| description =Brian is an interesting character whose main strength is his unique air mobility. Brian's air spin move allows him to become an incredibly active hitbox in the air and carry the momentum from whatever put him airborne with him. This means that he can choose a lot of different speeds and angles to traverse the air with, to make anti-airing him difficult for the opponent. The spin can be combo-ed into as well, and in many circumstances Brian can even combo out of it. On the ground, Brian is your classic big-bodied character, with access to some large pokes to control neutral, the fastest overhead in the game, and a guard point attack that launches on hit. Brian is a character best played with the Extra mode dash, as he can do his air spin from it and gain extra mobility. Brian's weaknesses include a lack of a real invincible reversal, few fast close-range options, and his big body making him more susceptible to getting hit.}}
== Changes from Previous Versions ==
'''98 to 98UM'''
Normals:
* st.A's hitbox has been lengthened
* st.C starts up 2 frames faster and has 10 less frames recovery; it is also now an overhead and is no longer cancelable
* j.A is now cancelable
* j.d+C can no longer be done during a step dash
Specials:
* hcf+K has 4 frames less startup, 3 more active frames, and 5 frames less recovery
* hcf+K now causes a juggle state on hit
Supers:
* qcfx2+P now has increased invincibility
* qcb,hcf+P now travels faster and destroys projectiles
'''98UM to 98UMFE'''
Normals:
* cl.C no longer whiffs on short crouchers
* j.C is now special cancelable
Supers:
* qcfx2+B now has faster startup
== Normal Moves ==
== Normal Moves ==
'''Close'''
* cl.A: Quite useless button. Slow for a panic button and whiffs on crouching opponents. Use cl.C instead. Chainable and cancelable.
* cl.B: Brian's fastest button, at 4f, but is even on hit and negative on block, and cannot chain into anything for a confirm. Another not-preferred button. Cancelable.
* cl.C: The main button you would use in close range. 5f start up, hits crouching opponents, 2 hits, and cancelable on both hits with a wide input window.
* cl.D: Worse cl.C. Has more range than cl.C, but it being CLOSE button, that doesn't mean much. Cancelable.
'''Standing'''
'''Standing'''
* st.A : a pretty far reaching keep away push. decent anti hop, anti air. whiffs on croucher.
* st.A: A pretty far-reaching keepaway button. Decent anti-hop anti-air. Whiffs on crouching opponents.
* st.B: A little slower and shorter version of st.A. Can hit crouching opponents.
* st.C: The fastest overhead in the game, at 15f of start up. Solid neutral tool.
* st.B : a little slower and shorter version of st.A. can hit croucher.
* st.D: 8f start up anti-air. Has big recovery.
* st.C : an overhead. has 15f start up, but considering its usage it is pretty decent.
'''Crouching'''
* st.D : a 8f start up anti air. has big recovery.
* cr.A: One of his better buttons. Cancelable.
* st.CD : not so great. can whiff cancel.
* cr.B: Slow but long-range low starter. Chainable and cancelable.
'''Close'''
* cr.C: Simply put, this is budget Daimon df+C. Works as some kind of anti air and ground poke.
* cl.A : quite useless button. slow for a panic button and whiffs on croucher. would use cl.C instead.
* cr.D: Very long-reaching low. Another of his better buttons. Cancelable on hit, block, and whiff.
* cl.B : Brian's fastest button, 4f. but is even on hit and negative on block, cant cancel into other buttons as well. another not preferred button.
'''Jumping'''
* cl.C : the main button you would use in close range. 5f start up, hit croucher, 2 hits and cancelable on both hit with wide input window.
* j.A: Handy for combo-ing into his j.d+C command normal. Has a lot of active frames. Cancelable.
* cl.D : worse cl.C, has more range than cl.C, but it being CLOSE button really loses value.
* j.B: Good air-to-air normal with a lot of reach and good active frames. Does not have a lot of priority.
'''Crouch'''
* j.C: Great jump-in button that also crosses up very well. Cancelable into j.qcf+P but not j.d+P.
* cr.A : one of his better buttons.
* j.D: Good air-to-air normal that has more priority than j.B.
* cr.B : with the cr.A
'''CD Normals'''
* cr.C : simply saying, it is budget Daimon's df+C. works as some kind of anti air and ground poke.
* st.CD: Not so great. Cancelable on hit, block, and whiff.
* cr.D : very long reaching low. his other better button. can cancel on hit and whiff.
* j.CD: Decent for blockstun pressure or to air-to-air with, though his other air-to-air buttons are better.
== Throws ==
== Throws ==
'''Atomic Drop:''' b/f + C
'''Atomic Drop:''' <code>b/f+C (close)</code>
* Regular throw, techable. Brian picks up the opponent and smashes them against his knee making them fly almost full screen. causes soft knockdown.
'''Rock Buster:''' b/f + D
'''Rock Buster:''' <code>b/f+D (close)</code>
* Regular throw, techable. Brian picks the opponent up and tosses them to the opposite side making them fly full screen. causes soft knockdown
== Command Moves ==
== Command Moves ==
Buster Tomahawk: (in the air) down + C
'''Buster Tomahawk:''' <code>d+C (in air)</code>
* Can be combo-ed into from j.A.
* Special cancelable into his spin move.
* Hits overhead.
* On grounded hit it acts as a normal hit, on aerial hit it causes hard knockdown.
== Special Moves ==
== Special Moves ==
'''Brian Tornado:''' hcf + A/C
'''Brian Tornado:''' <code>hcf+A/C</code>
* Brian spins horizontally towards the opponent hitting them 3 times for A version, and 5 times for the C version. Both versions only combo after heavy attacks, and they have poor recovery on block. On hit, both versions causes a soft knockdown.
* Brian spins horizontally towards the opponent hitting them 3 times for A version, and 5 times for the C version.
* Both versions only combo after heavy attacks, and they have poor recovery on block.
'''Hyper Tackle:''' hcf + B/D
* On hit, both versions causes a soft knockdown.
* A shoulder tackle that has a brief amount of start-up, which knocks the enemy upwards in a juggle state. The B version is safe on block, while the D version has slow recovery. Both versions seem to deal the same amount of health.
'''Hyper Tackle:''' <code>hcf+B/D</code>
* A shoulder tackle that has a brief amount of start-up, which knocks the enemy upwards in a juggle state.
'''Screw Body Press:'''(in the air) qcf + A/C
* The B version is safe on block, while the D version has slow recovery. The D version also moves further.
* Brian spins in the air as if hes skydiving. He follows the momentum, both horizontal and vertical, you had upon use. If you did a neutral jump, he will spin neutral, jump backward he would spin away from the enemy, etc. vice versa. The C version hits for a longer duration than the A version. It is also possible to cross the opponent up while they standing. Has bad hurtbox against vertical attacks coming beneath him. So don't use it from a high jump.
* Both versions deal the same amount of damage.
* Both versions have some guard point, but the D version has more.
'''Rocket Tackle:''' dp + B/D
* The B version launches the opponent higher, allowing for easier combos after.
* A tight angled diagonal shoulder tackle dragon punch style. The B version doesn't have any invincibility at the start up but the C version seems to have an autoguard frame at the start up. The A version only hits standing opponents, whiffs on crouchers, while the C version whiffs on both. Point blank if someone is walking towards you the C version will hit. Both versions are comboable from light and heavy attacks.
'''Screw Body Press:''' <code>qcf+A/C (in air)</code>
* The core of Brian's neutral. Brian spins in the air as if he's skydiving, hitting multiple times and staying active until he lands.
'''Brian Hammer:''' qcb+A/C
* This move follows the velocity, both horizontal and vertical, you had upon use. It also reduces the effect of gravity on Brian, allowing him to keep that velocity for longer. Therefore, each direction and type of jump, as well as forward and backward dashes, give him different paths, and the point in the jump/dash where he activates it also changes its trajectory.
* Brian swings his arms like hammer. Causes hard knockdown on hit and safe on block. Stopping it just here can be a correct choice since the follow ups may whiff on certain distance.
* You can also tiger-knee the motion, shooting Brian into the sky very fast to the point of being offscreen for a couple seconds.
* The C version is active for a longer duration than the A version.
* Can be canceled into from cancelable air normals.
* Brian does another swing then perform a DDT. Second swing doesnt have any knockdown and very negative on both hit and block, don't stop at here no matter what. DDT is a hard knockdown. this follow up reaches furthest among all possible ones, still might whiff on distance.
* Leaves the opponent standing and gives Brian a fair amount of advantage on hit, allowing him to combo out of it if he lands close enough.
* Has bad priority below it, making it easily anti-aired. So don't use it from a high jump.
* Double Pile Driver. Another hard knockdown. This puts Brian into massive frame advantage, allows him some oki games.
* Brian's sort-of DP. The B version doesn't have any invincibility, but the D version seems to have an autoguard frame during its startup.
* The B version only hits standing opponents, whiffing on crouchers, while the D version whiffs on both. Point-blank, if the opponent is walking towards you, the D version will hit.
'''Shoulder Back Breaker:''' (during '''Tiger Driver''') down, down, down + B/D, '''Buster & Bomb:''' down, up + A/C
* However, both versions combo from light and heavy attacks.
* Brian shows off a series of wrestling moves. It does massive damage and of course is a hard knockdown.
*Reliable combo ender.
'''Brian Hammer:''' <code>qcb+A/C</code>
* Brian swings his arms like hammer. Causes hard knockdown on hit (unless canceled into its followups) and safe on block.
* Starter for Brian's rekkas.
* Stopping it just here can be a correct choice, since the follow ups may whiff on certain distance.
: '''Double Hummer:''' <code>qcb+A/C (during Brian Hammer)</code>
:* Brian does another swing. Second swing doesn't have any knockdown and is very negative on both hit and block, don't stop here no matter what.
::* Another piledriver, and another hard knockdown. This gives Brian massive frame advantage, allows him some oki games.
:: '''Shoulder Back Breaker:''' <code>d,d,d+B/D (during Tiger Driver)</code>
::* Brian does another grapple.
::: '''Buster & Bomb:''' <code>d,u+A/C (during Shoulder Back Breaker)</code>
:::* Ender for Brian's longest rekka chain. It does massive damage and of course is a hard knockdown.
== Desperation Moves ==
== Desperation Moves ==
'''Big Bang Tackle:''' qcf, qcf + B/D
'''Big Bang Tackle:''' <code>qcfx2+B/D</code>
* Brian does a DM version of his '''Hyper Tackle''' with him skating to one side of the screen to the other.
* Brian does a super version of his '''Hyper Tackle''' with him skating to one side of the screen to the other. If blocked he will just go through them, but the opponent will need to block toward every opposing direction. If hit up close, the opponent will be juggled by the 3 rushes.
* If blocked he will just go through them, but the opponent will need to block toward every opposing direction. If hit up close, the opponent will be juggled by the 3 rushes.
'''American Super NOVA:''' <code>qcfx2+A/C</code>
'''American Super NOVA:''' qcf, qcf + A/C
* An anti air throw. Brian reaches for the sky (A version not very far, C version, he touches the life bars), then grabs the opponent, performing a DM version of his '''Shoulder Back Breaker''' sequence.
* An anti air throw. Brian reaches for the sky (A version not very far, C version, he touches the life bars) then grabs the opponent performing a super version of his '''Shoulder Back Breaker''' sequence.
* Unfortunately, Brian is unable to juggle into this.
* MAX version does more damage.
'''Galaxy Cyclone:''' qcb, hcf + A/C
'''Galaxy Cyclone:''' <code>qcb,hcf+A/C</code>
* Kind of a psycho crusher move that has really bad recovery if blocked (he doesn't end up on the other side of the opponent). If it hits, Brian will end up on the other side and the opponent will be hardknocked down, for a possible okizeme attempt. Has a single Projectile Collision property on it, thus he can nullify one hit of projectile.
* Kind of a psycho crusher move that has really bad recovery if blocked (he doesn't end up on the other side of the opponent). If it hits, Brian will end up on the other side and the opponent will be hardknocked down, for a possible okizeme attempt. Has a single Projectile Collision property on it, thus he can nullify one hit of projectile.
*A version travels 1/2 of the screen, while C versions is fullscreen. A version is preferred midscreen as it gives Brian a 50/50 opportunity with a same side/cross-up j.C, as well as a more traditional Roll mix up. C version is better when using it as an anti zoning tool due to its increased range.
* MAX version does more damage.
== Combos ==
== Combos ==
cl.C(1), qcb.P, hcf.P, ddd.K, du.P : His strongest BnB. can try ddd.P instead of K for better oki follow up. or qcb.P, qcb.P, qcb.P for full hit cl.C. you can stop at first qcb.P for hard knockdown as well.
cl.C(1, 2 if really close), hcf.B, air d+C : another hard knockdown combo with higher damage. you can dp+D for higher damage but lose hard knockdown this case. even qcb,hcf.P works.
'''General Notes'''
cr.Bxn, cr.A : reliable low confirm.
* You can combo into j.d+C or qcb,hcf+P after any hcf+B hit.
* If you're in extra gauge, you're in red health, and need access to the SDM version of qcb,hcf+P: you can simply quick max hcf+B during your combo.
cr.Bx1~2, cr.A, qcfx2.K : low confirm into super. quite unstable depend on distance.
===Meterless===
cr.Bx1~2, cr.A, qcb,hcf.P : another low confirm into super, also unstable with distance.
''Low''
'''EX Meter'''
: <code>cr.Bx2~3, cr.A</code>
:* Reliable low confirm.
cr.Bx1~3, cr.A qcb,hcf.ABC : better stability.
''Mid/Jump-In''
cl.A or B, ABC, cl.C, hcf.B, air d+C or dp+D or qcb,hcf.P
:* Allows Brian to combo into qcb,hcf+P from max distance.
: <code>j.qcf+C, ABC, cl.C(2), qcb,hcf+P</code>
:* Easier version of Brian's cross-up combo from air qcf+P. Quick maxing the last hit before Brian hits the ground makes linking the cl.C afterwards a lot more lenient.
''Step Dash''
: <code>ff > qcf+C, ABC, cr.C, qcb,hcf+C</code>
:* Quick max combo from Brian's air qcf+P. Try to delay the qcf+C a little bit after the forward dash otherwise you'll end up going up and over the opponent.
:* Try to quick max the last hit of the air qcf+C before Brian hits the ground. This is a bit of a tricky timing but can be gotten with practice.
== Strategy & Tips ==
== Strategy & Tips ==
== Videos ==
== Videos ==
{{#ev:youtube|hvaVRzo2PUo|||'''King of Fighters 98 UM FE: Brian Guide''' by [https://twitter.com/MashItOut Mash It Out]|frame}}
Brian is an interesting character whose main strength is his unique air mobility. Brian's air spin move allows him to become an incredibly active hitbox in the air and carry the momentum from whatever put him airborne with him. This means that he can choose a lot of different speeds and angles to traverse the air with, to make anti-airing him difficult for the opponent. The spin can be combo-ed into as well, and in many circumstances Brian can even combo out of it. On the ground, Brian is your classic big-bodied character, with access to some large pokes to control neutral, the fastest overhead in the game, and a guard point attack that launches on hit. Brian is a character best played with the Extra mode dash, as he can do his air spin from it and gain extra mobility. Brian's weaknesses include a lack of a real invincible reversal, few fast close-range options, and his big body making him more susceptible to getting hit.
Changes from Previous Versions
98 to 98UM
Normals:
st.A's hitbox has been lengthened
st.C starts up 2 frames faster and has 10 less frames recovery; it is also now an overhead and is no longer cancelable
j.A is now cancelable
j.d+C can no longer be done during a step dash
Specials:
hcf+K has 4 frames less startup, 3 more active frames, and 5 frames less recovery
hcf+K now causes a juggle state on hit
Supers:
qcfx2+P now has increased invincibility
qcb,hcf+P now travels faster and destroys projectiles
98UM to 98UMFE
Normals:
cl.C no longer whiffs on short crouchers
j.C is now special cancelable
Supers:
qcfx2+B now has faster startup
Normal Moves
Close
cl.A: Quite useless button. Slow for a panic button and whiffs on crouching opponents. Use cl.C instead. Chainable and cancelable.
cl.B: Brian's fastest button, at 4f, but is even on hit and negative on block, and cannot chain into anything for a confirm. Another not-preferred button. Cancelable.
cl.C: The main button you would use in close range. 5f start up, hits crouching opponents, 2 hits, and cancelable on both hits with a wide input window.
cl.D: Worse cl.C. Has more range than cl.C, but it being CLOSE button, that doesn't mean much. Cancelable.
Standing
st.A: A pretty far-reaching keepaway button. Decent anti-hop anti-air. Whiffs on crouching opponents.
st.B: A little slower and shorter version of st.A. Can hit crouching opponents.
st.C: The fastest overhead in the game, at 15f of start up. Solid neutral tool.
st.D: 8f start up anti-air. Has big recovery.
Crouching
cr.A: One of his better buttons. Cancelable.
cr.B: Slow but long-range low starter. Chainable and cancelable.
cr.C: Simply put, this is budget Daimon df+C. Works as some kind of anti air and ground poke.
cr.D: Very long-reaching low. Another of his better buttons. Cancelable on hit, block, and whiff.
Jumping
j.A: Handy for combo-ing into his j.d+C command normal. Has a lot of active frames. Cancelable.
j.B: Good air-to-air normal with a lot of reach and good active frames. Does not have a lot of priority.
j.C: Great jump-in button that also crosses up very well. Cancelable into j.qcf+P but not j.d+P.
j.D: Good air-to-air normal that has more priority than j.B.
CD Normals
st.CD: Not so great. Cancelable on hit, block, and whiff.
j.CD: Decent for blockstun pressure or to air-to-air with, though his other air-to-air buttons are better.
Throws
Atomic Drop:b/f+C (close)
Regular throw, techable. Brian picks up the opponent and smashes them against his knee making them fly almost full screen. causes soft knockdown.
Rock Buster:b/f+D (close)
Regular throw, techable. Brian picks the opponent up and tosses them to the opposite side making them fly full screen. causes soft knockdown
Command Moves
Buster Tomahawk:d+C (in air)
Can be combo-ed into from j.A.
Special cancelable into his spin move.
Hits overhead.
On grounded hit it acts as a normal hit, on aerial hit it causes hard knockdown.
Special Moves
Brian Tornado:hcf+A/C
Brian spins horizontally towards the opponent hitting them 3 times for A version, and 5 times for the C version.
Both versions only combo after heavy attacks, and they have poor recovery on block.
On hit, both versions causes a soft knockdown.
Hyper Tackle:hcf+B/D
A shoulder tackle that has a brief amount of start-up, which knocks the enemy upwards in a juggle state.
The B version is safe on block, while the D version has slow recovery. The D version also moves further.
Both versions deal the same amount of damage.
Both versions have some guard point, but the D version has more.
The B version launches the opponent higher, allowing for easier combos after.
Screw Body Press:qcf+A/C (in air)
The core of Brian's neutral. Brian spins in the air as if he's skydiving, hitting multiple times and staying active until he lands.
This move follows the velocity, both horizontal and vertical, you had upon use. It also reduces the effect of gravity on Brian, allowing him to keep that velocity for longer. Therefore, each direction and type of jump, as well as forward and backward dashes, give him different paths, and the point in the jump/dash where he activates it also changes its trajectory.
You can also tiger-knee the motion, shooting Brian into the sky very fast to the point of being offscreen for a couple seconds.
The C version is active for a longer duration than the A version.
Can cross the opponent up while they standing.
Can be canceled into from cancelable air normals.
Leaves the opponent standing and gives Brian a fair amount of advantage on hit, allowing him to combo out of it if he lands close enough.
Has bad priority below it, making it easily anti-aired. So don't use it from a high jump.
Rocket Tackle:dp+B/D
Brian's sort-of DP. The B version doesn't have any invincibility, but the D version seems to have an autoguard frame during its startup.
The B version only hits standing opponents, whiffing on crouchers, while the D version whiffs on both. Point-blank, if the opponent is walking towards you, the D version will hit.
However, both versions combo from light and heavy attacks.
Reliable combo ender.
Brian Hammer:qcb+A/C
Brian swings his arms like hammer. Causes hard knockdown on hit (unless canceled into its followups) and safe on block.
Starter for Brian's rekkas.
Stopping it just here can be a correct choice, since the follow ups may whiff on certain distance.
Double Hummer:qcb+A/C (during Brian Hammer)
Brian does another swing. Second swing doesn't have any knockdown and is very negative on both hit and block, don't stop here no matter what.
DDT:qcb+A/C (during Double Hummer)
Ender that ends in a hard knockdown. Least likely to whiff at range of all the followups.
Tiger Driver:hcf+A/C (during Brian Hammer)
Piledriver.
Samurai Bomb:d,d+A/C (during Tiger Driver)
Another piledriver, and another hard knockdown. This gives Brian massive frame advantage, allows him some oki games.
Shoulder Back Breaker:d,d,d+B/D (during Tiger Driver)
Brian does another grapple.
Buster & Bomb:d,u+A/C (during Shoulder Back Breaker)
Ender for Brian's longest rekka chain. It does massive damage and of course is a hard knockdown.
Desperation Moves
Big Bang Tackle:qcfx2+B/D
Brian does a DM version of his Hyper Tackle with him skating to one side of the screen to the other.
If blocked he will just go through them, but the opponent will need to block toward every opposing direction. If hit up close, the opponent will be juggled by the 3 rushes.
American Super NOVA:qcfx2+A/C
An anti air throw. Brian reaches for the sky (A version not very far, C version, he touches the life bars), then grabs the opponent, performing a DM version of his Shoulder Back Breaker sequence.
Unfortunately, Brian is unable to juggle into this.
MAX version does more damage.
Galaxy Cyclone:qcb,hcf+A/C
Kind of a psycho crusher move that has really bad recovery if blocked (he doesn't end up on the other side of the opponent). If it hits, Brian will end up on the other side and the opponent will be hardknocked down, for a possible okizeme attempt. Has a single Projectile Collision property on it, thus he can nullify one hit of projectile.
A version travels 1/2 of the screen, while C versions is fullscreen. A version is preferred midscreen as it gives Brian a 50/50 opportunity with a same side/cross-up j.C, as well as a more traditional Roll mix up. C version is better when using it as an anti zoning tool due to its increased range.
MAX version does more damage.
Combos
General Notes
You can combo into j.d+C or qcb,hcf+P after any hcf+B hit.
If you're in extra gauge, you're in red health, and need access to the SDM version of qcb,hcf+P: you can simply quick max hcf+B during your combo.
Meterless
Low
cr.Bx2~3, cr.A
Reliable low confirm.
Mid/Jump-In
cl.C(1), qcb+P > hcf+P > d,d,d+K > d,u+P
His strongest BnB. You can try d,d+P instead of d,d,d+K>d,u+P for better oki instead of damage.
cl.C, qcb+P > qcb+P > qcb+P
Version of the above for both hits of cl.C. You can stop at first qcb+P for hard knockdown as well.
cl.C(1, 2 if really close), hcf+B, j.d+C
Another hard knockdown combo with higher damage. You can dp+D for higher damage but lose hard knockdown.
j.qcf+C, cl.C(2), hcf+B, j.d+C
A combo you can do after crossing up with Brian's air qcf+P from a normal jump or superjump.
Make sure to do the air qcf+P when Brian starts descending
With Meter
cr.Bx2~3, cr.A, qcfx2+K
Low confirm into DM. Quite unstable depending on distance.
cr.Bx2~3, cr.A, qcb,hcf+P
Another low confirm into DM, also unstable with distance.
j.qcf+C, cl.C(2), hcf+B, qcb,hcf+P
With Quick MAX
cr.Bx2~3, cr.A, ABC, qcb,hcf+P
Better stability than the meterless version.
cl.A/cl.B, ABC, cl.C, hcf+B, j.d+C/dp+D/qcb,hcf+P
cr.Bx2~3, cr.A, qcb,hcf+ABC
Allows Brian to combo into qcb,hcf+P from max distance.
j.qcf+C, ABC, cl.C(2), qcb,hcf+P
Easier version of Brian's cross-up combo from air qcf+P. Quick maxing the last hit before Brian hits the ground makes linking the cl.C afterwards a lot more lenient.
Step Dash
ff > qcf+C, ABC, cr.C, qcb,hcf+C
Quick max combo from Brian's air qcf+P. Try to delay the qcf+C a little bit after the forward dash otherwise you'll end up going up and over the opponent.
Try to quick max the last hit of the air qcf+C before Brian hits the ground. This is a bit of a tricky timing but can be gotten with practice.
SPIN TO WIN
