[CS1] Rachel vs Ragna

[Jason D.]

This thread is for discussing the Rachel vs Ragna match-up in BB:CS. Go!

[Jason D.]

Okay, first off, this match-up really isn't as bad as the tier lists will make you think. Ragna may hit hard and have good oki with his Belial Edge combos, but he's also the easiest character to zone, and his life is so poor that it makes Rachel's combos look decent.

To first put him in a zoning position, 236A+D is very effective. It stops any straight ground approach, and the wind will push him out of range if he tried to do a run-up 5B or 5C. It can even stop some instant air dashes, as Ragna's dash will end up short and then he'll land on the Lobelia. But most importantly, the combination of Lobelia plus wind will push him way across the screen, and the threat (or use!) of Sword Iris from the pole should stop him from charging in immediately after. Once he's across the screen, summon pumpkins, frogs, and do 236B+D, 236C+3D, and 236A+5D or 9D. Just make sure you mix up your timing on which move you do, and when you use the wind or call the Sword Iris. Keep him confused, keep him scared. Once he's stuck in a defensive mindset, you can even start stalling for time to gain wind back.

Also, many Ragna players seem to enjoy trying to use Hell's Fang or Carnage Scissors when they're being zoned. Both of these are horrible ideas, and are easily stuffed by an A Lobelia. If Ragna's sitting back with 50% meter and seems to be trying something, just throw some A Lobelias. He'll smack face-first into it. Zero projectile invincibility. Free damage for you on his 50% meter.

Now, once Ragna does get in, things get tricky. His 5B will completely own any of your close-range moves. Once he's pinned you down, block, try to instant block, stay patient, and wait for an opening to get out. For you, the best thing Ragna can do is go into his 5D. IBing the second hit is easy, and anything he does after it can be punished. If he dash cancels, it's a free 5A for you if he doesn't uppercut cancel it. (And if he does, block and punish.) If he cancels the 5D into a Hell's Fang, just IB the first hit and 5A him. If he cancels into the Gauntlet Hades, block and punish again. Also easy, because there is no reason to block low after his 5D. And additionally, if Ragna ends any combo with his 2D, just block it, and now you may resume zoning him again.

If Ragna tries to use his 6B overhead, just 2C it. Don't even worry about standing up. Just stay crouching, and hit C. It's not too hard to counter on reaction, and it's also a very good way to get out of, and even reverse, his pressure.

If you're pressuring him and he's blocking, be aware that he can IB and perform an Inferno Divider between many of your blockstring hits. Pretty much every character with a DP is hard for Rachel to pressure for this reason, and Ragna is no exception. If you think he's trying to do this, cancelling into the 3C is always a good choice. The move is fast enough to be a tight combo, and he won't be blocking low while he's mashing out the DP.

Also, for a neat party trick, if he ever goes into Blood Kain, you can burst or Counter Assault to get him across the screen, and then zone him there. Not only did he condemn himself to losing life, but he'll probably also make a lot of reckless mistakes as he desperately tries to rush back up to you.

[Yggjrasil]

Word of advice, don't always start the match with 236A. If a smart Ragna IBs and punishes it,it will put you in a bad position from the get go.

[Jason D.]

More importantly, if you start the match with 236A+D, Ragna can hit you first if he does his 5C. In fact, his 5C is the only thing that he can do to counter that. But unfortunately, nothing Rachel can do can counter his 5C, so it pretty much reigns supreme as the match-opening move. Though with that being said, keep in mind that Ragna has to 5C IMMEDIATELY when the round starts, otherwise the lobelia will win. I get away with starting a match with 236A far more than I should be able to, to be honest. And it's also a good way to gauge how familiar your opponent is with the match-up. I've even had a good number of people try the 5C, fail their timing, and then mentally conclude "Well that doesn't work", and they never try it again.