Introduction
Braixen looks like a very standard and straightforward zoner. However, she’s anything but. Braixen boasts amazing options at all ranges, and her unique interactions with Support Pokemon make for an incredibly expressive character. Braixen’s flexible playstyle allows her to adjust her game plan on the fly, giving her strong adaptive potential.
Braixen also has the ability to enhance her special attacks with Sunny Day for added benefits. Two Sunny Day enhances back to back gives her a temporary attack buff, further increasing her damage potential. In burst, Braixen's special attacks are always enhanced and she gains access to a near full screen super which makes her burst mode one of the more oppressive burst modes in the game.
Braixen is a very flexible character with many strengths; any perceived weaknesses can be patched up simply by choosing a different support. She rewards those that are able to quickly think on their feet and adapt to the situation presented to them.

In addition to the standard filling of her Support Gauge over time, Braixen also gains a bit of Support Gauge whenever she uses an attack, granting her more frequent access to Support Pokemon than other characters. Braixen cannot, however, use Supports with a usage limit more times than that limit allows.
Braixen's enhanced ability to gain Support Gauge is complimented by how dangerous she is once she has access to a Support. Her nY, fY, Homing Attack 2, bX, 5Y, 8Y, 2Y, 5X, 4X, and 2X can be canceled into a Support Call on hit or block, in the same way that other characters can cancel some of their normals into Pokemon Moves. This gives Supports additional utility unique to Braixen's kit, encouraging more freeform use in combos and setups and allowing her to make herself safe or steal her turn back on block.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
---|---|
✓ Can cancel many attacks into a support call ✓ Every attack charges Support Gauge ✓ Supports enhance different play styles ✓ Powerful Burst Mode |
✖ Difficult to master |
Braixen #PTDX_BRX | |
---|---|
Vitals | |
HP | 540 HP |
Shield Health | 600 SH (Normal) |
Synergy Gauge | 150 CC |
Burst Mode Duration | 840F (14 sec) |
Movement | |
Back Dash | 33F, 1-8F Strike/Throw Invuln, Cancelable on Frame FP 25 / DP 21 |
Side Dash | 41F, 5-14F Projectile Invuln, Cancelable on Frame 25 |
Forward Dash | 25F, Cancelable on Frame 17 |
Unique Movement Options | Midair Dash |
Stances | |
High Stance | Charges Support Gauge. |
Low Stance | High Invuln. on Frame 1 |
General Moves
Burst Mode
Attack Type | Damage | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Total Frames | Hit Adv. | Block | Properties |
Strike (projectile) | 0 | -12 | Mid | BA*(projectile) | i18 | 48 | +8 | 0 | 1-48F Total Invuln, Pierce |
In Burst Mode, Braixen's Pokemon moves are always enhanced. |
Burst Attack: Psyfirecracker
Attack Type | Damage | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Projectile) | 167 (25) | 12 | Mid Low | S+ | i19 | 73 | Knockdown | -8 | 9-42F Total Invuln, Pierce, Increases Support Gauge to max on cinematic hit |
Braixen fires a long-ranged beam straight forward. If only the last hit connects and it forces a shift, Braixen is granted 50% of her support meter. |
j.R Midair Dash
Recovery | Properties |
Until landing FP +27 / DP +13 | Air Actionable on Frame 21 |
Braixen flies in the air with a broomstick fashion. In Field Phase, Braixen can airdash forwards, backwards, left, or right. In Duel Phase, Braixen can airdash forwards or backwards. |
Y+B Grab Attack
Attack Type | Damage | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Total Frames | Hit Adv |
Grab | FP 80 / DP 90 | 12 | Ground Only | 1 | i11 | 49 | FP Shift (0) / DP Shift (Knockdown) |
Landing a Grab increases Braixen's Support Gauge and performs an automatic Sunny Day. |
X+A Counter Attack
Version | Attack Type | Damage | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
X+A Counter Attack | Counter (strike) | 50 | 3 | Mid Low | 4 | i27 | 61 | FP Shift (+8) / DP +8 | -8 | 1-20F Counter Armor, Destroys Projectiles while active, Crumple on Crit, Forward/Side Dash Cancelable on Frame 9, Back Dash Cancelable on Frame 17 |
[X+A] Charged Counter Attack | Counter (strike) | 80 | 3 | Mid Low | 6 | i47 | 81 | FP Shift (Knockdown) / DP Crumple | +4 | 1-40F Counter Armor, Destroys Projectiles while active, Pierce, Forward/Side Dash Cancelable on Frame 9, Back Dash Cancelable on Frame 17 |
Field Phase Attacks
nY
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Projectile) | 10~27 | 10% per hit | Special Mid | 5 | i15 | 5 | 56 | -5 | -16 | Special Cancelable from Frame 16 |
Fires three fireballs that travel in a straight path. |
sY
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Projectile) | 10 each | 10% each | Special Mid | 5 | i19 | 5 | 78 | +4 | -12 | Each fireball can be special/support canceled |
Braixen walks to the side and fires five fireballs. |
fY
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 80* | 0 | Special Mid | BA (strike) | i19 | 9 | 73 | Shift (+4)** | -8 | Destroys Projectiles while active |
Braixen throws out Its stick like a boomerang. *Max damage is 80 but it is inconsistent **If fY hits at max range, it crumples the opponent. |
bY
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block |
bY | Normal (Strike) / Normal (Projectile) | 60 / 58 | 15% (per hit) (Fireball Only) | Mid | 5 / 7 | i19 / i23 | 9 | 56 | Shift (Launch)* | -8 |
Charged - b[Y] | Normal (Strike) / Normal (Projectile) | 80 / 78 | 15% (per hit) (Fireball only) | Mid | 5 / 7 | i39 (Stick) / i43 (Projectile) | 9 | 76 | Shift (Launch)* | -8 |
Braixen goes into a golf swing stance and lobs a fireball. Can be charged to increase in damage, size, and distance. *Only the physical hit of the move Phase Shifts. |
j.Y
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Recovery | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Projectile) | 10 each | 10% each | Mid | 5 | i16 | 5 | Until landing +27 | -12 | -16 | Midair Dash/Special Cancelable on Frame 31 |
Braixen fires four fireballs midair from different heights. |
Homing Attack
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
X Homing Attack 1 | Normal (Strike) | 20 | 0 | Mid | 3 | i21 | 1 | 59 | +4 | -4 | Throw Blast, Airborne on Frame 19, Block/Jump Cancelable on Frame 1 |
XX Homing Attack 2 | Normal (Strike) | 20 | 0 | Mid | 3 | i53 | N/A | 79 | +8 | -4 | Support Cancelable on Frame 56 |
XXX Homing Attack 3 | Normal (Strike) | 40 | 0 | Mid | 4 | i85 | N/A | 117 | Shift (+8) | -8 | N/A |
XX[X] Charged Homing Attack 3 | Normal (Strike) | 80 | 0 | Mid | 5 | i105 | N/A | 137 | +8 | Guard Break (+28) | Guard Break, Pierce |
Braixen homes in on the opponent, and kicks them. Braixen's Homing Attack 2 can be support canceled on whiff. This is the only move she has with that property. If Homing Attack 2 was blocked, there is a 28 Frame window to punish a charged Homing Attack 3. |
bX
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 60 | 60% | Mid Low | 4 | i31 | 1 | 69 | Crumple | -16 | Throw Blast, 1-8F Strike/Throw Invuln, Support Cancelable on Frame 34 |
Braixen leans back, then lunges forward with Its stick. |
j.X
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
j.X | Normal (Strike) | 80 | 0 | Mid High, Mid (landing) | 4 | i21 | 9 | Until landing + 30 | Shift (Knockdown) | -4 | Destroys Projectiles while active (Landing) |
Charged - j.[X] | Normal (Strike) | 110 | 0 | Mid High, Mid (landing) | 5 | i41 | 9 | Until landing + 31 | Shift (Launch) | +12 | Destroys Projectiles while active (Landing) |
Braixen slams the ground with Its stick and creates a pillar of fire. Charging gives the move additional hits as well as making it safer on block. Landing hitbox deletes projectiles |
Duel Phase Weak Attacks
5Y
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
5Y | Normal (Strike) | 20 | 20% | 0 | Mid Low | 3 | i15 | 5 | 37 | +4 | -8 | Support/Special Cancelable on Frame 17 |
5YY | Normal (Strike) | 20 | 10% | 0 | Mid Low | 3 | i32 | N/A | 58 | 0 | -8 | Support/Special Cancelable on Frame 34 |
5YYY | Normal (Strike) | 60 | 10% | 3 | Mid Low | 3 | i57 | N/A | 87 | +8 | -8 | Support/Special Cancelable on Frame 60 |
Repeatedly pokes with the stick. Not a true blockstring. |
6Y
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 80 | 20%* | 3 | Special Mid | BA (strike) | i19 | 9 | 71 | +8** | -4 | Destroys Projectiles while active |
Braixen throws out Its stick like a boomerang. Does not break burst armor. *Only the last hit of 6Y has scaling, all hits before it have 0 **If 6Y hits at max range, it crumples the opponent. |
4Y
Version | Attack Type | Damage (Stick) | Damage (Fireball) | Damage (Total) | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block |
4Y | Normal (strike) / Normal (projectile) | 60 | 14 | 74 | 20% / 10% | 3 / 1 | Mid | 5 | i19 / i21 | 9 | 53 | Soft Launch (Stick) | -12 |
Charged - 4[Y] | Normal (Strike) / Normal (Projectile) | 60 | 76 | 126 | 0 / 40% | 4 / 0 | Mid | 7 | i19 | 9 | 53 | Soft Launch / Tumble | -8 |
Braixen goes into a golf swing stance and lobs a fireball. Can be charged to increase in damage, size, and distance. |
8Y
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 60 | 20%* | 3 | Mid | 3 | i19 | 9 | 51 | Hard Launch | -8 | 5-20F High/Mid High Invuln, Support Cancelable on Frame 24 |
Braixen swipes Its stick upwards. *The first hit of Braixen's 8Y has 0 scaling |
2Y
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 20 | 30% | 0 | Low | 3 | i11 | 1 | 33 | +4 | -4 | Throw Blast, High Invuln. on Frame 1, Special/Support Cancelable on Frame 14 |
A quick leg poke. |
j.Y
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Recovery | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Projectile) | 10 each | 10% each | 1 each | Mid | 3 | i16 | 5 | Until landing +21 | -8 | -12 | Special/Air Dash Cancelable on Frame 31 (Burst) |
Braixen fires four fireballs midair from different heights. |
j.8Y
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 20 each | 10% per hit | 0 | Mid High | 3 | i15 | 5 | Until landing +13 | +18 | +4 | N/A |
Braixen twirls its stick three times in the air. |
Duel Phase Strong Attacks
5X
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
5X | Normal (Strike) | 40 | 0% | 0 | Mid Low | 4 | i15 | 5 | 43 | Soft Launch | -8 | Support Cancelable on frame 18 |
5XX | Normal (Strike) | 80 | 30% | 4 | Mid Low | 4 | i37 | N/A | 69 | Knockdown (if airborne) / Hard Launch (if grounded) | -4 | Support Cancelable on frame 40 |
An upwards stick swing followed by a downwards one. |
4X
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 60 | 60% | 4 | Mid Low | 4 | i31 | 1 | 62 | Crumple | -16 | Throw Blast, 1-8F Strike/Throw Invuln, Support Cancelable on Frame 34 |
Braixen leans back, then lunges forward with its stick. |
8X
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 90 | 30% (Last hit only) | 3 | Mid High | 4 | i19 | 1 | 62 | Hard Launch | -16 | Throw Blast, Low Invuln. on Frame 5, Midair Dash/Special Cancelable on Frame 31 |
Braixen hops forward and twirls Its stick in the air. It's possible to special cancel late enough into 8X's animation that you land on the ground with no recovery. This is what's known as a Flame Charge Cancel(FCC). It's only possible to do on hit or if making contact with red armor. This will not work on block or on counter armor. An example with audio cues and inputs can be found here. |
2X
Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
Normal (Strike) | 60 | 10% | 3 | Low | 4 | i15 | 5 | 49 | Knockdown | -12 | Support Cancelable on Frame 18, High Invuln. on Frame 5 |
Braixen slides and sweeps with Its stick. If 2X hits at max range it becomes -9. |
j.X
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block |
j.X | Normal (Strike) | 80 | 20% | 3 | Mid High, Mid (landing) | 4 | i21 | 9 | Until landing + 30 | +16 | -4 |
Charged - j.[X] | Normal (Strike) | 110 | 20% | 3 | Mid High, Mid (landing) | 5 | i41 | 9 | Until landing + 31 | Hard Launch | +12 |
Braixen slams the ground with Its stick and creates a pillar of fire. Charging gives the move additional hits, launches, and makes it plus on block. |
Pokemon Moves
5A Psybeam
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
5A Psybeam | Normal (Projectile) | 50 | 20% | 3 | Special Mid | 7 | i23 | 6 | 65 (FP) / 61 (DP) | FP Shift (-8) / DP 0 | FP -16 / DP -12 | FP sA: [ 5-14F Projectile Invuln.] |
EN5A Psybeam (Enhanced) | Normal (Projectile) | 80 | 0, 20% | 0, 3 | Low, Special Mid | 8 | i23 | 9 | 65 (FP) / 61 (DP) | FP Shift (0) / DP +8 | FP -8 / DP -4 | FP ENsA: [ 5-14F Projectile Invuln.] |
5[A] Psybeam: Setup | Normal (Projectile) | 50 | 20% | 0 | Special Mid | 8 | i57 | 9 | 59 | +27 | +22 | FP s[A]: [ 5-28F Projectile Invuln.] |
EN5[A] Psybeam: Setup (Enhanced) | Normal (Projectile) | 80 | 0%, 20% | 0 | Special Mid | 8 | i57 | 59 | 9 | +26 | +22 | FP ENs[A]: [ 5-28F Projectile Invuln.] |
Braixen fires a projectile of psychic energy in a straight line. When held, Braixen twirls around and preps a Psybeam projectile from above. When enhanced, Braixen fires/sets up two projectiles. In Field Phase, inputting left or right causes Braixen to roll to the side before firing. |
6A Fire Spin
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block |
6A Fire Spin | Normal (Projectile) | 74 | 5% per hit | 1 per hit | Mid Low | S | i35 | 9 | 78 | -4 | -8 |
EN6A Fire Spin (Enhanced) | Normal (Projectile) | 103 | 5% per hit | 1 per hit | Mid Low | S | i35 | 9 | 78 | Hard Launch | -4 |
6[A] Charged Fire Spin | Normal (Projectile) | 102 | 5% per hit | 0.5 per hit | Mid | S | i67 | 9 | 110 | +12 | +8 |
EN6[A] Charged Fire Spin (Enhanced) | Normal (Projectile) | 118 | 5% per hit | 0.5 per hit | Mid | S | i67 | 9 | 110 | Hard Launch | +8 |
Braixen creates a pillar of flames that slowly travels forward and can be charged to increase in size and damage. Can place either left or right in Field Phase. When enhanced, Fire Spin launches and increases in damage. Yes, you're reading that right. Fire Spin is 5% scaling per hit. |
4A Fire Blast
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
4A Fire Blast (Fireball) | Normal (Projectile) | 57 | 10% per hit | 2 per hit | Mid Low | 6 | i31 | 9 | 86 | Stun* | -20 | Low Invuln. on Frame 9, Sunny Day Cancelable on Frame 72 |
4A Fire Blast (Blast) | Normal (Projectile) | 95 | 30% per hit | 1 per hit | Mid | 9 | i61** | 9 | 86 | Knockdown | -20 | N/A |
Braixen hops in the air a fires a large fireball that slowly travels forward. After a short amount of time, the fireball explodes into a kanji-shaped wall of fire. When enhanced, the fireball increases in damage and turns into the blast portion faster. *When enhanced, the fireball no longer stuns. It instead goes through with the full attack. **When enhanced, the plume activates 10 frames sooner, coming out on frame 51 instead of 61. Pressing B after using Fire Blast performs a Sunny Day. |
8A Flamethrower
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
8A Flamethrower | Normal (Projectile) | 120 | 80% (Last Hit Only) | 4 | High | S+ | i19 | 9 | 61 | Soft Launch (Air Hit) | -8 | 5-18F High Invuln, Sunny Day Cancelable on Frame 36 |
EN8A Flamethrower (Enhanced) | Normal (Projectile) | 160 | 80% (Last Hit Only) | 4 | High | S+ | i19 | 9 | 61 | Soft Launch | -8 | 5-18F High Invuln, Sunny Day Cancelable on Frame 36 |
Braixen points upwards with Its stick and shoots a stream of flames. When enhanced, Flamethrower receives additional hits and becomes safer on block. Pressing B after using Flamethrower performs a Sunny Day. |
2A Light Screen
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block | Properties |
2A Light Screen | Counter (Strike) | 20 | 30% | 2 | Mid Low | 3 | i11 | * | 35 | Soft Launch / Stun** | -12 | 1-35F Projectile Counter Armor, 1-35F Destroys Projectiles, Sunny Day Cancelable on Frame 16 |
EN2A Light Screen (Enhanced) | Counter (Strike) | 40 | 30% | 2 | Mid Low | 5 | i11 | * | 35 | Soft Launch | -12 | 1-35F Projectile Counter Armor, 1-35F Destroys Projectiles, Stun on Crit, Sunny Day Cancelable on Frame 16 |
Braixen conjures a mirror that erases incoming projectiles. When enhanced, Light Screen's damage and range increases. Pressing B after using Light Screen performs a Sunny Day. Despite being -12, Unenhanced Light Screen is unpunishable by a majority of the cast and Enhanced is unpunishable *On rare occasions Light Screen can crush grabs but only the screen itself. It's very rare but it can happen. Everything Braixen can armor or destroy using Light Screen. Including Supports. (video) |
j.A Flame Charge
Version | Attack Type | Damage | Scaling | PSP | Height | Priority | Impact | Throw Crush Frame | Total Frames | Hit Adv | Block |
j.A Flame Charge | Normal (Strike) | 80 | 50% | 3 | Mid High | 4 | i19 | 9 | N/A | Soft Launch | FP -22 / DP -20 |
ENj.A Flame Charge (Enhanced) | Normal (Strike) | 104 | 50% / 0% (Fireworks) | 3 | Mid High, Mid (Fireworks) | 5 | i19 | 9 | N/A | Hard Launch | FP -3 / DP 0* |
Braixen broom rides ahead at full speed. When enhanced, Flame Charge creates fireworks on hit/block. *Enhanced Flame Charge is 0 on block at midscreen. In the corner Enhanced Flame Charge is +8 on block. |
]A[ Sunny Day
Total Frames | Properties |
51 | Charge Time: 90F, Attack Up (self) for 300F when enhanced |
Braixen strikes a pose and increases Its Support Gauge. The next Pokemon move Braixen performs will be enhanced. Using Sunny Day when already enhanced grants Braixen an Attack buff. The Attack buff lasts for 5 seconds. Attack buff timer is cumulative. |
Strategy
Ignore these, I'm just messing with stuff and getting prepped
Field Phase Strategy
General & Duel Phase Strategy
Pressure Tools & Oki
Defensive Tools
Matchups
Suicune
Playing against Suicune is a battle against your opponent more than the matchup. While Braixen does have an advantage against Suicune, Suicune players can mix up their movement and attack patterns in ways that make it difficult to make the right decisions to secure a win. Keep your wits about you, pay attention to the Suicune player's habits and this matchup will be no problem in no time!
Suggested Supports
Farfetch'd: An extremely solid support for the matchup. Farfetch'd allows Braixen to favorably trade against Suicune's attacks in Field Phase and is a solid "pause button" support, giving you time to see what Suicune is doing before you react. Whether it be on hit or on block, Farfetch'd allows you to control what Suicune does and puts them where you want them to be. Most calls of Farfetch'd that hit also lead to some serious damage, allowing you to extend a health lead or make a comeback.
Electrode: Being paired with Farfetch'd, Electrode is an amazing option to dissuade Suicune from throwing out too many projectiles. Without an invulnerable support or something like Pachirisu, Suicune has a hard time dodging Electrode and is forced to block it if not outright eat the damage as Electrode pierces armor. Even on block Electrode does a whopping amount of chip and shield damage, ensuring that Braixen can always make a comeback in damage. Be careful however, Suicune has many good oki tools and using Electrode on wakeup will almost definitely end up in it being grabbed. It's best used in neutral situations or against moves that are fairly reactable and have a ton of recovery. Be aware that as a support cancel option, it's very subpar. It's only usable against non-charged, non-piercing armor moves which are few and far between. As well as having a ton of recovery, support canceling this on any CA will usually end in Braixen getting grabbed if it doesn't lead to a full pierce combo.
Snivy: An overall good support for any matchup, Snivy allows you to take Suicune out of the air at close range which is an area Braixen has trouble contesting reliably. With Snivy's armor and large hitbox, any jump Suicune makes at close range should usually land you a solid anti-air combo and if not it'll give you a solid amount of pressure on Suicune.
Field Phase Strategy
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD YOU EVER START THE ROUND WITH SIDE-Y. THAT'S ASKING TO EAT A MIRROR COAT. Same thing with using it in neutral before Suicune has committed to anything. sY, nY, and Psybeam are best used as meaties after you've won Duel Phase or after you've forced Suicune to block something else. However, Braixen can use s[A] to dodge a Mirror Coat activation on reaction, at best it'll be a return to neutral and at worst you eat Hydro Pump, it's best used as a way to save yourself rather than a consistent answer. It does take a little time to get used to doing however since it's less useful at further ranges due to the recovery sY has. At round start, bY is a solid opener but is susceptible to being sniped by Aurora Beam, use it sparingly or Suicune will catch on. Suicune may also start with bY, their ice wall, at round start. Suicune bY will nullify the fireball from Braixen's bY and nearly all projectiles Braixen has aside from Fire Blast, Fire Spin, and EX Psybeams during its duration.
At long range, your best bet is to wait for Suicune to act and then react accordingly. Whenever Suicune throws out an Aurora Beam or any slow projectile you can choose to move out of the way and Sunny Day or advance towards them. Each have their own merits as constantly using Sunny Day forces Suicune to come to you if they want to deny you the support gain and attack buff, but it does leave you open to potentially being sniped if you misstep. Icy Wind being the exception as Suicune can charge it for longer to give it more hits. Icy Wind also tracks fairly well so you'll be forced to answer with a dash, sA, or CA, all of which can be sniped out by Suicune if that's what they're looking for. Blocking it also gives Suicune time to close the gap while retaining an advantage, be very careful when dealing with this move.
Advancing to mid-range against Suicune means that their biggest threat, Mirror Coat, isn't as big of an option as fY will catch them out of numerous attacks and has a tendency to blow through their CA. At close range it's a bit more even between the two of you, however Suicune's Homing Attack has more priority than Braixen's. On the bright side, Suicune's Homing 3 is very easily reacted to with b.X leading to a consistent punish that gives you a knockdown. Suicune's air homing is also extremely fast and does a very good job of avoiding Braixen's Homing, bY will be your secondary option for physical attacks against them. bY also has the luxury of being safe against Suicune's CAY at certain ranges and even more so when done meaty after a shift from Duel Phase. Otherwise, your time spent close range against Suicune will be a giant game of chicken until one of you guesses wrong.
Duel Phase Strategy
Duel Phase against Suicune is very much decided by whether or not you're able to keep your cool under pressure. Suicune has a lot of cancel options to mixup their attack pattern and when they get momentum it can be very hard to decide what you should do next. Above are some of the more common moves you'll see Suicune use in Duel Phase, all but the last few can be countered with Light Screen. Yet, those are some of the most dangerous buttons Suicune has. Proper navigation of the ranges both you and Suicune occupy will be key to winning Duel Phase and keeping momentum.
At both long and mid range, there's very little Suicune can do to threaten Braixen as long as you stand still and throw out Light Screen. Suicune's chance to deal damage at this range comes from trying to snipe Braixen's movement while they're trying to close distance or create space. Close range is where this matchup is played and it's by far the most dangerous place to be. Suicune can consistently put out a solid amount of damage from any solid hit, namely from: 6Y, jX, and 8Y. Suicune's 8Y is a fairly quick anti-air that's safe on block and launches on crit. Despite it being invulnerable to mid-highs on frame 5, because of how far Suicune's hurtbox pulls back it's extremely good at catching out Braixen's 8X. Also because of this attack and 4Y, grabbing Suicune is best saved for when you have them scared enough to not mash on your pressure. 6Y is a lunging attack with a follow up. Both hits are punishable on block with either Light Screen or 2X, however, there is potential to eat the second hit if you try to punish the first hit too soon. Be very careful when dealing with this attack. Suicune's CA is a really important thing you'll have to learn to deal with. As long as you're not at the maximum distance for Braixen's boomerang (6Y), Suicune should not be able to armor through it and punish, getting into that space makes throwing it a bit more of a risk.
5Y is extremely good on oki and against Suicune's CA especially as at any point during the string you can either support or special cancel. Canceling into Flamethrower (8A) is a good call out to a CA.Y from Suicune but depending on your timing it may whiff. Whiffing isn't all bad though as the worst that can happen is a change in positioning. Braixen can also cancel into Light Screen (2A) to prevent being crit by Suicune's CA. Sometimes it may even hit Suicune out of CA or catch them in a CADC. If hit you will most likely end up knocked down but preventing the crit can give you another chance to make a comeback, should you survive.
While Delayed Psybeam is an extremely good oki tool overall it's also *very* good at baiting Mirror Coats out of Suicunes that believe that you'll continue throwing things out. When enhanced, Delayed Psybeam travels nearly full screen and at that range you have more than enough time to assess the situation before Suicune commits to Mirror Coat. If you have a read that they may go for Mirror Coat, jumping forward and air dashing at them will net you a punish with j.8Y and a combo into a knockdown or shift.
Pressure
While I call these our "Core Moves" in the matchup they're by no means the only moves you'll be using. However, these are buttons you'll need to get acquainted with using if you want to make full use of your pressure in each phase.
As stated before in "Field Phase Strategy"
Defense
To Be Written
Support Breakdown
To be written later
--Double
Recommendations
Combos
Google Sheet created by Serena
Almost all support combos have linked videos and some also have attached images and notes detailing who they work on and what adjustments should be made for certain characters.
Many of the blue highlighted combos can be found in this 21 Hits video created by Zyflair and Serena
Notable Players
- A Wild Gallade (NA): Twitter
- Judy (JP): Twitter
- kon (JP): Twitter
- Serena (NA): Twitter
- Shippo (NA): Twitter
- Tonosama (JP)
External Resources
Contains damage breakdown for all of Braixen's moves and support gain for each move. Support gain will be added to this wiki soon. -Double
Frame Data: Braixen
Support Damage and Scaling Breakdown