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Vs181103-017

Dan using Gadoken

The Gadoken (我道拳 Gadōken/Gadouken?, "Self Way Fist") is an attack "invented" by Dan Hibiki and is one of his most well known special attacks.

Input
All appearances Arcade Stick QCF+Arcade Button Punch

Origin[]

As with many of Dan's attacks, it is a parody of another existing move used by all those who practice Gouken's style of martial arts (specifically the Hadoken). Though he mimics Gouken's one-handed motion, the technique lacks any comparable power. It also acts as a parody of the effect of Ko'ōken (虎煌拳? "Tiger Sparkle Fist") from the Art of Fighting series when the energy gauge is low (resulting in a projectile that flies at a poor range); an altered version of this also oddly acts as Ryo Sakazaki's main Ko'ōken in later The King of Fighters games.

Description[]

Executed in the same exact way as the Hadoken, the Gadoken is a projectile attack that Dan launches with one hand. Though the distance of the attack can be controlled depending on the punch button used, the attack's general range is extremely short, limiting its usefulness.

The EX Special introduced in Super Street Fighter IV has greatly improved range and inflicts far more damage than the original Gadoken.

Despite the one-handed motion (which comically enough, may resemble a slap), if one looks closely, the ki projectile shows a single palm instead. In later games like how it was first done in the original Street Fighter Alpha, the Gadoken is done with a forward palm.

Tactics[]

The attack does roughly as much damage as any other projectile in spite of its range and can act as a rather limited method of defense against them. The attack can also be used as a limited combo extender and as way to hit a unexpecting opponent.

GadokenSFV

In Street Fighter V, Gadoken becomes one of Dan's multi-dimensional tools. By holding the punch button for 32-frames, Dan can charge up the projectile to change its properties. Not only it inflicts more damage, but it also grants an better range from all three versions; with the Heavy Version reaching 3/4 of the screen. Additionally, Dan gets better frame advantage with the charged Gadoken. He is +4 on block, letting him maintain pressure or putting the opponent in a mix-up situation. On hit, Dan is +10, making the charged Gadoken a decent combo extender.

The EX version may have a slower startup than the regular Gadoken, but it has a higher damage output. It also puts Dan at +5 on hit, allowing him to link with Standing Light Kick for a follow-up combo. The range for the EX version is the same as his Medium version.

Each version of Gadoken can be cancelled into Dan's first V-Skill, even on whiff. While the regular Gadoken leaves Dan -2 on block, cancelling into the V-Skill creates separation and increases his V-Gauge. If Dan has his second V-Trigger, the projectile is enhanced to the Haten Gadoken, a multi-hitting fireball that juggles the opponent. For optimal damage, Dan can also cancel Gadoken into his Critical Art.

Dan also has a 15% chance to get a red Gadoken that hits twice, knocks opponents down, moves further and is safer on block. Dan can juggle a Koryuken afterwards. However, the red Gadoken is entirely random, making it difficult to rely on.

Trivia[]

  • Dan's use of a single hand is an attempt to imitate Gouken, whom he briefly trained under. Gouken, Akuma, and Oni are the only characters who can use a single hand successfully, given their mastery of Ansatsuken. Since Dan is very unskilled in Ansatsuken techniques, the range of his single-handed projectile is extremely poor.
  • Dan's red Gadoken in Street Fighter V pays homage to a Street Fighter II Easter egg where Hadokens can randomly appear red. Though players rumored that the red Hadokens were more powerful than normal, they were purely cosmetic changes designed to create said rumors. The red Hadoken would later become the Shakunetsu Hadoken, with Dan's red Gadoken having similar properties, namely the multiple hits and the knockdown effect.

Sprites[]

Street Fighter Alpha seriesSuper Gem Fighter: Mini MixStreet Fighter Alpha series (Ken considers Dan an idiot)

Gallery[]

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