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Former Korean SpecOps and self-proclaimed rival of Jin Kazama, Hwoarang, returns to the Iron Fist Tournament inTekken 8.A student of Baek Doo San, Hwoarang is a kick-focused fighter, using his feet to unleash devastating attacks in rapid succession. Appearing in everyTekkeninstallment since his debut inTekken 3,Hwoarang is known for his fiery orange hair and equally hot temper. Even so, Hwoarang is a skilled and dedicated fighter, able to climb the ranks of the Korean military despite his reputation for insubordination and disrespect.
Given his few punch combos (and the few he has are not the most powerful, outside of meteor smash finishers in kicking combos), Hwoarang can be a tricky character to pick upbut incredibly rewarding to master.
Style Overview - Hwoarang, The Blood Talon
Hwoarang’s fighting style leans heavily on Taekwondo,using his kicking combos to control the fight’s pace. He rarely uses punch attacksoutside of locking opponents to set up a hard-hitting kicking combo. As a kicker,Hwoarang can be slower than most other fighters his size, especially regarding attack start-up times.
While this can make it a bit more difficult to start combos, once an attack lands, players can easilykeep their enemy from recovering by keeping them airborne or knocked down(known as ground juggling) to eviscerate their health bar completely.
When first learning Hwoarang, keep the following in mind to quickly adapt to his fighting style:
Hwoarang’s Move List
In total,Hwoarang has 156 unique techniques at his disposal,with most of these moves stemming from his Flamingo stances. These stances can be excellent for initiating and maintaining air and ground juggle combos, while the 11 throws in Hwoarang’s kit should be used when enemies get too close for comfort to create space for a follow-up kick strike.
A three-hit combo thatsends enemies flying back
(During Heat) LK + RP
Ignition Barrage
Quickly kick the enemy twice before stunning them with an overhead heel smash
A strong thrust kick thatthrows enemies back
Forward, Forward (Hold), RK
Black Kite
Can be performed in Right Stance- leap and spin to generate momentum for a strong, high-hitting aerial kick
Down-Forward + LK
Flamingo Rocket
Performed from Left Flamingo, fake a high kick, then transition into a spinning thrust kick that sends enemies back
Performed during Right Flamingo,an upward thrust kick thatstaggersenemies
Input
Sky Burial
Launch enemies into the air, lifting them higher and higher with a succession of upward kicks before sending them crashing to the ground with a charged downward kick
Home Surgery
Lock the opponent with a quick series of jabs followed by a low-high double-kick
LP, LP, LK, LK
Siege Mortar Combo
A high-hitting three-piece combo that kicks high to start and ends with an overhead closed-fist hammer smash
Lk, LK, RP
Left Kicks
Kick the enemy rapidly three times,knocking them to the ground. Can be transitioned into Left Flamingo
An aerial double kick thatthrows enemies back
LK, RK (Quickly)
Right Kicks > Chainsaw Heel
A kicking combo that ends with a powerful downward heel strike,knocking enemies to the ground close by,leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks
RK, RK, LK
Right Kicks > Raptor Combo
A kicking flurry that starts with a flamingo kick, transitions to a tornado kick, and ends with a sideways aerial kick thatthrows enemies back
RK, RK, RK, RK
Disrespect
Makes Hwoarang turn his back to his opponents,allowing for new follow-up attacks
LP + RP
Left Flamingo
Hwoarang lifts his left leg and poises in the Left Flamingo stance, which can be followed up with anew list of attacks
Moves During Left Flamingo
Flamingo Hunting Hawk
Launch into the air for an aerial tornado kick combo that brings enemies to their knees.
Up-Forward + LK
Power Blast
Take a moment to gather energy, thenunleash a devastating spinning kick that is unblockableand deals massive damage
Eruption
Dodge your opponent, then explode into a fast double kick combo that can transition into Left Flamingo
Plasma Blade
Launch your enemy into the air,opening the window for a juggle combo
RK
Combos for Hwoarang
When building combos for Hwoarang, players will want tostring together attacks that will keep enemies suspended in air or keep them from being able to recover. Hwoarang’s momentum attacks and downward smashes, when combined with combos from his Flamingo stances, can juggle an enemy completely to oblivion with the proper inputs.
Basic Combo: Left Plasma Blade + Right Kick + Right Kicks > Raptor Combo
Launch your enemy into the air and catch them with a right kick to keep them airborne. Immediately follow up with Right Kicks > Raptor Combo to keep the enemy suspended before kicking them back to a safe distance.
Input: Back + LK, RK, RK, RK, RK, RK
Advanced Combo: Right Hook Kick + Right Flamingo + Screw Kick + Left Flamingo + Flamingo Rocket + Flying Nerichagi + Forward Step + Hunting Hawk
Performed only from Normal stance andwhen Heat activation is available, this combo is capable of decimating most of an enemy’s health and can set the course of the round if executed successfully at the start of the fight. Start with a right high kick that transitions to Right Flamingo, allowing the execution of a strong spinning kick. Transition to Left Flamingo, and kick the enemy back while activating Heat with Flamingo Rocket. Input the three forward commands during the Heat Rush, kick the enemy back down to the ground, then launch into the rising kick combo Hunting Hawk to close the distance and kick enemies back to the ground once again.
Keep in mind thatif using this combo while not near the edge of the map, the Flying Nerichagi will knock players back out of the range of Hunting Hawk - be sure to quickly input a forward step after touching down from the Flying Nerichagi if necessary.
Players can also follow this combo up with their Heat Smash for additional damage- just remember to take a step forward before using the Heat input if the enemy is thrown back by the Hunting Hawk technique (typically, they will smash to the ground, but occasionally can be thrown back and out of range of Trinity Claymore.
Input: Forward + RK, Forward + LK, Forward + LK, Forward + LK, Forward, Forward, Forward (Hold) + LK, Forward, Up-Forward + LK, RK, LK
Perfect Combo: Right Flamingo + Right Viper Combo + Right Viper Combo + Combat Low + Firecracker + Peacekeeper + Spinning Axe Kick + Right Kicks
A combo as disrespectful as his hair is orange, start by transitioning to Right Flamingo and catching the enemy with two quick viper kick combos - it is recommended to hold the RK input to help prevent accidentally executing the Right Sword knockback kick.
After a few Viper combos, tag the enemy with a low shin kick and launch into the low-hitting Firecracker technique, throwing enemies back. Dash forward and ground juggle the enemy with a Peacekeeper thrust kick, activating Heat. Input Spinning Axe Kick during the Heat Dash, continue the ground juggle and finish off with a quick Right Kicks combo.
Keep in mind that with practice,players can sneak in multiple Viper Kicks back to backif they want to disrespect their opponent in true Hwoarang style.
Input: Forward + RK, Forward + RK (Hold), Forward + RK, Down + RK, Down + RK, RK, Forward, Forward (Hold) + RK, Forward, Forward (Hold) + LK, RK, RK
Tips for Winning as Hwoarang
For those looking to master Hwoarang,focus on learning the timing of his simple kick combos and pair them together for incredible juggle combos. Hwoarang may not have the flashiest moves in the game, but his mighty normal attacks combined with superb timing can create an unparalleled fighting style.
To increase your win ratio with Hwoarang, keep these tips in mind:
How to Counter Hwoarang
Tekken 8’sroster of fighters gives players a great variety of choices when strategizing against Hwoarang. Hwoarang’s main weaknesses are his long startup times and preference for hitting opponents in the mid and high lanes. Fighters that like to hug the ground with some of their attacks, like Lili or Kuma, can easily dodge Hwoarang’s attacks while simultaneously initiating their devastating combos, sliding under Hwoarang’s legs as he goes to attack.
Lili is a superb pick against Hwoarang due to her size and speed. While her execution style is different, her combos tend to hit in the same areas as Hwoarang’s techniques; they simply execute faster, with Lili’s lowest startup hitting 8 frames (Hwoarang’s lowest startup is 10 frames but averages 15 frames).
Players will also find that Hwoarang will struggle against speed-focusedclose-range melee fighters like Victor.Victor can easily outpace Hwoarang with his rapid knife attacks and can counter-spacing strategies with his blink attacks, counter-attacks, or by simply pulling out his pistol and firing a few shots to push Hwoarang back.
