New to Kain

[Viviblaze814]

I've been stumbling around the character select screen recently to discover who I want my new main to be. I've tried a few, none of which I was incredibly excited about. I've tried Lightning, Cecil, Tifa, Zidane, and Kuja, the only which I enjoyed bing Cecil and Zidane. Kain has always been a favorite of mine, so I decided to try him out. How does one play Kain effectively, what's his best build, and how do I go about getting these items?

[JaeZanar]

Hes pretty assist reliant.

His HP moves are pretty easy to avoid and his BRV attacks are mega easy to block, so i think youd have to have a good assist build and try not to be overly predictable otherwise youd get smashed. Hes badass and quite fun to play with though :D

[Viviblaze814]

Those are gonna be tough things to work around. I have a hard time facing the AI, and I've never played PvP before. I'm scared to try this guy out, but I've used him a couple times. His starting moves are miserable. DX
Hopefully I can get around his flaws though, because I really enjoy him.

[ChaosMuramasa]

I can't tell you how to play him effectively because VS. AI and VS. Humans are two completely different worlds (and I haven't fought an AI seriously in the past year or so). AI tactics and Human tactics are completely different and do not exactly flow well with one another.

As for builds, the most effective Kain is a Pure Assist build (no surprise there considering Duodecim's meta-game). Side by Side, a couple of boosters, and Gauge Depletion accessories will do you wonders on Kain (like any other character).

[Viviblaze814]

Awesome. I love the assist system in this game. Ever since I slapped Kuja on Kain I've been doing a lot better. Thanks for the help guys!

[ProjectTitan313]

I use him a fair bit. Mostly on AI, but its something, right?

I agree with assist recommendations so far, for two reasons. One, I use a pure assist build myself. Two, his EX Mode and EX Revenge are... underwhelming. Could be wrong, probably am, but Assists really seem to be the best way to go, and his exclusive really helps.
You could also try boosting Wall Rush damage, as nearly all his attacks do wall rush, but wall rushing got nerfed so hard since DFF.

His BRV attacks are slow but powerful and range isn't the best, but he's a lot like Cecil: your looking to dodge, punish, and smash their face in. Jump Boost, Precision Jump, he makes excellent use of jumping. Jump (HP attack) will either dodge, overpower, or at least break even against pretty much any other attack. It dodges on start, namely when you release square, and I find it useful to slip out of a slow starting move and pounce. Its also a good defensive move for the before-mentioned reasons :P
And he's good in the air. He can a bit hard to learn (and yes, he doesn't start with much, but he gets some very strong attacks by lv 50), but he's definitely strong in the right hands.

You can also hit Triangle to dash after a BRV attack and aim it a bit with the analog stick. Good for closing gaps after a hit.

[princeofdeath3]

well if you are complaining about his starter HP moves, try using Jecht, while they are getting hit, throw a gungir and watch them go blasting off

[EULNAV93]

I have a few questions concerning some of his attacks.

1)Is it worth using Cyclone, and if so where would it be best placed?

2)Would it be worth using Dragon's Fang instead of the other air HP attacks?

[Dragon Lancet]

Cyclone is his only safe poke and can build quite safe assist, and can combo to any of his attacks at the right distance and I usually have cyclone in circle-back command.
Dragon's fang, hhmm hard one... well dragon's fang is fast and is meant to punish and can aim 75 degrees and can be a killing blow because of the assist charge (if the opponent has a comrade's bow).
Gungnir is great, deals a lot of damage, but, it just aims about 45 degrees and leaves you wide open because of the lag.
I still prefer Dragon's fang, but gungnir is fun :), but you have to use bot safely, don't spam them, they are great, but they are slow, and meant to punish.
Remember, kain is a mid-range character, and he's only meant to punish hard on the opponent, so be calm and patient, hope this helps.

[EULNAV93]

Cyclone is his only safe poke and can build quite safe assist, and can combo to any of his attacks at the right distance and I usually have cyclone in circle-back command.
Dragon's fang, hhmm hard one... well dragon's fang is fast and is meant to punish and can aim 75 degrees and can be a killing blow because of the assist charge (if the opponent has a comrade's bow).
Gungnir is great, deals a lot of damage, but, it just aims about 45 degrees and leaves you wide open because of the lag.
I still prefer Dragon's fang, but gungnir is fun :), but you have to use bot safely, don't spam them, they are great, but they are slow, and meant to punish.
Remember, kain is a mid-range character, and he's only meant to punish hard on the opponent, so be calm and patient, hope this helps.

That's about what I figured. Cyclone's main use in my current build is only as to build assist. I don't even use it to poke with because there's always the chance it could get reflected back. That's happened to me more times than I can count. = P

I'm mainly concerned about which HP attack to use between Gungnir and Dragon's Fang. I've lately been using Dragon's Fang, but seeing as though my current Kain build revolves around using OAD+ I can hardly ever get him into position to connect with it unless I use an assist.

[Dragon Lancet]

That's about what I figured. Cyclone's main use in my current build is only as to build assist. I don't even use it to poke with because there's always the chance it could get reflected back. That's happened to me more times than I can count. = P

I'm mainly concerned about which HP attack to use between Gungnir and Dragon's Fang. I've lately been using Dragon's Fang, but seeing as though my current Kain build revolves around using OAD+ I can hardly ever get him into position to connect with it unless I use an assist.

Well, Cyclone, I just use it as an annoyer, I usually fight at mid distance and poke with cyclone, if you do it right, or dodge in the right moment, cyclone isn't a problem when it's reflected, and if you convine it with Snoose and Lose (SnL) against pvp annoys more, cause when the oponent is just guarding, o dodging cyclone, it activates.

And about dragon's fang, I use kain with FAD, I think it works better with FAD, and I usually use it for countering HP attacks, I don't use much gungnir because against my friends I get punished really bad when I use it wrong, gungnir is more for me like a surprise attack.

Anyway, hope this helps, and, if you have doubts about how to fight with kain, you can see the video sections that are in here, and learn what to do, and learn what to not do... and a tip, do not, spam jump... XP

[EULNAV93]

... and a tip, do not, spam jump... XP

Oh believe me Arashi, that's happened to me far too many times for me to use it against my opponent. I'm very well aware that Jump isn't infallible. Spamming it will always end up badly for the user, not to mention it's dreadfully annoying. :P

[テツヤ Kuroko]

Don't spam jump?, You're gonna use it a fair amount of times, Whether it be for getting in the air, dodging or actually landing it, depending on how good you are at aiming. ;P

[axeeeeL]

spamming jump is only bad if you actually complete the entire animation.

when he lands, kain is pretty vulnerable.

[Dart]

I would advice you to go to the tournament thread Dave created awhile back. Also, I represented Kain in the recent Phoenix tournament, so watch some fights and you will learn how to use Kain properly. Be advised though, Kain isn't a very noob friendly character.