Aya Shameimaru

Introduction[]

Aya Shameimaru, a Crow Tengu that runs a newspaper. Happily tenacious in meddling with everyone for news, Aya's newspaper prints tabloid-level gossip and rumors, so other characters find her to be a nuisance. Aya is a very swift and strong character in this game. Her melee attacks are deceptively good despite their appearance, especially due to her speed. She is very versatile and has strong movement, often neutralizing or evading the opponent's bullets and ranged attacks rather quickly and safely. In addition to outshining other characters at evasion, Aya's brisk moveset, a hard-hitting reversal spellcard, and outstanding graze attacks allow her to punish or ward off overaggressive opponents. Aya is mostly a close range fighter that relies on lockdown, pressure, and mixups.

Aya's main weakness lies in the fact that she has possibly the most fragile normal bullets in the game. Said bullets are very fast but also quite small and specific in trajectory. Good for use in combos, but not particularly useful for getting in or suppressing opponent danmaku.

Unique Features[]

IAD: Befitting her tengu self, Aya possesses an Instant Air Dash. As soon as you input 66 or 44 in the air she will immediately enter her graze frames without delay, a skill that few other characters have.

Hisoutensoku Changes[]

All parts of Dial-A combo have had their damage reduced.
j.5A and/or j.6A damage reduced (1259 2-hit combo down to 997).
B bullet damage reduced.
C bullets damage reduced.
Safe to assume that 236 damage has been reduced as well. Comparatively, Aya's BnB 5AAA 5B 5C 236B combo does 400 less damage than the version in SWR.
Gust Fan will not travel along the ground until leveled to level 1.
Wind Standing of the Tengu will not gain a bullet until leveled to level 1.
Tengu Drum will lack followups on block until level 1, where it gains one option. At level two, it gains the B and C options.
Conquer Dash (214B) has had its startup time increased, can no longer be used in combos generally speaking. Also no longer has graze startup.
Wind Sign "Wind of the Tengu Path" reduced from 10 hit 2551 damage standalone to 7 hit 1573 damage standalone.
Whirl Sign "Maple Leaf Fan" dropped from 2812 damage to 2369 damage.
Demonic Beast "Sickle Weasel's Veiling" damage reduced from 1569 to 790.
Tornado "Indication to the Divine" damaged reduced from 4964 to 4126.
Squall "Sarutahiko's Guidance" damage reduced.
It's safe to assume that Shameimaru can dodge everything except the nerfbat this time around.

Hisoutensoku 1.10 Changes[]

Thrust Sign "Tengu's Macroburst" - Now shoots a tornado below her.
Illusionary Dominance - Start-up also has a hit-box. More "dashes" to ensure the opponent is hit as mny times as possible. Extra dashes at the bottom also ensure the opponent doesn't land, though the final hit may still miss.

Normal Moves[]

Move	Description	Damage	Proration	Hits	Limit	Notes	Image
Close 5A	Jab. Hits mid. Not projectile or special cancellable on its own.			Middle
5AAA				Mid, Mid, High
5AAAA	Aya's "dial A" combo. Jab, jab, overhead swipe, and a turn around swipe. Escapable between 3rd and 4th hit on block. The third hit is projectile and special cancellable, the fourth hit is only special cancellable. Fourth hit also wall slams near corner.			Mid, Mid, High, High.		3rd and 4th hits deal one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
Far 5A	Overhead swipe. Projectile and special cancellable.			High		Deals one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
2A	Low fan jab that that only chains into itself. Not projectile or special cancellable. You can't even repeatedly juggle with it in the corner more than three times cause she gets pushed out on hit. Faster than f.5A and better recovery than both f.5A and c.5A, so can be used occasionally defensively or in block strings. Use two or three in a row with delays in between or use a c.5A after the 2A. You can also use a f.5A after a 2A if you know your opponent doesn't have a fast enough attack to stop it.			Low		Deals one half orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
3A	Low fan sweep. Projectile and special cancellable, but can only combo if 3A counterhits.			Low		Knocks down. Deals one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly. Only spellcard cancellable.
3[A]	Same as 3A.			Low		Guard crushes if blocked high. Knocks down. Deals one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
6A	Turn around fan swipe. Projectile and special cancellable.			High		Knocks down. Deals one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
6[A]	Same as 6A.			High		Only spellcard cancellable Wall slams. Crushes one orb when blocked low.
j.5A	Jump kick. Projectile and special cancellable. It's slightly downward angle makes it mainly an air-to-ground move. Pretty strong due to a nice range, angle and long active frames.			High		Deals one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
j.6A	Flying fan stab. Projectile and special cancellable. Will never hit a crouching character. It's slightly upward angle makes it mainly an air-to-air move.			High		Wall slams and knocks away far.
j.8A	Flying wide arc swing. Projectile and special cancellable. It's fairly quick and has good reach, and Aya preserves her momentum in the air as she performs the move, so it's a great alternative for j.A for when the opponent is above you.			High
j.2A	Dive kick. Projectile and special cancellable.			High		Knocks down. Deals one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
66A	Dashing swipe. Special cancellable.			High		Deals one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
66B	Dashing turnaround swipe. Only spellcard cancellable.			High		Knocks down. Deals one orb of spirit damage when blocked incorrectly.
66C	Dash into flying fan stab. Only Spellcard cancellable. Will never hit a crouching character, and will whiff on certain characters in particular animations. Useful for knocking down opponents throwing projectiles while close to the ground.			High		Grazes and wallslams.

Bullet Moves[]

It should be noted that Aya's projectiles have limited homing.

Move	Description	Maximum Raw Damage	Proration	# of Projectiles	Limit	Notes	Image
5B	Looks like a far 5A except shoots out a gust bullet.					Deals 1/2 orb of spirit damage on block.
5[B]	3 gust bullets instead of one.					Each wave deals 1/2 orb of spirit damage on block.
6B	Same as 5B except the gust bullet goes upward.					Deals 1/2 orb of spirit damage on block.
6[B]	3 upward gust bullets.					Each wave deals 1/2 orb of spirit damage on block.
2B	Low wind boomerang. Goes out a fixed distance and returns, sweeping the entire area behind Aya as well. Useful for okizeme.
j.5B	Aerial gust bullet. Often possible to combo off hitstun in midair if you airdash.					Deals 1/2 orb of spirit damage on block.
j.5[B]	3 charged aerial gust bullets. Can occasionally be used in combos near the corner.					Deals 1/2 orb of spirit damage on block.
j.2B	A slightly angled downward gust bullet.					Deals 1/2 orb of spirit damage on block.
j.2[B]	3 spread out slightly angled gust bullets.					Each wave deals 1/2 orb of spirit damage on block.
5C	Turn around fan into a wind wave. Again, fan has no hitbox of its own. The wave curves up in a parabolic motion before coming back down.					Deals one orb of spirit damage on block.
5[C]	Turn around fan into twin wind waves. One wave curves up and one wave curves down before they meet again at the opponent. Possibly useful for guard crush sequences.					Each wave deals one orb of spirit damage on block.
2C	Same as 5C, except the wave curves down before coming back up.					Deals one orb of spirit damage on block.
2[C]	Same as 5[C].					Each wave deals one orb of spirit damage on block.
6C	A useful mid range projectile that goes out about a quarter of the screen and sticks around for a second before disappearing. A bit dense, so it tends to stop a lot of bullets. The reel from the hit can be comboed with a 236B/C, a super, or both. Use this during combos when 2/5C either can't hit or will push them too far across the screen.					Deals one orb of spirit damage on block. Wallbounces in corner.
j.5C	Air version of 5C.					Deals one orb of spirit damage on block.
j.5[C]	Air version of 5[C].					Each wave deals one orb of spirit damage on block.
j.2C	Air version of 2C.					Deals one orb of spirit damage on block.
j.2[C]	Air version of 2[C].					Each wave deals one orb of spirit damage on block.
j.6C	Air version of 6C.					Deals one orb of spirit damage on block.

Special Moves[]

	Gust Fan -- 236BC: Gale Fan. Usable in ground and air. Upgrading increases damage. B version: Gale Fist. Usable in ground and air. Ground version travels very fast; air version angles downward quickly, and when it hits the ground it continues to travel along as a slow-moving shockwave with reduced damage. Both versions are used commonly for combos, and the Air version can be used to rain down quickly on foes below and make the ground unsafe as a slow projectile. Slow moving Gale Fists can also be used as oki. C version: Same as B version. Hisoutensoku Changes: At level 0, the aerial version disappears immediately on contact with the ground. Starting at level 1, it travels along the ground as before.
	Domination Dash -- 214BC: Conquer Dash. Usable in ground and air. Upgrading increases damage and decreases startup frames. B version: One of Aya's most useful moves. Extremely good since it grazes and completely ignores danmaku barrages while crashing straight forward. If blocked, Aya will bounce off the enemy. On hit and whiff, Aya will continue flying for a certain time until she lands. After the move ends, Aya is completely vulnerable before landing. C version: Goes upward at a 45 degree angle if used from the ground, and crashes downward at a 45 degree angle if used from the air. Good but risky option for anti-air from the ground, but the aeriel version will find more use to deny opponents from dashing forward or high jumping up/forward.
	Pelting in the Night -- 421BC: Crow Summon. Ground only. Upgrading = Increases damage and number of crows(Lv2=8, Lv3=9, LvMAX=10). Lv1 makes this skill usable in air. B version: Aya strikes a stylish pose with her pen and bunkachou while she summons a pack of 7 crows that congregate above her before swooping down. The main use of this move is okimeze, as 2B 421BC is a very strong sequence, but it can also be used as a defensive measure to keep opponents in close quarters from meleeing or firing projectiles. Crows do not disappear if Aya is struck or knocked down, making them handy to interrupt enemy combos and giving Aya a chance to escape or counter-attack. However, the maximum number of crows summoned can be stunted if Aya is struck during the middle of her pose. An interesting thing to note is that like Alice's dolls, Aya's crows can act as meat shields against projectiles and melee. C version: Summons crows that congregate over the opponent instead of Aya.
	Wind Standing of the Tengu -- 22BC: Wind Platform. Air only. Upgrading = Increases damage and at LvMAX shoots three wind blasts instead of only one. B version: Aya creates a wind ball under her shoes and hovers in mid-air. When she jumps, the windball shoots in the opposite direction of her jump. A good analogy would probably be SamSho's Rimururu's ice platform. Utilitarian move for movement, as it can be used both as an extra airdash and can be spammed infinitely as long as Aya has enough spirit. You can also use this to surprise the opponent with an unexpected bullet from above. Also, you can't perform this if you're too high on the screen. C version: Slightly slower startup than B version. Hisoutensoku Changes: At level 0, the attack has a VERY short range. You can hit your opponent if their hitbox is almost touching the ball before it leaves her feet, however, it is still grazable.

Alternate Skill Cards[]

	Gale Fan -- 236BC: Gale Swipe. Usable in ground and air. Upgrading increases the amount of shots (Lvl 1 = 2 shots, Lvl 2 = 3 shots, Lvl MAX = 4 shots). B version: Slower, smaller versions of her C shots that move in a slight upwards arc. She pews out two shots despite what the graphic shows. C version: Same as B version but the shots go straight up.
	Maple Leaf Fan Gust -- 236B/C:" (Expansion-only)Summon Tornado. Only usable on ground. Upgrading increases the damage. B version: Summons the tornado at about 2 characters away from you. When the opponent is hit, he/she is tossed upwards and in a very high angle towards you. Does 6 hits maximum. C version: Same as B version but the tornado is summoned farther away and also deals the same damage.
	Graceful Dash -- 214BC: Graceful Dash. Usable in ground and air. Upgrading increases the number of dashes (Lvl 1 = 2 dashes, Lvl 2 = 3 dashes, Lvl MAX = 4 dashes) B version: Just like her default 214. You lose graze, but can add a followup dash that can be angled in any direction by pushing a button and direction as the first dash ends. At max level you get an additional dash for a total of 4 dashes. C version: Same as B version but first dash is initiated at a 45 degree angle instead of horizontally.
	Tengu Falling -- 214BC: Crossup Gust. Ground and Air. Upgrading = Increases damage. B version: Aya rushes diagonally up at a 30 degree angle and shoots a wind shot backwards. If the opponent is in Aya's flight path, Aya will fly past them and fire at them from behind. Nice skillcard for crossups against blockers, but not recommended at all since her Conquer Dash is too useful to be replaced. The move is also quite easy to graze on reaction as well. Aya will sometimes leap forward and get stuck on the front of the taller characters, which is pretty much begging for punishment. C version: Goes farther, slightly different projectile angle. Otherwise identical to the B version.
	Wind Sickle Veiling -- 421BC: Wind Shield. Usable in ground and air. Upgrading increases the duration of the move and the amount of hits. (Lvl 1 = 1 hits, Lvl 3 = 2 hits, Lvl MAX = 3 hits). B version: Aya strikes a pose and a wind shield will surround Aya for a brief period of time. If you initiate the move in air it will be negated as soon as you land and viseversa. C version: Same as B version.
	Tengu Pebbles -- 421B/C:" (Expansion-only)Rock Toss. Usable both in air and on ground. Upgrading does (?). B version: A setup move. If used on the ground, catapults rocks straight into the air. The rocks don't deal damage. If used again, increases the number of rocks that will rain down on the opponent. There's no limit on how many times you can use this move. If used in air, the rocks that were catapulted in air are rained down on the opponent straight down. Grazeable. If there were no rocks set-upped beforehand, it does nothing. Damage is really small and random. If used at the end of a combo, has possibilities of continuing the combo if enough rocks have been saved up. C version: Same as the B air version, both in air and on ground.
	Tengu's Downburst -- 22BC: Wind Stomp. Air only. Upgrading = Increases damage. Additional waves at LvMAX. B version: Aya performs what looks like her j.2A, but it is accompanied by some added wind and has increased falling speed. This move hits twice(one time in the air and one time when landing). C version: Shoots out two(four at LvMAX, being two of the shots at normal speed and the other two at high speed) wind waves when Aya reaches the ground, with the shots traveling left and right along the ground. Only the wind waves hit the enemy, not the j.2A animation.
	Tengu Drum -- 22BC: Bison Stomp! Usable in ground and air. Upgrading = Increases damage. B version: Aya hops up forwards into the air, and then arcs downwards. If she connects with the opponent, she will stomp on their head and inflict damage. Can be marginally controlled. After a successful headstomp, Aya will hop off the opponent's head, at which point she maintains some marginal movement control as well as a follow up attack on the way down. A will perform her j.8A, B will perform her j.2A, and C will shoot a bullet toward the opponent. C version: Same as B version, but Aya travels farther as she performs the move. Will jump behind the enemy if you're too close to her. Note: Consider using the C followup to clear the way of projectiles as you land, as the bullet is fairly dense. Hisoutensoku Changes: At level 1, only the A followup (j.8A) can be used after the stomp. Starting at level 2, all 3 followups can be performed as normal.

Spellcards[]

	Demonic Beast "Sickle Weasel's Veiling" Costs 1 card. Usable both ground and air. A powered up version of Aya's alternate skill card Wind Sickle Bering. In corner on hit does 790 damage alone. On block in corner drains a little more than 1 spirit orb. The shield lasts for 3 seconds untouched on the ground or 1 second in the air or touching the opponent.
	Wind Sign "Wind of the Tengu Path" Costs 2 cards. A narrow horizontal tornado projectile attack. This spellcard should be in between close-to-midrange and beyond to take full advantage of the strange cone-shaped hitbox; otherwise, if used at point blank, it will deal significantly less damage or whiff. Saps away about 2.5 spirit orbs if fully blocked.
	Wind Sign "Tengu's Newspaper Deadline Day" Costs 2 cards. (Expansion-only)Aya summons a whirlwind around her feet, which trails maple leaves as she moves around. While this lasts, Aya gains increased speed for all movement besides flying, akin to her Tempest weather. Unlike the weather, she does not gain an extra airdash. The speed boost is the faster than the weather, and does not stack with it. The boost lasts for 5 seconds.
	Whirl Sign "Maple Leaf Fan" Costs 3 cards. Generates a tornado in front of her that moves forward. This is mostly an easy money combo spellcard. Very punishable if blocked on the ground near the middle of the stage, since the opponent can easily graze right through with 66 melee attack. Slightly less susceptible to punishment if blocked in the air in the middle, or blocked in a corner both on the ground and in the air. Beware of Border Escapes though, due to the card's massive recovery time.
	Thrust Sign "Tengu's Macroburst" Costs 3 cards. Usable in air only. Aya quickly stands on a wind platform similar to her default 22BC which explodes and releases several mini gale fan shots below her. Has decent vertical range but poor horizontal range. Damage is relative to how close you are to the opponent (roughly 3600 damage point blank) and the ground. On block it drains anywhere from 2-4 spirit orbs depending on how close you are to them. Aya recovers quickly from this move so she can airdash away to safety on block or land before the opponent stands up on hit. Consider using as a followup to alt 22B/C Bison Stomp, both as a combo and as a followup for when you whiff to recover from any possible punishment. Hisoutensoku 1.10 Change: Instead of the gale fan shots, it is now a tornado that shoots the opponent toward the ground and hits them multiple times before dissapating.
	Squall "Sarutahiko's Guidance" Costs 3 cards. Aya CRUSHER! Very good because it combos from almost anything and nearly grazes across the entire stage. Doable in the air also, so you can end with this instead of j.236B. Punishable if Aya bounces on the wall or is blocked, and even more punishable if she performs the SC while airborne, since she's completely helpless until she lands.
	Headwind "Route Forbidden to Man" Costs 4 cards. Creates a giant windstorm that pushes the opponent in the direction that Aya is facing while rocks randomly fly through the air. The rocks only deal small amounts of damage on hit but drain considerable amounts of spirit orbs on block. Aya is unaffected by both the wind and the rocks. Pricey but decent spellcard since it forces the opponent to either futilely attempt to fly away while leaving themselves vulnerable to melee attacks, or turtle in the corner giving Aya a chance to go for a guard crush + combo follow up. Also, despite the appearance of this move it does not negate the current weather effect.Note: Hilariously, this works against Suika's Missing Purple Power form, making her flail uselessy or spam ground projectiles on the other side of the screen while you smack her around with the boulders and ranged projectiles. Always keep one on hand!
	Crow Sign "Daymare in the Night" Costs 4 cards. (Expansion-only)Summons a giant murder of crows from the corner of the screen behind Aya that home in on the enemy.
	Tornado "Indication to the Divine" Costs 5 cards. Huge ass tornado around Aya that deals enormous damage. It has extremely short horizontal range on the ground, so only useful in corners or as a devastating reversal thanks to its 1F-? invincibility frames. Also a good response for pesky foes hovering above thanks to its slightly larger horizontal range in the sky. Unlike Reimu's Pillar, Aya or her opponents can be pushed out if blocked, leaving Aya hanging and extremely susceptible to punishment. Melee attack.
	Illusionary Dominance Costs 5 cards. Aya shoots up about 30 degrees from the ground. The initial flight crosses about 4/5 of the full screen. If this connects, she moves across the screen back and forth multiple times, juggling the opponent while at it, and gradually increasing her speed. Tapping left and right direction key will increase the height where Aya maintains her flight. This is important since if you do not control the height well, the opponent might fall to the ground and wait to punish Aya when she comes back to the ground. Only practices will let you get the feel of this control. If you managed to keep the opponent in the air for the duration of attack, it should be guaranteed to do 4k~5k damage (from full HP). Also combos from her BnBs, but the damage will be reduced from proration. Punishable if blocked, whiffed, or dropped in the middle. Also does not work against super armor (both weather and Tenshi's spell).In Hisotensoku this move now has an additional visual effect where Aya drops MoF styled maple leaves everywhere she flies.Hisoutensoku 1.10 Change: Has wind gust hit on startup, camera zooms out to see the whole screen, and hits have a much better flow, especially if they end up dead center of the screen near the "speed up", making 30+ hits possible. (Although it seems that it has been powered down a bit)

Combos[]

Midscreen/Corner[]

5AAA 5B 6C 236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 3
Notes: 6C can be grazed if 5AAA 5B is blocked. If you cancel 236 immediatly after 6C, it does 2441 damage . If you slightly delay the 236 after 6C, it does 2551 damage. Delay time is not hard, since it's "anything but right away". So make sure to get used to it.

f.5A 5B 6C 236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 3
Notes: Same as above, but with f.5a starter.

5AAA 5B/2B 236B (Maple Leaf Fan Gust)

or

5AAA 5B/2B 6C 236C

Spirit Orb Usage: 2, 3 Notes: Requires the Expansion-Only 236 card. Will NOT work in the corner. The 236 whirlwind keeps them in the air long enough that you can highjump and do a followup of your choice.

5AAA 5B HJ9 j.A j.2B D3 j.A 5AAA 5B 6C 236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 5
Notes: Doesn't work in the corner as j.2B will whiff. Works only on Alice, Patchouli, Yuyu and Iku.

'5AAA 5B HJ9 j.A j.2B D3 j.A 5AAA 5B 6C hj.9 j.2A D3 j.5A f.5A 6A ~3290 damage

Spirit Orb Usage: 5 Notes: Performed on Utsuho at a near-corner range. Don't ask, found it on Nico.

5AAAA j.A j.2B 66 j.A j.6A 236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 2
Notes: near corner only

66A 236B/C hjc9/7 j2B 66 jA j6A 236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 2
Notes: Dash A starter Near Corner combo. The distance is "anywhere ground 236B/C wallbounces except corner". If the combo started far from wall, hjc9. If done closer to corner (can see the wall), hjc 7.

Corner[]

5AAAA 236B/C j.A j.B/j.2B j.236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 3
Notes: Doesn't work at all against Reimu, Remillia, and Reisen. Use latter combo on them instead.

5AAAA j.A j.2B 66 j.A j.6A j.236B

Spirit Orb Usage: 2
Notes: Does not work on Remilia.

5AAAA 6B j.A j.6A j.236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 2
Notes: Another great corner BNB for Aya. Does Not work against Youmu, Marisa, and Iku. Use former combos on them instead.

Aerial Combo[]

Full ~ Midscreen: jA (j2B/jB 66 jA) j6A 2C

Spirit Orb Usage: 1(2)
Notes: Optional (j2B/jB 66 jA) possible if opponent is lower than Aya's height.

Near Corner ~ Corner: jA (j2B/jB 66 jA) j6A j2[B] 236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 2(3)
Notes: Optional (j2B/jB 66 jA) possible if opponent is lower than Aya's height. Delay 236B/C slightly for extra & free damage.

Near Corner: jA j6A jB 66 jA j6A 236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 2
Notes: Lazy person who like to always j6A after jA uses this combo instead.

Spell Card Combo[]

Anywhere: 214B [Squall]

Spirit Orb Usage: 1
Notes: Basic.

Anywhere: 5AAA 5B 6C 236B/C [Squall]

Spirit Orb Usage: 3
Notes: Basic. However, do not delay 236 for more damage in this case, as [Squall] will whiff.

Anywhere: 5AAA 5B [Orbital Sign] j236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 1
Notes: For last j236B/C, just do a normal 9 jump and j236B when you start dropping from the full height of the jump.

Anywhere: 5AAA 5B [Illusionary Dominance]

Spirit Orb Usage: 1
Notes:

Anywhere: j.5A j.2B 66 j.5A j.2B 66 j.5A j.2B 214B [Squall] - 3012 damage

Spirit Orb Usage: 4
Notes: It can be done with j.5B, but it's easier for the B bullet to hit with j.2B. A very nice midscreen combo.

Near Corner: 5AAA 5B 6C 236B/C [Breeze Sign] 5B 5C

Spirit Orb Usage: 2
Notes: Can be used From midfield, but last 5B 5C will not connect.

Near Corner: 5AAA 5B 6C [Tornado]

Spirit Orb Usage: 2
Notes: This only works if 6C bounces opponent on the wall and make her comeback near to Aya.

Near Corner: 5AAA 5B 5C 214B [Tornado] - 23~24 hits / 3140~3186 damage.

Spirit Orb Usage: 3
Notes: Opponent must be near corner, but not too close, so 214B can connect after the opponent bounces on the wall.

Near Corner: 5AAA 5B 5C 214B [Illusionary Dominance]

Spirit Orb Usage: 3
Notes: Opponent must be near corner, but not too close, so 214B can connect after the opponent bounces on the wall.

Near Corner & Corner: 5AAA 5B 6C hjc [Squall]

Spirit Orb Usage: 2
Notes: This only works if 6C bounces opponent on the wall.

Near Corner & Corner: 5AAA 5B 236B/C [Orbital Sign] j236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 1
Notes:

Corner: 5AAA 5B [Tornado]

Spirit Orb Usage: 1
Notes: Opponent must be hugging the wall.

Corner: (5AAA 5B) or (66A) [Demonic Kemono] 5AAA 5B 6C 236B/C

Spirit Orb Usage: 3
Notes: Opponent must be hugging the wall.

General Strategies[]

Aya's strategy has changed alot recently due to the nerfs that she's been through, and so hopefully this will give a few pointers to those who wish to use her.

- Unless you know how to put on very good pressure with her at close range, it is suggested that most Aya players (Especially starting out) play hard to get. Hover around the outer edges of your opponent's melee range (Character dependant) and pelt them with fast B bullets, retreating when necessary while you wait for your opponent to do something silly that leaves them open, then press the attack.

- Using her Domination Dash in order to plow through enemy projectiles is a good strategy only as long as your opponent isn't expecting it (The same could be said for most attacks). If it's blocked, Aya will be almost guaranteed to eat a combo, and because of her lowered damage, it's very difficult to make up lost ground due to such a mistake. Instead, look to make your opponent play a guessing game during her blockstrings. At the end of most of her B&B's you have the option of Gale Fist (Or anything that fits the forward projectile role) or Domination Dash or Graceful Dash (Not Tengu Falling, as it can be grazed in the same way.) Your opponent then has to decide whether to attempt a graze or eat a Dash. Think Rock, Paper, Scissors. Gale Fist beats blocking (Enough blockstun to approach for a second round), blocking beats Dash, Dash beats Grazing, Grazing beats Gale Fist.

-Be aware of your opponent's moves that have an extended hitbox (Patch's J.6A comes to mind) when using the Domination Dash, as it will counter it cleanly.

Frame Data[]

Motion  Damage  Prorate  Limit   Startup   Active   Block Adv   Wrongblock Hit Adv  CH Adv   Block   Airblock   Type
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 c.5A   200     95       0       6         2        -2          n/a        -1       n/a      M       No         A
 f.5A   450     93       0       13        2        -3          -1         -1       +6       H       No         B
 5AA    200     95       0       6         2        -2          n/a        -1       n/a      M       No         A
 5AAA   500     93       0       9         2        -2          +2         0        +7       H       No         B
 5A*4   800     85       40      16        3        -8          -2         D        D        H       No         C
 2A     200     95       0       6         2        0           +2         +1       n/a      L       No         A
 3A     800     85       40      15        2        -6          0          D        D        L       No         C
 3[A]   900     85       40      29        5        -7          +10        D        D        L       No         C
 6A     800     85       40      17        2        -5          +1         D        D        H       No         C
 6[A]   900     85       40      32        4        -7          +11        D        D        H       No         C
 66A    500     93       0       10        2        -3          +1         -1       +6       H       No         B
 66B    800     75       40      16        6        -2          +4         D        D        H       No         C
 66C    850     85       40      14        8        -23         -17        D        D        H       Yes        C
 j.A    480     93       0       7         9                                                 H       Yes        B
 j.2A   800     90       40      19        vary                            D        D        H       Yes        C
 j.6A   850     85       40      12        8                               D        D        H       Yes        C
 j.8A   750     85       40      10        2                               D        D        H       Yes        C