Cronos the Phoenix

## Introduction

Cronos is an offensive, rushdown character. While he lacks the ability to brute-force his way in like Shenlong and Yugo can, he makes up for this by having a solid mid-range game, waiting for the right time to go in and start applying pressure. Cronos is an exception among the cast in that his Beast form is actually weaker than his human form, making him rely heavily on his Hyper form; this can be a problem if he loses momentum, as he also has weak defensive tools. To play Cronos effectively, you must learn how to utilize his cancels and know how (and when) to use his Hyper correctly.

### Pros

* High-damage combos while in Hyper
* Good dash
* Strong rushdown
* Decent mid-range pokes
* Strong Hyper
* Can steal meter

### Cons

* Very weak Beast form
* Weak on defense
* Poor walk speed
* Over reliant on his Hyper form

## Stats

 **Beast** | 100%
 **Hyper** | 140%

## Ability Plus

* **Transformation:** Cronos' Beast form becomes the Phoenix, gaining new moves, stats and attack properties.
* **Rave:** All attacks become cancelable, and every attack has its startup reduced by 1 frame.

## Combo List

#### *Human*

* K,P xx 236P,P
* 4K xx 214K (G) after first hit, 66P
* 4K xx 214K (G) after first hit, 4K xx 214K (G) after first hit, 4K xx 214K - *(only works on most characters by the wall)*
* 6K,K, 2K
* 6K,K (hc) dash 2B, 66P

#### *Beast*

* 66P xx 2369B
* 8P xx 236K xx 2362369B
* 6k,K (ac) j.6P, 1B,Bx9
* 6K,K xx 2362369B
* 2K,K,P xx 236P,P (ac) j.6P, 1B,Bx9
* j.B, j.6B 5P xx 8B xx 8P xx 2369K xx 2362369B
* j.6B, 214214B

#### *Hyperbeast*

* 4K xx 214K(G) 236K xx 8P xx 214K(G) 4K xx 214K(G) 236K xx 8P xx 214K(G) 4K xx 214K(G) 236K xx 8P xx 236236B *- (Cronos main BnB, can be started of almost anything that cancels into 236K, can end with anything in place of super, it is possible to do 4K into 236K without the 214K(G) bridge but it will whiff on some characters)*
* 4K xx 214K(G) 236K xx 8P xx 236K xx 8P xx 236K xx 8P xx 236K xx 8P xx 236236B - *(weaker but much easier to perform version of the above combo, doesn't work on some characters)*
* 4K xx 214K(G) 236K xx 2147B,K, 6321478B
* *P,P or 2K* xx 236P,P xx 214B,K, 6321478B
* 6K,K xx 214B,K, 6321478B
* 6K,K (ac) j.6P, 236K (ac) j.K, j.P, j.k, 236B, *K,K xx 214K(G) K,K xx 214K(G) K,K K*
* *6K,K or 4K xx 236K* (ac) j.K, j.P, j.B (dash under) 2K xx 236K (ac) j.K, j.P, j.B
* (At wall) 6K,K (ac) j.6P, 236K (ac) j.K, j.P, j.K, 236P,P xx 214B,K, 6321478B

## Strategy and Tactics

Cronos' main goal is to try and control the pace of the match while building meter for his powerful Phoenix form. Once he has transformed into the Phoenix, he is able to start his offense with a mix of Guard Break setups and mid/low mixups. It is important to maximize the damage done while in Phoenix form, as its duration is limited.

#### *Important moves*

* **4K** - One of Cronos' best moves. Comes out in 18 frames (17 in Phoenix), has good range, has Guard Break propertiess, hits mid, is special cancelable, leaves you at at a massive advantage on block and bounds on hit, letting you go into his high-damage combos; this move is the cornerstone of Cronos' offensive setups. The Phoenix's version of this move has a larger hitbox and more active frames than the human version.

* + While 4K is a strong move, it's not without its drawbacks: it's not the fastest move around, and it is very telegraphed, making it fairly susceptible to being evaded simply by lying down. It's best to use it at its maximum range, where it's generally safer to use; it can also be used in a string after 3P, since 3P can low profile stuff and causes a knockback stagger on counter hit.
* **236K** - A fast launcher with good range, 13 frames of startup (12 in Phoenix) with a lot of active frames, safe when spaced at absolutely max range so just the tip of the kick hits, and causes an untechable launcher on counter hit or after a stagger. This move is important for most of Cronos' combos, as well as being an useful mid-range poke. while in Phoenix form, it can be used to create low/mix mixup situations and works especially well with 1P. The move is G cancelable right up until the first active frame and doing so causes Cronos to swap open/closed stance.
	+ If poorly spaced, the move is punishable while in Human form, but can be made safe in Phoenix form thanks to its unique trait, Rave. Launching with this move can cause the opponent to fall slightly off axis, meaning you will have to adjust followups accordingly. The move has very short range while in Beast form, though it retains its other properties.
* **214K** - Cronos' Guard Attack. Not very good for reversals since it has so little armour, usually getting stuffed by other attacks before it connects. However, it is amazingly good for kara-cancels, making many of Cronos' combos and setups possible.