Guilty Gear mainstay Faust returns in Guilty Gear Strive with his iconic paper bag helmet headpiece and gigantic scalpel. In the recent Arc System Works title, Faust is still traveling around the world sharing his interesting views on philosophy. A man trying to change himself after a traumatic fast, he now fights for his own goals.
In combat, Faust boasts an extremely flexible kit that allows him to build counter-offensives towards different attack strategies. As a Unique character, Faust places a huge emphasis on wide attacks that hit enemies whenever they think they're safe. How can Strive players capitalize on his unique toolkit?
Updated June 14, 2022 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Arc System Works announcing “Another Story” DLC for Guilty Gear Strive, fans of the hit fighting game can explore a side story from the perspective of Ramlethal Valentine as the main story rages on.
And while fan-favorite Faust doesn’t have a lot of involvement in this side story, hopeful Faust mains might want to maintain mastery over the character in case some characters get updates. With that in mind, Faust mains need to understand how some advanced Faust mechanics work - such as his movelist, adjustments, and the sheer power of managing expectations.
14 Mind The Movelist
As with other fighting games, a key tip in understanding Faust’s overall gameplay lies in understanding his movelist. And this isn’t just because Faust is a member of a fighting game. Rather, the unpredictable nature of his kit means players need to identify precisely what he needs to use in order to achieve a particular outcome.
There are certain elements in Faust’s toolkit that players need to know immediately in order to capitalize on his rather “random” animations in the game. Players may want to try stringing these combos together in order to prevent enemies from advancing for the offense:
- 5K, 2D, 236P
- 2K, 2D, 236P
- Close S, Far S, 2HS
- Anti Air 6P, 236P
13 Maximize Confusion Through Movement
Due to Faust's weird movements while conducting attacks, jumps, and dashes, he is easily one of the most annoying enemies players can face in combat. As such, players should capitalize on the enemy’s attempt to use “traditional” tactics with regards to guards, dodging, and evasion when fighting Faust.
To capitalize on Faust’s ability to confuse opponents, players should try to maximize defensive play by taking advantage of throws and dodges whenever possible. Players should also abuse opportunities to strike opponents in long intervals so they don’t ever get the opportunity to strike back and create a counteroffensive.
12 Stand To Taunt Foes
Given how “random” Faust’s movement could be, players are expected to move around to disorient enemies with his odd movement animations. However, other skilled players in the game likely study Faust’s unique movements in order to counter other players who want to use Faust’s confusion to their advantage.
As such, players who notice their enemies anticipating Faust’s wonky movement might want to do the opposite. Basically - just stand up. The lack of “predictability” in reading Faust’s wonky patterns might disorient foes enough that it seems like Faust is taunting them to attack. While this does make Faust more unpredictable, players need to be careful. When enemies do attack a neutral Faust, players need to be able to counter swiftly or this strategy can hurt real bad.
11 Adjust - What Could This Be?
One of the most defining aspects of Faust’s kit would be “What Could This Be” (236P), which is a projectile attack that summons a random item from his arsenal. This is pesky for foes, especially since some of Faust’s throwables may or may not be damaging to them. And for Faust players, this means they need to be able to adjust to whatever item is thrown at the opponents.
Instead of simply using 236P from neutral in order to start a combo, Faust should use this at the end of combos while pressuring opponents. That way, players can easily dodge items like the Bomb and the Trumpet that could be used against him. At its core, it helps to always be on the prowl for quick exits after using 236P, and only after that should Faust be on the offensive again.
10 The King Of Unconventional
Faust is already a uniquely unconventional character in Guilty Gear, and Strive will emphasize this even more. For those who fight against Faust, they'd see him mostly as an oddly-moving character. Somehow, Faust can dodge even the trickiest of moves with weird twists and turns.
This weird movement pattern is the highlight of Faust's moveset. Thanks to his strange moves and penchant for crawling, his hitbox rapidly changes. This forces enemies to switch strategies constantly to face him. This level of unpredictability is a great strength that players should capitalize on.
9 Stop, Drop, And Roll
Crawling remains Faust's iconic movement pattern, and players should maximize on the opportunities this brings. Whereas usual crouching will provide low block at the cost of non-movement, Faust's crawling mechanic allows him to avoid most neutral attacks.
Moreover, this weird movement also enables him to dodge a lot of punishment the opponents could give him. Players should learn how to maximize this crawling, to get past a lot of typical mixups from opponents.
8 Mind The Meter
Despite Faust's flexibility, players need to remember that his special moves do heavily rely on his Tension Meter. In turn, players might be at a disadvantage if they don't have enough juice to dish out some of Faust's fiercer combos. To counteract this, players can keep the pressure on opponents through his Command Grabs and throwing items for distractions.
For added time, Faust can dish out his Roman Cancels to give him more time to prepare for his movements. Granted, this will cost him his Meter, but it's a worthwhile price if it also distracts an opponent.
7 Get That Low Blow
Interestingly, Faust's low crawling not only works for movement, but also for securing some heavy hits. Granted, Faust does have a limited amount of attack options from this vantage point. Enemies who also play Faust will likely be able to predict these attacks. But either way, the following three go-to movements are worth a shot.
- Heavy Slash is a relatively safe low attack against enemies, and can release a heavy counter against airborne opponents.
- D & P. 2K is a great combo string to counter air attacks.
- 2S is also a great way to cancel air attacks, and begin stringing mixups.
6 Master The Neutral Poke
Given the RNG-heavy dynamic of some of Faust's main attacks, it's important to have a basic sense of what Faust can do when moving regularly. Thankfully, some of his basic attacks enable him to dish out decent damage that can string into some neat combos. When used properly, these can also open more possibilities for trickier attack patterns.
- Ground Poking is best done with Slash and Kick, due to their mid-range potential.
- Air Poking is best done with J.2K, which also serves as one of Faust's handy Command Normals.
5 Dynamic Command Normals
Due to his erratic nature, it makes sense for Faust to have some of the most creative Command Normals in the game. Depending on the strategy, players can use a wide range of Command Normals to turn the tide against opponents.
- Command Movement serves as Faust's crawling action. He can use this to defend against high attacks.
- Command Normal 1 (6P) will have Faust swing his hand up. This provides him with upper body invincibility, serving as his main anti-air.
- Command Normal 2 (6HS) will have Faust swing his scalpel down. This does have a long startup but easily compensates with its longer range.
- Command Normal 3 (HS + Standing HS) is a continuation of Command Normal 2, where Faust picks up opponents and knocks them back. When used with Mix Mix Mix, this Command Normal can help secure the opponent for more combos.
- Command Normal 4 (2K in air) will have Faust spin diagonally, useful to counter opponents anticipating the typical jump.
- Command Normal 5 (Hold D) is a stronger variation of the Dust Attack, wherein Faust can actually deflect projectiles.
4 What Could This Be?
Perhaps the highlight of Faust's entire toolkit, his What Could This Be? (236P) is a Special Attack, which summons a random tool that could potentially be dangerous for any opponent. Each item that Faust can throw has its own unique effects. Regardless, players can use What Could This Be? to bait opponents into reacting to them, leaving Faust with a lot of room for feinting and punishing opponents.
The items Faust can summon include the following:
- Afro
- Bandana
- Bomb
- Donut
- Hammer
- Horn
- Meteor
- Small Faust
- 100-Ton Weights
3 Secure The Pressure
Faust does have the rest of his toolkit to rely upon when pressuring opponents. He can use any of these attacks to follow through with the punishing element of What Could This Be? With the right strategy, Faust's other Special Attacks can lead to devastating situations that opponents may not be able to escape.
- Mix Mix Mix (236s) is Faust's primary combo tool, which can blend in easily with his basic pokes. Faust can use this both on the ground and in the air, with players being able to steer him in a certain direction.
- Snip Snip Snip (236H) is essentially a nifty Command Grab. As a catch, Faust also gives the opponent an afro.
- Love (J.236P) is a non-RNG projectile in the form of a bomb. Typical of bombs and other projectiles in the franchise, Love works as a great tool to pressure opponents into retreating, leaving them open for poking.
- Scarecrow (214P/K/S) is a neat repositioning tool with a risk-reward component. Faust summons two Scarecrows, one of which he can inhabit. This allows him to safely reposition while opponents are confused. However, Faust is in for a punishment if the enemy gets to predict his Scarecrow.
2 Punish Enemies With Thrust
Thrust (41236K) remains another handy tool at Faust's disposal, primarily due to its punishment potential. When used with 6H, Thrust can also punish jumping opponents. However, perhaps what makes Thrust special is its three dynamic options that can change the flow of battle in Faust's terms. It can:
- Force the enemy back to neutral, especially if Faust doesn't do anything.
- Pull opponent to Faust, especially if Faust presses back when catching opponents during thrust.
- Give a slamming, especially when Faust presses HS while pulling the opponent backward.
1 Throw Everything Away
Owing to Faust's nature as a hilarious character, his Overdrives also take the ridiculous level to 110-percent. Interestingly, there aren't a lot of "supreme" strategies involved when using his Overdrives —except, perhaps, when it comes to overwhelming his opponent with a string of attacks. The following are his best moves:
- Bone-Crushing Excitement is easily one of the game's funniest Overdrives. This is a reversal move that Faust can use to string better combos.
- W-W-What Could This Be? (236236P) and W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-What Could This Be? (236236236P) are more ridiculous versions of What Could This Be?, where Faust throws a ton of items instead of just one.
Guilty Gear Strive is currently available on PC, PS4, and PS5.