El Fuerte (SFIV)

Introduction

Street Fighter's first luchadore's has appeared!

At glance and background at first glance seem to imply a grappler or hybrid type character, like Zangief or E. Honda. However, El Fuerte's low vitality, long range splash attacks, and high mobility make him ideally suited for a primarily long ranged game, with emphasis on spacing/ambiguous mixups rather than footsies/whiff punishment. At closer distances, El's game changes dramatically. Although he doesn't gain a traditional tick/command grab mixup game in close quarters like his wrestler counterparts, his ability to deal damage raises dramatically (and uniquely), when in range for his punch loop.

El Fuerte's winning potential is maximized from an offensive position is primarily an offensive character. His speed, high-stun combo, and dramatic ability to mixup and confuse and opponent are his obvious strengths.

El fuerte's defensive options are comparitively lacking. With no fail-safe invincibile reversal options, maintaining momemtum and controlling the flow of a match are crucial to this success with this character.

Successful Fuerte practictioners will use his high mobility to avoid dangerous situations, and minimize damage taken. They will utilize his ambiguous mixups not only for damage, but also for positioning to lead to deeper okizeme. When in close quarters, they'll apply pressure and bait out counterable and punishable attacks. They will consistently utilize his high damaging RSF hard punch loop to deal major damage and high stun, and efficiently use his mixups to dizzy often.

Move Analysis

Command Normals

Shower Kick F+MK (Overhead)

El Fuerte performs a rolling front flip to land back first on the opponent.

This move has a variety of applications in El fuerte's game, among them:

-Mixed in with Okizeme tricks, provides a fast overhead which can be linked to stand jabs.

-Closes small gaps to allow Fuerte to begin close-range mixups

-Can be used to corpse hop after certain attacks (Picadillo) - Very Useful

Special Moves

Habanero Dash	QCF P	EX has 2 hits Focus Armor
----Sudden Stop	LP*/**	Has minor recovery time.
----Tostada Press	MP*//**	Can be aimed left/neutral/right
----Fajita Buster	HP	Can be aimed/Grab/whiffs on crouching opponents
----Backstep	LK*	Travels far but significant recovery.
----Gordita Sobat	MK**	Mid-hitting kick that is super-cancellable. Safe on hit/block
----Caramale Sliding	HK**	Knockdown.
Habanero Backdash	QCB P	EX has 2 hits focus armor
----Propeller Tortilla	HP**	Can be aimed/Grab/Grabs crouching opponent
----Picadillo Jump	K**	Backwards jump towards/off wall
Guacamole Leg Throw	DP K	Jumps from the ground, will only grab airborne opponent. EX version has large invincibility.
Quesadilla Bomb	Charge K , Release	Lv 1: 120F (2 sec charge)/Lv 2: 210F Knockdown, travels medium distance/Lv 3: 300F Knockdown, travels far
EX Quesadilla Bomb	Charge KK , Release	390F Knockdown, travels very far

_{* Performed during Habanero Dash or Backdash}

_{** Performed during Habanero Backdash}

Super Move

El Fuerte Flying Dynamite

QCF, QCF + K

Kick determines super. LK version has the most invincibility. El Fuerte attacks his opponent with a series of flips.

Ultra Move

El Fuerte Flying Giga Buster QCF, QCF + KKK

El Fuerte flips through the air and lands on the opponents shoulder, performing an elaborate huricanarana.

This move can be aimed in 3 positions similarly to Tostada Press and other moves. After performing the Ultra input, holding a direction until just before El Fuerte leaves the ground affects the trajectory and distance travelled:

Hold back - Very close (almost point blank)

Neutral - Middle Range (about sweep range)

Hold forward - Far (about 75% of the screen width).

Note that farther versions grab on later frames because of travel time.

This move is considered a grab, and as such will totally whiff on airborne and throw-invincible opponents.

Combos

cl.LP x n -> s.LK/f.LP

-Basically, as many overhead chops as distance permits, than a standing LK/far swipe.

f+MK, cl.LP x n -> s.LK/f.LP

-Same as above. Note the useful link from overhead.

(c.hit) c.MP / cl.FP xx Quesadilla Bomb xx El Fuerte Flying Dynamite

-note level 1 Q. Bomb does not knockdown. Any level Q. Bomb can be easily cancelled to super.

cl.HK xx HK Guacamole Leg Throw

- Not much of a complicated combo, however note this is the only way to combo a Guacamole.

cl.HK xx Habanero Dash -> Sudden Stop -> LK Guacamole Leg throw

Verifiable version of above combo. Sacrifices damage.

cl.FP xx Habanero Dash -> Caramale Sliding / Gordita Sobat

-Slide is preferred because of knockdown. Sobat is useful to super cancel, but more difficult.

(cl .FP xx Habanero Dash -> Sudden Stop) x n -> cl. FP xx Habanero Dash -> Caramale Sliding

- aka RSF aka Punch Loop, Repeated run/stop cancelled fierce punches. Finish with slide for knockdown. - very difficult.

Matchups

vs Blanka

Blanka can present problems for Fuerte. His natural strengths fair well against typical Fuerte gameplay.

Typical Okizeme Tostada crossups are difficult due to blanka's awkward crouching hitbox. Tostada must be placed directly on top of blanka rather than aiming for his back like most chararacters.

Wake up electricity thwarts almost all okizeme Tostada Presses. It is possible to beat electricity with the Tostada, but exceedingly difficult particularly because blanka's position shifts slightly when electricity is performed. Regular normal attacks will stuff a wake up electricity, but blanka this is generally a poor choice as blanka can backhop, ex electricity, or blanka ball which all defeat the normal move. A good choice is to committ to no attack, bait electricity, punish with Picadillo.

Picadillo consistently grabs Blanka out of electricity, any strength (barring perhaps opening frames of ex version).

Wake-up blanka ball thwarts almost all okizeme splash tricks pretty consistently.

Any blocked horizontal rolling attack (blanka ball) can be punished with well timed qcf+p, slide

A blocked horizontal roll can also be punished with ultra. Ultra MUST be reversal, and blankaball MUST be blocked standing.

At certain ranges, close FP whiffs on crouching Blanka.

Blanka's long-range, high-priority (this means they have good hitboxes) jumping attacks can be difficult to anti-air in a pinch. Fuerte also lacks a great counter to tick throws, which often follow blanka jump in attacks. Be vigilant when in blanka's jump-in range, losing momemtum here can cost Fuerte the match. Remember: don't use not just c.fierce for anti air, as it will can be easily countered once scouted. Use Guacamole Leg throw when suitable. Take advantage of Blanka's high jump arc - jump with him and air throw whenever possible.

Because Blanka has no invincible move that can be pulled off in a pinch, and one of his better invincible moves loses cleanly to Picadillo, Backwards Habanero Dash and then a quick Picadillo to evade a jump-in and grab him as he lands is quite useful.

Shower Kick corpse hops are useful. Use them to disrupt blanka's back charge, and limit his wake-up options. The goal is to force a panic option which can be easily dealt countered/punished, or to force a block to initiate pressure/mixups.

Matchup Videos

Find a great collection of matchup specific videos from top players at streetfighterdojo.com
Contributor: zaspacer

Frame Data

							Frames	Frames	Frames of	Frames of	Super Meter	Block	Cancel	Ability
Move Name	Damage	Stun	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	On Block	On Hit	Block Stun	Hit Stun	Gain	HL	Chain	Special	Super	Notes
Close LP	30	50	4	2	7	12	+2	+5	10	13	20	HL	X	O	O	-
Close MP	70	100	7	2	11	19	+1	+4	13	16	40	HL	X	O	O	-
Close HP	90	200	8	2	17	26	-1	+3	17	21	60	HL	X	O	O	-
Close LK	30	50	5	1	7	12	+3	+6	10	13	20	HL	X	O	O	-
Close MK	70	100	14	2	5+??	28	-1	+2	13	16	40	HL	X	X	X	8~15f low body invincibility
Close HK	80	150	12	2	16	29	0	D	17	-	60	HL	X	O	O	-
Far LP	20	50	5	2	6	12	+3	+6	10	13	20	HL	X	O	O	-
Far MP	80	100	7	3	10	19	+2	+5	13	16	40	HL	X	O	O	(translate)
Far HP	120	200	17	2	11	29	+5	+9	17	21	60	HL	X	X	X	-
Far LK	30	50	5	1	8	13	+2	+5	10	13	20	HL	X	O	O	-
Far MK	70	100	11	3	15	28	-4	-1	13	16	40	HL	X	O	O	-
Far HK	110[100]	200[200]	19	2(6)3	12	41	-5	-1	17	21	60	HL*H	X	X	X	2nd hit mid attack
crouch LP	30	50	5	2	7	13	+2	+5	10	13	20	HL	X	O	O	-
crouchMP	70	100	9	2	12	22	0	+3	13	16	40	HL	X	O	O	-
crouch HP	100	200	8	4	15	26	-1	+4	17	22	60	HL	X	X	X	Forces stand
crouch LK	20	50	5	2	6	12	+3	+6	10	13	20	L	X	O	O	Low attack
crouch MK	70	100	6	2	13	20	-1	+2	13	16	40	L	X	O	O	Low attack
crouch HK	80	150	17	10	9	35	-1	D	17	-	60	L	X	X	X	Low attack, cannot fast recover
Jump up LP	50	50	5	8	-	-	-	-	8	11	20	H	-	-	-	-
Jump up MP	80	100	8	4	-	-	-	-	11	15	40	H	-	-	-	-
Jump up HP	100	200	9	6	-	-	-	-	15	18	60	H	-	-	-	-
Jump up LK	50	50	5	9	-	-	-	-	8	11	20	H	-	-	-	-
Jump up MK	80	100	6	9	-	-	-	-	11	15	40	H	-	-	-	-
Jump up HK	100	200	7	10	-	-	-	-	15	18	60	H	-	-	-	-
Jump forward LP	50	50	5	8	-	-	-	-	8	11	20	H	-	-	-	-
Jump forward MP	80	100	8	4	-	-	-	-	11	15	40	H	-	-	-	-
Jump forward HP	100	200	9	6	-	-	-	-	15	18	60	H	-	-	-	-
Jump forward LK	40	50	5	9	-	-	-	-	8	11	20	H	-	-	-	-
Jump forward MK	80	100	6	9	-	-	-	-	11	15	40	H	-	-	-	-
Jump forward HK	100	200	7	10	-	-	-	-	15	18	60	H	-	-	-	-
Triangle Jump	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	(translate)
F+MK	50	100	16	2	11	28	+1	+5	13	17	40	H	X	X	X	Mid attack
Target Combo 1	70	100	18	2	5+10	34	-3	0	13	16	40	HL	X	X	X	-
Focus Attack LVL 1	60	100	21	3	34	57	-21	-21	15	15	20	HL	-	-	-	-
Focus attack LVL 2	80	150	18+11	3	34	65	-15	D	21	-	40	HL	-	-	-	-
Focus attack LVL 3	140	200	65	3	34	101	-	D	-	-	60	-	-	-	-	-
Forward Throw	120	120	3	2	20	24	-	D	-	-	40	0.9	-	-	-	Throw range 0.9
Back throw	120	120	3	2	20	24	-	D	-	-	40	0.9	-	-	-	Throw range 0.9
Air Throw	140	150	3	2	-	-	-	D	-	-	40	1.15	-	-	-	Throw range 1.15
Habanero Dash F	-	-	-	-	71	71	-	-	-	24	0/0	-	-	-	-	-
Habanero Dash F EX	-	-	-	-	49	49	-	-	-	-	0/0	-	-	-	-	(translate)
Habenero Dash B	-	-	-	-	???	-	-	-	-	-	0/0	-	-	-	-	-
Habanero Dash B EX	-	-	-	-	???	-	-	-	-	-	0/0	-	-	-	-	(translate)
Sudden Stop	-	-	-	-	3	9	-	-	-	-	0/0	-	-	-	-	(translate)
Tostada Press ???	100	100	6+20	7	34	66	-16	D	20	-	20/30	H	X	X	X	1~10f (translate), Pursuit property, Mid attack, Cannot fast recover, (translate), (translate)
Tostada Press ???	100	100	6+20	7	30	62	-12	D	20	-	20/30	H	X	X	X	1~9f (translate), Pursuit property, Mid attack, Cannot fast recover, (translate), (translate)
Tostada Press ???	100	100	2+12	???	35	-	-17	D	20	-	20/30	H	X	X	X	Pursuit property, Mid attack, Cannot fast recover, (translate), (translate)
Fajita Buster ???	150	150	6+23	6	2+34	70	-	D	-	-	20/60	1.3	-	-	-	1~11f (translate), (translate), Throw range 2.95
Fajita Buster ???	150	150	2+12	???	36	-	-	D	-	-	20/60	1.3	-	-	-	(translate), Throw range 4.85
Back Step	-	-	-	-	17	23	-	-	-	-	0/0	-	-	-	-	(translate)
Gordita Sobat	80	100	6+15	2	18	40	+1	+5	20	24	20/30	HL	X	X	O
Caramale Sliding	100	200	6+12	6	24	47	-9	-	20	24	20/30	L	X	X	X	Low attack, cannot fast recover
Propeller Tortilla	150	150	6+22	5	3+16	51	-	-	-	-	20/60	1.3	-	-	-	1~13f (translate), (translate), Throw range 2.65
Picadillo Jump	-	-	-	-	40	40	-	-	-	-	0/0	-	-	-	-	-
Quesadilla Bomb LVL1	50	100	17	11	18	45	-17	-13	20	24	30/40	HL	X	X	O	Armor break, (translate) 2
Quesadilla Bomb LVL2	100	150	17	11	18	45	-17	D	20	-	30/40	HL	X	X	O	Armor break, (translate) 3.5
Quesadilla Bomb LVL3	150	200	17	11	18	45	-17	D	20	-	30/40	HL	X	X	O	Armor break, (translate) 5
Quesadilla Bomb EX	200	300	17	11	18	45	-17	D	20	-	0/0	HL	X	X	O	Armor break, (translate) 6.5
Guacamole Leg Throw LK	0*100	100	7	6	17+8	37	-	D	-	-	20/0*60	-	-	-	-	1~4f invincible, Pursuit property
Guacamole Leg Throw MK	0*110	100	9	6	20+8	42	-	D	-	-	20/0*60	-	-	-	-	1~5f invincible, Pursuit property
Guacamole Leg Throw HK	0*120	100	11	9	16+8	43	-	D	-	-	20/0*60	-	-	-	-	1~7f invincible, Pursuit property
Guacamole Leg Throw EX	0*160	200	11	9	12+8	39	-	D	-	-	0/0	-	-	-	-	1~17f invincible, Pursuit property
Super Combo LK	35x4*190	0	1+3	4(8)5(14)5(13)4	32	88	-15	D	-	-	0/0	HL	-	-	-	1~7f invincible, 53~57f (translate), Pursuit property
Super Combo MK	35x4*190	0	1+4	5(8)5(14)5(13)4	32	89	-15	D	20	-	0/0	HL	-	-	-	1~6f invincible, 55~59f (translate), Pursuit property
Super Combo HK	35x4*190	0	1+5	6(8)5(14)5(13)4	32	90	-15	D	20	-	0/0	HL	-	-	-	1~5f invincible, 57~61f (translate), Pursuit property
Ultra Combo	518	0	1+4	12	54	70	-	D	-	-	0/0	1.8	-	-	-	1~10f invincible, (translate), Throw range 3.6
							Frames	Frames	Frames of	Frames of	Super Meter	Block	Cancel	Ability
Move Name	Damage	Stun	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	On Block	On Hit	Block Stun	Hit Stun	Gain	HL	Chain	Special	Super	Notes

Street Fighter IV