/\ |< |_| |\/| /\ STREET FIGHTER III 3RD STRIKE FAQ by Joseph Christopher version 2.0 Oct. 4, 1999
this faq is copyright 1999 Joseph Christopher
by reading this faq you agree that I, the author, am not in any way liable for any harm that anybody thinks came from reading this faq
* Akuma is THE best streetfighter there is. Sure, he can also be the cheapest, but that depends on YOU, the player. I, for one, NEVER use Akuma in a cheap way (e.g. throwing air fireballs all over the place, teleporting, etc.) There are other ways to beat the crap out of anyone without using these. Ryu and Ken ain't cheap right? Then if Akuma is used like them, he wouldn't be a cheap character either! But why choose him if you'd use him like the other two? Well,
1. Akuma is balanced, (let me put it this way: he's stronger than Ken, and faster than Ryu.) 2. Akuma has 5 supers and can choose from three during the game (the two being his Shun Goku Satsu and Kongou Kokuretsu Zan) 3. Akuma's supers are easier to connect w/o use of combos (take for instance his Gourasen vs. Ryu's ShinShoryuken and Ken's Shinryuken) 4. Akuma has a better juggling ability
Why read this guide: I. Legend II. General Moves III. Special Moves IV. Supers V. Combos VI. Vs. Computer VII. Vs. Human VIII. Ending IX. Credits X. Revision History XI. Final Words XII. Last note on Shotokan Haters
dash - F,F / B,B (goes in direction you choose) super jump - D,U / D,UF / D,UB (goes in direction you choose) throw - LP+LK / F+LP+LK / B+LP+LK (different throws depending on direction) overhead P - MP+MK taunt - HP+HK parry - tap F at moment of impact of opponent's attack (maybe done in mid-air) low parry - tap D at moment of impact of opponent's attack
This is his blue fireball. Beginners can evade it, Normal players can parry it, Better players will counter. In short, don't you EVER use it. Not even in combos cause there's always a LK Tatsumaki->HP Shoryuken to replace it. Don't even think of using the mid-air version, (Zankuu Hadouken) cause you'll tend to rely on it and thus become a genuine cheapoid.
2) Zankuu Hadouken - UB/U/UF,D,DF,F+P
Didn't you read my comments on Gou Hadouken? If you did, you won't be reading this!
3) Shakunetsu Hadouken - F,FD,D,DB,B+P
His red fireball: used on opponents who are getting up from a fall. Always use the HP version. Even the greatest of players can do nothing but parry so try to dash in and sweep or do a D,MK-> LK Tatsumaki-> HP Shoryuken combo while they're busy flashing like crazy
4) Gou Shoryuken - F,D,DF+P
What's a Shotokan w/o an uppercut? Always use the LP except in combos where you're sure it'll connect.
5) Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku - D,DB,B+K
The hurricane K may be done in mid-air. As with the Shoryuken, always use the LK version but this time even in combos where you're sure to add more.
Exception: when used as a combo finisher, of course, use the HK version
6) Tenma Kuujin Kyaku - (in peak of jump) D+MK
The greatest jump-in combo starter cause it's relatively harder to parry or counter. It gives much less damage tough.
7) Hyakki Shuu - F,D,DF+K
You can end this in 5 ways: Hyakki Gouzan (let go of all the buttons) - sweep Hyakki Goushou (pause a sec then HP) - palm strike Hyakki Gousen (pause a sec then HK) - dive K Hyakki Gousai (at opponent's head, LP+LK) - throw1 Hyakki Goutsui (at opponent's head, F+LP+LK) - throw2
8) Ashura Senkuu - F,D,DF+PPP : long forward F,D,DF+KKK : short forward B,D,DB+PPP : long backward B,D,DB+KKK : short backward
"A true warrior never escapes from danger, he faces it" (nuff said)
9) Zugai Hasatsu - F+MP
Another overhead P that does not jump. It's slower but harder to detect so maybe you can use this but only in the first round when your opponent ain't familiar of your style yet.
* the first three supers you choose from before a match and make use of one bar while the rest makes use of two * no matter which super you choose, Akuma will have the same long, 2-level super bar
1) Messatsu Gou Hadou - D,DF,F,D,DF,F+P
A multi-hitting Hadouken. Can be done in the air. (Tenma Gou Zankuu) Least damaging of the three and easiest to parry but I still recommend using it cause it has the highest priority and safest recovery.
* Tenma Gou Zankuu - UB/U/UF,D,DF,F,D,DF,F+P
Use this only as an escape move if you're in the air and see an attack coming your way. If your opponent is just standing on the ground don't do it cause most likely he's ready to parry.
2) Messatsu Gou Shoryuu - D,DF,F,D,DF,F+P
Three Shoryukens, the last one having more hits and more damage. Mostly used in combos
3) Messatsu Gou Rasen - D,DF,F,D,DF,F+K
A hurricane K that spins so fast, it carries Akuma up in the air, much like Ken's Shinryuken. Mostly used in juggles.
4) Shun Goku Sastu - LP,LP,F,LK,HP
It's fast, it's damaging, it's UNBLOCKABLE! oh, don't use it. Why? cause good players can also be fast, damaging, and UNBLOCKABLE (cause you can't do anythin) while your doing this move!
5) Kongou Kokuretsu Zan - D,D,D,PPP
It's a great counter for jumps, dash-ins, and hops but takes so long to execute, good players can just throw you out of it I don't recommend relying on this.
V. Combos (every HK Tatsumaki may be replaced by any of the three selectable supers) (every HP Hadouken and HP Shoryuken may be FOLLOWED by any of the three selectable supers)
Beginner
1) UF-> HK-> D+HK 2) UF-> HP-> D+HK 3) UF-> HK-> MP-> HP 4) UF-> HP-> MP-> HP 5) UF-> HK-> D+MK-> HP Hadouken 6) UF-> HP-> D+MK-> HP Hadouken 7) UF-> HK-> D+HP-> HP Hadouken 8) UF-> HP-> D+HP-> HP Hadouken
Intermediate
1) UF-> HP-> D+HP-> HP Shoryuken 2) UF-> HK-> D+HP-> HP Shoryuken 3) UF-> HP-> B+HP-> HP Shoryuken 4) UF-> HK-> B+HP-> HP Shoryuken 5) UF-> HP-> D+HP-> HK Tatsumaki 6) UF-> HK-> D+HP-> HK Tatsumaki 7) UF-> HP-> B+HP-> HK Tatsumaki 8) UF-> HK-> B+HP-> HK Tatsumaki 9) UF-> HP-> D+LP-> D+LK-> HP Shoryuken 10) UF-> HK-> D+LP-> D+LK-> HP Shoryuken 11) UF-> HP-> D+LP-> D+LK-> HK Tatsumaki 12) UF-> HK-> D+LP-> D+LK-> HK Tatsumaki
Expert
1) UF-> Dive K-> D+MK-> LK Tatsumaki-> HK Tatsumaki 2) UF-> Dive K-> D+MK-> LK Tatsumaki-> HP Shoryuken 3) UF-> HK Tatsumaki-> LK Tatsumaki-> HK Tatsumaki 4) UF-> HK Tatsumaki-> LK Tatsumaki-> HP Shoryuken
Improbable yet Possible (I have successfully done these yet only on rare occasions)
* you will only allow two of the three hits of the HP Shoryuken to connect and then cancel into the Messatsu Gou Hadou * LP Shoryuken must be canceled into the Messatsu Gou Hadou
2) Fully charged
UF-> HP-> HK-> Shun Goku Satsu (17 hits)
* HK must be the roundhouse, not the axe. * HK will turn the opponent around giving you time for the super * HP must hit the chest, not the head of the opponent * this combo won't work on people with high recovery those who don't easily turn around (Gill, Hugo)
VI. Vs. Computer * a general strategy would be to jump backwards and do a HK Tatsumaki. as you land, the opponent will jump. Jump again and give him a HK Tatsumaki-> LK Tatsumaki-> HP Shoryuken / HK Tatsumaki / Any Super
* These are NOT 100% applicable in all cases. There's always a chance, slim as it may be, that the computer did not follow what I say below. But it's safe to say that if you follow my guidelines, you'll always win.
* Messatsu Gou Rasen is the most recommended super for the computer
Akuma - if you block a combo of his that ended with a Hadouken, do a HP Shoryuken cause he'll jump and try to do another dive K combo - if he's in the corner and blocks your Hadouken, he'll jump. Do a Gou Rasen if you will
Alex - whenever he does a HP Back Fist, duck. He'll follow up with a Double Dive P which you should be ready to parry and counter - if he suddenly walks back for 3 sec, get ready to parry his charging elbow
Chunli - she wouldn't be herself if she didn't jump at least 10 times per match. Have a handy LP Shoryuken at your disposal
Dudley - he is, on my opinion the hardest to parry cause it's so dam hard to anticipate his moves. A good strategy would be to block his attacks and retaliate - note: don't block all day, especially if he's close cause he, like most computer opponents, can always throw you when you least expect it
Elena - memorize her body language and you'll see her charging kick from a mile away - low blocking her D+LK will make her do an overhead kick and follow it with a sweep so counter as you see fit - she'll super jump for you if you're too far away so meet her in the air with a HK Tatsumaki-> LK Tatsumaki-> HP Shoryuken
Gill - continue parrying his fireballs until he does something else - he rarely parries in mid-air so you know what to do - super jump and HK Tatsumaki to land behind him if he gets too close - don't get intimidated by his meteor shower; it can be parried - get intimidated by his ULTRA CHEAP angel of death super - have at least one super ready to counter his resurrection super - minimize your jumps when he is fully charged
Hugo - jab occasionally to make sure he doesn't grapple you - when he jumps, carefully time a sweep cause he never expects it
Ibuki - if she jumps back, she'll throw a dagger so don't try to follow - if she jumps forward, meet her in the air and pummel her to the ground with a HP
Ken - don't jump on him or if you do, get ready to parry a three-hit Shoryuken - if he's near fully charged and you launch a Hadouken, he'll jump over it and propell himself with an EX Tatsumaki, landing behind you
Makoto - don't risk slow moves even if you think their damage is worth the wait. She'll surely punish you with her speedy power P - don't HK repeatedly just to charge up your super meter. She'll see to it that you learn your lesson
Necro - don't jump cause he has a whole lot of ways to counter - his mid-air drill K is always followed by a sweep - he mixes his groud and air attacks but keep an eye on his feet and you'll know when to do a Shoryuken
Oro - he'll always follow a straight fireball with an upward one - he rarely uses his uppercut now. That means you can always beat him via jump-in combos
Q - he's crap. Don't know why he was chosen for a secret challenger. He'll never compare to THE original secret challenger (Akuma!) not much strategy is needed for him. He can be obliterated even by simple jump-in combos
Remy - concentrate on countering his attacks and low parrying his projectile - don't rush cause that's what he's waiting for - if you must jump, be sure you're ready to parry a 2 hit flash kick
Ryu - if he dashes backwards, expect two Hadoukens to come your way. Jump and select from a wide variety of combos
Sean - you're half-screen away and you throw a Hadouken, he'll always counter with a hopping heel K which you, in turn can counter with a parry-> super - two D+LK s will always be followed by a hopping heel k. Parry and super
Twelve - don't lose hope if he's been countering all your jump-ins for half the round. he won't be countering the succeeding ones and thus victory for you - keep an eye out for his invisibility. It's when you give all you've got: He'll accept every last bit of it.
Urien - crouching for 3 or more seconds yields a dive knee - walking back for sec yields a charging shoulder - standing for 3 or more seconds yields a projectile
Yang/Yun - they may have different abilities, but the strategies the computer has in mind when playing them are identical - whenever they're very far from you, they'll super jump and dive K. You'll parry and super
Well, there won't be any universal rules for fighting against humans cause no two humans think identically. There are, however, general rules that could apply to at most 80% of your encounters with human challengers
1) Messatsu Gou Hadou is the most recommended super
As I have mentioned above, the Messatsu Gou Hadou has the highest priority and safest recovery of the three supers. That just means you can dash in and strategically find an open spot while your opponent is parrying it. If he blocks it, of course, damage has already been done. And even if the opponent jumps over it, which by the way is the only logical solution to this problem, he can still get a hit or two because of the fireball's size.
2) Mix-up your D+MK, Overhead P, and your throw
If you get close to an opponent, try as randomly as possible to execute one of these attacks and follow it up with another randomly chosen move. Most of the time I just mix-up the crouching kick and the overhead punch and only use the throw when my opponents' getting the hang of it.
3) Try jumping straight up as the first round starts
Normally, your challenger would throw a fireball which you should parry. If he jumps towards you, just do a HK. Sometimes he'll dash in. When this happens, repeatedly tap forward and LP+LK to anticipate either an attack or a throw.
4) Parrying is a big part of the game but...
Akuma does not rely on parrying that much. He is the offensive type. The only sound way of playing him defensively if by being cheap, and you don't want that, do you? Besides, parrying takes the risk of being hit and Akuma takes a whole lot more damage than any other player so basically, Akuma and parrying don't mix.
VIII. Ending * next time I'll put in the exact words used but for now...
As a deep-sea exploration team neared the bottom of their search, they found a ship wreck. To their disbelief, standing on top of the mast is a man...Akuma! Akuma destroys their mini-sub and then he cuts their ship (which is waiting on the surface) in half with a move he called Tenshou Kaireki Jin which looks a lot like his Gou Rasen. (maybe this'll be his next Super in a 4th version of SFIII don't you think?)
Jeff Maxwell for sharing his opinions on the predictabilities of different computer opponents and... for constantly giving me a taste of brand new kung-fu shoes (but that's nothing compared to the taste of old sandals that have walked the globe! hehe)
Mech Gouki (MechGouki8@aol.com) for the correct names of all of Akuma's moves
Sir "O" (Sir0rion@aol.com) for a little added info:
Shun Goku Satsu does not translate to "Raging Demon" Shun Goku Satsu means "Instant Hell Murder" "Raging Demon" translates to Akuma
* I think Shun Goku Satsu and Raging Demon are commonly used by so many its hard to start campaigning on their difference but at least I followed Sir O's advice of using only one of these terms throughout the faq.
Patrick Yap (jmaster0@hotmail.com) for improvements on Akuma's ending
Andrew Hart (megatron25@hotmail.com) for the Shun Goku Satsu combo and a big part of my corner combo
Gamefaqs.com for paying attention to this faq Capcom and all its affiliates for creating such a great game
Ms. AsianCuteness for inspiring me in just about everything I do!
v2.0 - landing a Shun Goku Satsu and a lot more combos v1.9 - improved ending v1.8 - added credits and last section v1.7 - added a Zankuu Hadouken and Tenma Gou Zankuu v1.6 - corrected spelling of moves v1.5 - final touches v1.4 - corrected names of moves v1.3 - added ways to end Hyakki Shuu v1.2 - added Gill strategy v1.1 - added beginner combos
Please feel free to email me if there's something about Akuma I left out or if you just want to comment on my work. Thank you. If ever I revise this faq and add something you feel came from one of your emails to me, email me again and remind me bout it so I can give you credit. Thanks again.
oh, i forgot; wanna increase the chances of landing a Shun Goku Satsu by 90%? four main ways:
1) Knock the opponent down. As he gets up, do it. 2) Have your opponent block or parry any standing/crouching P/K and finish the code before the animation is over 3) Use a K Teleort to position yourself behind the opponent and do it (when I said Teleporting was cheap I meant the P Teleport which is really for nothing but escaping a corner) 4) Jab like crazy until the opponent attacks. Pause for half a sec to parry his attack and quickly complete the code with a LK,HP
* a present-minded opponent (there are very few) can just jab his way out of this situation or worse, do a super. Well, at least computers are 100% suckers for this strategy, so there you have it!
* you can always resort to Andrews' combo (in my combos section) which is, of course, a 100% increase in your chances of landing a Shun Goku Satsu. But then again, besides requiring a nimble set of fingers, this combo is not applicable to all fighters (mentioned above) and it's pretty tough to land the roundhouse HK in a Vs Human situation.
XII. last note on shotokan haters: Let's be fair, alright? I don't give any harsh comments on kung-fu masters, boxers, and professional wrestlers. It's not that I can't think of any, it's just that I know there'll always be people who'll be offended so I stick to giving praise to my favorite characters. (Ok, I said Q is crap but I only meant the computer-controlled Q) So, why don't you do the same? Don't emphasize and curse on what you think is the lameness of another character cause someday you might eat your own words when someone (like me) challenges and beats the crap out of YOU using the "lamest" shoto, and without being cheap.
