Guide The Komplete Tarkatan Guide

[1man3letters]

...

 

[1man3letters]

Before you read any more, i highly suggest you read these threads first....

Baraka Frame Data by Somberness
http://www.testyourmight.com/threads/baraka-frame-data-conclusions-blocked-string-gaps.16254/

Baraka Block String Gaps by Chaosphere
http://www.testyourmight.com/threads/baraka-frame-data-conclusions-blocked-string-gaps.16254/

Baraka Meter Building Data by Aidan
http://www.testyourmight.com/threads/baraka-frame-data-conclusions-blocked-string-gaps.16254/

Baraka True Damage And Chip Damage Data by Aidan
http://www.testyourmight.com/threads/baraka-frame-data-conclusions-blocked-string-gaps.16254/

now that you have read those.....

Normal Properties

H- high L- low M- hits opp ducking without block O- overhead
SC- special cancelable CC- combo cancelable KD - knockdown
NDW - neutral duck whiff OTG- picks sleeping opponent up off ground
- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

H - SC - CC - NDW
, M - SC - CC
,, M - SC
,, M - SC
,,+ L - KD - OTG
M - SC - CC
, M - SC - CC
,, H - KD - NDW
, H - SC - CC
,,+ M/O 1st hit SC - CC 2nd hit Launch - +8 on block
H (hits mid a touching) - SC - CC (game considers opp airborn on hit)
,+ L - KD - OTG
M - SC

+ M - SC
+ H - KD - NDW
+ L - SC - OTG
+ L - SC

+ H - SC - CC - +5 on block - NDW
+, H - SC - NDW
+,+ H - 1st hit SC - CC 2nd hit mini launch - NDW
+ H - SC - CC - NDW
+,+ O - KD
+ L - SC - CC - OTG
+, M - Launch
+ ,,+ O - KD
+, M - SC - CC
+,, O - KD
+ L - KD - OTG - +11 on block
+ O - SC - CC
+, M - KD (krazy hitbox)
+, M - KD
+ M - OTG
+, M - Launch
+ M - Launch - +10 on block (game considers baraka airborn)
+ O - KD http://testyourmight.com/threads/the-misadventures-of-u4.24552/



Best Normals


1. Horror Show +, O,M (19 frames, -9 on block, +40,+48 on hit)
Used in baraka's 50/50 game and also as a footsies tool.
its generally +~Slices/Spin. +~Chop Chop is generally a big risk to take as + is hard to hit confirm and Chop Chop very unsafe on block

in the footsies side of things, making the opponent think you missed a + cancel only to smack them with the of the string for 11% and so much knockdown stun that you can walk up just before the opponents feet to see if there going to tech roll or wakeup.
the string can also be used as combo ender.

*also check the "baraka glitches/bugs" thread for the corner bug with this string*

2. Easy Kill +,, L,M,O (17 frames, -14 on block, +42,+50 on hit)
Also used in baraka's 50/50 game. great string for hit confirms also.
the last hit should not really be used as unsafe but the final has a huge hitbox and again grants alot of knockdown stun.

on block +, should be canceled into Slices,
(against some low chars +~Slices/Spin should be used)
on hit +, should be canceled into Chop Chop or Slices depending on the situation.

3. Doom Kicks +, M,M (12 frames, -2 on block, Launch on hit)
He's had them since MK2 and i love them!!

one of baraka's faster and safer normals.
main use is after frametraps aka "the doom kicks check",
,both hits mid,can OTG, used in combos and only -2 on block, all in all a great string
also used alot after +(+13 on hit)

4. Tears Of Pain ,,+ M,H,M,O (23 frames, +8 on block, Launch on hit)
Frametrapping 101 with this string.
does alot of chip and also builds massive meter especially when the 1st hit of + is canceled into Slices.
great mixup options with this string.
, is 0 on block also,a rarity with Barakas normals

low hitbox chars can duck the 2nd hit of the string and either poke or even more depending if they have a 7 frame string starter

5. Cut 'Em Loose +, H,H (16 frames, -14 on block, +4 on hit)
Since both hits are high this string is best used from a jip.
canceling +, into Slices/Spin jails the opponent standing for very good meter gain.
used in alot of combos also.

1st hit of string is +5 on block and +12 on hit, also take note that against the large hitbox chars at touching distance +, will hit crouching opponents and even against kenshi will hit him in neutral crouch.

6. Open Wound +,,+ L,M,O (17 frames, -15 on block, +44,+36 on hit)
Ok so to start im going to talk about the 1st two hits in the string of this string,
on hit they launch on block they are -11,
this is a punish string and should really only be used as that unless against a char that cannot punish the -11 you'll be left at outside of pokes or a tight uppercut(eg.mileena). the 1st two hits are also horrible on whiff so please don't be throwing this string out left, right and center.

the risk/reward of +,: http://testyourmight.com/threads/risk-reward-of-b31f1-vs-full-cast.27239/

now onto the last hit, there is somewhat of a mixup against chars who can not punish the -11 or the 13 frame gap inbetween *+ so would just go for a slower normal thinking you will stay blocking after the blocked +,.
the + deals with this situation

also keep in mind there is a 2 frame gap inbetween +*, your opponent would have to make on hell of a read to risk armoring that and risk eating +,

also just another side note, if the opponent blocks both hits of +, ducking the string becomes -10 as it takes a extra frame to do a move coming out of crouch block

7. Splinter +,+ H,H,H (16 frames, -5 on block, 2nd hit CC 3rd hit mini launch)
a hybrid of the cut em loose string.
difference being its a 3 hit string with the 2nd being combo cancelable and 3rd hit lauching.
mainly used from a jip and in some xray combos

8. + M (24 frames, +10 on block, Launch on hit)
see this thread: http://testyourmight.com/threads/uses-for-u-3.6957/

9. + L (26 frames, +11 on block, +33,+30 on hit)
see this thread: http://testyourmight.com/threads/uses-for-b4.13935/

10. + L (6 frames, +2 on hit, -8 on block)
one of the two chars in the game with a 6 frame + (CSZ is the other)
main uses are of course as a poking/counter poking and canceling into specials

11. + M (7 frames, 0 on hit, -15 on block)
very long reach for a + and shares the same uses as + on top off the ability to AA with it.

12. + H (11 frames, -1 on block, +34,+26 on hit)
Uppercut with a massive vertical and horizontal hitbox.
after + is hit as AA at certain heights Blade Charge can be linked
on reverse uppercuts its possible to do dash into + ~
also on reverse uppercut it is possible to link a Chop Chop into a + / canceled ender

13. + L (12 frames, 0 on block, +13 on hit)
sonya/mileena/reptile style +
great poke and very good for footsies.

14. M (12 frames, -20 on block, +4 on hit)
ones of baraka's faster normals and Mid hitting.
used in some combos and frametrap follow ups.
Always cancel into Slices/spin as it is very unsafe on block.
also used as AA as ~Spark (unbreakable)

*also check out this thread about baraka's "un-used" normals.
http://testyourmight.com/threads/barakas-unused-under-used-normals.26655/

 

[1man3letters]

Frame Traps

Trap 1.
,,+ (+8 on block)

Follow ups 1.
+ (12 frames)
(12 frames)
+ (12 frames)
(13 frames)
+ (11 frames)
+ (7 frames)
+ (6 frames)
Throw (10 frames)
+ mixup beaten by 10 frame move
+ mixup beaten by 8 frame move

Trap2.
+ (+10 on block)

Follow ups 2.
(12 frames)
+ (12 frames) (must dash)
+ (12 frames)
Throw (10 frames) (must dash,will throw opp out of a d1 start up)
+ mixup beaten by 8 frame move
+ mixup beaten by 6 frame move

Trap 3.
+ (+11 on block)

Follow ups 3.
+ (12 frames)
(12 frames) (if + is blocked at max range will whiff)
+ (12 frames)
Throw (10 frames)
+ mixup beaten by 7 frame move
+ mixup beaten by armor

Trap 4.
+ (+5 on block)

Follow ups 4.
+ (7 frames)
+ (6 frames)
+ (12 frames) (beaten by 6 frame move)
(12 frames) (beaten by 6 frame move)
Throw (10 frames)



Warning!!! Filth Incoming!!!
so we all know about the meter drain glitch.
as we also all know it is a bad thing, but baraka can use it as a good thing, here's one example how...

ok so you just got your opponent to block ,,+ and now your +8, if your opponent has armor or even better safe armor, the logical thing for them to do would be to armor the 4 frame gap there is with the +, follow up.
now that your at +8 if you use a move with less startup frames ( + 7 frames ) and your opponent tried to armor thinking a doom kick check, what is going to happen is they will lose a bar of meter for there troubles.
(this works best with + then Spin and finally +)

 

[1man3letters]

Specials

aka "in your neck, in your eye, get the fuck outta here " (15 frames, -16 on block, -7 on hit) 32% damage
advancing fully armored mid hitting xray with decent pushback on block,
has the same range as a normal Blade Charge


Blade Charge (10 frames, -21 on block,-16 max range, +16,0 on hit) 8% damage
fast advancing mid hitting special that grants a knockdown on hit.
punishable upclose but most of the cast cannot punish spaced out charges

Blade Charge (10 frames, -21 on block, -13 full screen, +16,-1 on hit +24,+7 hit fullscreen) 13% damage
full screen armored advancing special.
baraka's only armor outside his xray.
used for armoring through projectiles for the most part.


Slices (10 frames, 0 on block, +34,+8 on hit) 10% damage
3 hit special used to make a blockstring/normal end in 0.
builds great meter on block and knockdown on hit
the 1st hit can whiff on lowhitbox chars in certain situations.

Slices (10 frames, 0 on block, LAUNCH on hit) 14% damage
4 hit version of slices in which the last hit lauches for a combo.
mostly used in the corner for combos off his overhead/low mixup.
can be interupted before 4th hit on block by lowhitbox chars


Blade Spin (7 frames, 0 on block, +43,+26 on hit) 9% damage
high hitting 7 frame spin that causes knockdown on hit
great for AA and crossovers.
nice pushback on block.
used in alot of baraka's corner combos

Blade Spin (7 frames, 0 on block, +45,+28 on hit) 15% damage
a more damaging and longer duration version of the spin


Chop Chop (16 frames, -26 on block, +43,+51 & mini juggle on hit) 11% damage
this can be used as a AA but it not the beast it once was.
still a odd "vaccum" effect to the move though.
only the 1st hit of Chop Chop can be breakered,
also it can be used in some hit confirm combos

Chop Chop (16 frames, -26 on block, +29,+37) 17% damage
more damaging version of Chop Chop but without the mini juggle at the end.
used in a small amount of combos.
good for closing off a round as a unbreakable AA


Spark (16 frames, -23 on block, -4 on hit) 8% damage
high hitting unsafe projectile with sub-par recovery but a massive hitbox

Spark (16 frames, -23 on block, +12 on hit) 14% damage
more damaging version off the spark that hits mid on non-low hitbox chars

 

[1man3letters]

Kombos


Midscreen
,,+ - +, - Blade Charge
,,+ ~ Chop Chop - + ~ Blade Charge
,,+ - +, - +,
,,+ - +, - ~ Blade Charge
,,+ - +, - +, ~ Blade Charge
,,+ ~ Chop Chop - + ~

+, ~ Chop Chop - + ~ Blade Charge
+, ~ Slices - Blade Charge
+, ~ Chop Chop - + ~

+ ~ Chop Chop - + ~ Blade Charge
+ ~ Slices - Blade Charge
+ ~ Chop Chop - + ~

+, - Blade Charge
+, - ~ Blade Charge
+, - + ~

+, - + ~ Chop Chop - + ~ Blade Charge
+, - +, - +,
+, - +, - +, ~ Blade Charge
+, - +, - +, - ~ Blade Charge
+, - +, - + ~ Chop Chop
+, - +, - +, ~

+,+ ~ Chop Chop - + ~ Blade Charge
+,+ ~ Chop Chop - + ~

DJK, Blade Charge
DJK, ~ Blade Charge
DJK, +,


Korner
,,+ - +, - +, - +, ~ Spin, Spin
,,+ - + - +, - +, - Spin, Spin
,,+ ~ Chop Chop ~ ~

+, ~ Chop Chop - ~ Chop Chop
+, ~ Slices - +, - ,, ~ Spin, Spin
+, ~ Chop Chop - ~

+ ~ Chop Chop - - Chop Chop
+ ~ Slices - +, - +, ~ Spin, Spin
+ ~ Chop Chop - - Chop Chop

+ - +, - +, - +, ~ Spin, Spin
+ - +, - Spin
+ - +, - +, - +,+ ~

+, - +, - +, - +, ~ Spin, Spin
+, - NJP - + - +, - ,, ~ Spin, Spin
+, - +, - +, - +,+ ~

+,+ ~ Chop Chop - ~ Spin
+,+ ~ Chop Chop - ~

DJK, +, - +, - +, ~ Spin - - Blade Charge
DJK, +, - +, - +, ~ Spin - + ~


Resets

As we all know Baraka has a number of ways to reset his opponent,
all have different frame adv and hence different follow ups so know your options.

Midscreen - Korner Resets
+ - +

+, - +, - +
+, - +, - +, - +

,,+ - +
,,+ - +, - +
,,+ - +, - +, - + *very hard to do midscreen*

air to air punch, +
DJK, +

Korner Only Resets
+, - NJP - + - +, - +
+, - +, - +, ~ Spin - +
+, - +, - +, - +, ~ Spin - +

,,+ - +, - +, ~ Spin - +
,,+ - +, - +, - +, ~ Spin - +
,,+ ~ Chop Chop - +

+, ~ Chop Chop - +
+, ~ Slices - +, - +
+, ~ Slices - +, - +, ~ Spin - +

+ ~ Chop Chop - +
+ ~ Slices - +, - +
+ ~ Slices - +, - +, ~ Spin - +

+ ~ Chop Chop - +
+ - +, - +, - +
+ - +, - +, - +, ~ Spin - +

NJP, + - +, - +
NJP, + - +, - +, ~ Spin - +

DJK, +, - +, - +
DJK, +, - +, - +, ~ Spin - +

+ resets : http://testyourmight.com/threads/somecubanguys-korner-reset.23587/

*notes on korner resets/kombos*
"Chop Chop - +" and "+, ~ Spin - +" resets have very low adv frame because you are resetting your opponent at such a low height.

the "+, ~ Spin - +" resets are height dependant, the general rule of thumb is if the Spin knocks the opponent high enough that his feet are just over Barakas head you are at the right height to put the reset off.
also this is the right height to pull off triple spins as your combo enders.

on resets in corner, if opponent is reset at MAX height (there back should be covering a bit of bottom of clock if done right) the option to armor the +/+ mixup is no longer there for your opponent and they MUST guess.

 

[1man3letters]

General Tips And Strategy

*How baraka "should" be played
Baraka is not just a footsies character, Baraka is not just a rushdown character, Baraka is not just a frametrap character, Baraka is not just a turtle character, Baraka is not just a mixup character, Baraka is not just a corner game character. Baraka is all of these but at the same time none of these.
Baraka is a jack of all trades but master of fuck all.

if you watch the few baraka offline tournament players that there are now you will notice alot of difference in the gameplay so find what style works best for you but 95% of the time our goal in to get our opponent in the corner and keep them there for some good old tarkatan corner rape.

*Spacing and footsies
More so that some other characters you will live and die with your spacing with Baraka.
his backward walk is the 10th fastest in game and faster than his forward walk.
learn his spacing and how his footsies work before anything else, theres no point in having a bag full of swag if you cant hit your opponent.
Baraka also has a godlike backdash, abuse this.

*Character hitbox side
This may seem like a no-brainer but knowing your opponents hitbox is very important for Baraka. if its from how low hitboxs limit Barakas Slices options or limit ,,+ blockstring to the larger hitboxs were or +, with hit them crouch blocking.
even to the where +, will hit a neutral ducking character like kenshi.

*When your opponent "respects it and does not expect it"
When your opponent starts to realise they must respect certain options you can go for things that are not guaranteed, like looping frametraps, slower normals, throw etc.
be sure to mix up your gameplay and keep your opponent guessing.

*Wake up options
Barakas wakeup attacks are Spin, Slices, Chop Chop and Blade charge.

Baraka is well stocked in wake up options and his wake up game is a mixup in itself for your opponent and the methods he would have to take to punish each wake up option.
with the 11 frames of invincibility on normal wake ups and 20 frames on wakeups Baraka is also well covered there.

*Anti Air
Just like with Barakas wake up options he also has a varied numbers of ways to AA.
- + - - + - + would be his best AA normals.
Blade Charge and Spark make a good AAs along with Chop Chop when spaced well but the go to special for AA is Spin.
Spin is also Barakas best anti crossup tool.

...and of course there is always

*Meter Management
Baraka 3 mains uses of meter will be Blade Charge, Slices and breaker.
you will build most of your meter from blocks strings and canceling into Slices/Spin on block.
Barakas frametrap game also gains him alot of meter.
good meter management is vital while using baraka cause lets be honest tarkatans need that meter.
(i personally hate my meter and the sight of a full bar offends me)

*Full damage vs reset combos
There is no definitive answer to this question,
it depends on health bars, meter, screen positioning, character your against as well as a few other factors.

try maximize your damage potential at all times and also take into account in your combos not just damage but things like screen positioning, follows ups and meter gain (both you and your opponent)
i know this is kind of obvious but just to state it, if a full damage combo will kill your opponent dont mess about with a reset.

*Swag bag
Baraka indeed does have a swag bag....

* SomeCubanGuy corner reset
http://testyourmight.com/threads/somecubanguys-korner-reset.23587/

*barakas best 1 meter corner combo by Check
jip,+, - +, - +, - +, ~ Spin - ~ Chop Chop 52%

*meterless 50% corner combo
jip,+, - +, - +, - +, ~ triple Spin

*57% sheeva only combo by MK9-SnOwY
http://testyourmight.com/threads/baraka-57-x-ray-combo-with-3d-glitch.26158/

* toasty boost


* corner toasty boost combo
reverse + - Chop Chop {} - + ~ - 51%
(possible to use +/ ~ in corner but increases chance of xray whiffing)

 

[1man3letters]

*reserved*

 

[1man3letters]

ok guys v1.0 is complete bar damage % so im going to unlock this now just as a written guide and add in videos or anything else as i go along.
sorry for the wait and i hope this at least helps someone and thanks for reading if you do

 

[Zoidberg747]

I dig it, nice job.

 

[1man3letters]

I dig it, nice job.

thanks man.

any and all input towards whats in or could be put in with upcoming updates appreciated

 

[Zoidberg747]

thanks man.

any an all input towards whats in or could be put in with upcoming updates appreciated

Its really hard to add much.

Something I was thinking though, is we should start a MU project like the Reptile forum is doing. Like what we did with the bad MUs, except with all of them(Because we all know what happens when you dont study the fish characters )

 

[Braindead]

Upon so many viewings of this hype-as-fuck video by @MK9-SnOwY, and the general consensus that Baraka is indeed a truck-load of swag, I, @Braindead, have decided to pick up Baraka. The lab shall be hit next week, and this guide will be extremely helpful. Thank you @1man3letters.

 

[Braindead]

I just hope he'll be fun to play lol.

 

[Zoidberg747]

I just hope he'll be fun to play lol.

Ill try and get some videos of me playing at my local tonight. Might help you out.