Garou: Mark of the Wolves/Freeman

Overview

Combos

Matchups

Strategy

Misc.

Introduction

A Criminal in Second South that had a similar look about a fusion of Iori and Benimaru.

Later,in KOF 12 Iori based his new non-flame moveset about him.

Gameplay

Freeman's gameplan is to use his good burst movement and normals to establish pressure with his rekkas and to confirm into his Full Blast super.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Decent far-reaching normals for poking, alongside fast and advantageous normals for pressuring in close range Rekkas are very versatile; used for combos, pressure, defense (guard cancels), and meter building Can convert into his Full Blast super move from a decently far range	Practically no conversions off a hop No invincible reversal A lot of useless or bad special moves, including his break move and counter super Somewhat limited anti-air and air-to-air options British

Character Colors

Move List

Frame Data Source: https://w.atwiki.jp/garoumow/pages/28.html and https://w.atwiki.jp/garoumow/pages/75.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:

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

Standing	Crouching	Dashing	Jumping	Landing	Taunting
		The only step dash that gets cancelled by returning to neutral. Freeman can't re-dash with reversal timing.	37F (backwards jump 35F).	Freeman is invincible below the waist when landing from an empty jump.

Close Standing Normals

Close 5A

c5A

c5A	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. Proximity normal, so tricky to get in range for but good nonetheless. Last 2F of recovery has full-body invincibility.
c5A>A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	4, 9	HL	4	4	12	20
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-1	-1	X	X	4, 9
Target combo from cl.5A.
c5A>A>A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	4, 9, 8	HL	3	3	17	23
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-5	-5	X	X	4, 9, 9
Target combo from cl.5A. Bad damage and you're minus in hit, never do this

Close 5B

c5B

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6	Mid	3	4	5	12
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+6	+6	◯ / ∞	◯ / ∞	4
Very fast, advantageous move. Proximity normal, so tricky to get in range for, but useful for pressure and hitconfirms.

Close 5C

c5C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	Mid	7	3	25	35
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-7	-7	◯	◯	5
Very unsafe, but feint cancelling it makes it very plus and helpful for punishes

Close 5D

c5D

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6, 6	Mid	4	3, 3	20	30
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-2	-2	※	※	3, 3
Decent proximity normal. Your heavy hitconfirm of choice, as FCing this gives you enough time to link into 2C for optimal punishes. Make sure to cancel before the second hit.

Far Standing Normals

Far 5A

f5A

f5A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	5	Mid	4	4	12	20
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-1	-1	◯	◯	4
Average far jab. Decent ground poke, but moreso valuable as a fast anti air, even if mediocre
f5A>A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	5, 8	Mid	3	3	17	23
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-5	-5	X	X	4, 9
Target combo from f.5A.

Far 5B

f5B

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
7	Mid	5	4	16	25
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-5	-5	◯	◯	4
Standing poke with speed, cancellable and actually a good hitbox to beat lows. Has a good bunch of recovery and is vrry minus, so be sure to always buffer rekkas, and dont throw this out often.

Far 5C

f5C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
14	Mid	9	3, «2», 4	11	29
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+1	+1	X	X	5
One of Freeman's few anti air options. While it may be a bit slow, its got solid hitboxes and is plus on block, without too much recovery.

Far 5D

f5D

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
14	Mid	8	3	20	31
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-2	-2	X	◯	5

Crouching Normals

2A

2A

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
4	Mid	5	4	6	15
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+5	+5	◯ / ∞	◯ / ∞	4

2B

2B

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6	Low	4	4	6	14
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+5	+5	◯	◯	4
Your typical crouching B, which means its great for pressure, combos and poking. Doesn't self-chain, but can still link into itself. Combos into rekkas and Full Blast.

2C

2C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	Mid	6	2	15	23
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+4	+4	◯	◯	5
Great normal: very plus on block/hit at +4 (enough for a 2b to be a combo), deals good damage and combos into damaging confirms like Nightmare A. Has decent range and good ground priority.

2D

2D

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	Low	10	3	28	41
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-10	X	X	5

Jumping Normals

jA

j.A

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6	High	4	10	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	X	X	4
Quick air move with decent hitbox for meeting opponents in the air

jB

j.B

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
6	High	5	9	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	X	X	4
More range but the hurtbox is also extended. Decent quick jump-in and alternative air poke

jC

j.C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	High	9	5	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	X	X	5
Good aggressive air normal, for air-to-ground approaches. Slower, but better hitbox Can beat out upper-body evasion attacks.

jD

j.D

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	High	10	6	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	X	X	5

Universal Moves

Lower-body Evasion Attack (5AB)

5A+B
Lower-body evasion attack

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	Overhead	21	3	17	41
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-1	+5	X	X	6
Pretty slow and fairly reactable, ignore this generally. Frame 1 Lower-Body Invincibility

Upper-body Evasion Attack (2AB)

2A+B
Upper-body evasion attack

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
10	Mid	8	3	20	31
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-4	+2	◯	X	6
1～6F of upper body invincibility. Last 3F has full-body invincibility. Upper-Body Invincible Frames Vulnerable Startup Recovery

T.O.P. Attack (CD)

Overkill (T.O.P. Attack)
C+D (T.O.P. Only)

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
17 (base damage)	Mid	16	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
KD	-11	-	-	25
Used as an ender for guard crush setups, which allows Freeman to convert into a full combo upon a successful guard crush. This is usually done by cancelling into the move from a heavy normal, so that it is a true blockstring.

Throws

Ground Throw

Gorefest
Close 4/6C

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
14	-	0	-	-	-
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
+73	-	-	-	-
Typical throw with no particular characteristics

Feint Cancels

Forward Feint (6AC)

6A+C
Forward Feint

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	11
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	-	-	-
Mimics the animation of a delayed Full Blast after blackout.

Down Feint (2AC)

2A+C
Down Feint

Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
-	-	-	-	-	10
Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
-	-	-	-	-
Mimics the start of Phobia (and to a less extent Nightmare). Has upper-body invincibility when his body is lowered.

Special Moves

V.O.D. (214P)

V.O.D.
214A/C * 3

A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	8	Mid	9	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+1	+1	-	-	2
Freeman's rekka series, easily his best special move. He can cancel each rekka into a follow-up of whatever strength (e.g. Freeman can do 214A > 214A > 214C as a string). Each rekka is also whiff cancellable. Rekkas are often used for combos, pressure, and defense, as well as occasionally for poking and meter building in neutral. The first part of Freeman's light rekka, it's +1 on block and starts up rekka offense. Combos from both light and heavy normals. Great as a guard cancel, which can also work as an anti-air against an opponent's jump normal.
...>A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	8	Low	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	0	0	-	-	2
The second hit of Freeman's rekka. It's 0 on block, making it great for pressure and ending blockstrings safely. Also Freeman's only low-hitting rekka.
...>...>A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	8	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-24	-	-	3
Third part of Freeman's light rekka, knocks the opponent far away on hit but is very punishable on block. Not much use over his C rekka ender.
C	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	8	Mid	14	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-5	-5	-	-	3
Has slightly more range but slower startup than the A version. Can be used to frame trap the opponent if cancelled into from a light normal. Combos from heavy normals.
...>C	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	8	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-12	-12	-	-	3
Second hit of Freeman's heavy rekka. Much more unsafe if used to end with and not a low. No real benefit over the A version, avoid using this.
...>...>C	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	8	Mid	-	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-1	-	-	3
Final hit of Freeman's heavy rekka. Better than the A rekka ender, since it launches opponents into the air for a closer knockdown. It's only -1 on block, which makes it effectively safe (even against 0f supers if you backdash), making it a safe way to end blockstring pressure safely.

Nightmare (236P)

Nightmare
236A/C

• 
• 

A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	17	Mid	18	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-6	-	-	7
Freeman slides back a short distance before dashing in with a slash attack. Has 1～12F upper-body invincibility during its startup, which can be used to dodge and punish some moves in neutral, such as fireballs. It can also be used as a combo ender from a from heavy normal, but is generally less optimal than ending with his rekka.
C	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	21	Mid	28	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-6	-	-	8
Has 1～20F upper-body invincibility during its startup, which can be used to dodge and punish some moves in neutral, such as fireballs.

Crow (214K)

Crow
214B/D

B

D

B	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	9, 9	High	29	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+1	+1	-	-	4, 4
Freeman leaps into the air to do an overhead slash attack. The move is safe on block, but the startup is fairly slow, making it relatively easy to react to. However, it can be used to condition the opponent to stand block, in order to successfully land his Morbid Angel command grab.
D	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	10, 10	High	41	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+1	+1	-	-	4, 4

Phobia (623P)

Phobia
623A/C

A

C

A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	18	Mid	17	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-9	-9	-	-	7
An anti-air slash, but too slow to be reliable, even with upper-body invincibility frames on startup (4～11F). Punishable on hit when on the ground, so unsuitable for ground combos, but leads to a close knockdown if the opponent is airborne. Frame 4 Upper-Body Invincibility Frame 6 Upper-Body Invincibility
C	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	22	Mid	20	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	-1	-1	-	-	8
More damage and upper-body invincibility frames on startup (4～15F), as well as being safer, but even slower. Frame 4 Upper-Body Invincibility Frame 6 Upper-Body Invincibility

Morbid Angel (41236K)

Morbid Angel
41236B/D (Break OK)

B

D

B	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	21	-	25	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-	-	-	-
B Break	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	25	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+13	-	-	-	-
Freeman leaps into the air for a slow command grab that will whiff on crouching opponents or if the opponent is too close to the corner. Fairly gimmicky, but can be converted into his rekka or Full Blast super on break for good damage. Best used when cancelled into from a normal such as cl.B, after conditioning the opponent to block with frame traps. It can also be used as an optimal punish as a guard cancel against certain moves.
D	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	21	-	27	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-	-	-	-
D Break	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	-	-	27	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	+13	-	-	-	-
Has more range than the B version, but slower startup. Freeman is unable to guard cancel with this move (for some reason).

Super Moves

Full Blast (236236P)

Full Blast
236236A/C (Can hold)

A

C

A	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	33	Mid	11	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-7	-	-	15
1～8F full-body invincibility. Projectile hitbox/hurtbox. Freeman's main super to use in combos. It can be hit confirmed into from two or more hits of his light normals and will combo from max range of his 5A. It can also be used as a guard cancel to punish fireballs if within range. Surprisingly safe on block if spaced. When the button is held, startup can be delayed 1～48F max after blackout. Later Active Frames
C	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	23, 26	Mid	11	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-6	-	-	15×2
1～11F full-body invincibility. Attack guaranteed to go through entire startup and come out. Has a projectile hitbox/hurtbox. One of the better 2 bar supers in this game due to its respectable damage. More damaging than the A version but be wary of the opponent's follow-up trajectory if used in juggles as it is possible for the first and/or second hit to whiff. When the button is held, startup can be delayed 1～48F max after blackout. Second Hit

Creeping Death (236236K)

Creeping Death
236236B/D

Counter

Activation

B	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	33	-	7	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-	-	-	-
Freeman's counter super - after a few frames of invulnerability, he quickly walks forward for a short distance. Once hit (and if the opponent is in range), the super flash activates and he will go into the full animation of the super. Counters highs, mids, and lows and is generally very consistent once triggered, although there is a small gap between startup and counter activation where Freeman is vulnerable. This makes the move high-risk and high-reward, but the slow startup and the gap of vulnerability make it fairly unreliable and gimmicky. 1～6F full-body invincibility, 8～39F full-body counter.
D	Damage	Guard	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total
	7×5, 25	-	9	-	-	-
	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Cancel on Hit	Cancel on Block	Guard Crush Value
	KD	-	-	-	-
A bit riskier than the B version for more damage. 1～9F full-body invincibility, 10～36F full-body counter.