TAMING ABEL
Unlike my T.Hawk and Gief versions, I haven’t practiced against him prior to writing this.
*This Abel article is hypothetical, not from practicing or testing. Please add/correct whatever.
Basic Strategies:
Block strings mixups (Aggresive)
Abel IS a threat at close range and you can bet he’s going to try and get close , but his threats lose to high priority or fast normals. Pretty much all his options should be shut down while you are attacking.
His EX COD(Rekkas) have super armor, so beware of that.
Reaction punishes
Stay at max Gadouken range, he will go for an overhead, or roll.
Keeping him at range, forces him to use his punishable moves.
This method is best used in the first round, before your opponent feels you out,
and in return can help you feel your opponent out.
Taunting
Simply taunt after every sucessful Koryuken or Dankukyaku, your opponent should be knocked down,
and will provoke him/her to attack at a faster rate. this means any “random” KRK or DKK will be more likely to hit.
This technique is obvious if used later on in the game, so use it early and hopefully not too much.
Tips
Don’t let him build meter: Abel can be very unpredictable or even unstoppable if he’s sitting on meter, this is the main reason why you want to be within MK/HK Range.
: If it hits, good if it’s blocked, more chip for you but if he jumps over it your in Deep Shit so use it wisely.
*U1 does more damage but if it’s blocked that’s a free command grab or Ultra and you’ve probably lost the round.
Taming Marseille Roll: Low attacks are your best option if sweeps works, then I recommend them. Ultra’s will probably work, but are risky and not recommended. I believe Dan’s focus attack can punish it, in which case you can use that as punish or mixup option.
Taming Sweep Kick:
Block / Koryuken. Avoid crouching against Abel who is out of poke range.
Taming Change of Direction (Rekkas):
Very punishable, but punish it ASAP, it get’s more dangerous with each succesful hit.
First hit is meh, second is high or low (mixup) and third is an armor breaking throw.
Simply KRK. I recommend Lp KRK in case Abel stops it half way through.
Tornado Throw (Command Grab):
Do not underestimate the range of this move, the light version trades range for damgage, heavy does opposite. All versions are throw invincible. Pokes or LP KRK to be safe, hard to react to though.
Taming Sky Fall (anti-air):
Abels use this to build meter if you play lame, and in combos, but it whiffs easy, so not very often as an actual anti-air.
Ultras:
1
Blockable, but fast and punishes a lot of stuff, it’s also fast and therefore baiting it is risky or difficult.
It can paralyze you in certain situations.
2
It’s basically a better version of his super. But Abel has good EX moves, so his super is uncommon. Anyways:
High moves do not affect Abel if he is still in the crouching phase of the move.
It has super armour and can either be delayed or cancelled.
It’s also fast, but if it whiffs, Lord of Mercy, probably the most punishable Ultra I can think of.
You can Dankukyaku this, but it’s safer to Super jump over it as most Abels will expect a possible jump.