''Format for Normals section. Be sure to add bullet points for multiple moves having a property (e.g. j. B/D cross-up; st/cr. A/B/C/D are whiff/cancelable). REMOVE AFTER WRITING IN''
{{StrengthsAndWeaknesses
|ext=jpg
| description =Rugal's gameplan is a mix of projectile zoning, poking, and corner pressure. For his zoning, he has a ground-travelling projectile, a big super projectile that he can use to destroy other fireballs, and a fireball reflector move he can use to counterzone as well. He also has a nice selection of big normals poke and control space with. To complement his zoning game, Rugal has a pretty solid DP that works both as a reversal and anti-air. Rugal is unique in that his main combo special will carry the opponent to the corner, so he gets to spend a lot more time with the opponent cornered than other characters. Up close, he has access to some nice low blockstrings, an untechable hold throw, and some good jump-ins. Rugal's main weaknesses are that he doesn't have great buttons to stop hops, and no great air-to-airs either.}}
== Changes from Previous Versions ==
'''98 to 98UM'''
Normals:
* st.B can now be canceled
* st.C now has 5 frames less startup and 5 frames less recovery, can be canceled, and does more damage
* st.D now has 11 frames less recovery and does more damage
* cr.D now has 5 frames less startup
* f+B's second hit now does more damage
* j.C now has 4 frames less startup
* GCCD animation is now his cl.C
Specials:
* qcf+P now has less recovery
* qcf+K now has less recovery
* f,hcf+P has had a damage increase
* f,hcf+A now has less startup
* dp+D invincibility has been increased to the first active frame
* hcb+C has had a damage increase
Supers:
* qcf,hcb+P has had a damage increase
* qcfx2+K now has less startup
'''98UM to 98UMFE'''
Normals:
* st.B's startup is now faster by 1 frame
* cl.D's startup is now faster by 3 frames, and its recovery has been reduced by 5 frames
== Normal Moves ==
'''Close'''
'''Close'''
*cl. A:
*cl. B:
*cl. C:
*cl. D:
'''Stand'''
* cl.A: A two-hit normal. The first hit is lower and will hit crouchers. The second hit hits higher up and will whiff on most crouchers. His fastest normal, so use it when you need speed. Cancelable.
*st. A:
*st. B:
* cl.B: A lower-hitting knee strike. No real special use for this, since he has a st.B that is a lot better. Cancelable.
*st. C:
*st. D:
* cl.C: Rugal's best heavy combo normal. Has two hits and both are cancelable.
* cl.D: A two-hit close normal. The two hits have a large gap, so the opponent can actually reversal or dodge/roll out in between the hits. The first hit is cancelable, but the second one is not.
'''Standing'''
* st.A: A fairly low-hitting st.A, making it hard to stop hops with it. Good close- to mid-range check button.
* st.B: A cancelable low with good range. A staple of Rugal's blockstrings and combos.
* st.C: A two-hit normal. The first part has less range than the second one, but both have good priority. Has very long recovery, so don't whiff it. Cancelable.
* st.D: A two-part normal. The first part hits higher up and can anti-air. The second part hits lower to the ground. Has long startup, so be careful when you use it.
'''Crouching'''
* cr.A: A very standard cr.A. Good for combos and blockstrings. Chainable and cancelable.
* cr.B: A long-range low cr.B. Good for combos and blockstrings. Chainable.
* cr.C: Two-hit normal. The first part is a poke that's low to the ground, and the second part is a slightly higher anti-air. Cancelable on hit, block, or whiff. As amazing as this sounds, it has low priority and thus has no good use anti airing, and cr.D is better for being a low to the ground poke.
* cr.D: Very long-range cancelable sweep. Great for poking with. Cancelable on hit, block, or whiff.
'''Jumping'''
* j.A: Standard jump-in normal and his fastest air-to-air normal.
* nj.A: Another jump-in.
* j.B: Good crossup jump-in.
* nj.B: Another jump-in.
* j.C: Good jump-in normal. Has more priority than j.D.
* nj.C: Okay air-to-air normal.
* j.D: Good jump-in for crossups.
* nj.D: Air normal with two parts. First part is good for air-to-airs and the second part is good for jump-ins.
'''CD Normals'''
* st.CD: Good anti-airing hitbox. The long startup on it mostly makes it good as a preemptive anti-air. Not many active frames. Cancelable on hit, block, or whiff.
* j.CD: Good jump-in button for blockstun pressure.
* Hold throw, not techable. Opponent can get out of the throw before full damage is dealt, so you'll have to mash buttons to get standard damage. Causes a soft knockdown.
'''Scorpion Blow:''' <code>b/f+D (close)</code>
* Regular throw, techable. Rugal throws the opponent fullscreen away behind him. Causes a backturned soft knockdown.
== Command Normals ==
'''Double Tomahawk:''' <code>f+B</code>
* Can be combo-ed into from lights.
* Cancelable on the first hit only.
* Second hit is an overhead.
== Special Moves ==
'''Reppuken:''' <code>qcf+A/C</code>
* Rugal throws a ground-travelling projectile.
* Can be hopped over.
* Disadvantage from point blank, but as soon as it travels a little before hitting the opponent (canceled from st.C or c.B, c.A, f+B, etc.) you will be at good advantage.
'''Kaiser Wave:''' <code>f,hcf+A/C (can be held)</code>
* Rugal throws a big projectile.
* Can charge the move by holding down the button.
* Cannot be combo-ed into.
* A version comes out faster, while C version travels faster.
* Can cancel out other normal projectiles and DM projectiles. When used against Krauser's or Rugal's Kaiser Wave, charge level dictates which one gets canceled out. In the event of a tie, both projectiles lose.
'''God Press:''' <code>hcb+A/C</code>
* Rugal runs forwards and strikes the opponent. On hit he grabs them and runs to the corner.
* This is a hitgrab, so it is considered a normal blockable attack but the effect on hit is like a grab.
* Can combo from lights and heavies.
* Rugal's main combo special, as it gives him a free corner carry from almost any confirm.
* Absolutely horrible on block, only confirm into this.
* Causes a hard knockdown.
'''Dark Barrier:''' <code>qcf+B/D</code>
* Rugal creates an energy shield in front of him.
* Reflects enemy projectiles.
* Also does its own damage if used close enough to the opponent.
* Causes a soft knockdown.
* Can technically be used as an anti-air, but you probably shouldn't.
* Decently negative on block, and despite its appearance, hitting it meaty does not improve the frame advantage.
'''Genocide Cutter:''' <code>dp+B/D</code>
* Rugal's DP.
* B version is faster and shorter, D version is stronger and goes higher.
* The B version hitbox is actually nothing like what the move looks like. This will not work as an anti-air at all, as both hits are very close to the ground. Only has use as a psychic DP against low/mid pokes.
* D version is an anti-air. Has startup invincibility and can be used as a reversal.
* Very punishable on block.
* On trade, it pops the opponent up into a juggle state, and Rugal can follow up with an extra hit if he's in range.
==Desperation Moves==
'''Gigantic Pressure:''' <code>qcf,hcb+A/C</code>
* DM version of God Press.
'''Crouch'''
* Combos off of lights.
*cr. A:
*cr. B:
*cr. C:
*cr. D:
'''Jump'''
* Takes opponent to the corner, like God Press.
*j. A:
*j. B:
*j. C:
*j. D:
'''Blowback'''
* Like God Press, is awful on block. Only confirm into this.
*st. CD:
*j. CD:
==Throws==
* Causes a hard knockdown.
'''Scorpion Deathlock:''' b/f+C
* Opponent can get out of the throw before full damage is dealt, so you'll have to mash buttons to get standard damage.
* Normal knockdown
'''Scorpion Blow:''' b/f+D
* MAX version takes the opponent to the other corner after the first corner, and also deals more damage.
* Reverse knockdown
==Command Normals==
'''Dead End Screamer:''' <code>qcfx2+B/D</code>
'''Double Tomahawk:''' f+B
* Can be comboed into from lights. Cancelable on first hit only. Second hit is an overhead.
==Special Moves==
* Rugal jumps into the air and comes down with a stomp. On hit, he starts spinning on the opponent.
'''Reppuken:''' qcf+A/C
* Rugal's go-to projectile. Disadvantage from point blank, but as soon as it travels a little before hitting the opponent (s.C, qcf+A or c.B, c.A, f+B, qcf+A etc. etc.) you will be at good advantage.
'''Kaiser Wave:''' f, hcf+A/C (hold)
* Unblockable.
* Can charge the move by holding down the punch button. Cannot be used in a combo. A version comes out faster, while C version travels faster. Can cancel out other normal projectiles and DM projectiles. When against Krauser's or Rugal's Kaiser Wave, charge level dictates which one gets canceled out. In the event of a tie, both projectiles lose.
'''God Press:''' hcb+A/C
* Button used controls trajectory of Rugal's jump.
* Can combo from lights. Cannot be reversed. Puts opponent in corner. Absolutely horrible on block, only confirm into this. Cannot be recovery rolled.
'''Dark Barrier:''' qcf+B/D
* Ideal for surprising the opponent by jumping over their fireballs, although this becomes predictable.
* Reflects enemy projectiles. Also does its own damage if used close enough to the opponent and has knockdown. Can be used as an anti air, but probably shouldn't. Decent disadvantage on block and despite it's appearance, setting it meaty does not improve the frame advantage.
'''Genocide Cutter:''' dp+B/C
* Won't connect during blockstun, but will combo during hitstun.
* B version is faster and shorter, D version is stronger and goes higher. The B version hitbox is acutally nothing like the move looks like. This will not work as AA at all as both hits are very close to the ground. Only has use as a psychic DP against low/med pokes. D version is an AA. Has startup invincibility and can be used as a reversal.
==DM==
* Can also cause fireballs to become unblockable, but the timing is so specific that it's not really practical (you can try it out with fullscreen qcf+A, qcfx2+D).
'''Gigantic Pressure:''' qcf, hcb+A/C
* God Press on sterioids. Combos off of lights. Cannot be reversed. Takes opponent to corner. Like God Press, awful on block. Only confirm into this.
'''Dead End Screamer:''' qcf(x2)+B/D
* MAX version mirrors the D version's speed and trajectory, but does more damage.
* Unblockable. B/D control trajectory of Rugal's jump. Ideal for surprising the opponent by jumping over their fireballs, although this becomes predictable. Won't connect during blockstun, but will combo during hitstun. Can also cause fireballs to become unblockable but the timing is so specific that it's not really practical (you can try it out with fullscreen qcf+A, qcfx2+D).
==Combos==
==Combos==
====Normal====
* c.B, c.B, st.B, f+B, hcb+A/C - Double Tomahawk must be canceled on first hit.
* f+B [1 hit], hcb+P or qcf,hcb+P (S)DM (punish from a long range, can be used in situations where other chars couldn't do anything meaningful)
* far s.C, qcf,hcb+P (S)DM (connects even from the very tip of far s.C)
* j.B/j.D, s.C [2 hit], f+B [1 hit], qcf,hcb+P (S)DM (made easier by the shortcut hold C, qcf+B, hcb+P as holding the C will prevent qcf+B coming out)
* c.B, c.A, (c.A), f+B [1 hit], qcf,hcb+P (S)DM (I find this easier to do as again you can hold A while you buffer the DM motion into the f+B to prevent qcf+B coming out. This also prevents the situation where far s.B will reach but f+B will whiff leaving you to get punished)
====(S)DM====
'''General Notes:'''
* cl.C (2 hits), qcf hcb+A/C
* c.B, st.A, qcf hcb+A/C
* In any metered combo, you can replace qcf,hcb+P with qcf,hcb+AC or qcfx2+k with qcfx2+BD for more damage if you have the resources.
* c.B, c.B, st.B, f+B, qcf hcb+A/C - Double Tomahawk must be canceled on first hit.
===Meterless===
''Low''
: <code>cr.B, cr.B, st.B, f+B(1), hcb+A/C</code>
: 5-hit low hcb+P confirm. Does good damage and sets up Rugal's corner pressure.
''Mid/Jump-In''
: <code>cr.A, cr.A, st.B, f+B(1), hcb+A/C</code>
: Rugal's confirm from his fastest normal.
: <code>cl.C, f+B(1), hcb+A/C</code>:
: Rugal's hcb+P confirm from a standing heavy. Not much else to say.
: <code>(j.X), cl.C, f+B(1), hcb+A/C</code>
: Rugal's main meterless BnB as a punish or from a jump-in, mainly j.D. Free corner carry and damage.
* f+B [2nd hit], QD, qcf,hcb+P (S)DM (this only works from close range so it needs to be on a wakeup or reset situation where you can whiff the first hit and connect with the second at close range)
====Misc====
: <code>cr.B, cr.a, qcf,hcb+A/C</code>
* qcf+K counterhit, dp+D or qcf,hcb+P (S)DM (near corner only)
: Rugal's most-damaging low confirm into qcf,hcb+P. Much more executionally demanding. You can switch the second cr.B for cr.A to use the button-hold technique for the DM.
* Cl.C is cancelable.
* Cl.D is cancelable.
* Cl.B and c.B are neutral on block, close s.A/c.A slight disadvantage, far s.A/far s.B fairly bad disadvantage as are the majority of his heavy attacks (except far s.D against a crouching opponent which is neutral).
* First hit of s.D and f+B don't push back on block.
* Far s.B hits low.
* F+B has a gap between the two hits on block, allowing opponents to roll out or punish if they have the appropriate move
* J.B and j.D are both good crossups. vertical j.C is good for AA, vertical j.B can be used as an instant overhead.
====Buffs from OG:====
''Mid/Jump-In''
* Better recovery on qcf+A, faster far s.C and now cancellable, far s.B now cancellable, very fast startup on f,hcf+A, faster
* movement on qcfx2+K, GCCD changed from s.CD to s.C animation (better horizontal range).
: <code>st.C, qcf,hcb+A/C</code>
: Rugal's far heavy confirm. Really good as poke pressure, but not if they get hit out of the air.
: <code>cl.C, f+B(1), qcf,hcb+A/C</code>
: Rugal's main heavy confirm into qcf,hcb+P.
: <code>(j.X), cl.C, f+B(1), qcf,hcb+A/C</code>
: Rugal's main metered combo from a jump-in.
''Corner''
: <code>qcf+A, qcfx2+B/D</code>
: Rugal's unblockable confirm into qcfx2+K. Can set up from both soft and hard knockdowns but timing varies, mainly from st.CD, j.CD, and cr.D.
: <code>cr.B, cl.A, ABC, cl.C/D(1), f+B(1), AB (Hit), qcf,hcb+A/C</code>
Rugal's most damaging combo by far, can work from a cross up j.B or j.D and sometimes non cross up jump ins based on spacing. The cl.A can be substituted for a cl.B or another cr.B if too far away for cl.A, but cl.A does the most damage of all 3 options.
''Mid/Jump-In''
: <code>st.C, f+B, ABC, cl.A, qcf,hcb+A/C</code>
== Strategy & Tips ==
== Strategy & Tips ==
== Videos ==
== Videos ==
{{#ev:youtube|OZm5oBPpEG4|||'''King of Fighters 98 UM FE: Rugal Guide''' by [https://twitter.com/MashItOut Mash It Out]|frame}}
Rugal's gameplan is a mix of projectile zoning, poking, and corner pressure. For his zoning, he has a ground-travelling projectile, a big super projectile that he can use to destroy other fireballs, and a fireball reflector move he can use to counterzone as well. He also has a nice selection of big normals poke and control space with. To complement his zoning game, Rugal has a pretty solid DP that works both as a reversal and anti-air. Rugal is unique in that his main combo special will carry the opponent to the corner, so he gets to spend a lot more time with the opponent cornered than other characters. Up close, he has access to some nice low blockstrings, an untechable hold throw, and some good jump-ins. Rugal's main weaknesses are that he doesn't have great buttons to stop hops, and no great air-to-airs either.
Changes from Previous Versions
98 to 98UM
Normals:
st.B can now be canceled
st.C now has 5 frames less startup and 5 frames less recovery, can be canceled, and does more damage
st.D now has 11 frames less recovery and does more damage
cr.D now has 5 frames less startup
f+B's second hit now does more damage
j.C now has 4 frames less startup
GCCD animation is now his cl.C
Specials:
qcf+P now has less recovery
qcf+K now has less recovery
f,hcf+P has had a damage increase
f,hcf+A now has less startup
dp+D invincibility has been increased to the first active frame
hcb+C has had a damage increase
Supers:
qcf,hcb+P has had a damage increase
qcfx2+K now has less startup
98UM to 98UMFE
Normals:
st.B's startup is now faster by 1 frame
cl.D's startup is now faster by 3 frames, and its recovery has been reduced by 5 frames
Normal Moves
Close
cl.A: A two-hit normal. The first hit is lower and will hit crouchers. The second hit hits higher up and will whiff on most crouchers. His fastest normal, so use it when you need speed. Cancelable.
cl.B: A lower-hitting knee strike. No real special use for this, since he has a st.B that is a lot better. Cancelable.
cl.C: Rugal's best heavy combo normal. Has two hits and both are cancelable.
cl.D: A two-hit close normal. The two hits have a large gap, so the opponent can actually reversal or dodge/roll out in between the hits. The first hit is cancelable, but the second one is not.
Standing
st.A: A fairly low-hitting st.A, making it hard to stop hops with it. Good close- to mid-range check button.
st.B: A cancelable low with good range. A staple of Rugal's blockstrings and combos.
st.C: A two-hit normal. The first part has less range than the second one, but both have good priority. Has very long recovery, so don't whiff it. Cancelable.
st.D: A two-part normal. The first part hits higher up and can anti-air. The second part hits lower to the ground. Has long startup, so be careful when you use it.
Crouching
cr.A: A very standard cr.A. Good for combos and blockstrings. Chainable and cancelable.
cr.B: A long-range low cr.B. Good for combos and blockstrings. Chainable.
cr.C: Two-hit normal. The first part is a poke that's low to the ground, and the second part is a slightly higher anti-air. Cancelable on hit, block, or whiff. As amazing as this sounds, it has low priority and thus has no good use anti airing, and cr.D is better for being a low to the ground poke.
cr.D: Very long-range cancelable sweep. Great for poking with. Cancelable on hit, block, or whiff.
Jumping
j.A: Standard jump-in normal and his fastest air-to-air normal.
nj.A: Another jump-in.
j.B: Good crossup jump-in.
nj.B: Another jump-in.
j.C: Good jump-in normal. Has more priority than j.D.
nj.C: Okay air-to-air normal.
j.D: Good jump-in for crossups.
nj.D: Air normal with two parts. First part is good for air-to-airs and the second part is good for jump-ins.
CD Normals
st.CD: Good anti-airing hitbox. The long startup on it mostly makes it good as a preemptive anti-air. Not many active frames. Cancelable on hit, block, or whiff.
j.CD: Good jump-in button for blockstun pressure.
Throws
Scorpion Deathlock:b/f+C (close)
Hold throw, not techable. Opponent can get out of the throw before full damage is dealt, so you'll have to mash buttons to get standard damage. Causes a soft knockdown.
Scorpion Blow:b/f+D (close)
Regular throw, techable. Rugal throws the opponent fullscreen away behind him. Causes a backturned soft knockdown.
Command Normals
Double Tomahawk:f+B
Can be combo-ed into from lights.
Cancelable on the first hit only.
Second hit is an overhead.
Special Moves
Reppuken:qcf+A/C
Rugal throws a ground-travelling projectile.
Can be hopped over.
Disadvantage from point blank, but as soon as it travels a little before hitting the opponent (canceled from st.C or c.B, c.A, f+B, etc.) you will be at good advantage.
Kaiser Wave:f,hcf+A/C (can be held)
Rugal throws a big projectile.
Can charge the move by holding down the button.
Cannot be combo-ed into.
A version comes out faster, while C version travels faster.
Can cancel out other normal projectiles and DM projectiles. When used against Krauser's or Rugal's Kaiser Wave, charge level dictates which one gets canceled out. In the event of a tie, both projectiles lose.
God Press:hcb+A/C
Rugal runs forwards and strikes the opponent. On hit he grabs them and runs to the corner.
This is a hitgrab, so it is considered a normal blockable attack but the effect on hit is like a grab.
Can combo from lights and heavies.
Rugal's main combo special, as it gives him a free corner carry from almost any confirm.
Absolutely horrible on block, only confirm into this.
Causes a hard knockdown.
Dark Barrier:qcf+B/D
Rugal creates an energy shield in front of him.
Reflects enemy projectiles.
Also does its own damage if used close enough to the opponent.
Causes a soft knockdown.
Can technically be used as an anti-air, but you probably shouldn't.
Decently negative on block, and despite its appearance, hitting it meaty does not improve the frame advantage.
Genocide Cutter:dp+B/D
Rugal's DP.
B version is faster and shorter, D version is stronger and goes higher.
The B version hitbox is actually nothing like what the move looks like. This will not work as an anti-air at all, as both hits are very close to the ground. Only has use as a psychic DP against low/mid pokes.
D version is an anti-air. Has startup invincibility and can be used as a reversal.
Very punishable on block.
On trade, it pops the opponent up into a juggle state, and Rugal can follow up with an extra hit if he's in range.
Desperation Moves
Gigantic Pressure:qcf,hcb+A/C
DM version of God Press.
Combos off of lights.
Takes opponent to the corner, like God Press.
Like God Press, is awful on block. Only confirm into this.
Causes a hard knockdown.
MAX version takes the opponent to the other corner after the first corner, and also deals more damage.
Dead End Screamer:qcfx2+B/D
Rugal jumps into the air and comes down with a stomp. On hit, he starts spinning on the opponent.
Unblockable.
Button used controls trajectory of Rugal's jump.
Ideal for surprising the opponent by jumping over their fireballs, although this becomes predictable.
Won't connect during blockstun, but will combo during hitstun.
Can also cause fireballs to become unblockable, but the timing is so specific that it's not really practical (you can try it out with fullscreen qcf+A, qcfx2+D).
MAX version mirrors the D version's speed and trajectory, but does more damage.
Combos
General Notes:
In any metered combo, you can replace qcf,hcb+P with qcf,hcb+AC or qcfx2+k with qcfx2+BD for more damage if you have the resources.
Meterless
Low
cr.B, cr.B, st.B, f+B(1), hcb+A/C
5-hit low hcb+P confirm. Does good damage and sets up Rugal's corner pressure.
Mid/Jump-In
cr.A, cr.A, st.B, f+B(1), hcb+A/C
Rugal's confirm from his fastest normal.
cl.C, f+B(1), hcb+A/C:
Rugal's hcb+P confirm from a standing heavy. Not much else to say.
(j.X), cl.C, f+B(1), hcb+A/C
Rugal's main meterless BnB as a punish or from a jump-in, mainly j.D. Free corner carry and damage.
(j.B), cl.C, f+B(1), hcb+A/C
Rugal's crossup combo into a heavy.
(j.B), cr,A, cr.A, st.B, f+B(1), hcb+A/C
Rugal's crossup combo into a light link.
f+B(1), hcb+A/C
Rugal's far-reaching punish.
Other
qcf+K, dp+D
Rugal's conversion from a counterhit qcf+K near or in the corner. Pretty specific, but good to know.
With Meter
Low
cr.B, cr.a, qcf,hcb+A/C
Rugal's easiest low confirm into qcf,hcb+P.
cr.B, cr.B, st.B, f+B(1), qcf,hcb+A/C
Rugal's most-damaging low confirm into qcf,hcb+P. Much more executionally demanding. You can switch the second cr.B for cr.A to use the button-hold technique for the DM.
Mid/Jump-In
st.C, qcf,hcb+A/C
Rugal's far heavy confirm. Really good as poke pressure, but not if they get hit out of the air.
cl.C, f+B(1), qcf,hcb+A/C
Rugal's main heavy confirm into qcf,hcb+P.
(j.X), cl.C, f+B(1), qcf,hcb+A/C
Rugal's main metered combo from a jump-in.
Corner
qcf+A, qcfx2+B/D
Rugal's unblockable confirm into qcfx2+K. Can set up from both soft and hard knockdowns but timing varies, mainly from st.CD, j.CD, and cr.D.
Quick Dodge
(j.X), cl.C, f+B(1), AB, qcf,hcb+A/C
f+B, AB, qcf,hcb+A/C:
Note that this requires you to be close to the opponent to work as intended.
Other
qcf+B/D, qcf,hcb+A/C
Metered version of the counterhit qcf+K conversion.
With Quick Max
Low
cr.B, ABC, cl.C, f+B(1), hcb+A/C
cr.B, ABC, cl.C, f+B(1), qcf,hcb+A/C
cr.B, cl.A, ABC, cl.C/D(1), f+B(1), AB (Hit), qcf,hcb+A/C
Rugal's most damaging combo by far, can work from a cross up j.B or j.D and sometimes non cross up jump ins based on spacing. The cl.A can be substituted for a cl.B or another cr.B if too far away for cl.A, but cl.A does the most damage of all 3 options.
Mid/Jump-In
