The Last Blade 2/Hibiki Takane

Overview

Hibiki in general is the type of character who uses her long reaching normals to control space, if you've played Samurai Shodown she is basically a female Ukyo Tachibana, and her B buttons are also great in this game.

Normals

Standing

• A, B, and C can cancel in both Power Mode and Speed Mode.
• f+B (Power and Speed) is not cancellable. There's an exception to that, if f+B is blocked you can cancel it with BC, it's a slow frametrap but works sometimes.
• f+C in Speed Mode is not cancellable

Crouching

• all but d+A and d+B in Power mode can cancel when crouching. If d+B is blocked, you cancel it into anything you want.

Ground Hits

• df+B
• C

When doing df+B (except after a throw) press df+BCD for increased range.

Special Moves

Distance Slash - qcf + A/B

• A version is a quick mid foward slash
• B version is a quick low/sweeping forward slash
• Recovery for the B version is bigger

Beckoning Slash - dp + B

• Forward dash to opponent
• Can hold B
• If not near opponent when release B, it will hit like Distance Slash
• If near opponent when release B, will slash through opponent and he will kneel and fall to the ground. You can df+B after it

Piercing Moon Pounce - dp + C

• Slow but unblockable movement of her raising her scabbard and hitting the opponents mid section with it
• Can hold C

Heavenly Being Blade - hcf + C

• Counter motion
• Follow up with Nukaba Kiru Nari (C) to slash airborne opponent
• Follow up with Nukazuba Kiranu Nari (BC) to hit opponet with scabbard

Kami Hitoe ni te Kawasu Nari - AB

• Quick evasion move
• Follow up with Ma O Tsumeru Koto Kanyou Nari (f + C) to dash forward
• When dashing forward, Hibiki's hitbox is reduced so high attacks won't hit her
• Ma O Tsumeru Koto Kanyou Nari can be cancelled
• Follow up with Ma O Oku Koto Kanyou Nari to hop backwards
• When hopping backwards, Hibiki's hitbox is reduced so low attacks won't hit her

Sanae O Okotaranu Kokoro Nari - Hold Start

• Hibiki holds her sword close as it glows, asking her father for help.
• Meter is charged slowly in this motion.

Desperation Moves

Heavenly Spirit of Victory - qcb,db,f + AB

• Hibiki dashes forward to slash through opponet.
• Travels a great distance, hits from 3/4 screen.
• Confirms from any normal on hit except the ones which aren't cancellable.

Super Desperation Move

No Fear Feint - f, hcf + B

• Slashes upards
• If connects near opponent, makes a flash of light and deals %50+ damage
• If opponent is a distance away, will strike upwards with less damage

Combos

Any Mode

• dp+C qcf+A/B
• Dash+A/B qcb+db+f+AB
• B qcb+db+f+AB
• B dp+B qcf+A/B

Only works near corner for A version must be exactly in the corner.

Power Mode Only

• f+C dp+C

Only works near corner

• f+C qcb+db+f+AB
• f+C dp+B
• f+C B dp+B db+B

Speed Mode Only

• Dash A/B d+B dp+B qcf+B
• jB b+A A d+A/A d+B dp+B qcf+B

EX Mode Only

• jB b+A A d+A d+B dp+B qcb+db+f+AB
• jB b+A A d+A d+B f+hcf+B

Power and EX Mode

• jB B dp+B qcb+db+f+AB
• Dash A/B f+hcf+B
• jB f+hcf+B

Speed and EX Mode

• jB A B C
• Dash+A/B, d+B qcf+A
• jB b+A A d+A d+B qcf+A
• jB b+A A d+A d+B qcb+db+f+AB

Super Speed Combos

A+ B + C + A + B + C + A + B + qcf+C
A+ B + C + A + B + C + C + B + A + qcf+A
A+ B + C + d+C + A + d+C + f+BC
A+ B + C + d+C + A + f+BC + A + qcf+B

Strategy

Hibiki's best way of dealing damage is by zoning out her opponents, but in Speed and EX modes she works aggressively as well. If you're going to play with her in power, learn how to use your B normals, especially f+B and B. And your A normals, for pokes and confirms. B is going to be your best friend, it's a 3f anti-air (Takes 9f to get to the ground) and cancels into everything, it's simply good. Your bnb in power are going to be these two:

(jX) B qcf+A/B
(jX) b+A b+A A qcf+A/B

The difference from one another is that the second option deals a little more damage. The optimized version is, however

(jX) B dp+B (changes sides) dash df+B

If you're going to play in speed, they won't be as necessary as your main focus of damage will be your combos with A starters, for example,

b+A AA/{A d+A} B qcf+A/B
b+A AA/{A d+A} d+B BC qcf+A/B 

Which is your bnb in that mode.