This bizarre style uses unique arm blades known as jamadhars to perform highly
unpredictable moves. Designed to be used in dark places, it allows a fighter to
strike even with their back turned to an opponent.
The wide variety of unusual attacks used by this style require an incredibly flexible
body to unleash; however, mastering them enables precise strikes that can cut an
opponent down wherever they stand. Notably, the bizarre and twisted stance,
Mantis Crawl, allows for different moves depending on the direction the fighter is
facing. The average warrior will find themselves unable to defend against an
endless array ofdisturblng attacks and will quickly fall to the Mantis Crawl's
shredding blades.
Style Lesson: Beginner
Front and Back: A Two—sided Style
In addition to moves used when facing the opponent, this style incorporates a
variety of techniques used when turned away from your foe. While facing forward, you'll have access to attacks with a long reach; while facing away from your foe,
you'll have access to quick, close-range attacks.
Facing Forward: Distance Fighting
Open with swift attacks with good reach like Merry Mantis (6BB) or Gate
Prier (33_66_99A+BK). If your opponent closes in, you can
use Elegant Death Rose (6AA) or a quick Side Claw Brace (AA).
Merry Mantis 6BB
6BB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
18,18
-12
0
LNC
14%
Normal Hit Combo. Delayable.
Gate Prier 33_66_99A+BK
(3)_(6)_(9)A+BK - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
22,34
0
KND
KND
14%
Tech Crouch[10-20]
Elegant Death Rose 6AA
6AA - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
18
18,30
-14
4
4
7%
Normal Hit Combo Opponent backturned on hit
Side Claw Brace AA
AA - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
14
12,22
-2
12
12
3%
Counter Hit Combo
Facing forward isn't well-suited for breaking an opponent's guard. If you want to
apply offensive pressure, use moves like Jolly Ripper (4A), Blind Crescent
(4[B]), Scorpion Tail (4K), and Blind Drop (33_66_99K) to
face away and close in on your foe.
Jolly Ripper ~ BS 4A
4A - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
26
-2
8
8
4%
into BS
Blind Crescent ~ BS 4[B]
4(B) - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
14
12,14
-14
6
6
9%
into BS. Normal Hit Combo. once per match after successfully evading with A+K
Scorpion Tail ~ BS 4K
4K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
20
18
-6
LNC
LNC
9%
Tech Crouch[14-RC]. into BS
Blind Drop ~ BS 33_66_99K
(3)_(6)_(9)K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
20,20
-6
2
2
14%
into BS. Tech Jump[10-?]. Opponent crouching on block and hit
Facing Away: Close Range
Facing away gives you access to quick attacks and ways to break your foe's guard.
If you are blocked during a move that makes you face away, follow with Blind
Scissors (while facing away AA), or Rat Straight (while facing away 4B).
BS ~ Blind Scissors BS AA
BS AA - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
10
10,12
-6
4
4
3%
Normal Hit Combo
BS ~ Rat Straight BS 4B
BS 4B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
30
-2
KND
KND
9%
[7-16] vs non-kick mids
If your opponent is pinned down, breaking their guard with Reverse Evil Bow (while
facing away 2A+B), Bloody Drill (while facing away 33_66_99A+G) can help you dominate, particularly if you combine them
with powerful middle attacks such as Death Ensnare (while facing away 6BB) and Faceless Centipede ~ Mantis Crawl (while facing away during 8-way run BB).
This style's most unique feature is the unsettling Mantis Crawl stance. Being able
to fight in that posture is unusual enough, but it also delivers different attacks
depending on if the opponent is nearer your head or your feet.
Switching to the Mantis Crawl
To switch to the Mantis Crawl, you can use Merry Mantis ~ Mantis Crawl
(6B[B]), Scorpion Sting ~ Mantis Crawl (33_66_99[A]) while
facing forward, or change directly by using Mantis Crawl (B+K). If your feet are
facing the opponent when you switch into the Mantis Crawl, you can also dash at
them.
Merry Mantis ~ MCFT 6B[B]
6B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
18
-12
2
STN
9%
KNDs on CH. Tech Crouch[9-19]
6B(B) - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
18,18
-4
8
LNC
14%
Normal Hit Combo. Delayable. into MC
Scorpion Sting ~ MCFT 33_66_99[A]
(3)_(6)_(9)(A) - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
30
30
4
12
12
4%
Tech Crouch[8-RC]. into MC
Mantis Crawl B+K
(3)_(6)_(9)(A) - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
30
30
4
12
12
4%
Tech Crouch[8-RC]. into MC
Mantis Crawl Combos (Feet Forward)
The Mantis Crawl stance is great for rushing at opponents when your feet are
facing them. You can approach with a Mantis Fire Dance (during Mantis Crawl
with feet forward 66) and apply pressure with back-to-back Mantis Crawls. A
counter hit from Fool's Gravedigger (during Mantis Crawl with feet forward B)
becomes a lethal hit, so watch for an opening to punish your opponent.
MCFT ~ Mantis Fire Dance MCFT 66
MCFT 66 - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
16
20
-4
12
12
6%
Tech Crouch. into MC
MCFT far 66 - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
18
20
6
16
16
6%
Tech Crouch. into MC. Can be even more then +16 oH
MCFT ~ Fool's Gravedigger MCFT B
MCFT B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
14
14,20
-14
LNC
LNC
9%
on counter hit
Style Lesson: Master
Mantis Crawl Attacks (Head Forward)
With your head closer to the foe in the Mantis Crawl, you have more freedom to
break the opponent's guard with middle and low attacks, but cannot close gaps as
easily.
The Mantis Fire Dance (during Mantis Crawl with head forward 66) will turn
into a low attack, making it effective against opponents in a standing guard.
Fool's Spring (during Mantis Crawl with head forward B) is a middle attack that
works as a combo starter. Use these to break through your foe's guard.
MCHT ~ Mantis Fire Dance MCHT 66
MCHT 66 - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
16
22
-16
KND
KND
4%
Tech Crouch. when hitting opponent during vertical attack. into MC
MCHT ~ Fool's Spring MCHT B
MCHT B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
18
20
-12
16
LNC
9%
Tech Crouch [1-15]
Switching to the Mantis Crawl (Head Forward)
To change to the Mantis Crawl with your head facing the foe, you should start by
facing away, then use Faceless Centipede ~ Mantis Crawl (during 8-way run BB) or Mantis Crawl (while facing away B+K). Additionally, you can switch your orientation by using Fool's Labyrinth (Mantis Crawl with feet forward A).
BS ~ Mantis Crawl BS B+K
BS B+K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
34
20
6
KND
KND
9%
Tech Crouch. into MC
MCFT ~ Fool's Labyrinth ~ MCHT MCFT A
MCFT A - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
28
30
8
10
10
4%
Tech Crouch. into MC
Critical Edge
Downward Spiral
Properties
The speed of this critical edge depends on whether you are facing toward or away
from the opponent. When facing forward, you will dip down and back, which can
telegraph your intention. Facing away has no evasive properties, but comes out extremely quickly, making it an excellent counter.
In either case, this technique is useful for breaking out of an enemy's rush. If it is blocked, however, the risk of a punishing counter is high.
Tips
This move is effective when guarding against attacks, or as a way to prevent
further damage after being hit. It comes out quickly when facing away, making it easy to add into combos.
Soul Charge
Soul Charge Exclusive Stance
This fighting style has a stance that can only be adopted during a soul charge.
Use Side Claw Pitfall (during soul charge AAA), Pitfall Kick (during soul
Charge jump K), or Pitfall Marionette (while facing away during soul Charge 236K) to enter the Death Roll special stance. It is well-suited to breaking
the opponent's guard and creating bizarre combos.
Side Claw Pitfall ~ DR SC AAA
SC AAA - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
14
13,24,28
8
KND
KND
8%
Counter Hit Combo. . into DR
Pitfall Kick ~ DR SC 9K
SC 9K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
33
27
STN
STN
4%
. into DR
BS ~ Pitfall Marionette ~ DR SC BS 236K
SC 9K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
22
33
27
STN
STN
4%
. into DR
Extra Attacks for an Offensive Boost
Diablo Brothers (during soul charge 33_66_99BB) can help crack a difficult foe's defenses by putting on some mid-range pressure. Arching
Centipede ~ Mantis Crawl (during soul charge 4BBB) allows you to quickly
switch from facing forward to a Mantis Crawl with your head toward the foe,
putting you in a great position for low and middle guard-crushing attacks.
Diablo Brothers SC 33_66_99BB
SC (3)_(6)_(9)BB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
20
28,41
-4
KND
KND
20%
Arching Centipede ~ MCHT SC 4BBB
SC 4BBB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
14
13,15,9,9,11
-8
0
KND
23%
into MC
Demonic Drill
A soul attack in which you jump into the air and spin repeatedly, hitting the
opponent several times. It can be performed either facing forward or facing away.
Using a soul charge with 4A+B+K changes the direction you face, but using
this attack will allow you to maintain your current direction.
Tech Crouch. Tech Jump. on 3rd hit. Reduces guard stamina (17%) and soul charge time on hit
BS 236A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
16
24,8,8
-2
8
8
8%
Tech Crouch. Tech Jump Reduces Guard stamina (11%) and soul charge time on hit
Reversal Edge
Take Control of the Battle
Pressing 4 during the move will change up the attack. This will not start a
special phase even on a hit, and you will end up facing away from your opponent.
If it does hit, it will connect into a critical edge, which makes this move key to
coming out on top in close-range combat.
Following Up with A
A wide horizontal slash. Press [A] to switch to facing away.
Following Up with B
An attack that knocks the opponent into the air. Has the highest damage of the
three follow-ups. Press [B] to switch to Mantis Crawl and combo your opponent
in the air.
Following Up with K
Leaps up into the air and assaults the opponent with a falling attack.
(3)_(6)_(9)A+BK - Attack Level: 
into BS
4(B) - Attack Level: 
once per match after successfully evading with A+K
[7-16] vs non-kick mids
(3)_(6)_(9)A+G - Attack Level: 
(3)_(6)_(9)(A) - Attack Level: 
. 
