Dead or Alive 4 Helena players guide copyright 2007 Version 1.1 Table Of Contents: .5. Sorry 1. Introduction to DOA 4 2. Key too all letters/symbols you will see throughout this guide. 3. Definitions to all of the terms I will use in this guide. 4. What you should know and the legal thingy. A.k.a. Legal/help. 5. Teaches the basics of juggling. 6. The how to use Helena part of the guide. 7. Tells you what one of my secrets is to using a good Helena. 8. Beginner/amateur combos. 9. Skilled/advanced combos. 10. Strategies to help in certain situations. 11. My guide to moves that keep foes in the air longer. 12. The people that I would recommend playing with to learn more or to just have a great time. 13. Special thanks to certain people. +-----------+ .5 (sorry) .5 +-----------+ There has been an unfortuneate error when copying this faq. What I originally had bold so you could tell to hold the button down had vanished, and I cant for the life of me figure out how to get it back on. I am very sorry, I suppose I must add " next to certain words and tell you that the symbol is in eqivalence what bold would have meant. Thank you and I am truly sorry for the inconvenience. ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()( +----------------+ 1 (Introduction) 1 +----------------+ Dead or alive is, as im sure you all know, a fighting game. The point to the game is to win. Thats it, win. Beat your foes down using whatever method and player you so wish to choose. That is basically the concept of all fighting games really. Dead or alive though has a story mode in it as well, but this guide does really has nothing to do with the other characters you can pick or how to even play in story mode for that matter. What this guide is going to do is to help you better understand some of the methods used in this game online and focus on using the character Helena. I will describe what kind of character she is later on but for now, all I can say is to enjoy the great game that is DoA4! ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()( Break [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][ +-------+ 2 (Key) 2 +-------+ Key: P.............punch K.............kick F.............Free (Also used as a cancel, I will tell you when this use comes into play) Th............Throw A.............appeal U.............up D.............down F+K...........Free+kick P+K...........Punch+kick >.............forward <.............back U<............Up diagonal back U>............Up diagonal right D<............Down diagonal left D>............Down diagonal right "H............There will be no H. Look for the bold letters to see if you must hold the direction or not. -............A separate set of button combinations (Do not push moves at same time, don’t mistake for +) +...........Combine both buttons at the same time (Do not hit separately) Half circle...I will also give a direction such as half circle forward to indicate that your joystick must rotate in the specified direction. Such as when I say half circle backwards you should rotate your joystick as such Right, Down-Right, Down, Down-Left, Left. Kapeesh? [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][ Break !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! +---------------+ 3 (Definitions) 3 +---------------+ Definitions: High......An attack that strikes the head. Can be countered, crushed and ducked. Mid.......An attack that strikes the body. It can be crushed, countered (In certain cases ducked too)(jumped by tengu Low......An attack that strikes the legs/feet. It can be jumped over, crushed or countered. Crush....Beats out another move (meaning it attacks before the other attack) Duck.....Crouching ducks you under highs and also blocks low attacks Guard....Blocks high and mid attacks but cannot block low. Counter.Grabs the opponents attack and then counters, dealing no, moderate, or large damage. Jump.....No real use other than to look cool jumping over lows or to avoid throws. Throws..Grabs the opponent and deals no, moderate, or large damage depending on throw. Parry......Counters/dodges various moves depending on description. “Note” When countering, depending on your timing, the damage can be increased dramatically based on how close the counter is to the point of the move’s impact. When throwing, depending on if the opponent counters, the damage will be increased dramatically as well. Also keep in mind that a few moves, such as Lei fang’s mid kick counter, one of her throws, gen fu’s and Eliot’s mid attack parry, Kokoro’s P-P-Th combo, and possibly some other moves I cant recall at the time do not deal damage, they either evade the move, stun the enemy or turn them around. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Break 123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 +--------------+ 4 (Legal/help) 4 +--------------+ What you should know: My guide is solely based on players who would like to use Helena as a combatant. This is not a guide for Story mode. This is a guide for Online-play. I might decide to lengthen this guide as time goes on but for now this is a short-sweet and too the point guide on the use of the player Helena. My guide describes various combos I have picked up along my playing and some that I myself have created. The combos I have made will be listed as such and those that I learned from others will be labeled as well (If I remember the one who taught me it their name will be posted next to the move.) This guide will not tell you how you should play, only give helpful hints that I use myself in fighting online. My account name is Codemaster92163 and for those who know me, I believe I have a pretty decent Helena. In no way am I saying I am the best, I am only saying I am experienced with her use. Honestly I hate those who claim to be the best player. Legal thingy: This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal/private use. It may not be given to any other website unless it is hereby authorized by me to continue with your actions. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. 123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Break ********************************************************************* +--------------------------+ 5 (Juggle, juggle, juggle) 5 +--------------------------+ How to juggle: Juggling is a basic concept in which the user (that’s you) tries either to ground or air juggle the opponent. I will give detailed instruction on how to accomplish both manners of juggling but for the time being, I will mainly be describing the use of Air combos. Some of the juggles that will soon be listed will be variations of the two but for the most part, it will encompass the use of air juggles. How to juggle step 1.) What you want to try to do is put your enemy in a Critical state. This means that you want them to stagger when you hit them. Staggering is your main form of starting an air/ground juggle. The use of which allows you to send them higher in the air with a launcher move (an attack that sends them in the air or bounces them off the ground into the air.) We will get into more detail about these moves later. How to juggle step 2.) The use of the Free button (In this case its used to cancel) is key to juggling. When you are performing written moves (the ones you see in the sparring exercise list) hitting the F button will cancel your move. This means that your move will stop short of what it normally does and you can then continue to string more moves to the mix. Without the F button your moves will only be delayed, not stopped entirely, and this, we cannot have. How to juggle step 3.) Once you make use of the first two steps (Stagger/critical states and the F button) you can then use your launcher. Some characters have numerous launchers and others, a mere few. Helena has an abundance of launcher moves and they range from highs to mids. Her main mode of launching (the one you will familiarize yourself with) is the UP-P, "D>P-P, >K, Sometimes half circle forward P, DK-K and ^P-P. Some of her launchers only work if the opponent is stunned. She also has many launcher moves in her bokou stance and also has some while her back is facing. These include....well hold on there’s a lot so I’ll make a list... Bokou stance: P+K >>P >K P-P-K >P-P-K] I must include it, but do not recommend its use...only use this move for a quick strike.) Back facing: K K if your standing or (H)P-P-K. It is so far the most damaging wall combo there is once they are in the air. The only other time it can be improved is either by tag juggling to launch them higher or doing the Bokou stance throw and adding more moves. This combo was made by yours truly :) -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0- Break ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> +------------------+ 7 (My way to play) 7 +------------------+ Fighting as Helena: The Codemaster way When fighting with Helena, you will notice that her moves vary A LOT when you change stances. Due to this it is always a good idea to use these stances to the fullest as the multiple stances almost make it seem like she’s a completely new character when you change from one to the next. What I generally try to do is use moves that can cancel out into either a back stance or the Bokou stance. Utilizing these moves will allow you to change your fighting style mid-round and confuse your enemies. The moves that can cancel into the stances (or at least the ones I use all the time) are as listed. Not all of the moves that can change into a stance are here but for the most part these are what I use. Moves that go into bokou : Moves that go to back stance: P-P-"DK P-

K-K <

P-DK or<P+K DP+K >K, you can spin your joystick around and go into the Bokou stance or hit the cancel button and stay turned backwards. Please note that certain throws, such as half circle backwards throw and the throw in the back stance will change your stance from either Standing to Bokou stance or Backward stance to Standing ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Break ‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘’‘ +----------------+ 8 (Kiddy combos) 8 +----------------+ Ok now that you understand which moves do what, I can start to teach you combos. Please keep in mind that I will not give away all my secrets, so if you think you’ve played me and want to know "How did you do that move, it doesn’t say how to in the guide?" I will not tell you because some things I would like to keep to myself. Comprende? Soooooo basically here are some starter combos to try before you go into the advanced controls....Oh and one more thing. When you test these out and say "Oh those don’t work, that guy lied to me!" don’t believe so. Some of these combos require someone online to get stunned by the first hit meaning, some of these cannot be pulled off completely on someone or some of them wont work in sparring mode. But from my experience they work almost 100% of the time on people online. P-P-"DK >K P-P-DK-P DF+K P-P F P-P-P-P-K >P-P-DK >K-K-P U>K Forward half circle P-K-P P-P-P F D>K F "D>P-

>K Half circle forward P-P F DP+K >P-P F P-P-P F "P-P-DK F+K P F (Do not hold) P-

P-P F P-P-"DK P F DP+K >>P Finish with moves of your choice. Try P-P-DK P F P-

P-

P+K >>K(spin joystick forward) F+K P-P-K >P-

P-P-K Be careful when using wall moves because depending on the weight, angle to the wall (This situation, when angled to far to the left or right, causes your last >P-P-K to miss,) and the amount the foe counters, your launcher will vary in heights, sometimes messing up your combos afterwards. That is why I find it best to try to air juggle, not wall juggle. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Break @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ +----------------------------------+ 10 (Strategic...err...strategies) 10 +----------------------------------+ For now my section on combos and juggling is over. I will periodically add to it, but for now I will continue to tell you good strategies and moves to use in combat if your not to good at keeping people in the air. From now until the next ///// divider, it is strictly on which strategies are best in which situations. For a spam-counter match: These are by far one of the most annoying kinds of players. After every single hit they counter the same thing hoping that you will try that move once more. It can sometimes make fighting them impossible because as you know, you can’t normally fight a match with only mids and lows. Sooo in this case you can use my "Ingenuity/desperation inspired grappling" method that was stated in one of the steps to using Helena. Hey, if there going to play cheap why don’t you turn the tables and do the same. After all, sometimes the cheaters get cheated :) For a grabbing/catch grabbing match: Oh I forgot to explain catch grabs. They are grabs that can normally go straight through your attack and grab you. It is kind of like a counter but in grab form. All I can say is when you expect them to catch grab you, do a normal throw because regular grabs beat out catch grabs. Also if they grab you a lot because they guard the whole match waiting for an opening to grab you, just try not to use unsafe moves. These moves make it so the foe can grab you and you cant do anything in turn. Also try to throw them back or, better yet, keep on adding moves to your combo string so you never leave an opening! For a turtle match: Turtling is a somewhat noobish way to win. Turtling however, is different that spacing (thanks to bruce norris for clearing that up with me.) Turtling is backing up the whole match waiting for an opponent to come to you. Spacing is placing [..] amount of distance between you and your foe so if they wif, you have a good chance to counter attack. Turtling is not entirely cheap, but seriously, if your any good at this game you don’t have to stand back the whole match waiting for the other person to come to you. I always preach no turtling to everyone because it is annoying as hell to be on the other end. If someone turtles the whole match you wanna know what? Just turtle with them. As long as you have more health you are ok where you are. In the case where you have less health just slowly walk towards them and try to anticipate their moves based on what they previously have done. That is the only way I can really tell you how to beat turtles. Otherwise just do what I do and run at them and beat the $#!T out of them. It has worked for me but I advise only the experienced to take this route. For a Punch-Grab match: These players are by far the most annoying and the second under the turtle matches in cheapness. These players start hitting you with punches then once your about to counter they grab you to deal major damage. I know I’ve said to use it in desperation, but im still no hypocrite. Is say use it when you fight Spam-counter players, not all the time. But for those who fight players like these, there is really no strategy that can help. The only advice I can give would be to counter A LOT less or even try to punch-grab them yourself. Also if you want you can try not to let up on your moves so they don’t even have time to attack, that will also work. Im sorry I couldn’t be more helpful on this subject but if anyone has any tips for this please let me know and i’l credit you and add the data to my summary. For a none-stop fighter match: This is how I normally play. I like to get in there and keep on stringing together combos and never letting the opponent get up or even hit the ground. Ask my friend EsotericThought all about this, he knows what im talking about. If you are fighting somebody like me...all I can say is brace yourself. Turtling would have to be the best defense when going against a full offensive player. Otherwise you can try to guess what moves they are throwing and then try to counter accordingly. What some of my other friends do against me is to mimic me and fight up-close as well. That doesn’t auger too well though but does work better than doing nothing. So to all of you who wanna know what to do in a situation such as this one, I’d stick with either turtling/defending (the only time I will EVER not hate a turtler is in a case such as this when they have no real choice) and countering when necessary. For a trash-talker and/or little annoying kid match: Yeah haha I know this seems irrelevant, but trust me when I say that its not. Listening to someone such as this can COMPLETELY mess up your game. I didn’t think so either until I played one. That person may be mentioned later but I will leave the rest of his gamertag out so don’t assume you know who it is. Little compulsive kids talk and talk and talk then laugh at you when you lose (such as playing Halo2 online, not so much 3 now.) What is best to do is NOT TALK BACK! You may want to get your say in or tell them to Stfu but its not going to help. Mute that person right away so there are no distractions for your fighting. And as the person who taught me this lesson due to his obsessive trash talking is...well fill in the blanks if you know em’. J _ _ I U _ R A _ E. I advise not playing anyone such as this guy for they will never leave you alone and will annoy you until you just want to go take a plunge off a roof onto the floor, but trust me, the floor will always win. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Break ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// +-----------------------+ 11 (Air-borne attacks) 11 +-----------------------+ Now, the moment some of you have been waiting for. The moves that keep enemies airborne longer! Woohoo. Okay enough of that, lets get to the move sets. As some of you know, certain moves can keep enemies up in the air and do it faster than Lindsay Lohan can raise her blood/alcohol level. Others however, drop them to the ground faster than.......well I don’t have anything catchy to say so leave me alone. Anyways, your saying that you try and try yet still cant figure out all the moves that keep enemies up in the air longer right? And when you do try all you can do is make them fall faster correct? Sooo what do you want to do? Cheat of course, thats why you’re here.You wanna learn all those moves without even having to test it yourself! Well then, pull up a chair and read Mmmkay? Moves while standing: :P-P-"DK: D>P-P (I use it sometimes) :K Moves in Bokou stance: :K F+K P-P-K F (Can only be used in tag, switch as soon as the first of the two kicks hits) :>P-P-K :^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^v<>^ +---------------+ 13 (Thank you) 13 +---------------+ -Thanks to Tecmo for making this game! -Thank you readers for making my efforts go un-wasted! -Thank you computer for not crashing on me while I typed this! -Thank you everyone on my friends list and all those helped me either get a combo or write this! -Works cited (McMystery), I looked at your faq for help with the legal info. Thats about it folks! Have a great day and thanks for reading! :) End of faq