Basic Info: How to play Zangief

Specializing in oppressive offense centered around his powerful throws, Zangief may be slow on his feet, but once he's up close and personal, he can unload devastating damage.

With a wide variety of throws, Zangief's explosive potential is second-to-none when handled by someone who specializes in predicting their opponent's movements.

When at mid-range, Zangief can use strikes with long reach to apply pressure on his opponents, and can also use throws with long range to deal massive damage once he's closed in.

The Screw Piledriver, Zangief's signature throw, is his main tool for breaking through an opponent's guard.

Special Move: Double Lariat ()

A lariat performed by extending both arms and spinning. Invulnerable to projectiles during the duration of the spin.

A prime pick as an anti-air attack when your opponent jumps in at you! Perform it with haste to defend against jump-ins!

(Overdrive)

Thanks to its swift execution, it can be performed as a combo even from a light attack.

When your opponent trembles in fear of being thrown and starts to get slippery, use this move to apply pressure and keep them locked down!

Special Move: Screw Piledriver (+)

Throw an opponent, leap into the air, and smash them into the ground with a spinning slam. Its high damage and long reach make it a key part of a grappler's arsenal.

Behold the Red Cyclone: a devastatingly powerful throw symbolic of my very being! The light version has the longest reach, making it effective for grabbing an opponent after they miss an attack! Medium and heavy hit even harder, so get grabbing!

(Overdrive)

It has range equal to the medium version and does the most damage of any of them! Use it as often as your Drive Gauge will allow!

Special Move: Borscht Dynamite (+ during a jump)

Grab a mid-air opponent, juggling them and then smashing them into the ground with a spinning slam. Can only be used against airborne opponents.

When your opponent grows fearful of the Screw Piledriver and takes to the air to escape, seize them with this move! None can escape the Red Cyclone! Bwaaah hah hah!

(Overdrive)

The perfect counter to an opponent's aerial attack! You can even transition into it from Flying Headbutt to make a combo!

Keep your eyes open and your senses keen so you don't miss your opportunity to deliver tremendous damage!

Special Move: Russian Suplex (+ near opponent)

Grab an opponent and slam them into the ground with two powerful suplexes. This move will only activate when close to an opponent. When far away, Siberian Express will activate instead.

Connecting with this attack will switch places with your opponent. Should you find yourself trapped in the corner, this move may be your key to freedom!

(Overdrive)

More damage, and more SA gauge gain! This one is perfect for counter attacking or breaking through blocks at close range!

Special Move: Siberian Express (+ far from opponent)

Run to an opponent and grab them before slamming them to the ground with a devastating powerbomb. When you're at a longer distance from the opponent, this is useful for making a surprise attack or breaking through their blocks.

Try using this at around the range you'd be able to hit an opponent with the very tip of your foot with a standing light kick! Swiftly seize them, making it difficult for them to make a cowardly airborne escape.

(Overdrive)

Seize an opponent with even greater haste, carrying them toward the corner if it connects. Show them that a little distance will not save them from the Red Cyclone!

Special Move: Tundra Storm (+)

Counter an opponent's grounded kick and throw them. Can only be used against certain attacks, but makes up for that limitation with its big damage.

Making full use of this move demands you memorize what kick attacks your opponent has at their disposal, but if you succeed, you're sure to make them cower in fear! I believe in your ability, my comrade! You can do it!

Super Art: Aerial Russian Slam (+)

Jump diagonally upward, grabbing an airborne opponent before viciously slamming them into the ground. Useful as an anti-air counter when predicting your opponent's jumps or when worked into combos.

This can be tremendously effective as an anti-air technique, provided you're able to react quickly enough! Oh yes, you'll be in danger if you miss, but if you truly believe your opponent will jump, use this move to bring them back to the ground!

Super Art: Cyclone Lariat (+)

Rotate at high speeds to pull in an opponent and grab them before slamming them into the ground with a powerful throw. You can choose what direction to throw your opponent by inputting left or right during the throw.

Holding the button will prevent this move's transition into a throw, allowing you to instead knock your opponent into the air!

You may follow it with an OD Borscht Dynamite for extra damage, or instead opt to use a regular or unique attack and then continue applying offensive pressure to your opponent!

Super Art: Bolshoi Storm Buster (+)

A powerful throw that puts an opponent in a finishing hold with pro-wrestling flair. Can be used to slip through an opponent's guard at close range and deliver massive damage. Once this move has begun, it is impossible for opponents within its reach to escape by jumping away.

Your opponent will be keeping an eye out for this move, so it could prove challenging to pull off. Make clever use of dashes, jumps, and Drive Rushes to grab them when they've left themselves open!

Strategy: Fundamentals 1

Listen well: you mustn't expect to simply stroll up and throw your opponent. They will be wary of your almighty grab, and are sure to do all in their power to stop your approach. Remain calm, and begin by peppering your opponent with strikes.

Your standing light kick and crouching medium kick are swift, and don't leave you too vulnerable. When attempting to beat an opponent's normals with your own, try crouching medium punch.

Standing heavy punch and crouching heavy kick have long reach, not to mention plenty of glorious bulk, for optimal hitting potential! Each type of strike has its own purpose, so learn them well and choose the right one for the job.

If you hold the button when doing a standing heavy punch, your upper body will gain armor. Your ironclad muscles can then withstand a blow from your opponent.

With the power of this armor, you can effectively return an opponent's strike with the full force of your own! It is a move most powerful, but it leaves you quite open if you miss, so you mustn't be reckless with it.

Strategy: Fundamentals 2

Surely you've experienced an opponent attempting to halt your advance with projectiles, yes? They do so because they are shaking in their boots, terrified of what draws nearer.

Should they stoop to such cowardice, you may use Double Lariat to evade them, or a Drive Parry or Drive Impact to withstand the projectile as you press your tireless advance. No longer must we be bested by puny projectiles!

Strategy: Fundamentals 3

Once you've got your opponent minding their manners and staying put, that's your chance to move in! When at mid-range, make frequent use of Knee Hammer (+)—it will allow you to approach while beating out your opponent's sweeps.

Knee Hammer recovers quickly, so if you throw it out at a distance just short of hitting your opponent, you can surprise them with a Screw Piledriver immediately afterward! A powerful tactic, to be sure! Bwah hah hah!

Strategy: Fundamentals 4

Once you've closed in on your opponent, look for your openings to land a powerful grab while also applying offensive pressure with relentless strikes.

Whether your Headbutt (+) hits or is blocked, you'll be able to move first. After you've connected, you can either go for the grab, or go for an alternative means of preventing your cowardly opponent's escape!

Machine Gun Chops (,,) and Power Stomps (+,,) are moves that hit multiple times, but can also be stopped partway through so you can go for a grab instead. Use them wisely, and do your utmost to trap your opponent like a rat!