[SF6] Elena Countermeasures Guide [Win Just by Reading]
Categories:
Basic Info
- Active-frame Overhead leads to combo
- MK
- Overhead target combo available
- 6MK→MK
- Defensive Options
- Has 6F Startup OD invincible reversal: 623KK
- Has 5F Startup anti-air invincible 623LK
- 236236K has 9F Startup, no Projectile invincible
- 236236P has 12F Startup, Projectile invincible
- 214214K has 8F Startup, fully invincible
- Moves that are plus on Block
- MK
- 236PP→6HK
- 236PP→6LK
Neutral (Awareness Priority)
- Watch out for slides
- Elena’s slide has no Punish when the active frames hit
- It’s important to fight at a range where it’s properly punishable
- Remember that deep Block is -10F
- Projectiles are fine to throw
- Elena can go through projectiles with Spin Scythe, but it’s hard to make it work unless you preemptively place it
- Throwing projectiles occasionally is fine
- Properly Punish the various target combos
- Elena often drops her confirms. Taking damage here consistently is important
- MP→MP
- -10F on Block
- 6MK→MK
- -14F on Block
- MK→HK
- -8F on 2nd hit Block
- -18F on whiff
- 2MK→HK
- -9F on Block
- HP→HP
- -17F on Block
- 6HP→HP→HP
- -11F on 2nd hit Block
- -16F on 3rd hit Block
- Use Parry more often
- Elena is a character that requires Hit confirmation to play properly
- In mid-range, pressing Parry to bait Hit confirm mistakes is also viable
- Elena is a character that requires Hit confirmation to play properly
236P
Elena’s projectile-invincible movement special. Branches into 4 followups from here. Also, delaying the followup changes it into Lynx Whirl, which gains the same properties as the OD version.
Normal version
- 236P
- 236P→6LK
- Rush-down move
- Elena is -5F on Block
- 236P→MK
- For combos
- Elena is -9F on Block
- 236P→6HK
- For Oki
- Elena is -3F on Block
- 214K→P
- Enhances the above 3 moves
- Each followup gains properties equivalent to 236PP
- 236P→6LK
OD version
- 236PP
- 236PP→6LK
- Elena is +1F on Block
- 236PP→MK
- Elena is -4F on Block
- 236PP→6HK
- Elena is +3F on Block
- 236PP→6LK
Recommended Counter
When not enhanced, remember that it’s your turn after Blocking.623K
Elena’s anti-air invincible special move.
- 623LK
- 623MK
- 623HK
- 623KK
- Elena’s OD invincible
Recommended Counter
The properties are good, so don’t jump recklessly.236P→6LK
Elena’s rush-down move.
- 236P→6LK
- Normal version is -5F on Block for Elena
- 236PP→6LK
- Enhanced version is +1F on Block for Elena
For non-enhanced 236P→6LK, if Blocked close, characters with a long-range 5F standing LK can get a Punish. Blocking enhanced 236P→6LK leaves Elena at +1F with walk Shimmy possible.
Recommended Counter
- 236P→6LK
- On Block
- If you have a long-range 5F standing LK, land a guaranteed combo
- Avoid using cancel Rush here; take the maximum punish to build Advantage for the following situations
- Due to the existence of slides, when fighting Elena, try to maintain a closer range
- If you have a long-range 5F standing LK, land a guaranteed combo
- On Block
- 236PP→6LK
- On Block
- The Low option is 2LK, but even on Hit the next 2LP won’t reach
- 2MK exists but confirmation is difficult, so don’t worry about it
- Walk throw whiffs if the opponent walks back
- For both of the above reasons, walking back is very effective as a defensive option after Blocking
- The Low option is 2LK, but even on Hit the next 2LP won’t reach
- Advanced serious counter
- The above counter works against most Elenas, but may be insufficient against skilled Elena players
- Against opponents who walk back, Elena will Hit confirm from 2MK target combo
- Against such opponents, 4F walk back → crouch Block → Fuzzy attack is effective
- The reason for the Fuzzy attack is to punish when the opponent’s throw whiffs
- Confirmation is possible but difficult, so press a button at the timing the opponent’s strike would hit – this way you Block strikes and get a Punish on throw whiff
- On Block
The video below has the following recorded after 236PP→6LK on Block:
- Micro walk → throw
- 2LK→2LP
- 2MK
236P→6HK
Elena’s Overhead rush-down move.
- 236P→6HK
- Normal version is -3F on Block for Elena
- 236PP→6HK
- Enhanced version is +4F on Block for Elena
Recommended Counter
- 236P→6HK
- On Block
- 236P→6HK leaves you with frame Advantage, so strike back
- 236PP→6HK leaves Elena at +3 frames with Shimmy possible, so play the mixup
- With 22F Startup, when used in Oki, it’s realistic to focus solely on this and aim for Just Parry
- 236PP→6HK
- On Block
214K
Elena’s combo special move.
- 214LK
- 214MK
- 214HK
- 214KK
If it hits, the standard followup is to take damage, but there’s a possibility of reset. Also remember that after Blocking Spin Scythe, you can Punish with a heavy attack starter at any strength. Be careful that if you’re not crouching when applying the Punish, the 3rd hit will connect. When punishing, use a crouching heavy attack.
Recommended Counter
- There’s a possibility of a reset, so keep pressing buttons during the combo
- Drive Impact is a good choice
- After Blocking Spin Scythe, Punish with a crouching heavy attack
214P
A special move cancellable from various normals. Retreats backward and hits opponents who try to counter-poke. Unlike Joshkour, it can’t be stopped mid-motion, so counter with neutral jump or Impact.
Startup and Hit frame Advantage change with strength.
- 214LP
- Elena is -3F
- 214MP
- Elena is -2F
- 214HP
- Elena is -2F
- 214PP
- Elena is -3F
Followups:
- 214P→6P
- Elena is -13F
- 214PP→6P
- Elena is -19F
Recommended Counter
Unlike Joshkour, the Startup is fast, so raw Rush will often get Hit. If you read 214LP, take the following options:
- Drive Impact
- Neutral jump
The first hit has no Punish, but if the followup is used, it’s punishable. Don’t forget to Punish with a heavy attack.
Slide
Elena’s slide has no Punish when the active frames hit. It’s important to fight at a range where it’s properly punishable. Remember that deep Block is -10F.
Recommended Counter
- Don’t fight at the range where the slide hits at max active frames
- Depending on how deep it is, it may be slightly less than -10F, making judgment difficult
- Be mindful of punishing with a 2nd hit that assumes Punish Counter for high damage
2HK
-12F on Block. Has long range, and at max distance heavy attacks may not reach.
Recommended Counter
- To Punish safely, use your own 2HK
- At very close range, start with a heavy attack for a painful combo
Target Combo Countermeasures
Once you’re used to it, punishing target combos on Block isn’t difficult, but 2MK target combo and 6MK target combo won’t become true blockstrings, making them tricky. Learn what each motion looks like in training mode.
- MP→MP
- -10F on Block
- 6MK→MK
- -14F on Block
- MK→HK
- -8F on 2nd hit Block
- -18F on whiff
- 2MK→HK
- -9F on Block
- HP→HP
- -17F on Block
- 6HP→HP
- -11F on 2nd hit Block
- -16F on 3rd hit Block
Recommended Counter
Learn the motions and properly take your Punishes.Throw Oki
Elena’s corner throw doesn’t connect as a meaty throw without using Rush. However, forward step allows MK to be meaty, so it’s not weaker than characters without throw Oki.
Recommended Counter
- When Elena forward steps, she’s +4F
- MK is meaty and leads to combo
- When Rush is used
- Rush MK is meaty and gives 5~8F Advantage on Block
- Use Just Parry or OD invincible for reversal options
Forward Throw
Elena is +24F. Back Rise gives no Oki.
Recommended Counter
- Take Back Rise
Back Throw
Elena is +19F.
Back Rise gives no Oki even with Rush. In the corner, if Rush is used, OD invincible is guaranteed on confirmation.
Recommended Counter
- In midscreen, take Back Rise
- When backed into the corner, confirm Rush and OD invincible is guaranteed, so don’t slack on the confirmation