Jason D.

From what I've seen Hazama seems to like to come in swinging, probably knowing that his risk versus reward is in his favor. Or maybe he's just itching to go offensive, since he is pulling himself in to begin with. But sure, if he's going to try to fake you out, then he's going to do that. Rock-paper-scissors, or something. There's not much you can do to an air block anyway. Maybe a low air grab? Anyway, and if you guess wrong, there's always RC as a last resort. I was just pointing out that if he is going to attack, the chair will never lose, unlike the 6A. Again, the cat punch isn't bad, but it's definitely not something to be relied on to stop his approach.

Strangely, I find that most of my damage against Hazama comes from the air B lobelia. It's an excellent answer to his straight ground chain. But just in general, when you're both at distance, air moves are the way to go. Even if you're at full screen on the ground, if you summon anything he could always just dash in once and then chain you for a nice juicy counterhit. And obviously him at 50% meter should make you stop ground summons/fireballs entirely. The air's a great place to summon frogs, punish a chain whiff with a B lobelia, or just start chucking A lobelias if he gets jump-happy. Also, if he does hit you out of the air, most likely from his jumping straight chain, at least it's not going to lead to a full bnb combo. Also, I'd be cautious of using 6A to counter his chain pull-in advances. It does work, sometimes, but that move in general is just so flakey. Far more often than I'd like, that move just doesn't feel like beating his jump attack, and I'll eat full combo for it. If you're at a position where you know he can't get behind you, just go with 2C as soon as you see him pull himself in. Works every time. And yeah, all in all, this a pretty long and boring matchup. Time usually settles it.

The 5B is a fairly tight link after a CH 6B, but you should be able to link the 5A pretty easily. Also, if you're just poking randomly with the fork and you see the counterhit, you can also hit D right then to try to link. The fork's recovery is long enough that you can slide in pretty far.

Well, I'm planning on coming by tonight. Something similar: A cup of caffeinated chalk. Mmm!

Wait, what? I was your first? Awwww! ...Unless you're talking about someone else you were playing with earlier. You whore!

That was fun tonight. Good games, everyone! Rachel Fest 2010 went off without a hitch. Thanks again to all four US Rachel players for showing up!

Hey, it's competition. Cool. Sure, I'll be there tonight too. Probably around 8:00 or so. You better be there, zong! Also, I'm willing to give Rachel lessons for a special discount price. Let's say $1000, since I'm just making up crap anyway. Limited time offer! Act now before it's too late!

Hey James, I would like to try out your match-making service, during this free trial weekend. I've tried other relationship sites in the past, but none of them have matched me on 36 true measures of compatibility. It's about time I met my special someone. And... something something, more parody. I'm bored with this already.

Also, I get a sneaking suspicion that Tari is stalking me...

Sad to say, but I don't think 6cd beats throws. I've tried it during a few common throw setups, like after a Gadget Finger or an IBed Sledgehammer, and I've still been thrown. And once, while magnetized and at fork range, I did it at the same time as the Tager did a 720. In the blink of an eye, I was sucked in and grabbed. I think the 6c takes a few moments before it's technically off the ground. But that being said, I'm finding the 6cd really effective on Tager in general. For instance, at mid-range it'll beat a Sledge or 5D, and she can do some pretty decent damage (for Rachel) after it. And if he does block it, he can't duck the j.C, so you can keep up the combo. Mostly, it's just that hit or block you're going to shove him across the screen and hopefully into the corner. Tager has a pretty hard time getting out of her corner pressure. Just keep in mind that he can (and WILL) try to Sledge out of the corner, so just throw plenty of 6Bs in until he learns better.

Oh, I know the GG results. 1. Some Potemkin player. I've never heard of him/her before. 2. Johnny. I asked someone, and his name was "Uh... James's friend?" 3. Axl, the best character in the game. 4. The craziest Sol around. But sorry, I have no idea what happened with TSS.

Ah, I wish I could've stayed for the BlazBlue action. Incidentally, did the Results thread stop existing? I can't seem to get to it anymore. Maybe it fell into a time loop... Also, I've realized the best reason why they should make a BlazBlue and Guilty Gear crossover game. Just so they could use the name GlazGlue or Builty Bear. Say it aloud: Builty Bear!

Jo - Yeah, that was me with Axl. I'm not sure if you've mentioned it already, but you should definitely come by for Sunday. Sadly, apparently GG distracted me for too long and I had to leave before I could start any BlazBlue. Next time, Gadget. Next time.

Hmm. I don't remember that happening, actually. But I'm sure it did. I was probably thinking "I need an adult! I need an adult!"

Sad. We may never see a Jotaro Camaro. Also, hi people! Look who finally got the internet! It's just a fad, though. And big props to Shin. Those were some crazy-intense matches at the end. ...And why are secret final bosses always so OP? But oh well, at least the crowd loved it. Next tournament, Mike Z.! You and I! To finally determine, once and for all, who really has the best lastname initial!