Introduction
Game Mechanics
The Game Mechanics are similar to SS4, but still retains various differences:
Single lifebar
CD Combo - Pushing CD together will activate a slash that can be followed by sequence of buttons creating a chain combo.
Aerial blocking.
Guardcrush - Throwing your opponent into a stagger which'll allow you to follow up with a slash.
Hopcrush - A fast move that hits your opponent when he is crouched and defending. Can only be blocked high.
Doding - AB will dodge certain attacks if you are a distance away.
Sideswitch - When close to opponent, pushing AB will put you behind him. Considerably slower than SS3 sideswitching.
Life restoration - when you are knocked down, you restore a bit of life.
POW Charging
Catch throw- As in previous shodowns, this will allow you to pick up an opponent's weapon and throw it at them! In SS3/SS4, you can pick up the weapon and throw it even while you still have your own weapon. However, it just stuns the opponent for a short period of time.
The two different versions of characters, Slash (Shura 修羅), and Bust (Rasetsu 羅刹) return in SS4.
Basic Strategy
Advanced Strategy
Tiers
Top Tier
Haohmaru (Rasetsu), Nakoruru (Shura),
High Tier
Nakoruru (Rasetsu), Galford (Rasetsu), Genjuro (Shura),
Mid Tier
(everyone else)
Low Tier
Amakusa (Shura), Haohmaru (Shura), Basara (Shura),
Bottom Tier
Ukyo (Shura), Basara (Rasetsu)