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Guide For Atlantis - An Aquaman Introduction.

Fate

Noob
Legend
1 = Light Attack
2 = Medium Attack
3 = Heavy Attack
MB = Meter Burn
B = Back (away from opponent)
F = Forward (towards opponent)
NJ = Neutral Jump
JI = Jump In
+ = Press buttons together

Aquaman's Special Moves

Trident Rush (df1)
- A flurry of mid hitting stabs with his trident. 4 hits for 11% damage. Meter Burn is 12 hits for 27%. Use this move to end strings that have been block confirmed. You're safe against everyone besides Superman (f2, 3) and Flash (headbutt). This is punishable by moves 8 frames or faster according to Tom Brady. This builds a lot of meter. EX gives about 80% meter on block and does about 10% chip. With 2 bars of meter, you can do about 5-6 blocked EX trident rushes. You can also dash forward or backward during this move.

From The Deep (db2) - Mid hitting projectile that does 8% damage. Meter Burn version does 2 hits for 13%. Very unsafe at close range.

Water Shield (dd3) - A shield of water that surrounds yourself to absorb attacks, throws, and projectiles. MB version explodes to send enemy to full screen for 8% damage. You can dash forward or backwards out of the shield.

Trident Scoop (db1) - Aquaman scoops opponent over his head with a low -> mid 2 hit combo. A crucial part of most of his juggles. Can be punished by some moves.

Trident Toss (bf2) - A thrown trident that hits high for 11%. Very unsafe at close range. Trades well with aerial projectiles


Aquaman's Main Strings

b12 - Low/Mid hitting string that is -6 on block. Good range. Hit confirm into db2 for full combo. Block confirm into df1 to be safe. (see Trident Rush)

b2 - Overhead with massive range that is -10 on block.

f13 - Mid/Overhead used for corner pressure. It is +2 on block.


Trait

Water of Life: One of the best traits in the game. Activating this trait allows Aquaman to block mid combo while not in a juggle state. This essentially is a free combo breaker.


Aquaman BnB's

Enders:

223 - for forward hard knockdown. Opponent cannot tech roll but can still wakeup attack. You can cross up with a JI3 afterwards for another full combo.

f2, 1+3 - for backwards hard knockdown. Used when you have your back facing the corner. Opponent cannot tech roll but can still wakeup attack. Gives you positional advantage with a bit more recovery time.

Low:
b12 xx db2, b12 xx db1, 22 -> ENDER = 28/29% (meterless)
b12 xx db2, b12 xx db2 MB, 22 xx db1 -> ENDER = 40% (1 meter)

Overhead:
b2 xx db1 -> ENDER = 21/22% (meterless)
b2 xx db1, 22 xx db2 MB -> ENDER = 35% (1 meter)
f13, 22 xx db2 MB, 22 xx db1, f2 1+3 = 36% (1 meter - Corner Combo)

Anti-Air:
d2, 22 xx db1 -> ENDER = 21% (meterless)
d2, 22 xx db2 MB, 22 db1 -> ENDER = 30% (1 meter)


Strategy:


Midscreen:



Aquaman is extremely good at footsies. With his range on his main starters, b12 and b2, he can dominate at mid range. You want to stay in this range and pressure your opponent with his strings. Using b12, hit confirm into db2 for a full 40% combo. Block confirm b12 into df1 for chip damage, meter, and to make the string safe. As I said before, you can still be punished by Flash and Superman. Throw in a b12 dd3 sometimes. Afterwards you can dash out or explode sending them full screen. This will be your low pressure game.

Your overhead pressure game will come off of b2. It has massive range. You can link it into db1 for an overhead followed quickly by a low launcher for a 21/22% meterless combo or a 35% combo using 1 bar. db1 is unsafe vs certain punishes so throw in a b2 dd3 a bit more with this. Again, you can dash out afterwards looking for a punish or you can explode using 1 bar of meter but sending the opponent to full screen and dealing 8% damage.

Ending strings with 223 allows for a possibly ambiguous crossup attempt with JI3. This can lead into another full combo. You can use ji3, 22 (44%) or ji3 b12 (41%). You can also dash forward off of both enders (be careful of wakeup attacks) and go in for a throw. Time your throw before the opponent rises from the ground and you can easily get one.


Corner:


This is where the f13 string comes into play. This string is a mid following by an overhead that is +2 on block. You can use any of the midscreen combos here with the addition of the f13 string. Mix up with b12, b2, f13, and throws for corner pressure. This strategy was posted by Tom Brady correcting himself from the Injustice guide.


"His F+13 string is adv on block. In the corner you can use this string and the opponent must block a D+1~DB1 0r D+1~DF1. F+13 ends with an overhead launcher that can be interrupted in between with a parry or armor. You can use F+1~DB1 as a low option mix up and this cannot be interrupted. However, F+13 and F+1~DB1 can be fuzzy guarded every time once your opponent gets used to it. When this happens use F+13 and F+1, then B+12 and this beats the fuzzy guard."


Zoning:


Aquaman isn't the best zoner in the game but he can handle himself. Trident throw (bf2) trades well with aerial projectiles causing a knockdown and doing 11% damage. From The Deep (db2) is his main zoning tool. It can punish some projectiles on block and can be MB into a 20% combo. (db2 MB, db2). You can hit this while opponents dash in or as they land from jumping also.
 
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Reptile Orion

A Fire Will Rise.
Great information. As a new Aquaman player this will come in handy. Any other thoughts from Aquaman players on how to control a matchup?
 
Stay in a postion in which you are not cornered to frequently, try to trade with successful tridents and b12 shield for that low pressure. Thats what I try to do, stay in the mid range and try to anticipate my opponent's moves.
 

Reptile Orion

A Fire Will Rise.
Stay in a postion in which you are not cornered to frequently, try to trade with successful tridents and b12 shield for that low pressure. Thats what I try to do, stay in the mid range and try to anticipate my opponent's moves.
Great info. I haven't thought about incorporating Aquaman's trait about B12. I need to start incorporating that into my game. I'm enjoying using the character.
 
I like to play a mix approach with Aquaman; mostly, offensively and defensively at times. His trident toss is a GOOD aerial trade with characters like Hawkgirl, Black Adam and Wonder Woman *in her Lasso form that is*. I think his fastest mid start is b123 which in my opinion, one of the best starters in the game *Minus Catwoman's b12d3*
 

Reptile Orion

A Fire Will Rise.
Is everyone open to contributing and updating this Guide? I feel we have a wealth of knowledge with all of the Aquaman mains on this forum. Let's all collaborate.
 

Reptile Orion

A Fire Will Rise.
I'd love to collab with you and many other Aquaman mains, but work and time does play a huge role. I would love to otherwise.
I appreciate you commenting. I work as well and know that time is valuable. How about we start with an open conversation discussing how we use the character? Feel free to comment when you can and we'll see where the conversation goes. Hopefully we can get some other Aquaman mains to join in as well. I'm always fascinated how other players use a character's tools.
 

Invincibeast

Stay Free
Got a question for you guys. I just picked Aquaman up 3 days ago. What is his best wake up option vs someone who likes to go for cross ups or start strings right when you get up? (especially in the corner)
Help would be appreciated. Thanks!
 

Reptile Orion

A Fire Will Rise.
I just started a conversation with Skylight1 to discuss advanced Aquaman strategies and left it open so anyone can join. The goal is to take the next step Fate started with putting together this Introductory Guide to Aquaman. If you'd like to be added definitely let one of us know.
 
It would also be nice if Tom Brady would be in this discussion as he is at these tournaments, representing our main Aquaman.
 

Reptile Orion

A Fire Will Rise.
It would also be nice if Tom Brady would be in this discussion as he is at these tournaments, representing our main Aquaman.
Agreed. But I was looking to be more proactive than reactive since the Aqua forums have had little activity lately. I'd like to have an opportunity to hear and learn from Brady.
 

trustinme

xbl-OBS trustinme
I like to play a mix approach with Aquaman; mostly, offensively and defensively at times. His trident toss is a GOOD aerial trade with characters like Hawkgirl, Black Adam and Wonder Woman *in her Lasso form that is*. I think his fastest mid start is b123 which in my opinion, one of the best starters in the game *Minus Catwoman's b12d3*
is b123 safe on block?
 

HGTV Soapboxfan

"Always a Pleasure"
I'm not going to shoot myself in the foot by saying this but you can get a guarenteed backdash or foward dash after doing the move, allowing the continuation of pressure.
Okay I was just scrolling through random threads looking for ideas for stuff to lab with Aquaman.... and what? its negative on block........ That isn't even close. i am just saying this because if you think this could be the case, you have serious misunderstanding of frame data.
 
Did I not say I was not going to shoot myself in the foot by saying that? I mean a lot of people I play with agree with this same exact statement -that B123 on block allows for a forward or backwards dash. Again frame data could probably disprove this but a lot of people I play with (who happens to be good players) agree with what was staten.

I am open for frame data discussion.
 

HGTV Soapboxfan

"Always a Pleasure"
Did I not say I was not going to shoot myself in the foot by saying that? I mean a lot of people I play with agree with this same exact statement -that B123 on block allows for a forward or backwards dash. Again frame data could probably disprove this but a lot of people I play with (who happens to be good players) agree with what was staten.

I am open for frame data discussion.
If it gave you a free back dash or forward dash you would have enough advantage that you could just loop the string for an infinite.
 

Jason H

Noob
Found this really helpful having picked up Aquaman from maining Supes from day 1.

Will be watching this thread and others in order to improve my Aquaman game.

PM me if you fancy a set.