Match-ups

Note: Sean has a disadvantage in almost every match-up. That means its up to you, the player, to overcome this with your skill. Luckily, Sean is one of the few characters that all 3 supers are viable. What this means is, is that generally you can choose between 2 of the 3 supers against some characters and some characters all 3 of them can be used.

Vs. Oro

This match-up is a footsie orientated MU more than anything else. Oro has stubby lows which means you can hunker down outside of his sweep range and place high parries to catch his longer reaching normals (St.MK/HK/etc). At this same range, you have Far MP, Crouch HP (against extended limbs), Crouch MK (whiff punish usually), etc. to choose from. Oro can be hard to pin down at times but this isn't that much of a problem for Sean considering how much distance he can cover in such a short period of time. Its ideal to not press your luck on oki as one guess parry can end up losing you the round so just proceed with caution for the most part.

As far as supers go: all 3 are good in their own right. SA1 is great all-around especially since it means he cant throw projectiles or risk 45% (if you have 2 bars) and the fact you can confirm Close HK x SA1 on him. SA2 is good because it gets you out of his unblockable setups and the damage. SA3 for the same reasons as SA1.

Vs. Ibuki

She is a hit and run match up, its a decent matchup because she lacks stamina and you have better footsies, if she is throwing Kunais do a Overhead Turn Kick for recovery punishment at far distance , and Dragon Smash for near and corner one specially, standing Forward can be a good punishment tool for her Neck Breaker fail, Jab Sean Tackle approach can be a good answer for her Tsuji Goe and Kasumi Gake, frustrate her offensive strategy with good poking its your objective, Overhead Turn Kick can be useful against Kazekiri first frames,or you can wait and punish it with a Tackle.

Basketball can be an offensive tool agasint Kunais but you'll be too vulnerable if fails.

Recommended: Hyper Tornado (for low stamina characters)

Vs. Twelve:

In my opinion, this is probably the only match-up where Sean is at an advantage. Twelve's health is just as bad as Akuma's and like Sean, a good amount of his special moves leave him crouching on block/parry. Twelve rules the air with his IAD's and wall bounces but Sean has many Anti-airs which means that you have half the match won if you can keep him out of the sky. Learn to parry his Cr.HP and Cr.HK as those moves are among the most risky in his arsenal to use. Towards Roundhouse is the perfect counter-poke to Twelve's Standing Roundhouse. Parrying is still important in this match-up, don't jump in the air without buffering first. Twelve is one of the very few who can be hit by Cl.HK x Dragon Smash (though its not as consistent).

Recommended Super: All are damaging but, the benefits of SA2 by far out-weigh the other 2. Its the only super that can punish his EX Dive on block (that leaves him crouching), and it's one of Sean's Anti-airs. All it takes to win is just 2 parries with Cl.HK x Shoryu Cannon to punish him.

Vs. Yang:

He is a rushdown character but with low stamina, also had decent footsies like you, try to punish his fails with SA2 and throw him if he activates SA3

Vs. Alex:

Vs. Hugo:

This is a difficult match up to over come. While its already difficult getting in close on some characters, getting in close proximity of Hugo can be very dangerous. You have a weapon in your arsenal that will help you out and that is Zenten. Since it's throw invincible you'll avoid the imminent danger of a SPD especially if you can telegraph it. Don't let him trap you in the corner either. Remember when I said the EX Tornado is 99% safe? Well, against SA1 Hugo it isn't. In fact, he can flat out punish you for doing it even though you normally can escape 1 frame supers. Gigas is the 1% exception so be very aware of this when playing. Also another thing, take heed to how many ways Gigas Breaker can be buffered (cross-up jump, clap, cr.LK, whiffed back-breaker, super jump, etc.). Don't jump too much or better yet, jump unpredictably as to bait out an occasional back-breaker whiff and punish as you see fit. As long as you play the full screen, getting your damage in and getting back out safely, you won't have too much trouble with this match-up.

As for the recommended super: SA1 or SA2. Shoryu Cannon is good for damage and if you're confident in getting in and getting out. It will also save you in case Gigas comes out slower than it should. Hadou Burst is good to consistently punish Hugo whenever he makes a mistake.

Vs. Akuma:

I find from experience that Sean Vs. Akuma matches go by very quickly and can go really either way. Sean can end Akuma just as quick (maybe even quicker) as he can end Sean. This is a match-up that, again, relies on how well you can parry AND deal with the resets. Red parrying Akuma's tatsu is a MUST. In this matchup, the tackle is of much benefit. If you can read when the Akuma player backs off to zone you out from the air from full screen, an EX tackle (or any tackle really depending on dist.) will go underneath the air projectile and tackle him for 26 stun (nearly half) or if you choose not to tackle, you can go for something else that's a bit more, damaging. If you can properly set up Sean's stun from his basketballs, this will make his moves even more dangerous Vs. Akuma. Be ready to heavily punish any and every LK Tatsu on block. Dealing with Demon Flip mix-ups are tough, but if you can see the DF coming, either jump back HK/Cr.Fierce/or LP Dragon Smash him out of the air and SA1 him (if you picked it) before he hits the ground. Like Remy, all it takes is 5 fierces to stun so when you're going on the offensive keep this in mind.

Note: Akuma's hitbox is a bit bigger than the other shotos, meaning he can be hit with all 3 hits of the EX Wheel. On block or hit when this happens, its 0.

Recommended Super: All 3 are highly damaging to Akuma's health. Any one will do in this MU.