From: tonychen@engin.umich.edu (Antony Chen)
Newsgroups: alt.games.sf2
Subject: Vega --
Date: 3 Apr 92 09:09:39 GMT
Article-I.D.: engin.p#h+QHC
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor


        Vega Moves and some tactics that I have discovered:

While standing:
        All six buttons will slash with the claw (or hand if there is no claw).
Jab(and short) will throw a useful quick jab claw, strong(or forward) will do
an upward type slash (useful for counterattacking many opponents attacking from
the air)
Fiece will to a slash, similiar to the short slash, but more damaging, and
quite a bit slower.

While crouching:
The punch buttons will slash/stab, while the kick buttons will perform leg
sweeps.
The slash/stab's are more or less similar, but they vary in speed and damage.
I personally feel that the jab and strong slashes are the best.
The short and forward sweeps are rather quick, and vega stays in place while
leg sweeping.  The roundhouse sweep slides into the opponent, knocking thme
off their feet.  BEWARE!  This move can be very dangerous to your health, 
because it has a _long_ delay after execution.  If your sweep is blocked, 
look forward to getting thrown or something mean happening to you.

In the air:
Every button does a kick.
Jumping straight up with a roundhouse kick does Vega's "stright-out" kick, where
his leg is parallel to the ground - Firece will have the same effect.  The
other four buttons perform the kick which points down at the earth.  Jumping
in any direction and then attacking will perform the diagonally pointing kick,
but if you are on top of your enemy (also in the air) and use strong or fierce,
you will do some funky looking air-throw.  From my experience, it's best to
use fierce.  It will roundhouse normally - and if someone jumps in the air to
meet you, you may airthrow them also (without having to switch buttons *grin*)

Special moves:
O- O -O  (sonic boom motion) with a punch button will do Vega's rolling claw
  attack (or rolling punch). If you are close enough to your enemy, you can
  potentially hit the opponent three tiems (but not enough to stun).  This
  move can be useful in hitting opponents out of the air - _if_ the timing
  and distance is right.  It is also possible to use it to _dodge_ under an
  arial attack (i.e., someone jumping in at you), and you can often recover in
  time to throw.  

 /  O   /  O
O  /or O    \  (sonic kick motion - sort of, I'll explain)
You have to charge this attack by crouching (any direction) for about 2 - 3
seconds.  Then, by pushing the joystick to _either_ corner of the controller,
you will jump off the wall and perform the "screaming eagle attack".  Pushing
toward backwards flip will jump to the wall behind you, pushing the joystick
the other way will jump to the wall you are facing.  When you come off the 
wall, you have some control over where Vega lands.  (Basically, you can land
in the left, middle, or right part of the screen)  Simply push the joystick
there to land there.  As you are coming down, push Fierce or Strong - You can
use the others, but you don't want to, since Fierce or strong _will_ backdrop
if you are close enough, otherwise, you will to the spread eagle attack 
(arms extended).  The trick to the backdrop is to aim Vega to the _back_ of
the opponent, and pushing Fierce or Strong just as you are descending upon them.
Vega is somewhat vulnerable (about 1/3 second) afterwards (he bounces around
after landing), so be careful if you are fighting against Zangief (he can 
spin you after you land).

O-  O   O- (tap joystick left twice (assuming that is back defense) )
   or
 /  !   /
O   O  O   (d. crouch, crouch, d. crouch)
   or
    /
O- O  O-  (b. defense, d. crouch., b. defense)
  
    All the above will do Vega's flipping attack.  It is useful against flying
attacks (like the Blanka ball, sumo torpedo).. but be careful about using it
otherwise.  A smart opponent will follow the flip and throw (or d. punch) you
as you get out.  Other than that, it is fun to use because it look so cool :).

Tactics:

General tactics:

Master the "Screaming eagle back drop".  If you master this move, you will be
able to pull so many wins out of your ass.  It's important to mix it up.  The
secret is to aim for the back of your opponent.  If he goes into the air, the
job is alot easier, but if he stays on the ground, _aim_ for the back and hit
Fierce just as you are about to land.  This is one of the most powerful moves
in the game, and only a few characters have a great counter attack against it.
(No, Guile isn't one of them).

Mastery of the back flipping dodge is nice.  I still haven't got this one down.
But it is damned impressive looking and you usually get a throw out of it (if
you dodge the right attacks (Sumo torpedo, etc.. )  ).  

The surprise throw can be effective in keeping your opponent honest.  If he is
just sitting there in defense.  You might try walking up and throwing him.  

Vega's jump kick does not have the highest priority in the world.  His kick
can be beaten by alot of other kicks, _unless_ you get it off after the other
person kicks (depending ont he character, of course).  Jumping into the 
opponent and pushing roundhouse immediately is quite effective. 

The rolling claw can be devestating, but use it with caution.  It is quite
vulnerable to counter attacks, a simple jab can stop it, and a dragon punch can
really make you look bad.  However, a good time to use it is after your
opponent is down - walk up next to him and do it just as he gets up (before he
throws you).  You will knock of a little energy (hey, it's a free hit) if he
defends..  If he trys to throw, you'll score three nasty hits.

Walking under people and throwing works very well with most opponents (Vega
is so damned fast!), and sacrifice throws work quite well too, however you have
to be in close to the attack to throw (unlike Sagat or Zangief or even Ken for
that matter).

Vega vs Vega:
     The main strategy here is a) watching out for the screaming eagle attack.
b) knock the other Vega's claw off first.  If the other Vega heads for a wall,
   if you are charged and your timing is good, go for the opposite wall and
   meet in the air.  Otherwise, head for the same wall and attack when the
   other vega hits the ground.  If you are not ready for an attack, you have
   a few options to get away.  If there is enough distance, jumping back with
   roundhouse will kick the other Vega down (usually), if not, try either
   rolling out of the way, or sliding out of the way. DO NOT JUMP!  You are
   only making it easier to slam you.  If the other vega heads for the wall
   you are facing, if you have time, try to catch Vega 2 in the air with an
   air throw (Vega when heading for the wall is vulnerable).
   The other important tactic is to constantly jab, jab, jab, roll.. jump in
   with roundhouse, jab, jab, etc.. (but mix up the number of each, to keep
   the other vega off guard).  Once you've knocked off the other vega's claw
   You are in good shape.  Walking under and throwing works well, as does
   sacrifice throws, provided that you are very close to the attack (otherwise,
   you will get hit with many stabs).

Vega vs. Ken/Ryu:
Patience is the key here.  Pester Ken/Ryu with occasional jabs and crouchine
and standing strong stabs - but keep it a surprise, or you can have your claw
uppercutted.  Occassionally, throw several jabs _short_ of Ken/Ryu to try to
fool them into a dragon punch (for Ken, you want to jab alot farther away, 
since his Fierce dragonpunch has some serious range).  Always be ready for
the fireball.  As soon as you see Ken/Ryu go for the fireball, jump in with
Roundhouse then Strong, then jump back.  If you get in fast enough, not even
Ryu has time to avoid being hit.  If Ken/Ryu goes into the air, use the 
standing strong to knock him back down (only if you have a claw).  Be cautious
about the screaming eagle attack here, only use if you can be tricky.  One
tactic is to jump at the wall behind the enemy (tricking him into a dragon 
punch) and come back and slam.  OR, you can jump to your own wall and land short
(provided you have enough space).  Keeping the opponent off guard as to where
you are going and landing is the key here.

Vega vs. Honda:
Use the stabs carefully, because they are easy for honda to hit.  Perhaps jab
a few times, kick and then retreat.  If honda torpedoes, block, jump or dodge
it with the backflip.  If Honda tries to corner you with the 1000 hands, jump
over him and throw (he can't stop the hands in time).  As for the rolling
claw, only use it from a long distance, or if the opponent is down (then get
ready to jump away, since the 1000 hands can come out soon).  Caution with 
the diving attack - Make sure you land _behind_ honda, or he can headbutt
you out of it.  If you land behind him, you should have a backdrop or a 
slash at the very least.  The trick is to vary the walls that you jump off of.
A good trick is to jump off the wall behind your opponent, and when he turns
around, land behind him *grin*

Vega vs. Zangief
The trick here is just to keep Zangief away, with jabs and the strong upward
slash.  Vary the timing of your jabs, or Zangief may hit your arm/claw.  If
he spins, use the roundhouse slide.  The rolling claw should only be done 
from a distance.  For the screaming eagle attack - make sure you slam or 
connect with your attack.  And use it sparingly, since Zangief can just spin
around to hit you away.  If you do not slam Zangief, he has enough time to
SPD you.. owch.  Otherwise, Zangief should not be hard.

Vega vs. Dhalsim
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA - Good practice for your Arial backslam.  This is the easiet
match for Vega.  Occassionally, his headbutt can knock you out of the air,
but the timing is hard, and if your opponent gets good at it.  Aim your landing
far behind him and slash instead, this will keep your opponent honest about 
using the headbutt, then it's back to backslams from the air again.

Vega vs. Chun-li
Stay away from her 1000 kicks, or you will lose your claw quickly.  If she
jumps up and down, get in close, then run under and slam her.  He is one of
the very few characters who is fast enough to do this.  If she goes up in the
air, jump back if, possible, otherwise block.  You cannot counter attack her
from the air.  As for arial slams, just make sure you get behind her, and you 
will usually be okay.  Otherwise, she can jump straight up and kick you out
of the air.  Keep her busy with jabs and strongs when she is on the ground,
occasionally jumping in with the roundhouse or using the rolling claw.  Make
sure that you use the "run under-and-slam" technique whenever she jumps up 
into the air.

Vega vs. Balrog
Keep attacking with standing strong, and if you see the opponent coming in with
a charging punch, knock him down with roundhouse.  If he jumps in the air, use
the upward slash (standing strong) to knock him down.  If you go for the air
slam, make sure you land behind Balrog, or he can clock you out of the air, 
and boy, does that hurt!

Vega vs. Guile
Guile is tricky, because he will keep you honest about throwing constant jabs
and strong claw attacks.  The key here is to be very patient about attacking.
If he uses several medium kicks or the 360 kick, try to sneak in a sliding
roundhouse.  If he throws a sonice boom, sometimes you can jump in and annoy
him a little, but he will usually block this.  However, with the screaming 
eagle attack, you can fake most Guile players out of their blade kick.  Bu
By jumping on the same wall, and landing short, many times a tense guile will
release his bladekick, allowing you to walk up and slam.  Or... you can head
for the wall behind Guile, and if he doesn't turn around, air slam.  If he
does, land short and slam if guile doesn't do the blade kick.. With this move,
you have a definate advantage - sometimes, you can jump off the wall without
attacking and just slam the opponent when you land next to him, but it's
sometimes risky..

Vega vs. Bison
Your first move should almost always be a strong slash - it will keep Bison
from torpedoing or even doing his Blitz-kick.  Keep the strong slash up,
varying it with the roundhouse (jumping) kick.  If you get it in right, you
shoudl ususally kick Bison out of his flaming torpedo.  If he is a ways away
and he does a torpedo, you can a) kick him out of it... b) do the screaming
eagle attack and backslam him as he gets out of the torpedo.  If you aim for 
the location _behind_ him, it is VERY hard for Bison to counter it.  However,
if you see Bison start up another torpedo, direct yourself do a safe spot to
land in.
If he does the torpedo and you block, if you are within an inch when he reaches
the corner, use the strong throw to slam him, otherwise try jumping away, or
just blocking. (I recommend jumping away..although perhaps back flipping may 
work)

Vega vs. Sagat
Argh, this is a very tough one.  Having high and low tigers makes it hard to
time when to come in and attack, and one of Sagat's hits takes like 10 of yours
to make up with.  You cannot keep stabbing, because a) you may get hit with
a tiger  or worse  b) You can get hit with a tiger uppercut.  If you have 
alot of distance, you may try jumping off a wall and landing way short to
draw Sagat into a tiger uppercut.  If you can time it well, jump over the tiger
and use a roundhouse kick, then strong hit, then retreat again.  Or, if you
are very fast, jump the tiger and slam Sagat, but this is risky.  A good 
Sagat can give you problems, because that Tiger uppercut is much more deadly
than Ryu or Ken's (hell, all his moves are nasty).

Vega vs. Blanka
This is a bad matchup for Vega.  Blanka wins in the air almost every time, 
unless you jump early with roundhouse and he jumps in at you to attack, in
which case, you will hit.  But he can also jump straight up and fierce slap
you, or do a standing fierce (claws up) to hit you.  His ball attack can be
stopped by kicking it, but that is risky.  Don't even think about doing the 
screaming eagle.  Blanka seems to be _very_ good at defending it, and at best,
you will just land safely.  Continuous thrusting of the claws means getting a
ball in the face.  On top of that, Blanka does heavy damage per hit, and
you will find yourself incapable of matching that damag easily... really, its
like 10 hits of yours to one of his, only Blanka is alot faster than Sagat.
The best option here is to sacrifice throw _alot_.  This means getting Blanka
to jump up, and taking the roundhouse hit and then slamming.  

       Well, that's most everything i've learned so far.  One cool trick 
though - If you know your opponent is coming in for a tick.  Do the rolling
claw.  3 hits that will make him think about ticking next time  *grin*.
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