Real Bout Fatal Fury 2/Joe Higashi

Gameplay Overview

Gameplay Notes

Joe is one of those characters that could best be described as "solid". He has a nice set of normals, some combos, very all-round special moves and a decent P-Power. Joe's strengths lie in his distance and poking game. His standing C and dashing C are great pokes that come out very fast and recover fast enough that you may keep up pressure even when blocked. His projectile does okay damage and cannot be hopped over, and the double projectile does very good damage for a non-super projectile, slightly higher than Geese's Double Reppuken. In addition, this version will ensure he wins any fireball fight against normal projectiles. His Tiger Knee is probably one of the highest priority uppercut moves in the game. You almost never see this beat by anything, as he has invincibility frames on start-up. In addition, his Crescent Moon Kick special can work as a long range air counter against predicted jumps. Since Joe's projectiles have to be high-jumped, this can be useful at times. Also, his Slash Kick is an excellent combo ender, punisher, and surprise move. Blazingly fast, and the B version is somewhat safe on block. The C version can punish a mistake across the screen, and does good damage. Joe is also a king of anti-airs. Here are the different ones at his disposal:

4B - High Roundhouse

214B - Crescent Kick

623B - Tiger Kick

641236BC - Screw Upper (S-Power)

When it comes to Joe's weaknesses, his 2C has horribly short range, and what's worse is that he is one of the few characters in the game that cannot use a strong low move in his combos. In fact, the only low-hitting move he can do in his combos is 2B, and the follow-ups that this move allows aren't really damaging. Even though Joe can finish his combos with u + C which is an overhead, he does not have any low equivalents, and this makes his mix-up game rather weak. On the plus side, 2C recovers quickly and can be cancelled on block or hit.

Joe's combos are very bad when it comes to mix-up potential and he has several redundant chains that does nothing but get in your way. On the other hand, the most damaging ones can all start with an A or B, allowing him some threatening power in trading situations.

Play style-wise, Joe should try to utilize his great pokes and long-range moves to intercept the opponent's movements. Joe is fast enough to get out of pressure so he can fight up close as well if needed, just don't expect to be doing any fancy mix-up with him. Joe has two grabs, the first one is unique in that the opponent can fast-recover from it, and his second grab can be mashed out of, but even if you press nothing and your opponent mashes you will usually get in most hits. Hits a maximum of 10 times for above average damage.

Pros	Cons
Nice normals, combos, and special moves Decent P-Power Good distance and poking game Typcially can win any fireball fight against normal projectiles Tiger knee has very high priority Is a king of anti-air	His sweep has very short range Cannot use a strong low move in combos Has a weak mix-up game Very bad mix-up potential with combos Has several redundant chains Most normals are terrible

Normals

Standing

5A	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 7 - 5 5 7 4 0 HL Y - - Joe's punch is a quick, short ranged straight jab. Misses most crouching opponents

n.5A (within 48 px of opponent)	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 7 - 5 7 5 4 0 HL Y - - Joe does a quick elbow to the opponent's face. Same as 5A, but a bit faster Can lead into most of Joe's combos

5B	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 11 - 6 5 10 1 -3 HL Y - - A quick kick to the shin Comes out fast Can lead into Joe's special combo

n.5B (within 57 px of opponent)	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 11 - 6 7 8 1 -3 HL Y - - Joe does a quick straight kick to the body. This can only lead into one short combo Does high stun damage The high stun damage allows for a Hard Special Move follow-up

5C

Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 23 - 8 3 22(17) 8 2 HL N - - Joe kicks at the opponent's mid-section with his leg. An excellent poke and staple move in Joe's arsenal Comes out quickly and has decent range Range is upgraded from decent to great if you perform it during a dash This move is unique in that it's animation stops early if it actually hits or is blocked, so the recovery is much faster than on most strong normals

n.5C (within 58 px of opponent)	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 23 - 8 6 20 0 -6 HL Y - -

Crouching

2A	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 7 - 5 4 8 4 0 HL Y - - Joe squats down and punches, similar to his st.A. Can lead into the same combos as n.5A

2B	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 11 - 6 6 9 1 -3 L Y - - A short ranged kick. Mediocre speed Not very good range Cannot start many combos Very few situations where this could be useful

2C	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 23 - 8 3 20 KD -6 L Y - - Joe sweeps the opponent with his leg. Fast start-up and recovery Safe as long as its not whiffed Poor range Cannot be used in any combos

Command

High Kick 4B

Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 19 - 9 5 17 4 -2 HL Y - - A kick to the head with decent range. This move can be used as a cancellable poke Can also work as anti-air somewhat Range is a bit better than his standing C, but will miss crouching opponents Damage is slightly lower than a standing C Can chain it into most special moves and the P-Power

Sliding Kick 3B	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 19 - 10 14 18 KD -12 L N - - A short and rather slow slide on the ground. Poor range

Special Taunt 2C when the opponent is knocked down

Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle - - - - 52 total - - - N - - Joe taunts the opponent when they are on the ground. Hit Detection: Any range, downed opponent only Does no damage what so ever Does help increase his gauge a bit If used close on knock down, Joe is wide open to an attack unless the opponent is stunned Only use this if you get knock down and are at range (like his P-Power)

Side Kick 5AB High Avoid Attack	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 14 - 10 6 23 -3 -9 HL Y - -

Jumping

j.A Neutral Hop/Jump Diagonal Hop Diagonal Jump

Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle Neutral Hop 7 - 5 till landing 6 +8 +4 H N - - Diagonal Hop 7 - 5 till landing 6 +8 +4 H N - - Neutral Jump 7 - 5 till landing 6 +8 +4 H N - - A quick punch with virtually no horisontal range. Used to beat opponents below himself in air Diagonal Jump 7 - 5 10 6 +8 +4 H N - - A quick downwards punch. Decent horizontal range Comes out fast Can be used as anti-air, but damage is minimal

j.B

Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle Neutral Hop 11 - 6 till landing 6 +8 +4 H N - - Diagonal Hop 11 - 6 till landing 6 +8 +4 H N - - Neutral Jump 11 - 6 6 6 +8 +4 H N - - Diagonal Jump 11 - 6 8 6 +8 +4 H N - - A very short-ranged jumping knee Has the shortest (about zero) range of any attack in the game Is pretty much completely useless Better off using a punch if you need a fast air move

j.C Neutral Hop Neutral Jump Diagonal Hop/Jump

Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle Neutral Hop 19 - 8 8 8 +15 +9 H N - - Joe does a flying kick without jumping quite as high. Excellent horizontal range Allows you to attack without getting too close to the opponent Diagonal Hop 19 - 8 8 8 +15 +9 H N - - Neutral Jump 19 - 8 6 8 +15 +9 H N - - A kick that goes straight up. This move has bad horizontal range Good range diagonally upwards Mostly suited for countering high jumpers Bad for air to ground combat Diagonal Jump 19 - 8 8 8 +15 +9 H N - - Joe leaps into the air and delivers an arcing kick to the opponent. A good j.C Decent range, and a good angle for air to ground combat Easy to use it as a crossover after turning in air with D, but less useful for air to air

Oversway Actions

5D (opponent in oversway)	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 19 - 8 3,3 18 -1 -7 H Y - -

2D (opponent in oversway)	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 19 - 8 3,3 18 2 0 L N - -

A (from oversway)	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 10 - 22 3 12 3 1 H - - -

B (from oversway)	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 10 - 24 4 12 1 -1 L - - -

C (from oversway)	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 19 - 26 4 11 13 -2 HL - - -

Throw

Lifting Pressure 4/6C Down Heel

Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 4/6C 15 - - - - - - - - - - Unless the opponent uses the follow-up, this throw cannot be recovered from with Safe Fall Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 2C after throw 13 - - - - - - - - - - Must be used when the second hit of Lifting Pressure goes through Since this follow-up is not considered a throw, the opponent can Safe Fall this

Rapid Knees 3C	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 7*5 - - - - - - - - - - Can be mashed to do up to ten hits doing above average damage Still gets in most hits even if mashed out of

Feints

Feint Hurricane Upper 2AC	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle - - - - 18 - - - - - - Good for faking out the opponent in a projectile war

Feint Slash Kick 6AC	Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle - - - - 18 - - - - - - Is invincible to low attacks for a brief moment

Special Moves

TNT Punch Mash A 236A Follow-Up 236C Follow-Up

Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle Mash A 7*7(84) - 8 3(3)3(3)3(3)(3)3 17 - - HL - Y - Joe punches several times over and over in quick succession. Mashing A will keep it going a bit longer Good in combos because they are safe on block if you don't do the follow-up Allows you to juggle with light slash kick after the uppercut finisher Very useful as a breakshot against stuff that is easy to breakshot, like a blocked Shooting Star. Lots of damage Can do rather good damage if you manage to connect the second follow-up If you mistime your follow-up you might just as well be the one taking the damage Has two possible follow-ups, 236A and 236C Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle Mash A-236A 6,6(11) - 14 2 28 -1 -7 H - - - Joe follows-up his Exploding Punch with a downward punch. Hits twice for miniscule damage This move is an overhead, but since Joe has no low-hitting follow-up to the Hurricane Fists, this is completely useless against someone who knows what they are doing Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle Mash A-236C 6 - 18 1 28 +10 -4 HL - - - Joe does a fancy uppercut that launches the opponent into the air. The launch allows a free juggle with a Slash Kick or a Tiger Kick This is the follow-up to Exploding punch you always want to use If this move is blocked, expect to be at least thrown

Tiger Kick 623B

Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 12,26(34) - 5 2,19 40 KD -34 HL - Y - Joe quickly knees upward into the opponent, covered in a red aura. Great Breakshot Good invincibility at startup Good range and damage Will counter "everything" if performed at the right time Will get you killed if performed at the wrong time Combined with his Hurricanes, this move gives you the ability to play the classic fireball trap game

Golden Heel 214B

Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 33 - 22 2(2)6 24 -2 -7 HL - Y - Joe performs a high jumping kick that covers a large area. Too slow to combo into Can juggle with it after connecting a launcher combo Can be used to counter predict jumpers from long range Works very well against predicted projectiles If this move is blocked, Joe is safer than you'd think, but he is still in a unfavourable position

Hurricane Upper 41236A/C A Version C Version

Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle A 16 - 14 - 59 total -10 -12 HL - Y - Joe fires a large whirlwind projectile at the enemy. Cannot be hopped over or crouched under A useful move for distance combat and zone control Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle C 14,16(28) - 19(11)31 - 80 total -15 -17 HL - Y - Joe fires two whirlwind projectiles in rapid succession. Most damaging normal projectile move in the game if you can hit with both Will beat other normal projectiles considering it fires two projectiles The recovery and startup on this move is a bit slower than the A Hurricane Upper, so be careful with it

Slash Kick 16B/C

Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle B 28 - 9 11 22 1 -10 HL - N - Joe does a very fast forwards flying kick. Can be done with either 16B or 41236B This move is easy to combo into Usually safe on block if you perform it from some range away, ff you do it too close you will be at point blank range at your opponent's mercy Follow up your connected pokes with this one The move in itself travels through air, so if he is hit by any ground-based move he will be hit out of it instead of suffering a ground stun-hit that would allow him to be comboed If the move is not blocked, both Joe and the opponent will reset, with Joe gaining a small frame advantage Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle C 32 - 20 15 30 KD -22 HL - N - Joe does Slash Kick, but he follows it up with a second kick afterwards. Cannot be done using 41236C, you will get C Hurricane Upper, but it can be done by using 2146C More damaging, yet more risky version of the Slash Kick If it connects, Joe will follow up with a second kick that knocks the opponent to the ground This move is best used in combos Due to the slow start-up you can only do it after a combo that gives the opponent a heavy stun animation Damage and range are both very good Can use this move to punish your opponent's mistakes at ANY range

S-Power

Screw Upper 641236BC

Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle 14*6 - 26 64 24 KD -29 HL - - - Joe does an uppercut motion and a red funnel of wind appears in front of him. Super Projectile This move works much in the same manner as Geese's Raging Storm, but has less coverage and doesn't hit the back plane Can be comboed into from his launcher combo Use this against predicted jumps or from the launcher combo Beware that Joe is vulnerable for quite some time after the wind disappears, so be careful with this move In addition, this move will absorb projectiles, but is destroyed by P-Power projectiles

P-Power

Thunder Fire 641236C/D C Version D Version

Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle C 13,) - 1+2 108 40 KD -13 HL - - - Joe does a flurry of combos before ending with a flaming Tiger Kick. Autocombo The hits are performed regardless whether they hit or not The startup on this move is very fast, and thus very easy to combo into Only the burning Tiger Kick move at the end of the move count as a special/super though, so don't expect this move to win any trades against similarly fast moves Only the last few hits where he does a burning tiger kick actually counts as a super move when determining tick damage and invincibility, so despite what it seems, the move does very little tick damage Version Damage Stun Startup Active Recovery Hit Advantage Block Advantage Guard Cancel BS Juggle D 13,8*5,10*5(79) - 1+16 102 40 KD -13 HL - - - This time Joe will do a quick line sway, then come back into the main plane with a burning knee before doing the rest of the combo as usual. Autocombo This is handy for countering pokes and missiles, as Joe will line sway past the missile/poke and get there just in time to punish

Combos

Chain Combos

Punch Starters
``````````````
5A (*)  --------> 5B             -----> 5C (2, E)  
                5S (E)
n.5a (*)----> 5A (*, 1)      -----> 5A (E) 
          :     5B (*, 1)             5B (*, E)
          :     2B (*, 1, _)      5C (E)
          :     5C (*, 1, E)          3C (*, A, E)
          :                          8C (O, E)
          :
          :
          ----> 2A (*)     -----> 5B (*, 1)----> B (*, E) 
                                     5C (*, 1, E)   5C (E)
                                                   3C (*, A, E)
2A (*)------> 5A (*, 1)      -----> 5A (E) 
                5B (*, 1)             5B (*, E)
                2B (*, 1, _)     5C (E)
                5C (*, 1, E)          3C (*, A, E)
                                     8C (O, E)
j.A (O)---> j.C (1, H, O, E)

Kick Starters
`````````````
B (*)  --------> 5C (*)         -----> 236C (E) 
n.5B (*)----> 5C (*, E)
j.B (O)---> j.C (1, H, O, E)

Strong Starters
```````````````
None

Chain Analysis

Combos. For many characters, this is where they get most of their power from. Joe on the other hand has to rely a bit more on his normals and special moves. His combos allow for little mix-up, they include many redundant chains, and most have bad range.

I will list the combos that are of importance. If a combo is missing here it is either because I consider it to have no use, or I have simply forgotten. Feel free to comment if you feel I have missed something.

5A, 5B, 5C

This very basic combo can only be done from a far version standing A, which can be crouched and has short range. What you can do is kara the rest of the combo from the punch so you get a long range double kick combo that can be useful for poking. Can be useful at times, but do not use this combo for punishing purposes, as there are more damaging ones.

2A, 5C xx Slash Kick / Tiger Kick / Hurricane Upper / Exploding Punch / Thunder Fire (P-power)

This basic combo may seem very small and weak at first, but it has some use because the C is one of only two combo enders that give enough frame advantage to follow up with a strong Slash Kick. The bad thing about this combo is that the very same C can be ducked.

This combo also leads into Joe's most damaging combo setup without meter. More on this in the advanced combos section further down the page.

Close 2B, 5C, -> Slash Kick / Tiger Kick / Hurricane Upper / Exploding Fists / Thunder Fire (P-power)

Very similar to the previous combo mentioned, except this one cannot be crouched. The bad thing about this is that it requires you to be at point blank range in order for the second hit of the combo to hit. Otherwise the first hit will push them out of range, which can and will be fatal. This is the second of the two ground combos Joe has that can lead into a strong Slash Kick.

2A, 2B, 3C, -> Tiger Kick / Slash Kick / Golden Heel Blast / Screw Upper (S-power)

This is the potentially most damaging combo that Joe can dish out unless he has P power. As with most of his other combos, it has horrible range, but the last hit of this one is a launcher, and Joe has many moves that can juggle after it, the most notable being his S Power. If the S-Power is unavailable, you can pretty much choose the follow up you want. The C version Slash Kick does the most, but requires precise timing to hit properly. The Golden Heel Blast comes in second in damage.

This is the most useful punishing combo Joe has, but you should avoid using the launcher on block, since it can be punished unless you cancel it into a special move, which is a risky situation either way.

2A, 2B, 5B xx Tiger Kick / Slash Kick / Thunder Fire (P-power) A safer version of the previous combo. This one does not launch the opponent, nor does it provide sufficient frame advantage to use the strong followups.

5B, 5C xx 236C

This is Joe's command combo. Joe performs a shin kick, then a high hook, then performs three roundhouse kicks in increasing height at his opponent. The last hit launches them. You can then juggle with a Tiger Kick in corners. Damage is more or less the same as the A, B, C combo unless you get off the juggle.

Be aware that if the second hit of the combo misses the opponent, then only the first kick of the qcf + C combo will hit, and the last two kicks will pass through the opponent without hitting. Against an opponent who knows, this will be a fatal mistake, so be careful and make sure to hit confirm the second hit before you input the qcf + C

You can cancel the second hit of the combo into any special or super or feint move.

Other Chains

5A, 5B, 8C - Joe will follow up his normals with a sort of flipping downward arcing kick.

-This chain can be done standing, crounching, or a mixture of both.

-Must begin with an A and then follow with a B or else the u + C will not come out

-The 8C part is an overhead, and will still come out and count as an overhead even if the A and B are blocked

-The 8C can be blocked even if the A, B connects.

5B, 5C xx Tiger Kick - Short combo than can be ended with Tiger Kick.

-Four hit combo

-Can replace Tiger Kick with Slash Kick, Exploding Punch, and Hurricane Upper, but these are not as safe

5A, 5B, 8C, 641236C - Joe hits the opponent with his overhead chain, and then goes into Thunder Fire.

-Since the 8C overhead can be blocked even if A, B connects, its best to use this combo on crouch blocking opponents

-Provides a bit of deception/mix-up for Joe

-Do not attempt if the opponent is standing before the 8C connects