Street Fighter IV Strategy Guide - All Moves, Combos, Tips, and Secrets for SFIV

The Shadaloo Elite

Street Fighter II's Frightful Four were no joke back in the day, and with the resurrection of Shadaloo, they've proven that they're still a mighty force to be reckoned with.

Command Key:

  • [F] - Forward
  • [B] - Back
  • [U] - Up
  • [D] - Down
  • [DF] - Down Forward
  • [DB] - Down Backward
  • [360] - Full Circle

    • Vega: The Bullfighting Ninja

    Street Fighter IV Fighter's Guide

    Hmm, we're either getting old, or much getting quicker on the button than before -- Vega's still a menace, but he's nowhere near as fast as we remember from Street Fighter II.

    Special Moves
  • Rolling Crystal Flash: Charge [B], Motion [F] + Punch
  • Scarlet Terror: Charge [DB], Motion [F] + Kick
  • Sky High Claw: Charge [D], Motion [U] + Punch
  • Flying Barcelona Attack: Charge [D], Motion [U] + Kick
  • Izuna Drop: Tap [B] or [F] + Punch (After Flying Barcelona Attack)

    • Super Combo!
  • Flying Barcelona Special: Charge [DB], Motion [DF] [DB] [U] + Kick
  • Rolling Izuna Drop: Tap [B] or [F] + Punch (After Flying Barcelona Special)

    • Ultra Combo!
  • Bloody High Claw: Charge [DB], Motion [DF] [DB] [U] + Kick x 3

    • ProTips!

    1. Just like in SFII, you can use Vega's rolling backflips to avoid fireballs and launching attacks, but watch your timing very carefully to avoid getting smacked in the back.

    2. An EX charge on Vega's Rolling Crystal Flash not only sucks in your opponent, but if they manage to cleanly block, it still does a decent amount of chip damage.

    3. If you feel like showing off during a fight, hit Down, Down-Backward, Backward, Down, Down-Backward, Backward and any button to get rid of your mask and claws!


    Balrog: Former Boxing Champion

    Street Fighter IV Fighter's Guide

    Balrog's just as fast as he was in Street Fighter II, but with better range than ever -- make sure to mix up your Dash Uppers and Dash Lows and catch your enemy off guard!

    Special Moves
  • Dash Straight: Charge [B], Motion [F] + Punch
  • Dash Upper: Charge [B], Motion [F] + Kick
  • Dash Low Straight: Charge [B], Motion [DF] + Punch
  • Dash Low Smash: Charge [B], Motion [DF] + Kick
  • Buffalo Head: Charge [D], Motion [U] + Punch
  • Turn Punch: Punch x 3 or Kick x 3 (Hold and Release)

    • Super Combo!
  • Crazy Buffalo: Charge [B], Motion [F] [B] [F] + Punch or Kick

    • Ultra Combo!
  • Violent Buffalo: Charge [B], Motion [F] [B] [F] + Punch x 3 or Kick x 3

    • ProTips!

    1. Alternate between Dashing Straights and Dashing Low Straights to confuse your opponents -- if you get an opening, grab 'em and mess them up with a headbutt or two! Nasty!

    2. Using the EX Meter to charge a Dash Upper or Dash Low can punch straight through fireballs if your timing's right -- but DON'T try it if you only have a sliver of life left!

    3. Balrog's Turn Punch has invincibility on the wind-up and does more damage the longer you hold down the buttons, plus it can even hit some opponents while they're crouching.


    Sagat: Emperor of Muay Thai

    Street Fighter IV Fighter's Guide

    Sagat's Tiger Uppercut is more dangerous than ever thanks to EX damage -- try to chain hit a Tiger Knee Crush with a Tiger Uppercut or a throw to really put the hurt on your enemy!

    Special Moves
  • High Tiger Shot: Motion [D] [DF] [F] + Punch
  • Low Tiger Shot: Motion [D] [DF] [F] + Kick
  • Tiger Uppercut: Motion [F] [D] [DF] + Punch
  • Tiger Knee Crush: Motion [F] [D] [DF] + Kick

    • Super Combo!
  • Tiger Genocide: Motion [D] [DF] [F], [D] [DF] [F] + Kick

    • Ultra Combo!
  • Tiger Destruction: Motion [D] [DF] [F], [D] [DF] [F] + Kick x 3

    • ProTips!

    1. Sagat's Tiger Uppercut is still a fearsome anti-air move, but using an EX Tiger Uppercut during a counterattack racks up some really wicked damage! Ouch!

    2. It's cheap, but effective -- using High and Low Tiger Shots to chip at your opponent makes it hard for people to mount a good offense, not to mention the threat of EX!

    3. The range and power of Sagat's attacks make it easy to chain most hits into a Tiger Knee Crush, which is especially true of the Muay Thai Champ's Texas-sized Roundhouse.


    M. Bison: Shadaloo Overlord

    Street Fighter IV Fighter's Guide

    M. Bison's moves don't have the same "Capcom Boss Advantage" range as they did in SFII, but they're still wickedly powerful -- his fast sliding kicks are quicker than ever!

    Special Moves
  • Psycho Crusher: Charge [B], Motion [F] + Punch
  • Double Knee Press: Charge [B], Motion [F] + Kick
  • Head Press: Charge [D], Motion [U] + Kick
  • Devil Reverse: Charge [D], Motion [U] + Punch
  • Bison Warp: Motion [F] [D] [DF] or [B] [D] [DB] + Punch x 3 or Kick x 3

    • Super Combo!
  • Knee Press Nightmare: Charge [B], Motion [F] [B] [F] + Kick

    • Ultra Combo!
  • Nightmare Booster: Charge [B], Motion [F] [B] [F] + Kick x 3

    • ProTips!

    1. Bison's sliding Roundhouse is vastly improved, and the animation is really hard to catch with the naked eye -- use its speed to catch unsuspecting fighters off guard!

    2. If you use the EX version of M. Bison's Double Knee Press, you'll easily pass though fireballs -- try using it after blocking a crouching Roundhouse to wake up your enemy!

    3. Bison's Head Press was a boon to many SFII players, and the addition of EX power makes it a powerful anti-air, chip damaging tactic, and health-draining threat to humanity!

    Comments [28]

    post a comment

    The_Pig

    WOOO!

    Finally, now I can cheap out all those damnable 10-year-old kids online!

    DJKennethA

    Glad to see they still added a cheap character like Seth. I'm HIGHLY considering picking this up

    slickjames

    Ryu has to be one of my favorite characters ever. Still waiting for the game in the mail. Hurry up Amazon!!!!!!!

    PatrickShaw

    Awesome guide! Definitely going to help me suck-less at Street Fighter IV, which everyone here in the GamePro office is a pro at.

    KenTheGreat1

    PatrickShaw wrote:

    kayvee wrote:

    has anyone beat mckinley yet?
    I sure as hell haven't.

    The top spot in the office often switches between Sui, one of GP's developers, and our art intern Will Chu. I'm still trying to beat TMoses and Mr. Shuman.

    Boskiway

    Damn, this game is tight! I cant get off of it! Well, I guess I am now, but im blogging about it!

    Post a Comment