EX Takuma is his version from KoF 2000, which in turn was based on '98. Despite being a barebones "shoto" at a glance, he is strong for both zoning and rushdown, and both as battery and anchor. The key difference of EX Takuma from his regular version is his full-screen projectile, which is one of the better tools for zoning in the game. That said, much like regular Takuma, he has no DP (perhaps his biggest flaw), but he has other anti-airs to make up for it, especially his invincible ranbu DM. That said, he also works unexpectedly well in close range: he gets a meterless confirm into hard knockdown for decent damage, and for mixups, he gets a very nice crossup, as well as a good overhead that can cancel into a DM.
EX Takuma also has great max mode combos: he's got a long confirm into easy max mode combo with good damage for 2 bar, and with his amazing HSDM he can get some of the highest damage in the game. The latter makes him a bit more popular as anchor, but regardless, he's still strong in any position.
Normals
Close
cl.A chains into lights
cl.A/B/C are cancellable
Stand
none of EX Takuma's stand normals are hit or whiff cancellable except st.C which is whiff cancellable in the first few frames of its startup.
st.B hits very high, useful as quick meterless anti-air because Takuma is kind of lacking in this department.
st.D is rather slow, not very useful.
Crouch
cr.A/B chain into themselves and each other
cr.A/B/C/D are cancellable
cr.D is long and can be canceled into projectile on block for frametraps/blockstrings
Jumping
j.B is EX Takuma's instant overhead and a good crossup tool
j.D is the go-to crossup tool from specific ranges and setups
j.CD is a fast long air-to-air and pressure tool. One of the best buttons for Takuma. Preemptively throwing this on hop/jump helps him stop jump-ins and work around his lack of DP.
Throws
Wide Slicer - (b/f + C)
grants hard knockdown
Single Heave-ho -( b/f + D)
grants hard knockdown
Command Moves
Demon's Vehicle - (f + A)
EX Takuma swings out his fist straight in front of himself. Really good and fast command normal that reaches far, great in combos especially. Hitting it raw will grant a hard knockdown that can be followed with his df+B OTG attack. Doesn't knock down when you cancel into it immediately, but due to KoF's late cancel technique, you can delay the cancel into f+A and retain the hard knockdown property of the move, which is really useful for his main meterless BnB. If you hit an aired opponent with the move it will slam them into a hard knockdown as well.
Combo Advice: This is the backbone of most of your combos. Comboes from virtually any button, most importantly—from cr.B/cr.A, allowing EX Takuma to connect virtually anything from low confirm. Excellent for 0 bar, 1 bar combos, as max mode chain starter, you name it. As mentioned above, you can delay it after cr.B to get a hard knockdown.
Cancelable
Hard knockdown (when done raw)
Ground slam (when done raw)
A frequent issue with this command normal is that it overlaps with qcf+A input, which may result in a projectile special coming out instead of f+A after cr.B. While you may find other ways around it, there's an input technique in KoF you may know of that helps with it, called special input suppression, and it can come very handy for EX Takuma in particular. Basically, if you hold any button (B is the most obvious choice) while you input qcf+A, you won't get any special/DM coming out, but will perform f+A command normal instead. (This applies to all specials/DMs in the game, they won't come out if you hold a different button while inputting them.)
This can be used to greatly simplify some of EX Takuma's combos. E.g., you may perform cr.B (press and hold B), qcf+A (release B after A), qcb+P, and you'll get a very easy shortcut for cr.B, f+A, qcf, hcb+P. (note that you need to release B very quickly, or else you'll get qcb+P special instead of the ranbu DM).
Perhaps the hardest part here is getting used to it—admittedly, this is a very unusual input that might go against your execution habits; and EX Takuma is one of the very few chars in the game that actually benefit from it. Still, if you're set on playing this character, it can be well worth learning.
Vehicle Drop - (b + A)
EX Takuma sends out a chop in front of himself, hitting mid. The main use of this move is that it can nullify projectiles. Can't combo into it from anything, but it pushes him a little bit from the opponent which can make it a good spacing tool for certain pressure strings.
Combo Advice: Usually not used in any combos.
Can nullify projectiles
Bottle Breaker - (f + B)
Same as normal Takuma's, he throws out an elbow. Raw it hits overhead, and is more or less safe when done on tip; the interesting part is that it's supercancelable, meaning you can combo it straight into DM (unlike with most other overheads). This makes it a pretty scary mixup option and a good trick up your sleeve to catch the opponent off-guard, beware of getting predictable with this though as getting it blocked will waste you a bar and potentially open you for a punish (although his ranbu DM is quite hard to punish well). Otherwise, like any overhead, you can BC cancel it to start a max mode combo. Can be used as "combo filler" too, but usually f+A is preferred over it for this purpose.
Combo Advice: Can be canceled into from light and heavy attacks, but it's slower tnan f+A and will combo from fewer hits, so not much point to it. However, you may opt for f+B when doing inputs like qcf+B, to avoid a qcf+A input and getting a projectile by accident. This can be an alternative if you don't want to use special input suppression/button hold technique to get f+A instead of a projectile with qcf+A motion.
Hits overhead (when done raw)
Supercancelable (when done raw)
Cancelable (when canceled into)
Horse Strike - (df + B)
EX Takuma punches downward toward the feet of his opponent, hitting the ground. Hits low and causes hard knockdown; can hit OTG if the opponent didn't tech. The latter is usually the primary purpose of this move, you do it after hard knockdowns (like f+A) to hit the opponent lying on the ground and add more damage to your combos. Can be done after soft knockdowns too, but will whiff if the opponent recovery rolls, so it's risky. Can be canceled into, but won't combo from any normals, and the range is very short,
Combo Advice: As mentioned above, this move helps add damage after a hard knockdown. Good to go for any time you land f+A, e.g. in cr.B x n, f+A (delayed), df+B.
Can hit OTG
Hard knockdown (when done raw)
Cancelable (when canceled into)
Overall his command normals give him a lot of different angles to attack and pressure from.
Special Moves
Tiger Flame Punch / Ko'ou Ken - (qcf + A/C)
Classic projectile. A verson travels slower, C version travels faster. This is a "hadoken"-type projectile (as opposed to "sonic boom" type), meaning that Takuma recovers late from it. However, because it flies high, it's pretty hard to jump over, let alone hop over it. This allows it to effectively "block" hop space and limit opponent's air movement, making it one of the best projectiles in the game for zoning—that said, beware of characters who go under it with a slide or other moves. Has pretty good startup and recovery too. Overall, very good and important tool for EX Takuma.
Combo Advice: Can be used for BnBs, but doesn't knock down. Otherwise, as with most projectiles, it's not very good for combos, but useful for blockstrings and frametraps; one very common trick for EX Takuma is to cancel blocked sweep into projectile to catch a hasty opponent.
Tiger Boulder Blast - (qcb + A/C)
EX Takuma throws out a parry, then follows up with a heavy punch. The C has a longer parry but also more recovery. Both attacks are very unsafe on block, regardless of if a parry was successful or not. The autoguard box placement also makes this move only serve well to counter waist-height or higher moves; jump-ins and standing normals will get parried and countered easily, while most crouching normals will beat it out flawlessly. All in all, this attack's usability is limited to countering obvious pokes and you'll always have a better option, not worth taking any risk.
The first part of the attack will absorb a single hit, and then he will continue the attack.
Against predictable opponents, this could be used to counter meaties, but the risk of getting blocked and/or punished even on a successful catch limits its usefulness.
Causes soft knockdown on hit.
With correct timing, you can use the parry animation to destroy fireballs.
Hits mid.
Super cancellable, but the follow up super won't ever connect.
Zan Retsu Ken - (f, b, f + A/C)
Ex Takuma punches furiously, creating a wall of fist, when it connects it will suck the opponent in and launch them after 13 hits causing a soft knockdown.
Can be comboed from a cl.C.
On block the move will push EXTakuma back and the opponent will recover before the move even finishes making it very unsafe as a raw pressure tool.
Hits mid.
Shouran Kyaku - (hcb + B/D)
EX Takuma takes a stance in place before running forward, grabbing the opponent once they reach them and kicking them multiple times. The B version will run about a half screen's distance before stopping on its own, while the D version will run a full screen's distance before stopping. EX Takuma will enter a recovery animation if it whiffs, and an even longer one if he reaches the opponent but whiffs.
The nature of this move being a delayed command throw that you don't have to initiate at close range makes it a very interesting option to use in blockstrings versus conditioned players, as EX Takuma has many frametrap options that would make an opponent want to block, and there are numerous buttons and strings that he has that cancel into very tight and tricky tick command throw setups using this move.
Strategy/Combo Advice: For an example on tick command throwing, view this blockstring: (cr.B > cl.B > f+A); you can condition them to block with frametrap qcf + A's after this string, then eventually mix it up with a hcb + B instead to punish them for wanting to respect the fireball. This can also be applied to combos to score resets on players, by cancelling into it instead of using your standard ender; if they're blocking in anticipation of a combo drop or ending, they will get grabbed.
This is an unblockable command throw.
Causes a hard knockdown, but you don't get oki unless used in the corner.
Cannot be comboed into.
Both versions sport some mild lower body invulnerability that will cause crouching B/D's to whiff, but not crouching A/C's.
Lightning Legs Knockout Kick / Hien Shippuu Kyaku - (charge db~f + B/D)
EXTakuma flies forward connecting with a kick. B version hits once, D version hits twice and launches the opponent into the air where you can land a juggle hit including his fireball supers. Light version is more or less safe on tip, but can be asking for trouble if thrown from closer and there's not enough pushback to make it safe. Heavy version appears safe at glance, but in reality isn't; its recovery is short, but it can be very badly punished with precisely timed fast normal or a fast command grab, so beware of throwing it on block vs a good player. Overall, it's a kind of move that may catch a lot of players that don't know how to punish it, but otherwise it becomes very risky. Still, can be used occasionally to catch people off guard and mix up your moves.
Combo Advice: D version can be used to land some damaging combos, because it launches and you can connect a few damaging moves after it. The problem is that it's hard to confirm into; the inconvenient input for this move requires you to charge downback direction. Because of this, it's impossible to land this move from a good starter like cr.B f+A or cl.C f+A; pretty much the only way to combo into it is from cr.C, and this greatly limits your movement while you charge. However, this moves comes very useful in max mode combos, where you can cancel into it without needing to charge.
Soft knockdown
Hits mid
Desperation Moves
Haoh Shi Koh Ken - (f, hcf + A/C)
This is Takuma's giant version of the Kyokugen-style super fireball. A version travels at about the speed of EX Takuma's qcf+A, while the C version is incredibly fast; fast enough to punish hops and even some whiffs from full screen on a read. Its hitbox is also big and tall enough to where you must do a well-timed, pre-emptive normal jump to avoid it. Finally, it can be charged for extra damage, but this also lets you mix up the pitch timing alongside the throw speeds to trip up opponents looking to dodge an immediate C Shikouken. Ultimately, while this DM isn't a reversal it works wonders as a huge, yet expensive brick-in-the-face anti-air tool to destroy hops.
Huge, amazing fireball super
Soft knockdown
Good punisher/combo ender
Does ~21% damage raw. Charging the fireball fully makes it do ~14% more damage
Ryuko Ranbu - (qcf, hcb + A/C)
EX Takuma dashes forward, hitting the opponent with multiple attacks before ending in a fireball. THE ranbu super. The A version is the fastest, and will have him leap 2/3rds of a screen's distance while at the same time being a good, but not true reversal. The C version has a slightly longer startup, but will leap an entire screen's distance while being a true reversal. Very fast DM, good reversal option, good anti-air option especially versus hops, good punish tool, and a magnificent super to end your combos with if possible. Really, the only bad thing about this DM is that it has terrible recovery on whiff and terrible frame disadvantage on block.
Combo Advice: Ryuko Ranbu will combo from most, if not all of EX Takuma's applicable buttons and combo options. Don't be afraid to let it rip if you have a combo going and need damage. Also view the "Execution Tip" on EX Takuma's (f + A) for a guide on how to make combos from that command normal into this DM easier.
Omni-tool of a DM
Unlike normal Takuma's, it causes soft knockdown
Can be easily comboed into
Deals ~23% damage
Neo Demon-God Attack - (close, qcf x 2 + A/C)
This is a proximity unblockable super. Rather slow, can get interrupted after the flash fairly easily.
It will connect at about the same range as his s.C normal.
Causes soft knockdown.
Super Desperation Move
Ryuko Ranbu - (qcf, hcb + AC)
harder hitting version of EXTakuma's ranbu super does an addition hit and three fire balls at the end.
Causes soft knockdown.
Will go through fireballs for only the very first part of the animation.
Hidden Super Desperation Move
Lion Killer - (f, hcf + AC)
EXTakuma's gi bursts open flexing all his muscles as he summons the destructive power of the tiger: a massively damaging full screen fireball that causes a soft knockdown. also an anywhere juggle.
Combos
You can add a jump-in to every combo if you start with cr.C, cl.C or 2~3 lights.
You can always end a cr.B chain with cr.A instead of the last cr.B. Having more range, cr.A is less likely to whiff than cr.B so ending chains with it is worth practicing.
You can always replace a light chain with a cl.C.
You can use f+B for an overhead max starter into any of the max routes.
0 Stock
Anywhere
★ cr.Bx1~3, (cr.B/cr.A), f+A, qcf+C
Simple combo from lows, no knockdown. Does slightly more than the route below, but lack of knockdown is a big downside. 23%~30%.
★ cr.Bx1~4, (cr.A), delayed f+A, df+B OTG
These last two are the meterless bnb's. Easy confirm with hard knockdown. Stick to 3 lights for consistency. f+A has to be delayed to get a knockdown. Can be done as (cr.Bxn, press and hold B with the last cr.B, do cr.A if one, delayed qcf+A, release B, df+B). 18%~28%.
cl.C, f+A, qcf+C
30%.
cl.C, delayed f+A, df+B OTG
Similar routes but off cl.C for jump-in conversions. 25%.
cr.C, db~f+D, (f,b,f+P) / (f+A, df+B)
A damaging route, but hard to confirm. Charging downback direction must be started in the air. f,b,f+P is an easier ender. 34%.
1 Stock
Anywhere
f+B, qcf,hcb+A / f,hcf+C
Combo from an overhead to catch the opponent off guard. Useful, but no real way to confirm these, so it's a risky read. Qcf,hcb+A does more and f,hcf+C is harder to punish on block. 32%~34%.
cr.Bx1~3, f+B, qcf,hcb+A / f,hcf+C
35%~40%.
★ cr.Bx1~4, (cr.A), f+A, qcf,hcb+A / f,hcf+C
1 bar bnb, good damage and very good confirm. Can be done as (cr.Bxn, press and hold B with the last cr.B, do cr.A if one, qcf+A, release B, qcb+P). 35%~45%.
cr.C, db~f+D, f,hcf+A
Good damage but hard to confirm into. Not much more damage and worse oki compared to the 0 bar bnb. 41%.
2 Stocks
After a BC run, cr.A, f+A is much easier to land than cl.C, f+A but you lose 3%.
cr.Bx3~4, cr.A, f+A, BC run, cr.A, f+A, qcf,hcb+A / f,hcf+C
Possible max mode routes, get overshadowed by the route below. 49%.
★ (cl.C / cr.Bx1~3), f+A, BC run, cl.C/cr.A, f+A, db~f+D, f,b,f+P (SC) f,hcf+A ( Slightly charge it when in dead corner )
No need to charge db~f+D here. 62%.
★ cr.Bx3~4, cr.A, f+A, BC run, cr.A, f+A, db~f+D, f,b,f+P (SC) f,hcf+A ( Slightly charge it when in dead corner )
Main 2 bar Max Mode combo. Great confirm, very good damage. No need to charge db~f+D here. 61%.
3 Stocks
Replace qcf,hcb+A by qcf,hcb+AC in 1 and 2 stocks combos
Possible combos. Not the best damage for meter. 64%.
Replace f,b,f+P (SC) f,hcf+A by f+A/st.CD, f,hcf+AC in 2 stocks combos
Main 3 bar combo with HSDM. Excellent damage, relatively easy to perform. The only downside is that you need to be on 30% health or less. 80%.
5 Stocks
2 stocks combo ending with f,hcf+A then f,hcf+AC
ToD but requires 5 bars and 30% health or below. If you do this in dead corner, the opponent can tech the knockdown and block the HSDM, making it a waste of 3 bars. 100%.
