Updated with documented changes: A brand new patch hit Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition today and with the release of Oro and Akira came some new balance changes.
In recent times, Capcom has been known to release several balance patches throughout the year, as we saw the initial major balance patch in February, and then another solid patch in May of this year.
This patch is particularly interesting for its changes to V-Shift and various improves to Rose, who was released on April 19, 2021.
You can find the full rundown below, but it’s worth specifically pointing out that Capcom “made various other minor fixes and improvements,” which were not fully documented in the patch notes. As these things are discovered, you’ll find future stories about them here on EventHubs.
Combo Counts
The specifics of the adjustments made to combo counts are detailed below.
• Combo Count Start Value:
The numerical value used to indicate when an air combo starts from a particular move.
The smaller a move’s combo start value is, the easier it is for that move to begin an air combo, and vice-versa.
• Combo Count Gain:
A numerical value that increases when a move is incorporated into an air combo.
The smaller the combo count gain is, the easier it is to enter an air combo, and vice-versa.
• Combo Count Limit:
A numerical value used to determine up to which point a move can land in an air combo.
The larger the combo count limit a move has, the easier that move can be incorporated into a combo.
Changes to V-Shift
Altered V-Shift to also activate after forward/backward + MK + HP.
V-Shift is a powerful defensive mechanic that was first introduced in Street Fighter V.
We initially had concerns that its introduction would significantly impact regular tactics when used in conjunction with blocking and retreating, which resulted in the decision to limit V-Shift to neutral commands.
However, in certain cases just before an attack hit it, the specific timing only allowed for the use of block. This made it impossible to activate V-Shift — even if seemingly input correctly, causing both V-Shift and block to fail.
This fact the issue stemmed from incompatibility with the specifications mentioned above ― rather than inaccurate input ― made V-Shift more difficult to utilize than intended.
After some deliberation, we’ve decided to remedy this by allowing V-Shift to be used during forward and backward movement to improve its use in battle.
We’ve additionally determined that defense would be too powerful if V-Shift could be activated from crouching guard, so V-Shift still can not be activated during a downward input.
Other
Made various other minor fixes and improvements.
Abigail’s knockback hurtbox was located below his character model, so attempts to land a hit on his character model would fail.
His character model have been moved downward accordingly to reduce the distance between his hurtbox and his positioning.
Only the graphics have been altered; no changes have been made to its hurtbox location or size.
• Mid-Air Knockbacks Lowered the positioning of the character model during mid-air knockbacks. (Hurtboxes remain the same; only visuals have been changed.)
• Standing LP/Crouching LP/Crouching LK Fixed a bug where Delta Ambush and Delta Step couldn’t be canceled into when rapid canceling.
• Crouching LP Fixed a phenomenon where Crouching LP was unable to cancel into VTriggers when hit or blocked on the 3rd frame.
The enhanced version of Gadoken has had its combo count on hit adjusted, allowing for easier follow-ups.
When Hisshou Buraiken hit at a certain point on screen, the animation would start from an unnatural position. To remedy this, we have fixed the position where the animation begins when the move hits.
• Gadoken (Enhanced version)
1) Lowered combo-count start value.
2) Lowered combo count gain.
• Hisshou Buraiken (CA) On hit, its animation now starts around the center of the stage.
• Standing Guard Fixed an issue where standing guard’s hurtbox was the same size as crouching guard’s hurtbox when used against certain attacks.
When incorporating Sekieiken into a combo at the edge of the screen while V-Trigger I is activated, Sekieiken would go over the opponent and miss, depending on the opponent’s altitude or which move they had just been hit by.
To make it easier to land a hit in this situation, we have changed the weighted collision detection before the attack.
• [V-Trigger I] Sekieiken (VSII) Expanded the weighted collision detection downward before the hitbox is generated, reducing the occurrence of attacks failing when incorporated into combos at the edge of the screen.
• Standing LP/Crouching LP Fixed a phenomenon where Standing/Crouching LP were unable to cancel into Special Moves or V-Triggers when hit or blocked from the 2nd frame onward.
• Crouching HP Fixed a phenomenon where Crouching HP did not cause longer hit stun when landed as a counter hit from the 2nd frame onward.
• [Normal/V-Trigger I] Inazuma Spin Hold (CA) Fixed an issue where the activating kick button did not respond to being released.
• Crouching Guard Fixed an issue where crouching guard’s weighted collision detection was expanded forward when used against certain attacks.
• Crouching LP (Rapid cancel version) Fixed a phenomenon where Crouching LP was unable to cancel into Special Moves or V-Triggers when hit or blocked on the 3rd frame.
• [V-Trigger I] Nadeshiko (Above/Front/Behind)/[VTrigger II] Steel Chair/Fightin’ Dirty Fixed a problem where Nadeshiko’s overhead and crouching attacks could be blocked by standing and crouching guards.
We noted that Rose’s techniques had become difficult to handle, and have taken steps to rectify this.
Standing MP is a standard offensive starting point, but due to the short reach of any subsequent moves, it was quite tricky to find a moment to use it effectively.
We’ve increased its frame advantage, and Crouching MK’s long reach can now be worked into combos, making it easier to continue attacking when blocked.
Although we’ve slightly increased hitback to prevent excessive combos, pushback has not been changed, which allows for the same feel as before.
A delayed Soul Punish has the characteristic of maintaining its hitbox after canceling out opponent projectiles. However. the advantage it grants in this situation is fleeting, offering little reward in comparison to its difficulty.
The hitbox effect generated when canceling out a projectile is now clearly able to form the start of an offensive. Additionally, in certain situations, you can gain enough of a time advantage time to go for an aerial combo.
V-Skill I had random effects and tough activation timing, making it difficult to make the most of. To remedy this, we’ve increased where it can be activated and how it can be utilized.
The concept of V-Skill II is to grant power if you’re able to unleash it, but its frame advantages could deviate, making it difficult to decide when to take advantage of something.
As such, we’ve increased its hitstop to grant more time and reduce the difficulty of connecting combos.
• Standing MP
1) Increased hitback.
2) Changed frame advantage on hit from +6F to +7F.
3) Changed frame advantage on block from +2F to +3F.
• Soul Bind (All strengths, including EX version)
1). Anti-air invincibility from the start of the movement to 1F before startup has been changed from head only to down to the waist.
2) Extended the hitbox upward.
3) Changed the attack and full-body invincibility duration from 6F to 9F.
• L. Soul Bind Added the ability to hit opponents behind Rose.
• EX Soul Bind Can now be canceled with Soul Fortune on hit.
• [Normal/V-Trigger II] Soul Punish
1) Increased damage by 20 when nullifying an active projectile.
2) Hit effect when nullifying an active projectile has been changed from grounded hit stun to a knockdown.
• Soul Fortune (V-Skill I) Can now be canceled into from a special cancel.
• Soul Fortune (Purple and Green) (V-Skill I)
1) Can now hit mid-air opponents.
2) Extended the hitbox forward.
3) Changed hitstop and blockstop from 4F to 6F.
4) Changed frame advantage on hit from -4F to -2F.
5) Changed frame advantage on block from -8F to -6F.
6) Increased combo count limit.
• Soul Satellite (V-Skill II)
1) Can now be canceled into from a special cancel.
2) Changed V-Gauge gain from 30 to 60.
3) Changed hitstop and blockstop from 6F to 10F.
• Aegis Reflector (V-Trigger I) Fixed an issue where the hitbox would disappear entirely after first moving off screen and then reappearing.
Sky High Claw is prone to being activated by accident when attempting to hit a mid-air opponent with an upward jump attack.
This move is mainly used in very specific situations: to combat projectiles and surprise attacks. Its command has been changed to PP for the normal version, and PPP for the EX version.
Changes to the V-Reversal, Backslash, were made in accordance to the changes made to Sky High Claw.
Due to the new changes, EX Sky High Claw’s command now overlaps with Backslash’s command, making it extremely difficult to perform forward EX Sky High Claw immediately after guarding.
To solve this problem, we’ve taken measures to prevent Backslash from triggering by requiring upward diagonal input for it to activate.
As a follow-up to V-Trigger II’s Flash Arch – Rossa and Flash Arch – Granate, M Aurora Spin Edge wouldn’t hit certain characters.
To rectify this issue, we’ve reduced the sideways knockback distance of said V-Triggers.
• Sky High Claw Changed the input commands to ↓ (charge) ↑ +PP for the normal version and ↓ (charge) ↑ +PPP for the EX version.
• Backslash (V-Reversal) Can no longer be performed with upward inputs.
• [V-Trigger II] Flash Arch – Rossa/Flash Arch – Granate Reduced knockback distance on hit.
• [Young] Standing LP Fixed a bug where various V-Trigger I and V-Trigger II attacks couldn’t be canceled into during rapid cancels.
Akuma, Alex, Balrog, Birdie, Blanka, Cody, Dhalsim, Ed, E. Honda, Falke, F.A.N.G, G, Gill, Ibuki, Juri, Karin, Kolin, M. Bison, Menat, Necalli, Poison, Rashid, Ryu, Sagat, Sakura, Seth and Zangief did not receive any listed changes in what Capcom provided the community.
