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Zangief is a tough nut to crack for beginners. On the one hand, he has impressive brute strength and lands heavy hits. Yet, on the other hand, he's a large target that moves slowly. And his signature special moves are hard to execute. Fortunately, Zangief is the most accessible version of the character to date.
So, do you have what it takes to command the Red Cyclone? We think so! Once you learn how to create openings for Zangief's infamous SPD, controlling him because much more straightforward. Don't believe us? Step into the ring, and we'll teach you some pointers for playing as Russia's most notorious wrestler.
Move List
Key
Special Moves
Move Name |
Classic Input |
Modern Input |
Drive Gauge Cost [OD Moves Only] |
Double Lariat [OD] |
PP |
⬇️ + S |
2 Drive Gauge Bars |
Screw Piledriver [OD] (When near opponent) |
↻ + P |
N or ➡️ + S |
2 Drive Gauge Bars |
Borscht Dynamite [OD] (During a jump) (When near opponent) |
↻ + K |
S |
2 Drive Gauge Bars |
Russian Suplex [OD] (When near opponent) |
➡️↘️⬇️↙️⬅️ + K |
⬅️ + S |
2 Drive Gauge Bars |
Siberian Express [OD] (When far from opponent) |
➡️↘️⬇️↙️⬅️ + K |
⬅️ + S |
2 Drive Gauge Bars |
Tundra Storm |
⬇️⬇️ + HK |
⬇️⬇️ + H |
Super Arts
Move Name |
Classic Input |
Modern Input |
Gauge Cost |
Aerial Russian Slam |
⬇️↘️➡️⬇️↘️➡️ + K |
N or ➡️ + S + H |
1 Super Art Gauge |
Cyclone Lariat (Hold the attack button to change effect) |
⬇️↘️➡️⬇️↘️➡️ + P |
⬅️ + S + H |
2 Super Art Gauges |
Bolshoi Storm Buster (☂When near opponent) (More powerful when vitality is at 25% or below) |
↻↻ + P |
⬇️ + S + H |
3 Super Art Gauges |
Unique Attacks
Move Name |
Classic Input |
Modern Input |
Hellstab |
↘️ + MP |
↘️ + M |
Knee Hammer |
➡️ + MK |
➡️ + M |
Headbutt |
➡️ + HP |
➡️ + H |
Cyclone Wheel Kick |
➡️ + HK |
|
Smetana Dropkick |
↘️ + HK |
|
Flying Body Bress (During a jump) |
⬇️ + HP |
⬇️ + H |
Flying Headbutt (During a neutral jump) |
⬆️ + HP |
⬆️ + H |
Machine Gun Chops |
MP> MP > MP |
M > M > M |
Power Stomps |
⬇️⬇️ + MK> MK > MK |
|
Big Stampede |
⬇️ + HK |
↘️ + H |
Throws
Move Name |
Classic Input |
Modern Input |
Bodyslam (When near opponent) (Hold the attack buttons💎 to perform a ♛follow-up attack) |
N + LP + LK |
N + L + M |
Capture Suplex (When near opponent) |
⬅️ + LP + LK |
⬅️ + L + M |
German Suplex (When near opponent) |
➡️ + LP + LK |
➡️ + L + M |
Spinebuster (When near opponent) |
↘️ + LP + LK |
↘️ + L + M |
Russian Drop (When near opponent) |
↙️ + LP + LK |
↙️ + L + M |
Brain Buster (When near opponent) |
⬇️ + LP + LK |
⬇️ + L + M |
Special Move Breakdown
Double Lariat
Classic: PP
Modern: ⬇️ + S
During the Double Lariat, Zangief propels himself into a spin and strikes foes with his fists. It's a quick and versatile move with plenty of uses.
When faced with a projectile, Zangief can dodge them while moving forward with his Double Lariat. Combined with Drive Parries and Drive Impacts, this technique makes a functional approach against projectile-heavy opponents.
Double Lariat also works well as an 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:anti-air counterattack against jumping opponeﷺnts. Its fast start-up wil🔯l catch your airborne foe off guard.
L💮as♔tly, OD Double Lariat is a stellar combo tool that can cancel out light attacks.
Screw Piledriver
Classic: ↻ + P
Modern: N or ➡️ + S
The Screw Piledriver, known by fans as the SPD, is Zangief's signature command grab. Its damaging impact is so severe that landing three or four of these attacks could quickly hand you a KO.
As SPD's attack strength increases, so does its damage. However, SPD's range gets disproportionately affected by its attack strength. In other words, a Light SPD has the most grabbing range, while a Heavy SPD has the least.
An OD SPD has the same range as a Medium SPD but imparts the most damage. If yo𒆙u have the Drive Gauge available, OD Screw Piledriver is a skill you should ta𒀰ke advantage of.
How do you perform the 360-degree directional movement? This is a common question among new Zangief players. Fortunately, you don't have to complete a full-circle motion. Pressing the attack button after 225 degrees will suffice.
So if you begin the🔴 SPD command from ➡️, the f🐟ull command would look like this:
➡️↘️⬇️↙️⬅️↖️ + P
Borscht Dynamite
Classic: (during a jump) ↻ + K
Modern: (during a jump) S
Borscht Dynamite is one of Zangief's aerial command grabs. It's a great surprise attack when your opponent jumps away from you in anticipation of an SPD.
OD Borscht Dynamite is a brilliant aerial attack due to its faster start-up animation. Plus, you can even transition into it from Flying Headbutt (C: ⬆️ + HP / M: ⬆️ + H), thus making a combo.
Russian Suplex
Classic: (when near opponent) ➡️↘️⬇️↙️⬅️ + K
Modern: (when near opponent) ⬅️ + S
Russian Suplex is a throw that you shouldn't take for granted. Not only does it have a simpler command input than the SPD, but it also works well at reversing opponent pressure.
If you're in the corner, Russian Suplex will switch sides with your opponent, making it the perfect escape maneuver.
Furthermore, OD Russian Suꦛplex works well to break through blocks at close range and counter close-range attacks.
Russian Suplex shares its command input with Siberian Express. However, each throw activates under different ci🅠rcumstances. Russian Suplex activates up close, while Siberian Express activates from far away.
Siberian Express
Classic: (when far from the opponent) ➡️↘️⬇️↙️⬅️ + K
Modern: (when far from the opponent) ⬅️ + S
Siberian Express is a surprise attack that sends Zangief forward before seizing his opponent and slamming them into the ground. The key to mastering this throw is to create just enough distance from your opponent that they can't prepare for the Express ahead of time.
168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Siberian Express's approach has armor that can withstand two hits. So as long as your opponent doesn't strike back with super-fast attacks, Siberian Express will give you a relatively safe means of closing in the distance with your opponent.
OD Siberian Express adds two benefits. First, landing one will charge half your Super Arts Gauge. And secon🐻d, the OD version will place your foe into the corner.
Tundra Storm
Classic: ⬇️⬇️ + HK
Modern: ⬇️⬇️ + H
Tundra Storm is a tricky attack to land. It's a counterattack that only activates when Zangief gets hit by certain moves. Generally, the opponent's attack must be a grounded kick that hits near Zangief's midsection.
If Tundra Storm lands, Zangief will grab the opponent's leg and flip them into the ground. This assault imparts heavy damage.
Want to practice your Tundra Storm? Try it against Ryu's High Blade Kick. It's an easy attack to recognize. Yet, it's fast enough to test your Tundra Storm timing in high-pressure situations.
Zangief's Bread And Butter Combos
Combo 1
A Double Lariat is a practical integration into any combo. When you need to make a quick opponent opening, use light attacks to cancel into Double Lariat, like in the combo below.
- Cr. Light Kick
- Cr. Light Punch
- Double Lariat
Classic Input: ⬇️ + LK > ⬇️ + LP > PP
Modern Input: ⬇️ + L > ⬇️ + L > ⬇️ + S
Combo 2
This combo is essential against airborne foes. The Flying Headbutt will☂ also allow you to hit-confirm before OD Borscht Dynamite. If the Flying Headbutt whiffs, you can abandon the combo.
- Flying Headbutt
- OD Borscht Dynamite
Classic Input: J ⬆️ + HP > ↻ + KK
Modern Input: J ⬆️ + H > S + Auto
Combo 3
Bolshoi Storm Buster uses the dreaded 720-degree directional movement (↻↻). Classic players require precise timing and positioning to land this Level 3 Super Art. Fortunately, Headbutt will give you plenty of time to perform a clean 720 turn.
While Modern players can land a Bolshoi Buster with the push of three buttons, it's wise to use the Headbutt to create an opening before the attack.
Another note for Modern players: give yourself a moment after landing the Headbutt before your Bolshoi Storm Buster. Otherwise, the Super Art will whiff.
- Headbutt
- Bolshoi Storm Buster
Classic Input: ➡️ + HP > ↻↻ + P
Modern Input: ➡️ + H > ⬇️ + S + H
Zangief General Strategy
The ultimate goal of any Zangief player is to land as many command grabs as possible. However, there is one major obstacle: many of Zangief's moves are slow and predictable.
Furthermore, any opponent familiar with Zangief's throws will do their due diligence to avoid them. The key is to trick them into creating an opening.
Fast normal attacks are a great tool—Zangief's Standing Light Kick and Cr. Medium Kick are fast, making him less vulnerable to counters while he recovers. When an opponent tries to strike back, you can 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:counter them with a Cr. Medium Punch.
When you cannot rely on speed, focus on the range—Zangief's Standing Heavy Punch and Cr. Heavy Kick have a far reach and impart significant damage to your foe.
Fun fact: Hold down the attack button during a Standing Heavy Punch to imbue yourself with one hit's worth of armor. But practice caution. If you whiff a held-out Standing Heavy Punch, you'll 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:open yourself up to punishment.
Once in striking distance, use forward-moꦆving uℱnique attacks to help land SPDs. Knee Hammer has faster recovery, making it a safe choice before an SPD that avoids sweeps. 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Headbutt is safe on block and has a longer animation, perfect for landing a Bolshoi Storm Buster.
In addition, both Machine Gun Chops and Power Stomps can get interrupted partway through. This is not an outright cancel but a 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:frame trap, so keep your throw timing pr⭕ecise after stopping either of these target combos.
As a rule, remember to mix things up. Zangief's strikes do a great job of weakening your opponent's health. Relying too much on SPDs will make you too predictable and easy to defeat. Pressure your opponent with strikes first so you can surprise them with command grabs when the opportunity is right.