Soulcalibur VI/Ivy/Strategy

Combat Lessons

Fighting Style

The unique snake sword used by this fighting style has a will of its own, twisting and changing its shape according to its wielder's will.

While in its whip form, it has unparalleled range. and can keep opponents at bay with flurries of vicious strikes. If they stop to try to defend against the blows, they've only fallen into a deadly trap.

The snake sword can also split into eight pieces to catch an opponent unaware with slippery and surprising moves. such as wrapping around their feet from afar and making mlncemeat of their defenses. Those caught by it will find it striking them like the cold hand of death. No matter what the distance, all are within the snake sword's grasp.

Style Lesson: Beginner

Use Your Reach to Dominate

This style lets you change your weapon's form and stab at distant opponents. making long-range damage one of its fundamental principles. Use moves like Rushing Raven (4B) and Ivy Lash (6[B]) to attack from distances impossible to touch by other styles. Bait out attacks, and when your opponent misses, punish them with Darkside (b6).

Rushing Raven

4B - Attack Level: ivy-46
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	18	-14	-6	-6	9%
Gives knockdown at close range, more guard damage depending on the range Tech Crouch [13-19]

Ivy Lash

6(B) - Attack Level: ivy-40
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	14	-16	-2	-2	9%
Tech Crouch [18-41]

Darkside

b6 - Attack Level: ivy-32
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	20	-8	4	4	3%
Stun on tip hit

For Foes Who Dodge Thrusts

When enemies avoid long-range vertical attacks using an 8-way run, the horizontal attack Tempting Tezhas (6[A]) can be effective. It becomes an attack throw that knocks the opponent down on a counter hit. Other long-range horizontal attacks that can trip up foes include Ancient Wheel (1AA) and Raven's Egg (bA).

Tempting Tezhas

6(A) - Attack Level: ivy-9
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	18	-16	-4	KND	4%

Ancient Wheel

1AA - Attack Level: ivy-14
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
26	12,15	-14	-2	-2	3%
Counter Hit Combo. Tech Crouch [0-RC]

Raven's Egg

bA - Attack Level: ivy-30
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	30	-8	KND	KND	4%

Mid-Range Break Attacks

Vile Condemnation (2A+G) is a low attack that makes your weapon pop out at range, and only a crouching guard can defend against it. it comes out at the same distance as the middle attack Fear's Void (2B+K), and mixing them up can weaken your opponent's defenses.

Vile Condemnation

2A+G - Attack Level: ivy-104
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
28	50	-14	KND	KND	-
. Tech Crouch [18-49]

Fear's Void

2B+K - Attack Level: ivy-93
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
30	30	-8	KND	KND	9%
Returns to crouching on G cancel. . Tech Crouch [25-66]

Style Lesson: Adept

When Things Get Too Close

You have an advantage at medium-to-long range. so when the enemy presses in. it's vital to push them away to a safe distance. Moves like Cataclysm (6AA), Warning immortal (6BB). and Warning Mood (6BA) let you get some space when blocked.

Cataclysm

6AA - Attack Level: ivy-7
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	16,28	-4	6	6	7%
Counter Hit Combo

Warning Immortal

6BB - Attack Level: ivy-36
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	14,18	-8	6	6	9%
Tech Crouch [0-15]

Warning Mood

6BA - Attack Level: ivy-34
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	14,26	-4	0	0	7%
Counter Hit Combo. Gives stun if only the last hit is a CH

Cataclysm (6AA) can leave you open at the end if ducked, but Dashing Wind (6AK) lets you move first if blocked, so mix things up with these two moves.

Dashing Wind

6AK - Attack Level: ivy-8
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	16,14	2	6	6	3%

Using Serpent's Embrace

Warning Mood (6B[A]) and other techniques let you switch to the special stance Serpent's Embrace. From this stance. try to use Lamenting Tail (during Serpent's Embrace 4A), a hard—to-spot low attack, as well as the middle attacks Mistress‘ Justice (during Serpent's Embrace BBB) and Ivy Sting (during Serpent's Embrace 6B).

Warning Mood ~ Serpent's Embrace

6B(A) - Attack Level: ivy-35
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	14,26	4	8	8	7%
Gives stun if only the last hit is a CH.

SE ~ Lamenting Tail

SE 4A - Attack Level: ivy-167
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
24	51	-26	KND	KND	4%
Shifts to attack throw upon hit.

SE ~ Mistress' Justice

SE BBB - Attack Level: ivy-168
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	36	-12	KND	KND	9%

SE ~ Ivy Sting

SE 6B - Attack Level: ivy-170
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
14	24	-12	KND	KND	9%
Shifts to follow-up attack upon hit

When it looks like the opponent will defend with a reversal edge, use the break attack Landing Embrace (during Serpent's Embrace 4B).

SE ~ Landing Embrace

SE 4B - Attack Level: ivy-171
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
38	33	10	KND	KND	19%

Style Lesson: Master

Counters After Dodging Vertical Attacks

After dodging a vertical attack with an 8-way run, you can start a juggle with Drowning Madness (22_88[B]). If you have at least one soul gauge. you can chain this with a critical edge from your stance.

Drowning Madness

(2)_(8)(B) - Attack Level: ivy-124
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
24	23	-4	KND	KND	9%

When you dodge a charging attack, you can get behind your opponent. From this position, Aqua Clipper (3B) becomes a devastating lethal hit.

Aqua Clipper

3B - Attack Level: ivy-42
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	22	-16	KND	KND	9%

Dodge High Attacks and Counter

After ducking to avoid a high attack or throw. Pride (while crouching 1B) and Cagemaster (while rising BB) give you a chance to juggle.

Pride

FC 1B - Attack Level: ivy-53
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	26	-12	KND	KND	9%
Tech Crouch [0-16]

Cagemaster

WR BB - Attack Level: ivy-55
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	16,11	-12	-6	-6	14%
Shifts to attack throw upon hit

Vicious Throws for Your Arsenal

Though difficult to pull off and not necessary for most situations, this style has a pair of powerful throws.

Calamity Symphony (3746916A+G) has great reach and damage, and can be used at medium-to-close range. Summon Suffering (376231A+G) is a close-range throw that cannot be broken. The input for these throws can be delayed, and other inputs won't interrupt it. This means you can spin the stick/d-pad and then enter 6A+G or 1A+G to perform them. Once you're more comfortable, try performing the motion properly for greater speed.

Calamity Symphony

3746916A+G - Attack Level: ivy-108
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	70	KND	KND	KND	-

Summon Suffering

376231A+G - Attack Level: ivy-106
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	60	KND	KND	KND	-

Critical Edge

Guilty Throne

Properties

A middle attack that is hard to combo with because of its high delay, but has guard impact properties against vertical attacks. It can be useful at close range as a way to counterattack.

Guilty Throne

A+B+K - Attack Level: ivy-147
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
34	80	-16	KND	KND	10%
[4-32] vs &&

Tips

This technique is ordinarily used defensively. but can also be used from the Serpent's Embrace stance, which lowers its delay substantially.

SE ~ Guilty Throne

SE A+B+K - Attack Level: ivy-148
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
12	80	-16	KND	KND	10%
Invincible [10+]

Use this technique after launching the opponent with Drowning Madness (22_88[B]) as part of a juggle. or after shifting stances with Warning Mood (6B[A]) and baiting out an attack.

Soul Charge

Easy Break Attacks

Deadly Cataclysm (during soul charge 6AA) and Death Glance (during soul charge 6BB) can be used as break attacks. When blocked, they will push the opponent away, forcing them to engage at long range.

Deadly Cataclysm

SC 6AA - Attack Level: ivy-152
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	38	4	KND	KND	7%
. Counter Hit Combo

Death Glance

SC 6BB - Attack Level: ivy-155
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	68	1	KND	KND	16%
Shifts to attack throw upon hit,

Enhanced Offense with Serpent's Embrace

Attacks are much more effective from this special stance. Violent Spirits (during Serpent's Embrace AA) becomes a break attack , and Wind Embrace (during Serpent's Embrace 6AA) becomes an unblockable attack, letting you do damage even if the opponent defends.

SE ~ Violent Spirits

SE AA - Attack Level: ivy-164
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	40	-4	6	6	7%

SE ~ Wind Embrace

SE 6AA - Attack Level: ivy-166
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	58	-6	KND	KND	9%
Shifts to follow-up attack upon hit

Heartless Confession

A soul attack in which you extend your weapon forward and use it to draw your opponent toward you. The attack's start-up is very fast. making it effective at punishing opponents who've missed an attack. Holding the button will shift you to Serpent's Embrace afterward.

Heartless Confession

236A+B+K - Attack Level: ivy-150
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	36	-6	4	4	9%

++ 236(A)+(B)+(K) - Attack Level: ivy-151
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	36	-2	6	6	9%

Reversal Edge

Take Control of the Battle

Pressing 6 during the input will change the attack to Darkside (b6). Change your reaction when you see an enemy attack from long range.

Following Up with A

An attack that pushes the enemy a good distance away when it is blocked. This style works best at long range, so if the opponent drags you into a reversal edge contest, use this to make an exit.

When the input is held. you will return to Serpent's Embrace. Being close carries risks, but this does more damage on a hit.

Following Up with B

This is the most damaging follow-up attack. A lethal hit is especially devastating.

Following Up with K

A kick that causes a long stun on hit. The opponent will stay close, so this is an excellent chance to enter a throw input. On a lethal hit, this will add an additional attack that's good for keeping foes on the ground.