My Vega "The Spanish Ninja" FAQ 1.0 (for Street Fighter Alpha/Zero 3) Legal Stuff: All of this FAQ was created by me. So, no one can just go off making copies of this and putting your name on it without giving me the proper credit. This FAQ is copyrighted by the author. Capcom, Street Fighter, Street Fighter Alpha, Street Fighter Zero series and other related characters are copywrited by Capcom, Ltd. -Contents- 1) Introduction: a) Welcome b) The Goal of this FAQ c) Revision History 2) Basics in Controls a) joystick b) buttons c) Universal moves (Blocking, Taunts, Air Recovery,...) d) "-ISM's". What are they? 3) About Vega a) Storyline b) History in the Street Fighter story 4) Vega Moves List a) Normal Attacks b) Special Abilities and Attacks c) Super Combos 5) Strategies for using Vega a) Strengths b) Weaknesses c) The Road to Victory 6) The Versus Section 7) Thanks to... 1) INTRODUCTION a) Welcome! Hi! This is the first time writing a FAQ file for... anything! This FAQ is dedicated to one of the most useful, best, and coolest SF characters in history: VEGA! Everyone who's played Street Fighter 2 should know who he is... He's the guy wearing the mask and has a claw for stabbing people. He was also known as being the only "gay" Street Fighter, or as the "muscular female" Boss during that time. b) The Goal of this FAQ Vega is one of the most underrated Street Fighter characters of now. Most people tend to use the Ryu's and the Ryu clones now. If not, they use Charlie/Nash, Chun-Li or Blanka. Most people underestimate Vega's ability. This FAQ was created to give a good alternative to those who are just sick of the other characters and want someone new and exciting to watch and fun to control! Vega can beat anyone... even a Ryu or Akuma/Gouki master... with very good timing and skill, of course! Give a chance to Vega... he's very easy to master because of his speed and range. Sure, he may not have the best range. That title goes to Dhalsim... but Dhalsim doesn't have the speed of Vega! He isn't the fastest. That title still belongs to Guy... but Vega has definitely more range. Vega is one of the characters, when mastered is a very scary opponent. What makes you have the edge mastering Vega over the other characters? No one has really played against a master Vega! Play him, and you'll see I'm correct when I say that Vega is one of the better characters in Street Fighter Alpha 3. c) Revision History 1.0. (01/16/99) Everything! 2) BASICS IN CONTROLS: a) Joystick This is for the left hand side of the joystick layout (1st player), or when the character is facing right. If using the other side (2nd player), or the character is now facing the left, reverse any back or forward commands. u=jump up ub=jump back | uf=jump forward \ | / \ | / b=walk back/ -- -- f=walk forward high block / | \ / | \ db=low block | df=offensive crouch d=low crouch b) Buttons: START button=Taunt PUNCHES ------ Jab Strong Fierce (weak) (medium) (hard) KICKS -------- Short Forward Roundhouse (weak) (medium) (hard) c) Universal Moves: This is the list of all the character's abilities in this game. Blocking (hold b/db on joystick) Blocks attacks. High Block for jumping attacks and overhead attacks, or Low Block for attacks that hit below the belt! Special Attacks or Super Combos will chip a bit of lift even when blocking. Throws cannot be blocked! Air Blocking (hold b/db on joystick) {not available in X-ISM} Block attacks while in the air! Note that you cannot block the attacks of an opponent if his/her feet is planted solidly on the floor. Also, certain Super Combos cannot be blocked (ie. Ryu's ShinkuHadoken AKA Super Fireball). Throws (close, b/f + 2 punch or 2 kick buttons) Will toss your opponent, delivering some amount of damage. Note that you can miss a throw attemp. Vega can only throw using 2 punch buttons, but can Air Throw with both 2 punch and kick buttons. Go figure! Air Recovery (when knocked down, press 2 punch buttons) Causes your character to filp back right side up. This is mainly used to escape juggle attempts or further attacks. You can also use this to surprise your opponent by attacking while on the way down! Ground Recovery (when knocked down, press 2 kick buttons) {not available in X-ISM} Will make your character roll forward on the floor. Good for some surprise attacks or getting in close quickly. It could be dangerous for your character, though, because, if your opponent is alert, he/she can quickly attack you as you recover from the roll. Tech. Hit (b/f + 2 punch or 2 kick buttons when being thrown) Lessens the damage taken by throw attacks. Very hard to do. The timing has to be done the instant (as you are being grabbed) your opponent grabs you. Counter Hit (attack while the opponent is attacking you) If you strike your opponent while he/she is attacking you, and your attack connects, a Counter Hit occurs. This will cause more damage than usual and will sometimes knock your opponent down. This is where Vega excells at! I'll mention this more in the Strengths section. Alpha Counter (block attack,f+same strength punch and kick button) {not available in X-ISM} Block an attack and immediately retaliate. This will have your character take no block damage from Special attacks. The downside is that it gives little damage to the opponent, takes off some power off BOTH your Guard Meter and Power Meter! Use this only in a pinch because of all the cons against it. Origianl Combo (in V-ISM, press same strength punch and kick buttons) This will cause a trail of shadows behind your character. One of those shadows are solid and will mimic your character! Pressing the weak attack buttons will have the first shadow become solid, the medium attack buttons will have the second shadow solid and the hard attack buttons will have the last shadow trailing attack. Damage Reduction (press any punch or kick button rapidly when being hit) If being hit by some multi-damaging attack, do this! This will cause your character to flash while being hit. This is a sign that this is working! d) "-ISM's". What are they? This is the new thing for the Street Fighter Alpha/Zero series. After you select your character (clue: VEGA!), you'll have to choose what "-ISM" you're going to use. The "-ISM" is like what kind of attack mode you're characer is going to be in for the entire duration of the game. Below is a run-down of each "-ISM", their strengths, weaknesses, etc. X-ISM (Works like in Super Street Fighter 2: Turbo): PROS: Attacks cause more damage, Guard Meter has a longer length, which makes it harder to Guard Crush the character. The Super Combo does massive damage. CONS: No Air Blocking, No Ground Recovery, no Zero-Counter available. The character has only one Super Combo available. No taunting is possible. Good for: High offensive characters, guys who love to just attack, attack, attack! Z-ISM/A-ISM (Very much like the Street Fighter Alpha/Zero series of games): PROS: All Super Combos are available, can Air Block, perform the Ground Recovery and Zero Counter (uses up one bar of both the Guard Meter and Super Combo meter). Taunting is also available. CONS: Some characters get very small Guard Meters when compared to X- ISM. Good for: Beginners, players used to the Alpha/Zero setup, defensive players, characters with very good Super Combos. V-ISM (Uses the Custom Combo attack found in Street Fighter Alpha 2): PROS: Super Meter fills up very quickly, some characters can control the range of their attacks using a combination of joystick directions and button attack presses, air-blocking, Zero Counters (costs one Guard Meter bar and 50% of the Super Meter), and Ground Recovery is available for the character. You also take less damage. The Original Combo is confusing for opponents! Vega gains the "Scarlet Terror" anti-air special attack! CONS: Characters do less damage, Zero Counters use up a lot of power from the Super Meter. Good for: very cunning players, characters who can perform a lot of hard hitting Combos and/or cross up attacks. 3) ABOUT VEGA: a) Storyline: Vega is a vain Spanish bullfighter who took up Ninjitsu. He managed to mix up the two to create his own version of the Ninjitsu martial art. Being the handsome creature that he is, Vega wears a mask to protect his face from any harm that could harm his good looks. Vega is also very sneaky, using his claw to poke at his opponents from far away and jumping on walls to confuse opponents. He is a very vain, arrogant man, who wants to destroy anything ugly! Vega is hired by Bison to become one of his right-hand men. In Street Fighter Alpha 3, one of M.Bison's "dolls" (Cammy) has a malfunction: free-will and is wandering the world. Vega is assigned the mission to return Cammy to his master and his reward will be a powerful fighter he can to battle with... b) HISTORY IN THE STREET FIGHTER STORY (WARNING: CONTAINS ENDING SPOILERS!!!) In the Street Fighter 2 series, he's fighting just to destroy the other Street Fighters to show that beauty and grace has the power to destroy the ugly. His ending in that series of games shows that he eventually does so by defeating even his own boss, the almighty Master Bison. In the Street Fighter Animated Movie, M. Bison sends Vega to go and kill Chun-Li in her apartment. A huge fight occurs and Vega's face gets disfigured a bit. He totally goes ballistic and almost tears Chun-Li to shreds. Chun-li recovers from the onslaught, performs the Spinning Bird Kick, and then does the Hundred Rending Leg kick to kick Vegathru the wall and into oblivion. He is supposedly killed, but there is no mention of the body being found. In this game, Street Fighter Alpha 3, M. Bison hires Vega to capture Cammy, who has somehow managed to aquire a will of her own. After searching the world, he encounters Zangief and defeats him. Eventually, Vega arrives in Greece and battles Cammy. Vega wonders why Cammy, a mere child, is so important to Bison. After delivering Cammy to his master, Vega reveals that he is somewhat affraid of Cammy, because she has somehow gained free-will. Bison must destroy this defect. Vega is angered by Bison's cowardice and defeats his former master. He looks at Cammy and decides to let her live, since she will make an excellent opponent in the future (I think it's more because Cammy just might be a pretty as he is!). Charlie Nash then bombs the hell out of the Psycho Drive. Watching the SFA3 ending, I felt kinda discusted because it made Vega look like some kinda Ryu "I-want-to-fight-strong-opponents-and-nothing-else" wannabe. Still, it's nice to see the Vega, a cold-hearted guy in SF2 (kills ugly people?) have some compassion... 4) VEGA MOVES LIST: Ahhhh! Now for the real meat of the FAQ. The Moves List! I'll give the name of the move, description, and some notes on when to use it. For Special Moves and Super Combos, this FAQ will say in what "-ISM" will this move be available. a) Normal Attacks Standing: Jab (Light Punch) = Short Claw Stab Description: Vega juts his claw just a bit to strike his opponent. Very little range and is, actually, has a slow recovery time. Notes: Not a very useful attack. Don't use this much! Strong (Medium Punch) = Standing Claw Swipe Description: The claw is used to slash the chest area. Good range and speed. Notes: Although this is quite good, the Long Straight Stab (described later on) is still much, much better! Fierce (Hard Punch) = Reaching Power Stab Description: Claw is thrust in a straight motion. Slow, but has great range and power. Notes: This is great for delivering powerful strikes for opponents who are big (Birdie) and/or has poor jumping heigth (Cody). Also good for missed anti-air attacks. Short (Light Kick) = Knee to Chest Description: Vega thrusts his knee to his opponent's chest. Actually, this has some good range for a light attack! Notes: This has some anti-air priority if the opponent is going to land just in front of you. Forward (Medium Kick) = Shin Kick Description: A side kick to the opponent's legs. Notes: Slow. Don't use this much... Roundhouse (Hard Kick) = Hopping Axe Kick Description: A downward arc kick. It may look like an overhead attack, but it's not! Notes: Has a long startup time so the opponent can see it coming. Still, if you're fast enough to spot low attacks, this can go over the opponent's strike while your attack hits! close, b or f + any two Punch buttons = Back Drop Suplex Description: Vega grabs his opponent and bends backwards, sending his opponent head first into the floor. Notes: Simply put, it's a throw attack. Vega is fast enough to get close and use this often, but you'll probably be called "cheap" afterwards. f + Roundhouse (Hard Kick) = Spin Side Kick Description: Vega turns back then strikes at head level. Good range, but will not hit some crouchers. This is VERY, VERY SLOW! Notes: Since this cannot hit some croucher and, like Chun-Li, not hit even if she is standing, you should not, at all costs, use this! Speed is Vega's main weapon. Being slow, this isn't one of his strengths! Crouching: Jab (Light Punch) = Low Short Stab Description: A low version of the Short Claw Stab, in all aspects! Notes: Like the other kind, do not use this much! Strong (Strong Punch) = Long Range Low Slash Description: A very long range attack, especially if Vega still has his claw equipped. Has range, speed, good recovery, priority... Notes: This is Vega's main attack! Use this to rack up the Counter Hits. If an opponent tries a low sweep, this can strike, but, becausee of the range of this attack, your attack will connect! Fierce (Hard Punch) = High Angled Stab Description: A claw strike that reaches up a bit. Notes: This is NOT a good anti-air attack! This is great for a same combo ender. Short (Light Kick) = Short Low Kick Description: Vega spins and strikes low at his opponent's legs quickly. Notes: Although fast, this has a bit of range to it, but, damage-wise, it isn't useful. Forward (Medium Kick) = Forward Low Kick Description: Looks exactly like the Short Low Kick, but slower, and does more damage. Notes: Being better than the Short Low Kick, use should use this is all cases when you can use that attack. Roundhouse (Hard Kick) = Sliding Sweep Kick Description: A sliding version of the Short Low Kick, but will knock the opponent down most of the time. Notes: Being a sliding attack, this has great range. This will NOT always strike his opponent down if Vega's opponent is kind of far. If this is blocked, be prepared to be pummeled hard. Jumping: Jab (Light Punch) = Jumping Chop / Jumping Claw Poke Description: In Z-ISM and V-ISM, Vega does a chop in front of him. In X-ISM, Vega does the Jumping Claw Poke. Notes: Both of these can be a good "shield" for Vega's opponents that jump as high as he does. Not so damaging. though. Strong (Medium Punch) = Jumping Claw Poke Description: Vega strikes just a bit lower than his level. Has great forward coverage. Notes: Good for starting combos because of it's attack priority and range. Fierce (Hard Punch) = Swiping Claw Slash Description: Vega strikes almost underneath him! Little forward coverage, but will hit opponents under him perfectly! Notes: Since this does not hit forward that good, do not use this in air battles. Also, it's not as good as the Jumping Claw Poke for starting combos because this has a tendency to miss. Short (Light Kick) = Stiff Air Kick Description: This is a downward angle heel kick. Weak, but has good coverage. Notes: Not that useful. 'Nuff said. Forward (Medium Kick) = Air Side Kick / Stiff Air Kick Description: In Z-ISM and V-ISM, this kick will hit forward. In X-ISM, this attack is just like the other Stiff Air Kick. Notes: This is useful in X-ISM and V-ISM only, because you can will a lot of air battles due to the incredibly high priority this has. Roundhouse (Hard Kick) = Downward Back Kick Description: Vega uses his rear leg to strike opponents underneath him. High priority! This hits a bit below his waist level, but this is good due to the fact that Vega's jump is very high. Notes: Actually, this is what I use as Vega's anti air. Jump straight up, then use this attack. If this is air-blocked, Vega will usually land first. The instant he does, use the Long Range Low Slash (Crouching Medium Punch). The timing is hard, but this will usually shock most human opponents. close, b or f + any two Punch buttons = Graceful Air Toss Description: Air grab that has Vega toss his opponent across the screen. Notes: Most air throws are hard to pull off, and this is no exception. Take note that Vega will throw the opponent in front of him. close, b or f + any two Kick buttons = Leg Scissor Throw Description: Air grab where Vega uses his legs to snatch his opponent while jumping by the neck. Notes: Hard to connect. Vega will throw his opponent to the rear of where he's facing. b) Special Abilities and Attacks: hold b for 2 seconds, f + any Punch button = Rolling Crystal Flash Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM Description: Vega does a tumbling roll, ending with a High Angled Stab. Multi-hitter. The last part (the High Angled Stab) does a significant amount of damage when compared to the hurt that the rolling part delivers. Notes: Great for cheap Special Block Damage. The initial part can be used for anti-air attacks, but use the Jab version if you plan to do so. The High Angled Stab will juggle if you do so, but the other versions won't. hold db for 2 seconds, f + any Kick button = Scarlet Terror Available in: V-ISM Description: Backflip that moves forward (That's the best description I can think of) that strikes with the legs. Great anti-air attack! Notes: This makes up for the lack of Super Combos in V-ISM. Great if you activate the Original Combo before then use this, so that it will combine with a lot of juggle hits. hold d for 2 seconds, u + any Punch button = Sky High Claw Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM Description: Vega jumps to the edge of the screen, afterwards, springs horizontally to attack like a human torpedo. Press another Punch button to make Vega thrust his claw even further while in flight. Notes: This has a long startup time and is hard to connect with. But if you mix this up with his Wall Pounce moves, you can fool human opponents on what you're going to do. Alert human opponents and the computer are not fooled that easy, though. Also, the "wall" where he will jump to is done if you do the ending motion with an ub to make him jump to the rear wall or uf to have him leap to the front wall. hold d for 2 seconds, u + any Kick button = Wall Pounce Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM Description: Vega jumps to the "wall" and then leaps off. Notes: The "wall" where he will jump to is done if you do the ending motion with an ub to make him jump to the rear wall or uf to have him leap to the front wall. You can also control the distance of Vega's leap with the joystick. This is not an attack by itself! You must follow it up with either the Izuna Drop or the Flying Barcelona Attack. hold d for 2 seconds, u + all three Kick buttons = Cling to Wall Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM, and must be in Vega's Stage Description: Vega clings to the wire mesh fence on his stage background. He will automatically move around and jump after some time. Notes: The leap after moving around the wire mesh fence can be controlled by the joystick. This will not attack by itself. You must follow it up with either the Izuna Drop or the Flying Barcelona Attack. Cling to Wall or Wall Pounce, any Punch button = Flying Barcelona Attack Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM Description: After the Cling to Wall or the Wall Pounce, Vega will leap and slash in the air while in flight. Notes: Because of the looooooong startup time for this attack, its very hard to have this connect without it being blocked or countered. The best time to do this is when you can predict your opponent's errors or confuse the opponent if you mix this with the Sky High Claw. Cling to Wall or Wall Pounce, in air, close, b or f + any Punch button = Izuna Drop Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM Description: Vega grabs his opponent in mid-flight and delivers a devastating air Body Drop as he lands. Notes: Best used on opponents who love to jump, since that's the only time you can use this. Particularly easy against Dhalsim, Guy and Vega. In other words, do this on opponents who have particularly high jumps and/or long hang time. in air, close to edge of screen, uf = Triangle Leap Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM Description: Using the "wall" as a springboard, Vega bounces off for a higher leap. Notes: Good for avoiding projectiles when close to the corner and leaping over opponents if you want a distance battle. all three Punch buttons = Backslash Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM Description: A backflip to hand spring, like the gymnasts do. Vega is invulnerable to any attack while doing this. This is not an attack! Notes: Used mostly for avoiding those jumpers and body torpedo (Blanka's Rolling Attack, E. Honds's Sumo HeadButt, etc.) attacks. all three Kick buttons = Short Backslash Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM, V-ISM Description: Vega backflips to his feet quickly, totally skipping the hand spring part in the ordinary Backslash. Vega cannot be harmed while performing this move. This is not an attack! Notes: Used in all cases of the ordinary Backslash. Since the recovery period is shorter, this is better to use. But if you're opponent has quick reflexes, you might have not put enough distance between the both of you. He or she can attack you just after this is completed! c) Super Combos: hold db for 2 seconds, df, db, u + any Kick button = Super Rolling Leap Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM Description: Looks exactly like the Wall Pounce move, except that Vega will flash when he reaches the "wall". This is a setup move for the following Super Combo Attacks. For Z-ISM, the level used depends on the strength of the Kick button used, with the Roundhouse (Hard Kick) button executing Level 3. Because the motion is very similar to the Scarlet Mirage, you might do the other attack by mistake if you're in Z-ISM. Notes: This isn't an attack. Use this in order to perform the Rolling Barcelona Attack or the Rolling Izuna Drop. hold db for 2 seconds, df, db, u + all three Kick Buttons = Cling to Wall SC Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM and only in Vega's stage Description: Looks exactly like the normal Cling to Wall move but Vega will flash the instant he leaps into the air. Notes: Great to shock the opponent because not many people have seen this move. The Level is always the highest level in your Super Bar. Super Rolling Leap or Cling to Wall SC, any Punch button = Rolling Barcelona Attack Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM Description: A souped-up version of his Flying Barcelona Attack. Notes: In X-ISM, Vega performs multi-hitting slash attacks. In Z-ISM, the amount of damage depends on the level used in the Super Rolling Leap. This is very easily blocked because of the time for Vega to perform the Super Rolling Leap is very slow. Use this if you can predict your opponent very well. Super Rolling Leap or Cling to Wall SC, in air, close, b or f + any Punch button = Rolling Izuna Drop Available in: X-ISM, Z-ISM Description: Basically, this is a more powerful version of his regular Izuna Drop. Notes: In X-ISM, Vega slams his opponent several times. In Z-ISM, the Level used is determined by the level used for the Super Rolling Leap. In Level 1, Vega slams his opponent once. In Level 2, he slams the opponent twice, and in Level 3, the opponent is dropped three times. Use this only against leapers. hold b for 2 seconds, f, b, f + any Kick button = Scarlet Mirage Available in: Z-ISM Description: Looks like the Scarlet Terror, only Vega backflips more than once. Notes: If you can spare the Level from the Super Bar, the Level 1 version can juggle jumpers very well for three hits. This has high priority, so use this often against jumpers. At Level 3, hold b for 2 seconds, f, b, f + any Punch button = Red Impact Available in: Z-ISM and with claw equipped Description: Vega swipes his claw like her does with his Standing Claw Swipe. If this connects without being blocked, the opponent is tossed into the air, and then the opponent lands on Vega's raised claw. Notes: Visually impressive, but the damage is not that impressive, though. The range is good and you can nail jumpers who are at the range of this move. 5) STRATEGIES FOR USING VEGA: a) Strengths: Vega has GREAT RANGE! Especially with the claw! All of his punch attacks reach at great distances. His claw also gives him an edge over the competition as well, because the claw cannot be hit like the other Street Fighters whose arms and legs can be struck for Counter Hits. The claw gives him range to hit without fear of retaliation. Vega has HIGH LEVEL PRIORITY on all his attacks! Vega has the uncanny ability to hit his opponents with the right attack. In the air, his Jumping Medium Punch and Jumping Hard Kick will strike jumpers while the Jumping Hard Punch will hit grounded opponents without fear of retaliation. Also, if it becomes Crouching Medium Punch vs. any air attack in the distance, Vega will usually win, with his attack hitting without the opponent's attack touching him! He is probably the BEST AT COUNTER HITS! Because of the speed and high priority of Vega's strikes, your attacks will usually connect before your opponent's attack gets to come out. This enables you to do more damage than normal. You don't even have to be able to be a master at timing to Counter Hit effectively when using Vega. The SPEED of Vega's NORMAL STRIKES ARE FAST! Even his Hard Attacks! If you do Vega's Crouching Medium Punch against a Fireballer, and both attacks are done at the same time, Vega's attack will cause a Counter Hit! The UNUSUAL SPEED of his JUMP! This may sound weird, but because of Vega's speed of his rising and landing of his jump is actually helpful! This is great if you can detect when a projectile is about to be thrown, you can jump over the projectile before the opponent can recover from his or her projectile stance! Also, since I use Vega's Jumping Hard Kick/Crouching Medium Punch, this fact is very, very important! Vega's OVERALL SPEED is BETTER than most characters! Vega can get close quickly by jumping or simply walking. This is an important fact, because you MUST be in his range in order for Vega to be an effective fighter! In fact, you can get close enough for Vega to throw his opponent! You can easily keep the pressure using this strength. The CLAW!!! Use the CLAW!!! Vega's claw gives him the edge if you know how to use it! Use it for delivering your long-range punch attacks without fear of being attacked. b) Weaknesses: Vega has NO real ANTI-AIR attack! This is a real big weakness for Vega! Most characters at least have an uppercut or attack that can strike jumpers. Vega does not have this luxury! To offset this weakness, jump straight up against the leaping opponent, then press Hard Kick. Don't worry because Vega's incredibly high leap is sure to hit. If this is air-blocked (this is rarely done by human opponents), you can juggle your opponent with Vega's Crouching Medium Punch the instant you land. Most of Vega's Special Attacks LEAVE HIM OPEN! Because of the lag time before the attack (ex. the Wall Pounch) or the recovery after the attack (Rolling Crystal Flash), Vega becomes an open target! The secret to this is to do his Special very rarely! Vega can LOSE HIS CLAW AND MASK! Vega's claw is one of his main strengths. The claw gets knocked loose after about 13 blocked hits. If you do lose the claw, GET IT BACK by WALKING over it. You can't slide or use the Rolling Crystal Flash to get it! Also, the face gear of Vega can get knocked off as well. Vega takes more damage if this is off. Grab it also if it gets lost! Most of Vega's STANDING KICKS SUCKS! His kick attacks are kinda useless. They have a tendency to miss very frequently. The correct method is for kicking is to do it in the air! Vega's SUPER COMBOS are kinda USELESS. Like most of his Special Attacks, Vega's Super Combos don't work that well because they are difficult to connect with. Also, there is usually an incredible lag time for the startup of the attack and recovery afterward. The only reliable one of bunch is his Scarlet Mirage because of its anti-air attack ability. Otherwise, do the Super Combos very sparingly. Vega is TOO TALL! Now, maybe this wouldn't be a weakness in a real fight, but in video games, this means that Vega is just a large target to hit, making it easy to connect with attacks! His height makes it easy for jumpers to start combos quickly. To offset this, Vega has to move around a lot, dodging in and out of his attack range. c) The Road to Victory Now that you know about Vega's strengths and weaknesses, here are the best ways to win... Step 1: Speed and Range Always get close enough into Vega's range. To do this, you'll have to walk up quickly and jump at the right time. If you're too far or too close, your opponent will have control over the match. Step 2: Know the opponent Basically, you'll have to know the abilities of your opponent. For example, against those grapplers like Zangief, Sodom and Birdie, you'll have to be careful not to get too close or you'll be slammed by their Super Slams. Don't jump too often against those characters who have great anti-air attacks. etc, etc, etc. Step 3: Do sneaky throws! You may piss other people with this, but this is totally fair, okay? Jump up close. Then, instead of attacking, throw your opponent. Usually, they don't figure it out until the second throw! This may not be so safe against characters with good anti-air attacks. Step 4: Crouching Medium Punch = The Long Range Low Stab Ahhhhh! Your main offense should revolve around this excellent attack! Against the Shotos, do this while in range. Poke them as they attempt a fireball. They'll get Counter Hit! They'll try it against. Do the Crouching Medium Punch again! Still another Counter Hit! Still, they don't learn! Use this until they figure it out. When they do they'll usually try a Dragon Punch. It won't matter. The Crouching Medium Punch has enough priority over this to create a Counter Hit. Step 5: Don't do anything fancy! Vega should be played simple. No fancy combos. Don't have the Special Attacks as your main offense. Block when necessary. This way, Vega can attack at any instant. Step 6: Without the Claw, Vega is less effective. Get the claw the instant you lose it. If you're opponent is standing over it, preventing you from getting it, follow Step 3. Step 7: Be Smart! Play Smart! This is sort of a growth of Step 2. Against opponents against Dragon Punches, jump forward but just OUT OF RANGE OF THE ANTI-AIR ATTACK! They'll miss with the attack. Most opponents do not catch on quickly! Another example: It is a little known fact that Charlie's normal Somersault Kick CAN BE AIR-BLOCKED! Jump up to a Charlie. He'll try the Somersault Kick. Air-block it then attack! If you're in X-ISM, Vega's Jumping Hard Punch can Counter Hit it nicely, but the timing is at the exact time Charlie is doing it. Step 8: Time is on your side! Because of Vega's speed, you can hit your opponent anytime you want. I know it sounds a bit cheezy but this works well. Do enough damage on your opponent so that he has less health than you have. Then simply wait! Most of the time, opponents will get panicky then try a Super Combo or jump in to try to start a combo. Just block or Counter! 6) THE VERSUS SECTION This section is still under construction. This will deal with specific strategies against the different opponents and characters. 7) THANKS TO... This is where I can say thanks to the guys who did for me a lot of stuff, even if they didn't know it! Kao Megura (kmegura@yahoo.com) The man who puts up those great fighting game FAQ's. Without his FAQ's, most of us would be in the dark on "How does the computer do that?". I would like to thank him for the official names for Vega's Special Attacks and Super Combos. Joseph Parise (kingkung@earthlink.net) He made a really great Sodom FAQ. In fact, that FAQ of his inspired me to make a Vega FAQ. Thanks, man. gamefaqs.com The site that contains a huge amount of FAQ's! Go there! You'll love it there! But then, you probably knew that already because that's the only place this can be found! Copyright (c) Fiefo! (fiefo@hotmail.com)