent and perform the mixup.
In order to land the throw and the Command Grab (236K) you may need to IAD after j.6S YRC and push the opponent out of the swords. This leaves Ram vulnerable to being thrown, so be careful with doing it.
Knockdown > 6H (Deploy) > IAD j.6S (Deploy) > falling Mixup (j.K/2D/Throw/236K)
Meterless crossup setup! Since j.6S stops Rams air momentum, doing IAD j.6S causes her to pause in midair and drop. This can disorient opponents, who might get caught by the Sword swipe or Ram herself. Has the ability to become a High/Low mixup depending on whether or not you press j.K or 2D while falling. Also notable in that it spends both of Ram's swords, which can be expensive and leave her exposed. Use with caution.
Using YRC makes this string a bit tricker and can also give you a read on your opponents options, including if they decide to reversal.
Corner Setups
| Setup | Type of Guard Break | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Knockdown > 6H/6S > Running Jump > IAD back > j.K | Overhead | Depending on timing of IAD, can cross up or cross back. |
| Knockdown > 6H/6S > Running Jump > 3k | Low | With 50% meter, can convert into a corner carry. Otherwise, it just hits low. Safe against some DPs. |
| Knockdown > 6H/6S > Forward Jump > 2D/IAD > Corner Carry | High/Low | Jump-in mixup. |
| Knockdown > 6H/6S > Walking Forward Jump > j.K/2D > Corner Carry | Cross-up High/Low | Slight walk forward will allow Ram to cross-up and a jump-in mixup. |
| Knockdown > 6H/6S > 9/69/669 > 236K | Throw | Tomahawk throw. Useful if the opponent expects an attack. |
Corner Oki
A good handful of variations for each set-up that open up the opponent in terrifying ways.
2KK ender
| Sword Position | Set-up | Opener |
|---|---|---|
| Both Deployed | j.2H > 2D > j.6S |
|
| Both Deployed | j.6S > YRC > j.2H
Wait for apex of jump before performing. Hard to time DP against it, unless mashing works. |
|
| S Deployed | 8/9 > j.2H |
|
| S Deployed | 8/9 > j.6S > YRC > j.6H
(j.6S > YRC just before the apex of the jump.) |
|
| HS Deployed | 6S |
|
| HS Deployed | 8/9 > j.2H |
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| HS Deployed | 8/9 > j.6H > YRC > j.6S |
|
| None Deployed | 6H/6S |
Mid-screen 2KK set-ups also work in the corner. |
Mind chart: || https://www.mindmeister.com/825342195/ramlethal-valentine-work-in-progress
Nyaa's guide: || https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i5ntiJbsfe0UYIWLWCnVMlE9pwCvfewEeaKcyyvx9E4/
Mr. Maadhum's Video: || https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwuFjlwyDtA&t=154s
Choosing an Oki Route
- Explain the thought process that goes into picking an oki route.
This should cover topics such as: Identifying when you can do an oki route, what you get out of an oki route, how do the resources you and the enemy have change your choice of oki route, and when do you go for damage/mixup/safe pressure.
Video Examples
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Ramlethal Valentine