The actual problem with Fleeing Steps' frame advantage actually comes from Feint Step, Long Boxing's feint. Fleeing Steps is not the only lunge to have frame advantage in the game, but it is the most exploitative. If Fleeing Steps hits an enemy, it can actually combo into another lunge technique, and Long Boxing has a lunge super. Fleeing Steps is special in that it has one or possibly two advantage frames on hit (between 50-100ms - I'm unsure of the exact window, but it is less than 150ms). It's a normal lunge in every way except one, and even that is not extremely abnormal. If you block, you're just falling into a trap.įleeing Steps is the Shaolin basic lunge. The sole outlying exception is using hyper armor (typically from Perish Blade's Plague God's Wrath or Departing Sting's Loathsome Clouds and Rain) to attack and disrupt the Shaolin's attacks even while being struck. Shaolin boxing has no counterplay in most cases. Even styles that have a death combo where you can lose 60-100% HP in a single hit have an answer because that single hit often can be countered (either it's a feint that you must not block or a CC-type effect you must block). This is true of virtually every style in the game. If my opponent does some other move, I probably have some answer in my toolkit. If my opponent feints, I can use a combo starter. If my opponent performs a lunge, I can block it and get free rage meter.

It's pretty simple it's the idea that, if we know exactly what attack is coming next, we can counter it. In order to understand why I hate it, we have to understand the idea of counterplay. What do you mean there is no counterplay? Even if you understand exactly what your opponent will do next with Long Boxing, there are only a tiny handful of style-specific answers if your opponent just follows a basic flowchart. The reason I hate it is that it has no counterplay. There has to be a 'best' style, though that can be obfuscated a bit with counters (which is the case for many other top-tier styles). However, I don't dislike Long Boxing because it's the best. The only real option is to run away, and in the narrow confines of a duel arena, even that option is limited.

In a close-combat fight, Long Boxing is unmatched. Of all of the fighting styles in Age of Wushu, Shaolin Long Boxing is the one I hate the most.

Age of wushu shaolin guide