Paul strategy

This page is for Tekken 8. For Tekken 7, see Paul strategy (Tekken 7).

Combo Theory

Launchers

NameThe name of the move in the English localization.Most often directly from the in-game movelist, but can also be a community name.

AltOther inputs that also perform this move, written in notation.

InputThe input to perform the move, written in notation. This is often used as the move's name.For strings, the input of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

Hit levelThe hit level of the move.Capital letters mean it hits grounded.For strings,​ the hit level of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

DamageHow much damage the move does without any modifiers.For strings,​ the damage of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

RangeThe maximum range recorded of the move hitting Lars on-axis. (For Tekken 7, it's vs Heihachi.) Assume an error of about ±0.03.For strings, this is the range of the whole string.This measurement shouldn't on its own be used to compare characters: larger characters get more "range" by this measure, but their opponents do too.

Left TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's left.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks right for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

Right TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's right.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks left for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

BlockThe frame advantage on block.Blank if the move can't be blocked (e.g., an unblockable or an aerial attack).For breakable throws, this is the frame advantage when the throw is broken.

HitThe frame advantage on hit.Blank if the move is not an attack, e.g. is a stance transition only.For throws, this is the frame advantage after the throw.

CHThe frame advantage on counter hit.Blank if this is the same as on normal hit, i.e. there is no special behavior on counter hit.

StartupThe active frames of the attack. The "i" stands for "impact", i.e. impact frame.If there is more than one hit, a comma indicates that frame 1 is now the frame after the last active frame of the previous hit.For strings, therefore, this usually has a leading comma.

StatesThe frames where the attacker is in any special states, e.g. jump, parry, or powercrush.

RecoveryThe total number of frames, the recovery frames, and what stance the move recovers in, if any.The "t" stands for total and "r" for recovery. If no stance is listed, the move recovers in the default, standing position.For strings, the total frame count is from the start of the string with no delays.

NotesAnything that doesn't fit elsewhere.Many common move properties, such as whether a string can be delayed, go here.See Movelist#Notes for standard wording of common properties.

#Paul-df+2

Kurenai

df+2

m

13

1.97

-8

+33a (+23)

i15~16

t41 r25

• High evasion

Fantastic safe on block high-evading mid. Time your use of this so that you have your opponent under pressure where they would need to reset momentum. Once you have the read on the jab counter with df+2. Be careful as misreading this as this would be countered via armored moves or, if you are neutral or at a disadvantage, quick counter hits.

#Paul-b+3

Lights Out

b+3

h

16

1.75

-6

+31a (+25)

i14~15

t42 r27

Another amazing safe on block launcher. Comes out faster than df+2 for clutch situations, but with a high hitbox. Creates a low launch on hit. This is a great launcher to pressure with, as it has forward momentum and moves Paul about 0.8 distance during the animation toward the opponent.

#Paul-f,F+4

Neutron Bomb

f,F+4

m

20

4.18

+2

+18a

i27~34

js14~31 fs32~34

t59 r25 ws

• Chip damage (8)

Cartwheel launcher. This will give you variable frames on block based on your distance to the opponent when the hitboxes make contact (like wake-up spring kicks). Can be anything from -1 if very close to +5 if you make contact at the tip range. Slow (i27~i34) startup makes it vulnerable to float attacks and sidesteps.

#Paul-uf+3

• u+3
• ub+3

uf+3

m

15

2.1

-16

+25a (+15)

i15~16

js8~29 fs30~32

t49 r33

#Paul-uf+4

Rising Toe Kick

• ub+4
• u+4

uf+4

m

13

1.92

-13

+33a (+23)

i15~17

js8~29 fs30~32

t49 r33

Sometimes written Hopkick

#Paul-uf+3,4

Shredder

• ub+3,4
• u+3,4

uf+3,4

m,​m

15,​10

2.62

-13

+32a (+22)

,i13~14

js8~29 fs30~32

t60 r32

• Combo from 1st hit +28a (+21)

Low-crushing mid hopkicks. uf+3 is launch punishable on block but has an extension (uf3+4) to catch opponents mashing after the first hit. Neither uf+4 or uf3+4 are launch punishable but the latter can be punished mid-string.

#Paul-CS.1

Thruster

• qcf+1

CS.1

h

21

2.5

-4

+33a (+26)

i16~17

t41 r24

• Chip damage (4)

Sometimes written qcf+1

tk

#Paul-SWA.1+2

Unseen Gust

qcb+1+2

SWA.1+2

m

22

3.1

-14

+37a (+27)

i16~17

t52 r35

Tornado

• High evasion

Sometimes written qcb+1+2

tk

#Paul-CS.1+2

Gunba

• qcf+1+2

CS.1+2

L

20

3.53

-12c

+71a (+55) T!

i32~33

cs1~33

t69 r36

• Cancel to t41 FC with B

Sometimes written qcf+1+2

#Paul-f,F+2,2

Bulldozer

FC.df+2,2

f,​F+2,2

m,​L

14,​21

-19c

+27a

,i36~38

cs33~83

t91 r36

• Cancel to -28 -18 FC with B
• Alternate input FC.df+2,2

tk

Enders

Damage/Floor Break

#Paul-f,f,F+2

Turbulent Hammer

wr2

f,f,F+2

m,​t

21,​34

2.94

-9

+0d FDFA

+35a FUFA

i18~19

t52 r33

Spike on 2nd hit

• Transition to throw on airborne hit
• +17d FDFA without throw transition

Wall Carry/Wall Break

#Paul-d+4,2,1+2

Demolition Man

d+4,​2,1+2

L,​m,​m

9,​23,​26

4.83

-17

+3d (-6)

+35a (-12)

,i26~27

t105 r42

Balcony Break

• Move can be delayed 4f
• Input can be delayed 4f
• Combo from 1st CL with 4f delay +13d (+6)
• Combo from 1st CH with 4f delay +13d (+6)
• Combo from 2nd hit with 4f delay +13d (+6)
• Perfect input window 21~22f after 2 input

Sometimes written Demoman

Wall Splat

#Paul-f,F+2:1

Phoenix Bone Breaker

FC.df+2:1

f,​F+2:1

m,​h

14,​24

3.88

-4

+37d (+11)

,i15

t63 r27

Balcony Break

• Chip damage (7)
• Combo from 1st hit
• Alternate input FC.df+2:1

Okizeme

#Paul-CS.1

Thruster

• qcf+1

CS.1

h

21

2.5

-4

+33a (+26)

i16~17

t41 r24

• Chip damage (4)

Sometimes written qcf+1

#Paul-CS.3+4

Mountain Raze

• qcf+3+4

CS.3+4

m

22

2.79

-9

+35a (+27)

+74a (+58) T!

i19~20

js19~39

t49 r29

Tornado

Balcony Break

• High Evasion (brief)

Sometimes written qcf+3+4

Poke Theory

Pressure

#Paul-ws1,2

Enfolding Dragon

ws1,2

m,​m

16,​17

3.85

-11

+2

+3

,i20

t65 r30

• Move can be delayed 10f
• Input can be delayed 10f
• Combo from 1st CH with 10f delay
• Transition to t59 r19 SWA +1 +14g +15 from 39~44f with b

Delayable, sway cancelable mid-mid pressure tool. First hit tracks far to Paul's left side and combos into second hit on CH. The second hit, which should always be sway canceled, is +1 on block, +14g on hit, and CH leads to two confirmable Heat Engager options with SWA.2 or f+2. Great range when used as iWS from either crouch dash or DPD. Highly abusable string. One of Paul's best all-purpose attacks.

#Paul-df+1

df+1

m

11

2.23

-2

+4

i14

t34 r20

• Transition to r15 SWA +3 +9 from 2~14f, 16f with b

_

#Paul-SS.3

Pump In Pedal

SS.3

L

17

2.62

-12c

+4

+12c

i19

t51 r32

• Effective minimum startup 28f

Low with huge reach. Only -12 on block. Guaranteed d1+2 on CH. Great after df1~b~u or ws1,2~b~u, but not every time.

#Paul-f,F+2:1

Phoenix Bone Breaker

FC.df+2:1

f,​F+2:1

m,​h

14,​24

3.88

-4

+37d (+11)

,i15

t63 r27

Balcony Break

• Chip damage (7)
• Combo from 1st hit
• Alternate input FC.df+2:1

_

#Paul-df+2

Kurenai

df+2

m

13

1.97

-8

+33a (+23)

i15~16

t41 r25

• High evasion

Using ws1,2~b and df+1,1 can condition opponents into jab checking your pressure. Read this timing and counter with df+2 to evade the high and launch.

#Paul-df+4

Tiger Claw

df+4

m

17

2.83

-2

+8

+14

i17~18

t46 r28

Knee

_

#Paul-3,2

Piston Fire

3,2

m,​h

14,​17

3.64

-3

+7

+50a

,i23

t64 r26

• Move can be delayed 4f
• Input can be delayed 4f
• Combo from 1st hit with 4f delay
• Transition to t60 r19 SWA +4 +14g +57a at 43f with b

Easily ducked and launched on reaction. Should not be used outside of combos. On its own, however, 3 is a solid keepout button.

Keepout

NameThe name of the move in the English localization.Most often directly from the in-game movelist, but can also be a community name.

AltOther inputs that also perform this move, written in notation.

InputThe input to perform the move, written in notation. This is often used as the move's name.For strings, the input of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

Hit levelThe hit level of the move.Capital letters mean it hits grounded.For strings,​ the hit level of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

DamageHow much damage the move does without any modifiers.For strings,​ the damage of the previous moves in the string is shown but washed out.

RangeThe maximum range recorded of the move hitting Lars on-axis. (For Tekken 7, it's vs Heihachi.) Assume an error of about ±0.03.For strings, this is the range of the whole string.This measurement shouldn't on its own be used to compare characters: larger characters get more "range" by this measure, but their opponents do too.

Left TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's left.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks right for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

Right TrackingThe tracking score to the attacker's right.Roughly speaking, when up close, if the defender sidesteps or sidewalks left for no more than this many frames, the move still connects.

BlockThe frame advantage on block.Blank if the move can't be blocked (e.g., an unblockable or an aerial attack).For breakable throws, this is the frame advantage when the throw is broken.

HitThe frame advantage on hit.Blank if the move is not an attack, e.g. is a stance transition only.For throws, this is the frame advantage after the throw.

CHThe frame advantage on counter hit.Blank if this is the same as on normal hit, i.e. there is no special behavior on counter hit.

StartupThe active frames of the attack. The "i" stands for "impact", i.e. impact frame.If there is more than one hit, a comma indicates that frame 1 is now the frame after the last active frame of the previous hit.For strings, therefore, this usually has a leading comma.

StatesThe frames where the attacker is in any special states, e.g. jump, parry, or powercrush.

RecoveryThe total number of frames, the recovery frames, and what stance the move recovers in, if any.The "t" stands for total and "r" for recovery. If no stance is listed, the move recovers in the default, standing position.For strings, the total frame count is from the start of the string with no delays.

NotesAnything that doesn't fit elsewhere.Many common move properties, such as whether a string can be delayed, go here.See Movelist#Notes for standard wording of common properties.

#Paul-d+1

Hammer Punch

d+1

M

16

2.63

-9

+2

+3c

i14~15

t42 r27

Spike

• Transition to r27 FC with d

#Paul-3

Left Kick

3

m

14

2.52

-7

+4

i15~16

t40 r24

#Paul-CS.3

Gengetsu

• qcf+3

CS.3

L

18

2.62

-14c

+0

+20a FUFA

i18~19

cs7~40

t50 r31

• Clean hit range 2.0
• 17 damage on hit without Clean Hit
• +7 on CH without Clean Hit

Sometimes written qcf+3

#Paul-SWA.2

Rubber Band Attack

qcb+2

SWA.2

m

27

2.75

-9

+39d (-19)

i15

t49 r34

Heat Engager

Heat Dash +5, +36a (+26)

• Clean Hit range 2.45
• Heat Dash disables Clean Hit
• 21 damage without Clean Hit

Sometimes written qcb+2

#Paul-SWA.4

Kawaragoma

qcb+4

SWA.4

h

20

2.95

+1

+23d (+14)

+59a

i15~16

t42 r26

Homing

• Chip damage (6)

Sometimes written qcb+4

At Wall

#Paul-ff+1+2

Push Away

f,F+1+2

t

38

+20d

i12

Balcony Break

• Throw break 1+2
• Side switch if broken
• +0 BT if broken
• +0 FUFA if broken at wall

Sets up wall combo if unbroken. Risky - causes FDFA knockdown if broken at wall. 1+2 break.

#Paul-df+1+3:qcf+2

Phoenix Smasher (Perfect Input)

df+1+3:qcf+2

t,​m

22,​20

+16d (-20) FDFA

,i13~14

Balcony Break

• H.df+1+3:qcf+2 with Heat
• Strict qcf input required (d,f does not work)
• Perfect input window 55-56f
• Perfect input increases damage, wall carry

Safer option for wall setups, but missing the perfect execution window can limit combo possibilites. Powers up in Heat.

#Paul-d+4,2,1+2

Demolition Man

d+4,​2,1+2

L,​m,​m

9,​23,​26

4.83

-17

+3d (-6)

+35a (-12)

,i26~27

t105 r42

Balcony Break

• Move can be delayed 4f
• Input can be delayed 4f
• Combo from 1st CL with 4f delay +13d (+6)
• Combo from 1st CH with 4f delay +13d (+6)
• Combo from 2nd hit with 4f delay +13d (+6)
• Perfect input window 21~22f after 2 input

Sometimes written Demoman

Demoman :)

#Paul-SWA.1

God Hammer Punch

qcb+1

SWA.1

M

24

2.89

+0c

+21d FDFA

+53a

i21~22

t54 r32

• Chip damage (7)

Sometimes written qcb+1

_

Plus Frames

#Paul-uf+2

Moonfall

u+2

uf+2

h

26

3.32

+5

+17d FDFA

i22~23

js9~24

t54 r31

Heat Engager

Heat Dash +5, +67a (+50)

Balcony Break

• Chip damage (6)

#Paul-f+1+2

Hammer of the Gods

f+1+2

m

22

2.82

+3c

+8c

+35d (+27)

i20~21

t50 r29

Balcony Break (CH only)

• Chip damage (4)
• Move can be delayed 9f (i29~30)
• Delayed startup from 5~23f charge
• f+1+2* at 24f charge
• H.f+1+2* at 24f charge

#Paul-SS.1

Turn Thruster

SS.1

h

21

+8

+35a (+27)

i20

t49 r29

Balcony Break

• Chip damage (6)
• Effective minimum startup 30f

#Paul-df+1

df+1

m

11

2.23

-2

+4

i14

t34 r20

• Transition to r15 SWA +3 +9 from 2~14f, 16f with b

Crouch Dash/Cormorant Step/Deep Dive

Crouch Dash/Cormorant Step

#Paul-CS.1

Thruster

• qcf+1

CS.1

h

21

2.5

-4

+33a (+26)

i16~17

t41 r24

• Chip damage (4)

Sometimes written qcf+1

#Paul-CS.2

Phoenix Smasher

• qcf+2

CS.2

m

45

2.8

-17

+26a (-10) FDFA

i13~14

t52 r38

Heat Engager

Balcony Break

• H.CS.2 with Heat
• Clean Hit range 2.3
• 30 damage without Clean Hit

Sometimes written

• qcf+2
• Deathfist

#Paul-CS.3

Gengetsu

• qcf+3

CS.3

L

18

2.62

-14c

+0

+20a FUFA

i18~19

cs7~40

t50 r31

• Clean hit range 2.0
• 17 damage on hit without Clean Hit
• +7 on CH without Clean Hit

Sometimes written qcf+3

#Paul-ws1,2

Enfolding Dragon

ws1,2

m,​m

16,​17

3.85

-11

+2

+3

,i20

t65 r30

• Move can be delayed 10f
• Input can be delayed 10f
• Combo from 1st CH with 10f delay
• Transition to t59 r19 SWA +1 +14g +15 from 39~44f with b

Close in on opponents while ducking highs with d,df. Cormorant Step, which requires a full QCF motion, loses high evasion but has more forward movement than crouch dash and is necessary to execute stance moves. Therefore, when using CD/CS as an approach tool, it is generally better to use d,df first and delay the f input until the moment of your attack.

Good pokes from crouch dash are iWS1,2~b (mid-mid) and qcf3 (low).

Whiff punish from this stance with qcf+2 at a distance or qcf+1 to launch at closer ranges.

Deep Dive

#Paul-ws1,2

Enfolding Dragon

ws1,2

m,​m

16,​17

3.85

-11

+2

+3

,i20

t65 r30

• Move can be delayed 10f
• Input can be delayed 10f
• Combo from 1st CH with 10f delay
• Transition to t59 r19 SWA +1 +14g +15 from 39~44f with b

Because Deep Dive stance attacks do not require a forward input, Paul can use this crouch dash extension to more safely sail underneath and punish keepout highs. DPD.4 is especially strong against highs since, unlike Paul's CD/CS lows, it does not require a standing state at startup.

DPD.2 is a strong mid that is punishable at -10 on block but its two delayable followups can punish mash attempts. iWS1,2 is, once again, an excellent option when used from Deep Dive.

Be aware of the input constraints that come with using Deep Dive, especially if you are able to execute it quickly.

Whiff Punishers

Whiff punishers
Move	Speed	Range	Damage	Risk	Hitbox
CS.2	i13~14	2.8	45	-17	Mid
f,F+2,1	i15~17	3.03	34	-12	Mid
f,F+2:1	i15~17	3.03	38	-4	Mid
SWA.2	i15	2.75	27	-9	Mid
df+2	i15~16	1.97	13 (69)	-8	Mid
f,F+4	i27~34	4.18	20 (72)	+2	Mid
b,n,f+1	i28~31		22 (59)	-6	High

Grabs

• i11 - B 1+4 - 40 DMG - 1 break
• i12 UF1+2 - 40 DMG - #floorbreak - 1+2 break
• i12 FF1+2 - 38 DMG - #wallbreak - 1+2 break
• i12 2+4 B hold - 40 DMG - 2 break
• i12 DF1+3 - 22 DMG - +9 trap setup - 1 break
• DF1+3 > QCF 2 - #wallbreak #uhhhhaa
• Takedown.2,d+1,1,1+2 -50 DMG - 1 break
• Takedown.1+2 - 25 DMG - 1+2 break

Frame Traps

Setup moves

• i12 DF1+3 (throw +9/ -2 ob)
• i12 DF1,b (+3ob/+9oh)
• i15 SWA4 (+1ob)
• i22 UF2 (+5ob)
• i20 SS1 (+8ob)

Samples

Safe

• i15 SWA4 (+1 ob) > 1,2 (-3 ob) - 18 DMG
• i20 SS1 (+8 ob) > QCF 1(-4 ob, #launcher) -21 DMG
• i22 UF2 (+5 ob) > B3 (-9 ob, #launcher) - 19 DMG

Unsafe

• i15 SWA4 (+1 ob) >!i10 1,2,3(-25 ob) can be hit confirmed - 25 DMG
• i20 SS1 (+8 ob) > QCB1+2(-14 ob, #launcher)

Deep Dive Startup Delay/Input Lockout

There is a 10-frame window after Deep Dive where Paul's movement is locked and attack options (both WS and DPD) start up 1-10 frames slower.

• 

  iWS1 (normally i15~16) hits on frame 25 when input immediately after Deep Dive.

• 

  DPD.2 (normally i15) hits on frame 25 when input immediately after Deep Dive.

• 

  Paul cannot block in the 10-frame lockout window following a Deep Dive input.

• 

  Paul returns to a standing state and is able to block again at the end of this period.

An immediate press after DPD (WS1/WS2/WS3/WS4/DPD2/DPD4/DPD3+4) will add 10 frames of startup to that move. This delay decays gradually for each frame following the DPD input, until startup eventually returns to normal. For example:

• WS1 startup is i15~16
• d, df, d, df, WS1 startup is i25~26
• d, df, d, df, (4f delay), WS1 startup is i21~22
• d, df, d, df, (5f delay), WS1 startup is i20-21

And so on until 9f delay (10f after DPD), when WS1 startup is back to the regular i15~16.

The Frame Data display in Practice/Replay mode does not account for these additional frames and shows only the attack's normal startup.

Paul's only bufferable movement in this state is u, though this cannot be used to immediately crouch cancel (see next section for details).

Lockout frames begin as soon as the initial crouch dash is canceled into Deep Dive. Delay between CD and DPD inputs does not seem to matter.

This delay makes Deep Dive a more committal approach than Paul's regular crouch dash and has practical drawbacks in both neutral and pressure. Be mindful of this extra startup before attacking with a long-range iWS1,2 or DPD.2, and avoid using DPD inputs for iWS at closer ranges whenever possible.

Crouch Cancel Does Not Avoid Lockout

Crouch canceling to avoid the DPD delay window and immediately return to neutral does not seem possible. The sidestep from crouch cancel will not come out until 10 frames after DPD, and no other directional movement or attack can be executed or buffered in the interim.

This includes b, meaning you cannot block for at least 10 frames after DPD.

• 

  Mids cannot be blocked during the lockout window.

• 

  Highs will still be evaded.

Other

• Canceling ff+2,2 via db input gives access to easy crouch pressure mixups such as Ultimate Tackle (fc.d+1+2), and Thunder Palm (ws.2)