Power Blow

[DoctorForHire]

I seriously don't get the use of it. I haven't been able to land it without whiff punishing something unrealistically huge or some bullshit happens and Ayane gets hit by a bucket sent from god for free damage.

Is there some hidden Power Blow tech I'm missing here?

 

[Allan Paris]

I would practice on using it that much if at all. You're not going to hit anyone with it. The AI is dumb and lets whatever happen to them. There isn't a PB tech, that move was probably created strictly for eye candy cinematics and not for an actual use in a real fight.

Even after that bucket drops on your opponent's head they can hold, the AI just stand there and lets you do whatever in most cases.

That bucket drop does grant you to get an immediate launch if hits your opponent. So I suggest another tactic in that situation. Going for one of your launching moves or doing an attack that will know them back into the wall so you can get the guaranteed wall juggle damage. The PB is too slow to get catch someone after that.

 

[DoctorForHire]

I was joking about the bucket thing, but yeah I'll take a legit tech response too.

I haven't even tried playing against the AI yet but I'd imagine its about as free as any other fighting game AI next to MCZ.CPU Honda. The AI wasn't an issue.

I'm trying to find a use for Powerblow, there must be something missing with these four characters. I can see some nice baits if Team Ninja adds in the ability to Guard Cancel it.

 

[Allan Paris]

You can sidestep cancel it, and that bucket can be useful if you know how to work the environment. There isn't a use for it when playing against someone with enough sense to know that, " When I see white smoke, HOLD MID!" But hey, be my guess in trying to find a way to hit someone with it.

They are literately like charge moves but they can be canceled. You can't setup anything that will force your opponent not to be able to react to them.

There isn't a tech for it, if it was, trust that it would've been mentioned by now on this site. PB's and Charge Attacks are duds.

 

[DoctorForHire]

Sidestep cancel? Well at least its something. Might be able to use it for mind games ala Unblockable canceling in from Soul Calibur. Not much but style points.

I know what they look like. Which is why I was asking about if there is some sort of setup I'm missing.

I wouldn't use timing as justification for tech. Things could take years for new tech to be discovered. But PB does look like ass, which is why I was asking if there is anything I'm missing out on in the first place.

 

[Allan Paris]

Nope, you're not missing anything at all. Yeah, just press or when you go into the PB to SS cancel it. You have to charge it long enough for the smoke to come up to cancel it. I don't think there's a tech for it to have good use will ever be found, they are just too slow for that.

 

[Jefffcore]

It lets you direct the opponent where ever you want. Whiff punishment is the only guaranteed way, but if you hit it you can put them right into the Generator for half health or into a Cliff Hanger. Once you're on the second level you can hit them into the car for half their health again.

 

[Raansu]

It makes for a good baiting tool. Aside from that we will most likely never see it actually pulled off in a real match outside of someone making stupid mistakes or fighting bad players. I've been saying that since before the demo went live.

 

[EMPEROR_COW]

the side step cancel is great for baits ... been using it in that sense alot (sometimes even more so than acctual sidesteps) ... as for practicalities .... well ... i kind of noticed that as long as the smoke came out you dont need full charge ... in that sense whiff punishes do acctually work and ive used it like that a few times ... but a dry PB ? i dont think thats very practical ..

maybe with a long enough limbo stun and a minimal charge ? who knows ... but i doubt it ...

 

[MASTER]

I cant say i agree with the peeps saying it isnt 'useful' or that 'it wont hit' on this one... PB is definitely good IMO. Charge move that can be cancelled into a side step/move, that stuns or launches depending on the character, that's safe, plus a guard break you cant slowescape that in some cases guarantess a hit afterwards if they DONT hold and activates in 37(38 *ayane*) frames (exception is hayate which is 42 frames), SIGN ME UP! But thats just me.

MASTER

 

[synce]

You'll see it about as often as charge moves in the previous games. That's all it is.

 

[Jefffcore]

Charge moves are hella good, I used them all the time.

 

[DoctorForHire]

plus a guard break you cant slowescape

In a situation where a guard break could happen couldn't the guy blocking have just used a hold instead? Or does a non-charged PB also guard break?

 

[x Sypher x]

In a situation where a guard break could happen couldn't the guy blocking have just used a hold instead? Or does a non-charged PB also guard break?

You have to charge the PB at least a little bit for a guard break. And yes the defender could hold instead but since PB's can be cancelled with a sidestep it's better to just block. It's not your typical charge attack where you can more easily punish because the attacker has to commit to it.

 

[Raansu]

You have to charge the PB at least a little bit for a guard break. And yes the defender could hold instead but since PB's can be cancelled with a sidestep it's better to just block. It's not your typical charge attack where you can more easily punish because the attacker has to commit to it.

You can tell when its been released. PB can be held on reaction given the 0 frame hold and ,so far, they are all mids. They arnt "useless" per say, but it will be rare to see them in an actual match outside of using them as bait for sidesteps.

 

[x Sypher x]

You can tell when its been released. PB can be held on reaction given the 0 frame hold and ,so far, they are all mids. They arnt "useless" per say, but it will be rare to see them in an actual match outside of using them as bait for sidesteps.

How? In one frame? Lol jk.

 

[Allan Paris]

In a situation where a guard break could happen couldn't the guy blocking have just used a hold instead? Or does a non-charged PB also guard break?

Seems like your mind is in the right place. Yes, why wouldn't the guy blocking hold the move that's 37-42 frames FAST?! No, PB's must be charged to guard break. By reading the post you should see how the PB can be used in a strategic manner, that's good. Now think about how many times you have actually popped someone (good) in a DOA game that has them, charge attacks that is.

As you said earlier, if you time it well enough you could catch whiff'd attacks from people that are just throwing stuff out. I am talking about the actual move once it's released because that is what you asked about.

It doesn't seem like you're going for it but, I'll say it; Don't let the hype get to you.

 

[Jefffcore]

I hit good players with Charge attacks all the time............................................................................ >: )

Thing is that you can sidestep as soon as you see them hold, you could get in peoples heads. Who knows what they'd let you do. Assuming someone stuns you and does it, your hold window in stun is like nothing and you're sitting there for a good amount of time. People can play you, and you get good damage from the Generator, Cliff Hanger and Car, so it's not useless.

 

[DrDogg]

Seems like your mind is in the right place. Yes, why wouldn't the guy blocking hold the move that's 37-42 frames FAST?! No, PB's must be charged to guard break. By reading the post you should see how the PB can used in a strategic manner, that's good. Now think about how many times you have actually popped someone (good) in a DOA game that has them, charge attacks that is.

As you said earlier, if you time it well enough you could catch whiff'd attacks from people that are just throwing stuff out. I am talking about the actual move once it's released because that is what you asked about.

It doesn't seem like you're going for it but, I'll say it; Don't let the hype get to you.

In high level play there's no reason you should hit a PB. Whiff punishing with a 37+ frame attack means the whiffing person did something inadvisable and arguably not high level. Not countering a 37+ frame attack on reaction means you're just not good. If I can break a Tekken 4 wall push on reaction with only a 7-frame window, I'm pretty sure I can press Back+Hold when the PB releases. Not to mention you can just interrupt it with a faster attack since it would probably just be SS-canceled anyway.

I hit good players with Charge attacks all the time............................................................................ >: )

Thing is that you can sidestep as soon as you see them hold, you could get in peoples heads. Who knows what they'd let you do. You also have to hold at the right time; hold too early and you risk getting hit. Assuming someone stuns you and does it, your hold window in stun is like nothing and you're sitting there for a good amount of time. People can play you, and you get good damage from the Generator, Cliff Hanger and Car, so it's not useless.

Stop playing online, or play against better people offline. No one good should be holding until they see you release the PB. Your only choice will be to cancel the PB with a SS, which will not get you anywhere if the opponent was just waiting to hold the PB on reaction.

 

[Jefffcore]

^ lol We'll see. Saying no one "should" be holding is hypothetical. We could play offline and I'm almost positive I'd hit you with Charge attacks. You're assuming I've never played offline, or anyone good... It hurts me.

Considering they step back they do work decently for whiff punishment.