Lars is one of my main characters. I will break down the stances and how they are generally utilized in rank mode while being as brief as feasible.
2,1 transitions into Limited Entry (LE). On block, there is no mix up. Just check Lars with your fastest mid attack. On hit, you have to guess between LE 1, a low attack that is -12 on block, and LE 2, a safe mid attack that has pushback. Both attacks hit on the same frame (16), so you cannot fuzzy guard. 2,1 is primarily used as a ten frame punisher and keep out string.
Dynamic Entry (DE), entered manually by f+3, includes various moves, but most of them are slow to be used consistently in the neutral. The notable exceptions are DE 1,2, a quick high attack followed by another high attack that jails on block. DE 1 on its own is +1 on block. DE 3 is a slow, homing mid attack that is +3 on block. Lars automatically transitions into Silent Entry (SE).
- DE 3 to SE 1 cannot be interrupted by jabs on block, but you can parry if your character has one. You can side step SE 1 to the left, but the timing is very, very tight. If you are in rage, mash your rage art as soon as you see Lars perform DE 3 as he cannot block afterwards. Both DE 3 and SE 1 are heat engagers.
- You will also see Lars players do SE 2 after DE 3, a low attack that is +6 on hit and -12 on block. Lars is in crouch after SE 2, so common follow ups are FC d/f+2, a safe mid-hitting counter launcher, and FC d+1+2, traditionally referred to as the "shoeshine", a low attack that is +1 on hit and -12 on block.
Lars players, especially in lower ranks, will spam stuff like d/b+2~f and WS+2~f because these two moves transition into SE. The golden rule to remember is that everything is interruptible unless it hits you. However, there is SE 4, a high armored homing attack. You have enough time to check the Lars player with d/f+1, react and crouch, and whiff punish with your WS launcher.
You always want to side step and side walk Lars to the right because f,f+1+2 tracks perfectly to the left, chips on block, and launches on a counter hit. When in range three or farther, attempt to stay out of DE 3 or challenge with a panic button like a hopkick.
In heat mode, f+3+4 is a special-mid hitting, advancing attack that has armor. f+3+4 is even more plus on block than DE 3 and also automatically transitions into SE. Again, if you are in rage, mash your rage art as Lars cannot block after f+3+4. The same defensive options apply for f+3+4 as they do for DE 3 so look above.
Lars was universally considered trash tier in Tekken 7. He has been substantially improved in Tekken 8. He remains a little gimmicky, albeit not as severely as the bears, Ling, and Yoshi. If you need match up experience, let me know. I am no Korean or Pakistani, but I have been using Lars since Tekken 6.
It’s one of the few things I don’t like about the game.
