Capcom vs SNK 2/Joe

Introduction

Overview

Strategy

Combos

Matchups

Story

Joe Higashi is a champion Muay Thai fighter who's legend is just beginning. Born in Japan, Joe traveled to Thailand frequently to learn and improve at Muay Thai. Once he got skilled enough that he felt he was ready to start fighting others for real, he told his family he was leaving Japan for good. His grandmother gave him the headband he wears to always remember his homeland by. Immediately, Joe started making a name for himself. He became known as one of the most skilled Muay Thai fighters in the world. To further cement his reputation, he entered the first King of Fighters tournament in South Town, USA, ran by Geese Howard. There, he met the brothers Terry and Andy. Terry and Andy shared of their past involving Geese Howard, and Joe informed them about the tournament. The three together became fast friends after that, and Joe joined the brothers to help them make their revenge plot happen.

Joe stays in South Town, and travels with the Bogard brothers to compete in the various KOF tournaments with them. He still hasn't mellowed out, and swears one day to be the greatest fighter the world has ever seen. However, he seems more keen to just goof around with his buds and visit the bar sometimes.

Gameplay

When you hear "CvS2 Muay Thai based character with solid neutral, a good anti-air game, a good fireball, and damaging combos", Joe isn't the first character that comes to mind. However, don't let his overlapping fighting style with Sagat confuse you. Joe has a bunch of unique and fun tools to fight around with, using his solid pokes like 5HK, 5MK, 2MK, 2HP, and his useful 41236P Hurricane Upper's. Joe likes to play aggressive, tossing out his fast Hurricane Upper's, pressuring with his Bakuretsuken and the unique ability to cancel it for tons of plus frames, called Baku Cancelling. His 623K Tiger Kick DP is great, making consistent anti-airs, and his 41236K Slash Kick allows him to end combos with lots of corner carry.

What Joe has in great offense, he makes up for in zoning. Only the HP version of Hurricane Upper goes fullscreen, and despite how big they look, they can be jumped over quite easily. While he does have solid ways to anti-air and control the skies, he can't effectively make the opponent jump without being close enough to threaten a Baku Cancel or Hurricane Upper. Joe also lacks a bit in the mixup department, with no standing overheads and underwhelming grabs. Joe more or less punishes blocking by repeated Baku Cancels and Hurricane Upper pressure, which only really works in the corner, limiting him midscreen a ton.

Groove Selection

Best - A/K: A-Joe has basically everything a good A-Groove character needs. He has plenty of useful roll cancels, like RC Bakuretsuken, RC Hurricane Upper, and even RC Slash Kick. His Custom Combo is easy and does decent damage, and he has plenty of ways to use it, with a unique one being linking a CC activation after a Baku Cancel. His Alpha Counter is pretty solid as well. K-Joe is the exact opposite. K-Joe gets much better mixup potential with run and hop, and a solid offensive and defensive tool in Just Defend. Rage buffs his damage by a notable margin, and lets him access his great level 3 supers. The damage buff from Rage overall is just very useful, however he pays for all this by losing roll, which can be a pretty major sacrifice depending on how you look at Joe.

Useful - N/C/P: N-Joe is a bit of a more versatile K-Joe. He keeps the run and hop, but also gets roll for RC Baku and RC Uppers. He also gets another guard cancel to use if he needs it with Guard Cancel Roll. N-Joe sacrifices any high damage ceiling he could get though. C-Joe gets access to a lot of the things A-Joe does, plus airblock. Joe does get some flashy level 2 combos, especially in the corner with his triple Tiger Kick combo. However, the damage just doesn't match up, and Joe would rather just have a Custom Combo or a flat-out level 3 super. P-Joe is surprisingly useful, as Joe's meterless punishes can be surprisingly good using Slash Kick. One good parry gets P-Joe close to the corner, where Baku Cancel and Hurricane Upper pressure becomes much more useful. Hop makes his mix a bit scarier as well. P-Joe, like the other 3 Grooves here, sacrifices high damage potential. Without consistent access to supers, P-Joe just can't match up.

Worst - S: S-Joe has the benefit of not being entirely reliant on meter, which is always good for an S-Groove character. However, that's about where the positives end. S-Joe lacks a roll for RC Baku or RC Upper, lacks any realistic access to supers since he has to charge, and will almost never have a level 3. Desperation doesn't help a character with lackluster level 1 supers either, as none of Joe's level 1 supers do much damage or give any sort of vortex potential like the best S-Groove characters do. He gets run and hop, but so does K-Joe and N-Joe.

Joe is a solid basic character with surprisingly good corner pressure using Hurricane Upper and his unique Baku Cancel ability. He can control neutral with great anti-airs and a decent close-range fireball, but struggles to zone opponents out or get high damage without meter. Joe is best in A-Groove or K-Groove. Difficulty: Hard Tier: B
Pros	Cons
Footsies: Joe has plenty of great footsies tools to poke around in neutral with, and plenty of his specials when done in close range can either make the opponent jump or punish them for jumping Pressure: Between Baku Cancels, a powerful way to cancel his Bakuretsuken sooner than normal for massive amounts of plus frames, and his Hurricane Upper, Joe has ways to pressure the opponent that other characters don't match up to Anti-Air: His Tiger Kick DP is quite the solid anti-air, but his 214K Golden Heel special is equally powerful and gives an amazing knockdown as well Big Meter Spend: His level 3 super Double Cyclone is a massive damage anti-air and punish tool, and his Custom Combo does great damage for how easy it is to perform Cheeks: Joe's taunt is very funny. If taunts didn't build the opponent so much meter it would be a top tier mind game move. Hundred Hands: One of the best RC pokes in the game, this move will let you link a sweep for a knockdown or super for damage when baku canceled.	Mixups: While Joe can guard crush with the best of them, he lacks any overhead mixup ability, and neither of his throws do great damage Zoning: Joe lacks a traditional fireball, and while Hurricane Upper is solid, it doesn't threaten an opponent who is across the screen at all Corner Reliant: His best pressure is only really present against a cornered opponent, leaving him without much midscreen Demanding Execution: Baku Cancels aren't easy, and are almost entirely necessary to Joe at a high level, who lacks any other real gimmicks

Players to Watch

Name	Country	Groove	Accounts	Notes
Minami	Japan	C-Groove	Twitter: @minamijoe	Puts a lot of footsies into his game until the space is closed, where Minami can apply a ton of pressure. Sample Match
Tsuji	Japan	N-Groove	N/A	Tsuji's Joe is an infamous one. Has insane offense with his barrage special and always lead to guard break. Very aggressive playstyle. Sample Match

!!!THIS PAGE IS STILL A WIP. IF YOU NEED FRAME DATA NOW, REFER TO THE CVS2 BIBLE OR LOOK THROUGH EDIT HISTORY TO FIND THE LAST EDIT CONTAINING FRAME DATA IF THERE WAS ONE!!!

Normal Moves

Far Normals

5LP

Far Jab
Far Light Punch
5LP / Far LP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Far	300	3	RF/SP/SU	Mid	High	3	4	8	15	+5	+5	None
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5MP

Far Strong
Far Medium Punch
5MP / Far MP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Far	700	7	SP/SU	Mid	High	4	3	21	28	-4	-4	None
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5HP

Far Fierce
Far Heavy Punch
5HP / Far HP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Far	1200	12	SU	Mid	High	6	6	22	34	-2	-2	None
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5LK

Far Short
Far Light Kick
5LK / Far LK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Far	500	5	SU	Mid	High	6	6	11	23	0	0	None
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5MK

Far Forward
Far Medium Kick
5MK / Far MK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Far	1000	10	SU	Mid	High	6	2	26	34	+1	+1	None
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5HK

Far Roundhouse
Far Heavy Kick
5HK / Far HK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Far	1400	14	SU	Mid	High	7	2	29	38	-1	-1	None
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clLP

Close Jab
Close Light Punch
cl.LP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Close	400	4	RF/SP/SU	Mid	High	2	4	6	12	+7	+7	None
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clHP

Close Fierce
Close Heavy Punch
cl.HP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Close	600+600	6+6	None	Mid	High	4	6	20	30	0	0	None
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clLK

Close Short
Close Light Kick
cl.LK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Close	500	5	SP/SU	Mid	High	2	6	7	15	+4	+4	None
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clHK

Close Roundhouse
Close Heavy Kick
cl.HK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Close	1300	13	SP/SU	Mid	High	5	6	17	28	+3	+3	None
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2LP

Crouch Jab
Crouching Light Punch
2LP / cr.LP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	300	3	RF/SP/SU	Mid	Mid	3	4	7	14	+6	+6	None
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2MP

Crouch Strong
Crouching Medium Punch
2MP / cr.MP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	700	7	SP/SU	Mid	Mid	4	3	20	27	-3	-3	None
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2HP

Crouch Fierce
Crouching Heavy Punch
2HP / cr.HP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	1200	12	SU	Mid	Mid	6	4	25	35	-5	-5	None
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2LK

Crouch Short
Crouching Light Kick
2LK / cr.LK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	300	3	RF/SP/SU	Low	Low	3	4	9	16	+4	+4	None
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2MK

Crouch Forward
Crouching Medium Kick
2MK / cr.MK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	1000	10	SP/SU	Low	Low	5	6	16	27	0	0	None
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2HK

Crouch Roundhouse
Crouching Heavy Kick
2HK / cr.HK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	1300	13	None	Low	Low	9	12	20	41	DWN	-8	None

j.LP

Jump Jab
Jumping Light Punch
j.LP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
//+	500	5	-	High	High	3	22	-	25	-	-	None
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j.MP

Jump Strong
Jumping Medium Punch
j.MP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
//+	800	8	-	High	High	4	3	-	7	-	-	-
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j.HP

Jump Fierce
Jumping Heavy Punch
j.HP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
//+	1200	12	-	High	High	6	3	-	9	-	-	None
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j.LK

Jump Short
Jumping Light Kick
j.LK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
//+	600	6	-	High	High	4	22	-	26	-	-	None
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j.MK

Jump Forward
Jumping Medium Kick
j.MK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
//+	1000	10	-	High	High	5	12	-	17	-	-	High
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j.HK

Jump Roundhouse
Jumping Heavy Kick
j.HK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
//+	1400	14	-	High	High	6	7	-	13	-	-	None
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Throws

Punch Throw

Nihon Nage
Punch Throw
Near Opponent, 4/6HP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Close /+	1800	0	-	High	-	3	1	13	17	-	-	None
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Hiza Jigoku

Hiza Jigoku
Kick Throw
Near Opponent, 4/6HK

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Close /+	900+200x(3-17)	0	-	Grab	-	5	1	13	19	-	-	-
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Special Moves

Bakuretsuken

Bakuretsuken
Mash P

First Hitbox

Second Hitbox

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
Mash	300xN	3xN	None	Mid	High	5	21 (Minimum)	0	26 (Minimum)	-4	-4	None
Mash	300xN	3xN	None	Mid	High	8	21 (Minimum)	0	29 (Minimum)	+3	+3	None
Mash	300xN	3xN	None	Mid	High	8	21 (Minimum)	0	29 (Minimum)	+5	+5	None
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Hurricane Upper

Hurricane Upper
41236P

LP

MP/HP

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	900	9	None	Mid	High	11	-	42	53	-9	-9	None
+	500+500	5+5	None	Mid	High	20	-	62	82	-9	-9	None
+	600+600	6+6	None	Mid	High	23	-	62	85	-12	-12	None
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Slash Kick

Slash Kick
41236K

Hitbox activates at close range

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	1100	11	None	Mid	High	13	Varies	22	Varies	DWN	-19	None
+	1200	12	None	Mid	High	14	Varies	22	Varies	DWN	-21	None
+	1300	13	None	Mid	High	15	Varies	22	Varies	DWN	-30	None
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Tiger Kick

Tiger Kick
623K

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	1500, 800	15, 8	None	Mid	Mid	9	16	25	50	DWN	-17	9 (Full)
+	1000+600	10+6	None	Mid	Mid	12	21	30	63	DWN	-25	14 (Full)
+	700+600+500	7+6+5	None	Mid	Mid	15	27	34	76	DWN	-25	17 (Full)
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Ougon no Katako

Ougon no Katako
214K

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	400+900	4+9	None	Mid	High	19	11	29	56	DWN	-7	None
+	400+1000	4+10	None	Mid	High	19	11	27	54	DWN	-5	None
+	400+1000	4+10	None	Mid	High	19	11	29	56	DWN	-6	None
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Super Moves

Screw Upper

Screw Upper
236236P

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	2300	0	None	Mid	High	5:4	25	81	115	DWN	-40	8 (Full)
+	3400	0	SP/SU	Mid	High	5:4	25	81	115	DWN	-36	13 (Full)
+	4800	0	None	Mid	High	5:4	25	81	115	DWN	-32	20 (Full)
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Bakuretsu Hurricane Tiger Kakato

Bakuretsu Hurricane Tiger Kakato
2363214P

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	2600	0	None	Mid	High	4:4	120	30	158	DWN	-10	None
+	3800	0	SP/SU	Mid	High	4:4	147	35	190	DWN	-44	None
+	5600	0	None	Mid	High	4:4	174	40	222	DWN	-65	None
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Double Cyclone Upper

Double Cyclone Upper
214214P

Version	Damage	Stun	Cancel	Guard	Parry	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Adv Hit	Adv Block	Invul
+	6000	0	None	Mid	High	5:12	-	114	131	DWN	-36	24 (Full)
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Colors