Garou: Mark of the Wolves/Hokutomaru

Introduction

Pros	Cons
Varied Specials Good Standard Combo Options Break for Combo Options	Lack of Anti Air Options Emblematic Combos are Corner Only Low Stamina

Character Colors

Move List

Esoterics

Frame Data Source: https://w.atwiki.jp/garoumow/pages/27.html and [Howard's Arena

Data Help
Disclaimer: This is meant to teach basic terminology used when describing moves.
HitBox:	A predefined area (usually a group of rectangles or circles) that tell the game how any given attack can come in contact with a character. Hitboxes are invisible to the player when normally playing.
HurtBox:	A predefined area (usually a group of rectangles or circles) that tell the game how your character is allowed to get hit by any incoming attack. Specifically, you'll get hit by (or block) an attack if that attack's hitbox ever overlaps your hurtbox.
Throw Box/Range:	Active throw frames and range. Your opponent will be thrown in this field if not in block or hit stun.
Projectile Box:	Hit box on a projectile attack.
Guard/Counter Box:	The Guard Box or Counter Box. This appears when blocking or using a counter move.
Push Box:	Has no bearing on hurt/hit boxes. Just allows characters to not pass through each other. (Also known as "Collision Box".)
Command	the input for the attack.
Start Up	The number of frames that initiate at the beginning of an attack after the input. And when the first hitbox is present. The first active frame is after the last startup frame.
Guard	The way this move must be blocked. High or H or Overhead (especially when from the ground) -- must be blocked standing. High-Low or HL or Mid -- can be blocked either standing or crouching. Low or L -- must be blocked crouching.
Damage	"basic" damage -- unmodified damage values "correct" damage -- damage values modified for damage scaling, TOP multiplier, and defense rate
Guard Crush Value	Decrease your guard durability gauge/meter by that value/s
+	signifies how many advantage frames the attacker has.
-	signifies how many disadvantage frames the attacker has.
KD	means the attack will knock the opponent down.
◯	circle means cancelable on both hit/block.
∞	infinity means chain cancelable with the same button (renda cancel).
※	means cancelable on the first hit/part only.
《 》OR « » OR << >> OR ( )	The numbers in the brackets are the startup frames until the next stage (the gap until the next hit's first active frame).
△	up triangle means only cancelable on block.
▽	down triangle means only cancelable on hit.
× OR X	means not cancelable.

Close Standing Normals

St.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	4	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+6	+6	Yes	Yes	Yes	-
Standing jab.

St.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	4	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+3	+3	Yes	Yes	Yes	-

St.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	5	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+2	+2	Yes	Yes	Yes	-

St.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	3	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-1	-1	Yes	Yes	Yes	-

Far Standing Normals

Far

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	4	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+5	+5	Yes	Yes	Yes	-

Far

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	6	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+1	+1	Yes	Yes	Yes	-

Far

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	11	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-10	-10	No	No	No	-

Far

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	11	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-3	-3	No	No	No	-

Crouching Normals

Cr.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	4	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+5	+5	Yes	Yes	Yes	-
Typical crouching . Chains into , and You can confirm / super by doing 236236 then confirming if it hit or not.

Cr.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	5	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+1	+2	Yes	Yes	Yes	-
Your go-to low poke and confirm. You can confirm / super by doing 236236 then confirming if it hit or not. Without meter, chain into 2 then do the feint to recover faster.

Cr.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	6	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-20	-20	No	No	No	-
A somewhat quick poke that reaches far away and recovers quickly. It's +1 too so , making it very useful to just throw out in neutral since you aren't risking much.

Cr.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	10	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-14	No	No	No	-
Sweep. Can be used as an anti-air by low profiling some moves and hitting the landing frames.

Jumping Normals

Jump

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	Yes	Yes	-	-

Jump

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	Yes	Yes	-	-

Jump

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	Yes	Yes	-	-

Jump

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	Yes	Yes	-	-

Command Normals

+

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	18	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-1	+5	-	-	-	-

Cr. +

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	10	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+1	+7	-	-	-	-

T.O.P Attack

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	10	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-34	-	-	-	-
This is a rising attack that is good for one hit and travels at a 45 degree angle. It has a slow start and can be used as an anti-air. Don't ever get this attack blocked!

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	7	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-15	No	No	No	-

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	8	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-13	No	No	-	-

+

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-12	-6	-	-	-	-

Double Jump: ,

Throws

Close /+

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	-	-	-	-

Feint Cancels

++

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	-	No	No	-

++

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	Yes	Yes	No	-

Special Moves

Shuriken
+/

+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	10	-	12	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-2	-2	-	-	-	-
+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	15	-	18	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-2	-2	-	-	-	-

Shuriken (Air)
Air +/

Air +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	12	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-	-	-	-	-	-
Air +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	12	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-	-	-	-	-	-

Rakka-zan
+/ (Air Ok)

+ (Air Ok)	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	0	-	28	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-	-	-	-	-	-
+ (Air Ok)	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	20	-	28	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-22	-	-	-	-

Karakusa-Giri
+/

+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	20	-	19	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-10	-	-	-	-
+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	28	-	30	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-18	-	-	-	-

Kuuhu-dan
+

+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	11	-	11	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-12	-	-	-	-
+ Break	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	6	-	11	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	+5	-	-	-	-

Kuuhu-dan
+

+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	18	-	16	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-9	-	-	-	-
+ Break	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	7	-	16	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	+5	-	-	-	-

Super Moves

Chou Hissatsu Shuriken
, + /

, +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	33	-	10	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-34	-	-	-	-
, +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	45	-	10	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-34	-	-	-	-

Hussatsu Tatsumaki
, + /

, +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	32	-	1	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-60	-	-	-	-
, +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	47	-	0	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Feint Cancel	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-54	-	-	-	-

Combos

Anywhere

• j.,s. > (Chain),QCB+A
  
• j.,s. > (Chain),QCFx2+P
  
• cr. ,QCF+D, ,DF+DxxQCB+D
  
• s.-Feint->cr. ,QCFx2+P
  

Corner only

• j.,s.,QCF+D, ,DF+DxxQCB+D
  
• j.,s.,QCF+D, ,DF+DQCFx2+K
  
• j.,s.-Feint->cr. ,QCFx2+P
  

Basic Strategy

Hokutomaru is a mid-low tier character with all around moves based on speed moves.

His projectiles can be in ground or air, they are weaks but faster, his Kuuhadan its a good middle range anti air and also his blade move its quick and your main 2-in-1 combo meterless ender.

His corner game is one of his objetives due that their faint moves and breaks can be connected in a same corner combo, along with a command move that is your corner link.

His Super Move homage to Mai Shiranui its your anti air close combat tool and best corner combo ender, and the Projectile Spam Super Move its your midscreen combo ender.

He had low stamina as Hotaru or Freeman but his moves are useful to zone or rush, and his T.O.P. Attack its a bit awful.

Advanced Tactics

In-depth video lecture on Hokutomaru. Please use the timestamps to navigate the topics.

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Matchup info

Rock Howard

X
5 - 5
(Slightly favorable matchup)

Kim Dong-Hwan

X
5 - 5
(Slightly unfavorable matchup)

Hotaru Futaba

X
5 - 5
(Slightly unfavorable matchup)

Marco Rodrigez

X
5 - 5
(Slightly unfavorable matchup)

Terry Bogard

X
5 - 5
(Slightly favorable matchup)

Kevin Rian

X
3 - 7
(Highly unfavorable matchup)

Freeman

X
5 - 5
(Slightly favorable matchup)

The Griffon

X
6 - 4
(Favorable matchup)

B. Jenet

X
3 - 7
(Highly unfavorable matchup)

Gato

X
3 - 7
(Highly unfavorable matchup)

Kim Jae Hoon

X
5 - 5
(Fair matchup)

Grant

X
4 - 6
(Unfavorable matchup)

Kain R. Heinlein

X
4 - 6
(Unfavorable matchup)