Vanessa
ヴァネッサ
KOFXI vanessa full.png
Tiers & Ranking
Tier: B
Ratio Cost: 4 Points
Properties
Damage Modifier: 1.02
Stun Modifier: 1.02
Crouch height (Tier): C

Quick Guide

Vanessa is a very difficult to master, highly technical character that has extremely fast and unpredictable movement and unorthodox pressure strings.
She is a great starter for shift combos since both 41236P and 236236P have massive hit stun, which can enable back-turned combos.
She generally has bad defense, with no good pokes to break free from pressure and sub-par reversal options.
She is usually played as a point character for her shift synergy and as a battery, or as a Leader for long corner juggles.

Neutral

Vanessa uses 236 & 214B/D to move around quickly and to remain unpredictable in her approach.
To finally approach, use the very strong smalljump B, normal j.A (no hurtbox on her hand) or normal / small j.D.

Offense

Once close, use early smalljump j.C for instant overheads mixed with 2B>6A>214P sway strings.
Using repeated sway cancel after heavy attacks, particularly 2D, 5C and (cancel)6A is the key for applying pressure to the opponent with Vanessa
BnB Combo example: (2B>)2B>6A>214P(sway)>link 41236P. Note that the combo becomes very hard as soon as you have super meter, since you will often get an accidental 2141236P instead, which can be avoided by max delaying the motion input for 41236P.
Damage Combo example: anything into 5C, then [4],6A into any juggle.

Defense

Vanessa does not have any good normals to stop smalljump pressure - her only useful anti-air is 2C, which needs to be done well in advance, and on a guess.
3B can be used as an anti-air since it low profiles, but it leads to almost no damage and is very unsafe on block.
Her 236236P only has invulnerability during startup - it sometimes works as a reversal, but will often just trade or not hit at all. It is also too slow to work against safe jumps. On the upside, it allows for shift combos and dreamcancel, which makes it a strong super to land.
Her 214P / 236K / 214K all have invulnerability and can be used as reverals, which should be used as much as possible midscreen (since you can escape with 214B/D).

Colors

KOFXI Vanessa S.png KOFXI Vanessa X.png KOFXI Vanessa T.png KOFXI Vanessa C.png
BUTTON SQUARE A.png BUTTON CROSS A.png BUTTON TRIANGLE A.png BUTTON CIRCLE A.png
A B C D
KOFXI Vanessa R1S.png KOFXI Vanessa R1X.png KOFXI Vanessa R1T.png KOFXI Vanessa R1C.png
R1 + BUTTON SQUARE A.png R1 + BUTTON CROSS A.png R1 + BUTTON TRIANGLE A.png R1 + BUTTON CIRCLE A.png
E+A E+B E+C E+D
KOFXI Vanessa L1S.png KOFXI Vanessa L1X.png KOFXI Vanessa L1T.png KOFXI Vanessa L1C.png
L1 + BUTTON SQUARE A.png L1 + BUTTON CROSS A.png L1 + BUTTON TRIANGLE A.png L1 + BUTTON CIRCLE A.png
Start+A Start+B Start+C Start+D

Frame Data

Note: all advantage/disadvantage numbers need to be revised, they are likely ~1 frame off.

Normals

Standing Attacks
Attack Hitbox Startup Active Adv Cancel Note
5A(c) Kofxi vanessa 5A(c).png 7 4 +4 C,S
5A(f) Kofxi vanessa 5A(f).png 8 4 +2 S
5B(c) Kofxi vanessa 5B(c).png 8 3 +3 S
5B(f) Kofxi vanessa 5B(f).png 7 3 -1 S
5C(c) Kofxi vanessa 5C(c) 1.pngKofxi vanessa 5C(c) 2.png 5 2+2 +3 S 2 Hits, the 2nd has Cancel. Low activation range.
5C(f) Kofxi vanessa 5C(f) 1.pngKofxi vanessa 5C(f) 2.png 7 2+3 -9 S 2 Hits, the 2nd has cancel. Can be kara-cancelled.
5D(c) Kofxi vanessa 5D(c) 1.pngKofxi vanessa 5D(c) 2.png 7 3+3? -10 S 2 Hits, the 2nd has cancel. Higher activation range as 5C(c).
5D(f) Kofxi vanessa 5D(f) 1.pngKofxi vanessa 5D(f) 2.png 6 3+3 -10 - Same animation as 5D(c), but useless
5E Kofxi vanessa 5E.png 19 7 +1 S
6A Kofxi vanessa 6A 1.pngKofxi vanessa 6A 2.png 7 2+3 -4 - 2nd hit overhead & hard knockdown
6A(cancel) Kofxi vanessa 6A(cancel) 1.pngKofxi vanessa 6A(cancel) 2.png 6 2+3 ? S 1st Hit Special Cancel, 2nd Hit Hard Knockdown.
Crouching Attacks
Attack Hitbox Startup Active Adv Cancel Note
2A Kofxi vanessa 2A.png 8 3 +3 C,S
2B Kofxi vanessa 2B.png 6 3 +4 C,S hits low
2C Kofxi vanessa 2C.pngKofxi vanessa 2C 2.png 7 3+6 -13 S Kara-Cancel.
2D Kofxi vanessa 2D.png 9 4 -3 S hits low (Sweep)
3B Kofxi vanessa 3B.png 11 12 -14/-3? Low Hit (Slide), Knockdown. Low Profile. *= Frame Data for close/max range. Cannot be punished by Oswald/Adel LDM on max range.
3B(cancel) Kofxi vanessa 3B(cancel).png 11 12 ? Low Hit (Slide), Knockdown. Low Profile.
Jump Attacks
Attack Hitbox Startup Active Cancel Note
smalljump A Kofxi vanessa smalljump A.png 5 12
jump up A Kofxi vanessa jump up A.png 5 12
jump back A Kofxi vanessa jump back A.png 5 6 Slightly different Hitbox than jump forward A.
jump forward A Kofxi vanessa jump forward A.png 5 6 No hurtbox on hand, strong jumpin. Slightly different Hitbox than jump back A.
smalljump B Kofxi vanessa smalljump B.png 4 12 Great air-to-air. Decent jump-in.
jump up B Kofxi vanessa jump B a.pngKofxi vanessa jump B b.png 5 9+3 Same hitboxes as j.B, but in inverted order.
j.B Kofxi vanessa jump B b.pngKofxi vanessa jump B a.png 5 3+9 Same hitboxes as jump up B, but in inverted order.
smalljump C Kofxi vanessa smalljump C.png 6 3 works as instant overhead.
jump up C Kofxi vanessa jump up C 1.pngKofxi vanessa jump C 2.png 8 2+4 First hit different hitbox than j.C.
j.C Kofxi vanessa jump C 1.pngKofxi vanessa jump C 2.png 8 2+4 First hit different hitbox than jump up C.
smalljump D Kofxi vanessa smalljump D.png 8 4
jump up D Kofxi vanessa jump up D.png 10 5 Different Hitbox than j.D.
j.D Kofxi vanessa jump D.png 10 5 Different Hitbox than jump up D.
smalljump E Kofxi vanessa smalljump E.png 14 3
j.E Kofxi vanessa jump E.png 16 4
214/236K Route
Attack Hitbox Startup Active Adv Note
236B Kofxi vanessa 236B 1.pngKofxi vanessa 236B 2.png - 21 - F1-4 invul. F5-13 only vulnerable on legs + has Counter Hit State. F14-20 upper body invul. F21 recovery.
236D Kofxi vanessa 236D 1.pngKofxi vanessa 236D 2.png - 28 - F1-6 invul. F7-20 only vulnerable on legs + has Counter Hit State. F21-26 upper body invul. F27+28 recovery.
214B Kofxi vanessa 214B 1.pngKofxi vanessa 214B 2.png - 17 - F1-6 invul. F7-11 upper body invul + has Counter Hit State. F12-15 upper body invul. F16-17 recovery.
214D Kofxi vanessa 214D 1.pngKofxi vanessa 214D 2.png - 23 - F1-8 invul. F9-17 upper body invul + has Counter Hit State. F18-21 upper body invul. F22+23 recovery.
236K>6A Kofxi vanessa 236K6A 1.pngKofxi vanessa 236K6A 2.pngKofxi vanessa 236K6A 3.png 24/31 3+3 -7 Launcher, Special Cancel (2nd Hit).
236K/214K>4P Kofxi vanessa 214P 1.pngKofxi vanessa 214P 2.pngKofxi vanessa 214P 3.png Same hitboxes & properties as 214P.
214D>6A Kofxi vanessa 214D6A 1.pngKofxi vanessa 236K6A 2.pngKofxi vanessa 236K6A 3.png 32/38 3+3 -7 Launcher, Special Cancel (2nd Hit). Better hurtbox in the beginning than 236K>6A.
236K>6C Kofxi vanessa 236K6C 1.pngKofxi vanessa 236K6C 2.pngKofxi vanessa 236K6C 3.png 27/34 3+3 GC(+0) Guard Crush (2nd Hit). Only vulnerable on the legs during startup.
214K>6C Kofxi vanessa 214K6C 1.pngKofxi vanessa 214K6C 2.png 24/30 2 -13 Juggle Anywhere. F1-6 only vulnerable on the feet.
214P Route
Attack Hitbox Startup Active Adv Note
214P Kofxi vanessa 214P 1.pngKofxi vanessa 214P 2.pngKofxi vanessa 214P 3.png - 14 - F1-6 unverwundbar. F7-12 only vulnerable on the legs + Counter Hit State. F13+14 upper body invul + Counter Hit State. Button can be held to extend the state from F7-12.
214P>6K Kofxi vanessa 236D 1.pngKofxi vanessa 236D 2.png Same frame data & properties as 236D.
214P>4K Kofxi vanessa 214D 1.pngKofxi vanessa 214D 2.png Same frame data & properties as 214D.
214P>6P Kofxi vanessa 214P6P 1.pngKofxi vanessa 214P6P 2.pngKofxi vanessa 214P6P 3.pngKofxi vanessa 214P6P 4.png 8 3+3 -20 Launcher, Special Cancel. F1-3 invul. F4-7 only vulnerable on the feet.
214P>4P Kofxi vanessa 214P4P 1.pngKofxi vanessa 214P4P 2.pngKofxi vanessa 214P4P 3.png 11 3 -14 Hard Knockdown. F2+3 Guard Point. Negates projectiles from F10-17.
Specials & Supers
Attack Hitbox Startup Active Adv Note
[4],6A Kofxi vanessa 46A.png 19 4 +1 Launcher. Combos from heavy attacks. Hitbox 56x112px (better than 46C).
[4],6C Kofxi vanessa 46C.png 31 4 -1 Launcher. More damage & higher launch than A-Version. Hitbox 48x112px (worse than 46A).
623A Kofxi vanessa 623A 1.pngKofxi vanessa 623A 2.pngKofxi vanessa 623A 3.pngKofxi vanessa 623A 4.pngKofxi vanessa 623A 5.png 10 3+3 -6 2. Hit launches (no followup possible). Negates projectiles F13-16, F22+23, F24-26
623C Kofxi vanessa 623C 1.pngKofxi vanessa 623C 2.pngKofxi vanessa 623C 3.png
Kofxi vanessa 623C 4.pngKofxi vanessa 623C 5.pngKofxi vanessa 623C 6.png
21 3+ +7 1. Hit Guard Point F13-17. 2. Hit launches (juggle possible). Negates projectiles F24-27,33+34,35-37.
41236P Kofxi vanessa 41236P a.pngKofxi vanessa 41236P b.pngKofxi vanessa 41236P c.png 3 2+2+3+3* -11 Can be mashed for more hits. Pattern without mash: "abac". Mash: "ababac". *= without mash.
2141236A Kofxi vanessa 2141236A.png 6 10 -14 F1-4 invul (needs doublecheck!).
2141236C Kofxi vanessa 2141236A.png 16 15 -19 Invul until 1F before active time.
236236P Kofxi vanessa 236236P.png 4 -29 Only triggers close to enemy. F1-3 invul.
236236E Kofxi vanessa 236236E.png ? - Only has 1F recovery, which can be cancelled into block (so, basically no recovery).
236236C+E Kofxi vanessa 236236CE.png ? - Dream Cancel only


Frame Data for 214P/236B Cancels

Input BLK HIT Note
2D>236B -2 KD Useful.
2C>236B -2 -2 4C after triggers a throw OS.
leichter Angriff>214P minus minus should not be used.
5C(C)>214P +5 +5
5C(f)>214P +7? +7? high pushback on hit, but works as kara cancel.
2B>6A>214P +5 +5 important for combos
2C>214P +5 +5
5D>214P +5 +5
2D>214P +5 KD good for Pressure
5E>214P +5 KD
236B>6A>214P +5 KD good for Pressure / Conversion

Special Attributes & Bugs

  • Vanessa has no throw invulnerability during her GC-Roll.
  • Vanessa has NO throw invulnerability after getting up from a knockdown - she can be thrown immediately upon recovering. Note: it is currently unclear whether this is tourney-banned, but it likely is.
  • Vanessa's 5C(c) cannot be saving shifted (first hit only). (Thanks, kofxi_bot!)
  • Vanessa can loop her 623C infinitely in the corner. The maximum allowed 623C inputs are 5 (= 4 loops) for tournaments and casual play

Combos

  • 2B,6A, 214A, link C(c)(2 hits), [4],6A, j.CD: bnb, this is also the default "command"-combo
  • 2B,6A, 214A, link C(c)(2 hits), [4],6A, delay 2C, 214K-6C: Corner version of the BnB.
  • 2B,6A,214A, link C(c)(2 hits), (...6A,...) 41236P~, Quick Shift Quick Shift Setup.
  • out of Quick Shift j.B or j.C,\/,C(f),[4],6A, [j.CD] or [hyperhop j.D,\/ 214K-6C]: Combo out of Quick Shift.
    • after 6C: Quick Shift again
  • Corner 623Cx5, 2C,214K-6C, [link 236236P]: [0-1 Super] Punishment-Combo, eg. for stun.
  • Corner combo in [4],6A, 5A whiff, 5A>214B>6C, link 236236P: [1 Super] Source


Leader Combos

  • midscreen combo in C(2 hits),6A,236236E, C(far, 2 hits), [4],6A cancel 236B, delay 2A,214D-6E cancel 236B, 236236P, shift out
  • midscreen combo in C(2 hits),6A,236236E, [4],6A-236B,2A-214D-6C-236B-2C-236B (Crossup)...
  • midscreen to corner combo in C(2 hits),6A,236236E, [4],6A, hyperhop delay j.D, land, 214B-6C cancel 236B-6C (1 hit) cancel 214B-6C cancel 623C....
  • Corner Combo in [4],6A, 2A(whiff),2C,236236E, 214B-6C cancel 214D-6C cancel 236B, link 2C,214D-6C cancel 214B-6C cancel 623C, 623C x N, 2C,214B-6C, link 236236P, shift out
  • Combo in 236236P, Dream Cancel 2. Hit in 236236E, C(far),[4],6A, link hyperhop j.D,\/,214B-6C cancel 236B-C cancel erster Hit 214B-6C cancel 623C, 623C x 5 etc.
  • Reset Setup: corner juggle in 2C>236236E, 214B-6C cancel 214D-6C cancel 236B, link 2C,236B-6C (guard crush),236B, 2B>6A>214A, link 5C(1)... Source: TORU

Team Combos

Vanessa > Oswald

BnB

  • Midscreen Vanessa j.C,\/,C(2),6A(1),623A(1), QS Oswald, j.A/D,\/,walk forward, 5D(c),3A,214C,...
    • 236C,214B, Okizeme [1 Shift Stock]
    • Shift back to Vanessa j.D>5C(2)... [2 Shift Stocks]
  • Corner Vanessa j.C,\/,C(2),[4]-6A,2C,214B-6C, QS Oswald, 3A,214B, delay 236C,214B, Okizeme. [1 Shift Stock]


Midscreen

  • Midscreen Vanessa j.C,\/,C(2),[4],6A, hyperhop j.D,\/,214B-6C QS Oswald, 3A,214D,236A,214B, Okizeme [1 Shift Stock]
  • Vanessa midscreen combo in 236236C, shift out after 2-3 Hits, Oswald lands behind opponent, D(c),214C,236D,236A(whiff), turn around 3A, 214D, (corner) delay 236C,214B, Okizeme.
  • Vanessa midscreen combo in 236236C, shift out after 2-3 Hits, Oswald lands behind opponent, delay 3A,214A,236B,236E (Ace). Only works with sufficient distance to the corner.
  • Vanessa midscreen combo in 41236P, shift out after 3 hits, Oswald lands behind opponent, then any ender from above.

Corner

  • Corner Vanessa Combo in [4],6A,2A (whiff),2C-214B-6C, QS Oswald 3A,214B,236A,214B, Okizeme [1 Shift Stock]
  • Corner Vanessa Combo in [4],6A,2A (whiff),2C-214B-6C, QS Oswald 3A,214B, link 2363214A, shift out after 2 hits, Vanessa j.D,\/,C,[4]6A,2A(whiff),2C-214B-6C, opponent is stunned[2 Shift Stocks, 1 Super]
  • Vanessa corner Leader combo > 623C x N, 623C shift out Oswald, backdash, 3A,236B,236A,236B,236E (ACE)
  • Vanessa corner Leader combo > 236236C shift out Oswald j.C,\/,3A,236B,236A,236B,236E (ACE)


Other

  • Cornered Vanessa j.C,\/,C(2),[4],6A, hyperhop j.D,\/,214B-6C QS Oswald, 3A,delay 214C,236B-236E: [1 Shift Stock] Ace Setup. Alternative to the combo above.
  • Corner Crossup combo: Vanessa corner combo in 236236P, QS Oswald, D(c)(crossup). Note: The combo only works if D(c) is put in once Oswald has landed, otherwise a j.D (whiff) > D(c) is triggered and the Corner Crossup doesn't work. The time frame to shift the 3rd hit and still get the 5D to combo is 10F.
  • another corner crossup combo: Vanessa combo into 41236P mash, QS Oswald, D(C) (crossup).

Oswald > Vanessa

Midscreen

  • Oswald midscreen combo into 214C, QS Vanessa, j.C/j.B,\/,walk forward,C(2), then:
    • 236236P
    • 6P>41236P or 623A
    • 6P>236236E>C(f),[4]-6A,....


Corner

  • Oswald corner combo into 2363214A, on 2nd Hit QS Vanessa j.D,\/,C....
  • Oswald corner combo into 214C(2),236C QS Vanessa j.B/C/D, sofort 236236E, 214B-6C etc
  • Oswald corner combo into 214C(2),236C QS Vanessa \/,2C sofort 236236E, 214B-6C etc
  • Oswald corner combo into 214C(1),236A QS Vanessa \/,2C sofort 236263E, 214B-6C etc
  • Oswald cornered, combo into 214C>236A(whiff), turn around 3A,214B,214C QS Vanessa,\/,2C,236236E, 214B-6C etc

Strategy

  • 2D is a great poke and should always be canceled into 214P or 214/236K.
  • j.B is an excellent Air-to-Air and also works as a jump-in.On whiff, immediately use 214K to escape.
  • To avoid saving shift on a stunned opponent, use 214[P] > 6P for the uppercut > 236B...

Okizeme

  • Meaty 2D>214P sway: safe against reversals due to the whiff cancel.
  • Combo into [4],6A, smalljump delay j.D,\/, dash, then 5C(c) left/right of the opponent (unsafe vs Reversals & Rolls also work against it)
  • After Corner Combo in 623C Loop > 2A(whiff) > 2C(hit) > 214B-6C, link 5C(1)>214P(whiff)>meaty 5C: Vanessa is +1 (trades with Kula's 5C(c)).

Links

Japanese Vanessa-Wiki
Vanessa-Wiki from Hartheon
Urasia vs Tori Part 1
Urasia vs Tori Part 2
Urasia vs Tori Part 3
Urasia vs Tori, differently cut (same matches?)
Tori, Vanessa with Malin as Leader
Tori @ 2011 Nationals
Tori, newer tourney, tori's dramatic demise
probably BZR @ kohatsu, january 2018

BZR visiting port24, 2019, part 1
BZR visiting port 24, also, TORI, 2019, part 2

Navigation