Flash Chop

The Flash Chop is one of Alex's special attacks, introduced in the Street Fighter III series.

Input

All appearances	+

Description

Executed by performing a quarter-circle forward motion and pressing punch, Alex moves slightly forward and delivers an open-palm horizontal chop akin to an outward slash, leaving behind a brief yellow energy trail.

Tactics

Alex striking Cammy around using Flash Chop.

The startup, range, and damage output of this move is determined by the strength of the punch button. The Light version has the fastest startup. However, it has the shortest range and inflicts the least amount of damage. The Heavy version has the longer range and inflicts more damage. However, it has the longest startup, making it easy for his opponent to intercept.

The EX version has the fastest startup, longest range and inflicts the most damage. It also leads to a knockdown, sending the opponent roughly 2/3 of the way across the screen on hit. The EX version is also the safest on block at -2, while the normal versions are all -4.

The Flash Chop can also stop basic projectiles. Each normal version can nullify single-hit projectiles, while the EX version can negate two-hit projectiles. This move is also a solid combo ender. While the normal versions does not result in a knockdown, each put Alex plus on hit, allowing him to maintain offensive pressure and keeping his opponent on their heels with frame traps and command throws. The Light version can be cancelled into from Alex's Medium Punch, while his Medium version can be cancelled into from his Heavy Punch.

Alex's Heavy version of the Flash Chop also has special properties. Because of its slow startup, it's difficult to combo into this version, with Lariat being the easiest option to do so. However, if the Heavy version hits the opponent, it spins them around, meaning that they are facing away from Alex for a second after it hits, allowing him to set up combos. The Medium or Heavy version can cancel into his Power Drop to become a Backdrop/German Suplex (later dubbed as Power Drop in V) for more damage than the Power Bomb by itself, albeit dealing less damage than if it were cancelled from a Sledge Hammer.

Due to an initial oversight that eventually became a feature, Alex can perform a Yami Drop if his Heavy Flash Chop is blocked. With the Yami Drop, Alex can still cancel his Flash Chop into a Power Drop even if he's facing the opponent, due to the blockstun ending by the time Alex starts grabbing. This can create a surprising mix-up that can discourage the opponent from punishing a Heavy Flash Chop.

In both versions of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, the move functions largely the same with the medium and heavy versions having more hitstun than the light version (all versions can turn the opponent around for the classic Power Bomb Backdrop followup). The heavy button version however, can also be charged, and when fully charged it becomes a Machine Gun Chop. The move thus becomes unblockable akin to a hit-grab, as the chops all are landed on a foe via a cinematic-type animation up to a total of 21 hits. However, landing a Machine Gun Chop prevents other attacks for the most part from acting as follow-ups due to the distance the victim is sent flying at upon the final chop being landed. However, the damage more than makes up for it being the strongest fully-charged attack in the game.

Through the use of partner assists, this can easily set up for resets.

Sprites

Gallery

Machine Gun Chop finisher

Flash Chop in Street Fighter V

Alex's Light, Medium, Heavy, and EX Flash Chop.

Trivia

• This move is based on a professional wrestling move called the Backhand Chop. In wrestling, the crowd commonly responds with a "Woooo!" noise in honor of WWE's Ric Flair, who popularized the move.
  • It's possible one of Alex's throws, the Face-Crush Chop could also be based of the Flash Chop.
• When facing small characters with Machine Gun Chop in the Versus series, such as Viewtiful Joe and Roll in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, Alex will crouch to accommodate for the height of his victim.