Skye

j.2a is definitely possible, but you need to back up before doing it, preferably with an air dash.

It's more tame than my original idea, which you know of.

To help elaborate. 5a > 6b > IAD > 5d > j.a > j.c > j.d After a j.b > 5a > 6b: j.6d > 6b > iad > j.d > 5d

Atta Boy.

Fixed. Wait until the D bug is off screen. That's as simple as I can put it. If you need a pick up that badly, use 5c for insurance, but only once since it carries repeat move proration.

j.c has a thinner hitbox, making it weird for finishers, if the range doesn't look right, use j.b to tug them in. For you combos, you have to make sure that they are positioned correctly for the D bug to pick them up, so you can't be too far from them or in an awkward position, there are various methods for that, you can use the b bug to push them in further or for filler whereas the D bug couldn't pick them up. Walk into them, 2c, all vary on the situation. Also, make sure you press d after the current d bug is off screen, otherwise it will not be summoned in time.

Word to the wise, Akushisusama, make two posts, so when you run out of one, use the other. In fact, your mod powers should allow you to do that in this very thread.

It might, the active frames might hit you, if you use 6d, be prepared to make Tager scared to sledge.

I got a decent write up on Platinum. My early summary says that the match up is even or slightly in Platinum's favor. Arakune's Offense. Arakune can barely do a thing full screen, since she can throw her items at an angle that covers air travel very well. You can't zone her, once in a while you can get a lucky j.6d in, but that's it and it's not reliable, if you're sitting on meter, then go nuts, f.g gives Arakune a lot of leverage in full screen combat, making Platinum second guess what she does on the ground. Mid screen is a different story and your approach differs depending on her item. Worry none about the bat, hammer or frying pan. The bat can be baited easily with typical Arakune movement, since it lacks a vertical hitbox, baiting is easy with jumps, the hammer and frying pan is only used offensively, don't forget to look out for her throwing her items away, but there is more risk to her doing that at this range. Your biggest hurdle is the bombs, since they appear overhead (not to be confused with attack type) and have two separate hisboxes (the bomb and the explosion), you can't really move around the way you want to, the best remedy is to either forward dash it, or be a man and block it, if the latter try to air IB it for the meter gain and +6, the former is good if Platinum tries it in the air. The missiles are not an issue and can be forward dashed with decent timing or avoided altogether, think "Lambda" when you see missiles. The Lion Head is a nuisance at best, trolling at worst, the block stun is surprisingly short and sweet, easy to IB and Platinum will more than likely do it until she's out. Close range, watch out for her 6a, you can beat it with smart approaches, but you must be smart, Platinum does have good anti airs, if you're too reckless she can 2c it and you don't want that. Her 6a has enough recovery to use again on reasonable whiff, so watch out, it's a poor man's Tsubaki's 2c. If Platinum is cursed, do your normal stuff and bait the bat when applicable. Bait the Super as well of course. Arakune's Defense. Defensive is not where Arakune wants to be in general, but this match up is special, Platinum has tools to OS punish a back dash, her pokes have very good range and decent enough block stun, but have enough recovery to capitalize on so if she whiffs certain moves, like her 5b or 5c, you can go in for a close range punish, at worst, Platinum will be forces on the defensive. Ibing helps a ton here, IB her 5c and she is stuck without committing to something. DO NOT feel threatened by the bubble, the block stun is practically nonexistent, if she uses it close range for pressure, it's free, even more free on IB. Barrier block her if she has delusions on jumping in during pressure, her air game is solid, you don't want to be in the middle of that. Simply put just make sure she can't touch you. If she does, it's not that big of a deal if you know how to IB. Look out for her command grab too.

Just press D the instant you see the D bug go off screen. I don't worry too much about including the C bug connecting, since I go for resets when I can. Edit: I also did research on dive loops, and I understand how they got nerfed, it seems the gravity affects the height much greater than CS1, so there is a maximum height in where dive cancelling is either impossible or requires very awkward timing, I was only able to score one rep on Ragna.

As done as we can get it.

Clarifying information for Arakune, afterwards, I will throw in some new info and check for extra stuff, and then all done.

Go to the CSII Ara thread, Mumm Ra got some good combos, optimal as well. I haven't been following videos so I can't link them.

x:

Only the first hit is blockable, the rest acts as a grab, like Mu's super. I doubt it's avoidable.

RECURSE. It's okay to cry, Tagers.

j.b's scaling forced a reset during f.g, which is how the 100% curse came in, since it does so on the last hit. Still godlike.

I agree.

Stick it more.

Our local Tsubaki (or used to be) was damn good. Grendy fits the latter description. If you're gonna bait with j.d make sure you're high in the air or directly above her, fake outs aren't too reliable. Just maintain your air bubble, make Tsubaki come to you, her pressure is fairly weak and easily backdash-able, you biggest problem is going to be 236d, so don't get too comfy doing things fullscreen, stay in the air and just focus on making it hell for Tsubaki to get in.

But.. :< Arakune loves you. He loves everybody.

Genius via simplicity. Welcome to the future.

Why not just put "Air Unblockable/Must be barriered in the air" where the notes are... Eh? EH...?

Competent players play the game competently. When did we lose track of this fundamental fact about competent players? For shame, Dustloop.