New Kung Lao player here. Lotus Fist is really optimal?!

[Bittercup]

Just started learning some Kung Lao and really love how long is strings are. Originally wanted to pick up Hat Tricks for that insane Z-Hat pressure into his oki but I was shocked to see just how long and damaging some of his strings are.

I see a lot of people just universally place Lotus Fist as his optimal variation, but I can't see how or why that is. Orbiting Hat using a defense and attack bar of meter seems so rough. What exactly does this variation enable that makes it more appealing than Z-Hat cheese for his strike/throw game?

 

[UghGetOuttaHere]

Just started learning some Kung Lao and really love how long is strings are. Originally wanted to pick up Hat Tricks for that insane Z-Hat pressure into his oki but I was shocked to see just how long and damaging some of his strings are.

I see a lot of people just universally place Lotus Fist as his optimal variation, but I can't see how or why that is. Orbiting Hat using a defense and attack bar of meter seems so rough. What exactly does this variation enable that makes it more appealing than Z-Hat cheese for his strike/throw game?

I personally think Zhat is more fun because of Amp + cancel. But you have to set it up. Orbiting hat can be used after pokes and strings for safety/baits... if it hits you get a combo. Its expensive but, a safe launching counter poke tool. Not only that, but orbiting hat can be used for pressure in neutral (although its not the easiest thing to time).

 

[Zviko]

Safe hitconfirmable 10f mid, safe long reaching 13f mid that is also KB on counter hit, turn stealing special move that gets him full combo on hit and a bit easier to deal with zoners because of safish teleport is what Lotus Fist has that Hat Tricks doesn't. Also, meter used with Orbiting Hat comes back in 8 seconds which is 2s faster than usual.

 

[Bittercup]

I personally think Zhat is more fun because of Amp + cancel. But you have to set it up. Orbiting hat can be used after pokes and strings for safety/baits... if it hits you get a combo. Its expensive but, a safe launching counter poke tool. Not only that, but orbiting hat can be used for pressure in neutral (although its not the easiest thing to time).

Had no clue you could actually special cancel into it if they block a string, so that's pretty wild. I assumed it was just some sort of defensive move that might randomly trade with the enemy during footsies or a F12 or something.

Safe hitconfirmable 10f mid, safe long reaching 13f mid that is also KB on counter hit, turn stealing special move that gets him full combo on hit and a bit easier to deal with zoners because of safish teleport is what Lotus Fist has that Hat Tricks doesn't. Also, meter used with Orbiting Hat comes back in 8 seconds which is 2s faster than usual.

I thought Teleport was extremely unsafe since an enemy can just wait for you to do it, then punish as soon as you reappear. Its like you have to preemptively throw it out to even get past most projectiles before they hit you out of the startup.

I'm currently taking careful notes on a good Kung Lao guide but most of them are outdated or from previous patches. Thank you for your insight.

I'm also having a HELL of a time doing some of these combos that just F4 into meterless spin twice in a row. How the hell are they landing this? The enemy is too far to get launched by the second F4 Spin unless I amp it. Was this changed?

 

[Zviko]

I thought Teleport was extremely unsafe since an enemy can just wait for you to do it, then punish as soon as you reappear. Its like you have to preemptively throw it out to even get past most projectiles before they hit you out of the startup.

I'm currently taking careful notes on a good Kung Lao guide but most of them are outdated or from previous patches. Thank you for your insight.

I'm also having a HELL of a time doing some of these combos that just F4 into meterless spin twice in a row. How the hell are they landing this? The enemy is too far to get launched by the second F4 Spin unless I amp it. Was this changed?

Yes teleport is unsafe but Orbiting Hat can make it safe if it hits right when you appear. It's random though because it's orbiting around Lao which means it doesn't hit on the same frame every time.

F4-spin meterless twice in a row only works in the corner. That's how it's been since release.

 

[Hellbringer]

Zhat is better against zoning and also better at zoning, also better oki.

 

[Bittercup]

Yes teleport is unsafe but Orbiting Hat can make it safe if it hits right when you appear. It's random though because it's orbiting around Lao which means it doesn't hit on the same frame every time.

F4-spin meterless twice in a row only works in the corner. That's how it's been since release.

Ah, I get it now! That's actually super sick.

Thank you for correcting me. I found a nice in depth guide from someone here finally and the bread and butter combos he has are MUCH easier. I just need to practice consistently spinning out of 21212 under pressure and make my oki game a bit spicier.