SoWL

Yeah, it's been mentioned before. I think people don't abuse it that often simply because it's a pretty random thing to learn in-game, so you can only know it from someone else (like jBBS or something). And even then, it can probably be caught on cooldown by a good player.

I think Blackout got more special effects (read: more fire), but the animation itself is the same. Rage Aggressor has an additional attack in OD, which blows the enemy farther away. I suppose the damage is worth it even with a slightly less advantageous position you get. And pretty much every ASW character is a clothing wizard, especially Litchi. At least Makoto doesn't switch her footwear in the middle of animation.

That OC reminds me of Saki from Arcana Heart, but with a messy hair. Looks great!

Someone finally did the OD Blackout, and it deals exactly as much damage as GETB: 5620 in OD, 5020 raw. This is either the go-to huge damage number for them, or yet another hint at the connection between Bullet and Tager. EDIT: 5C has projectile properties, who knew?

Just wait and see that Kokonoe is going to be playable while riding Golden Tager 9000, showing all those zoner bullies who's the boss.

Is this when we're supposed to ask for Hammer Break?

I believe that Orie thinks something like "What the hell is going on on this cover", and I happen to agree with her.

Yeah, the shoes confused me, too, I even went to check which part of the wolf sprites match the shoes, but it doesn't seem to match anything.

Hmm, since Litchi got an Okami palette, could Valkenhayn's be Oki? They can both transform into wolves, not to mention the similar colors.

Seems like we lose Heat-Up not only when D gets blocked, but also when it gets stuffed or simply whiffs. And Afterburner seems to only guard-point projectiles. Well, sounds reasonable. Good to see that players get more creative with their Heat-Up and having little to no problem with Nu. Though Nu is pretty much a brand-new character, so things might change as people get used to playing her.

The vids we missed during the DL downtime: vs Azrael: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXU1o9CqPYc vs Carl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJCDJ3kZuMI&t=13m4s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZfh9egwz4I&t=3m10s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmMQlGBBrtg&t=8m45s vs Hakumen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJCDJ3kZuMI&t=55m vs Jin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSXEkKdxvWM&t=1m40s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtsuDkj8wzA&t=8m30s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN5UKOSAOUg&t=8m50s vs Noel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F_B-sJsfwY&t=1m vs Nu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJCDJ3kZuMI&t=46m55s vs Platinum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8aOVkhHX9E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8aOVkhHX9E&t=4m45s vs Rachel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5A9RfgGCng&t=1m vs Ragna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXQecqrv0h0&t=3m50s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSXEkKdxvWM&t=5m10s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWmWAPtJO1U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOAxYO0Ga7o vs Relius: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8aOVkhHX9E&t=9m10s vs Tager: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6ButUC01E4&t=26m vs Valkenhayn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJCDJ3kZuMI&t=5m20s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJCDJ3kZuMI&t=63m3s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyZVr3Rfb9g&t=1m EDIT: Added some more vids.

I think you guys have different definitions of neutral game. Personally, I think that using a reversal means that you are no longer playing neutral, but what do I know?

And we're back after a two-day break. vs Arakune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIKTVY0FMc&t=34m vs Azrael: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIKTVY0FMc&t=22m26s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIKTVY0FMc&t=24m45s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCE6WlEUk5g&t=5m20s vs Bang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIKTVY0FMc&t=30m vs Jin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g8nVRVgWQo vs Nu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIKTVY0FMc&t=26m54s vs Ragna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBBmP8cCgrA&t=3m50s vs Tsubaki: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIKTVY0FMc&t=37m

And then I realized why Tsubaki got the Princess of the Crystal palette. Here's a quote from the Penguindrum novel, since this scene isn't subbed on Youtube:

Pretty sure it's inhumane to use amazing songs without listing the source. Think of the children!

jBBS says that 6D is pretty punishable, so I guess that 2D is the same way, too (since they're pretty much the same move in terms of damage and proration).

Her Heat-Up stays after Overdrive wears off, at which point she can only use it by the usual means (not landing a Drive in 10 seconds / having a Drive blocked). I do agree that she's capable of better things with OD, but that's still an option to consider.

And another one: http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_fh_diary&target_c_diary_id=45435

Speaking of which, haven't seen her for about two days now. Getting kinda worried here.

And of course, such news arrive just as soon as I decide to take a break and get off the Internet for a second. Glad that they're finally belting out the villains, though I wonder what takes them so long to reveal Jonathan, even with the Phantom Blood anime going on. Also, having Mista and Hol Horse in a single game is entertaining. Finally, people will get the chance to decide who's stronger!

And Platinum got the Bridget palette. Then again, both Rachel and Valkenhayn have Slayer palettes...

Might as well unlist it, since people won't be able to find it by themselves anyway.

Could you also include the BB palettes? Because I don't recognize Hakumen's. Seems like my anime knowledge is much better than I thought, it's just that I couldn't expect them to use such palettes. I mean, Yuno Nu! Kuroneko Rachel! Berserker Hakumen! PotC Tsubaki! Inga Amane! That's amazing, but I could never guess that ASW would go that far! Is it possible for Arakune's Persona palette to be Jack Frost? He lack some blue, but the sprites lack his shade, which makes it harder to guess his palettes.

Why would they even do that? Isn't it, like, supposed to be watched online and stuff?

Snaphance Fist plus Explode Engage is a pretty good reversal for Bullet, since it switches places with your opponent when you are being pressured in a corner, and also gives you lots of free damage if you happen to have Heat-Up 2. Too bad that no one uses her D follow-ups. Speaking of which, I do agree that Bullet players feel the same right now, and watching them is a bit boring. Like I said before, they are afraid of taking risks and doing huge combos, since that means losing Heat-Up. So, instead of playing big and finishing games in three combos Azrael could be proud of, everyone plays safe and goes for the same boring 5B 5C 2C 5D combos, with an occasional RC to get two levels of Heat-Up in a single combo. Use the D follow-ups, people, she has them for a reason!