Soulcalibur VI/Nightmare

Overview Move list Combos Matchups Strategy Resources

Introduction

A big baddie with a big mutated arm and a big sword, what’s not to like? As expected from his giant weapon and stature, Nightmare has threatening damage with dominant mid-range attacks and added pressure from his stance mix-ups. Use of his unique Night Terror Charge, which gives him access to Soul Charge moves without meter, allows him to really keep the enemy on the back foot. He also has armored attacks and his aGI bubble to keep his turn. When not initiating offense and catching the enemy with aGIs he suffers from both a lack of fast attacks and in particular some of the worst punishment in the game, including no standing i12 punisher (which makes a huge amount of otherwise unsafe attacks safe against him).

As per the archetype, he is a "high-risk, high-reward" character. To get the most out of Nightmare you will have to be willing to play high stakes when the situation calls for it. Patience is paramount, you will need to pick your spots and wait for the right moment attack. Knowing your range and spacing is essential.

Strengths	Weaknesses
High Damage combos and moves Strong guard gauge pressure Long attack range Farthest possible ring out distance in game Possesses one of the best horizontals in the game (iagA, iabA) High risk, high reward	His only i12 move only hits crouching opponents Limited fast attacks to deal with pressure Horrendous at poking Whiffs the hardest in the cast High risk, high reward

Unique Mechanics

Night Terror Charge

After landing certain attacks Nightmare enters Night Terror Charge (NTC), granting him access to one Soul Charge attack. He will glow with a red aura in this state. The state will end after this attack but he can re-enter by landing certain attacks.

See Strategy for a full breakdown.

Nightmare #SCVI_NTM
His dark, azure armor invokes the night; his helmet covers all but his red, glowing eyes; his trunk-like right arm holds a great sword with a cursed eye glaring from its center... Could such a monstrous being really exist? Appearing from out of shadows like the advent of nightfall, this barbaric knight reaps the souls of the living as if they were mere stalks of corn. His name came to represent fear and desperation to all who heard it.

Key Moves

Blood Storm
6A

6A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	20	-16	-4	-4	4%
Armor[10-20]. See Soul Wave (hit) for successfull armor frames.
A long-reaching and forward-advancing attack, boasts great range and covers a good deal of ground too, making this a superb zoning tool that also has decent viability in anti-step strategies. It also has armor/revenge properties, however it is unsafe on block and it's follow-ups are fairly reactable.

Mail Crusher
3AA

3AA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	20,32	-20	KND	KND	3%
Normal Hit Combo
Decent whiff punishment tool for the range it has, as well as some reasonable use towards anti-step. However it's very punishable on block, so be sure as to not use it carelessly.

Jade Slicer
2A

2A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	16	-14	-4	6	1%
Tech Crouch[8-18]
A little on the slower end when it comes to pokes, what it lacks in speed it makes for in range and being a low that also covers a wide area making it difficult to step.

Quick Neck Buster
agA

agA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	36	2	KND	KND	4%
post-GI. 42 dmg and on perfect input
The best and arguably most versatile tool in your arsenal, boasts amazing range, damage and lends itself to a number of situations where this move will be useful such as whiff punishment, anti-step, guard crushing, combo extensions and enders.

Double Avenger
6BB

6B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	18	-16	STN	STN	4%
Armor[10-22]. See Soul Wave (hit) for successfull armor frames.
6BB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	18,20	-12	KND	KND	10%
Normal Hit Combo
One of the best whiff punishers in Nightmare's toolset when comparing it's speed to it's great range, though it is very linear and can be easily stepped if used carelessly. Has armor properties, should it be triggered you will blast the opponent away and be gifted with Terror Charge.

Death Smash
3B

3B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	36	-20	LNC	LNC	9%
STN on tip hit
3(B) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	36	-6	LNC	LNC	9%
into NSS. STN on tip hit.
Go-to launcher for whiff punishment, offers great damage with it's follow-up combos, is versatile for setting up ring outs and wallsplats.

Shadow Buster
2B

2B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	18	-10	2	2	2%
Tech Crouch[18-RC]
2(B) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	18	2	14	14	2%
into NLS
A relatively fast mid range attack that is excellent for spacing, keep out, and okizeme.

Upper Claw
WR B

WR B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	18	-22	LNC	LNC	2%
counter vs vertical
WR (B) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	18	-2	LNC	LNC	2%
counter vs vertical. into NSS
One of your better, stronger crouching punishment tools. Not only for whiff punishment, but for block punishment as well.

Adamantine Cracker
6K

6K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	24	-4	KND	KND	2%
when counterhit vs red flashing health bar. See Soul Wave (hit) for successfull armor frames.
The speed and distance it covers make this one of your go-to block punishers and, in other cases, whiff punishment. It is also your fastest armor move making it a viable reversal attack.

Dark Rush Kick
3K

3K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
14	16	-6	6	6	2%
Go-to poke that gives advantage on hit.

Dark Low Kick
2K

2K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	12	-14	-4	-4	1%
Tech Crouch[11-RC]
A low poke that doesn't cover as much ground or have as much range as 2A, though it is faster in comparison.

Midnight Launcher
A+B

A+B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
32	42	8	LNC	LNC	13%
. vs GI. -10 if you wish to guard
Go-to break attack. Its immune to guard impacts and reversal edge, using this move in any of these situations will score you a lethal hit, earning huge damage.

Soul Wave
6A+B

6A+B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
36	30	-14	KND	KND	9%
Armor[10-35]. See Soul Wave (hit) for successfull armor frames.
hit 6A+B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
36	30	2	KND	KND	9%
If armor clicks. in SC.
Your only armor move that is best used defensively. Slow to start up but on whiff, hit or block will give you Terror Charge.

Death Rage
22A

(2)_(8)A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	22	-10	0	0	2%
Excellent for spacing at mid-range, it's wide angle also covers a fair bit of ground making it great for anti-step.

Ether Splitter
66B

(3)_(6)_(9)B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	24	-22	LNC	LNC	15%
Not as damaging but it's sheer speed compared to your other whiff punishers make this move stand out as well as it's versatile follow-up options to suit your needs.

Crimson Vortex
66A+B

(3)_(6)_(9)A+B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
31	48	4	LNC	LNC	13%
2nd hit only hits grounded
Lacking in speed, but makes up for this in its ability to lend itself to wake up situations. Boasts huge range and damage, as well as dealing fantastic guard damage on block.