Matchups

**Agter** · 11-24-2009 08:18 AM

Might as well start discussing them.

Starting with one of the worst, it's definitely Kefka, in a cramped stage.

It's nearly impossible to get any breathing room to charge what with that Waggly Wobbly Firaga following you around all the damn time. And if he does hit you with that Waggly Wobbly Firaga, his damage output is enough to break you more often than not. In Order's Sanctuary and similar stages it's not too bad. Omni-Dashing away works pretty well.

In EX Mode, it's not too bad. Using Hatred to reflect WWF is pretty easy, considering how long its active frames are. You've also got good range with Dual Rend and Rupture, and you can use Judgement to guard his other magic attacks. Just getting there is the hard part....

**Limbo_lag** · 11-24-2009 09:16 AM

Ah, but remember that Gab can attack even if he isn't in ex mode. I think Circle of Judgement can reflect some of Kefka's spells (right?), so it IS possible to go on the offensive whilst not in ex mode. In some cases, with the right accessories, you may in fact build up ex force faster by attacking/getting attacked, than by camping in a corner and ex charging.

As for matchups....probably anyone who has fast brave attacks (such as Squall) would give him a hard time...simply because Gab won't be able to keep up brave-wise in his normal form, plus (assuming we're taking about a small stage here) he will be constantly pressured by the opponent, giving him little chance to ex charge.

**Rei-N** · 11-24-2009 03:29 PM

Ugh...do you guys ever stop talking about Gabranth whilst only in equips battle? XD

**Warning! Rei-N Chibi Wall of Text**

Anyways, a match against Kefka is only troublesome while on a big stage. If you're fighting in a cramped area, unless you're spending your days focusing only on EX charging, I see no reason for you to be getting rattled so easily. While in Normal mode, make sure you can see Kefka at all times or at least know where he is. Having Omni-dash equipped allows you to judge your distancing with WWF and even cancel EX charge in time for a potent counter/reflect. As stated earlier, Circle of Judgment will be such an aid in this fight. It reflects mini-version Firaga, Extra Crispy, exploding Ultima, Meteor, etc. The only attack it doesn't stop is the ground Blizzaga. Play patient and use Omni-dash to stay comfy distance. Don't go for the long charges unless you know you can benefit from it.

And when you get into EX mode, oh the joys you will have in a small stage. Kefka's poor defense and bad keepout game will force him to run a lot and try to stall you...but as a Gabranth player, you should be aware that all opponents will consider this strategy. Vortex of Judgment rapes all of Kefka's magic cept Big Version Firaga; but we have Hatred walling for that (or standard blocking.) Innocence aerial deflects magic attacking from the front, which is practically everything Kefka has that's not named Meteor, Ultima non exploded, or big WWF. Approaching is easy with EX.

I personally find the biggest nuisance to be Zidane while in no-equips. His Swift Attack in the air and ground allows him to constantly chip away at your BRV and HP, something that should receive attention. It's that attack, plus Free energy, that gives Normal Gabranth a fair bit of headaches. And no, don't think you're funny by EX camping through chicken fighting. It's the only viable safe strategy, though I never approve of resorting only to that.

Squall, pfft. Let him BRV rape you. Just EX charge in small bursts instead of long charges, then utilize a solid walling game. One Sentence or CoJ can get you about 1/16 of your EX bar easy. HP attack landings are all you need to keep an eye on against Squall, since all his attacks that aren't BRV are too damn obvious.

Still waiting for someone to give me a solid counterpick and reasoning to EX Gabranth.

**rshadowkirby** · 11-24-2009 04:31 PM

wait....what?
kefka isnt a bad matchup for gabranth gabranth is a bad matchup for kefka

in exmode gabranth can reflect everything kefka throws out by either using hatred (this includes trine)

or byusing that spinning move
and considering ive fought a gabranth who was in exmode for 5 minutes, i think thats very troublesome for kefka

**Agter** · 11-24-2009 05:04 PM

Who said I was talking about equip Gabranth?

lol

**Warning! Rei-N Chibi Wall of Text**

Anyways, a match against Kefka is only troublesome while on a big stage. If you're fighting in a cramped area, unless you're spending your days focusing only on EX charging, I see no reason for you to be getting rattled so easily. While in Normal mode, make sure you can see Kefka at all times or at least know where he is. Having Omni-dash equipped allows you to judge your distancing with WWF and even cancel EX charge in time for a potent counter/reflect. As stated earlier, Circle of Judgment will be such an aid in this fight. It reflects mini-version Firaga, Extra Crispy, exploding Ultima, Meteor, etc. The only attack it doesn't stop is the ground Blizzaga. Play patient and use Omni-dash to stay comfy distance. Don't go for the long charges unless you know you can benefit from it.

And when you get into EX mode, oh the joys you will have in a small stage. Kefka's poor defense and bad keepout game will force him to run a lot and try to stall you...but as a Gabranth player, you should be aware that all opponents will consider this strategy. Vortex of Judgment rapes all of Kefka's magic cept Big Version Firaga; but we have Hatred walling for that (or standard blocking.) Innocence aerial deflects magic attacking from the front, which is practically everything Kefka has that's not named Meteor, Ultima non exploded, or big WWF. Approaching is easy with EX.

I personally find the biggest nuisance to be Zidane while in no-equips. His Swift Attack in the air and ground allows him to constantly chip away at your BRV and HP, something that should receive attention. It's that attack, plus Free energy, that gives Normal Gabranth a fair bit of headaches. And no, don't think you're funny by EX camping through chicken fighting. It's the only viable safe strategy, though I never approve of resorting only to that.

Squall, pfft. Let him BRV rape you. Just EX charge in small bursts instead of long charges, then utilize a solid walling game. One Sentence or CoJ can get you about 1/16 of your EX bar easy. HP attack landings are all you need to keep an eye on against Squall, since all his attacks that aren't BRV are too damn obvious.

Still waiting for someone to give me a solid counterpick and reasoning to EX Gabranth.

Uh, in a more open space Kefka is more troublesome? I don't particularly understand, I always found it way easier to get away from WWF in an open space. Since I'm referring to no equips, getting to EX Charge is extremely hard in a cramped stage with Kefka. I'm not particularly sure, but Circle of Judgement can deflect magic? As far as I know it has no magic deflecting properties, unlike Vortex of Judgement.

In a cramped stage in no equips, it can be difficult to reach EX Mode. Sure you can charge a bit here and there, but that means it will take you a long time to reach EX Mode and if one of those Firaga's hit it's either HP damage or a high chance of break. Meaning Kefka can take good chunks off your HP before you even reach EX Mode.

You can attempt to block WWF when it's small, but I'm often wary of doing that because if I guess wrong it's going to hurt. Blocking it when it's big is dangerous too. You risk getting hit by criticals if he decided to use Extra Crispy.

Like I said, in EX Mode it's okay, but getting there is the problem - in no equips. =/

Then again, I may need more experience fighting Kefkas, but this is just from what I experienced so far. >.>

**Falgabard** · 01-09-2010 04:38 PM

As for me I find the matches with Ultimecia the most frustrating. It is hard as hell to land a HP attack on her, especially taking in account that she just loves to hold a distance and there is no way I can block her and counter with HP attack, because blicking her is rather useless.