Paul strategy

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

Launchers

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Kurenai

df+2

m
13
1.97
-8
i15~16
t41 r25
  • High evasion

Safe, extremely high-evading mid. Close-range whiff punish. Can be combined with with df1~b, ws1,2~b and and backdash to launch overextensions.

Unseen Gust
qcb+1+2

SWA.1+2

m
22
3.1
-14
i16~17
t52 r35
Tornado
  • High evasion
Sometimes written qcb+1+2

Best range among Paul's launchers but easily interrupted and heavily punishable at -14.

Thruster
  • qcf+1

CS.1

h
21
2.5
-4
i16~17
t41 r24
  • Chip damage (4)
Sometimes written qcf+1

High, but very safe at -4.

  • u+3
  • ub+3

uf+3

m
15
2.1
-16
i15~16
js8~29 fs30~32
t49 r33
Rising Toe Kick
  • ub+4
  • u+4

uf+4

m
13
1.92
-13
i15~17
js8~29 fs30~32
t49 r33
Sometimes written Hopkick
Shredder
  • ub+3,4
  • u+3,4

uf+3,4

m,​m
15,​10
2.62
-13
,i13~14
js8~29 fs30~32
t60 r32

f,F+3

m
17
2.14
-17
i15~16
js10~31 fs32~34
t51 r35

f,​F+3,4

m,​m
17,​10
-16
,i13~14
js10~24 fs25~27
t65 r34

Hopkicks. f,F+3,4 can be executed while running and has three extensions to interrupt punish attempts on block (4, f+4, d+4).

Lights Out

b+3

h
16
1.75
-6
i14~15
t42 r27

Faster than df+2 for clutch situations but has a high hitbox and limited range. Good for pressure. Tracks left.

Neutron Bomb

f,F+4

m
20
4.18
+2
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.

Bulldozer
FC.df+2,2

f,​F+2,2

m,​L
14,​21
-19c
,i36~38
cs33~83
t91 r36
  • Cancel to -28 -18 FC with B
  • Alternate input FC.df+2,2

Gimmick low. Can be canceled to FC. Can be hopkicked on reaction, even with a cancel, or launch punished on block.

Gunba
  • qcf+1+2

CS.1+2

L
20
3.53
-12c
i32~33
cs1~33
t69 r36
  • Cancel to t41 FC with B
Sometimes written qcf+1+2

Gimmick low. Instant Tornado. Cancelable to FC. Can be hopkicked on reaction, even with a cancel.

Counterhit Launchers

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Shoot the Moon

db+2

M
21
2.57
-11
+14d (-3) FDFA
i19~20
t55 r35
Tornado
Balcony Break
Kawaragoma
qcb+4

SWA.4

h
20
2.95
+1
+23d (+14)
i15~16
t42 r26
Homing
  • Chip damage (6)
Sometimes written qcb+4
Petal Strike
qcb+3,2,1

SWA.3,​2,1

L,​m,​h
14,​20,​25
-5
+21d (-5)
,i18~19
t115 r44
Tornado
Wall Crush +7g
Sometimes written qcb+3,2,1
Mountain Raze
  • qcf+3+4

CS.3+4

m
22
2.79
-9
i19~20
js19~39
t49 r29
Tornado
Balcony Break
  • High Evasion (brief)
Sometimes written qcf+3+4
God Hammer Punch
qcb+1

SWA.1

M
24
2.89
+0c
+21d FDFA
i21~22
t54 r32
  • Chip damage (7)
Sometimes written qcb+1
PK Combo

2,3

h,​h
10,​21
2.95
-9
+22d (+13)
,i22~23
t60 r27
Balcony Break
  • Combo from 1st CH
Phoenix Wings

df+3,4

m,​m
14,​17
3.4
-10
+6
,i21~22
t71 r28
  • Move can be delayed 14f
  • Input can be delayed 14f
  • Combo from 1st hit with 10f delay
Piston Fire

3,2

m,​h
14,​17
3.64
-3
+7
,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

Lua error: Move with id = 'Paul-DPD.2,3' not found. If you've added 'Paul-DPD.2,3' in this edit, try saving the page twice. There is a known issue when looking up a move made in the same edit..

Lightning Breaker
qcb+3,2,3

SWA.3,​2,3

L,​m,​M
14,​20,​22
-13c
+10d FDFA
,i25~26
t117 r39
Spike
  • Combo from 1st CH +15d (-20) FDFA
  • Move can be delayed 10f
  • Input can be delayed 17f
Sometimes written qcb+3,2,3
Crushing Wind

b+2,1

m,​m
22,​22
5.02
-12
0c
,i36
t92 r39
  • Move can be delayed 20f (i56)
  • Charge begins on frame 18
  • Requires 0~41f charge
  • Delayed startup from 22~41f charge
  • Combo from 1st CH with 0~23f charge
  • b+2,1* / H.b+2,1* at 42f charge

Enders

Damage/Floor Break

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
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

Standard max damage ender. Decent oki. Can squeeze out 2-3 more damage with 2 > fff+2. Unsafe at -10 but still occasionally useful to throw out in neutral when floor gimmicks are available.

Wall Carry

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Demolition Man (Perfect Input)

d+4,​2:1+2

L,​m,​m
9,​23,​30
4.83
-17
+3d (-6)
+35a (-12)
,i26~27
t105 r41
Balcony Break
  • Move can be delayed 1f
  • Input can be delayed 1f
  • Combo from 1st CL with 1f delay +13d (+6)
  • Combo from 1st CH with 1f delay +13d (+6)
  • Combo from 2nd hit with 1f delay +13d (+6)
  • Perfect input window 21~22f after 2 input
  • Perfect input increases damage, wall carry

Optimal ender for damage and wall carry. Perfect input required to maximize both.

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

Useful for splatting at ranges where Demoman will not recover in time for a wall combo follow-up.

Shioh

ws3,2

M,​h
16,​21
3.38
-9
+17d (+8)
,i21~22
t65 r32
Balcony Break
  • Move can be delayed 12f
  • Input can be delayed 12f
  • Combo from 1st hit with 12f delay

Useful for splatting at ranges where Demoman and ff2+1 will not recover in time for a wall combo follow-up. Lua error: Move with id = 'Paul-DPD.2,1' not found. If you've added 'Paul-DPD.2,1' in this edit, try saving the page twice. There is a known issue when looking up a move made in the same edit.. High damage 2-hit carry string. Second hit uses Tornado, which can limit follow-up combo potential after a wall splat.

Double Hop Kick High

f,​F+3,​4,4

m,​m,​h
17,​10,​25
-5
+62a (+42)
,i23~25
js10~24 fs25~27
t94 r32
Balcony Break

Paul's highest damage carry from ranges where Demoman is too far to wall splat.

Okizeme

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Thruster
  • qcf+1

CS.1

h
21
2.5
-4
i16~17
t41 r24
  • Chip damage (4)
Sometimes written qcf+1
Mountain Raze
  • qcf+3+4

CS.3+4

m
22
2.79
-9
i19~20
js19~39
t49 r29
Tornado
Balcony Break
  • High Evasion (brief)
Sometimes written qcf+3+4

Pressure

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Tiger Claw

df+4

m
17
2.83
-2
+8
i17~18
t46 r28
Knee

Low risk at -2 and high reward with CH confirm into f+2 Heat Engager or d+1+2/b+1,2 knockdown. On block, best used in combination with sidestep to evade and launch mashing opponents. At +8 on hit, df+1~b can only be interrupted by parries or teleporting attacks, a second df+4 can only be interrupted by armor or teleporting attacks, and throw attempts can only be interrupted by a mashed Rage Art.

ws1,​2~b

m,​m
16,​17
+1
+14g
t59 r19 SWA
  • Sidestep u can be buffered from 44f
  • SWA attacks can be buffered from 51f
  • Transition to cs1~ r9 -10 +4 +5 DPD from 60f with df

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 attack and one of Paul's best all-purpose moves. An immediate SWA.4 after blocked ws1,2~b will trade with most i14 mash attempts and CH launch most slower attacks.

df+1~b

m
11
+3
+9
t31 r15 SWA
  • Sidestep u can be buffered from 16f
  • SWA attacks can be buffered from 24f
  • Transition to cs1~ r9 -1 -12 DPD from 32f with df

df+1,1

m,​h
11,​9
3.14
-5
+5
+8
,i20~21
t49 r28
  • Combo from 1st hit with 4f delay
  • Move can be delayed 10f
  • Input can be delayed 10f
Lion's Roar

df+1,​1,2

m,​h,​m
11,​9,​22
4.07
-9
,i22~23
t91 r31
Balcony Break
  • Combo from 2nd CH

Extremely versatile. Plus on block mid when sway canceled, or can be used to frame trap with delayable df+1,1. Second hit CH guarantees third hit of df+1,1,2 into qcf+2 mini-combo.

Kurenai

df+2

m
13
1.97
-8
i15~16
t41 r25
  • High evasion

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

Pump In Pedal

SS.3

L
17
2.62
-12c
+4
i19
t51 r32
  • Effective minimum startup 28f

Low with huge reach. Only -12 on block. Guaranteed d+1+2 on CH. Ideal after df+1~b~u or ws1,2~b~u.

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

Second hit can be ducked but requires awareness and fast reaction. Mashing on block can generally be backdashed or sidestepped.

Demolition Man (Perfect Input)

d+4,​2:1+2

L,​m,​m
9,​23,​30
4.83
-17
+3d (-6)
+35a (-12)
,i26~27
t105 r41
Balcony Break
  • Move can be delayed 1f
  • Input can be delayed 1f
  • Combo from 1st CL with 1f delay +13d (+6)
  • Combo from 1st CH with 1f delay +13d (+6)
  • Combo from 2nd hit with 1f delay +13d (+6)
  • Perfect input window 21~22f after 2 input
  • Perfect input increases damage, wall carry

Paul's most damaging unseeable low. Requires clean hit and is extremely punishable on block. Best used sparingly. More effective near wall, where it cannot be backdashed.

3,​2~b

m,​h
14,​17
+4
+14g
t60 r19 SWA
  • Sidestep u can be buffered from 45f
  • SWA attacks can be buffered from 54f
  • Transition to cs1~ r9 -13 +4 +47a DPD from 61f with df

Second hit is easily ducked and launched on reaction. Should not be used outside of combos unless opponent is unaware of the punish opportunity or too slow to capitalize. Risk can be mitigated on whiff with early sidestep cancel into block.

Plus Frames

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Turn Thruster

SS.1

h
21
+8
i20
t49 r29
Balcony Break
  • Chip damage (6)
  • Effective minimum startup 30f
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)
Hammer of the Gods

f+1+2

m
22
2.82
+3c
+8c
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

df+1

m
11
2.23
-2
+4
i14
t34 r20
  • Transition to r15 SWA +3 +9 from 2~14f, 16f with b
Kawaragoma
qcb+4

SWA.4

h
20
2.95
+1
+23d (+14)
i15~16
t42 r26
Homing
  • Chip damage (6)
Sometimes written qcb+4

Keepout

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Hammer Punch

d+1

M
16
2.63
-9
+2
+3c
i14~15
t42 r27
Spike
  • Transition to r27 FC with d
Left Kick

3

m
14
2.52
-7
+4
i15~16
t40 r24
Stone Lion

f+4

m
24
3.3
-5
+6
i22
js9~22
t54 r32
Heat Engager
Heat Dash +5, +62a (+42)
Homing
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
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
Kawaragoma
qcb+4

SWA.4

h
20
2.95
+1
+23d (+14)
i15~16
t42 r26
Homing
  • Chip damage (6)
Sometimes written qcb+4

Wall

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.

Phoenix Smasher

df+1+3,qcf+2

t,​m
22,​15
+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 possibilities. Powers up in Heat.

Stances

Crouch Dash/Cormorant Step

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Crouch Dash

d,df

cs1~21
t21 CD
  • Cannot be buffered
  • 1.12 movement over 20f
  • Transition to CS from 2f with f
  • Transition to r9 DPD from 3~19f with df
  • Cancel to r1 block from 2f with b
  • Cancel to r1 sidestep from 2f with u
Sometimes written CD
Cormorant Step
  • qcf
  • d,f

d,​df,f

t26 CS
  • Cannot be buffered
  • t35 from 1+2~f
  • Exits crouching state on frame 1
  • 1.63 movement over 25f (includes CD)
  • 1.98 movement over 35f from 1+2 cancel
  • Transition to r9 DPD from 2f with df
  • Cancel to r1 sidestep from 2f with u
  • Cancel to r1 block from 24f with b
Sometimes written
  • CS
  • qcf
Thruster
  • qcf+1

CS.1

h
21
2.5
-4
i16~17
t41 r24
  • Chip damage (4)
Sometimes written qcf+1
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
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

ws1,​2~b

m,​m
16,​17
+1
+14g
t59 r19 SWA
  • Sidestep u can be buffered from 44f
  • SWA attacks can be buffered from 51f
  • Transition to cs1~ r9 -10 +4 +5 DPD from 60f with df

Close in on opponents while ducking highs with d,df Crouch Dash. 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 Heat Engager at a distance or qcf+1 to launch at closer ranges.

Deep Dive

Name
Alt

Input

Hit level
Damage
Range
Left Tracking
Right Tracking
Block
Hit
CH
Startup
States
Recovery
Notes
Deep Dive
  • CS.df
  • SWA.df

CD.df

cs1~30
r9 DPD
  • Buffer window 2~9f (3~9f from SWA)
  • Sidestep can be buffered with u
  • DPD attacks can be buffered
  • While standing attacks can be buffered
  • Cancel to r1 block from 10f with b
Sometimes written
  • DPD
  • DD

Lua error: Move with id = 'Paul-DPD.2' not found. If you've added 'Paul-DPD.2' in this edit, try saving the page twice. There is a known issue when looking up a move made in the same edit.. Lua error: Move with id = 'Paul-DPD.2,1' not found. If you've added 'Paul-DPD.2,1' in this edit, try saving the page twice. There is a known issue when looking up a move made in the same edit.. Lua error: Move with id = 'Paul-DPD.2,3' not found. If you've added 'Paul-DPD.2,3' in this edit, try saving the page twice. There is a known issue when looking up a move made in the same edit.. Lua error: Move with id = 'Paul-DPD.4' not found. If you've added 'Paul-DPD.4' in this edit, try saving the page twice. There is a known issue when looking up a move made in the same edit..

ws1,​2~b

m,​m
16,​17
+1
+14g
t59 r19 SWA
  • Sidestep u can be buffered from 44f
  • SWA attacks can be buffered from 51f
  • Transition to cs1~ r9 -10 +4 +5 DPD from 60f with df

Because Deep Dive stance attacks do not require a forward input, Paul can use this crouch dash extension to more safely sail underneath keepout highs and punish. DPD.4 is especially strong against highs as unlike qcb+3 it does not require a standing state at startup.

DPD.2 is a strong, hit confirmable 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.

Crouch Dash and Deep Dive can be chained together for a pseudo-wavedash with the input d,df,d,df,u. This is especially useful for chasing down techs after a knockdown. Be aware of the input constraints that come with using Deep Dive, especially if you are able to execute it quickly.

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)

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)