How To Use The Russian Czar

In SFA2 & SFA3

Now those of you who don't like the Russian Czar of wrestling have to be crazy. Ok I admit that if you're not good at doing a 360 degree motion in order to do a spinning pile driver then Zangief is the weakest character. Still, if you can do a spinning pile driver at least some of the time then you should be in good shape. That is how Capcom, the makers of the Street Figther (SF) series, designed the Russian Bear. He may not be able to string together eleven hit combos like Guy or Rolento but one spinning pile driver will take away more life than either Guy's or Rolento's 11 hit combo. In fact, as you probably know by challenging the computer controlled Zangief, the Russian Czar will often walk into a jump kick or a fire ball in order to get a throw off. The end result is little life lose for Zangief but an enormous one for his opponent. That is the reason why I learned how to play with Zangief.

Of course facing computer controlled or human controlled fire ballers and dragon punchers is a daily task for the mighty Russian. That is why as the Russian Bear you must remember to always be patient. Patience is a virtue. Patience will help you win countless number of matches. It has helped me a great deal. Patience is the key to playing with Zangief. Instead of attacking from the get go make your opponent screw up. That is the key to using Zangief. Zangief is the best SF character to have when fighting in close range because of his vicious throws. Your basic strategy should be to wait until the opponent comes in close then grab him/her for the throw. A couple jump kicks and fierce body splashes will get your opponent on the ground so that you can inflict some pain.

Since Zangief is one of the weakest characters to have when both fighters are at the edge of their respective sides you have to use even more strategy to destroy your opponent. This is one Zangief's spinning lariat and banishing punch comes in handy. While Zangief is doing is spinning lariat he can walk through all projectile attacks. His spinning lariat is also an effective move to knock an opponent out of the air. The lariat is especially effective in SFA3 in which it will juggle the opponent in the air sometimes for three hits taking off a ton of life. The other move that Zangief does is his banishing punch. The banishing punch requires more timing to use but it's also a devastating weapon. Zangief's banishing punch will destroy any normal projectile attack. Being that the Russian Bear also moves a great deal forward, you sometimes end up close enough to your opponent to get off a spinning pile driver. Watch the computer opponent Zangief use this move to perfection. Personally I favor the spinning lariat over the banishing punch because the lariat inflicts more damage on the opponent.

The following is a list of all characters Zangief will face in SFA2 and SFA3. I have included tips on how to beat them as well as some info on moves that for some reason or other always or almost always seems to work on computer controlled opponents.

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