The Sakura Kasugano Thread

Classic Fighting Games Street Fighter x Tekken
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Sakura is interesting in this game because she has basically all of her QCB+LK loops, tons of links, and her high combo potential, but she does not have her resets in the SF4 sense. This is because once you QCB+KK (EX), they are in a permanent knockdown state. Jumping and hitting with any attack keeps them in the knockdown state… they don’t “pop out” allowing you to dash under and catch them not guarding. That being said, she doesn’t seem to really need any of that in this game… but time will tell if that is correct or not.

Other observations:

Her crossup MK is insanely good. You can hit the button RIGHT before you hit the ground and it will still connect as a crossup. Very reminiscent of A2. Jump HP also crosses up, but it’s clearly not as good as j.MK. Her far RH is still pretty good, and since you can cancel into manual launcher with HP+HK, it may turn out to be quite useful again (like it was in A3, CvS2, etc). c.HP is still ridiculously awesome. QCB+LK causes a ton of hit-stun… so in most cases, if you have a teammate coming in with a fast normal attack, Sakura can actually combo into QCB+LK and tag so that the partner can come in and continue the combo on a standing opponent. With a basic jump-in into normal QCB+LK loop, Sakura can do a bit over 350 or so (370 iirc) before tagging into her teammate to continue the ground-based combo. DP+PP (EX) still has all of the invulnerability from SF4. Oh, and her stand LP is still beastly.

Combos:

HP > QCB+LK, HP > QCB+KK (EX), jump forward, falling HK, land, c.HP > DP+MK,P,P,P

j.HK, HP > QCB+LK, HP > QCB+LK, c.HP > QCB+LK, LK > DP+LP, c.MK > DP+HP (does 400+ midscreen)

j.HK, HP > QCB+LK, HP > QCB+LK, c.HP > QCB+LK, LK > QCB+KK (EX), jump MP > Air QCB+LK, land, c.HP > DP+MK,P,P, land, QCB+KKK (Super)
This one shows what is possible, but really isn’t worth the effort/meter.

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99% sure it wasn’t light DP though, I only combo with strong or fierce. Maybe someone who has it normally can test =)

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That’s the first thing I thought of too, it looks like there’s more actual things you can do after EX tatsu in terms of combo continuation, but definitely no reset/vortex options, post-otoshi setups are obviously gone too, but it seems like it ground bounces now anyways(?).

That’s good to hear, is her jump still very floaty? I’m sure by the time she launches, if it is that’s no biggy since I’ll be transitioning from Poison, but I have a very hard time using j.mk in SF4, so often it either comes out too late to hit or they can just step forward under me and throw when I land.

It looks like she’s going to have walk > jab pressure that’s every bit as strong as Rolento’s or Ibuki’s, pretty happy about that.

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Initially, she feels like almost a carbon copy of SF4 Sakura. Her move speed is good, her jump feels the same, and all of her links are quite easy. In fact, her QCB+LK loops feel even easier (maybe 1 additional frame of leniency?). The main differences are the aforementioned reset options being gone (at least in their SF4 variation), and her crossup MK is awesome. Having the walk LP pressure is awesome in SxT because now you can link into a tag chain. Another benefit that I forgot to mention (but should be pretty obvious) is that if you can get the opponent blocking, you can generally tag out safely by going into DP+HP and tagging as soon as it makes contact. Look out for Alpha Counters… but other than that, not too bad.

Otoshi bounces if it hits grounded. It juggles in the air. It’s quite funny that you can combo into Otoshi, 2 hit, and then land and Super to catch them as they fall. EX Otoshi also bounces on grounded and it’s still quite quick so you can get people from fullscreen. Her Fireball (all variants) go almost fullscreen too. They stop RIGHT before hitting an opponent that is maximum distance from you.

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Thanks guys, keep the information coming!

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Actually I think she is/was 17/18 in SF4 if her Aftermath story is anything to go by, it has her discussing graduation with Kei so would suggest final year high school :slight_smile:

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I don’t think otoshi ground bounces if your opponent is in a juggle state. At least not non-EX Otoshi.
Also, I don’t think we have 3f jabs or shorts anymore. Might get some playtime tomorrow if I’m lucky to verify.

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Def going to main her when she is released.

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**
Seems like the game is sounding more and more like a cross between Alpha and SFIV.

However, the question still remains. What about plinking? Does it work in this game?
**

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Well, sounds like her Tatsu loop isn’t going to be hair tearingly annoying to pull off, which is nice. Just from watching some play it feels like she’s great with meter, does solid damage, and has good footsies; a very well balanced character much like Ken, albeit with Tekken length combos. I’m really looking forward to her

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People have confirmed that p-linking works in this game too

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Today has made me soooo happy. I just came across this thread and read up on everything, watched all the stuff. Thank you everyone thats been posting vids of Sakura I truly appreciate it. I need to learn one character to back my girl up then its game over for everyone.

Is Team Sakura still around or should we make another? lolz

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my future xiaoyu/sakura team will officially be the friendliest team in fighting game history.

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Sakura is a monster I was playing with my bro for like 7 hours I started to really get Bodied using different teams he was maining Bryan who is a cheap bastard and can kill you with 2 8 hit combos no meter anyway I switched to Sakura/Cody and started to give him a headache her Jab has to be the fastest Jab in the game she’s a real Monster in this game Cody as well

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Thanks Trag for all the information, will edit this into the OP now

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I don’t know if it has been tested, but can she juggle using CADC like Raven?

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Haven’t tried yet but she does say Duhh Winning! Like charle sheen I wonder if he can sue since he trademarked it

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does anyone know the release date? i seriously cannot believe they made her dlc at all -_-.

gonna go on point with sakura and hwoarang on the sidelines i have never had a problem starting her combos or poking general characters (aside from chun li and vega) but hwoarang seems to be abit on the slow side and lack a strong sense of normals. opinions?

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after vita sfxt release in the fall

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If Sakura still has the same loops and ground combos, she’s going to be the queen of tag cancel combos. Put her 2nd, do any grounded tag cancel, go to town.