crouching A/B are chain-able and his best low ground pokes.
crouching C is a moderately good anti-air if dp + A/C doesn’t suit your style. Iori can still cancel this move even if it hits an airborne opponent.
crouching D has bad recovery, so only use it when it’s guaranteed.
Jumping
jumping C is a great move to use in combos. It’s not as great as it is in KoF games, primarily due to the lack of a short hop to jumping C pressure, but it still has its uses.
jumping D can be used to counter some aerial moves if timed right.
Guard Cancel Tag Attack
Pressing the E button while blocking will allow Iori to do counter with a headbutt attack similar to his CD attack from KoF, and she will then tag out.
Throw
Sakahagi: b/f + CD
Can be broken. Normal knockdown.
Command Moves
Ge Shiki Goufu In Shinigami: f + B
Iori does an overhead kick. This move comes out kind of slow, but can still be used in mixups.
Ge Shiki Yuri Ori: in the air b + B
Iori does a backward kick. This is also an excellent crossup tool that will help with combos, or if desired, a throw attempt.
Ge Shiki Yumebiki: f + A,A
Iori does a punch to backhand combination. This counts for two hits, and can be canceled into a special or super move.
Special Moves
Oniyaki: dp + A/C
* Iori does an uppercut attack similar to Kyo’s dp + A/C. The button strength determines the height of the uppercut, as well as the number of hits. The A version has high priority. The C version can be canceled to a super.
Yamai Barai: qcf + A/C
Iori throws a projectile that runs to the ground. The button strength determines the speed of the projectile. This move can hit opponents that hit the ground depending on the move they got hit with that made them grounded.
Koto Tsuki In: hcb + B/D
Iori does a crouching run to a single-hand takedown. If Iori is not in range, it simply turns into a run without the takedown.
Aoi Hana: qcb + A/C (up to 3 times)
Iori does a small slide forwards while doing an uppercut on the first hit. The second hit is the same, but slightly launches the opponent. The third hit is a small hop with an overhead hammer strike with both hands together. The third hit causes knockdown, and can be followed up with qcf + A/C. On block, this move is not good at all, but can be used as mixups (although risky) if delayed. Each part of this 3 part move can be delayed slightly. The button strength determines the distance traveled, which gives a slight delay in the moves done with C.
Scum Gale: hcb,f + A/C
Iori grabs the opponent, and shifts them to the other side of the screen. This move has a whiff animation. Scum Gale can also be used in combos, but the combo counter doesn’t necessarily consider it part of a combo.
Desperation Moves
Maiden Masher: qcf, qcf + A/C
Iori quick dashes towards the opponent and does a series of strikes to the opponent, and follows it with an explosive one hand takedown.
Eight Wine Cups: qcb, hcf + A/C
Iori throws out a super projectile that rides the ground, while shooting bursts upward. If it connects, the opponent is stunned for a few seconds, allowing a combo attempt. This move can be charged, thus adding a bit of a mind game to this move.
Chi no Bousou: qcf, hcb + B/D
Iori does a flips forward with hand in the air moving in an arc towards the ground. If the move connects, Iori grabs the opponent and does a series of slices each time the screen flashes from black to red, doing damage to the opponent. This move has some uses, but it can't be used in a combo. It has mixup and setup potential.
A/D Assault
Final Showdown: qcf x2 + CE (When partner is Kyo and within 10 counts after Chi no Bousou [qcb, hcf + A/C])
Iori does an spinning jump towards the opponent, while swinging his hand from the air towards the opponent's head. He grabs the opponent, raising him and releasing Orochi energy. Kyo jumps in and does a super charged punch for the finish.
General Strategy
Iori is by play style a pure rushdown character, but he isn’t without a few tricks up his sleeve. Crouching B is one of the fastest pokes in the game, and can link to crouching A into qcb + A x3. While forcing the opponent to fear that rushdown, know that there is an option to use hcb, f + A/C and combo accordingly. Close standing B can assist in mixups because it hits low, and can easily guarantee a pretty good combo. Crouching A has a few uses, but for the most part, the main goal it has is linking to qcb + A/C x3. If at any point in the rushdown there is an unsafe move used, qcf + A/C can help avoid taking any punishment. Sometimes while using this tactic, qcb, hcf + A/C can be used to stop some jump attempts, or even a few GCFS attempts. Standing D isn’t as great as it is in CvS2, but it can help assist in breaking the guard and zoning. If zoning is the strategy of choice, please keep in mind that mid range is the best distance Iori should be in, so that the rushdown can be applied immediately, and maybe even catch the opponent off guard if done spontaneously. The zoning tactic should not be used in a stand-still manner. It should have some pushing effect, so that the opponent eventually hits the corner without realizing it, and then the pressure can truly begin. Iori isn’t like Geese, however. He can apply pressure at any part of the stage, and at any time of the match, with or without meter.
Iori has a few good anti-air moves, although if anyone’s fighting Iori, they should realize that jumping is not the best option unless its from a pretty far distance. He has several options: dp + A/C, crouching C, close standing D, and j.D (which should be used when jumping up or up-backwards for an anti-air). Crouching C seems weaker in this game, but can still be used as an anti-air at times. Remember that dp + A/C has priority, especially the A version. On wake-up, it can stop quite a few moves and some grab attempts; just don’t try to use it on every wake-up because baiting could occur, and that could mean gg, especially for characters like Kim, Hotaru, and Mr. Big…
When Iori decides to take to the air, j. C, j. D, and j. b + B are the best things he can do. J. b + B allows for easier cross ups, and easier combos, since it can be done really deep. J. C has some priority, too, with the exception of a few moves from higher tier characters.
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