Strife

Mitsuru is wearing him atm. Literally.

That sounds like great news, well, for Ken at least. I'm still not buying Rise playable though. Welp, I guess we should just wait. Like always.

SB Super Vorpal Bat Confirms (Victory Cry Install) Normal Starters - 5A > 5AA > 5B > 236C > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 75 SP, 4860 Damage, 5 Bats] - 2AB > BD > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 75 SP, 4385 Damage, 5 Bats] - 2AB > 236A > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 75 SP, 4584 Damage, 5 Bats] - j.A [AA] > j.B CL > Jump cancel > j.B CL > j.236B CL, Delay, 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 75 SP, 4506 Damage, 7 Bats] - j.B > 5A > 5B > 236C > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 75 SP, 5000 Damage, 6 Bats] - j.B CH [AA] > 2AB > BD > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 75 SP, 4698 Damage, 6 Bats] Throw Starters - 5CD CH, 214CD > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 100 SP, 4146 Damage, Homerun] - j.CD CH, 2B CL > 2D > 214D > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 75 SP, 4372 Damage, 6 Bats]

At this point we should just wait till April 25th. Remember not to keep your hopes up, it's the best option select!

Yeah, the persona looks like Kintoki Souji but the character itself and the projectile are different. Well damn.

*Note* - When browsing the Junpei Iori forums please follow the rules of the site, failure to do so will result in an Infraction. If you do not know the rules you can check them here -> Site Rules. Decided to make this so players can understand how this character works better. Junpei's Baseball mechanic is similar to Frank West's Levels in Marvel 3. Connecting specific moves will allow the character to get stronger. To do this, you'll need to pay attention to 5 things on the screen: Runs, Bases, Balls, Outs and Strikes. The most important is Runs. When he gets 10, he'll automatically go into Victory Cry Install, which gives him the following things: Clean Hits. With this, he can do longer and more damaging combos with his bat. HP Regeneration (Except when taking damage). SP Invigoration (Slower than Elizabeth's Invigorate). Once Victory Cry is activated, it stays active for the whole match. To get Runs, Junpei needs to get 3 Bases and hit his opponent with his bat. He will get 1 Run for every hit having all bases full. There's 3 ways to score a Base: - Hit your opponent with a bat move. For every attack, Junpei will get a base. If you do a combo with 3 swings, he'll get 3 bases. - Hit your opponent with a reflected projectile. Junpei can reflect most projectiles in the game with his bat and turn them into fireballs, for each of those you hit, Junpei gets 1 base. - Scoring 4 Balls. Junpei scores a ball by making the opponent block his bat. If you do a blockstring with 3 swings, he'll get 3 balls. OBS: Everytime Junpei gets a Base, Strikes and Balls reset. No player is perfect though, if Junpei gets hit or even fails to hit his opponent, he'll be punished with an Out. There's also 3 ways to receive an Out: - Taking damage. Junpei will receive an Out everytime he's in hitstun. Different from Bases and Balls, he can only get 1 Out per combo. - Getting thrown. It's important to note that Junpei will receive an Out even if he escape the throw. - Scoring 3 Strikes: Junpei receives a Strike everytime he whiffs a bat move. OBS: Receiving 1 Out, Balls will reset. Receiving 3 Outs, everything will reset except for Runs. Only Runs carry over between rounds. He starts with 0 and can go all the way to 55. He has 3 SP Skills that can definitely help him with this because of their ability to score Homeruns. When he gets one, he will get Runs for every base filled + Junpei himself. After 10 Runs, the following ones will boost damage in some Special Moves/Supers and improve HP/SP Regeneration. Each time Junpei scores 10 Runs (20, 30, 40 etc) his regen will get faster. At 30 Runs, his SP Invigorate is as fast as Elizabeth's for example. To wrap it up: Your main focus as Junpei should be getting the first 10 Runs to use Clean Hits as soon as possible. It's good to keep increasing them for HP/SP regeneration though, don't miss any opportunities to do so.

Whoa, I didn't even noticed. The character on the right looks like he's flying on a... green cloud? Wtf. I'm... hype about this. Edit: I think the character on the left is Teddie and he's throwing Items. You can even see Kintoki Douji at 00:04 here: http://a.pomf.se/dqzwcn.webm My hype level is going down.

(04/13/2014) Gao (S.Junpei) Vs. Mahiru (Yukiko) 01 (04/13/2014) Gao (S.Junpei) Vs. Mahiru (Yukiko) 02 (04/13/2014) Gao (S.Junpei) Vs. Mahiru (Yukiko) 03

Midscreen (Shadow Berserk -Normal Junpei-) Normal Starters - 5B > 2B > 2AB > Shadow Berserk, 5B > 2B > j.B > j.B > j.236B > 236236D~C > OMC, 214214CD~C (Homerun) [100 SP, 3200 Damage, 11 Bats] Midscreen to Corner (Shadow Berserk -Victory Cry-) Normal Starters - 5A > 5AA > 2AB > Shadow Berserk, 5B > 214AB CL > 214D > 236D > 236C > 214A > 236A > 236AB CL > 214C > 236236AB~B CL > OMC, 214214CD~C (Homerun) [100 SP, 6244 Damage, 10 Bats] - 5C > 2AB > Shadow Berserk, 5B > 214AB CL > 214D > 236D > 236C > 214A > 236A > 236AB CL > 214C > 236236AB~B CL > OMC, 214214CD~C (Homerun) [100 SP, 7123 Damage, 10 Bats] - 2D > 214D > Shadow Berserk, 236CD (1) > j.236A > 236CD (1) > j.236A > 236AB CL > 23623B~B CL, 214214CD~C (Homerun) [100 SP, 4600 Damage, 8 Bats] Special Move Starters - 236D > Shadow Berserk, 5B CL > 5C > j.B > j.236B CL > 214D > 236D > 236C > 214A > 236A > 236AB CL > 214D > 236236AB~B CL > OMC, 214214CD~C (Homerun) [100 SP, 6569 Damage, 11 Bats] Throw Starters - 5CD > Shadow Berserk, 214D > 236D (1) > 236CD > 236A > 236AB CL > 214D > 236236AB~B CL > OMC, 44, 214214CD~C (Homerun) [100 SP, 5510 Damage, 7 Bats] Corner (Shadow Berserk -Victory Cry-) Normal Starters - 5A > 5AA > 2AB > Shadow Berserk, 5B > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL > 214CD > 236D > 236C > 214AB > 236A > 236AB > 236236AB~B CL, 214214CD~C (Homerun) [100 SP, 5200 Damage, 11 Bats] Special Move Starters - 236D > Shadow Berserk, 2B > 214AB CL > 214D > 236AB > 236A CL > BD CL > 214CD > 236B CL > 214D > 236236AB~B CL > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [100 SP, 5700 Damage, 11 Bats]

Corner (Normal Junpei) Throw Starters - 5CD, 2B > 5B > j.A > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B [Meterless, 5 Bats] All Out Attack - 5AB~D FC > 236B, 2A > 5B > 2B > j.A > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B [Meterless, 3076 Damage, 29 SP Gain, 7 Bats] - 5AB~D FC > 5B > 2B > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > OMB, 2B > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B > 236236D~C [burst, 50 SP, 3700 Damage, 10 Run Combo] Corner (Victory Cry Install) Normal Starters - 5A > 5AA > 2C > 2D > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > BD CL, 214A CL, 5D [Meterless, 3200 Damage, 6 Bats, Okizeme, Sideswap out of the corner] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > BD CL > 214A CL, 2B > 5B CL > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 665B CL > BD CL > 214B CL, 5D [Meterless, 3866 Damage, 9 Bats, Okizeme] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > BD CL > 214A CL, 2B > 5B CL > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 665B CL > BD CL > 214B CL > 236236C, Delay C (Homerun) [50 SP, 4700 Damage, 13 Bats] - 5A > 5AA > 5AAA > OMB, 2A > 5C > 236AB CL, 5B CL > 2B CL > j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL > BD CL > 214D > 236236A~A (Homerun) [burst, 75 SP, 5292 Damage, 13 Bats] - 2A > 5A > 5AA > 2C > BD CL > 214A CL, 2B > 5B CL > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 5B CL > BD CL > 214A CL, 5D [Meterless, 3160 Damage, 9 Bats, Okizeme] - j.2A, 2B > 5C > j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL > 21A CL > BD CL > 214B CL, 662C > 214B CL, 5D [Meterless, 4061 Damage, 9 Bats, Okizeme] - 2B [AA] > j.A > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL, 2B > 5B CL > BD CL > 214A CL, 5D [Meterless, 3631 Damage, 11 Bats, Okizeme] - j.B [AA] CH, 5A > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL > 214A CL > BD CL > 214B CL, 662C > 214B CL, 5D [Meterless, 3642 Damage, 9 Bats, Okizeme] - 2AB > OMC, 5B > 2B CL > 214B CL, 2B > 5B CL > 214B CL, 2B > 5B CL > 214B CL, 5D [50 SP, 3157 Damage, 9 Bats, Okizeme] - 2C > 5C > j.B CL, 214A CL, 2B CL > 5B CL > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 5B CL > BD CL > 214A CL, 5D [Meterless, 4200 Damage, 9 Bats, Okizeme] - 5C CH > 236236AB~B CL, 236C > OMB, 2C > BD CL > 236B CL, 2B CL > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL > 214C > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, Burst, 150 SP, 8754 Damage, 13 Bats] - 2D FC > 214D, 2A > 5C > BD CL > 214A CL, 2B > 5B CL > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 66 5B CL > BD CL > 214B CL, 66 2C > 214B CL, 5D [Meterless, 5016 Damage, 7 Bats, Okizeme] Special Move Starters - 236C > OMB, 2A > 5C > 236AB CL, 5B CL > 2B CL > j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL > BD CL > 214D > 236236A~A (Homerun) [burst, 75 SP, 5244 Damage, 13 Bats] - 236D > OMB, 2B CL > BD CL > 214A CL, 2B > 5B CL > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 5B CL > 2D > 214D > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, Burst, 75 SP, 6789 Damage, 12 Bats] - 236D > OMB, 214CD, 5B CL > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 5B CL > BD CL > 214A CL, 2B CL > 5B CL > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, Burst, 100 SP, 7120 Damage, 14 Bats] Throw Starters - 5CD > 2B > 5B CL > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop j.B CL, 214A CL > BD CL > 214B CL, 662C > 214B CL, 5D [Meterless, 3708 Damage, 10 Bats, Okizeme] - 5CD > OMB, 2A > 5C > 236AB CL, 5B CL > 2B CL > j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL > BD CL > 214D > 236236A~A (Homerun) [burst, 75 SP, 4614 Damage, 13 Bats] All Out Attack - 5AB~D FC, 5B > 5C > j.B CL, 214A CL, 662B > 5B CL > 236B CL, BD CL > 214B CL, 5D [Meterless, 4416 Damage, 12 Bats, Okizeme] - 5AB~D FC > 236AB CL, 5B CL > BD CL > 214B CL, 2B > 5B CL > j.B CL, j.236B CL > 214214CD~C (Homerun) [Awakening, 100 SP, 6300 Damage, 14 Bats]

Near Corner (Normal Junpei) All Out Attack - 5AB~D FC > Dash cancel > 5B > 2B > j.A > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B > 236236D~C (Homerun) [50 SP, 10 Bats] Near Corner (Victory Cry Install) Normal Starters - 5A > 5AA > 2C > 5C > j.B CL, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 665B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 665B CL > BD CL > 214D [Meterless, 3300 Damage, 7 Bats, Okizeme, Midscreen to corner] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > BD CL > 214A whiff, 66j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL > BD CL > 214A CL, 5D [Meterless, 3520 Damage, 7 Bats, Okizeme, Midscreen to corner] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > BD CL > 236CD Hold, j.B > Jump cancel > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL, 5D [25 SP, 3158 Damage, 7 Bats, Okizeme, Midscreen to corner] - 2B [AA] > j.A > j.B CL, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL, BD CL > 214A whiff, 66j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL > BD CL > 214A CL [Meterless, 3860 Damage, 12 Bats, Okizeme, Midscreen to corner] - 5C CH > Dash cancel > 5A > 5AA > 2C > 5C > j.B CL, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL, BD CL > 214A whiff > 66j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > BD CL > 214A CL, 5D [Meterless, 4401 Damage, 9 Bats, Okizeme, Midscreen to corner] - j.A [AA] > j.B > j.C > j.214CD, j.B, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 5B CL > BD CL > 214D [25 SP, 3000 Damage, 3 SP Gain, 6 Bats, Midscreen to corner] - j.B [AA] CH, 5A > 2B CL > j.B CL, BD CL > 214A whiff, 66j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL > BD CL > 214A CL, 5D [Meterless, 3574 Damage, 11 Bats, Okizeme, Midscreen to corner] All Out Attack - 5AB~C FC > j.B CL, Delay, j.B > j.214CD, j.B, 2B CL > j.B CL > j.236B > 236236A~A (Homerun) [75 SP, 4811 Damage, 10 Bats] - 5AB~D FC > Dash cancel > 5B > 2B CL > 2D > 5C > j.B > j.236B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 214A CL > 214C > 236236A~A (Homerun) [50 SP, 5100 Damage, 12 Bats]

Midscreen (Normal Junpei) Normal Starters - 5AA > 2C > 2D > 214C [Meterless, 1700 Damage, Sideswaps] - 5A > (5AA) > 5B > 2B > 2AB > 214A / 236A [Meterless, 1200 Damage, 10 SP Gain, 3 Bats] - 5A > 5AA > j.B > j.A > 5A > 5AA > j.B > j.A > 5A > 5B > 2B > 2AB > 214A / 236A [Meterless, 1800 Damage, 19 SP Gain, 5 Bats] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > Hop > j.B > 5A > 5B > j.A > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B [Meterless, 1800 Damage, 17 SP Gain, 5 Bats] - 5A > (5AA) > 5B > 2B > 2AB > OMC, 5B > 2B > j.A > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B [50 SP, 1800 Damage, 7 Bats] - 5A > (5AA) > 5B > 2B > 2AB > OMB, 2B > 5B > j.A > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B [burst, 1800 Damage, 9 SP Gain, 7 Bats] - 2D FC > 214D > OMC, 662B > 5B > j.A > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B (1) > OMB, 5B > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236A > 236236D~A (Homerun) [burst, 100 SP, 3448 Damage, 10 Run combo] Throw Starters - 5CD, 236236D~C (Homerun) [50 SP, 2891 Damage, Homerun] - j.CD CH, 2B > 5B > j.A > j.B > j.236A [Meterless, 1900 Damage, 11 SP Gain, 5 Bats] All Out Attack - 5AB~C FC > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.C > 214C [Meterless, 2 Bases] Fatal Counter - 5B FC > 2C > Hop > j.B, 5A > 2B > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B (1) > OMB > 5B > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B > 236236A~A (Homerun) [burst, 50 SP, 2753 Damage, 14 Bats] - 2B FC [AA] > j.B, 5A > 2B > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B (1) > OMB > 2B > j.B > Jump cancel > j.B > j.236B > 236236A~A (Homerun) [burst, 50 SP, 2267 Damage, 14 Bats] Midscreen (Victory Cry Install) Normal Starters - 5A > 5AA > 5AAA > 214A CL > 236D [Meterless, 1800 Damage, 1 Bats, Sideswaps] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > BD CL > 214D [Meterless, 2200 Damage, 1 Bats] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > 5C > j.B CL, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 5B CL > Dash cancel, 5A > 214A CL > 236D [Meterless, 3131 Damage, 5 Bats] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > 5C > j.B CL, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 665B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 665B CL > 236A CL [Meterless, 3000 Damage, 7 Bats, Okizeme, Midscreen to corner] - 5A > 5AA > 2C > 5C > j.B CL, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 665B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 665B CL > 2D > 214D [Meterless, 3344 Damage, 6 Bats, Okizeme, Midscreen to corner] - 2B [AA] > j.A > j.B CL, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL > 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL > 5B CL > Dash cancel > 5A > 214A CL > 236D [Meterless, 2821 Damage, 8 Bats, Midscreen to corner] - j.B [AA] CH, 2A > 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 2A > 5C > j.B CL > 2B CL > j.B CL > Jump cancel > j.B CL > j.236B CL > 236236D~C (Homerun) [50 SP, 3791 Damage, 14 Bats] - 2D FC > 214D > OMC, 662B > 5B CL > 5C > j.B CL, 2B > 5C > j.B CL > j.236B CL, 665B CL > Hop j.B CL > 214A CL > BD CL > 214B CL, 662C > 214B CL, 5D [50 SP, 4905 Damage, 8 Bats, Okizeme] Throw Starters - 5CD, 236236D~C (Homerun) [50 SP, 2891 Damage, Homerun] - j.CD CH, 2B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 5B CL > Hop > j.B CL, 5B CL > 236A CL [Meterless, 2934 Damage, 7 Bats] All Out Attack - 5AB~C FC > j.B CL, Delay, j.B > j.214CD, j.B, 2B CL > j.B CL > j.236B CL > 236236D~C (Homerun) [75 SP, 4811 Damage, 10 Bats]

*Note* - When browsing the Junpei Iori forums please follow the rules of the site, failure to do so will result in an Infraction. If you do not know the rules you can check them here -> Site Rules. Information If you'd like to contribute, please feel free to do so! Just post the combos you created, but please write them properly. If you are unsure on how to write combos properly, then read the wiki page here. Make sure to read the Notation Used section in this post so that you understand the specific notations used for CHARACTER. Also refrain from using move names and abbreviations. Please refrain from going off topic in this thread. This thread is for posting of combos only. Read Junpei's mechanics here before trying any combos. You should understand what "Victory Cry", "Clean Hit" and "Bases" are and how they affect Junpei's gameplan. Some combos are only possible while in Victory Cry, be sure to understand it's benefits, how to activate it and how to use it. In the corner while in Victory Cry, you can always go for damage or okizeme. Everytime you hit 214A/B Clean Hit in the corner, you can setup 5D for Okizeme or go for SP Skills for damage. Even if the notation says that the combo ends with okizeme, you can always go for SP Skills and vice versa, it's your choice. Sometimes, you can combo Junpei's Super Vorpal Bat after Inferno Homer CL while in Victory Cry in the corner. Good damage at the cost of extra SP. Note about Normal Junpei: His combos are mostly the same anywhere on the screen. That's why some posts won't have any listed. Note about SP Gain: While in Victory Cry, Junpei will constantly gain SP. If you're above 10 Runs, you'll probably get more and more SP from combos that don't use meter. Notation used Challenge Mode Combos Combo Videos

*Note* - When browsing the Junpei Iori forums please follow the rules of the site, failure to do so will result in an Infraction. If you do not know the rules you can check them here -> Site Rules. This thread is for the sole purpose of questions regarding the character. Whether it be advice on spacing, how to do particular combos, or how to be the man, ask away here. Please refrain from being confrontational in this thread - everyone here just wants to learn. Wiki is updated! Make sure to take a look for more detailed info.

The second combo did 200 more damage because he managed to fit two extra clean hits. Both combos started with j.B CH > 2A > 5B > 2B CL and both did 1200. After this, he goes for the spining move in the first video and In the second, he uses j.B CL and 2B CL before spining. Anyway, you're right, it's impossible to get 55 runs in a normal match. You don't really need it though, all those 55 run combos would be as good with 10 runs.

Well, Xie said that it really doesn't matter. The only difference he noticed between 10 and 55 runs is that the spin move lasts longer. Also, if you pay attention, the first combo in the video starts with 12 runs and empty bases. In the end, he got 3700 meterless (20 runs) and then added 2 supers to get 5200 (25 runs). At 00:53 he starts a combo with 55 runs. He gets 3600 meterless and then uses a Super to get 4200 damage. So yeah, about the same damage in the corner.

There's a new combo video. It was uploaded yesterday. Those Magarula combos are funny. lol

Yukari combos by おえっぷ

I wonder if we can get a release date out of this? More than "summer" I mean.

Ok, guys, that new combo video is just too good. Junpei's combo potential seems pretty awesome so far. I think you can pretty much convert every air confirm (CH or CL) into 3k for no meter, anywhere on the screen. In the corner though, he gets 4k for 50 SP and 5k for 75+ SP. 3k if you want oki. His DP Clean hit is amazing for corner carry too. It helps a lot with midscreen confirms.

Victory Cry Combo Video by maeken443

Hum, yes, I'd say he's pretty solid even against the top characters right now. Aside from the knockdown (which is great), I think he's better at dealing damage. I say this because Sukuaja is more of a combo tool now and the Hurricane Meteor Super deals good damage and doesn't require another 50 SP. It's still Yosuke damage but I do think he's better at it in P4U2. Still on Sukukaja, his 5A is now his throw animation, it's +1 on block and puts Yosuke behind them. Moonsaults are also better now. Not because they were buffed (they were nerfed actually) but now they don't count as air actions anymore. For instance, in P4U you can normally do 2 Moonsaults > Kunai (3 air actions). In P4U2, you can do 3 Moonsaults + Kunai and it would count as 1 air action. That happens because Moonsault has it's own "counter" now. I think the only moves considered air actions (correct me if I'm wrong) are V-Slasher, Kunai and j.2C. In a nutshell, you're allowed to do 3 Moonsaults (4 in Sukukaja) and 3 air actions (4 in Sukukaja [?]) together in one jump. I think that's pretty neat. As for where he got "worse", his B Dash Spring from P4U is now the SB version, his 5B is 0 instead of +1 on block (I loved that shit) and Sukakaja's duration is way shorter now. That's fine though, considering what you can do with it. Those are the only relevant changes I can remember. There's probably a thread around here with all his changes though.

... Hum, cool. I didn't really understand why they made SB Cork cause spin state. Might as well use Sonic to pass projectiles now.

Yes, yes, Sonic Upper is just delicious. I wonder what the SB version does though? I think he wouldn't be able to keep the combo going without it but do you know if it has any different properties? Like SB Hook's armor or SB Cork's projectile invul.

Yeah, that makes sense. I don't remember if you need to block high though. Think I'll rewatch some videos. Edit: Just confirmed with Xie, His divekick can be always blocked low. Sad.