Combat Lessons
Fighting Style
The giant two-handed sword used by this style is both fortress and weapon. Slash follows slash as intricate stance shifts allow its user to compensate for the blade's weight—indeed, to use it to quickly transition to yet another block or strike, confounding an opponent and breaking their guard.
When on the defensive, mighty blows made with all the wielder's spirit behind them are powerful enough to shatter boulders, and can instantly turn a losing battle into a triumphant victory.
Style Lesson: Beginner
Sweep Away Foes with Your Massive Reach
This style is centered around using the incredible length and weight of the zweihander to its maximum advantage. When you're at a distance, open up with a Rook Splitter (66B) or Rebuff Turn Slash (33_66_99A)—both wide-range, powerful attacks.
When things get a little closer, Armlet Crusher (3A) and Illusion Rampart (6BB) are effective, as they come out fairly quickly.
Master Close Combat Techniques
When the opponent gets too close, your long—reaching attacks will lose out to faster assaults. Give yourself some breathing room with quick techniques like Nightbane Slasher (6AA) and Ascending Kick (33_66_99KK).
Switch to Special Stances
Another key feature of this style is that holding the input for many attacks will switch you to a special stance, reducing the time you're vulnerable.
For example, Judgment Sky Divider (3B) has a long recovery, so it can't normally be chained into a combo, even if it hits. But by holding the input (3[B]), you can switch to the Chief Hold stance and juggle with Terror Knee Kick Rush (during Chief Hold KK). Even if the initial attack is blocked, Terror Knee Kick Rush can foil many counterattacks, so it's not a bad idea to make a habit of holding the input.
Style Lesson: Adept
Create Chains with Special Stances
Follow-up attacks from wide-range moves like Anthem Slasher ~ Side Hold (A+B) and Armor Breaker ~ Chief Hold (22_88BB[B]) are hard to interrupt, letting you maintain the offensive.
In addition, you can switch stances in the middle of a chain, as with Nightbane Slasher ~ Reverse Side Hold (6[A]). Reverse Side Hold gives access to Geist Spinning Low Kick (during Reverse Side Hold K), a powerful low attack that can easily be mixed into combos.
Safe and Secure in Special Stances
Chief Hold (2_8B+K) lets you dodge vertical attacks, and Base Hold (B+K) deflects horizontal attacks. Once you've dealt with the opponent's attack, follow up with a quick attack from your stance before they recover.
Master Your Controls
One of the most outstanding moves of this style is the Quick Backspin Slash (agA). It requires quick fingers, but has superb reach and power with a short delay. With a keen eye and practice, it is sure to serve you well.
Style Lesson: Master
Turn the Tide with Dark Legacy
When your health is extremely low, your body will react to danger by putting you into the Dark Legacy state. This will enhance some of your most powerful moves and give you a chance to shift the battle back into your favor, even if you find yourself in dire straits.
Additionally, you can actively choose to enter Dark Legacy it by using certain moves during the fight. Accumulate 12 or more points during a fight and use 6A+B to activate Dark Legacy whenever you see fit. Entering the state by this method will cause Dark Legacy to be continually active, regardless of your health.
Techniques Enhanced by Dark Legacy
While in Dark Legacy, Judgment Sky Divider (3B) becomes a lethal hit on a counter hit. Additionally, Geist Strike (during Reverse Side Hold B) and Geist Spinning Low Kick (during Reverse Side Hold K), both great for breaking the opponent's guard, can deliver lethal hits too, so use them often. Lastly, the excellent counter attack Soul Wave: Epitaph (during Dark Legacy 6A+B) becomes available. This technique is extremely powerful, but cancels Dark Legacy upon use.
Critical Edge
Deep Scar & Crimson Scar
Properties
Rising middle attacks with long reach that are good for punishing an opponent for missing an attack. These moves can be used from either normal stances or from Chief Hold. They push you toward Dark Legacy both when used and when they land.
Tips
Try to guarantee hits by mixing these into combos. Hitting gets you closer to Dark Legacy, which is a big advantage later in the match.
Soul Charge
Deadly Techniques to Switch Stances
Powerful new stance-changing moves have been added, and using them in combos gives you an offensive edge. The best examples are Rising Hilt ~ Chief Hold (during soul charge b6B) and Kaizer Charge ~ Chief Hold (during soul charge 33_66_99KB).
Stronger Stance Combos
Powerful techniques like Kick Rush Vortex (while soul charged during Chief Hold KA+B) and Reborn Grinder (during soul charge, during Base Hold K) will let you use stances in combos to give your damage output a hefty boost.
Lone Warrior
A soul attack that puts you in a soul charged state and cleaves the opponent with a mighty swing. You'll transition to Reverse Side Hold after the attack, allowing you to combo into attacks like Fiend Obliterator (during Reverse Side Hold while soul charged A+BB).
Reversal Edge
Following Up with A
A horizontal slash into Side Hold. This does tremendous damage on a lethal hit.
Following Up with B
A rising slash that knocks the opponent high up. A normal hit lets you air combo.
Following Up with K
Delivers a knee that dodges B attacks and switches to Chief Hold. This can be followed up with KB and KK, so you can use your stance to mix up your attack even if the opponent blocks.