FIGHTER GUIDE IORI'S STRATEGY
Use this hub to reach practical combos, move data, matchup notes, frame data, and Iori's published videos for MAI.
Practical routes organized by starter, resources, corner position, and knockdown.
Classic-control routes are grouped by practical situation. Commands, frame values, and route order are preserved from the current Japanese source guide.
Move names use CAPCOM's official English Frame Data terminology. Route order and numerical values are shared with the Japanese guide.
DR = raw Drive Rush CDR = Cancel Drive Rush PC = Punish Counter CH = Counter Hit Flame = the enhanced version used with a Flame stock
Kachousen = 236P Hishou Ryuuenjin = 623K Ryuuenbu = 214P Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi = 236K Musasabi no Mai = 214P during a forward jump
SA1 Kagerou no Mai = 236236P SA2 Chou Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi = 236236K SA3 Shiranui Ryuu: Enbu Ada Zakura = 214214P
SA1's former reversal invincibility against grounded strikes and throws was weakened. Its invincibility now mainly covers aerial attacks. Regular version: 6F startup and approximately +26F after a normal hit. Flame version: approximately +40F. Do not rely on SA1 as a general grounded reversal.
Whiff recovery increased from 15F to 17F, and the post-attack hurtbox extends farther forward, making whiffs easier to punish.
Improved forward movement on the 2nd hit reduces cases where only the first hit connects. Startup: 10F; on hit: +4; on block: -3.
Block advantage changed from -12F to -3F, with increased forward movement. Applies 40% starter scaling and 20% combo scaling. The Flame version deals 1400 damage and causes a wall splat in the corner.
Regular OD Ryuuenbu's midscreen follow-ups changed substantially from the older version.
Testing for this version indicates that older midscreen follow-ups such as L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi, H Hishou Ryuuenjin, and SA1 generally no longer work.
At midscreen, focus on cancels into SA2 / SA3.
In the corner, options include M / OD Hishou Ryuuenjin and SA1.
Reduced horizontal launch distance makes aerial combos more reliable, including OD Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > j.MP > SA1.
cr.LK > cr.LP > cr.LP > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
A basic low confirm. L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi is punishable on block, so confirm the hit.
st.LK > LK > LK > Musasabi no Mai
Gives very strong wake-up pressure.
Meter-spending option
st.LKx3 > OD Musasabi no Mai > H Hishou Ryuuenjin
SA
st.LKx3 > OD Musasabi no Mai > SA2
cr.MP > cr.LP > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
cr.MP: 6F startup / +5 on hit.
st.MP > OD Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > j.MP > Musasabi no Mai
Corner Super Art route
st.MP > OD Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > j.MP > land into SA1
cr.MK > CDR > 4HK > cr.MP > H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
Prioritizes damage
> H Hishou Ryuuenjin
4HK forces the opponent to stand. This matters because H Ryuuenbu whiffs against crouching opponents.
st.HP > H Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
Easy to use for punishes, whiff punishes, and after jump-ins.
st.HP > CDR > 4HK > cr.MP > H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
j.HK > st.HP > H Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
Meter-spending option
j.HK > st.HP > OD Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > j.MP > Musasabi no Mai
DR 6MP > cr.MP > H Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
Save meter
DR 6MP > st.LKx3 > Musasabi no Mai
4HK > HK > M Hishou Ryuuenjin
SA1
4HK > HK > SA1
st.MK PC > st.HP > H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
Alternatively:
> H Hishou Ryuuenjin
Check spacing: st.HP may not reach after a distant st.MK.
st.HK PC > crumple at +61F
basic
st.HK PC > DR st.HP > H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
SAeasy
st.HK PC > SA2
Midscreenstable route
cr.HP PC > cr.MP > H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
damage
> H Hishou Ryuuenjin
Near-maximum damage option
cr.HP PC > cr.MP > CDR st.HK > cr.MP > CDR st.HK > cr.MP > H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > SA3
Meterless
DI wall splat > 4HK・HK > M Hishou Ryuuenjin
SA1
DI wall splat > 4HK・HK > SA1
Using Drive meter
DI wall splat > st.HP > OD Ryuuenbu > L Ryuuenbu > H Hishou Ryuuenjin
OD Ryuuenbu
Startup: 16F; on block: -3F; starter scaling: 40%; combo scaling: 20%.
When to use it
• cr.MP > OD Ryuuenbu • cr.MK > OD Ryuuenbu
etc.
A buffered follow-up option for frame traps and Drive chip, with less risk of a large punish on block.
After regular OD Ryuuenbu at midscreen:
• L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi • H Hishou Ryuuenjin
It is safer not to rely on these older follow-ups.
Midscreen > SA2 / SA3
Corner options: M / OD Hishou Ryuuenjin, or SA1.
These are the basic options for the version described here.
cr.MP > OD Ryuuenbu > SA1
After SA1 > +26F
Continue into late-active meaty setplay.
Using SA1 grants 5 Flame stocks.
Stocks are gained even on a miss. Each enhanced special move or Super Art consumes 1 stock. There is no time limit.
Representative route
Hien Ren Kyaku > Flame OD Musasabi no Mai > Flame H Ryuuenbu > Flame H Hishou Ryuuenjin
Alternatively:
> Flame SA1
Flame OD Ryuuenbu
-3F on block, 1400 damage, and a corner wall splat.
Example
Flame OD Ryuuenbu > st.HP > H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > H / OD Hishou Ryuuenjin, or SA1 / SA2
High difficulty
Flame OD Ryuuenbu > st.HP > charged OD Kachousen > Midare Kachousen > DR > follow-up options > SA3
Grounded L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > approximately +27F
Grounded M Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > approximately +23F
Grounded H Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > approximately +22F or more
H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > +30F
LKTC > Musasabi no Mai > +41F
Flame LKTC > Flame Musasabi no Mai > approximately +42F
M Ryuuenbu > +35…41F approx.
H Ryuuenbu > +43…51F approx.
L Hishou Ryuuenjin: +29F; Flame version: +31F.
M Hishou Ryuuenjin: +31F; Flame version: +32F.
H Hishou Ryuuenjin: +31F; Flame version: +32F.
OD Hishou Ryuuenjin: +20F; Flame version: +27F.
cr.HK > +38F
forward throw > +21F
back throw > +17F
SA1: +26F; Flame version: +40F.
SA2: +23F; Flame version: +38F.
SA3 > +19F
CA > +20F
Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi, Ryuuenbu, and Musasabi no Mai advantage varies with spacing and height.
L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi grounded hit > forward dash > +9F
From there:
Options: walk-up throw, late-active 4HK, or shimmy.
Approximate advantage from late-active 4HK
hit: +5F block: +1F
L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > DR 6MP
Perform it immediately to reach the opponent around wake-up.
Options
Options: DR overhead, DR low, DR throw, or stop DR early and shimmy.
H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi airborne hit > +30F
forward dash > +12F
From there:
• throw • strike • shimmy
Alternative option
+30 > immediate DR 6MP
M Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi grounded hit > forward dash > +5F
From there:
• throw • shimmy
cr.LP active-frame meaty
hit: +6F block: +1F
On hit, this can combo into cr.MP.
H Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi grounded hit > forward dash > +4F
> the throw is meaty
Another strong option
H Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > DR 4HK
Meaty on the final active frame
hit: +11F block: +7F
4HK forces standing > st.HP > H Ryuuenbu
st.LKx3 > Musasabi no Mai > +41F
> forward jump HK
As a guideline, you can land and block invincible moves with 6F or slower startup.
It may lose to a 5F anti-air-invincible move.
Flame version
Flame Musasabi no Mai > approximately +42F
A stronger safe-jump setup.
LKTC > Musasabi no Mai > two forward dashes > +5F
From there:
• throw • strike • shimmy
forward throw > +21F
forward dash 18F > +3F
corner
• forward throw • cr.MP • st.LK • walk-back shimmy
forward throw > immediate DR
Options
• st.MK • cr.HP • 4HK
DR into block can also bait an invincible OD reversal.
Example
H Ryuuenbu > H Hishou Ryuuenjin
Alternatively:
4HK / HK > M Hishou Ryuuenjin
> +30F approximately
cr.MP whiff > +4F
From there:
• throw • shimmy
Alternative
LP whiff > L Ryuuenbuactive frames
Approximate values
On hit: approximately +7F. On block: approximately 0F.
4HK > HK
Approximately +48F in some situations.
From there:
st.MK whiff > L Ryuuenbu
Meaty on the final active frame
hit: +9F block: +2F
An important meterless setup that gives advantage on block.
H Ryuuenbu etc. > +43F
st.LP x2 > 6MP on a later active frame
Time the overhead as a late-active meaty.
SA1 > +26F
cr.LK whiff > 4HKactive frames
Approximate values
hit: +7F block: +3F
Gain 5 Flame stocks with SA1 > late-active meaty > Flame-enhanced combo.
Flame SA1 > +40F
forward dash 18F after > +22F
From there:
Options include late-active attacks, throws, and Flame Kachousen, with considerable flexibility.
OD Kachousencharged
Additional hit from the rebounding fan
hit: +25F block: +21F
The delayed hit keeps the opponent occupied.
During that time:
• throw • cr.LK • 6MP
Apply the mix-up to open the opponent up.
Note
A Perfect Parry leaves you at a major disadvantage. Do not overuse this.
cr.MP > OD Ryuuenbu
block > -3F
Do not immediately mash an attack afterward.
Vary the sequence with:
• cr.MP > cr.LP • cr.MP > delayed OD Ryuuenbu • cr.MP > block
Mix these options into your pressure.
OD Ryuuenbu deals substantial Drive chip, making it useful for threatening Burnout.
Strong options
• OD Ryuuenbu • L Ryuuenbuactive frames • Kachousen(Charged)
When Ryuuenbu connects on later active frames:
Light version: up to approximately +2 on block.
Flame version: up to approximately +4.
These are the upper values listed in the data used for this guide.
Note
Year 4 SA1 is not an invincible reversal against grounded strikes, so Mai's defense is weaker when burned out with her back to the corner.
1. cr.LK > cr.LPx2 > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
2. st.LKx3 > Musasabi no Mai
3. cr.MP > cr.LP > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
4. st.MP > OD Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > j.MP > Musasabi no Mai
5. cr.MK > CDR > 4HK > cr.MP > H Ryuuenbu > L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
6. st.HP > H Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
7. DR 6MP > cr.MP > H Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi
8. L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi > forward dash > +9F > throw / 4HK / shimmy
9. LKTC > Musasabi no Mai > +41F > forward jump HKsafe jump
10. corner
forward throw > forward dash > +3F throw loop
Make contact with Kachousen, st.MP, or st.HP > knock down with L Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi / Musasabi no Mai > forward dash / DR > overhead / low / throw / shimmy > carry to the corner > forward-throw loop > land SA1 in a combo > gain Flame stocks > boost damage with enhanced specials > corner damage and setplay.
Use the following current-version replacements.
SA1 is not an invincible grounded reversal.
st.MP is easier to whiff-punish.
Regular OD Ryuuenbu's midscreen follow-ups changed substantially.
OD Ryuuenbu: -3F on block, 40% starter scaling, and 20% combo scaling.
Flame OD Ryuuenbu deals 1400 damage and causes a corner wall splat.
j.MP's aerial combo utility improved.
Sources: official Street Fighter 6 battle adjustments; Ultimate Frame Data, August 2026 version; Mai combo material updated 2026-8-9; Year 4 adjustment and new-combo testing dated 2026-8-7; setplay material updated March 2026; Classic Mai wake-up pressure research.
Some articles updated August 9 still include older OD Ryuuenbu routes. This guide prioritizes August 7 in-game testing and UFD for the version described here.
Combo and setplay conditions and advantage vary with spacing, late-active timing, airborne hit height, Flame stocks, and position relative to the corner.
Recheck in Training Mode before using these routes in matches.
Frame advantage may vary with spacing, airborne hits, recovery options, and corner position. Verify important routes in Training Mode.