Scorpion

Scorpion is a well-rounded character with decent-ranged normals and high damage. His Reborn variation gives him high mobility options with Hell Port Cancels, having the ability to approach opponents at any given moment or run away as he pleases. Scorpion becomes one of the highest damaging characters in the game in his Searing Rage and gains stronger offensive pressure. In his Burning Specter variation, Scorpion acquires additional mix-up and pressure options with Misery Blade.

Key Moves

+, – Mid, hit confirmable, great range
,/,, – High, hit confirmable, +2 on block, leads into a Krushing Blow in a Kombo of 8 or more hits
+/+, – Mid, staggerable, leads into a Krushing Blow on Kounter or Punish, can be Flawless Blocked on 2nd hit
+, – Low, hit confirmable, -10 on block, can be Flawless Blocked on 2nd hit

Spear () – High projectile, combo extender and ender, leads into a Krushing Blow at maximum range, unsafe on block and whiff
Hell Port () – High teleport, combo extender, unsafe on block

Combo Starters

Scorpion’s main combo starter is his +, string. Using Hell Port () after +, and Amplifying it will launch the opponent for a combo. Scorpion can also use Spear () to keep opponents grounded for unbreakable combos.

Combo Enders

There are a couple of ways Scorpion can end his combos. Ending combos with Spear will switch positions with the opponent and deal maximum damage. ,, can be used as an alternative to avoid opponents from escaping combos with Breakaway. In Scorpion’s Searing Rage variation, combos can be ended with ,,+ for increased damage output, or Death Spin () to send the opponent fullscreen.

Eternal Vengeance

Scorpion’s primary attack to use in footsies is his Eternal Vengeance (+,) string. +, is a long-reaching mid that can be hit confirmed into Hell Port () for a combo. On block, it can be made safe by confirming into +,,, leaving Scorpion at -5. The great thing about +, is that it is a weapon attack. If an opponent’s attack hits the area involving Scorpion’s sword, their attack will not connect on Scorpion. This allows Scorpion to attack opponents while not putting himself at risk.

Flick Kick

Another strong mid is Scorpion’s Flick Kick (+). + is Scorpion’s fastest mid attack, having a start-up of 13 frames. Although it cannot be hit confirmed, it is only -2 on block. + can be staggered which can be used to start Scorpion’s offense. If opponents try to counterattack after +, +, can be used instead to stop their attack. This will cause +, to become a Krushing Blow as it will hit as a Kounter. Due to the threat of the Krushing Blow, opponents will be hesitant to attack after +, which in turn will allow Scorpion to stagger + and apply his offense. Use +, with caution as the 2nd hit can be Flawless Blocked.

After staggering with +, Scorpion can follow up with another + for more pressure. This is also a good opportunity to throw the opponent as they will likely continue to block in fear of +,. For safe measures, using a poke such as + after + will go underneath high attacks and stop any attack that is slower than 9 frames.

Quick Kick

Scorpion’s Quick Kick (+) is a long-reaching poke that is -9 on block. While punishable, it’s best used at maximum range to safely attack from a distance. On hit, + is +14, allowing Scorpion to approach with +, or +. What makes Scorpion’s + so special is that it lowers his hurtbox, which allows him to attack while dodging the opponent.

Inner Demon

Scorpion’s Inner Demon (+,) string is a low attack that can be hit confirmed into Hell Port for a combo. Since this string hits low into overhead, opponents must have strong defense in order to block it correctly. If they are not prepared, the overhead can catch many players off guard. Be careful when using +, as the 2nd hit can be Flawless Blocked. Due to the delay before the overhead and opponents looking to Flawless Block, Scorpion can occasionally stagger + even though it is -7 on block. +, is punishable on block at -10, however it can be confirmed into +,, which will leave Scorpion at -8 on block. Although -8 is still punishable, it will be more difficult for opponents to punish. To keep opponents guessing on how to punish, mix up +, and +,,. If the opponent tries to punish +,, they will be vulnerable to being hit by +,,. Likewise, if the opponent is expecting +,,, it will allow Scorpion to safely use +,.

It’s important to note that because +,, is -8 on block, it is completely safe against characters without a 7 frame attack. If playing against these characters, always use +,, on block to stay safe.

Pressure

Outside of +, Scorpion can also use , for pressure. , is a high attack that is +2 on block. After ,, Scorpion can frametrap opponents by using a poke such as + or +. If the opponent tries to attack after ,, they will be beaten out by Scorpion’s poke. Once the opponent starts to respect the poke, Scorpion can then apply more offense. As an additional way of stopping opponents from attacking after ,, walking back and using a mid such as +, will whiff punish the opponent’s attack. Scorpion’s ,, can also be used for pressure as it is +7 on block, but is not advised due to the large gap in the string and low reward.

Mix-ups

Scorpion’s + is an overhead attack that knocks the opponent down. Although + has a slow start-up of 27 frames and can be reacted to, it can be used occasionally for mix-ups with +, and +. While + does not lead into a combo, it is safe on block, leaving Scorpion at -5. Another great aspect about using + is that Scorpion shortly becomes airborne, allowing him to go right over low attacks.

Spear

Spear () is a fast high projectile that leads into a combo on hit. At a distance, it can be safe to throw out against many characters. Walking back and throwing out Spears from afar can be a valuable tactic as Spear will not only be kept safe, but it can also catch opponents trying to approach Scorpion. Spear can be great to stop opponents from walking backwards as well. Using Spear in anticipation to an opponent walking back can quickly catch them off guard and drag them in for a combo.

Strike/Throw

When throwing opponents, it’s best to use Scorpion’s forward throw because it will leave the opponent close. Scorpion’s forward throw also becomes a Krushing Blow if the opponent fails to Throw Escape during the previous throw. In order to perform a Throw Escape, opponents must release block, leaving them vulnerable to being hit. Throws can be used as a mix-up with Scorpion’s ,, or +,. Scorpion’s ,, can also be staggered by stopping the string short and using or , instead, which can be a good way to sneak in a throw.

Okizeme

After knocking the opponent down, the safest way to attack is to use Scorpion’s +. If the opponent does a Delayed Getup, Scorpion will recover in time to block any opposing attack. Scorpion will be at a slight disadvantage if the opponent uses a Short Delayed Getup. On the other hand, he will be at a slight advantage if the opponent uses a Long Delayed Getup. If the opponent does not use a Delayed Getup, Scorpion will be able to stagger + for pressure.

Hell Port Cancel

In Scorpion’s Reborn variation, Hell Port () can be cancelled at the cost of 1 bar of Defensive Meter by inputting to teleport behind the opponent, or to teleport away from the opponent. Hell Port Cancels greatly boost Scorpion’s mobility as he can approach opponents at any moment or retreat to a safe distance. Teleporting behind the opponent when they are least expecting it can be a great way to sneak in a throw. Opponents may also have difficulty reacting to the cancel due to the threat of Amplified Hell Port. Repeated use of Hell Port Cancels can however be risky because Hell Port is a high and Scorpion will be at a disadvantage.

Hell Port Cancels can also be used as a decent way to pressure opponents. If teleporting behind the opponent, Hell Port Cancel is best used after +,. This will leave Scorpion at -8 on block, but can be difficult to react to if the opponent is expecting Amplified Hell Port or +,,. Scorpion can then use another +, to continue pressure. Using a + or walking back and using +, can also be somewhat of a valid tactic to counter opponents who react late to the cancel. Due to +, Hell Port Cancel being -8 on block, it is also completely safe against characters without a 7 frame attack.

Outside of +,, Hell Port Cancels can be used after other attacks as well. This can be especially useful when done after single-hitting attacks and make Hell Port Cancels less predictable. However, Scorpion will be at more of a disadvantage if done this way so it should be used with caution.

Hell Port Cancels can be used to safely retreat from the opponent as well. Using Hell Port Cancel after a string such as +, and teleporting away can be very useful as it will put Scorpion in a better position than if he were to use +,,. This allows Scorpion to play a hit-and-run style, freely attacking and retreating at will.

Wrath

In Scorpion’s Searing Rage variation, he acquires Wrath (,,+). This attack strengthens Scorpion’s ability to pressure opponents with , because there is no gap in ,,+. Scorpion’s ,,+ also leaves him at only -3 on block. Using a poke such as + after ,,+ will stop any attack that is slower than 10 frames.

Hack and Slash

Another powerful string exclusive to Scorpion’s Searing Rage variation is his Hack and Slash (+,) string. The 2nd hit of +, is an overhead that can combo into Hell Port. While extremely unsafe, it can stop opponents trying to attack after +. It also has the ability counter opponents attempting to Flawless Block after + because if Hell Port is used after +,, Scorpion will teleport behind the opponent and avoid their Flawless Block Attack. If +, hits, Scorpion can deal anywhere from 35-40% damage, making + staggers much stronger.

Due to the threat of the overhead, this will allow Scorpion to use + on whiff. After whiffing a +, Scorpion can then approach opponents with a forward dash and start his offense. This can be done after a knockdown as well for stronger okizeme. If timed correctly, the overhead will counter opponents using Delayed Getup while knocked down. Low attacks such as + and + can also be used after a whiffed + for small mix-ups.

Death Spin

In Scorpion’s Searing Rage variation, he also gains access to Death Spin (). Death Spin is a fast multi-hitting Special Move that covers a large portion of the screen. With a large hitbox and having a start-up of 11 frames, it can be a useful anti-air to counter jumping opponents. Death Spin also deals a great amount of chip damage, especially while Burning Spear is active. This can be a good way to close out the round if an opponent is low on health. Against certain characters, Death Spin can be difficult or even impossible to punish when spaced out. This allows Scorpion to safely attack opponents from far ranges against these characters.

Burning Spear

Scorpion is able to boost his overall damage output in his Searing Rage variation by using Burning Spear (). Burning Spear temporarily increases the damage on any attack involving Scorpion’s spear. These include Scorpion’s ,,+,+,, Spear, Death Spin and forward throw. Due to the slow start-up on Burning Spear, it should only be used at distances where Scorpion cannot be punished or after completing a combo. To safely set up Burning Spear, end combos with ,, after an Amplified Spear. ,, grants even more advantage to activate Burning Spear if using its Krushing Blow.

Misery Blade

In Scorpion’s Burning Specter variation, he gains Misery Blade (). Misery Blade puts Scorpion into a stance that can lead into 4 different attacks:

– Cancel
– Hate Strike
– Tsuka Poke
– Hamon Sweep

Cancel allows Scorpion to cancel out of the Misery Blade stance at the cost of 1 bar of Defensive Meter. Cancel is best used after +,, which will leave Scorpion at +1 on block. If the opponent attempts to attack after the cancel, Scorpion can use a + to stop their attack. Cancel can be used after other attacks as well when mixed with Tsuka Poke. If the opponent respects the Tsuka Poke, Cancel can be used to apply more offense.

Hate Strike is a slow overhead attack. While it is reactable as it has a start-up of 19 frames, it can be used on occasion to catch opponents off guard. This can be useful against opponents who tend to block low, especially when mixed with +, and +,. If Amplified, Hate Strike becomes a low rather than an overhead. This can be useful if opponents attempt to react to Hate Strike and block high. However, both Hate Strike and its Amplified version are -16 and -15 on block respectively with very little reward, so they should not be used often.

Tsuka Poke is a mid attack and is the fastest move in the game, having a start-up of 3 frames. Tsuka Poke can be used after many of Scorpion’s attacks as it will jail. The most common attacks to use Tsuka Poke after are ,,+,,,,+ and +,. Using Tsuka Poke after + and + can help in covering up gaps and countering opponents trying to Flawless Block in between Scorpion’s strings. Tsuka Poke can also be used after pokes such as + to safely stop counterpokes. If the opponent attempts to attack during the Misery Blade stance, they will be hit. On hit, Tsuka Poke leaves Scorpion at +11, allowing for Scorpion to start his offense. If Tsuka Poke is blocked, it leaves Scorpion at -6 and creates a large amount of pushback. The pushback on Tsuka Poke gives Scorpion more room to escape the opponent’s next attack.

Hamon Sweep is a quick low attack that can be used as a mix-up with Hate Strike. Slightly delaying the Misery Blade stance before using Hamon Sweep will allow it to hit at the same time as Hate Strike. This can be difficult for opponents to defend against if they are not prepared to block after Misery Blade. Hamon Sweep can also be used for mix-ups with Scorpion’s other overheads such as and +,. If Amplified, Hamon Sweep becomes an overhead rather than a low. This can be useful if opponents attempt to react to a delayed Hamon Strike and block low. Similar to Hate Strike, both Hamon Sweep and its Amplified version are -17 on block with little reward, so they should not be used often.