SSBU/Ryu/Combos

Ryu

Overview

Combos

Setplay

Tech

Strategy/Counterstrategy

Matchups

Resources

Discord

Intro and Combo Theory

Below are common wordings that the player should learn to understand how Ryu’s combos are written. Unlike Ken, Ryu doesn’t have as freeform combos as Ken. That does not mean the player cannot play a read based combo game. Including frame traps and coverage for air dodges can restart a combo to help tack on more damage.

It is expected that all specials done in combos are input specials.
lease read through the overview page to know the abbreviations for specials’ names.
The version of special will be specified by saying “l.[name]” for a light special, “m.[name]” for a medium special, and “h.[name]” for a heavy special. Specials without the letter in front mean that any version is acceptable.
The combos list will also assume the reader understands basic smash terms and acronyms.
“Apex [aerial]” = doing the aerial so that the frame after hitlag ends Ryu can fast fall. This usually requires Ryu to delay the aerial in which the amount of delay will be different depending on the aerial.
“>” = do the next action in the sequence
“xx” = cancel the normal into the next special in the sequence

Special Cancels

Normal Links

Tech Chases and Jab Locks

PTilt/PJab Jab Lock

Do the first jablock listed unless it gives a character orientation. "Front-floored" means when they are lying on their front side face down. "Back-floored" means when they are laying on their back side face up. "Head-side" means when you're standing by their head. "Feet-side" means when you're standing by their feet. Graphic by Lernonad: File:Ptilt pjab1.PNG File:Ptilt pjab2.PNG File:Ptilt pjab3.PNG File:Ptilt pjab4.PNG File:Ptilt pjab5.PNG

PTilt > Jab1 Jab Lock

"Front-floored" means when they are laying on their front side face down. "Back-floored" means when they are laying on their back side face up. "Head-side" means when you're standing by their head. "Feet-side" means when you're standing by their feet. Graphic by Kyronic: File:Ptilt jab1 lock1.png File:Ptilt jab1 lock2.png File:Ptilt jab1 lock3.PNG

Mixups

DI Mixups

Frame Traps

Untrue Combos

Ledge Trapping

A common setup used is the three zones. The three zones are the pressure zone, neutral zone, and distance zone. The pressure zone is when Ryu is right on top of the ledge. It covers ledge getup and ledge jumps if Ryu is mashing tilts. It loses to ledge attack, ledge drop aerials, and ledge roll but Ryu can react to the roll and pressure that as well. The next zone is the distance zone. It is meant to cover ledge rolls to prevent losing stage control. It is also good for reacting to ledge jumps. It loses to ledge getup. The final zone is the neutral zone. It is right in between the pressure zone and the distance zone meant to be used to transition between the two other zones and react to ledge options and move there with Ryu’s walk to successfully punish it. Another setup is to stand at ledge roll distance and throw a light Hado as soon as the opponent grabs the ledge. This will cause them to delay ledge getup, ledge attack, and ledge jump, for if they do this, they will get hit by the Hadoken and be pushed off stage again. And if they decide to ledge roll, Ryu will be right there to punish that. Alternatively, Ryu can use a slow Shaku and if the opponent gets hit by it, Ryu can jump up and hit an aerial to potentially KO the opponent. This will cause them to wait so that their intangibility runs out. If they ledge getup or getup attack dash in and try for a combo starter. If they jump, use an air-to-air or Shoryuken. If they roll try for a combo starter. Be ready to transition to shield pressure if they do shield. After doing this for a little bit, be prepared for hasty ledge jumps to try and get out of the way before the Hado gets to the ledge. Finally, if the opponent decides to hang on the ledge, there are many ways Ryu can counter that. Depending on the character, Ryu’s LDTilt, HDTilt, and DSmash can hit the opponent’s ledge hang based on the chart below.

File:Shoto ledge hang1.png File:Shoto ledge hang2.png

Another way to counter ledge hangs is to use Tatsu trumping. This is a way to ledge trump without having to deal with body blocking preventing ledge trumping. How to Tatsu trump is listed on this character’s Tech page under COIL.

Edge Guarding

Ryu won’t often go for edge guards. Really it’s best if the opponent for sure has to use their double jump. It’s not advised to edge guard if the opponent has a really long recovery and large hitbox on their Up B that could potentially stage spike Ryu or worse. An example would be Byleth, Charizard, and Ken and Ryu. If possible, stuff them out before they get a chance to use their Up B. Only other time edge guarding would be beneficial would be from combos. If Ryu hits a DAir at the ledge at an early percent a cool trick would be to cancel to Focus Attack and fall down then release the attack when they jump up next to Ryu then dash cancel, double jump, DAir, and cancel to Shoryuken to recover back to stage. Combo notation for that would be: DAir xx FA (hold until opponent is next to Ryu) > release > dash cancel > double jump > DAir xx Shoryuken.