Behind the Visions: Behemoth

So it's been a minute but I'm back with another behind the visions. This time we take a lot behind the scenes of my latest combo video 'Behemoth' which features Taka-Arashi, Jeffrey and Wolf. Also note if their is any cos-playing I will mention it after the combo. Without further ado... the big boys of VF!

Legend:
Legend: 7(upback), 8(up), 9(upforward), 4(back), 5(neutral), 6(forward), 1(downback), 2(down), 3(downforward) and P- Punch, K- Kick, G-Guard. B!- bound move. :-Just frame input required. BT- Back turned. ALL- all buttons.

1- Taka: 6+P+K,P,ALL,ALL,P+K B! 6+P+K,P,ALL,P+K. Illustrating Taka's guard break potential. Also wanted to end it with his ALL,P+K because it does much more damage then just 6+P+K,P,P. Cos-play reference (CR)= Bishimon from Vampire/Darkstalkers cos-play (with floating spirit).

2-Jeff: (P),K,P,wall,9+P+G. Jeff's K in his P,K,P string beats out jabs giving him a counter hit and a float. Cue wall splat, wall throw on Taka of all people.

3-Wolf: Charged P+K,4,6+P+K,9+P+K B! P,6,6+K+G. This combo only works when Wolf is in Open stance. I experimented a lot with open and close stances for this video. This was one of the discoveries. CR= whilst the outfit is original, the face is a reference to Paul Teutul Sr (aka the dad from American Chopper).

4-Taka: (6+K),P,P,3+P,P,6+P+K,P,P. 6+K,P will cause a nice juggle state if Taka interrupts an opponent trying to jab him after his 6+K is blocked. CR= Afro samurai.

5-Jeff: (1+P+K),K,wall,2,1,4+P+K B! K,P,ALL,P,P B! 2+K,P. Another combo where I experimented with open/ closed stance. Open stance is required for the follow-up kick to wall splat. CR= Suited Ultimate Nick Fury. Ironically, both Nick Fury and Afro Samurai are voiced/played by Sam Jackson. I actually did this connection unconsciously lol.

6-Wolf: 3+K+G,2+P,hold 2,3,6+P,4,6+P. I think this combo only works on Eileen and Blaze due to their smaller frames. The flip over state is similar to the weird knock-down state you get after certain character's flip kicks. CR= Ghost Rider (part 1). Flames over head included.

7-Taka: CH 2,4,6+P+K,3,3+P+K,4,6+P,2+P,4,6+P. I just love ouch factor of this combo, like getting hit by a train. I was basically trying to get as many sumo charges in one combo as possible.

8-Jeff: 2+K+G,3+K+G,2,1,4+P+K B! P,4,3+P+K B! P+K,ALL,P+K. Another thing I tried to do in this video was do more combos on Taka (in prep for another project I am involved in). I was surprised the P+K in his stance hit so I decided to keep it. It was also timed with the 'break' part of the song. CR= Tiger Jackson from Tekken 3, Tag and upcoming Tekken Tag 2.

9-Taka: 3+P+K,3,3+P+K,4,3+P+K B! 4+P,P,P,K+G,P. Wall juice from Taka which works on most sizes. CR= Beast from X-Men.

10-Wolf: 6+ALL,K,3+P+K,3,3+P+K,3,3+P,9+P+K B! P,4+K+G,K,4,6+P+K (opp does wake up low) block,3+P+G (opp does wake up low)2+P+K:P+G. Pretty nice sequence which can only be done on Taka due to his fat hit box and the fact he recovers with a low punch (not kick) when he falls down face up which allows Wolf to reverse the low punch and do his just frame Shining Wizard. On a related note, Shining Wizard is probably my favorite wrestling move of ALL time. CR- The Rock... did you smell it?

11-Jeff: (opp does 7+ALL)K+G,6+P,4,6+P+K B! P,9+P+G. I really wanted to get Jeffrey's K+G in a combo. Utilizing a set-up I found during my Akira combo I was able to work it in there.

12-Jeff: (opp does 7+ALL)hold,2,3+P,ALL,P,P B! 6,6+P,P. Speaking of set-ups I have found, I utilize the 'invisible wall' glitch this time.

13-Taka: 3+P+K,3,3+P+K,2,1,4+P,P,P,P,P+K. Another move I really wanted to see being utilized was Taka's hundred hand slap. I mean c'mon each sumo characters needs a hundred hand slap since E-Honda is SF made it popular.

14-Jeff: (opp BT) ALL,P+K,2,1,4+P+K B! P,6+P,ALL,P,P B! 1+P,P. I really wanted to use Jeff's 1+P,P at least once during a combo. Also peep the unique stun from the ALL P+K on a BT opponent. CR- Luke Cage (Marvel comics). Picture reference

Yep, pretty close I must say.

15-Jeff: (ALL)K:P+G,2+P,3+P+K,2+G+K. The 3+P+K must be timed to get the wall slump and make the 'stomp' guaranteed.

16-Wolf: 4,4+P+G,P+G,6,6+P+K,6,4+P+G. I had to get Wolf's half wall throw in there somewhere. This is probably one of my favorite throws in this game. It just looks vicious.

17-Jeff: (P+K),P,4,6+P+G. If P+K is blocked and the follow up P hits, Jeff is plus 10. Wall throw time! I utilized this tech again in my upcoming collaboration, be on the look out for it. I also timed the breaking of the wall with the 'break' of the song.

18-Taka: 4+P+G,3+P,P,2+P,4,6+P. Taka has great combo potential off his throws. Here is another quick example of what he can do. CR= Bob from Tekken 6. I felt this is one of the more closer cos-plays I have done.

19-Wolf: (Opp does 7+ALL) 4,6+P whiffs,BT,P,P,3+P+K B! 4+K+G,K,3+P+G. The 3+G+P must be timed for the throw to be guaranteed. Also the throw ender is timed with the song again. I think this is my first wall to wall combo... ever.

20-Jeff: 9,N,K,2+P,3+P+G. Surprised no-one has showcased this mini-combo before me. Works on most sizes too. I also realized in hindsight that I used this 'mariner' custom a lot in Jeff's combos, should have diversified it a bit more but eh, split milk.

21-Taka: 6,3,2,1,4+P+G,P+K,P,6,6+P+K,6+P+K,P,ALL,P+K. Again showcasing Taka's ability to combo off a throw. Also showcasing his wall to wall carrying ability.

22-Jeff: (4+P),K,6,6+K+G,1+K+G,2,1,4+P+K B! 1+P+K,2+P,9+P+G. Ouch! if Jeff can interrupt an opponents jab after his 4+P he get pretty great damage. CR- Ghost Rider 2.

23-Taka: 4,6+P+G,6+P+G,1+P,P,3+P+K,4+K,P,4+K+G. Just like Hundred Hand Slaps are need, so is his big sumo stomp. Also did I mention Taka combos well off throws LOL. CR- Devil Ganryu (wearing Devil Jin clothes) from Tekken, unfortunately I could not get black wings for his back to make it perfect.

24-Wolf:4+ALL,P,4+ALL,2+P+G,4,6+P+K,9+P+K B! P,1+P+K B! 4+K+G,K,2+P+G,1+K+G:4,1,2,3,6+P+G. A couple cool thing about this one. First 4+ALL,P intentionally makes Wolf BT which he normally can't do. I made sure I did this combo from the 2 player perspective so you can keep seeing Eileen hit the wall face first (cruel I know),1+K+G:4,1,2,3,6+P+G needs to be the just frame version to get the full damage and yes, this is a death combo. CR- Hollywood Hulk Hogan. I know there is a lot of Wolf as the classic Hulk Hogan but I decided to do the Hollywood one instead.

25-Wolf: ALL,6+P+G. If Wolf does his reversal stance to reverse back turn moves, he get his opponent in a BT throw state instead of the reversals he usually gets. Then I showcase a weird ring out glitch.

26:Wolf: ALL,4+P+G. Same as above but this time but in the opposite direction. Time it with the song's ending as well.

Music: I have always liked this song by Taproot since I heard it in True Crime: Streets of LA. I felt it perfectly suited the nature of this combo video so I ran with it. This is my first real use of vocalized music in a VF combo video something I normally don't do but I made an exception for this one.

So that's that. I really enjoyed putting this one together. I really don't have any solid plans for my next VF video. I know I have one more good video left in me tho so be aware it is coming. Thanks for reading! Till next time.

P

Behind the Visions: Epilogue

So even after I contributed some new Akira combos for the Perfect Input video, I still ended up finding more stuff that I was more then happy to showcase. This is probably my shortest video and my first VF combo video sequel but there is still some nice stuff in here.

Legend: 7(upback), 8(up), 9(upforward), 4(back), 5(neutral), 6(forward), 1(downback), 2(down), 3(downforward) and P- Punch, K- Kick, G-Guard. B!- bound move. :-Just frame input required. BT- Back turned. Teirou Kanpo Stance- TK.

1: CH 4,3+P,u,P,2+G+K,P:P. This combo is inspired by a match where I actually lost because the combo floats the opponent and Akira lands earlier, hence the defeated Akira lending into the continue screen. It's awesome that the first sequence is guaranteed as long as the first hit is a CH. I have been abusing this in competitive play.

2: (4+P)CH P,2,1,4+P B! 3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K,2+P,4,6+P. One of the discoveries I found post Shihan is Akira's 4+P,P or P+K string follow ups. Note the ending, it'll become more important later on.

3: CH 6,6,6+P,2+P,4,3+P B! P, G+K:K. I actually had no Super Dashing Elbow (SDE) combos in Shihan, so I address that in this one. The 2+P must be timed like most 2+P follow up combos.

4: Blaze does 7+G+P+K, 6,6+K,P,2,1,4+P B! 3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K wall 2+P,4,6+P,G+K:K. One of my own discoveries, I found out if you hit Blaze whilst he does his wall cling move, you can get a higher juggle height. Note unlike in combo 2, I was able to get a 1 frame knee at the end, I believe this was because of the higher height.

5: (3+G+K)CH P+K,3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K. Yep, Akira can stuff low punch spammers too LOL.

6: 6,4+G+P,dash,2+G+K,P,2+P,4,6+P. A more damaging combo on light weights off Akira's 6,4+G+P throw.

7: (2,6+P):P, 2,1,4+P B! 2,6+P:P. I wanted a combo that started and ended the same. Lots of just frames in this one.

8: Sabaki 4+G+P+K,P, 2+G+K,P wall 2,1,4+P B! 3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K, 4,6,6+P+K. I could of end this combo many different ways but I really just wanted the double body check ender for variation.

9: (4+P)P wall, 1+P, 4+P,P. Not the fanciest combo, the story behind this is I actually tried to do 4+P,P,1+P,G+K:K wall G+K,P but it just wouldn't combo after the first time I accidentally got it. LOL as it stands, I'm happy with this one cause it's something different and keeps with the theme of ending with the same move on Sarah (combo 7).

10: (4+P)P+K,2+P,6,6+K,K wall 4,6,6+P+K. I kind of faded the ender out but I liked how it blended so I kept it as is.

11: 3+P+K,4,6+P wall G+K:K, 3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K. Had this one in there to illustrate how killing with a combo can sometimes break a wall. It was originally supposed to tie with a lyric but I change my mind for song choice at the last minute.

12: Dural does 7+G+P+K,(6,6+P) BT, 2+P B! 2+G+K,P:P. Once again, thanks to the research I did, I found that characters can go under Dural or Blaze as they do their wall cling move and put your opponent on an 'invisible' wall and you will end up Back turned. Also I always believed that Akira's BT 2+P would B! but I was never able to find away of utilizing it till this combo.

13: 6,6+P+K,G+P,G+P+K (TK) P, G+P+K, 4,3+P B! 2+G+K,P:P. I really wanted to explore TK, P a bit more in this video. I kept this one because I actually use G+P+K outside of his Stun Palm of Doom combo.

14: CH G+K:K, G+K,charge P B! 3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K. I tried to time the combo hits with the bells of the song. I think it was pretty close. Also G+K,charge P B! in mid air combo? I had to showcase that

15: 1+P,6,hold,P,4,3+P B! 2+G+K,P,G+K:K. Inspired by Bullrage's find that you can combo Eileen off a back slide knock-down, I tried to find what Akira could do.

16: (2,6+P):P wall G+K:K,2,1,4+P B! 3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K, 2+P,4,6+P wall G+K:K. Again exploring how to get a G+K:K even after a 2+P,4,6+P. You need to do a slight side walk towards the wall and the opponent needs to perform a mid to get this set-up. Again tried to match the hits with the rhythm of the song.

17: Dural does 7+G+P+K, (6,6+P) BT, 4+G+P+K, 2,1,4+P B! 3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K. Easily one of my favorite discoveries. Once again makes himself back turned (something he can't do normally) and is able to get his off the wall kick.

18: Sabaki 4+G+P+K,P, 2+P, G+K:K, 2,1,4+P B! 3+G+K,P,4,6,6+P+K, 2+P,4,6+P wall G+K:K. The reason why I believe this needed the final combo was the G+K:K in the middle re-floating so well. It just looked sexy to me. Oh and getting the 2 piece ender instead of one or the other hah.

Music Choice: I originally wanted to use the Bastion soundtrack like I used for my KOF XIII combo video 'The Gunslingers'. With that in mind, I had the wall break combo and wanted to use it when the line was said "Someday that wall is gonna fall". Closer to the conclusion of the project tho I changed my mind. I felt whilst the song was awesome, the feel of it didn't match the beats of the song. So I went back to the drawing board and decided to use Bleach as my inspiration. Senna has always been one of my favorite Bleach motifs so I had to use that and the Soundscape of Ardor was a nice sober way of beginning (especially with the defeat and continue screen). In the end I'm pretty happy how it turned out.

Costumes: Once again, I decided to do some cos-playing. It started with Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue, one of my favorite Sega games. He even has a dreamcast on his back (the game that Shenmue originated on). Next is Ultimate Hawkeye. When I realized Akira had a bow and he could use it, this custom screamed to be done. I really enjoyed Hawkeye in the Avengers movie and I've been on a real archery kick lately. Here is the visual reference:

Then the shirtless Mr. Karate one (ironically I should have had this one for my previous video which used Mr. Karate theme song... ahh well spilled milk). I'm happy there was a shirtless picture online too, most of them had him with his gi on but I just liked the shirtless one more.

Finally there was the Jeff Hardy reference. This one is more subtle then rest but I hope the fact that he has a ladder on his back (and uses it in a win pose) was a nod to that. And yep, as I said at the beginning, I'm on a serious archery kick, so I had to end with the arrow shooting win pose.

So this was great, I really enjoyed making this one and I hope people can appreciate the work that was put into it. This is probably one of my last few videos for VF: FS. I am running out of ideas and there are so many good combo videos makers doing combos for other characters which I have no hope of matching (A.X.L's Kage video comes to mind). I have one more collaboration and one major project but they won't be out for a bit.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

P