In-depth character discussion: Axel (3 versions)

[Don Vecta]

Shiva is broken tier so he doesn't count. *troll*

[BigDarsh]

Anyone knows how to deal with bikers which go back and forth on a small Z-Axis map?
It's a situation very annoying, especially with axel 2 since his def special don't stand long and is jump kick do weak damage. If there's mook around the poke and grab game is very difficult to land with axel2 since his jab is easily outranged. I use jumping knee if the mook has no anti-air to grab but it is not always possible. I tried to time roll evade but I really don't know if you are invincible long enough to dodge them since you can't sidestep. I very often die or use police but it's a not a very reliable solution lol.

Thank you for helping

[DarkThief]

If there's only the bike it shouldn't be an issue, just fly-kick away. His standing A special usually does the trick if you're in the middle of the screen (to prevent being hit by them reappearing). Otherwise, it's crowd control, which Axel2 is fairly good at...does grand upper have immunity in it somewhere?

Axel sucks in general though IMO, I dunno why he's so hyped - slow, short range, crap jump (apart from Axel3) and the worst throws (apart from Axel1). Only thing he has going for him is the best combo in the game (which is a serious plus ofc) together with decent A specials (and decent B specials if you're Axel1/2). Thankfully Axel3 is workable on Mania thanks to his regular fly-kick.

[Don Vecta]

I like Axel-1 reach and damage, though.

[BigDarsh]

If there's only the bike it shouldn't be an issue, just fly-kick away. His standing A special usually does the trick if you're in the middle of the screen (to prevent being hit by them reappearing). Otherwise, it's crowd control, which Axel2 is fairly good at...does grand upper have immunity in it somewhere?

You may have not played the mod for sormaker I use to play since, modders like to put them huge life bar (2/3rd to full) and jump kick + standing special takes time to kill them, even with Axel I which deals double damage on his jump kick. If you add donnies into the mix... :-p On top of that, if you stay mid screen, they can use wheeling attack and I still don't understand how to time the jump kick to hit them while they lift their bikes (maybe there is some differences between bikers 2 and 3). So staying in the middle is the best way to get flanked or wheeled (?) lol.
If he had a longer special (like max or blaze) he could evade and deals damage to both mooks and bikers, but with Axel it's harder to get this situation so wasting special is not good at all lol.

Grand Upper (axel2&3) and Dragon Smash (blitz 2*: axel 1,2&3) has invincibility start up, but your character is still open to receive damage, and has bikers go "through" you, you're screw. Note that Max can use his off special if well timed since he goes across the bike while the bike go through him (or his blitz 2 since it is god invincible and free lol). Thank for your input


Axel I would be the best of the three (range, damage, safe) if he didn't trade his jump kick for jumping knee. So we still have to choose between Axel 3 (jump kick + speed) and Axel I. Axel 2 is the worst of the three but still my main character (practice is the key!).

[DarkThief]

On top of that, if you stay mid screen, they can use wheeling attack and I still don't understand how to time the jump kick to hit them while they lift their bikes (maybe there is some differences between bikers 2 and 3). So staying in the middle is the best way to get flanked or wheeled (?) lol.

I think there is a difference, I remember the wheelie being a new move for the SoR3 bikers as I never saw the SoR2 ones do it. (and they always took 1 hit to kill as well, the ½-1 health bar versions didn't show up until SoR3)