Soulcalibur VI/Xianghua/Strategy

Combat Lessons

Fighting Style

The Chinese sword is both light and flexible, so it is no wonder that this style is rich in quick combination attacks that use both sword and body as a weapon. Even the most seasoned of warriors can find themselves unable to keep pace with the blizzard of varied techniques unleashed by a master in its use. The graceful, almost dance-like moves are perfect for flowing around an opponent's attacks and chipping away their health.

This style's strike-and—evade techniques can be used to confound an opponent, and sudden transitions into the Silent Xia Sheng stance allow a savvy fighter to quickly change their angle of attack. An opponent who lunges carelessly when they think they found an opening will find themselves on the receiving end of a lethal counterattack.

Style Lesson: Beginner

Closing Distance

This style excels at close-range combat. At the start of a fight, use moves like Playful Rhythm (33_66_99BB) and Woan Shyong Swing (33_66_99K) to attack while getting into a more favorable position. If the opponent tries to maneuver with an 8-way run, Fragrant Dream (33_66_99ABA) will help you stop them and set up a follow-up attack.

Playful Rhythm
33_66_99BB

(3)_(6)_(9)BB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	16,24	-14	4	STN	5%

Woan Shyong Swing
33_66_99K

(3)_(6)_(9)K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
14	18	-8	4	4	1%

Fragrant Dream
33_66_99ABA

(3)_(6)_(9)ABA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	18,12,32	-10	KND	KND	5%
Tech Jump

Close Combat Basics

Close combat is all about rapidly mixing up high, middle, and low attacks to thwart the opponent's defenses. Wear down the foe with combos that can switch between middle and low attacks later on, like Still Water (6BB) and Rippling Chant (6BA), or Advancing Rhythm (4BA) and Pointing Thrust (4BB).

Still Water/Rippling Chant
6BB/6BA

6BB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	18,17	-6	KND	LNC	7%
Tech Crouch
6BA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	18,12	-10	-2	-2	2%
Tech Crouch

Advancing Rhythm/Pointing Thrust
4BA/4BB

4BA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
12	15,20	-10	4	4	2%
4BB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
12	15,15	-12	2	2	5%
Tech Crouch

High Damage Feint Attacks

It is difficult to defeat opponents by slowly chipping away at their health. Feint with low horizontal attacks like Angry Shui Shian (3AK) or Wind Watcher Sweep (1A), and when the opponent ducks, hit them with Lian Hua Upper (3B) to start a deadly air combo.

Angry Shui Shian
3AK

3AK - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	16,18	-2	KND	KND	2%
Tech Crouch

Wind Watcher Sweep
1A

1A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
28	22	-16	4	4	4%
on hitting an opponent while they are side rolling

Lian Hua Upper
3B

3B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	24	-12	LNC	LNC	9%

Style Lesson: Adept

Juggling into Bea Her Hua

After launching your opponent with a Lian Hua Upper (3B) or Playful Slice (22_88B), you can juggle them with Swallow's Blade ~ Bea Her Hua (6K[A]) to return to Bea Her Hua. The low attack Feint Wheel Kick (during Bea Her Hua K) is effective against a downed foe. If they defend with a crouching guard, hit them with Jade Break (during Bea Her Hua B), which can pull them into a reversal edge.

Playful Slice
22_88B

(2)_(8)B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	14,11	-8	LNC	LNC	9%

Swallow's Blade ~ BHH
6K[A]

6K(A) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	14,20	-20	-4	-4	2%
Tech Jump. into BHH. vs vertical H M

BHH ~ Feint Wheel Kick
BHH K

BHH K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
24	22,16	-8	KND	KND	9%
Tech Crouch

BHH ~ Jade Break ~ RE
BHH B

BHH B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	25	-2	-	-	4%

Crouching Attacks

This style has a wide variety of crouching techniques. Mei Guei Hua (while crouching 3B) is effective after ducking a high attack. If the opponent is defending in a standing guard, you can break it with the low attack Mei Hua Divide (while crouching 3AB).

Mei Guei Hua
FC 3B

FC 3B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	26	-8	LNC	LNC	9%

Mei Hua Divide
FC 3AB

FC 3AB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
29	24,26	-8	STN	STN	11%

Breaking a Guard with Silent Xia Sheng

The Silent Xia Sheng stance has a number of options for getting through an opponent's guard. For example, you can feint with Sweet Harmony (4AA) into Sweet Harmony ~ Silent Xia Sheng (4[A]), making them wary of a follow-up, which can let either Waterfall (during Silent Xia Sheng B) or Wind Chime (during Silent Xia Sheng A+G) be effective. If an opponent sidesteps Waterfall, try for a counter hit with Splitting Mist (during Silent Xia Sheng A).

Sweet Harmony/ ~ SXS
4AA/4[A]

4AA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
28	18,14	-6	4	STN	1%
4(A) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
28	18	-20	-6	-6	4%
into SXS

SXS ~ Waterfall
SXS B

SXS B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
28	35	-10	STN	STN	9%

SXS ~ Wind Chime
SXS A+G/SXS 4A+G

SXS A+G - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	25	-	14	-	-
SXS 4A+G - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	25	-	14	-	-

SXS ~ Splitting Mist
SXS A

SXS A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	26	-2	8	STN	4%

Style Lesson: Master

Counter Your Foe's Attacks

If you are expecting a retaliatory strike after one of your attacks is blocked, this style has unique options beyond just reversal edges. You can dodge and strike back simultaneously with Hwu Dye (1B+K) against a high or vertical attack, or Vengeful Lian Hua (11_44_77B) against a short-range attack.

Hwu Dye
1B+K

1B+K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
24	24	-8	4	4	2%
Tech Crouch

Vengeful Lian Hua
11_44_77B

(1)_(4)_(7)B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
32	36	-20	KND	STN	15%

In addition, Muu Jiann Retreat (4A+B), Fluttering Lan Se Ren (2A+B), and Twin Mei Hua (6A+B) have guard impact properties during the opening motion, so use them to deflect an incoming attack and score a lethal hit, which will restore your guard stamina.

Muu Jiann Retreat
4A+B

4A+B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
26	18,20	-12	STN	STN	14%
[4-10] vs horizontal H M. on successful .

Fluttering Lan Se Ren
2A+B

2A+B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
28	20	-12	STN	STN	12%
[4-8] vs L. LH on successful .

Twin Mei Hua
6A+B

6A+B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	16,20	-16	STN	STN	8%
[4-12] vs vertical H M. on successful . Tech Crouch

Bait and Retaliate Against a Reversal Edge

Close-range combos like Emperor's Lament (BBB) into Lapis Chime (BBK), or Rippling Chant (6BA) into Still Water (6BB) are difficult to defend against, and many opponents will attempt a reversal edge. If you sense a reversal edge coming, switch stances with Emperor's Lament ~ Silent Xia Sheng (BB[B]) or Still Water ~ Playful Xia Sheng (6B2) and use Great Wall (during Silent Xia Sheng or Playful Xia Sheng A+B). This will avoid the reversal edge and deliver a lethal hit.

Emperor's Lament/ ~ SXS
BBB/BB[B]

BBB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
14	12,12,12,14	-6	4	4	3%
BB(B) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
14	12,12,12	-6	4	4	1%
into SXS

Lapis Chime
BBK

BBK - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	12,12,16	-8	4	10	1%
Tech Crouch

Still Water ~ PXS
6B2

6B2 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	16	-16	-6	4	2%
into PXS

PXS or SXS ~ Great Wall
PXS or SXS A+B

SXS A+B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
30	38	-16	KND	KND	9%
on counter hitting or whiff punishing a reversal edge

Critical Edge

Sublimating Blade

Properties

A blindingly fast critical edge with relatively short reach. It can be used in air combos or as a counter after blocking an attack.

Sublimating Blade
A+B+K

A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
12	75	-20	-	-	8%

Tips

This is a guaranteed hit after an opponent attempts to block the break attack Waterfall (during Silent Xia Sheng [B]). Remember this while on the offensive in Silent Xia Sheng. Use the speed of this attack to your advantage, especially when the opponent moves in to attack.

SXS ~ Waterfall
SXS [B]

SC SXS (B) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
46	62	STN	STN	STN	-

Soul Charge

Even Greater Close Combat Power

Wind Blossom Song's (during soul charge AABB) follow-up does increased damage on a counter hit. Qing Quake Step (during soul charge AABK) is another follow-up that is strong against a reversal edge, letting you maintain pressure.

Wind Blossom Song
SC AABB

SC AABB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
10	8,10,10,9,24	-12	4	10	5%

Qing Quake Step
SC AABK

SC AABK - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
10	8,10,10,9,39	10	STN	STN	10%
Melee hit of Quake is +10 on block

Easier Guard Crushes

You can use Radiant Ring (during soul charge 33_66_99A+BB) to quickly eat through the opponent's guard stamina and keep up your assault.

Radiant Ring
SC 33_66_99A+BB

SC (3)_(6)_(9)A+BB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	10,10,24,55	8	KND	KND	25%

Improved Juggles

The technique Shining Swallow (during soul charge 6KBB) also becomes available. Using it after a launcher like Lian Hua Upper (3B) will cause you to slam your opponent back to the ground where you can keep attacking. After a high launcher like Mei Guei Hua (while crouching 3B), you can also hit them with Scintillating Waterfall (during soul charge 33_66_99B+KB).

Shining Swallow
SC 6KBB

SC 6KBB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	14,18,21	-12	KND	KND	10%

Scintillating Waterfall
SC 33_66_99B+KB

SC (3)_(6)_(9)B+KB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	42,19	-12	STN	STN	10%
Tech Crouch

Windswept Blossom

A soul attack that unleashes a middle thrusting attack as it puts you into a soul charged state. You can use 236A+B+KA to turn the second attack into a horizontal attack, or cancel the second attack and shift to either Silent Xia Sheng or Playful Xia Sheng.

Windswept Blossom
236A+B+K

236A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	23	-12	4	4	9%
236A+B+KA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	23,17	-2	8	STN	3%
236A+B+KaG - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	23	-10	6	6	9%
236A+B+Ka2 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	23	-10	6	6	9%
into PXS

Unlike the soul charge performed with 4A+B+K, this attack allows you to power up your moves and still stay close to the opponent to keep the pressure on them.

Reversal Edge

Following Up with A

Palace Rhythm (after reversal edge hits AA) and Jewel Song (after reversal edge hits AB) are middle and low break attacks. If the opponent uses a guard impact for the second attack, use AaG to face away from them and keep up your attack.

Palace Rhythm
RE AA

RE AA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
-	20,22	-4	KND	KND	33%
on hit in RE round 2 as the initiator. Tech Crouch

Jewel Song
RE AB

RE AB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
-	20,20	-4	LNC	LNC	34%

Following Up with B

A middle attack with high damage that can be used to crush an opponent's guard.

Following Up with K

A kick that dodges B attacks. If you have a full soul gauge on a hit, it can be chained with a critical edge. Pressing KB+K will switch to Hou Lee, which will let you quickly move right up to your opponent while attacking.

If They Reversal Edge

If the opponent charges Reversal Edge, get into SXS/PXS as fast as you can and do A+B. Generally speaking, you achieve this by:

A[A] SXS A+B!

6B2 PXS A+B!

[B+K] SXS A+B!

This is a lethal hit that causes crumple. At this point, you can do a variety of exciting combos that deal so much damage you'll think you were playing a different character. Some examples include:

... 6[B+K] 9KK2 BB (117 damage)

... 6[B+K] 9KK2 K > A+B+K (123 damage, uses 1 meter)

Note that if you plan to go for the second option, you gain HALF A BAR from the initial combo on the A[A] route (with the Lethal Hit granting you 25% meter off the bat). The [B+K] route gives you slightly less, and the 6B2 route gives you less than that. Lab your own situations!