Real Bout Fatal Fury Special/Cheng Sinzan

Introduction

Cheng Sinzan is a serious contender for one of the worst characters in the game, and a lot of it has to do with a lack of power and reach. Not only are his normals ineffective as pokes, but his arced fireball is sluggish and fails to reach fullscreen. Rushdown is a problem, too; though competent, his air normals are shallow and will often lose to air-to-airs from other characters rather easily. Line abuse is a key part of RBS; in this regard, Cheng's stubby line checks and scarce knockdowns also come up short. Most characters can turn the tables with one or two good supers to threaten damage, but both of Cheng's are borderline useless — the damage you can do at the start of the game is the damage you're stuck with throughout. For these reasons, Cheng finds himself on the backfoot frequently, and his counter move being so dysfunctional does not help him in the slightest.

Cheng simply cannot compete with the threats around him, so what does he do? He runs.

For a portly businessman, Cheng is quite evasive; his backdash is good, while his short height makes him deceptively hard to hit at times. Though certainly not winning any zoning wars, Cheng's fireball shines when used to poke at midrange, where he can freely chuck high fireballs to not only catch jumpers-in, but also cover his tracks while making escapes. The lynchpin in his kit, however, is his ground roll; not only is it fast and low to the ground, but it's also annoyingly safe on block. It works wonders on defense, too; the roll works not only as a punish tool, but as a highly effective Break Shot with its speed and range. Cheng's supers are useless, but his quick meter build from rolling and tossing fireballs all day supports his penchant for guard cancels rather nicely. Hit-and-run is Cheng's game; while far from solid, he is well-equipped to roll circles around his foes — or at least annoy the shit out of them until he drops.

Colors

Movelist

Command Normals

- Double Orb Attack

- Glowing Orb

Special Moves

- Kiten Hinzan

- High Kiten Hinzan

~ - Belly Drum Blast ~ Delay

/ - Avalanche Crunch

- Full Reverse Pellet

S.Power

- Bursting Heavens

P.Power

- Collapse Of Creation

Normals

Close Normals

cl.A

cl.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
6	Mid	3	Chain, Special	6	7	5	17	+2	0	-	-
This has a special chain into 5C, which gives you plenty of time to charge for Avalanche Crunch, but unfortunately it doesn't hit the smaller crouchers. Has a small window in the recovery to chain into itself.

cl.B

cl.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
8	Mid	3	Chain, Special	7	10	6	22	-2	-4	-	-
Combo filler. Essential for going into the 5C 236C chain, but otherwise 2B is better. Plenty of active frames, but not very safe as a meaty given how close you have to be.

cl.C

cl.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
30(16+16)	Mid	3+3	Chain, Special	10	3+(7)+7	13	39	+4	+2	-	-
A two-hitter like most close C's in the game, giving you plenty of time to charge Avalanche Crunch. The second hit kicks pretty high, but this is not a reactive anti-air by any means.

Standing Normals

st.A

st.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
6	Mid	3	Chain, Special	5	1+5	12	22	-4	-6	-	-
Like the close version, this also misses small crouchers, but it goes into 5C as well. Chaining into 5B will always give you the near version, but if you're at range to get far A in the first place, it's probably going to miss.

st.B

st.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
8	Mid	3	-	7	6	23	35	-15	-17	-	Lower: 5-26
The hit advantage says "avoid this move." It goes over some lows but won't necessarily hit them because the hitbox is too shallow, and they'll probably recover in time to punish you. The only other conceivable use is as a really far anti-air wherein the air reset at least means you won't get punished on hit, but the priority makes doing so tricky, and for only eight points of damage as a reward.

st.C

st.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
30	Mid	5	-	9	7	24	39	-7	-9	-	-
Poking with normals isn't really Cheng's thing, and this move is short as far as 5Cs go.

Crouching Normals

cr.A

cr.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
6	Mid	3	Chain, Special	6	4	8	17	+2	0	-	-
Cheng's most reliable chain starter, with a hitbox low to the ground and the ability to chain into itself before going into other stuff.

cr.B

cr.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
8	Low	3	Chain, Special	7	7	9	22	-2	-4	-	-
This is a combo starter which hits low, so it's quite a decent mixup option for Cheng. It can chain into sweep or confirm into Avalanche Crunch, although the latter requires spacing and you can only chain cr.B twice.

cr.C

cr.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
30	Low	5	Special	9	23	20	51	KD	-11	SKD	-
A fairly active sweep which will make you eat dirt if you miss. Cancelling it is an option, but Cheng doesn't have Flexible Geezer like he does in RB2, nor can you cancel into feints in this game. 623A is a good cancel option on hit for some setplay.

Line Attacks

line.A

line.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
8	Mid	3	-	5	16	12	32	-1	-3	-	-
A little faster than the B version, but hits mid. However, this move has a chain attached to it.

line.B

line.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
20	High	5	-	7	16	18	-	-2	-4	-	-
Has only slightly worse frame advantage than the A version in exchange for more damage. It also features overhead properties.

line.C

line.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
20	Mid	5	Special	7	2+2	20	30	+2	0	-	-
Definitely not amazing range for moves of this type, but you're guaranteed to get a combo into Avalanche Crunch anywhere this lands.

linecr.C

linecr.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
20	Low	5	Special	9	6	20	34	KD	-4	SKD	-
Moves forward a bit to give him range comparable to his actual sweep.

Jumping Attacks

j.A

j.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
6	High	3	Chain	6	9	-	-	-	-	-	-
An air-to-air angled lower. Not the greatest at its job, but with Cheng you have to work with what you have.

j.B

j.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
8	High	3	Chain	7	7	-	-	-	-	-	-
An alternative to j.A which hits higher.

j.C

j.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
30	High	5	-	9	8	-	-	-	-	-	-
This is Cheng's jump-in and the main button you'll be mashing on the offensive. Its lacking priority and shallow hitbox are marks against it, but it has the nice benefit of being a natural crossup, meaning Cheng can go for left/right mixups even from a hop.

nj.C

nj.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
30	High	5	-	9	7	-	-	-	-	-	-
Slightly less range than 5C, but still a good air-to-air, and an effective normal to use to stand your ground.

h.A

h.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
6	High	3	-	6	∞	-	-	-	-	-	-

h.B

h.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
8	High	3	-	7	∞	-	-	-	-	-	-

h.C

h.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
30	High	-	-	9	9	-	-	-	-	-	-

nh.C

nh.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
30	High	-	-	9	7	-	-	-	-	-	-

Command Normals

Double Orb Attack

Double Orb Attack

6A

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
30(16+16)	High	3+3	-	22	3+2	25	51	-3	-5	-	-
Cheng's overhead is slow and a little minus on hit, but the spacing it leaves you at is safe. Unlike RB2, you can't cancel this early into a crawl, so it's something you'll have to fully commit to (e.g. you can't bait DPs with it). The damage is decent, but whether or not it's worth it is up to you. Also, there is indeed a hitbox behind Cheng as well, but when on Earth are you ever going to land that?

Glowing Orb

Glowing Orb

5AB

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
20	Mid	5	-	12	8	20	39	-4	-6	-	-
Cheng's CD from Fatal Fury 2/Special. On block it's nothing special, but on hit it will send the opponent over to the other plane. Unlike in RB2, there is no chain into plane check, so the reward on hit isn't much. This is designed as a far anti-air which it can do, but trading will make you take more damage from their jump C than they take from this move. The hitbox flickers constantly in this pattern: 1 2 3 4 3 4 3 4 (refer to the phases section).

Defensive Attack

Defensive Attack
While blocking

d6A

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
20	Mid	5	Special	9	7	20	35	-3	-5	-	Upper: 1-15
Cheng's defensive attack. The move's input may seem hostile for his combos, but you can just keep holding forward and press B to get a combo into Avalanche Crunch.

Feint Avalanche Crunch

Feint Avalanche Crunch

6AB

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
-	-	-	-	1	-	23	23	-	-	-	-
Mimics C Avalance Crunch's hefty startup and backward reel. You can actually use this to dodge stuff in neutral, but it is a commitment!

Feint Kiten Hinzan

Feint Kiten Hinzan

2AB

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
-	-	-	-	1	-	20	20	-	-	-	-
A fireball feint, but without any vocals to make it convincing.

Chain Normals

(1) 5B 5C

(1)--

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
27	Mid	3	Chain	9	7	20	35	KD	-5	HKD	-
Note how you're forced to use 5B as the middle hit; this means the chain is only really effective up close.

(1) 5B 5C 236C

(1)---

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
25	-	5	-	9	48	35	91	KD	-	HKD	-
This move is a pursuit. Although it is designed strictly to combo from (1) 5B 5C, it can theoretically hit as a pursuit elsewhere, e.g. if the opponent gets hit by the tail end of Bursting Heavens and you whiff the rest of the chain into this. However, that is as situational as it sounds, and the move's slow nature means it has virtually no utility outside of this string.

(1) (2) 2C

(1)-(2)-

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
40	Low	5	-	9	23	20	51	KD	-21	SKD	-
This is a reliable way of getting good damage from your main confirms, such as from 2B. Unlike his real sweep, however, it cannot be cancelled.

(1) (2) 3C

(1)-(2)-

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
27	Mid	3	-	9	7	20	35	KD	-5	SKD	-
This move, however, can; it's Cheng's launcher. However, the only combo he gets is into 623A, which is okay damage but doesn't leave him at too great of an advantage. The trick, however, is not to cancel it at all; the opponent's hang time gives Cheng a moment to switch to the other line and fish for crossups, letting him play the game's meta. This move has the tendency to whiff past the thinner characters if done too close.

5A 5C

st.-

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
23	Mid	5	Special	9	7	20	35	-3	-5	-	-
This is a neat way of confirming into Avalanche Crunch for good damage. It might remind you of the string Cheng uses in RB2 to do the same, although here you're allowed to charge before the combo starts. However, this is neutered by either version of 5A going over low crouchers. Moves forward a little.

cl.C cl.C

cl.-cl.

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
10	Mid	3	Chain, Special	9	3+(1)+3	20	35	-3	-5	-	-
Cancel the first hit of n5C into this if you're close enough and Cheng starts flying. Despite its airborne looks, you can cancel from this into a grounded special.

cl.C cl.C 6C

cl.-cl.-

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
11	Mid	3	Chain	9	7	20	35	KD	-5	SKD	-
This is punishable on block, but not as much as 46C afterwards. You should only be using this if you've confirmed into it, anyway.

cl.C cl.C 6C 46C

cl.-cl.--

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
40	Mid	5	-	19	16	21	55	KD	-14	SKD	-
Beeg damage from Cheng's special ender. This chain alone builds 14 pixels of meter for you, which is of note given how salient Break Shots are to his game.

line.A 2C

line.-

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
22(9+9+9)	Low	5	Special	6	23	20	48	KD	-11	SKD	-
A low from Cheng's A line attack which combos from it seamlessly. This must be performed just as he recovers. Only the third hit knocks down, but all three can be cancelled into special moves. Combo into Avalanche Crunch for more damage, but take the knockdown for mixups afterwards.

Normal Throws

Double Hand Toss

Double Hand Toss
/

4/6C

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
28	-	-	-	1	1	-	1	KD	-	HKD	-
A simple back throw for good damage. Chuck a high fireball afterwards for some setplay, or simply move in if you prefer.

Headbutts

Headbutts

3C

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
35(7+7+7+7+7)	-	-	-	1	1	-	1	-	-	HKD	-
A forward throw which deals more damage and reaches further than the regular throw. However, it leaves you too far out for a high fireball to hit — that is, of course, unless they're close enough to the corner, which is where this move shines. This restricts you to either running and jumping in to take advantage of the knockdown or just throwing a normal fireball to be safe.

Special Moves

Kiten Hinzan

Kiten Hinzan

236A

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
16	Mid	5	-	21	25+1+(2)+6	42	62	-8	-10	Projectile	-
Good luck winning fireball wars with this thing. Not only does it travel in an arc, but it reaches quite short of fullscreen, and the startup being as hefty as it is does nothing to make up for this. It's not even a safe pressure tool, either; if done too close, Cheng can be punished even on hit, which means he's not in a good spot after using this to end a string. Regardless, as far as zoning goes, this is the best Cheng has, and he can still use it competently as a poke. Both fireballs have little splashes after they hit the ground, but timing these as meaties wouldn't be worth it given how long the move takes to recover.

High Kiten Hinzan

High Kiten Hinzan

623A

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
16	Mid	5	-	21	50+1+(2)+6	42	62	-8	-10	Projectile, Juggle	-
This fireball is angled upward and will miss on most standing opponents up close, but that's not necessarily a problem for Cheng. Not only can this function as a decent anti-air at bay, tying into Cheng's hit-and-run playstyle quite nicely, but its arc also makes it function well as a setplay tool. Cheng isn't a mixup machine by any means, but he has the tools to do it, and he can also use the safety provided by this move to run away. Unlike 236A, this move also has juggle properties, meaning you can use this after his launcher for a combo.

Belly Drum Blast

Belly Drum Blast

[2]8A

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
40	High	7	-	15	25	29	68	KD	-23	SKD	-
A gutsy way of winning neutral in more ways than one. Cheng leaps high and tracks towards the opponent's current position, punishing them with a high-damage belly flop which hits overhead. You can manoeuvre yourself with 4/6 after the move makes contact, but not mid-flight like in RB2. Either way, he's not in a great spot if this gets blocked. If Cheng hits the floor (e.g. if the opponent backdashes to get out of the way), he will splat and remain stuck for half a second.

Belly Drum Blast ~ Delay

Belly Drum Blast ~ Delay
~

[2]8A AA

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
-	-	-	-	1	-	30	30	-	-	-	-
You can delay Belly Drum Blast a little by mashing A during its ascent. You can use this to punish pre-emptive attempts at stuffing your air approach or simply to stay out of danger for a little longer. Interrupts frame 22 of Belly Drum Blast.

Avalanche Crunch

Avalanche Crunch

[4]6B

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
34	Mid	7	-	7	12	12	30	+2	-10		-
A zippy ground roll which travels a bit over half screen. It's basically Cheng's best move. In exchange for hitting mid rather than low, this is MUCH safer than it is in RB2, where it is already annoying to punish. The move causes an air reset on hit, usually putting Cheng a good distance away in the process. It's great for punishing, and for generally being a nuisance. Additionally, this is Cheng's Break Shot, where its speed and forward movement make it very capable for the job. Although Break Shot timing in RBS is rather tight, this is still a great way for Cheng to get himself out of tight spots. Add how Cheng adopts a low profile during the move and its dependability as a combo tool and you have quite the move. A gimmick you can do with this move is to space it so it stops just in front of the opponent, then throw them. Cheng's normal throw spaces his opponent at the tip of the roll's reach, while 3C leaves them just outside. However, as throw invincibility in Fatal Fury is very lenient, this is not advised.

Avalanche Crunch

[4]6C

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
42	Mid	7	-	23	18	18	58	KD	-22	, SKD	-
This version travels fullscreen, deals more damage and scores a knockdown, but the slow startup makes it much more situational in comparison. Cheng reels back during the startup, letting him avoid some attacks, but he rolls extremely fast out of his spot, so using it like a reversal is not very wise. Also a Break Shot, this move is handy for punishing moves with heavy endlag on block, but naturally the B version is more dependable overall. You can also use this for fullscreen punishes and also to YOLO your way in — the latter of which obviously isn't so wise, but it is an option, given this move also has less recovery than it does in RB2. No difference in priority between versions.

Full Reverse Pellet

Full Reverse Pellet

63214B

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
35	Mid	0	-	12	33	27	71	KD	-24	SKD	-
A 12f counter (!!) which triggers when hit by highs, mids and special moves. Lows, fireballs and throws will beat it. However, this is not just NOT a catch counter, but its startup post-activation depends on Cheng's position. After getting hit, Cheng will rebound to the wall behind him and spring off. In effect, this move will counter many things (at least grounded) successfully if Cheng is cornered, but it won't counter much of anything if he's away from it. Given the hefty recovery, Cheng will probably eat more damage in these scenarios than if he simply hadn't bothered to counter. At least it can help Cheng escape the corner, right? Use sparingly if at all. Cheng is fully invincible while flying backwards, but gains a hurtbox upon touching the wall. He will start charging forward on frame 6.

S.Power

Bursting Heavens

Bursting Heavens

[1]236BC

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
96	Mid	-	-	43	29+27+(8)+5	36	78	KD	+5	HKD, Projectile	-
This move sucks in RB2 and it sucks here too. The advantage is nice in theory, and it can theoretically win fireball wars given how it as a super fireball destroys regular ones. However, the startup is SO bad, and being forced to stay put for so long is a tall order for Cheng, who needs his space to succeed. The move has an aftershock if it hits the floor which can be a knowledge check, but neither the fireball itself nor its impact will hit opponents on the opposite plane. Overall, save your meter for Break Shots.

P.Power

Collapse Of Creation

Collapse Of Creation

63214C

Damage	Guard	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Properties	Invulnerability
112(12+10*10+25)	Mid	-	-	79	7	28	113	KD	-23	HKD	Full: 1-73
Cheng's P.Power in RB2 is okay, but this one just stinks. Essentially an 'enhanced' Belly Drum Blast, Cheng leaps high into the air, takes ages to fall and then, on contact, assaults the opponent with a barrage of fireballs and then a belly drop to finish them off. Cheng can manoeuvre himself with 4/6 to go for ambiguous crossups, but the kicker is how he has no way of targeting opponents who switch to the opposite plane. The move's excessive startup means you have so much time to simply press the D button, and when Cheng (finally) falls down, he will have lost all his meter he could've used for Break Shots with nothing to show for it. You might even get to punish him. The move's only saving grace is its ability to timer scam, especially given its invincibility to start; in fact, this trait means Cheng can theoretically use it to escape the corner, although this is exploitable. Besides that, avoid this move.

Chains

(0) - cl.A, cr.A

(1) - cl.A, st.A, cr.A, cl.B, cr.B

(2) - 5B, 2B

(3) - 5C 236C, 2C, 3C

Special - 5A 5C, cl.C cl.C 6C 46C, line.A 2C, j.A/j.B j.C

Chain paths courtesy of Goh_Billy:

cl.A -----> 5B -----> 5C -----> 236C
st.A        5C        2C
     |                3C
     |
     -----> 2B -----> 2C
                      3C

cr.A -----> 5B -----> 5C -----> 236C
cl.B                  2C
cr.B                  3C
     |
     -----> 2B -----> 2C
                      3C

cl.A -----> cl.C ---> 6C -----> 46C

line.A ---> 2C

j.A/j.B --> j.C

Combos

(1) (2) [4]6B (41 damage) - A simple confirm — usually from two crouch Bs — which you can do up close.

(1) (2) 2C (46 damage) - More damage and leaves you close. You have enough time to hop in afterwards, although it won't be a safejump.

(1) (2) 3C, 623A (48 damage) - Leaves you 0 on hit. Make sure to only use 623A because 236A doesn't have juggle properties, or drop it entirely and go for line crossups.

5A 5C [4]6B (51 damage) - Cheng's ideal combo to land, but it misses on short crouchers such as Andy.

623A, [4]6B (45 damage) - This sequence is useful for harassment, but you will be surprised how much this combo actually hits.

623A, 236A (30 damage) - Obviously not worth going for on its own, but you might get this from just playing your game.

623A, h.C, 5A 5C [4]6B (88 damage, corner) - Hop C will link after 623A hits. However, 623A is a mid and itself won't probably it; it's simply there to keep your opponent stuck for your pressure. This combo shows the highest damage possible from this scenario.

Strategy

Cheng hangs around midrange, where he can keep his opponents at bay with his fireballs. Ideally, he should be in a spot where he can throw 623A without recourse; it not only shuts down their air approach, but the lingering hitbox gives Cheng room to move. He can use this to either keep running away if he's on a life lead, or force aggression if he needs the damage. Like most characters, a big part of Cheng's offense involves fishing for crossups with j.C, in which his is serviceable. Cheng's cr.B is also quite good for mixing up, although one must be mindful of how it's spaced to avoid getting thrown. If Cheng lands a sweep, throw 623A for setplay. Cheng's damage is low and his moves don't reach terribly far, but getting offense going is still a productive means of damage for him.

Cheng's rolls are very annoying to deal with. Though they're not as good at getting random hits as they are in RB2, where they hit low, here they're much safer; Yamazaki cannot punish a B roll with sweep, for instance. Its priority is modest, but it travels so fast and Cheng can be unpredictable with its timing, so directly fishing for ways to stuff it isn't advised. Line shifting is a decent way of avoiding it, given Cheng's line checks he can do after recovering have poor range. However, the best way to counter it is to simply control the game. Though the move is safe, it leaves the opponent at an advantage, so Cheng may be forced to backdash away. Additionally, Cheng is not allowed to roll against fireballs low enough to the ground, and characters with tools like that can play a far more productive long game than he can.

On the topic of fireballs, Cheng is not designed to win fireball wars, and he doesn't particularly like being at fullscreen as a result. He has an anti-fireball tool in [2]8A which can also serve as a surprise attack, but unlike his rolls it is very risky. If Cheng is on a life lead, then switching to the other lane and stalling with rolls can make him quite annoying to catch.

Let's say Cheng has been chased to the corner, or is at least very close to it. What can he do? 63214B is an option, but it should be used very rarely, considering it takes way too long to start up. Rolls are useful here as Break Shots; although the timing is tight, landing one when cornered will give Cheng a bit of room to help wiggle out. If you get to use the C version as a Break Shot then that's even better, given it grants you a knockdown. Cheng can also roll under an airborne opponent as a possible means of escape. Cheng's other options are evasive and gimmicky. If he shifts to the other line and the opponent is too far away to line check (good luck doing this against Billy), Cheng can charge a roll and shoot himself away. Additionally, though his P.Power is terrible on its own, the startup is invincible and he can steer it so he lands far away from the corner.

Cheng is short and weak, so he'll be spending a lot of the game on the run. Get your hits in when you need to, but know when you're outmatched and run like your fat little life depends on it.