LegendaryRath

Ya but with azrael it's better to not autopilot your blockstrings. I can confirm hits perfectly fine offline and I think that's more important than working around netplay. Netplay is a good tool for practicing matchups and learning situational things, but you should play keeping in mind what works offline first and foremost. My opinion anyway. I should have clarified that my issues were mostly with pressure and confirming. Once I confirm into a combo, I do just like you said and leave most of it to muscle memory.

I don't really have issues with the links themselves offline, but since I go off of sound and visuals, it's all too slow online.

Playing online with Azrael makes me sad. Too many links :'(

The only time I've seen 6B work is to react to ragna's blood scythe move, followed by a dash 5B I think. Sorry but I can't upload the combos yet. I keep finding new stuff and I refuse to upload them without first double checking all the characters they work on first. It'll be a few days, realistically.

Sorry I'm behind on posting what I was excited about before. I got sidetracked, and it's not a bad thing. I'm going to do my best to record an example of anything I post, so there's a clear visual of how to perform it. I'll start with optimal punishes and practical double weakpoint application combos.

A lot of my opinions are already reflected in the original post, but here's what I've learned from my sets with him so far... Backdash is godlike in this matchup. There's almost NOTHING tager can do about it. If he gets in with 2D, ends a combo with gadget finger, or is pressuring you, backdash will get you out. After gadget finger, backdash gets out of 5A, 5C, throw, 360, 720, atomic collider, and the list goes on. Not to say it's the answer to everything, but almost everything. Tager can use 5D to beat it but if you think about it, it's preferable to getting hit by a lot of things. When pressuring Tager, keep in mind the gaps in our pressure. Make use of jump cancels and backdashes to punish tagers for churning 360A or 720. Once he respects you, you'll get a free pass to do normal mixup with drives, frame traps, crossups, etc. In neutral make use of gustaf to get in and counter hit his slow normals. Backdash 2D, 5D and 6A for a free punish. I haven't looked into optimal punishes yet, I'll post again with those sometime. --- Silly stuff... Backdash makes spark bolt wiff lol. I don't really think it's easily reactable, but often it will happen in neutral just on accident for me. After gadget finger, some Tagers will use magna-tech-wheel. I guess to punish possible DPs, mashing, or to get the OMC mixup with 100 heat. If you backdash on wakeup and notice magna-tech-wheel, you can PATRIOT APOCALYPSE right through it. I'm assuming you could do the same for 720, but the situation never presented itself. That's all that comes to mind right now. edit: I think this matchup's in our favor. Every round seems to almost exclusively take place with Tager in the corner.

GGs Jimmy, Eric, Darrel, Marq, Ragnarok (sorry forgot it again), Brian, Ruben, and whoever else I'm missing. Feeling like I'm getting the hang of Azrael pressure and my confirms. Definitely going to stick with this jerk as my main.

keep in mind that if you are doing TC > Valiant, you need them to be fairly high into the air. If they are too low when you begin TCL, then they will hit the ground and tech before valiant connects. This isn't commonly an issue, but if it is, try using a normal like 5B before TCL, to help raise them higher into the air. I had a ton of matchup experience and practice at my casuals today. Too much stuff is going on in my head at the moment, but I'll get around to posting it once I wake up. Everything from Matchups to combo ideas. Also, is anyone else having trouble confirming this? (on standing opponent) TCL > OMC dash > Valiant I've started using a more complicated combo just because it's more consistent for me. TCL > OMC (delayed IAD) low j.C > (land) 6A (wallbounce) > Valiant

I have a lot of combos and explanations for why certain things work/don't-work. I'll post all of it tomorrow, since casuals today will go into the morning.

He has DP that rivals Mitsuru's. I crossed a Kagura up, god DP'd from like 5 feet away and though "is this what I've been doing to people all this time?" Yo Ted. GGs earlier!

Kagura looks SOOOOO STUPID. High tier at least. I can rant about him tonight if anyone wants to know why. his charge is really short by the way. I was talking with a few people and it's almost the same as Mitsuru's

I can't decide which voice I like better for Azael. They're both so damn good. This character is hard as fuck by the way

I'm feeling good about all of his links now, I mostly just feel clumsy getting used to all of the new inputs. This character is not easy, and I'm actually ok with that. Like, 30 minutes into playing him, I confirmed a new double weakpoint application combo I've been thinking of, only to find out it's azrael specific...

after TCL, you should be able to follow up with 3D if you want to be lazy. but what do I know? my copy hasn't shown up yet :'( edit: keep in mind that this is for combos that are off the ground.

welp... nevermind

FedEx is estimating Wednesday delivery, but NipponYassan says I payed for 1-2 day shipping. I guess there's hope? edit: if my copy arrives by Saturday, then I'll bring a full setup. would someone be willing to pick me up though? I can't take a setup on the bus. edit2: ooooo, Ruben if you wanted to pick me up early, we could swing by Portillos. Italian BEEEEEEF

^aint nobody got time for that Fedex is projecting my copy to arrive Wednesday... I will definitely be coming over Saturday for as long as possible. Who has the game downloaded already? if you do, please for the love of god, bring your PS3s. If we need more monitors, I can bring my evo one.

He's pretty great. I spent all night talking with Bace as he did challenge and training mode with Azrael. Apparently, he's HARD. like, at least half of these guys saying they'll play him are going to drop him in a day. He doesn't have a single gatling as far as I can tell, 100% links. If we do anything this weekend, I'd love to just have 30 minutes or so to practice with him.

I'll be going all in on this guy once my copy arrives Monday (guessing). Bace and I are gonna main him, so we'll do our best to help out with MUs and anything else. I'm excited to record as well, so if there's anything where it would be helpful to have visual representation/guidance, hit me up. (anytime after Monday anyway, unless I luck out and get my stuff Friday/Saturday.

I just got my e-mail as well. Yippepeeee

I'm like 99% sure I'll set these up. Within the next few weeks, I'll make a new thread focusing on compiling a list of potential players. Typically, suggested players are taken from that list, prior to voting. edit: if you're interested, feel free to post your PSN ID, Character, and general location. It will save me plenty of time later

I actually saw a picture somewhere OF AZRAEL ABSORBING THE BEAM. Have no clue where though. lemme look around. edit: here http://www.famitsu.com/images/000/041/937/526242cdb4c1a.html http://www.famitsu.com/images/000/041/937/526242cdc710f.html

I'm new to jp versions of games. Is there usually something in options to change menu languages? edit: I can probably work around most stuff through trial and error, but training mode might get difficult.

The matchup threads look great!

On some level, I wanted some sort of head start and now I'm left in someone else's dust and I don't care about Japan. My Azrael will surpass them all someday.