Arcana Heart 3/Zenia Valov

Zenia Valov

Health Modifier	%+2
Guts Threshold	~40%
Maximum Guts	~35%
Guts Factor	~5.25%
Base EHP	~25836

Zenia's Move List

Introduction

She'll punch you in your mouth. Zenia is a fierce close range character with speed and power to match. Shes great for people that don't mind working to get in, but having the tools to stay in and get busy.

Starting Out

1 - Homing Approach
JB and J6B are great for getting in with NH. They are both stupid fast hand have good decent hitboxes. JB is better when your opponent is below you and J6B is great when then are slightly above since she has upper body clash frames from frame 1. JC is also a great tool when they are below you or on the ground and you have a bit of distance between you and your opponent.

2 - Neutral Spacing
Most of Zenia's normals have extremely fast start up. You can use them in conjunction with a forward to to steal the initiative on the ground with 2A. After that you can chain to 2B to stay on them or throw. 6B is also good for players (very) slightly above you or in front. It has a little bit of upper body clash from frame 1 and good horizontal reach. 5B is also a good tool as it has a decent anti air hitbox. It tends to clash so its best when used from a 5C, Whirlwind or 4GC to help it beat jump ins cleanly. The C version of Gust is air unblockable on the second hit and comes out very fast, it can score some damage for you on people trying to jump out of Whirlwind. If they block it, 6HC or EFC the first hits and continue to pressure. Hurricane A and B have strong horizontal hit boxes and good speed. You can stagger them after a blocked 2B or 2C to fish for pokes. If you get a counter hit, there are various arcana supers that you can confirm into for big damage. On hit you can easily confirm in into a fast 5D into J6B for the pick up. This is weak against low profile attacks though. Like Saki's 2C and Konoha's 5E.

3 - Hit Confirms
JA will help to tie up many hits from JB and J6B when your opponent is slightly above you. Go ahead and use a couple in a row, Zenia has one of the few mashable JAs in the game. Always go from JA to JB on hit or block. If you get a clean hit, J6B >[jc]> J6B JC J623ABC. It's not a problem if it gets block but beware of forward guard cancels.

4 - Defense
Zenia's 2A is par of the "fast as hell" crew along with Clarice's 4C and Akane's 5A. You can use it just like a certain Boxer to poke out of strings when you see the opportunity. Also, not only are Whirlwind command dashes good for spacing, you can use to escape from set ups and the corner. Especially the C version, it has upper body invincibility and moves Zenia forward a good bit. You could use it to get away and reestablish neutral. This is weak against throw and lows though, so be careful. You could also use the command dashes to trigger her XH if you have the meter. This has a long period of full body invincibility and has huge damage return. And since its a lock move, it will go through things like Metal's and Flowers super and give you a juicy punish.

Arcana Selection

Zenia is a great close range fighter, so arcana that improve on her damage from close encounters or give her the tools to get in are great selections for her.

Metal
It is quite easy for Zenia to make time to create some meter with Energia. You can also make extremely high damage combos with Hurricane or Edinorog into Metal's sword super. As you go on in the round, power up Zenia with Epidosis to give her even high damage potential off small confirms. You also get Metal's normal swords to pester your opponent with and force them to block while you steal the momentum. This arcana is definitely one of the best for Zenia.

Punishment
Punishment can make some pretty ridiculous damage in a second with Punishment. Dual is very easy for Zenia to combo with in EF to make some interesting and high power combos since Dual barely prorates. Zenia also has a reset in EF with 2[E] that will literally eat your opponents life away if they don't get away. Some problems with punishment include poor stamina in exchange for this power, as well as difficulty increase your meter without being on the offensive all of the time. If you didn't land a big combo in round 1 and lost, there is a good chance that you won't even have 2 bars in the next round. Still, Punish's EF last a long time and giving you an opportunity to make a combo if you can get the upper-hand.

Fenrir
Zenia can combo into Berger, but the timing for it is a bit weird. However Hurricane into Dingfelder is pretty easy to hit and does a good amount of damage. Zenia also has a guard crush set up with Dingfelder that does a good amount of damage. You won't be much of any other Fenrir moves besides these two moves though. You could try to end an air combo with Falke or Falkenhayn, but they would need to be at a certain height for it to work. After it hits, you could go for an airthrow reset.

Flower
Can't get counterhit. Lots of EFC's available which helps Zenia a lot since non-meter non-anti air combo options are bad. You can choose to go for a flower setup or a reset with those EFC's. Multilayer helps with zoning. Good burst recovery is nice to have. In the corner after a j.E you can do j.236E[2] for some basic projectile oki.

Dark
Gives Zenia good oki off basically everything. j.E > 236E is good, EF loop into 236E is good. In the corner she can use the transforming 2[E] to loop an unblockable setup for major damage depending on how much meter she has available. Gier can help with zoning, but you'll often have to resort to using to the super version against anyone vaguely experienced vs Gier. Burst recovery is very bad and shouldn't be used unless absolutely necessary. Meter generation is also slow. Between the meter and burst you need to be solid on defense and pick where to use meter carefully, but that patience will be rewarded when you land a hit.

Combos

214Xg/623Xg means that Edinorog must be released immediately, 214Xr/623Xr is red or perfect Edinorog.

Target Combos

• ~2B > 2C > [4]6A/B > 214Xg
• ~2B > 2C > [2]8A/B > 623Xr > [NHC] > JB > J6B > [jc] > J6B > Air ender
• ~2B > 2C > [6HC] > 2A > 5C > 236A~A > 2A > 5B > Air
• J623Xr > [NHC] > 5A > 5B > Air

• 2A > 2B > 2C > [EFC] > 6B > 5C > 2C > 236A > 2A > 6B > 5C > 2C > 236A > 6B > 5C > 2C

Midscreen EFC combo

• JC > 2A > 2B > 2C > [EFC] > [66] > 2A > 5C > 2C > 236A > 2A > 5C > 2C > 236A > 6B > 5C > 2C

Another confirm method for her standard EF combo

• ~2C > [EFC] > 6B > 5C > 2C > 236A > 6B > 5C > 2C

A combo for arcana that have short EFC durations

• ~2B > 5C > 236A~A > [EFC] > [66] > 5B > 5C > 2[E] > Unblockable reset

Basic unblockable reset combo. These combos can also lead into many Arcana Blazes like Love or Halo.

• ~236A~B > [EFC] > [66] > 5B > 5C > 2[E] > Unblockable reset

An unblockable reset following her overhead during 236A. You can also follow up 236A~B with 236A+B and EFC that.

Corner Combos

• ~2B > [4]6A > 2A > [4]6B > 214Xr > [NHC] > JB > JC > 5B > Air
• ~236A~B > [EFC] > [IAD] > JC > 6B > 5C > 2C > 236A > 2A > 6B > 5C > 2C
• ~236A~B > [EFC] > [66] > 5B > JB > JE > JC > 6B > 5C > 2C

Unblockable Reset Combos

This are combos that you need to stick to the end of combos that say "unblockable reset".

• [4]6A > [NHC] > J6B > 5B > J6B > JE > JC > 5B > Air
• [4]6A > 214Xr > [6HC] > 5B > Air

Midscreen, if you have Edinorog charged

• [4]6A > 5A > JB > JE > JC > 5C > 2C > 421A+B > [66] > 5C

Corner combo, charges Edinorog and allows you to set up stuff

• [4]6A > 214Xr > [4]6A > 214Xr > [6HC] > 5B > Air

Corner combo, more damage than the above one. If you are only near the corner and wouldn't be able to connect the second [4]6A, skip to 6HC.

Air Combos

• JA > JB > J6B > [jc] > JB > (J6B) > JC > J623X
• JA > JB > J6B > [jc] > J6B > JE > (J214A+B)

This is what your air-to-air confirms will usually look like. Stick this to the end of anything that says "air" in the below combos as well. You may have to skip the last JB against small characters / kira, or in high proration combos.

Arcana Combos

Love

• ~2C > [EFC] > [66] > 2A > 5C > 2C > 236A > 6B > 5C > 2C > 236A > 2A > 5C > 2C > 421A+B > [66] > 5C > 236E

Charges Edinrog and sets up basic love ball oki. Vary where to use 2A/6B depending on the character (6B if they are floated high, 2A if they are low, for example 2A/2A/6B works on Kira).

• some launcher > JA > JB > J6B > 623E > [NHC] > JB > J6B > [forward jc] > J6B > JC > J623Xg

Basic extender for air combos in general at the cost of 1 homing.

• ~2B > 5C > 236A~A > [EFC] > [66] > 5B > 5C > 2[E] > ([4]6A)x3 > 214Xr > 236236E > [NH] > Air

Corner unblockable reset combo.

Tyr

• [corner] 2B > 2C > [2]8B > 623x[red] > 641236E > NH > Air
• [corner] 2B > 2C > [4]6B > 214x[red] > 641236E > NH > Air

In these combos, you can dash into the corner after the Tyr super and do 214214E to catch any techs, then NH into an aircombo if they get caught.

Flower

• [corner] ...2C > [4]6B > 214x[red] > 214214E > 66 5B > j9.B > dj9.BE
• [corner] ...2C > [4]6B > 214x[red] > 236236E > iad j.E

• ...2C EFC > 66 6B 5C 2C(1) 236A > 66 2A 5C 2C(1) > {214E / 214214E / 623E / 236A} > 66 5C > (236E)

• [corner]...5C 236A~A EFC > 66 5B 5C 2[E] > [4]6A etc

Dark

• [corner] ...2C > [4]6B > 214x[red] > {6D 2[E] > 66 214x[red]} x1-3

Can use EFC to add another reptition or finish with a knockdown combo if you so please, resets will pretty much always do more damage than actual an actual combo, but won't give much in terms of okizeme.

• ...2C EFC > 66 6B 5C 2C(1) 236A > 66 2A 5C 2C(1) > {236[E] / 236236[E] / 214[E] / 623[E]} > 66 5C 236A > whatever mixup or bait

• [corner] 236]E[ > [5C] > [4]6B > 214x[red] > whatever followup

Leaves them too high to go into unblockable loop unless you omit 5C.

• Omitting a hit from air combos puts Zenia is a better position to use j.E xxx[E] oki, i.e. 236]E[ > 66 5B > j9.6B > dj9.6B E 236[E]

Punishment

• 2/5BC 236A~A [efc] 5BC 2[E] 236A~A > step > 5BC 2[E] 236A~A 6hc... etc

Unblockable reset Loop

Move List

Normal Moves

2A Crouching flicker jab, hits mid. Super fast start up and cancels into itself, a mash move if there ever was one. You use this alot for mashing out of things, pressure, staggers, ground to ground clash battles, you name it.

5A Standing flicker jab, hits mid. Also cancels into itself and has extremely fast start up, but the hitbox is very high and completely whiffs on a good portion of the other characters' crouching animation. Has clash frames on it so it works well as an anti air.

2B A crouching, downward angled flicker jab, hits low and is high jump cancellable. Good start up and unexpectedly good range on this move. If you hit with the tip of this, the 2nd hit of 2C will whiff so use 236X or 236AB after a max range 2B to continue your combo. You could also just opt to jc cancel it and continue with your pressure.

5B Short uppercut, hits mid. Not much of a horizontal hitbox, but it reaches up to about Zenia's eye level. The start up is as quick as a bunch of characters' 5A and it has clash, so this can also work as an anti air to some extent.

6B A quick kick in front of Zenia, hits mid. This has the best reach out of all of Zenia's ground moves. Floats the opponent on hit so you can easily pick that up fro a combo when the opponent is close to you, but you'll probably need a homing cancel or EF cancel if they are too far away.

2C Scoops hagen daz, hits two times, low, and downs the opponent. Has some clash and Zenia's profile gets low enough for this to be used as a good anti air for IAD and etcs. Beware of cross ups though, those will just nail you and you'll eat a full combo.

5C A forward moving, strong punch ala Ryu's solar plexus punch. Noticeable longer in start up that her standing A or B, but it has a great hitbox and the delay makes it a good mash punish if you chain straight into it from 5/2A. Don't too that too much because if they 4D after your 2A, you'll probably eat a full course combo. Mix it up with 236s to help stay in on the opponent.

2E An uppercut from a crouching position. Good reach and start up, goes well with the air unblock-ability that most 2Es in the game have. Great move after a forward step to knock your opponent out of the air if they are hanging around low in the air mindlessly.

5E A full hook punch. On the slow side for E moves so it doesn't see much use.

JA Air flicker, great speed and it cancels into itself. Weak hitbox, but its just so fast that you can use it when suitable as an air-to-air. Don't overestimate this move though, in the end its an A level move afflicted with Zenia reoccurring lack of range.

JB Flying knee, decent hitbox and quick start up with tons of clash frames all over the move. Good as an air to air move.

J6B For the most part, 6B transposed into the air. The duration is the charm point of this move, you can use it as if you wanted to ram it into the opponent. Nothing wrong with using it like JB since it has the same quick start up as it.

JC Zenia thrusts her foot out behind her in air, this is your jump in of choice. Good start up for a JC move and a great hitbox. If you hit with this low to the ground in an air-to-air situation, you can re-jump or use Edinorog to pick the hit up for a combo. Great move for moving/running away from your opponent to steal hits and pick them all up for combos.

JE A strong downwards hook, ground slams on hit. Good move as an aerial finisher to move into okizeme after, there are times where you even land before your opponent after using this. Excellent amount of clash frames on it and easy to cross up with.

Special Moves

Howling Black Hurricane 「吼える黒きウラガーン」 - [4]6ABC (Description) - A straight punch with Edinorog. After hitting with this move, you can follow it up with 214X to fire the Golden Edinorog. The A and B versions are generally use for combos. The C version guard crushes on hit but it is telegraphed and much slower than the other two. The C version has many clash frames on it and you can still use the follow up if you guard crushed the opponent. The hitbox is quite like, much like her 5A, so be careful about using this on short characters.

Raging Dark Tornado 「猛る暗きタルナーダ」- [2]8ABC (Description) - This is basically the anti air version of her Hurricane. It is air unblockable and has tons of clash. As you can see it is a great anti air for opponents coming in right in front of you, but it is fairly weak against cross ups. The C version of this also guard breaks and you can fire the pile bunker in the same manner as the move above with 623X.

Golden Edinorog 「金色のイディナローク」 - 214 or 623ABC (Description) - Zenia fires the pile bunker with this move. Slow start up and long recovery, so you need to think about using this move before you let it rip. Under your health bar, there is a charge gauge for the Edinorog. The properties of releasing the pile bunker change in relation to how you charge it. In the green, the damage is the least and the pile bunker hit is techable in the air. If you fill it to the red, the attack power goes up and becomes untechable. If you fill it and hit the yellow bar, in other words if you time it right, the damage will increase even more and the pile bunker is unblockable. 214 is a leveled shot, 623 is an anti air shot. The air version, J623X, is an anti ground shot from the air with the pile bunker; the air version has slightly different properties. The normal (green) version is air is an overhead and the powered (red) version is air unblockable. The timed (yellow) version of J623 will ground bounce the opponent and is completely unblockable.

Subjugating Whirlwind 「征くはヴィールヒ」 - 236ABC (Description) - This is a forward moving boxing duck. The different versions of this move change how far Zenia moves, with C moving her almost half the screen forward. All version have invincibility to physical attacks, above the knees, but the opponent can throw. Be careful no to use this too frequently and leave your self open to a super grab. Still, the C version moves so far, that you could use it in response to an IAD attack after a jump cancellable low from the opponent to run past and away from them at little risk. Zenia can move into two different follow ups from this move.

Disturbed Gust 「掻き乱すパルイーフ」 - ABC [During Whirlwind] (Description) - A set of follow ups to Zenia's boxing duck. (A version) - After stepping in, Zenia throws a quick haymaker towards the opponent. This is mostly used as a combo tool. However if it gets blocked you have the advantage, so you can link this in to 2A as quickly as possible to continue your pressure. The hitbox isn't too strong, so don't expect it to beat everything out right in front of you. (B version) - An overhead jab to the opponent dome if they are still crouching. The overhead itself is quick, but you much do it after Subjugate so its a beat too slow to always trick the opponent into thinking they are safe crouching. Another problem is that Zenia has no lows off Subjugate, so the opponent could always just stand for half a beat to be safe anyway. On hit or block you can super cancel this into 236AB to extend your combo/blockstring, but trying to 3S hit confirm into this is impossible, frankly speaking. (C version) - A two piece combo of an upper cut, then an overhead punch like SFIV Ryu (and is an overhead to boot). Combos from B or C moves and you can keep your combo going with a neutral homing cancel into an air combo. Could make a good mash punish since the first hit comes out in 5 frames.

Bell Piercing Night 「コーラカルを穿つ夜」 - AD [During Whirlwind] (Description) - This is a command grab follow up to Zenia's command step. Unfortunately, it is slower than the A follow up and is quite telegraphed. If you throw out a bunch of C follow ups you might trick your opponent into getting hit by this.... STILL, 2B into into a step then throw or 236X into a normal throw probably has more utility than this in the long run. Should you land this move, you can charge Edinorog to add damage to the grab. After that, its easy to follow up with a homing cancel.

Super Moves

Distant El Dorado 「エリダラーダは遠過ぎて」 - 421A+B (Description) - Makes the Edinorog meter full, after this, this, your next pile bunker will be powered no matter where you use it (If you get the timed bunker though, that will take priority). The effects will last even if you get hit, but you cannot carry it over rounds. Slow but ignores projectiles after Zenia raise her arm in the air until the end of the move.

War Resounding Impulse 「戦火に響くタルチオーク」 - J214A+B (Description) - Zenia drives her pile bunker into the ground and creates a shock wave that can attack the opponent; Zenia herself does not actually hit the opponent with this move. This shock wave hits low and covers the whole stage. It doesn't look like it but hit also hit very slightly above the ground as well, you could even use this after a JC on a grounded opponent immediately for a hit. The shock wave comes out frame 1 after Zenia reaches the ground, give many interesting ways to punish different moves on the ground.

Unbeatable Matador 「タレアドールは倒れない」 - 236A+B (Description) - Your everyday rondo. The first hit locks. After a flurry of punshes, the opponent is punched up, then groundslamed. If they block this, Zenia will continue up to the uppercut then stop. There is almost no invincibility on this, so unless you are punishing clashes, keep this move to combos. This will connect from just about anything B level and up so use this for easy/safe combos or far (for Zenia) confirms. You can EFC or Homing cancel the uppercut for many different combo routes.

Critical Heart

Ending Separation 「終わりを告げるラススタヴァーニィ」 63214A+B [During Whirlwind] (Description) - This XH comes out of Zenia's boxing duck. Zenia first swings at the opponent 3 times, each hit can guard crush the opponent. The 4th hit is an unblockable grab. After you grab them, you can hold the button down to charge Edinorog just like her 214 etc. A timed blow will land you big damage. The EF version works a bit differently. After Zenia grabs the opponent, she will run them into the wall and allow you to charge Edinorog 4 times. The first 3 strikes of the Pile Bunker's charges go by very fast, the last one goes much slowly. If you get all timed blows, you'll wipe off 8/10's of the opponent health bar (and the smile off their face if they were in the lead). This is fairly easy to combo into so use it if you have the meter to spare.

Palettes

4. Iori Yagami (King of Fighters)
5. Nina Antalk (Chrome Shelled Regios)
6. Vanessa (King of Fighters)
8. Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)
13. Aika Sumeragi (Agent Aika)
13. Omega Red (X-Men)