Soul Calibur Hwang FAQ version 1.0221: written by: Premium G. (real name prefer to be withheld) Email: PremiumG@yahoo.com Date: 1/12/2000 (Happy New Years by the way!!!) Updates: 1.0221: - Changed my e-mail and web-address to match current status 1.022: - Hail Storm motion was backwards. Why can't I get this damn move right?!! Thanks to Miguel Martinez (Hwang_sung@hotmail.com) 1.021: - Hail Storm description changed (it repels high hits) - thanks to Miguel Martinez (Hwang_sung@hotmail.com) 1.02: - Base Return Blade and Hail Storm description mixed up - thanks to Miguel Martinez (Hwang_sung@hotmail.com) for bring it to my attention. - Added more Hwang juggles and combos - Comments on Soul and Spirit Charges - Added more comments on Hwang's kick cancel into throw (1fps system) - Added recommend button settings for Dreamcast L and R buttons 1.01: - Um.... changed some spelling mistakes... probably some still left though. - Copyright info. put in. 1.0: Original FAQ _____________________________________________________________________________ How to Use This FAQ: This is the best way to get the most out of this FAQ- 1-first go into practice mode, and get to know ALL of Hwang's moves from the command list. ALL of them. Put CPU on Stand and Guard all moves so you don't ring the CPU out too easily. 2-read my insights of the moves that I find effective. Repeat those moves and try to understand why what I wrote what I did about each move. 3-read my in-game insights and try out the different tactics from midrange, beginning of match, up-close, etc., etc. Get a feel for the tactics until you can do them and mix them up without thinking about it (it should just come out with no hesitation and should feel natural). Note the inclose tactics and their hit ranges and height. Mid, low, etc. It's important to know the height of the inclose tactics... It's also very important to get to know which moves advances Hwang so you can continue poking. If you don't advance, you'll simply push the opponent away and you will not be able to poke anymore. 4-put CPU on Final Boss level and Ultrahard... keep playing using my tactics and making up your own as you go along. Make up your own "style" of playing... keep playing until you can defeat your CPU opponent with no problems... Play against all the characters you have so that you are familiar with their moves (know how to anticipate and block their moves) Introduction: I am writing this FAQ because I believe that I am a good Hwang player in Soul Calibur. I'm not going to brag or anything and I am welcome to comments or suggestions. If you think my tactics suck, e-mail me. Anyway, I'm not going to mess around with the very basics of Soul Calibur like how to guard parry, etc., etc. All that can be found on move lists. That is not what I am writing to write here. I am trying to write a FAQ with tactics and strategy on how to play an effective Hwang. I think Hwang is one of the best characters to use in this game because of his speed, throw range, power, and poking ability. General tips: The best thing to do in any fighting game is be as unpredictable as you can. Everyone has their own style of playing but all the experts have something in common, they are unpredictable. That means mix up your moves. The best way to win with Hwang is to do fast, good priority moves, mixed in with slower low hits and using his massive throw range every once in a while. Hwang has fvery easy to understand and use moves without stances to memorize. I dare even say, that he is too easy to use for his effectiveness!! Also remember after you've been parried or repelled (except at far range i.e. parrying Kilik's b+B move), you cannot block or duck fast enough to avoid the next move if he follows immediately. You can however parry or repel yourself. That is the only thing that will stop a move done immediately after a parry or repel. However, the other person can mix it up be delaying his move after your parry or repel.... or the other person can do a low move versus his usual high slashes ... etc. etc. This goes back to the most universals rule of fighting games.... be unpredictable. Don't be afraid to run straight up and throw. A lot of people don't throw enough.... There is a line though where you can go overboard. When you think you're opponent will least expect it, don't be afraid to run up and throw. This can throw off the timing of people who like to parry attacks a lot because they'll parry at the range of the attack, and not the throw.. so when they parry, no attack is coming. Know ALL your character's moves. I don't list all of Hwang's moves in this FAQ but they are available in the command list of the game. Even moves you think are worthless and moves you don't ever think you'll use. By knowing all the moves, this allows you more variety in a match, thus making you more unpredictable, thus a deadlier opponent. Don't be afraid to try moves you think are worthless. Sometimes by trying those "worthless" moves out in a match, you find out situations when those moves might actually be pretty good. There seems to be no difference between guard parries and repels in regard to time initiative gained. I prefer to use guard parries though because it seems to leave the opponent closer sometimes than guard repels. Although some people say repels are better against heavy hits and parries against lighter hits, I find they work both equally well in both situations. Remember that a high parry or repel works for high and mid moves while a low one works for mid and low moves. When someone is poking you, usually the moves consist of mid and low hits..... therefore use low parries more when you find yourself being poked at.... Beware though, only a high parry or repel can work against a throw. _____________________________________________________________________________ Let's go over the legend of my FAQ: d - down f - forward b - back u - up A - horizontal slash B - vertical slash K - kick G - guard + - means press at the same time (i.e., A+B) ~ - means slide the buttons. Press one button then quickly press the other 8WR - eight way run ws - while standing (from crouch) wc - while crouching Recommended settings for L and R buttons (on Dreamcast version): I think the best settings for these buttons are (A+K) on L and (A+B+K) on R. The L button then will allow easy access to moves that would otherwise be hard to do by pressing A+K on the Dreamcast controller. The R button will allow one touch Spirit Charges will makes Hwang kick cancel a lot easier (explained later). Or if you're really good I recommend (B+G) on the R button instead of (A+B+K). This allows the (B+G) throw to be done easier (remember, it's important to mix up your attacks, even your throws). The Spirit charge should now be done by pressing L and B together. This makes Hwang's kick cancel harder so this is if you're really, really good. That's about it!!! First, I'm going to give a run-down of basic moves for Hwang that I think are very effective (not in any order). Note, the name of these moves are taken off the Dreamcast version of the game. Some FAQ's might use different names for the same move... _____________________________________________________________________________ Heavy Claw Strike (A, A) - Plain two horizontal slashes. I know this is ridiculous to put in here but maybe if you read on to the mix-ups and tactics, you will see why I even bother putting down such basic moves. Heavy Claw Flames (A, A, B) - Two horizontal strikes followed up a stab. Burning Slash (f+A) - horizontal slash that will knock an enemy so his side faces you on a counter-hit. Slower speed than a regular standing A. But on a counter hit, it gives you a few frames time advantage. Void Shatter Slash (f, f+A) - Hwang does a quick slash that will knock the enemy down. Very good for people who like to 8WR. Parting the Wind (df + A, A) - a low slash followed by a high. This is a good move because of the speed and the solid damage. The high hit is guaranteed if the low one hits which happens most of the time. Parting the Storm (df + A, A, B) - a low slash followed by a high slash and then a vertical slash. The vertical slash is a bit slow on execution and can be easily parried or repelled even if the first two slashes hit. Then why is this move good? I wi