Introduction
'Gief is neat.
Capcom's grappler bottoms out EX2+'s tier list and clocks in as the game's timerscam, coinfip character.
It's hard to say what exactly keeps EX2+ Zangief so weak: He's got damage, but not much else. SPD inheriting a whiff animation between EX Plus Alpha and EX2 certainly doesn't help. A massive hurtbox makes just about every combo he eats even deadlier, and he's one of few characters in EX2 that can be hit with instant overheads from the entire roster.
Zangief takes a beating, and spends most of his rounds blocking whatever clown car offense his higher tier opponents throw out. You'll need good reads, nerves of steel, and impressive patience to keep 'Gief alive in EX2+.
Movelist
Command Moves
Flying Body Attack In air, d + HP
Throws
Iron Claw When close, b / f + MP / HP German Suplex When close, b / f + MK / HK Russian Headbutt Press the same strength P + K
Special Moves
Double Lariat b / f + PPP, or press PPP, move b / f
Quick Double Lariat b / f + KKK, or press KKK, move b / f
Spinning Piledriver Rotate 360 + P (misses from afar)
Atomic Suplex When close, rotate 360 + K
Russian Suplex From afar, rotate 360 + K
Bear Hug Press P during Russian Suplex run
Super Combos
Final Atomic Buster Rotate 720 + P (misses from afar)
Aerial Russian Slam qcb,qcb + K
Super Stomping qcf,qcf + K
Chuudan qcb + K during Super Stomping
Meteor Combo
Cosmic Final Atomic Buster Rotate 720 + PPP (misses from afar)
Combos
-Jump HP \/ s.LK XX Press PPP
-Jump HK \/ c.MK XX Press PPP
-Jump HP \/ c.MP > c.MK XX qcf,qcf + K
-Cross-up D + HP \/ c.MP > c.MK XX qcf,qcf + K (qcb + K), s.MK XX qcf,qcf + K (qcb + K), s.MK XX qcf,qcf + K
