El Fuerte (SFIV)

Introduction

Street Fighter's first luchadore's has appeared!

At glance and background at first glance seem to imply a grappler or hybrid type character, like Zangief or E. Honda. However, El Fuerte's low vitality, long range splash attacks, and high mobility make him ideally suited for a primarily long ranged game, with emphasis on spacing/ambiguous mixups rather than footsies/whiff punishment. At closer distances, El's game changes dramatically. Although he doesn't gain a traditional tick/command grab mixup game in close quarters like his wrestler counterparts, his ability to deal damage raises dramatically (and uniquely), when in range for his punch loop.

El Fuerte's winning potential is maximized from an offensive position is primarily an offensive character. His speed, high-stun combo, and dramatic ability to mixup and confuse and opponent are his obvious strengths.

El fuerte's defensive options are comparitively lacking. With no fail-safe invincibile reversal options, maintaining momemtum and controlling the flow of a match are crucial to this success with this character.

Successful Fuerte practictioners will use his high mobility to avoid dangerous situations, and minimize damage taken. They will utilize his ambiguous mixups not only for damage, but also for positioning to lead to deeper okizeme. When in close quarters, they'll apply pressure and bait out counterable and punishable attacks. They will consistently utilize his high damaging RSF hard punch loop to deal major damage and high stun, and efficiently use his mixups to dizzy often.

Move Analysis

Command Normals

Rolling Senton F+MK (Overhead)

El Fuerte performs a rolling front flip to land back first on the opponent.

This move has a variety of applications in El fuerte's game, among them:

-Mixed in with Okizeme tricks, provides a fast overhead which can be linked to stand jabs.

-Closes small gaps to allow Fuerte to begin close-range mixups

-Can be used to corpse hop after certain attacks (Picadillo) - Very Useful

Special Moves

Habanero Dash	QCF P	EX has 2 hits Focus Armor
----Sudden Stop	LP*/**	Has minor recovery time.
----Tostada Press	MP*//**	Can be aimed left/neutral/right
----Fajita Buster	HP	Can be aimed/Grab/whiffs on crouching opponents
----Backstep	LK*	Travels far but significant recovery.
----Gordita Sobat	MK**	Mid-hitting kick that is super-cancellable. Safe on hit/block
----Caramale Sliding	HK**	Knockdown.
Habanero Backdash	QCB P	EX has 2 hits focus armor
----Propeller Tortilla	HP**	Can be aimed/Grab/Grabs crouching opponent
----Picadillo Jump	K**	Backwards jump towards/off wall
Guacamole Leg Throw	DP K	Jumps from the ground, grabs an airborne opponent. EX version has large invincibility.
Quesadilla Bomb	Charge K , Release	Lv 1: 120F (2 sec charge)/Lv 2: 210F Knockdown, travels medium distance/Lv 3: 300F Knockdown, travels far
EX Quesadilla Bomb	Charge KK , Release	390F Knockdown, travels very far

_{* Performed during Habanero Dash or Backdash}

_{** Performed during Habanero Backdash}

Super Move

El Fuerte Flying Dynamite

QCF, QCF + K

Kick determines super. LK version has the most invincibility. El Fuerte attacks his opponent with a series of flips.

Ultra Move

El Fuerte Flying Giga Buster QCF, QCF + KKK

El Fuerte flips through the air and lands on the opponents shoulder, performing an elaborate huricanarana.

This move can be aimed in 3 positions similarly to Tostada Press and other moves. After performing the Ultra input, holding a direction until just before El Fuerte leaves the ground affects the trajectory and distance travelled:

Hold back - Very close (almost point blank)

Neutral - Middle Range (about sweep range)

Hold forward - Far (about 75% of the screen width).

Note that farther versions grab on later frames because of travel time.

This move is considered a grab, and as such will totally whiff on airborne and throw-invincible opponents.

Combos

cl.LP x n -> s.LK/f.LP

-Basically, as many overhead chops as distance permits, than a standing LK/far swipe.

f+MK, cl.LP x n -> s.LK/f.LP

-Same as above. Note the useful link from overhead.

(c.hit) c.MP / cl.FP xx Quesadilla Bomb xx El Fuerte Flying Dynamite

-note level 1 Q. Bomb does not knockdown. Any level Q. Bomb can be easily cancelled to super.

cl.HK xx HK Guacamole Leg Throw

- Not much of a complicated combo, however note this is the only way to combo a Guacamole.

cl.HK xx Habanero Dash -> Sudden Stop -> LK Guacamole Leg throw

Verifiable version of above combo. Sacrifices damage.

cl.FP xx Habanero Dash -> Caramale Sliding / Gordita Sobat

-Slide is preferred because of knockdown. Sobat is useful to super cancel, but more difficult.

(cl .FP xx Habanero Dash -> Sudden Stop) x n -> cl. FP xx Habanero Dash -> Caramale Sliding

- aka RSF aka Punch Loop, Repeated run/stop cancelled fierce punches. Finish with slide for knockdown. - very difficult.

Matchups

vs Blanka

Blanka can present problems for Fuerte. His natural strengths fair well against typical Fuerte gameplay.

Typical Okizeme Tostada crossups are difficult due to blanka's awkward crouching hitbox. Tostada must be placed directly on top of blanka rather than aiming for his back like most chararacters.

Wake up electricity thwarts almost all okizeme Tostada Presses. It is possible to beat electricity with the Tostada, but exceedingly difficult particularly because blanka's position shifts slightly when electricity is performed. Regular normal attacks will stuff a wake up electricity, but blanka this is generally a poor choice as blanka can backhop, ex electricity, or blanka ball which all defeat the normal move. A good choice is to committ to no attack, bait electricity, punish with Picadillo.

Picadillo consistently grabs Blanka out of electricity, any strength (barring perhaps opening frames of ex version).

Wake-up blanka ball thwarts almost all okizeme splash tricks pretty consistently.

Any blocked horizontal rolling attack (blanka ball) can be punished with well timed qcf+p, slide

A blocked horizontal roll can also be punished with ultra. Ultra MUST be reversal, and blankaball MUST be blocked standing.

At certain ranges, close FP whiffs on crouching Blanka.

Blanka's long-range, high-priority (this means they have good hitboxes) jumping attacks can be difficult to anti-air in a pinch. Fuerte also lacks a great counter to tick throws, which often follow blanka jump in attacks. Be vigilant when in blanka's jump-in range, losing momemtum here can cost Fuerte the match. Remember: don't use not just c.fierce for anti air, as it will can be easily countered once scouted. Use Guacamole Leg throw when suitable. Take advantage of Blanka's high jump arc - jump with him and air throw whenever possible.

Because Blanka has no invincible move that can be pulled off in a pinch, and one of his better invincible moves loses cleanly to Picadillo, Backwards Habanero Dash and then a quick Picadillo to evade a jump-in and grab him as he lands is quite useful.

Rolling Senton corpse hops are useful. Use them to disrupt blanka's back charge, and limit his wake-up options. The goal is to force a panic option which can be easily dealt countered/punished, or to force a block to initiate pressure/mixups.

Matchup Videos

Find a great collection of matchup specific videos from top players at streetfighterdojo.com
Contributor: zaspacer

Frame Data

							Frames	Frames	Frames of	Frames of	Super Meter	Cancel	Ability
Move Name	Damage	Stun	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	On Block	On Hit	Block Stun	Hit Stun	Gain	Chain	Special	Super	Notes
Close LP	30	50	3	2	7	11	+2	+5	10	13	20	O	O	O	-
Close MP	70	100	5	2	16	22	+3	+7	20	24	40	X	O	O	-
Close HP	100[80]	200[150]	4	5	25	33	-12	-7	17	22	60	X	O	O	Forces stand
Close LK	30	50	4	2	9	14	0	+3	10	13	20	X	X	X	-
Close MK	75	100	5	2	18	24	-6	-3	13	17	40	X	O	O	-
Close HK	120	200	6	3	24	32	-9	-5	17	21	60	X	X	O	-
Far LP	30	50	3	2	7	11	+2	+5	10	13	20	O	O	O	-
Far MP	80	100	5	2	16	22	-4	-1	13	16	40	X	X	O	-
Far HP	120	200	7	3	18	27	-3	+1	17	21	60	X	X	X	-
Far LK	40	50	4	2	11	16	-2	+1	10	13	20	X	X	X	-
Far MK	70	100	7	2	18	26	-6	-3	13	16	40	X	X	X	-
Far HK	110	200	9	4	20	32	-6	-2	17	21	60	X	X	X	-
crouch LP	30	50	3	2	9	13	0	+3	10	13	20	O	O	O	-
crouch MP	65	100	4	3	9	15	+2	+5	13	16	40	X	X	O	-
crouch HP	100	200	8	3	20	30	-5	0	17	22	60	X	X	X	Forces stand
crouch LK	30	50	3	3	8	13	0	+3	10	13	20	O	X	O	Low attack
crouch MK	80	100	5	4	13	21	-3	0	13	16	40	X	X	O	Low attack
crouch HK	100	150	6	2	25	32	-9	D	17	-	60	X	X	X	Low attack, cannot fast recover
Jump up LP	50	50	4	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	-	-	-	-
Jump up MP	80	100	5	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	40	-	-	-	-
Jump up HP	100	200	6	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	60	-	-	-	-
Jump up LK	50	50	4	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	-	-	-	-
Jump up MK	80	100	6	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	40	-	-	-	-
Jump up HK	100	200	6	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	60	-	-	-	-
Jump forward LP	50	50	4	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	-	-	-	-
Jump forward MP	80	100	5	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	40	-	-	-	-
Jump forward HP	100	200	6	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	60	-	-	-	-
Jump forward LK	40	50	4	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	-	-	-	-
Jump forward MK	70	100	5	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	40	-	-	-	-
Jump forward HK	100	200	6	7	-	-	-	-	-	-	60	-	-	-	-
Overhead	60	100	18	2	16	35	-4	+1	13	18	40	X	X	X	Mid attack
f+HK	90*60	150*50	15	2*2	??	45	-2	+2	??	??	60*20	X	X	X	-
Focus Attack LVL 1	60	100	21	2	35	57	-21	-21	15	15	20	-	-	-	-
Focus attack LVL 2	80	150	18+11	2	35	65	-15	D	21	-	40	-	-	-	-
Focus attack LVL 3	140	200	65	2	35	101	D	D	-	-	60	-	-	-	-
Forward Throw	130	130	3	2	20	24	-	D	-	-	40	-	-	-	Throw range 0.85
Back throw	140	140	3	2	20	24	-	D	-	-	40	-	-	-	Throw range 0.85
Rekka Ken LP(1)	50	50	7	2	21	29	-4	0	18		10/10	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken LP(2)	50	50	7	2	38	46	-6	-2	33		10/10	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken LP(3)	60	50	7	2	67	75	-18	D	50		10/20	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken MP(1)	55	50	9	2	23	33	-6	-2	18		10/10	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken MP(2)	55	50	7	2	42	50	-8	-4	35		10/10	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken MP(3)	60	50	9	2	69	79	-18	D	52		10/20	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken HP(1)	60	50	10	2	25	36	-8	-4	18		10/10	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken HP(2)	60	50	7	2	45	53	-10	-6	36		10/10	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken HP(3)	60	50	9	2	74	84	-23	D	52		10/20	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken EX(1)	65	50	7	2	25	33	-8	-4	18		0/0	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken EX(2)	65	50	7	2	42	50	-10	-6	33		0/0	X	X	X	-
Rekka Ken EX(3)	70	50	9	2	71	81	-23	D	49		0/0	X	X	X	-
Flame Kick LK	120[70]	200[100]	5	12		54	-29	D			30/40	X	X	O	1~4f invincible, 5~6f cannot be thrown
Flame Kick MK	140[90]	200[100]	5	12		58	-31	D			30/40	X	X	O	1~5f invincible, 6f cannot be thrown
Flame Kick HK	100*60	100-100	5	12		62	-35	D			30/40*20	X	X	O	1~5f invincble, 6f cannot be thrown, 2nd hit pursuit property, 1st hit cancellable
Flame Kick EX	100*50x2	100*50x2	5	21		65	-38	D			0/0	X	X	O	1~6f invincible, 2~3 hit pursuit property, 1st hit cancellable
Flying Kick LK	30*30*40	50x3	14	2*4*2		53	-4	0			10/30*20*20	X	X	X	1~8f invincible, pursuit property, 1st hit armor break
Flying Kick MK	30*30*50	50x3	16	2*4*2		53	-2	+2			10/30*20*20	X	X	X	1~10f invincible, pursuit property, 1st hit armor break
Flying Kick HK	40*40*60	50x3	18	2*4*2		53	0	+4			10/30*20*20	X	X	X	1~12f invincible, pursuit property, 1st hit armor break
Flying Kick EX	30*30*40	50x3	18	2*4*2		53	0	+4			0/0	X	X	X	1~12f invincible, 13~36f projectile invincible, pursuit property, 1st hit armor break
Kaiten	0	0	14	2	51	66	-	+7			10/40	-	-	-	Throw range 0.9
Kaiten EX	0	0	12	2	51	64	-	+7			0/0	-	-	-	Throw range 1.2
Super Rekka Ken	60x4*160	0	10	2x5		128	-38	D			0/0	-	-	-	1~11f invincible, pursuit property
Ultra Rekka Ken	60*60*15x8*75*180	0	10	2x5		129	-38	D			0/0	-	-	-	1~11f invincible, pursuit property, (translate)
							Frames	Frames	Frames of	Frames of	Super Meter	Cancel	Ability
Move Name	Damage	Stun	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	On Block	On Hit	Block Stun	Hit Stun	Gain	Chain	Special	Super	Notes

Street Fighter IV