The Terminator is a rushdown character with strong overhead and low mix-ups, as well as a command grab making him extremely dangerous to fight against up-close. Although he doesn’t have the greatest range on his attacks, the Terminator has multiple ways to open opponents up. He also has very fast normals with a 6 frame poke and a 10 frame mid, giving him the ability to stop opponents from attacking while allowing him to set up his offense.

Key Moves

Name	Input	Description
Say Goodbye	+,+	Overhead into throw, used for mix-ups
Catastrophic Crash	+,,	Fast 10 frame mid, hit confirmable
No Escape	+,	Low into overhead, used for mix-ups, can be interrupted on 2nd hit
Unstoppable Machine	+,	Low, used for mix-ups, can be Flawless Blocked on 2nd hit, triggers a Krushing Blow if the first hit misses
Sawed Off		Slow high projectile, triggers a Krushing Blow if it connects at a close range and Sawed Off has missed twice in a row
Gorilla Press Slam		Throw

Combo Starters

• +,
• Ion Grenade
• Rolling Ion Grenade
• Running Man

The Terminator can launch opponents off the ground using his +,. This is a great combo starter because it is a low into overhead attack that may catch opponents off-guard and does not require meter in order to launch. +, is mainly used as a mix-up with the Terminator’s +, which hits as an overhead. The downside to using +, is that it can be interrupted before the 2nd hit. Equipping the Ion Grenade () or Rolling Ion Grenade () abilities will allow the Terminator to combo off of his ,, and +. If the Running Man () ability is equipped, the Terminator will be able to run towards the opponent. If the opponent is cornered, the Terminator can launch off of any attack by using Punch () during the Running Man stance.

Combo Enders

• Gorilla Press Slam
• Albi Back Breaker

The Terminator’s combos are normally ended with his Gorilla Press Slam (). Ending combos with Gorilla Press Slam will deal very good damage while switching positions with the opponent. Gorilla Press Slam will also Armor Break the opponent if they try to escape the Terminator’s combos with a Breakaway. Equipping the Albi Back Breaker () ability will replace the Terminator’s Gorilla Press Slam. Although the Terminator will lose the option to break the opponent’s armor, Albi Back Breaker gives the him the ability to trigger a Krushing Blow after using all other versions of the move. In the corner, combos can also be ended with ,,,,, and +,,, knocking the opponent down and dealing fairly decent damage.

Catastrophic Crash

The Terminator’s main attack is his Catastrophic Crash (+,,) string. +,, is a fast 10 frame mid attack which can be safely hit confirmed. Once blocked, it will leave the Terminator at -8 but will push the opponent back far keeping himself safe. This is most useful for stopping opponents from attacking while they are at a disadvantage, as well as resetting the neutral if the move is blocked. While fast on start-up, +,, has very weak range so it should only be done when directly in front of the opponent.

Robot Apocalypse

Robot Apocalypse (,,) is a high into mid attack and ends with an overhead. The final hit leaves the Terminator at +2 on block, allowing him to continue his offense. Be careful when finishing the string as the last hit can be punished via Flawless Block. If opponents are attempting to Flawless Block the string however, this will allow the Terminator to stagger , on block for pressure. It’s also worth mentioning that if the Terminator has the Cyber Rift () ability equipped, it can be used as a mix-up with ,, as it is a low-hitting Special Move.

Mix-ups

A vital part in the Terminator’s offense is to use his + and +, attacks for mix-ups. + is an 18 frame overhead, while +, is a 19 frame low. Since both the overhead and low hit near the same time, it can be very difficult to defend against this mix-up. + can be followed up with a Special Move such as Gorilla Press Slam, and can launch the opponent up for a combo if the Ion Grenade or Rolling Ion Grenade abilities are equipped. +, on the other hand will launch the opponent without having to spend meter.

Though this mix-up is strong, both the overhead and low are unsafe if the opponent blocks correctly. One way to prevent opponents from punishing the Terminator after using the low is to substitute his +, with +,. Since opponents will try to interrupt +,, using +, instead will hit them out of their attack. +, is however unsafe as well due to being -8 on block and it being punishable by Flawless Block. While +, will not grant a combo on hit, it is slightly safer than +, so it’s important to mix up both options when going for the low.

Unstoppable Machine

The Terminator’s Unstoppable Machine (+,) is an advancing knee attack. This move makes up for the Terminator’s weak range as it moves the Terminator forward and covers a good portion of the screen. +, can sometimes be thrown out in the neutral to approach opponents from a distance. +, will also trigger a Krushing Blow if the 1st hit misses, so it can be very scary for opponents to try and whiff punish this move. Despite being -8 on block, +, can leave the Terminator completely safe at -7 when done at maximum distance because it will be blocked later in its active frames.

Sawed Off

Sawed Off () is a slow 31 frame high projectile. This is mostly used after hitting an opponent with attacks such as ,, and +, because it will keep the opponent grounded. When using Sawed Off on hit, make sure to Amplify it and hold forward. This will cause the Terminator to walk towards the opponent, leaving him at +16 on hit. Afterwards, this will give the Terminator a guaranteed mix-up between +,+, and grab.

Sawed Off can also be used occasionally at a distance. When using Sawed Off from afar, it’s a good idea to Amplify it and hold back. This will cause the Terminator to walk backwards from the opponent, preventing them from approaching. Due to its slow start-up, Sawed Off is not suitable for zoning and can easily be avoided on reaction. However, it will trigger a Krushing Blow if it connects at a close range and Sawed Off has missed twice in a row. This means that whether the opponent blocks the Sawed Off or ducks underneath it to avoid taking chip damage, the Terminator will always benefit from its use. Be sure to keep track of how many times the Sawed Off has missed. Once it has missed twice, then using any attack and linking it into Sawed Off will trigger the Krushing Blow.

Gorilla Press Slam

Gorilla Press Slam () is a command grab that can be used for mix-ups at close-range. While the opponent is focused on blocking the Terminator’s +, and mix-ups, they’ll be vulnerable to being grabbed by the Gorilla Press Slam. This is usually done in situations where the Terminator is at an advantage such as after hitting an opponent with a poke or Sawed Off. Unlike normal throws, the Terminator’s Gorilla Press Slam cannot be teched with a Throw Escape. Moreover, the Terminator’s throws will send the opponent away from him whereas Gorilla Press Slam will keep them nearby, meaning the command grab should almost always be used over throws.

Gorilla Press Slam can also be used after certain attacks on block. These attacks include:

+
+
+
+

Using Gorilla Press Slam after + can counter opponents attempting to interrupt or Flawless Block after the move. However it is also unsafe because if the opponent is hit by the +, then the command grab will whiff and leave the Terminator temporarily vulnerable to a punish. For this reason, it’s usually recommended to not use Gorilla Press Slam after + as it is essentially the same as going for the overhead, but gives the opponent more opportunity to escape after guessing correctly. Gorilla Press Slam can similarly be used after pokes, which will beat the opponent’s counterpokes. Again, this can also be unsafe because if the opponent is hit by the poke, then the command grab will whiff and the Terminator will be punishable.

Anti-airs

The Terminator has quite a few good anti-air tools to counter aerial approaches. The Terminator’s + involves using his shotgun to fire into the air, and it being a weapon attack means that it can be hard to hit him out of firing. His + is also a great anti-air because it will lower his hurtbox while performing an upwards kick. After hitting the opponent out of the air, the Terminator will be able to convert into a combo. If the Infiltrator Toss () ability is equipped, the Terminator gains an anti-air grab, which has a fast start-up of 8 frames and can be Amplified to combo off of it.

Abilities

Ion Grenade Replaces Sawed Off. Throw an arcing grenade that explodes after a short delay.

Rolling Ion Grenade Adds Rolling Ion Grenade Special Move. Throw a grenade that rolls across the floor, exploding after a short delay.

Albi Back Breaker Replaces Gorilla Press Slam. Grab the opponent and slam their spine down on your shoulder.

Death Grip +Throw Adds Death Grip Special Move. Grab the opponent out of the air and obliterate them.

Infiltrator Toss Adds Infiltrator Toss Special Move. Grab an airborne opponent and hurl them away.

Endo Lunge Adds Endo Lunge Special Move. Leap forward and strike with an overhead blow.

Terminate Replaces Killing Machine. Activate a buff that grants The Terminator Armor but disables the ability to block, dash, and jump.

T.D.E. Replaces Killing Machine. The Terminator warps past his opponent.

Cyber Rift Adds Cyber Rift Special Move. Slams an Ion Grenade into the ground, knocking opponents who are hit flat.

Terraformer AMP Adds Amplify to Alloy Hammer. Slam down with incredible force, shattering the ground and damaging the opponent.

Vice Grip AMP Enhances various Kombo Attacks. Allows The Terminator to amplify both Hammer Slammer and Say Goodbye.

Running Man Adds Running Man Special Move. Sprint at the opponent. While running The Terminator gains access to several additional moves.

Incapacitator Replaces Sawed Off. Throw a grenade that temporarily disables the opponent's ability to perform Amplified attacks, Flawless Block attacks, Getup attacks, and use Environmental Interactions.

Endoskeleton Adds Endoskeleton Special Move. When nearly defeated The Terminator rises back up as only the T-800 Endoskeleton. His moves are restricted in this form.

Albi Back Breaker

The Albi Back Breaker () ability replaces the Terminator’s Gorilla Press Slam move. Albi Back Breaker is a much stronger command grab as it can net much higher damage and allows the Terminator to throw the opponent forward while keeping them nearby. After using all other versions of the move, Amplifying Albi Back Breaker will trigger a Krushing Blow, granting the Terminator immense damage. This includes throwing the opponent behind, forward and Amplifying forward. It’s a good idea to end combos with Albi Back Breaker and use a different version of the move each time it’s used. After using all other versions of Albi Back Breaker, use it again and Amplify it to trigger its Krushing Blow.

Endo Lunge

The Endo Lunge () ability allows the Terminator to leap into the air and strike his opponents with an overhead attack. Endo Lunge can be a great way to approach enemies from anywhere on the screen. It is also safe at -6 on block so it can be freely thrown out. Since Endo Lunge hits as an overhead, opponents must always be ready to block high in case it’s used. Additionally, Endo Lunge can be used for mix-ups along with ,, and +. It is even stronger with the Cyber Rift () ability equipped because Cyber Rift is a low-hitting Special Move that travels across the ground. Keep in mind that Endo Lunge is slow on start-up at 28 frames so it can usually be blocked on reaction or interrupted if done at close-range.

T.D.E.

With the T.D.E. () ability equipped, the Terminator gains the option to warp behind the opponent. This is mainly useful for quickly approaching the opponent while bypassing their projectiles. Amplifying T.D.E. will allow the Terminator to recover quicker, making it more difficult for the opponent to punish him. It will also allow the Terminator to dodge projectiles and recover in time to punish the opponent, depending on the projectile thrown. Furthermore, T.D.E. can be useful for switching positions with the opponent and escaping the corner.

Terraformer

Terraformer gives the Terminator the unique ability to Amplify his Hop Attack. Once Amplified, the Terminator will perform a quick low immediately after the initial hit of the Hop Attack. This can be somewhat difficult for opponents to block since they must block the Hop Attack standing, then quickly switch to blocking low. It will also create a decent amount of pushback, making the Terminator slightly more safe on block.

Running Man

The Running Man () ability allows the Terminator to run across the screen. During the Running Man stance, the Terminator can perform one of several attacks:

(Tackle) – High command grab, can be Amplified and will trigger a Krushing Blow after running a far distance
(Punch) – High, -6 on block
(Kick) – Mid, -7 on block
(Stop) – Allows the Terminator to cancel out of the Running Man stance at the cost of 1 bar of Defensive Meter

In addition, Running Man can be used after blockstrings for pressure. The best strings to use Running Man after are:

,
+
+,

+

If Running Man is used after these attacks, both the Tackle and Kick cannot be interrupted. Only after +, can the Kick be interrupted by 6 frame attacks or Flawless Blocked. Running Man is also much stronger in the corner because the Punch will launch the opponent up for a combo. If in the corner, it’s best to use Running Man after + because the Punch cannot be interrupted afterwards. Once the opponent is conditioned to block the Punch or Kick, this can then be mixed with the Tackle or Stop. Tackle will grab the opponent out of blocking and deal 11% damage. Keep in mind that the Tackle can be avoided if by jumping, so using Punch or Kick will counter the opponent’s jump. Another thing worth mentioning is that if the opponent is hit by the Kick, it will give a great opportunity to use Running Man again followed by an Amplified Tackle, triggering its Krushing Blow. If using Stop, the Terminator will cancel out of the Running Man stance and will be able to continue his offense. While Running Man is good to use after these attacks, it can also be done after any of the Terminator’s attacks if the opponent isn’t expecting it. Mixing Running Man up well enough within blockstrings will keep yourself unpredictable while making it difficult for the opponent to react and defend against the Terminator’s pressure.

The following lists the block advantage for the Terminator’s Running Man Stop:

= -19
, = -9
,, = -15
+ = -3
+ = -25
= -18
, = -14
+ = -17
= -16
+ = -18
+, = -12
+ = -22
+ = -22
= -8
+ = -6
+ = -20

Running Man can also be used after hitting an opponent with a grounded attack such as ,, and +,. While the opponent is stunned, the Terminator will have a considerable amount of time to use his Running Man, pushing the opponent closer to the corner without being interrupted. When using Running Man on hit, make sure to delay it long enough so that the Punch or Kick won’t combo from the previous attack. Another reason to use Running Man on hit is that it gives the Terminator a great opportunity to trigger the Tackle Krushing Blow. After running a long enough distance, use Tackle and Amplify it to trigger its Krushing Blow. It should be noted that the requirements for the Tackle Krushing Blow is dependent on time ran and not distance, so it will still trigger if done in the corner.

Grenade Setups

Equipping either the Incapacitator () or Rolling Ion Grenade () ability gives the Terminator powerful setups after knocking an opponent down.

Incapacitator

The Incapacitator will temporarily disable the opponent’s ability to perform Amplified attacks and use Environmental Interactions. By ending combos with + into Incapacitator, the opponent will not be able to use a Roll Escape or Getup Attack while knocked down, allowing the Terminator to freely attack without worrying about the opponent’s Getup. This is very strong because the Terminator will be able to apply his 50/50 mix-up between + and + on knockdown and the opponent’s only option of escape is to use a Delayed Getup.

Note: Using 2 grenades in a combo will place the Terminator in a cooldown period. The Terminator will not be able to use any grenade attacks during this time. When on cooldown, use combos that do not involve any grenades.

Rolling Ion Grenade

The Rolling Ion Grenade will roll across the floor, exploding after a short delay. By ending combos with + into Rolling Ion Grenade, the opponent will not be able to jump out of the corner. After throwing the Rolling Ion Grenade, the Terminator can cover multiple Getup options from the opponent. If the opponent uses a Roll Escape, the Terminator will be able to recover in time to punish them. If they use a Getup Attack, it can be blocked or Flawless Blocked and punished. This means that the opponent will have very little options to escape on knockdown and must block the Rolling Ion Grenade. Once the Rolling Ion Grenade is blocked, it will leave the Terminator at a huge advantage and give him a guaranteed follow-up with +,+ or +,,. Keep in mind that the opponent can use a Delayed Getup to avoid the Rolling Ion Grenade, however they must still block the Terminator’s follow-up attack if timed correctly.