how to beat grab spamming zangief

[gamerX459]

so sick of his piledrivers

[mrobson83]

I would think if it looks like they’re going in for an SPD, and you can recognize that moment, just jump straight up and nail them with a combo on the way down.

[Washing Machine]

Keep him out so he can't put you in the grab guessing game. Once Gief is in throw range, you've kinda lost already.

Outside that, guess. Holding up beats all grabs, but he can hit you with a button instead or anti air you if he saw it coming. Mashing reversal is another option, but he can bait those.

One thing to remember though is that light SPD leaves him at a range where he can't dash up and continue, it has to be EX or heavy SPD if he wants to dash forward and continue bullying you. The charged standHP is weak to low attacks, or if you hit him twice to break the armor. V-reversal it if you otherwise blocked it so he's not plus in your face.

[NeoTurfMaster]

What is there to say that hasn’t already been said? Just make sure you win in neutral at all times, I guess.

[gamerX459]

glad for the helpful advice instead of super troll responses...ty ill see what i can do

[The Grin]

And Zangief Tanks too (Red skin V trigger + temporary block and counter attack when he flexes his Biceps)....that guy is awesome! You can´t beat MUSCLE POWER!

[shingomouri]

- Keep a distance from medium to long. Avoid Zangief approaching Fireballs (Hadouken, Sonic Boom, etc.) with varying speeds (for the opponent to be in doubt when jumping) and try to always punish with DPs (Shoryuken, Flash Kick) wrong jumps.
- If Zangief escapes with Lariat, wait a little and see the direction, whether forwards or backwards. If he goes forward, quickly advance forward and aim a strong creep. If he goes back, keep your distance.
- To attack Zangief, be aware of his V-Trigger 1. If it is full, avoid being near Zangief and stay in the game neutral and patient. If you let go of the fireball and Zangief trigger V-Trigger 1, it will suck you up and make the sequel with EX Screw Pile Driver. Be careful.
- Avoid using your V-trigger and always reserve to use V-Reversal to avoid Zangief's V-Trigger 1.
- Avoid jumping in the direction of Zangief. He will cancel with Lariat or jump with Air Screw Pile Driver.
- If you have a character that does not use Fireball, you will have to use pokes, but you must be a very good co-ordination to avoid Siberian Express. It is very fast, but you can still see when the movement starts. When he gets close, jump and drop the approaching by applying a good combo.
- If Zangief comes close and you are cornered, you will confront the 50/50 situation when you are down. In these cases, you will have to evaluate how your opponent plays, but in general, the variations that the most people use are:
1-strong blow with a butt, knee with a medium kick or a smack, and then Screw Pile Driver - in this case, you can escape with an EX-DP, or, if you have a lot of agility, defend the first blow and before your opponent finishes the move of the Screw Pile Driver, you must jump.
2-Screw Pile Direct Driver. In that case, just skip, then punish.
3-Strong kick or strong punch with charge - use an EX-DP or V-reversal. If you defend, Screw Pile Driver will be applied.
4-Normal grab - jump. If it is tick throw, be ready for a late tech. But this is rarely used by Zangief users.

[Neo Supreme]

While it's not nearly among my best of wins against Zangief, I do enjoy victories, especially against opponents like Zangief

https://youtu.be/2Yy0qYJ5Bo4

[NeoTurfMaster]

This isn’t as relevant to the main topic, but it should still be helpful. https://youtu.be/sVbkjvafS1E

[Frits Bricks]

Basically everything thats been said already, just keep him out of close range. If he scores a knockdown on you, you kinda have to either react (which is already hard and damn near impossible online) or kinda guess based on his previous patterns if he'll grab or use a normal.

Dont get knocked down and you'll do fine.

[The Grin]

Zangief loses vs CAMMY, she´s too fast too fast and her "auto-lock" air kick are just what you need to break some Zangief grabs. OF course avoid at all cost staying near Zangief for more than 1 second.....Noob players tend to use only one button.

[lanepi]

On top of what's been said, there's also the option to dash backwards. It's risky because if they go for a fierce you get crush countered, but this can be useful at times and when you're cornered and you read it right you can punish the gief easily.

[delacroix01]

Like others said, keep a distance from him. If your character has a fireball move, use it. Make sure you prepare to anti-air because he will jump a lot. If your character doesn't, it'll be a lot harder but still not impossible. Here's a demonstration with one of the harder matchups against Gief:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjfP9ta8WZ0

[strike478]

Originally posted by gamerX459:

so sick of his piledrivers

Do not let him to approach you into grab range.
Grapplers have hard time to get in but once they are in optimal range you are at big disadvantage.
In last Killer instinct nobody were calling General Raam strong character but if he were good at approaching enemies he would be easily strongest.