Strategy Scorpion stuff that isn't talked about a lot

I open this thread for more discussion in this forum cuz Scorpion's a really fun character to play and maybe we can find some new strats or tech to use or help out other Scorpion players with their game. Some of this stuff has been talked about before but to recap:

Vortex Backdash into B2: We saw this for the first time when Slips was using it in a tourney and it makes B2 semi-safe. Characters with fast advancing moves can still punish it on block. Also if you already did B2 in your combo then the backdash into B2 will splat the opponent instead of giving you a combo. This is where delaying the B2 (below) comes into play.

Delayed B2/F4: People have been talking about reacting to both B2 and F4 by holding Down and releasing when they see the B2. I'm not exactly sure but I think I was able to do this until Slips started delaying the B2/F4 to throw off my timing.

2, 1+2 Mix-up: 2, 1+2 can be mixed up with 2, Takedown or 2, F4, Spear. The Takedown doesn't grant much reward, but it is safe. Also in the corner you can make the overhead mix-up safe by ending with Takedown instead of Teleport.

EX Teleport into B2/F4: I saw this when ScootMcgee was doing it on stream one day. If your opponent expects the 3, 3, 4 follow-up after an EX Teleport on block then instead you can go for a B2/F4 mix-up.

Whiffed Air Throw: After a Spear, you can jump over (or straight up) and whiff an Air Throw before touching the ground to build meter. It's important to know whether to jump over or straight up so you don't put yourself in the corner.

Throw/Air Throw into Hellfire: If your opponent doesn't do a wake-up attack, Hellfire is guaranteed. The timing after an Air Throw is to backdash into Hellfire.

Double Hellfire: If Scorpion does a Hellfire and is interrupted by certain projectiles, he can get another Hellfire, which is guaranteed. Sometimes your opponent will want to jump after the first Hellfire, so you can AA Spear them instead of going for the 2nd Hellfire.

1, 1, 1, Spear: After a teleport on hit into crossover jump punch, or anytime your opponent's stand blocking then you can use 1, 1, 1, Spear. The Spear cannot be avoided and if the opponent respects the Spear then you can do another 1, 1, 1 or a B2/F4 mix-up.

Deep Jump Kick Option Select: Recently brought up by @K.O.E_18, Scorpion can option select his deep jump kick into Teleport. After a Teleport on hit allows Scorpion to use this option select, or anywhere else Scorpion can land a deep jump kick. This is not necessary as Scorpion can always hit confirm a deep jump kick into D4, Teleport, which works at max range and on crouching opponents where the option select won't work.

Avoiding the Corner: A lot of people like to breaker Scorpion's combo during the vortex to put him into the corner. Avoid this by doing 1, 1, 1 instead of F2, 1, Teleport and going for pressure, or you can teleport ending with the opponent's back to the corner.

Double Spear Crossup: After the 2nd spear in a combo if you don't want to risk the void then you can jump over them to get a crossup. I think they can tech roll and still anti-air you. You can also deep jump kick them if they stay grounded.

X-Ray into B2/F4: After an X-Ray, Scorpion can go for a B2/F4 mix-up if the opponent doesn't do a wake-up attack. The opponent has time to jump but the F4, Spear will still land. It can also be armored out.

Teleport Reversal: After an EX Teleport on hit or at the end of certain combos, Scorpion can Teleport to reverse the opponent's wake-up inputs.

Auto-Correct Spear: When dashing into standing 1, if the opponent jumps over you or uses a special such as Raiden's Teleport, it will auto-correct into Spear.

D4, EX Spear: D4 linked into EX Spear will jail the opponent even if they're crouching. This can be used if you are doing D4 then Hellfire afterwards. If the EX Spear is respected, then you can go for a B2/F4 mix-up or Hellfire.

2, 1 Whiff Punish: After a blocked 2, 1, it creates pushback so your opponent's D1 and D3 will whiff. You can whiff punish these with B2 or F4, Spear.

Deep jump kick OS:

- 1,1,1 xx Spear - njp - jik xx TP - jik xx TP. This is a decent setup for a deep jump kick, and it will also track the tech roll.

- It tends to work well in MUs where it's hard or impossible to get a Hellfire trade. For example, in the Smoke MU a Hellfire trade is NEVER in your favor. If your just outside of midscreen a deep jump kick will connect if he throws a Smoke Bomb.

- This OS won't work against Liu Kang if you try the above strategy against his low fireball. It only works on high fireball.

Hellfire Trade:

-Trades well with any projectile that doesn't knockdown, launch, or stun. Characters like Sonya won't be able to zone without getting hit by this. Not like she needs to zone lol.

About D4,EX Spear...does anyone know if this is still viable or worth the meter? I know it jails them but wasn't sure if it's of any use or not.

Is it known that after you do an aerial breaker, Scorpion can dash in and OTG with a B2 or F4 for a 50/50? Stuffs wakeups if they don't tech roll. =P

It's -27 on block at about sweep distance. It's punishable by most characters.

Huh I didn't know that. That reminds me that after Scorpion's X-Ray he gets a 50/50 B2/F4,spear mix-up if they don't do a wake-up.

lol.

wat

when i think 111spear i think

KOTH lobby scoprions who only know 111 spear hellfire & tele

I didn't see that one, but Spear is punishable on block. Especially after 1,1,1

Naked Spear is only good against characters with no air mobility as an AA, after a Hellfire trade, or during a dash under.

People still do that? lol

I dunno if you guys do this.... i'm sure you do. If an EXTeleport lands midscreen... you can whiff a teleport and it crosses them up on the ground.... usually messing up the wakeup input. I typically go for a b2 just because the natural thing to do is block low if you don't input the wakeup attack.

I talked about 1,1,1,spear in another thread and I think it's actually really viable. It's another mix-up cuz if they're expecting the spear then you go for another 1,1,1. It builds a lot of meter for Scorpion while at the same time going for risky mix-ups.

Yes I remember this!

It's not a threat because it can be blocked and punished every time. Not to mention 1,1,1 on block has a lot of pushback and it's safe. A smart opponent won't just start attacking.

:Edit 1,1,1 xx Takedown is much better option on block. They have to commit to to low block, and it's still safe on block. It's -4, so an experienced opponent will start a blockstring, which can be interrupted by En Spear/En Takedown.

If he's going to stay there blocking after 1,1,1 then you can go for another 1,1,1 or b2/f4 spear. You should see my matches with Scorp cuz I've caught a lot of people with this. And against the people who just keep blocking after 1,1,1 no matter what then I'll just keep taking my meter with 1,1,1. Also I forgot to mention that after you've gotten them to respect 1,1,1 enough then you can start going for the 1 and 1,1 pressure or throw to build even more meter. Kinda similar to how Sub does 2,1,4 clone then does his 2,1 pressure.

1,1,1 on block has to be respected, but attempting to 1,1,1 after 1,1,1 on block isn't free or safe. If read, your opponent can backdash/back step and whiff punish it for full combo. Also, 1 hits high so your opponent can poke.

Yo at least try it out, it works. If they try to poke out or do anything after 1,1,1 and u do spear then it'll catch them. Just like 1,1,1,takedown the spear has to be respected on stand block.

It's not a very good tactic bro.
The spear should only be used in combo, as AA, or as a 14f+ punisher.
Spear on whiff/block is highly punishable, and Scorp is already an unsafe character.
The spear wasn't designed to be used in blockstrings.

Dude, saying spear on block is punishable isn't a good argument cuz Scorp's b2 and f4 spear are punishable too. 1,1,1,spear is also an unsafe mix-up but the difference is is that it builds meter which is crucial for Scorpion when he guesses wrong and needs breaker. What is so bad about it besides spear being punishable on block? I've caught a ton of people with it even offline. My sparring partner, @Error knows about this and @Playpal who I played today. Others I forgot cuz it was so long ago but there are videos on youtube of me playing Scorp and catching people with it too. Slips even said it isn't a bad option in the other thread.

Also this thread isn't meant for people to disregard other people's strats. I'm trying to help other Scorps cuz a lot of Scorps I see and play online aren't using Scorp to his full potential or are too random with his strings. Some of this stuff doesn't have to be used if it doesn't fit your playstyle.

It's bad IMO. A blockstring is a series of attacks that are generally safe. The point is to stay as safe as possible. Spear on block isn't safe at all. He builds good meter using 1,1,1 and 3,3,4.

Ugh this is pointless...if you don't see the potential use of this or the mix-up then there's no point in arguing. You don't have to use this but I'm going to continue using it because I know it works and so does everyone else I've gotten it to work on. Also Scorp doesn't have to play safe...

Easy killers To each his own and all that.

I did learn new an interesting things.... thanks guys

Not trying to discourage you from using that. I'm saying that at the highest level possible your basically giving your opponent a free punish of his choice. In terms of risk/reward it's a very bad idea. It's also a difference between playing unsafe, and just punishing yourself.