Anchor Ryu

Hey Guys,

I used to main Ryu in Vanilla but let him go in Ultimate to explore all the new hotness, and just never really got back to him. Well, that’s over now. Anyway, I was wondering what your thoughts on Ryu as an anchor are, and if there are certain things to keep in mind in level 3 XF. Right now I’m running Spencer/Wesker/Ryu (tatsu). Thanks.

spam shinku hadouken and hadoukens, shinku hadouken does heaps of chip on xf3

I’ve been wanting to experiment with this myself. In theory, a Shoryuken is a good move to XFC on, since if you XFC whilst grounded you can jump up after them and follow up. But his big advantage in being anchor would be having heaps of meter to use Shinkuu Hadoken with; the chip and regular damage you deal to them and their assists is a tide-turner when used correctly.

Thank you. I never thought of using XFC on a Shoryuken like an FADC in SF4. I’m not able to lab it up right now, but I am curious how much more damage can be applied if he enters Denjin mode in Lvl 3, as well as if the charge time on his Baku Hadouken allows it to be more viable in his game.

you can xfc :l: Shoryuken into j.:m: j.:h: j.:s: and do whatever from there you can xfc :h: Shoryuken as a launcher (similar to vergil’s high time) and do an air combo finisher

A few things to note about Ryu as anchor:

  • No assists, so you have to be point when throwing out special moves.
  • Master Denjin Mode cancels (for advanced Ryu tactics).
  • Get really good at forcing people to the corner for optimal combos.
  • Master all of Ryu’s ‘defensive’ moves (SRK, Hado Srk, Ren Hadoken, Tatsumaki super).
  • Throws are your friend.
  • Work on ways to catch or punish characters coming from above. For the most part you’ll need to stick to the ground for the higher damage combos.
  • Watch your meter. Ryu needs at least 1 on deck to make himself safer.
  • Many characters will take to the air against a solo Ryu. Fire Hado SRKs at them if you know where they’re heading to cut off escape routes.
  • Master throwing out an SRK in reaction to an opponent’s X Factor cancel. More than likely you’ll hit them.
  • Do whatever you can to force them to the ground as much as possible.

XFC tricks:

  • The speed boost in X-Factor lvl3 is the same as Denjin mode; You can do Denjin-style combos for no meter + extra damage!
  • Denjin Mode + XF lvl3 makes Ryu really, really fast. Go ham with high/low mixups. Great for catching people trying to run away. However, watch for meter usage.
  • XF canceling hadokens on hit are very handy ways to continue a combo and pile up the damage.
  • XFC M SRK + Shin SRK = near 1 mil damage. =D
  • 5 Bars + XF3 = Death from Chip.