Kitana General Discussion

[Arqwart]

Half Blood Stance + Low Fan makes me feel so dirty and I love it. Talk about a zoning powerhouse. Still got all the hit confirms available from regular lift, too. Just made a Raiden rage quit.

 

[DarksydeDash]

Half Blood Stance + Low Fan makes me feel so dirty and I love it. Talk about a zoning powerhouse. Still got all the hit confirms available from regular lift, too. Just made a Raiden rage quit.

This is what Foxy was using on stream. It seems SUPER good, might be one of her best combinations.

 

[Bigzo]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1329652899190812673

 

[Bigzo]

Back 2 forever destined to suck against jumpers. Disappointing, but kudos for Brownback responding. I haven’t seen devs engaging with customers about balance since Ghostcrawler in my world of Warcraft days.

 

[xKhaoTik]

Who still uses b2 for oki? Lol that’s the problem right there. Also, I honestly don’t even use b2 unless it’s off of a jump attack, razors or her newly buffed d4. I get what he’s saying tho but that’s something we had to move on from. They never addressed it after all this time so i don’t think they care
B1 is where it’s at, especially when used with up fan.

 

[Bigzo]

It’s not even really off oki. At times I use it just to get in on people and they happen to jump.

 

[StormGoddess]

 

[M2Dave]

So, is custom Kitana better or worse than pre-patch Highborn?

 

[Arqwart]

So, is custom Kitana better or worse than pre-patch Highborn?

Better. There were a lot of hidden gem potential combinations limited by the presets. There are better zoning variations than Fearless, better pressure variations than Highborn, and better whatever the fuck than Fanfare.

 

[DarksydeDash]

So, is custom Kitana better or worse than pre-patch Highborn?

Definitely better. If you wanna go the zone route, fannado let's you combo into sai toss while low fan is a frame trap after blocking sai toss.

 

[Arqwart]

Notable variation combinations I've found and liked so far.

Zoning
Half Blood Stance + Fan-Nado: while lacking in hit confirm combo potential as is the usual with Fan-Nado, this variation has some interesting combo routes utilizing Fan-Nado's increased lift time. You can guarantee a Stance Sai hit immediately after the lift, meaning that this variation can efficiently build to the Stance KB. Also, Fan + Air Fan + Sai + Fan-Nado is a nasty zoning combination that covers all areas of the screen.

Half Blood Stance + Low Fan: doesn't sacrifice punish damage with Fan-Nado, but does sacrifice the ability to eventually guarantee the Stance KB. The tradeoff is a different zoning style via Low Fan as well as the usual Low Fan mixup / safety gimmicks up close if desired. Despite being focused on zoning, this combination has some weird pressure options via Stance cancels and Low Fan amplifications. Just like the above, the Fan + Air Fan + Sai + Low Fan combination is filthy for zoning purposes.

Floaty
Retreating / Advancing Flutter + Piercing Dagger: the ground is lava and should be treated as such. A strange variation that works wonders at getting your opponent stuck in their own head as each jump you do can turn into forward movement, retreating movement, a downward air projectile, a regular air attack followed by one of the previous 3 items, a regular air attack alone, or nothing. This shit is hilariously weird and I highly recommend trying it out at least once purely for the novelty of it.

Mix
Ground War + Edenian Twist + Low Fan: as gimmicky as they come because technically both options are unsafe, this variation utilizes Ground War Twist and Low Fan to make every single poke and string you do a mixup. Strike fear into the hearts of your opponents until they hold literally everything you do then start tossing in actual staggers and grabs. Really cheesy shit, but also incredibly risky. Be sure to practice Edenian Twist KB follow-up combos as you'll always be getting this off due to opponents trying to respond to your blocked pokes with one of their own.

 

[DarksydeDash]

Notable variation combinations I've found and liked so far.

Zoning
Half Blood Stance + Fan-Nado: while lacking in hit confirm combo potential as is the usual with Fan-Nado, this variation has some interesting combo routes utilizing Fan-Nado's increased lift time. You can guarantee a Stance Sai hit immediately after the lift, meaning that this variation can efficiently build to the Stance KB. Also, Fan + Air Fan + Sai + Fan-Nado is a nasty zoning combination that covers all areas of the screen.

Half Blood Stance + Low Fan: doesn't sacrifice punish damage with Fan-Nado, but does sacrifice the ability to eventually guarantee the Stance KB. The tradeoff is a different zoning style via Low Fan as well as the usual Low Fan mixup / safety gimmicks up close if desired. Despite being focused on zoning, this combination has some weird pressure options via Stance cancels and Low Fan amplifications. Just like the above, the Fan + Air Fan + Sai + Low Fan combination is filthy for zoning purposes.

Floaty
Retreating / Advancing Flutter + Piercing Dagger: the ground is lava and should be treated as such. A strange variation that works wonders at getting your opponent stuck in their own head as each jump you do can turn into forward movement, retreating movement, a downward air projectile, a regular air attack followed by one of the previous 3 items, a regular air attack alone, or nothing. This shit is hilariously weird and I highly recommend trying it out at least once purely for the novelty of it.

Mix
Ground War + Edenian Twist + Low Fan: as gimmicky as they come because technically both options are unsafe, this variation utilizes Ground War Twist and Low Fan to make every single poke and string you do a mixup. Strike fear into the hearts of your opponents until they hold literally everything you do then start tossing in actual staggers and grabs. Really cheesy shit, but also incredibly risky. Be sure to practice Edenian Twist KB follow-up combos as you'll always be getting this off due to opponents trying to respond to your blocked pokes with one of their own.

I'd like to add:
Razors, Up fan, and ground war; Poke mind game, +22 restand, reversal/armor breaker, and nice converts.

Damage is unbreakable until you get them in the corner and land a b34, in which you hit 30% for a bar and again, have the threat of armor break.

Ground war and half blood stance:
-17-21% teleport punish do to canceling amp telekick into ass.

Full on kitana damage from bnbs + double amp teleport kick if you catch someone in the air with armor break possibly and sai toss oki for a dash up s2 + frames pokes. This is easily her anti zoning variation imo.

 

[DarksydeDash]

Kitana pressure is real.

B131 and B13 dash up grab/b13/s2/jump 2, etc. is super good.

Now that Kitana has reliable + frames with pushback via s2, d1/d4/etc. after is 100% legit, and the extra advantage on d4, is even better.

In the case of razors on hit, we know have a guaranteed way to get + frames on block since s2 jails regardless of amp razors or not and this actually enhances her strike/ throw game.

Also, if they block S2 crouching, you're even more +.

@M2Dave

 

[John_NX]

Kitana pressure is real.

B131 and B13 dash up grab/b13/s2/jump 2, etc. is super good.

Now that Kitana has reliable + frames with pushback via s2, d1/d4/etc. after is 100% legit, and the extra advantage on d4, is even better.

In the case of razors on hit, we know have a guaranteed way to get + frames on block since s2 jails regardless of amp razors or not and this actually enhances her strike/ throw game.

Also, if they block S2 crouching, you're even more +.

@M2Dave

Isn't it only +1 though? You won't be able to get much out of it, maybe a whiff punish if your opponent moves or a D4 at best

 

[Dogeofthesea]

Kitana pressure is real.

B131 and B13 dash up grab/b13/s2/jump 2, etc. is super good.

Now that Kitana has reliable + frames with pushback via s2, d1/d4/etc. after is 100% legit, and the extra advantage on d4, is even better.

In the case of razors on hit, we know have a guaranteed way to get + frames on block since s2 jails regardless of amp razors or not and this actually enhances her strike/ throw game.

Also, if they block S2 crouching, you're even more +.

@M2Dave

There is a random push back with the mb razor. After you're +1, sometimes your d3 can't reach. So you can be punished for pressing d3 after your own plus frame. Be careful with this.

 

[DarksydeDash]

Isn't it only +1 though? You won't be able to get much out of it, maybe a whiff punish if your opponent moves or a D4 at best

+1 with pushback and we have an 8 frame d1. nothing is going to stop that check.

There is a random push back with the mb razor. After you're +1, sometimes your d3 can't reach. So you can be punished for pressing d3 after your own plus frame. Be careful with this.

Why would you d3 with pushback?

 

[OPS_soldier]

Whats everyones opinion on traditional Kitana with low fan? I used to hate standard flutter but now i cant get enough of it on oki. Ground war is to always keep them guessing with armor break. And low fan is to demand opponents advance when i don't have life lead. I was told you dont need low fan in this variation. Thoughts?

 

[DarksydeDash]

Low fan is very good in general and gives a nice mind game if you have bar. The only downside is it takes away some corner damage.

 

[Zer0_h0ur]

What would be a nice slot move to accompany Edenian Razors and Low Fan Toss?

I was thinking booty breaker, but with Razors I won't be doing too much juggling, only pop up would be my D2 KB.
I think Razors still has potential, it just became a fair move now.

 

[DavesHotnJuicy]

Can we get an enhanced float or something

 

[Trustful_Whale]

What would you guys say to someone who thinks Kitana has been killed?

 

[John_NX]

What would you guys say to someone who thinks Kitana has been killed?

Get gut

 

[Arqwart]

What would you guys say to someone who thinks Kitana has been killed?

Like, she was made garbage by this patch? I'd tell them that what Kitana was good at before just got considerably better with the introduction of customs, her low pokes are now worth a damn despite their low speed due to the frame changes, her damage output has never been better, and her U2 got buffed AGAIN as it no longer has her slide backwards so it whiffs in considerably fewer flawless block reversal situations. She also solidified a spot as a top 3 zoner that can actually be considered along the zoning tier of Cetrion and Shang.

All she lacks right now are dashes worth a shit, especially a backdash. May as well not have one right now with how bad hers is.

EDIT: oh! Forgot to mention an entirely new gameplay style has been introduced for her with customs open due to Advancing/Retreating Float. She can now utilize those, and potentially the Kabal-esque angled air fan, to be a Kung Lao style borderline flying character.

 

[xWildx]

I’d say she’s fine, but that’s it. Fine. No one’s going to be running to Kitana. Yes, her pokes are better on hit... but so are everyone else’s. She still suffers from a lack of mobility on the ground. Throws that have basically no advantage on knockdown. Questionable hitboxes on b1 and d3.

I personally think people are sleeping on Sonya. Now that you can’t mash on her after a low pokes I’m waiting to see her return as the 50/50 queen.

 

[Dogeofthesea]

I think Sonya has no place in this patch. She literally can't touch Fujin, Rain, Mileena... with their insane dash speed. Same as Kitana with the garbage backdash.
Watch any game with those DLCs you will notice, no one is counterpoking with another poke anymore. They can poke then backdash like Catwoman with half the recovery frames
They should either increase the dash speed of slow characters, or nerf those broken DLCs to be on par with, let's say Johnny and Cassie.