Akuma -- "Evil is what I am, Death is what I bring."

Akuma -- "Evil is what I am, Death is what I bring."
(The Akuma FAQ for MSH vs. SF v1.0)

This FAQ is not written just for you to learn the moves and combos
for Akuma, it is written to describe a playing style for you, my playing
style. This FAQ will not only tell you what the moves and combos are,
it will also give you pointers on how to use them. This FAQ will not
contain all the combos for Akuma but all the combos that I use. With
that said here we go...

The Key :
u - Up
d - Down
l - Left
r - Right
f - Forward
b - Back
uf - Up and forward
ub - Up and back
df - Down and forward
db - Down and back
JP - Jab punch
SP - Strong punch
FP - Fierce punch
SK - Short kick
FK - Forward kick
RK - Roundhouse kick

Regular Moves : The moves that you should know but that some FAQ's don't
tell you.

Akuma's launcher (Uppercut) : d + FP
Thrust kick : f + FK
Downward punch : f + SP
Sweep kick : d + RK

Special Moves : The good stuff

Dragon Punch : f, d, df + punch
This used to be the greatest move in the game along time ago, now
if your not Ken it only has a little bit of uses. Most of the time your
better off launching them rather than doing this. One use for this is
if the opponent gets to close then use the jab Dragon Punch to knock
them back. Another use is if the opponent uses a special or super that
leaves them open out of the range of your normal moves use the fierce
Dragon Punch and light em up, just make sure you don't miss or else
you're toast because you're left open for so long while you fall. The
final use for this is to use the jab Dragon Punch as a taunt against far
away opponents since Akuma's taunt is not that noticeable.

Fireball : d, df, f + punch [air]
This is an overall good move especially in the air. On the ground
it's a normal fireball just watch out for the Super Fireball / Beam that
could come your way. This is a good keep away move in the air because
it comes down at a 45 degree angle. Just super jump and start launching
these. In order for your opponent to super jump to get you they have to
go through your line of fireballs which is very hard if you can't really
see where your opponent is. Warning : Don't do this against Cyclops
though because his beam can go at a 45 degree angle and will eat yours
up and toast you.

Electrified Hurricane Kick : d, db, b + kick [air]
This is a really good move to use a lot. This move is to Akuma
what the fireball is to Ryu and the Dragon Punch is to Ken. The short
kick version deals more damage but only has a limited range while the
roundhouse kick one has more range but deals less damage. I normally
use the roundhouse one though. This move will hit ducking opponents.
The air version of this hurricane kick will combo off of itself or you
can use a ducking forward kick two-in-one into hurricane for more hits.
Also, after this move hits and ends you can use the forward kick to
knock your opponent back up and two-in-one hurricane to add more hits.
Note : This can only be done once on the ground because of the "One off
the ground combo" rule that has been added. This move has great
priority but watch out, if you miss then the opponent will decimate you
on the spot with a throw. You have been warned.

Teleport : Half screen forward : f, d, df + 3 punches
Full screen forward : f, d, df + 3 kicks
Half screen back : b, d, db + 3 punches
Full screen back : b, d, db + 3 kicks
The teleport is a good move to get out of corners or if you see a
super coming because while your teleporting your invincible, the bad
news is that there is a delay after the move is complete and the
opponent will hit you. The bright side is if you do go through a
supermove and land in safety you can really screw them up. That is all
this move is good for unless you just want to get cocky with your
opponent and randomly teleport half screen and full screen both forward
and back. If you do it right your opponent may get mad but it is really
hard to do and most opponents pick up on it fast but it's fun to do on
occasion.

Demon Kick : d, df, f + kick [air only]
This is another great move of Akuma's. Akuma flies at the
opponent at a 45 degree angle and will hit multiple times. This move is
very fast and cancels the fireball so use it to get down. Also you can
throw an air fireball at the opponent and if it looks like your going to
hit their fireball use this to avoid it. Another use for this is, if
you decide to go on the offensive, to jump up and randomly switch
between this and his fireball cancel demon kick. This will work for a
while and even though it doesn't take off a lot of damage it will give
you time to think and slowly chip away damage.

Super Moves : The really good stuff..

Triple Dragon Punch : d, df, f + 2 punches
Akuma unleashes the massive power of three dragon punches starting
with the jab and going all the way to the fierce. The drawback to this
move is that only the first dragon is invincible but the good news is
that it combos off of medium kick so add this in a combo and have some
fun. Don't use this against big characters though because since the
opponent is not knocked down they will fall faster and since your
vulnerable on your trip down, they will punish you for your lack of
respect.

Super Fireball : d, db, b + 2 punches
This is Akuma's massive fireball beam. It comes out really slow,
is really short in duration, and it will only rarely get over 20 hits.
This is a super fireball so use it like one, to toast someone while
their doing a regular fireball. I would use this in an air combo but
since it's a ground only, there's something better for ending air
combos...

Air to Ground Fireballs : d, df, f + 2 punches [air only]
This is Akuma's best super. The delay time on this move has been
diminished so much that you can actually use this move now. Use it a
lot because if they block it will take off a lot of block damage because
each fireball will hit and take a little, and if they don't block, it
will juggle them on the ground for nearly 20 hits. Also use this as the
ender to an air combo if you're really close to them because it will
combo and will normally add another 20 hits to your combo. Watch out
though because occasionally only the first few will hit and the opponent
will fall to the ground. Remember also that you can use your demon kick
to take you back to earth quickly.

The Raging Demon : JP, JP, F, SK, FP [Level 3]
This is Akuma's defining move. Akuma slides over to his opponent,
grabs them, the screen goes white and he nails them for 16 hits. When
he reappears he has his back to you and stands over the beaten opponent.
This used to be his best move but now it's almost worthless. In X-Men
vs. SF a raging demon could be used at level 1 and only used 1 level of
power, now it needs level 3 and uses all three. Another change is that
you can no longer on the ground the opponent after it, a great loss.
Use this move only if you know that it's going to connect (put it in a
combo) and if it's going to kill the opponent, otherwise it's not worth
doing.

Team Play : You have a team mate so help him out...

Counter : Dragon Punch
It's a Dragon Punch counter so it works but I personally don't use
them so I can't tell you how to use except if they throw a fireball or
something with a massive delay.

Team Attack : Hurricane Kick
This is an excellent team attack. This will hit opponents that
are jumping in on you. Also if it hits them it will cause a 2 to 3 hit
combo so add in a fireball or something and take the total to 3 or 4.

Team Super : Delayed Super Fireball
Akuma's Super Fireball is delayed slightly as compared to that of
other super beamers but this does have an advantage. That advantage is
that if Akuma is the one leaping in then his teammate's super will start
hitting before Akuma even starts and lengthens the combo. Also if the
opponent is blocking then they may let up before Akuma starts his and
they'll get hit.

General Combos and Combo Strategies : The combos and how they can be
used...

Here will be listed the combos that I use and how I use them.

RK Hurricane, d + FK, RK Hurricane
This looks like a simple combo but it is actually a very
devastating one to the opponent. It has already been explained under
the Hurricane Kick but just in case you missed it... This combo works
because of the "One on the ground per combo" rule. It is also possible
to start this combo with an air Hurricane Kick and then go directly into
another one or use the ducking forward kick and then Hurricane Kick.

d + FP (Super Jump), JP, SK, SP, FP
This is the basic air combo and works fairly well. There is a
better air combo though if you have a super bar of energy though...

d + FP (Super Jump), JP, SK, Air to Ground Fireballs Super
This is my favorite combo for Akuma because it is the one that no
one expects. In X-Men vs. Street Fighter this combo would have been
impossible because of the long delay on the Super but now there is
barely any delay and I don't think there is any delay when it is put in
an air combo. The reason that there is no strong punch listed is
because in order for the Super to work Akuma has to be really close or
else it will not connect with the opponent. It is possible for the
strong punch to be added if you're feeling lucky so try it out and see
what you think. Be careful though because on occasion this combo will
stop early because the opponent will fall out of the raining fireballs
leaving Akuma defenseless. Also remember to use the Demon Kick to send
Akuma back to the ground in a hurry.

In case your wondering how to get the above combos to work in a
game I'll tell you, there are three ways. The first way is to wait
until the opponent jumps in on Akuma and nail them with an uppercut but
this is the least likely way to get them unless they really don't like
to block or you manage to cancel their move. The second way is to
include this in a jumping in combo but this one can be countered with an
uppercut and then you'll be the victim of an air combo. The third way
is to dash in with a strong punch and then chain into the uppercut.
This is the most likely way that you'll be able to start the combo until
they catch on and start to block. A healthy mix of these three ways
will have you air comboing your opponent to death.

FK, Triple Dragon Punch
This is the way to combo the Triple Dragon Punch Super. You can
use the dash in technique listed above to start this combo. It is a
really cool looking combo.

JP, JP, f, SK, FP (Raging Demon)
This is a combo in itself. If the jabs hit then the combo will
work and this is the sweetest way to end a match and if they try to
block the Raging Demon will hit them anyway and you'll get to see that
look of shock on their face that everyone loves to see.

Game Play Strategies : How I myself personally plays...

I'll normally start the game off by super jumping and then firing
tons of fireballs down at the opponent. This is a great way to build up
your super meter and once you think you're in line with them do a Demon
Kick, hopefully it will surprise them, and then start over again. While
I'm doing this I'll normally try to see whether they're going to be an
aggressive sort or a passive sort, if their aggressive I'll take more of
a defensive and capitalize off of their mistakes and if their passive
I'll go on a nice offensive. My favorite offensive is to get them into
a corner and then jump and throw an air fireball followed by a Demon
Kick. Occasionally while doing this I'll not throw the fireball and go
straight to the Demon Kick. Another thing to do is to add in a few
ground moves just to let them know that they're not safe.

With Akuma you have to be careful and play a keep away game with
the opponent because Akuma takes damage worse than he can dish it out.
I've seen times when Akuma has been obliterated by some powerful air
combos. Another thing to remember with Akuma is that when he is on the
sidelines he is your best friend because his team attack, the Hurricane
Kick, is a great defensive weapon. If the opponent jumps in on you use
this and it will catch them in the air 90% of the time and if they hit
him he has served as a blocker for your man and you have the possibility
to counter the opponent. You can also use this move if the opponent has
gotten in too close because most likely they will try and attack you
when you do this and get nailed by the Hurricane Kick. If they just
block remember to throw a projectile and they won't be able to do
anything to Akuma.

Conclusion : That's All Folks

That is about all I can say about Akuma, I'll probably add more at
a later date when I have learned more, but until then feel free to send
me e-mail at [email protected] if you have any comments, questions,
or additions you would like to see added in a later edition of this FAQ.
You can receive the latest copy of this FAQ at
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arena/9561/.

Thank you for reading The Akuma FAQ, I've had fun writing it,

John Meyer
[email protected]

Moves List :

Fireball : d, df, f + punch
Hurricane Kick : d, db, b + kick
Dragon Punch : f, d, df + punch
Teleport Half Screen Forward : f, d, df + 3 punches
Full Screen Forward : f, d, df + 3 kicks
Half Screen Back : b, d, db + 3 punches
Full Screen Back : b, d, db + 3 kicks
Demon Kick : d, df, f + kick

Super Fireball : d, db, b + 2 punches
Air to Ground Fireballs : d, df, f + 2 punches [air only]
Triple Dragon Punch : d, df, d + 2 punches
Raging Demon : JP, JP, f, SK, FP