Tips vs Zoning (As Vira)

[Lysamus]

Hey All,

I constantly find myself at 3/4 or full screen against Ferrys, Mikials, etc unable to find a way in and get my offense restarted as Vira (both pre & post install). Anyone got any tips or tricks I can try? Here's what I've been trying so far.
- Trying walk n block, but I'm too slow to react to ranged pokes and get tagged.
- Trying spot & forward dodge, but often get tagged on recovery.
- Trying M or H.Butterfly, but find myself blocking before it's active and lose it.

Appreciate the help in advance!

[kumokiri]

214L or H (Scarlet Oath) can be good gap closers depending on the matchup if you have a hard time just running in, if you have some meter the U version can help sometimes also if you use it right
lumin summons also work against projectiles if you are spaced correctly but spending meter on U version is the only good option

ideally what you want to do is go for install as soon as possible because she has a better kit all around, and more movement options like her 5U jump and air dashes
her install also has a fullscreen beam projectile ssba when you have full meter

always helps to practice having some patience as well since you have no projectiles, not all zoners are plus on block and once you understand dodging and frame advantage it'll get easier and you'll know when you can move in

this is all i got for basics i think

[Rei]

L/H Scarlet Oath is a good way to close distance like Kumo said, though I wouldn't recommend using it often for that purpose since they can easily start checking you with pokes or just block. U Scarlet Oath is very good for catching back dashes and if there's a gap before a fire ball comes out. For example U scarlet oath as Ferry throws out Gigi is a good punish if you're spacing is good. If you don't see them check you ABUSE the heck out of M Scarlet oath since it's the only version that leaves you plus. Trying to check someone with summon Lumi is a bit rough against zoners since Vira is more of a set play esque shoto, U Lumi though like Kumi said depending on your spacing can be very good as a check.

Install air dash in the sense that of you using it to close space is only good if you can vary your air dash timings, if not zoners who are aware will easily punish you for it.

Try neutral jumping and jumping forward more as well (don't do obvious jump ins, but jumping over fireballs is another good way to navigate bullet simulator). Also while you're walking up I'd incorporate sort of like walking back and forth not really shimmy but sort of. This especially helps if you know they're trying to tag you with pokes, gives you more time to whiff punish them either with DP (for someone like ferry who's hit box gets extended) or with fH into either an RS combo or H Darkane depending on your spacing.

What you have as your current gameplan right now and the little tidbits Kumo gave you is pretty much all you need. It all just comes down to experience and learning the MU like certain whiff punishes, what is fake and what isn't, etc; as lame as it is to say.

What I recommend as well is to look at replays of high level Vira players either in game or on youtube vs a specific zoner and see what they do. You don't need to emulate them completely, but just seeing other play styles or ideas might help you a bit. Funnily enough I did this last weekend, and it helped me immensely with my promos to S++5 Vira the other day, can you believe that I fought all zoners from s+1 to my S++ promos lmao

[Taba]

i dont know what level you're playing at but blocking is king sprinkle in some roll/dodge if it's a good opportunity. Vira struggles here a bit more than many other characters because she lacks a fireball to fight back with but you really just have to play solid until you get them in the corner and box them in with your really good normals.