Mitsurugi

Soul Calibur IV Guide - Mitsurugi

Heishiro Mitsurugi

Age: 29
Birthplace: Bizen, Japan
Height: 5'7”
Weight: 143 lbs.
Birth Date: June 8
Blood Type: AB
Weapon: Katana
Weapon Name: Shishi-Oh
Discipline: Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu Kai
Family: Immediate Family/All taken by sickness

Unlocked: Initially available.

Years of living in the war-torn province of Bizen led Misturugi to take up the sword. He soon become very proficient in his discipline, and, after leaving his clan, became a mercenary. After attempting to throw away a fragment of the fabled sword Soul Edge he had acquired in his travels, the shard suddenly shone brightly and flew westward. Always in search of a worthy opponent, Mitsurugi is drawn to Ostrheinsburg in anticipation of a battle with the Azure Knight and Soul Edge.

The staple samurai character of the Soulcalibur series hasn't changed much from previous iterations. Mitsurugi boasts an assortment of easily executable attacks with decent range, making him an ideal choice for the beginner. Knowledge of his two stances, Mist (6B K) and Relic (4B K), are needed to compete against advanced players, however.

Combo Clip

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

Combo 1: During Mist A B~3A, 66A B
Combo 2: During Relic A, B, 33B
Korefuji: During Mist B G

Strategy

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

Focus on moving into mid or close-range where Mitsurugi fares best. He does not have any effective long-range moves, so you'll have to rely on 8-Way Run when up against a more long-range able character. If your opponent misses an attack, move in and strike with quick attacks such as Lantern Divide (hold 6, B, B) or Phoenix Tail (during 8-Way Run A B).

Mid-range, you'll want to focus on Mitsurugi's horizontal attacks such as Twin Splinters (A, A), Sudden Gale (hold 6, A) or Shin Slicer (1A) to counter sidestepping. Stalk Reaper (2K, B) is a quick low move that can be used to poke through the defense of a high guarding opponent. Conversely, Heaven Cannon (3B) can be used to launch crouching foes and can then be followed by a vertical strike or two while they are airborne. Mask (b6) is a fast move that can be used to interrupt an attacker.

Use Divine Tale (hold 3_9, B) to take opportunity of missed strikes and to thwart your opponent's wakeup game. Wind Hole Vortex (4B) is a highly effective move at either mid or close-range, as it may trick your foe into letting their guard down. Wind Hole Vortex into Mist (4 hold B) may confuse your opponent even further, allowing you to follow up with Wind Stitch (during Mist B, B, B) if they move in, and Heavenly Dance (during Mist 6B, B) if they stay put.

Mist Stance (6B K)

His Relic Stance (4B K) is good for pulling off quick vertical and horizontal strikes, like Fire Brand (during Relic B) and Parting Arc (during Relic A). Parting Act links to Mist if the A button is held down. Relic is also a good evasive stance, allowing Misturgi to back up, crouch, jump and dash quickly. False Purification (A B K) can be used to Repel incoming attacks, but it is a little tricky to pull off without a modified control setup (such as setting A or B to one of the right shoulder buttons).

Mitsurugi excels at close-range combat. Wind Hole Vortex (4B) is still effective at this range, and is good for tricking guarding opponents into attacking when things are at a standstill. Unfortunately Mitsurugi's selection of low striking attacks is extremely limited, so you will have to primarily rely on his quick-striking kick Hem Stitch (1K, or K while crouching) to get hits in on standing enemies.

Use Knee Slice (2A) to intercept attacking opponents or to counter sidestepping. Drawn Breath (4A) can be used to shift Mitsurugi into Relic—which can then be followed by Wind Stitch (during Mist B, B, B) to possibly score a counter-hit—if A is held down, while Reaver (6 hold A) switches to his Mist stance. Hit downed or rising enemies with Cold Stitch (2A B)

Relic Stance (4B K)