How to Play Hwoarang: Tekken 8 BEGINNER Guide

Tekken 8 has a character archetype for every playstyle thanks to its massive 32-man launch roster. Regardless of whether you want grapplers, all-rounders, or grinds, Bandai Namco’s traditional 3D fighting game has you covered.

But few characters in Tekken’s combat system quite match Hwoarang’s depth and breadth of experience. This fiery Korean fighter can look intimidating on paper with his four different stances and a dizzying array of kicking styles.

But the reality is that Hwoarang is almost accessibility mixed with mastery – making him a natural fit for both Tekken veterans and newcomers alike.

A Stance-Dancing Dynamo

At the core of Hwoarang’s repertoire lies an intricate web of stances, each granting access to unique moves and devastating combos. His default stance, the Right Stance, already sports a dizzying number of kick-focused attacks and juggles.

But it’s when Hwoarang switches to his Left Flamingo and Right Flamingo positions that his true potential is unleashed. Suddenly, a whirlwind of unorthodox attacks and air juggles becomes available, enabling skilled players to unleash unrelenting barrages of fiery kicks.

Despite all this complexity, Hwoarang continues to be amazingly enjoyable from the first play-through. His basic kicks and combos are intuitive enough for button mashers, yet layered enough to provide depth as one’s skills improve.

Crucial Moves to Master

While Hwoarang’s overall move list is nothing short of daunting, a handful of key techniques can set the stage for players to get their feet wet with this Korean dynamo:

• Left Plasma Blade (b+3): A powerful launching attack that can initiate deadly juggle combos.
• Ankle Biter > Crescent Kick (d/b+4, 4): A low-high string that can catch opponents off guard and potentially generate big damage on counter-hit.
• Right Hook Kick (f+4): A solid high kick that is a great combo starter on counter-hit.
• Double Claymore Kick (d/f+3, 4): An evasive mid-kicking string that power crushes through incoming attacks.

Once comfortable with his standard attacks, players can begin experimenting with Hwoarang’s unique stance transitions:

• Shark Step (f, d/f): This sidestep allows Hwoarang to weave in and out of range, setting up sneaky pokes and counter-hits.
• Right Stance (3+4): Hwoarang’s default fighting stance, enabling his full offensive repertoire.
• Left Flamingo (f+3): Entering this stance opens the door to a host of aerial attacks and juggle continuations.
• Right Flamingo (f, 4): The counterpart to the Left Flamingo, the Right Flamingo affords Hwoarang an alternate set of stance-based techniques.

Combo Carnage

No Hwoarang guide would be complete without showcasing his ability to effortlessly link together devastating combos. From basic launchers to advanced, wall-carrying sequences, the “Rekkaken” fighter’s offensive might is unparalleled.

A few examples of Hwoarang’s combo prowess:

• Beginner Combo: b+3 > f+2 > F+3, 2 > F+3 > (Left Flamingo) u/f+3+4, F > u/f+4 > ff > (Right Stance) F+3 > (Left Flamingo) 4, 3

An excellent starter combo for fledgling Hwoarang players, this sequence begins with the Left Plasma Blade launcher before transitioning between stances for a visually impressive air juggle.

• Wall Carry Combo: f, d/f+4 > 3+4 > (Right Stance) 3, 4 > fF > u+3 > 2 > f (Left Flamingo) 4, 4 > fF > (Right Stance) 3, 4 > u/f+3+4 (Wall Splat) > fF > (Sidestep) 3, 3 > 3F > f+3

A prime example of Hwoarang’s unrelenting pressure, this devastating wall carry unleashes a blistering series of kicks across multiple stances while carrying the opponent to the nearest wall for a vicious finisher.

• Heat and Rage Combo: f, d/f+4 > f+3+4 > (Right Stance) 3, 4 > fF > 3+4 > f+3 > 2 > f+3 > u/f+4 > fF > 3+4 > (Right Stance) 3, 4 > 2+3 > fF > 3+4 > f+3 > f+3, F > fF > u+3 > d/f+1+2

When the Heat is on, Hwoarang can tap into his full potential with screen-filling combos like this beast. A devastating amalgamation of stance transitions, juggles, and his incredibly damaging Heat Smash (d/f+1+2).

Tips for Mastering the “Handsome Kick Master”

Beyond simply memorizing Hwoarang’s plethora of techniques, a few key tips can help solidify one’s mastery over this multifaceted fighter:

• Launchers Made Easy: Struggling with Hwoarang’s tricky f, d/f+4 launcher input? Swap to his Right Stance (3+4) before attempting it for a slightly easier execution window.
• Exploit Shark Step: Hwoarang’s excellent Shark Step dash (f, d/f) is a superb way to catch opponents off-guard with close-range pokes or counter-hit launchers to start deadly combos. Abuse this mobility to keep foes guessing.
• Mind Your Spacing: Despite his impressive range, Hwoarang has a notable weakness against rush-down characters who can circumvent his kicks. Maintaining proper spacing is crucial to avoid having combos stuffed prematurely.

The Handsome Kicking Master Cometh

While Hwoarang may seem like an insurmountable challenge at first glance, his unique stance-focused gameplay and penchant for visually dazzling combos make him an incredibly rewarding fighter to learn.

With a mix of simple techniques for beginners to grasp and layer upon layer of depth for seasoned players to unravel, the former Korean special operative is perfectly poised to captivate Tekken fans of all skill levels.

So don your fiery orange hairdo, unleash a furious flurry of kicks, and embrace the chaos as you journey to master Hwoarang, the epitome of Tekken 8’s offensive dynamism.