Baraka

Baraka is a rushdown character who also benefits from having a decently fast projectile. Baraka is one of the highest damaging characters in the game, yielding over 40% damage combos in his Marauder variation. He gains deadly command grab mix-ups in his Bone Picker variation using his Blood Lunge Special Move. In his Berserker variation, he has several ways to counteract opponents who tend to Flawless Block his gaps.

Key Moves

,, – High, hit confirmable, +1 on block, can be Flawless Blocked on 3rd hit
,, – High, hit confirmable, -4 on block, leads into a Krushing Blow on Kounter or Punish, can be Flawless Blocked on 2nd hit
+,, – High, hit confirmable, decent range, +1 on block, can be Flawless Blocked on 3rd hit
+ – Slow 28 frame overhead, great range, safe on block
+,, – Low, hit confirmable, safe on block
+/+, – Advancing mid, leads into a Krushing Blow on Kounter or Punish
+ – Low, great range, -2 on block

Blade Spark () – High projectile
Chop Chop () – Used as a combo ender, great chip damage on block

Combo Starters

Baraka’s Marauder variation is able to launch opponents for a combo by using Gutted (). This is normally done after hit confirmable strings such as ,, and +,. In his Bone Picker variation, he is able to combo in the corner by using Spine Burst ().

Combo Enders

Most of Baraka’s combos can be ended with Chop Chop () which leaves the opponent fairly close, allowing for more pressure on knockdown. Chop Chop can be extended by rapidly pressing for maximum damage.

Knee Lunge

Knee Lunge (+) is a 12 frame advancing mid that is safe on block. It is one of Baraka’s strongest normals to use in footsies. After + is blocked, it leaves Baraka at merely -2. This can then be followed up with a poke such as + which will stop any moves that are slower than 9 frames. If opponents are expecting +,, it makes + much more viable as they may react too late. What makes Baraka’s + even more dangerous is that it can lead into a Krushing Blow. If using +,, it becomes a Krushing Blow if it hits as a Kounter or Punish. This is especially good in the corner as Baraka can combo from it. Baraka can also combo off of the Krushing Blow midscreen with a Fatal Blow. On top of that, + makes Baraka airborne. If he is hit out of it then he will only be hit with an aerial combo, taking less damage than a grounded combo.

+ can also be made up to +2 on block if it connects in its later active frames. This is because the opponent will be put into blockstun at a later time than normal, allowing for Baraka to recover quicker. This is best done when spaced out such as after hitting opponents with a Blade Spark or + in Baraka’s Marauder variation.

Leg Chop

Leg Chop (+) is one of the best sweeps in the game due to its long range. Use + to prevent opponents from walking back. By enforcing +, opponents will start to block low, which will then make approaching opponents easier. If + hits, it will knock the opponent down, allowing you to start your offense. If + is blocked, it leaves Baraka at only -2. You can then use a poke such as + which will stop any attack that is slower than 9 frames.

Mangled

Baraka’s Mangled (,,) string is best used up-close. This is one of Baraka’s strongest attacks as it is +1 on block and can be easily hit confirmed. It can also be a good idea to use Special Moves after it such as Blade Spark as the pushback on ,, will keep Baraka safe. Be careful when using this string as the last hit can be Flawless Blocked. To counter Flawless Block, use Chop Chop after ,. This will hit opponents attempting to Flawless Block the last hit of the string.

,, is also good to use when mixed with throws. Opponents who try to Throw Escape are likely to be opened up by ,, if they do not defend properly. Additionally, this string can be staggered for pressure. To stagger, stop the string short by only doing or ,. Staggering can be useful if your opponent is expecting the 3rd hit and tries to Flawless Block. After staggering, you can then continue pressuring with ,, or use a throw.

Chop Chop

Chop Chop () is a great move to use to chip opponents out. If your opponent is low on health, use any move into Chop Chop and extend it by rapidly pressing . This will deal a large amount of chip damage. It can also be used after pokes, which can stop opponents from counterpoking. Another thing that makes Chop Chop good up-close is that it is a very difficult move to punish. By varying the length on how long Chop Chop is extended, opponents will have a hard time punishing it. You can mix this up by not extending it, extending it slightly, or extending it fully. Ultimately your opponent must guess on whether Chop Chop is extended or not in order for them to punish it.

War Banner

War Banner () temporarily boosts Baraka’s damage output. Be careful when using this move because it has a very long start-up. If Baraka is hit out of the start-up, the War Banner will disappear. It’s best to use this move at a safe distance where Baraka will not be hit. Another thing to note is that Baraka will automatically place a War Banner on the ground after hitting the opponent with a Fatal Blow. This can give more incentive to use Baraka’s Fatal Blow earlier because any hit Baraka lands afterwards will deal increased damage which can be enough to finish the opponent off.

Throws

While Baraka’s throws send the opponent away, he is one of many characters that can get a Krushing Blow off of both his forward and back throws. If the opponent fails to Throw Escape, the next throw that connects will become a Krushing Blow. When throwing your opponent, mix up which direction to throw them. It’s best to throw in the direction opposite of what your opponent will expect.

Zoning

Blade Spark () is a decent projectile that can be used for zoning opponents out. Although it is a high projectile, it is still fast enough to stop opponents from approaching. The closer opponents are, the harder it will be for them to react to Blade Spark. When zoning with Baraka, it’s a good idea to mix up regular and Amplified Blade Spark. If Amplified, Baraka will send out an additional projectile which will hit mid. This can be useful for hitting opponents who try to advance after ducking the initial spark.

Blood Lunge

In Baraka’s Bone Picker variation, he gains access to Blood Lunge (). Blood Lunge is a high command grab that will connect even on crouch blocking opponents.

Blood Lunge can be done after:

,
+

+,
+
+
+

Blood Lunge can be used for mix-ups by either using it after these attacks, or by finishing the entire string. For example, using into Blood Lunge will hit opponents who are afraid of ,,. If your opponent attempts to punish the Blood Lunge, you can then mix this up by using ,,. Blood Lunge is also great when used after pokes because it will go directly over counterpokes.

Spine Burst

In addition to Blood Lunge, Baraka’s Bone Picker variation has an amazing anti-air with the Spine Burst Special Move. Spine Burst shoots spikes out of Baraka’s back, which will hit above him in all directions. This is a relatively safe move to throw out due to its recovery and the large amount of space that it covers.

Blade Charge & Baraka Serker

In Baraka’s Berserker variation, he gains access to 2 unique Special Moves: Blade Charge () and Baraka Serker (). Both of these moves are great to use to counter opponents who Flawless Block in between Baraka’s gaps because they become Krushing Blows if the opponent blocks late. When using +,,, use Blade Charge after +, instead to punish opponents attempting to Flawless Block the final hit. Be careful as Blade Charge is unsafe on block if the opponent does not attempt to Flawless Block the gap. If using ,, or ,+, use Baraka Serker to stop opponents from Flawless Blocking these strings.

Baraka Serker can also be made safe by Amplifying it. If Amplified, it becomes -3 on block as opposed to being -14. However, this has a gap that can be Flawless Blocked. To prevent opponents from Flawless Blocking the gap, do not Amplify Baraka Serker as it will hit opponents out of their Flawless Block attempt.

Leg Kabob Mix-ups

Another move in Baraka’s Berserker variation is Leg Kabob (). Leg Kabob is a low-hitting Special Move that is used for mix-ups and restanding opponents. Leg Kabob can be mixed up with ,, and +,, as both strings end in overhead attacks. Leg Kabob is also safe at -7 on block so there is no consequence in using it up-close.

Leg Kabob Restand

Baraka’s Leg Kabob is also a restand, which will leave opponents in a standing position when used as a combo ender. Leg Kabob leaves Baraka at +5, which can be followed up with +,. Baraka’s + will trade with 7 frame attacks, but if your opponent mistimes their attack, they will be hit and +, will become a Krushing Blow. This is best used in the corner where the restand will leave the opponent fairly close and prevent them from escaping.