| Master Raven |
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iFC
Raven's FC df3+4 is effectively a hellsweep, and should be used like one. However, because of the nature of its inputs (being a FC move requiring 11 frames of crouch) many over look its potential. And get stuck in only thinking to use it after moves that leave Raven in crouch such as db3 or BT d4 or only when pushing a CD mixup. These are the most telegraphed ways to use Raven's hellsweep (Windmill from here on).
Application
If you've ever watched high-level Mishima play or have a lot of experience playing against them; you'll likely have noticed the myriad of different situations that Mishimas apply their hellsweeps. This is the true strength of hellsweep. To have the most success with it you want to catch the opponent off-guard or mentally pre-occupied with something else. This provides minimal risk for hellsweeps. Your opponent cannot block lows they are not expecting.
Conversely you'd want to try minimize using hellsweeps in situations with maximum risk: where your opponent is fully aware of what's about to come. Especially since unlike Kazuya, Raven does not have a safe mid NH launcher, so her CD 50/50 is inherently more risky. This situation becomes a guess for both you and the opponent and leaves the outcome purely to luck. Either to your opponent guessing wrong or mis-timing their duck.
To be able to catch your opponent off-guard, you need to start thinking of different situations to use Raven's Windmill. Outside of the context of CD 50/50 or after attacks that force crouch. You won't really be able to tap into this potential until you've built some proficiency in executing instant full crouch (iFC). That will allow you to pull the trigger on Windmill at a moment's notice. As is the case with iWS, there are various methods to executing iFC and different methods can apply better to some characters over others.
This video is a clip reel that showcases the variety of situations Windmill can be applied in
Execution
As previously mentioned, accessing Full Crouch moves requires the player to crouch for at least 11 frames. Unlike some characters, Master Raven cannot bypass this requirement. In other words, Master Raven must always crouch for at least 11F before she can use FC d/f+3+4. Though mastering this delay can be tricky, using certain input techniques may assist in executing this timing.
- Input Tricks
- In this video, Zagana demonstrates the d,db,d,DF method to execute iFC
- Another method is to input b,db,d,DF, holding on DF slightly before hitting 3+4 (essentially a hcf motion but stopping short at DF before F).
The main "trick" behind these input techniques is to fill up the 11-frame delay with motions instead of relying on your own manual timing. You still have to feel the rhythm and timing using these methods, but they make it much easier to execute Windmill by artificially adding delay.
When practicing, do not focus on executing the Windmill out as fast as possible. Aim for consistency. It's not about burning through the inputs as fast as possible, but to aid in getting a sense of timing for the 11-frame window. See how many consistent Windmills you can do in a row without getting a Haze misinput.
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A visual demonstration of how b,db,d,df input helps achieve iFC consistency.
Once you've gotten raw iFC down, I recommend the following drills to get accustomed to executing iFC out of various actions. Remember the strength of Windmill is being able to use it in multiple different contexts. The more situations your opponent has to keep track of for a potential Windmill, the more mentally overwhelmed they'll become.
- Exercise-routines to practice
- Backdash ~ iFC
- Background SS ~ iFC
- Foreground SS ~ iFC
- Double CD ~ iFC (standard)
- Triple/Multiple CD ~ iFC (harder)
- Single CD ~ iFC (hardest but also the most useful)
- 2 KBDs ~ iFC
- 3 KBDs ~ iFC
Be sure to practice these on both sides. Finally, don't be scared to apply iFC in real matches even if you haven't perfected all of these routines. It means little, if you can never execute them in the heat of a match.
On single Crouch Dash into Full Crouch
Enforcing Full Crouch mixups after just one Crouch Dash is very powerful. Unlike double CD, it is incredibly difficult to react to a single CD. By the time the opponent reacts, you will have closed the gap. You are more likely (though not always) able to catch your opponent off-guard with a single CD into Windmill. However, this requires a very specific timing.
To execute single CD into Windmill, you must input DF+3+4 after crouch dash fully completes. This requires a 21-frame delay (about 1/3rd of a second). Additionally, you must input the crouch version of Master Raven's crouch dash (d,DF) to maintain a crouching state. There are no shortcuts to this timing. No combination of inputs will allow Master Raven to access Full Crouch any faster. If you do it too fast or too slow, you'll enter Haze. Thus, single CD into Windmill requires precision.
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This clip demonstrates the optimal timing with an input display on-screen.