User:JeffreyLau/SC2

Introduction to SC2 Ivy

This is an introduction to some Soul Calibur 2 basics and the character Ivy.

Notation

The SC2 community has created a standard format for notating moves. It may look arcane at first, but it's compact and unambiguous. Learn it, love it, confuse your friends by yelling it at the dinner table. If they look at you like you're crazy, don't worry-- they're scrubs.

Directions

There are 9 directions in SC2 (counting the null direction-- no direction pressed). Each is given a number from 1 to 9, arranged like the keys on your keyboard's numberpad.

  7 8 9
  \ | /
4 - 5 - 6
  / | \
  1 2 3

These directions are arranged as if you were on the left side (Player 1, abbreviated P1). So 6 is forward, 4 is backwards, 7 is diagonal up and back, etc.

If you're on the left side of the screen and you want to execute 6, tap the right button. If you're on the right side of the screen and you want to execute 6, tap left. Remember: 6 is always towards your opponent, 4 is always away from your opponent.

Buttons

SC2 only has four buttons, called A, B, K, and G. These correspond to Square, Triangle, Circle, and X on the PS2 controller, respectively.

Physical arrangement on the PS2 controller:

    B
A - | - K
    G

• A: generally, used to execute horizontal moves
• B: generally, used to execute vertical moves
• K: generally, used to execute kicks (sometimes it executes headbutts and punches, but it always executes a non-weapon move)
• G: used to guard, guard impact, duck, jump, and throw.

See the Engine section for more details on what all this means.

Basic rules

• By default, all the inputs in a move should be tapped.
• When no direction is specified, don't press a direction
  • For example, the move A means to tap A without pressing any directions.
• When a direction and a button are written next to each other, press the direction and the button at the same time.
  • For example, 6B means to tap 6 and B at the same time. 2G means to tap 2 and G at the same time, which executes a crouch.
• When a direction and direction or button and button are written next to each other, execute them in sequence.
  • For example, AA means to tap A, then quickly tap A again.

Special symbols

There are several special symbols used to conjoin directions and buttons

+ (plus sign)

Press two buttons at the same time. For example, A+B means to tap A and B at the same time.

[ ] (square brackets)

Hold the move inside the brackets. For example, 6[B] means to tap 6 and B at the same time, then continue to hold B. [A+B] means to press A and B at the same time and hold them.

_ (underscore)

Means "or." For example, 7_8_9A means to execute 7A, 8A, or 9A. All of these are jumping horizontal slashes. 8A jumps straight up, while 7A jumps up and a little backwards while 9A jumps up and a little forwards. Usually, this symbol is only used with directions and not buttons.

(lowercase button)

means to tap the indicated button very quickly, then press the next button. For example, bA means to tap b, then as soon as possible tap A (but make sure not to press them at the same time, e.g. A+B). This is also called a slide, e.g. "slide from B to A," since people often execute it by using one finger to literally slide from the first button to the next.

( ) (parentheses)

Indicates an optional move.

, (comma)

Used to separate moves. Think of it as a long pause.

Stances

Stances are indicated with an abbreviation, followed by a space, followed by the move. If no stance is given, this means to execute the move from standing.

All characters have a few basic stances. I'll say more about these in the Engine section.

Standing (no abbreviation)

Your character is standing.

Full crouch (FC)

Your character is crouching. Enter this stance with 2G. Hold [2] to remain crouching. Many moves also end in FC (e.g. 2A, 2K, 2B).

While rising (WR)

Your character is in transition between crouching and standing. Enter this stance by entering FC, then letting go of any directional buttons. For example, do 2G, pause for a moment, then execute the move.

While landing (WL)

Your character is falling after jumping. Enter this stance by jumping, then waiting to fall. For example, 8G, (pause).

8-way run (8WR)

Your character is running at full speed. You can enter this stance by holding any of the directional buttons for about half a second. You can also start executing 8WR moves instantly by double-tapping the desired direction (e.g. 8WR 6A can be executed as 66A). This is the preferred way to execute 8WR moves when you're already in the right position, since it doesn't require your character to actually start running.

Examples

A

Tap A without pressing any other directional buttons.

A+B

Tap A and B at the same time.

k2

Tap K, then immediately tap 2. For Ivy, this executes a toe stomp that turns into a toe mash if the opponent is on the ground.

Ivy

Stances

In addition to the basic stances listed above, Ivy has several stances of her own. All of these stances except Whip stance can be cancelled with G, but these cancels are slow, so be careful about entering these stances.

Whip stance (WP)

Ivy's sword turns into a whip. You can enter this stance directly with 214, or more slowly with an auto-GI with B+K. Many moves end in whip stance, like A[A] and 1A. All sword moves are available in whip stance as well. Doing 214 from whip stance will put you back into sword stance.

Spiral serenade (SR)

Ivy twirls her whip at her side. You can enter this stance directly with A+B or 8WR A+B, or through a move like 44[B]. You have a tendency to enter this stance a lot by accident :P.

Spiral tribute (ST)

Ivy twirls her whip over her head. The most common ways to enter this stance are through SR A and 8WR 2_8[B].

Spiral embrace (SE)

Ivy wraps the whip around her body and stands sideways with her shoulder pointed towards the opponent. The most common ways to enter this stance are through 214[B] and ST A.