Marvel Vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
Gouki (Akuma) FAQ
V1.2 


=---Legal Stuff-------------------------------------------------------------=
This FAQ is Copyright 2000 Isao (William Chiang)

Capcom characters are Copyright 2000 Capcom Co., LTD.
Marvel characters TM are Copyright 2000 Marvel Characters, Inc.

United States and International Copyright laws protect this FAQ.

No part of this document may be reproduced without the expressed consent of 
Isao (William Chiang) (Isao4Ever@aol.com)

=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=


============TABLE OF CONTENTS===========

I.    Revision History and Introduction

II.   Marvel Vs Capcom 2 Game System

III.  Character Specifics and Move List

IV.   Strategies (Specific and General)

V.    Arcade Etiquette

VI.   Antagonistic E-mails

VII.  Last Thoughts and Thanks

=========================================


=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=

I. REVISION HISTORY AND INTRODUCTION

------------------------
====Revision History====
------------------------

V1.2  (7-22-00): Fixed typos.  Due to some reactions, "Antagonistic" 
                 Section.  Combo Sub-Section added.  Changed Last Thoughts 
                 and Thanks section a bit.  Changed title of Cheese 
                 Characters to CTDNR (Check it out).  Added WARNING.  Began
                 Specific Strategies Sub-Section.  Added Character Tier.
                 Changed Ratings here and there.  


V1.0  (6-21-00): First Version of FAQ.  Everything is new.


-------------------
====Introdution====
-------------------

The Vs series has been Capcom's bread and butter in the arcades these past 
few years, and even between the ludicrous two and a half year wait between 
MvC 1 and MvC 2, mindless drones have been dumping in quarters like no 
tomorrow.  My personal opinion about the Vs series is rather mixed.  It's fun 
and entertaining, but I have to admit that the gameplay isn't too great.  Of 
course Capcom has fixed the horrendous balance problems since X-men Vs Street 
Fighter, Marvel Vs Street Fighter (the absolute low point in the Vs series), 
and Marvel Vs Capcom 1. But in the extraction of some problems, and in the 
quest to make an even more entertaining game, Capcom has allowed some glaring 
problems in Marvel Vs Capcom 2.  Almost every character has a 100% combo, and 
an Infinite.  Personally, I prefer games with more gameplay than flash (Like 
King of Fighters).  However I also prefer playing against a human opponent 
rather than the computer, so I have committed myself to learning and becoming 
a master of Marvel Vs Capcom 2.  
This FAQ about Gouki (Akuma) is for the educated reader and player only.  I 
know it is long, but if you take your time to peruse the whole FAQ (including 
the Legal Stuff ^_^), you will learn lots.  I will try to stress fairness in 
gameplay (i.e. stay away from throws), however even I have my cheap 
inclinations sometimes, so I will not deny the reader of SOME cheap info.  
But please, PLEASE do not play like a scrub.  It just makes you seem like an 
ass.  In the Strategies Section, I will go into more depth about cheapness 
and cheap characters, and how not to be one and how to stop one.  Have fun, 
and thanks for reading.  (Note: An asterisk * beside a title means that there 
are current plans to update that section.)


=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=

II. Marvel Vs Capcom 2 Game System


-----------------------------------------
====Control Abbreviations and Symbols====
-----------------------------------------

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT pay attention to the button labels on the Arcade 
Board.  They are wrong, and are labeled for MvC 1.  Do not get confused when 
I say Roundhouse (HK) and press the button labeled Roundhouse, which is 
actually the Assist 2 (A2) button!


     ==Button Abbreviations==

     LP:  Light Punch   (Jab)
     MP:  Medium Punch  (Strong)
     HP:  Hard Punch    (Fierce)
     P:   Any Punch
     2P:  Two Punches   (LP + HP)
     
     LK:  Light Kick    (Short)
     MK:  Medium Kick   (Forward)
     HK:  Hard Kick     (Roundhouse)
     K:   Any Kick
     2K:  Two Kicks     (LK + HK)

     A1:  Assist 1
     A2:  Assist 2


     ==Joystick Abbreviations==     

     F:   Forward
     D:   Down
     B:   Back
     U:   Up
     DF:  Down-Forward
     DB:  Down-Back
     UB:  Up-Back
     UF:  Up-Forward
     QCF: Quarter Circle Forward 
     QCB: Quarter Circle Back         
     HCF: Half Circle Forward    
     HCB: Half Circle Back
     270: Rotate Joystick 270 Degrees
     360: Rotate Joystick 360 Degrees

     +:  Denotes button or joystick movement that must be performed in
         conjunction with another button or joystick movement.
         (i.e. D + LP = Down and Light Punch at the same time)

     ,:  Denotes button or joystick movement that must be performed 
         immediately one after the previous button or joystick movement.      
         (i.e. D, DF, F = Down, then Down-Forward, and then Forward)




--------------------------------
====Basic or Universal Moves====
--------------------------------

For more info, please refer to other FAQs.


     Jump:        Simply tap up on the joystick.

     Super Jump:  Quickly tap Down, and then up.  Or you may just press up 
     from a crouching (down) position.  Or you may press two kicks (LK + HK)
     for most characters (excluding Zangeif).

     Dash:        Simply tap forward twice.  Or you may press two punches
     (LP + HP) for most characters (excluding Zangeif.)

     Roll:        When falling from a knock down attack, quickly roll the 
     Joystick Back, Down-Back, and then Down plus any punch button.

     Force Block: When blocking a multi-hit attack, such as a beam super,
     Press two punches (LP + HP).

     Switch Characters: To switch out to Character 1, simply press Jab and
     Short buttons (LP + LK) at the same time.  To switch out to Character 2,
     press Fierce and Roundhouse (HP + HK) at the same time.  Switching out
     causes the character jumping in to lose all RED LIFE (The red life bar
     behind the main life bar).  So use smarts, and don't switch out every 
     three seconds, like some idiots do.

     Assist: To call out an Assist, simply press the Assist 1 (A1) for the
     second character, and Assist 2 button (A2) for the third character in 
     the team.

     Snapback: Move the joystick Down, Down-Forward, and then Forward (QCF)
     and press either Assist button (A1 or A2).  The opponent will be knocked
     out of the screen, forcing another opponent team member to jump in.
     Uses 1 Hyper Combo Level.

     Team Counter: To counter an attack by the opponent, simply press Back,
     Down-Back, Down and Assist 1 or Assist 2 (A1 or A2) button whilst 
     Blocking the attack made.  Either the second or third character will 
     jump out accordingly and attack the opponent.  The characters will 
     switch out at this point.  Uses 1 Hyper Combo Level.

     Triple Delay Hyper Combo: Simply ram on both Assist buttons at the same
     time (A1 + A2) and all three characters will appear on screen to perform
     their according HC.  Rather worthless if you ask me.  Uses 3 Hyper
     Combo Levels.



=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=

III. Character Specifics and Move List

Gouki (Akuma) is an overused, over abused, and incorrectly implemented 
character.  The strength of Gouki is in his pure offense.  He's like a pumped 
up version of Ken in some respects.  He isn't the best character in the game; 
he isn't even the best Shoto in the whole game I think (Ryu is the best)!  I 
basically wrote this FAQ so that people will finally learn how to CORRECTLY 
use Gouki, instead of play a scrubby masher Version.  I have plans to write 
FAQs about all three Shotokan characters (Ryu, Gouki, and Ken), so look out 
for them.  Gouki requires at least a little strategy, because without it, you 
will easily get torn apart by a decent player.  (My rating system goes from 
1: Really Crappy or worst to 10: Totally Overpowered or best.  5 is the 
median rating, duh.)    


------------------------
====Character Rating====
------------------------


Strength: 7.5.  While Gouki's offense is pumped up, hit for hit, his attacks 
create excellent but sometimes minor damage.  In his combos and multi-hit 
attacks, each hit is worth little damage, but once the hits add up, the 
opponent will be in pain.  

Vitality: 1.0.  Gouki takes damage the worst in the whole game.  This limits 
his game very much.  Two Aerial Raves and a Hyper Combo will kill him twice 
over.  This is his Achilles Heel, and it is quite a large one.

Speed:    8.5.  Gouki is very quick in both execution and lag.  Many of his 
moves are fast enough to beat out other characters from countering you.  This 
adds to his Offensive ability.  You'll have to use this to your advantage 
against characters like the Hulk.

Attack:   10.0.  The difference between Attack and Strength is the 
character's ability to go on the offensive.  Someone may be powerful, but his 
or her offense can completely suck (i.e. Hulk).  Gouki should be on the 
offensive 4/5ths of the time he is the main character.  He should not really 
ever play a defensive game unless time is running out.  He has massive jump 
ins, excellent combos, and very good speed to aid him in attacking the 
opponent.  The mixture of such attributes makes him one of the most offensive 
minded and powered characters in the whole game.

Defense:  5.0.  The difference between Defense and Vitality is the 
character's ability to sit back and go on the defensive.  Someone may have 
high Vitality, but their defense can totally suck (i.e. Silver Samurai).  
Gouki seems to have problems defending against aggressive attackers.  His 
Crouching Fierce is an excellent Anti-Air, and his Go Shoryuken is decent.  
However, he can't really play keep away and due to his extremely low 
Vitality, one mistake can mean losing a whole match.  

Overall:  8.0.  The overall score is independent from the rest of the scores.  
It depends on the overall effectiveness of the character when played at 
maximum ability.  While Akuma is very far from the worst, he definitely isn't 
close to the best either.  Akuma just takes damage too poorly to be 
considered a truly powerful character.  Everyone makes at least one mistake 
in a match, and against a half-conscious, semi-intelligent opponent, he will 
not be forgiven easily.  Two mistakes in a match and you'll have to switch 
characters.  For the amount of time in which he is in the battle, he can 
inflict heavy damage.  But then again, in some cases, against a decent 
opponent, it will not be very long before he's knocked out.



==------------Assist Options------------==

Every character has three variations of assists.  Your choice is extremely 
important, as it decides whether you lose or win.  Gouki is a decent Assist 
option, but he lacks usefulness outside of setting up combos.

Alpha Assist/Projectile Type: Gou Hadouken.   Gouki jumps in and throws out a 
Go Hadouken.  I basically think that Fireball assists are worthless most of 
the time.  Use this only if your opponent is another Shoto-esque character.  
It doesn't really help in a keep away game.  This isn't too bad, but since he 
has better options, I tend to stay away from this Type.  Rating: 6.5

Beta Assist/Anti-Air Type: Gou Shoryuken.  It's a solid Anti-Air, but there 
are better out there.  The lag time is really bad.  I suggest only using this 
Assist Type if your other characters have trouble defending and keeping 
opponents away.  Rating: 7.0

Gamma Assist/Variable Type: Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku. The all purpose Assist.  
Gouki jumps in and immediately does a Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku.  This sets the 
opponent up for combos very well.  It also does good damage.  The only bad 
thing about this would be the priority and lag.  Gouki is totally open to 
projectiles during the whole assist.  If you use this intelligently, and only 
when an opponent is reasonably close (not all the way across the screen), you 
won't get punished.  His best assist I think.  Rating: 8.0 


Recommended Assist: Gamma most of the time.  Its ability to set up combos is 
priceless.



==------------Normal Moves-----------==

All Shotokan Normal Moves aren't very spectacular.  They have no special 
qualities that make them stand out.  Basically what makes a Shotokan so 
strong (in most cases) is the overall effect.  They have no worthless attack 
in their arsenal.  Each move has a purpose, so learn them.


-------------------
====Light Punch====
-------------------

To perform a Light Punch, press the "Jab" button once.


Standing:  Gouki sticks his hand out in a quick fashion.  The execution is 
very good, but the range and priority aren't.  Use it to poke and to start 
combos.   Rating: 6.0


Crouching: Gouki sticks his arm out exactly like the Standing Version.  Same 
attributes and uses as the Standing Version.  Rating: 6.0


Jumping:   Gouki sticks his arm downward at a 35-degree angle.  Okay for 
poking, but Gouki's normal moves lack real range.  Don't use this liberally 
for anything except combo starting.  You can actually use this to start his 
Shun Goku Satsu if you're skilled enough.  I'll explain how to in the 
Strategies Section.   Rating: 7.5


--------------------
====Medium Punch====
--------------------

To perform a Medium Punch, press the "Jab" button a second time.


Standing: Gouki punches in a sort of upward uppercut.  The range isn't too 
hot.  The speed and priority are good though.  You can use this to poke and 
combo with.  Rating: 6.5


Crouching: Gouki punches forward on the ground.  Good execution and lag time.  
The range is decent too.  You can use it to poke, combo, and set up Hyper 
Combos.  Rating: 7.5


Jumping: Gouki punches downward in the air.  It's mostly for poking and combo 
filler. Almost nothing to say about it.  Rating: 6.0




------------------
====Hard Punch====
------------------

To perform a Hard Punch, press the button that is labeled "Strong" on the 
arcade board.  This is incorrect, due to the new button setup that MvC 2 has 
introduced.  Pressing the "Strong" button will result in a Hard Punch 
(Fierce) to come out.


Standing: Gouki punches straight outward.  The range is nice and so is the 
priority and speed.  This is a main part of his ground combos.  This can 
cancel into most of his supers, so make sure you get to know it well.  Use it 
to poke and for nice combo starting.  Rating: 8.0


Crouching:  This is Gouki's Launcher.  He punches straight up in a big 
uppercut.  The Horizontal range is pretty decent, and the priority his high.  
It's pretty fast for a Launcher, and there are only a handful of jump ins 
that beat it.  I recommend using this as a defensive measure, or an Anti-Air 
measure.  One of the best Launchers in the game, due to its mix of speed and 
priority.  Rating: 9.0


Jumping:   Gouki punches downward at a 60-degree angle.  Not only does this 
have good execution time and damage, but also it has VERY good priority for 
such a short punch.  The range isn't very good though, so you'll have to 
measure distances correctly.  This is my preferred jump in.  Rating: 8.5



------------------
====Light Kick====
------------------

To perform a Light Kick, simply press the "Short" button once.


Standing:  Gouki does a short little kick at knee level.  The speed is good, 
and the range is alright.  Mix this up with the Standing Jab to start ground 
combos.  It's safe for poking.  Rating: 6.5


Crouching: Gouki sticks his foot out in traditional Shotokan fashion.  The 
speed and range is actually very good.  It's totally safe for poking and 
combo starting.  Rating: 8.5


Jumping:   He sticks his knee out at a downward angle.  The range is pretty 
pathetic on this, so I tend to use it as a poke.  The priority is good 
though, so you can use it when there's an annoying Jill or something coming 
at you.  Aerial Rave filler.  Rating: 6.0




-------------------
====Medium Kick====
-------------------

To perform a Medium Kick, press the "Short" button as second time.


Standing:   Gouki does a medium ranged kick that has decent speed.  The range 
is alright, but I still don't seem to use this much.  It's okay for poking 
and combos.  Rating: 6.5


Crouching:  Gouki kicks forward at a long distance by pushing off with his 
hand a little.  The range is excellent for the size of Gouki, and it doesn't 
even have much execution or lag time.  This is great for poking, and good for 
ground combos.  Rating: 8.0


Jumping:   Gouki kicks out at a 10-degree angle.  The execution and range 
isn't bad, but the damage and priority could use some work.  I mainly use 
this for Aerial Raves, but I guess you could also use it as a poke.  Rating: 
6.0



-----------------
====Hard Kick====
-----------------

To perform a Hard Kick, press the button that is labeled "Forward" on the 
arcade board.  This is incorrect, due to the new button setup that MvC 2 has 
introduced.  Pressing the "Forward" button will result in a Hard Kick 
(Roundhouse) to come out.


Standing:  Gouki does a spin kick to the upper area of an opponent.  The 
speed is good (once again), and the priority is good (once again).  The 
overall range isn't too good though (once again), so you'll have to make sure 
your opponent is in range to get hit.  Rating: 7.0



Crouching:  Gouki sweeps the ground in a spin kick.  The range and speed is 
nice.  There is no punishable lag-time whatsoever.  You can use this as combo 
filler if you'd like.  I usually cancel this into a Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku or 
something.  You can even play keep away with this.  It's an excellent 
Roundhouse.  Rating: 9.0



Jumping:   Gouki kicks in the same manner as the Jumping Medium Kick.  The 
priority and damage is improved, but it's a bit slower.  Basically, I use 
this for Air to Air battles and sometimes as a jump in.  The Vertical 
priority isn't too great, so you'll have to be careful.  Very good speed.  
Rating: 8.0



==------------Command Moves------------==


--------------
====Throws====
--------------

F + HP (Ground Version): Gouki grabs the opponent and flips them over his 
shoulder.  It's a basic throw.  Nothing to be excited about.  You shouldn't 
be throwing anyway, so don't even bother.  Rating: 5.5


F + HP (Air Version): Gouki grabs the opponent and rolls downward, slamming 
them onto the ground.  It's an air throw, so there's nothing special about 
it.  Don't use throws please.  Rating: 6.5


F + HK: Flips the opponent over his body, thrusting them away with his leg.  
Tosses the opponent to the opposite side of the screen.  Throws are cheap.  
Don't use them on purpose unless you're a scrub.  Rating: 6.5


-------------
====Other====
-------------

F + HP: Zugai Hasatsu.  An overhead punch that must be blocked high.  With 
limited use, this can always surprise an opponent.  I don't recommend 
performing this more than three times in a match, otherwise, a decent 
opponent will catch onto the game.  This will make the opponent second guess 
when they are getting up from a knock down.  Mix this up with a Crouching HK 
to make the opponent take hits.  It's excellent and adds to the confusion and 
intimidation factor of Gouki.  Rating: 9.0


U + MK (Air Only): Mae Geri.  Uses the exact same animation as his Straight 
Jumping Weak Kick.  This serves as a little mini launcher in the air.  It is 
used ONLY in combos, and the range is utterly pathetic.  Why use this?  I 
don't know.  You tell me.  Rating: 3.0


F + HK (Ground Version): Senpuu Kyaku.  Gouki hops forward, doing one 
rotation of a Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku without the electricity.  The speed is 
alright, but I have yet to find an overly convincing reason to use this.    
You can use this to gain ground while attacking, since it has very little lag 
time.  You can stick this into combos if you'd like.  Rating: 6.5


U + HK (Air Version): Senpuu Kyaku.  Pretty much the same as the ground 
version, only done in the air this time.  There really isn't much use for it, 
since he has better moves at his disposal.  You can use it for Aerial Raves 
or for poking.  Rating: 6.0






==------------Special Moves------------==


--------------------
====Gou Hadouken====
--------------------

QCF + P (Ground Only):  
A medium sized Fireball that flies at a decent speed.  The Jab Version flies 
slower, while the Fierce Version flies faster.  Execution and Lag times are 
decent for both Versions.  It's like the standard Fireball that has been made 
obsolete by the Marvel Characters (like Ice Man).  Throw one out to play keep 
away and as part of a mind game, but you shouldn't really use it too much.  
It does good damage though.  Jab Version Rating: 6.0.  Fierce Version Rating: 
7.0 




---------------------
====Gou Shoryuken====
---------------------

F, D, DF + P:
Gouki does the ever so famous Dragon Punch, with a nice Purple flame around 
his arm.  The priority is excellent, but it is a Dragon Punch, after all.  
The lag time is horrendous for the Fierce Version, and passable for the Jab 
Version.  This is probably his most consistent Anti-Air, so use it in the 
right occasions.  The Fierce is mainly combo filler, so don't use it as an 
Anti-Air.  Only use the Jab Version to combat jump ins.  Jab Version Rating: 
7.5.  Fierce Version Rating: 6.5


------------------------------
====Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku====
------------------------------

QCB + K (Air or Ground):
Gouki begins to spin in mid air with one leg extended and covered with 
electricity.  This is his main combo tool.  It has excellent speed overall, 
and has good priority.  The only real bad thing is that it misses a lot of 
crouching opponents.  You can always cancel this into his Tenma Go Zankuu.  A 
lot of people tend to throw this out at random, but that's not too smart.  
The best thing to do is to combo into and out of it. In the Air, Gouki flies 
downward while performing it.  You can use this as combo filler and to lead 
into his Tenma Go Zankuu in Aerial Raves.  You can even use it to poke, since 
it has almost not startup.  The Vertical range needs work though, so I'd 
recommend using this as a jump in only occasionally.  Definitely the best 
move in his arsenal of special attacks.  Short Ground Version Rating: 7.0.  
Roundhouse Ground Version Rating: 8.0.  Short Air version Rating: 7.5.  
Roundhouse Air Version Rating: 8.5


-----------------------
====Zankuu Hadouken====
-----------------------

QCF + P (Air Only):
Gouki fires a Hadoken downward at a 45-degree angle.  This is one of his main 
keep-away tactics.  The execution and lag isn't too good, but people tend to 
lob these all the time.  These certainly are punishable by all means, so you 
should not be throwing them out every second.  It's scrubby if you do.  Use 
it only to play momentary keep away.  Jab Version Rating: 7.0.  Fierce 
Version Rating: 7.5


--------------------------
====Tenma Kuujin Kyaku====
--------------------------

QCF + K (Air Only):
Gouki pauses for a moment in mid-air and then flies downward at an angle with 
his leg extended.  This is an excellent jump in with insane priority and 
speed.  However, do not perform this at the very top the screen.  A decent 
opponent will see it coming from a mile away and punish you big time.  
Basically use this as a close jump in, not a far one.  You can easily combo 
afterwards.  Short Version Rating: 9.0.  Roundhouse Version Rating: 9.5




---------------------
====Jigoku Guruma====
---------------------

HCB + HK (When Close):
Gouki grabs the opponent and starts rolling backward and tosses them away.  
Looks just like Ken's Punch Throw.  It's an unblockable command throw.  If 
you're too far away when performing this, you'll do Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku 
instead.  Use it if the opportunities arise.  Don't be striving to connect 
with this though.  It's pretty hard to get it in range.  And the damage it 
inflicts in not impressive at all.  Rating: 6.0




-------------------
====Ashura Warp====
-------------------

F, D, DF + 2P or 2K;  B, D, DB + 2P or 2K:
The Forward version makes Gouki warp forward either short (2P) or long (2K) 
distance.  The Back version makes Gouki warp backward either short (2P) or 
long (2K) distance.  The forward warp is much more useful, as you can dodge 
all attacks with it.  Even Hyper Combos can be avoided.  Beware, even though 
it has incredible start up, there is some lag afterwards.  Don't totally 
abuse it, but pull out a couple of warps from time to time.  The backward 
warps are to retreat quickly, but I don't see why you'd want to.  Forward 
Punch Version: 7.5.  Forward Kick Version: 8.0.  Backward Punch Version: 6.0.  
Backward Kick Version: 6.5







==------------Hyper Combos------------==


--------------------------
====Messatsu Gou Hadou====
--------------------------

QCB + 2P:
Gouki charges up like a normal Go Hadouken, except he shoots out an ephemeral 
purple beam of solid energy instead of a puny little ball.  This is not that 
bad of a beam Hyper Combo, except it doesn't last too long.  The block damage 
is pretty good, but not as good as Shinkuu Hadouken.  This version is not as 
good as Ryu's.  The damage overall is nice, and if you use it correctly, you 
should never get countered.  It is very easily Hyper Canceled into, but for 
some reason, Hyper Canceling out of it is sometimes difficult.  The window 
for Hyper Canceling is during the first two or three seconds of the beam.  
After that, it's questionable as to whether or not you can Hyper Cancel out 
of the Messatsu Gou Hadou.  There is some start up, so you'll have to be 
weary of going against people like IceMan.  Just beware of jumping opponents.  
Rating: 7.5



---------------------------
====Messatsu Gou Shoryu====
---------------------------

QCF + 2P:
Gouki immediately whips out three Go Shoryuken in a row.  The damage is 
decent (certainly improved over previous games), but the lag time is 
horrendous.  This is not an Anti-Air Hyper Combo, and the opponent must fully 
be on the ground for it to connect correctly.  This is mainly combo filler, 
but I would rather use Messatsu Gou Hadou for safety purposes.  It is very 
easy to Hyper Cancel into and out of Messatsu Gou Shoryu.  You must Hyper 
Cancel before the Third Gou Shoryuken though, otherwise the Hyper Cancel will 
not activate, or at the very least the opponent will be knocked too far away 
to fully connect with the next Hyper Combo.  Rating: 6.5




------------------------
====Tenma Gou Zankuu====
------------------------

QCF + 2P (Air Only):
Gouki sticks his palm out and fires off tens of twenties of Zankuu Hadoken.  
This is his most used and useful Hyper Combo.  It has the ability to be 
easily comboed into, and creates impressive damage even.  There is a little 
lag time afterwards, but there is hardly any startup.  Use it for block 
damage or as a combo finisher.  Easily Hyper Canceled out of (this cannot be 
Hyper Canceled into).  Rating: 8.5



--------------------------
====Messatsu Gou Rasen====
--------------------------

QCF + 2K:
Gouki rears back, and then performs a Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku that is 
completely vertical.  This is VERY similar to Sakura's Haru Ichiban, but 
WORSE.  That's right.  After much deliberation and playing, I have decided 
that his Hyper Combo is pretty sorry.  Why?  Mainly because if it's painfully 
slow start up.  This is Gouki's Anti-Air Hyper Combo.  Beware of opponents 
who are directly above you, because sometimes they can hit you out of it.  
Beware of the lag time too, because it is terrible.  This can be barely 
comboed into, but I suggest using it as a counter most of the time if at all.  
You shouldn't attempt to Hyper Cancel out of it, and only if the situation 
presents itself (like during a Shinryuken) should you Hyper Cancel into 
Messatsu Gou Rasen.  Rating: 5.5



-----------------------
====Shun Goku Satsu====
-----------------------

WP, WP, F, WK, HP (3 Hyper Combo Levels):
This is pure flash.  Gouki prepares by SLOWLY sliding forward in the same 
animation as his Ashura Warp, and grabs the opponent and beats them down.  
This it totally unblockable but still is hard to connect.  The priority is 
decent, but a simple jump will knock Gouki out of it.  You should NEVER use 
this in a match unless you are desperate, or sure that you will win.  Or if 
you want to be fancy, you can barely combo into it.  I usually pull this off 
to humiliate the opponent and bring forth his incompetence.  Since most 
people blow Shun Goku Satsu off as being worthless, they are sometimes 
surprised to see that you actually use it.  The prime time to use Shun Goku 
Satsu is when the opponent is turtling, or during a Hyper Cancel.  Many Hyper 
Combos (i.e. Shinkuu Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku or Beserker Claw X) set the 
opponent up beautifully for a Shun Goku Satsu Hyper Cancel.  You should never 
Hyper Cancel out of Shun Goku Satsu though, because ALL of the damage is 
dished out AFTER the Hyper Combo ends and the opponent is lying on the 
ground.  You cannot abuse it, but if you know when to use it, it's very good.  
Rating: 8.5







=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=


IV. Strategies (Specific and General)




==------------General Strategies------------==


To truly become a masterful Gouki player, you must pay attention to several 
things. 

His strengths:

+  He has easy combos that do massive damage.
+  His large array of Hyper Combos gives him versatility.
+  His Offense is the best in the game.
+  He has very good speed.
+  Most of his Hyper Combos are very useful.


His weaknesses:

-  He takes damage like total crap.  He's as bad as Kobun (Serv Bot).
-  His range is limited at times.
-  He is misused by so many people, he almost seems worthless.
-  He can be a mashing character (good for some of you, bad for me).
-  You don't get much respect for playing him (and you shouldn't).
-  He's butt-ugly. 



Gouki is a strange character to analyze.  While he excels in offense, you 
can't really be careless with him like you can others.  His offense is so 
amazing that he can drain away half a life bar in less than 5 seconds.  He 
can run circles around slower characters and match attacks with the fastest 
of them.  But then again, all a Hulk player has to do is a WP, HP combo and 
1/3 of your life is bye-bye.  So Gouki needs to use at least a little caution 
whenever he's fighting.  There are too many times, however, that a Gouki 
player is torn apart once he switches in.  If the opponent blocks the switch 
in, then you can kiss half of your life away.  If Gouki took damage better, 
then he would be unstoppable.  But since he takes damage like a baby, his 
effectiveness is lessened by A LOT.  You should always be going for the 
offensive game by jumping in and sometimes dashing in.  The only real time in 
which you should be throwing out Zankuu Hadouken is if you want to stall or 
stay away from the opponent (like if Strider has Uroburos activated).  To 
play defense with Gouki is almost like suicide.  Its not like his defense is 
bad, but he can't sustain simple punishment.  Even blocking damage can be 
fatal to him.  What I recommend doing the most is playing a concentrated 
offensive game that has little or no lag time.  Just keep on chaining attacks 
together nonstop.  Know when to block with Gouki, and know when to go all 
out.  It's all about knowing your opponent and taking advantage of the 
weakness in their defense.


*More stuff later.



-------------
====Teams====
-------------

Gouki works well with certain characters Assisting him.  Here are some teams 
that I have found very effective.  Most of these teams have earned me 15 or 
more win streaks.

Bah, I won't even bother right now.  Gouki works well with almost every 
character.  But preferably, your partners should have high Vitality to offset 
Gouki's weakness.  I'll write in some teams sometime, sure, but just not now.  
I'm just lazy, I guess.  Sorry.  You can live without it for a while, can't 
you?  Can't you?!


*More Teams to come soon!  I need to play a little more and experiment.





==------------Combos------------==

Note that I will NOT list all possible combos.  These combos are "Bread and 
Butter" combos that you should be using and attempting the most.  Part of the 
fun of MvC 2 is the discovery of your own combos.  If you have any combos 
that you'd like to share, please e-mail me, and you will be recognized for 
your help. 


--------------------------------------------
====Ground Combos (Without Hyper Combos)====
--------------------------------------------

1) Crouching WK, MK, Cancel into HK Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku.  
2) Standing WP, MP, Cancel into HK Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku.
3) Dash WP, WK, MP, Cancel into HP Gou Shoryuken.
4) Jump in HP, Dash WP, Crouching WK, Cancel into HK Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku.
5) Jump in HP, Dash WP, MP, Cancel into Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku.
6) Jump in HP, Crouching WP, MP, Cancel into Gou Hadouken.
7) Jump in HP, Crouching WK, Standing HP, Cancel into Gou Hadouken.
8) Dash WP, Crouching WK, MK, Standing HP, Cancel into Gou Hadouken.
9) Jump in HP, Dash WP, Crouching WK, Cancel into Go Shoryuken.
10) Jump in HP, Standing HK, Cancel into Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku 


-----------------------------------------
====Ground Combos (With Hyper Combos)====
-----------------------------------------

1) Crouching WK, Standing HP, Cancel into Messatsu Gou Hadou.
2) Crouching WK, MK, Cancel into Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku, Cancel into Tenma 
Gou Zankuu.
3) Crouching WK, MK, Cancel into Messatsu Gou Shoryu
4) Jump in HP, Standing WP, MP, HP, Cancel into Messatsu Gou Hadou.
5) Dash WP, HK, Cancel into Messatsu Gou Shoryu
6) Jump in HP, Standing WP, Cancel into Tenma Gou Zankuu.
7) Tenma Kuujin Kyaku, Crouching WP, Crouching WK, Crouching MK, Cancel into 
Messatsu Gou Hadou.
8) Tenma Kuujin Kyaku, Crouching WP, Crouching WK, Cancel into Messatsu Gou 
Shoryu.
9) Dash, WP, HP, Cancel into Messatsu Gou Shoryu.
10) Jump in WP, IMMEDIATELY perform Shun Goku Satsu.  (The trick to making 
this work is the Standing Jab from the Shun Goku Satsu hitting right after 
the jump in.  If you're fast or good enough, it'll combo.)



-------------------------------------------
====Aerial Raves (Without Hyper Combos)====
-------------------------------------------
1) Crouching HP, Super Jump WP, WK, MP, MK, Cancel into Tatsumaki Zankuu 
Kyaku.
2) Jump in HP, Crouching WP, HP, Super Jump WP, WK, MP, MK, Jab Zankuu 
Hadouken.
3) Jump in HP, Crouching WP, HP, Super Jump Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku, WP, WK, 
HP.
4) Jump in HP, Crouching WP, HP, Super Jump WP, WK, MP, MK, Senpuu Kyaku.
5) Crouching HP, Super Jump Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku, HP.
6) Crouching HP, Super Jump Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku, WP, WK, MK, HP.
7) Crouching HP, Super Jump WP, WK, MP, MK, Cancel into Tatsumaki Zankuu 
Kyaku, HP. (In corner)
8) Crouching HP, Super Jump WP, MP, Cancel into Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku.
9) Jump in HP, Crouching WK, HP, Super Jump Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku, WP, WK, 
MK, HP.
10) Jump in HP, Crouching WK, HP, Super Jump WP, MP, Cancel into Tatsumaki 
Zankuu Kyaku, HP. (In corner)


----------------------------------------
====Aerial Raves (With Hyper Combos)====
----------------------------------------
1) Jump in HP, Crouching WK, HP, Super Jump WP, WK, MP, MK, Cancel into Tenma 
Gou Zankuu.
2) Jump in HP, Crouching WK, HP, Super Jump Tatsumaki Zankuu Kyaku, Cancel 
into Tenma Gou Zankuu.
3) Crouching HP, Super Jump WP, WK, MP, MK, Cancel into Tatsumaki Zankuu 
Kyaku, Cancel into Tenma Gou Zankuu.
4) Jump in HP, Crouching WK, HP, Super Jump WP, WK Cancel into Tatsumaki 
Zankuu Kyaku, Cancel into Tenma Gou Zankuu.



These combos are just the start of it.  There's more to come, so try these 
out for the time being.  All combos are pretty much the same, and parts may 
be taken or added into each.  For example, you can always add a Jump in HP, 
Crouching WK into every combo if you're in the range to.  Or if you're out of 
range, you can omit that part if needed.  It's all up to you, and that's the 
beauty and fun of it.



==------------Specific Strategies------------==

These are specific, character by character strategies and analysis to help 
you defeat your opponent when they're playing a certain character.  Gouki 
usually can match up against most characters, but it seems he's at a 
disadvantage when against a select few.


Amingo:  
What Amingo mostly has going for him is what I call the "Strange Factor".  I 
think most of you know what I'm talking about.  He's just so bizarre that 
it's sometimes difficult to know what he's doing.  If you can, just try to 
ignore the fact that he's one of the worst designed characters in a long 
time, and concentrate on offense.  DO NOT abuse Tenma Kuujin Kyaku, because 
most players are smart enough to use their Hyper Combo to punish you.  Just 
use basic jump ins, and dash combos.  Once you have the lead firmly in your 
grasp, you can begin to play a bit of keep away.  Amingo will usually jump in 
when he's on offense, so combat that with Gou Shoryuken and Tenma Gou Rasen.  
The thing to be most weary of, other than his Anti-Air Hyper Combo, is 
Amingo's Aerial Rave abilities.  A good player can eat half of your life away 
in one Aerial Rave.  Just be careful of his Combo abilities.  Advantage: 
Gouki.

Anakaris: 
Another character that feeds off the "Strange Factor" like there's no 
tomorrow.  He's extremely slow, takes damage poorly, and has problems 
jumping.  However, his attacks can be powerful and unpredictable, so in order 
to fight this, concentrate on offense.  Repeated Tenma Kuujin Kyaku works 
pretty well against him.  Since he's so slow, take advantage of this and beat 
him out with Weak Attacks and a constant stream of Gou Hadouken and Tatsumaki 
Zankuu Kyaku.  The trick is to not allow him to pull out an attack at all.  
If you can be quick enough so as to knock him out of his moves, then he'll be 
helpless.  Once you get used to fighting against him, he shouldn't be too 
hard to beat.  Advantage: Gouki

Blackheart:
Blackheart is pretty much a joke in this game.  His HP and HK are still 
annoying as ever, but his defense is still pretty poor.  Remember just to 
keep attacking him.  He is really slow, so make sure none of his annoying 
moves come out.  You have nothing to worry about as long as you're not trying 
to beat him with a distance game.  There really is no strategy against 
Blackheart, because he is so helpless in this game.  Advantage: Gouki

Cable: 
Cable is purely a keep away character, and has almost no defense at all.  
Basically, you want to use Tenma Kuujin Kyaku and Jumping HP to get close to 
him, and then combo him.  He has a bit of a speed problem when it comes to 
close quarter fighting, so take advantage.  Never use Hadouken or attempt to 
play a defensive game against Cable, otherwise you'll definitely lose (even 
if you weren't playing Gouki).  If you're going up against a very good Cable 
player, beware of their uncanny ability to use their Hyper Viper Beams in 
amazing ways.  This is an annoying fight, but if you just stick to pure close 
quarters fighting, you should come out on top.  Advantage: Gouki

Cammy:
Cammy is a pixie A LOT like Jill or Spider Man.  She's incredibly fast and 
hard to counter, so this is one instance where your speed won't be an 
advantage.  Cammy has one of the worst defenses in the whole game, so never 
just sit back and wait for her to make a move.  Pummel her with constant 
attacks, and her lack of defense will be easily taken care of.  Don't ever 
use attacks that have lots of lag time (i.e. Gou Shoryuken, Gou Hadouken, 
etc.) otherwise you'll find yourself on the receiving end of an 80-percent 
Aerial Rave.  Just don't make any rash moves or mistakes that leave you open 
for too long, because the good Cammy player will beat you silly.  Gouki can 
easily win, but you can't be stupid with him and expect Cammy to just be a 
punching bag.  Advantage: Gouki

Captain America: 
Captain America has all the tools to stop Gouki dead in his tracks.  He can 
beat out almost all of your attacks with his own.  So remember that Gouki is 
pure offense, and repeatedly jump in or dash in for a combo.  Captain America 
has some speed problems at times, so once you see an opening, just go for it.  
Don't make any rash or wild decisions though, because once you make a 
mistake, it means a combo into Final Justice.  Captain America's one real 
weakness other than his speed is his shortcomings in air defense.  His 
Crouching Fierce is slow at times, so make sure you get your licks in by 
leading off with a Zankuu Hadouken or a Tenma Kuujin Kyaku.  Once momentum 
builds on your side, it's hard for Captain America to recover, so constant 
pressure is necessary.  This will be one of your hardest fights.  Advantage: 
Captain America.

Cyclops:
Cyclops is like Cable, except he trades a bit of Keep Away ability for 
defense.  Cyclops has the ability to actually fight close quarters, so this 
will actually be a pretty tough fight.  What you need to take advantage of is 
his inability to defend Jump ins well and match ground speed.  Since he can 
perform both of his Hyper Combos in the air now, you'll have to stay away 
from trying to do air battles. His forte is being able to play both a keep 
away game and a close up game.  He has lots of deadly combos you need to 
beware of.  Just as long as you don't make stupid mistakes, Cyclops won't be 
able to perform his combos.  Try to stay away from Gou Shoryuken and Gou 
Hadouken.  Just stay close and don't allow him to get any combos started.  
Advantage: Gouki

Dan:
Most people write Dan off as a worthless character.  The truth his, he can be 
pretty strong in close quarters.  Dan can easily combo Two Hyper Combos in a 
row, resulting in some pretty hefty damage.  Since he has no distance game at 
all, it may be better to try to play Keep Away.  However, once he nears, use 
your speed advantage to get around his attacks.  You have almost no 
disadvantage against Dan, so don't be afraid to go heavy on the offense.  Dan 
is a very predictable character, so don't be hesitant when playing against 
him.  You'll learn his patterns very quickly.  Advantage: Gouki

The Hulk:
Well, there's only one thing you need to take notice of when playing against 
the Hulk: Super Armor.  Always attack him starting with Weak Attacks, or at 
least multi-hit attacks.  I always see Gouki players get eaten alive by 
characters with Super Armor because they just refuse to learn how to combat 
it.  Hulk can easily punish Gou Hadouken.  Never use it.  Be careful when the 
opponent does a Gamma Charge, because a good Hulk Player will always cancel 
into a Hyper Combo if it does not connect.  Even if it does connect, they 
will Cancel into a Hyper Combo.  There will definitely be times when you find 
yourself blocking.  Against the Hulk, you REALLY need to use your brain and 
some patience.  Simple two hit combos will take off at least 1/4 of your 
life.  Gouki can run circles around the Hulk, just as long as you don't 
carelessly execute Gou Shoryuken or Gou Hadouken.  Advantage: Gouki

IceMan:
IceMan is another one of those pure keep away characters that has problems 
when it comes to defense.  Since he can take any Hadouken related attack 
without any damage, abstain from using them outside of combos.  Use Tenma 
Kuujin Kyaku to get in close.  Once you're in close, use a constant barrage 
of simple combos like Crouching WK, MK, Cancel into Gou Hadouken to keep him 
on his toes.  Watch out for his launcher, because although it has low 
priority, it has fast execution time.  Many times, an IceMan will pull out an 
Arctic Freeze in desperation, so be careful of this.  His Aerial Raves can 
hurt you if the player uses Arctic Freeze in them.  Make sure that you're 
never across the screen from him, and you'll usually win with little problem.  
Advantage: Gouki

Jin:
Jin has the ability to play both offense and defense, so it's best to be 
careful while you're playing him.  A lot of his moves have higher priority 
than yours, but you have the speed advantage.  Try playing a keep away game 
with Gou Hadouken, but if that doesn't work, attempt to jump in.  Jin's 
launcher isn't that good, and you'll be able to beat it out every time.  
Beware of Saotome Cyclone though, because that'll practically take off 45-
percent of your life.  With mixes of dashing and jumping, you should be able 
to break through his iron wall of attacks.  Don't fall into patterns though, 
because Jin's Hyper Combos can punish you easily.  Advantage: Gouki

Juggernaut:
Juggernaut is one of the most misused characters.  The trick to beating Power 
characters such as the Juggernaut, the Hulk, etc. is to dash in and ALWAYS 
lead off with a Weak Attack, quickly followed by a Hard Attack.  Most 
Juggernaut players aren't very smart and either jump all day or just sit back 
waiting for you to do something.  And most of them can't keep their fingers 
off the HP button.  You should always counter his attacks with a Hyper Combo 
if you have the level.  Always look for combo openings.  He has huge lag 
time, so punish the opponent for being careless.  Beware of getting hit too 
many times though, because just a simple Fierce takes off about 15% of your 
life.  Advantage: Gouki

Ken:
Ken is sort of a toned down version of Gouki.  His forte is still offense, so 
it's best if you dash in and combo.  I would be careful of jump ins, because 
a Ken player with half a brain will even know that Shinryuken will totally 
massacre you.  You can even play a game of keep away since Ken is very 
limited in his distance game (in fact, he has no distance game at all).  If 
you use your Gou Hadouken and Messatsu Gou Shoryu correctly, Ken should be 
very easy to beat.  Advantage: Gouki

Magneto:
This will be a hard battle, because Magneto can play an excellent keep away 
game as well as defense.  His Crouching Fierce has LOTS or priority, so be 
careful when you jump in.  It is probably better if you try to cross him up 
constantly so that he misses the Crouching HP.  It isn't recommended that you 
dash in, since a Jab EM Disruptor can easily stop any of your plans.  If 
Magneto is attempting to play keep away, counter with Gou Hadouken.  And if 
he just constantly does EM Disruptor, execute a Messatsu Gou Hadou once in a 
while to stop him.  He takes damage poorly, so always look for an opening 
through his lag time.  The match is pretty much in the Magneto player's hands 
to decide.  He'll eventually make a mistake, and it is your mission to punish 
him.  Like a fight against Captain America, this will be difficult.  
Advantage: Magneto

Ryu:
Ryu is almost like Gouki, except that some of his attacks differ.  Never try 
to play a keep away game against Ryu, because his Hadouken is much better 
than your own.  The best you can do is to try to beat him out on offense by 
being quicker and hopefully predict his next moves.  It is recommended that 
you constantly dash and try to get in close enough to find an opening.  The 
recommended jump in is Tenma Kuujin Kyaku.  Not many people play Ryu 
correctly, so the fight will not be as difficult as it should be.  Most Ryu 
players are too quick to execute a Shinkuu Hadouken, and misuse it.  Use this 
to your advantage.  When a Ryu player, for no apparent reason, pulls out a 
Shinkuu Hadouken when you're jumping in, counter with a Tenma Gou Zankuu.  It 
will be hard to beat out his Defense and Offense without at least getting 
critically beaten.  Just remember that even though you have more attacks in 
your repertoire, all of his attacks are better than yours.  Advantage: Ryu 

Sakura:
She has some mean defensive abilities that will make you want to grind your 
fist into the ground.  She'll counter your jump ins with her Hadouken, and 
your dash ins with her Shou'ou ken.  But her offensive game leaves much to be 
desired, so this may be a time when defense is recommended.  Do not blindly 
throw out Gou Hadouken, because that will definitely not work.  What you have 
to do is make her come to you.  Once she in range, play offense.  Switch from 
defense to offense often.  If the player chooses to switch modes and use 
Hiyakeshita Sakura, go all out on offense.  Hiyakeshita Sakura has horrid 
defense, so don't let up.  Use constant jump ins to get the edge on her.  If 
you're playing against Hiyakeshita Sakura, make sure you DO NOT play defense.  
She will tear you apart if you do.  It's a pretty close call, unless your 
opponent has no idea what he/she is doing.  Advantage: Tie

Spider Man:
It'll be your offense versus his.  His defense is even worse than yours, so 
don't ever let off of him.  Constantly attack, but don't get careless.  There 
are times when you'll have to defend against him, because he's so quick.  
Just make sure when you're defending, you know when to wait patiently and 
switch to offense.  Like the strategy against Cammy, never use any attacks 
that have lots of lag time, otherwise you'll pay for it.  Always predict the 
jump in a Spider Man player is always attempting.  They'll ALWAYS jump in, so 
defend correctly when the time comes.  Spider Man's pattern of attack is easy 
to learn, so once you get used to it, he won't be hard at all.  Advantage: 
Gouki







*More Coming Soon!



==-------------------------------------------------------------------------==

WARNING!  READ THIS STATEMENT BEFORE GOING ON!

Okay, this is a WARNING.  This is where the FAQ enters opinionated context.  
These following sections have little or nothing to do with the particular 
character highlighted in this FAQ.  But these next sections DO HAVE something 
to do with MvC 2.  If you can't handle the strong and perhaps controversial 
opinions of others, then don't go on.  Press the back button and read some 
other conventional FAQ that contains no personality to it.  Since it is 
obvious that some of you (about 5%) can't handle some satire and wit, I have 
decided to add this statement.  If you can stand a little caustic humor, then 
you might find the proceeding sections enjoyable and humorous.  I know most 
people have found the next sections funny, but a few out there that have no 
sense of humor have accused me of trying to brainwash (?!) you, the reader, 
so... I've put this warning up so that you may know when to read on for funny 
and perhaps a bit off-topic points, or to stop and go read something else.  
It's your choice, so don't accuse me of trying to fiendishly incorporate my 
views into a FAQ as to brainwash those of you who read my writing.  Please, 
before you go on, consider the fact of whether you would like to read 
someone's opinions that you may or may not agree with.  If you're easily 
offended, then I suggest NOT going on.  Please don't e-mail me whining about 
my opinions, because they are STRICTLY MY OPINIONS!  And I AM NOT trying to 
FORCE my opinions onto you; I am simply sharing my thoughts.  And If I can't 
do that, then why do I live in a land with something called the Constitution?  
And finally, DON'T e-mail me if you're going to make judgements about my 
character (like calling me sexist) just because you've read a FAQ written by 
me, and don't agree with my views.  I find it very offensive if you call me 
sexist and such.  Those are not words to be taken lightly.  Don't attempt to 
hide your hatred of me, because I bash a character you worship, behind some 
worthless mask of, "You're sexist."  And do you know how I can tell if you're 
doing so?  Well, if your e-mail address is something like 
IceMansWife@idiot.com or StiderLover@moron.com, then I know (this IS NOT an 
attack on all Strider players.  Most Strider players are cool and I have no 
problem with them.  It's just that I get a lot of e-mails from Strider 
players, but they're mostly quite friendly).  As you can tell, even though 
I've only received a couple of negative e-mails, I am sick of it already.  If 
you make accusations that are certainly offensive, then I will not hesitate 
to take necessary actions.  None of the following is an attempted attack on 
anyone except those specifically mentioned.  This has been a WARNING.  
Proceed if you like.

(The views expressed in the proceeding are not necessarily the views of 
GameFAQs; anyone affiliated with GameFAQs, or any other site or person in 
which this FAQ may be associated with.)




-----------------------------------------
====Characters That Demand No Respect====
-----------------------------------------

These are characters that garner you no respect from your peers.  They may be 
flashy and all, but almost everyone knows how to play these characters and 
how simple they are.  It's usually better to stay away from these characters 
if you're looking for some admiration for your skills.  This is good advice 
to follow if you want to become a respected player, not a loser scrub.  This 
section is bound to piss off lots of gamers out there, because so many call 
themselves "Masters" at these cheese characters.  People will argue that 
these characters are good, but in truth, do you ever see the best players 
using them without being cheesy?  Character Ratings are based on how most 
people play them, NOT how a master plays them.  That is why their ratings are 
so low.  They would score higher at maximum ability, but not many people play 
these characters at their fullest.  I'm not claiming to be a "Master" at 
these characters either, so please do not e-mail me about being conceited or 
something.


1.  Ice Man:
Grrr... the only people who play him are complete scrubs and worthless 
idiots.  His no blocking damage for "energy" attacks is an unfair advantage.  
People just sick back and shoot Ice Beams all day.  He's a scrubby character 
that can't stand on his own.  He takes Damage poorly, and without that cheap 
ability to take no block damage, he'd be totally worthless.  Stay away from 
playing him.  It only takes about two minutes to master his style of play.  
If you rely on him, you're a scrub.  Nothing brings me as much pleasure as 
beating the living crap of an Ice Man player.  If you play him, you might as 
well label yourself as a no-skilled, worthless scrub.  Enough said.  
Character Rating: 4.0.


2.  Wolverine (Both Versions):
It doesn't matter whether or not Capcom weakened him; he's still a masher's 
dream.  He almost totally sucks now, and is mostly flash.  There's almost no 
reason to play him at all.  It's boring to play him too.  He's old and tired 
out.  Capcom, please just let him age gracefully far, far away from the video 
game spotlight.  Most people who play him are beginners or people who haven't 
realized how crappy he is.  Character Rating: 3.0.


3.  Strider:
Overrated, overrated, overrated!  Sure, he has the speed and sometimes the 
priority, but he's pretty much just a one trick pony.  All people ever try to 
do is jump in, Aerial Rave, and then Uroburos or Legion.  Sigh... he's so 
predictable, and so boring to play.  Masher's dream too.  His assists are 
totally worthless.  Only idiots will keep on choosing him.  Please, just let 
off, because he sucks.  Most people that use Strider are beginners, cheap 
asses, or people who are not skilled enough to play a concentrated game.  
Character Rating: 5.0


4.  Cable:
So many people do not know how to play Cable correctly.  They just use his 
Viper Beam over and over again.  It's as if they don't know the meaning of 
Execution and Lag time.  He's actually pretty good if played correctly; but 
then again, he's almost never used correctly.  Basically a second scrub 
version of Ice Man.  If you wish to play him, please read up on some nice 
FAQs first, or practice hard.  Because if you don't then you just look 
stupid.  Character Rating: 4.5


5.  Spider Man:
Sigh... like a second version of Strider.  Jump-in, ground combo, Aerial 
Rave, Web Ball, crap poking game, and sweep into a Crawler Assault.  Spider 
Man players are very predictable also.  Spider man can not play a varied 
game.  He is limited to the same moves and same combos over and over again.  
If played even at maximum ability, he is far from the best.  He's a semi-
masher for semi-experienced characters.  Most people who use Spider Man are 
decently skilled, however they like to use predictable and characters with an 
easy game to learn.  Character Rating: 5.5


6.  Jill:
Geez, she seems to be the most favorite, new character.  She is used in about 
3/5 of all the matches I have played.  She really isn't that great of a 
character either.  And most people are very predictable when they play Jill 
too.  All they do is dash in for a ground combo, Aerial Rave ending in her 
Hyper Combo, call countless undead helpers onto the screen, and try to do 
chip damage with her Rocket Launcher hyper Combo.  And they're not very 
successful with it either.  I have never really met someone who could play 
her at her maximum ability.  She has potential to be a very good Pixie 
character, but no one seems to bother to learn how to use her correctly.  Use 
Jill only after practicing and reading up on her.  But you'll still won't get 
much respect for playing her because Jill players are a dime a dozen.  
Masters are very rare.  Character Rating: 4.5 


*People to be added/removed to the list as time goes on.

People who are in contention for such disgrace:

Juggernaut
Gouki (Akuma) *I know, I know... but people are cheesing with him these days.
Cammy
Mega Man
Sentinel
And others.  So watch your back!  And play characters the way they were meant 
to be played!





----------------------
====Character Tier====
----------------------

Just for informational purposes only, these Tiers ARE NOT of Character 
Ability.  They are of the Difficulty to learn how to play each character.  
Many of you out there are beginners, and have asked me many times about which 
characters to use.  These Tiers are just for you.  (1st Tier meaning the 
hardest to learn.  4th Tier meaning the easiest to learn).


1st Tier:

Anakaris
Blackheart
Captain America
Dan
Dhalism
Dr. Doom
Jin
Omega Red
Sabretooth


2nd Tier:

Amingo
Felicia
Hayato
Hulk
Kobun (Serv Bot)
Ryu
Sakura
Silver Samurai
Spiral
Vega (M. Bison)
Venom
Zangeif


3rd Tier:

Bulleta
Captain Commando
Chun Li
Colossus
Cyclops
Gambit
Gouki (Akuma)
Ken
Magneto
Marrow
Psylocke
Rockman (Mega Man)
Rogue
Roll
Ruby Heart
Shuma Gorath
Sonson
Spider Man
Storm
Tron Bonne


4th Tier:

Cable
Cammy
Guile
Ice Man
Iron Man
Jill
Juggernaut
Morrigan
Nash
Sentinel
Strider
Thanos




--------------
====Top 10====
--------------

These are simple Top 10 lists of what I think are the Best and Worst Hyper 
Combos and Assists.  This is just for informational purposes only.  The items 
listed are in no particular order.  These are just some certain opinions I 
have now, so they may change later on.


Best Hyper Combos:

1) Beserker Claw X (You can get FULL damage and still Hyper Cancel out if it)
2) Final Justice (Takes off a ton of damage and you can get FULL damage then 
Hyper Cancel out of it)
3) Shinkuu Hadouken (One of the best beam Hyper Combos, because of its speed 
and usefulness)
4) Proton Cannon (Again, one of the best beam Hyper Combos, because of it's 
damage and usefulness)
5) Hyper Viper Beam (In air or ground, this could be the best beam Hyper 
Combo.  Period)
6) Brodia Vulcan (An underrated Hyper Combo, it has so many uses)
7) Cool Hunting (The blocking damage is so insane... and so is the damage)
8) Mega Optic Blast (Easily comboed into, decent damage, and excellent 
blocking damage)
9) Juggernaut Headcrush (Do I need to explain?  Incredible start up, insane 
damage, crazy speed... this Hyper Combo has everything)
10) Hyper/Metamorphose (Blocking damage is insane for Hyper Metamorphose, and 
so is the damage.  The normal one is easily connected with and takes off at 
least 50% on most people.  Definitely a Hyper Combo worth all of the Levels 
it requires)


Worst Hyper Combos:

1) POW
2) Shokubutsu no Okite (Amingo's weak Hyper Combo)
3) Hyper Mystic Smash
4) Milles (Ruby Heart's worthless ghost Hyper Combo)
5) Beat plane
6) Hyper Roll
7) Bone Burst
8) King Kobun
9) CODE: T-002
10) Pharaoh Magic
(Psi-Maelstrom almost made the list because it's so freakin weak).


Best Assists:

1) Jin's Anti-Air Type
2) Blackheart's Anti-Air Type (the only thing he's good for)
3) Cable's Projectile Type
4) Iron Man's Projectile Type
5) Captain America's Dash Type
6) Captain Commando's Anti-Air Type
7) Dr. Doom's Anti-Air Type
8) Gambit's Projectile Type
9) Juggernaut's Dash Type
10) Storm's Projectile Type


Worst Assists:

1) Shuma-Gorath's Projectile Type
2) Ken's Projectile Type
3) Dan's Variable Type
4) Wolverine's Variable Type (Drill Claw)
5) Tron Bonne's Throw Type
6) Blackheart's Launch Type
7) Dan's Projectile Type
8) Strider's Projectile Type
9) ALL of Roll's Assists
10) ALL of Kobun's (Serv Bot's) Assists

(I know the last two actually count as six, but you know, I couldn't have 
them hogging the "Worst" lists.  After all, it's common sense that Roll and 
Kobun are practically worthless.)



Characters I am currently hooked on playing:

1) Psylocke- Her offense is too amazing, and her Triple Jump Aerial Raves can 
rip the opponent's energy by 2/3
2) Rogue- Although she's toned down with no 50% Aerial Rave, she's still very 
good
3) Mega Man- A Mega Buster charged up for 65 seconds can tear an opponent 
apart
4) Sabretooth- His Hyper Combos are just too useful and he's just too strong.  
Definitely one of the best characters in the game
5) Dan- I liked his SNK Vs Capcom Hyper Taunt much better... but he's still 
hilarious






=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=

VI.  Arcade Etiquette 

Well, over the past few years, I've seen the manners in arcades atrophy at an 
alarming rate.  There are little screaming, stupid children, gangster 
wannabes, smelly adults, and real morons.  Here are my rules to maximize your 
enjoyment, and how to be a good sport while you're at it.  These are the "10 
Arcade Commandments"!  (Quite catchy, huh?)


I.    Winning is good, but it shouldn't be the reason why you go to the 
arcade.  You should be going to the arcade to have fun.  If you've played MvC 
2 on the Dreamcast to death, then why waste money going to the arcade?  I 
mean, you've paid $35+ for it already, so why waste another penny?  Unless 
you want to play some different human opponents for a change, but to go and 
play and then act like you're bored is just plain stupid.

II.   Never taunt the person playing against you.  It shows that you're 
nothing but a dick.  A plain, retarded dick.  When you laugh at their game, 
then you're taunting them.  If you mock them, then you're taunting them.  
Don't do this, because it isn't cool.  It just shows that you have no life, 
and you equate fun with being a dick.  If you're playing against a dick, 
don't hesitate to give him a piece of your mind.  There was this little boy 
with dyed bangs at the arcade, and he played guess who, Ice Man, Jill, and 
Spider Man.  Whoo hoo.  And since he was winning, he decided that it would be 
cool to laugh and make fun of his opponents.  Little scrawny boys should not 
be making fun of anyone, let me assure you.  He broke almost all the 
commandments.  Read commandments III and IV to see what he was. 

III.  Never play cheese characters against a real human opponent.  It's 
called being an ass.  If you play a team of Ice Man, Spider Man, and Jill, 
then you're trying your hardest to be an ass.  You should never play Ice Man, 
while it's okay to play just ONE cheese character in a team.  Just please, 
there's no respect in playing cheese characters.  If you have skills then 
cheese isn't necessary (unless you're just a little rat bastard).

IV.   Guess what, II + III equals... having a dick up your ass!  If you play 
cheese characters and think you're just awesome, then you've got a dick up 
your ass.  Get lost, because you have no life.  Go someplace where they 
appreciate that stuff... perhaps hell would do nicely.  

V.    While you shouldn't exactly be hugging the guy, you should be the least 
bit friendly to the person you're playing against.  You don't even have to 
smile.  Just don't break any rules, and you'll be nice enough.  And if he's 
cool, then say "Good game" or something respectable afterwards, even if you 
lose.

VI.   If you see someone who's obviously a beginner or experimenting with a 
new team, then don't challenge them.  What's waiting another 5 minutes going 
to do to you?  Break your neck?  Please, don't joke me.  Be nice and allow 
that person to have their money's worth.  If you think beating up on a little 
5 year old kid is going to earn you respect, then you're just a moron.

VII.  Stay on your side!  If you violate my space, then I won't hesitate to 
shove your ass over.  Know how to share the machine space nicely.  It's 
annoying when a smelly little kid, a weed-ridden gangster wannabe, or an 
alcohol reeking bastard sticks his elbow in your side.  I'm not a touchy 
feely kind of person, so unless you're a girl I know, back off!

VIII. Don't smell like hell.  The least bit you can do is take a freakin' 
shower when you go out in public.  My god!  The crap I've smelled in the 
arcades... worse than working in a sulfur mine!  I've actually started losing 
my concentration because the guy next to me smelt like vomit and weed before.  
Please, I beg of you, be clean!

IX.   Please, do not use swear language unless you're absolutely sure 
everyone around is at least 13 years old (I'm pushing it there).  If you can, 
keep your SH**s and your FU**s to yourself or to your friends.  Other people 
who attend the arcade may not like swearing, so watch it.  I myself don't 
really care, unless there's a little kid around; then you'd better shut your 
damned mouth.  Only occasional SH**s and FU**s are allowed during matches, 
but don't say it every other second.  Oh yeah, and read below in the "Final 
Thoughts"; you shouldn't use racist, derogatory words at all.

X.    If you think bringing a slut, er... I mean your Girlfriend to the 
arcade is cool, then you're really a bastard.  Treat her with the respect she 
deserves, and take her places she'll enjoy.  I assure you, she enjoys 
standing around at the arcade as much as you enjoy standing around at a 
clothing store.  And don't make her your personal cheerleader.  It's stupid.  
Take your Girlfriend out to a nice restaurant, a movie, to a party, but just 
not the arcade.  You truly do not deserve her if you do.  But if she does 
enjoy the arcade, do make sure she isn't bored with it.  Girls playing at the 
arcades are great; I'm all for it.  In fact, I think there needs to be more 
girls PLAYING at the arcade.  But if a girl is standing around doing nothing, 
then she isn't enjoying it.  I have a problem with that.  Have fun WITH her; 
I thought that was the point in hanging out together.  It's the same thing if 
you're a girl; if your boyfriend doesn't like video games, and you do, please 
don't drag him to the arcade.
(This was what I had originally meant.  But it was brought to my attention 
that this Commandment was not specific in its language.  This Commandment was 
further described due to the kind request of Chris.  You know who you are.  
Sorry for the misunderstanding. ~_~)


Follow these rules at all costs, but don't hesitate to break someone if they 
piss you off.  If they think a Shinkuu Hadoken is painful... show them what 
you're made of.  Hahaha... just kidding.  Don't get into fights unless you 
know you can win.  Just have a decent attitude when you go to the arcade, and 
you'll enjoy it more.  Follow these rules, and you'll begin to find the 
arcade easier to tolerate.  Don't be a stupid bastard like other people; be a 
nice guy.  


*I may change some Arcade Commandments in later revisions, so look out for 
them.  (It may become the 11 Arcade Commandments or 12 or something. ^_^)




=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=

VII.  Antagonistic E-mails


In this newest section, I'll post some of the antagonistic e-mails that I've 
received.  This is for entertainment and educational purposes only.  This is 
to help you, the reader, see other people's opinions, other than mine.  
Through this section, you will see some opposing views that are not presented 
very well, I must admit.  But they are opposing views nonetheless.  Some of 
these will be stupid and worthless e-mails from people who supposedly don't 
want a response... gee, isn't that very cowardly.  Some of these e-mails are 
letters that I believe deserve a public response from myself.  Sorry for some 
of the terrible grammar in some of these e-mails, but don't blame me; blame 
the idiots who wrote them.  Have fun reading the nonsense, I know I did! (All 
e-mails appear in their true, unadulterated forms.)



Here's what Hiryuzx_72 wrote:


==-----------------------------------------------==

OK! I read your little stupid Akuma FAQ at gamefaqs
and I will prove to you sensiblly that you are sexist,
hypocritcal, wannabe gamer that doesn't know jack bout
Marvel 2.
First off, the sexist part:
"X.  If you think bringing a slut, er... I mean your
Girlfriend to the arcade is cool, then you're really a
bastard.  Treat her with the respect she 
deserves, and take her places she'll enjoy.  I assure
you, she enjoys standing around at the arcade as much
as you enjoy standing around at a clothing store.  And
don't make her your personal cheerleader.  It's
stupid. Take your Girlfriend out to a nice restaurant,
a movie, to a party, but just not the arcade.  You
truly do not deserve her if you do."
Remember this. At first I thought slut=joke but you
are obviously a sexist bigot. There is nothing wrong
with a girl going to the arcade. My girl and her
friends go to da aracde ta play DDR and such.  

Next:
.Winning is good, but it shouldn't be the reason why
you go to the arcade.  You should be going to the
arcade to have fun.  If you've played MvC 2 on the
Dreamcast to death, then why waste money going to the
arcade?  I mean, you've paid $35+ for it already, so
why waste another penny?  Unless you want to play some
different human opponents for a change, but to go and 
play and then act like you're bored is just plain
stupid.  I won't mention names (mostly because I don't
know their stupid names), but there were these 
two twins that owned MvC 2 at home, and they decided
to play.  I mean, the arcade was almost empty, and in
the long run, they ended up playing against 
the computer and losing.  Now that's called being a
pair of idiots.  
II.   "Never taunt the person playing against you.  It
shows that you're nothing but a dick.  A plain,
retarded dick.  When you laugh at their game, 
then you're taunting them.  If you mock them, then
you're taunting them.  Don't do this, because it isn't
cool.  It just shows that you have no life, 
and you equate fun with being a dick.  If you're
playing against a dick, don't hesitate to give him a
piece of your mind.  There was this little boy 
with dyed bangs at the arcade, and he played guess
who, Ice Man, Jill, and Spider Man.  Whoo hoo.  And
since he was winning, he decided that it would be 
cool to laugh and make fun of his opponents.  Little
scrawny boys should not be making fun of anyone, let
me assure you.  He broke almost all the 
commandments.  Read commandments III and IV to see
what he was."

OK! Remember talking about fun. Now remember yourself
mocking other people for enjoyting themselves. If you
haven't relaized it it's the same thing. Anywayz its
simple toi beat every cheeser. For every strat you can
cheese i can beat it... And if some1 can beat I tip my
hat off to them unless they use infinties in which I
tell them to stop and use my own.

Knowing nothing about Marvel2:

Back to before it is very easy to beat chesse strats.
Throw in the occasionaily throw, snapback ,and counter
assist.

Please do not reply to this as I choose not to hear
it. 
If yoou do choose to make a change just change your
FAQ.

==---------------------------------------------------==

My response:

Well, isn't this a classic example of an idiot approaching something he 
doesn't like with no rationality whatsoever.  I can hardly understand this e-
mail, so if you'd like to translate it for me, I'd appreciate it.  Since he 
doesn't want me to reply to him directly, I'll address it in front of 
everyone!

Basically, in response to an idiotic attempt to make me seem sexist, 
remember, I didn't say, "Girls don't belong in Arcades."  I said, in a 
nutshell, that most of them don't enjoy being at the arcades.  And if you 
don't believe me, then take a look at guys who make their girlfriends stand 
next to a machine, waiting for them to finish.  Am I sexist because these 
guys are making their girlfriends stand around doing nothing?  If your 
girlfriend likes video games, then great.  It's something that you both can 
enjoy.  I'm not saying, "Don't take her to the arcades because she's a girl."  
Don't take her if she doesn't enjoy it along with you.  But the truth of the 
matter, whether you like it or not, is that most girls aren't interested in 
video games the same way we are.  It's not saying that girls don't like video 
games at all, or that they don't belong anywhere near arcades, so don't put 
words in my freakin' mouth.  At no point did I say: "Girls at arcades are bad 
and they deserve to be in kitchens all day," so shut up. If you say I'm 
sexist for not wanting guys to bring their girlfriends to the arcade and 
stand around, then I can say someone is sexist for not bringing their 
girlfriend to a Strip Bar.  Some girls may be interested, but really, most 
don't want to be there.  Or do you think they do?  Don't give me that BS.  No 
one around here falls for it.  Take a look at it this way: Some boys, when 
they're little, like playing with dolls.  Some boys play with something that 
is widely considered a girl's toy.  I'm not saying that it's wrong for little 
boys to play with dolls, but to assume that ALL boys play with and enjoy 
dolls, just because some do, then that's wrong and making assumptions.  And 
then, to force a boy who doesn't like dolls to sit around with girls playing 
with dolls, he'll naturally be bored.  Get the Analogy?  Or did you make an 
810 on your SATs or something?  Am I sexist for saying this?  Please, don't 
be a stupid bastard, because you're just putting words in my mouth.  If I 
really were sexist, do you think that CjayC would allow my FAQs on his 
website?  Do you think that owners of other websites would allow my FAQ to 
appear on their sites if I were truly sexist?  And if there are that many 
girls playing video games out there, then at least one has read my FAQ (which 
I know that there have been some).  So how come they haven't e-mailed me 
about being sexist?  Maybe because I'm not sexist, you dick!  They're girls, 
and if they don't find it sexist, then what the hell are you whining about?  
You're just making things out to be something they aren't.  Next thing, 
you'll be accusing me of being a Nazi or something stupid like that.  Screw 
off. 

I'm mocking people enjoying themselves?!  I'm mocking idiots who think it's 
cool act like an ass at the arcades.  And if they find that enjoyable, then 
they need to get lost, because they're ruining the experience for everyone 
else.  And if you think that it's cool for people to be acting like asses at 
the arcades, then that shows you're an idiot like them.  The kind of fun I 
promote is the kind that involves no one getting pissed off.  I'm not mocking 
people for having fun, you moron.  I'm mocking those asses who like to piss 
everyone else off.  And plus, it's not the same thing, because I'm not 
taunting people when I'm playing them!  I'm not doing it for fun either!  Do 
you think that getting aggravated and writing about it makes me happy?  I'd 
have much more fun if there were no asses at the arcade, and that's what my 
10 Arcade Commandments are all about!  I'll be happy when I don't have to 
mock people and get aggravated over jerks.  Screw off, because you're putting 
words into my mouth again.

About knowing nothing about MvC 2... um... you've got no rationality behind 
that.  I guess you haven't played against good people before, because they're 
never stupid enough to get thrown, or hit by a snap back.  What the hell do 
you think cheese is?  It's cheese because you can't do anything about it!  
The fact that you say that you can counter cheese just shows everyone how 
little you actually know about the game yourself.  Cheese cannot be 
countered; that's what makes it cheese you moron.  And if you think it's 
really that simple to beat good players, then you're the hypocrite.  You know 
nothing of MvC 2 if you think it's ever that simple.  And plus, to take your 
piss statement literally, I've proven you wrong even before you wrote the 
crap e-mail.  I obviously know the very least bit about MvC 2, because I 
wrote a FAQ about it.  If you're that smart and awesome, then write a FAQ 
yourself, you lousy piss off.  I can imagine it now... a FAQ that is 1K long 
and has universal strategies for and against every character: Throw, Snap 
Back, Counter Assist.  

Go lay down in the gutter, you idiot, because you have no concrete arguments 
whatsoever.  To put words into someone's mouth is not making any sensible 
arguments.  You need to check back in the dictionary; because sensible 
doesn't mean making crap assumptions and having no proof of what you accuse 
me of.  You think I'm going to change my FAQ just because some idiot gave me 
crap and untrue reasons to?  And to apply rules for the arcade and totally 
twist them into some kind of personality problem, bravo.  Bravo!  You're 
really that stupid that you'll take Arcade Etiquette and create assumptions 
about who I am, and what my beliefs are?  Me thinks you take video games too 
seriously.  How about if I analyze your character now?  According to your e-
mail and terrible grammar Hiryuzx_72, you're either one of two things:
1) A self righteous dick who thinks he's just God's gift to all girls, and 
you feel it's necessary to act like you're some sort of Knight in Shining 
Armor.  You try to act like some sort of perfect guy, and you do so by 
overreacting to every little thing.  To call me sexist in a statement that 
bears no overtones of such just proves my point.  You're trying to find an 
outlet in which you may prove to yourself that you're manly enough for girls.  
You're just so full of yourself that you've got to act like you're the 
Protector of All Girls or something.
Or
2) You're just a pissed off Strider fan who is making up reasons to act like 
an ass.
Either way, you're just an ass.  Go marry your sister Hiryuzx_72, and leave 
the rest of us intelligent and sober people alone.  

Oh yeah, and don't e-mail me again.  Just like you, I'm a dumb ass coward, 
and I'm afraid of a response!  Oooooo!  And before you even think of e-
mailing me again, accusing me of such evil things, I think you need to quit 
hiding behind the fact that you hate me because I bash Strider.  Go to hell, 
you'll never be smart enough to write an e-mail that is legible or is based 
upon sensible, concrete facts.
 

==--------------------------------------------==



Here's what Chocobo wrote:



==--------------------------------==


Hey, I saw your FAQ at
http://www.gamefaqs.com/coinop/arcade/file/marvel_vs_capcom_2_akuma_a.txt
and well... at least it looks like you knew to expect some negative
email. I've given up on gamefaqs.com being a good site filled with any
useful content other than game codes (ie. strategy), but I still feel
the need to speak out when I see a FAQ such as yours that just leads to
the scrub players being scrubs forever instead of getting any real
skill.

First the factual errors:

1. You say most every characters has a 100% combo or an infinite, this
is not true. Almost none have 100% combos, few have infinites, and only
Iron Man has an infinite likely to happen in real play.

2. The "Team Counter", most widely known as an Alpha Counter, is not
done by simply pressing the assist button while blocking. You have to go
from Back to Down and press the assist button of the character you want.

3. Akuma is the best shoto in the game, not Ryu. This has been proven in
tournament play, and is not any sort of opinion.

Basically, as far as facts go, you do seem to know how to play Akuma
somewhat. Now for the other stuff...

Your rating system is totally useless, especially to go as far as to
rate normal attacks. Those numbers you attached don't mean anything as
far as priority or damage goes... they don't mean anything at all.

About your whole cheap/cheese section... you seem to be totally missing
the point of the entire game. Yes, the reason to play the game is to
have fun, like any game... but the goal of the game is to win. I have
never understood why people like yourself randomly attach the word
"Cheese" to certain moves, and deem them "Not Fun" somehow.

Just like in basketball or baseball or any other sport, the fun is in
the competition, in trying to win. You don't see people going "hey that
3-pointer is cheap" or "you cheeser, that double play was no fair". You
are most certainly allowed to utilitize whatever is allowed by the rules
of the game, and that includes using all the characters and all of the
moves. You even go so far as to say that simply picking Iceman
automatically means that you're a hopeless player... where did that come
from? Iceman's not even one of the top characters. How is it so "cheap"
to pick him... what about Cable, with his instant air super that does
40% damage with no recovery afterwards and can be done repeatedly to
kill any character for one mistake? Or Juggernaut, with his 100% damage
headcrush combos? Or Sentinel, who can put ten attacks on the screen at
once, while taking the least damage of all the characters? I was just
curious as to why you singled out Iceman. In any case, you just have to
play the game for what it is. If you think the game sucks, then don't
play it... but you can't expect people to follow your personal rules.
I've been told that attacking is cheap, blocking is cheap, supers are
cheap, infinites are cheap, combos are cheap, assist are cheap... just
about everything in the game. If I listened to them, I'd just be
standing still waiting to die. The game is about competition, which
means to use all the tools available to try to get your team to win. The
fun comes from the competition.

BTW, Strider doesn't suck at all... try turning on ouroboros and calling
Doom's 2nd assist. Every ouroboros = 10% block damage, hardly worthless.

I just didn't appreciate one of your paragraphs in particular... where
it basically says that trying to win is the same thing as being an ass.
The goal of the game is trying to win... I'd say it's being an ass to
expect everyone to follow your rules, and to hold back, not playing to
your full potential, which means you never provide a real challenge to
anyone.

Now don't get me wrong... winning isn't everything, it's the
competition. I definitely wouldn't interrupt some beginner just to beat
him down with my best team... that's no fun at all. I'd rather lose 10
times to a better player than get a meaningless 100 game win streak
against beginners. It's the competition, the trying to win against a
good opponent, that is what the game is meant for. Your FAQ just
prolongs the scrubby ideas that you're supposed to play and only use
some of your moves, and start arguments when someone else doesn't like
it.

==-----------------------------------------------==

My Response:

First things first.  Mr. Chocobo here is a prime example of the kind of 
people who supposedly are fed up with the way certain things are in life, but 
don't do crap to fix it.  If you're so sick of GameFAQs being such a terrible 
website, then why just sit back and gripe to yourself and select people about 
it?  What's that going to do?  It's definitely not going to help the supposed 
poverty of GameFAQs if you just complain about it in the corner.  Instead of 
just sitting on your ass and whining like a 5-year-old, maybe you can start 
your own website, or at the very least write "good" FAQs for the rest of us 
to learn from.  Why sit on the Titanic and complain about the fact that it's 
sinking?  Eventually, you'll just drown and sink to the bottom of the sea 
along with it.  Let me tell you folks, most of these people have 
condescending attitudes towards others, and seem hard pressed to be 
belligerent.  Need proof?  I just gave it to you.  

Oh yeah, and there's a reason why I "knew to expect some negative e-mail."  
If anything, time and society has taught me that whenever you publicly 
express your views, there will ALWAYS be some idiot(s) who is (are) offended 
by it.  NOT because your view is offensive in any manner, but BECAUSE THEY 
ARE SIMPLY IDIOTIC AND FEEL AS IF THEY'RE ALWAYS RIGHT AND BETTER THAN THE 
PERSON NEXT TO THEM.  Example?  Given by those two.  If anyone can explain to 
me where their hostility towards me originates from, I'll be all ears, 
because it's purely a puzzle to me.  My guess?  Simple personal inadequacies 
and the inability to socially interact with others in a non-offensive manner. 
Now, on to my response! 

About the factual errors... let me address the point of 100% combos and 
infinites.  Allow me to list all characters that have known 100% combos 
and/or infinites.
Rogue
Felicia
Jin
Iron Man
Spiral
Marrow
Jill
Cammy
Ryu
Dan
Thanos
War Machine
Sabretooth
Chun Li
Charlie
Mega Man
Cable
Silver Samurai
Magneto
Juggernaut
Sentinel
Zangief
B.B. Hood
Captain Commando
Ken
Amingo
Blackheart
Tron Bonne
And more... I've already listed half of the characters available, and I'm not 
even close to finished yet.  Is that "almost none"?  And I can name plenty of 
characters whose infinites are bound to happen in matches, such as Rogue, 
Felicia, B.B. Hood, Thanos, Spiral, Marrow, etc.  You are correct, however 
about the Team Counter.  I give you that.  But I do not give you your 
argument of how Gouki is the best Shotokan character.  Saying that it, "has 
been proven in tournament play, and is not any sort of opinion," is like 
saying, "The Russians are the strongest and fastest people alive, due to the 
number of Medals that they have won in the Olympics" (or whatever country has 
won the most medals, I don't know and I don't care) is not an opinion.  
There's no real basis to that "fact".  Unless it was the same guy who was 
playing himself throughout the whole tournament, beating all other characters 
with Gouki you can't tell me that it is a viable and concrete reason to say 
Gouki is the best.  If you want it to be proven correctly, it has to be 
conducted like a scientific experiment, with the Control Group and the 
Variable Group.  I don't know how an experiment like that would be conducted, 
but it must be in that way.  Otherwise, give me some kind of mathematical 
equation that proves Gouki is the best Shotokan.  My opinion is that Gouki 
isn't the best.  It's an opinion.  I don't state it like it's a fact.  But 
you do.  And that's where you're wrong.

About how my "rating system is totally useless," you don't seem to get the 
point of having a rating system.  I don't throw out random numbers because 
it's fun and I'd like to.  Each is given a specific number or rating because 
of it's overall usefulness.  And usefulness includes PRIORITY, DAMAGE, 
EXECUTION... do you understand?  Or am I just promoting scrubby ideas again?

Well, whether you like it or not, cheese exists.  What is cheese?  Since it 
seems that so many of you "Hardcore Gamers" (I'm a damned Hardcore Gamer... 
you morons who worship a pretty games with no depth are not) don't know what 
cheese is, or just refuse to believe it exists.  Cheese is when someone 
executes something that you have no defense against, and you cannot stop him 
or her from performing it.  An example of cheese?  Try 45% block damage with 
Mega Man, B.B. Hood, and Dr. Doom Hyper Cancels.  How are you supposed to 
stop that?  I don't know.  You tell me.  Or is that just part of the game, 
and is it totally fair?  "It's just part of the game," or "if it's in the 
game, then it can't be cheap," is what some people tell me.  Well, fine then.  
Next time someone does an infinite on you, I want to see you smile and nod 
your head, as if you just received a million dollars.  Do that, and I'll 
believe that there is no cheese.

"Just like in basketball or baseball or any other sport, the fun is in
the competition, in trying to win. You don't see people going "hey that
3-pointer is cheap" or "you cheeser, that double play was no fair". You
are most certainly allowed to utilitize whatever is allowed by the rules
of the game, and that includes using all the characters and all of the
moves."
Well, you see, there's a fundamental difference between GAMES and SPORTS.  
It's like comparing Apples to... I don't know... Monkeys.  In sports, ANYONE 
can shoot a 3-pointer.  ANYONE can execute a double play.  But can any 
character take NO BLOCK DAMAGE FROM ENERGY ATTACKS?  Your argument would only 
make sense if I were stupid enough to label Aerial Raving or Blocking cheap. 
Everyone can Aerial Rave, and everyone can block (except for Mech Zangeif).  
But Aerial Raving and Blocking is not cheap.  So neither are 3-pointers and 
Double Plays, or Slam Dunks and Home Runs, or any other crap you can think 
of.  And don't tell me having IceMan on your team is like having Shaq on your 
basketball team or something.  IceMan would be the equivalent of a Shaq... 
with jetpacks strapped on his ass and the rim strapped to his wrist.  Sports 
don't award unfair advantages to a certain team.  Umpires don't say, "okay, 
since they're the Yankees, they get to have the lead by 10 runs before the 
first inning even starts."  Well, a team with IceMan already has the 
advantage even before the match starts.  If teams are going to dominate, they 
have to pay a price.  Either by giving up hundreds of millions of dollars, 
current talent, future talent, or at least something of value, Sports teams 
become powerhouses.  Winning doesn't drop into their laps just because the 
game has certain rules they can abuse.  Don't compare sports to video games.  
Sports have been around since forever, and have been refined over time.  
Video games have been around for only like 20 years, and they still have 
problems with various things.  The fact that you try to compare the two just 
shows your ignorance of the society we live in.

I never singled out IceMan.  He's just the first character on my list.  I in 
fact think that Cable's 100% combo, Juggernaut's 100% combo, and Sentinel's 
100% combo are all cheap.  I can't figure why you think I singled out IceMan.  
There are other characters on the "Cheese Characters" (Now the "Characters 
That Demand No Respect") list you know.

And I never said "Standing is Cheap, Blocking is Cheap, Attacking is Cheap," 
etc.  You seem to have a problem with other people my friend.  Don't dump 
your inability to get along with others on me, alright?  That's one thing 
EVERYONE HAS TO PAY ATTENTION TO.  DO NOT DUMP YOUR SOCIAL DISORDERS AND 
SHORTCOMINGS ON ME.  IF NO ONE LIKES YOU, THEN NO ONE LIKES YOU.  I CAN'T DO 
ANYTHING ABOUT IT.  I DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE OR THE TIME TO HEAR YOUR 
WHINING ABOUT SOMETHING I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH.


"The game is about competition, which means to use all the tools available to 
try to get your team to win. The fun comes from the competition."
Well... if that's true, then I guess, when I'm losing, I'll just ram on my 
opponent's start button then tear them apart with a Triple Delay Hyper Combo.  
That's an available tool.  And if all is fair, then I'll just hog my 
opponent's space so that he can barely reach the controls, and then beat him 
to a pulp.  That should give some real challenge!  PLEASE!  I think you're 
taking the game a little bit too seriously.  You're acting like you're 
fighting for the fate of the Americas.  It's a game, and if it can't be 
played fairly amongst everyone, then what the hell's the point?  It's 
supposed to be a test of reflexes and familiarity, not the ability to abuse 
certain characters.  If it's all about competition, then I know plenty of 
games other than MvC 2 that serve up intense rivalry.  Why not go play Dance 
Dance Revolution instead?  Or maybe a nice game of Tetris would fit your 
bill?  Tetris is classic, and it's highly competitive.  We play MvC 2 for 
several reasons.  Such as: so we can flaunt our abilities to perform 100% 
combos and such, or we can test ourselves to see if we really can pull off 
certain combos and such during a match, after all of that practice, etc. 
Competition is PART of the fun, I admit, but fun isn't the result of trying 
to beat the living hell out of your opponent (unless you're some kind 
Sadistic, Freaky loser).

I never equated winning with being an ass.  That would mean that I'm one of 
the biggest asses of all time.  I'm equating being a bad sport with being an 
ass.  If you think taunting is alright, and to act like a dick is alright, 
then you're really stupid or something.  Winning and giving a, "nice game" 
and a smile is cool.  Winning and sticking your tongue out at the loser isn't 
cool.  "Oh, acting like a dick is part of the competition..." please, give me 
a break.  It's people like you, who have no social skills that make the 
Arcade such an unfriendly place.  Unlike some, most of us normal people don't 
like to be piss faces towards everyone, and don't like to get everyone angry.  
But then again, there are some ogres who are prone to anger and violence... 
example?  It's already given.

"I'd say it's being an ass to expect everyone to follow your rules, and to 
hold back, not playing to your full potential, which means you never provide 
a real challenge to anyone."
Well, aren't you just the real life Ryu?  If you hadn't noticed already, the 
bulk of my Arcade Commandments do not target restricting the player's ability 
to do things within the game.  In fact, the only Arcade Commandment that 
actually refers to in-game restrictions is Commandment III.  The rest are all 
about manners and decency.  If you don't like manners and decency, then you 
shouldn't be out in public where everyone else is.  You should be caged up 
with the animals in the zoo.  And if smelling like a septic tank is part of 
the competition, then please, leave me out of it.  You can't tell me that 
staying on your own side takes away from the competition.  Nor does acting 
nice towards others, or not brining your girlfriend (if you've ever had one) 
to get bored at the arcade.  And if not choosing IceMan or Sentinel or 
someone of that manner takes away from your "full potential", then I have to 
say, you have no potential whatsoever.  A 10-year-old could master IceMan and 
Sentinel in a day.  If that's all you have to offer, then you should go 
somewhere and practice.

Next time, before you even think about trying to get your haughty ass on 
anyone else, write a FAQ first.  You have no right to bash other people about 
their FAQs unless you have written one yourself.  Where the hell did you get 
the idea that you could be condescending towards others anyway?  Because 
you're the CEO of Capcom?  Well okay.  Because you're a program designer for 
Capcom?  Well alright then.  Because you're a loser with no life that 
worships a game and over-dramatizes simple ideas?  Go to hell.  You have no 
more right to be condescending than a prostitute does.  Go ahead; show all of 
us "Scrubby Idealists" how to write a FAQ.  Until then, SHUT THE HELL UP.




==-----------------------------------------------==


On a final, universal note, before anyone EVER THINKS of trying to bash me, 
ask yourself these questions first: "Have I ever, or am I currently writing a 
FAQ?" and "Is my supposed anger towards this man due to his sheer stupidity, 
or just because he has different views?"  If you cannot answer the first 
question with a, "YES, I AM DAMMIT," and the second question with a, "YES, HE 
REALLY IS AN IDIOT," then don't try to assault me through e-mail (by the way, 
just because someone has an opposing view doesn't automatically make him/her 
an idiot.  Only when he/she shows complete ignorance in a subject is he/she 
an idiot).  Otherwise I'll pick you apart like the worthless carcass you are.  
But the main thing is HAVE YOU EVER WRITTEN A FAQ BEFORE?  If you haven't, 
you have no right and no place to be trying to flame me.

I find it that the people who send me antagonistic e-mails (all four of you!) 
take the game way too seriously.  I mean, please, you've got to have 
something better to do than to get worked up over a video game.  Damn, I 
mean, I just spent the last three hours updating this FAQ, and I'm sick and 
tired of it already.  Obviously, some of you out there spend your days trying 
to act like an ass towards others just because of their opinions over a video 
game.  Society calls it being a loser.  I call it being a dick.  Freud's 
solution?  Go pump yourself full of crack (if you haven't already) or 
something, and then complain to a psychiatrist.  And stay away from the rest 
of society until you're cured.*

*This is neither my nor anyone else's opinion other than Sigmund Freud's.  He 
believed in giving his patients drugs so that their supposed mental 
difficulties could be temporarily alleviated.  In no way do I promote drug 
usage.  Stay away from drugs kids!  It's the right thing to do!


*If anyone would like to partake in the festivities of bashing morons, 
please, e-mail me and I'll more than happy to direct you to an idiot's e-
mail.

*Oh, I'm sure that I'll get more e-mails like these soon.  So, look forward 
to another addition soon!



=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=

VIII.  Final Thoughts and Thanks

Sorry for the missing sections, but they will be coming soon!  I think that 
this FAQ is a respectable size already ^_^.  Anyway, just remember, the most 
important part of playing a game is to HAVE FUN!  Don't let the lust for 
winning totally ruin your enjoyment of the game.  Don't be an ass.  Have 
manners.  Nothing's worse than a loser who takes the game too seriously.  
There was once this guy who called me a derogatory name for African Americans 
while playing me >_<.  Even though I am Taiwanese, that's a no-no.  Please 
don't be like that.  It's not cool.



Thanks to:

All the scrubs who have forced me to learn to play fair and still kick ass.
My best friend who's Importing habits have given me lots of time to play.
All the people who write FAQs.
The owner of www.Gamefaqs.com.
Mihir, my cheery little sidekick who is also my disciple.  ~_^
All of those who have given me support.
All of those who have given me RELEVANT and INTELLIGENT suggestions.


Please e-mail me at Isao4ever@aol.com if I have violated any Copyright Laws 
or have insulted you in some way.  Or just e-mail me if you have comments or 
opinions or suggestions.  Please limit your bitching to 1 e-mail only please.  
And please, only intelligent and sensible bitching is accepted.  Worthless 
bitching will be posted in the FAQ for everyone to laugh at you.  Replies 
will take some time so please wait.  If I do not return your e-mail in 1 
month, and you wrote a negative e-mail, consider yourself a moron.  If you 
wrote a positive e-mail, and still have not gotten a reply, I give you my 
sincerest apologies. Usually replies will take anywhere between 1 week to 1 
month or more.  My apologies.

And remember the more POSITIVE and/or HELPFUL e-mails I get, the more 
motivated I am to update and write FAQs!  ^_^

That's it for now!  Look for more FAQs on other characters and updates! 
Laters people!


"I may be a little cocky, but there's a goddamned reason for it!"

Copyright Isao (William Chiang) 2000.
