Critical Bursts Q/A

[Brute]

I think I speak for everyone in saying that we're all very interested in the new Critical Burst system. Personally, I feel it's a gamble, as with most design choices, and I fear that many players will simply go for a quick critical burst every time, then memorize a long combo chain to follow it up, utterly destroyed the RPS system than DOA has been known for (basically worried about issues on stun lock, especially after some of Ninja Gaiden 2's issues). But, on the other hand, counters were a bit too easy in DOA4 (I think most agree with that) to the extent that almost any combo chain could be stopped instantly, even after the first few strikes connect.

Anyway, I though it might be nice to have a thread where this feature is discussed specifically, hopefully with experienced members who have played more recent builds from the Alpha demo (having thus familiarized themselves with the system) being able to share what they know to the rest, who are undoubtedly curious. I apologize if a thread of this nature has already been created, but I could not find one.

I'll start things off with some questions that are probably ridiculously obvious, but nonetheless, some funky things can happen in the world of DOA, so I felt I should ask to be sure:
1) Can opponents be thrown (not held, via counter system, obviously) while in a critical stun, setting them up for easy chain throws?
2) How common are they? I have heard that each character has at least one combo that will result in a critical burst, but do any characters have more than one? If so, elaboration would be much appreciated.

 

[Omegan Eckhart]

Okay every character has only one CB attack so as soon as the opponent knows the hit level of that attack going for a CB is going to be a huge gamble in itself. What long chain combo to follow up with? You get one free hit, assuming the person who just landed a CB isn't dumb that will be a launcher so they do an air combo like normal with maybe a couple of additional hits added.

1 - No opponents cannot be thrown whilst in stun. If you mean when you land a CB against them I couldn't tell you 100% but I'd say no.

2 - CB's are very uncommon at the moment, very few videos show them being used although they are not that hard to pull off as long as you don't get predictable with your set ups. CB's are just an attack that when your opponent is at a certain level of stun create an unholdable situation offering a free attack. Each character has only one of these attacks.

 

[Brute]

Sounding good.

 

[Omegan Eckhart]

Sounding good.

You won't see CB's too much. Take Helena for example, she needs to land about 5 hits whilst you are in stun then hit you with her CB attack which is a mid punch, so if you are paying attention you can get ready to counter my CB attack and avoid being put in an unholdable situation. But you better believe I'm gonna be ready for that counter and when you do I'm gonna grab your ass and decimate your health bar anyway.

 

[synce]

Haven't watched too many match videos but it seems CBs just add another layer to the mind games. Your opponent now has to guess if you'll CB or launch him. Ideally your CB and launcher hit at different levels

BTW can you still see the stun threshold during matches in the final build? In past games that was only during sparring

 

[Nightpup]

Haven't watched too many match videos but it seems CBs just add another layer to the mind games. Your opponent now has to guess if you'll CB or launch him. Ideally your CB and launcher hit at different levels

BTW can you still see the stun threshold during matches in the final build? In past games that was only during sparring

Yes, you can.

 

[d3v]

Haven't CBs been nerfed in the latest builds? I'm pretty sure I've heard folks actually lamenting this.

 

[Nightpup]

Haven't CBs been nerfed in the latest builds? I'm pretty sure I've heard folks actually lamenting this.

Yes, they have. The stun isn't as long and some characters need more hits to get to the CB.

 

[Omegan Eckhart]

Yes, they have. The stun isn't as long and some characters need more hits to get to the CB.

Wait l know they were nerfed from their original state but have they been nerfed again since?

 

[Allan Paris]

Okay every character has only one CB attack.

No.

Some characters have 2 CB attacks. Zack has 2 and I want to say TIna as well, I am sure there are a couple more.

 

[DrDogg]

Critical Burst attacks have no significant impact on the game at present. At E3 there were a threat and a really nice addition to the game. Now, they're just another attack used late in a stun.

Most characters only have one, a few characters have two (Zack, Tina). Only a couple of characters can land a Critical Burst on the third hit of a combo, and even then it's very situational. Most characters can't Burst until the 4th hit of a combo. By that time, you'd be launching the opponent anyway, so all CB does is add one extra hit to a combo.

The main use for a CB is to land a Power Blow. Beyond that, they're just another attack with a nifty visual/audio effect that lets you add one more hit to your combo.

 

[Omegan Eckhart]

No.

Some characters have 2 CB attacks. Zack has 2 and I want to say TIna as well, I am sure there are a couple more.

Really? I'll take your word on that.

 

[Chaos]

I think CB is a wonderful addition and its good that TN balance the stun system. DOA5 has already put DOA4 to shame but we need to buy the game and test it out first to see if it did murdered DOA4. lol

 

[Raansu]

Critical Burst attacks have no significant impact on the game at present. At E3 there were a threat and a really nice addition to the game. Now, they're just another attack used late in a stun.

Such a shame =/

 

[Matt Ponton]

Jann Lee also has two. One in Dragon Stance, the other outside of it. Just like Zack has two for one in sway and the other at neutral. Tina has it at the end of a combo string that by default will take a player to CB from the start or do a string throw instead.. and a second CB at neutral.

 

[Omegan Eckhart]

You'd think Helena would have two, one for BKO and one for everything else, guess not.

 

[Forlorn Penguin]

Critical Burst attacks have no significant impact on the game at present. At E3 there were a threat and a really nice addition to the game. Now, they're just another attack used late in a stun.

That's unfortunate.

I think CB is a wonderful addition and its good that TN balance the stun system. DOA5 has already put DOA4 to shame but we need to buy the game and test it out first to see if it did murdered DOA4. lol

DOA4 murdered itself.

You'd think Helena would have two, one for BKO and one for everything else, guess not.

Yeah, that would be neat. I'd welcome pretty much anything to help the poor girl out, really.

 

[CyberEvil]

CB for Hayabusa was pretty pointless in the build at SJ6. I'm sure other characters were the same but I could get much more damage for much less risk without playing the stun game. Judging by what DrDogg just said a few posts ago, that's still the case. All I know is that if I want to see a PB, I'm going to find me a nice ceiling and start an Izuna throw to get it for free.

 

[Brute]

I still wonder how in blazes anyone survives a piercing void ninpo in their face. Or the guillotine throw (which decapitated Black Spider ninjas) for that matter.

 

[CyberEvil]

Well he's not using piercing void in DoA for starters. It's something new because the first time he showed off the attack was in DoA4's ending. I'm not sure how long after the NG series DoA4 is but it's probably a good 3 years going off of Ayane's age. Pretty sure she was 14 in NG/B and she's 18 or 19 in DoA5, which takes place 2 years after DoA4's ending. Really it doesn't matter because I don't think they tried to work the NG games into the DoA series chronology, but still. Interesting to think about.