Garou: Mark of the Wolves/Hokutomaru

Overview

Combos

Matchups

Strategy

Misc.

Introduction

Hokutomaru

Gameplay

TBD

Strengths	Weaknesses
Many target combos for hit confirming and pressuring Good air-to-air capabilities The only character with a double jump Has an air throw	Normals are fairly stubby and have mediocre range Somewhat poor damage and conversions off of lows Struggles to build meter Lower defense and guard crush gauge than average

Character Colors

Move List

Frame Data Source: https://w.atwiki.jp/garoumow/pages/27.html and https://w.atwiki.jp/garoumow/pages/80.html

Data Help
Disclaimer: This is meant to teach basic terminology used when describing moves.
Hitbox:	A predefined area (usually a rectangle or rectangles) that tells the game how any given attack can come in contact with a character. Hitboxes are invisible to the player when normally playing.
Hurtbox:	A predefined area (usually a group of rectangles) that tell the game how your character is allowed to get hit by any incoming attack. Specifically, you'll get hit by (or block) an attack if that attack's hitbox ever overlaps your hurtbox.
Throw Box/Range:	Active throw frames and range. Your opponent will be thrown in this field if not in block or hit stun.
Projectile Box:	Hitbox on a projectile attack.
Guard/Counter Box:	The Guard Box or Counter Box. This appears when blocking or using a counter move.
Push Box:	Has no bearing on hit/hurt boxes. Just prevents characters to not pass through each other. (Also known as "Collision Box".)
Startup	The number of frames before an attack can hit the opponent. Does not include the first active frame.
Guard	The way this move must be blocked. High or H or Overhead (especially when from the ground) -- must be blocked standing. High-Low or HL or Mid -- can be blocked either standing or crouching. Low or L -- must be blocked crouching.
Damage	"Basic" damage -- Unmodified damage values "Correct" damage -- Damage values accounting for damage scaling, TOP multiplier, and defense rate
Guard Crush Value	Decreases the defender's guard durability gauge by this value.
+X	Attacker has X number of advantage frames.
-X	Attacker has X number of disadvantage frames.
KD	Short for "knockdown", knocks down opponent on hit.
◯	Cancelable on both hit and block.
∞	Chain cancelable with the same button (renda cancel).
※	Cancelable on the first hit/part only.
《X》OR «X» OR <<X>> OR (X)	X number of inactive frames between hits of multihit moves.
△	Only cancelable on block.
▽	Only cancelable on hit.
× OR X	Not cancelable.

Notes:

• Guard crush values within ( ) are when the move is used as the next hit of a target combo.

• From the 2nd hit and after of the target combo, the active frames and recovery frames will be the same as far moves and crouching moves

• Jump D, Jump A, and Jump B (Jump A and Jump B are usually diagonal jumps only) can beat out upper-body evasive attacks.

• Special/Super moves with "Guard" data in red text are impossible to just defend at 0-pixel health bar.

Close Standing Normals

Close 5A

Cl.

Cl.	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	4	Mid	4	4	5	13
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+6	+6	◯ / ∞	◯ / ∞	4
Standing jab.
Cl. >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+1	+1	◯	◯	4, 3
Target combo from cl.5A.
Cl. >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-10	-10	◯	◯	4, 3
Target combo from cl.5A.
Cl. >>	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-2	-2	-	-	4, 3, 0
Target combo from cl.5A. Ends in a cancel.

Close 5B

Cl.

Cl.	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	6	Mid	4	3	9	16
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+3	+3	◯	◯	4
Cl. >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-3	-3	◯	◯	4, 3
Target combo from cl.5B.
Cl. >>	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-1	-1	-	-	4, 3, 0
Target combo from cl.5B. Ends in a cancel.

Close 5C

Cl.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6, 6	Mid	5	2, 《5》, 3	16	31
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+2	+2	※	※	3, 3

Close 5D

Cl.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
9	Mid	3	3	19	25
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-1	-1	◯	◯	5
Tied with jB as Hokutomaru's fastest normal, easily combos into specials, has incredible frame advantage when feint cancelled letting it link into itself and can't be JD'd low despite being a mid. An incredible normal.

Far Standing Normals

Far 5A

Far

Far	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	5	Mid	4	3	7	14
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+5	+5	◯ / ∞	◯ / ∞	4
Far >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+1	+1	◯	◯	4, 3
Target combo from f.5A.
Far >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-10	-10	◯	◯	4, 3
Target combo from f.5A.
Far >>	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-2	-2	-	-	4, 3, 0
Target combo from f.5A. Ends in a cancel.

Far 5B

Far

Far	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	7	Mid	6	3	11	20
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+1	+1	◯	◯	4(3)
Far >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-3	-3	◯	◯	4, 3
Target combo from f.5B.
Far >>	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-1	-1	-	-	4, 3, 0
Target combo from f.5B. Ends in a cancel.

Far 5C

Far

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
12	Mid	11	1	30	42
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-10	-10	X	X	5(3)
Slow, can't be cancelled and is punishable on hit... not great traits to have.

Far 5D

Far

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
12	Mid	11	3	21	35
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-3	-3	X	X	5(3)

Crouching Normals

2A

Cr.

Invincible Recovery Frames

Cr.	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	4	Mid	4	4	5	13
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+6	+6	◯ / ∞	◯ / ∞	4
Crouching A's (2A) last 3F of recovery has full-body invincibility. Typical crouching . Chains into , and You can confirm / super by doing 236236 then confirming if it hit or not.
Cr. > Cr.	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Mid, Low	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+4	+4	◯	◯	4, 3
Target combo from 2A.
Cr. > Cr. >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Mid, Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-1	-1	-	-	4, 3, 0
Target combo from 2A. Ends in a cancel.

2B

Cr.

Cr.	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	5	Low	5	4	7	16
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+4	+4	◯ / ∞	◯ / ∞	4(3)
Your go-to low poke and confirm. You can confirm / super by doing 236236 then confirming if it hit or not. Without meter, chain into 2 then do the feint to recover faster.
Cr. > Cr. >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Low, Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-1	-1	-	-	4, 3, 0
Target combo from 2B. Ends in a cancel.
Cr. > Cr. >	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	Low, Low	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-1	-1	-	-	4, 5, 0
Target combo from f.5B. Ends in the same cancel. You can kara cancel the 2D with the follow-up C cancel.

2C

Cr.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
9	Mid	6	4	16	26
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+1	+1	X	X	5(3)
A somewhat quick poke that reaches far away and recovers quickly. It's +1 too so , making it very useful to just throw out in neutral since you aren't risking much.

2D

Cr.

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
9	Low	10	5	19	34
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-3	X	X	5(5)
Sweep. Can be used as an anti-air by low profiling some moves and hitting the landing frames.

Jumping Normals

jA

Jump

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6	High	6	12	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	◯	◯	4
Jump A (usually diagonal jump only) can beat out upper-body evasion attacks.

jB

Jump

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6	High	3	10	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	◯	◯	4
Jump B (usually diagonal jump only) can beat out upper-body evasion attacks.

jC

Jump

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
8	High	6	5	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	◯	◯	5

jD

Jump

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
8	High	7	7	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	◯	◯	5
Jump D can beat out upper-body evasion attacks.

Command Normals

3B

Sliding
+

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	Low	7	13	22	42
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-13	X	X	9
A sliding sweep that is excellent at catching landing frames, making this one of Hokutomaru's better anti-airs. Some characters are completely incapable of hitting Hokutomaru during the low profile. On hit/block, unless hit on the last active frame, 1 active frame of recovery is removed. (e.g., hitting on the first frame has 20F blockstun - (11 remaining active frames + 22F recovery) = -13 adv. Max advantage is -2.

3D

Kuuten Kyaku
+

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6, 6	Mid	8	4, 4	30	46
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-13	X , ◯	X , ◯	9, 9
Block adv on 1st hit only = -17 Apart from kara canceling during the attack's startup, after the 2nd hit it's possible to special cancel anytime in the air, on hit or on whiff.

Universal Moves

Lower-body Evasion Attack

St. +
Lower-body evasion attack

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6, 6	Overhead	18	3, 《4》, 3	17	45
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-1	+5	X	X	3, 3
The fastest universal overhead in the game. Unfortunately is split up into 2 hits which prevents Hokutomaru from comboing after a counterhit and can leave him punishable if the second hit whiffs. 18F hitstun and 24F blockstun. If the second hit whiffs it is -8 on hit, -2 on block.

Upper-body Evasion Attack

Cr. +
Upper-body evasion attack

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	Mid	10	2	16	28
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+1	+7	◯	X	6
1～5F upper-body invincibility. 18F hitstun and 24F blockstun. Upper-Body Invincible Frames Vulnerable Startup Recovery

Upper-body Evasion Attack Follow-up

Cr. +~+

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	30
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-12	-6	-	-	6, 0
Follow-up to 2AB where Hokutomaru jumps forward with no collision, meaning he can pass through the opponent. Can be used to reposition after a knockdown. Lower-body invincibility for 12F while in the air. Although he disappears briefly, Hokutomaru is NOT invincible at any point in this move.

T.O.P. Attack

Ninpou Bakuho (T.O.P. Attack)

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
17 (base damage)	Mid	14	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-31	-	-	25
This is a rising attack that is good for one hit and travels at a 45 degree angle. It has a slow start and can be used as an anti-air. Don't ever get this attack blocked! 12～14F full-body invincibility. Invincible Frames

Throws

Ground Throw

Hikkakimanesu
Scratch
Close /+

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
4, 4, 4, 4	-	1	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+59	-	-	-	-
Hokutomaru climbs onto the opponent and scratches their face. Frame advantage varies depending on the height of the opponent as Hokutomaru needs to jump off of them and land before he can act.

Air Throw

Noumen Tsukuri
Noh mask making
Air Close +

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	1	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	-	-	-

Feints

Forward Feint

++
Forward Feint

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	10
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	-	-	-
Mimics the end recovery animation of Karakusa Giri.

Down Feint

++
Down Feint

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	8
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	-	-	-
Mimics the start of Shuriken.

Special Moves

Shuriken

Shuriken
+/ (Air OK)

236A

236C

j236P

+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	10	Mid	12	/	35	47
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-2 ~ +32	-2 ~ +32	X	X	7
Single shuriken. Unlike all other projectiles, the shurikens can be destroyed by the opponent's melee attacks (without absorbing it, the same attack can still hit Hokutomaru) which makes them not as effective for deterring divekicks or... most things actually. This particular version is unlikely to be used as the air version is faster when TK'd or done from a backdash.
+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	6, 6, 6	Mid	18	/	40	58
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-2	-2	X	X	5, 5, 5
Triple shuriken.
Air +/	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	12	Mid	18	/	Until landing + 10	Can be as low as 38
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	Up to +32	Up to +32	X	X	/
Slows your descent as opposed to a normal empty hop or air normal. Decent option to try and stuff someone who's gonna jump.

Rakkazan

Rakkazan
+/ (Air Ok)

214B

214D

+ (Air Ok) Kyo (Void)	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	/	/	/	/	45	45
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	/	/	X	X	/
Fake-out. Hokutomaru is counterhit punishable. 7～12F full-body invincibility.
+ (Air Ok) Jitsu (Real)	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	20	High	28	2	32(hit/whiff) / 47(block)	62(hit/whiff) / 77(block)
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-22	X	X	8
Cheesy homing teleport overhead that carries enormous risk in exchange for just decent reward. Hokutomaru appears at a fixed height every time so if the opponent is in the air you will teleport directly into a jump normal, and the hitbox is a lot smaller than it seems (the inverse can be said about the hurtbox). When counterhitting a grounded opponent they will get spun instead of knocked down, leaving Hokutomaru only +1. If the opponent blocks this move, you have thrown away the round, good luck on the next one. On the bright side, this move is a good combo tool, can be used after a double jump or air target combo (slowest triple overhead ever), and is okay at punishing fireballs. Still gimmicky though. 7～8F full-body invincibility.

Karakusa Giri

Karakusa Giri
+/

Hitbox is the same for 214C's second hit

+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	20	Mid	19	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-10	-	-	7
Used in meterless combos. Can GC into this to punish a fireball at footsies range.
+ Hold (Empty Follow-up)	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	/	/	/	/	35	35
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	/	/	/	/	/
Hold the button input to stop/cancel the attack. Trying to make use of this after a blocked normal still leaves Hokutomaru very minus, but it can be useful to approach a downed opponent while building a bit of meter.
+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	14, 16	Mid	30	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-18	-	-	4, 4
Far too slow to be comboed into practically and is extremely unsafe.
+ Hold (Empty Follow-up)	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-	-	-	-	-
Hold the button input to stop/cancel the attack.

Kuuha Dan

Kuuha Dan
+

+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	6, 6, 6	Mid	11	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-12	-	-	3, 3, 3
Andy Bogard's signature multihit arcing kick that is very unsafe and unrewarding.
+ Break	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	6	Mid	11	-	-	33
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	+5	-	-	3
When braked, this move becomes a plus on block launcher which is very nice, although this version has little range which restricts its use in combos/pressure. Hokutomaru's fastest meterless guard cancel and this brake is his fastest way to build meter.
+	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	7, 7, 7, 7	Mid	16	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-9	-	-	3, 3, 3, 3
Travels in a larger arc than the B version and hits an additional time. Each individual hit also does slightly more damage.
+ Break	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	7	Mid	16	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	+5	-	-	3
While slower than the B version, this brake has more damage and range, so it's better for combos when available.

Super Moves

Chou Hissatsu Shuriken

Chou Hissatsu Shuriken
, +

, +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	7, 7, 7, 7, 15	Mid	9	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-34	-	-	2×4, 5
Midscreen combo ender. 1～6F full-body invincibility. When far away from the opponent, this move will only hit 4 times.
---	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-	-	-	-	-
Can be force-finished early with A+B.

Chou Bakuen Kunai

Chou Bakuen Kunai
, +

, +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	7, 7, 7, 7, 32	Mid	9	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-34	-	-	3×5
1～9F full-body invincibility.
---	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-	-	-	-	-
Can be force-finished early with A+B.

Ougi • Chou Hissatsu Tatsumaki

Ougi • Chou Hissatsu Tatsumaki
, +

, +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	5×9	Mid	1	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-60	-	-	2×9
Corner combo ender and Hokutomaru's only invincible reversal. Due to the hitbox being modest, the short length of the invincibility and the damage being spread between many weak hits, when used outside of combos it will often miss many hits and even trade/lose to attacks, limiting its use as a raw reversal or anti-air. It is pretty reliable after a GC, though you may still lose damage if the opponent is in the air. As it is 1F startup, Hokutomaru can juggle into this super when the opponent is meant to be invincible (air reset). This is difficult to time and does not apply to the P-Power version which is 0F startup. 1～2F full-body invincibility. Causes Hard Knockdown.

Kyuukyoku Ougi • Chou Bakuen Tatsumaki

Kyuukyoku Ougi • Chou Bakuen Tatsumaki
, +

, +	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	7×10	Mid	0	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-54	-	-	3×10
Causes Soft Knockdown, unlike 236236B.