Samurai Shodown VI/Makai Gaoh

Introduction

The final boss of Samurai Shodown VI. He is unplayable without cheats.

In the arcade version he is the only character who has access to 0 Spirit, which makes his already-cheap WFT quite the horror to deal with. Furthermore he is immune to disarms.

Data

• Dash type: Step (fully invincible and will pass through an opponent)
• Damage taken: 100%
• Rage retention:
• Rage duration: 12 seconds

Gameplan

Block everything if you can't make it all whiff, don't let him get in command grab range but if you're there then think before jumping out, don't jump around fire wave range, punish what you can get for him to miss. If he's got full Rage then be patient until he inevitably performs his WFT, which you should then block and punish unless your character has something better. Find ways to exploit the AI with gimmicks and abuse them until they stop working.

Normal Moves

Far Slashes

• 5A - Unchanged.
• 5B - Unchanged.
• 5C - 5B but a bit slower. Deals the exact same amount of damage and also counts as a medium hit.
• 2A - Unchanged.
• 2B - Now special cancellable.
• 2C - Unchanged.

Near Slashes

• n5A - Unchanged.
• n5B - Unchanged.
• n5C - Faster and also special cancellable. Can be performed anywhere with 5D or 6D.
• n2A - Same as far version.
• n2B - Same as far version.
• n2C - Same as far version.

Kicks

• 5D - Same as n5C.
• 6D - Same as n5C.
• 2D - Same as 2A.
• 3D - Same as 2A.

Air Normals

• jA - Same as jB.
• jB - Unchanged.
• jC - Unchanged.
• jD - This button does nothing.

Hyper Slash (I)

• A+B - A Hyper Slash that was never meant to see the light of day. This functions very differently to other Hyper Slashes, as it deals two hits of damage but will only cause a knockdown with very specific spacing.

Command Moves

Roll E (II, III, IV, V, 0)

• Makai Gaoh does not have normal E-button movement in any Spirit. Instead, he will always perform an extremely quick backward roll which travels a short distance backward. This is special cancellable.

Air defense - jE (III)

• Makai Gaoh glows green for a bit. Despite appearances, as an air parry this actually works.

Rage increase - [A+B] (III)

• Makai Gaoh disappears in two consecutive puffs of smoke then reappears to build Rage. One puff of smoke will also double as Makai Gaoh's invincible pose in II Spirit.

Continuous Slash - A+B (IV)

• Makai Gaoh does not have Continuous Slashes. Instead, his spear glows as if he were to perform a Hyper Slash and then he does nothing. He is only stuck for one frame before he can move again.

Rage Explosion - ABC (IV, V)

• When Makai Gaoh performs Rage Explosion there is no burst. He cannot even use it to break combos. Instead, he will stop time while he freezes in place, allowing the opponent to get a free hit. Time resumes the second he is hit.

State Of Nothingness - D+E (V)

• Makai Gaoh doesn't just slow time - he stops it completely. The opponent is still able to act, but outside of cinematic movements like super flashes and Rage Explosion nothing they do will progress beyond the first frame. Unlike with every other character, this State Of Nothingness does not have a time limit. If you knock the opponent down in any way they will never hit the ground, meaning doing so will softlock the match.

Fatal Flash - ABC during Rage Explosion (IV) or State Of Nothingness (V)

• Technically only available during State Of Nothingness as Makai Gaoh can't really use Rage Explosion. Makai Gaoh flexes for a bit rather than performing a Fatal Flash. This does not stop State Of Nothingness, meaning you can't use it to resume time.

Hyper Dodge/Mikiri - E (VI, VII)

• Makai Gaoh crouches for one frame.

Special Moves

Purifying Kagura - 236S

• Gaoh's charge specials, specifically how they functioned in V Special. Causes a wall bounce and a soft knockdown. Makai Gaoh often goes for the heavy version which is a bit easier to see coming.

Misty March - 6SSS

• Gaoh's mash special. It's safe on block and chips a ton, but if you can get behind him while he's doing this it's a free punish.

Streamer Fuse - 63214D

• Makai Gaoh summons a wave of fire in front of him. This attack is invincible, covers a great amount of range, chips a ton, pushes back, anti-airs and can juggle into itself. Stay out of this move's range if you can, but if you are in range (which you probably will be) then the best thing you can do is to just block. Only attempt to jump over this when you're very close to him.

Wailing Firearm - 623D

• Gaoh's command grab. Deals very good damage and results in a hard knockdown.

Toy Transformation - 412146E (II)

Supers

Onibi Blaze - 236AB

• Sugoroku's WFT on steroids. There is no hitting Makai Gaoh off of his demon horse, and he covers an amazing vertical area while also traversing the whole screen. This deals multiple hits, so it can also do a good job at chipping you to death. Makai Gaoh is likely to land this after spamming a few fire waves and other specials, so space yourself if you can and sit tight ready to block. At the end, Makai Gaoh leaps from the screen and recovers a bit on the ground. You can either attempt to punish his fall with a strike or, more safely, punish his landing with a throw. Unless your name is Suija then don't even think about jumping when he has meter.