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Balrog (Boxer): Street Fighter 4 Character Guide

Last updated on Aug. 22, 2008

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Character Overview

Super Turbo Balrog is back and really nasty. His EX moves are excellent, damage is very good and he's still fast, even though not as quick as he once was. His mix up game is arguably better than ever because of his overhead hits.

Also his juggles and combos are great — this guy is a heck of a fighter.

Special Moves

A (2) next to an arrow means to hold the joystick in that direction for 2 seconds to 'charge' the move.

With moves that charge by holding back or down, you can use the diagonal positions to charge up as well. For example, if you're holding back, you can jump backwards or block low and still maintain your charge.

Important Note: With all of Balrog's Running Punches, the strength of button pressed determines the speed and power of the move.

• Light attacks go the shortest distance and do the least damage, but Balrog will stick his fist out faster giving the other fighter less time to react to the attack.

• Hard attacks go a full-screen's distance and do good damage, but his fist takes longer to come out. Medium is a mix between both moves.

• Dash Straight (Running Punch) •
Balrog does a running punch towards his opponent. This move hits high, so it's possible for the other fighter to duck under it depending on their size. Good situational move though.

• Dash Grand Straight (Running Low Punch) •
Like his normal dash, but it hits low and it can really piss people off. This is arguably Balrog's best move in conjunction with his Running Overhead Punch, as you can keep an opponent guessing what's coming next, either an overhead or low attack. Use it often.

(hold punch)
• Running Overhead Punch •
This has a bit of start-up time (delay before the move comes out) but it comes out quickly enough that it can be difficult to know which way to block as it hits people unless they block high. Use this with Balrog's low rush punch and keep your opponent guessing. Deadly.

• Dash Smash (Running Uppercut) •
An alright anti-air move if you have your timing and distances down, but if you can spare the Super bar, use the EX version when you might trade hits.

• Dash Grand Smash (Running Low Uppercut) •
This is like Balrog's other dashing uppercut, except it doesn't knock down when it hits, and you can combo into other moves after it. Nasty.

• Buffalo Headbutt •
This goes through projectiles if timed correctly. It's also a very good anti air attack if you're charged up, but use the Light Punch version as Hard Punch will miss some times when your opponent jumps in. One of the Boxer's best moves.

or (Hold for 2 seconds)
• Turn Punch or Turn Uppercut •
Press and hold all three punch or kick buttons. The longer you hold down the buttons, the stronger your attack will be.

This move will go through projectiles and the start up animation is invulnerable to attacks. Very useful.

EX Moves

Important Note: All of Balrog's EX Dash Punch moves can absorb one attack and follow through and hit the other fighter. You still take damage if you're hit though.

• EX-Dash Straight (Running Punch) •
This can be a tricky move to use. It doesn't speed up his run, but it gains the ability to absorb one attack and still nail the other fighter. It's best used in anticipation situations where you think the other fighter is going to stick out a 'poke' or throw a projectile.

• EX-Dash Grand Straight (Running Low Punch) •
Use this in the same situations as you would the EX-Dash Straight (high attack).

• EX-Dash Smash (Running Uppercut) •
Balrog already has great anti-air options, and this just gives him one more. If your opponent jumps in from a distance, simply use this move and if they hit you before you punch, you'll absorb their attack and nail them for their trouble — more than likely doing more damage than they did.

• EX-Dash Grand Smash (Running Low Uppercut) •
Like the normal version of this move, it doesn't knock the other fighter down leading to some great combo potential.

• EX-Buffalo Headbutt •

Super and Ultra Moves

or
• Crazy Buffalo (Super Running Punch or Super Running Uppercut) •
If your opponent is close to death, this will likely put them over the edge regardless if it hits or not, because this move does really high block (chip) damage. It also goes through projectiles.

or
• Violent Buffalo (Ultra Running Punch or Ultra Running Uppercut) •
Balrog's Ultra also does good block (chip) damage, and goes through projectiles. And you can use it to juggle the other fighter if timed correctly off of his Buffalo Headbutt. Sick.

Combos

• Crouching Medium Kick, link into Crouching Medium Punch, cancel into high or low Dash Punch •
Balrog's bread and butter combo is back. Very nice when coupled with Crouching Medium Kick tick throws.

• Crouching Light Punch, Crouching Light Punch, cancel into high or low Dash Punch •
You can also add a jump in attack to the start of this combo.

• Crouching Light Punch, Crouching Light Punch, Buffalo Headbutt, juggle with Ultra or Super (Kick versions) •
This is a good way to guarantee landing a Super or Ultra combo with Balrog.

• Crouching Light Punch, Crouching Light Punch, Crouching Medium Kick, Buffalo Headbutt •
You can also land this combo after a jump in attack.

Normal Moves

Note this is not a complete list of all of Balrog's normal moves, just the ones we think are noteworthy.

• Foot Punch •
It's back and it's still a great way to set up tick throws with Balrog. If your opponent starts to get wise to this, you can also use this move in combos with his Dash Punches.

• Ducking Uppercut •
Very close to his Super Turbo move, and it's still awesome against jumping attacks when your opponent is in the right range.

• Punch Sweep •
It's quick, has range and it's a very safe attack. One of Balrog's best regular moves.

Contributions to this guide by KWASIA, Rojo, Gorehound, FuguTabetai, Chun Li's Thighs, MOD, YellowS4 and ToOoOomeke.