[CS2] Noel vs. Taokaka

[SkyKing]

Matchup Ranking: ??

To be discussed.

Recommended Playstyle: Patient and Methodical

Tao's speed and mobility outclass Noel's, and any answers that Noel has all carry a great deal of risk. I believe this match requires that you understand exactly how Tao's drives work, and in order to do that, you must be patient and not get frustrated when you don't score hits for a large amount of time. You must slowly adapt to what Tao is doing, and defending your own space by playing footsies in order to open her up. Instead of chasing her around and getting predictable with approaches, slowly make your way into zones where you can space effectively while limiting the space she can drive away or retaliate back at you.

General Strategy:

I believe this matchup will come down to who can control attack angles the best. Tao will be able to attack you from a variety of positions and spaces, so you must be ready to defend yourself with even the smallest attacks like 5A, 2A, and j.A. It's not always about the damage, which Noel is very adept at and may seem frustrating when you know you could be dealing high amounts. Remember that even the smallest amount of damage is still damage. Also, those light attacks serve as a check of sorts that lets Tao know that you aren't afraid hold your ground.

Also, instead of outright dashing at her, you can cover ground by using a lot of barrier-canceled dashes. This serves the dual purpose of covering ground while being able to block any sort of drives that you might expect them to throw at you. Try to keep pressing forward and into the corner, but remember that she has some really unique ways of escaping via the wall-jump and her drives. Keep this in mind while pressuring her.

Your Best Tools(For This Matchup):

5A/2A/j.A - You will be using these often in this match, but not in the usual way of applying pressure and staggers. In this match, these will be the primary way to defend your own space against Tao's incoming attacks with her drive. Not only is it our fastest move to hit her out of her drive, but also it is needed so that if we do whiff it, it doesn't leave Noel wide open for a counterattack if Tao manages to sneak past.

Has A DP?: No true DP. Tao's 6A works as her anti-air with it's head invulnerability.

Has A DP With Heat?: No true DP. However, Tao can reversal with Hexa Edge (236236D). It has invincibility from frames 1-10 after the super flash.

Things To Look Out For:

Edited June 26, 2011 by SkyKing

[Raptor]

Playing against my cousin who mains Taokaka, I've learned that this can be an annoying fight. I find myself getting CH'd or stuck blocking due to how fast many of her normals are.

Some normals that give me a hard time as Noel:

1) Her slide (extremely fast and hard to react to) Noel's 2D COULD possibly whiff over if you're too close, otherwise it should beat it clean.

2) 5C (this has a very high hit box)

3) j.C

4) 6A (either beats Noel's jump-ins clean or trade)

Things that helped:

1) 6A

2) 2D and 4D

3) I have yet to find anything else worth noting.

[TrueGunnerShadow]

I need help with this matchup.

Is there anything I can do that's less risky against Tao?

[LunaKage]

I need help with this matchup.

Is there anything I can do that's less risky against Tao?

6A > 2B is a godsend in this matchup.

2D goes over Tao's overhead and her 2B, but be prepared to use 2D > d.5C > d.6A > d.6C because she will be quite a bit behind you after a 2B.

2D will beat her 2A however it recovers fast enough for her to block it if she spots you 2Ding.

D~B > 6A will beat all of your drives if you block the D attack, however if your opponent is doing this thinking it is an option select, just 3C that mofo.

I fought LK's Tao as well TGS, and these were the steps that I generally followed to beat him, no word on whether it works on XDest or not :P

[TrueGunnerShadow]

Thanks Luna and don't call me that no more.

Just call me Random Guy.