Vega/Claw and M.Bison/Dictator - How To Predict Them?
I gotta say that Vega and Bison are my toughest match-ups. I just can't seem to learn their "ways" and I 99% of the time end up losing to them, which tends to get very frustrating.
Are there any good ways to predict an attack from them when they're airborne? I always get stepped on by Bison and Vega always hits me with just about any flying move he has.
Any pointers on predictions or good match-up articles for Ryu is appreciated.
Responses (2 total)
Maybe I can help with the Bison stuff. If you're having trouble with his Head Press (HP) and Devil's Reverse (DR) you can usually tell them apart from a regular jump because he grunts when he does it. If it's a normal jump he stays quiet. There's no way to tell the HP apart from the DR though so pay attention to what he does. When you see him fly towards you from the other end of the screen it's most likely one of these two moves since his jump arc isn't that insane so get ready to Shoryu.
Tips on how to deal with Head Press and Devil's Reverse:
One thing about his HP is that it doesn't track your movements so you can just dash forward or backwards and punish him accordingly. Heck just walk back a bit and when he lands you can grab, do an cr. MK into Hadouken, Shoryuken (FADC into Ultra if you can), Tatsu, heck the punishment options Ryu has at his disposable are endless for a whiffed HP. You can Focus absorb it but since he can follow it up with Skull Diver (SD) it's a bit risky. I'd recommend just blocking the HP instead and Focus Absorbing the SD. These rules apply for the EX version of his HP as well. It's fast and all but you can still dash away from it. Don't try to Focus Absorb the EX version of the SD because it hits twice. Also if he does and HP from the other end of the screen you can Shoryu the snot out of him (it'll trade but not all the time) or just jump back/neutral jump Roundhouse him.
The Skull Diver (SD) is a risky move for Dictator that can be easily telegraphed by Ryu and Shoryuken'd. Also, if you have Ryu's Metsu Shoryuken (it'll work with Metsu Hadouken too but the timing may be different) you can do it on reaction when you see him coming down with SD. Basically, if you can see this coming it's a free Shoryu or Ultra (or cr. MK into whatever but those other two are easier to time). If he just flies off after the HP just resume your regular zoning with fireballs.
For the Devil's Reverse you can't really dash out of the way as easily as the HP because it can be aimed by the player. This one you want to Focus Absorb and dash back, unless it's the EX version because it hits twice (you can absorb the first hit and dash out before the second one hits but the timing is tight therefore risky). I don't think there are many punishment options after you absorb it and dash back because he recovers rather quickly. But that's only if he aims it at you. Most of the time Bison players use this to get away from you or to build EX meter. When you see him whiff this on purpose and fly backwards that means it's a free Ultra (Metsu Hadouken only) or Super. You'll nail him while he's still in the air. You'll have to time it of course but it can be done.
To wrap this one up you have to punish these moves in order to keep him grounded. That's easy to do if he just keeps doing them and becomes predictable. This also doesn't mean you'll stop getting hit with these moves, (the EX HP is FAST) but it shows you how to deal with them when you see them coming. Hope this helps and maybe someone can chime in with Vega stuff or more info on Bison.
