The King of Fighters XV/Chizuru Kagura/Strategy
General Gameplan
Chizuru's main gameplan consists of the following:
- Confuse the opponent by alternating between various versions of her clone moves
- Use her generally superior normals to control neutral
- Enforcing plus frames traps
- Land her power seal move to render an opponent unable to use their specials, greatly altering match flow
- Corner the opponent and use her clone super for deadly pressure
Neutral
Her neutral will mostly rely on 6B, 5B, 5D and 3D. All these attacks hit really far and usually have very little risk on block. However, 5D and 3D are death on whiff, so it is advised to use 6B or 5B in mid-range.
Chizuru can also completely bypass the neutral by doing her 22X move series, since this is the best way to use clones without it getting hit (most of the time).
Vary your clone usage in neutral to avoid getting too predictable. Be sure to use all of her 22X and 214X moves, sending yourself of Chizuru as desired and varying the distances to make a punish more difficult for your opponent. In particular, 22AC and 22BD can be used for anti-zoning.
JCD is a very strong air move that can use to advance aggressively and relatively safely.
Pressure
Chizuru has multiple options for applying pressure to an opponent:
- 236C to enforce plus frames.
- 214A/B/C/D and delay their follow-ups to play mind games with the opponent.
- 236236K to apply huge pressure and guard damage that must be blocked generally, with the l2 being more effective but expensive. This is especially useful in the corner.
- 6B in neutral frequently, it is quite safe generally and leads to a nice smaller combo if it hits.
Additional pressure information is contained here.
Mix-ups
Chizuru wants to implement her 6A Overhead when it comes to mix-ups, as well as using her scary low attacks as well.
She can also use her clones for mix-ups.
- During block strings, 22B/D will send her to the opposite side.
- Upon hard knockdown, 214D~K can send her to the opposite side.
- Doing 236236K and then a Roll can send her to the opposite side.
Defense
Chizuru has two main defensive options: 2C and her dp 623X. 2C is an amazing anti-air. Chizuru's dp is strong as well but is relatively easy to punish if you miss compared to other dps in the game. Therefore, it is recommended you use 2C more often.
Safe Jumps
Assume all blank spaces for Not Recommended Against apply to all preceding safe jump setups that have the same number of frames for the safe jump.
| Setup | Action | Safe Jumps X Frame Reversals | Not Recommended Against | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Throw | Super jump forward j.D | 4 | Angel (Super Counter), Geese (Counter), O. Yashiro | Manual Timing |
| 6A | Neutral Jump j.D | 4 | - | - |
| 22A | Forward Jump j.D | 4 | - | - |
| 22K | Neutral Jump j.D | 4 | - | - |
| 214D | Forward Jump j.D | 4 | - | Corner |
| 236C | Neutral Jump j.D | 4 | - | - |
| 623AC | Hyper Hop Forward j.D | 4 | - | Manual Timing |
| Forward Throw | Micro Dash > 22D | 4 | Heidern, Khronen (Super) | Is not effective against any attacks that cover crossup. |
| Backwards Throw | Hyper Hop Forward j.D | 6 | Ashe, Benimaru, Dolores (Climax), Haohmaru, Heidern, Iori, K', Khronen, Kim, King (EX Super), Kula, Kyo, Nakoruru (EX DP), O.Chris, O. Yashiro, Ralf, Robert, Rock, Ryo, Shingo (EX DP), Terry, Yamazaki (EX Counter), Yuri | - |
| 214C | Hyper Hop Forward j.D | 6 | - | Corner |
| 214B | Forward Jump j.D | 6 | - | - |
| 22C | Forward Jump j.D | 7 | - | - |
See the below video for visual reference.
Countering Chizuru
Most of Chizuru's stuff involves clones. Luckily for the opponent, most of her clone moves follow one rule: They can get hit. The only moves that are exceptions to this rule are 623A and 236236K.
Additionally, there are three ways one can determine if the clone is actually a clone or real Chizuru:
- Clones don't have a shadow, only the real Chizuru does.
- Opponent's character will automatically turn towards the real Chizuru.
- The camera will always try to follow real Chizuru.
Tips & Tricks
What To Do After Stun?
Getting the opponent stunned is a great opportunity for Chizuru. She can easily access her best combos that she couldn't before.
She wants to use this short period of time to build meter by using 236A about 4-5 times. Some backdashing might be needed in order to prevent hitting the opponent.
Mastering The Level 2 Clone Super Combo
This is probably the best way Chizuru can spend her meter on if she wants to do big damage.
Ideally, she will want to do cl.D > 6A > 236236BD. Next up, it is very important to pay attention to how close Chizuru is to the opponent throughout the supermove's duration, in order to squeeze out the most damage possible. There are 3 outcomes:
- Chizuru is at point blank range = This is the version you want to go for, since it allows for the best combo. After the supermove is activated, quickly do 2C > 3D and then do cl.D > 6A as soon as you recover. This will prevent the final hit of the clone from sending the opponent in the air and they will, instead, stay grounded. You can follow up with any special move after the 6A part hits.
- Chizuru is at point blank range, but she doesn't manage to stay close all the time = This usually happens if you do the 2C > 3D part too late, which means you won't be able to do cl.D due to distance (You would just get 5D instead). When this happens, forget about the cl.D, because you can't keep them grounded this time. Instead, start running and do 6B just as the final hit of the clone ends. Since they are in the air, 6B will put them in a juggle state, allowing for a combo afterwards,
- Chizuru is far away = This happens if the clone is activated at further range (Example: j.C > cl.D > 6A > 236236BD). At this point, you won't be able to connect 2C at all, so we must find another way to dish out as much damage as possible. Instead, perform 5B so that the opponent is put in just enough hitstun for the clone to catch up to them. Next up, run and perform a forward jump into j.D. Upon landing, the clone should do its final hit, and just like before, perform 6B once they are launched in the air for a full combo.
Setups
Post 236A Setup
After using a light combo and ending with 236 A, Chizuru can continue the pressure using 22X.
Examples 236A Combos:
- 2B > 2B > 5B > 236A
- 2B > 2A > 2A > 236A
Which version of 22X can stop and be stopped by varies. Keep this in mind in regards to your opponent's reversal options.
| 22X Version | Beats | Beaten By |
|---|---|---|
| 22A | H and EX DP (Whiff) | Leaves You Out of Their Range |
| 22B | H and EX DP, and Grabs (Whiff) | Lunges and Slides |
| 22C | Lows, Armored and Non-Armored Command Grabs | Everything Else |
| 22D | Everything Except | H and EX DP, Armored Command Grabs |
| 22AC | Everything | Leaves You Out of Their Range |
| 22BD | Everything Except | H and EX DP, Armored Command Grabs |
Exceptions: Meitenkun is an exeption to the rule as his [2]8P has a vertical hitbox, stuffing any attempts by Chizuru. Meanwhile, his [4]6P can only be beaten by 22AC. The same applies to Khronen's DP.
22BD Reset
You can end your combo early using 22BD off of 6A or 6B mid-combo to then go into another mixup. Note, for 22BD to combo off 6A, 6A can only be preceded by one normal (not counting MAX mode).
| Attack | Beats | Beaten By |
|---|---|---|
| 22B | Lows, H DP, Wakeup Throw | L and EX DP, Armored Grabs |
| 3D | Meaty, L DP | H and EX DP, Wakeup Throw, Armored Grabs |
| Guard | EX DP and Command Grabs | - |
Exceptions: Meitenkun and Khronen DP
214PP > 6B > 22B Corner Reset
You can end your combo early using 22B to then go into another mixup.
Which version of 22X can stop and be stopped by varies. Keep this in mind in regards to your opponent's reversal options.
| 22X Version | Beats | Beaten By |
|---|---|---|
| 22B | L DP, Armored Grabs (whiffed) | H and EX DP |
| 22D | H and EX DP (whiffed), Lunges | L DP, Armored Grabs |
Exceptions: Meitenkun and Khronen DP
Meaty 236P Setup
236C and 236AC are already plus on block. However, they can be made even more plus on block if used as a meaty attack.
Examples:
- cl.D > 6A > 214AC~P > 6B > 214D... 236C
- cl.D > 6A > 214BD~K~214K > cl.D > 236C
- 214C~P > cl.A/cl.C/cl.D > 236C/236AC (Corner)
- cl.D > 6B > 236C (framekill) > 236C (Corner)
Using Clones To Escape The Corner
You can use her clone moves to escape the corner or just simply switch sides at the cost of giving up pressure.
Examples (On a blocking opponent):
- 2B > 5B > 214A > 214P
- 2B > 5B > 214C > 214P (Since the real Chizuru is sent here, 214P part must be done in the opposite way)
- cl.D > 6A > 22B/D/BD
Examples (After a combo):
- ... > 214D~K > 214A > 214P
- ... > 214D~K > 214C > 214P (Since the real Chizuru is sent here, 214P part must be done in the opposite way)
Clone Sideswitch
Used after a hard knockdown, for a left/right mix. Kick version is preferable for this, since it seems to have slightly faster recovery than the Punch version. And remember, B version sends the clone and the D version sends the real Chizuru. Send the clone a bit further to prevent a Grab reversal.
Examples:
- Cl.D > 6B > 22D... 214B/D~K
- 214BD~K~214K > cl.D > 214B/D~K
- 214D~K... 214B/D~K
Another example is using her 22D to switch sides. So far, only one setup has been found with this.
- cl.D > 6A > (Can also squeeze in 214BD~K~214K here) > 214AC~P > 6B > 22D (This one is also immune to grab reversals)
Clone Double Sideswitch
If Chizuru send a clone just behind the opponent and does the follow up, she will appear on the original side, essentially making this a double sideswitch.
Example:
- cl.D > 6A > 214B~K (Send the clone behind the opponent and it whiffs) > 214K (Clone appears on the original side)
Clone Super Mixup
Upon any hard knockdown, Chizuru can use her 236236K supermove (Level 1 version) and perform a roll to suddenly switch sides. Note that Chizuru has to retreat in order to give the clone space, or else it won't keep attacking the opponent. Since Chizuru cannot perform any of her special moves while the clone is out, she will have to use her CD and j.CD attacks after the final hit of the super, since they are most damaging normals.
Example:
- cl.D > 6A > 214D~K (Add 214K if you want)... 236236K... Forward roll... Backdash... CD
- cl.D > 6A > 214D~K (Add 214K if you want)... 236236K... Forward roll... Backdash... Neutral jump j.CD
