Okay As you guys know there is a new Persona 4 Arena game that was tested over the weekend. the title of this entry is because nothing official has been said. A lot of people are saying that it is sequel with the new features and gameplay mechanics and two character while a select few are saying it is an arcade update. The tournament though is now called p1 climax. As for the changes to the roster let me give you the run down. Or more truthful the gameplay told to us about the game thanks to Dustloop and Shoryuken
changes courtesy of Dustloop
Yu
– 5C is backstep cancellable
– OTG 214B causes the knockdown, cause bounce on FC only, air 214B still causes bounce
– air 214AB causes knockdown
– 236D is chargeable, Yu can move while persona stands still charging, 5D>236D~
– SB cross-slash is really long in horizontal range
Chie
– meteor will totally disappear if you hit persona out, meteor now comes with much lesser fireballs
– 5Bch>2C>charge>~ confirmed
– AoA is much slower
– SB charge will charge up to Lv2 but with half-bar only
Yukiko
– the fire-bird move is not super, it’s a regular move but can be only activated from fire-level 6
– fire-level now goes up to lv9
– SB booster levels up 3 level at once but with much longer overall recovery
Kanji
– removed 5B>2B, 5B>5C
– added 5B>AoA, 5C>dashcancel
– 236B follow up is slightly different and hard to hit on many situation (kanji jumps higher to attack)
Naoto
– 5D has lesser recovery, longer untechable time on hit
– bonus proration on Mudoon has removed, Mudoon startup is slower
– gun meter just shows the remaining bullets
– SB J236236AB does 236236A and 236236B at sametime, silence + fear + fate count 6
– during the combo, from the second time you use move that reduces fate count, it will all reduce count by only 1 (trap > trap in combo only reduces 4)
Mitsuru
– 5D and JD is still comboable, just with different way
– Droit looked same to me, maybe B one is shorter
– 5C dash/baclstep cancelable
Akihiko
– 2C causes knockdown+silence
– D lasts longer
– can not use the same move again during cyclone chain
– SB counter move gave you 40meter on success
Labrys
– SB red-axe beast, 4000dmg guaranteed in combo
– JB is faster, JA>JB works
– 2B is slower and harder to use during combo
Elizabeth
– SB dia has projectile invul. recovers so much life
S.lab
– turn persona to auto-block mode by holding D buttons for while
– can activate 2C, 8C and 5C from blockmode directly
– persona appears directly on wakeup (aka you can do wakeup punch super)
– can mash 2C during block (2C which was originally 8C)
– Axe 214A move has removed 1st hit, means 5B>214A is no more a guaranteed chain
– AAA does not give knockdown
Shoryuken:
New Characters
Junpei Iori
◾Big, appears faster than Kanji.
◾Baseball-inspired playstyle ◾Whiffing bat normals gives strikes.
◾Getting hit gives outs.
◾Three outs = runners on base lost.
◾Super can hit a home run. Does 2100 damage and gives three runs. May be spacing-dependent.
◾Runs carry over between rounds.
Yukari Takeba
◾2A is slow and low.
◾Has a forward air-flip move similar to Hawkeye in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
Returning Characters
Aigis
◾New super: Orion. ◾Command grab.
◾New move: Air Boost. Tied to All-Out Attack.
◾New move: moving command grab.
◾Can now Radical Cannon in the air.
◾SB Goddess Shield: two passes instead of one.
◾Can walk in Orgia.
◾Hovering input tied to 2A+C.
◾New move: 2C. ◾Anti-air.
◾Can super jump cancel to confirm into a combo.
◾Slower startup on j2B and jC.
◾Proration increased heavily on Megido Fire. ◾Multiple Megidos no longer possible.
Akihiko Sanada
◾Cyclone Level can now go up to five.
◾236A > 6A/B knocks opponent into the air.
◾New move: Sonic Punch (22A/B) ◾Rushes forward into an upper.
◾Changes based on Cyclone Level.
◾2C changed to anti-air.
◾B Corkscrew floats at some Cyclone levels.
◾Comboing into level 5 or SB Corkscrew is fatal.
◾Third hit of auto combo Cyclone-cancelable on block.
◾Vacuum on D lasts much longer.
◾2C causes knockdown and silence.
◾Can’t use the same move again during Cyclone chain.
◾SB Closeout Blow (counter) gives you 40 meter on success.
◾Shadow – 5C is slower.
Chie Satonaka
◾SB God’s Hand uses two hands instead of one.
◾New move: Yun-esque lunge punch. ◾Can be done after hop kicks.
◾SB version wallbounces and fatal counters.
◾Can chain into Black Spot on block.
◾Can now make Agneyastra meteors appear behind opponent to push them towards her.
◾5C range shortened.
◾Second hit of auto combo hooks opponent similar to Akihiko Sanada.
◾jBB removed, second hit now done with j2B.
◾2C animation changed, freezes opponent on hit.
◾DP recovery now FC state.
◾B Skullcracker harder to combo with and off.
◾Less meteors in Agneyastra.
◾Sweep > 5DD no longer gives guaranteed oki.
◾Agneyastra metors will disappear if Persona is hit.
◾CH 5B > 2C > Power Charge confirmed.
◾All-Out Attack is much slower.
◾SB Power Charge charges up to level two, but with only half-bar.
Elizabeth
◾Takes longer to regain cards after Persona Break.
◾Specials powered up in Awakening. ◾Maziodyne and Magarudyne cover 90% of the screen.
◾Maziodyne: when in Awakening, beam takes up almost the entire screen. Non-Awakening A version now only one hit, startup decreased.
◾Mabufudyne: Awakening B version shoots two waves after lifting opponent in the air. Non-Awakening A version now only one hit. Opponent simply falls after first hit.
◾Maragidyne: number of hits, recovery changed while in Awakening. Awakening C version has more hits than non-Awakening, fire comes from behind after coming from in front. Awakening D version has more hits than non-Awakening, fire comes from in front after coming from behind. Awakening SB version has more hits than non-Awakening, recovery possibly decreased. Non-Awakening C and D versions’ number of hits decreased, fire ends about midscreen.
◾Magarudyne: can no longer do Garu > land > combo outside Awakening. In Awakening, hitbox and power changes, locks opponent on hit. Launches opponent on last hit. Can combo SB Garu into 5C when in Awakening. Non-awakening D version startup slower, increased recovery, uncertain on block.
◾New move: air 2B.
◾New move: feint DP. ◾DP can feint by holding the buttons. Feint animation is up to the actual point of the grab. Does not seem to have much recovery.
◾New move: counter. ◾Debilitate Command: Charge 6 -> 4 A or B Elizabeth floats into the air and throws a card downward. If either the card or Elizabeth is hit with an attack, the move activates. Opponent is sent skyward and inflicted with negative penalty. Version differences are in startup and counter duration. Can followup with 5B.
◾5D can catch frozen opponents.
◾2C on hit or block grants a new indicator above her SP gauge: “1hdSwd Master” [T/N originally 小剣の心得, a skill gained by Thanatos at level 71 in P3]
◾Some normals are dash, backdash, and hop-cancelable. Maziodyne and Magarudyne can be performed during a backdash.
◾If first hit of 5C connects while very close to the opponent, second hit will go through them. Dash- or backdash-canceling first hit causes Thanatos to disappear without performing second hit.
◾SB Diarahan now has projectile invulnerability, recovers more life.
Kanji Tatsumi
◾5C paralyzes the opponent.
◾New move: Shoulder charge. ◾Covers full-screen.
◾Beats projectiles.
◾SB Command grab no longer paralyzes.
◾Air dive is slower.
◾SB Ass Whoopin’ wallbounces on last hit.
◾SB Burn to a Crisp! has increased startup and range.
◾236A/B can be done in the air.
◾Command throws available in Persona Break.
◾jB > 214B no longer works.
◾Air backdash distance reduced by half.
◾Normal grab range decreased.
◾Recovery after jC increased.
◾jB untechable time reduced.
◾5B > 2B, 5B > 5C removed.
◾5B > All-Out Attack, 5C > dash-cancel added.
◾236B follow-up is slightly different and hard to hit in many situations, as Kanji jumps higher to attack.
Labrys
◾New move: Persona charges an orb and releases it. Opponent gets stuck in bubble if hit.
◾Fully charged 2B is unblockable.
◾New move: Similar to Testament’s Gravedigger.
◾New gatlings. ◾5AA > 2B, 5AA > 5B, 5AA > 2AB
◾jBB doesn’t rise Labrys in combos. Original jBB now j2B.
◾SB Beast does more damage, burns Axe meter. ◾4000 damage guaranteed in combo when Axe is red.
◾SB Breaking Wheel covers the whole ground.
◾Fully charged DP is unblockable.
◾jB hitbox weakened.
◾5AA > 5AA loop doesn’t work anymore.
◾Axe now starts at level two each round instead of three.
◾jB is faster, jA > jB works.
◾2B is slower and harder to use during combos.
Mitsuru Kirijo
◾New move: Tentarafoo ([4]6C/D). ◾Confuses opponent.
◾If her DP is blocked, she slows down and is easily punishable.
◾New auto combo pushes opponents about half-screen on block.
◾Bufudyne appears to come out faster.
◾New move: ground ice wave projectile.
◾2B is slower.
◾Second hit of auto combo is lower. ◾Makes 5AA > 5B air combos impossible
◾Blocked DP > Super still in.
◾Bufudyne appears to come out faster.
◾D Bufula travels roughly half-screen.
◾2DD now causes slide. Side swaps and follow-up combos presumably easier.
◾Bufudyne air-blockable.
◾Can no longer combo off 2D.
◾D follow-up doesn’t pull as far.
◾B Coup Droit is possibly shorter.
◾A Coup Droit is possibly slower.
◾Bufudyne is smaller.
◾Coup Droit hitbox is smaller.
◾5D and jD still comboable in different ways.
◾5C is now dash- and backstep-cancelable.
Naoto Shirogane
◾Second hit of auto combo is low.
◾Double Fangs now usable in the air.
◾New move: Venom Zapper (Venom Blade). ◾Inflicts Poison. Can combo after 5C.
◾Sweep > 5D gatling removed.
◾Reloading bullets has more recovery.
◾Traps have more recovery.
◾SMP Loop removed. No longer possible to loop B Double Fangs.
◾During Critical Shot, inputting additional shots possibly auto-corrects Naoto’s direction.
◾5D has less recovery, longer untechable time on hit.
◾Bonus proration on Mudoon removed, startup is slower.
◾Gun clip meter shows remaining bullets.
◾SB j236236AB does Anti-S SP Pistol a and Anti-S SP Pistol ß at the same time. Grants silence, fear, and removes six fate counters.
◾During combos, moves that remove fate counters will remove only one after the first fate-altering move. ◾Example: Trap> Trap in combo only removes four fate counters.
Shadow Labrys
◾DP range appears to have been shortened.
◾Ground Guillotine bounces instead of knockdown.
◾No wallbounce on counter-hit DP.
◾Takes longer to regain cards after Persona Break.
◾Command grab inflicts fear.
◾New move: Public Execution ([2]8C/D) ◾Anti-air grab.
◾New move: Labrys’ Chain Knuckle.
◾2C and 8C are having their commands swapped.
◾2B > 5B chain removed.
◾Massive Slaughter ([4]6C/D) grants Fear on hit.
◾When using Titanomachia, number of attacks is shown above gauge.
◾After Titanomachia ends, a separate (ox) gauge appears, cannot use Persona until gauge fully recovers.
◾Can now turn Persona to auto-block mode by holding D button.
◾Can activate 2C, 8C, and 5C from auto-block mode directly.
◾Persona appears immediately on wakeup.
◾Can mash 2C during block.
◾Guillotine Axe has lost its first hit. ◾5B > Guillotine Axe no longer a guaranteed chain.
◾Auto-combo doesn’t give knockdown.
Teddie
◾Can All-Out Attack when airborne.
◾New auto combo.
◾SB Tomahawk (missile super) throws two missiles.
◾New move: uppercut.
◾Standing and crouching item throws have different orders.
◾2C possible in the air with same command.
◾New items. ◾Barrier robot.
◾Stealth robot.
◾C-3PO hopper.
◾Car, may cause charm.
◾DP recovery now FC state.
◾More recovery on jC.
◾D Tomahawk recovery increased.
Yosuke Hanamura
◾Can still do instant air-dash jump A cross-ups.
◾Flying Kunai now slam opponent to the ground.
◾Glide is still in. Faster but shorter.
◾j2B is now done with jAB.
◾Kunai inputs have been changed to j2A, j2B, and j2AB.
◾Sukukaja: teleport added, new auto combo.
◾New move: “V Slasher.” ◾Moves diagonally fullscreen with directions depending on button. SB version does a W Shape.
◾jC hits twice.
◾5B and 5C can be dash-canceled.
◾Moonsault may have lost invulnerability.
◾Sukukaja is shorter.
◾All-Out Attack is slower. ◾CH 5B > AoA no longer connects.
Yu Narukami
◾Sweep > 5D has been removed.
◾New super: Gatotsu. ◾Requires Persona.
◾New move: 214B feint.
◾New move: command grab.
◾No jump cancel on block for 5B, 2B, 5C.
◾New move: 236A/B. ◾Short dash then slice.
◾Short dash then throw.
◾Third hit of auto combo is a mini-DP.
◾Jump D has faster startup.
◾OTG 214B knocks opponent down, bounces on Fatal Counter.
◾5C dash- and backstep-cancelable.
◾Air 214AB causes knockdown.
◾236D is chargeable. Yu can move while Persona is charging.
◾SB Cross Slash’s horizontal range is very long.
◾Shadow – Command grab does 1200 damage, no combo mid-screen.
◾Shadow – Jump D and 5D are very fast.
Yukiko Amagi
◾New move: Dancing Fire (214A/B). ◾Persona swings her wing out to attack. Startup is fast on hit, knocks the opponent away a far distance with fire. SB version available, but what it does is currently unknown
◾New move: Vermillion Bird (214214A/B) ◾Persona rushes forward while on fire in a bird shape. Normal version might not be on fire. SB version blows through opponents projectiles.
◾Only available when her Fire Boost is above level six.
◾SB Agidyne: Two Agidynes come out.
◾SB Maragidyne: The two Maragidynes happen at the same time.
◾Vacuum effect added to auto combo.
◾Agi and SB Agi speed increased.
◾6B speed increased.
◾5C and 2C hop-cancelable and dash-cancelable.
◾SB Fire Boost gives three levels of Fire Boost but with much longer overall recovery.
◾Can’t jump-cancel blocked 2B.
◾C Maragi slower.
◾Fire Boost now goes up to level nine
As always thank you for reading.