Street Fighter Alpha 3/Akuma

Introduction

Akuma, being a shoto, and thusly having the ability to play a good keep away game, using an aggresive playstyle is the sure way to go. Given his ability to hit hard, control space (and thus the opponent's movement or lack there of), and mix up, it becomes very easy to get in close and land the VCs or Supers that can mean the game.

Keeping on the offensive is also a big part of Akuma's gameplan. To offset Akuma's amazing ability to do damage, his defense and stamina are very low. This means that your mistakes get punished MUCH harder than anyone else's, especially if that stun damage gets stacked up. Fortunately, you have several tools to keep your opponent on the defenseive. Remember, the more your opponent has to think, the more likely it is he will slip up and give you an opening. More on this in the strategy section.

Here's a rundown of the ism choices for Akuma and some of their differences.

• A-ism - A-Akuma has a lot of flexability due to his myriad of powerful super combos, most of which can be cancelled from all of his numerous attack options. He also has the Shun Goku Satsu at his disposal, allowing for very deadly mindgames.

• X-ism - Akuma loses 4 very important things in x-ism. 1, air blocking. Due to his low defense/stun, this hurts his game a LOT. 2, alpha counters. Another terrible loss when coupled with his bad defenses. 3, the hyakki shu. this hurts his mix-up game, which is crucial, and his mobility. And 4, ALL of his super combos, barring the Shun Goku Satsu, limiting his combos, damage capability, and gameplan due to reliance on tactics needed to land the powerful, but predictable super.

• V-ism - This is where Akuma thrives, and it makes him one of the most powerful characters in Alpha 3. His VC flexability is insane, allowing for combos in any situation, including unblockables, that are very consistant. He also has his entire available move set (without supers, of course), and also has all of his close range attack available on command, which expands his ability to mix up his game even further.

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Moves List

Special Moves

I'll be listing which special moves can be used in specific "isms" by A (a/z-ism), X (x-ism) and V (v-ism).

Gou Hadouken - A,X,V. QCF+P Basic fireball. Damage decreases gradually the farther it travels as with all the Alpha 3 projectiles. The strength of the punch used determines the speed and power (LP being the slowest, HP the fastest). Knocks down if it hits close. Great for spacing, especially when coupled with the arial variant. Just dont abuse it. Predicitability = punishment.

Zanku Hadouken - A,X,V. QCF+P in the air A fireball launched from a jump that comes down diagonally. Another great zoning tool. More info in the strategy section.

Shakunetsu Hadouken - A,X,V. HCB+P A fireball that hits three times, scores a knockdown, and lights the opponent on fire. This move has horrible wind-up time, making it very easy to see coming. Good for chip damage, and has it's VC uses, but not much else. Use it sparingly.

Gou Shouryuken - A,X,V. F,D,DF+P. aka DP A flying uppercut that hits 3 times for good damage. This is your primary anti-air move. Also very useful for wake-ups and reversals. I reccomend only using the LP version of this move, as the HP version doesnt do much more damage, and leaves you VERY open if you miss.

Tatsumaki Zanku Kyaku - A,X,V. QCB+K. Can be performed in the air. Akuma's "hurricane kick", travels more distance depending on the strength of kick used. Good for juggles, great for juggle set ups. Use sparingly, however, becuase if predicted, again, you'll be punished.

Zenpou Tenshin - A,V. QCB+P A forward rolling move that travels farther depending on the strength of punch used. I believe this move to be useless except maybe in mindgames. You are completely vulnerable during this move. I don't use it at all.

Ashura Senku - A,X,V. DP or Reverse DP+3P or 3K. A teleport that sends you farther depending on the use of 3P or 3K. A good move to give yourself a chance to back off of an opponent or get yourself out of a corner, however you are vulnerable during the start up and wind-down, so get yourself a little breathing room first.

Tenma Kujin Kyaku- A,X,V. During a forward jump, press D+MK at the apex. Akuma's diving kick. Incredibly useful move for mindgames. It has decent priority, stops his jump in midair, and be combo'd out of a verified hit. I'll go over some of it's many uses in the strategy section.

Hyakki Shu - A,V. D,DF,F,UF+P This move sends Akuma rolling into the air at varying distances depending on the strength of punch used. The move itself is a set up for several other moves. It has incredible combo ability when used after a pop-up and in VC's, but don't use any of the variations alone, as the priority isn't great, and it's easy to see coming. He IS flying across the screen, afterall. (Note that if you are having trouble performing this move, it's much easier to use D,DF,F,UF,U+P.) The variants are as follows:

• Hyakki Go Zan Perform Hyakki Shu and then do nothing. When Akuma lands, he drops into a sliding kick that sweeps the opponent. Use sparingly and only for mindgames. You can't combo out of it, and it's easy to see coming.
• Hyakki Go Sho Perform Hyakki Shu and then press P. Akuma uses a flying palm strike. Good in combos and VCs, but not alone unless you anticipate an arial.
• Hyakki Go Sen Perform Hyakki Shu and then press K. Akuma performs a flying dropkick. Same rules apply for Hyakki Go Sho.
• Hyakki Go Sai Perform Hyakki Shu and then press F or B+P when close. Akuma grabs the opponent for a flip throw. This move has to be performed very close and near the shoulder of the opponent and can also be used against an airborne enemy. Can also be used to OTG throw during a VC.
• Hyakki Go Sai Perform Hyakki Shu and then press F or B+K when close. Akuma grabs his opponent for a multi-flipping neckbreaker of sorts. This move must be performed very close and near the midsection of the opponent and can also be performed on airborn foes.

Zugai Hasatsu - A,X,V. F+MP A chop that hits twice as an overhead. Great for mindgames on a downed opponent.

Senpu Kyaku - A,X,V. F+MK A hop kick. Great poke in that it goes over low attacks, and the recovery can be cancelled, making for great mindgames and applying pressure.

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Super Combos

Messatsu Gou Hadou A only HCBx2+P Akuma's super fireball. When using all three bars it hits 8 times. Goes through regular progectiles.

Messatsu Gou Shoryu A only QCF,D,DF+P Akuma's super dragon punch. Again, hits 8 times at maximum level. DO NOT use this as an anti-air unless you really feel you need the extra invincibility frames b/c most of the hits will miss.

Tenma Gou Zankuu A only QCFx2+P in the air An arial super fireball. Unless you're using it as an anti-anti-air, this move is worthless. It does an absurdly low amount of damage for a super. You're better off stuffing AA attempts with the zanku hadoken.

Shun Goku Satsu A,X. LP,LP,F,LK,HP Ahh, the Raging Demon. The name of this move roughly translates into "instant hell murder". Akuma slides across the ground, grabs his opponent, and the screen goes black as the hits rack up. This move does obscene damage, but is very hard to land due to his slow startup time. It is, however, very gratifying.

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Discussion

• SRK V-Akuma thread