Season 3 fighter balance changes

At the end of Season 2, there were changes to eight fighters. Goenitz, Orochi Yashiro, and Athena, who were strong since season 1, were nerfed. Especially, the patch affected Athena’s combo, so it will change the way of play for Athena.

The fighters that were buffed were Yabuki Shingo, Ralf Jones, Clark Still, Yuri Sakazaki, and Orochi Chris. The biggest change was Shingo — his damage on guard gauges were increased, so it is now possible to play a unique guard-breaking style.

Less mobility, but still strong, “Goenitz”

Goenitz was able to crush the opponents’ blast attacks while approaching the opponent fighter. However, with the new patch, he cannot crush blast attacks, so you have to be careful when using it.

Creakier connections? Emergency dodge available to use against “Orochi Yashiro”

As Orochi Yashiro has three grapple skills, he had a very good advantage in the mind game when he had the initiative. However, with this patch, opponents can use emergency dodge when getting hit by ‘Odoru Daichi’, so it will become easier to play against Orochi Yashiro.

Strong airborne combo lost, “Asamiya Athena”

Before the patch, Athena was able to connect an airborne combo whether or not the opponent had their emergency dodge. However, with this patch, her ability to connect combos has decreased drastically. The ability to keep the opponent in the air with her basic attacks has been decreased, so it has become more difficult to mix basic attacks between skills. Also, opponents can now use emergency dodge against Phoenix Arrow EX and Super Psychic Throw EX, so you have to induce the opponent to use emergency dodge before attempting to connect combos.

Guard breaker, “Yabuki Shingo”

‘Yabuki Shingo’ has become a unique fighter with the buff. The damage of all skills on the guard gauges has been increased, so you can now play toward breaking guards. It has also become easier to approach an opponent with the added ability to crush blast attacks. Yabuki Shingo can now break the opponent’s guard with a skill and two basic attacks, so he will be able to put much more pressure on his opponents.

Dash ability strengthened, “Ralf Jones”

The ability to crush blast attacks has been removed from Gatling Attack and added on Rlaf Tackle. Since you can crush blast attacks with the dashing skill, Ralf Tackle, it has become easier for him to approach an opponent.

Different from Ralf! “Clark Still”

You move forward more when you use Vulcan Punch now. You can get close to an opponent even when you use it from a relatively far distance, so it has almost become a dashing skill. However, this does not mean Clark has become good. He is still weak, and needs further adjustments.

More instant damage, “Sakazaki Yuri”

Ko’ouken (Q) - The time needed to fully charge has been decreased from 0.8 seconds to 0.4 seconds

The time needed to charge Yuri’s Ko’ouken has decreased. As Yuri can now use Haoh Shoukou Ken with big damage with so her damage has increased drastically.

Ability to approach the opponent improved, “Orochi Chris”

Orochi Chris lacks ways to dash towards the opponent. This patch added a crushing blast attack ability to Tsuki wo Tsumu Honou, so it has become easier to get close to an opponent.