Arc Systemworks revealed that Baiken is the newest downloadable character included in Guilty Gear Strive's Season 1 Pass.
An old mainstay from the previous Guilty Gear games series since its first installment for the PlayStation in 1998, the one-eyed samurai returns to the fighting game as part of the said season pass alongside Goldlewis Dickinson, Jack-O,' and Happy Chaos.
Alongside her release is the addition of a new feature that lets Guilty Gear Strive players create and share their own original combos for the game's available characters.
Enter Baiken
Baiken was first introduced by the developers of Guilty Gear Strive in a trailer video released on their YouTube Channel. Alongside her reveal, they also uploaded a 4-minute video showing her playstyle and moveset.
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According to the said video, Baiken holds a lot of special mid-range moves in her arsenal that the players can use to control the match while overwhelming their opponents with her powerful mix-ups at close range.
Her Tatami Gaeshi (Down + Right + K) will make her slam her foot to the ground, flipping a tatami mat, launching an opponent character once hit. If they input the button command while she is on air, it will turn into a projectile, which will not disappear until it hits the ground or the opponent.
The said move can be an option to prevent them from getting up or as a block when they are approaching them for a combo.
Her Kabari (Left + Down + Right + S or HS) will make her launch a bell tied to a rope, or a grappling hook with a chain, from her right that catches an opponent, pulling them towards her in the process. After making the said move, she can move pass them.
If they blocked the said move or they were hit by it, the rope will attach to them, drawing them and Baiken together. The farther the distance between them, the more powerful the force that draws them together. She will then release the hold after a certain period of time. They can also hold down the HS button to delay the attack.
This move can be used as a good poke towards the target and as a starter for a combo after a successful grab throw. If they inputted the move with the HS button, they could also follow it up with a powerful attack.
Her Youzansen (Down + Right + S) will make her do an overhead slash in the air. This move's fast start-up can be easily used in air combos, and it can also cancel a crouch block once it is used immediately after jumping.
Her Hiiragi (Down + Right + P) can counter any attack from the opponent. If she blocks the close-ranged attack, she will immediately grab them and slam them to the ground, dealing them high damage. She can also repel other attacks using the same move once it is executed from a certain distance.
This move, however, cannot be used to block grab throws or projectiles, as it can leave her vulnerable, therefore, players who are controlling Baiken need to use it with caution and timing.
Her Tsurane Sanzu-watashi (Down + Right + Down + Right + S), at the cost of half of her Tension Meter Bar, will make her charge forward while unleashing three consecutive slashes towards the opponent character.
The move can also be a good way to begin a combo and interrupt the opponent's combo strings, thanks to its fast start-up and the invisibility that it provides as it comes out.
Her Kenjyu (Down + Left + Down + Left + P), also at the cost of half of her Tension Meter Bar, will make her launch a firework shell that launches from her flintlock pistol. Once it hits the opponent or travels from a certain distance, the said shell will explode. It can also explode even if the projectile is blocked. If it was launched from the air, the firework shell would travel downward instead of forward.
The said move can be used as either an excellent poke from the far range or a great finisher to an executed combo.
Alongside Baiken, according to Niche Gamer, the new "Lap of the Kami" stage will also be available. In the said stage, fox-like beings gather at a shrine, changing their appearances into priests and entering the temple one after another. They will eventually exit from the said temple while holding poles with red seals in their hands.
Combo Maker Explained
Aside from the release of Baiken, Arc Systemworks also announced the addition of the new Combo Maker system in Guilty Gear Strive.
According to WCCFTech, the said feature will allow its players to create sample combos and set play routes for a specific character. Once they create said combos, they can upload them to the game's online servers so that other players can utilize them.
Aside from creating them, they can also search said combos that other players have created. This is a great way for them to discover new combos while practicing more difficult ones.
The new Combo Maker system will be released in the fighting game on January 28th. Baiken, on the other hand, will be available to those who owned the Season 1 Pass on the same date, while they can also get the said character separately as an Individual DLC on January 31st.
Baiken is the fourth character in the said season pass alongside the aforementioned Dickinson, Jack-O', and Chaos, all of which were made available last year. The fifth and final character that will be included will be revealed on a later date within this year, alongside another new stage and the game's "Another Story."
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