Birdie General Thread: The Banana Bogey Brawler

Sharnt · June 16, 2015, 5:46am

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11694925_10153528048517147_6897982968899550629_n.png?oh=8c6f5ece4f803b9525f7b4aee07e4155&oe=56324E6E

https://vine.co/v/e1mOAMh0lWH

From SRK’s article.

Birdie

sfv-birdie-reveal-tallBirdie’s had an interesting series of transformations over the history of the Street Fighter franchise, going from a white, generic British punk-thug in the first game to a hulking black bouncer with a bizarre ‘do in the Alpha series, and now to a chubby, food-scarfing, tattooed bruiser in Street Fighter V.

I’m not sure if Birdie was particularly high on many folks’ returning-character wishlists, but now that he’s actually in the game, I’m really glad he’s there. Birdie serves a very interesting niche that’s different from his role in the Street Fighter Alpha series: a slow, power-heavy character that hits hard and comes equipped with long-range grabs using his chains. I didn’t think he’d be a character I’d enjoy playing–I gravitate towards “glass cannon” types, personally–but out of everyone in Street Fighter V so far, Birdie was far and away the most fun to play with.
Current Movelist
V-Skill: Break Time (MP+MK, variants with stick motions)
Remember Ono’s banana picture? Yep, that’s actually one of Birdie’s V-Skills. Birdie stops to scarf a snack, but this is no mere taunt: the residue he throws can affect opponents. Neutral MP+MK produces a delicious donut that fills V-meter, while using back MP+MK has Birdie chomp down on a banana. The banana peel remains on the ground and can be slipped on by the opponent, causing knockdown (there’s a Diddy Kong joke to be had here, I’m sure). And finally, pressing down with MP+MK lets Birdie slam a Dew*, and his hastily discarded soda can rolls across the floor and hits low.

*No, it’s not actually Mountain Dew, but we can’t totally rule out future eSports sponsorships.
V-Trigger: Enjoy Time (HP+HK)
Now this is Hot Pepper Gaming! Activating Birdie’s V-Trigger sees the brute eat a pepper, providing him with a gauge that makes his skills super spicy. We’re talking extra damage and guard breaks on specials.
V-Reversal: Pepper Pot (During guard, towards+PPP)
Special Moves
Bull Head (HCF+P)
A signature Birdie skill returns from the Alpha series, only now it’s a half-circle rather than a charge. Birdie rushes a length of the stage with a devastating headbutt.
Bull Horn (Hold any P and release)
A slightly less involved input from the original Bull Horn, this can also can be held for a surprisingly long time–even taking a few hits couldn’t stop the charge, from what I recall. Sadly, I didn’t get the opportunity to test and see if it has the same chain abilities.
Hanging Chain (QCF+K)
Birdie launches a chain forward to grab his opponent and smash them around in a nasty, long-distance catch move. The strength of the kick pressed determines the launch angle.
Killing Head (HCB+P)
What’s this? A painful close-range throw that’s not a 360? Yep, I already mentioned before how 360s aren’t in the game, and here’s a prime example. It’s a bit surprising, given that Birdie existed in the original Alpha as the token 360 throw character (until they introduced the token 360 throw character in Alpha 2). Between this and Cammy’s Hooligan Combination, you can see how Capcom’s adjusting the controls for accessibility.
Bull Revenger (HCB+K)
What’s scarier than Birdie lunging at you? A leaping Birdie lunge where he can catch you and inflict a world of hurt, that’s what. It might not be a Super any more, but that doesn’t mean this ground-slamming special is any less painful.
Critical Art
Skip to My Chain (2xQCF+P)
One of the most entertaining–and devastating–Critical Arts shown so far, this attack has Birdie rolling his foe up in his chains and engaging in an impromptu jump-rope session, with his bound-up opponent suffering some seriously damaging skid burns as a result.

“And the very best thing of all, there’s no counter on this ball!” Okay, I’ll stop now.

Sharnt · June 16, 2015, 5:50am

Ok I’m really curious. His V-Skill is the most original by far.
Nicely done capcom.

YagamiFire · June 16, 2015, 5:53am

Glad to see Birdie back. He was one of my biggest requests for SF4. Glad to see him included. Daaamn though did he let himself go!

Sagatryu · June 16, 2015, 6:08am

well it’s understable if you look it his bio and see that one of his hobbies is gluttony and that he likes beer.

TS · June 16, 2015, 6:35am

Not happy about the new design.

Gameplay-wise, sounds interesting.

Projectjustice · June 16, 2015, 6:46am

Birdie is older and fatter these days.

Citrus_monkey · June 16, 2015, 6:56am

I love his redesign. He looks fat; but it fits his character. Rufus is just stupid fat but birdie reminds me of an actual street thug who is very large and more concerned with body mass/intimidation rather than looking ripped. He looks brutal.

Hawkingbird · June 16, 2015, 7:08am

I’m not fan of the design but I’m glad he’s not a charge character anymore. Good call on making Bull Revenger a special this time.

PSYCH0J0SH · June 16, 2015, 7:29am

I wonder why Birdie’s fat now. Is he depressed?

Did his time in the Psycho Drive make him fearful of his own mortality and now he eats to fight his depression?

Shockdingo · June 16, 2015, 7:51am

Really interested in the changes to his moveset. I really hope we get a general story trailer so we can speculate what’s driving everyone. I wonder if Birdie got a sweet score, slowed down in thuggery and just let himself go? His necklace design is on the cans he drinks from, so I’m wondering if he figured out the monetary biz better than Balrog.

All the food stuff should be interesting hah. Can’t wait for more footage.

Magegg · June 16, 2015, 8:05am

I told you I was sure either Birdie or Sodom would be in this game.

Seeing they got Charlie and Birdie… maybe they’re trying to push in for a Street Fighter Alpha Online Edition release?

Dime · June 16, 2015, 8:42am

Not happy with this new design. Gameplay wise is interesting though.

mowr · June 16, 2015, 10:23am

He doesn’t have Murderer Chain?! WHAT THE FUCK. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. CAPCOM CAN GO TO HEAVEN.

Sanjieph · June 16, 2015, 10:42am

It’s weird that Birdie is not a 360 character.

Did they take away all the 360 moves? Or does this mean Zangief will still make it as the 360 grappler.

Or maybe they’ve gone more SNKish, and made his grabs actually combo

DevilJin_01 · June 16, 2015, 10:47am

I like the new design. Game is feeling more like SF3 where they’re finally not afraid to make progressions with the look and character choices. Seems like he has ranged grabs now which is new for SF.

Eternal · June 16, 2015, 10:52am

He is fat because he loves to eat, that is obvious. Gluttony has always been listed as something he likes. Maybe he finally got enough money he can sit on his butt and enjoy life.

DevilJin_01 · June 16, 2015, 10:58am

The article zerochan made on the front page makes it sound like there may not be anymore 360 moves.

It looks like again Capcom is taking another approach from smaller community games like Skullgirls and KI. Inputs for special moves are made to be simpler and more accessible for newer players. Considering 3rd Strike only had a few charge characters and no charge supers, this is really just a slightly more simplified SF3 when it comes to motions.

I like this approach as like 3rd Strike and Skullgirls, there are still execution heavy things you can do even with the simplified motions. In SFIV they force newer players to learn all of these complicated charge motions and other commands for specials, but then let them just mash out of block stun and frame traps with backdashes and reversals. Now things will be more streamlined so they can get in and play, but not let them get out of stuff for free either.

mowr · June 16, 2015, 10:59am

Half circles are harder to churn though, especially against crossups.

DevilJin_01 · June 16, 2015, 11:01am

People still churn? lol

Sharnt · June 16, 2015, 11:03am

How you can succeed at guarding anything while churning is beyond me.