DEAD OR ALIVE ULTIMATE LEIFANG FAQ/STRATEGIES (v1.0, 11-08-04) by Edward Chang (chang dot 459 at osu dot edu) v1.0 (11-08-04) First Version. Table of Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Basics 3. Extended Movelist 4. Combos 5. Strategies 6. Credits 1. INTRODUCTION Dead or Alive Ultimate brings Dead or Alive 1 and 2 to the Xbox. While 1 is pretty much a straight port of the Saturn version of the game, 2 features enhanced graphics and tweaks that put it on par with Dead or Alive 3. With that said: this is a guide for the Dead or Alive Ultimate character, Lei-Fang. I'll be dealing with the remake of DoA2, and I won't discuss DoA1. Here are the game-provided stats on Lei-Fang. Name: Lei-Fang Tagline: Tai Chi Quan Genius Homeland: China Fighting Style: Tai Chi Quan Birthday/Age: April 23, 19 Height: 5'4" Weight: 110 pounds Measurements: 34-22-34 Bloodtype: B Occupation: College Student Seiyuu (Voice Actor for you non-anime freaks): Touma Yumi, also known to the world as Urd in Ah! My Goddess, Sylpheel in Slayers, Yui in Fushigi Yuugi, and in fighting games, Nina Williams and Ling Xiaoyu of Tekken, and Isabella "Ivy" Valentine of Soul Calibur fame. Lei-Fang's fighting style is Tai Chi Quan, known to many as "that weird thing old people do" but also a martial art in its own right. As such Lei-Fang has access to a goodly combination of both power strikes and precision moves, making her one of the more interesting characters to use. Lei-Fang's supposed plot reason (and I use the word "plot" sparingly when talking about DoA) for joining the tournament is to go and beat up Jann-Lee, who apparently beat up a bunch of punks who ambushed Lei-Fang. Lei-Fang thought she could've handled all of them, and so is quite ticked at Jann-Lee for assuming she couldn't take care of herself. Lei-Fang has 20 costumes in DoAU: C1: Red and yellow sleeveless Chinese dress C2: White and green sleeveless Chinese dress C3: Green, red, and black torso-less Yin-Yang outfit C4: Black leather top and shorts C5: Blue and yellow casual Chinese wear C6: White and yellow traditional Chinese wear C7: Blue and gold sleeveless Chinese dress C8: Green and white traditional Chinese wear C9: "Party dress" (extremely risque black leather dress, looks like dominatrix wear) C10: White torso-less modified Chinese dress with shorts C11: Black and gold sleeveless Chinese dress C12: Purple, red, and blue torso-less Yin-Yang outfit C13: Blue and yellow traditional Chinese wear C14: Yellow torso-less modified Chinese dress with shorts C15: Panda decorated shirt and black skirt with stockings C16: Green and gold sleeveless Chinese dress C17: "Xbox" outfit C18: Red and white bikini (Woodpecker from DoAX) C19: Black and gold bikini (Phoenix from DoAX) C20: Pink tanktop and jean skirt (Pipit from DoAX) Of these, C3, C4, and C11 are my favorites. As an extra feature, selecting any of these costumes with the X button causes Lei-Fang to have her hair down and long instead (just like you could do in DoAX...) 2. BASICS First, the conventions used in this guide. f - tap forward b - tap backward d - tap down u - tap up u/f - tap up and forward u/b - tap up and back d/f - tap down and forward d/b - tap down and back [] - hold the button. For instance [f] means hold forward qcf - roll the controller from the down position to forward qcb - roll the controller from the down position to back P - punch button K - kick button F - free button + - perform simultaneously , - perform in succession H - move hits high M - move hits mid L - move hits low G - move hits grounded opponent T - move is a throw R - move is a reversal or parry (hold) KD - move knocks opponent to the ground KB - move knocks the opponent back; wall/ledge damage is possible S - move staggers FS - move causes face stun LS - move causes lift stun CR - move causes crumple stun CS - move causes crying stun FL - move floats opponent SS - move causes sit stun DO - move causes double-over stun DOB - move causes double-over back stun FFS - move causes fall forward stun FBS - move causes fall back stun NR - the move is not reversible; details in the description C - on counter HC - on high counter The descriptions of the various stuns were first recorded by Shiva (Tom Cheng), who was kind enough to let me use them in my FAQ. Here they are, with a few additional notes. If a stun move is performed on an already stunned opponent, extra effects will manifest. Poke stun -- This is barely considered a stun, but whenever a character is hit, he/she will snap back somehow to reflect being struck. This is only a 'stun' because no attack can be executed at that time. Many different poke stuns have different effects while on slippery surfaces. For example, some foot sweeps will make the victim slide back a bit if on ice or water. Face stun -- The opponent recoils a bit and holds his/her face, still standing relatively straight. This is a very "standard" stun. Extra: opponent falls back to the ground. Lift stun -- The opponent goes limp and 'shrugs' upward. Extra: opponent is lifted into the air for a float combo. This is the most important stun in the game. If lift stun is inflicted while on a slippery surface, the victim will slip and partially fall, extending stun time. Double-over stun -- The opponent bends over slightly, usually because of a knee or fist to the gut. Extra: opponent falls forward to the ground. Double-over shove stun -- A more powerful double-over stun, sending the victim back in addition to the double-over. Extra or on slippery surface: becomes sit-down stun. Crying stun -- The opponent leans forward, usually to the side, and holds his/her face like a weeping baby. This usually comes in the middle of combos or mid attacks. If crying stun is inflicted while on a slippery surface, the victim will slip and partially fall, extending stun time. Stagger -- The opponent takes a little stumble backwards. This is very hard to distinguish from a face stun. Low Stagger -- The opponent takes a little stumble backwards. If low stagger is inflicted while on a slippery surface, the victim will slip and partially fall, extending stun time. Fall Forward Stun -- The opponent slowly slumps forward to the ground. Fall Back Stun -- The opponent slowly falls backward to the ground. Critical stuns: These stuns are usually the result of a big hit or being hit during another stun. You do not want to be in any of these positions if you can help it. Critical stuns cannot be escaped. Lift stun hits and certain other moves will float opponents who are in critical stun. Critical stun: Sit-down stun -- Opponent is thrown back and ends up sitting on the floor. Critical stun: Crumple stun -- Opponent bends way over forward, slowly falling. Critical stun: Crumple back stun -- Opponent bends way over backwards, slowly falling. Usually crumple stun and crumple back stun are caused by the same attacks, just hitting different parts of the victim's body. Stuns are important because if stunned, the opponent cannot block for a set period of time -- hence the basis of combo attacks. Contrary to the definition of "combo" used in Tekken and others, a combo in Dead or Alive 2 is defined as a string of moves which, once the first move connects, cannot be blocked. However, combos may be interrupted by reversal, even if the opponent is stunned. We will come back to this point later in the combos section. Speaking of combos, however, be aware that you cannot just add together the component damages of the parts to get the total combo damage. The reason for this is that the game "prorates", or changes the damage, of moves inflicted during comboes. This is to make float combos not cheap and stagger combos less deadly. When an opponent is staggered or floating, moves hitting the character will be prorated 50% (in other words, the move will only do 50% damage). In tag mode, this is taken further; a character can start out a combo at 100%, and float for 50%, tagging in their partner. The partner can continue the float at 50% prorating. If the float continues even further and the original character is tagged in, subsequent float moves on that character do a measly 35% damage. Thus even ridiculous 16-hit comboes will not do THAT much big damage. Damage can be prorated in other ways. Certain power/impact moves, such as Lei-Fang's shoulder ram or back ram, will score a "Close Hit" if the enemy was extremely close when you hit them. Close Hit will prorate moves 150%. The game also defines "Counter" and "Hi Counter" moves. Note that there are three general types of moves in DoA: "strikes" (normal moves), "holds" (reversals), and throws. These moves arrange in a sort of paper-rock-scissors formation: strikes beat throws, throws beat reversals, and reversals beat strikes. The upshot of this is that if you hit someone who is trying to throw you, or you throw someone who just tried to reverse you, you will do a "Hi Counter". This prorates moves 150%. If you do a move of the same type, or do a move that does not follow the triangle formation (throwing somebody as they're attacking or attacking somebody who missed a reversal), you do a mere "Counter" and the move is prorated 125%. There is another way to get "Counter" status: hitting an opponent in the back. Reversals define "Hi Counter" and "Counter" a bit differently. When you input the command for a reversal, your character does a reversal animation, and for about a half second you will receive all incoming moves at the specified height level and avoid them, instead doing damage to the opponent in most cases. If you input the reversal command quite early, and the opponent hits into it, you will get the normal reversal. If the incoming attack comes in almost immediately after the input command, you will get a "Counter" and the reversal will do 125% damage. Finally, if you input a reverse command at the exact moment when an attack hits you, you will get "Hi Counter" and will do 150% damage. Now note that if you combine say, Hi Counter, with a combo, the proratings stack. For instance, if you start a float combo with a Hi Counter, the first move will do 150% damage, while additional moves in the float will do 50% -- but 50% of 150% damage, so it will be a straight prorating of 75%. Likewise, counter moves begin at 125% damage, and are then prorated to 62%. Finally, stacking "Close Hit" and "Counter" or "Hi Counter" will result in a single prorating of 160%. 3. EXTENDED MOVELIST What follows is a listing of Lei-Fang's moves, with a detailed explanation of each one. The first line will have the move's name and input command, as well as the attack level and damage done, and any special properties of that move, following the conventions given above. Then a brief description along with any applicable strategies for that move will follow. For instance, a line such as: S. Hai P,[d/f]+P,P+K; H10,M20,M35 -,-,F; C,HC:S,S,F -,-,NR means: The name of the move is S. Hai. It is performed by pressing punch, then holding the down-forward direction and pressing punch, then punch and kick in unison. The three hits of the move do high, mid, and mid damage for 10, 20, and 35 points, respectively. Normally the first two moves have no special effects, the last move floats. On counter or high counter the first two moves stagger, and the last one floats. The last move is also non-reversible in all cases. BASIC MOVES: Lei-Fang shares these moves with most other characters. High Punch P; H10; HC:S Actually an open palm strike. Staggers only on high counter. Mid Punch d/f+P; M20; C,HC:S A backhand to the midsection. Low Punch d+P; L5; C,HC:DO Double punch to the low section. High Kick K; H28; C,HC:FBS Kick to the face. Does more damage than it did in DoA2H. Mid Kick d/f+K; M25; C,HC:SS Kick to the stomach. Low Kick d+F; L10; C,HC:KD Kick to the knee. Jump Punch P (in mid-air); M15; S A palm strike to the face. The staggers caused by counter or high counter are longer than the normal hit stagger. Jump Kick K (in mid-air); M30; KD C,HC:DO Kick to the high chest. Beneficial stunning effects on counter only. Rising Kick K (getting up from ground, or immediately after jumping backwards) M20; KD, C,HC:CS Sideways kick to the midsection. Beneficial on counter hit. Rising Sweep d+K (getting up from ground); DO C,HC:KD Sweep to the feet. More beneficial from a stunning viewpoint on non-counter hits. UNIQUE MOVES: Zensho u/f+P; M25; C,HC:S An upwards elbow strike to the midsection. Fast but not terribly effective. Shahi-Chugeki u+P; H18; C,HC:S A higher upwards elbow strike to the face. Faster than the Zensho, but for lesser damage, and the opponent can duck. Niki-Kyaku u/f+KK; M23,H25; S,S C,HC:F,F A double hopkick. An effective float starter. Tenshin-Hairen u/b+K; H34; KD Spinning jumping kick backwards. Since the hop is backwards the range of this move can be said to be negative... even if you're standing directly next to the opponent, they will not be hit unless they walk into it! Also a bit on the slow side, and is reversed as if it were a standing kick. Soan f,f+P; M26; KD C,HC:DO Lei-Fang charges forward for a double palm strike. Will knock the opponent down on normal hit, double-over stun on counter or high counter. Again a bit on the slow side, easily reversed. Sofu-Kanji f,b+P; H25; FBS A box to the ears, looks like. Good for surprising the enemy, and low kicks or other moves will hit the opponent as they fall over. Shichi-Sun-Ko b,f+P; M40; KB The ever-popular shoulder ram. Good damage, and relatively fast. However, it's reversible, illogically enough, which can lead to some frustration. I suggest using it at the end of float comboes, or if you manage to surprise the opponent from behind or in the middle of a long execution time move. Kinkei-Dokuritsu P+K; H20,M25; LS C,HC:F An upwards palm strike and a knee lift simultaneously. The downside is that this move can thus be reversed both high and mid; if reversed high it will reverse as a punch, if mid it will reverse as a kick. Floats on counterhit, though, so it may be worth it. Tessa d,d+K; L25; S Lei-Fang slides forward and hits the opponent with her back foot. The range of this move is surprisingly long and most human opponents rarely reverse low unless they're expecting it, so it's a good move to use if the opponent has very little left on their life bar. Ren-Chugeki f+P,K; M17,H20,M25; -,LS C,HC:CS,F This move is identical to the Kinkei but it is preceded by a quick elbow strike to the midsection. Great for floating opponents, as long as they don't reverse mid... Enshu-Sui b,b+P; H26; S Lei-Fang rears back and then charges forward for a punch. It looks mid, so it fools some people into reversing mid, and it stuns quite well. A bit on the slow side, so use it only at midrange, not close. Hoto-Suisan, Zensho b+PP; M22,M25; C,HC:S,S An open palm strike. As opposed to the Enshu-Sui, it looks high but is actually mid. Quite tricky, although unless it hits on counter there is little merit to this move. It is not documented, but this can be extended to b+PP for M22M25. Joho-Shichi-Sei d/b+PP; M18,M28; -,DO C,HC:CS,DO A low backfist followed up by a double fist to the midsection; both hits are mid. Useful for a quick stun. Sho-Kinda qcf+P; M32; DO Lei-Fang circles forward and delivers a strong punch to the midsection. Good stunning potential but long on the execution time, and too easy to inadvertently pull off. Try using it only in mid range; you'll probably get interrupted otherwise. Gekichi Niki-kyaku d/f,d/f+PKK; L20,M23,H25; -,S,S C,HC:CR,F,F A punch to the low section followed up by the Niki double kick. Good combo starter from the midrange as the range is quite large comparatively and again, most people don't reverse low. Gekichi Haisetsu-Ko d/f,d/f+P,P+K; L20,M35; -,F C,HC:CR,F -,NR A low punch followed up by the back ram. The second hit is not reversible (successful reversal leads to a position change only). Range is lower than the Niki-kyaku, but if the first hit hits the second will as well. The second move will leave your back turned. Sokutan-kyaku f+K; H24; S C,HC:F A side kick to the face which stuns quite well and is easy to pull off, although it can (and will be) ducked often. Unfortunately it is too easy to inadvertently do the Bunkyaku (f,f+K), so if you are going for this move I recommend holding down f for awhile and then pushing K. Bun-kyaku f,f+K; M32; F C,HC:F A modification of the Sokutan which hits mid instead of high and does more damage. It loses the stunning properties of the Sokutan, instead knocking the opponent down. On Counter or Hi-Counter, you can easily get a float combo. Lei-Fang ducks during the initial part of the move, so you can evade high attacks and get a free counter hit. Hai-kyaku u+K; H24; C,HC:F An in-to-out crescent kick. Hits high and floats on counter or hi counter, or if the opponent is stunned. Senkyu-Ren-Tai b+KK,d+K; H30,M20,L15; KD,KD,KD Three spinning kicks, high middle then low. A good combination as the first kick will knock the opponent of their feet and thus the next two hits will not be reversible. All three kicks do not usually hit though. Fujin-Tessa [d/b]+KK; L15L23; -,S C,HC:S,S Lei-Fang kicks the opponent with her back foot and then slides forward for the Tessa. Since both hits are low and the move has fairly good range, this is quite effective if the opponent has been neglecting their low defense. Stuns for a short while allowing good follow up. Tokyaku, Haisetsu-Ko d/f+K,P+K; M25,M35; S,F C,HC:SS,F A side kick followed by the back ram. Again, the second hit is not reversible (position change only). Beware, unless the opponent is quite close when you hit them with the kick, the backram will not connect, and it leaves you with your back turned, which is quite dangerous for Lei-Fang. Hoko-Kisan f+P+K; H22; S Lei-Fang rears back and then delivers a double palm strike to the face. Stuns quite well, but again the risk of a high attack is that the opponent will duck. Honshin-Tanben u/b+P; M29; C,HC: FFS Lei-Fang leans back and then delivers an open palm strike to the midsection. The interesting part of this move is that it is a modified punch, in that any of Lei-Fang's canned comboes starting with P (such as PPP or PKKd+K) can have the first P replaced with this move instead, which alters the level and therefore creates interesting guessing games for the opponent. However it is a bit slow on the execution time, so I suggest using d/f+P as the mid level replacement punch of choice. Renkan Sho-Kinda PPP; H10,H12,M32; -,-,DO HC:S,S,DO Two palm strikes followed by the Sho-Kinda. An okay combination, although generally the last hit will not hit during floats because it is too slow. Renkan Kinkei-Dokuritsu PP,f+PK; H10,H12,M20,H20,M25; -,-,CS,F C:-,-,DO,F HC:S,S,DO,F Two palm strikes, then a turnaround and the Renchu combination. Extremely effective at prolonging floats, but a little tricky to pull off as the f tap must come at exactly the right time and cannot be held. I'd suggest taking the effort to master this move as the increased damage in floats is great. Renkan Zensho PP,b+PP; H10,H12,M22,M25; C:-,-,S,S HC:S,S,S,S Two quick palm strikes followed by two slower palm strikes. The recovery time is pretty bad, so only use if you think you will get a counter hit, which stuns the opponent well. Renkan Renshu-kyaku PPKK; H10,H12,H25,H28; -,-,-,KD C: -,-,FBS,KD; HC:S,S,FBS,KD Two palm strikes and two spinning high kicks. Respectable damage, the downside is that all attacks are high, so it is quite easy to avoid. Pretty good for float combos. Renkan Senkyu-Tai PPK,d+K; H10,H12,H25,M20; -,-,-,KD C:-,-,FBS,KD; HC:S,S,FBS,KD Same as R. Renshu, except the last kick is mid instead of high and does slightly less damage. If you think they'll reverse high go ahead and do this move. Renkan Tessa PP,d+K; H10,H12,L25; -,-,S HC:S,S,S Two palm strikes followed up by the Tessa. Yet another entry into the wonderful diversity of the PP combo starter series. Also a not so bad way to end float comboes. Seiryu-Soan P,[d/f]+PP; H10,M20,M26; -,-,KD; C:S,S,KD HC:S,S,S Palm strike, low palm strike, and a double palm strike. Weird timing makes this move unpredictable, but at the same time it leaves you open to interrupting attacks. Seiryu Haisetsu-Ko P,[d/f]+P,P+K; H10,M20,M35 -,-,F; C,HC:S,S,F -,-,NR Like the S. Soan only ending with the back ram instead. This has the added advantage of increased damage and the fact that the last hit cannot be reversed; however the range is decreased, and it leaves you with your back turned. Tanben, Senkyu-Ren-Tai PKK,d+K; H10,H30,M20,L15; -,KD,KD,KD; HC:S,KD,KD,KD A palm strike followed by the Senkyu combo. Only the first two hits are generally reversible because the first kick will knock the opponent of their feet. Renshu-Kyaku KK; H28,H32; S,KD C,HC:FBS,KD Two fast spinning kicks. Both high, but otherwise good damage potential. Shu-kyaku, Senkyu-Tai K,d+K; H28,M20; S,F C,HC:FBS,F Like Renshu, only the second kick is mid, giving the move more variety but less overall damage. Hakkaku-Kyoshu b+P+K; H20; S Lei-Fang leans forward into an odd looking palm strike to the face. Staggers quite efficiently, and has reasonably good range. The execution time is a bit long. To-To-Ho d/b+P+K; M34; KD Lean back and then a double punch to the midsection. Knocks the opponent down regardless of counter and is thus really effective only as a single move, as it is too slow to combo in most cases. Haisetsu-Ko d+P+K; M35; F, NR The move I have referred to as the "back-ram", this move has crappy range but it is not reversible; in fact, if reversed, the opponent will flip around to your back, but since your back was turned in the first place you'll end up face to face! Thus it is better for you if your opponent reverses rather than blocks. Senpu-kyaku F+K; M35; KD, NR Lei-Fang's only attack move with the F button, it's a jumping spinning axe kick with quite good range, and it is not reversible. Use it on people as they're rushing in or getting up. BACK-FACING MOVES: Lei-Fang has but one unique back facing attack, and frankly, it sucks. Sentsu-Hai P+K; M38; KB A power punch to the midsection which knocks the opponent down. Slow, no combo potential, and slightly above average damage. Not recommended. THROWS: Lei-Fang has mostly above average throws. Toden-Ko F+P; T42; KB/KD Lei-Fang grabs her opponent by the wrist and delivers a palm strike to the midsection. Not particularly damaging, although the hit will knock them over ledges if they are close enough. New to DoAU is the addition of so-called 'slope throws'. If your opponent has their back to a slope of some sort (such as on The Prairie or The Great Wall) and you throw them, Lei-Fang will instead deliver a double-handed shove and send them rolling down the slope, for variable damage (the longer the slope, the more damage, of course). Noba-Bunso b+F+P; T46; KD Lei-Fang pulls her opponent in by the wrist and then hits them with an elbow strike with her other arm. Again, not that spectacular, and only slightly more damaging than the Toden. Kaishin-Suichu b+F+P (Lei-Fang's back to wall) T0; - Lei-Fang pulls the opponent in and switches positions with them, so that now the opponent is backed up against the wall. Pretty easy to pull off accidentally. Token-Ko d/f+F+P; T52; KD Lei-Fang grabs the opponent's torso and then cartwheels onto them. This throw seems to have a longer range than the others, and it is quick in execution. Heishin-sui b,f+F+P; T55; KD Lei-Fang pulls the opponent in by the wrist and then knocks the side of their head into the ground with her fist. Doesn't look that great, but the damage is there. Roshitsu-Yoho f,f+F+P; T50; KB Lei-Fang grabs the opponent, then kicks them in the torso before palm-striking them back. Knocks the opponent back a fair distance, good for extra wall or ledge damage. Roshitsu-Asshin-Ko F+P (opponent's back to wall); T60; KD A great throw, it's basically the Yoho, only Lei-Fang uses the wall for extra leverage and thus uses her elbow on the second hit. 60 is the base damage but you will get more for explosive walls. Rentai-Taiko-Chogyo qcf+F+P, b+F+P, f,f+F+P; T48,T20,T32; KD,KD,KD Lei-Fang's chain throw, variation one. She grabs the opponent and hits them with a palm strike to the torso, spins around for an elbow to the back, and then trips them into the ground for a sweet 100 points of damage. Will save you many many times in say, survival mode, where they rarely seem to break out of it. However, if your back is to a wall or ledge, it would be more advantageous to do... Takuchu-Ken-Ko qcf+F+P, b+F+P, b,f+F+P; T48,T20,T28; KD,KD,KB Lei-Fang's chain throw, variation two. The first two hits are the same, but instead of the trip she shoulder rams them in the back. Oddly this does less damage on its own, but since the shoulder ram knocks them back a fair distance wall and/or ledge damage is possible. The shoulder ram will be directed along the axis of where your back was when you originally start the chain throw, so use this variation if your back is to a wall or ledge. Rinei-Hisui qcb+F+P; T62; KD Lei-Fang's most damaging standing non-chain throw, Lei-Fang basically dislocates the opponents' shoulder before shoulder throwing him to the ground. A good throw to shoot for if the opponent keeps escaping your chain throws. Takuchu-Haisui F+P (facing opponent's back); T55; KD Lei-Fang grabs the opponent's arm and shoulder throws him to the ground. Not too special, there are better throws. Joho-Ko f,f+F+P (facing opponent's back); T58; KB Lei-Fang delivers a hard shoulder ram to the back; basically the last hit of the Kenpi. Slightly more damaging than the Haisui, and better range by virtue of the f,f dash in. Shitsucho-Kohai-Kyaku qcf+F+P (facing opponent's back); T60; KD This very painful-looking move involves Lei-Fang kneeing the opponent in the back of their neck, then spin kicking their head into the ground. Worth style points as well as a good 60 points of damage. Toitsu-Kon d+F+P (crouching opponent); T58; KD Lei-Fang cartwheels backwards, incidentally kicking the opponent in the face three times. All right throw, although if you suspect the opponent will crouch you should go for the Kindoku instead. Kinkei-Dokuritsu d/b+F+P (crouching opponent); T62; KD/KB Lei-Fang knees the opponent in the face, sending them flying back. Teishu-Josei d+F+P (facing crouching opponent's back); T65; KD Not a throw you are likely to see often, Lei-Fang delivers a hard knife edge chop to the back of the opponent's neck. HOLDS: Tensen-Sotai u/b+F (against high punches); R62; KD Lei-Fang grabs the opponent's arm and then trips them with a knee to the stomach. Rotai-Toto u/b+F (against high kicks); R62; KD Lei-Fang grabs the opponent's leg, uses her other arm to trip them, then spins around to kick them in the stomach. Heishin-geki b+F (against mid punches); R62; KD Lei-Fang grabs the punch and flips the opponent over her head. Heishin-Haisetsu-Ko b+F (against mid punches, Lei-Fang's back to wall); R70; KD An extension of the Shingeki, as the opponent slides down the wall Lei-Fang also hits them with a shoulder ram. The actual damage may be higher than 70 depending on the properties of the wall. Kaisei f+F (against mid kicks); R0; - Lei-Fang pushes the kick back, turning the opponent around. Does no damage but gives you a slight advantage. I recommend following up with a F+P,K,b,f+P combo, as most other moves usually are not fast enough. If you are daring you can try for a qcf+F+P throw. Sohai-Kyaku d/b+F (against low punches); R62; KD Lei-Fang pulls the opponent in with their momentum, then gives them an axe kick to the head. Hotai-Sokyaku d/b+F (against low kicks); R62; KD Lei-Fang pushes the opponent's leg up, flipping them backwards. Taishu-Oto b+F (against jumping punches); R62; KD Lei-Fang flips the opponent to the ground. Senshin-Hotai b+F (against jumping kicks); R62; KD Lei-Fang flips the opponent to the ground. Note that Lei-Fang is able to reverse jumping kicks while most characters cannot. Sairetsu/Hosei b,u/f+F (against high/middle attacks); R0; S Lei-Fang's parry, does no damage and gives you a very slight advantage. The big plus to this move is that you do not have to differentiate between high and mid attacks. Risei/Kasui b,d/f+F (against low attacks); R0; S Lei-Fang's low parry, no damage. Kind of useless because if you think the opponent will attack low you might as well reverse low. TAUNTS: Geishin-Sei b,f,b+F+P+K Lei-Fang steps back and bids the opponent come get her. Dame Dame d,d+F+P+K Lei-Fang steps towards the opponent and gives them a mock bow, telling them "no, no!" as if chiding a small child. Yoshi! f,b,f+F+P+K Lei-Fang jumps into the air saying "Yoshi!" (Okay!) Shortest taunt animation and therefore the taunt of choice if the opponent is not finished yet, or in Survival Mode. Dame Dame (2) b,b+F+P+K Lei-Fang hops back and cocks her head to the side, again saying "no, no!". Kind of annoying because this move is too easy to do in tag mode, and it is quite long and leaves you quite vulnerable. DOWN ATTACKS: Rakuso-Suigeki u+P+K; G18 Lei-Fang hops onto the opponent. Shinkyaku d+K; G10 Lei-Fang stomps on the opponent. TAG ATTACKS: Lei-Fang's tagging ability is quite extraordinary, as she has many special tag throws, not to mention three tag throws with her "primary" partner, Jann-Lee. Heishin b+F+P+K or f,f+F+P+K (tag in Lei-Fang); T62; KD Your partner whips the opponent towards Lei-Fang, who flips the opponent over her head a la the mid punch reversal. Also a la the mid punch reversal, if they hit a wall Lei-Fang will tack on a shoulder ram for extra variable damage. The f,f+F+P+K input will work only if the character does not already have a tag throw with Lei-Fang. Lei-Fang also has many character specific tag throws. f,f+F+P+K (Lei-Fang tags in Jann-Lee); T70; KB Lei-Fang flips the opponent behind and then kicks them in the back to float them; Jann-Lee pops in with his Dragon Kick, which has added damage potential if they hit the wall. qcf+F+P+K (Lei-Fang tags in Jann-Lee); T80; KD Lei-Fang flips the opponent to the ground, where Jann-Lee stomps on them, and then crushes the opponent's ribs with two more stomps. Worth infinite style points if you land it. f,f+F+P+K (Jann-Lee tags in Lei-Fang); T70; KB Jann-Lee delivers three quick punches to the opponent, then he and Lei-Fang both perform the Dragon Knuckle, knocking the opponent far far back. Wall damage possible. f,f+F+P+K (Lei-Fang tags in Helena); T70; KB Lei-Fang teams up to do a dual Kenpi chain throw to the opponent. Wall damage is possible. f,f+F+P+K (Helena tags in Lei-Fang); T70; KD Lei-Fang and Helena surround them opponent, hitting them once in the chest and once in the back, then flipping them to the ground. If you tag Helena to Lei-Fang I suggest using the b+F+P+K to override this tag throw with the Heishin instead, as you will usually get the added wall damage. f,f+F+P+K (Lei-Fang tags in Tina); T70; KD Lei-Fang grabs the opponent in a hammer lock, circling to their back, when Tina comes in and the two do a double bulldog maneuver. f,f+F+P+K (Tina tags in Lei-Fang); T70; KD Tina does a reverse Frankensteiner to ground the opponent, then boosts Lei-Fang into a sit-down splash. f,f+F+P+K (Gen-Fu tags in Lei-Fang); T70; KD/KB Gen-Fu rams the opponent then lifts them up; meanwhile Lei-Fang grabs the opponents foot and catapults over Gen-Fu, slamming the opponent down to the ground. f,f+F+P+K (Zack tags in Lei-Fang); 70; KD Zack knees the opponent in the stomach while Lei-Fang knees them in the back; Zack then knees the opponent again and Lei-Fang uses the momentum to flip them into the ground. 4. COMBOS The key to winning battles in DoA is knowing when and where to use comboes. Remember that unlike some other fighting game series, comboes are not guaranteed damage; they can be reversed out of, hurting your character in the process. With that said the only "guaranteed" comboes are float comboes, and so you will want to try to employ these as much as possible. The reasoning is simple. The main goal is to get the enemy into the air for as long as possible, and then tack on additional damage. Certain portions of the central dogma may be omitted; for instance, one can start directly with a float, or one can end with the extend. However, the truly ridiculous combos encompass all four parts. Stunned opponents generally float higher, allowing more variety in extend and finish moves. Experiment with the table below, picking one from each column and joining them together in different combinations. Not all combinations work, as the moves that float often float to entirely different heights. Some comboes may only work on counterhit. Not all extend moves lend themselves to finish moves. Stun Float Extend Finish ---- ----- ------ ------ f+K P+K PPd+K b,f+P b,b+P f+P,K P,d/f+PP d+P+K d,d+K PP,f+PK PP,f+PK b+P+K u/f+KK PKKd+K f+P+K d+P+K* [d/b]+KK qcf+P u+K** d/f+K, P+K f,b+P d/f,d/f+PKK PPKK [d/f]+P,P d/f,d/fP+,P+K* P,d/f+P,P+K *this move leaves your back turned so further options are limited **only floats staggered opponents As you can see, Lei-Fang has many combo starting options but few ending options. Ideally, after an extend move you should be able to finish with the b,f+P shoulder ram, which has added wall/ledge damage potential. However, don't go crazy; Lei-Fang is not a big multi-hit character like Kasumi, Ayane, Helena, or Zack. Often you will have to choose between Extend or Finish moves, and the situation will dictate which you should choose. Finally, don't underestimate the canned combo! Lei-Fang has great variations on simple themes. Any canned combo that starts with P can be extended and modified in great ways. Let's take a look at all of Lei-Fang's canned combos beginning with P. Combo Levels ----- ------ PPP HHM PP,f+PK HHMM PP,b+PP HHMM PPKK HHHH PPK,d+K HHHM PP,d+K HHL P,[d/f]+PP HMM P,[d/f]+P,P+K HMM PKK,d+K HHML Not so exciting. But now realize that u/b+P and d/f+P serve as modified punches to the midsection. So in fact any of these combos can have their first hit designated as mid! The possibilities are almost endless. Need a MHL combo? Try d/f+P,P,d+K. Switch up levels often to confuse your opponent. Combine this and the float combo, and you'll be virtually invincible. 5. STRATEGIES VS. CPU CHARACTERS Dead or Alive is less about using your moves well against certain characters than it is about knowing the other character's moves well and being able to counter efficiently. With that said, here are a few tips that are probably generalizable even if you are not playing Lei-Fang. vs. Kasumi Kasumi likes those fast hits. Don't let her take advantage of this by using your slower moves. Instead go for the faster strings, but don't stick to this plan too much or she'll reverse. At this point you can also go for the longer-range throws (d/f+F+P or f,f+F+P). vs. Hayasbusa Try to avoid punching attacks, as if they are reversed they'll go into that cheapass spinning piledriver counter, which does ridiculous damage and is also quite annoying. Stick to kick combos or irreversible attacks. Watch for easily reversible high attacks; however, be aware that Hayabusa uses low attacks more than the average character, so watch for these opportunities as well. vs. Gen-Fu Luckily, Gen-Fu, when controlled by the computer, uses mostly mid attacks, so reversing mid often will get you quite far. If he catches you with his throw where he tosses you into the air and then catches you, immediately reverse mid after as he is likely to do his Ugyu strike, which if not countered can hit for a ridiculous 75 damage. vs. Helena Helena's style is very similar to your own; in fact, Ling Xiaoyu of Tekken, whose fighting style is also supposedly Tai Chi Quan, has a style which is like an eerie hybrid of Lei-Fang's and Helena's. In any case, try to block and then reverse easy to see combos. Also be aware that while Helena is in Bokuho (low) stance, she can be crouch-thrown. vs. Tina Stay on top of her and don't let her throw you. Break the chain reversal if she reverses your mid kicks. In Story Mode she is the second character you face, so she shouldn't give you too much trouble. vs. Bass What applied to Tina also applies to Bass. Break his chain reversal, and also beware of his several power strikes. Luckily most of them hit mid, so reversing mid is a good policy if you must guess. vs. Zack Zack's multihit kick combos are quite easy to reverse. His other moves are less predictable. If you don't know what's coming don't attempt to reverse; block instead, as he is prone to change levels on you easily. vs. Leon (or Bayman) Leon, at least controlled by the computer, uses a two-punch, low-kick combo quite frequently, so reverse low if you see this coming. Otherwise stay with high reversals, for the most part. vs. Jann-Lee Computer-controlled Jann-Lee teaches us one lesson, and that is when in doubt, reverse high. The vast majority of his moves will be reversed if you do so, the major exceptions being his Dragon Elbow and his f,f+K jumping axe kick. If he pulls off his three punch combo and you haven't yet reversed, don't bother reversing the final move because it can be the kick (high), dragon knuckle (mid), or a sweep (low), and you don't really want to guess. vs. Lei-Fang Playing yourself should be easy, right? Especially since you know all of your own comboes, right? vs. Ein (or Hitomi) Ein is almost like Jann-Lee in his indiscriminate use of high attacks, but not quite as much. Also beware for his comboes which incorporate low kicks; if you know they're coming, they become easy combo break points. vs. Ayane Ayane likes to use low kicks to stagger you before launching into mid hits for combo floats. If you don't successfully reverse a low kick, then, reverse mid to catch her next move. It'll work most of the time. vs. Tengu Tengu got a major upgrade for the DoAU version of DoA2. For one thing, his wind-up whirlwind, once a guaranteed mid punch reversal for you, he now can F-cancel, and often he'll throw you for high-counter. He'll also mix up his moves much better than he used to. Really, the only advice that works now is to hone your reflexes, don't block too much (he has an uncanny ability to throw you when you do), and try to stay on the offensive, as impossible as that may seem. TIME ATTACK MODE Lei-Fang is a good choice for time attack as most of her moves balance speed and power quite well. A quick way to tack on 100+ damage is to use her chain throws; practice until the parts flow together evenly. You're working against the clock, so avoid longer moves, or the u+P+K down attack. Knocking the opponent into a wall, and then following up with a f,f+F+P throw is your friend. The game considers a "good" score under 4:15 (255 seconds, or 2^16 - 1 seconds for you non mathematicians), on official rules, and doing so in DoA2H gave you her 7th costume. In DoAU, it gives you nothing except pride. I consider a good score under 4:00 (30 seconds per person, or 15 seconds a round), or if you're REALLY good, 3:30, which really takes both luck and skill. SURVIVAL MODE Unfortunately, Lei-Fang is not the best for Survival Mode. Her lack of long comboes means you will not be able to get the ridiculous scores that, say, Helena would. However, Lei-Fang is durable enough that should you switch up your attacks often enough, you should prevail. Especially keep an eye out for the extra wall damage you can do with f,f+F+P, d+P+K, or b,f+P. The chain throws will help you out, also, as the computer rarely breaks out of them. Fifty wins will net you the Medal and the right to say that you are sufficiently Survival-Mode l33t with Lei-Fang. Don't expect much on points, though; my 50+ wins netted me barely over 2 million points. If you're going for points rather than wins, knock out a whole bunch of items with a few quick down attacks, knock the opponent into the wall, and collect. TAG BATTLE MODE An obvious question is who to pair Lei-Fang with. The game suggests Jann-Lee; I suggest Helena. Part of Lei-Fang's advantage is that her combos are not terribly obvious, as Jann-Lee's are; adding in Helena and sticking to her more esoteric moves will preserve this element of surprise. Not only that, but Helena and Lei-Fang have special tag throws both ways, not to mention special intro and winning sequences. Also keep in mind a ridiculous 16-hit Helena/Lei-Fang combo, which alas is easily broken until the eighth hit. (Helena) qcf+P,f+PPP,u/f+K (tag) PP,f+PK (tag) PP,b+PP This combo will net you 16 hits as well as upwards of 160 damage; quite ridiculous, as well as the fact that any human opponent you manage to connect this combo on will immediately feel quite embarrassed since you just slammed them for more than half their life bar in one combo. Should you choose not to tag with Helena, keep in mind that Lei-Fang's PP,f+PK makes for a great float extender, as if you start it early enough in the float it will maintain the same float height, allowing you to tag back in with the original character and finish with whatever move you would like. 6. CREDITS A big thank you to: Tecmo and Team Ninja for the obvious reasons. Shiva (Tom Cheng), for his suggestions, help, and overall l33t This guide is copyrighted 2004 to Edward Chang. It may be distributed freely as long as it is not altered in any manner.