[Test results] Offensive specials, grabs and weapons.

Hi all, time to post my findings here after doing extensive testing. I'll be tackling two subjects in this thread:

A.) Grabs and offensive specials: who can use them and who cannot.
B.) How to use non-weapon offensive specials when using a weapon that has its own f.SP (example: Axel/Shiva using a sword).

But first, some terminology so this analysis doesn't end up with enough words to qualify as a short novel...

f.SP -- an offensive special; the "f" stands for "forward", the directional input required for using this move.
n.SP -- a defensive special; the "n" stands for "neutral". No direction must be input when doing this move.
f,f+SP -- a running special; the "f,f" stands for "forward, forward", the command that makes characters run.

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A.) Using special attacks during grabs:

- Any character can perform a defensive special when grabbing an enemy.
- During a rear grab, using a f.SP will perform the defensive version instead.
- During a frontal grab, some characters can use their non-weapon f.SP as well -- even if armed with a weapon that has its own offensive special! Just hit forward+A or backward+A.
- Who can do this? Anyone except SoR3 characters and SoRR originals (Adam counts as SoR1). Here's a quick "cheat sheet" for your convenience:

Use offensive or defensive special during frontal grabs:
Adam
Axel1
Axel2
Blaze1
Blaze2
Max
Shiva2
Skate2

Use defensive specials only during frontal grabs:
Ash
Axel3
Blaze3
Elle
Mr.X
Roo
Rudra
Shiva3
Skate3
Zan

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B.) The "running special" trick:

Many characters have weapon-specific offensive special moves that replace the regular un-armed one. The normal version might still come in handy, though, and can extend the lifespan of your weapon by quite a bit.

It's as simple as it is elegant: just run before you use a special, and your character will perform their non-weapon f.SP instead! This does not work for characters who already have their own running special, specifically Adam (riot stopper), Axel2 (hurricane kick) and Zan (energy ball toss).

The best part is that you can follow up many other moves with a running offensive special. For example, Shiva can do a sword blitz, then immediately follow up with a running Tiger Palm. Blaze can do a knife special, then immediately follow up with a Kikusho. Etc, etc.

Here's a list of characters who have weapon specials (that the "running special" trick works with):
Axel1/3: sword
Blaze1/2/3: knife/kunai
Elle: knife/kunai
Roo: knife/kunai (note: Roo will lose his weapon from just a single enemy hit, knockdown or not!)
Rudra: sword
Shiva2/3: sword
Skate2/3: pipe/plank/wooden bat (but not the metal one!)

I think this might be relevant out of completeness since I already mentioned it on the Max thread:

Max can cancel his choke grab (grab + neutral B)into both his specials anytime. This can be incredibly devastating if you usethe cancel right after the 4th choke and also can prevent you from being attacked by another mook while choking someone else.

Don Vecta wrote:I think this might be relevant out of completeness since I already mentioned it on the Max thread:

Max can cancel his choke grab (grab + neutral B)into both his specials anytime. This can be incredibly devastating if you usethe cancel right after the 4th choke and also can prevent you from being attacked by another mook while choking someone else.

Thanks for that, yes!!!  

Max is so much fun to play as.