LK Mashes

CS2 Taokaka, part 1

The most important thing you need a strong neutral game to be successful. Without understanding her neutral game, you’ll be flailing around the screen and taking unneeded damage. Tao is tied for the lowest health in the game (9500 HP) - so you have to be cautious.

Biggest change in CS2 is her j5D. It is much shorter than in CS1. Your horizontal mobility using just j5D is much more limited than before - thus you have to compensate with other forms of movement.

The second biggest change from CS1 to CS2 is how much hitstop her drives have. This is very good or her - it means that it’s much easier to time drive cancels, which you’ll need for neutral. It also makes combos waaaaay easier than before.

Now, Taokaka is a movement based character, so in the end you must understand her movement.

• A Drive Cancel - Stops you instantly. Done higher in the air, you can still airdash afterwards.
• B Drive Cancel - Goes through the opponent. Turns you around when you get through them.
• C Drive Cancel - Bounces up on contact. Easy to hitconfirm of of. Can airdash/jump afterwards (as long as you have the movement options left).

So, everyones movement will probably be varied somewhat. Go to options would be:

• 2D - anti-air. 2D~B is useful for “okizeme” (going to be covered in another post).
• J5D - Midscreen torpedo, pretty much. Very useful for neutral and fishing for counterhits. J5D~C is very easy to confirm on CH - on ground CH, falling jC, air CH, j4D~B.
• J4D - This would seem to be an easy way to get in on people, However, against an experienced player, it is pretty risky. J4D is good for regaining your air options, and for slipping under people.
• J2D - Situational, but can beat some anti airs. J2D~B or j2D~C are good options.

Aerials:

• j2B - Active forever. Great to just throw out when you’re high above them, and easy to confirm off of.
• jA - Air to air. Fast, easy to confirm off of with jA > jC > j9D~9 etc.
• jC - Excellent horizontal range. For air hits, you have to confirm off just the single hit, but if you can do it, the damage is great.

Next time I’ll cover combo theory and mixup. If you have any questions, just ask!