Street Fighter IV Characters

Fighter Overview

Despite having few moves, El Fuerte is a deceptively tricky character. He doesn't have any projectile, has no zoning capabilities, doesn't really have an optimal range, but is essentially useless from afar. He doesn't have a reliable cross-up, has merely decent pokes, and can't combo into his ultra. Despite what Fuerte doesn't have, his inherent mix-up game makes him a viable character, especially against players that aren't used to Fuerte's M.O.

The key to El Fuerte's fuerza is his Habanero Dash (    + P ), which does much more than make Fuerte fast. From the dash, you gain access to Fuerte's excellent mix-up game with threats that hit both low and overhead. His Calamari Slide ( HK after Habanero Dash ) is a low attack that's relatively quick and will catch a lot of opponents off-guard, especially if they're retreating. Or, if the opponent anticipates the low hit, you can connect with the Tostada Press ( MP after Habanero Dash ), which not only acts as an overhead but also very often crosses up the opponent. To further throw off the opponent, use the Fajita Busta ( HP after Habanero Dash ) which looks virtually identical to the Tostada Press but will grab opponents that try to guard high. It whiffs against crouching opponents, though.

That's not all Fuerte has up his sleeve. His Shower Kick (  + MK ) is a very fast overhead hit that Fuerte can combo off of, but only if you've got great timing. More so, the move is great for pseudo cross-ups against downed opponents. After knocking down an opponent, use the Shower Kick to hop over the body and end up on the other side of the opponent. This can mess up the opponent's guard and kills any back-charge a player might have been building. As well, abuse his Focus Attack, which has outstanding range.

There's not much more to Fuerte than that. His c.HP makes a decent anti-air, but better is his EX Guacamole Leg Throw (    + KK ), which has some invincibility to go through an opponent's jump-in attack. His aforementioned Habanero Dash is good for baiting opponents, dashing toward them and then stopping (or hopping back) with Sudden Stop ( LP after Habanero Dash ) or Back Step ( LK after Habanero Dash ) to hopefully elicit a whiffed Shoryuken or equivalent. You can punish with an ultra. The Fuerte Flying Giga Buster ultra (       + KKK ) is also good against jump-ins.

Combos

MP + MK s.HK xx    + HK

Fuerte's Focus Attack is a really good one, so you should abuse it, and this is a quick, simple way to capitalize on it. His s.HK behaves differently up close, knocking the opponent into the air so that you can combo with the Guacamole Leg Throw. An EX Guacamole Throw does a bit more damage.

j.HP s.HP xx MK ( charge and release ) xx       + K

You'll need to start charging the Quesadilla Bomb ( MK ( charge and release ) ) before starting this combo, which you can do by simply holding down the MK button. You may not ever get a chance to use Fuerte's super combo because he needs meter for EX attacks, but if you do find yourself with meter to spare then this combo is worth landing.

s.HP xx    + P LP HP xx    + P HK

No, this combo isn't easy, but all the cool kids are doing it and it's potentially very powerful. The gist is that you land a s.HP up close, cancel it with a Habanero Dash, stop the Habanero Dash with Sudden Stop, and then immediately hit with another s.HP up close...which you cancel into Habanero Dash and basically loop forever, or until the opponent is stunned. The timing isn't easy, though. After the Dash, you need to very quickly tap LP~HP by rolling your fingers over the buttons. It's easy to botch the spacing after a hit or two, so we suggest quickly ending the combo with a Calamari Slide for a knock down, from which you can go back into Fuerte's mix-up game.

Moves List

Shower Kick	+ MK	NORMAL
Do not underestimate this kick. It hits overhead, is very quick, and can even let you combo a s.LP or s.LK which can lead to more. Best of all, you can use it to hop over the fallen bodies of opponents you've knocked down, ruining their back-charges and making your offense more difficult to guard.

Habanero Dash	+ P	SPECIAL
Key to Fuerte play. We covered it pretty extensively above, but note also that an EX Habanero Dash has some hyper armor properties, so you can absorb an incoming attack while running. That's good for charging through projectiles and making up distance on opponents that try to keep Fuerte away.

Guacamole Leg Throw	+ K	SPECIAL
In EX form, this is Fuerte's best anti-air attack. Use it especially as a wake-up counter to meaty jump-ins.

El Fuerte Dynamite	+ K	SUPER COMBO
Decent super combo that's not to tough to setup, but you'll likely be spending super meter on EX Guacamole Leg throws so don't expect to use it often.

El Fuerte Flying Giga Buster	+ KKK	ULTRA COMBO
A good response to whiffed attacks like Shoryukens and also good against jump-ins as Fuerte will pass through the opponent's air attack and make the grab when he/she lands. It's unblockable and will connect with opponents whether they're standing or crouching.