Marvel vs Capcom/Zangief

Basic Tips

Launchers: c. SP

Magic Series: Ground Magic Series: None Jump Magic Series: None Super Jump Magic Series: Weakest to Strongest

AC Finisher: FP, RK, Spinning Lariat, SPD

Move List

Mega Mode: B, D, DB + LK (1 level required): First introduced in MSHvSF, this transforms Zangief's skin into iron metal. During this state, Zangief can't block and his speed and agility are shot down.

Fun Facts: -Mega Mode and Double Final Atomic Buster were first introduced in MSHvSF.

Command Normals

Dashing Grab: Fx2

Zangief's dash as he dashes forward slightly in a grappling position.

Elbow Drop: F + MP (in air, D + MP)

Zangief does an elbow drop which can act as an overhead.

Headbutt: U + MP/HP (super jump only)

Zangief does a headbutt which can only be done in a super jump.

Body Press: D + HP (only in air)

Zangief lands down to the ground body first as a surrounding- type rushing attack.

Special Moves

Lariat: P/Kx3 Zangief spins around in a clothesline position.

Spinning Pile Driver: 360 + P

Zangief grabs the opponent as he launches him into the air in a pile driver position as he spins them around with an explosion upon impact to the ground.

Rising Powerbomb: HCF + K

Zangief walks forward in a grappling postition and when it connects, he grabs the opponent and jumps forward while landing them in a Powerbomb position.

Double Suplex: HCF + K (close only)

Zangief does two German Suplexes one after the other with the last one having incredible air time.

Rising Aerial Slam: F, D, DF + K

Zangief rises up into the air in a grabbing position and when it connects, he simply throws the opponent down to the ground.

Vodka Fire: QCF + P (Mega Mode only)

Zangief does a blue version of what resembles Dhalsim's Yoga Flame from MSHvSF.

Hyper Combos

Final Atomic Buster: 360 + Px2

Zangief does a Double Suplex, followed by a Spinning Pile Driver and ends it off with an elevated version of the Spinning Pile Driver as he launches the opponent up with great elevation.

Ultra Final Atomic Buster: 360 + Kx2 (Level 3 only)

Zangief does an extended version of his Final Atomic Buster but the grab range is incredibly crap as it must be done close only.

Siberian Blizzard: 360 + Kx2 (Mega Mode only)

Zangief does an extended version of his Lariat which does multiple hits as it goes vertically.

Combos

Easy Combos: 1) FP, cancel Banisher A good solid two hitter that even more importantly moves you next to your opponent.

2) RK, cancel RK Air Grab If it's in the corner, you may have to do the SK version.

Intermediate Combos:

1) j. D FP, RK, cancel RBG/FAB/DFAB The end grab will basically grab them just as they land from the RK! Hard to time though but the damage is awesome! The canceling is a bit tricky here as you can't do it right away I think.

2) j. D FP, cancel SPD This works on almost everybody (except like MegaMan) but especially on the bigger guys. This won't always work as a)they can jump out of it or b)you just simply miss them. Still a good tatci to try sometimes.

3) j./sj. D SP, FAB This works well especially on those anti-air guys because the elbow drop (D SP) really messes up their anti-air timing and you hit them. Then as you both get up, do a FAB or SPD or whatever and you will usually get them as long as they don't jump away as you have priority.

Hard Combos:

1) j. D FP, c. SP, sj. JP, sj. FK, cancel Spinning Lariat, RK, cancel RBG/FAB/D FAB A more complicated version of I. Combo #1. The Spinning Lariat will knock them into position for the RK.

2) Air Grab, j. D FP, c. SK, cancel, SK Air Grab, j. D FP This is mainly a confusion strategy that works surprisingly well or at least on the people I've tried it on. The second Air Grab always confuses their blocking because you cross them up with the j. D FP and then you can launch them or whatever. This probably only works as well as it does because not many people have seen it so use it sparingly