Super Street Fighter IV AE/Vega

Vega

As Shadaloo's #1 assassin, Vega relishes in taking out Shadaloo's enemies one by one with his signature claws. Equally ruthless as he is vain, Vega obsesses over things that he considers beautiful. His passion for beauty, particularly his own, causes him only to desire to kill those he deems ugly all the more. There is almost no one that he does not consider hideous in appearance, and thanks to his effectiveness at what he does best, M. Bison trusts no one more than Vega to accomplish the most difficult assignments.

In a nutshell

Speed and range. These two assets are a deadly combination, and both are exactly what Vega is. Vega specializes in playing patiently while using his mobility and excellent pokes to scare and enrage the opponent into making fatal mistakes, then punishing them for their insolence. His assortment of high-flying, off-the-wall moves can confuse even the most skilled players. Vega's main weakness is that he must not get knocked down, for he has almost no defensive options on wakeup. In addition, when he gets hit or blocks in succession, his claw and mask can fall off, meaning that he could eventually lose his range or take more damage without the respective accessory (fortunately the removal of his mask also increases his own damage output). To work around this, one must find a balance between jumping around the stage and playing footsies in order to use Vega most effectively.

Players to Watch

PIE Zeus
Jozhear
Zeus
Reiketsu
Chris King
German Luger
El Cubano Loco

Moves

Unique Attacks

Name

Command

Notes

Piece of Mercury

+

Cosmic Heel

+

Wall Jump

(in air, near wall)

Throws

Name

Command

Notes

Rainbow Suplex

or

+

Crescent Line

+

Stardust Drop

(in air)

+

Special Moves

Name

Command

Notes

Rolling Crystal Flash

(charge)

+

Scarlet Terror

(charge)

+

Sky High Claw

(charge)

+

only during ex;

Flying Barcelona Attack

(charge)

+

Controllable with

or

after coming off wall;

Claw Attack

or

+

Perform after Flying Barcelona Attack;

Izuna Drop

Any direction +

(near opponent)

Perform after Flying Barcelona Attack;

Back Slash

Short Back Slash

Remove Claw

+

version removes mask;

Super Combo

Name

Command

Notes

Flying Barcelona Special

(charge)

+

Controllable with

or

after coming off wall

Claw Attack Special

Perform after Flying Barcelona Special;

Rolling Izuna Drop

Any direction +

(near opponent)

Perform after Flying Barcelona Special;

Ultra Combos

Name

Command

Notes

Bloody High Claw

(charge)

+

Splendid Claw

(charge)

+

AEv2012 Changes

(changes include ALL final changes from Super to AEv2012)

Crouching MK start up is now 6 frames (2 frames faster)
EX Flying Barcelona Attack damage reduced from 200 to 180
Crouching MP damage reduced from 70 to 60
2 frames less recovery on EX roll(+4 on hit)
You can now combo Crouching MP, Crouching LP and Standing HK from EX RCF
Is considered to be airborne right after the invincibility frames of his backdash ends.
Cosmic Heel (down forward + HK) can now combo into U1
Cosmic Heel (down forward + HK) is now -3 on block at point blank range or +1 at max range
Ultra 2 startup increased from 7 frames to 8 frames
Sky High Claw now knocks down on hit
EX Sky High Claw now hits all crouching opponents except when they are in the corner
Ultra 1's hitbox on the first hit after animation has been increased, will miss less
EX Sky High Claw now lands at the same distance from the opponent regardless of the distance from the opponent when you input the move
EX Sky High Claw is now safer on block in certain situations

The Basics

The fundamental basics for playing Vega are virtually the same as those for any other character:

Learn your best punishes for each situation. Go into training mode and find out what moves can punish other moves on block, hit, or whiff. Take note of unpunishable moves since not everything can be punished. Make sure you do this for every character because some things will not work on some characters.

Find out how to beat opponent's moves out right. For example, Sky High Claw will beat E. Honda's Head Butt. Be aware that you may have to use a normal move to beat an opponent's move. You may also need to change your spacing by walking forward or backward.

Learn your ranges for your moves. This is critical. You need to know exactly when you are too far away to hit the opponent and when you are not as you will want to be in this range for the majority of the fight. This helps you stay out of the opponent's range as well putting you at an advantage.

Work on your reactions. Reactions are important because the sooner you can make the decision whether to attack or block, the more time you have available to ensure your spacing and timing is correct.

If you are physically incapable of improving your reactions, you will need to augment your play with extremely good reads. You will need to be able to identify exactly what the opponent is going to do next and how they are going to do it. Because you lack reactions you will need to account for this gap with accuracy in your reads..... make sure you are right and if you made a bad read find out exactly why.

Don't try to be an execution hero if you are not capable or even if you're having a bad day execution wise. If you're missing a link or dropping a combo swap to a more guaranteed punish. While you're playing the match get the damage you can get. Work on fixing it after the match ends.

Learn to correctly hit confirm cMP and cMK. Go into training mode and set the dummy to random block. Practice identifying when a move hits and continue the combo only if it hits. This will enable you to save both meter and life

Combos

No Meter

Key Combos:

CH, HK ST
CH, cHK
jHP, sHP, cHP
cMK, HK ST
jHP, sHP, sHK (character specific)

Easy:

sHP, cMP
sHP, sHK (character specific)
cMK xx HK ST
cMK, sHK
sLK, sLK, cMP
cMK xx MP RCF (character specific)
CH, cHK
cMK, cMP
sHP, cHP

Hard:

CH, HK ST
HPxx RCF
cMK, sLK, sLK, cMP
cLPx2+, cMP
cMK, cLP, cMP
cMK(ch), cMK

1 Bar

Key Combos:

jHP, cMK, cMP xx EX FBA
cMK, cLP, cMP, xx EX FBA (character specific)
jHP xx EX RCF, sHK
CH, EX ST
CH, EX FBA

Easy:

cMK xx EX FBA
cMP xx EX FBA
cMK xx EX ST
cMP xx EX ST
CH, EX FBA
cLK xx EX FBA

Hard:

cMK, cMP xx EX FBA
CH, EX ST
sHP xx EX RCF
EX RCF, sHK
cLP, cMP, EX FBA
cLK xx LK ST, EX ST
EX FBA(trade), cHK

2 Bar

Key Combo:

jHP xx EX RCF, cMP xx EX FBA

Ultra

cMK(ch), U2
CH, Ultra (Cosmic Heel should connect on airborne opponent)
Focus, Ultra
EX FBA(trade), U2

All combos can be preceded by jHP or by Focus Attack

(ch) = counter hit

xx = cancel

, = link

Note: damage and stun numbers need to be added, format needs to be cleaned up. Feel free to change, PM me with data, or post in AE Vega forums. -VegaMan

Strategy

There are 2 general strategies of successful Vega play. The first general strategy for playing Vega revolves around exceptionally solid defense and cautiously utilizing a mixture of Kara throw and pokes. The 2nd involves using his mobility and speed in a hit and run playstyle.

Vega's HK Kara throw is his best Kara throw, 2nd only to Ken's. This combined with the fastest walk speed in the game enables him to quickly close in on the opponent and land a throw. The vast majority of Vega's offense relies on this. The fundamental idea is to use this Kara throw at it's max range since the opponent will be outside their own throw range, and since the opponent will have problems in determining when exactly the throw will come making a tech attempt difficult. Vega's long range pokes also pose a threat as this same range and multiple pokes can lead into moderate damage and a hard knockdown. In addition, Vega has 2 normals that move him forward: Cosmic Heel (df+HK), and Piece of Mercury (df + MK). Cosmic Heel enables Vega to maintain charge while dealing good damage if it connects. However, if blocked Vega doesn't gain any advantage. Piece of Mercury also enables Vega to maintain a charge and is mediocre at best at keeping the opponent honest. It still has some decent, sporadic uses in mixing up between hitting the opponent as an overhead and whiffing on purpose to bait a high block. Both Cosmic Heel and Piece of Mercury as well as Scarlet Terror can be used to hop over the opponent when knocked down (aka corpse hop). This sets up a pseudo mix up between a low meaty, a throw, instant overhead, and block/backflip. EX FBA can be used to cross up the opponent if timed well.

On defense, Vega struggles to keep the opponent on the ground due to his weakness in anti-airing. Vega has to make an extremely quick decision on whether or not to take a fairly large risk of anti-airing or blocking. Vega actually has numerous decent anti-airs but almost all involve jumping normals or air throw. Many, if not all, of these options will lose to instant air normals from the opponent. Scarlet Terror is useful for anti-airing the opponent's instant air normal jump in attempts but Vega must already have been committed to having a down back charge prior to the opponent's jump in attempt in order to utilize this option. Jump back MP is Vega's best general anti-air in terms of success. However, it lacks damage. Air throw is generally the go-to anti-air due to the damage, range, and hard knockdown of the opponent. Neutral jump HK and HP are good in terms of damage against some moves that tend to beat out air throw attempts, and njHK is Vega's fastest air normal at a 4f start up. Neutral jump MP is good for anti airing high, floaty jumps directly overhead. And of course both Ultras are good for anti-airing the opponent as well, however due to meter requirements they cannot be relied upon. Although Vega has many options to anti-air, the problem is that all of these options are situational, and even his most reliable anti-air (jbMP) gives up tons of space putting him close to the corner. Due to the generally low damage and the inherent risk of Vega's anti-airs, it's common for the opponent to not be discouraged from attempting more jump ins.

Once the opponent gets in on Vega, the problems begin to pile up. Vega lacks a 3f normal to compete against the opponent up close. He also lacks a block string preventing him from gaining the ability to force some advantageous spacing so that Vega can utilize his range and speed. His only invincible reversal is Splendid Claw (U2), so he is forced to block frame traps (and in turn accept the pushback) setting up the perfect opportunities to tick throw, jump in again, or focus dash in to reset the spacing. The answer is simple. Block the barrage and take the throw attempts until you can get a read on the opponent's actions and counter it appropriately. Attempting to reversal or evade (particularly in the corner) only leads to more pain. If you can land a cMP or cMK use the cancel abilities to get out of the corner to the wall behind the opponent unless your opponent has shown they can put you back into the corner from full screen. Use wall jump to get out of corners instead of a wall dive from the back wall. Many times however, the opponent will attempt a crossover if you have been successful at defending their offense and will end up potentially cornering themselves. Vega can use this to swing the advantage into his favor.

The key to winning with Vega at any level is that you MUST be better than your opponent. There's no way around it, and marginally better will not suffice either. You must play safer, smarter, make fewer mistakes, maximize your opportunities to capitalize on EVERY mistake the opponent makes, and simply outplay the opponent in almost every way. You must be able to quickly get the life lead and do whatever it takes to keep it, because once it's gone it's extremely difficult to get back unless the opponent screws up.

Matchups

Frame Data

	Block			Super Meter					Frames
Move Name	HL	Damage	Stun	Gain	Cancel Ability	Startup	Active	Recovery	On Guard	On Hit	Notes
Close	HL	30[20]	50	20	sp/su	4	2	10	-1	+2
Close	HL	70[60]	100	40	sp/su	7	2	13	-1	+2
Close	HL	50[40]x2	50*50	60*20	sp/su*-	9	3(7)3	14	+1	+5	Forces stand
Close	HL	30	50	20	-	4	2	10	-1	+2
Close	HL	70	100	40	sp/su	6	2	13	-1	+2
Close	HL	40*70	125*75	60*20	su*-	4	2*2	23	-7	-2	Forces stand
Far	HL	30[20]	50	20	sp/su	4	2	10	-1	+2
Far	HL	90[80]	100	40	su	7	2	14	-2	+1
Far	HL	120[110]	200	60	-	8	3	23	-8	-4
Far	HL	40	50	20	-	5	2	7	+2	+5
Far	HL	70	100	40	-	8	2	15	-3	0
Far	HL	40*70	125*75	60*20	su*-	4	2*2	23	-7	-2	Forces stand
Crouch	HL	30[20]	50	20	sp/su	4	2	8	+1	+4
Crouch	HL	60[50]	100	40	sp/su	4	2	16	-4	-1
Crouch	HL	110[100]	200	60	-	5	2	27	-11	-6	Forces stand
Crouch	L	20	50	20	sp/su	4	2	9	0	+3
Crouch	L	70	100	40	sp/su	6	3	9	+2	+5
Crouch	L	110	200	60	-	8	13	17	-12	-	Hard knockdown
Jump Up	H	50[40]	50	20	-	6	5	-	-	-
Jump Up	H	80[70]	100	40	-	5	3	-	-	-
Jump Up	H	100[90]	200	60	-	6	2	-	-	-
Jump Up	H	40	50	20	-	6	9	-	-	-
Jump Up	H	80	100	40	-	6	7	-	-	-
Jump Up	H	100	200	60	-	4	5	-	-	-
Jump Forward	H	50[40]	50	20	-	5	5	-	-	-
Jump Forward	H	80[70]	100	40	-	5	5	-	-	-
Jump Forward	H	100[90]	200	60	-	5	4	-	-	-
Jump Forward	H	40	50	20	-	6	7	-	-	-
Jump Forward	H	70	100	40	-	6	6	-	-	-
Jump Forward	H	100	200	60	-	6	6	-	-	-
+	H	60	100	40	-	20	3	13	-4	0	10~22f airborne
+	HL	80	100	60	-	14	5	10 + After landing 4	-3	-	18~24f Low strike and low projectile invincible, 14~ airborne, floats opponent
Triangle Jump	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	From wall 6f~ can perform actions
Backflip	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Total 65	-	-	1~57f Invincible, can pass through opponent, can pick up mask or claw until 31f
Backflip	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Total 42	-	-	1~32f Invincible, can pass through opponent
Focus Attack LVL 1	HL	60[50]	100	20	-	10+11	2	35	-21	-21
Focus Attack LVL 2	HL	80[70]	150	40	-	18+11	2	35	-15	-
Focus Attack LVL 3	-	140[130]	200	60	-	65	2	35	-	-
Forward Throw	1.07	120	120	40	-	3	2	20	-	-	Hard knockdown
Back Throw	1.07	120	120	40	-	3	2	20	-	-	Hard knockdown
Air Throw	1.20	150	130	40	-	3	2	-	-	-	Hard knockdown, legs projectile invincible until end of active frames
Rolling Crystal Flash	HL	20*90[80]	20*100	20/10*30	su	9	9(7)4	22	-2	+2	charge 60f
Rolling Crystal Flash	HL	20x3*90[80]	20x3*100	20/10x3*30	su	16	9(5)8(5)8(6)4	22	-2	+2	charge 60f
Rolling Crystal Flash	HL	20x4*90[80]	20x4*100	20/10x4*30	su	20	9(5)8(5)9(5)8(6)4	22	-2	+2	charge 60f
Rolling Crystal Flash	HL	20x4*90[80]	20x4*100	-250/0	su	20	9(5)8(5)9(5)8(6)4	20	0	+4	1~78f projectile invincible, charge 60f
Scarlet Terror	HL	100	150	30/30	-	7	10	15 + After landing 8	-12	-	1~16f unthrowable, 3f~ airborne, armor break, charge 42f
Scarlet Terror	HL	80*60	100*100	30/20*20	-	7	5*5	14 + After landing 9	-12	-	1~16f unthrowable, 3f~ airborne, armor break, 2nd hit pursuit property, block advantage based on 1st hit, charge 42f
Scarlet Terror	HL	100*60	100*100	30/20*20	-	4	8*5	14 + After landing 9	-15	-	1~16f unthrowable, 3f~ airborne, armor break, 2nd hit pursuit property, block advantage based on 1st hit, charge 42f
Scarlet Terror	HL	110*70	150*100	-250/0	-	4	8*5	14 + After landing 9	-15	-	1~4f projectile and throw invincible, 3f~ airborne, armor break, pursuit property, block advantage based on 1st hit, charge 42f
Sky High Claw	HL	110[100]	200	30/40	-	From Wall 15	Until edge of screen	After landing 17	-20	-	8f~ airborne, 2f~end of active frames can pass through opponent, fastest startup 24f, charge 42f
Sky High Claw	HL	60[50]x2	100	-250/0	-	From Wall 10	Until edge of screen	After landing 17	-18	-	8f~ airborne, from wall to end of active frames projectile invincible, 2f~end of active frames can pass through opponent, armor break, 2nd hit pursuit property, fastest startup 18f, charge 42f
Flying Barcelona Attack	-	-	-	20/-	-	-	-	After landing 31	-	-	8f~ airborne, fastest time to wall 10f, from wall can direct left or right, from wall 18f~ can cancel into followup, charge 42f
Flying Barcelona Attack	H	90[80]	100	0/40	-	3	11	After landing 31	-	-	fastest startup 20f, damage is 70[60]/80[70]/90[80] depending on LK/MK/HK version of FBA
Flying Barcelona Attack	HL	30	50	-250/-	-	9	Until edge of screen	After landing 31	-	-	8f~ airborne, floats opponent, fastest time to wall 10f, from wall can direct left or right, from wall 18f~ can cancel into followup, charge 42f
Flying Barcelona Attack	H	5090[4080]	50*100	0/0	-	2	1(1)11	After landing 31	-	-	2nd hit pursuit property, fastest startup 19f
Izuna Drop	0.77*H	150	150	80	-	2	1(1)11	After landing 31	-	-	1st hit hard knockdown, 2nd hit limited juggle knockdown, 2nd hit of EX version does 50[40]damage 50stun 0meter
Claw Throw	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Total 40	-	-	Claw removed on 19f, reduces damage of Vega's attacks
Mask Throw	-	-	-	-250/-	-	-	-	Total 40	-	-	Mask removed on 19f, increases damage taken by 10%, increases damage done by 10%
Flying Barcelona Special	-	-	-	-1000/0	-	-	-	After landing 31	-	-	8f~ airborne, fastest time to wall 10f, after reaching wall flash starts on 12f, invincible during flash (1f), charge 42f
Flying Barcelona Special	H	60[50]x3*100[90]	0	0/0	-	2	11(2)10	After landing 31	-	-	pursuit property
Rolling Izuna Drop	0.91*H	400	0	0/0	-	2	11(2)10	After landing 31	-	-	1st hit hard knockdown, 2nd hit limited juggle knockdown
Ultra Combo 1 (1st hit)	HL	30	0	0/0	-	8	Until edge of screen	-	-	-	1f~ until wall projectile and throw invincible, can pass through opponents, 8f~ airborne, floats opponent, charge 42f
Ultra Combo 1 (2nd hit backwards)	HL	450[375]	0	0/0	-	After flash 1	7	31	-	-	After reaching wall flash starts on 8f, from flash to end of active frames invincible, hard knockdown, armor break
Ultra Combo 1 (2nd hit forwards)	HL	450[375]	0	0/0	-	After flash 1	9	20 + After landing 31	-	-	After reaching wall flash starts on 8f, from flash to end of active frames invincible, hard knockdown, armor break
Ultra Combo 2	L	150*300[285]	0	0/0	-	0+8	15	39	-36	-	1~14f Invincible, hard knockdown, armor break, charge 42f
	Block			Super Meter					Frames
Move Name	HL	Damage	Stun	Gain	Cancel Ability	Startup	Active	Recovery	On Guard	On Hit	Notes

Notes

[] refers to damage without the claw