Cervantes

Soul Calibur IV Guide - Cervantes

Cervantes de Leon

Age: 48 (Aging has stopped)
Birthplace: Valencia, Spanish empire
Height: 5'10”
Weight: 176 lbs.
Birth Date: January 1
Blood Type: None
Weapon: Longsword & Pistol Sword
Weapon Name: Acheron & Nirvana
Discipline: Memories of Soul Edge
Family: Father/Killed in battle, Mother/Deceased. He slaughtered his whole crew when he claimed Soul Edge, although he remembers none of it.

Unlocked: Purchase for 4000 Gold on the fighter select screen.

Having wielded the cursed sword Soul Edge, the dread pirate Cervantes de Leon became a ruthless monster, killing off his entire crew and most of the population of his home port town. He was at one time defeated, but was later inadvertently resurrected by Nightmare, the new host of Soul Edge, who used the cursed sword's fragments still embedded in Cervantes' body. With some fragments of the cursed sword, he later created a lesser form of Soul Edge. The dimensional warp caused by the clash between Soul Edge and Soul Calibur resulted in Cervantes' sword pulling away from him to return to its other half. Now, he travels to Ostrheinsburg to claim the recently restored Soul Edge.

The maniacal pirate returns with most of his moves intact, though with some changes longtime Cervantes users will notice. With high damage output and decent range, Cervantes is a popular choice, and rightfully so, as he boasts a number of effective and easy-to-execute moves. His weakness lies in the fact that many of his moves can be easily avoided by players who are familiar with Cervantes' fighting style.

Combo Clip

The video below shows the following combinations. The directional notation system is used to describe each move.

Combo 1: 3B~B2
Throw: While Crouching 323B G
Combo 2: A (CH), 2A B, WR A
Combo 3: 44A B, 213, B K

Strategy

Please read through 'The Basics' and 'Fighting Terms' for an explanation of the 'directional notation' and the fighting terms used to explain strategy.

There are several options at long-range. One commonly used move is Dread Charge into Geo De Ray (214B) which sends Cervantes flying straight towards his opponent and deals a decent amount of damage. Be very careful with Geo De Ray unless you're playing on a walled stage, however, because if your foe is standing near the edge of the ring, he or she will be launched if it hits, but Cervantes will keep going and possibly ring himself out. Genocidal Culverin (6A K) is an Unblockable, long-range attack that deals a ton of damage, and can catch those who aren't paying attention. Dark Geo Da Ray into Dread Charge (4A B) can lead to a brutal combo if it connects, but can be easily avoided by those who have witnessed the move before, and the Ring Out risk is still there. Another possibility is Shadow Flare (4B K), an overhead Guard Break move.

Cervantes has safer options at mid-range. Fregata Slicer (2A B) is a quick mid-attack that puts Cervantes into a crouched stance and can be followed by Cursed Blow (while Rising A) which stuns on hit, or Flying Dutchman (while crouching A B), a 7-hit combo. Scissor Lifter (3A, B) is an effective low to mid string that leads into a high attack if the B button is pressed just as the first strike connects. Follow through with B K while Cervantes' back is turned to strike your rising opponent). Use Wave Break (1A), Merciless Wave (hold 4, A) or Gibbering Torpedo (hold 1_7, A, A), a low combo, to deter sidestepping.

Close-range attacks such as Wild Storm (B, B, B) and Soul Swing (A, A) are actually fairly quick, so use them when you are at an advantage. Fregata Slicer (2A B) into Cursed Blow (while Rising A) or Flying Dutchman (while crouching A B) works too, but you can mix it up with Anchor Marooned Kick (1K) at this range. While your opponent is stunned, use quick kicks and horizontal slashes to deal some more damage. Full Sail Hoist (A B) also stuns on a normal or counter-hit, so use it to punish whiffs or missed grabs. If Anchor Marooned Kick (1K) connects, follow with Anchor Knee Kick (6K) which is then uninterruptable.

Even at close-range, Wave Break (1A), Merciless Wave (hold 4, A) or Gibbering Torpedo (hold 1_7, A, A) are an effective sidestepping deterrent. Pirate's Scheme (A K) and Pirate's Tactics (B K) can be used to slip through incoming horizontal attacks and vertical attacks respectively, with Cervantes reappearing behind his opponent. These moves are useful for escaping after a string of blocked attacks; go for a back throw or use Shadow Flare (4B K) while your opponent is confused. Use Storm Nest (hold 2_8, B) or High Tide Anchoring (2B K)—which can be charged too—to strike downed opponents.