NeoGeo Battle Coliseum – Moriya Guide

Neo Geo Battle Coliseum for PS2 - Moriya Guide
Version 1.00 by Adrian Hodges, a.k.a. Alternate275 on GameFAQs/GameSpot and
Alternate275 on shoryuken.com - cyberfanatix.com - dustloop.com  
Alternate275 on tekkenzaibatsu.com - virtuafighter.com
Captain Of Squad 275 on Gaia Online 

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Copyright info
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Copyright 2008 Adrian Hodges

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

This may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other
website or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a
violation of copyright.

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Permissions
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This is a guide layout that is orginally belongs to Mikadok. I was hereby
granted permission from Mikadok to use his very same layout for this guide. 
Many thanks and appreciations to Mikadok. 

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Legend
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A = lp or Low Punch
B = lk or Low Kick
C = hp or Hard Punch
D = hk or Hard Kick
E (CH) = Change (R1) by default
PR = Provocation/Taunt (L1) By default

u = Up
d = Down
f = Forward
b = Back
u/f = up/forward
d/f = down/forward
d/b = down/back
u/b = up/back

qcf = quarter-circle forward, or d, d/f, f
qcb = quarter-circle back, or d, d/b, b
hcf = half-circle forward, or b, d/b, d, d/f, f
hcb = half-circle back, or f, d/f, d, d/b, b
dp = Dragon Punch motion, or f, d, d/f
rdp = Reverse Dragon Punch motion, or b, d, d/b
j. = jumping
s. = standing
c. = crouching
x(interger) = Times the corresponding number in the mentioned command
SC = Super Cancel
GC = Guard Cancel
AC = Attack Cancel 

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Game Mechanics
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tap f,f (hold f)          Frontstep/Dash (hold f to run)
tap b,b                   Backstep
press ub,u or uf          Normal jump
tap db-df then ub-uf      High Jump
press b when attacked     Standing Block (hold to remain blocking)
press db when attacked    Crouching block (hold to remain blocking)
AB                        Tactical Step (requires 0.5 Gauge)
AB when knocked down      Fallbreaker (recovery roll)
AB during normal attack   AC Tactical Step (requires 1 level) 
tap f,f when blocking     Guard Cancel Frontstep (requires 0.5 Gauge)
tap f,f on Just Defence   Just Defence Frontstep (requires 0.25 Gauge) 
f/b+CD (near opponent)    Basic Throw
CD when grabbed           Throw Escape
Press E                   Tag Out (switches characters)
qcf+E                     D-Assault (Double Assault)
Press E when blocking     Guard Cancel Tag Attack (requires 1 stock)


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Moriya Specific Terms
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OTG = Off The ground (Attacking a grounded opponent)
GBML = Glancing Blade Moonlight
GBNM = Glancing Blade New Moon
GBDNM = Glancing Blade Double New Moon
GBNMR = Glancing Blade New Moon Reverse
TG = Technical Glance
SBM = Sash Blade Moonwalks
Moon Blades = GBNM, GBNMR, and/or GBDNM

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Pros
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+ Has options to fight up close and from a distance
+ Patrols against aerial opponents (Nakoruru, Athena, etc)
+ Easily controls the field 
+ Can parry physical attacks (imported from the Last Blade titles)
+ Builds meter quickly
+ Does great damage, excellent damage on counter hits
+ Has great pressure games
+ Can stall the match if need be


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Cons
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- Lag in his moves make them VERY punishable
- Lacks agility

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Moriya
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Normals to keep in mind

It should be noted, that nearly all of Moriya's normal's can easily be. 
punished and are usually slow. But that's not to say they aren't any good. 

B (Close while opponent is grounded) - Connects as an OTG. Extra damage
C - Powerful single hit strike. Doesn't combo into anything. 
C (close) - 2 hits, doesn't push Moriya back. 1st hit can be canceled. 
j.B - Great move coming down from the air, also hits as a crossup. 
c.B - Fast poke move for Moriya, can combo into multiple c.B strings.

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Movelist

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Command Moves
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Glancing Blade Eclispse: [d/f+C on grounded opponent]
A downwards slash onto a grounded opponent that hits as on OTG. And 
easily more powerful than the s.B OTG. However, this will not 
connect or activate in a situation that your opponent can perform 
a soft fall, meaning only during "Hard Knockdowns" will you be 
able to use this. However, if you throw your opponent into a corner,
you'll be able to perform two Glancing Blade Eclispse strikes. 


Glancing Blade Drought: [d/f+A]
As a single move, it strikes as an overhead attack. It cans also be
stringed into a combo from any standing normal, into any desired 
special move, preferably the Glancing Blade Moonlight. However,
when comboed from a normal, it looses the overhead property. Be
careful when using it as a single hit. It has a very slow startup. 

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Special Moves
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Glancing Blade Haze: [qcb+A/B/C]
A very quick slash that strikes immediately after he holsters 
his sword in his sheath. A/B/C respectively trajects his strikes 
as Hi/Mid/Low. This attack is useful in speed, distance, and priority
as well. So much so, you can stuff many attacks, inluding  
projectiles. But not against super projectiles. You can also use
these attacks to zone against your opponent, which can be frustrating
for anyone opposing you. However, there is a slight lag animation 
after using this attack. And also becareful about zoning against 
opponents who can fight in long distances.  

Drawn Sword Standby: [qcb+A/B/C holding button]
Not only does the Glancing Blade Haze have great speed, distance, 
and priority, but you can also charge it for even more distance and
damage. Not only that, but you can also use the charge to hesitate 
your strikes. 

Cancel Drawn Sword: [D during Drawn Sword Standby]
While holding the Drawn Sword Standby, you even have the option to 
cancel out of it. So if you're having second thoughts, or are being 
attacked, you can use this to shift into defense. You can also cancel
using the corresponding button you used to enter Drawn Sword Standby, 
instead of only using D. 

Standby Again: [press A/B/C after releasing Drawn Sword Standby]
Allows you to re-enter the Drawn Sword Standby stance again after 
executing the Glancing Blade Haze, which permits you strike with 
another Glancing Blade Haze or cancel right out of it into a neutral
stance. You can repeat this to strike with GBHs as many times as you
feel it's safe to do so. However, if you strike another GBH using 
C, you cannot perform the Standy Again, leaving you open for punish. 

Cancel Standby Again: [A/B/C/D during Standby Again]
Press the button corresponding with the button that was pressed to 
peform the Standy Again to cancel out it. This can and "SHOULD" be 
used when you decide to stop striking with GBHs to eliminate any 
remaining lag animations of the GBH attack to reduce any risk of 
being punished thereafter. 

Glancing Blade Moonlight: [qcf+Ax3/Cx4] SCable
A series of multiple slashes for each qcf+A/C command, similar to Kyo
or Iori. Using the 'A' command allows for 3 slashes in total while using
the 'C'command allows for 4 slashes in total. Any moment during this 
attack OTHER than the final hit of these commands are SCable. However, 
the final hit becomes a hard knockdown, and your opponent cannot soft fall.  
I should also mention that the second slash for qcf+A launches the opponent
into the air, while the third slash for qcf+C does the same. You can use 
these moves not only to combo the opponent, but it's a decent pressure tactic
as well. It would be unwise to finish all the slash commands on a blocking 
opponent. So stop after before the last slash and mix up with crouching 'B'
or even Glancing Blade Hazes. You can even switch this move into any of the
Moon Blades, before the final strike of the attack. However, the GBNMR is 
the one that usually connects after most of the GBML Strikes, under common
situations. And finally, the third strike of the qcf+Ax3 strikes as an 
overhead attack. 

Glancing Blade New Moon: [dp+A]
Moriya's standard but wide anti-air attack. The startup of this attack is 
quick and can catch unsuspecting aerial opponents off guard. However, the 
attack has very bad recovery and lasts a while before being able to 
enter neutral stance again, making it an unfavorable situation of 
punishment if this attack is whiffed or blocked against. 

Glancing Blade Double Moon: [dp+C during Glancing Blade New Moon]
A combination of the GBNM and GBNMR attacks, striking in two successions. 
This move is quick and doesn't have terrible recovery. The preferable 
anti-air if you desire to use one. 

Glancing Blade New Moon Reverse: [dp+C]
Another standard and wide anti-air attack. The startup of this attack is 
slow because of the side-step that is being performed during this attack.
The beginning part of this attack provides upper body invincibility. 
You can use this side-step up close at your opponent and crossup with it, 
Also noting the ending recovery is very quick and favorable, so much so, 
that you can even perform juggles on your opponent after this strike. 

Sash Blade Moonwalk: [rdp+A/B/C hold button to shift to drawn sword standby]
A very fast warp that allows Moriya to move around the stage as needed. 
The corresponding commands warp him into the following positions~ 
rdp+A literally warps Moriya back in the same position he started in. 
rdp+B warps in mid distance away/to his opponent. This is favorable for him. 
rdp+C warps Moriya behind his opponent and usually closer than the other two
SBMs. Use these warps to distance and/or yourself to/from your opponent. 
This will fluster an unsuspecting opponent and you use the SBM to keep your
opponent guessing. 

Increscent Moon: [f+BD] SCable
A defensive retaliating parry technique derived from the games known as 
Last Blade. A very potent defensive move that should be kept in mind, that
parries mid/high physical attacks. It also parries physical super special
moves and aerial normals to make everything so much more better for Moriya. 

Decrescent Moon: [b+BD] SCable
The same defensive parry as Increscent Moon, except that it only 
parries low physical attacks. Use these parries to SC into a Super special 
move. 

Pursuit Of Flowers: [BD after a successful Increscent or Decrescent Moon] 
A retaliating strike after the Incresscent or Decrescent Moon. Nothing much 
to be said, except use this if you cannot perform a super special move. 

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Super Special Moves
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Life And Death Moonlight Flash: [qcbx2+A/C]
An amazing flurry of multiple slashes that strike hi, mid, and low, in that
particular order five times at the opponent, for a sum of 15 hits. The 
priority for this attack is bad and very punishable. Although, It's still
a very decent move. This can be used to stall time, especially if the
attack makes contact, in which case, even has a decent pushback. 
If whiffed, you won't move anywhere. Can also be used as an anti-air or even
a juggle. However, it doesn't do any decent damage as anti-air/juggle.

Life And Death Wild Seasons: [qcfhcb+A/C]
An attack that rushes at your opponent and strikes 11 times if it connects. 
If blocked, the move then comes to a halt. This attack also moves the 
opponent a great deal, shifting your opponent to one side of the stage or 
the other. This attack also promotes a hard knockdown. The light version 
of this atttack doesn't travel as far, but the frame startup is much more
favorable. The fierce version of this attack travels all the way across the
screen, but has an unfavorable frame startup. To top it off... This move can
be juggled into. 

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Special Double Assault
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Life and Death Wild Moon [fhcf+CE]
Must have Kaede as Moriya's partner. Can be used for 10 counts, after 
using the Sash Blade Moonwalk. You can tech chase your opponent after 
the attack using the rdp+B command immediately as the move is finished. 

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General Combos
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[] dp+C (close), A, qcbx2+A
Condition: N/A
Stipulation: When performed, the dp+C move should crossup your opponent, 
and may confuse the direction of blocking onto your unwary opponent. Then 
you will continue to juggle your opponent with the rest of the combo. 
However, the damage is incredibly gimp and only good for a stall.

[] j.B, land, c.B, c.B, qcf+Ax3, B (OTG)
Condition: N/A
Stipulation: Standard BnB combo for Moriya. You can use the j.B to crossup
your opponent. 
 
[] C (close and 1st hit only), qcf+Cx3, dp+A 
Condition: N/A
Stipulation: The first command with C is a two hit move. You must cancel the
second hit by immediately inputting the qcf+C. 

[] j.B, c.B, c.B, qcf+Ax2, dp+C, D
Condition: Corner only
Stipulation: A standard combo that juggles the opponent. The last hit with D 
will reset your opponent back into a neutral stance, giving you a favorable
frame advantage as your opponent is landing. Utilize mix ups and pressure 
games from this situation. 

[] j.B, c.B, c.B, qcf+Ax2, GBDM 
Condition: Corner Only
Stipulation: Similar combo like the other standard combos, however lacking 
a hard knockdown and a reset feature, allowing the opponent to soft fall
and re-establishing a retaliating stature. 

[] C (close and 1st hit only), qcf+Cx3, GBDM 
Condition: Corner Only
Stipulation: Strong move, situational and lacks hard knockdown and a 
reset feature. 

[] C (close and 1st hit only), qcf+Cx2 xx qcbx2+C
Condition: 1 Super Meter required
Stipulation: Great damage, great knock back, good for punishing.

[] j.B, c.B, c.B, qcf+Ax2 xx qcfhcb+C
Condition: 2 Super Meter required
Stipulation: Great damage, hard knockdown, 

[] C (close and 1st hit only), qcf+Cx3 xx qcfhcb+C
Condition: 2 Super Meter required
Stipulation: Another damaging combo. Good for punishing.  

[] d/f+A, D
Condtition: N/A
Stipulations: First strike hits overhead.

[] d/f+A, qcf+Ax3
Condition: Corner only
Stipulations: First strike hits overhead.

[] d/f+A, qcbx2+A
Condition: 1 Super Meter required
Stipulation: First strike hits overhead.   


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Moriya In General 
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To play Moriya effectively, you must estblish a strong sense of field control. 
The arena is for Moriya to play around in. And he's very good at it. Moriya
can punish airborne characters ever single time they take flight or even strike
enemies from afar. Moriya is also potent at zoning and distancing. So make sure
you have a strong grip of positioning as you fight with Moriya. Moriya's GBH
is a great poking game if you can telegraph your opponents movements. Better
yet, you can even bait and elict your opponent's movements with the GBH, since
he has options to strike hi, mid, or low. 

Moriya's main combo is j.B, c.B, c.B, qcf+Ax3, B (OTG). This will get you 
decent damage, and build a meter quite quickly. If it's another thing Moriya 
is good at, it's staying on the field. And his attacks and combos can be used
to stall time as needed. Which can be very frustrating for your opponent. 
Moriya doesn't by any means need to be offensively agressive. Infact, it would
almost be foolish to do so, considering that his attacks usually have an 
unfavorable amount of startup frames. If you have 2 Supers saved up, you can
exchange the combo for a j.B, c.B, c.B, qcf+Ax2, qcfhcb+C for even more damage. 

Moriya's Sash Blade Moonwalk is very potent and key for moving Moriya around 
the field effectively. But it's foolish to randomly spam this move, as it can
be a downfall if not used carefully. The common opportunity to use this would 
be on a grounded opponent, warping behind, outside, or at the same spot. Using
the rdp+B warps you outside your opponent's space, allowing you to zone,
provided your opponent isn't potent at distanced fighting. On an unwary 
opponent, you can warp behind them using rdp+C. You can also take advantage 
of the wall and warp into for more options, such as a throw. You can also 
play mind games with rdp+A and warp absolutely nowhere. 

Moriya can also fight against defensive players that love to crouch block. 
The key doing so is using his d/f+A attack. Which will then follow into one 
of the several combos that are listed. 

And finally, I should mention about Moriya's ability to "Tech Glance". The
concept behind it is to simply kill unfavorable lagging frames on normal attacks
to make the attempt to gain frame advantage or at the very least, stalemate it. 
To perform this, you would simply enter the input command for Glancing Blade 
Haze, hold the button to stay in Draw Sword Standby stance, and immediately 
cancelling it by input the Cancel Drawn Sword command. When using the 
Standby Again attacks, you want to make sure that those are also Tech Glanced. 


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Special Thanks
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- SNK, and the people that play it =D
- To one of my best friends, I Kei I,  Whom inspired me to be who I am today
- Gamefaqs, for allowing this guide to be uploaded <3